“Ow!” Sunset yelped as she felt a needle prick against her skin. “Rarity, careful!”
“So sorry, dear,” Rarity apologised as she maneuvered the sewing needle towards a stitch on the left shoulder, careful not to prick Sunset again. “This stitch is proving to be quite troublesome!”
Sunset sighed, trying to remain perfectly still despite the threat of being pricked yet again. I swear this is the last time I get roped into acting as a living mannequin for one of Rarity’s outfits. Friends or not, I going to make you pay, Rainbow!
This was not how Sunset had planned to spend her Saturday, cooped up in the back room of Rarity’s boutique to act as a model. “Are you almost done?” Sunset groaned impatiently. “My legs are starting to fall asleep.”
“Almost!” With steady hands, Rarity expertly threaded the needle through the swath of fabric, finally sealing the stitch shut. “And… done!” Stepping down from the podium and setting her sewing supplies aside, Rarity grabbed a full body mirror and rolled it over for Sunset to see. “Well, what do you think? Be honest, Sunset.”
Sunset admired her reflection, twirling around to take in the full scope of her new outfit. As opposed to her usual high-end designs, Rarity had gone a bit more casual when designing this particular outfit: a violet blouse with a skirt that flowed down to Sunset’s knees, light orange highlights around the hemline invoking the memory of reading by candle light beneath a starless night sky in Sunset, bringing a smile to her face.
“Wow, Rarity,” Sunset said, momentarily at a loss for words as she envisioned adding her favourite jacket to the outfit. “I… I don’t know what to say…”
“Hmm…” Rarity pondered as she scrutinized the outfit on Sunset. “It’s still missing something, but I can’t quite put my finger on just what. A sash around the waist perhaps?” Removing her glasses for a moment, Rarity crossed her arms and tapped her glasses against her arm as she tried to piece together just what was missing. “Maybe I should try adding a few things and see—”
“No!” Sunset shouted, not wanting to suffer through possibly another hour of standing on her feet. Seeing Rarity’s startled expression, Sunset quickly tried to salvage her response. “I mean… uh… I think it’s perfect. Don’t want to end up ruining it after all the work you put in, right?”
Sunset felt herself start to sweat under Rarity’s gaze, before the fashionista finally nodded. “You’re right,” Rarity said as she slipped her glasses back on, “Best not to ruin a good thing with unnecessary accessories, I do suppose.”
Sunset breathed a quick sigh of relief. Thank Celestia…
Sunset moved to step down from the podium only for a wave of dizziness to suddenly wash over her, the world spinning before her eyes. Unable to focus, her foot slipped out from under her, sending her tumbling off the podium.
“Sunset!” Quick as a flash, Rarity bolted over and caught Sunset before she could smash face first onto the floor, grunting under the sudden weight before helping Sunset to sit down onto the edge of the podium.
“Ni…nice… catch…” Sunset panted. She held a hand to her head as a throbbing pain rebounded through her skull, the world still swimming around her.
“Are you alright, dear?” Rarity asked, looking over Sunset with ever increasing worry. “Are you hurt? Sick?”
“I’m… I’m fine…” Sunset croaked out, her strained voice and paling face saying otherwise.
“You most certainly are not!” Rarity shot back, her gaze growing sterner, yet losing none of their concern. “Oh, you look positively dreadful!” Pressing her hand against Sunset’s forehand, she felt for her temperature. “You don’t feel like you have a fever...”
Using her free hand to grab Rarity’s wrist, Sunset gently pushed her hand away. “Honestly, I’m alright. Just a little… tired. I must have been standing longer than I thought…” Sunset tugged at the collar of her blouse, feeling strangely warm all of a sudden.
Rarity looked like she wanted to argue and yet couldn’t find fault in Sunset’s logic. She sagged her shoulders and said, “I… guess that could be the case. Still, is there anything you need?”
“Some water would be nice.”
“Of course. One moment and I’ll—”
“Don’t trouble yourself, I can get it.” Standing up, Sunset wobbled at first, holding up a hand to stall Rarity when she rushed over to try and steady her. “There’s a break room down that hall, right?” she asked, pointing towards a door leading deeper into the boutique.
“Ye—Yes…” Rarity reluctantly answered, raising a hand towards Sunset. “I can get it for you, you really should be rest—”
The sound of a jingling bell from the front of the store cut her off, followed by the familiar sound of Rainbow’s voice yelling “Yo, Rarity! You in here?”
Despite her lingering fatigue, Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle. “Better go out and greet them before Rainbow starts tearing the place apart looking for you.” Putting her hand on Rarity’s shoulder, she weakly smiled at her. “Go, I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Alright…” Turning towards the doorway, she gave one more glance at Sunset over her shoulder. “Holler if you need anything, okay?”
“Got it. I’ll join you soon, don’t worry.” As Rarity disappeared into the main part of the boutique, Sunset set off for the break room, bracing her hand against the wall to steady herself as she was hit by another wave of dizziness.
Sunset hadn’t been lying when she’d told Rarity she was tired, but she had purposely left out the real reason why. The last few nights had not been pleasant for Sunset, any sleep she could get plagued by horrifying nightmares that made getting a full night’s rest almost impossible. Sunset was lucky if she managed anywhere from three to four hours sleep a night, and that combined lack of sleep was beginning to take its toll.
Slowly, Sunset managed to reach the break room without collapsing again, pushing the door open with her other hand and stepping inside. Making her way towards the sink, she pulled a clean glass from the cupboard and filled it to the rim with water before bringing it to her lips. As the cold water flowed down her throat, Sunset felt her strength slowly return and the wobble in her legs subside.
Sighing in relief, Sunset placed the glass under the tap again for another drink. I should go join the girls before they start to worry—
A metallic clang rang through the room as the glass dropped from Sunset’s grip, her hand desperately gripping onto the edge of the counter as she collapsed to her knees. With laboured breaths, Sunset clutched her breast as a sharp pain lanced through her chest.
“What…” Sunset stuttered, sweat dripping down her face. “What is this?”
“Miss me, Sunset?” a voice whispered in Sunset’s ear, a malevolent cackle following in its wake.
No! Sunset gasped, her eyes widening in terror. Not here, not now!
A light knock against the door made Sunset look up. “Sunset?” Rarity replied from the other side of the door. “Are you alright in there, dear?”
I have to get out of here! Whipping her head around in search of an exit, her eyes fell on the door at the back of the room, hopefully leading out into the parking lot. Fighting through the pain, Sunset pulled herself to her feet and charged the door, grabbing the doorknob and twisting it as she slammed herself against the door.
The door didn’t so much as budge, a few harsh twist of the doorknob revealing to her horror that the door was locked. No, no, no! In desperation, Sunset frantically tried to force the door open, kicking at the door to no avail.
“Sunset, what’s that noise?” Rarity again called through the door, the handle slowly starting to turn as she made to enter.
Sunset tried to yell out, to warn Rarity to not come in, but her voice had deserted her, unable to even let a squeak as the door was pushed open.
“Is everything alrig—Hey!” Rarity had barely taken a step before she was shoved aside, catching the barest sight of red hair streaked with yellow flowing past her as Sunset barrelled down the hallway. “Sunset, what’s wrong?!”
Sunset didn’t waste time answering her; her mind focused solely on reaching the front entrance and running away as fast as she could. Her blood felt like lead in her veins and her strides were sluggish, almost like wading through sludge, and yet Sunset pressed on. Have… to get… away…
Throwing open the door into the main part of the boutique, her eyes widened in terror at the sight of her friends, all five of them staring at her in confusion.
“Hey, Sunset,” Applejack greeted, walking up to her. “Rare said you weren’t feelin’ too we—” Applejack was cut off as Sunset ran past her like she wasn’t even there. “Whoa there, sugarcube! Where’s the fire?”
Sunset didn’t offer a reply as she raced past the others, the front entrance within her sights. Almost… there…
Sorry, but you’ve had your fun…
Another stab of pain pierced through Sunset’s chest, a choked gasp forced from her lips as it felt like fire now flowed through her veins. Her feet felt rooted to the floor, taking all her strength to not completely collapse under the feeling of being burned from the inside out.
“Sunset!’ Rarity cried out she finally caught up with her, scowling as she marched towards her. “What has gotten into you? Shoving me aside like that was simply uncalled f—”
“Stay back!”
Rarity flinched back from Sunset, as did the others, all of them now looking at Sunset with expressions ranging from confusion, to concern, to even fear etched across their face. “Sunset…?” Rarity asked, slowly extending a hand towards her friend. “What’s wrong?”
“I… I can’t…” Sunset struggled to say, every word only serving to make the pain even more unbearable. Hunching over, Sunset clutched her abdomen tightly, tears streaming down her face as she felt the fire inside shoot up her back, prickling at her skin like searing needles.
… But now it’s my turn!
“AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!” An almost inhuman scream ripped itself free from Sunset’s throat, nearly drowning out the sound of tearing fabric as something burst forth from her back, a flurry of shredded fabric tossed in all directions. Now free from their confines, a pair of pitch-black leather wings were finally allowed to spread themselves wide.
Rarity and the others could only stare on in disbelief as they bore witness to this, a heavy silence filling the air that was only broken by Sunset’s panting breaths. Gulping, Rarity took a tentative step towards the fiery haired girl. “Su… Sunset?”
“Grrr…”
A low growl was Rarity’s only warning before Sunset whipped back around, slashing at her with nails that were suddenly razor sharp. Rarity shrieked as she toppled back, slamming hard against the hardwood floor of the boutique. As Rarity tried to pick herself back up, she felt something drip down her cheek. Raising her hand up to her cheek, she was alarmed when her hand came back with crimson droplets smeared across her fingertips.
“Bl—Blood?”
“Grrr…”
Glancing up, Rarity could only watch in horror as Sunset charged towards her, her limbs frozen in place as her brain screamed at her to run. Within seconds, Sunset descended upon her, her hands outstretched like claws as if to pluck out Rarity’s eyes, finally prompting Rarity to throw up an arm across her face to protect herself.
“Whoa nelly!”
When nothing happened after a moment, Rarity hesitantly uncovered her eyes, gaping in shock at the sight of a restrained Sunset, thrashing against Applejack’s grip as the farm girl held her a foot off the ground, having looped her arms underneath Sunset’s and grabbed her by the shoulders. With Sunset restrained, Fluttershy quickly ran over and helped Rarity to her feet, the two backing away from the snarling Sunset.
“Easy there, Sunset!” Applejack tried to reason with the flailing girl, her words falling on deaf ears as Sunset’s struggles only increased. “I don’t know what in the hell’s goin’ on, but actin’ like a rabid hound ain’t gonna help! If y’all just calm down, then we can—”
Applejack was cut off as Sunset’s head swung back and headbutted her in the forehead, rattling Applejack enough that her grip slipped. Taking advantage of this, Sunset pulled herself free, using her new wings to her advantage as she soared up to the ceiling. Flying through the air, she came to land on a nearby dressing room stall, perched like a bird of prey just waiting to strike.
Her leather wings flapped behind her, the front side a deep crimson that far too closely resembled blood. Her hands clutched the top of the dressing room, her nails like sharpened claws that could sever flesh with but a thought. An equally fierce pair of fangs that hadn’t been there before stuck out from her upper lip.
But her most striking feature were her eyes: piercing cyan eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light within a sea of black. Eyes that the other five girls had seen before, filling them with feelings of dread that they had thought long buried.
“Incoming!” Pinkie shouted as Sunset leaped up and dive-bombed towards them.
Everyone scattered to try and avoid the feral Sunset as she made a pass at them. Having failed on her first pass, Sunset growled as she dived again.
“Anyone got any bright ideas?!” Rainbow Dash yelled in desperation, leaping to the side as Sunset soared past. “Cause we could really use some right about now!”
“I’m thinkin’!” Applejack shouted back as she frantically searched around for something she could use to stop her. Spying a rack of scarves and shirts nearby, she grinned as she made a mad dash for the articles of clothing. “Keep her busy, I’ve got an idea!”
“On it!” Leaping out from behind the shelf she’d been hiding behind, Pinkie proudly stood out in the open, waving her arms above her head. “Look at me, I’m a target!”
Taking the bait, Sunset dived at Pinkie Pie, her hands outstretched and nails ready to rip into Pinkie’s flesh. Quick as a flash, Pinkie pirouetted out of Sunset’s path, pointing her finger at Sunset as she came to a stop.
“Ha! Missed me!”
Snarling, Sunset made another dive at her, only to miss once more. Subsequent attempts all proved fruitless, making Sunset growl as Pinkie started giggling like this was some kind of game.
“That all you go— EEK!” Hitting the deck, Pinkie barely avoided getting a little too much taken off the top as Sunset managed to lop off a lock of her hair. “Uh… Applejack? Any time now!”
“Almost done!” Tugging as hard as she could, Applejack finished tying several scarves and shirts together into a makeshift lasso. Hope this works! Swinging the lasso over her head, Applejack took careful aim and jerked her arm back before letting the lasso fly. With years of wrangling farm animals under her belt, it came as no surprise when the lasso looped around Sunset, pinning her wings to her side and sending her plummeting towards the ground.
“Bullseye!” Giving a harsh yank of the lasso, Applejack sent Sunset careening into a stand of dresses, slamming into the ground with a loud thud.
“Applejack!” Fluttershy shouted, gasping in horror at the pile of dresses Sunset had crashed into. “Don’t hurt her! She’s still Sunset!”
“Sorry ‘Shy!” Applejack replied, keeping a firm hold on the lasso in her hands. “I’ll make it up to her when she’s not tryin’ to kill us!” Feeling a tug against the lasso, Applejack yanked back as Sunset burst from the pile of dresses, glaring at her with murder in her eyes.
“Well, looky here!” Applejack said, grinning from ear to ear. “I caught me a big one!”
Growling, Sunset flexed her arms and snapped the lasso binding her, the destroyed clothes fluttering to the floor. Sunset made to lunge at Applejack, only to stop mid-step in place, as if held back by an invisible force. Holding her hands to her face, Sunset writhed around, snarling and growling as if in pain.
“Oh, what now?” Rainbow yelled as they all watched Sunset flail around.
As her flailing slowed down, her left hand slipped from her face and hung limp at her side as she opened her left eye, the sclera of her eye having changed back from black to white. Her eye moved back and forth at it looked at the five girls scattered around her, unrestrained fear reflected in her eye. “R…run…”
“Sunset!” Fluttershy cried out, the smallest shred of relief in her voice. “What’s happening? Tell us so we can help—”
“R… run!” Sunset repeated, wincing in pain as she struggled to speak. “I… I can’t hold… hold her back for long! Get… get out of here before… before… AAARRRGGGHHH!” Throwing her head back, Sunset let out an unholy mix between a scream and a beastly howl, her wings snapping open behind her as she pounced on Applejack, her eyes having reverted back to their previously demonic appearance.
Quickly, Applejack dodged out of the way, Sunset’s claws coming within inches of her face. Before she could even take a breath, Sunset struck again, forcing Applejack to frantically sidestep her unrelenting attacks.
“Goshdarnit!” Applejack cried as she swerved to avoid another of Sunset’s slashes, whipping around and driving a foot into Sunset’s chest, knocking her back a few feet and giving her a moment to breathe. Clenching her fist, Applejack ground her teeth as she watched Sunset brush off her attack and come in for another strike. “Right then! Sunset, if y’all can still hear me…”
With murderous intent in her eyes, Sunset swung for Applejack’s neck, unprepared as Applejack swiftly ducked under her attack.
“… I’m real sorry.” Cocking her right arm back, Applejack let loose a mighty cry as she drew upon all the strength she could muster and punched forward, driving her fist right into Sunset’s gut and knocking the wind clean from her lungs.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment as the hit connected, the pair locked in a perpetual state of combat. Then, with a burst of air, Sunset was sent rocketing back, smashing through several rack and shelves of clothes before smashing against the back wall of the boutique. Sliding down onto the floor, her wings hung listlessly at her sides, her head drooped forward with her chin resting against her chest as she lay motionless.
“… Ow!” Applejack winced, shaking her sore right hand. “Sam Hill, that stings!”
“Is… is she…” Fluttershy asked, holding her hand to her mouth as she stared fearfully at Sunset’s motionless form.
Slowly, the five of them approached the unconscious Sunset. When they were standing mere feet away from her, Applejack held up a hand, everyone stopping behind her. “Be on yer guard, we don’t know what could happen.”
Carefully stepping closer, Applejack knelt down, pressing her fingers against Sunset’s neck in search of a pulse. “She’s still breathin’.” Applejack finally said, getting sighs of relief from the others. “Question is what do we do now?”
“What can we do?” Rarity muttered, biting her nails out of worry. “Her eyes… and those wings… they’re the same ones she had during the Fall Formal. Which means…”
“This here’s a magic thing.” Applejack finished, removing her Stetson and running a hand through her hair as she stood back up. “Sunset’s usually the one to ask regardin’ anythin’ magic related, but I don’t think we’re gonna be gettin’ any answers out of her right now.”
“Well…” Fluttershy interjected, “There is one person we could ask…”
“Of course!” Pinkie Pie jumped up, hugging Fluttershy. “Shy, you’re a genius! We’ll ask Twilight, she’ll know what to do!”
“Reckon we don’t have a choice,” Applejack admitted, glancing around the boutique. “Just gotta figure out where Sunset keeps that there journal of hers so we can—”
“AJ, look out!”
Applejack barely had time to register Rainbow’s warning before she was shoved out of the way, tripping on her own feet and stumbling back. Right before she hit the ground, she saw the previously unconscious Sunset leap up; her razor sharp nails thrusting towards Rainbow Dash.
“AAAHHH!” Rainbow’s cry of pain echoed through the boutique as she hit the ground. She whimpered in pain and cradled her left hand.
“Rainbow!” Fluttershy exclaimed, moving to run to her friend’s aid before she was knocked clean off her feet by a fierce gust of wind as something blew past her, sending Rarity and Pinkie flying back as well onto the floor.
“Ugh…” Pinkie groaned as she saw stars. “Anyone get the license plate of that truck?”
Rarity groaned as well as she pulled herself up, rubbing her sore head. “Where… where did she—”
“He… Help…”
Rarity felt her blood run cold, her eyes widening as she whipped her head around in the direction of the voice. “Fluttershy!”
Fluttershy gasped for breath, Sunset’s hand wrapped tightly around her neck as she held her a foot off the ground. Sunset’s face showed no remorse as she locked eyes with the struggling girl, a psychotic grin spreading across her face as she raised her other hand to strike.
“S…Sunset, please… stop this…” Fluttershy pleaded with gasping breaths, grabbing onto Sunset’s wrist as she tried to pry her hand from her throat. Tears ran down her face as she valiantly searched for even a shred of compassion in Sunset’s eyes. “We… We’re your friends, don’t… don’t you remember us?”
Sunset didn’t respond as she turned her hand towards Fluttershy, her nails aimed right at Fluttershy’s face.
Her grin only widened as she spoke but one word:“Die.”
Pulling her arm back, Sunset drove her nails towards Fluttershy’s face, their friends only able to look on in horror.
“Fluttershy!”
Suddenly, Sunset stopped, the tips of her fingers mere inches from Fluttershy’s face. Her grin slipped from her face as she stared in disbelief at her hand, having seemingly stopped of its own accord. Wincing as a piercing pain shot through her head, she grabbed her head and howled in agony, releasing Fluttershy from her iron grip and dropping her roughly onto the ground.
Fluttershy coughed as she greedily drew air into her lungs, her hand reaching up to clutch at her sore throat. Glancing up, she watched in confusion as Sunset once more writhed around with her face in her hands.
Throwing her head back, a bloodcurdling scream escape Sunset’s throat as her wings frantically flapped behind her. With a sickening squelch, her wings withdrew back into her flesh, not even the trace of a mark left behind to indicate that they had ever been there. Dropping to her knees, Sunset’s arms hung lifelessly at her sides as she collapsed forward, lying motionless on the floor.
Seconds ticked by without a word spoken, all of them afraid to speak to ask if it was really over. Eventually, Applejack was the one to break the silence. “What… what just happened?”
“Rainbow!” Scrambling to her feet, Rarity raced over to Rainbow, kneeling down next to her as she checked her over for injuries. “Let me see your hand.” Prying her hand free, Rarity gasped as she saw a deep cut running across Rainbow’s palm, blood dripping down her hand onto the boutique floor. “Stay here, I’ll go grab the first-aid kit!”
As Rarity raced off to retrieve the first-aid kit, the others slowly pulled themselves back onto their feet, groaning as the full brunt of their injuries made themselves known. As Fluttershy climbed to her knees, she peered over at Sunset’s motionless body. “Sunset…”
Fluttershy blinked as the sound of a choked sob reached her ears. She looked down and saw Sunset’s prone body shudder slightly. For a moment, she thought she had imagined it until Sunset shuddered once more, followed by another choked sob. Slowly, she began crawling on her hands and knees over to Sunset.
“Careful, Fluttershy!” Applejack shouted, still eying Sunset apprehensively. “We still don’t know what’ll happen!”
Now within arm's reach of her, Fluttershy tentatively reached her hand out towards her. “Sunset?” she asked, the tips of her fingers brushing against Sunset’s hand.
“No!” Fluttershy flinched back as Sunset suddenly leapt up, smacking Fluttershy’s hand away before shambling away from her. “Stay away from me!” Sunset only stopped when her back bumped against one of the few remaining shelves, pulling her legs up to her chest and burying her head in her knees. “Just stay… stay away…”
Fluttershy stared at the sobbing girl, her hand hanging frozen in front of her. When Sunset had smacked it away, Fluttershy had gotten a brief glimpse at Sunset’s face, allowing her to see the untold fear reflected in Sunset’s eyes. Fluttershy was no stranger to fear, but the sheer terror she had seen in Sunset’s eyes had been like nothing she had ever seen before.
Fluttershy knew what she had to do. Standing up, she walked over to Sunset, staring down at her with a blank expression on her face. “Sunset.”
Sunset flinched, slowly raising her head to look at Fluttershy, revealing her tear-streaked face. “… Fluttershy?”
Kneeling down, Fluttershy reached over and wiped Sunset’s tears away with the sleeve of her shirt, a smile slowly spreading across her face. Without saying a word, Fluttershy held her arms out, waiting for Sunset to respond.
Staring wide-eyed at her, Sunset’s lip quivered, fresh tears springing forth as she leapt into Fluttershy’s arms. Burying her face into Fluttershy’s shoulder, she felt Fluttershy wrap her arms around her, muttering between sobs, “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
“Shh… It’s alright,” Fluttershy calmly replied, running a hand comfortingly down Sunset’s back.
“I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…”