//------------------------------// // Part I: Moon of Remorse || Chapter 15: To Taste One's Own Medicine // Story: Full Circle // by Sotharan //------------------------------// Monday morning breakfast was a somber affair. Sunset had bags under her eyes, and sat in silence, eating only half her oatmeal. Rarity looked increasingly unhappy. Celestia and Luna tried to be supportive, but there was simply no denying it: today was going to be a hard day. For all concerned. The car ride to school was equally uncomfortable. Upon arrival, Celestia reluctantly but resolutely took her leave of Sunset and Rarity. Luna had taken her own car. “Sunset – you can do this. I am here all day – if you need me, whether as a principal or a mom, come and find me. And remember, I have no patience or tolerance for physical violence against you. Anyone who tries to hurt you will regret it. Do you understand?” “Yes, Celestia,” Sunset murmured. “You have already come so far. I am proud of what you’ve already done. Just standing here is a victory. Ok, darling?” “If you say so,” Sunset said quietly, looking at the ground. “I do. And remember: I love you.” Celestia gave her a hug, which Sunset returned with something close to desperation. Celestia allowed her to break the embrace first. It took all her experience as an adult and an administrator to retain her composure. She turned to Rarity. Against her will, her voice shook slightly. “Rarity, thanks again for watching over Sunset today – you and your friends. Remember, I cannot ask you to risk your own safety – if things get out of hand find a teacher and/or get to a public place, ok?” “We will, Ms. Celestia,” Rarity assured her. She understood what was unspoken – Celestia couldn’t officially ask her to protect Sunset, but unofficially, she was practically begging her to. Celestia gave them both a final smile, and then departed toward the partially repaired front doors of the school. The girls could not see the anxiety graven on her face as she walked away. Sunset sighed heavily. “Come on, darling. Let’s get this over with,” said Rarity. The two girls headed toward the side doors of the school, which were being used as the main entrance while the front doors were being repaired. As they approached they saw the rest of their group waiting in a small knot just to the side of the sidewalk. All of the girls greeted each other, except Sunset who was silent and kept looking at the ground. Rarity inspected her one last time. Sunset’s hair was done satisfactorily, and her newly repaired leather jacket was pristine. Her new clothes, which were largely done in the same style as her old ones, looked trim and chic. “Darling, you look quite put together,” she told Sunset. “Except for the bags under my eyes,” Sunset replied. “Yes, well. We’ve done all we can about that.” “You able to manage your own backpack, Sunset?” Applejack asked with concern. “I think so. I want to try, anyway. It’s embarrassing enough that I’m still limping a little – no need to have someone else carry my stuff.” “You got it, partner, but let us know if anything changes.” Rainbow stepped forward with a sheet of paper. “Ok, do we need to go over things again, or do we all know where we need to be and when?” The girls all voiced their confidence that they each knew the plan. Sunset was not going to be left alone today, or any day in the near future, as far as they were concerned. “Remember,” Rainbow reiterated, “Don’t leave her alone. Not even for a minute. Got it?” “We got it!” the girls chorused, as Sunset felt increasingly uncomfortable. “Come on, Sunny!” Pinkie cried jauntily. “Let’s put Homeroom in our rearview mirrors!” Fluttershy came up beside Sunset – she and Pinkie would be Sunset’s companions in Homeroom. She didn’t say anything. She just took Sunset’s hand. Sunset gave her a wan smile. “All right,” said Applejack with determination. “Let’s all go in together!” The girls started toward the doors. It did not take long for the first students to notice that Sunset was in their company. But, thankfully, there were no hurled insults or recriminations. The presence of the very girls who had defeated her, surrounding and clearly protecting her, was enough to give even the most aggressive seniors pause. But Sunset’s defenders could not shield her from the scowls, dark looks, and openly angry eyes of her schoolmates. She limped on, keeping her eyes on the ground with a guilty frown. The girls passed through the doors into the hall, and, as the last door began to shut, one taunt did manage to sail through. “Ding, dong! The witch is dead!” someone behind them sang, and they could hear the courtyard behind them erupt in laughter as the door slammed shut. Fluttershy and Pinkie glowered through the glass, but no one was owning up to having sung it. After giving looks of intense disapproval to the students who were still outside, they turned back to Sunset and the others. “So it begins,” said Sunset darkly, still looking down. Her friends had no idea what to say – there was simply no chance that they were going to be able to fend off all the jeering that would be coming Sunset’s way. So, Fluttershy just took Sunset’s hand again, and the six of them headed down the hall. The student body continued to react as they walked. In a few cases there were dramatic gasps, dropped books, and choked-on energy drinks, but there were no further vocal attacks. The no-nonsense expressions of Sunset’s friends were continuing to be effective. Still, Sunset could feel the hostility and ill-will, like an icy cloud that surrounded her. For the first time in her high school career, she experienced fear for her own safety. A shiver ran up her spine. Sunset, Fluttershy, and Pinkie shared the same homeroom. Today, though they weren’t late, they had walked slowly, and would be some of the last students to enter. Pinkie was about to head in, and Fluttershy too, when Sunset stopped. Her two friends paused, looking back at her. She was afraid. They could see the dilation of her pupils, the tendons in her neck, the tension in her shoulders. But that wasn’t all. Already Sunset appeared tired. Almost exhausted even. The two girls realized with a start that Sunset had been on her feet for almost 15 minutes without a break – possibly the longest she had stood or walked without rest since the Fall Formal. Fluttershy stepped forward. “Sunset…you’re already tired, I can see. If…you don’t want to do this, no one will think less of you.” Fluttershy meant it – she was the embodiment of the Element of Kindness, and so she didn’t offer rest or help lightly. But there was nothing she could have said that would have been less likely to convince Sunset to give up. “No,” she bit out, almost coldly. “I’m doing this. Period.” And she turned and looked at Fluttershy with an intensity that almost frightened her. Fluttershy’s eyes widened momentarily, but then she composed herself and gave Sunset a determined nod. “Let’s do it, then.” Sunset nodded back and took a step forward. She failed, unintentionally, however, to lift her right foot enough and caught her heel on the freshly scuffed tile floor. This caused her to stumble. Instantly Pinkie caught her and pulled her upright. There were a few awkward seconds, then, to Pinkie and Fluttershy’s relief, Sunset smiled ruefully. “With the emphasis on ‘let’s’,” she finished. The other two girls smiled back at her (Pinkie actually giggled briefly), and so, with one hand in Pinkie’s, and one hand in Fluttershy’s, Sunset Shimmer entered a classroom at CHS for the first time after the 2013 Fall Formal. There were gasps. Furrowed eyebrows. Cold glares. And there was silence as Sunset and her two friends made their way to the back of the class. In silence they put their backpacks down. In silence they slid into their chairs. And in silence they looked up at the Homeroom teacher, waiting for the day to begin. “Welcome back, Ms. Shimmer,” said the Homeroom teacher. Her tone implied that the welcome was perhaps not entirely sincere. Taking it in stride, Sunset simply nodded. The Homeroom teacher looked at Fluttershy and then at Pinkie for a second, then launched into the day’s announcements. After what seemed like a year, it was finally lunchtime. The six girls reconvened just outside the doors to the lunchroom. It was decided that when Sunset went through the lunch line, Rainbow would be in front of her and Applejack behind. That way, any attempts to trip her or shove her tray would be have to go through the two of them. And they were pretty sure no one would try anything on Rainbow or Applejack. Rainbow’s athleticism was almost legendary at CHS – although her chief gifts were clearly speed and agility, and although she wasn’t objectively imposing at 5’3”, she was far from weak, and everybody knew it. Applejack, on the other hand, was physically imposing. At 5’9”, with the well toned muscles of a farmgirl who wasn’t afraid of hard work, Applejack was easily the tallest and strongest girl in the school. No one had ever challenged her to a fight, and she was pretty sure no one ever would. So, with these bodyguards, Sunset got her food. She went through the line silently and nervously, conscious of the many eyes on her. When Granny Smith wordlessly gave her extra large helpings of salad and hummus, and placed the largest, most beautiful apple on her tray that Sunset had ever seen (including in Equestria), she almost burst into tears. The message was received: You have more friends than you think. She mouthed a watery thank you to Granny while Applejack smiled proudly. Granny acted like it was just another day, though they could all see just the slightest twinkle in her eye. The three girls headed to their table to join back up with Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy, who had already gotten their food. Sunset sat down next to Applejack on one end, with Pinkie across from her. There wasn’t much conversation as the girls started eating – it was hard to think about anything but what Sunset was going through. Sunset tried to focus on her food, but she couldn’t help looking around a little. She found that only a few people were still looking at her. While she was generally able to avoid eye contact, she was not able to completely shut out the glares of Lyra Heartstrings and Trixie Lulamoon, both of whom had excellent reason to hate her. She also saw Snips and Snails almost all the way on the other side of the lunchroom. They were stealing furtive glances at her as well, but they looked more confused than anything. She sighed heavily. There was another situation she’d need to take care of. Then she noticed something else – something she hadn’t expected. While most of the angry looks were directed at her, some of them seemed to be directed at her friends. With a start she realized that they were having to bear some of her status as an outcast as well – that her unpopularity was…tainting them. This was a total and completely unwelcome surprise. It made her so uncomfortable and so remorseful that she actually started to stand up. “No!” she gasped out loud. “Sunny, what’s wrong?” Pinkie asked, starting to get up too. The lunchroom had suddenly gotten much quieter. Sunset was looking at the five of them in horror. “I…I can’t bear this. The others – they’re being mean to you because you’re friends with me, aren’t they? No! I’m not worth it! This isn’t fair to you…” “Sunset Shimmer,” said Applejack sternly. “Sit down.” “But AJ…” “SIT down.” Sunset couldn’t have refused if she wanted to. She sank back onto her bench. There were a few seconds of silence as the other girls looked at Sunset with a mixture of compassion, sadness, and concern. When it became clear that there wouldn’t be any more fireworks, the usual noise of the lunchroom began to gradually return. Sunset tried again. “AJ, I…” “Sunset, partner, you’ve still got a lot to learn. Did you think we were just going to abandon you because the going was gettin’ tough?” “Well, no, but I didn’t know…” “No. We ain’t gonna leave you, Sunset. You really, really are safe with us. For real,” Applejack said intensely. “Couldn’t call myself loyal if I left you to fend,” said Rainbow with a half smile. “It would make me sad if you got hurt, Sunny,” Pinkie pointed out. “We love being kind to you, Sunset. You need it,” Fluttershy said soulfully. “And we are glad to give our friendship to you, come thick or thin. Twilight taught us that,” Rarity finished. Sunset was speechless for a moment. “I…I don’t deserve you guys.” Applejack put an arm around Sunset’s shoulders. “Don’t think of it that way, sugarcube. Ah’m with your mama. Before this is all over, you’re gonna be a great friend.” Sunset wiped away a tear and leaned against Applejack a little. “Thanks. But…you do understand what I mean right? Please, I need you to know…that I wish my…that I’d give anything to keep my past from hurting the five of you – any more than it already has!” “We understand, darling,” said Rarity gently. “Thank you for saying that.” “It isn’t fair!” Sunset continued. “You guys are heroes. Don’t they know they owe you their lives?” “It’s ok, sugarcube. It’s ok,” Applejack murmured, rubbing Sunset’s shoulder. After a moment, Sunset sniffed a few more times and sat back up, seeming to recover most of her composure. She looked at her food. “I’m…not that hungry anymore.” “C’mon, Sunny,” Pinkie said puckishly. “You know it’ll make your mama happy if you eat all your food!” “And I know I saw Granny Smith givin’ you some extra…” Applejack teased. Sunset sighed. “You’re right. I’ll…try.” And though it took the rest of the lunch period, she did manage to eat the rest of her food. It didn’t hurt that Pinkie turned on her full power and had all of them, including Sunset, laughing by the time the bell rang. Sunset’s first period after lunch had once been Study Hall, but now, under her discipline program after the Fall Formal, it would be taken up by tutoring younger students who were struggling. This was the one period where Sunset’s friends felt comfortable leaving her alone, since the tutoring location was the library, and the tutoring was to take place under the supervision and watchful eye of Cheerilee. Fluttershy and Pinkie escorted Sunset into the library and up to the Circulation Desk, where Cheerilee sat, checking books back in. Sunset cleared her throat awkwardly. Cheerilee looked up, took the three girls in, and rose. “Thank you, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. You may go. I’ll take care of Sunset.” Pinkie and Fluttershy both gave Sunset a gentle pat on the back, and then, almost reluctantly, left for their next classes. This left Sunset staring up at Cheerilee tensely, not knowing what to expect. Cheerilee was one of the few teachers who Sunset had never been able to fool. But this perceptiveness worked both ways – as clear as it had been to Cheerilee that Sunset had been an insincere, scheming bully before, it was equally clear to her now that Sunset was sorry, and wanted to become a better person. She needed, however, to make this clear to Sunset. “Sunset,” she began sternly. Sunset just swallowed. “I always knew what you were. You know that, don’t you?” Sunset’s head fell. After a moment, she nodded in shame, unable to meet the librarian’s eyes. “Your mother is one of my best friends. She says you’re sorry, and that you want to do better. Is that true?” Sunset nodded again. “I’m glad to hear it. When I said I always knew what you were, that includes knowing how intelligent you are. Did what happened to you affect your brain?” “…no,” Sunset said in a tiny voice. “Good. Then here, you will have a chance to help others. And in doing so, you will learn more about yourself. Are you ready?” Her voice was more gentle now. Sunset looked back up. She found the strength to meet Cheerilee’s eyes, and there she found someone who was willing to give her a second chance. “Yes, ma’am,” she said thickly. “Very well. Do you see that table over there? There is your first student. It may be difficult at first, but I believe in you. Ok?” Sunset nodded. She looked over at the table. Seated there, next to a small pile of books, was a young girl who was perhaps 13 years old – clearly a middle schooler. Sunset didn’t recognize her. She took a deep breath and headed over. As she got closer she pasted what she hoped was an encouraging smile on her face. “Hello!” she tried to say brightly. The younger girl looked up at her with near disinterest. After about a second, however, the color fled from her face and she sucked in her breath. Sunset had expected this – while she wasn’t sure this girl had been at the Fall Formal, she probably had an older brother or sister who had been. At the very least she’d heard the stories. Sunset decided the direct approach would be the best. Ignoring the girl’s terror, she put her bookbag down on the table, pulled out the chair across from the girl, sat down, and faced her, still smiling warmly (she hoped). “Hi. I’m Sunset Shimmer, and I’m a junior. I hear you’re having trouble with some of your classes. How can I help?” The girl just stared at her for a moment. Then, when Sunset failed to hit her with a fireball or otherwise turn into a nightmare creature of darkness, she managed, “…I…I…I’m having a little trouble with…algebra.” Her voice rose with each word. Sunset continued to smile, though she decided to try to let her expression be more natural. “Ok – I can help with that. I’m learning Pre-Calculus this year – I’ve been doing algebra for quite a while now. What’s your name?” The girl didn’t answer right away. She just continued to stare at Sunset with wide eyes and open mouth. Sunset decided, wisely, that humour might be her ally here. “Would you like me to call you ‘kid’ or ‘hey you’, or do you have an actual name?” she asked, trying to make sure there was a twinkle in her eye. The girl started. “Oh! Oh. Uh, my name is…Autumn Breeze. I’m in 8th grade.” “Well, Autumn Breeze, we’ll have you factoring in no time. But let’s be clear about a few things first.” Autumn’s eyes, if it were possible, actually got wider. “A lot of what you’ve probably heard about me is true. But here’s something else that’s true: I’ve learned that looking out only for yourself is a one-way ticket to pain and sorrow. So now, I’d like to help others. Specifically, I want to help you – I want you to succeed. All I ask is that you give me a chance.” Autumn looked down for a moment, then back up. “I…I heard what Ms. Cheerilee said to you. If she’s willing to take a chance on you, then…so am I.” Sunset took a deep breath and nodded. “Thanks, Autumn. Now, why don’t you show me what you’re having trouble with.” At long last Celestia rose from her desk, pushed the chair in, checked the blinds, turned off the light, and closed and locked her office door behind her. Paper Clip had left half an hour ago, and Luna was out supervising Sunset. Celestia tried to let the day’s stress fall away from her shoulders as she usually did, but today was different. The anxiety remained, and she knew exactly why. It had been hard to concentrate all day. What would she find when she saw Sunset in a few minutes? How bad had her day been? If it had been very bad, would she start to backslide into bad behavior? Or, possibly worse, back toward despair? These were the fears that plagued Canterlot High School District’s newest mother. She steeled herself, closed up the administrative suite, and departed down the hall for the main entryway. Too soon the journey was over. The sounds of dump trucks backing up, cranes, and various other types of construction equipment grew gradually louder. She turned the final corner and the translucent plastic tarp keeping the elements out of the school came into view, along with shadowy figures working just beyond it. She approached the flap in the tarp, took a deep breath, and stepped through. As usual, the foreman was standing next to the flap, using a portable pedestal as a workdesk. “Hello, Principal. We’ve made good progress today. Actually just a bit ahead of schedule.” Celestia tried not to let her relief show. Instead, she kept up her professional demeanor. “I am glad to hear it. Do you know where my sister is? I have a few matters to discuss with her before we head home.” The foreman pointed toward the far corner of the entryway. There, she saw Luna standing and talking on her cell phone. Just beyond her Applejack and Rainbow were diligently moving cinder blocks. Next to them, Sunset was sitting on a stool and carefully spreading mortar on a cinder block. Celestia tried to contain herself – at least from here, Sunset appeared to be in one piece, functional, and not actively bleeding. She headed over. Luna spotted her on the way over and waved to her. She stopped next to her younger sister and waited patiently. Applejack noticed her next. “Well hi there, Ms. Celestia!” she said, tipping her hat. “Come to check on the progress?” “Uh, yes. Yes,” the principal answered with a bit of rare awkwardness. Applejack suddenly had the good grace to look a bit embarrassed. She had realized the real reason why Celestia had come to inspect the work personally. Rainbow looked up and just gave her a smile that she hoped was somewhat reassuring. Celestia decided there was no reason to beat around the bush. She carefully picked her way to Sunset’s side. “Hey, sweetie. How…how are you doing?” Sunset looked up at her and gave her a wan smile, though she looked exhausted. “How long have you been at it?” her mother asked. “About half an hour, I guess.” “All right. Think you can manage another 10 minutes?” “Yes.” “Ok. I’ll be with Luna.” Sunset nodded and continued with her work. Celestia headed back over to Luna, who by now was off the phone. “Do you think she’s doing ok?” she asked her younger sister. Luna nodded. “I’m watching closely. She’s really trying to work, but between the three of us we’re keeping her from overdoing it.” “How do you think her day went?” Celestia asked anxiously. “I haven’t heard a lot of detail yet, but so far, it sounds like no worse than we had expected. Her friends are what’s making the difference. If she didn’t have them, she’d have to transfer. There would be no way she could keep coming here.” Luna was shaking her head. “I am relieved that they are able to help her as we hoped. So, she is uninjured?” “Other than her pride and ego, it would appear so.” Celestia sighed – it was sigh of half relief and half sadness. “This is even harder than I thought.” “I know. Let’s get her home,” Luna proposed. “Five more minutes. It…has to be a bit hard,” replied Celestia joylessly. “Go get the car. By the time you pull up, it’ll be time to go.” “Good idea. Where are the other girls, by the way?” “We decided having all five help at a time was overkill. Applejack was free this afternoon, and of course Rainbow is coming home with us, so they decided to stay. The other three had other obligations.” “Fair enough. I’ll be right back.” Five minutes later Celestia drove up in her white sedan. “All right ladies. That will do for this afternoon,” said Luna. Rainbow and Applejack put down their cinder blocks and wiped their brows. “Whoo-whee!” said Applejack. “Even I have to admit these blocks are heavy.” “Pretty good workout,” Rainbow agreed, flexing her arms to get out any stiffness. Sunset put down her trowel and slowly and carefully rose from her stool, using the wall for balance. Luna appeared next to her, making sure she could stand up on her own. Once she was on her feet again, she turned to Applejack and Rainbow. “Thanks, girls. I…I don’t know what else to say. I still can hardly believe you’re helping me with this.” “No worries, Sunset,” said Rainbow. Applejack just smiled. “Well, partner, Ah reckon Ah oughta be getting’ on home. You have a good evening, Sunset, and a quiet, peaceful night. Evenin’ Ms. Luna. Rainbow.” She tipped her hat to Luna and nodded to Rainbow, who nodded back. “Later, AJ.” “Bye AJ!” said Sunset. Applejack grabbed her bookbag and, with a final wave, disappeared around the corner on the way to the parking lot. Luna gestured to Celestia’s car. “Go on, you two. I’m taking my own car home.” Sunset slowly picked her way through the various piles of cinder blocks, barrels of mortar, and other construction materials until she reached Rainbow Dash, who good-naturedly offered a shoulder. Sunset gratefully leaned on her, again demonstrating her near-total lack of pride, and the two girls hobbled to the car. In spite of her words, Luna watched them until they reached the car, then headed for the staff parking lot with a wave. Rainbow made sure Sunset got into the front seat safely. She sank into the seat with a sigh of relief, leaning back against the headrest. Rainbow threw her bookbag into the back seat and jumped in after it. “Uh, hi, girls,” said Celestia a bit awkwardly. Rainbow felt like a bit like an intruder – she knew Celestia couldn’t quite say everything she wanted to with her there. “Ms. Celestia – I got a really cool new song on my phone today. Do you mind if I listen to it on the way to your place?” Celestia started slightly. “Oh. Oh, no, Rainbow! Go right ahead. It won’t bother us at all.” Rainbow put in her earbuds and turned the volume up. Then she pointedly looked out the window. Celestia looked at Sunset for a moment, but she was leaning back against the passenger seat with her eyes closed. So, she decided to start driving. The sedan pulled smoothly out of the parking lot and into the street. After a couple moments of what seemed like tense silence to Celestia, she decided to take the plunge. “Well, um…how…how did it go?” Sunset didn’t answer immediately. Eventually, she replied. “About as bad as I had expected, but no worse.” Her voice sounded exhausted. “No worse?” “Nope.” “Ok.” After a moment, Sunset decided her remarks needed a bit of explanation. “I was a bully for two and a half years. I wrote the book on it. Basically, I was able to imagine and predict almost everything that happened today.” Celestia sighed. Then she asked the question that was foremost in her mind. “Did anyone try to hurt you? Physically, I mean,” she clarified unnecessarily. “No. The girls were always with me – well, at least one of them, anyway. Nobody tried anything. I don’t expect that to last.” “No?” “No. We caught them by surprise today. Now, people start planning.” Celestia could not hide her anxiety about this proposition. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…” “No, I know what to do. I know how to survive. There are some places I just won’t be able to go. Not alone, at least.” “Oh, Sunset,” Celestia said unhappily. “This is the bed I’ve made. Now I have to lie in it.” She turned and looked out the window. Celestia didn’t know Sunset all that well yet, but she still had a pretty good idea that Sunset was putting on a brave face, probably because Rainbow was there. She realized she’d need a little alone time with Sunset to get to how she was really feeling, since she had no interest in taking advantage of whatever effect Sunset was under by compelling her to be more open at that exact moment. For now, she limited herself to reaching over and putting a hand on her adopted daughter’s knee, while keeping her eyes on the road. When she felt Sunset’s hand cover her own and squeeze very tightly, she knew her instincts had been correct. Behind them, Rainbow saw their hands and smiled happily. The evening went fairly smoothly. The two girls worked on their homework. Luna, who was keeping an eye on the two of them, was gratified to see that Sunset was quite successful in keeping Rainbow to task. Whenever Rainbow tried to change the subject from her studies, or stood up restlessly, or did something else to try to get out of work, Sunset would gently and effectively bring her back around. Luna wasn’t even sure Sunset was consciously aware she was doing it. But it was adorable. The two girls were clearly good friends already, even though neither of them was quite fully aware of it yet. Rainbow’s grades are going to start coming up, at this rate, Luna mused to herself. And Sunset is a natural teacher, as Tia suspected. Good. Satisfied that Sunset was keeping Rainbow’s nose to the proverbial grindstone, Luna went into the kitchen to check on her sister, who was preparing dinner. She found Celestia working carefully and diligently, putting various ingredients into a large pot on the stove. “Need any help?” Luna asked her. “No, I think I’ve got it,” Celestia answered absently. Luna was not fooled. She sidled up close to her big sister. “Tia. You’ve had a rough day. So have I. Please, is there anything I can do?” Celestia paused for a moment, then gave Luna a glance that told volumes. “Luna, I’ve got to get this done. I guess…I wouldn’t say no to a little help. Can you…get the salad together?” “Of course. So, I have an idea. How about after dinner I take Rainbow downstairs and play some Corona 3 with her?” Celestia looked up very quickly, almost stunned. “Yes…that…sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Lulu!” she said with true gratitude. Luna gave Celestia a playful look. “I’m doing this on one condition. I expect to be fully briefed on what transpires between you and Sunset. Ok?” “I suppose that’s fair enough. Within reason.” “I trust you. If there’s anything that needs to stay between mother and daughter, you just leave that out.” Celestia nodded as she resumed adding ingredients to the stew she was making. “You know, they are doing very well out there together,” Luna pointed out. “Oh? What’s going on?” “Sunset is teaching Rainbow. And she’s getting her to sit still and actually focus.” Celestia smiled a knowing, proud smile. “I had a feeling. I’m so glad to hear it. Sunset…is a very special girl. I’m not surprised she’s already being a blessing to Rainbow.” Dinner was a fairly straightforward and reserved affair that night. Even Rainbow was unusually quiet. But the food was good, and the company was companionable. Sunset felt like she was in an oasis of calm on a stormy sea. She and Rainbow had finished their homework. So, as dinner wrapped up, Luna turned to Rainbow. “Fancy a little Corona 3?” she asked playfully. Rainbow’s face brightened instantly. “Sure, Ms. Luna! That sounds great! You coming too, Sunset?” “I think I’d like to rest a bit first, Rainbow. It’s been a long day.” “I understand. We’ll be waiting for you, though!” Rainbow practically leapt to her feet and took her dishes to the sink. Luna followed, trying to keep up. Soon the two of them disappeared down the stairs into the basement. Sunset sighed. She started to get up and reached for her plate. “Don’t,” said Celestia. “I’ll get it all. Why don’t you go into the living room and lie down for a bit?” Sunset didn’t argue. She limped away. Celestia cleared the table quickly and decided to leave the dishes for later. It was only a few minutes before she headed into the living room herself, closing the door to the basement as she came in order to block out the sounds of battle. As she entered the living room, she noticed that Sunset hadn’t turned on any lights. The living room furniture was bathed only in the whitish-purple light of the streetlamps outside. She perceived her daughter’s form spread out on the couch, and came and sat in a chair next to her. Celestia didn’t say anything at first. She listened to Sunset’s breathing and could tell that she was not asleep. After a moment Sunset sat up, and Celestia’s eyes, as they adjusted to the dim light, could see that she was looking out the window. She decided it was time to see how Sunset was really doing. She moved from the chair to the couch so that she was sitting next to Sunset. “Sunset…” she began softly. That was all it took. Sunset turned toward her and fell into her arms in tears. Celestia wrapped her arms around her and held her tightly. There was no need for words for quite a while. Finally Sunset’s sobbing slowed to whimpering and hiccups. “Do you want to talk about it?” Celestia whispered to her. Sunset nodded. “It’s so hard.” Celestia nodded back. “They all hate me. Though I guess that’s nothing new – it’s just that now they’re not afraid to show it. But that’s not even the worst thing!” “What’s the worst thing?” “It’s the way they treat the girls! They’re heroes – they saved the school from me. They saved everybody – maybe even the whole world and Equestria too. But the other kids look down on them – because they hang out with me.” Celestia could see well enough now to meet her adopted daughter’s eyes as they looked up at her. They were full of anguish. “How can I bear this?” Sunset asked. “They saved me, too. I hate that they have to suffer because of me. Haven’t I made life hard enough for them already?” Celestia had to think for a moment. Then she asked, “Have you told them about how you feel?” “Yes.” “And?” “…they said they aren’t going to give up on me. That they’ll stay with me through thick and thin.” “How do you feel about that?” “I feel…torn. I mean, I feel…loved. Cared about. And that’s…wonderful. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that way, except for you and Luna, of course. But I still wish…more than almost anything…that I was more than a burden or a project to them. I wish I was giving back!” “You don’t have to earn their friendship, Sunset, just like you don’t have to earn my love, or Luna’s.” “I know that! But…is it so wrong? For me to wish I could give something back? That I could be a friend in return?” Celestia smiled. “No. No, darling, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s perfectly healthy, and a good sign, as long as you aren’t trying to earn their friendship, as I’ve just said.” “Well, then, what do I do?” Celestia smiled again. “Just be yourself. You’re already doing it – you just don’t realize it.” “What do you mean?” “Well, for example, Luna saw it tonight. Did you know that no one has ever been able to get Rainbow to sit still and do her homework like that?” “What, really?” “Really. She is actually reasonably intelligent. Unfortunately, modern education isn’t structured well for active kids like her. CHS just doesn’t have the resources to tailor our educational programs to different learning styles, so Rainbow has been getting by with Cs and the occasional B. But tonight, and the other nights she has stayed over, you have been so patient with her. You just have a way of getting her to focus. I’ll bet her grades start coming up this month. You’ll see. You are already having a positive effect on her life. You are already giving back, just as a true friend does.” Sunset was moved by this – too moved to speak for a moment. The idea that she was already starting to be a good friend was more encouraging to her than any other thing could have been at that moment. At last, with a sniff, she thanked her mother. “Wow. I didn’t know that. Thank you so much for helping me to see that. I can’t tell you what it means to me.” “I know, my little one. And this is just the beginning. Don’t worry, Sunset – you are a normal person. You are quite capable of being a good friend. I think you’ll find it’s easier than you fear it will be, and certainly it will be more fun.”