//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Hearth's Warming Depression // Story: Sun's Hearth's Warming Eve Journey // by Pinkie Pie Sweets //------------------------------// The next day, Sun, and her friends have been helping Falling Star with their problem. They have talk to the ponies Falling Star know and ask how come they started to avoid her. They explain that the six ponies including Falling Star's own sister have been insulting and bully them for being around her, and once they started avoiding them, they left them along. Sun has explain to them that what They want, and doesn't mean they have to give in. and let them all know that if they believe Falling Star has changed and want to be their friend, then they need to fight for it. Lots of the ponies have been touched by Sun's word and apologize to Falling Star, and she accept them. After taking care of some of the problem, the girls continue to help with the special event that turn out to be a special fundraiser and to donate food and toys for those in need. Of course Sun has received a few messages from her friends back home, and it explains everything about who Anon-A-Miss is and why. Sun does in a way feel back for The Crusaders being left out, and wish she can come back to her friends and family very soon, but she has a job to do. The night before the fundraiser ball. The girls are happily sleeping in their room. However, Sun is having those bad dreams again. Only this time, she's a small filly and is all alone in the harsh snow storm. She keeps calling for her parents, and is becoming very scared. She then sees some strange pony like mist in the sky and becoming more scared. The young filly scaredly screams, "Mommy!" Just then a bright light comes along, and it's too bright for her to see anything. When Sun opens her eyes, she can see she is her alicorn self in the age she is now. Sun look around to see she's in a beautiful realm that looks very peaceful. Just then a familiar voice says, "Hello Princess Sun." Sun turns around to see Princess Luna. she starts to blush when Princess Luna calls her a princess. She sheepishly says, "Um, well, pardon me for saying, but I'm not a princess." "I do know you don't think yourself as a princess, but you have been proven to become a princess like Princess Twilight," Princess Luna says. Then she says, "Now, I understand from Twilight's letter that you've been having some awful dreams." "Yes. I kept dreaming myself in a terrible snow storm, and some parts of my dream I was being carried away by a stallion, and now I was walking in the snow alone. I… I think it's something that happened to me a long time ago, but I can't fully remember," Sun sadly explains. Hearing the dreams, Princess Luna start to think about it and can tell the kind of dreams she has. After looking into Sun's nightmare, and what Twilight explained to her, Princess Luna's theory has been confirmed. "Sun, I have recent to believe that those dreams you been having must be memories from your past. From when you were a little filly," Princess Luna answers. Sun starts to feel sadder than before. Hearing that the dreams is something from her past is something very hard for her to take in. "So, what should I do?" Sun asks. "I know this is going to be hard for you to handle, but the only ponies who can show you the truth are your parents, and that means showing them that you're still alive after all this time," Princess Luna suggests. Sun is shocked to hear this. Of course Sun really want to see her family after so many years that her heart feels heavy, but worried of what they might say when they learn the truth. Princess Luna can see her sadness as she says, "I understand that it's going to be a hard decision of make, but I'm sure you will make the right one. I'm sure your family will understand what has become of you and your reasons. Now awake, and I'll see you at the party tonight." Just then Sun's dream realm starts to get blurry and start to disappear. That's when Sun wakes up early in the morning. She look around to see others are still asleep. She then walk towards the window to see the sun rise like she used to. Sun finally make up her mind and says in her thoughts, "Tonight, I'm going to talk to my family, and I'm going to tell them the truth. I just hope they'll understand." Later that night, everypony are at the Hearth's Warming Fundraiser Ball. Of course, Rarity has made Hearth's Warming themed clothes for all of her friends including Falling Star and Sun's family. As the ponies begin to enter the ballroom, ponies donate their old yet new toys, food, and some money for the ponies in need. Then the ponies are begain to have a wonderful time, listening to music, dancing, having some food. Later in the party and the night, Falling Star, Sun who is still in disguise and her family, and their friends are at the table having some food to eat. SunStone Sun's mother looks a lot like her, has the same fur color, mane color but in a bun, and has a darker shade of Sun's eyes. Her cutie marks is a ring with a sunstone gem in the middle showing a shine on it. Sun's Sister Rosemary, has green fur, yellow mane and tail in a ponytail, and blue eyes. Her cutie mark is a rosemary plant being sprinkled in a bowl with whisk. Sun feels a bit nervous to be so close to her family, but knows that tonight after the party, she will show them who she really is and tell them the truth of what happened to her. Rarity says, "I must say, the fundraiser is looking fantastic." "I hope so, we're hoping to help ponies who are in need and it will give them what they need for the winter," Phoenix says. "Don't worry dear, I'm sure we'll be able to help the ponies we need, and we go Falling Star and her friends to thank for that," Sunstone says. "Not only that, we were able to reunite Falling Star with all of the friends she made, and able to get ponies to see she has changed," Twilight says. Falling Star sighs and says, "Yeah, everypony except my sister and those six ponies. They won't listen to reason." "Don't worry, I'm sure your sister and those ponies will learn you have changed and then you all will be happy," Rainbow Dash says looking so sure of it. "I sure hope so," Falling Star sadly says. Sunstone look at Sun wit a smile, and says, "You know, you look a little bit like one of my daughters." Sun shows a nervous smile on her face, and says, "Yeah, I remember the kids telling me that." "She doesn't know the half of it," Sun says in her thoughts. As they continue talking, Sunshine starts to sneeze uncontrollably. The girls are starting to wonder if Sunshine's alright. Rosemary and Sunstone walk over to Sunshine to see if she's okay. "Sweetie what's wrong?" Sunstone asks. "I'm fine mom, I think my allergies are picking up," Sunshine answers. "Allergies?" Pinkie questionably replies. Rosemary nods her head and explains, "Yes. My little sister had developed a slight allergic reaction to cats." "Uh, did you say… cats?" Sun asks looking a bit skeptic. "Yes. She doesn't get swollen eyes, or running noise, or anything to serious. She just kept sneezing uncontrollably," Sunstone explains. Sun facepalm her face, and says, "Oh no." "What is it?" Scarlet asks. Sun makes an uncountable look on her face and answers, "I think she's sneezing because my iriomote wild cat that I have and is with me right now." "You have an iriomote wild cat for a pet," Phoenix Dawn exclaims, looking shocked. "That's cool!" Rocky says looking amazed. "Is she cute?" Sunshine asks, with a smile on her face. Sun giggles a bit and says, "Yes, she's very cute. Her name is Nina, but she's in my bag taking a little nap." Sun holds her bag in front of her, opens it, and calls out, "Wake up Nina, it's time to wake up and meet some friends." As they look at the bag, Nina's little brown with black furred ears stick out of her bag, and lifs her head out of the bag. Rarity also has her wearing a black ribbon around her neck and a small silver tiara on her head. The small cat climbs out of the bag and one to the table. She then meows in reply. Sunshine smiles happily and says, "Aw, she's so cute!" Sunshine then sneeze after that. Sunstones uses her magic to bring out a tissue for her young daughter. Sunshine grabs the tissue with her magic and uses it to blow her nose. Sunstone smiles and says, "I have to admit, it's very rare to see that kind of cat around here, where did you get her?" "Long story, short, I met her when she was lost, but was able to return her home. However some time later, her family except her family died during a terrible storm, and she came to me for help. So after discussion with my adopted father and the man in charge, I was able to adopt Nina and we've been together ever since," Sun explains as she holds Nina very close. Rosemare smiles and says, "Sounds to me like you and Nina are meant for each other." Then Scarlet asks looking a bit confused, "Did you say you were adopted?" Making Sun sad, she explains, "Yeah, I was adopted and I lived with my dad and my sister ever since. Before that, I had a… bad experience and was separated from my real family, and lost my memories. So I've been with them and make some new friends, and I love it there." "That's awful," Scarlet replies. Sun knows that she can't take take this secret anymore. In fact, with telling them most of her story, she feels that she needs to tell them eventually. Sun takes a deep breath and says, "Actually there's something I need to tell you." "What is it, sweetie?" Sunstone asks. "You see, I'm…" As Sun starts to tell them the truth. Before she can say anything, Sun has end up getting a bad hit from a snowball. The others are wondering where the ball is coming from. The girls turn around to see Star Shower and the six ponies what pick on Falling Star have show up at the party. Rainbow angrily says, "Hey, what's the big idea throwing snowballs at my friend?" "Well, that's what she get for giving me a scolding from before," Star Shower says with a smirk. Falling Star shows a serious look on her face, and says, "Look Star Shower, this is a very important fundraiser, and I think it would be wise for you to leave, right now." "Like we listen to you," The first mare says. "Why are you acting so mean?!" Fluttershy asks looking angrily. "Why, it's because Falling Star has been rotten to everypony, and returned to claim she has changed. You expect somepony to act that horrible to change that much," The second mare angrily explains. "You all think it will be a good idea to give Falling Star payback even though she's trying so hard to redeem herself," Applejack angrily replies. "And to help me and my family put on the fundraiser," Scarly adds with a furious look. Starshower doesn't care and furiously replies, "I don't know why you are still being nice to Falling Star, nto after how she treated your daughter when she was still alive." "Because, this isn't what Sunset would want," Rosemary firmly replies. "Yeah," Sunshine agrees. "That's right," Rocky agrees. Then Phoenix says, "My daughter wouldn't want us to hold onto a grudge against Falling Star. Ever Since she first met her she's been wanted to make some friends, including Falling Star. Even when she gave up trying to make friends, Sunset still remained to be a good pony, and want to show ponies how good she is, despites how Falling Star and everypony treated her." Sun feels like smiling that her family is defending Falling Star, and feels that what she wants. It's true that she really wants to be friends with everypony and Falling Star. however, what Star Shower is saying is starting to make her boil hard, and feels like losing her limit. "Who care about all that nonsense! Falling Star had you all fooled that she's a good pony! She even had Princess Twilight and her friends fooled by her lies! If I were Sunset Shimmer, I would never forgive her for being that rotten, and wishes somepony would do something to make sure she and anypony who supposed her a lesson!" Sun then furiously shouts on the top of her lunges, "You don't know me at all!" Everypony stop in their tracks to see Sun has just scream so loud. Everypony are kind of stunned that Sun is getting so furious about it. Sadly, Twilight and her friends are the only ones who knows why. "You don't know a single thing about me, and you don't even know a single thing your own sister!" Sun yells. Star Shows huffs like she doesn't care and asks, "How would you know, you have never met my sister before?!" "I have met her! I'm the one she's been mean to more than anypony when I first came to school. After all these years, she was still mean to me, but I didn't let it stand in my way because I care about my friends, and I was able to stop her in the end!" Sun angrily explains. This makes her very confused with an angry look, and asks, "What are you saying, are you saying that you're the reason why my sister changed her ways?!" "Yes!" Sun exclaims in a loud tone. Then Sun angrily explains, "Even though after she's been so mean to me, I never stopped thinking about wanting to be her friend! When I got her to realized the error of her ways, she showed me that she really wanted to changed. I'm the reason why Princess Celestia allowed her back into the school! I'm the reason why Princess Twilight and her friends gave her a second chance, and yes I'm the one who decided on my own to become her friend and help with the first step of becoming a better pon, but you been so blinded of holding a grudge that you couldn't see how much Falling Star had done for everypony. You allowed your grudge and resentment to lead you to this whole plan to hurt Falling Star and anypony who supported her just to make her life miserable!" "Star Shower you are also the worst big sister in history!" Sun furiously screams at the last part Everyone in the ballroom gasp for hearing Sun talk like that towards Star Shower and the other girls, even her friends, and the princesses are shocked to hear Sun saying that. Sun loo around to see everypony are staring at her with shocked looks. Realizing what she has done, Sun starts to feel like tears coming from her eyes, and her mouths start to quibble. In tears, Sun sadly says, "I… I'm… sorry… I… I didn't mean to…" Starting to cry, Sun runs away from the ballroom and go back to her room in tears and feels terrible for what she says to Star Shower and the six ponies. Falling Star, Twilight, and the others are shocked to see this, and how Sun feels terrible for what she says. They are starting to really worry for Sun, and want to cheer her up. "Sun come back!" Falling Star sadly shouts as she try to go after her friend. Hoping to help, Twilight and the girls run after her while everypony else stay here. Star Shower has become furious to being told off, so she and the other pony go after them. Sun continues to run while Falling Star and the girls are still on their tails, but Star Shower and the other girls are not far behind. Just then, one of the unicorn mares uses her magic to make a barrier to stop the girls, excluding Sun from their path. The girls stop to see the spell being cast, Sun look to see that her friends are in trouble. One of the unicorn stallion uses his magic to parazlies Twilight and the others, except Falling Star. Furious, Falling Star asks, "What do you think you're doing?" "We're going to teach you a lesson," Star Shower replies, with an evil grin. Together with the six unicorns, Star Shower uses their magic beam to create a big beam and is directly heading towards Falling Star. Falling Star thinks quickly and uses a protective shield on it, but can't hold it much longer. Sun becomes worried and feared her friends are in terrible trouble. Sh then uses her magic to try and break the barrier, but her magic is still a bit out of practice. Star Shower and the six magic becomes too strong that they knock Falling Star to the ground and are preparing to do something worse. Desperate to save her friends, Son uses her magic as bright as possible, and screams with all her might, "I'm coming, Falling Star!" Just then Sun magic begins to really glow so bright that it's blind the entire hall. Star Shower and the six ponies are being hold by some magic, and Twilight and her friends are being deparalized. Twilight, Falling Star, and everyone else in the hall can see that Sun is using powerful magic that causes her eyes to become pure white and being lifted up in the air, and it breaks the force field. It also causes her favorite pendant to come off. "I'm not going to let you torment my friends anymore," Sun says while still using her magic. Sun then unleashes the bright light. When the light has been clear, Sun has been put back on the ground, and her eyes has come back to normal. However, with the amount of magic she uses, she passed out on the spot. Everypony gasp seeing this. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Sun's real family have come to the scene to see Sun is unconscious on the ground. Twilight, Falling Star, and Princess Celestia rush to Sun to see if she's okay. Everypony else, including Star Shower and the six ponies stand there and are still shocked. Princess Celestia turns to Twilight, and asks, "Twilight, can you tell me what happened." "We were chasing after Sun, but Star Shower and her crew stopped us, and paralyzed all of us but Falling Star. they try blasting her with Falling Star was able to stop them for a moment. When Falling Star is going to be in terrible danger, Sun ended up using her magic and able to stop them, but then she passed out," Twilight scaredly explains. Princess Celestia and Falling Star understand what has happen because Sun has performed that magic before, and it happen again. As they three are examining Sun, the others are waiting to see any results. The little wild cat, Nina, also run to see her owner on the ground, and is growing worried of her. Scarlet then sees something on the ground. He uses his magic to pick it up. He can see Sun's special necklace, but Scarlet gaps because he recognize it. Fluttershy notice this and asks, "is there something wrong Scarlet?" Rarity sees what Carpet is holding and ask, "Isn't that Sun's necklace?" "Sun? This necklace belongs to my sister, Sunset Shimmer, why does Sun has is?" Scarlet asks looking confused. The girls realize that they are going to find out eventually, but worried to see Sun like this. Sadly, the spell that Twilight and Rarity use on Sun is fading away. Princess Celestia uses her hooves to hold on to Sun as she change back to her original form. When she changes back and still passed out, everyone excluding Twilight, Falling Star, the girls, and Princess Celestia gasp in a shock to see what they're seeing. "Is… is that what that pony really look like," The third mare asks with a shock. "Why was she wearing a disguise forma spell?" The second stallion asks. Star Shower is more shocked recognizing the pony, and scaredly says, "That… that's not Sun, that's Sunset Shimmer, and… she's an alicorn now!" Twilight, Falling Star, and the girls know that they are unable to hide it anymore. Even Princess Celestia agree that they must tell them the truth since Sun is unable to at this point. The ones who are mostly shocked are none other than Sun's family. Scared for her now found daughter, Sunstone rushes over to Princess Celestia to see if she's okay. Princess Celestia inform everypony in the hall to meeting her royal chamber, where Sun will be taken care of forthe time being, and there, they will explain everything about where Sun has been doing since she's been gone, but it will be hard for them.