Sunset Shimmer had experienced rock bottom before. It wasn’t a uncommon thing, but this one really got to her. With the nasty rumors going around with Anon-a-Miss, she had been slowly recovering from the dirty looks that had resumed status quo in the school. Once, she would have reveled in them. Now, she faintly felt ill.
The situation had been resolved, and Sunset shrugged on her coat and decided to go for a walk. It was still snowing that day, and she needed to clear her head.
Stepping out into the cold snow, she felt it crunch under her boots as gentle fat snowflakes fell. It was getting closer to Christmas, a fact that had been weighing on her for a while. The Christmas Spirit hadn’t been a huge factor in the recent weeks, and even with her friends recovering from how they treated her, Sunset let her mind drift.
Wandering around town, she paused at a large open space, bordered between two walls that were standing free. This used to be a skate park, she reflected, as she went over and picked up an abandoned spray can.
Sunset was a habitual tagger, drawing on the side of buildings. Fortunately, she had never been caught, and people appreciated the heart she put into her work. Shaking the can, she started to draw.
As she drew, time seemed to fly at periods of thought, before slowing down and drawing some more. Her art was everything to her, she did it when she was happy, when she was sad, and when she was reflective.
So engrossed in the work, she didn’t notice the guy standing behind her, observing her work before she turned around and startled. “Oh, you saw that huh?” said Sunset.
He wasn’t a tall guy, about her height with pale skin and dark brown hair and green eyes. He looked casual enough, dressed in a green jacket and jeans, with sneakers that ill fitted the weather. “Hey don’t let me stop you,” said the teenager. “I would have done the same.”
Sunset had to smile at that as she resumed her work. It was taking shape, something along the lines of a decorative mural than a drawing this time. “So, what brings you out into the middle of CanterlotCity?” she asked.
”Oh not much,” replied the teenager as he walked up and picked up another can. “Just finished saving the world. Although I don’t think it took.”
Sunset raised a eyebrow at the way he moved, not quite an artist but he seemed attentive to what he was doing, matching his movements with hers. “Really?” she asked, curious.
“Really,” he replied, spraying an arc. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
”Try me. I’ve seen things,” said Sunset as she continued to work.
“Well… basically, an eldritch old god was trying to devour the universe. He offered one chance to defeat him, and I took it. I made certain that I remembered everything, but here we are.” He swept his arm along the arc, adding the edge of the pale green rainbow against Sunset’s own matching one. “Boy was I in for a surprise.”
”Sounds difficult. I haven’t saved the world yet, or I’d be more stressed out all the time.” Said Sunset.
“It is, was anyhow. None of it applies now to this world,” replied the teen as he continued to work, his eyes looking tired and old. “I think what happened is that reality got rewritten, something slipped when I thought up the new world. I guess I’m the only one who remembers it. Gwen’s pink now, Kevin’s blue. Me? I’m the same old pale peach Ben Tennyson.”
“I can imagine it was hard,” said Sunset, lowering her arm to look at Ben. “How do you go on?”
”Go on after I retconned the universe? Same as always. I keep going.” Said Ben with a tired smile. “If I mess up, people die. Turning blue or purple? That’s on me. I’m gonna just deal with the world as it comes along. And if it needs saving again? I’m their man.”
”Well don’t let me stop you then Ben,” said Sunset. “I’m Sunset by the way.”
”Nice to meet you, I’m Ben,” said Ben with a matching smile. He finished his drawing and said, “Wanna get a Mr Smoothie? I came here to this city to try out the location.”
”Where are you from anyhow?” asked Sunset curiously. “And in the middle of a snowfall?”
”I travel a lot,” replied Ben. “Part of the job description. And I’m from Bellwood.”
“Wow, that’s pretty far from here. All this for a Mr. Smoothie?” asked Sunset as she dusted her hands of dried paint.
“There’s one constant in this world, Sunset: and that’s Mr. Smoothie.” Said Ben with a light grin. “C’mon, let’s go get one.”
She smiled, laughing. “All right, but it’s on you.”
”No problem!” Said Ben, grinning.
Sometimes, Sunset reflected as she walked down the road with her new friend, rock bottom could be a good thing. It means you have nowhere to go, but up.