Sunset stirred lightly, the last remnants of sleep slowly fading to into the waking world. She took in a deep breath and released it with a stretch; beginning in her forelegs, arching down her back to her hind-legs with the remnants being expelled with a flick of her tail. She released another breath in relaxation. Unarguably, that was the best sleep she'd had in weeks—especially since her friends had their memories erased.
She paused on that thought, allowing it to echo in her mind. Friends, Memories, Erased. A series of names, places and faces, both pony and human, floated before her mind's eye. Warm tears of joy gently slid down her cheeks. 'They did it!'
There was a slight moan and a rustling of sheets. Sunset looked over to see another bed a few feet from hers. The occupant was buried deeply beneath the covers, but for a little tuft of green mane sticking out.
Her roommate moved again, this time waking from her own slumber. The green pony rolled over and slowly opened her eyes, almost instantly, making contact with Sunset Shimmer's.
“Hey” mumbled Wallflower, clearly not fully awake.
Sunset gave a gentle smile. “Hey, yourself. How do you feel?”
The response came as a discernible groan. Sunset let out a light chuckle. “Yeah, I'm pretty much the same.” She sat up in her bed and looked around the room. The chamber was mostly empty, save for the two beds and a table. Sunlight filtered into the room through a large window. Sunset searched for a clock, finding none, but estimated it was after midday. She returned to Wallflower. “You hungry?”
“Um-huh...”
Sunset jumped down from her bed and trotted to the table, on which some food and water had been placed. She filled up two plates with some grapes, berries, and a slice of bread. A quick spell to slice an apple, and that was added the plates as well. Filling two glasses, she carried it all over to Wallflower's bed.
The human-turned-pony watched in awe as the unicorn worked. “You're really not from my world, are you?”
Sunset released a hearty laugh. “What gave it away?” She placed Wallflower's plate on the bed and settled herself down on the floor.
“You sure you don't want to sit on the bed? Or something?”
“Believe me, this is far more natural.”
Wallflower turned onto her stomach and looked inquisitively on how to tackle the plate, before allowing her animalistic urges to take over.
The two ate in silence. Once finished, Sunset gathered the dishes in her magic aura and returned them to the table without leaving her seat.
“Wow,” the other admired, “with magic like that, why would you ever leave this place?”
Sunset let out a light snort, “It was... complicated.”
“Yeah,” Wallflower seemed to remember, “It was.” Her composure fell and she turned away in shame. “I'm really sorry.” She winced slightly as two hooves touched with hers. Looking up, she was up front and personal with a pair of bright, shimmering cyan eyes.
“I know” Sunset smiled.
“No,” Wallflower choked on her tears, “no, you don't... Maybe, you do?... Do you?”
“You had my memories,” Sunset said, inquisitively, “do you have any remnants of them?”
Wallflower shook her head and placed her hooves on her head. “I... I...” She found herself calmed by a gentle nuzzle.
“Shh” Sunset cooed, “It's okay. Try to relax. Princess Twilight said we'd experience some confusion.” She laid the earth pony back down and covered her with the blankets.
Wallflower wrapped the covers tightly around herself. “How can you be so calm about this?” She was slightly startled when Sunset let out a short burst of laughter.
“I'm from here, remember? I was a student of magic. For years, it was my whole life. I'm used to craziness.”
“I thought it may have had something to do with you being a unicorn.”
“That's only partially. True, magic very much exists as a second nature to my tribe. But, even then, some are more apt with it than others.”
Wallflower turned away. “You must think me a fool, then.”
“Not so much a fool as misguided.” Sunset said, softly, “Happens to the best of us.”
“Misguided?” Wallflower huffed, “I was a complete idiot! Using magic I wasn't familiar with—in the presence of a master, of all people!” Her eyes widened as Sunset released another bout of laughter.
“Well, I'm flattered you think of me as a 'master'. Even so, you didn't do anything with that stone I wouldn't do myself.”
Wallflower's ears perked as she raised her head. “R-really?” She felt the need to elaborate. “I used the stone to erase small things. Awkward meetings, situations, any sort of public speaking.”
“Believe it, or not,” the unicorn smiled, “it pales to what I would have done.” Seeing Wallflower's confusion, she continued:
“I have plenty I would want to erase from the collective memory. After the Fall Formal, and everyone was still wary of me, I would have given anything to erase everyone's memories of me being mean. You talk of awkward interactions? I experienced that everyday until the Battle of the Bands. I lived with the humiliation, the scorns. Would it have been easier to erase all of that and start fresh? Heck, yeah.
“Buck, why even stop there? I could have used the stone on Princess Twilight or Princess Celestia. I could have had my old life back in no time. No longer shamed pupil who threw a tantrum and ran away.
“But then, I truly wouldn't have changed, would I? And, maybe in some ways, I still haven't. My temper and anger continue be a part of me. However, I always have my friends to calm me down and reel me in. Even still, it forces me to make an effort. To try to better myself.”
Sunset sat back on the floor and leaned her back against Wallflower's bed with a sigh. “I can't say it's been easy. I've had to put myself out there, open, and exposed. Every exchange, good or bad, I've had to live with.”
Wallflower lowered her gaze. “And here I just got carried away with erasing people's memories.”
“It's very easy, you know; to get carried away with power. No matter what you do with it.”
The room fell into a brief silence.
“I don't know if I can do it, though...”
“Do what?”
“Go out. To actually deal with people.”
Sunset craned her head to better see Wallflower. “No one said you had to do it alone.”
“I wouldn't even know where to start.” She looked up to once again see Sunset at her side. Though, this time, Wallflower found two amber hooves holding her own.
“Well,” Sunset smiled, “you can start with this pony. And we have my friends back at CHS. I'm sure, if you ask, they will be your friends, too.”
A pain still lingered in Wallflower's heart. “Not best friends.” Seeing the fallen look on Sunset's face, proved it to be true.
“Probably not” Sunset sadly agreed, “But, things like that happen. I'm sure though, if you look, you'll find a little group of your own.”
Wallflower pondered for a moment. “How did you do it?” she asked at long last, “Take everything after the Fall Formal, I mean.”
“The only way you can. One day at a time, one moment at a time. The question is: Are you ready to start?”
Wallflower gave a weary nod and moved to get out of bed with a smile. Sunset assisted, helping her friend maneuver onto all fours.
“Wallflower,” Sunset hesitated as they made their way to the door, “can I ask you something? And, please don't spare my feelings, or feel like you need to lie to me.”
“I can probably guess what it is, but go on.”
Sunset sucked in a breath. “When I was the 'Biggest Meanie', was I ever mean to you?”
Wallflower looked down at the crystalline floor. “No.” she said softly, “One of the joys of being invisible is that you go unnoticed by everybody. It was very easy for me to avoid you. And, even when I was in your sights, you still overlooked me.”
“I'm sorry” Sunset sighed. She paused, realizing her statement needed some clarifying. “N-not that I'm sorry for not bullying you. I mean—”
This time, it was Wallflower's turn to laugh. She pressed her body into Sunset's, nuzzling her gently. “I know exactly what you mean.”
---
“Oh, good!” smiled Princess Twilight, “You're awake!” She galloped over to her patients. She noted the awkwardness in their gait, only to realize it was because Wallflower was leaning on Sunset for support. “How do you two feel?”
“Miserable, as to be expected” Sunset teased.
The alicorn's posture fell slightly. “Not exactly our intent, but good to know you're back to normal.”
“Yeah,” Wallflower deadpanned, “whatever 'normal' is here.”
“Well, anyway,” Twilight smiled, quite pleased with the success, “The princesses would like to see you. But, I suspect you would want to get back to your world as soon as possible.” She could see Wallflower was anxious to move.
“It would be nice. Not that I haven't enjoyed it, but, I'm done with being a horse.”
“Pony” the Equestrians corrected.
---
Princesses Celestia and Luna met them in the library. Twilight lead the way to the magical mirror. With a quick flick of a switch, the portal came to life and soon was ready for transportation.
“Wallflower,” the Princess Celestia said, “I do hope you did enjoy your stay here, such as it was.”
Wallflower nodded. “You were all very kind. Especially you, Princess Luna, I don't know how I could repay you.”
“There is no need.” Luna replied, giving Wallflower a night nuzzle, “The pleasure was all mine.”
“Well,” Sunset nudged her traveling companion, “you ready?”
“Ready as I'll ever be.”
Sunset slightly smiled as she turned to the princesses. “I'll see her home then I'll come back. There are a few things I need to tend to here.”
“Take your time” Twilight nodded, “I'll keep the portal open.”
With a final good-bye, Wallflower and Sunset stepped into the portal.
As per usual, the first moments of stepping out of the portal were a little disorientating. Sunset shook her head as her vision cleared. Off in the distance, she heard someone call out her name. Soon, tender hands grabbed her and pulled her to her feet.
“I'm so glad your back!” Twilight Sparkle cried, as she and her other friends jumped on Sunset in a giant group hug.
“I'm glad to be back” Sunset smiled. She looked to Wallflower and wrapped an arm around her new friend, pulling her in. “We're both glad to be back.”
Wallflower hung her head as she looked around the small group of friends. Now was a good a time as any to start what she and Sunset discussed. With a deep breath, she began her speech: “I'm really sorry—”
“Save it” Rainbow held a stopping hand, “We know you are. And, after all you've been through, we figure you've been punished enough.”
“No sense in beating yourself up further, darling” Rarity smiled.
Wallflower smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Now then,” Sunset gave Wallflower a gentle squeeze, “let's get you home. I can imagine your parents are worried sick about you.”
The other girls decided to join on the excursion. Along the way, they asked Wallflower and Sunset various questions about their experience and about Equestria. Many of which, Sunset quickly shut down, wanting to give Wallflower some peace and rest.
As they came up to a crosswalk, the group heard someone call out to them. Turning around, Sunset saw Trixie running towards them.
“Hey, Trixie!” Sunset yelled with a smile.
“Is it true?” the magician panted as she caught up with the group, “You really have your memories back?”
“Yep!” grinned Sunset, “Every single last one of them!”
“Success!” cried Trixie, triumphantly, “The Great and Powerful Trrrixie has solved another case!”
“What do you mean you solved the case?” asked Pinkie Pie, “You had help, you know.”
“Merely consultants. Don't worry, I'll be sure to mention you in the 'Special Thanks' section.”
“'Special Thanks'?” Rarity cried, “Why, I never!”
“Look,” Trixie's eyes narrowed, “when you write this story, you can write it however you want.”
“Fine! I'll be sure to write you out!”
“Woah! Hold on a moment!” Sunset called out, stepping between the trio of sleuths, “I don't know what you three did while I was gone, but all I can say is, somehow, you managed to work together to help make things right again. And, for that, I'm thankful to all of you.”
“Same” added Wallflower.
“Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie appreciates your thanks.”
“You know,” Sunset smiled thoughtfully, “the school does have a mystery club. It's been inactive in past years, but I bet you three could get it up and running again.”
The three sleuths looked at each other. “We'll think about it.”
Sunset gave a shrug. “That's all I ask. Trixie, we're walking Wallflower home. Care to join us?”
“Sorry” the magician replied, “I was in the middle of purchasing supplies for my next trick when I saw you all walking by.”
“Well, we'll see you at school then.”
“Till then” Trixie smiled. She moved closer to Sunset, awkwardly, hesitantly.
Sunset chuckled and lightly punched Trixie in the shoulder. “It's okay. I know you're not much for hugs.”
Which was why she was so confused when Trixie and Wallflower embraced.
---
With Wallflower Blush safely home, Sunset thought it would be nice to stop over at the Sweet Shoppe for some treats before returning back to Equestria.
“You're going back already?” Twilight groaned, “You were already there a week!”
Sunset took a sip of her favorite drink. How she could have ever turned it down was beyond her. “True," she said, "but in that week, I said and did some things that I need to make right. Plus, Princess Twilight is still holding all my stuff. Don't worry, it will only be for a few days and, thanks to you, I have an excuse.” She cast a grin towards her friends. They, clearly, were not happy with the fact they had lied to their principal. “If Principal Celestia asks, I'll be back Monday.” She let out a long sigh. “The main thing for me is getting all that schoolwork done...” She made a mental note to never come down with an actual Equestrian flu—or any other flu, for that matter.
"Oh!" Rarity dug into her bag, "That reminds me." She placed Sunset's cell phone and keys on the table. "Also, don't freak out if your place looks a little cleaner than you left it."
Sunset looked at the items in perplexion before cracking a smile. "You know what? I'll ask later."
“At any rate,” Applejack threw her arm over Sunset's shoulders, “good ta have ya back, Sugarcube.”
“You have no idea what it's like you have you back as well.”
“Yes, we do” Pinkie smiled, “Well, sorta.
Trixie filled us in as how miserable you were.”
Fluttershy gave Sunset a hug. “I still can't believe we could forget about you.”
“At any rate,” laughed Sunset, “this will be a week that none of us will ever forget!” She stopped when she noticed that no one was joining her. “What?”
Rainbow winced, “I think I speak for us all when I say: We'd rather forget it.”