Under the cover of darkness, two figures snuck their way towards the local high school. They huddled behind the statue base and awaited their rendezvous.
Rainbow looked at the time. “I hope we don't have to wait long.”
“Why?” Applejack frowned, “You have another appointment?”
“Yes. With my bed. Sunday is the day of rest, and I intend to take full advantage of it.”
The farm girl just rolled her eyes.
It was a quiet night. There was the light chirp of crickets and a gentle breeze blew through. Being that it was the very early morning hours, there was not another soul. The two girls had become so accustomed to the quiet that they nearly died of shock when the portal started up.
In a blazing light, Princess Twilight was kneeling before them, with Wallflower Blush at her side. Rainbow and Applejack quickly helped them to their feet.
“How ya doin', Wallflower?” Applejack asked, leaning the girl against her for support. The poor girl looked tired and ragged.
“Been better.”
Princess Twilight was talking with Rainbow. “Here's what you asked for” she said, handing over Sunset's cellphone and keys. “I just wanted to say that you girls have been doing a great job, considering.”
“Believe me,” Rainbow sighed, “it hasn't been easy.” She smiled when a warm hand landed on her shoulder.
“Just keep hanging on. So, you girls all set?”
“Yep. Rarity and Trixie are going to meet us there.”
“Okay, just remember: first sign of trouble, and you bring her back here.”
Rainbow gave a thumbs up. “Got it!”
It was a short, quiet walk to Sunset's apartment building. Trixie and Rarity were parked outside waiting for them. When they saw the trio walking up, they exited the vehicle, and began removing sleeping bags and luggage from the trunk. They greeted Wallflower at the door with sympathetic smiles.
Entering the studio apartment, Wallflower seemed a bit apprehensive. In one respect, she felt she was coming home. In another, she felt she was violating someone's privacy. She was quick to make her feelings known to the girls.
“We understand, darling” Rarity tried to be compassionate, “But, there's really no other place we can bring you. Plus, if Sunset's memories flare again, they may be more manageable in a familiar environment.”
“If you want,” added Applejack, “we'll just hang out in the living area.” She moved the couch aside to create a sleeping area.
Somehow, it didn't make Wallflower feel any better. “So, what are we going to do?”
“That's completely up to you” Trixie smiled as she raided Sunset's refrigerator. She took a step back, perplexed. “It's all drinks. Doesn't this girl keep any food?”
“I eat out a lot.” She stopped when she realized what she just said. “I mean,” she corrected, “Sunset eats out a lot. Between school lunch and her work, she doesn't have much need to buy food. There are some snacks in the microwave.” She smiled sheepishly at the other girls. “Sorry.” Though they tried to hide it for her sake, she could see their sadness.
Rainbow wrapped her arm around Wallflower's shoulders, pulling her into a half-hug. “It's okay. Not like you can help it.”
“Still,” Wallflower looked downcast, “I don't want to make this awkward for you.”
“I think we're already well passed that point” Trixie said, popping a chip into her mouth. Despite the urge, the other girls chose not to comment.
“Wallflower, here why don't you change into your pajamas?” Rarity handed Wallflower the overnight bag she has left over at Pinkie Pie's house.
Wallflower stared blankly at the duffel bag. She had completely forgotten about it. Her sleeping bag, too. Though, that as well had been brought and was being laid out on the floor. She zipped it open and pulled out her night shirt and shorts. Maybe it would make her more comfortable. Pulling out her toiletries as well, she went off to the bathroom.
Applejack adjusted her hat with a sigh. “This is gonna be a long night.”
“I just hope she falls right to sleep” said Rarity, “Would be better all-round.”
“Yeah, but let's not force her. Plus, she needs to contact her grandparents to get them to call off Detective Doyle.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow pointed out, “but we still haven't come up with what she should tell them.”
“My grandparents, though I love them, will believe most anything you tell them.”
“Woah!” Rainbow nearly jumped out of her skin. Spinning around, she pointed to Wallflower, “Ninja!”
Wallflower chuckled lightly at the comment. “But, it's true. They're been times I've told them things and they completely forget about them. I could say I was just about anywhere, and they'd believe me.”
“Well,” Rarity said, “that's certainly an odd stroke of luck.”
“Tell ya what,” Applejack smiled, “after all we've had to deal with, I'll take it.”
With everyone dressed for bed, the girls settled down in their sleeping bags.
Wallflower laid silently, looking up at the ceiling. So many thoughts floated through her mind. Some she recognized as her own; others, Sunset's. She closed her eyes and tried to push those ones back. She owed Sunset a huge apology once this was all over.
Oddly, though, through all this, she felt she had come to know Sunset Shimmer and her friends. Though, she wondered how much of that was true just because she happened to have Sunset's memories. If Princess Twilight, somehow, managed to relieve her of Sunset's memories, would she still feel the same about these girls?
She prayed Twilight could find how to take the memories away.
Exhaustion slowly taking hold, Wallflower turned over, and went to sleep.
---
Rainbow awoke to the sound of gentle guitar strumming. She gently raised her head. It was still dark out, but the sky was beginning to lighten. She gently moved so as not to disturb anyone and looked over to where Wallflower was sleeping. Seeing the sleeping bag empty, she quickly sat up and searched around.
However, she didn't have to look far. On the other side of the couch, Wallflower sat, softly playing one of Sunset's guitars. She had plugged it into the amp, but had turned the volume way down. Rainbow sat silently and listened. Wallflower was practicing chords and scales.
Slowly, Rainbow arose and went over to join Wallflower. “Can't sleep?”
“Yeah,” Wallflower replied, “I like to play whenever that happens.”
Rainbow grabbed the other electric guitar off the wall. “Mind if I join?”
Wallflower plugged the second guitar into the amp, and started playing a simple melody.
A pang twinged Rainbow's heart. She recognized that tune. It was one she and Sunset had come up with. It was a duet they had hammered out one late night while studying. No one else knew of it; it had become their special song. Without realizing it, she had jumped in with her part.
Wallflower played Sunset's part of the piece flawlessly. If Rainbow closed her eyes, she could swear her friend was right there with her. However, she knew it was only an impostor. And, yet,as they came to the end, when she looked at Wallflower, she could Sunset's face. The same face she always gave when they played their song.
Then, in a blink, it was gone.
There was a moment before Wallflower realized what had happened. “Rainbow...”
The multi-chrome girl choked and turned away. “S'cuse me.” She was thankful it was too dark to see the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Wallflower watched helplessly as Rainbow ran to the bathroom. A short while later, she heard the shower start.
---
With morning finally upon them, Trixie headed out to get hot drinks and breakfast sandwiches. Rainbow had begged to join her.
It only made Wallflower feel worse.
Sorting through her things, Wallflower found some new articles of clothing. Namely, new underwear. She blushed slightly as she pulled it out. “Rarity, I know you're into fashion, and enjoy dressing your friends. But, does that also extend to... um... under clothing?”
The fashionista chortled. “On occasion. But, in your case, we just couldn't get to your closet.”
“But, how do you now my size?”
“Please, darling, do you even need to ask?”
Applejack leaned close and whispered into Wallflower's ear: “She has special vision that allows her to see everyone's dress size above their heads.” She laughed as a pillow struck her in the face.
“Really, Applejack!” Rarity scolded, “Stop giving away my secrets!”
“Who's hungry?” came a chime from the door, “The Great and Powerful Trixie has delivered!”
---
After breakfast, Wallflower sat down to call her grandparents. The other girls listened in so the could collaborate her story later, if need be.
Wallflower took in a deep breath as she listened to the line ring. “Hey, Grandpa!” she smiled, “Yes... Grandpa, I told you and Grandma I was going out of town with a friend... Yes, Starlight Glimmer... We went camping. We're driving back now... Well, I'm sorry, but I told you I'd have limited reception where I was going... Okay,” she sighed, “I'll stop by so you can see I'm alright, but I already made plans with her and her friends. So, I can't guarantee it would be today... No, Starlight can't talk now, she's driving... Yes, she's very responsible... Okay... Love you, too.” She hung up the phone.
“Well,” she smiled to the other girls, “that's done.”
“You do this a lot, don't you?” Trixie asked.
There was remorse in Wallflower's expression. “Only so I can get away with small things at home. This is the biggest lie I've ever told them.”
Applejack fiddled with her hat. “Well, ye'r a little too good at it.”
As morning turned to mid-morning, Pinkie Pie showed up so Applejack could return home for her chores. With Pinkie Pie, came lunch: Chinese takeout from down the street.
The small group settled in the living room area, each silently enjoying her meal.
“Did you know?” Wallflower said softly, staring at her food, “Sunset used to practice with chopsticks to master the dexterity of her fingers. While I, on the other hand,” she launched her fork to spear a piece of pepper steak. Failed to penetrate the target, instead pinching the side to sent the piece of meat flying from her pate and onto the floor. “...struggle enough with a fork.”
“It's not just you” Trixie tried to be consoling, “It's these flimsy plastic forks they give out. Everyone has trouble with them. Here,” she threw a metallic fork at Wallflower. “Use this instead.”
“Trixie!” Rainbow frowned, “Isn't that one of Sunset's forks?”
“Yes.”
Rarity let out a low growl. “Just keep track of everything so we can put it all back how we found it.”
“Whatever,” Trixie waved, “we agreed we would clean the place anyway.”
“You also owe Sunset some snacks” Rainbow pointed out.
“Believe me, I haven't forgotten.” She flipped through the pages of her notebook. “I'm keeping a full list of all I have eaten. I'm even going to throw in a package of peanut butter crackers for added measure.”
“Yeah,” Pinkie joked, “so you have something to eat whenever you visit.”
Trixie scowled. “Obviously, you don't know the many healths and benefits of peanut butter. I am merely looking out for the best interest of my friend. And I see that Sunset has no peanut butter.”
“I'm allergic to peanuts” Wallflower said.
“Oh,” she faltered, “well, certainly don't want to get Sunset sick, or (ahem) anything...”
“Sunset's not allergic” Wallflower pointed to herself, “I am.”
“Oh...” Trixie took a huge bite of eggroll.
---
If ever there was a picture of a lazy Sunday afternoon, this was it. Amidst the casual talk, and occasional homework, there wasn't much that happened in the little apartment. With not much else to do, Rainbow resided herself onto the couch, where she quickly fell fast asleep.
“Didn't you bring any board games with you?” Rarity asked Pinkie Pie.
“Saw no need.” Pinkie replied, “Sunset has a whole shelf of them over there.” She pointed to the large storage cabinet against the wall. “I should know, I gave her half of them.”
Rarity turned to Wallflower and Trixie, who were reviewing their geography homework. “You two ready for a break?”
Trixie got up from the floor and stretched. “Yes! Too much information! My brain can't take any more! I feel like it's about to explode!”
“I've been felling like that all week” Wallflower said simply.
No one really in the mood to think, the girls settled on a simple board game. They gathered around the coffee table, serenaded by Rainbow's gentle snores.
“If you don't mind me asking, Wallflower,” Pinkie said, moving her pawn, “You haven't seem to have had any blowups with Sunset's memories. Does that mean you have them under control?” She winced slightly at Rarity's disapproving scowl. Though, she slightly relaxed when Wallflower seemed comfortable answering.
“Yes and no. Part of what Princess Luna and I did all day yesterday was try to find ways of keeping it under control.” She picked up the instruction card and read it. “She placed a spell over me to try to slow the process. In addition, I've been doing various mental exercises to try to separate my memories from Sunset's.”
“Well, they certainly do seem to be working” Rarity commented, as Wallflower finished her turn.
“The only problem is I need to almost constantly do them. Otherwise, Sunset's memories will come out. Wait for when I'm either tired, or distracted, like last night.”
“Well,” Trixie pondered, “that certainly explains why you were mixing in Equestrian geography into our homework.”
“Yeah,” Wallflower rubbed the back of her head, reminded of how confused she made Trixie, “Sorry.”
“Don't say 'sorry'” Pinkie said, “It's not your turn!” The other girls just rolled their eyes.
“So,” Trixie hesitated, “you can tell the difference between your memories and Sunsets?”
“Yeah, it's kinda hard to explain. I guess it's like I have two groups in my head and I'm trying to do everything to keep them separated.” She gave a light chuckle, “Interesting thing is I can consciously access both.”
Rarity felt a surge of anger mounting within her. She struggled to keep it controlled. “You've actually looked at Sunset's memories?”
“I did, at first. If only to help differentiate between Sunset's memories and my own. However, this is only for the memories that are still separate. Those that have merged, or begun to merge, I have no control over.”
“It's okay, you have a right to be angry. Sunset is your friend. Even if I never meant to, I know that, in many ways, I've violated her privacy. And yours.”
All color drained from Rarity's face. How could Wallflower have known? She had always prided herself on her stealth, never revealing her cards until the last possible moment.
'Sunset had come to know us pretty well' she reasoned, 'Maybe, with Wallflower having her memories, she was able to—”
“I can read people pretty well” Wallflower explained, “One of the perks of being 'invisible'. You can watch people without them knowing—and it being totally weird.” She picked up a card to start her turn, “Turns out, it's something Sunset and I have in common.
“Sorry.”
“There's no need to be, darling” Rarity waved.
“Not you. Pinkie.” She moved her pawn to a space occupied by one of Pinkie's, causing it to move from just outside the safe zone leading to home all the way back to the start.
Pinkie let out a shout of applause, if not a bit salty about having to take her piece all the way around the board again. “That's a Sunset Shimmer move right there if I ever saw one!”
Wallflower shook her head with a smile. “Nope. That's another thing Sunset and I have in common. We don't like to lose.”
In the end, Wallflower didn't exactly win, but she came in at a close second to Pinkie. However, it all really was about the fun and fellowship. So, as Pinkie quickly pointed out, they all won.
Rainbow awoke just as they were putting the game away.
“Good morning!” Pinkie teased.
The athlete let out a stretch and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Is it really?”
“Yep” Trixie responded. She held up her cellphone, displaying the clock. “It's just about six o'clock.”
“What?” Rainbow exclaimed, “No way!” She looked confused as the other girls broke out into laughter.
“Yes way!” Wallflower chuckled, “You slept the whole afternoon.”
It took a moment for Rainbow to register, before she folded her arms in a huff. “Very funny, you guys!”
“Yes,” Rarity laughed, “it is!”
With evening upon them, Pinkie packed up her stuff to return home.
“I wish I could spend the night” she pouted, “But, my parents like having Sunday dinner as a family. Plus, my cousin is in town. And I haven't seem seen him in years!”
“I suppose we should be looking into our own dinner” Rarity said, fishing her purse for her car keys. “I guess I'll pick something up after I drive Pinkie home.”
“I'll come with you” Rainbow yawned, “The trip will help me wake up.”
“Better also grab something for breakfast while you're out” Trixie reminded them, “Twilight's coming over first thing in the morning.”
Left alone, Wallflower and Trixie set up the coffee table to eat dinner as soon as Rarity and Rainbow returned.
Wallflower noticed an easiness to Trixie. Every so often she would stop, turn to the quiet girl as if to say something, then return to what she was doing. Wallflower raised a curious eyebrow, but remained silent, allowing the magician to take her time.
Eventually, they settled on the couch, enjoying a little TV.
“I'm sorry” said a soft voice during a commercial break.
Wallflower frowned, muting the TV. She didn't quite hear. “I'm sorry?”
“Yes,” Trixie sighed, her shoulders falling, “I'm sorry.” When Wallflower didn't say anything, she continued: “Just, the things I've said to you. Some not very nice things. Not just for this past week, but today as well. I know I sometimes speak without thinking. Only after, do I realize just how uncomfortable I've made you.”
“It's okay” Wallflower smiled, “I know you. You have a hard time having an interest in anyone besides yourself. You haven't changed since third grade, and I doubt you ever will.
“But, that's the problem, isn't it? I don't know you. After all the grades we've been though together, I should, at least, know your face, or something...
“I mean, I remember Rock Cliff—and he only spent one year at our school.”
Wallflower blinked. “Who?”
“Fifth grade? He was that kid who sat next to Holly Bush. Mostly kept to himself, but was always munching on some sort of candy?”
She shook her head. “Doesn't ring a bell.”
“Anyway, he was a weird kid. But, still, I haven't seen him since then and, yet, I remember him. What does that say for someone I've spent much more time with?”
Wallflower hugged her knees. “It's not entirely your fault, you know. I've used the stone on so many people. I... may have erased some of your memories.” She let out a somber sigh. “I've really made things horrible for myself haven't I?”
“I wouldn't say that, exactly. But, sorta...?” She shrunk back when the other girl emitted a groan. “Wallflower,” she tenderly, “let's set this all aside for a moment. Because, this isn't really helping anything.
“Yeah, you may have gone a little crazy with that stupid rock. But, that's all done now.”
“You don't have to rub it in.”
Trixie frowned. “Excuse me! I'm trying to have a heart-to-heart here!
“I realize that you've pretty much been ignored by most everyone, but it doesn't have to stay that way. We'll get through this and, when this is all over, the Great and Powerful Trixie would like nothing more than to get to know her Best-Somewhat-Shy-Adventure-Person.”
“You can just say 'friend', you know.”
“But then,” Trixie winked, lightly punching Wallflower's shoulder, “it wouldn't be as special.”