//------------------------------// // After the Fall Formal - Chapter 1 // Story: Out of the crater, into the light // by Xenont //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer shouted loudly in agony as the 'rainbow beam' curled around her. Her vision was blurred as she saw nothing but rainbow swirls. She felt her demon wings getting ripped off her body as she was transformed back into a human. Tears of pain ran down her face as she was thrown forcefully towards the ground, causing a huge dent to appear. She curled up in pain as she slowly opened her eyes. huh? what's going on? Around her was a series of floating images that slowly grew closer and closer to her. What is happening? Where am I ? The images got nearer to her, near enough for sunset to make them out. Her eyes widened in horror. Each of the floating pictures showed a time when she hurt someone, when she used someone. Suddenly, the light around her turned red, all the images started flying towards Sunset at a pace so fast, she fell to her knees as they intruded her mind. "Argh! " Sunset's eyes filled with tears as she ran through her new memories, which apparently, lodged itself in a place in the back of Sunset's mind, in a place she would never forget. The world around Sunset snapped to an end as she took a while to process where she was. She was back in the crater, hunching over. she looked up to see all the students she bullied, all the students she had hurt, staring down at her. Twilight looked down at her, looking evidently disappointed. "You will never rule in Equestria!" Twilight shouted towards the crater. "Any power you once had in this world is gone. Tonight, you showed everyone who you truly are, you showed them what is in your heart." Sunset looked up at the Princess, fresh tears filling her eyes once more she made an attempt to crawl out of the crater, her arms felt weak and sore. "I'm sorry.....I'm so sorry.....I didn't know there was another way...." Sunset's tears formed a puddle under her chin as she clenched her fists, trying her best to climb out. Twilight looked at Sunset pitifully. “The Magic of Friendship doesn’t exist just in Equestria,” Twilight said “It’s everywhere. You can seek it out! Or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours.” she looked at Sunset. “But all I’ve ever done since being here is drive everyone apart!” Sunset cried, her tears mixing with the dirt. “I don’t know the first thing about friendship."She barely made it out of the hole. She looked at Twilight , tears filling her eyes. Twilight saw no anger or hatred in Sunset's eyes. She extended her hand, grabbing hold of Sunset and pulling her up. "I bet they could teach you. " Twilight said, waving her hands towards the five girls standing around them. Sunset smiled. But why? Why did you forgive me? I don't deserve it. Not after what I have done..... "I believe this belongs to you. " A voice behind them said. Principal Celestia stood meters away from them, holding Twilight's crown. Twilight made sure Sunset was stable before leaving her by the side of the crater. “A true princess in any world leads not by forcing others to bow before her, but by inspiring others to stand with her. We have all seen that you are capable of just that!” Celestia said. “I hope you see it too, Princess Twilight,” Celestia smiled placing the crown on her head. Everyone whooped and cheered, everyone but Sunset. She crossed her arms over her chest, not looking into anyone's eyes. Just then, Flash came up to Twilight and asked her if she still wanted to dance with him. when Twilight took his arm and agreed, Sunset felt a pang of regret flow through her. Well, guess i can't be TOO jealous. I did treat him pretty bad back then..... . Twilight held Flash's hand as she remembered that Sunset was still there. "Erm...Flash....Can you wait for me in the hall....I need a moment with...." Flash seemed to understand as he nodded and walked to the hall. "Sunset." Twilight turned around to look at her. Sunset refused to look into twilight's eyes.I don't deserve to be spared....Not after what I've done... Twilight knew that she needed to return to Equestria in an hour and could not waste it away. "Sunset...Look, I forgive you. You don't have to be afraid..." She gave Sunset a reassuring look as she handed her over to her friends. "please make sure she stays safe." Twilight said, handing Sunset's bruised hand to Rainbow Dash, who instantly gave Sunset a big hug. a few seconds later, the other four joined in, causing even more tears to come to Sunset's eyes. Hand in hand, the seven of them headed to the hall to dance. In the hall, Twilight went up to Flash and went to dance with him as Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack urged sunset to join them on the dance floor, "Come on Sunset!!!" Pinkie shouted. "It'll be fine!" But Sunset just shook her head. "No....no thanks...." She said softly, she did not want to look at any students as just by looking at them would bring horrible memories of her bullying them back to her mind. "Ok then. We ain't gonna force ya." Apple Jack said. She led Sunset to a row of chairs and let her sit down. "Just let us know if ya need anythin." The girls nodded as they, too went to dance, leaving Sunset to her own thoughts Do they REALLY forgive me for what I have done? I tore them AND the school apart for years! Sunset closed her eyes and groaned. I really wished I could turn back time and make everything right. I must have caused so much pain! Sunset nodded. She, after all had experienced all the pain of everyone she had hurt when the memories flooded her mind when the elements struck her. The hall was full of Singing, dancing and laughing. Everyone was celebrating Sunset's defeat. Everyone was happy. Everyone except Sunset, Who was hunched up on the chairs, crying. Sunset truly regretted what she had done, the damage to the school and its students. She really, if she could, wanted to go up to each and every one of them to bow down and apologise to everyone she hurt. But....Would they even want to see me anymore? Would they even want to talk to me anymore? Would they.....forgive me? The question stayed in Sunset's head as she look at the students who were dancing and enjoying themselves. "Hey guys! What should we do about Sunset?" Rainbow asked after a while of silent dancing. "I mean, I really want to help her!" "Yeah. She may have split us apart, but it does not mean we should turn her down." Fluttershy said, pointing to Sunset, who was still deep in thought. "Yes." Rainbow said. "We are probably the only ones who would even consider talking to her now.......I mean, look!" She pointed to Sunset. Beside her was a group of students, pointing and glaring at the former demon. Sunset looked away from them, knowing that they were right. She was horrible. "She does seem in need of a friend!" Rarity pointed out. "After all, our Friendship is magic. If I would use it to change anyone, It'll be Sunset." All of them nodded in unison to show their approval. "Come on, let's go talk to her!" Pinkie said. "She seems lonely there, you know? Alone!" The five girls made their way through the crowd, nearly bumping into Twilight. "Oof!" Twilight fell backwards as Rainbow reached out to catch her. "Sorry Twi! We were just going to see how Sunset was holding up! " Rainbow said as she helped up Twilight to her feet. "Hey! You wanna come? " Twilight nodded as they continued to squirm their way to Sunset, pushing and shoving their way through the mass of students "Hey Sunset? Y'all alright? " Applejack said, making Sunset jump right out of her skin. "Ahh!" She shouted. "Sorry, we just wanted to talk to ya." Applejack continued, taking a seat next to Sunset. Sunset looked ap at the six girls that had hit her with that Rainbow wave. "Yes? " She answered, still not looking up. "If you want me to say sorry, I....." Sunset choked on her own words as she felt tears coming to her eyes. No apology can make up for what I did.... She brought her hands to her face in an attempt to cover the fact that she was crying for the seventh time that night. Twilight took a seat on Sunset's other side, patting her on the back. "Hey! It's okay! We all make mistakes! What you have to learn is to pick yourself up from those and move on with life! And now, you'll have five wonderful friends by your side!" Her words only made Sunset cry even harder. Why are they being so nice to me? She buried her face in her hands as she cried bitterly to herself. After a few minutes of comforting, Sunset's cries were reduced to a few occasional hiccups. "I really AM sorry. Not only for nearly killing you but also for tearing...no...ripping your friendship up..." Sunset looked up at the girls. "Aww...It's alright sugarcube, we all forgive you already! " Applejack said, earning a nod from the five girls. "Yeah sunny! You do seem in awful need of a good friend right about now!" Pinkie beamed, hugging Sunset. "Really? Even after what I have done to you?" Sunset whispered. She looked down at the cuts and bruises that tattooed her skin, rubbing them. "Yes. We do!" Fluttershy said, louder than usual. Sunset felt the warmth of the girl's hugs as they embraced her tightly. Tears started to stream down her face at an unstoppable rate. "I......." Sunset gasped as they squeezed her tightly. "Shh.....It's okay! We know you are sorry." Rainbow said as tears started to fill her own eyes. Twilight, happy that her friend were accepting towards Sunset, stood up. "Well, I guess I should get going now...." She smiled. As they drew near the portal, Sunset decided to let them talk in private as she stayed near one of the supporting pillars of what was left of the school, but that did not stop her from hearing everything they said. "You'll take care of her for me right? " Twilight made her friends promise her three times. She could not risk anything happening to Sunset, especially after the Fall Formal. "Don't worry Twi! Sunset is good with us!" Rainbow said. "Yes. But I do expect some sort of apology!" Rarity said. "Oh, I think she'll be giving loads of those!" Twilight said. "And to everyone too." She pointed at Sunset, who quickly looked away, scraping the jagged pillar of the school. "Yup, You would not need to worry." Twilight sighed. "I just don't want her to suffer anymore than she already has....." Twilight shook her head. "Nah. I'm just overthinking. You girls are great friends! I'll probably be back after 30 moons to see how she is doing.....unless i figure out a way to travel here sooner." Twilight looked at her new friends. "I know it has only been a while, but i'm gonna miss you all so much!" Tears started to fill the eyes of the princess as her friends shared one last hug before Twilight entered the portal just as it closed, with Spike trailing not far behind, leaving her friends to Sunset's needs. Soon after Twilight left for Equestria, the ears, tails and wings of her friends all disappeared, a look of disappointment on their faces. "Bummer!" Pinkie even muttered as she tried to enter the portal after Twilight. After wiping their tears and regaining their composure, the five girls stared at the statue, hoping that Twilight would, indeed, return soon. "Okay girls! Now all we have to do is help Sunset to recover and help her to fit in." Rarity said. "It can't be that hard! You girls saw how sorry she was, didn't you?" She turned around to where Sunset was waiting, but realised that Sunset was nowhere to be seen. What? she was right there! "Where is Sunset?" Fluttershy asked as she squinted her eyes to look closer. The dust around the school was thick, but it was thin enough for the girls to see that Sunset was gone Rainbow ran up to the rubble pile and around where they had last seen Sunset and examined it closely, behind every pillar and wall. She even went back to the hall just to check that they haven't left Sunset there, but she was nowhere to be seen. After a few minutes, she returned to see a few anxious friends looking expectantly at her. "So? Where is she?" Applejack asked. "Uh....guys?" Rainbow began as she walked towards her friends, a look of confusion and worry etched on her face. "Sunset's not here.....She's gone!