//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 
// Story: Playing Detective 
// by garatheauthor 
//------------------------------//

Five girls stood around a grave in Canterlot. The name upon it was obscured by the sheer volume of flowers and gifts scattered around the site, a more fitting monument to the memory of Sunset Shimmer than the hunk of granite and plaque buried underneath.

Together they held hands, linked together as a mixture of emotions washed over them. For some, there were memories of fond times to keep them company, for others, there was only a hollow sorrow which came with the knowledge of what they had lost. A pain further enhanced when the five remembered that they had not lost one, but two girlfriends.

Yet, they still had each other. Fluttershy’s confession was like a sledgehammer blow to their collective trust, yet their bond was built of something which could survive even this most earthshattering of revelations.

“Fluttershy was in the news today,” Twilight commented.

The mood noticeably cooled.

“Oh?” Applejack asked.

Twilight nodded. “They sentenced her to twenty-five years with a chance of parole after fifteen.”

“That isn’t good enough,” Rainbow growled. “They should’ve given her life.”

Rarity shook her head. “No… that isn’t what Sunset would’ve wanted.”

Everyone looked at her.

“Sunset, more than anyone, would’ve preached that people can change and redeem themselves for what they have done. For sure, what Fluttershy did was absolutely horrendous, but Sunset would’ve been the first to give her a second chance after she’s paid for and learned from her mistakes.”

Rainbow snorted. “Are you going to be there once she gets out?”

Rarity shook her head. “I have no idea. I’m nowhere near the woman Sunset Shimmer was. I don’t think I could bring myself to see Fluttershy again.”

“I know one thing,” Pinkie Pie said.

She let go of Applejack’s hand and knelt beside the grave, placing her hand against the granite.

“What’s that, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“I’m never going to forget Sunset.” She smiled softly. “Never ever.”

“Me neither,” Rarity agreed. “She was the best of us.”

Four heads nodded in agreement.