//------------------------------//
// Rough Childhoods 
// Story: Holiday Blues 
// by friend519 
//------------------------------//

Sunset Shimmer went first. 
“I had a rough time in my past. From birth to when I turned 2 years old, my own parents didn’t really show any love for me. They only cared for themselves. They kept telling me I was just a waste of time and space. On my first day of preschool, I kept asking them who’ll take me there. They didn’t even notice me. I was forced to walk alone, and it was raining. I got splashed by mud, and laughed at for it. I thought no one noticed me. It only got worse when I turned 4. My parents threw me out of the house because they kept telling me I was just a waste of time and space. I wanted to show that I still needed them, so when I turned 7, I sang this song my mom would sing when she was younger. I felt so proud.” 
Sonata asked “what did your parents think?” 
“That’s the problem” Sunset answered. “They didn’t even bother to show up.” 
Wallflower commented “my goodness. It’s almost as if they just left you neglected for life.” 
Sunset then said “there’s more to my story than being neglected.”
She jumped to when she was 10 years old. 
“Every friend I tried to make wouldn’t stop teasing me. I still get nightmares over some calling me a bacon haired loser. I one time even got tripped over and no one even bothered to help me up. It wasn’t until my 12th birthday when a doctor diagnosed me with Post Traumatic Stress DIsorder. Then came 9th grade. I finally made some friends, but they made fun of me behind my back. Over the years, I tried speaking up about my feelings, but no one would listen.” 
She walked over to the other side of the room. 
“My friends, my family, my life. I thought it was all lost, so I ran away. That’s why I came to Canterlot High, oh, but not without lashing out at others by stuffing them in lockers and ruining school events.” 
She sighed before saying she’s still having more nightmares.
“You’re lucky you just had to deal with bullying and a shade of neglection Sunset Shimmer” Alizarin commented. “My childhood was much worse. When I was a young child, I lived with my cousin, Cotton Candy, and her mom. We would have balls of fun together during the holidays.” 
A montage of clips showed them decorating the house and playing in the snow. 
“What happened to you, Alizarin?” Wallflower asked. 
Alizarin answered “when I turned 10 years old, my aunt started making my cousin get her alcoholic drinks. She was careful at first, but overtime, she got carried away. She became addicted to alcohol. We tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. She even stopped participating in the holiday fun. My cousin and I couldn’t take it anymore, so we ran away and ended up in this town too. However, unlike Sunset, I attend Crystal Prep Academy. I just wish it didn’t have to go the way it did.” 
She too sighed in bitter sadness.
Sonata and Wallflower hugged Alizarin and Sunset. 
“We’re so sorry that happened to the 2 of you.” Sonata said. “We made these feel better cards for you.” 
Alizarin and Sunset opened their cards and read them. 
“Thanks” Sunset said. “This makes us feel a little better.” 
Alizarin replied “totally. Well, I may not have my cousin, but I’m gonna go talk to my friends from Crystal Prep.” 
Sunset added “and I better get going to work at the mall. The least we can do is find something to keep us going upbeat for the rest of the day.” 
“That’s the spirit girls” Wallflower said. 
The 4 of them waved goodbye as Alizarin and Sunset walked off. 
In the library, Sonata said to Wallflower “I feel sorry they had to put up with all that. You think they’ll be alright?” 
Sonata answered “Alizarin is one of the Crystal Prep students. They can help handle her blues. One can only imagine how, though.” 
Wallflower commented “okay. That still leaves Sunset’s holiday blues, though.” 
Sonata replied “you’re right. We’re gonna need some help cheering her up.” 

A while later, Alizarin arrived at Crystal Prep Academy just in time for lunch. She grabbed a chicken sandwich and some orange juice before strolling off to find a table. There was one open across the room. One that had Alizarin’s friends: Ginger Owlseye, Melon Mint, Crystal Lullaby, Frosty Orange and Indigo Zap. She walked over and said hi to the others who said hi back. 
“This is just awesome,” Ginger said while hugging her. 
“I can tell,” Alizarin said. “So, who’s this girl you’re talking to?” 
The girl Alizarin was referring to told her “I’m Yellow Meringue.” 
“Nice to meet you,” Alizarin said. “What brings you to Crystal Prep?” 
Yellow told her “Crystal and I used to go to school together. My family moved after they joined the Navy.” 
Crystal added, “but they said Yellow can spend the holidays with me.” 
Alizarin commented “cool. You think she can help me snap out of these holiday blues?” 
“What holiday blues?” Ginger asked. 
After Alizarin told them, they hugged Alizarin to show how sorry they are. 
“It’s alright,” Alizarin said. 
Clayton Potter looked over. 
“Alright?” he asked. “Quit being so negative!” 
“Easy for you to say” Alizarin said. 
She told him no one else knows what it’s like to have a family one does never want.
Melon then stood up in anger. 
“Do I Ali?” she asked. “Do I?” 
Neon Lights looked over and asked “okay, what happened?” 
Melon said out loud “You remember Neon. When you and I were 12, both of our parents divorced and we both got restraining orders. You couldn’t see your dad and I couldn’t see my mom, so your mom and my dad found a new home for the 4 of us, but they didn’t marry each other.” 
Celery Stalk then replied “I know how that feels. My dad kicked me out because I refused to accept his alcoholic behavior.” 
Barely any of the other shadowbolts could believe what is being said. Alizarin couldn’t make up her mind over whether or not to start tearing up. She tried not to as she hugged Ginger. 
“I” she started. “I’m so”.
Ginger cut her off by placing a finger over her mouth. 
“It’s okay,” she said. “We’ll always be here for you Ali.” 
“Totally” Indigo said. “Hey, I know we ain’t like the Canterlot High kids, but how about a sleepover to cheer you up?” 
Alizarin asked “you wanna do it?” 
The other girls wanted to, so Alizarin said yes before hugging Ginger again. All 7 of them couldn’t wait.
Meanwhile, it was lunchtime for Canterlot High as well. Sonata and Wallflower looked around. 
“I forgot Sunset had to work today,” Wallflower said to Sonata. 
The 2 former mean girls saw the eco kids sitting together while also spotting Foggy Blue and Roseluck with Derpy Hooves and her band mates. 
Sonata suggested “you go talk to the eco kids. I’ll go talk with Foggy Blue.” 
They both agreed to it. After going over to the said groups, Both groups said hi to Wallflower and Sonata. 
“Hey,” they said back. 
“So what’s new with ya, Wallflower?” Paisley asked. 
“What’s the 411 today, Sonata?” Roseluck asked. 
Sonata and Wallflower told them, “well, if one of your friends is feeling blue and you want to cheer that friend up, what would you do first?” 
The others were a little confused. 
Sweet Leaf and Blueberry Pie both asked the viewers “do you know what’s going on?” 
After giving the viewers a moment to answer, Sandalwood and Roseluck asked “has anything like that ever happen to you?” The viewers took another moment to say whether or not it has. 
Sandalwood and Roseluck then said “we feel so sorry for you.” 
Captain Planet then cut in and said “hey, let’s stop being so negative. I brought holiday gifts for you.” 
The other eco kids thanked him for it.
Sandalwood’s gift was a new pair of winter jeans. Wallflower’s gift was a new hoe for her garden. While the eco kids were enjoying their time opening presents, Sonata’s lunch group were still feeling bad for what she had to put up with. 
“I can’t believe Sunset had to put up with so many mean people growing up” Foggy Blue said. 
“Me neither” Raspberry Fluff commented. “It’s no wonder she used to be mean, herself.” 
After flash backing to the first movie, Sonata replied “yeah. It’s worse than anyone could ever imagine. Wallflower and I want to cheer her up, but we don’t have many ideas.” 
Derpy then told Sonata “no worries girl. We’ll help you send Sunset’s holiday blues packing.” 
“Really?” Sonata asked. 
The other girls agreed. Sonata thanked them by giving the girls a holiday hug to remember. 
“Anything for a friend,” Foggy replied.