//------------------------------// // Eleven: Confronted // Story: Her Broken Childhood // by girasol //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash was carefully sweeping up the last pieces of glass when she heard footsteps to her right. Looking towards that direction, she saw Rarity and Sunset stepping back into the kitchen. “Twilight!” Sunset exclaimed, running up to Twilight, who was helping Pinkie Pie put dishes away, “Look at what Rarity did!” Twilight turned around and knelt down to the girl’s eye level, “Wow Sunset you look so beautiful!” Twilight gently touched the delicate braid, carefully trying not to destroy it. Sunset grinned at the purple teen before giving her a hug. Rainbow couldn’t help but smile at the scene, she heard what Sunset had said. It truly crushed her soul. First the bathtub, then the glass, now her scars? She had three breakdowns and it’s not even 10 o’clock yet! Oh gee I don’t even want to think about what the ‘punishment’ is... “Alright, I think we should get going now,” Twilight said, glancing over at the clock. She grabbed her backpack and gave Sunset hers. Sunset anxiously stepped off of Rarity’s SUV, noting how much bigger the building looked than the last two times she’s seen it. Sunset grasped Twilight’s hand as they began walking towards the building. She was not sure why, but Twilight insisted on her wearing a sweater with the hoodie over her head. It was an odd request, being that it wasn’t even that cold, but Sunset did as she was told. The fiery haired girl gripped Twilight’s hand a little tighter as they passed the construction workers working on the giant crater at the front of the school. Hmm... I wonder what caused that. Sunset thought, remembering that the hole was there when she was first introduced to Twilight. Sunset looked downward at her feet in guilt. I sure hope I didn’t cause that. Rarity opened the door to the front of the school, letting Rainbow and the two Equestrians go in first before she went in herself. Sunset observed the inside of the building. Green lockers lined up the right hallway while the other held trophies along the wall, as far as she could tell. The building was empty, devoid of students, save for the three teenagers with her. Still, it made her uneasy being in a new environment. “Alright Sunset,” Twilight bent down to look at Sunset in the eye, “Remember to stay with them at all times. Don’t wander off okay? Listen to them. Do you think you can do that for me?” Sunset sadly nodded her head, not happy about being separated from Twilight once again, “Y-you’re going to stay in the building right?” Twilight took a hesitant breath, “For the most part, yes. I may go off the school campus for a bit though.” Sunset lowered her eyes, she did not know about that part. “But don’t worry,” Twilight quickly added when she saw the girl’s reaction, “I’ll let you know.” “Twilight Sparkle?” Another voice called from behind Twilight. Twilight turned around to find Principal Celestia standing behind her, “Good morning, Principal Celestia.” “Mornin’ Principal C.” “Good morning Principal Celestia.” The principal smiled, “Good morning everyone,” Principal Celestia noticed a certain hooded figure partially hidden behind Twilight. Judging by the streak of red hair peaking out the cyan hoodie, she had a pretty good guess at who was behind Twilight. Celestia blinked a couple times, cleared her throat and turned to Twilight, “Are you ready for our meeting?” Twilight took a deep breath, turning around to kneel in front of Sunset, “I’ll be right back,” she hugged Sunset, hoping she wouldn’t have another panic attack at her leaving, “Stay close to them okay?” When the small girl nodded, Twilight smiled and placed a kiss to the girl’s amber forehead before turning back around to face the principal. Sunset kept her eyes locked on Twilight as she disappeared around the hallway. Twilight promised she’ll be back... she promised... she’ll be back... Rarity watched as the small girl grew more anxious as Twilight left the scene. She remembered how panicked the girl had gotten when Twilight went to talk to Flash yesterday and she was worried that the panic attack would happen again. Thinking quickly, she asked the smaller girl, “Darling would you like to see the music room?” Sunset looked up at Rarity with curious cyan eyes, “Music room?” Rarity smiled and nodded, “Yes dear, the music room. Come along darling, why don’t we check it out, hmm?” The red haired girl nodded, her curiously increasing, wondering how the music room would be. Would it be like the ones in Equestria? Or would it be completely different? “Alright then, lets head to the music room,” Rarity offered her pale had at the small girl, not knowing if she would take it or not. To her surprise, though with some hesitation, she did accept her hand. They rounded the corner past where the lockers were. Sunset observed them carefully, theorizing what the weird green door things were for. They all mostly looked them same. Some were personalized with stickers and others with pictures or posters. Sunset’s eyes widened when she saw one that looked badly beat up, black inked writing covered the front of it as well as a scary looking drawing of a red monster at the center. Rainbow Dash opened the door to the music room to reveal Flash Sentry tuning his electric guitar. The teenage boy looked up from his guitar and smiled, “Oh hey!” “I thought no one else was supposed to be on campus,” Rainbow asked him. “Oh, I asked Principal Celestia if I could practice here since my house is being renovated. What are you guys doing here?” Flash responded. Rarity returned the smile, “Twilight wanted to discuss an... issue with Principal Celestia.” Flash blushed at the mention of the purple girl. “Oh. Twi-Twilight’s still here?” Rainbow rolled her eyes, “Why don’t you stop being such a big baby and just tell her how you feel already?” Flash looked down at his feet and blushed even more, “I-uh...” From the corner of his eye, he noticed that the small red haired girl from yesterday was hiding behind Rarity. Rarity bit her lip, noticing Flash’s gaze. She knelt down beside the small girl, “Sunset darling, you remember Flash from yesterday?” Sunset did not respond at first. Her lips started quivering as she began to tremble. Keeping her eyes on the teenage boy across the room, Sunset slowly nodded her head. Rarity smiled sadly, taking one of the girl’s amber hands in hers, “Sunset. He’s not going to harm you. Trust me darling.” The smaller girl finally looked at Rarity. Sunset bit her lip before looking down at her feet and nodded again. Flash smiled sadly. Twilight did tell say that she has a hard time trusting people... seems that Sunset’s beginning to trust someone other than that mentor princess and Twilight. “Um... were you guys gonna practice in here? I’m sorry I didn’t know it was booked. I’ll—“ “Relax Flash,” Rainbow said, “We were just showin’ Sunset around the school.” Flash scratched the back of his head. “Oh,” was all he said. He looked over at Sunset again, who was shifting her curious cyan eyes over all the instruments in the room. “Do you wanna see the instruments Sunset?” Flash asked the girl, grabbing his guitar. Sunset brought her gaze over to the teenage boy. She ran her eyes over the blue instrument, then looked back at Flash. She was interested in the instrument... Sunset took a deep breath before slowly nodded at him, still not wanting to completely make eye contact with him. Flash gave her a smile before turning down to face his beloved guitar. He strummed once but stopped when he noticed that the girl flinched at the loud noice. He winced, “Sorry, I’ll turn it down a little,” he adjusted the amp, making sure that it was at a low setting so that it wouldn’t startle the fiery haired girl again. This time, when he strummed, Sunset looked up at him becoming hypnotized by the melody. She surely has never seen this kind of instrument before in Equestria. She took in how the guitar pick carefully danced over each string, creating a beautiful sound. When the guitarist was finished, he looked towards Sunset, wondering how she would react to his playing. When he noticed she was smiling, it made him smile as well, “How do you like the electric guitar?” Sunset nodded, she’s heard the other instruments in the music room in Celestia’s castle, but she’s never heard the “electric guitar” as he called it. “Eh, I could do better,” Rainbow teased. Flash put his hands up in defeat, “Sure, whatever you say Rainbow.” Rainbow, ever the challenger, stepped closer to him, “Is that a threat? I can take you any place any time!” Rarity stepped in between them, “Alright, settle down now, don’t fight.” The rainbow haired girl growled, “Fine, but next week at lunch, we battle!” Rainbow smirked at the blue haired boy. Flash gave her a challenging smile, “You’re on!” Rarity turned back to Sunset, who was standing in the same place as before, glancing back and forth between the two guitarists. “Come darling, lets go see the rest of the school,” Rarity took Sunset’s hand. All three girls waved goodbye to Flash before they headed out the door. “Hey Sunset you wanna see the gym?” Rainbow asked. “Gym?” Sunset repeated. At Celestia’s school they had a gym but she didn’t spend much time in it. “Yep! That’s my turf, come on,” Rainbow turned a corner, “Maybe we could play a game.” Before Rainbow was about to open the door to the gym, the group heard the squeaking sound of shoes and the sound of a ball being dribbled. Frowning, Rainbow turned to face Sunset and Rarity, “Hold up, lemme check who’s in there.” As Rainbow stepped into the gym, she was surprised to see Gilda and Lighting Dust playing a game of one on one. Lighting Dust noticed her first, “Hey it’s Rainbow Crash!” Rainbow rolled her eyes at the nickname she hated, “I told you not to call me that.” “Well then you shouldn’t’ve earned it the first day of tryouts,” Gilda snickered. “Yeah you totally wrecked that table,” Lighting guffawed. “Yeah whatever,” Rainbow glared, “What’re you two doing here anyways?” Gilda scoffed, “Apparently Vice Principal Luna still held detention even though we aren’t in classes this week.” Rainbow nodded, “That’s tough. Well gotta go.” “Hold up Dash, why don’t you play with us? Come on you and me against Lighting,” Gilda asked. “Nah, I really gotta get going. Maybe next time though,” Rainbow told her, already heading towards the door. “Aw come on, just one game?” Lightning pressed on. Gilda stared at Rainbow, growing suspicious of her old friend. Rainbow noticed Gilda’s stare, and was starting to grow anxious, “Nah I really needa go. Somewhere... yeah,” she turned to leave. “What are you hiding from us?” Gilda asked, her stare increasing. Rainbow held her breath, “Nothing G, promise. I just... Imma meet up with someone right now, that’s all. See ya!” Rainbow dashed out the door, breathing a sigh of relief when she was finally out the door. She glanced around the hall, surprised to see that Rarity and Sunset were not there. Rainbow checked her phone. A message from Rarity was displayed on her Lock Screen, telling her that they went upstairs to the library. She put her phone back in her pocket before racing up the stairs to the library. Rarity, suspicious of who might be behind the door, turned to Sunset, “Why don’t we go to the library hmm?” Sunset’s eyes lit up, “There’s a library?” Rarity smiled, “Yes darling. Come, I’ll take you,” they turned to the staircase and headed upstairs. When they reached the library, Rarity opened the door. Sunset gasped, amazed at how many books and how many shelves were in the library. Sunset stepped inside, not bothering to wait for Rarity. She turned back to look at Rarity, “Can I look around, please?” Rarity smiled at the girl excitement, “Of course daring.” Sunset grinned back at Rarity before dashing to the closest bookshelf. She quickly found something that caught her interest and ran to the closest table to her. Putting her backpack on the seat next to her, Sunset opened her book and began reading. Rarity followed Sunset and inspected the book she was reading, “What have you got there darling?” Sunset did not answer at first, her eyes danced over the black inked words as her mind traveled to wherever the author took her. Feeling someone looking at her, Sunset finally looked up at Rarity and showed her the cover, “Matilda.” Rarity cocked her head as Sunset quickly went back to reading the book. Hmm... most six year olds can’t read on their own. Seems like even at a young age, she’s intelligent. “When did you learn how to read my dear?” Sunset looked up from her book again, “I’m learning how to at Princess Celestia’s school. But she says that I’m advanced for my age. I don’t really remember learning, I just remember reading all the time.” Rarity nodded, believing what the girl was saying, “What kind of books do you read in Equestria?” “Princess Celestia gives me books so that I can study magic but I also like reading fiction.” “You like to read?” Sunset nodded excitedly, “Yeah, I love to read!” Most children, as well as teenagers, don’t like to read, but Rarity wasn’t surprised to hear the opposite from the fiery haired girl. Rarity smiled at the girl, “Oh you must read all the time then.” Sunset nodded, “Yeah,” her expression saddened a little, “But Princess Celestia says that I shouldn’t study all the time and to be with the other foals at school,” her expression saddened even more, “I try to be friends with them, but they... they don’t like me.” Rarity’s heart broke at the girl’s statement, “Oh darling, why would you say that?” Sunset looked down at the table in from of her, “Because they told me.” “Oh darling, don’t pay any attention to them, anyone would wanna be your friend.” Sunset looked up at Rarity, “Really?” Rarity nodded, “Positive darling. I want to be your friend.” Sunset eyes lit up a little, “You do?” Rarity smiled, “Of course I do,” she extended her arms and wrapped them around Sunset, “I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to be your friend. Sunset returned the hug and smiled. Maybe I’m not a mistake. The door to the library suddenly opened, making Sunset flinch. Rarity turned back to see Rainbow Dash looking nervous as she walked towards them. “Is everything alright Rainbow Dash?” The sporty girl took a hesitant breath, “Uh—“ The doors to the library slammed open, “Well well well if it isn’t Rainbow Crash.” Rainbow whipped her head around, “Gilda? You followed me?” “Yeah I did. You never turn down a game. What the hell are you hiding?” “Who is that?” Lighting shouted, pointing towards the hooded figure that was hiding behind Rarity. “That is none of your business. Now if you would just leave—“ Rarity began but stopped mid-sentence when Gilda began to close the distance between them. Rainbow quickly went in-between them, “Back off! Just leave us alone!” Rainbow glared at her former friend, remembering why she stopped hanging out with her in the first place. “I will, just as soon as you tell me who’s behind Harity.” Gilda is a strong teenager, so she easily pushed past the rainbow haired girl and the fashionista. What she saw surprised her, she had no idea who the hooded figure was, but she never expected to find a small child. The girl was trembling furiously, fearful eyes locked on Gilda. Fearful cyan eyes. Hold the f— Rainbow pushed Gilda back as Rarity picked up the former teenager and began rocking her back and forth. “What the hell Rainbow!” Gilda growled, pushing Rainbow back. “I said back off!“ Rainbow shouted, “Just leave her alone.” “But that’s the she-demon!“ “Shut the hell up Gilda! I said leave her alone!” “I suggest you do as Ms. Dash says,” another voice warned. The group turned back to see Vice Principal Luna standing by the door, her arms crossed over her chest with a menacing glare fixated on both Gilda and Lighting. She raised an eyebrow, “Unless you two would like another detention?” “No Vice Principal Luna,” both teens said simultaneously. “Good. Now leave this campus before I do give you another detention.” Both Lighting Dust and Gilda made a mad dash to the door. “Thanks VP,” Rainbow said in relief. Luna nodded before turning to leave the building. Before she left, she stole a quick glance at her former student, noticing how shaken up she was. Rainbow breathed a sigh of relief but winced when she heard crying coming from behind her. The athlete turned to see Rarity still holding Sunset, who now had her hood off, to her chest and was rocking her back and forth on her lap. “It’s alright Sunset,” Rarity cooed, “She won’t hurt you, she’s gone.” Rainbow sighed, pulling a chair out from under the table and sat next to Rarity. She rubbed her lips together, trying to think of comforting words to calm the trembling child, “Yeah don’t worry about her Sunset, she’s not coming back.” Sunset sniffled, “Does-does she k-know me?” Both Rarity and Rainbow looked up at each other before Rarity shook her head, “No darling—“ “Then why d-did she seem like she did? She called me a s-she... d-demon.” At that Rarity and Rainbow had no response. Twilight told them to keep what happened before she was transformed into a child a secret, for it might cause problems and guilt on someone that can’t even remember anything beyond her current age. They agreed to it, but deep down they worried that it was the wrong thing to do. She would eventually get suspicious, start asking questions and it will eventually lead her to not trusting anyone again. “She’s just crazy, that’s all,” Rainbow told her, trying to play it off like it was no big deal, “She does that to everyone. She thought you were someone else. She wasn’t talking about you.” “Oh,” was all Sunset said, trying to process what the rainbow girl said, “W-what about the other girl with yellow hair?” Rainbow rolled her eyes again, “Phhh Lighting Dust? She’s just a dummy go-getter trying too hard. Yeah she won’t come back either.” Sunset breathed a small sigh of relief. She was used to bullies her age but those girls were older, and they scared her. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a streak of pain shot up her back. She gasped as a longer whip of pain shot up and down her back. Rarity gave a worried glance to Rainbow before analyzing the girl, “Sunset?” Sunset did not answer, she was too busy trying to fight the voices in her head as well as the heated pain that was now increasing on her back. Rainbow was also studying the girl who was blanching right before her very eyes, now worrying that it might be another panic attack. No, no it’s not a panic attack it’s... Finally Rainbow understood what’s going on. Dang it! Where’s Twilight and Flutters when you need them? “Sunset? Is it your back?” Rarity quickly took off Sunset sweater, hoping against hope that her back hasn’t gotten any worse. Before Rarity could find out, Sunset gave out a mournful scream as she collapsed to the floor, her pants grew heavier as sweat beaded her face. She whimpered, grasping at the carpeted floor to her sides, “H-help...” Rarity knelt down beside Sunset to grab ahold of her hand, trying to figure out what to do. Rarity opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when Sunset gave one of the most ear piercing shrieks she and Rainbow has ever heard. The teenagers eyes widened as they saw black veins growing before their very eyes onto Sunset’s collarbones and arms. Rarity turned to Rainbow, who was standing in frozen dear watching the veins fester, “Rainbow Dash, get Twilight!” Wasting no time, Rainbow zoomed out the door, but not before hearing another harrowing scream coming from the broken child.