Looking down Sunset realized that she was clothed in the items she had shed before entering the tank. Turning her attention to her surroundings, Sunset found that there were no land marks, or anything at all, for that matter. The girl was about to set out in a random direction when she heard the distant sound of someone sobbing.
“Fluttershy?” Sunset murmured.
Turning around, Sunset searched for any sign of the girl, only to stop herself when a bitter grimace crossed her face.
Wait, why am I bothering with her? Sunset Shimmer thought to herself, only to growl. And why am I so resistant on leaving her?
The girl struggled with the conflicting emotions for several seconds before releasing an angry snort. Ahh who am I kidding. I couldn't just leave Fluttershy of all people by herself. She doesn't deserve to be lost in this strange place.
Straightening her spine, Sunset set out towards where she felt the sound was coming from. As she walked, Sunset quickly realized that maneuvering through the strange void was oddly difficult, as the sound constantly changed directions. Until all at once she literally stumbled upon Fluttershy as she sat on the ground, her head in her hands.
Her chest heaved, as fresh tears trickled down her face, staining the dress she was wearing.
“Hey,” Sunset greeted somewhat awkwardly. “Are you okay?”
Fluttershy sniffed, and looked up at the other woman through her hair. “S-sunset is that you?”
“Yeah it's me Fluttershy,” Sunset replied, kneeling down in front of the girl.
“Oh goodness don't even look at me. I don't even deserve to see you,” Fluttershy wailed, hiding her face in her hands.
“Hey now it's okay. It's not your fault that we are stuck here,” Sunset replied.
Fluttershy shook her head. “That's not it. I remember now, I remember what we did to you.”
“What are you talking about?” Sunset asked.
Fluttershy sniffed, and wiped her face with a hand. “Your jacket. I saw what it meant to you and I still told Rarity to throw it away. I am the worst friend in the world!”
Sunset hesitated, watching as her friend sobbed uncontrollably on the ground in front of her. A small part of her wanted to tell Fluttershy that she deserved to feel as bad as she did, but the rest of her resisted. No matter what she thought of the rest of her friends, Fluttershy was still the kindest of the bunch.
“Hey now, it's okay,” Sunset whispered, extending a hand. “Come on let's get you up so we can find a way out of here.”
Fluttershy lightly pushed her friend’s hand away and shook her head. “N-no. I don't deserve to go anywhere. Not after what I did to you.”
“I got the jacket back. It's fine,” Sunset Shimmer pressed. “Heck I got a whole new wardrobe since then.”
Fluttershy sniffed. “It's not just that one time. I was mean to you so often, calling you names and making decisions for you, all while I thought I was being nice.”
Sunset let out a long low sigh. “Look Fluttershy. I know what you guys did was wrong but there's something bigger at play here. The elements wanted you to act that way for some reason, and they changed you somehow to make that happen.”
“Still… I was so mean,” Fluttershy murmured sadly.
“I forgive you,” whispered Sunset, extending her hand once again. “Now let's get out of here already.”
Fluttershy sniffed, and wiped her face again. “O-okay Sunset. But when we get back I am doing something nice for you, okay?”
Sunset chuckled as she grabbed hold of Fluttershy’s hand. “That sounds wonderful Fluttershy.”
The teary eyed girl stumbled into a stand, nearly falling over a second after she was pulled up.
“Have you ever thought of getting Ray a friend? There is a female leopard gecko at the pet shop I just know he’d like,” Fluttershy asked.
“I’d like that,” Sunset replied with a smile.
Fluttershy smiled back. “Thank you for being my friend, Sunset.”
“Hey what are friends for?” Sunset replied.
Whatever Fluttershy had been about to say was cut off when she faded away to nothing. Leaving Sunset alone in the empty void once more, a little startled by the sudden change. Her friend’s sudden disappearance might have unnerved her, but for some reason Sunset felt like her departure was a good thing.
“I guess I’ll see you soon,” Sunset muttered.
Humming thoughtfully to herself, Sunset began to wander in a seemingly random direction, keeping her ears open for any sound of her friends. After what felt like several minutes, the girl was about ready to turn around when she heard the sound of frantic muttering coming from nearby. It was accompanied by someone rapidly pacing back and forth, their feet occasionally stumbling for some reason.
Picking up the pace, Sunset made a beeline towards the source of the noise. A few seconds later and she stumbled in on Pinkie Pie just as the girl turned and spun on her heel. She didn't even seem to notice Sunset’s presence, and continued to murmur to herself while scratching her arms.
She looked terrible.
The large poofy pink hair Pinkie Pie was known for was gone, replaced by a straight, and tangled mess that fell down her face. Even that wasn't enough to obscure her tears strewn face, or the manic, almost crazed look in her eyes.
“Pinkie Pie?” Sunset Shimmer whispered. “What happened to you?”
The girl jerked to a stop and turned towards Sunset, her eyes snapping open. “Y-you! You’re not real! You’re just another ghost here to taunt me for being a bad friend!”
“I’m real Pinkie Pie, I-” Sunset began.
“No!” Pinkie shouted. “You’re just here to tell me I’m a big stupid jerk that was mean to her friend for no reason.”
“I’m real, see?” Sunset whispered, extending an arm.
Pinkie Pie chewed her lip, and looked from the hand to Sunset’s face. Then after several tense moments of silence she reached out and poked the other girl’s index finger.
“Y-you’re real,” Pinkie muttered.
“Last I checked anyway,” Sunset replied with a smile.
Pinkie Pie all but threw herself at the other girl’s feet, a fresh wave of tears surging down her face. “Oh please please please forgive me. I’ll do anything! I’ll wash your clothes, I’ll make your bed every day for a year!”
“Pinkie, I-”
“I’ll cook, I’ll clean! I’ll do your homework- no wait scratch that last one,” Pinkie Pie murmured.
“Pinkie it's fine. You don't need to do any of those things,” Sunset replied.
“R-really? But I was so mean to you! I called you a she-that bad name,” Pinkie Pie implored, throwing up her hands. “I didn't invite you to parties I knew you would like! That's unforgivable Sunset, unforgivable!”
Sunset Sighed, and reached under the girl’s arms, hoisting her into a stand. “Then I guess you’ll have to invite me to the next one.”
“I-” Pinkie Pie sniffed, and for a second it seemed like the girl was about to burst into tears again. Only for Pinkie Pie to throw herself on Sunset, hugging her tight enough to make Sunset slightly uncomfortable. “I’ll invite you to every part from now until the end of time. I promise!”
Sunset chuckled as she patted the girl’s back. “Thanks Pinkie Pie.”
Then, the pink haired girl was gone, dissolving into nothing and leaving Sunset once more alone in the void. This time she knew what to do, and turned towards the direction that felt the most right before walking away.
I don't know what's going on, nor am I sure if I completely forgive them, but my friends need me and that's enough. Sunset thought to herself.
This time it wasn't long before she heard what sounded like cursing accompanied with the stomping of feet. Making her way towards the noise, Sunset nearly walked right into an angry, and red eyed Applejack. Upon nearly bumping into one another, Applejack blinked in shock and stumbled backwards.
“S-sunset? How did you get here?” Applejack murmured.
“I’m not sure. Do you happen to know?” Sunset replied.
Applejack shook her head. “Not a darn clue. But I figure whoever messed around in my head did all this nonsense too and when I find them I’m going to pound them into paste.”
“Err I don't know if that's possible,” Sunset pointed out.
Applejack wilted, and looked down at Sunset with a dejected expression. “What do you mean?”
“I think it was the elements that did that to you, but this is some sort of shared dreamscape created by Platinum’s machine,” Sunset explained.
“Then I…” Applejack gulped. “Did all that to myself?”
Sunset placed a hand on the other girl’s shoulder and squeezed. “It wasn't your fault.”
Applejack snorted, and brushed Sunset’s hand away. “Like heck it wasn't. I know something went rootin around in my noggin but that was still all me. I can't rightly apologize for every little thing I dun, but I swear that if we ever get out of here I’ll spend the rest a my days making it right.”
“You don't have to do anything,” Sunset replied softly. “Just be my friend.”
Applejack all but glared at the other girl for a few seconds before releasing a long sigh. “Fine, but one day I’ll pay you back, that's a promise and we Apples don't break our promises.”
Sunset chuckled. “Whatever you say Applejack.”
The pair shared a brief smile before Applejack vanished, and Sunset smiled, thankful that it had gone over so quickly. Again Sunset picked a direction, and began to walk, all while keeping her eyes open for any sign of her friends. It was only a few seconds later when her slow walk through the void was interrupted.
“Aha there you are!” a familiar slightly masculine voice declared.
Sunset turned to find herself standing right in front of Rainbow Dash, who had a wild look in her eye but otherwise seemed fine. “Rainbow Dash, what are you talking about?” Sunset asked.
“Don't worry about that,” Rainbow Dash quickly replied, waving a dismissive hand in the air. “Right now I want you to hit me as hard as you can.”
“I can't do that,” Sunset retorted.
Rainbow Dash snorted. “Of course you can! I’ve seen you give the odd bad guy that mean right hook of yours.”
“I mean I can't punch you,” Sunset Shimmer replied.
“But you have to!” Rainbow Dash shouted, throwing up her hands. “I was an absolute dick to you!”
“Yeah but you don't deserve to get assaulted for that,” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed.
“Heck yeah I do. If anything I deserve a whole ass whooping for what I did,” Rainbow Dash earnestly stated. “So just punch me already.”
“You don't-”
“What about that time I kicked you off the soccer team because I said it was too aggressive and might make you evil again?” Rainbow Dash interrupted.
“I mean that was rude but-”
“Or when I ate all your dessert because it was ‘payback for being a bitch’?” Rainbow Dash added.
“That was really mean but-”
“Or when I made you walk all the way home after I promised to give you a ride because you were thirty seconds late after leaving class?”
Sunset huffed, her jaw clenching tightly. “That still isn't-”
“Or what about when I ate your lunch every day for a week because I spent all my money on video games even though I knew you were losing weight?” Rainbow Dash shouted in Sunset’s face.
“That was you!” Sunset yelled back.
“Yes, now hit-”
Rainbow Dash didn't get to finish her sentence as it was Sunset’s turn to interrupt the conversation. Only the fiery haired girl didn't do so with words, but rather a balled fist which slammed into Rainbow Dash’s right cheek and knocked her back a step.
“I lost twenty pounds and struggled to stay awake in class because of you!” Sunset shouted.
“Good, now do it again!” Rainbow Dash yelled back.
“Aaaa!” Sunset screamed before slugging the other girl square in the face.
Something cracked under Sunset’s fist, and this time Rainbow Dash fell to the ground, blood shooting out of her broken nose. The second Sunset saw a spurt of red, the anger she felt faded, and was replaced by a white hot bolt of guilt.
“Oh my gosh are you okay?” Sunset asked.
“Damn you’re strong,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Nice punch by the way.”
“I didn't mean to hit you so hard. I can't believe I did that,” Sunset muttered.
Rainbow Dash waved off her friend. “It's fine. Now were even.”
Sunset sighed. “Still…”
Rainbow Dash extended a hand. “If you still feel bad then help me up and we really will be even.”
Sunset shook her head, and sighed. “You are ridiculous.”
Rainbow Dash stumbled briefly after being pulled into a stand. “It felt good though right?”
“I mean I guess,” Sunset Shimmer admitted.
Rainbow Dash smirked. “Heh, worth it.”
The girl vanished a second later, leaving Sunset with a smile on her face and a laugh on her lips.
“You really are ridiculous,” Sunset murmured to herself as she stared at the spot Rainbow Dash had stood only a moment earlier.
Shaking her head, Sunset walked on into the white void, following whatever strange instinct had been guiding her towards her friends. A feeling which drove her to turn sharply to the right and nearly walk into a slightly confused looking Twilight.
“Sunset? Where are we?” she questioned.
“I think you somehow got pulled into the same dreamscape as me,” Sunset explained.
“How do we escape?” Twilight questioned, only to gasp. “The others! You haven't seen them have you?”
“I have,” Sunset replied. “And they were all fine.”
“Oh thank goodness,” Twilight murmured. “Wait a second. If you’ve seen them then why aren't they with you?”
“I think you were all drawn here in order to give me some kind of closure for all the nasty things my friends have done to me,” Sunset Shimmer continued.
Twilight winced and looked away. “I guess that makes sense. I wasn't exactly the best friend that I could have been.”
Sunset shrugged. “Its okay, you were probably being controlled by the elements like the others.”
“But I wasn't there for it, remember?” Twilight retorted. “I was never exposed to the same magic as you all were.”
“It doesn't matter,” Sunset dismissed. “I forgive you.”
“But I should have helped you. I should have said something,” Twilight continued, stomping a foot angrily. “I saw what was happening but just pretended like it was all okay.”
“It's fine,” Sunset repeated, grabbing Twilight by the shoulders. “You were just trying not to rock the boat too much. As my grandfather would say.”
Twilight shook her head. “It's not okay. Don't you see? This magic you think was controlling the others didn't change me.”
“So what?” Sunset exclaimed flippantly. “At worst you ignored me a few times, but that's no big deal.”
“It is a big deal,” Twilight growled. “I saw that they were hurting you and did nothing, which makes me no better then them.”
Sunset released a slow sigh as her hands fell from Twilight’s shoulders. “Twilight, you trust me right?”
Twilight hesitated a moment before nodding.
“Then trust me when I say that it's fine,” Sunset stated firmly.
Twilight released a sigh, and gently wrapped her arms around Sunset’s waist. “Thank you Sunset.”
“Your welcome Twilight,” Sunset replied, squeezing the other girl back.
“Before we leave this place, there's something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Twilight whispered.
“Go on,” Sunset urged, heart fluttering in her chest.
“I-”
Sunset blinked in surprise as the girl faded away before she could finish her sentence. Confused, and slightly annoyed by the sudden shift, Sunset released an angry snort.
“You couldn't wait for two more seconds could you?” Sunset shouted at the sky.
The girl sighed, and angrily began to trudge towards where she felt Rarity was located. What felt like minutes passed, and Sunset was beginning to grow confused as well as a little concerned. She couldn't seem to reach Rarity, and Sunset was beginning to feel as though the other girl didn't want to be found.
“Come on you stubborn thing,” Sunset murmured, using a small amount of magic to push through whatever barrier was keeping them apart.
With a pop, Sunset stumbled forward to find that she had indeed located Rarity, though the girl was perhaps in a worse state then even Pinkie Pie. Her makeup was smeared all across her face, and she lay on her side, arms wrapped around her legs. Rocking back and forth in slow motion, the fashionista’s wide eyes saw nothing save for her own imagined demons.
Sunset walked over to the other girl and knelt down in front of her before carefully brushing aside her bangs. “Rarity can you hear me?” Sunset asked.
“What, who is…” Rarity’s eyes opened wide, only to immediately snap shut. “Please just leave me here. It's what I deserve.”
Sunset sighed, all of her anger melting away as she looked upon the utterly distraught young woman laying before her. “I know what you did was wrong, but it's not your fault. The elements changed you somehow, making you meaner.”
“No,” Rarity muttered. “Those feelings, those thoughts were already inside me. I know they didn't come from somewhere else.”
“We all have nasty thoughts sometimes, but it was the equestrian magic which made those thoughts so strong,” Sunset explained. Or at least, I think that's what happened.
“I…” Rarity slowly released her arms and sat up. “How can you be sure that wasn't the real me coming through?”
“Rarity I know you, and I know you wouldn't act that way unless something was pushing you to do that,” Sunset replied.
“But what if the magic just brought out all the dark, and horrible things that were inside of me this entire time? What if the kind and generous Rarity you pretend to know is nothing more than a mask?” Rarity murmured, her voice becoming more manic by the second.
“I know that isn't true because I saw it in your eyes. The moment you turned me down there was a flash of color like when the elements are used,” Sunset explained.
“But what if-”
“What if you were a genuinely good person who had their worst aspects brought out by the twisted machinations of forces beyond your control?” Sunset posited. “What then?”
“Then I would still want to do something to earn your forgiveness,” Rarity replied after a short pause.
“What about replacing my wardrobe?” Sunset offered. “That seems fair.”
“And I would make whatever you like, however you like it,” Rarity quickly added.
Sunset smiled. “Now are we even?”
“I suppose it's a step in the right direction,” Rarity muttered.
“Then how about we take the next step together?” Rarity offered, standing back up and offering her hand.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea darling,” Rarity exclaimed as she took the other girl’s hand. “Though I sure hope that my actual makeup isn't quite such a mess otherwise we may need to put a raincheck on the sewing while I make some emergency adjustments.”
“I’m sure you look amazing as always,” Sunset replied.
Rarity giggled, and batted her eyes at the other girl. “Oh you charmer you.”
Sunset’s smile grew as she watched the other girl flicker briefly before dissipating like a cloud of dust upon a stiff breeze. With Rarity now gone, was alone once more, though this time she certainly didn't feel like she was alone. For she knew that each one of her friends were there for her, truly there for her.
“This is… nice,” Sunset muttered to herself.
The girl blinked and looked down to find that the majority of her body had begun to disappear into nothing. There was no pain or discomfort, only the same slight tingle you got when waking up after a long night’s rest. It felt good, not just good, but great even.
For a weight had lifted from Sunset’s shoulders, one that she hadn't even known that she had been carrying. Closing her eyes, Sunset allowed the strange sensation to travel up her body, until she vanished completely.
Platinum stepped back from her sparking machinery, a concerned expression crossing her face. The undead’s first instinct was to stop everything, by force of necessary, but her curiosity was getting the better of her. For not only was the tank containing Sunset radiating massive amounts of magic, but her friends had begun to lift from the ground.
Each of the six girls was encased with a glowing cocoon of rainbow energy which pulse in sync with one another. Growing brighter by the second, Platinum was forced to shield her eyes, and cast a rudimentary shield over herself. A move which turned out to be unneeded as the rainbow magic exploded not outwards, but rather straight up.
The girls, and the tank all emitted a burst of color which joined above them, forming into a great rainbow. One which flew up through her house and vanished into the sky, exploding somewhere high above them.
Platinum cursed under her breath, and quickly looked down to find that all of her house guests were standing before her. Not only had they seemingly recovered from whatever affliction had caused them to break down in tears or begin bleeding profusely, but their outfits had changed. Dresses lengthened, garments sparkled with an inner beauty they hadn't had a moment later, all while the group sported new ears, wings or horns.
Then as one, they opened their eyes, and slowly levitated to the ground, where they shared a collective moment of shock. Then the tears began again, and a dozen apologies were muttered as they wrapped Sunset in a tight group hug.
But Platinum cared little for such displays of emotion, and began to take stock of her lab while ignoring her guests.
Allowing them to have their tearful reunion in relative privacy.
“How do you girls feel?” Sunset Shimmer inquired.
“Like a whole new Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a grin.
“Like I could do a triathlon and still have enough energy to play a few games of rugby after,” Rainbow Dash added.
“Like a million dollars darling,” Rarity stated.
“I feel better then I have in years,” Fluttershy whispered.
“I could probably bench press a seven forty seven right now,” Applejack declared.
“And it's all thanks to you Sunset,” Twilight finished.
Sunset shook her head. “No. You all came to your own realizations and chose to change your behavior. All I did was help guide you.”
“That wasn't a small thing,” Applejack pointed out.
“I can't believe we treated you so poorly,” Fluttershy sadly remarked.
“Hey now, that's all in the past,” Sunset quickly stated.
“I know we all said we were feeling great and stuff, but do you all feel stronger? Like way stronger?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I do feel like I could take on the world but now that you mention it I feel tougher even,” Rarity exclaimed as she slowly inspected her still faintly glowing body.
“My magic,” Sunset murmured in shock. “I can feel it again.”
“Couldn't you feel it before?” Twilight asked as the group collectively parted.
“I could, but not like this. It feels like it's all come back to me, and not only that I think I’m even stronger then when I was in Equestria,” Sunset exclaimed.
“Oh I’m so happy for you,” Fluttershy exclaimed.
“I bet yer about ready to take on the world,” Applejack declared, patting the girl on the back with enough force to nearly knock Sunset from her feat. “Sorry about that. Guess I don't know my own strength anymore.”
“It's fine,” Sunset muttered, wincing as she cast a quick healing spell on herself so she didn't bruise.
“Well we got a power boost, you got your magic, and we aren't jerks anymore. Now what?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I’m not sure,” Sunset admitted. “I’ve been so focused on just getting back what I lost that I wasn't really thinking too much on what came after.”
“Either way I think Perfect has earned a thank you,” Twilight declared.
“And an apology,” Rarity added.
“And a party!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air and somehow producing confetti from out of nowhere.
“You’re welcome,” Platinum remarked flatly.
Sunset smiled. “And I owe you a great big thank you as well.”
“Spare me the theatrics,” Platinum replied, gesturing to her more or less destroyed machinery. “Simply replace what you inadvertently broke and we will be even, as they say.”
“I will. Thank you again,” Sunset exclaimed before turning back to her friends. “Now then. I think a celebration is in order!”
“Oh oh we should all head back to your place for a party!” Pinkie Pie shouted. “I even finished stashing emergency party supplies there this morning.”
“How did… nevermind,” Sunset murmured. “That sounds like a great idea.”
The dull boom of a distant explosion stopped the group dead in their tracks and they looked around as the entire house trembled. This was followed up by the sharp rapid crack of a rifle, and the heavy clunk as wood was shattered. These sounds were punctuated by cries of terror, the stomping of feet, and the rumble of more explosions rocking the area.
“What the hay is going on?” Applejack exclaimed.
Platinum growled as she stared into a scrying window she had conjured before her. “It seems as though your little fireworks display was able to bypass my wards and alerted Foxtrot to your location.”
The small group all piled around the woman, peering into the portal and watching as soldiers in black uniforms gunned down Platinum’s help. Whose bloodless bodies littered the area, as grey helicopters darkened the sky and dropped more armed men onto the manor grounds.
“How could they react that fast?” Fluttershy asked in a hushed tone.
“They must have already been looking for us,” Sunset reasoned.
“Enough talk. Are you ready for a bit of payback?” Platinum exclaimed.
Sunset grinned. “I think I speak for everyone when I say that yes, yes we are.”