//------------------------------// // chapter 2: fall out (edited) // Story: lost Sunset // by horizon-redeemer //------------------------------// again thank you Autum breeze for your help in editing this chapter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canterlot High School was in a state of pandemonium in the wake of the Memory Stone’s destruction. As the last echoes of the exploding Memory Stone reverberated in the air, like thunder, panicked shouts or cries could be heard filling the air in the wake of the blast as people recovered from the shock, trying to process what was happening. All around the school, as well as the neighboring blocks, various students, facility members or passers-by, were running for cover or laying upon the ground in various states of panic. Others began to make hastily calls to the authorities or ran to check on those they cared for. In the area where the Memory Stone exploded, a large cloud of dust covered everything in a large ring, dust and dirt that was kicked up by the blast billowing into the heavens or raining down upon those nearby like snow. In the epicenter, six of the mane seven felt like their heads would split open as they lay upon the ground in various states of disarray. All recovering from being knocked back from the exploding artifact. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were splayed out on their backs facing the sky too stunned to move as they blinked the light the spots from their eyes. Twilight was knocked back, landing on her side atop Pinkie Pie with said pink girl having landed face-first upon the ground, her Pinkie Sense not saving her. Finally, Fluttershy had landed upon her side, curling up into a ball using her body as a shield for Angel Bunny. All of them were so out of it in the wake of the event, none even noticed a certain green hair girl crawling away, battered and injured, all of them too distracted from the pain alongside confusion of their memories returning as well as processing what just happened. Applejack was the first to recover, being the hardiest of the seven. Sitting up with a groan, clutching her head, eyes closed with her hat nowhere to be found, coughing several times due to the dust in the air as she try to get her lungs working again. For a moment, she simply sat upon the ground in a state of confusion as she processed the large amount of information poured into her head in the wake of the Memory Stone’s destruction. “What the hay… ahh I feel like Sunset threw that rainbow beam thing at me,” the farm girl muttered in confusion. There was silence for a moment before cold realization washed over her as she processed the name. “Sunset!” she cried out in shock, her eyes snapping open. In an instant, Applejack was on her feet looking for the fiery girl as she remembered everything. The fall formal, Sunset’s reform, Ponying Up, the Friendship Games, the Sirens, Everfree. Everything came back to her like a crashing wave. But, more than anything else, the way her friend Sunset had stabbed a knife into the Equestrian relic. Looking around, she could hardly see anything through the thick clouds. The dust was so thick, she began to choke, forcing her to try to cover her face with her hand in an attempt to stem the tide of dust. While it barely helped, it was enough for her to continue her search for Sunset. It did not take long to find her flame-haired friend, nearly tripping upon the poor girl, who lay face down upon the ground. When she did see her, Applejack fell to her knees at Sunset’s side her body in a cold sweat, her heart in her moth. At first, she shook the girl’s shoulder a few times, only to receive no reaction. Seeing this, she turned the girl over only to gasp in shock when she saw Sunset’s face. Many small cuts and lesions littered the poor girl’s face. She looked to Applejack like Rarity’s cat had taken to using her face as a scratching post. She didn’t let this distract her for long, as she noticed Sunsets very still form. In a panic, afraid for her friend’s life, she put her head to the girl’s chest near where her heart was, immediately breathing a sigh of relief when she heard the slow strong thump of Sunset’s heart in her chest. “Oh man, Sunset, you sure enjoy givin’ a scare, don’t ya?” she remarked in relief, trying to resist laughing in hysteria. Though, despite the tone, she felt no joy, still worried about her unconscious friend. “Ya think you could cut it any closer next time, sugar cube?” There was no chance for her to process or recover from her panic as a familiar male voice echoed in the air. “Sunset!...., Twilight!..., Rainbow!..., Fluttershy!..., Sunset!...., Rarity!..., Twilight!” the voice of Flash Sentry echoed through the air as he began calling out for them. Looking up in surprise, she saw the faint shadow of Flash moving through the cloud. Applejack raised an arm above her head waving it about to get his attention, calling out, “Over here, Flash! This way.” Flash’s head turned towards the sound of Applejack’s voice, before rushing towards her. He appeared through the cloud as quickly as his name suggested, creating a small breeze in his wake. When he did appear, his panicked sky blue eyes first met Applejack’s green, his mouth opening, a question clear on his lips. Yet no word left his mouth as, not a moment, later his eyes fell upon Sunsets unconscious form. “Sunset!” he cried out in panic, his face morphing into one of horror. Flash dived to his knees, reaching out to Sunset, preparing to take her in his arm, having lost all his senses… only to be stopped by Applejack, who used her strength to restrain him before he accidentally hurt Sunset in his panic. “WHOA! Slow down there, cowboy,” Applejack cried, getting his attention. Flash looked back to Applejack in anger, a snarl on his lips as he tried, in vain, to wrench himself free. “Let go Applejack!” But the farm girl refused, shaking her head, a serious look in her eyes. “Now, see here. I get that you care about her, but she may as well have been thrown over the farmhouse. Ya need to be careful with her or you’re just going to make things worse.” Flash paused, his eyes widening as he took another look at Sunset’s injured face. The face of anger he once wore evaporated, morphing into shame as he realized what he could have done to Sunset in his panic. Seeing this, Applejack let go of his hand, before placing her own upon his shoulder, giving it a tap, redrawing his shame-filled gaze. “Now, now, don’t look so glum, loverboy,” she remarked, trying to sound reassuring despite her own worry. “Ya just need to be careful. She might be hurt and we can’t risk acting recklessly around her a—”. A sudden loud groan drew their attention to where the others lay upon the ground, where they watched as Rainbow Dash sat up. The poor girl was in a daze, clutching her head while moaning as though she had a stomach ache. “Oh, what happened?” she questioned, looking about, oblivious to the conversation she interrupted. Before either of them could say anything to the confused athlete, the sound of sirens began to fill the air. Emergency vehicles fast approaching that were unquestionably drawn by the explosion that rocked the school parking lot. Hearing the sirens Applejack began to panic as she realized the gravity of the situation they had accidentally gotten themselves in… again. Firstly, not only did she not know exactly how legal of a citizen Sunset was or if it would be brought into conversation if she was found at the sight of an explosion given her past. But second, and most importantly, she wasn’t sure what state Sunset would be in once she woke up. The last thing they needed was a confused Sunset blabbing about Memory Stones or magic to the police which would immediately get her taken to the hospital for examination where she knew her records, or lack of them, would be taken into question. Realizing the danger Sunset was, in she turned her attention back to her fallen friend, quickly summoning her strength before scooping the girl up into her arms. This drew the attention of Flash, who watched her actions in alarm, clearly uncertain by this. “Wait, Applejack, shouldn’t we wait for the paramedics?” he questioned as he rose, moving to prevent her from standing. Applejack felt her heart glow at seeing Flash caring about Sunset, even after everything that had happened between them. But, now was not the time for such things and Applejack knew this. “Flash, we got no time for ceremony. Sunset is from a magical world of talking horses. What do ya thinks she’s got for records?” she asked in a deathly serious tone. Flash made a distressed grunt, turning his gaze back to Sunset’s face for a moment, worry clear on his own. Then, with a sigh of defeat, he looked back to Applejack, giving a nod. “Alright. Go, just be careful with her.” Then, his cheeks went red his eyes widening in embarrassment, “I-I’m not in love with her.” he stuttered, as he only just realized what Applejack had said a few moments ago. “Heh, heh, sure you aren’t,” Applejack jabbed playfully as she stood up with Sunset cradled in her arms, her head resting over her shoulder, legs dangling in her arms. The flame-haired girl’s full weight upon her, yet Applejack barred it as though it were nothing as she motioned to Flash, moving towards the school. “I’ll take her to hide out with the nurse. You go deal with the others and make sure they get inside out of sight where they can recover and run interference. At least till we can talk to Principal Celestia and her sister.” Flash’s face turned to one of determination, nodding again in confirmation. “You can count on me,” he said with passion, letting her pass. “Just make sure she is alright.” Applejack answered with her own nod. “You betcha Ah will. I’ve had enough stress for one day. I ain’t about to let anyone or anything near her after today.” No more needed to be said between them as they left to go about their separate tasks. Applejack swiftly carried Sunset into the school as though she were as light as an apple. And just in time to as first responders began to appear on the scene. Half a dozen police vehicles pulled into the parking lot from every side, with twice as many officers. All of them exited their vehicles, weapons drawn as they began securing the scene. With many more on the way from the sirens in the air. The farm girl was only able to imagine what was happening outside as she rushed Sunset to the nurse’s office, where Applejack hoped to have the girl looked at while hiding from the police. At the same time, Flash began dragging the other girls from the blast zone, who groggily complied, unsure of what was going on as he moved them into the shadow of the school to safety out of sight. By the time the police congregated onto the sight of the Memory Stone’s detonation as well as entered the school both, Applejack alongside Sunset had already made it to the nurse’s office, where she gave a hasty explanation of an accident involving magic. With no further explanation needed, they moved sunset out of sight, while Flash watched over the remaining five as they recovered from the shock of the explosion, waiting to tell them what happened as well as to play ignorant to the police for Sunset’s safety. What followed was a sweep of the school by the police as the grounds were locked down. No one was allowed into the school nor out save for the police, paramedics, as well the bomb squad as the whole school was searched for any more explosives and all those present were questioned. When the bomb squad searched the nurse’s office over, Sunset was just another student in bed who was in the nurse’s waiting for pick up to go home. The nurse explained she was sleeping off a fainting spell that caused her to fall face-first into the ground, resulting in her scratches. After the bomb sweep was done, Sunset was laid to rest again not even stirring and the authorities moved on. While this was happening, outside, the remaining five of seven gave their own referenced statements once the paramedics cleared. After being told what happened by Flash they all together came up with a story to tell the police, with Twilight insisting they all switch up the order of events slightly to keep the stories from being too perfect. By the time the five plus Flash were released by the police, the sun had set completely, the moon high in the sky. A full sweep of the school had been made with no other explosives being found, to the surprise of no one among the students or staff, who all had long since grown used to magical accidents. With the teens cleared to leave, the lead officer insisted that their parents be called so they could be sent home, a fact that did not sit well with any of them as they wanted to check on Sunset. Thankfully, before any of them could protest or cause a scene, Principal Celestia, who had arrived to deal with the police stepped in, suggesting they wait for their parents to pick them up in the nurse’s office, where the nurse could keep an eye on them so they would stay out of trouble, to which the officer agreed, seeing no harm in it as the school had been cleared. He completely missed the wink the principal gave the five and Flash. Realizing what Celestia was plotting, they let all protests die in their throats, happily complying as they were led away towards the school, much to the surprise of the officer not expecting the group of six to comply so easily. As the kids walked away the officer was quickly distracted by Celestia who directed his attention back to the crime scene with questions. As soon as the doors closed behind the group as they entered the school, whatever good or even neutral mood they pretended to have in front of the officers were gone. All six of them could not hide the extreme worry they felt for their absent friend as they shuffled through the halls towards the nurse’s office. All of them processed what they saw as well as what they remembered in the wake of the Memory Stone’s destruction. None of them were able to believe how they treated their dear friend, or the pain they put her through. Fluttershy openly wept, much to Angel bunny’s worry, with Rarity only just keeping it in. Twilight hugged herself in self-comfort while leaning on Rainbow for support, having sprained her ankle in the fall, who in turn was doing her best to keep her anger at Wallflower in check, knowing better than to let it show right now. Flash silently brooded in shame, wishing he had done more for his ex, still caring for her despite not fully reconciling their differences. All the while Pinkie Pie made various noises or talked to herself as she tried regaining her hearing, the blast having temporarily thrown it for a loop. “Oh, I hope Sunset’s ok,” Fluttershy whimpered as she wept into Angel bunny’s head, the rabbit now a little annoyed as its caretaker practically squished him. But did not complain all the same, sensing her distress. “I just feel so awful how I treated her. I hope she forgives us.” Murmurs of agreement echoed through the group at Fluttershy’s statement. All of them were still reeling at how they behaved. While they knew it wasn’t their fault, it frightened all of them how they behaved simply because their memories were taken. Wasn’t the point of giving each other, as well as Sunset, a second chance a lesson in judging others simply by their past? It made them wonder if they had truly learned anything Twilight took a tired breath as she took her glasses off her face, her head still hurting from the overload of information. “I’m just glad no one got hurt to badly. Had it not been so late, there’s no telling how many people could have been hurt by that exploding rock.” “Mmhm.” Rarity sounded in agreement. “Yes, we should also be glad that the nurse was here today thanks to volunteering for tennis and volleyball practice. There is no telling where Applejack would have put Sunset if not.” “Forget that! I just hope we don’t get in trouble for magicking another hole in the school.” Rainbow Dash quipped nervously, remembering the stern talking to they got after Applejack accidentally ripped her locker door off its hinges. The whole group shuddered at the thought. They had only seen the sibling leaders of the school truly angry on a few occasions, even less at them specifically. And while Celestia let them go to check on Sunset somehow knowing something, they knew the sisters would have a few choice words for them later. “WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT!” Pinkie Pie shouted, somehow appearing in the center of their group despite being in front of them a moment ago. This startled the group, making them lurch back in fright at the sudden outburst the girl gave, Fluttershy nearly fainting from shock while only to be caught by Flash, who rushed to her side, while the others formed a wide ring at the pink-haired girl. For a moment, the group just stared in fright as Pinkie looked at them expectantly, waiting for an answer. Though it did not take long for her patience to wear thin as she dashed to Twilight’s side, grabbing her head before shouting in her ear, “CAN YOU HEAR ME?” “OWW!” Twilight cried, immediately pushing the confused girl off her ears, now ringing from the shout. Seeing this, Pinkie Pie reeled back in panicked surprise as she tried to catch herself. “OH! SORRY ABOUT THE FOOT SCI. I DIDN’T MEAN IT,” she remarked apologetically missing the point completely. It did not take long after for a spark of realization to wash over the girl’s face at this. “WAIT! DOES THAT MEAN I AM NOT SAYING ANYTHING? CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Only it was the wrong realization much the group’s chagrin. Seeing that they were getting nowhere, Rarity let out a tired groan, shaking her head as she drew a notepad from her purse. Without wasting a moment she quickly wrote a message down, before putting the pad in front of Pinkie’s face for her to read. “We can hear you just fine. You have just temporarily lost your hearing. So please stop shouting.” Pinkie Pie blinked at the notepad several times as she read the message. Then, when she was finished she looked up to Rarity again with a smile. “Oh well, why didn’t you say so?” she asked innocently in a way only she could. A hiss escaped Rarity’s lips, followed by a smack as the purple-haired girl slapped her forehead in disbelief. “I—! You—! We are… oh never mind.” Pinkie Pie, seeing this looked at Rarity in confusion, unsure of what her friend was doing, while the rest of their friends watched on in amusement, glad for the distraction. Fluttershy even giggled at the sight of her friends, no longer crying. A feeling that soon became infectious as they all began laughing lightly in relief, their stress and fears finally finding an outlet in the form of laughter. Seeing Pinkie being Pinkie again was a relief, even to Rarity, no matter how much the girl infuriated her. It was like a sign that everything was going to be okay, that everything, now that the Memory Stone was gone, would go back to normal, so they all could move on. How wrong they all were. A few minutes later after recovering from their giggling fit, the group finally made it to the nurse’s office. Flash cordially opened the door for the group, ushering them in, to which the five thanked him for his kindness. All of them had nervous, hopeful smiles upon their face after the incident in the hallway, all of them feeling much better, unable to wait to see their friend, hoping she had awoken from the shock of the Memory Stone’s self-detonation. However, any joy they had received before quickly evaporated upon entering the room when they saw the state of the room’s occupants. Across the room ,standing before one of the nurse’s examination spaces, which had its curtain drawn, were Applejack and Redheart. The pair were standing, facing one another, their expressions somber, as though a dear friend had passed away. Dots of unshed tears were in Applejack’s eyes, her hat still missing from the blast. While Redheart held a hand over her mouth biting the skin between her thumb and forefinger, barley holding some terrible emotions in. The pair’s heads turned to face the new group as they piled into the room, their grim expressions frightening the others. Rarity’s hands flew to her mouth, letting out a shocked gasp leaving her lips. “Please, no. Don’t tell me she’s...” the teen began thinking the worst almost speaking the words the others felt. The air seemed to be sucked from the room as the new group took in the terrible idea that their dear friend didn’t survive the blast. It was a thought so terrible that many couldn’t bear it. Fluttershy began to silently cry again. Twilights closed her eyes, letting out a sob, her legs buckling, forcing Rainbow, then Flash to carry her to a nearby chair to rest. At the same time, both teens looked fit to burst into rage their anger focused on the one who caused this disaster. While Pinkie Pie still unable to hear, she was easily able to read the room enough to tell something was wrong and began bouncing in her toes in worry, her hands clutched to her chest. At this Redheart stepped forward, drawing the teenage ensemble’s attention to her. Seeing this reaction the nurse’s medical professionalism took over allowing her to recompose herself. “Now girls,” she began tentatively hesitating slightly. Redheart then went silent. Her mouth remained open, though no words came out, only a few incomprehensible sounds as she tried to find the right words to say. The others seeing this wanted to know what was going on, their patience thin due to concern for Sunset. A fact that was only worsened by Redheart’s inability to find words to speak. Several eyes went to Applejack, who rubbed the back of her neck nervously, looking away from them. She too was clearly at a loss for words by whatever happened in their absence. Eventually, it became too much for Rainbow, who stepped forward with a growl, confronting the nurse. “Would you just spit it out already?! What happened to Sunset?!” In reply, a startled whimpering filled the air around them confusing the group. Though more startling to the friends, was the familiarity of the voice, it being one they all recognized as it belonged to their friend and honorary leader. It was Sunset’s voice. Without waiting for an explanation, ignoring the cry of protest from Redheart and Applejack, Rainbow Dash in a colorful blur. She dodged Applejack’s arm with little effort when the farm girl tried to grab her. Rounding the pair, appearing before the curtain of one of the rooms, a hand on the white fabric ready to rip it open “RD, wait!” Applejack protested as she and Redheart dashed to stop Rainbow from opening the curtain. But, it was too late. Rainbow was beyond listening as she threw the curtain open in a flash, revealing what was beyond for all to see. Yet, when Rainbow Dash looked past the curtain, her face morphed into one of confusion, as she saw nothing. “Where is she?” she asked in bewilderment. The other girls, minus Twilight due to her leg, as well as Flash soon forced their way past Redheart and Applejack, heedless of their warnings, looking into the area, desperate to make sure Sunset was alright. At first, they saw only an empty spot, the single bed and a stool being all they could see. Yet there was seemingly no sign of Sunset, despite the whimpering. For a moment, they all stared in wonder of what was going on, Rainbow even wondering if she had the wrong curtain. Yet, it was the observant eyes of Rarity that noticed something, or rather, someone hiding under the bed. With a well-natured humored hum, Rarity stepped into the area, leaning down, followed by the others. “Now, now, Sunset dear, why are you hiding under the bed i? If you had a nightmare you can talk to us.” However none of them wear prepared for what happened next. Sunset, now clear as day to all, but Twilight who sat and listened nearby shirked out in fear. She was curled up in a ball, her arms over her head, hands collapsed into fists as she tried to shield herself. Her bloodshot tear-filled eyes were just barely visible through her arms as she looked back to them. Looked at them in fear, as though she didn’t recognize them. Upon realizing they could see her, she curled up tighter, pressing her back against the wall as if trying to vanish within it, shocking her friends. “Please leave me alone, don’t hurt me!” she pleaded, sounding like a frightened child. “Why won’t somepony save me?” By this point, Applejack, out of patience, used her super strength to get in front of the group, quickly pushing the group back out into the main office where Redheart and Twilight waited. Once the group was clear she turned around closing the curtain behind them as they left once more leaving Sunset alone. She spun round on her friends, giving them a heated glare. “Don’t you lot know when to listen? I told you ta wait didn’t I?” she chided to the group, though despite the words there, was no heat to them. Rather, they were more words of distress than anger. Yet it didn’t matter whether Applejack was angry or not, the damage was done. Everyone, even Pinkie Pie, despite her hearing, quickly realized what was going on. Their friend, Sunset Shimmer had lost her memory thanks to the stone. And, it unlike their own didn’t come back. She had forgotten them. Their friend had amnesia.