//------------------------------// // chapter 6: five become six. // Story: lost Sunset // by horizon-redeemer //------------------------------// It was an unexpectedly busy day in Canterlot as many students went about their way this Monday morning. School was canceled for the day due to the explosion leading to no shortage of students with too much free time on their hands. Leading to many of them who had nether homework or chores to attend to, or simply wandering the streets for something to do. Provided their parents didn’t force them to stay home.  While many of the businesses welcomed this sudden day off with gladness for the extra business it brought in, others cringed as they wear understaffed to handle the sudden unexpected rush on a Monday morning. Yet despite many of the shops or restaurants excitedly taking advantage of the event many more were afraid. There was a feeling of dread alongside sorrow hanging in the air. Most going walked around with fear looking over their shoulders at the slightest sound. Others hid in their rooms either in fear or at the order of their parents who wanted to protect them. All were still in shock by the explosion that echoed through the city the night before. Yet some wondered if the school was even safe for their children now. Many parents considering withdrawing their children after all these accidents in the last school year sense the fall formal.  But to those who knew about magic, those who kept it secret were afraid for another reason. They were no longer afraid of harm or even their memory being taken anymore. Instead, they were afraid for another who had lost their memories. Inside the sugar cube corner, the original five sat alone in their usual spot in the corner booth away from everyone else. The five looked depressed beyond reckoning, her bodies laying in uncomfortable heeps in their seats. From right to left Applejack and rarity lay shoulder to shoulder their heads resting against one another. The farm’s girl’s hat was still missing her eyes lazily looking at her phone while one arm was draped over Rarity’s shoulder. While Rarity sat with her eyes closed, her usual makeup was gone the distraught girl not even bothering with it, or even showering this day. So distraught was she that she cared little for her appearance. Rainbow Dash sat in the middle lazily looking up at the ceiling with a dead expression. Her arms were sprawled out wide on the backrest while one leg sat crossed under the table. While her once hot drink was left largely forgotten in front of her. Fluttershy meanwhile sat laying her head on Rainbow’s chest prickles of tears in her eyes as she hugged herself. Her mane of pink hair hiding her face with only the occasional sniffle or whimper to be heard.  Lastly and certainly not the least was pinkie pie who was the worst off of the lot. By this point, she looked like a character from a black and white cartoon with all colors seemingly vanishing from her form. Her hair was completely deflated with a permanent frown that seemed glued to her lips as she sit with her chin to the table. Pinkies eyes were red from tears and seemed almost vacant more so than even Rainbow as she gave a hundred-yard stare  All of them had next to no energy and seemed to create a cold depressing spot in the joint with their very presence, as though they were five human airconditioners. All who saw them gave them a wide birth while casting concerned looks their way, but none had the courage or confidence to say anything to them. All who saw them respectfully giving them their space as they processed the events of the last day thanks to the rumor that had spread like wildfire throughout the student body. Sunset had amnesia “How do you think twi is doin?” applejack asked breaking the silence as she lazily thumbed through her phone. Her eyes lazily looked over the various posts about the school or Sunset on the private web page sci twi made for reporting magic after the everfree incident. Rainbow dash shrugged listlessly with a grunt, “probably blaming herself like are the same way she did after the midnight sparkle thing.” she responded bitterly.  Applejack gave Rainbow an evil look at the casual way she spoke about Twilights’ past fears but said nothing. In truth, she knew the athlete didn’t mean anything by it, not truly. Rather she was merely making a somewhat rude statement of fact in her depressed state. Fluttershy moved a hand up to brush a pink lock of her hair away to see revealing a single worryingly bloodshot eye to the group making all who saw it cringe. “We should go visit her to cheer her up later,” she rasped out horsly with a slight cough, concern dripping from her lips. “Yep sure why not.” Pinkie pie drawled out lifelessly continuing to stare unblinking as she spoke. They all spared a worried glance to pinkie who was neither acting or looking like herself. But none of them could find the words to speak simply nodding while giving grumbles of agreement. All of them were still hurting, reeling with guilt blaming themselves for what happened to Sunset.  While they all knew that it was not their fault what happened to Sunset was not their fault. They still couldn’t shake the guilt as memories of how they treated their friend continued to pledge them be it awake or asleep. “I suppose we should check in sense she hasn’t messaged us since we left her last night,” Rarity chimed flatly her voice barring no emotion as it was all she could do to keep herself from crying again. “I’m sure she will appreciate the distraction,” she added, while no one said anything they knew Rarity was more referring to herself needing a distraction. Frankly, they all needed one. Silence before them again for a few minutes as they simply lounge about lazily. The only sounds meeting their ears were that of the cakes working overtime on a Monday morning, or the occasional whispers of the other customers.  They all heard the whispers, saw the looks, they hated each and every one. Somehow for reasons unknown to the five word had spread like a wildfire about Sunset’s condition as well as about Wallflowers actions.  While Wallflowers actions being found out so soon was to be expected after the memories stones destruction, given how many people knew of magic. Yet what was a mystery to the group was how word traveled so quickly about Sunset’s condition. While true a few students may have seen an unconscious Sunset being carried away by Applejack no one outside a select few knew the truth. As far as the five knew outside the two principles only their parents knew the truth having known about magic for some time and they had all promised to keep it a secret. “I wonder who spilled.” Rainbow quipped her eyes not leaving the ceiling above.  Applejack frowned glancing over to Rainbow letting out an annoyed huff as she did so “No idea RD. but I’d sure like to get my lasso around them to teach them a thing about subtlety.” she answered her words dripping with dry bitterness at the thought, a fire of anger growing in her chest at the thought. A deep audible breath passed rarity’s form a painful moan quietly leaving her closed hips. “Do tell darling.” rarity remarked pressing herself closer to the farm girl. “Honestly if I should find out who had the indecency to share such information without consent I shall give them a piece of my mind,”. though none doubted her calm her words bore no heat nor passion they were so accustomed to making the others wonder if she would follow through.  Rainbow rolled her eyes at Rarity’s statement to burnt out by sleeplessness and guilt to care about revenge, even against Wallflower. “So what now,” she asked waving her hands lightly as she spoke getting the attention of the others. “The principal has the book and the place is crawling with police. Even I couldn’t slip in without being spotted given how I couldn’t sleep, not without … slamming into a wall.” Rainbow added with a yawn her eyes struggling to stay open.  “Did ya read the message Pricaple Celestia sent us RD?” applejack asked irritably, looking to the girl with an accusing gaze. This gaze went unnoticed as Rainbow continued to stare at the ceiling grunting in disinterest. “No … yawn …. Too tired,” Rainbow said with a mumble another loud yawn escaping her lips as her eyes finally closed. Applejack felt a flash of anger at Rainbows behavior hit her a sharp remark forming on her lip as she glared at the athlete. Only to have that flash of anger die a swift death as she noticed the large dark rings under her eyes as the girl began to nod off. Taking in the athlete’s form she looked ready to pass out causing a pang of sympathy to wash over her. In truth, she knew that they were all tired with none of them getting any meaningful sleep. It was a wonder that the five of them had even been able to stumble into sugar cube corner at all with how they felt.  Applejack herself felt like she was walking with cement strapped to her ankles after spending most of the night tossing and turning. Sunset’s frightened screams kept her awake whenever she closed her eyes. She imagined it was just as bad for the others if not worse.  So instead she pulled up the message they had all received from the principal that morning. “She messaged us asking to be ready to get the book tomorrow or the day after when she can finally get away from the police.” applejack explained in a hushed tone turning her phone around towards Rainbows face tapping the screen to get her attention. Rainbow forced one eye open to look at the screen shown to her by the farm girl as she began to explain again. “She said once we get the book we can discuss what to do then, and that the five of us, six if you count sci twi need to figure out a place to keep Sunset when school starts again. Personally, my vote is the farm as it’s out in the country, big mac and granny will be there and there is no chance she is walking into trouble without someone noticing. Plus our nearest neighbor is four miles from our house so there will be no chance of anyone bothering her… well easily.” Mummers of agreement filled the air around the group at Applejack’s words. “Alright, then I’ll let them know,” Applejack remarked at their approval before texting her brother letting him know to talk to Grannysmith about her plan.  while non of them liked waiting especially where Sunset was concerned but they had little choice. They had already discussed using their powers to get the book early, but that had been dashed after they passed by the school that was crawling with authorities.  Applejack, pinkie pie, and Rarity’s skills would be of little use. Twilight had to see her target to control it and the police would likely notice a floating book. Fluttershy’s animals would draw too much attention carrying a book, and Rainbow dash would draw too much attention even if she was awake enough to use her power safely. In short, they had no choice but to wait until later. “I wish my power was invisibility,” Fluttershy remarked weakly as she lay next to rainbow her hair once more hiding her face, “then I could help get the book without being noticed.” Before anyone could speak Rainbow dash let out a humored snort drawing everyone’s attention as the girl began chuckling. “Fluttershy even if you did turn completely invisible you wouldn’t be able to see,” she remarked casually through a yawn. Immediately everyone turned to look at Rainbow with an inquisitive gaze in disbelief at what they heard. Fluttershy even pushed off Rainbow dashes chest to sit up to look her best friend over. Her hair fell away from her face as she changed seating position revealing the most confused look any of them had ever seen on the girl. “Do what now?” AppleJack asked in befuddlement.  When she felt Fluttershy move alongside apple Jack’s voice she craned her head down to see her friends. Only frown when she saw them staring back at her as though she grew a second head. “What?” she asked accusingly at those present.  Rarity blinked breaking from her stupor first she regarded Rainbow with her usual critical eye, “what? What do you mean what you are the one not making and sense darling.” she counter accused pointing a finger towards Rainbow’s chest. “how does being invisible mean going blind?” she asked a slight annoyed edge to her voice. Rainbow stared at them for a moment as her mind processed what she was hearing, only to have a wide smile grow upon her lips in mirth as a laughing fit began to overtake her..  “Oh, that?! Ha Ha Ha!” she laughed jubilantly her tiredness momentarily leaving her as she felt a burst of energy causing her friends to frown at her. “If your completely invisible light will pass through the things in your eyes that let you see that’s basic science even I know that.” Rainbow boasted as she once more leaned back in her head to look back up at the ceiling as the last remnants of her laughing fit ended.  Again everyone simply stared wide-eyed in shock their jaws dropping at hearing such a scientific response from their friend. While they knew Rainbow wasn’t stupid despite the girl’s claims to being all about sports it was a shock to know she had such knowledge. After all that was something they expected more from Twilight either of them or even Rarity or Pinkie pie.  Applejack raised a hand to massage her temple feeling a headache coming on as she took in this information. “So let me get this straight.” she groaned in disbelieve looking to the prismatic athlete, “you’re tellin’ me that despite all your bragging about hating to study you are secretly rarely smart?” “Well ya.” rainbow dash struggled as though it were completely obvious. “Cantterlot high school rules you need an above B average score to participate in any team sport. So If I want to play on the team I need to have at least a B in all my classes” she explained to her friends with a lazy wave of her hands for dramatic effect. “And I’ll have you know I have an A - this year” she added proudly pounding her chest with her right hand.  The group was momentarily broken from their depression by the declaration of Rainbow’s academic scores. So much so they missed the sudden arrival of a familiar and often unwanted out-of-breath blue-haired girl entering sugar cube corner.  Said, girl scanned the crowd searching for something earning more than a few annoyed looks at her presence. Yet she ignored them as her eyes fell upon a familiar group sitting in the far corner away from everyone else. Without a word she stormed over to the group with all haste, ignoring or even pushing aside all those who tried to intercept her. She would not be denied as she approached the original five.  “SLAM!” The five jumped in their seats letting out a series of frightening yelps as they sat up straight, their body’s going rigged from surprise as they turned to see who disturbed them. Applejack raised her arms into a fighting pose, Rarity raised her arms to shield herself, Pinkie pies hair looked as though she touched a static glob her arms raised up in surrender, Fluttershy was hiding under the table, while Rainbow was now fully awake moved to defend Fluttershy her arms out ready to attack.  They all turned to see who would approach them in such a manner only to collectively groan when they saw who it was that now looked upon theme expectantly. “Trixie Lunamoon. To what do we owe the displeasure.” Rarity’s voice dripped with venom with each word as she lowered her guard again glaring at the staff mage. Surprisingly Trixie ignored Rarity’s statement as she leaned over the table gasping for breath. Her usually pale cheeks were red from fatigue while her forehead dripped with sweat upon the table. Her entire body trembled like an earthquake where she stood as she stared at them with a fire the likes of which they had never seen. The very sight of which made the girls look at Trixie in worry afraid she was going to collapse.  “Trixie has … little time for you or your … pointless words for … Trixie brings … important news regarding Sunset shimmer.” she managed to get out between gasps. Hearing this as the group regarded their new guest Rainbow looked around Luna to the other students who eyed the girl. Each of them looked ready to step in to get rid of her with more than a few looking like they wanted to let their fists do the talking, likely suspecting she had something to do with Sunsets memory. But Rainbow showing great patience raised her hands up and waved at them to leave. Luna noticed this action turning her head to what it was. Only to let out a panicked gasp turning round gripping the table for support at the somewhat large crowd that had gathered around them at her arrival, specifically at their displeased faces.  Many of the teens did not budge at Rainbow’s silent command but jumped in fright when Applejack stomped her foot upon the ground making the floor shake with her geode’s power. This combined with the disapproving look of the five as well as another shake of Rainbow’s head got the message across.  Soon the assembled teens went about their business after a few cast some untrusting gazes at Trixie only to be chastised and kicked out by the cakes for trying to start trouble in their shop. Once it was clear that the threat had passed Trixie let out a sigh of relief as she turned back to the five again. Her face was now far less red, while her breath was now more under control, even her posture was more stable allowing her to stand upright crossing her arms over her chest as she regarded the group. “Now that the distraction is dealt with will you heed Trixie’s words?” she asked accusingly eyeing the group a brow raised slightly as if challenging them.  As expected of the athlete Rainbow scoffed at Trixie waving one of her hands as if shooing a fly away. “Oh please, and since when do you know anything help with a magic problem?” she asked picking up her drink sipping it with a cringe as she stated the now frigid drink from sitting too long.  Trixie however only smirked at this question as a tight-lipped chortle filled the air. “Then perhaps Rainbow dash can tell Trixie how the memory stone works and how to undo Sunsets amnesia like Trixie does when she returned from Equestria,” she said knowingly raining a hand spinning it around playfully shocking the assembled group.  Rainbow Dash began Choking on her drink, spiking some on herself at the same time. Pounding on her chest as tears began to fall from her eyes.  Rarity recovered quickly as she scooted over to Rainbow’s side to aid her. Taking the drink from Rainbow's hand while placing a napkin at her lips to cover her cough. Fluttershy similarly recovered, leaning rainbow forward to pat at their multi-colored friends back. All the while speaking soothing words to the girl to get her to calm down. At the same time while this happened Applejack and even Pinkie pie eyed Trixie suspiciously. The pair having regained some of their lost fire at hearing about Sunset and the accursed rock.  "Alright, missy what do ya want? For that matter how do you and everyone else know about Sunsets amnesia?" Applejack said in a low dangerous tone, “after all we only told our parents so how does the whole town know?”  "And be quick about before I lose what little patience I have left." She warned threateningly. "Pretty please, we could really use some good news." Pinkie pie added suddenly appearing in the girl’s face. Trixie lurched back in fright at seeing pinkie practically teleporting into her face. She chuckled nervously several times before reaching a hand out pushing her away as she cartoonishly slid across the floor out of frame. Once Pinkie pie was sufficiently far away Trixie regarded the group again eyeing Applejack nervously pulling at her collar as though it were too tight when she saw the look on her face. R-right.” she returned clearing her through, “To answer your second question first you can thank your sisters and Rainbow dashes sidekick. They have been spreading word of this travesty wherever they go.” she answered while reaching back for a chair pulling it up to the table before sitting with the group. “Th-ho-s, ats ar-e go-n to ge it.” Rainbow croaked out painfully in a barely audible whisper. Rarity’s gaze became molten with anger at the accusation turning away from cleaning up Rainbow to look towards Trixie. “For one I agree with you Rainbow dash, those three are in for it this time. You would think they learned their lesson after the whole anon-a-miss mess they caused.” her words were sharp practically spitting vinegar as she spoke her face turning red with anger.  The sight made Trixie very grateful she had switched sides almost pitying the three girls who would likely be hearing it by day’s end. It made her regret not switching sides sooner not missing being on the receiving end of the Rainbooms ire. “Worry about those babber mouths later,” applejack chided as she tried to keep them from getting distracted. “Ok that answers one question, but what about the first. You say you can undo it… well I say prove it.” Trixie put on a face of bravado smiling nervously trying to hide her worry. “B-but of course allow Trixie to explain her tail of how Trixie came to be in possession of this knowledge. But only if the five conceive Principle Celestia and luna to remove my detention for supposedly breaking into the yearbook room.” her words getting their complete and undivided attention as they all leaned forward to hear her story. “Only if we like what we hear.” Applejack answer clasping her hands in front of her in a white knuckled grip both hands shaking terribly.  “I-if you wouldn’t mind” Fluttershy added meekly as she look up from her task still doing her best to help Rainbow. With a curt nod Trixie told her story, and what a story it was. For nearly thirty minutes she explained everything, from bumping into Sunset in the hall to helping her search for the stone. She told them how they found the recording of Wallflower after the girl erased their memories of her and locked them in the yearbook room. As well as how she let herself become locked in the yearbook room after magicking Sunset out of the room much to their surprise answering the question of why she was locked in the yearbook room. Only leaving out the part where she bribed Sunset for her support, deeming it nonessential information. By the time she was finished the five were speechless. Trixie’s story left all of them even Rainbow on the verge of tears, or in the case of Fluttershy in tears holding onto Rainbow dash for support. While there was much speculation, mistrust, and questions for the stage mage by the end of it they had all the proof they needed. All of them believed Trixie was telling the truth, yet at the same time couldn’t believe it.  “After finding out about Sunsets amnesia Trixie began searching high and low for Sunsets friends. With some well timed information, Trixie heard that said friends would be here at sugar cube corner. Now here we are.” As the story came to the end the group regarded Trixie as they processed the information in their own way. All of them tried to come to terms with everything they learned about the Memory stone. Not to mention learning more about Wallflower blushes motivation which answered some questions but also raised others. Namely, why did wallflower run, and why go after sunset specifically when she had never once been bullied directly.  “Ah feel lower than a snake’s shadow.” Applejack said her voice soft-spoken and somber as she nursed her head in her hands. Rainbow sniffled as though she were Fluttershy unshed tears in her eyes croaking something in response but no one could make out what she said. Though judging from the way she pounded the table it was a curse of some kind.  Fluttershy and Pinkie pie were the worst off with one weeping openly, while the other looked more like a black, white and gray melting snowman. Rarity reached a hand out gripping Applejack’s shoulder getting her attention before giving a weak smile, “do not be so hard upon yourself darling there is no way you could have known,” her head fell her expression becoming crestfallen a thoughtful look overtaking her face. “There is no way any of us could have known. Not truly, not until…” she never finished as a sob overtook her.  Seeing Rarity’s distress Applejacked angled herself enveloping the girl in a sideways hug letting her head rest upon her shoulder.  Trixie for her part looked and felt genuinely guilty, seeing the group before her, how they felt raising a hand to grip her heart. The sight made her regret many of the things she had done to the group over the years, it made her wish she had tried harder to let the magic of friendship that they had perched for months into her cold arrogant heart. For even in their lowest moments they still had one another, they were never alone. And alone was something she didn’t want to feel any longer. “Y-you, you don’t need to fear.” She declared confidently once more drawing their gaze. “Trixie knows how to fix everything Trixie can restore Sunset’s memory for you…” she said her voice faltering her eyes falling to the floor as she spoke drawing more than a few curious gazes. For a moment the others thought that her little speech had ended only to be surprised when Trixie looked up a fire in her eyes. “Trixie can repay her friend for showing her kindness.” This drew looks of surprise from the others unable to believe what they were hearing from Trixie of all people. The girl who regularly got on Sunset’s case or antagonized her after the fall formal wanted to help Sunset.  Yet at the same time, they couldn’t help but smile at the display as they saw the familiar spark of friendship in the girl’s eyes.  “Well, what are we waiting for let’s fix sunny right away then!”  Pinkie exclaimed appearing behind Trixie wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Trixie chuckled nervously again unused to the contact as she pried Pinkie pie off her once more pushing her out of frame as she responded. “O-of course the great and powerful Trixie always keeps her word,” she said with a slight stutter. “Trixie just needs what’s left of the memory stone and can do the rest,” she explained confidently. All at once, the group looked like had been punched in the gut as they looked to one another in disbelief. The sight filled Trixie with dread as she watched to proceedings her once confidant face falling into worry. “P-please tell Trixie you still have what’s left the stone?” she pleaded weakly. No one answered right away as they again looked to one another with worried expressions as though they wear silently communicating some terrible truth to one another. Rainbow dash even shedding a few tears at this which left Trixie stunned. Making Trixie realize she likely already knew what the terrible truth it was that they were communicating to each other.  But she couldn’t allow herself to believe it as if her thought was true then it would mean everything she had done to redeem herself in the last day would be for nothing. She had finally done something worthwhile with her life and she didn’t want it to be all for nothing. “M-maybe Trixie can make something work with the pieces then,” she began unshed tears in her eyes as she practically begged, “surly Trixie can manage something with i-insider knowledge…. I hope.” At this, it was Rarity who finally had the courage to break the silence as coughed into her hand to get Trixie’s attention. At the same time stalling to prepare herself for what she was to say next something she wished she didn’t have to.  “I wish you told us that this morning.” the fashionista said regretfully as she raised a hand to wipe her eyes letting out a sniffle. “Please don’t tell Trixie.” the girl's expression frightened as the pieces fell into place.  She was silent again for a minute leading to another torturous silence that was only broken by the sound of the sugar cube corner. While she desperately wanted to tell Rarity to spit it out, she refrained knowing better than to rush the girl no matter how much the wait killed her.  Eventually, the girl found her courage as she locked gazes with Trixie and spoke the words that would crush the girl’s redeemed, heart. “Last night before the police locked everything down we gathered all the glowing magic stones shared we could find, to keep them out of the wrong hands,” she explained slowly her voice even, but it was clear she was keeping back a sob. “And-and t-to ensure what we all agreed was Sunset’s final wishes on the matter regarding the stone we-we,” rarity could finish as the sob she had been holding in finally escaped forcing the girl to place a hand over her mouth to stifle it. Seeing Rarity’s distress Pinkie pie took it upon herself to “Rarity had me blow them up to keep the police or anything else from using them.” Pinkie pike confessed weakly tapping her fingers together not making eye contact. “N-no,” Trixie strangled out as her tears finally began to fall from her face. She was too late to keep her promise to Sunset, she was too late to make up for all the years of trouble she had caused. The memory stone was now nothing but harmless powder in the wind due to the others wanting to honor Sunset’s sacrifice. “Oh! what will Trixie do now.” she cried as her head fell into her hands in defeat.  Seeing the girl’s genuine sorrow the five made possibly the single strangest decision in their life as they got up from their seats. They embraced Trixie in a group hug as they consoled her as their small band grew once more First, it was Sunset, then sci twi, now Trixie.  Their little group had changed a lot over the years; the five became six in the wake of the last night’s tragedy. But they for Sunsets recover so the six would become eight as their group could be made whole again.