Luna had picked the girls up and both seemed very quiet. It was a complete 180 degree turn from when they got together earlier. Gabbing about school, friends, things that every teen usually talks about. Now it was very quiet and they looked depressed.
“O.K. you two, which one of you wants to tell what happened?” Luna asked on the way home.
“I don’t get it mom one minute we were hot for each other and the next it was like it was all wrong I can’t explain it.” Sunset said,
“I know up until now I wanted to be all over Sunset like a cheap suit, but I guess now well I don’t know we were sucking face and all of a sudden it felt wrong, kind of off you know.” Trixie added.
Luna glared at Sunset in the rearview mirror. Sunset noticed Luna’s disapproving glare and wondered why she was getting it.
“What?” Sunset asked her mom.
“Was this Equestrian Magic?” Luna asked.
“No mom it wasn’t. Not that I know of.” Sunset replied.
“Well something happened I don’t know what.” Luna said.
“Sunset what happens now?" Trixie asked.
"We will take you home and I guess you do whatever you do before bed.” Sunset replied.
“No, Trixie means between us. Are Sunset and Trixie friends still?” Trixie asked.
“Trix we tried the dating thing, it just didn’t happen. We know now. I expect to see you in that music room Monday morning. You got it, Trixie?.” Sunset told her firmly.
“Yes ma’am.” Trixie replied, saluting.
After that both girls broke into a fit of giggles and laughter. Luna was glad to see this wasn’t going to impact their friendship. Sunset walked Trixie up to her door. Trixie had hoped for a kiss at the door when the night began now she didn’t care.
It was better for her and Sunset for a simple hug and a short little conversation.
“When we got up here Trixie was hoping to kiss you goodnight.” Trixie told her.
“Sunset was hoping to kiss Trixie too. I don’t know what happened but it was fun while it lasted. Music room Monday morning you got it?” Sunset said.
After that Sunset went to the car and Trixie headed in for the night.
“Maybe next weekend will go better for you.” Luna said.
“Why? Who am I going out with next weekend?” Sunset asked.
“My boyfriend Apple Cinnamon.” Luna said with a smirk.
“Oh joy.” Sunset replied without any enthusiasm. Lune decided to ignore the remark and continue home. Upon their arrival home Sunset started up the walk and Luna followed. She was going to say something to Sunset about how she treated her boyfriend.
“Sunset, can I have a word with you?” Luna asked Stopping Sunset dead in her tracks.
“Yeah mom?” She said.
“You need to be nicer to Apple Cinnamon , he’s also part of my life too. This time a guy hasn’t booked after we went to bed together. Now I will admit we didn’t plan that but he gave me this.” Luna ended her statement by holding up her hand. She then pointed to the promise ring on her left hand.
“He wants to connect with you too. I have to ask, what do you want?” Luna asked.
Sunset didn’t answer right away; she wanted to see Luna happy. She wanted to tell her mom to get rid of Apple Cinnamon, but knew deep down that would destroy Luna.
“Mom, I want you to be happy. I would tell you to drop Apple Cinnamon but I know deep down that would almost kill you. I’m not going to tell you what to do. I don’t want to hurt anyone, honestly.” Sunset said.
“Then WHAT is your problem with him? Please tell me!!” Luna pleaded.
“What do you want me to say mom?” Sunset asked.
“I want you to say why you don't like him? I want the truth.” Luna demanded raising her voice slightly at Sunset.
“You can’t handle the truth!!” Sunset getting loud herself.
“Why Sunset why??!!” Luna pleaded.
“What do you want me to say? I'm jealous. O.K. I’m jealous!! You and I had a great life going before he came in and…”Sunset’s voice trailed off.
“And he came in and compromised your time with me. Took my attention away from you and I know you crave attention too. You crave it in a good way because you never had a family and friends, and you got what you want. You see him as a threat to all that, don’t ya?” Luna asked back as she walked closer to Sunset.
Sunset didn’t like the way Luna was crowding her there at the bottom of the stairs. This made her very uneasy when someone got close to her.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Sunset asked.
“I’m putting the whole thing in your hands. If you want him gone I will call and tell him it’s over. If not, you will spend time with him this weekend. What is it going to be?” Luna insisted.
“I’ll spend time with him this weekend. I don’t know what we will do but I will spend time with him.” Sunset told her.
“At least try, you can’t succeed if you don’t try.” Luna prompted.
“O.K. I’ll try.” Sunset said heading up to her room.
For the rest of the night, she texted with Trixie and then watched some TV and even played a little on her PS5 before finally calling it a night around 1 A.M.
Most of Saturday Sunset felt depressed. She did her homework and just sat at home despite a few texts and calls from her friends. She felt horrible that her first “real date” had been a flop.
Luna and Celestia had tried to cheer her up, but nothing worked. She didn’t want to play in the basement, or go out anywhere. Even her Aunt Chrysalis offered her a ride on the bike, and to come over and play video games and spend the night. Sunset declined.
She felt bad it took a while to hit her but she tried dating and it sucked.
“Maybe being an old cat lady is a better idea. My dates with Flash were for popularity. I try it once for real and something goes horribly wrong. Of course Twilight has to be into guys so that screws me on that front too. I'm starting to understand why mom loves Apple Cinnamon so much. Being alone sucks.” Sunset’s thoughts rambled.
“My arms are itching for that razor blade right now,” Sunset said out loud to herself. She knew it was wrong. But thinking about it felt so right.
Finally on Sunday Sunset was sitting in her basement to do a video but didn’t feel like playing any game. When the doorbell rang. She didn’t bother to go answer it just sat there with a controller in her hands.
Celestia answered the door and was shocked by who was standing there. There stood The Rainbooms, The Crusaders and Trixie. Sunset didn’t tell her she had invited guests over.
“Sunset a heads up would be nice.” Celestia thought.
“Hi girls come on in. I’m guessing you want to see my niece. She didn’t tell me she was coming.” Celestia said.
“We are kind of here unannounced. Ah, apologize for all of us, but we are kinda worried about Sunset. Is she in her room?” Applejack spoke up.
“No, she's in the basement and looked like she was gonna do a video but I don’t think she was feeling that great. Nothing you girls can catch, she just seems…” Celestia stopped as she searched for the right word.
“Depressed.” Trixie offered,
“Yeah that is how I would describe it.” Celestia said.
“Well let’s go cheer her up. CHEER UP PARTY!!: Pinkie exclaimed.
“I don’t think a party is going to work in this case.” Applejack said.
“Let’s just go talk to her.” Trixie said.
Everyone agreed and headed for the basement. Celestia opened the door and let the gang head down the stairs. When they came down they saw Sunset sitting on the couch just holding a controller not playing any game.
“What are you all doing here?” Asked Sunset.
“Sunny, we are super worried about you. You have been avoiding our calls and our texts. Then your Aunt Celestia said you were depressed. Why are you down in the dumps Sunny?” Pinkie asked.
“Friday night was a disaster, my first real date and it blew up in my face. I wanted everything to be perfect.” Sunset said.
“Trixie wanted it to be perfect too.” Trixie proclaimed walking up to Sunset and hugging her.
“So does that mean you and Trixie aren’t dating?” Twilight asked.
“No, unfortunately not.” Sunset said dejectedly.
“Sunset, there is someone out there for you. I bet they are closer than you think.” Twilight offered.
“Thanks for coming, everyone. I was really down this weekend. I had some dark thoughts, I was even thinking that I would like to cut myself again-I didn’t. This is just like after the Fall Formal you all rallied around me.” Sunset said.
Twilight grabbed Sunset’s arms and pulled Sunset into a hug that evolved into a huge group hug. After that everyone got together and the first episode of “Shimmer Code” was filmed.
Twilight and Sunset decided to cut the episode in two as it was kind of long. This way the first two videos on her YouTube channel were complete and the first half was uploaded.
After a while A few of the girls left but Sunset decided to talk to Applejack and Apple Bloom for a minute.
“Guys I’m hanging with your cousin Apple Cinnamon next weekend. I have no idea what we are going to do though.” Sunset said, expressing her concern.
“He likes to hike, camp, and fish. Maybe he’ll take you out for a weekend outdoors trip.” Applejack said.
Sunset nervously fidgeted when Applejack told her that. Both of the Apple sisters noticed that and it bothered them. What was Sunset nervous about?
“Sunset, why are ya so nervous?” Applejack asked.
“Well when I went with Aunt Chrysalis and later Aunt Celestia I was a little nervous but neither one of them was a guy.” Sunset explained.
“Relax, you want me or Apple Bloom to go with you?” Applejack asked.
“I would but I will face this one too. I am just worried about him trying something but he is an Apple after all. Apples are raised with respect. So I guess I was worrying over nothing.” Sunset said as she came to realize maybe her worries were probably unfounded.
“Now go frettin’ thar sugarcube. Apple Cinnamon is probably just as nervous too. You’ll see come Friday.” Applejack reassured her.
After a hug Applejack and Apple Bloom headed out.
Sunset heard Apple Bloom ask as they headed up the stairs “Sis you think I can have my phone or laptop when I get home fer about two minutes.”
“I guess so but why?” Applejack replied.
“I want to subscribe to the Shimmer Code YouTube channel.” Apple Bloom replied.
Twilight walked up and put her arm around Sunset. Sunset just looked over at Twilight. Why was she putting her arm around her?
“Twilight, why are you putting your arm around me?” Sunset asked.
“Sunset you ever feel down again. You call me. You have always been there for me. Well that swings both ways Sunset I’m here for you too.” Twilight said.
Sunset hugged Twilight. They both looked in each other’s eyes and for a brief second everything stopped. It was like they were in a trance. Neither one of them knew how long they stood there locked in that trance.
Eventually they broke apart and headed upstairs after shutting everything off.
* * *
“How are you even here?” Cinch asked, looking at Gilda.
“I have my ways.” Gilda replied back.
All of the Diamond Dogs shifted uneasily in their seats. This was their former boss before Chancellor Jim. Gilda took command. Sure with Gilda they were a street gang but now they ran the gem trade. If they did crime it was white collar.
“How did you escape Zephyr Heights?” Asked Rover.
“That’s neither here nor there. I’m here now and that’s what matters.” Gilda said.
“Why are you here?” Asked Cinch.
Gilda looked around at the dozen or so “dogs” and then at Cinch and The Dazzlings. She shook her head,
“Let’s wind the clocks back a year. If you had started this organization no one would have dared mess with you. So what happened?
You have your little clubhouse meetings in broad daylight, not very safe. I know what happened, you're scared of two teens that can do magic. Cinch here wants you to finance a lab so she can have one of them redo her work to collect magic.” Gilda finished.
“What do you propose we do?” Asked Chancellor Jim.
“Easy, we kill those girls.” Gilda said.