//------------------------------// // Chapter XXXII // Story: Family Trip // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Lavender I yawned as I stretched out on Sunset’s couch. I had originally planned on sleeping through Halloween because I don’t care for it but a chance to see Rainbow Crash pranked? Count me in. Fuchsia, Trixie and I even put aside our rivalry with Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie just to help out. Temporarily of course. “Hey Fuchsia,” Applejack said cautiously as she looked at my fellow Illusion. “What do you want Applejack?” Fuchsia grunted as she sat down next to me with Sunburst curled up in a ball on her lap. Apparently he, Sunset and Pony Trixie needed to sleep. Something about getting their energy together. “Ah’m sorry.” We both gave each other stunned looks as Sunset and Derpy slept on the floor on a pile of blankets as Pony Trixies snoring came from upstairs. I always did try to tell Trixie she snored but she didn’t believe me. Maybe now she would. “Uh what?” Fuchsia asked in confusion as she stroked Sunburst’s mane. “For making yall hate us. Ah never really liked the others makin fun of Trixie back then in freshman year and ah never stood up for her. Ah respect yall in a way. Ya stood up for your friend,” Applejack admitted as she took her hat off and held it in front of her. “Ah done a lot in high school that mah parents would be rollin over in their grave if they knew what ah’ve done. To Sunset. To yall. And Ah’m sorry.” Fuchsia and I exchanged looks once again as Applejack kept staring down at her hat. I really didn’t want to forgive any of them, especially after the anon a miss issue but maybe now was finally the time to bury the hatchet. With Applejack at least. “I think we forgive you,” I said uncertainly as Fuchsia sighed. “I do too I guess. You didn’t really do anything bad to Trixie back then. But it’s up to Trixie if she forgives you as well.” “Thank ya,” Applejack said as she put her hat back on and smiled faintly. “Will ya be forgiving the others or nah?” “No,” Fuchsia and I said instantly as Applejacks face fell. “Especially not Fluttershy,” Fuchsia sighed and shook her head. “There’s just too much bad history there. It’s just like I told Sunset, we won’t start drama with her when she is around but we certainly don’t care for the others in your band. Twilight is okay of course. She wasn’t involved in all that.” “Ah understand,” Applejack sighed and stretched a bit herself. “Maybe one day the three of us can be friends.” We exchanged looks again and I sighed. “We are willing to try now,” I said cautiously as Applejacks face brightened. “But under the condition you don’t force the Raingoons to be around us all the time. We only really trust you, Sunset and Twilight I suppose.” “I’m happy to hear that,” Sunset smirked as she wiggled her way out of Derpy’s arms. She quickly levitated a pillow into Derpy’s arms and Derpy hugged it. Sunset disappeared with a pop and stood on my lap as she smirked up at me. “About damn time you three sorted it out.” “Ah hear Dash coming,” Applejack said suddenly. With a pop, Sunset disappeared with Sunburst and Pony Trixie too based on the lack of snoring. That or she gagged her. Rainbow Crash walked in as Scootaloo came down the stairs with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. “Hey girls!” Rainbow grinned as she hugged the three. “Where’s Sunset at?” “She went out with Sunburst to get some pop,” Fuchsia lied smoothly as Applejack hid a grimace. I guess she still hated lying even though she doesn’t represent honesty anymore. Guess that can’t be taken away. “Oh okay,” Rainbow shrugged as she examined Scootaloo’s fighter pilot costume. “Looking good you three. Onward, to Victory and candy!” We all exchanged grins as Rainbow led the girls out and the door shut. They were also a part of it obviously. I sat hidden in the dark with Cheerilee and Applejack, Pony Trixies flank pressing against my leg. The door opened and I faintly made out Rainbow Crash, Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo and Silver Spoon. “Where is everyone?” Rainbow wondered aloud. Sunset gave a nod as Pony Trixie and Sunbursts horn glowed faintly. “The heck?” Smoke filled the room as Pony Trixie sweated a bit. Sunset smirked and her horn glowed a bright red. Pony Trixie grunted as an illusion of Sunset as a human walked through the smoke. “Hey Rainbow,” Sunset said as her illusions mouth moved. Fuchsia and I stared in awe. “Hey where’s the others?” Rainbow asked as Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Scootaloo slunk to the kitchen with some bags. “Gone,” Sunset’s illusion said as Sunset inhaled and blasted her illusion as she gave a cry and disappeared. “Sunset!” Rainbow shouted and shifted her feet, clenching her fist. I took a sharp inhale of breath as did Trixie, Fuchsia, Applejack and the others as Pony Trixie shifted to an illusion of Demon Sunset. It looked spot on as Diamond Tiara and the other two ran out. “What did you do to my sister?” Diamond Tiara fake growled as she and Silver Spoon glared at the illusion. Pretty damn good acting if I must say so myself. “I’m the dark part of Sunset’s mind,” Applejack said in a gravelly tone as I bit back a laugh. “She’s gone, it’s just me now!” “Not if I have a say. Sunset is awesome and you’re a prick. Get away from her girls while I find Applejack and the others to defeat her and bring Sunset back!” Rainbow shouted. “There’s no hope for them,” Demon Sunset laughed as Sunset’s horn glowed red again and some illusions of all of us mind controlled walked down the stairs. “I don’t believe you,” Rainbow growled as she stood protectively in front of the three young girls. “Sunset is a much better person. She wouldn’t just go back without someone mind controlling her or someone using dark magic on her. Hang on Sunset, I’ll go find Cloudkicker and Blossomforth. They might be able to help.” Sunset gave a wide smile as watched Rainbow run out the door. “I’m actually happy. She defended me,” Sunset muttered as she shoved her head against Lightnings hand and she idly started scratching her ears. “Oh yeah, that’s good.” “We should probably tell her it’s a prank before she runs out and gets put in the looney bin,” Lyra said worriedly as Sunset nodded. Her horn flashed and she disappeared for a few moments before reappearing with Rainbow Dash. “That was freaking weird,” Rainbow grumbled as she turned green. “Little warning before you teleport me.” “Sorry,” Sunset scuffed a hoof on the ground as Rainbow took in us all laughing as Cheerilee emerged from the kitchen with a grin. “Y-you’re really a pony!” Rainbow exclaimed as she gently picked up Sunset. “Well isn’t she bright?” Pony Trixie snarked as Octavia chuckled. Rainbow chose to ignore the remark as she ran her fingers through Sunset’s mane. “Now if you need Trixie, those spells took a lot out of her and Trixie needs sleep.” Sunset nodded as I high fived Applejack. I think that had went better than we ever anticipated.