Soapy bubbles filled her vision as Sunset submerged herself deeper into the bath water. She watched a small area of the water softly ripple in front of her as she sighed, her nose right above the water's surface.
Two thumps sounded on the tub's ledge, causing Sunset's eyes to look at the cause. Her furry friend, Magma stared back at her while sitting down on the ledge and swishing his tail.
“You better not fall in. I'll be too busy laughing to help you.” Sunset teased. Magma responded by tapping up the tub's edge and stopping at her head, he leaned over to her, insisting on being pet. The fiery-haired girl complied and placed a couple of pats on his head, “I know I'm moping, boy. It's all I feel like doing.”
She sighed out of exhaustion and burrowed further into the bathtub. Only her face and knees stuck out of the bubbly water. Her hair swam below and around her. Sunset forced her mind to keep quiet, yet the whispers of negativity still tried to yell.
The sudden feeling of a paw swiping at a floating hair woke her up. “Alright, alright. I'll get out.”
As the water whirl-pooled into the drain Sunset wrapped a towel around herself before grabbing another to scrub her hair dry. The straightened wet of her hair reached just the top of her thigh.
She flipped her head over and scrunched the hair-stranded flames into a towel until they became damp enough to walk around. After becoming fully dressed, in a t-shirt and sweatpants, Sunset flopped onto her couch. Yet her plans of lethargy were ruined when a certain feline thumped her back.
“Whaaaat?” Sunset groaned. Magma simply thumped her again until the redhead was forced to face him, “What do you want, Magma?” she said through her teeth, trying not to be aggressive with her cat companion.
He answered by walking over to the front door and scratching at it. Sunset rolled her eyes, “No, we can't go out. It's too cold and I don't want to.”
She laid back on the sofa with a thump and closed her eyes. They snapped back open when a new scratch at the door sounded.
“Ugh! Fine.” Sunset stomped up to her loft and changed into warmer attire. Seeing a backpack at the bottom of the stairs she hadn't touched in months caught her eye. Her mouth went lopsided, “Tell you what Magma. I've got something for us to try out.”
A happy meow replied as she snatched up the bag and headed out the door.
Several minutes later, Sunset found herself staring at a blank canvas. Or rather a large concrete wall that belonged to the shelter. The wall faced the open road so anyone who passed, walking or driving, saw it. Her kitten voiced happily as the former unicorn zipped open the carry-on and placed its spray paint contents on the ground. She had been given these by one of Flash Sentry's garage band friends when she spoke about her interest in street art.
“Alright Magma,” She spoke as she picked up the red paint can and shook it, and stared at the wall, “I have no idea what I'm doing,” Sunset admitted and looked at the cat who stared back at her.
“You're right. Winging it is for the best.” Sunset shrugged before pressing down on the can top. A striking red applied to the wall, she dragged her arm across and the paint followed.
Sunset allowed herself to move freely. It was liberating to give her creativity free rein. She was so used to always having a plan, always needing one. For the first time, she was truly allowing herself to just let her feet guide her. As terrifying as it was she would just have to see what would become of letting herself free. Free of thought, structure, worry, and the past as she laid paint on the wall. The moon climbed higher into the sky as colors, shapes, and lines conjoined into an image.
After an hour or so, the fiery redhead stepped back as she placed the last streak of yellow. She smiled at the display of a phoenix flying through a dark navy sky, licks of tiny flames flowing behind the bird's flaming wings.
The only thing left was a signature. Sunset knew she couldn't use her actual name, that would only get her in trouble.
Equine ears that no longer exist on her head, flicked in her imagination at the sound of tiny paw pads tapped up behind her. When Sunset turned to meet the cat, he dropped the rock he had found to entertain himself with. She took a mental note to bring a toy with them next time.
“Do you think I should leave it or make a name to sign the piece with, Magma?” Sunset asked. He tilted his head to the side before he walked up to the wall and scraped his paw against the art. She smiled and took that as an initiative to make up a name.
The redhead tapped a paint-covered finger to her chin, “Mhmm, maybe something that means ‘blank name.’ Blank like a fillies flank.”
Magma gave an approving meow.
She hummed in thought, “Flanky? No. Flanker? No, that sounds like a supervillain's name.” Sunset tapped the toe of her boot.
“Flansky?” She asked no one in particular. The orange tabby voiced his approval and purred as he leaned the side of his body against her calf.
“Alright then,” Sunset agreed as she pulled out a new color and sprayed the new alias.
As she zipped up her bag a male voice yelled, “Hey! What are you doing?!”
Sunset froze when her head shot up and she saw an officer stepping out of his patrol vehicle.
“Oh sugar honey iced tea!” She turned to Magma and held her backpack open, “hop in!”
The cat did as told and Sunset threw her hood up before taking off.
“Hey, wait! STOP!” she heard the officer shout behind her. The former unicorn didn't listen and continued her race down the road. The law enforcer called the situation on his radio as he attempted to chase her down. Soon fellow sirens for help were heard racing through the city streets.
Sunset didn't let the sirens deter her as she outran the cop who was having trouble keeping up with her. A patrol unit scurted to a stop in front of her and jumped out of the vehicle, “STOP!”
The command was useless as she took the sharp turn down an alleyway. Thundering footsteps ran to catch up with her. Sunset couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from the adrenaline and rush from the situation. She had to admit to herself that out-running the cops was fun.
That grin fell when she took a new turn and stopped in her tracks when a wall blocked her from going any further. Sunset's hearing picked up the sound of multiple footsteps heading her way, she knew she couldn't turn around and head back.
“Time to put these human muscles to use,” she mumbled to herself as she quickly climbed the dumpster. She worked to climb faster as she heard the heavy steps rushing to her. Amber hands gripped onto a metal balcony. Sunset grunted as she struggled momentarily to pull herself up but eventually succeeded.
‘Don't look down, don't look down,’ With her heart thumping at a high rate of speed in her chest Sunset bounced as high as she could to the flat roof of the building. Just as she gripped the short brick ledge, multiple bodies made their way into the dead-end lane, giving commands for her to come down. Instead, she pulled herself up and onto the roof.
Sunset smirked over the edge as she saw the cops looking at her dumbfounded. She raised two fingers to her forehead and swung them off before running in the opposite direction. Luckily, the compacted city roofs made it easy for her to travel on top of them until she arrived at her townhome, the moon high in the sky behind her. She climbed down the building and fished her keys out of her bag. Magma stuck his head out of the hole that had been left for him and meowed at his mother as set the bag down and closed the door. When she turned around and rested her back against the door she burst into hysterical laughter.
“That was so much fun!” Sunset proclaimed as she picked the cat up and spun him around. She brought him down and cuddled him to her chest, “You silly kitty! You're getting to be a bad influence.”
Magma purred into her arms as she carried him up the loft and placed him on the bed. Sunset shrugged off her leather jacket and kicked off her boots before flopping to join the cat on the comforter. She then tucked the large blanket over her and rolled herself into a warm burrito that warded off any cold from the fall wind that threatened to infiltrate her home.
A content smile blossomed on her face as Magma curled into her and the two fell asleep in each other's company.
Thursday morning Sunset woke to no pains or complaints thanks to a dreamless sleep. The rest of the day also flew by. A few hellos and small chats from the five girls who personified optimism and friendship that rivaled the small-town ponies of her homeland. It was clear the former estranged group clicked back together as if they had never been separated.
The only surprise was Flash Sentry joining her in the library during lunch instead of sitting with his usual friends. His presence had been enjoyed, he managed to get the former unicorn to laugh as he recounted a memory they shared when Sunset first began learning the guitar.
The cold night had ended with a pleasant and productive talk with Twilight. They planned their next move and steps to finishing the motorcycle that leveled up the girl's engineering skills. Magic and interdimensional portals had been left out of the academic conversation and Sunset found herself happy with that. Her homeworld and its supernatural nature had been the core of stress and melancholy in her for a long time. Not to mention, her desire for magic and power had been her driving point for being a selfish, tyrannical monster. No matter how good she was at it or how fun it could be, talking about the normal mundane things that came with being a teenager in the human world left her with a warm smile and a fuzzy feeling heart that made butterflies dance in her stomach for her best friend.
Friday morning Sunset shivered and burrowed further into her blanket. Her attempt to fight off the cold biting at her bones was interrupted by the screaming commands of her alarm clock to wake up. She threw the blanket off in frustration and apologized to the unexpected kitten that became entangled in the plush fabric.
As Sunset crunched on her cereal, she received the happy-go-lucky message she regularly received ever since she let her wall down for Twilight. The other girl's kind words and reassurance of their weekend plans sent hot sparkes down Sunset's spine and into her gut which made her forget of the frigid cold that had soured her morning.
Finally finished, she checked Magma’s water and food, making sure they were filled before she hopped out the door and on her way to the place she once called her palace.
Nowadays, that made her cringe.
Not caring to rush, Sunset noticed as she got closer to the building, the larger, longer, and more vibrant flora growing out of the forest behind the school. Some of the flower and berry bushes, along with vines, had started to reach the sidewalk and sprout out of any cracks they could find. As she passed her curious eyes stayed on the subjects, her interest and curiosity peaked at seeing the sudden abnormality of the plants. Her observant, quick eyes caught a glimpse of green hair and a brown sweater in the heart of the plant's growth. Maybe that was all it was, a talented gardener. Not magic. ‘No need to be paranoid, Sunset.’
She turned away and continued her track to the school's entrance and her locker. Her ogling must have allowed students to enter before her as the halls were already crowded. She was going to need to work on getting her early morning alone time again.
Sunset nearly jumped out of her boots as the sudden sound of a party cannon went off behind her along with streamers and confetti floating down, landing onto her hair and shoulders.
“Goooooood Morning, Sunset Shimmer!” Pinkie Pie cheered, her voice echoing down the halls causing students to look their way.
The redhead cringed for the second time before eight am as her cheeks heated, she pushed her back further into her locker, in an attempt to hide, “Pinkie!” She chastised in a harsh whisper, “What in the flaming pits of Tartarus are you doing?”
The large poofy-haired girl giggled, “I’m saying good morning, silly. Did you not hear me?”
Sunset rolled her eyes, “Oh, I heard you. I’m sure the whole school did. Why must a ‘good morning’ be so loud and theatrical?”
The former unicorn locked up as she was abruptly removed from the ground in a bear hug, “Oh, Sunshim! That’s how you start a good day!”
Pinkie placed her back on the ground, Sunset stumbled and wore a face of pure horror at the humiliating action forced upon her, “I’m just so excited to bake later with you today! We’re going to have so much fun!”
Sunset moved her hands in a downward motion, “Okay, sure but keep your voice down.”
It appeared that the party planner had ignored Sunset as she tapped a finger to her chin, “I still can't decide what we should make.” The girl instantaneously gasped a huge chunk of air, “Maybe a ‘Sunset’s first time baking with a friend’ party cake!”
“No.” The redhead stated sharply.
The locker beside them opened, “Howdy girls,” Applejack tipped her hat, “what are y’all talkin’ bout?”
Sunset snapped her head in the farmer's direction, “You mean you didn’t hear from a five-mile radius?” she said sarcastically.
Applejack chuckled, “What can Ah say? Ah prefer not to meddle in other folk’s talks.”
Teal eyes squinted suspiciously at the blonde at the feeling her comment was meant to be a dig at Sunset’s past actions. Sunset turned her back to the two as she dug into her locker for the things she required for her first classes of the day.
“Me and Sunshim are going to bake together later,” Pinkie informed Applejack.
“It’s ‘Sunshim and I’,” Sunset corrected before freezing as she realized her mistake, “Wait we are not making that name a thing.”
Pinkie giggled and clapped her hands as Applejack chuckled before throwing in her own two cents, “Well If ya looking for a third, I’d been meanin’ to test ma own hand at Granny's Apple Pie recipe.”
“Ah! Apsatootly lottly!” The eccentric girl yipped as she wrapped her arms around both of the girl's shoulders, pulling them in for a hug, “We’re going to have the absolutely bestest time!”
Sunset wrangled herself out of the pinkie-haired girl's tight hold while Applejack chuckled again and secured her hat on her head, “Sounds like a plan, darlin’. I’ll see yew girls later.”
Half-lidded eyes that disapproved of the forced antics she had to be put through, watched blankely as she closed her locker. Her forehead hit the cold metal as she groaned. Unfortunately, the odds were not in her favor as the bell rang, cutting off her sulking, thus making her move on the start of what she felt would be a long day.
“Ugh,” Sunset groaned in disgust at the mud and dirt clung to her boots as she walked up the driveway to the Sweet Apple Acres farm.
“Goodness, yah sound just like Rares,” Applejack commented as she rolled her eyes.
“Yeah well, these aren't cheap boots. You wouldn't know anything about that.” Sunset retorted.
The stetson-wearing girl turned back to the redhead, “What exactly do yew mean by that?” She questioned, clearly trying to test Sunset’s sassy tongue.
Pinkie Pie hopped passed them with skips, “Oooh, I’m so excited to make cupcakes and apple pie! This is going to be the most fun!” She said, clearing the warning tension with her bubbly outtake.
Sunset started to correct the hyper girl's grammar, only to be halted to a stop as her heart skipped a beat. An animal pen full of oinking, muddy pigs was ahead in the path. Her heart banged rapidly against her chest and she felt her limbs begin to shake.
“Uh, Sunset? Ya okay?” Applejack’s country voice asked with concern.
Pinkie stopped her hopping and took a step forward toward the fiery-haired girl. Sunset threw her hand up, “I’m fine, j-just walk in front.”
Pinkie smiled encouragingly before skipping head to the farmhouse. Applejack shrugged before following Pinkie, “Odd request but whatever gets yah across the creak.”
Sunset shivered and kept her distance as she passed the pig pen, her eyes switching between the girls and the pen, paranoid that she would be pushed in with the terrifying creatures. As soon as she passed by in what felt like hours to do Sunset ran the rest of the way to the rustic door, “Okay, come on!” She commanded, wanting to get away from the farm animals as quickly as possible. Pinkie cheered and was quickly at Sunset’s side. Applejack met them as she made a sigh that was too old for her age as she opened the door.
The country-style kitchen emitted the aroma of family and happy memories from cooking. “Alrighty,” Applejack said as she pulled an old-looking book out of a counter drawer. She then flipped open to a page, “This is Granny’s recipe for apple pie and fritters.”
“Yay!” The pink-skinned girl cheered and threw her arms out, “I'll grab the mixing bowl and measuring tools. Sunshim!” Pinkie pointed to the leather-covered girl, “You grab the ingredients.”
“How did I end up doing this again?” She murmured and shook her head, yet did as she was told. Sunset peered at the information in the baking book. She turned to Applejack and asked where the ingredients required were.
“So,” the farmer started as she led Sunset to the pantry, “Ah couldn’t help but notice ya ain't like pigs.”
Sunset shrugged, trying to avoid the conversation, “It’s just some stupid thing in the past. I didn't mean to freak out.
Applejack reached into the pantry and started handing things into Sunset's arms, “Doesn't seem like nothin’. But if ya ain't wantin’ to talk, Ah understand.”
The redhead didn't respond. She tucked her arms around the bags of ingredients and took them back to the kitchen. Pinkie Pie smiled brightly at her and began to start measuring what she needed as Sunset sat them down. Applejack prepared the stove and hummed a tune. Pinkie joined the tone on a higher key. Unfortunately, Sunset didn't know what song they were singing or how to bake, so she opted to settle at the dining table, that sat in the middle of the room. She found a loose paper and pencil and doodled as the sweet smell of batter and the calming hum of a friendly song engulfed the kitchen space, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Sunset was pulled up as Pinkie coerced her to taste test the batter before placing it in the cupcake pan.
“Oooooh!” Pinkie admired as she noticed the drawing on the paper. “Sunset! That’s so pretty!”
The drawing was of a smiley nerdy-looking unicorn with straight-cut bangs and glasses. She was levitating a book with her magic. Applejack had appeared behind them and looked at the illustration.
“Wow, that is a mighty good drawin’. I didn't know you good draw like that.” Applejack said.
“There’s a lot you don't know about me.”Sunset teased.
“Well, I'm hoping that changes,” Applejack replied with a smile before turning back to the pie in the small oven.
Sunset opened her mouth to ask if the other teenager was serious. Luckily, she stopped herself. She would have ended up way too embarrassed to be around the two for another second if she had done that. The girls giggled and enjoyed each other's voices and help as their pastries and desserts came to life.
When the two ovens dinged- yes, Applejack has two ovens, one small and one large (the former unicorn had no clue that even existed) the girls excitedly pulled out the treats. Pinkie had her new friend stick a toothpick into one of the red velvet cupcakes to make sure they were cooked all the way through. Applejack, in true country bliss, placed her fresh pie on an open window sill as her older brother passed by with a large tub of the family fruit. As they waited for their treats to cool down Sunset smiled as she placed vanilla icing into the piping bag.
Tight arms wrapped around her shoulders, “Aw! I’m so happy to see your smile!”
“Huh?” Sunset questioned.
“The smile you had before was always mischievous or fake. Now, it's happy. I’m glad to see you happy, it looks better on you!” Pinkie answered, her smile and bright eyes never faltering.
Sunset stared at her, baffled and unsure how to respond. Her attention was redirected as she heard a chuckle come from Applejack.
“Fluttershy and you need to not be so observant.” Sunset snarked.
Pinkie giggled as she started to frost the cupcakes, Sunset followed suit. Applejack took a slice of her pie and the girls met at the table to enjoy the sweets they made together. Sunset removed some of the paper and took a bite with a bit of the icing coming with and she hummed as her taste buds sang at the delicious flavor. Pinkie joined her hum licked at the icing that got on her lip, “These came out so amazing!”
Applejack nodded in agreement, “They sure did. Ah say we outdid ourselves.”
Sunset giggled, the recent similar fuzzy feeling that Twilight and Fluttershy brought warmed her soul as she took another bite. The girls proved to not be a regret of her time and Sunset felt happy to be here with them. Enjoying tasty treats. A bit of herself starting to enjoy being in the presence of friends. No matter what though, as she started to allow these girls to get to know her and let more than one friend into her heart, Sunset knew Twilight Sparkle would always hold the top spot as her best friend.
Still, she had to admit to herself and maybe even out loud, that she was extremely grateful for the forgiveness and chance to be friends these girls gave her.