//------------------------------// // Chapter III // Story: The Stone // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Pinkie I scratched the back of my head as I sat in one of the chairs in Applejack’s living room as Rarity sat across from me, staring at me. “Something on your mind darling?” Rarity asked and I nodded as Twilight glanced over. “Well, don’t keep us in suspense Pinkie. What’s up?” “Did you girls know Sunset loves someone?” I asked as the two shared nervous looks. “I’m her best friend and she didn’t even tell me! I mean, yeah sure she’s super hot and all and I may secretly love her but still. She can tell me anything.” “Woah back up,” Twilight waved her hands in the hair. “You love Sunset?” “Well, duh!” I snorted and shrugged as she raised an eyebrow. “I figured that was obvious, with all the random gifts and baked goods I leave her in her locker.” “I uh don’t think she got the hint darling,” Rarity said as I gave her a confused look. “Why?” “You have to be straight forward with Sunset darling. As much as I love her like a sister, she does need to be stuff straight to the face sometimes,” Rarity explained as my eyes widened. So that was why Sunset never came to me. I assumed the cupcakes with little hearts and our initials together would have been obvious for her. “It doesn’t matter,” I sighed sadly and hugged myself. “Let’s face facts, she probably doesn’t love me probably. In all honesty, she probably loves Twilight or Princess Twilight instead.” “W-what?” Twilight sputtered as she turned red. “Why us?” “Let’s face it, you’re super duper smart! You’re the smartest girl in Canterlot High. Only Sunset was that high up the hierarchy around here before you came and took the spot. And you’re adorable with your glasses so why wouldn’t Sunset like you? The one back in Equestria is a princess and saved Sunset more than once. And then there was the holidays,” I said with a grimace as Rarity looked dejectedly at her socks for a second. “Well, firstly you were the only one who believed Sunset during that incident. You were by her side the whole time, even when we didn’t believe you. Sunset adores you and you are her best friend,” Rarity pointed out. “Out of us all, I’d expect you be the one Sunset would give up her life for.” “What holidays incident?” Twilight gave us a confused look. “We will tell you later darling. Now is not the time nor the place, helping Pinkie is our objective,” Rarity expertly avoided the topic. Thank the cupcake gods for that one. I really didn’t wanna go over that again. And yes, there are such a thing as the cupcake gods. “Back to Pinkie, why not just tell her?” Twilight asked and shrugged. “I mean, if you and Sunset are super close, what would it hurt?” “Her rejecting me, me getting bullied by my other classmates or laughed at for said rejection?” I offered as they both frowned at me. “Firstly, none of us would ever let them laugh at you. Rainbow Dash is too intimidating for that and secondly, Sunset wouldn’t laugh at you either. Give it a shot,” Rarity coaxed as she hugged me and Twilight’s scowl turned into a warm smile. “Nobody would dare bully you, the school loves you.” I inhaled and took a deep breath. I kinda wonder if this is how Sunset felt when she admitted she used to get panic attacks as a filly. “Okay, I’ll ask her out. But uh, what should I do? What if she’s not impressed by my choice and-” Rarity placed a finger over my mouth. “Stop that,” Rarity chided as she narrowed her eyes. “And take her to that ice cream shop you like. She loves ice cream, especially the odd flavors. Take her somewhere else after, like the movies or a walk.” “Roller skating?” I suggested hopefully after she removed her finger and Rarity nodded thoughtfully. “You could always teach her. You and I are the best at rollerskating, we did show that at the Friendship Games,” Rarity mused as she tapped her finger against her thigh. “Yes. But don’t make her think it’s a friend date. If she is, then she’ll just get more confused about your feelings.” “I can loan you my guide to flirting and dating,” Twilight chimed in as Rarity gave her a startled look. “You have one of those?” Rarity asked with a smirk and Twilight blushed as she sheepishly nodded. “It’s complicated.” I didn’t entirely know what to say there. Based on her expression, nor did Rarity. Twilight had a book for pretty much every occasion it seemed. “Moving on,” Rarity shook her head and locked eyes with me. “I’ll assist you with your outfit as well if you wish. Sunset is currently showering I believe so I’d suggest waiting and not barging in to ask her like you usually do to ask us all random questions darling.” I turned red but nodded. “You guys absolutely certain she’ll say yes?” I asked nervously and flicked my eyes up the stairs where Sunset was. “This seems like a bad idea after all and I mean worse than putting hot sauce on a cupcake and chocolate bars.” Twilight opened her mouth to comment but sighed and promptly closed it. “I’m absolutely certain this is a good idea,” Rarity gave me a smug grin. “Trust us, she will most definitely say yes.” “Sunset just texted me saying she was out if one of us wants to go next. I’ll go so Rarity can uh listen,” Twilight mumbled as she took off up for stairs and into the bathroom. I’d been so focused on them, I hadn’t even heard Sunset leave and that door is super squeaky. Sunset yawned as she stepped off the final step with a towel wrapped around her head. She wore the pajamas Rarity made her for Christmas with a little red maned unicorn decorating the pants and shirt. “Hey, what’s going on?” Sunset dropped down into the chair next to Rarity as she stretched. “Applejack and Rainbow were fighting over video games again. Fluttershy is scary when she wants to be the mom of the group. She actually put them in time out.” Rarity gave a sigh as she stood up, groaning and facepalmed. “I’ll go assist her. Why don’t you two talk for a bit? You’re entirely alone down here after all and can talk about anything,” Rarity shot me a smirk as Sunset looked between the two of us. “What was that about?” Sunset asked as we both watched Rarity speed walk up the stairs. “Nothing!” I said hastily and forced a smile as Sunset gave me a doubtful look. “Hey, wanna go out tomorrow?” “Sure,” Sunset answered as she unlocked her phone and I internally groaned. “I’m free after four when I get off work. What ya wanna do?” “Get ice cream and roller skating. If we have time we can catch a movie?” I suggested with a weak smile as Sunset looked up. “Just us?” Sunset asked with a faintly hopeful look in her eyes. “Mhm. The others are uh busy at the moment.” I felt bad lying and I bit my lip. “I mean, the two of us can ya know, go out?” “Like a date.” “Maybe?” I offered and Sunset gave me a smile that I loved. She practically brightened up any room she went in with that smile. “I’d love to. I’ll pick you up around seven and we can do whatever you want. Just the two of us,” Sunset squeezed my hand as I nodded. “I’ll be waiting down the street,” I answered as she gave a thumbs up. I love my family and all, but they can be super duper strict. Especially about dating. Limestone was super critical about Maud’s boyfriend, Mudbriar. I can’t talk though, I was too. Mainly because I didn’t think he was super interesting but hey, Maud likes him and that’s the important part. “I’m gonna guess Rarity was down here encouraging you, wasn’t she?” Sunset asked with a smile and I blushed. “Maybe,” I admitted as Sunset gave a faint laugh. Even though I’ve heard it dozens of times, I don’t think I’ll ever get over how amazing it is. At one point in my life, I never thought she ever would laugh even though I tried all the time in freshman year. “I’m not surprised. The amount of times Rarity has given advice to our random classmates has been through the roof. I think I heard a rumor she even helped Derpy and Time Turner get together.” “She did,” I confirmed. “I helped Time Turner plan out him confessing to her. Mainly with muffins with heart shapes on the top.” “That girl and her muffins,” Sunset shook her head. “Derpy is something else. Remember the time she accidentally blew up a science project in her face during the Games?” “How could I forget?” I giggled as Sunset joined in. “She was covered head to toe in ash. It was crazy, even by my standards.” “Now that’s something rare,” Sunset teased. “Something being crazier than the stuff you get up too. I’ve seen you stuff a party cannon into a suitcase somehow.” “A party planner never reveals her secrets,” I stated firmly. “I got ya. Wanna go sleep again?” I paused before nodding sheepishly. She was probably the best person to sleep with, very soft. But I’d never tell anyone except her that.