Shimmering On

by DerpyStarlet


Work To Be Done

I wake with a start and find myself in a dark room, I look at the clock. Great, it’s three o’ clock. I only meant to take a short nap, I should have set an alarm or something. I pull myself out of bed lazily, there’s no way I’m getting back to sleep. I look at my clothes from yesterday and just sigh, these are fine for today. I have to work on the wall today, and any clothes I wear are going to get dirty anyway. I stuff my phone in my pocket and head downstairs.

I pour myself a bowl of cereal and eat it in silence, it’s not even light out. Nobody starts working, not even construction workers, till the sun’s out. This gives me four hours or so until I have to start heading to the school. What to do for four hours? As I finish up my breakfast I can’t seem to find an answer. I carry my bowl over to the sink and rinse it off, I look at the running water. I could visit the park’s pond, it should be empty at this hour.

I place the rinsed dish in the sink to be properly cleaned later and head up to my room. I grab my purse and turn off the light. I check the ice in the fridge once more and turn off the generator. I take one last look around and head out the door, after making sure the door is locked I head down the dark streets towards the park. The streets are mostly empty, aside from the occasional car every once in a while. The streetlights glow dimly, lighting up spots on the sidewalk.

I look at the darkened houses idly as I make my way slowly in the brisk pre-dawn air. I make it to the park and head through the gates, I make my way through to the pond. I get to the pond and I find the bench, I find the park isn’t as empty as expected. I don’t much care if I’m alone, I just wanted to hang for a while. As I get closer to the bench I realize that its a girl, and she’s crying. I walk up to the bench and I recognize who it is, it’s Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy?” She would have been the last person I would have expected to see. Why is she out here?

“Eep!” Fluttershy jumps at me saying her name and I scold myself for even getting involved. The worst part is that I’m pretty sure this was just my own stupidity getting me involved and not the elements, I should have just walked away. “S-Sunset? What are you doing here?” Fluttershy asks in surprise as she attempts to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“Just taking a walk” I reply, I sigh and sit down on the bench away from her. I came all the way here and she already knows I’m here, might as well stay. That and I’d seem like the worst person ever if I just leave her, of course I might have already passed that mark. Everyone pretty much already hates me, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t put it past me to abandon a helpless girl. Still, I can’t just let something bad happen. Contrary to popular belief, I have morals. They just get a little jaded with power…

“Oh… okay.” Fluttershy sniffles and casts her gaze down at the water. My mind flicks to the elements trying to make me a better person, trying to make me be a better friend. Honesty and generosity so far, those were two of the attributes. It would serve to reason that each attribute would manifest in some way, which would include bending my will to fit them. Question is, am I going to fight it every second of the way and submit my will? There is one way I could keep my will, and that would be if I just be friendly on my own.

Why is that the only scapegoat? I can’t just live my life, friendship has to come and interfere. Still, I’m Sunset Shimmer. Nobody controls me, not even the elements. I hate the idea of being friendly to these annoying girls, but if I’m going to do it it’s going to be on my own accord. I look over to Fluttershy and remember that she had been crying. I guess I need a little practice, and I imagine a `friend` would be concerned. I sigh heavily and turn to the clearly distraught girl at my side.

“What’s wrong Fluttershy?” I ask lazily, even I wasn’t that convinced I sounded concerned.

“W-what? N-nothings wrong,” She tries to give me a false smile.

“Don’t give me that, you were crying when I walked up,” I point out.

“I-it’s nothing, you don’t need to worry yourself about it,” Fluttershy turns back to the pond, but I won’t give up so easily.

“It’s easier to handle than a lot of the things I’m handling nowadays…” I state, Fluttershy turns back to me with a questioning look.

“Why do you care? No offense, of course! I’m just curious, you’re being much… nicer. You were never… nice… especially to me…” Fluttershy says timidly.

“I don’t,” I answer, Fluttershy looks at me shocked. “But I’d like to,” I offer, she seems to accept it. “I was never nice to anyone, I had no reason to,” I continue, Fluttershy nods in understanding.

“Okay,” Fluttershy says sadly.

“Wait, did you think I was singling you out? Like I had some deathwish for you?” I ask incredulously.

“Well, you were always awful to everyone, but it always seemed like I was subject to more than what everyone else got. I didn’t say anything about it to anyone, I didn’t really have anyone to talk to. Dash stopped talking to us five as a whole, and we all kind of broke apart… Without anyone to vent to, I would usually try to cheer myself up with the pets at the animal shelter. Show myself that there were beings worse off than me, animals that needed help. I figured that since I couldn’t help myself, someone might as well help them. That, and I’ve always loved animals. Those animals are like family to me now, and I don’t know what I’d do without them…” Fluttershy whimpers and I can see tears glistening in her eyes.

“Why didn’t you ever stand up to me? If you had been a little more forward I wouldn’t have been so hard on you,” I say.

“I’m sorry…” Fluttershy flinches away. I recognize my folly and sigh.

“No, I’m sorry… I’m not very good at this,” I apologize, Fluttershy wipes her eyes.

“So, these animals. They were your crutch? What did you do when you couldn’t go to them, like if the shelter wasn’t open?” I ask.

“I came here, usually there are ducks or something. It’s too cold for them now though. The animals were usually a distraction so I didn’t have to cry so much, and so I didn’t have to think about…” Fluttershy hesitates for a second, “things.” she finishes.

“Things?” I question.

“Things.” She repeats.

“Like?” I urge her to elaborate.

“You… you don’t want to hear it…” Fluttershy tries to tell me, but I’m more eager to hear it now.

“ Fluttershy, I’ve had a lot happen lately. I think I can handle what you’re gonna say, so just say it,” I assure her.

“Well, when you fired that… energy at us, I was really afraid of dying… Just when I got my friends back, I would have lost it all.
There had been times when I’d been contemplating doing it myself, but the animals always urged me not too…” Fluttershy sniffles at the thought, I look at her in shock. of all the things I was expecting to hear, it wasn’t that. When I said I could handle it, I meant I could handle something like running away. Not this, this is much worst. Not only did I almost kill six people when I was high on power and not fully aware of my moral compass, but on multiple occasions did I almost kill one girl when I was aware of my moral compass. Multiple times had I pushed her to the limit without a thought on my actions, and nobody had noticed. If she had done it, would I have cared? Probably not. Would I have even put the pieces together that I had done it? No. And I would probably continue doing it.

“F-fluttershy…” I’m at a loss for words, nothing can excuse what I’ve done to her. It’s clear that there needs to be a change, I can’t continue doing this to people. The elements have set me on the right track, I guess this isn’t so bad. I never would have stopped if they hadn’t given me a push, I guess I can thank Sparkle for one thing… Ugh, now I feel sick of myself. How could I have been so ignorant? I hadn’t even seen my fault when it was right in front of me. “Fluttershy, I’m so sorry,” I scoot closer to her and wrap my arms around her. It’s the only thing I can think to do, I’m not that good with the friendship thing.

“S-sunset?” Fluttershy asks in surprise at the hug, she’s trembling in my grip. Then I feel her calm down a little and hug me back, “Thank you…” Fluttershy says. I release her and scoot back to my side of the bench, I sit and think about what I’ve done. I think about what I’m doing now, I’ve already made quite the change. It won’t be easy getting used to friends, they all still annoy the Tartarus out of me. But now I know that I at least need to try, I do need to attempt to make up for all that I’ve done. Obviously I’ve done more damage than I realized.

“I’m going to head home now Sunset. It was nice talking, I’ll see you later,” Fluttershy turns towards the gate of the park and starts to walk down the still dark pathway. Images of shady men and violence float through my mind, I hop off the bench and catch up with her.

“I’ll walk with you, safety in numbers and all,” I say quickly. Fluttershy looks at me curiously, then she lets out a light giggle.

“That would be nice,” Fluttershy says, we continue down the path to the still mostly empty streets. “So Sunset, would you mind telling me about Equestria?” Fluttershy asks. I start to think on what to tell until a thought comes to my mind.

“I’ve never told you I was from Equestria,” I point out.

“I’m pretty sure most everyone has figured it out, how else would you know that the crown was powerful. or about the portal. or when it opens. or-” I cut Fluttershy off.

“Okay, okay, I get it. I make it obvious.” I say. “Well… let’s see… Equestria is egalitarian, and is ruled by Princess Celestia. Well, it was. I believe that Princess Luna is back and that they rule together. There are three main types of ponies, as I’m sure you’ve seen. unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies,” I start, Fluttershy raises her hand and I laugh at the gesture. I point to her anyway, “yes?” I ask.

“Twilight was a princess right? Does she rule there too?” Fluttershy asks, I stop at that.

“Argh, maybe.” I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that. “Or she could be like Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, not really ruling anything at the moment. Anyways, the princesses are alicorns. Ponies with attributes of all the other types of ponies, this gives them much more power. Equestria is covered in the magic of harmony, and this lets ponies do amazing things. Pegasi can control the weather, Earth ponies can grow crops much better and faster, and Unicorns are able to do a variety of spells. Another factor is what the ponies special talent is, everypony gets a cutie mark corresponding to their special talent when they find what it is. Their talents decide how good they are at doing certain things, like a pony with a flower cutie mark is better at growing things than a pony with a ribbon cutie mark.” I explain, Fluttershy raises her hand again. “Yes?” I ask.

“What was your talent?” Fluttershy asks.

“My talent was magic, I was good at doing most any spell. This allowed me to learn a lot more than other ponies could, I was Celestia’s personal student,” the memory brings pride, until I remember how that ended. “It was, now I don’t have magic. If I can’t be good at magic, I don’t know what I’m good at. Studying? Learning? My grades seem to suggest so.” I say.

“Maybe you can still be good at magic, just a different type of magic,” Fluttershy suggests.

“What? Like parlour tricks? That’s Trixie’s thing, I’m not a stage performer,” I reply.

“No, real magic. The greatest magic I know, maybe you can be good at friendship,” Fluttershy suggests.

“Are you kidding? I’m terrible at friendship, I don’t know the first thing about being a good friend. I’m not even sure I want friendship,” I scoff.

“I think you’re doing a pretty good job right now,” Fluttershy smiles at me and I think on this moment.

“I guess,” I say.

“Sunset? Why don’t you like friendship?” Fluttershy asks.

“What makes you think I don’t like friendship?” I ask in return.

“Because you always seem so distant, that and I’ve never seen you have a real friend before,” Fluttershy says.

“Before?” I question.

“I’d like to think that we’re friends now, is that okay?” Fluttershy asks timidly. I look at her blankly as I think on it.

“I guess, yeah. We could be friends,” I can feel a warm sort of happy feeling as I admit it and a smile forms on my face. “and about the friendship thing, I guess I just never felt I needed any friends. I was always engulfed in my studies, I never had time to make friends.” I answer.

“Okay,” Fluttershy’s smile widens. We continue through the dark streets in content silence, the roads are getting a little busier. Fluttershy breaks the silence not long after with a question, “What are you going to be doing while we have this break?”

“Half of it will be spent helping to rebuild the wall,” I answer.

“And the other half?” Fluttershy presses.

“I haven’t got the faintest clue,” I admit.\

“Well, when do you have to help with the wall?” Fluttershy asks.

“Every other day, today will be my first day, then tuesday and so on and so forth,” I answer nonchalantly.

“So you’re free wednesday?” Fluttershy continues.

“Why?” I ask curiously.

“Well, I was just thinking that if you aren’t too busy, you might maybe wanna… come to the shelter with me?” Fluttershy asks.

“The shelter? it smells like animals in there!” I exclaim.

“Oh, please Sunset! I promise it’ll be fun!” Fluttershy insists.

“Fine, I don’t have anything better to do,” I submit, Fluttershy lets out a small squeal of glee.

“Oh thank you Sunset! It’ll be so fun!” Fluttershy exclaims with enthusiasm.

“I’m sure,” I agree. I can see the light of dawn starting to peek over the horizon as we approach Fluttershy’s house.

“Thanks for walking me home Sunset. It was nice talking to you, Maybe we’ll see each-other before wednesday,” Fluttershy says.

“Yeah, maybe. See ya,” I say as I turn and walk back the way we came.

“Bye!” Fluttershy calls out, I wave back without turning around. I head off to the school, the construction workers should be there soon. If not, then I can just hang until they get there. I think back on my talk with Fluttershy, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. I actually kind of really liked talking with her, it made me happy. My thoughts drift to the fortunate meeting and I realize something, I never really found out the original reason she was crying. Does that make me a bad friend? Do I need to know? It’s not really any of my business, maybe it’s best that I don’t know. Maybe I should care what it was, do I need to know what’s going on with her to be a friend?

Being friends is hard business, and I don’t know the first thing about it. I doubt it’s something I could just look up in a book and learn about, I’ll have to learn the hard way. Through experience. Fluttershy is easy to be friends with, she’s the most level-headed of the group. I’m not even sure I want to be friends with any of the others, they’re all so annoying and like to get into my business. It’s aggravating to talk to them, imagine being friends with them. But if I’m friends with Fluttershy, she’s going to expect me to try and be friends with the rest of them as well. Maybe I’ll surprise myself and manage it, I hadn’t expected to be Fluttershy’s friend either.

I approach the schools gates and find the school mostly empty, there is one car there. I recognize Principal Celestia’s car as the only car, I sigh and move to the front entrance of the school. There’s a giant hole where the entrance should be, the hole I’m going to be helping fix. I walk down the halls to Celestia’s office and knock on the door.

“You may come in,” Celestia says. I open the door and Celestia looks up at me in surprise. “Sunset, I wasn’t expecting you so early,” Celestia says, I just roll my eyes.

“I wasn’t either, but I woke up early.” I state.

“Listen, Sunset, about the parent thing-” I cut her off.

“That’s what I came to talk to you about, I didn’t mean to say yes,” I tell her.

“What?” Celestia asks in confusion.

“I don’t want you looking after me, I don’t want anyone looking after me. I’m doing fine on my own and even if you say I will still be my own person, I know that’s not entirely true. I know you, I know that you’ll care too much. As much as I would love to Celestia, my answer is no.” I explain.

“But Sunset, please-” I cut her off once more.

“No, no please, no rethinking. I don’t want to be forced into doing anything I don’t want to do,” I say.

“No one’s forcing you Sunset, I just want you to reconsider. It would be for the best,” Celestia tries.

“My answer is still no, If it changes I’ll come to you. But unless I bring it up, I would like to never talk about it again,” I say with finality, Celestia gives me a long searching look.

“Fine, I won’t bring it up.” Celestia finally accepts, “But here’s the paper that would give me custody. If you change your mind, you just have to sign it and I can turn it in,” Celestia holds out a paper for me. I look at it with resentment, I take it with disinterest. Having the paper won’t hurt anything, I fold it delicately and stuff it in my purse.

“Okay, so what will I be doing?” I ask Celestia.

“Anything the workers ask of you, I’ve notified the workers that you’ll be helping. Most likely, you’ll just be doing small jobs. Such as sweeping, or getting coffee for them. You won’t really be helping with the actual building of the wall for a multitude of reasons, but you are to help with whatever they need you to help with.” Celestia says. “Also, you may not be needed at some point, if that is the case then the workers will tell you and you don’t have to come back to help. You do have to come every other day until that happens though. School should be back up in around two weeks, if there are no delays.” Celesia adds.

“Right, so I’m at the mercy of the workers?” I clarify.

“Within reason,” Celestia answers.

“Okay, see ya,” I leave Celestia’s office before she can say anything else.

~~~~~~~

Luna walks into Celestia’s office, Celestia smiles weakly up at her. “I saw Sunset in the hall, did you just talk to her?” Luna
asks.

“More or less,” Celestia replies.

“And how did that go? Did you talk to her about the adoption?” Luna asks in earnest.

“It went exactly as you said it would, she denied it. I promised not to bring it up again,” Celestia sighs in exasperation.

“I was hoping I was wrong,” Luna comments.

“As was I, but there is nothing to be done about it now. If she comes around then she comes around,” Celestia says in defeat.

“Perhaps not,” Luna muses.

“What do you mean? I promised we wouldn’t bring it up, that means that we can’t influence it any farther,” Celestia points out.

“Maybe, did you promise that we wouldn’t mention it or that you wouldn’t mention it?” Luna asks coyly, Celestia thinks for a second and then brightens up.

“That’s right! I only promised not to talk to her about it, but can you be sure that you will get any different results?” Celestia questions.

“Not right now… we’ll have to wait.” Luna decides.

“What if you can’t talk some sense into her?” Celestia asks with doubt.

“Well, there is one other person I think might be able to talk to her. If nothing else, she can help bring some resolution to this,” Luna decides.

“Who might that be?” Celestia asks in confusion, nobody comes to mind immediately.

“Have you honestly forgotten our friend so quickly?” Luna asks playfully.

“Friend? Oh! You mean her, I almost forgot. It has been quite a while since we last talked… Actually, come to think of it… Does it not seem strange that she wasn’t here for what happened Friday?” Celestia says thoughtfully.

“I as well thought that, but I believe she was there,” Luna replies.

“Oh? Did you see her?” Celestia asks.

“No, but you know how she loves to watch from the shadows. Likely she just let it blow over naturally,” Luna replies.

“Right… So you’ll try to talk some sense into Sunset? And if all else fails we turn to her?” Celestia asks.

“In time, yes.” Luna replies, Celestia just sighs and turns back to her paperwork.

“Remember when things were simple?” Celestia asks, Luna chuckles lightly.

“Yes, sister. I remember it very clearly,” Luna replies playfully.

~~~~~~~

“She what?!” Rainbow Dash shouts loudly, all of sugarcube corner turns to her and she ignores them.

“She volunteered to help me at the shelter,” Fluttershy answers timidly.

“Why that little… You watch out Fluttershy, there’s something going on. First Pinkie Pie, now you?” Rainbow seethes.

“What happened with Pinkie Pie?” Fluttershy asks.

“Apparently she offered to `help` with Pinkie’s genealogy assignment.” Dash says, her voice dripping malice.

“What’s so bad about that?” Fluttershy asks in confusion.

“It’s shady! There’s obviously something up!” Dash exclaims.

“Dash! Have you ever thought that maybe she isn’t planning anything and that she just actually wants to help?” Fluttershy
presses.

“What would make me think that?” Dash asks incredulously.

“The same feeling that makes you a good friend?” Fluttershy tries.

“Trust is for people who have earned it,” Dash counters.

“Well, I trust her. She’s earned my trust,” Fluttershy states.

“How? By saying she’ll be nice?” Dash scoffs, her tone is sarcastic.

“No, by showing me she is nice,” Fluttershy corrects.

“How did she prove she was nice?” Dash challenges.

“She helped cheer me up and even apologized this morning,” Fluttershy tells Dash.

“I came and got you first thing this morning,” Rainbow Dash points out.

“Before that, I was in the park feeling a little down and she asked me what was wrong. Then we had a nice talk and she
walked me home,” Fluttershy says.

“That was just a part of her plan!” Rainbow says.

“No, Rainbow. It wasn’t, I know true kindness when I see it. She didn’t have to do any of what she did, she did it because she wanted to help,” Fluttershy says in Sunset’s defense.

“That’s what she wants you to think, she’s tricky!” Rainbow exclaims, waving her hands in exaggeration.

“Rainbow, just give her a chance,” Fluttershy pleads.

“Fine, but that’s all she’s getting. A chance,” Rainbow submits. Fluttershy just looks at her with concern, it’s going to be hard getting Rainbow and Sunset to be friends. Fluttershy looks to the door as the bell rings, she sees a familiar figure walk into the shop.

~~~~~~~

I walk down the street towards Sugarcube Corner, the construction workers have been asking me to do things the whole time
they’ve been there. I’m just eager that my new task is a much better one than any of the others. Before they had me sweeping up debris and moving wheelbarrows, occasionally I’d go tell another worker what his job was. Now I just have to get them muffins and coffee from Sugarcube Corner. I enter the shop and immediately regret coming in here. Fluttershy’s here, which isn’t that bad, but she’s with Rainbow Dash. Rainbow is glaring daggers at me, I just return the gesture.

“Hey Sunset!” Fluttershy calls over, I sigh and offer a small smile over to her.

“Hey Flutters,” I reply, then I return to my glare off with Dash.

“I thought you had to help fix the wall today?” Fluttershy asks.

“I thought so too, but no, I’m just doing small errands for the actual workers. Right now I’m here to get them some muffins and
coffee,” I answer, I walk to the counter and ring the bell.

“Hello! What can I get’cha?” The same cheerie voice from yesterday asks.

“Hello Mrs. Cake, could I get fifteen muffins and fifteen coffees.” I order, Mrs cake nods and rings me up. I hand her the fifty that one of the workers gave me and she gives me back some change, I just stuff it in my pocket.

“Pinkie? Could you bag fifteen muffins while I get some coffee going?” Mrs. Cake calls back.

“Yes indeedly!” Pinkie Pie’s cheerful voice responds. I sigh in aggravation, looks like I have to deal with Pinkie Pie again today. Pinkie Pie bounces out of the kitchen and up to the counter, she gasps when she sees me. “Oh my gosh, Sunset! You’re here! I thought you had to work on the wall? Oh, Celestia probably told you that you couldn’t work on the wall right? So what’re you doing? That’s a lot of muffins, what could you need with fifteen muffins? Are you having a party? You need a lot more muffins if you’re having a party! Oh, is this part of your job? Do you need to get the actual workers muffins? Do ya?” Pinkie asks enthusiastically. I wait a minute and make sure Pinkie is done.

“Yes, I do. Sometimes the rate at which you figure things out is frightening,” I comment as Pinkie bags my muffins.

“Mrs. Cake always tells me that my brain seems to work faster than everything else,” Pinkie says.

“Mind teaching me?” I ask jokingly.

“Hmm… I don’t know… do you think you have what it takes?” Pinkie asks.

“Not in the slightest,” I say. `If by what it takes you mean be an annoying sack of ADHD, then no,” I think to myself. I grab the bag of muffins and wait for the coffees, Rainbow Dash is still eyeing me from the booth. It aggravates the hell out of me, so I turn away in a huff. When I turn I see Pinkie Pie giving me a giant toothy smile, her happiness is also annoying. I look at the rest of the shop and find multiple people are also eyeing me, it aggravates the hell out of me that people can’t move on. Anywhere I look I find a reason to get annoyed, and it pisses me off. I turn to Fluttershy and she offers me a small smile, I feel some of my aggravation slip away. My thoughts drift back to this morning and I let a small smile form on my features, it would seem that Fluttershy is the only thing here to keep me grounded.

Fluttershy’s such a great friend, I find myself hoping I can be a good friend back. Since when have I ever had a want for
friends? Never, as far as I can remember. Mrs. Cake starts to set carriers on the counter for drinks. She fills them up slowly with cups of coffee, I look at them with dismay. How am I supposed to carry all this stuff? Weight isn’t a problem, it’s a lack of space.

“You don’t happen to have any bigger carriers?” I ask hopefully.

“Sorry dear. Only these,” I look at the carriers, each one carries four cups. There are four carriers and one bag full of muffins. I look from my hands to the cups and try to figure the problem out in my head.

“Do you need help?” I hear Fluttershy speak up from behind me. I look back and see Fluttershy dragging Rainbow over to help.

“Sure,” I say nonchalantly. I’m actually really grateful that Fluttershy’s willing to help out, I’m just not that enthusiastic about Rainbow dash helping. I grab one of the carriers and Fluttershy grabs one as well. Rainbow Dash grabs two with a groan and we all turn towards the door.

“See ya girls later!” Pinkie calls out.

“See ya Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash calls back.

“Bye!” Fluttershy waves with her free hand.

“Later,” I reply lazily. We head down the street in silence towards the school, but the silence is broken by the last person I wanted to talk to.

“So, Sunset. I hear that you volunteered at the pet shelter,” Rainbow accuses.

“Is that a problem?” I ask angrily.

“I don’t know. Will it be?” Rainbow challenges.

“Only if you make it one,” I counter, Rainbow is glaring at me and I glare back.

“Girls!” both me and Rainbow jump at Fluttershy’s shout, I had completely forgotten she was between us. “Can’t you two at least try and get along?” Fluttershy asks.

“I’m sorry that I find it hard to be buddies with the girl that plotted to brainwash me and make me a slave, only to end up trying to kill me!” Rainbow seethes.

“Are you still hung up on that? Why can’t you just let it go?! I said I’m sorry, what more do you want? I have my own problems, I’m not defined by one bad incident!” I exclaim.

“It’s not just one incident though! You also tore my friends from me! That’s what I can’t forgive,” Rainbows voice is dripping with malice.

“Like your friendship is so great anyway, I know I don’t want it. Besides, I never saw you trying to get them back,” I point out, Rainbow’s clearly getting angrier.

“Well you-” Rainbow doesn’t have a chance to finish as she’s cut off by Fluttershy.

“Girls!” We both turn to fluttershy, she is ahead of both of us. We freeze under her stare, I can feel it piercing into my soul. Her gaze softens and I feel myself loosen up, I hadn’t even realized I was tense. “Can’t we all just put our bad experiences behind us? We don’t live in the past, we live in the present.” Fluttershy points out, I look away from her in shame.

“Sorry,” I say, more to Fluttershy than Rainbow Dash.

“I’m sorry too,” Rainbow says, we look at eachother and I can feel a mutual agreement to never fight in front of Fluttershy. We both nod and turn back to Fluttershy, she seems to think we’ve made up. We continue to the school without another incident, accompanied only by silence. We get back to the school and deliver the coffee, I part ways with the two of them and they head their own way. I watch as the two of them leave and I can feel my contempt for Rainbow Dash rising, why can’t she just let things go. I don’t like what happened any more than she does, but at least I’m attempting to move on. What’s that saying that Vice Principal Luna likes? `Let your past make you better, not bitter`. It looks like Rainbow needs a lesson in moving on.

I turn back to the workers and they continue to give me small tasks.

~~~~~~~

“God, I’ve still got to do that again for an innumerable amount of times.” I say as I flop onto my bed drowsily. I’ve just gotten back from working and I had dinner. I took a shower and cleaned all the dust and dirt off of me, I even remembered to switch off the generator tonight. I snuggle into my stiff bed contentedly and snuggle into my soft sheets. My thoughts drift to happy things and I stay warm in my pajamas. My thoughts bring up the four girls that try to be my friend, then my thoughts drift to the one girl that I will call my friend.

Then my thoughts drift to Principal Celestia, she dared to care. Not surprising, considering that’s what she’s known for. Canterlot high is one of the best schools, and it’s mostly because of her. Yet, no matter how much she cares, I don’t plan on submitting to her request. Elements or not, I will remain independent. That I’m sure of, if not anything else. I’m glad that I managed to make her give up the topic, that way I can’t be accidentally forced into giving up more of my freedom. My thoughts flick to my conversation with Fluttershy and I realize something strange. Every question I’ve been asked, I’ve had to give an answer for, unless the answer is answered before I can.

Except, when I was with Fluttershy, I could’ve sworn that I didn’t answer one or two of her questions immediately. That’s when I felt at ease with her, When I was becoming friends with her. Was my temporary solution and actual solution? I just have to actually become friends and be friendly to regain my will? That’ll be the hardest part of this, becoming friends. I need to gather my thoughts, what better place than the library? I’ll be there tomorrow helping Pinkie Pie, after that I can form some sort of idea on my situation. With my plan in mind, I drift off into a peaceful slumber.