The outstretched hand in front of Sonata felt like a genuine apology, however the idea to run away was still very present in her mind.
However She still couldn't place her finger on why Sunset Shimmer the girl who had defeated the Dazzlings, instead of punishing her had chosen to cry and ask for forgiveness. Sonata was taken back at the gesture, and in her mind she still feared for a trap or another threat. The door of the closet was still very open and any passing by student could easily see the two.
“W-why?” Asked a confused Sonata. Her body still withdrawn from Sunset Shimmer.
Sunset saw the amount of confusion in Sonata and withdrew her hand. She then stood up onto her legs and made her way to the door of the closet. She looked down the hall on both sides before shutting the door and switching on the light in the room.
Sonata noticed she had missed to the light due to it being covered by bottles of cleaning supply. Sunset then turned around to once again face Sonata.
“When I said that I understand your pain. I wasn't lying.” Sunset started in a regretful tone.
“I tried to take over the school with Equestrian magic but failed, and in truth I felt exactly how you must be feeling. Students looked down on me in a painful stare. They shunned me to forever be a villain and a she-demon” Sunset stared at the floor recalling the painful time.
The time when cried she just as hard as Sonata did. The time when she even regretted living. At the time she wanted to disappear from the world like a villain does when they are finally defeated.
Sonata still sitting down began to listen intently. She didn't care about the door closing since she no longer felt an anger coming from Sunset. She did notice the somber air that Sunset let out as she told her story.
“I wanted to fade away. I wanted to turn to dust and let the wind carry me away. To a place where I didn't have to live with my former self.” Sunset carried on.
“Who knows what could have happened to me. I was so vulnerable, I didn't know what to do with myself. I just wanted to run away.” Sunset implied running intentionally to connect with Sonata.
Sonata realized she too wanted to do the same. After their defeat she lost everything, not only the rest of the Dazzlings but also her own goals and paths. She could no longer use the spells and magic they use to create chaos.
“However I’m still here today and I have the strangest people to thank for that.” Sunset said eliciting a small smile.
“The very people who defeated me with the magic of friendship also wanted to help me with the same friendship.” Chuckled Sunset Shimmer.
Sonata began to see the correlations between her situation and Sunset Shimmers defeat. Did Sunset decide to help her out of pity, out of guilt, or was it to avoid hypocrisy. Either way the thought infuriated her.
“Just because you've gone through similar situations doesn't mean you understand me!” Hissed Sonata.
Sonata now stood up and went into a defensive stance.
“I don’t want your pity. Who says I need your help! Who lets you decide whether or not to help me, you’re the one who barged in even when I asked to be alone!” Snapped Sonata.
Sunset felt hurt by Sonata’s remarks. She did have a point though. Although their situations are alike, no one person’s problems are the same.
“It doesn’t mean you have to go through this alone Sonata-” Sunset pleaded
“Stop calling me Sonata!” Sonata interrupted.
“Only the Dazzlings can call me that because they’re my only friends…” Exclaimed Sonata placing a hand on her chest.
“Sure they can be mean at times I mean we’ve fought more times than I can count. They don’t think I can do anything besides sing, and they still make fun of me for that.” Boasted Sonata.
Sunset saw the amount of self destruction Sonata was causing herself. Reminding herself why she never trusted anyone else, why she never made any new friends. As if self inflicting harm to keep from further pain.
“You think only you have friends. I’ve had the best friends for hundreds of years. They help me with all my problems. Aria always listens to what I have to say. I know I can say dumb stuff but I’m sure they forgive me for that.” Sonata confessed. Her voice cracking with each comment and confession.
Sunset couldn’t stand by and watch Sonata reach self emotional destruction. She knew Sonata didn’t trust anyone else. How could she when as a siren she had to cause chaos and fighting with everyone she met. She never got the chance to make new friends.
Sunset took a single step towards Sonata.
“NO! Stay back! I don’t need any friends. Besides all they do is cause painful memories. All they do is tell you what's wrong with you and all they do is complain about every little thing about you!” Sonata cursed loudly. She held her arms inward as she yelled to herself memories of pains and regrets of the past.
“Just let me go and run away as far as possible! You won’t ever see me again.” Asked Sonata.
Sunset kept taking small steps toward Sonata. She didn’t even know what do about Sonata’s rage. She just couldn’t stand seeing Sonata in so much pain.
“I told you to get away! Look If I run away we never have to see each other again. Neither of us have to apologize and we can both go on living our lives.” Explained Sonata.
Sunset was now only a few inches from Sonata.
“Please…. Please just let me disappear. Just let me fade away” Sonata said quietly. She was out of tears to cry instead she clenched her eyes to avoid the gaze of Sunset
Sonata was done. She was at the lowest she ever felt in her life. In the presence of someone who cared she threw everything she had to push them away. She felt a life of loneliness should have been her own punishment.
Sonata then felt a warmth embrace her entire body. Sonata opened her eyes to see Sunsets hair. It took a moment to realize that Sunset’s arms had been wrapped around her. She had seen this exact motion among close friends and couples. That was of course before she would cause them to fight.
She didn’t know what to feel, besides how much she enjoyed the sensation. The closeness she felt with the person. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around Sunset to hug back. She had yearned for such a close encounter with someone.
She could feel the warmth Sunset had within her chest. She could feel the rise and fall of her breath she even felt the small beat of her heart.
“I learned that no one is ever excluded from being important. Each and every one of our problems matter because they matter to us.” Sunset said quietly.
“Whats more important is that we are all entitled to a friend, to enjoy our lives, to love one another. Never believe yourself to be less important than any other Dazzling or Rainboom for that matter.” Sunset replied tenderly.
They hugged for what felt like an eternity and a short second at the same time. Sonata couldn’t get enough of the feeling of the warm embrace and of Sunsets kind words. The feeling of someone who genuinely cared for her. Not because of her talents or who and what she is, but caring for her unconditionally without reason.
After breaking their hug Sunset gave Sonata a warm smile, and in turn Sonata smiled sheepishly back. Although it was a small, Sunset Shimmer was happy to have finally earned a smile from Sonata.
Sunset then took off her black coat she usually wore and wrapped it around Sonata.
Sonata gave a confused look but still accepted the coat happily.
“What’s the coat for?” Sonata questioned.
“Its to show people that you’re now my friend, and that now you are under my protection.” Sunset chuckled.
Sunset took a grasp of Sonata’s hand and led her to the door of the closet. Sunset opened the door to the hall and lightly pulled Sonata behind.
“I have a few friends that who would love to meet you.” Promised Sunset.
With that the two began walking down the hall back to the concert. Soon students began to notice that Sunset Shimmer was holding hands with one of the Dazzlings. Although many questioned few acted upon it. Some yelled curses at Sonata and some yelled for revenge. However those would be shot down by Sunset Shimmer as she proclaimed that Sonata is now one of her friends.
Although Sonata was scared from all the students around her. She found comfort within the hand of Sunset Shimmer. She watched Sunset as she walked behind her taking refuge in her confidence.
She was sure that Sunset was leading her to the Rainbooms, and although she was worried that they might not be as accepting as Sunset. Within Sonata she was just grateful to have finally made a true friend. One she would cherish forever.