//------------------------------//
// Reaching Out 
// Story: Tell Us That You Want Us 
// by Summer Knight 
//------------------------------//

	While Twilight told the story of the sirens’ healing and subsequent betrayal, Sunset clamped her front hooves over her mouth and focused on slowing her breathing. She needed to get herself back under control. Thinking on it, she wasn’t quite sure why she had freaked out so badly in the first place. Was it the pain? There was certainly plenty of that. The fear? She doubted it. She’d been through worse. Just a reaction to the negative energy? Maybe, but her heart told her that there was something beneath all of that. The one thing she knew for sure was that being in the same room as Princess Celestia wasn’t helping her to rein in her emotions.
“That is terrible news indeed,” Celestia said once Twilight had finished speaking. 
“You cannot blame yourself for creatures of chaos acting according to their nature, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna advised her. 
“I was just so sure that we could reach an understanding,” Twilight groaned, “but the second they were strong enough to do it, they turned on us.”
“Do you think this is related to the dark magic we sensed?” Celestia asked. 
“That was me expelling the negative energy they’d infected us with,” Twilight explained. 
“All of that energy came from you?” Celestia questioned, betraying her surprise. “Twilight Sparkle, I know you are strong, but that was an incredible amount of magic.”
Sunset cringed into the floor. Did she suspect that there was another unicorn here?
“The first blast was me,” Twilight clarified. “The second… I think that was from the other world.”
Sunset breathed a silent sigh of relief. 
“The other world?” Discord raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. One of my friends from the human world wrote me to say that they were alright because Sonata had come back to help them. I think that must have been the second surge of dark magic you all felt. She must have drawn the negative energy out of the others.” 
“Sonata is one of the sirens, correct?” Luna asked. Twilight nodded. “Then it would seem that things are not as dire as you believed. From what you are telling me, only one of the sirens betrayed your trust.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Twilight said, taking heart from her words. “I guess I just hoped that the magic of friendship would reach all of them, get them all to change like Sunset Shimmer did.” 
Sunset’s ears shot bolt upright at the sound of her name. Celestia inclined her head slightly, looking down and away from Twilight.
Twilight clapped a hoof over her mouth. “I’m sorry, Princess Celestia, I didn’t mean to—“
“It is alright,” Celestia reassured her. “I know that Sunset Shimmer is doing her best. I just can’t help wishing that she would talk to me about what happened. Surely she doesn’t think she’s the only pony who ever made a mistake.”
Sunset muffled a gasp behind a hoof. Her throat constricted painfully. So much for controlling myself, she thought as her eyes burned with fresh tears.
“It’s not that,” Twilight answered. She wasn’t sure how much to reveal, especially knowing that Sunset could hear her, but this needed to be said. “I don’t know, I could be wrong, but I think she’s afraid of relapsing. I think she’s scared of getting close to people because she’s worried that she might hurt them again.” 
Sunset curled up miserably. Twilight had cut straight to the heart of her insecurities, and it couldn’t have hurt more if she’d used an actual blade. Still, there was something encouraging about hearing that, too. Twilight had identified a problem, and as they said, the first step was to admit that one had a problem. 
Sunset now knew exactly why being flooded with dark magic had made her break down the way it had. It was because it had felt exactly like when she wore Twilight’s crown. It was because part of her had wanted that power, and had wanted to use it.
“Sunset Shimmer,” Discord’s voice sounded next to her ear. She looked over in surprise to see a miniscule version of the draconequus, no more than a couple of inches tall, speaking to her even as his full-sized self conversed with the princesses. 
Sunset made a questioning sound.
“I’ve extended the illusion all the way to the mirror,” Discord said quietly. “If you want to leave, no one will notice.”
Sunset came within a hair’s breadth of immediately taking his offer. She wanted nothing more than to gallop back to the safety and comfort of the world she now called home, sirens or no sirens. She wanted to be far from Celestia’s too-knowing, too-understanding eyes. 
Instead, she dragged a foreleg across her own eyes, dashing away the tears that remained. “No,” she whispered back. “I’ve been hiding from Princess Celestia—and from myself—for long enough.” 
Sunset stood up. She nearly collapsed as her headache renewed its vice grip on her skull, but she forced herself to keep going. Whatever happened next, she would face it on her own four hooves. She made a hopeless effort to tame her tangled mane, then gave up, angry at herself for indulging in what she knew was a pointless distraction. 
The talk at the table had gone back to the sirens and what should be done about them. The alicorns were so involved in their talk that none of them noticed Sunset apparently emerging from empty air. 
Sunset felt horribly exposed. No one had seen her yet. She could still dive back behind the illusion, retreat to the other world, come back when she was feeling more up to facing her former teacher. 
No. If I do that, I’ll never come back. It’s now or never, and I can’t allow it to be never.
Sunset cleared her throat. “Your Majesties?” she called out weakly. It was no more than the squeaking of a mouse, and yet it was enough to stop the conversation in its tracks. 
Twilight’s mouth fell open. She’d known that Sunset was there, of course, but she’d never expected her to reveal herself. 
Luna cocked her head slightly. Perhaps she had divined who the unicorn before her was based on what little she’d heard of Sunset Shimmer. Whether she fully understood the situation or not, Luna wisely chose to remain quiet.
Celestia appeared to be in shock. Neither of her former students could ever remember seeing the princess of the sun at a loss for words, yet she stared at Sunset with wide eyes, unable to find something meaningful enough to say. Finally, without speaking a word, she stood and approached the unicorn.
Sunset wanted to meet Celestia’s eyes, she truly did. She couldn’t. As the princess approached her, it was all Sunset Shimmer could do to hold her ground. She trembled where she stood, her gaze directed down at the floor so that all she could see were Celestia’s golden shoes getting closer, and closer, and closer…
“Sunset Shimmer.” That was all that needed to be said. Celestia had acknowledged her.
“Princess Celestia. I’m sorry,” Sunset said wretchedly. “I’m so sorry for what I did. I’m sorry for what I said, for how I treated you—”
“Sunset—“
“No, please,” Sunset interrupted, hardly believing her own nerve in talking over her old teacher. “If… if I don’t say this now, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to.”
Celestia nodded and fell silent. Whether she felt that she needed to receive an apology or not, Sunset Shimmer clearly needed to give one for her own sake. 
Sunset swallowed and continued. “You were everything to me. You were like my teacher, my mother, and my best friend all in one, and… and I threw all of that away.” Her eyes were stinging again. “I gave it all up because I wanted power. But power doesn’t matter! I can see that so clearly now. I could have all the power in two worlds, and it wouldn’t mean a thing, because I’d still be alone.” She gazed upward, finally meeting Celestia’s eyes with her own glassy, bloodshot ones. “I finally get it, but now it's way too late.” 
That was it. There was nothing more for her to say except, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She stood there, speaking her apology over and over, knowing that she could repeat it for a lifetime and it would never be enough. She only stopped when she felt the gentle touch of Celestia’s hoof on her shoulder.
“That is a very important lesson, Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia said warmly, proudly. “One that many ponies never learn at all. It is something that I was not able to teach you, but nonetheless you discovered it for yourself.” She smiled down at Sunset, and the unicorn’s shaking stopped as though a chill had been banished by the sun’s warmth. “Very well done, my beloved student.”
The crumbling dam against Sunset’s emotions finally gave way. With an anguished cry, she threw herself into Celestia’s waiting embrace.

Twilight watched the tearful reunion between Sunset Shimmer and Princess Celestia, hiding a watery smile behind her hooves. 
“Twilight Sparkle,” Luna leaned over to whisper, “I believe they might appreciate some time to themselves.” 
Twilight nodded. “Of course,” she said softly. “I think I’m needed back in the human world anyway.” She gave a small sniffle and dabbed at her eyes. She was just so happy for them.
“Oh, please, not you too,” Discord groaned. A garish yellow raincoat appeared on his body. 
“I will take my leave,” Luna said to the others. “Discord, I suggest you do the same.” 
“Gladly,” Discord grumbled. “Oh, but Twilight, do give me a call when the others get here.” He snapped his fingers and vanished. 
“When the others get here?” Twilight asked the empty air. They were already cured, so why would they come here now? She looked sideways at Luna, who simply shrugged.
“Farewell, Twilight Sparkle,” the princess of the night said with a smile. “For what it’s worth, I’ve not seen my sister so happy since the day you purged me of the Nightmare. Thank you.” Luna inclined her head to the other alicorn, then her horn glowed blue and she, too, disappeared. 
To avoid awkwardly walking past Sunset and Celestia, Twilight teleported herself over to the mirror as unobtrusively as possible. The purple flash caught Sunset’s attention anyway. 
“Twi—nngh.” Sunset took a step toward her, then stumbled and pressed a hoof to her head. 
Twilight shook her head. “I’m just going to see our friends. You stay here with Celestia and get some rest. I promise I won’t try to face the sirens without you.”
As much as Sunset wanted to protest, everyone could see how utterly worn out she was. Besides, she really did want to spend time with Celestia, and she just might have a bit more crying to do.
“You’re suffering from magical exhaustion, aren’t you?” Celestia asked Sunset. 
Sunset chuckled weakly. “Yeah,” she admitted. “Worst headache of my life.”
Celestia smiled. “Why didn’t you just say so?” Her horn glowed golden and she gently lowered it to meet Sunset’s. Sunset gasped as the princess’s warm magic flowed into her, easing the unbearable pressure in her head and restoring a bit of her strength. 
“I used to have to do this for you quite often,” Celestia chided her gently. “You always did push yourself too hard.” She nuzzled the unicorn affectionately. “I suppose it’s good to see that some things never change.”
Sunset gave a sheepish laugh, which quickly turned into a choked sob. Being here in Equestria, having Celestia talk to her and care for her as though nothing had ever come between them, was everything that Sunset had never admitted to herself that she wanted. Yes, Sunset thought as she pressed herself against her former teacher again, she most definitely had some more crying to do.
Twilight quickly looked away. It was partly out of respect for their privacy, and partly because she’d end up in tears herself if she didn’t. 
It’s great that they’ve made up, Twilight thought to herself, but that was the least of our problems. I need to meet back up with the others to figure out where we stand with the sirens, and what we can do about it. She took a moment to center herself on that goal, then stepped through the mirror yet again. 
She was beginning to think that if she never felt that weird warping and twisting sensation again, it would still be much too soon.

“Why are we just sitting here?” Aria demanded of her sisters. 
After Aria sabotaged the array, she and Adagio had fled the school and returned here to plan their next move. Sonata had joined them a minute or two later. She hadn’t said what held her up, and the others didn’t bother to ask her. Now Aria was pacing around the foyer, Adagio lay listlessly on the couch staring at the ceiling, and Sonata sat in the corner doing something with her phone.
“We have our powers back!” Aria pressed them. “The Rainbooms were stupid enough to not only heal us, but fill us up with Equestrian magic. Why are we wasting our time here?”
“We’re still far from our full strength,” Adagio answered her. “Someone ruined the Rainbooms’ spell.”
“Big deal,” Aria scoffed. “I made sure that they’ll never get in our way again. Now there’s nothing to stop us from taking over this entire sad little world.”
“And then what?” Sonata asked from the corner. 
“And then Equestria, obviously,” Aria replied. 
“That isn’t what I meant,” Sonata said softly. 
“Huh?” 
“I mean, what’s the point of it all?” Sonata asked. “So we conquer this world, then that world, and then what? Why even bother?”
“I didn’t think it was possible, but you might be even stupider than I thought, Sonata,” Aria snapped at her. “This is what we’ve been wanting our entire lives, remember?”
“That doesn’t mean it’s right,” Sonata argued. “Do you think ruling this world is going to make us happy? What about Equestria? So what if we’re adored by everyone in both worlds, will it really mean anything?”
“What are you even talking about?” Aria demanded.  “Ugh, Adagio, you talk to her.”
Adagio chewed on a thumbnail, thinking.
“Don’t tell me you’re actually listening to this garbage!” Aria shouted at her.
“No, definitely not,” Adagio answered. Sonata was talking nonsense, as usual, and yet there was something eating at Adagio. It had taken her a while to identify the unfamiliar emotion, but she thought she had it now: gratitude. 
“Don’t you think it’s strange that the Rainbooms were so eager to help us?” Adagio asked. “Why would they?”
“Because they’re idiots!” Aria yelled. “We were counting on it!”
“They did save us,” Adagio reminded her.
“Yeah, after almost killing us in the first place!” Aria retorted. “Besides, what does any of that have to do with anything?”
What did it have to do with anything? Adagio was well-used to having people give her everything she wanted. It was much more unusual, and infuriating, for her not to get her way. Granted, it was usually because the people serving her were enchanted, but that didn’t explain why this time felt so different. 
It didn’t matter. It wasn’t different. “Nothing,” she answered Aria, “never mind. What are you doing over there, Sonata?”
“Um, nothing!” Sonata squeaked. “Playing Candy Smash.” 
“I don’t even want to know,” Adagio drawled. She swung her legs down to the ground and stood up. “If we’re going to have a shot at Equestria, we need a lot of power and we need it now. The school was too small. We need something to whip this whole pathetic city into a frenzy.”
“Like what?” Aria asked. 
“Hmm. I think I just might have an idea,” Adagio gave a low chuckle. 
I don’t know what to do anymore, Sonata typed into her phone, hiding the screen from the others as they discussed Adagio’s latest scheme. Please help me.

“Who are you texting so much, Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked. After fleeing the school and the incriminating practice room, they had all retreated to Pinkie’s house for an impromptu sleepover. They all felt the need for company, and all had agreed that it would be the best way to show that there were no hard feelings.
“Oh!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Uh, no one! Maud was just asking me to make sure we order something for Boulder. He loves hot and sour soup. I think it’s gross, but hey, I’m not a rock!” She gave a far-too-wide smile and a forced laugh. “Here, you girls figure out what you want.” She slid her computer over to the others, which had the menu to a take-out restaurant on the screen.
You should come over, Pinkie texted back once the others were distracted. I’m sure the girls would let you hang out. We’re getting Chinese food!
The other girl didn’t reply for so long that Pinkie started to worry she’d scared her away. Finally, her phone buzzed again.
I can’t.
Pinkie blew a piece of hair out of her face and tried to think of something encouraging to say. Don’t be scared. Sunset was scared for a while too, but everything worked out great. We’re real pros at this friendship thing! <3
Pinkie’s phone buzzed again almost immediately. I have to go.
Pinkie had to tuck a lock of hair behind an ear so she could see the screen. Okie-dokie-lokie! Give me a buzz if you need anything. She sent the message and stared at her phone, waiting for a reply that never came. 
“Hello-o, Rainbow Dash to Pinkie Pie. Come in, Pinkie Pie.” 
“Huh?” Pinkie started and looked up to see Rainbow Dash standing over her, with the others looking on in concern. “Oh! Did you figure out what you’re ordering?”
“Come now, there’s obviously something bothering you.” Rarity sat down next to her and reached out uncertainly. “Is it… what happened in the practice room? I understand if you’re not entirely comfortable around me right now.”
Pinkie shook her head. “No. Well, yeah. Well, sort of.”
“C’mon, you know you can tell us anything,” Applejack said to her. “What’s eatin’ ya?”
“It happened in the practice room, but it’s not you guys,” Pinkie sort-of explained. There as a long moment of confused silence.
“You mean the sirens, don’t you?” Rarity divined. She gasped. “Of course, you and Sonata exchanged phone numbers this morning! Is that who you’ve been talking to all this time?” Pinkie Pie had been texting practically non-stop since they’d left the school. 
“Mhm.” Pinkie wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her forehead on her knees. “I think she’s scared. She doesn’t know what to do, so she asked me, but I don’t know what to do either. I tried to get her to come over here, but she wouldn’t. Then she just stopped answering.” 
“What’s she have to be scared of?” Applejack asked. “She got her heart back. Things should be goin' pretty good for her.”
“How do you think the other sirens would react if they knew she’d helped us?” Rarity pointed out.
Applejack mulled that one over. “Prob’ly just a little better than if they knew she was still talkin’ with Pinkie,” she admitted.
“Whoa whoa whoa,” Rainbow held up her hands, “are we going to completely skip over the fact that Pinkie Pie’s apparently pen pals with a siren now?”
“Why shouldn’t she be?” Fluttershy asked. “Sonata was the one who saved us, remember? I think it's great that they're reaching out to each other.”
While the others debated the pros and cons of her new friend, Pinkie ignored them to stare morosely at her phone. She only snapped out of her reverie when the doorbell rang.
"Yes!" Rainbow said excitedly. "Food's here!"
"It can't be. We haven't even placed the order yet," Rarity reminded her.
"Oh, right," Rainbow said sheepishly. Her stomach growled and she flushed slightly. 
Someone else, probably Maud, got the front door. The girls couldn't hear what was going on, but they all looked up at the sound of footsteps hurrying up the stairs to Pinkie's room. The steps stopped out in the hallway, shuffling as if not quite certain where to go. After a moment, someone knocked on Pinkie's door. 
"Twi? Sunset? That you?" Applejack called out. She couldn't imagine who else it could be. 
"Just Twilight," a familiar voice called back. Rainbow Dash jumped up to get the door. 
"Hi girls," Twilight said to them, "sorry for running off like that. Thank goodness you're all okay." She'd actually just come here expecting to find Pinkie Pie, since this was the only one of her friends' houses she'd been to, but she'd learned from Maud that the others were all here as well.
"Same to you," Rainbow replied. "Where's Sunset?"
"We both went back to Equestria to purge the negative energy in us," Twilight explained. "Sunset stayed behind to rest. She's fine, just exhausted."
"After all that poor girl's been through today, who wouldn't be?" Rarity replied. "Just as long as she's alright."
"She is," Twilight reassured her. "Actually, I think she's better than alright." 
"Oh? I sense some juicy gossip!" Rarity sang out. 
Twilight smiled, glad to be able to bring at least a bit of happy news to this dark day. Once she had everyone's attention, she told them all about Sunset's reunion with Celestia, and how they'd made peace with each other. 
"She called Sunset her 'beloved student.'" Twilight wiped her eyes and smiled, 
"Why, that's beautiful," Rarity sniffled, tearing up herself. "I'm so happy for them."
The other girls joined in expressing their joy. All but Pinkie Pie, who stared at her phone, aimlessly scuffing the floor with a foot.
"Pinkie?" Twilight finally caught on to the girl's very unusual mood. "Is something the matter?" 
Pinkie thought about trying to cover for herself, but decided not to bother. The others would just tell Twilight anyway. "Mhm."
Twilight broke away from the others and sat down beside her. The Princess of Friendship's work wasn't finished. "We're all here for you, Pinkie. Tell me about it."