//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Secrets 
// by Final Sunlight 
//------------------------------//

Fear, it was an emotion Sunset knew all to well. She feared losing her mother figure so ended up screwing everything over. She feared the new world so tried to live off of her anger and resentment, yet another screw up. She feared that she wasn’t good enough, so stole the element of magic to prove that she deserved it more, and in proxy deserved Celestia’s love more. Yet another royal screw up. She feared the pain she was feeling, putting it off as just cramps until it literally brought her to her knees. Another screw up, and she was now paying for it with her life.

So Sunset knew fear, it had been with her all her life, even after the elements of harmony purged her of those other pesky negative emotions. The fear had remained, something she just couldn’t get rid of. Something that she was finding new experiences to fear. Every single day. 

For example, the present moment was giving her numerous reasons to fear the girl she had once treated like an emotional punching bag. Fluttershy had pinned her to the wall of the restroom, her strength easily holding her in place until the girl stole a kiss. Not a gentle kiss either, nor a kiss like the ones she shared with Flash Sentry. There was a roughness to it, but also a passion that Sunset had never expected to come from this shy wallflower of a girl.

Of course she struggled at first, who wouldn’t at being forced into doing this. Yet it was something she had wanted to do more than once to this girl. It was what scared Sunset the most since coming here, the powerfully intimate connection she felt toward Fluttershy. It was the whole reason she pushed the girl away as violently as she did. It was a feeling that she didn’t really understand, a feeling that felt wrong. She shouldn’t have these feelings for another girl, yet she had never felt the feelings as powerful as this with anyone else. Not even Flash Sentry stirred emotions so powerful within her. 

Finally giving in, her struggles ceasing for the moment, Sunset couldn’t help giving into the kiss. It was so wrong, yet felt so right to her. Closing her eyes, she felt her fears and worries being swept away from the soft, yet forceful lips. She wasn’t sure what to expect as the kiss deepened, but a jolt of electricity shooting through her entire being was not it.

“Where are we?” Sunset demanded after opening her eyes to see that they were now floating in a void. They were completely naked which made her blush, but at least they couldn’t really make out any details of each other’s bodies. There seemed to be an inner light making them glow, much like in some of those animes that Sunset had seen a few times.

“I don’t know.” Fluttershy squeaked out, reminding Sunset of the mousey girl she new, and not the strong, powerful girl who stole a kiss. 

‘Because I love her!’ an image of Fluttershy cried out, floating by them. The image of the girl seemed to be yelling at an older woman, several dogs in cages surrounding them barking loudly at the outburst.

“What the hell was that?” Sunset gasped, the image quickly fading away to be replaced by one of Sunset. She was standing in the shower, hugging herself tightly as her tears mixed with the water washing over her. Waves of self loathing and depression just rolling off of her, both girls feeling it.

“Sunset.” Fluttershy said softly, almost too low to hear, yet Sunset heard her as if the girl screamed her name.

“Don’t, just don’t.” Sunset said, hugging herself as she floated back a few feet away from Fluttershy.

‘Sunset isn’t a bad person, she just needs a little kindness.’ An image of Fluttershy cried out, standing up to Rainbow Dash as the rainbow haired girl bounced a soccer ball back and forth on her knees. The will of determination clear in the girl as she defended Sunset against her own friends. It was a bit of a shock since both of them somehow knew when this happened, it was right before Sunset manipulated them into ending their friendship.

“Are you doing this?” Sunset demanded, now glaring at Fluttershy. Her anger was making the space they were floating in turn red, fueled by her fear and rage at what ever trick was. It wasn’t any magic she had ever heard of and knew she wasn’t doing this.

“No, but I think I know what it is. I didn’t believe it, but the rumors. They said it was happening, that the soulmate principal was returning.” Fluttershy explained, “It makes sense.”

“What the hell are you babbling about?” Sunset demanded.

“It’s an old story where every soul is split between two people. When those two people find each other, then, well, they just know it. And when they touch, sometimes they can see into each other’s heart.” Fluttershy explained, a happy gleam in her eyes.


‘I’m sorry, Miss Shimmer, if you came in months ago then something may have been done. As it stands, you are too far along to stop it. At most, we may be able to prolong your life a few weeks, maybe even a month or two. I won’t lie to you, if we do that, then you will be in a lot more pain than you have been feeling.’ The Doctor explained to Sunset as she looked up at him, fighting back tears as she learned that her days were literally numbered.

“No. NO!” Fluttershy screamed, tears spilling from her eyes. She refused to believe it, yet it was right there. The whole reason that Sunset was missing for three days. 

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I would rather you not say anything to anyone.” Sunset sighed, choking back a sob as Fluttershy floated forward to hold her in a comforting embrace. 

“I’ll find a way to save you.” Fluttershy whispered, “Even if I have to fight Lord Tempesh, I’ll find a way.”

“AHEM!” Someone cleared their throat loudly, making Fluttershy jump back from Sunset. Both in the void, and in real life which broke what ever spell that had a hold on the two teens. “While this is very touching girls, I advise you to go to class.”

“Yes, Principal Celestia.” Sunset squeaked out, brushing past Fluttershy and Celestia with a blush lighting up her cheeks.

“Young lady, you know you are on very thin ice.” Celestia growled out, Fluttershy gripping the handle to the restroom door that Sunset just hurried out of.

“It isn’t right.” Fluttershy whispered, though Celestia’s keen hearing easily picked it up. She couldn’t help frowning as she had the same exact thought.

“Life isn’t fair, especially to them, but it happens.” Celestia sighed, wondering just what to do. She wanted to help Sunset so much, but she was in charge of the area. She was the elder here, despite her radical views, and it was her duty to uphold their laws. She may have convinced the council to allow her to rule over an experimental colony, where things were much different than back at home, but no matter what the two main laws must be upheld at all times. 

“There has to be a way to help her.” Fluttershy said, turning her head to glare at Celestia with determination.

“Fluttershy, must I remind you that it is my duty to kill you if you break the rules?” Celestia asked after a few moments of staring at one another. It was a tense few moments, but Celestia had to make the young teen understood her. Unlike Celestia herself, Fluttershy really was only a teenage girl. The teen didn’t have centuries of experience to call from, or the experience needed to harden ones heart. Unlike the rest of the girl’s family, Fluttershy wasn’t the cruel creature the rest of her family line was.

“Then go ahead and kill me then!” Fluttershy snapped out, ignoring the older woman’s protest as she stormed out of the bathroom. Screw school, she had people to see about getting the help needed.