//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Sunset's Redemption // by TheNewYorkBrony //------------------------------// The ride to school was sort of cramped; the Apple family pick up truck wasn't meant to hold more than three people. And since no one wanted to hitch a ride in the back in this weather, the girls all squeezed in as best as they could. Sunset stared out the window in thought. Dash and Applejack argued over what to play on the radio, while Pinkie giggled at something on her phone. Over the noise Sunset heard the whistling of the wind outside as they passed suburban house after identical suburban house. She hadn't really spoken much since they'd left her place, and no one really seemed to care. There's this odd feeling I'm getting. She sighed. It was probably nothing. Just the anxiety of possibly having the world's fate on her shoulders. Again. She inwardly let out a dry laugh. My life has become a young adult novel these days. Not that she minded. Well, besides the nightmares of course. She could live without those. The school came into view and she breathed a sigh of relief when Twilight was nowhere in sight. Today was not a good day to be bombarded with investigative questions by Inspector Gadget. Instead, they found Rarity standing in front of her BMW, a white bedazzled medical mask over her alabaster mouth making her look like a fashionable surgeon. "What in tarnation are you wearing?!" Applejack asked her as she slammed the old driver's side door shut. "Ya'll look like yer preparing for surgery!" "Well, if you all must know, there is something presently going around at this school and I'm taking every precaution to avoid it," Rarity explained with a flip of her hair. "So, you didn't think a scarf would have been a, oh l don't know, better idea?" Dash asked her with a smirk. "Don't annoy me," Rarity responded, locking her car. At that same moment, Fluttershy pulled up in her yellow beetle. Getting out, she shivered miserably as she slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. "G-Good morning, g-girls," She said, sticking her hands in the over sized coat she was wearing. They all quickly made their way inside and headed for the music room since they had a few extra minutes before school actually started. Sunset recounted what happened the night before, (leaving out the waking up screaming and cuddling with Pinkie part of course,) and told the other girls of her plan. "Today after school we're gonna go over to Flash's house to ask him a couple of questions," She said, sitting atop the grand piano that was shoved aside for playing space. She noticed that they hadn't played all together as a band in a long while. And they wouldn't no time soon. At least, not until after this whole thing was over. "I asked Twilight to give me some ideas on what creatures could be doing this, so we should be hearing from her very soon." Sunset folded her arms and leaned back against the wall behind her. "Jesus. When did our lives become a youth novel?" "The moment you brought that crown with you back from Equestria," Applejack responded. "Hadn't you brought it, we wouldn't have used magic that attracted The Dazzlings and whatever is plaguing us now." "Yeah, but, if Sunset hadn't brought the crown we all wouldn't have met Twilight and she wouldn't have brought us all together again," Fluttershy reminded her. "And Sunset would still be evil and friendless. Er, no offense." She added quickly, turning to the girl. "None taken, Shy." Sunset responded, giving her a weak, but reassuring smile. That's starting to get real old real quick. "Anyway, we should head to class. The bell's about to ring." She slid off the piano and cringed as she lost her footing, stumbling to the floor. "Frick," She said, leaning against the leg of the instrument. The other girls surrounded her. "You alright there, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, rubbing small circles into her back. It wasn't much, but it did help. Sunset tried to avoid Pinkie's terrified and concerned gaze. Sunset felt bad for her. She was the only one who really knew what was happening. And she knew it killed her to keep it a secret because it would mean seeing one of her best friends in pain while saying everything's fine. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Sunset answered feeling a pain in her chest as she saw the disappointment in Pinkie's eyes. "I just got down too quickly," The girls shared doubtful looks, but didn't push the subject. "Alright dear, if you say so..." Rarity told her, helping her stand up. The bell for first period rang, and silently they all made their way to class. "These headaches are becoming a pain in the ass. If I knew that this was the alternative I would have stuck with the stupid nightmares," Sunset growled to herself, weaving her way through the thickening throng of students. Twilight Sparkle trotted down the hall to her personal library to indulge herself in reading up on what could possibly be plaguing her Canterlot High friends. She had awoken to Sunset's letter, and was beginning to see that this might be bigger than what they both thought. Using her magic, she thrusted open the crystal double doors and frowned when she saw Discord lounging on a reclining chair reading Alice In Wonderland. He lowered his reading glasses and smirked. "My my! Well, if it isn't the princess of the hour! The head honcho with wings! The purple pony with the know how!" He folded his paw over his claw. "Just the mare I wanted to see," Twilight raised a brow. "Why?" There was a magical poof and then Discord was snaking his way around Twilight's body. "Isn't it obvious?! I want to help you in saving your human friends!" The god of Chaos told her. He produced a book with the snap of his fingers, and Twilight recognized it to be the one she uses to communicate with Sunset. "Sunbutt Jr. might be on to something you know," "I do know, that's why I'm here, looking for books on weather controlling creatures from Equestria. And what are you doing in my personal library?!" Twilight barked, blinking as Discord teleported back to his reclining chair with a flash. "I wanted to do a little spring reading." He told her, his reading glasses popping back on his face. "Now, as I was saying, Sunset Shimmer might be on to something. Windigos? Possibly. But I have strong feeling that's not all that's going on here." Twilight's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?" "You remember the Hearth's Warming Eve play you and your friends did three years ago, correct?" Discord asked her with a raised brow. "Yeah, what about it?" The alicorn asked, sitting down on her haunches, interested. "Windigos don't cause colds. Trust me, I would know. They bring cold weather and despair, yes, sure, but no illness," He snapped his fingers and a fur coat covered his body. "Someone else is having a hand in this disturbance of peace." "Like?" Twilight prompted. "Now it wouldn't be fun if I told you everything, Twilight." Discord booped her on the nose. "How would this be an epic quest to save a parallel world from impending evil that develops Sunset as a character in her own right if I just gave you the answer?" He smirked when he saw the confused look on Twilight's face. "Give her what she needs and be as uninvolved as possible unless it's necessary. Don't write her unless she writes you, and always be on your guard." He advised. "Celestia's former protégé is in some deep brown stuff if you know what I mean," Discord put his paw over Twilight's mouth as she began to speak. "Don't question me, Princess. I'm always right and this time is no different," He gave her a cheeky grin and she rolled her eyes. Twilight silently trotted over to the history section of the library and began looking for the Creatures of Equestria book she had seen in the cart the stallion had brought from the castle in Canterlot a few weeks back. That seemed like months ago. I just hope Discord's right. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to Sunset and the others. Sunset walked down the cafeteria line ignoring the plentiful amounts of food to get her usual single apple. She frowned when Applejack came up behind her and snatched the fruit away from her. "Docs orders," She said, biting into it with a smirk and a wink. Sunset rolled her eyes but didn't complain. She did pass out from not eating right, so she didn't really have a leg to stand on. Even if she wanted to protest this "monitoring" situation completely. Rarity put a bowl of salad on her tray and a piece of bread. "Since you want to eat healthy, I figured you'd appreciate something simple like a salad," She sternly put a hand on her hip when she saw the disgusted look on the older girl's face. "And don't bother rejecting it because we're just going to give you something else in its place." Sunset opened her mouth to speak, but shut it. Sighing, she accepted her fate and walked over to the group's usual table, the other girls following after her. Dully, she repeatedly stabbed her fork into the salad, picking up bits and pieces of lettuce as she did. Bringing the fork to her mouth, she sighed as she began to chew. Well, it's not too bad. It could be worse. "Flash's mom said we could come over after school," Pinkie told them all conversationally. "But since we all don't have cars that can fit everyone, do you guys wanna just go in separate rides?" "I could get the van from the Animal Shelter," Fluttershy offered. "We'd all be able to fit in it. " "Sounds like a plan to me," Applejack said. "How bout we all meet at the Animal Shelter and then we leave from there?" Everyone nodded in agreement. "Great. Let's go as soon as school ends." Sunset was once again in the cabin of the Apple family pickup truck, staring out the window. The temperature seemed to have warmed up a bit, but it was still a little too cold for comfort. "Do you guys think what he has is...you know...contagious?" Dash worried, fiddling with her hands. "Seeing how it's probably something magical related, maybe," Applejack responded, keeping her eyes on the road. "But I'm sure it's not as bad as you think it is," She said, pulling into the Canterlot Animal Shelter parking lot. The other girls were leaned against the van shivering from the cold. Applejack quickly parked the truck and jumped down from the drivers side, pocketing her keys. "Mighty sorry 'bout the delay. Roads were icy." "Tell me about it!” Rarity exclaimed. “It was absolutely nerve wracking driving here!” “Well we’re all here safe, and that’s what matters. Right Sunset?” Applejack said, nudging the older girl who hadn’t said a single word since they had gotten in or out of the car. “Huh? Uh, yeah. Sure,” She answered absentmindedly. She hadn’t been to Flash’s house since they broke up, and she was more than a little nervous to go back. Even if it was just to question him, it still felt really weird especially when he seemed to love her a lot more than she loved him. They all piled into the van and Fluttershy took off down the street. Sunset continued to stare out the window, looking rather depressed. My life is just one huge mess. “Argh!” She groaned as another pain in her head hit her full force. Her hands shot up to massage her temples. The other girls were staring at her in wonder, Pinkie looking more concerned than confused. Sunset cleared her throat. “Uh, sorry. I’ve just been getting these headaches and they’re a real bitch,” She smiled faintly. “Don’t you guys worry about me. I’m, I’m just dandy.” She nodded, (more to herself than them) and turned her attention back to staring out the window. Sweet Celestia I need to get to the bottom of this, and fast. I don’t know how much more I can take. She thought as she felt Pinkie watching her. When they arrived, Flash’s mother opened the door, and ushered them into the house. She led them up the stairs and showed them where Flash’s room was. “Call me if you girls need anything,” She said, smiling. “We will, Mrs. Sentry,” Sunset said, returning her smile, watching the older woman go down the stairs. When she was sure she was out of earshot, Rarity thrusted little white masks into everyone’s hands. “Better to be safe than sorry,” She said, donning the one she had on that morning. The other girls shrugged and followed suit. Sunset pushed open the door to Flash’s room and looked around. It was exactly as how she remembered it. (not that she thought about it often,) but she could almost remember the time when they just started dating and he brought her home to his parents as a ‘friend’ (he was still shy about the whole dating thing,) and they had come up to his room talking for hours. (among other things that she didn’t want think about right now in the presence of her friends) Flash rolled over and tried to sit up, but failed. Rarity and Fluttershy were at his side at once putting pillows behind him, propping him up. He nodded in thanks and turned to them all, briefly making eye contact with Sunset. “Hey,” He said hoarsely. He was pale, and he looked fragile. Like something had sucked the life out of him. “Hey yourself,” Sunset said back with a small smile. “You know why we’re here right?” “Not to tell me I’m dying, I hope,” Flash joked with a smile of his own. “But yeah I do. Pinkie told me over the phone,” There was a small patch of silence and then he spoke again. “So, uh, are you gonna write it down, or...?” “Oh! Right!” Sunset said, taking out a pen and a pad from her leather jacket. “Okay so, what exactly do you remember?” She asked. “Well, I was walking home from band practice after school, and I decided to take a shortcut, one that I usually take to get home when I get out of practice too late. And as I’m walking down the street, the streetlights goes out. And then they come back on. I shrugged it off, thinking it was just an electrical glitch or something, And then this girl. She appeared out of no where. I couldn’t really see because she was hiding in the shadows...but she looked really evil.” “What’d she look like? I mean, what could you make out, at least?” Sunset asked, her pen scratching on the paper. Flash shrugged. “Nothing much. She had fiery red hair and dark black eyes. Just looking into them made me feel really weird.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute,” Dash said, waving her hand. “Fiery red hair? Dark black eyes? Anyone else seeing a pattern here?” She jabbed a finger in Sunset’s direction. “M-Me? You think I’m doing this?” Sunset barked, pointing at herself. “The description does kind of match what you er, turned into at the Fall Formal, darling,” Rarity told her. “But I was cured by the Elements!” The older girl protested. “You were there! You all saw! You were the ones who gave me a conscience! I couldn’t possibly- Ah!” Sunset suddenly felt like she just hit by a freight train. She wobbled, but with the help of Applejack and Fluttershy, she regained her balance. Sighing, she adjusted her leather jacket. “I’m going outside for some air.” She announced, not bothering to wait for a response. The others shared looks but continued on with the interview. “So what else is there? What happened that caused you to end up like, like this?” Applejack asked, waving her hands at him. “I started walking faster, because I knew something was wrong,” Flash told them. “And then somehow she ended up in front of me,” He said before coughing. “With this smirk on her face. A smirk that told me she wanted me as her prey. And then....” “And then?” Fluttershy prompted. “Nothing. I woke up in the middle of the street with a pain in my chest. I hurried home after that and when I woke up the next morning I was like, well, this,” He replied, gesturing to himself. “I felt so tired. It was like someone sucked the life force out of me,” “Somethin’ tells me the weather ain’t the only strange thing going on here,” Applejack said rubbing her chin. “What are the things you felt the most?” “A pain, tiredness, and I was barely able to move after I woke up,” Flash listed. “That’s all I know,” He added with a shrug. “That’s all we need to know. Thanks Flash, you were a really big help,” Dash said, finishing the notes Sunset started. She stood up, the others standing up with her. They all filed out of the room and made their way outside after saying goodbye to Flash’s mother. “You guys don’t think that Sunset’s behind this, do you?” Fluttershy worried as they approached the van. It had been a question plaguing her since Sunset had gotten up and left. Dash rolled up her sleeves as she saw the older girl leaned up against the van. “Welp, we’re about to find out.”