//------------------------------// // I. Summer // Story: If Sins Be Forgiven… // by Milliardo5 //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer looked around, flustered as to what she would do next. She sighed as she sat at the foot of her bed, notebook and pen in hand. Thinking early in the morning wasn’t exactly going as smoothly as she thought. She sighed again as she stared down her notebook. She was about to write something in it—more of a journal entry really, but she couldn’t even figure out where to begin. Finally, with exasperation she closed it, got up and put the notebook and pen back into her drawer. It was summer, and Canterlot High wouldn’t be open for another week. Like most students, she had been looking forward to summer, but now all she could think of was what to do with her boredom as summer winded down. “As if it’s not easy enough to adjust to being human”, she spoke out loud to herself. She just stood there, musing for awhile. Sunset Shimmer came from Equestria, a land where magical ponies lived. There she was a unicorn, and a promising student of Princess Celestia, until darkness fell on her and she left her former mentor. Now, after running into Twilight Sparkle and The Rainbooms, she had a change of heart, and has gone to mend her ways. Twilight Sparkle is like her, who came into the human world to retrieve the crown she herself has stolen. Eventually the two became friends, though Twilight since then has returned back to Equestria. “And now I’m stuck here”, she again said loudly. When she came into the human world, she took on a human form though she retained some aspect of herself such as her red and golden hair. “Well, can’t stay like this for long”, she decided, and then she picked up her cellphone and called Pinkie Pie. Pinkie is one of the Rainbooms, a band in Equestria High. High spirited, with pink hair, Pinkie has become one of Sunset’s closest friends. “Oh hi there”, Pinkie answered cheerfully. “I’m going to school”, Sunset announced. “Meet me there.” “School?” Pinkie wondered out loud to her. “It’s summer, Sunset. There’s lots of fun things to do!” Pinkie is not one to be left out when it comes to something fun. The drummer of the Rainbooms, Pinkie has been known to be active, though at times quirky. “I’m bored with summer already”, Sunset explained to her. “I’m going over to the lab to work on something.” Actually she had no idea what to do; it’s just that she’d rather go to school than stay in her room with nothing to do. “All right, I’ll go right with you”, Pinkie said cheerfully. “Great! Meet you there then”, replied Sunset. She put down her phone, then took one look in the mirror before grabbing her jacket and heading out. As she walked to Canterlot High, she reflected on what transpired the past few months. After facing the Dazzlings together with Twilight and the Rainbooms, life has never been the same for her. She mused on that further—life has never really been the same for her, at least not in a normal way. Having come from Equestria, as a unicorn no less, she found the human world to be fascinating. She shook her head at what she had done before, especially before meeting Twilight. She had been mean to people, but that’s because deep down she realized all she really wanted was for people to accept her and look up to her. Which was not the right way to go about things, she thought to herself. She realized that being mean to people only made them fear and resent her. Since that time though much has changed. She has spent much of it repenting and reflecting. Some might call it inaction, since many have noticed she has become a different person, not anymore intimidating or bullying others. In her musing she didn’t notice she’s near the school. She looked up at the building—imposing, yet at the same time lovely. She turned and strode right in. Normally Canterlot High would be brightly lit, but since it’s summer and school’s out, most of the lights are off. A dim light or two lit the hallway though, and she made her way to the lab. Pinkie’s not yet here, she observed as she opened the door. She went right in, closing the door carefully. She began to set up the things she would need, then stopped herself, as she realized she’s not even sure what she’s supposed to be doing. “Hey there!” a cheerful voice cried out. She turned around and saw Pinkie walking right into the lab. “Just in time”, she said to Pinkie as she smiled. “I was about to set up, but I’m not sure what to do.” “So you just went here?” Pinkie asked, still smiling. Pinkie has this unusual way of being perky even when it’s not exactly called for, though Sunset appreciates her ever present good mood. “Bored”, she replied to Pinkie. “Nothing to do at home so I just decided to drop by here. But then I’m not sure now what I’m doing here as well.” Pinkie looked around. Although not the scientific type, she can get busy if she wants to, and in fact she’s always busy. Even when it’s not necessary. And presently she began to make herself busy. “So what are you going to do here?” she asked while she began to tinker at things. Not that she knew exactly what they’re for, but she just held whatever what’s near her. Sunset didn’t mind though, as she went to the lab just to keep herself occupied as well. “Don’t know yet”, Sunset admitted as she went rummaging about the room. She began to take out some lab instruments, arranging them about the table, trying to keep herself distracted and busy. Pinkie went over to look at what she’s doing. “Honestly, I can’t figure out what to do today”, Sunset went on as she stopped and stared at the instruments at the table. “Must be something on your mind then”, Pinkie observed. Sunset nodded. “Could be”, she said. “I can’t figure it out yet, but it might just be boredom.” She just stood there as she continued to look at the table. “So where are the others?” she finally asked Pinkie. “Oh, they’re on vacation”, Pinkie replied. Sunset looked at her strangely, at which she went on, “I mean, their families went away some place to have a vacation.” “All of them?” Sunset asked. “Yeah. Didn’t you know?” Pinkie asked her. Sunset grimaced and mentally wanted to kick herself for not even trying to text them, but the past few days have been so busy for her in the house that she wasn’t able to send even a greeting to any of the Rainbooms. “I’m sorry”, she apologized to Pinkie. “I guess I’ve got too caught up with things to even try and contact them.” Not that I did a good job at doing it, she glumly thought to herself. “Not to worry”, Pinkie said, still cheerful and perky. “I’m sure they didn’t notice it, either.” “Remind me to get some of that perky mood of yours sometime”, Sunset said to her. “Now, let me just figure out what to do with these things…” She started arranging all of the things on the table and worked on it. Pinkie helped out in whatever she could, mindful not to get too much in the way. For a few moments they worked silently. Sunset concentrated while she set up the flasks and test tubes, putting the tubes onto holders so as not to tip them over. She stepped back a bit when all of have been done. “Okay, ready to work”, she said. Pinkie took a chair and sat while Sunset began to work. Again there was silence as she began mixing chemicals up. After a few minutes though she spoke up. “You know, I’ve been thinking about some things lately”, she began. “What is it?” Pinkie asked, her voice serious for once. It’s not usual that Pinkie goes into serious mode, but when she does she will take the time to really listen. “You know how I turned into a she-demon before”, Sunset said carefully. Pinkie nodded, not saying anything. “Well, what if that happens again?” Although she didn’t turn around, she could feel Pinkie silently mulling things. “You know that’s long gone”, she replied to Sunset. “Pinkie”, Sunset said, “all people have their good and bad side. There is good in all of us, and we also have our own faults. What if I lose control all over?” “You just have to believe in yourself”, Pinkie replied in a very natural way. Now that’s a practical response, Sunset thought. She smiled without looking at Pinkie. “Yeah, I guess you’re right…” she simply said in reply. For a good two hours they were in the lab. Sunset wanted to continue on with some of the experiments she anticipated they would do at the start of classes, but she figured she had enough for the day. Besides, Pinkie has her own ideas about science, she thought, smiling as Pinkie began to mix some more chemicals. She laughed gleefully as a small pop came out of the test tube. “I didn’t know science can be so much fun!” she declared as she happily bounded over to Sunset’s side. “Would love to do some more, but I think I’m done here”, Sunset announced as she went over to the sink to wash the test tubes and flasks that she got out. “Would you play with us when the band gets back?” Pinkie called out from across the lab. “Of course”, Sunset replied as she washed the last of the flask. She gathered them all up and went to the drawer, stashing them all in. Pinkie went over to hand her some of the other things still out. “I always would love to jam with you guys.” Pinkie smiled happily. “Then I’ll tell them when they get back”, she said. Sunset was about to tell her that texting them would probably be just as fast, but she stopped herself. Maybe it would be better if Pinkie told them; it would be much more personal. From that point they parted ways, Pinkie bounding happily, as she always does, towards her home. Sunset trudged along towards her own home, quiet but feeling more relaxed. Being in the lab gave her something to do, and she’s glad Pinkie has been there with her. She would have remained like that when she heard someone sobbing. Yeah, that’s definitely someone crying, she thought, even though the sound was muffled. She was presently coming up to some hedges, which were high enough to hide someone sitting on the other side of it. Carefully she went over, mindful not to be too intrusive, just in case. She hesitated though. It’s none of my business really, she thought, but then curiosity got the better of her. Deciding to act more naturally, she pretended to walk right over and turn around. She gasped when she saw who was crying. Sonata Dusk! She thought as she stood rooted to where she’s standing, her mind reeling.