//------------------------------// // Solidarity (edited) // Story: Getting Back to Good // by FlufferNutters //------------------------------// The rest of the week and weekend go by with little to no change from that night, silence and time for space. As the new school week starts, Luna and Peanut Butter make their way to the school the leaves have become more prominent on the ground than on the trees as the air gets colder. Luna pulls into her parking spot and pulls out a CD player with a pair of headphones and gives them to Peanut Butter. "I know these past few days haven't been the best and after last week's attempt I think this will help, I used to use it when I was first got this job, I also made a new CD for you based on what you've been reacting to while in the car." He looks at it and smiles slightly as he slides the headset around his head before sliding it around his neck. He looks at himself in the mirror and looks it over around his neck before putting the CD player in his jacket pocket. "Thanks, it'll help, also thanks for giving me space, it means a lot to me." Peanut Butter admits as he grabs his bag. "You're welcome." They both get out of the car and go into the school. Once inside they part ways as Peanut Butter joins Sunset and Rarity in the hallway before they walk around the school before class starts. Sunset notices the headphones and smiles a bit. "Ready for take two?" Sunset asks. "I think so, hopefully this helps." Peanut Butter points to the headphones. "You'll be okay, you'll be with Sunset the whole time darling." Rarity reassures him. "Thanks Rares." "It's nothing really." Just as they turn a corner they see Applejack walking towards them. Peanut Butter looks away with Applejack doing the same as they walk past each other and head down opposite ways. Sunset sighs as she looks at Peanut Butter and places her hand on his shoulder. "It'll be okay, just give her space, she'll come around eventually." Sunset reassures him. "I hope so." A couple minutes later Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash join them and then Pinkie soon after. As they walk the bell rings as Peanut Butter follows Sunset to gym and goes to the locker room to put his bag down before returning back to the gym. He stays away from everyone else until Sunset returns in her gym clothes. He goes to her as everyone raises an eyebrow at him. "Did Luna give you gym clothes?" Sunset whispers. "I don't think so, though then again I never felt comfortable with it." "I'll let Luna know, thankfully you're just observing for today." "Good to know." Peanut Butter sits on the bleachers near by and watches as Iron Will blows his whistle causing the others to run their laps. He looks on with misty eyes before sighing and shaking his head. Sunset looks at him every once in a while as she runs laps. Just then Applejack comes in with her gym clothes on and gives Iron Will a hall pass before she starts her laps with the others. She catches up to Sunset with a distant look on her face with her eyes looking down a bit and a lack of her usual smile. "Morning Sunset." Applejack greets followed by a sigh. "Hey A.J., how are you doing?" "I'm doin' okay I guess." "Something bothering you?" "More like someone." "Look I know you're still mad at him but-" "I'm not mad at him." "You're not?" "No, while working the orchard with Big Mac he told me that P.B. has been helping the family farm since he returned to Canterlot, after thinking it over I feel grateful ya know? I don't fully forgive 'im though." "It's better than hating him at least, but why did you avoid him this morning?" "I want to do it when I feel ready and I'd rather do it just between the two of us, it only seems right." "I understand, my time was, eventful to say the least." "Oh?, what happened?" "The short version is that P.B. snapped at Luna and he and I took a trip to the cemetery on the other side of town until mom picked us up." "He's always had mood swings, but he comes around when he's calmed down." "Really?" "Yeah, it always explained his temper when we were kids." "So that was considered normal?" "Yep, did he throw stuff around?" "No, he just stormed out and slammed the door." "Wow, that's an improvement." "Really?" "Yep, when he was mad he would leave everything a mess." "You think he has gotten more, passive?" "If that's the case, I don't want to be around when he snaps." "Hopefully that day never comes." "Same here." The class finishes their laps and starts the rest of their warm ups. Peanut Butter sits on the bleachers watching quietly as class moves forward. By the end of it he goes to the locker room and grabs his bag before sneaking out of the gym to wait for Sunset Shimmer. He looks out the window and sees the ground covered in leaves with some patches of green. He smiles a bit before he feels a hand on his shoulder causing him to jump slightly. He turns his head to see Sunset Shimmer. He sighs as his small smile comes back before putting on his headphones with one of the speakers to the side behind his ear. "Ready for the next class?" Sunset asks. "Yeah." Sunset notices him breathing faster as the smile fades away. "Are you sure?, if not I can take you back to Luna." "Nononono, I'm fine, really." "If you say so, science is next." Peanut Butter follows as he takes out a granola bar with raisins in it and eats it as they walk the crowded halls. They walk up the stairs and enter the classroom. Upon entering Sunset notices Blueblood and pulls Peanut Butter to the back before he notices him. Peanut Butter looks and sees Blueblood, but remains silent. They both take their seats before Sunset gets back up and goes to the front towards Discord's desk. "Well good morning miss Shimmer, what brings you here?, another late assignment perhaps?" Discord greets Sunset with his usual smirk. "Not this time Mr. Discord, I just wanted to let you know to not introduce P.B. to the class for a certain reason." Sunset motions her eyes towards Blueblood. "I see, Luna has warned me about those two, besides, here would be the worst place for a fight to break out." He fixes his posture to look more professional by straightening his back. "Thank you Mr.Discord." "No problem, I suggest you take your seat, class is about to start." Sunset returns to her seat next to Peanut Butter and notices him writing in his notebook just as the bell rings. She nudges him slightly before he puts his notebook away. He slips off his headphones and places them around his neck as Discord gets out of his seat and begins his lesson for the day. Through out the lesson Peanut Butter rocks slightly on his stool as he looks towards the front of the class. Discord takes out a few chemicals, beakers and flasks as he starts mixing them and explaining chemical reactions. Peanut Butter looks away as the chemicals were mixed. Sunset looks at him with her eyes squinted and a small from on her face before taking out her notebook and writes on a paper. She pokes him on his leg to get his attention. Are you okay? Peanut Butter writes his response. Let's just say this isn't new to me and I've lost plenty of friends from it. From chemistry or something related to it? Related to it, I’m not ready to talk about it yet. Sunset looks it over and remains silent as the demonstration continues. After the class they walk to the library for study hall. They both sit down before they are joined by Rainbow Dash. Peanut Butter takes out his notebook and starts writing in it. "So how has it been so far P.B.?" Rainbow asks. Peanut Butter looks up from his book with a straight faced look. "It's been okay." "Wow you're boring." "Rainbow!" Sunset snaps. "What?, it's true." Peanut Butter raises an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow, just shut up already." "Hey!" "Will both of you just shut up?" Sunset asks. Peanut Butter goes back to his notebook and writes in it as he keeps it close to him. Rainbow Dash and Sunset get back to their schoolwork with Sunset looking up to make sure Peanut Butter and Rainbow Dash don't break out into a fight. She sees Peanut Butter still writing with his headphones on his ears. She looks at Rainbow Dash and sees her leaning back in her chair reading. Sunset returns to her book. Later on Sunset hears what she thinks is someone shooting spit balls before looking up to see Rainbow Dash fire a few at Peanut Butter. She looks over at him to see him clenching his fist before getting up glaring at Rainbow Dash. "Do it one more time, one more god damn time and see what happens." Peanut Butter warns in a cold heartless tone along with a glare that matches his tone. This alone causes Rainbow Dash to put away the straw and go to her schoolwork as he sits back down. The rest of the study hall remains quiet before the bell rings. The trio get up and put their books away in their bags before making their way to English class. They all reach there and sit down at their desks. Sunset and Rainbow Dash takes out the book the class has been reading as Peanut Butter is passed a book to follow along. Half way through the class the teacher looks at Peanut Butter. "Mr. Butter, can you read the next paragraph?" The teacher asks. "As the moon fades behind the clouds I stare at the blank void in the sky as the world around me becomes one with it with only the fire near me to light it. I feel the wind breeze across me and at times through me. The quiet and calm of this night brings me peace to the discontent in my mind body and soul." "Very good, Sunset, you're next." "I reach into my bag to grab the last bit of my rations. A half loaf of bread, some cheese and a bit of venison from my hunt a few days prior. I put the meat on a skewer before placing it on the fire and watch the meat cook as I feel the warmth of the fire as I take out my blade and look over the dried blood from an earlier battle as well as oil and wax with a cloth as I start to clean it with only the glow of the fire as light. As I clean the blade I recall the screams of those that fell to my blade as I feel my breath grow heavy." "Very good, you see class, these two paragraphs are about one’s regret to do something dark, yet for what he views as good intentions." The class goes on with reading before the bell rings as everyone packs their bags and head to the cafeteria for lunch as Rainbow, Sunset and Peanut Butter were joined by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack. They all sit down next to each other with Peanut Butter sitting across from Applejack. They avoid eye contact as they eat. "So I heard the Friendship Games are coming up." Rainbow Dash mentions. "I don't think anyone is looking forward to that." Rarity adds. "We always lose so there is no point." Applejack states. "Don't be so down, we can still try." Pinkie chimes as she tries to cheer them up. Sunset and Peanut Butter look at them with a quizzical look on their faces. "The what now?" Peanut Butter asks. "We'll explain later, right now we want to hear about how things have been with you, P.B.." Rarity asks. "It's been okay." "Just okay darling?" "Yeah, just okay." "Well, it is your first day so there probably won't be anything too eventful." "I guess." Peanut Butter focuses on his food more than the gossip going on around him before Applejack gets up to toss out what was left of her lunch before leaving the cafeteria. Peanut Butter looks over to see her leave and gets up to follow her. He tracks her down a couple of hallways before taking a deep breath. "You okay A.J.?" Peanut Butter asks. She turns her head from his voice. "Yeah, Ah'm just fine." Her eyes shift causing Peanut Butter to raise an eyebrow. "I've known you long enough to know when you're lying A.J. and you're terrible at it." "Fine, have it your way, I feel guilty about what I did and after Big Mac told me what you've done ta help the family out and bein' a friend to Applebloom I felt worse, I'm sorry for what I did." "Apology accepted A.J., we might not be the friends we used to be, but hopefully this will be the start of bringing that back." He extends his hand out and looks at her with a smile. She smiles back as they shake hands. "Did you really mean it when you said that you would stay?" "Yeah, I guess deep down I had enough of the running and came back to the place I was most happy." "Good, because if you did, I'd have to break yer legs next time." "Good luck with that A.J.." They both walked back into the cafeteria and sit across from each other again. Sunset smiles seeing this. "I see you two made up?" Sunset asks. "Yeah, we did." Peanut Butter mentions. "Good to hear." Just then the bell rings as they all pick up their bags to head to the next class and part ways. Sunset, Peanut Butter and Pinkie Pie go to math class and take their seats. Peanut Butter looks up to see a name on the board that reads 'Miss Harshwinny' in black dry erase marker. Just as he turns to look at his notebook he feels a shiver down his spine. Sunset notices and looks to see Blueblood walk in. "I feel a disturbance in the force." Peanut Butter claims. Just as he looks up he sees Blueblood in front of him before raising an eyebrow. "Looks like she kept the trash after all." "What do you want this time Bluebitch?" "Wondering why a street rat like you is still here, you should have went to jail when you first came here." "Lucky for you I didn't." "Don't be smart with me low life, I should teach you some respect." "Not in the mood to make you my bitch again." "Blueblood, shut up and leave him alone." Sunset chimes in. "You stay out of this she- demon, this is between me and him." "Give it a rest drama queen." Peanut Butter states. "That's it you runt, time for an ass kic-" "That would be enough Mr.Blueblood, or would you like another detention?" A sophisticated voice warns as a woman enters. "No, Miss Harshwhinny." "Good, now let us begin shall we?" "Yes ma'am." The class says in unison. As the class goes on Peanut Butter starts to rub his head before grabbing his meter to do a blood test. After a few seconds he finds everything is normal as he feels his body start to sweat slightly. He starts to bounce one of his legs. His tries to keep his eyes open while staying hunched over his desk. Sunset notices and raises her hand. "Miss Harshwhinny, I think P.B. needs to go to the nurse." Sunset requests. "Very well, you may help him to the nurse, I'll write you a pass." "Thank you." Sunset gets up and helps up Peanut Butter as he places his arm around Sunset's back as she grabs the pass and head to the hallway. As the turn the corner Peanut Butter hunches over again before he groans keeping his mouth closed before he tries to reach a near by trash can and hangs his head over it before throwing up in it. Sunset stays close to him rubbing his back as he continues. After a couple minutes he gets up and wipes his mouth and looks up to Sunset. "Feeling better?" Sunset asks. "Not really, I feel li-" He hangs his head over the trash can for the second round. Sunset stays by him as a teacher passes by. "Why are you two out of class?" The teacher asks. "We were on the way to the nurse until, this happened." "I hate my fucking li-" Peanut Butter exclaims before he throws up again. "I'll get the nurse to come here." "Thank you." Sunset thanks. A few minutes later the nurse comes with Peanut Butter's head still over the trashcan. Sunset moves out of the way as the nurse starts to look over Peanut Butter. "He's boiling right now, I'll get him to my office as soon as we think he's finished." The nurse states. "I think I'm okay." "Alright, stand up and we'll go." He stand up shaking as he gets up and is placed in the wheelchair. She places him in it and head to the nurse's office. He lays down in the back of the office and curls up shivering as the nurse calls Luna. A few minutes later she comes in to see him curled in the corner facing the wall sleeping with his headphones over his ears. "Has be been throwing up more since he got here?" Luna asks. "No, he's been sleeping." "I'll take him to the doctor's tomorrow, can you keep him here until after classes?" "Sure, I don't think he'll be any trouble in his condition." "Thank you, the Friendship games are in a couple days and I've been busy most of the day." "You're welcome." Luna leaves as Peanut Butter sleeps as the rest of the day goes on. Luna returns to see him still sleeping as she kneels next to him and gently pushes his shoulder a couple times causing him to groan and try to push her away. "Come on big guy, let's get home."Luna encourages. "I hate my life." "I doubt that, come on now, up you go." Luna helps Peanut Butter get up and places his arm around her shoulder slowly heading to her car. She places his book bag in the back seat and helps him into the front seat. She buckles his seat belt before closing the door and getting in the driver's seat and head home. At a stop light she looks towards him to see him asleep once again. She smiles and turns her head to the road and goes as the light turns green. They reach home as Luna helps Peanut Butter up the stairs to the front door. She opens the door and leads him to his room before he darts to the bathroom to the toilet and throws up again. Luna goes to his room and gives him a change of clothes setting them on the bathroom counter. "Let me know when you're changed." Luna mentions before shutting the door. After a few minutes Peanut Butter slowly changes into the change of clothes before leaving the bathroom to find his door open and slowly make his way into bed curling up and shivering under three blankets. Luna looks at him a bit before collecting the clothes in the bathroom and quietly placing them in the laundry before quietly closing the door. She picks up her phone to call Celestia. "Hey sis, I need you to do a favor for me." "Can you get some ginger ale and orange juice?" "Yes it's for P.B.." "He's a wreck, I called one for a house call." "There's no way to get him to one and I thought it would be the best move." "Thank you Tia, I'll see you then." Luna hangs up and sighs before sitting on the couch. There is a knock on her door causing her to get up again to answer it. She opens it to see a uniformed police officer and a woman in a suit. "Can I help you?" Luna asks. "Yes, my name is Proper Upbringing and I am with CPS, we're here to inspect your house and talk to Peanut Butter." "The first part you're more than welcome to do, but unfortunately he isn't feeling that well and is bed ridden." "I see, anyways, may we come in?" "Yes you may." Luna lets them in as she watches them as they inspect the apartment. They reach the hallway and reach for the door to Peanut Butter's room before Luna stops Proper. "That's his room, he is probably sleeping." Luna mentions. "I'll be sure to be quiet." Proper opens the door and looks around noticing a pile of blankets moving up and down in a slow rhythm. She grins slyly before taking out her phone and texting before writing a note down and quietly leaving the room. She heads to the living room where Luna is next to the officer. "Well, everything seems to be in order, I'll put this in the case file when I get back to my office." Proper says. "Thank you." "You're very welcome, have a good night and hope he gets better soon." "Same here." Proper and the officer leave and get in their vehicles as Proper makes a call. "Sister, I found him." She exclaims. "When the time is right we will, but for now, we keep low." "Good, I'll talk to you later, okay bye." Proper hangs up before starting her car and heads out and away. Just as she drives away Celestia pulls in and parks before getting out to head towards Luna's apartment. She knocks on the door and a minute later Luna answers. "Thanks for doing this Tia, it means a lot." Luna thanks. "It's no problem Lulu, how is he doing?" "He's sleeping right now." "Planing on making mom's remedy?" "Yeah." "I have to be going, I have dinner cooking and need to get back since Sunset is still learning to cook." "Okay, thanks again." "See you later Lulu." Celestia leaves as Luna settles in for the night. She cracks open Peanut Butter's door and leaves hers open a crack as she gets ready for bed. She sits on her bed with her laptop and mouse with her headset. She was going to have a long night and few days ahead of her.