“You girls enjoy yourselves!” Rarity’s mother shouted from her car window, waving to the six of them as they walked towards their lodge.
“Bye, Miss Crumbles!” Pinkie waved enthusiastically.
“Thanks for the ride!” Rainbow swung her hand a few times before turning back around, staring at the two-story building in front of them. “Whoa…”
Sunset watched the car speed off before diverting her attention to the wooden structure in front of her. “You sure this is our lodge? It seems a bit too… large.”
Rarity glanced down at her key. “Lodge 23-A.” Turning her head up, she saw the plaque on the wall had the same numbers and letter inscribed on it. “Yup, this is ours!”
“Well then, what’re we waiting for? Let’s go!” Applejack excitedly shouted, sprinting forward. The rest followed her, except Fluttershy, whose run looked more like a jog.
Rainbow raced ahead, swiping the key from Rarity’s hand. “Wah- hey! Rainbow Dash!”
“Sorry! Have to be faster than that! Every moment here counts!” Rarity merely scowled, running awkwardly due to her high-heeled shoes. Rainbow reached the door first, placing the key into the hole and twisting it with the knob. With one large push, the door flew open with a loud 'thud!'.
“W-whoa…” Rainbow froze just after taking only one step inside. Each one that arrived after that had the same reaction, blocking the door for the long haired girl at the back.
“O-oh, excuse me. Oh I can’t see.” Fluttershy barely whispered out, not wanting to disturb her friends’ awe. She jumped to try to get a glimpse but to no avail.
“Oh, sorry Fluttershy,” Sunset apologized upon noticing the difficult time she was having. She took a large step to her left, allowing Fluttershy to take her place. When she finally got a look at the interior, she understood why the others froze so suddenly.
The entire interior had been crafted with wood, save for a few items. Upon entering, they were greeted with an indoor stone waterfall. The walls, floor and ceiling was a light brown due to the bark. While the kitchen could be clearly seen immediately to the left of the entrance, furnished with stoves, fridges and fine marble countertops. The living room sat in the middle, adorned with a decent sized table and cushioned teak chairs. Beside that, a large television was hung on the brick fireplace, which itself was surrounded by three large couches.
Meanwhile, Rarity was focused on the staircase, which led up to the three rooms that awaited them. Rainbow, on the other hand, was staring at the giant glass wall on the other end of the lodge,giving a majestic view to the outside, where a balcony with chairs awaited an awe-inspiring view to the forest and rivers that awaited them. Applejack took a deep breath in, smelling the fresh air, no doubt produced by the evergreen trees which surrounded the cozy home.
“Now this is a lodge!” Rainbow shouted, snapping out of the silence, sprinting upstairs to place her bags. “Dibs on Room One!”
“Hey! I want room one too! One rhyme with fun!’ Pinkie exclaimed, shooting up the steps just behind Rainbow.
“All the rooms are the same!” Applejack tried to reason but the door to room one had been shut close. Letting out a sigh, she turned towards the rest of the girls. “So, who's gonna be in room two?”
“I will! Having the middle room would be the most efficient in getting down to the first floor as it is nearest to the top of the steps, making sure I won’t sweat!” Rarity struggled to move towards the staircase, using all the effort she could to pull her suitcases.
“Oh, let me help Rarity!” Fluttershy grasped two of the bags from Rarity’s hands and lifted them up, not even breaking a sweat as she proceeded upwards to room two. The fashionista stared, dumbfounded for a second before trailing behind.
“I guess that means we’re in room three, Sunset,” Applejack turned towards her, smiling. “You alright with that?”
“Well, there’s no difference anyway, right?” Sunset laughed, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.
Applejack chortled as well. “Nope. Ain’t no difference to me.”
As the two of them moved up the steps, she spoke once more, “glad you could join us Sunset!”
“Glad you all thought to invite me!”
“Heh, why wouldn’t we?” She continued, reaching the top of the steps. “I mean, you're a friend to us!”
“Yeah! Well, I’m still getting used to having friends.” Sunset looked down at her feet, only turning up after she felt a hand hug her across the shoulder.
“Well, don’t let anything from the past fool you into thinkin’ otherwise!” Applejack comforted her, opening the door of the third room.
Sunset gazed inside, noticing that the room was much simpler than the extravagant main rooms. Two separate beds laid on the left, facing towards the right wall, separated only by a bedside table on which stood a lamp. At the back of the room, beside the bathroom, stood a small window with two pink curtains tied up neatly beside it.
“Simple! Just the way I like it!” Applejack sat on the bed furthest away from the door, placing her bag just beside it. Sunset took the other, setting her belongings down as well. “Brought your pajamas? I mean, knowing Pinkie she probably prepared all sorts of games and stuff so we ain’t gonna get much sleep, but still, good to at least dress comfortably!”
Sunset chuckled, feeling the soft material that made up the bedsheets. “Yup. Got it.” Resting her head on the pillow, she asked, “so what’s up first?”
Without warning, a soft growl filled the room. Sunset Shimmer could only burst out laughing as Applejack’s cheeks got bright red. “Lunch, hopefully.”
“Who cooks well?” Sunset inquired, standing on her feet.
“Rarity and Fluttershy cook well. Pinkie’s really good at baking.”
She nodded before exiting the room with Applejack. Glancing down below, they saw the other four already headed to the kitchen.
“I’m making lunch!’ Rarity sang, hauling a bag onto the countertop.
“You basically brought an entire grocery store with you,” Rainbow joked, taking a seat on the couch in the living room.
“Well, one must come prepared!” Rarity took out several knives as she ran them under the tap.
“Rarity, your idea of preparation might be a little different than ours.” Applejack slumped beside Rainbow as the latter turned the television on.
“Like that time we asked you to prepare for a bake sale and you brought your electric mixer!” Pinkie laughed.
“If we needed one, I would’ve been a hero!” Rarity argued once more, starting to chop up several vegetables.
“We were in a park.” Sunset jested, jumping onto the couch as well.
“But the birds were nice!” Fluttershy held her hands together on her cheek, smiling. “D-do you need some help Rarity?”
“Yes, in fact I do. Would you mind helping me warm up the pan with a bit of oil?” Rarity lifted a large bottle of cooking oil from the bag.
“Of course not!” Fluttershy carefully placed the pan on the stove.
“Thank you, Fluttershy. Always a great help!” The words caused the her to blush a faint red as she poured a small amount in.
Applejack forked the meal into her mouth hurriedly as did Rainbow. When their servings were done, they quickly reached to the plate in the middle for seconds.
“I...I see you two are enjoying the spiced salad?” Sunset asked, dodging little bits of flying lettuce and cabbage from Rainbow’s rapid eating. “...A lot?”
Rarity, meanwhile, was daintily piercing one leaf at a time, savoring the flavor of each bite. “I’m glad you two are enjoying my cooking.” Tilting her head up to the two messy eaters, she continued, “but could you two maybe not eat like animals?”
Fluttershy was doing the usual, tucking her right hand to her side as she used only her left hand to fork the food into her mouth. She chewed softly and slowly, for fear of disturbing the others at the table and apologized every time the crunchy leaves would...well, crunch.
“Why can’t you be like Fluttershy here?” Rarity gestured towards said girl, who was now using her hair as a drape to cover her face. Applejack and Rainbow didn’t pay any heed to her words, only continuing their ravenous assault on the greens.
“Where’s Pinkie? She’s been gone for a while now.” Sunset looked at the empty seat just beside Fluttershy. Pinkie had taken only one serving of the salad before dashing off to her room. “Is she alright? Should I check on her?” She gave a concerned stare at the first bedroom door.
“Oh I wouldn’t worry about her.” Rarity assured.
“Yeah!” Rainbow added with a mouth full of carrots before swallowing. “Chances are Pinkie’s just preparing a party.”
“A party? For what?” Sunset raised an eyebrow.
“If you know Pinkie for as long as we have, you know that girl don’t need a reason to throw a party.” Applejack swirled her fork at Sunset only to receive Rarity’s hand on hers, pushing it down.
“Don’t wave your fork, it’s rude,” Rarity spoke with a stern, motherly tone.
Sunset giggled a little, swallowing the last of her meal. “Great meal!”
“Thank you dear. Now, is everyone done?” Rarity set her fork down, gazing at the empty plates that sat in front of each of them. “Good. Now then, what should our first activity be?”
“How about— oof!” Before Rainbow had a chance to finish her sentence, she was pelted from the side, causing her to fall off her chair with a ‘thud!’.
“Rainbow!” Sunset stood up on instinct, turning to see the attacker. Just outside the door to their room stood Pinkie her right arm thrown forward and her left leg high in the air. “Pinkie!?”
“Oh.” Rainbow hopped onto her feet, holding the ball that had just slammed into her a moment ago. “It. Is. On.” However, as she started to wind up her right arm for a throw, she felt the ball taken away from her. “Hey!”
“Maybe we should take this outside, hm?” Applejack said, smirking as she raced out the main door, back to the front yard.
“Hey! Come back here! AJ!” Rainbow sped off after her. One by one the girls left the lodge. Sunset almost did so as well, until she turned around to see Fluttershy clearing the plates left by them.
“Fluttershy? You… you coming?” Sunset gestured her hand towards the door, sounds of screaming and shouting resonated from outside. “Before they hurt each other too badly to play?”
“O-oh heavens no, sports aren’t my thing. Plus, there’s all these dishes! You go on ahead.” Fluttershy replied in a meek tone, setting the dishes carefully into the sink before starting to scrub. Sunset strolled up to the sink, grabbing the second sponge as she started to clean the dishes as well.
“Y-you should really join them you know? I can do this on my own.” Fluttershy didn’t turn her head up as she spoke.
“Well, there’s no reason you should do it alone. Doesn’t matter if you can.” Sunset scrubbed in circular motions before running it under the tap water. Fluttershy didn’t reply as she combed her hair to the side.
Not more than a few minutes later, Sunset sat the last dish to the side to dry, smiling. “And...done. Will you go out now?”
“I-I don’t know…” Fluttershy whispered, holding her right arm with her left hand.
“Come on. You don’t have to play! Maybe...be the referee?” Sunset negotiated, moving towards the main door.
“I-I guess that would be alright.” The shy teenager shuffled out the door, Sunset moving along with her.
The main door flew open in a flurry as thunder roared and lightning flashed. The six girls quickly sped inside, drenched from head to toe from the intense rain. Sunset took large breaths, laughing with the others as she did so.
“I totally scored that last point!” Rainbow bellowed out, sitting down on the floor as she caught her breath.
“Am I going to have to punch the air out your head? Rarity and I totally scored it!” Applejack argued, squeezing water out of her ponytail.
“I think Applejack is quite right. That ball was kicked by us.” Rarity fluttered her blouse dry.
“But rebounded by me!” Sunset pointed at herself.
“Alright, Fluttershy. Since you're the referee, who scored that last point?” All four girls turned towards her, causing her to shiver.
“W-well, maybe...maybe we’re all winners?” Fluttershy inched her way to the washroom. “I mean, if that’s...that’s alright with all of you. We don’t need to argue.” Once she was close enough, she ran into the bathroom and locked the door.
“I think you’re all winners too!” Pinkie hopped up and down, poms poms in her hands. “D-A-S-H! You are super super great! Go...Dashie!” she cheered with glee, waving the soaking wet spheres of plastic over Rainbow’s head, causing rainwater to drip down onto her.
“H-hey! Alright! Enough cheering!” Rainbow batted her hands away softly. Pinkie remained unfazed, continuing her shouts of hurrah.
“Well, looks like we’re not going out there anytime soon.” Sunset tossed her shoes to the side, taking off her socks as well.
“Well, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun here!” Rarity spoke with an upbeat tone.
“Rarity’s right. Just because we can’t go out there doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be having fun here. It is our holiday after all!” Applejack waddled towards the staircase.
“But first we should take a bath. Unless we want this lodge to be covered in rainwater.” Rainbow hurried to her room as well.
“Right!” Rarity, Sunset and Pinkie agreed together, all of them racing to their individual rooms.
Sunset Shimmer opened the door to her room, dressed in a loose orange t-shirt and yellow shorts. She packed her dirty clothes into a small bag before setting it down.
“How was the bath?” Applejack asked as she laid on the bed.
“Great! Never enjoyed a warm shower so much before!” Sunset continued to dry her hair, running the towel roughly through her locks.
“If you wanna enjoy a cold shower just ask for work at the farm!” Applejack joked, turning towards her.
Sunset laughed as she hung the towel on the hook at the back of the door. “So what’s next?”
Applejack gave a nonchalant shrug. “We kinda didn’t plan for rain. Tonight we were supposed to do a barbeque but seeing as how this weather is wetter than the Canterlot High’s sprinkler malfunction, I think we can safely say that ain’t gonna happen.”
Sitting down on the bed, Sunset Shimmer turned her attention to her hands, which were now clasped together. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be fun. Anything will be fun as long as I’m spending it with you girls.”
“Umm, you alright?” Applejack sat herself upright, giving a concerned stare towards Sunset Shimmer.
“Y-yeah? Why?” Sunset lifted her head and tilted it slightly as she asked.
“Nothing. You kinda just...said that outta nowhere.” Applejack gave a warm smile. “Well, we’re glad to have you here as well.” Upon hearing the words, Sunset couldn’t help but give a smile of her own back. However, their moment was quickly interrupted by their door opening and Rainbow’s head poking in.
“Hey, you two! Come down to the living room, we’re going to play a game to pass the time!”
“Be right there, Rainbow Dash!” Sunset nodded as the door closed shut. “Well, come on, don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Wonder what game it is…” Applejack tapped her chin.
“Truth. Or. Dare!” Pinkie spoke in a low, gruff voice, her face mere inches from Applejack’s.
“G-great! Sounds like...fun?” Applejack grinned nervously.
“You’re right it does!” Pinkie bounced to her sitting position, returning to her usual bubbly personality once more. “Everybody knows how to play?” To which the rest nodded. “Oki doki loki! Whose first?”
“Me! Duh! Always first!” Rainbow reached down and spun the glass bottle. The others focused their eyes on it, watching it pass by each girl that was gathered on the living room floor. The bottle soon slowed to a stop and…
“Wow Rainbow, you really are first!” Pinkie spoke with an innocent tone. Rainbow slapped her own forehead, glancing once more at the neck of the bottle pointed right at her to make sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. “So…?”
“Dare.” Rainbow breathed in. “But let’s make a rule, no going outside alright? I don’t have enough spare shirts for another bath so soon.”
“Aww...alright!” Pinkie agreed. “I dare you to...eat this entire candy!” Upon saying the words, she whipped out a small yellow candy in front of Rainbow’s eyes.
“...That’s it? Puh-lease Pinkie!” Rainbow swiped the candy from her fingers, tossing it into her mouth. “There! Easy!” As the candy touched her tongue, she felt an intense rush of sour hit her senses.
“Oh right! I forgot to say, it’s super sour!” Pinkie and the others laughed hard at Rainbow’s continually contorting face. Her mouth scrunched up and eyes squinted hard, only for them to open wide and repeat the process once more.
“I haven’t seen Rainbow so funny—” Applejack paused, slamming a fist on the table. “—since that time she took one of my green apples!” She barely muttered out through her laughter.
“O-or that time she accidentally signed up to model for the school dresses!” Rarity spluttered, wiping away a stray tear.
Rainbow had a million rebuttals ready but was too concentrated on the moisture-sucking sweet that was on her tongue. Only after a few painful minutes did she manage to swallow the tart candy, her face still sucked in as if somebody had vacuumed the air away.
“Peech oh chake.” Rainbow bluttered out through her pursed lips, only causing even louder laughter from her friends.
“A-alright, I- hehe- I guess I’ll go next.” Fluttershy reached her hand down to the bottle, spinning it. As the others recovered, the bottle stopped with its neck pointing towards Rarity.
“Oh my. Well, I suppose truth would be the safer choice. Considering what Rainbow Dash just had to go through.”
“Hm… have you...ever liked a boy?” Fluttershy asked, hoping she wouldn’t get called out on how simple the question was.
“Well of course, Fluttershy! I’ve liked many boys!” Rarity knew Fluttershy would never get too personal and so, was not worried at the shy girl’s question.
“I don’t mean just like, Rarity. Not to ask them to carry your books for you but are there any boys you...you really liked?” Fluttershy’s words generated a soft blush from Rarity, who turned away with a finger at her curls.
“...No, I’m afraid not. However, I am not worried. That special someone will come along eventually!” Rarity quickly sat upright once more. “I think that answers that!”
“Well, yes. Thank you Rarity.” Fluttershy smiled at her friend.
“Well, it’s my turn!” Sunset grabbed the bottle and gave it a good spin. ‘Wonder who’ll get-” Before she could finish her sentence, the bottle stopped, pointing directly at the spinner. “...Oh horsefeathers,” she sighed. “Dare.”
“Eat this chip!” Rainbow took the offer, passing Sunset a single potato chip from a bag. Sunset took the crispy object, analyzing it for anything that might be off about it.
“What’s the catch?” Sunset cautiously asked, still inspecting it.
“Why don’t you taste it to find out?” Applejack coaxed. Sunset took a deep breath and placed the chip into her mouth, crunching down on it. Hearing the snickering of Applejack and Rainbow, she was worried it would spontaneously combust in her mouth.
At first, everything seemed fine. However, two seconds later, a sudden spicy sucker-punch slammed into Sunset’s mouth, igniting a raging inferno. “Mmm!” the unfortunate victim gave a muffled scream, rushing towards the kitchen and pulling the fridge open. She snagged the carton of milk, drinking it down, hoping to quench the wildfire that was in her mouth. It poured down the side of her face as she drank it with reckless abandon.
Meanwhile, the snickering from Applejack and Rainbow had turned into full-blown laughing, the others even joining in as Sunset drenched her face in the milk.
“N-nice one Rainbow!” Applejack stuttered out, clutching her stomach.
“T-thank- bahahahahaha!” The prankster’s laugh echoed off the walls of the cabin.
Sunset soon returned, her tongue hanging out of her mouth, eyes watering. “N-next please…”
An hour or two passed, many truths and dares had been done. Rainbow had upped the spicy chip for each dare from one to two to the current four. Luckily, Sunset had the idea to pour a cup of milk for each of them, allowing them to drink swiftly should they take the dare.
Once more, the bottle stopped at Sunset, this time Rainbow being the spinner. Sunset took a deep breath to recover herself from her previous laughing fit. “T-truth.”
“Alright! So...what was is it like when you were younger?”
The words shocked Sunset out of her giggles and smiles, causing her to freeze for a few seconds to process what she was just asked. And even then, she sat in disbelief. “I’m… s-sorry?”
“You know, back in your world, what was it like?”
Sunset closed her eyes tight, her breathing becoming slow and focused. All at once a rush of horrible memories entered her mind, about what she did, what she felt. The once light and carefree atmosphere of the lodge had been suddenly weighed down with what felt like several trucks. Sunset Shimmer opened her eyes but stared at the floor to her right, her mouth in a long frown. “I-I’d like dare instead...please.”
“No take-backseys!” Pinkie cheerfully and obliviously sang out.
With the air around her threatening to choke her and steal her breath, Sunset stood up. “I...I need to get something from my room. You all continue without me.” With that, she sped up the steps, hoping to find some solace and calm on her bed. She tossed the door open and dashed inside, shutting the door behind her.
The others only looked at each other in confusion.
“W-was it something I said?” asked Rainbow, running her hand through her hair.
In the room, Sunset lay on the soft bed, eyes fixated on the wooden ceiling above her. She took deep breaths, trying to let the pitter-patter of rain on her window and the distant roar of thunder drown out the sudden influx of horrible emotions. So focused was she on her thoughts that she didn’t hear the door creaking open.
“Hey, sugercube?” A familiar southern accent reached her ears. Sunset raised her head to glance at the waiting girl. “Mind if I come in?”
Sunset shook her head, allowing Applejack to take a few more steps inside and shut the door as quietly as she could. Taking a seat on her own bed, Applejack spoke once more, “about what happened downstairs…”
“I’m sorry. It’s just...my past is something that’s—” she took another large breath. “That’s hard to talk about.” Sunset returned her gaze to the ceiling above.
“Well, then let’s not talk about it.” Applejack pulled her bag towards her, unzipping the top. “You have anything you wanna do?”
“Huh? No...no I just...I’m really sorry about ruining the moment.” Sunset inhaled deeply. “I guess that’s what I seem to be good for.”
“Now that ain’t true and you know it.” Applejack reached into the open compartment of her bag, retrieving two bright red apples. “Hey, catch!”
Sunset looked right just in time to catch the flying apple. She glanced at its shining red skin, noticing just how fresh it was. “...Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” Juices flew in Sunset’s direction as Applejack took a bite out of hers. “Dinner’s anytime now.”
“Dinner?” Sunset gazed at the clock, noticing that it was almost seven in the evening. “Wow...today just flew by.”
“Wanna help Rarity prepare?” inquired Applejack.
“I would, but the last time I tried to help cook something, I almost burned Canterlot High down with it,” Sunset joked, trying to get her mind off her memories.
Applejack responded with a laugh. “Trust me, with Rarity that won’t happen. Heck, she won’t let you even cut the carrots unless it’s exactly the way she wants it.”
“W-well, I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t mind. I’m just scared that—”
“Then what’re you waitin’ for? Come on!” Applejack hopped to her feet and held the door open. Smiling to herself, Sunset exited the room with Applejack’s hand over her shoulder.
“Wonderful job on the dinner!” Pinkie complimented.
“Thanks, dear. But Sunset was of a lot of help. I simply could not have done it without her!” Rarity placed her hand over Sunset’s shoulder, patting her back. Sunset smiled humbly as she cleared the empty plates.
“Hey, Sunset. About what happened at the truth or dare game.” Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. “Well, I mean. Look, about what happened—”
“Apology accepted.” Sunset scooped up Rainbow’s plate, smiling to the athletic girl before heading to the sink to wash the dishes.
“Oh, so what do we do now?” Fluttershy turned to look out the large glass window. “It’s still pouring harshly.”
Pinkie saw that the sky was near pitch-black, no doubt that the downpour obscured the moon and stars as well. Darting from one end of the lodge to the other, she started tossing odd objects on the floor in front of the fireplace. Books, flashlights and other small objects flew past the five waiting girls.
Suddenly, the lights went off, drenching the place in darkness and silence.
“Umm...P-Pinkie?” Sunset stuttered out, unable to even see her own hand in front of her face.
With a ‘click’ the only source of light flickered on, coming from a small flashlight that illuminated Pinkie’s face at the other end of the table. “Scary stories!” she screamed out at the other girls. However, the only scream that came was from Fluttershy, who hugged the person closest to her: Sunset Shimmer.
“Alright!” Rainbow pumped her fist in the air. “I have a whole bunch to tell!”
“Then come to the fireplace!” Pinkie acted as if she was drifting on thin air, wiggling her fingers and making ‘ooo’ sounds to attempt to scare her friends. The rest turned to each other, giggling softly as they sat down in a circle.
“Me first!” Rainbow picked up her own flashlight. “Let me tell a story about...the Cabin in the Mountaintops!”
“Like this one?” Pinkie asked, perky once more.
“This very one in fact!”
“And so, if you hear sobbing from outside, never, ever check it. Because...it might be her!” Rainbow raised her arms threateningly, backed up by a sudden flash of lightning. The others gasped before a round of applause followed it.
“Nice one Dashie!” Pinkie clapped.
“Yeah! That was pretty scary!” Sunset smiled. “So, who's next?”
“How about you Fluttershy?” Applejack grabbed the flashlight, passing it to the trembling girl.
“O-o-oh no, I’m afraid my stories are too scary for all of you! And they’re real too!” Fluttershy pushed Applejack’s hand away.
“Pfft, please. Too scary for Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow puffed her chest out. “No such thing!”
“W-well, if you say so.” Fluttershy grabbed the light and shined it from under her chin. “There was this one time, I was in my backyard late at night.”
“Uh huh?” The others leaned forward.
“And...and I saw Angel bunny.” Fluttershy had begun shaking.
“Uh huh?” The five girls repeated, leaning closer.
“He...and he… he was angry! Which wasn’t like him…” Tears had started to flow, prompting a quick hug from Applejack.
“And?” They were practically in a tight circle now.
“And it was because...he had a thorn in his paw!” Fluttershy dived into Applejack’s shoulder, sobbing immensely. Sunset’s eyebrows furrowed, looking at the others who had the same reaction.
“That’s i- Ow!” Rarity’s elbow had slammed into Rainbow’s shoulder. She turned to the fashionista, who was very fiercely shaking her head.
“So...so that was...that was creepy alright!” acted Rainbow with a large grin.
“Yes it was!” Fluttershy’s muffled cries could barely be understood.
“Oookay then!” Sunset quickly tried to change the subject as Applejack patted the crying girl on her back. “So whose—”
“Me!” Pinkie grabbed the flashlight, shining it under her chin.
“Pinkie dear, this isn’t about the time your bottle of whipped cream came alive again is it?” Rarity sat with her knees pressed against her chest.
“First of all, it was a bottle of frosting! And no! It’s totally different, even more scary than that!”
“I sure hope so…” Rainbow whispered with gritted teeth, only to receive yet another soft elbow blow to her chest. This time, it came from Applejack. “Ow.”
“This story is about a lonely young girl who lived in an unnamed town!” Pinkie begun, her eyes widening to twice their size.
“Wait, unnamed? Meaning that no one has named it?” Rainbow interrupted.
“Or that no one knows the name?” Applejack continued.
“Maybe she doesn’t want to name it?’ Sunset reasoned.
“Ah, all of the above! Now let me continue my story!” shouted Pinkie. “Ahem. This girl went to a school in that town, but she was special! She was smart!”
“Oh?” Sunset listened in, her interest piqued.
“Oh, yes! But even though she was really smart, there was one thing she couldn’t do. She couldn’t...make friends!”
Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy let out a cohesive gasp as thunder boomed from outside. Sunset’s arms quickly wrapped around herself upon hearing the words. “O-oh?” she asked once more, closing her eyes.
“Yes! Scary, I know right?” Pinkie returned to her high-pitched tone for a second but quickly went back to her low, serious tone. “No matter what she tried, she couldn’t make friends with anyone but the teachers, who liked her for how smart and attentive she was! But that wasn’t enough for her, so one day, she disappeared.”
Sunset had drawn her knees to her chest, tightening the hug around herself significantly.
“Rumors say that she wanders to each school in the country and that you can hear her if you walk in a school at night, where she asks you to be her friend. Or else…”
“Or else… or else what?” Rainbow was shaking, though she probably wouldn’t admit it later.
“Or else...she’ll make it so that you can get any friends!” Pinkie threw her flashlight in the air, catching it with the loop at the end of her hair. Applejack screamed at the sudden movement, as did all the others but Sunset Shimmer. The screaming quickly dissolved into laughter. Even Fluttershy, wiping the tears from her eyes, had begun to joyfully giggle and sit upright.
“Sunset dear, are you alright?” asked Rarity, finally noticing the odd position she was in.
“I’m...I’m fine.” Sunset forced a smile, pretending to let out an audible yawn.
“Tired already?” Rainbow scooped a few chocolates and dumped them into her mouth.
“Yeah, sorry. I’m not used to… to having such a tiring day.”
“Sunset’s right though. We’ve had a busy day. Maybe we should call it a night?” Applejack crunched on a few chips as she spoke.
Fluttershy let out a tiny yawn, immediately apologizing after doing so, “sorry. I’m a little tired too.”
“Well, then let’s get some sleep so we have energy for tomorrow!” Pinkie beamed, bouncing towards the steps and later, up it.
“I heard that!” Applejack stood, offering a hand to Sunset.
“I need everybody to be in tip top awakey bakey shape!”
Sunset maintained her smile, grabbing Applejack’s hand as they moved back to their room to rest.
Lifting her head up, Sunset Shimmer gazed at the clock once more.
Midnight… She continued to toss and turn, hoping that she would finally fall asleep after hours of cluttered thoughts and scattered memories. Sitting up again, she pulled her bag softly towards her, careful not to wake the snoring country girl just across her. As she unzipped the top, she could see the faint symbol of her cutie mark on the book she had been using quite a bit for the past few months. Sunset grabbed the spine and headed out of the room.
Down at the kitchen, Applejack walked down the steps to the living room and kitchen. Still in a slightly dazed state, she didn’t notice much until a faint light caught the side of her eye. Looking up, she saw Sunset Shimmer sitting at the kitchen countertop, candle beside her, eyes locked onto the book.
“Awake this late?” Applejack’s call caused Sunset to jump a little before she realized it was just her roommate.
“Yeah. Can’t...can’t sleep.” Sunset rested her head on her left hand, staring back down at the worn yellow pages.
“Those scary stories didn’t cause that did it? Cause I’m certain they were just made up.” Applejack pulled a stool and sat beside Sunset, who giggled at her theory.
“No, no. Just some other things.”
“Like?” Applejack gazed over at the book, noticing that it was the very first page, one she had not seen before.
“Like… that story Pinkie told when about the girl who couldn’t make friends?”
“That’s just Pinkie being Pinkie, that story ain’t true. You ain’t gonna hear no ghost girl asking to make friends!” Applejack dismissed it quickly, shifting closer.
“That’s not the part that’s disturbing me, Applejack. I’m not afraid to encounter her. I just...I feel like I’m her. B-besides the ghost part.” Sunset ran her right index finger across the words of the first page. Words Applejack couldn’t make out under the dim candlelight.
“What, that you can’t make friends? That’s nonsense.”
“Yeah, sure seems like it now. Not when I was younger though.” Sunset leaned back in her chair, setting the book on her lap. “A student of Princess Celestia.”
“That must’ve been quite an honor. Being a student of a Princess,” commented Applejack.
“It was. It was the greatest honor I ever had but the other students in my class didn’t like that.” Sunset looked up into Applejack’s jade-colored eyes. “It’s weird. When you’re a student of Celestia, teachers don’t care for your name. They just think you’re perfect. Everyone looked to me for answers and I was hated when I had them, I was hated when I didn’t. They expected...perfection. Something I couldn’t give them.” Sunset placed the book on the countertop, shifting it to Applejack. “I talked to Twilight about this very problem at the sleepover at Pinkie’s.”
Applejack lifted the book, holding it under the light, finally able to read what it said.
‘Dear Princess Celestia,
I’m so happy to write my first friendship report! I found some great new friends! They’re really fun, really happy! I haven’t told them I’m your student yet, I want it to be a surprise! But I really think I can find the magic of friendship!
Your faithful student,
Sunset Shimmer’
“They weren’t surprised. I think they were more of furious, jealous.” Sunset Shimmer rested her head on the table. “What I wouldn’t give to write that letter to Princess Celestia about you five.”
“They...didn’t like it that you were a student of a Princess?” Applejack asked, perplexed.
Sunset shook her head. “They thought that meant I was smarter, greater. They thought I was saving it to show-off, when all I ever wanted to do was make friends. It’s so weird. No matter how many times I told them I wasn’t the answer to everything, they still expected it. The last thing I want was to… let everybody down, so I tried to find the answers to everything, which only caused them to hate me more.”
“S-Sunset, I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”
“It’s fine, AJ. I just wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self that everything’ll work out. Though I’m not even sure if she’ll believe me.” Sunset twiddled her fingers, sitting back upright. “All of you sound like you had such a great childhood.” A heavy sigh escaped her lips. “Makes me kind of envious.”
“Heh, I’m not sure we can compare to your childhood from another world, but our past ain’t all sunshine and rainbows either.” Applejack closed the book. “Get to know the other girls long enough, you know that they didn’t know no magic of friendship either for the longest time, until we came to Canterlot High.”
“And then I drifted you girls away with fake texts…”
“Now don’t you be bringing back old news,” Applejack sternly said, crossing her arms. “Just because you didn’t do good things in the past, doesn’t mean you can't do good things in the present or future.”
Sunset paused for a beat. “Still can’t believe you all forgive me for what I did.”
“That’s what friends do, Sunset. Granny Smith always told me that my pa used to say ‘Ain’t no use focusing on what’s gone and what’s to come. Just focus on the present. Cause that’s exactly what it is, a gift.’ “ Applejack threw her hand around Sunset’s shoulder.
“Your father sounds like a very wise man.” Sunset grabbed the book, hugging it to her chest with a small smile.
“I was told he was. Though I was too young to remember anything about him.”
Sunset remained silent and turned away, closing her eyes. “Wonder if Princess Celestia has forgiven me like you all have.”
“Well, that ain’t gonna matter. Whether she has or not, we forgive you and so has most of Canterlot High!”
“Yeah… yeah, you’re right. I guess I’m still reeling about finally discovering what it’s like to have… to have friends.” Sunset grinned, standing up.
“Well, don’t worry. You’ll get used to it,” Applejack laughed, patting Sunset’s back as she stood up. “I’m actually gonna make some juice, yer want any?”
“Thanks but...I better get some shut eye. See you tomorrow?”
Applejack gave a firm nod. “See you tomorrow.”
With Applejack’s words ringing in her mind, Sunset moved up to her room and closed the door. Laying on her bed with the book hugged tightly to her chest, she fell asleep with a smile drawn on her face.