Sunset leaned back on the wooden lawn chair, hands clasped together softly. The soft smell of evaporating rain filled her nose. She never understood why she loved this smell so much. It definitely didn’t smell nice, but it smelled...pleasant. Her mind raced to pin it to something, to match it with another smell she knew. It smells like… like… Images, memories and thoughts raced through her mind’s eyes, flashing rapidly until it settled on an image that made her squirm in her seat. ...Equestria...
She gave her eyes a light rub. The measly few hours of sleep she had gotten was starting to take its toll on her. However, she refused to give in to exhaustion, knowing her favorite time of day was approaching. She gazed upon the shadowy mountains the lodge overlooked. Rain no longer fuzzied the view, but the darkness did no favors in making the mountains easier to see. Sunset kept her eyes locked on the wavy horizon, a smile creeping on her face as she saw the first signs of it.
Small rays of light rose over the hills, bathing the dark pink sky and transforming it into a vibrant magenta. The light also seemed to color the lifeless hills a lively green and the balcony that Sunset was on had the darkness purged from it. Sunset grinned wide, letting the warm light rise from her feet to her head in a matter of minutes. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling, her mind imaging the sun waking countless ponies all across the town.
“So that’s where you’re at.” A southern tang shot Sunset’s eyes awake. She turned to her left, watching the farm girl lay in the chair next to her. “Ah woke up and saw that you weren’t in your bed. Had me worried for a second.”
“S-sorry Applejack.” Sunset bowed her head.
“Heh, ain’t no apology needed. Sometimes we all just need time to ourselves,” Applejack smiled, her attention locked onto the rising sun. “What’s going through you mind, sugercube?”
Sunset paused, turning her attention upwards as well. Her mind was in fact filled with thoughts. The sunrise always awed her. It resembled perfectly the one in Equestria, and even when she was young, the sun rising over the horizon was a scenery she related closely with. She never understood, or questioned, why. She just...enjoyed it. However, on Earth, the sunrise reminded her of so many memories. Some good, some bad and many terrible.
“N-nothing.” Sunset hung her head once more.
“Now Sunset, I know you ain’t stupid. But are you honestly trying to lie to the Element of Honesty here?” Applejack turned her head towards her friend, a frown on her face.
Sunset bit her lip and for a moment, there was complete silence. “I… I guess I just don’t know how to put my thoughts into words.”
“Can’t hurt to try,” Applejack replied in an instant.
Sunset gave a few seconds to attempt to organize the thoughts in her head before speaking once more. “I loved Sunrises ever since I was a filly. They made me feel… safe.” she watched her fingers dance around one another. “I’d catch as many as I could and I would and always think about Princess Celestia. Raising the sun. Starting the day. Making something so— so beautiful. I always wanted to be like her.”
Applejack swung her body into a sitting position, facing Sunset and giving her her full attention.
“But then I made a mistake.” Sunset took a deep breath. “I—I got… I did something that I knew I would regret for a long time,” she continued, “and honestly? After I made that mistake, I hated sunrises. They brought me nothing but tears, anger and… and bad memories.” Sunset finally gazed at Applejack’s concerned expression. “I guess I really did know I made a big mistake. That is until Twilight came along and, well, you know the rest. But ever since then, I found that I loved sunrises again. Guess it reminded me of a happier time. One I lost due to my decisions.” Sunset lifted her right hand and wiped a tear from her face. “I-I guess I’m scared that I’ll make another like the one in Equestria.”
“Sunset…” Applejack stood up and wrapped her arms around her. “You made some bad decisions. But that ain’t no reason to be scared to make choices in the future!” She broke the hug and met the yellow haired girl eye-to-eye. “Gonna let you in on a little secret. All your friends here? We’ve all made really odd choices before.”
Sunset sniffed, managing to stumble out a “Really?”
“For example, Rainbow Dash? She stole a guitar when she was younger caused she wanted to play it. Learnt it by herself too.” Applejack nodded with a smile.
“Actually, Applejack. I don’t find that hard to believe.” Sunset gave a broken chuckle.
“Hold your horses, I haven’t finished.. She thought she did good getting away with it, but found out that her parents paid for the guitar behind her back. Why, young Rainbow was so torn up that she took on jobs to earn back the money!” Applejack laughed.
“H-how young was she? Jobs? Who hired her?” Sunset turned her body a full 180, staring through the glass wall and into the darkened lodge.
“She didn’t work for much. Had to work weekends as well for a year to get back the money she needed.” Applejack helped wipe away two stray tears on Sunset’s face.
“Rainbow...did all that?” Sunset stared down at her hands in disbelief.
Applejack nodded. “Rainbow might not seem like the nicest girl. But she ain’t bad. Just like you and me, she made some decisions she regretted. Honestly she said she was glad she made that mistake.” She stood up, dusting herself off.
“Glad? How...why?” Sunset’s perplexed expression made Applejack giggle softly.
“Well, it taught her a lesson and made her into who she was! If it wasn’t for that mistake, she wouldn’t have known what real hard work is!” Applejack gave her a small smile. “So what’re you worried about? We’ve all done it!”
“...I-I guess I’m afraid that I’ll do it again.” Sunset admitted, rubbing her arm with her other hand.
“Then we’ll be right behind you if you do. We’re friends now, sugercube. We ain’t gonna leave you just because you made errors in your life!” Applejack opened her arms, signalling a hug to which Sunset swiftly obliged.
“T-thank you, Applejack. It really does mean a lot to have all of you stand by me.”
Applejack broke the small embrace, nodding. “Well, try to get some rest. Knowing Pinkie, she has some sorta crazy activity planned for us. Trust me, you don’t want to be sleepy doing whatever she wants you to do.”
“G-got it.” Sunset replied after giggling, knowing full well what Applejack meant. Both girls gave each other a knowing gaze as Applejack entered back into the lodge and Sunset remained on the balcony, laying back on her chair as exhaustion finally took over her.
Sunset blinked her eyes several times, watching her vision focus. Sitting up, she noticed that her arms were wrapped tightly around herself. Chills ran through her body, causing it to shiver uncontrollably while each exhale was accompanied by a cloud of smoke.
“W-what in Equestria…” Sunset spoke through chattering teeth, feeling too chilly to even notice her non-human exclamation. Summoning her strength, she twisted her body and forced her legs on the floor. Taking one step on the cold teak floor after another, she made her way into the lodge as quickly as she could.
“Whoa, hey, Sunset. What’s….what’s wrong?” Rainbow moved forward, squinting at the shivering girl.
“C-cold...s-so cold…” Sunset clattered out. Fluttershy had already ran to fill a glass with warm water while Pinkie had started up the fire. Rainbow escorted her to the couch, tossing a blanket that Rarity had retrieved over her.
“You slept in the rain?” Fluttershy asked, passing her the glass.
Sunset took several sips, feeling the jitters stop and her body returning to normal, before speaking, “there was no rain. Rain stopped at around four in the morning. But the chill outside… it’s like winter.”
“Darling, winter isn’t until two more weeks!” Rarity chuckled. “Maybe you just had a bad case of the shivers.”
“Or maybe she got a disease that will wreck havoc on her body! Transforming her into a half mutant and half zombie hybrid!” Pinkie ranted off, her arms high in the air, face inches from Sunset’s. However, a quick sneeze turned Pinkie’s large smile into a worried frown. “Wow, you really aren’t feeling so good, huh?”
Sunset shook her head lightly as Applejack and Rainbow led her to the seats near the fireplace. “I’ll prepare some cocoa.” Rarity rushed off to the kitchen.
“It’s f-f-freezing out there!” Sunset spoke through clattering teeth.
“I sure hope another storm isn’t on it’s way. We’ve been stuck in here long enough!” Fluttershy wrapped a white blanket around Sunset, hoping to return some warmth to her.
Sunset heard a loud series of clanking metal echoing from the kitchen. She turned her head towards the racket, watching Rarity frantically make several cups of hot chocolate. After placing the cups on the tray, she returned to the group, smiling. “Cups of hot cocoa is her—” Her jaw dropped open and her eyes grew wide.
“R-Rarity, hot cocoa. P-please…” Sunset managed to stutter out before sneezing once more. Another 2 seconds of silence from her prompted the others to turn around to the balcony window and, just like Rarity, their faces were frozen in awe.
Through the glass they could see white flakes of snow descending gracefully down from the sky. The dots of white were almost like magic to the girls, who were entranced by its movements. A layer of snow had begun to envelop the balcony. However, a quick sneeze from Sunset quickly snapped her friends out of their hypnotic gazes and occupied thoughts.
“S-sorry dear. You weren’t kidding...i-it’s snowing!” Rarity beamed, passing a cup to Sunset. She didn’t waste any time in sipping the hot liquid in the mug. It hurt a little, but the warmth it brought was more than worth it.
“We’re totally having snowball fights later!” Rainbow Dash screamed with elation. A big smirk was plastered on her face and her eyes were set on Applejack.
“Want a rematch from last year eh, Dash?” Applejack winked, a similar cocky smile on her lips as well.
Pinkie downed the scalding drink in one gulp. “Well,” she spoke, staring at the now empty cup before setting it aside. “I’m gonna build snowmen!”
“Aw shoot!” Applejack slammed her fist against her palm. “I just realized something! We ain’t got any winter clothes. How’re we supposed to go out there without freezing to death?”
The rest gave a heavy sigh. That is, except for Rarity. She snapped her fingers and her eyes glimmered. “I completely forgot! I’ll be right down!”
Sunset watched as, in a flash, Rarity ascended up to their rooms and returned with thick coats in hand. The fashionista tossed Sunset a light green coat with black accents. It complimented her skin and hair well. That is, maybe a little too well. “Y-you had all this made already? D-did you know?” she asked between sniffles.
“Oh heavens no! But a lady must always be prepared for any circumstances!” Rarity handed the remaining coats to the rest of her friends, each one slipping it on almost immediately.
“Alright! Let’s go!” Rainbow shouted, racing to the front door first. Applejack followed suit, shouting as well.
“Rainbow! Don’t you dare make snowballs while I’m not there! No cheating!”
Sunset gave a soft sigh. “Y-you guys go ahead. I’m gonna stay here and warm myself up a little while longer.”
Rarity calmly moved out, ensuring that her coat was adjusted perfectly and it wasn’t even an inch out of place. Behind her was Pinkie, who bounced and hopped outside with glee. She quickly turned around, noticing that Fluttershy had not stood up from beside Sunset. “You coming Fluttershy? The snowmen and snowbunnies aren’t going to build themselves!”
Fluttershy shook her head. “I’m a little too cold. You carry on!”
A thumbs up was Pinkie’s answer as she exited the lodge and closed the door behind her. Fluttershy returned her attention back to Sunset, who had her head hung low, eyes glued to the fire and arms still wrapped around herself.
“You don’t have to stay with me you know.” Sunset’s tone was harsh, though it didn’t seem to phase Fluttershy even a little.
“I know. I want to.” Fluttershy’s smile was petite, but it seemed to carry as much weight as Pinkie Pie’s biggest grin.
“Why? Because you pity me?” Her tone had gotten sharper and darker. Though, yet again, Fluttershy didn’t waver.
“Nope. It just looks like you need it.”
The words shocked Sunset into silence. Her mind recalled the last two sentences she had just said. The anger and spite in the words she spoke were bad enough memories. However, combined with the fact that she directed it to her kindest and most caring friend struck daggers into her heart.
“I-I’m so sorry, Fluttershy. I… I guess I’m just not used to having someone care for me just because they...actually care.” Sunset turned her head to face her friend, who was still smiling.
“It’s okay. I know that feeling. The only people that cared for me for the longest time were my parents and my friends.” A loud shout echoed from outside the lodge, followed by a playful scream that both girls quickly identified as Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy lifted her hand to her mouth as she laughed. “I bet Rainbow Dash is losing again. She has never beaten Applejack in a snowball fight.”
“You should join them.” Sunset said without missing a beat. This time, her hostile tone had been replaced with one that was much more warm.
Fluttershy simply shook her head. “And leave you here alone? It’s fine. All I do is make snowbunnies and get accidentally hit by Applejack and Rainbow’s snowballs anyway.”
Sunset chuckled. “Doesn’t sound like it’s an accident.”
“It isn’t,” Fluttershy giggled with her.
“And snowbunnies?” Sunset inquired with a curious look.
“Mmhm! Snowbunnies! To make sure the snowmen don’t get lonely.” Fluttershy laughed once more. “It was Pinkie’s idea.”
“Of course it was.” The reply came with a roll of her eyes.
Suddenly, the squeak of the front door sounded, prompting the two to glance at the entrance. Applejack and the rest had started to move in, settling themselves beside Fluttershy and Sunset.
"That was... fast." Sunset gave a confused look towards Rainbow.
"Well, Applejack was getting totally rocked by me-"
"Uh huh." Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Besides Rainbow telling lies, it just didn't felt right leaving you two here alone."
"And the snowmen were all lonely without Fluttershy's bunnies!" Pinkie draped herself over the back of the couch.
"It just didn't felt right." Rarity lifted a finger to her lips, frowning.
Sunset could only sit in stunned silence. Tears started to well in her eyes as she grabbed her friends into a large hug. The others hugged back instantly with large smiles on their faces. Nobody said anything, but nobody needed to. And for all Sunset cared, this had become the most perfect vacation.
“Great, what now?” Rainbow collapsed on the couch around the fireplace, flicking through the channels on the TV.
“Rainbow, you’ve been flicking through the same nine channels for the past ten minutes! Settle on something already!” Applejack gave an annoyed groan.
“There’s nothing to settle on! News, weather, news, weather, sappy soap opera, news!” Rainbow rapidly pressed the channel change on her remote.
“Excuse me!” Rarity gave a dramatic gasp and pressed her fingers to her chest. “The One Who Ran is not some ‘sappy soap opera’! It revolutionized the drama shows!” Rainbow gave a disinterested ‘uh huh’ before continuing her channel surfing.
“Well, I didn’t want to bring this out because I thought we should play together, but seeing how Sunset’s a little sick and we can’t go out in the snow-—” Pinkie had a playful smirk on her face as she spoke.
“Yeah, sorry about that girls.” Sunset bowed her head in guilt, but a hug from Fluttershy quickly brought the smile back to her face.
“Tada!” Pinkie shouted, lifting up her game console.
“You brought it!?” Dash leapt up in excitement. “Aww yeah! Time to destroy you girls in Battle for the Animal Kingdom 3!” She swiped the console and, in a whizz of wires and switches, connected it to the TV. “Who wants their butt whooped first?”
“Mm, I say you.” Applejack lightly grasped the controller from Pinkie’s waiting hands, while Rainbow confidently spun hers on her finger.
“Oh, so confident huh?” She sat on the couch, the game starting up with a wondrous display of colors.
“Right, you girls were playing this at Pinkie’s slumber party.” Sunset reminisced.
“Tried it before, Sunset?” Pinkie asked enthusiastically, laying upside down on the seat.
Sunset shook her head, sighing. “Never had the opportunity. I had no friends, no one wanted to play with me.”
“Well, maybe Applejack or Rainbow Dash could teach you!” Fluttershy chirped, her eyes glued as Rainbow selected her character; the quick-moving dragon, Bolt. Applejack, meanwhile, chose the hard-as-nails bovine, Amber. “When they’re done beating each other up.”
The others froze in stun before simultaneously turning their heads to stare at Fluttershy. “...What’d I say?”
The announcer’s voice boomed through the lodge. “Round One! Fight!”
Bolt flew up in the air, descending upon Applejack’s fighter with a flurry of kicks. The bovine attempted to dodge the barrage of blows, but found itself unable to and kicked towards the corner. Applejack tapped several buttons and got her character back up. Rainbow dashed in once more, but this time, Amber spun around and slammed her hoof right into the dragon’s face.
“What!? No fair!” Rainbow screamed. She shifted herself closer to the edge of the couch and leaned forward, her eyebrows furrowed.
The tapping of buttons echoed through the lodge along with screams of ‘ooo’ and ‘ow’ from the spectators. The first round went to Rainbow Dash, her speed and pressure just too much for Applejack’s slow-moving Amber to keep up with.
“Round two, start!”
Rainbow leapt up in the air, pumping her fist high. “Winner!” She took several bows. “Thank you, thank you!”
Applejack rolled her eyes with a smirk, handing the controller to Sunset.
“Wait, what!?” Sunset’s eyes grew wide. “I can’t play this! I don’t even know what any of these buttons do!”
“It’s easy!” Applejack positioned Sunset’s right thumb over one of the colored buttons. “This is punch and this is kick!”
“And the other six buttons?”
“You’ll just get lost if I try to explain it, so just punch and kick!”
Sunset scrolled through the eight characters available for her to pick. She scrolled past a fun-loving llama and a tired looking tortoise. Eventually, she settled on a snow-casting reindeer named Frost. “It’s the season I guess.”
“Go Sunset!” Pinkie cheered.
“You can do this!” Fluttershy shouted. Or at least, what she would call shouting. Anyone else would merely call it whispering.
The two characters loaded in, and the announcer once again bellowed out. “Round One! Fight!”
Rainbow dropped her controller in disbelief. “I...I lost.”
“Whoa, you’re a natural Sunset!” Applejack praised, high-fiving her.
“The move where she ballet out a snowstorm was just wonderful, darling!” Rarity too, was awestruck at Sunset’s ability. The girl in question could only give a humble chuckle.
“Beginner’s luck I guess!” Sunset passed the controller onto Fluttershy, who grabbed it in confusion.
“Me? You want me to play?” Fluttershy whimpered.
“Yeah, what’s wrong, Fluttershy?” Applejack inquired.
“But they’re cute animals! I can’t make them fight! They’re so innocent and sweet. Why can’t they just have tea?” The timid girl shivered.
“Wait, you’re not okay with making the animals fight, but watching us duke it out—”
“Oh I have no problems with that, but I myself can’t make these cuddly critters hit each other!”
The room fell silent, Rainbow even raising her eyebrow in utter confusion. “Seriously? That doesn’t make any sen— ow!” She yelped and scowled at AJ, who was retracting her arm.
Pinkie grabbed the controller. “I’m ready! Who am I fighting?”
“Come on Fluttershy.” Sunset tried to coax her. “It’s really fun!”
“Oh, I don’t know…”
“You can pick a ninja bunny named Blade.” Rainbow gave a devilish smirk. Fluttershy readied herself and grasped the controller tightly. Her eyes lit up with fiery determination and her tone had gotten an unusual low.
“They shall all fall to ninja bunny Blade.”
“Double Perfect!”
“Yay!” Fluttershy softly cheered. The others sat in stunned silence. Each of their jaws had dropped open and their eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and fear. Fluttershy glanced at everyone’s expression. “Umm… sorry?”
“Sorry?” Pinkie dropped her controller and gripped her head. “You just double perfected me! I… I’m so…” Fluttershy shrunk herself down, holding the controller up to her face. Pinkie was going to scream at her! Oh how she hated it when her friends would shou- “Amazed Fluttershy! That was amazing!” Pinkie giggled.
“That was insane, Fluttershy! You totally trashed Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow stood up and hugged Fluttershy, whose cheeks blushed a neon red.
“O-oh, well, thank you.”
“Next time a super evil magical so-and-so is bent on world domination from Equestria, we should just ask Fluttershy to play this with them!” Applejack winked at Sunset, who responded with a coy smirk and a wink as well.
“Darling, remind me not to mess with you ever!”
“Well, who's next?” Fluttershy innocently asked. Rainbow snapped her fingers and Pinkie sat the controller in her palm.
“Me. I’m calling not getting double perfected by you a win!” Rainbow fell onto the cushioned seat, getting ready to play.
“Double perfect!”
Fluttershy once again noticed the glazed expressions of her friends. “Deja vu.” She whispered under her breath.
“You lost.” Rarity spoke matter-of-factly.
“Well,” Rainbow dropped her controller to the floor. “I quit.”
“You can’t quit!” Fluttershy gasped in shock. “What if I never played again? You can’t stop Rainbow Dash! You look so happy playing!”
Rainbow burst out into a loud chortle. “I’m kidding, Fluttershy! Heh, but you have to teach me alright?” To which she replied with a small nod.
“Well, I hate to end this ‘losing to Fluttershy’ event, but we’ll have to leave soon. I suggest we start packing!” Rarity moved to the kitchen.
“I’ll keep the console!” Pinkie zipped up to the TV and in a whirlwind of movements had disconnected all the wires. “Someone mind helping me with the controllers?”
“Sure, Pinkie.” Sunset scooped them from the floor and followed behind the chirpy girl. They entered her room, which had been decorated with streamers of every color. Even balloons stood in the corner. “Umm, you set all of this up?”
Pinkie opened her suitcase, dumping the large console inside. Sunset was going to question if it was enough space, but somehow it sunk into the bag, disappearing from sight. She raised her finger, but quickly dismissed it.
“Uh huh! Don’t you think it makes the place so much happier?” Pinkie tossed the controllers in the same bag. Once again, they disappeared from Sunset’s view. “This was such an awesome trip!” she chirped.”It was almost like my family’s Christmas vacations! Was yours this fun filled?”
Sunset sat on the bed, playing with her fingers. “I… I wouldn’t know. My family and I weren’t close, and then after what I did…”
Pinkie tossed her hand over Sunset’s shoulder. “Then let this be your first family vacation!”
“Family vacation?” Sunset gave a puzzled look to Pinkie Pie.
“Yeah family vacation! While you’re here we’ll be your family!”
Sunset hadn't considered that before. Her friends as… family? She gave it some thought, smiling wide the longer it stayed in her mind. “You sure the others would be alright with that?”
“Pssh, we already are family! That wasn’t a question, Sunset!” Pinkie confidently said, giving one of her signature large grins.
Sunset laughed and stood up. “I… I better get packing. Don’t wanna be late and all.”
“Oki doki loki!”
Sunset scooped up her bags from the room, letting out a soft sigh as she exited. In the living room stood all her friends, except for Rarity. Each of them had their bags swung over their shoulders or gripped in their hands. Slowly, she made her way down the steps.
“I did not leave you hanging!” Rainbow stomped her foot angrily, causing the rest to laugh louder.
“Sure you didn’t Rainbow.” Applejack scoffed.
“You literally left Rarity hanging from the monkey bars!” Pinkie snickered.
“I was busy!” Rainbow shouted, prompting a snicker from Sunset as she approached from behind.
“Wow Rainbow, you sure you’re the element of loyalty?” Sunset nudged her friend, smirking.
“I— Gah! You girls wouldn’t understand how important those tickets were!” Rainbow threw her arms in the air. “They were front row tickets to the Skywind Air Show! Speed! Rock! Amazing stunts!”
“I understand…” Fluttershy raised a finger.
“Thank you! Somebody that’s on my side!” Rainbow threw her arm around the shy girl and pulled her in close.
“We didn’t even mention about the ketchup bottle incident!” Pinkie chortled.
At the very mention of those words, Rainbow’s face turned a ghostly white. “Urr...w-we better see if Rarity’s done!” she released her hug on Fluttershy, moving towards the main door at a swift pace.
“Wait, what ketchu—” Sunset attempted to inquire.
“Nothing! Nothing. It’s nothing. Totally nothing. Come on girls! Move it!” Rainbow tapped her fingers on the door with one hand and pulled Applejack by her wrist with her other.
“Whoa! Slow down Dash!”
“Eep, coming! Please don’t pull me!” Fluttershy begged, exiting the door at light speed.
“I’ll tell you another time, promise!” Pinkie winked towards Sunset as both of them left the lodge, shutting the door behind them.
Snow had stopped falling, though the thick white blanket over the entire mountain lodge showed just how heavy it had fallen hours ago. The five friends zipped up their winter jackets and shuffled towards the road. Sunset glanced at the others around, watching the residents play in the snow. Some had made snowmen while others had begun to toss snowballs around. Families trudged through the white ice together, laughing and filling the air with joy. Somehow, she couldn’t help but smile as well.
“There you all are!” Rarity waved to them. They quickly caught up to the fashionista, who was checking her planner. “Keys returned. Checked out and my parents should be here any minute now.”
“Rarity, I just wanted to thank you for inviting me up here.” Sunset gave a sheepish grin and a soft blush.
“No thanks needed, darling!” Rarity gave Sunset a soft hug.
“I guess I never really thought you five would include me for such a big gathering.”
“Of course we would! After all, without you, we wouldn’t have been able to stop those nasty sirens from taking over CHS!” Rainbow swung her arm around Sunset as well, grinning.
Several loud honks caught their attention and as they turned, they noticed a familiar car waiting for them.
“That’s our ride! Let’s get out of this cold!” Rarity opened the door, entering the passenger seat. One by one, they all got into the vehicle, all except Sunset. She stared at one group of friends in particular, who were all seated outside and sharing a hot meal. Her hand raised to her heart, feeling an unusual warmth overcome her. One she hadn’t felt since her time with Celestia. As she entered the vehicle, only one thought crossed her mind.
Lucky me.
"Thanks for the ride!" Sunset waved to Hondo.
"Stay safe!" Rarity grinned back to her.
"And awesome!" Rainbow gave a thumbs up.
"Don't forget! We're still on this Sunday!" Pinkie yelled.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Good. It wouldn't be the same without ya!" Applejack tipped her hat.
"Bye!" Fluttershy's soft voice was barely audible from the roar of the engine.
Sunset continued waving to her friends as the car sped off. Once they had gone out of sight, she swung around and walked slowly to her apartment. She climbed the steps to the second floor, waving to the neighbours she passed. The elderly couple nodded in acknowledgement, eyes fixed on Sunset as she entered the room labelled '#02-03'.
Her space wasn't anything special. It had a living room, a kitchen and a bedroom with a bathroom. It was simple, but it was all Sunset could afford. She pulled up the squeaky metal chair and set her bag down on the table. Unzipping the top, she pulled out the familiar book that had her cutie mark emblazoned on the front. However, now it buzzed softly, making a faint ringing noise. A quick flip to the most recent page and Sunset was greeted to a glowing paragraph.
'Dear Sunset,
How's the trip going? Good I hope. Sorry I haven't been replying to your texts. It's been a hectic few days, can't wait to tell it to you in more detail when we meet! So? Anything interesting happened recently?
Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle.'
Sunset smiled wide and clicked the pen in her palm.
'Dear Twilight,
The getaway was amazing. I learnt things about my friends I never knew about. And the fact that they're telling me such secrets makes me feel like they're finally accepting me. We joked, laughed and cried. We also argued, but most importantly, our friendship got stronger. Not only that, but it's winter now! Snowmen! Snowball fights!
I'm meeting them again this Saturday to hang out at Pinkie's. I'll tell you more when that crazy girl tells me the details. I honestly didn't expect to learn anything this trip, but I did learn something very important.
I learnt that your friends have stories too. Each of them have done things that they regretted, and things that they are proud of! They've learnt morales throughout their life that has shaped them into being the person, or pony, they are today. And it's the fact that we're different that makes our friendship stronger than usual.
Even though the trip is over, I know that the memories will never be.
Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer.'