“You want me to what?!” Sunset said in an expression that could only be described as a combination of shock and confusion.
“I want you to join the soccer team.” Rainbow said in a disgruntled tone. “You saw your skills when we practiced last week. We have a terrible goalie and you could easily replace him!”
“No.”
“No?!”
“No. I'm not interested in sports Rainbow.” Sunset said as she slammed her locker. “Besides, isn't it too late to join the team anyways? Didn't tryouts happen before I started going to this school?”
“Yes. But I could totally convince Coach Spitfire to let you on the team! When she sees your goalie powers, you would get on for sure!”
“'Goalie power'?! Seriously?!” Sunset said with an arched eyebrow. “No. Sorry Rainbow, but no.”
“Aw, come on!”
“No Rainbow. I need to get to history class.”
“Ughhhh...why do you have to be such a egghead?!” Rainbow groaned as she fell to her knees. “Come on Sunset! Can't you just come by and see the practice?!”
“No.”
“Just let me show you how bad our goalie is!”
Sunset's eyes twitched in annoyance. It was Monday. She had spent the last two days trying to forget everything she had just learned about Equestria. Her mind was in a mess as she kept thinking about how out there the story of her being a pony from a magic filled world and another version of Luna being evil. 'I'm in some weird middle place between ignorance and denial right now, aren't I?' she thought as she looked at Rainbow again, who was just standing there with puppy dog eyes. A long sigh exited her mouth. “Fine.”
“Really?!” A grin grew on Rainbow's face.
“Yeah. But I'm only gonna watch the practice. No me being a goalie.”
“Deal!” Rainbow said as she turned around and ran down the hallway. “Its after school at the fields!”
“Okay.” Sunset weakly replied as she turned to go to her class. 'I can't believe I agreed to that.'
It wasn't long till Sunset found herself at lunch again. There, she sat the usual cafeteria table, ready to start talking to all of her friends. The first to join was Fluttershy.
“Hello Sunset. How are you today?”
“I'm good.” Sunset said as she took bite into her salad. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“I...uh, I've been thinking recently and...I think I'm ready to tell them.”
“Tell them? Oh. You mean...are you sure Sunset?” Fluttershy said with a slight gasp.
“Yeah...I think I'm ready.”
It wasn't long till her other friends joined them. Applejack and Pinkie were first, then Rarity and finally Rainbow Dash. As her five friends sat around her, she couldn't help but smile. However, the smile wouldn't last long.
“Hey girls...” Sunset said in a dry tone. “Could I tell you all something?”
The five looked at each other and back at Sunset. “Is something wrong darling?”
“Yeah, something biting at ya sugarcube?”
“Not exactly. I just...” Sunset scratched the back of her head, trying to figure out what to say. “Look, I've already told this to Fluttershy and Rarity but...I don't know.”
Rarity looked at Fluttershy, only for the two to just show a face of worry. “Look darling, you don't have to-”
“You're all my friends Rarity. And...I had a really great last week with all of you. I should tell them.”
“Tell us what sugarcube?”
“Yeah, what's up?”
“Oh! Oh! Is it a secret? I love secrets!” Pinkie said with bouncing up and down.
“It is darling and you can't tell anyone.” Rarity turned back to Sunset. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” Sunset nodded. “Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie...I...I...” she could feel a lump growing in her throat. She hated admitting this. But, she wanted her friends to know. They needed to know. “I don't know who I am.”
“Huh?”
“I don't get it.”
“I...have amnesia. It means I can't remember anything. I just...wanted the rest of my friends to know.” Sunset said as a tear began to stream down her face. “I'm sorry for not telling you earlier.”
The three looked at each other in slight confusion. “Um...sugarcube, why are yah sorry?”
“Huh?”
“Why are yah sorry for not telling us? You said it was a secret right?”
“Well I...I thought you might think differently of me and-”
Before Sunset could finish, Pinkie slammed her body into Sunset, giving her a tight hug. “Aw, don't worry about that Sunny! We wouldn't think differently of you! You're our friend!”
“Yeah! Why would we think differently?!” Rainbow responded. “You just told us you lost your memory, why is that bad?”
“Ah agree.” Applejack said while tipping her hat. “Even if you don't know who ya are, we know. Though it does explain why yah was so plumb depressing lookin' for the first few days we knew yah...”
“Yeah, but who cares about that?” Rainbow said in a blunt tone. “Sides, there's no reason to be sad when you got your friends.”
“They're right darling.” Rarity shined a bright smile. “You shouldn't think so negatively all the time.”
“That's right.” Fluttershy said as she began to hug Sunset. “We're all here for you Sunset. Let it all out.”
Tears began to flow down her cheeks as she heard those words. “Thank you...thank you so much.” Sunset hugged her friends back, her mind still in a slight mess. “Thank you for being my friends!”
“Anytime darling.”
A few hours later...
Sunset dreaded what she was about to watch. In her mind, sports was nothing but a giant waste of time. She had come home every now and then and seen Luna watch it on a 'television'. She was pretty sure televisions didn't exist in Equestria since she found herself fascinated by it when she first arrived. Same with cars and computers. Only phones didn't fascinate her. As for sports, Sunset saw it as just a bunch of humans playing with some kind of ball. In every single sport.
“I'm gonna regret doing this. I just know it.” Sunset said to herself as she entered the field. She glanced at the bleachers, her nose feeling a slight itch. As she went up the bleachers, she saw a woman walking over, yelling at the top of her lungs.
“Faster you slugs!” she yelled as the team ran up and down the field. “If you aren't fast, you will lose!”
Sunset's eyes scanned the field, watching every movement for a while. It wasn't long till the players started to do goal practices. The team's goalie was named Score and just like Rainbow said, he was horrible. Sunset groaned as he continue to flail his arms around, barely touching the ball unless the ball was kicked directly into him. Even then, he would mess up and the ball would still go in. 'Guess Rainbow was right...but I still don't want to do this.'
As soon as Sunset let out a yawn, her ears picked up a certain noise. The noise of footsteps. Her head turned only to see Rainbow Dash running up towards her. “Sunset!”
“I'm here.”
“Hey!” Rainbow stopped in front of Sunset, trying to catch her breath. “You saw it right?”
“I did. But I'm still not doing this. I'm not going to be your goalie.”
“Aw come on! Please?! Can't you help us out a tiny bit?!”
“Rainbow, I told you-” Sunset stopped and saw an individual behind Rainbow. Seeing Sunset's look, Rainbow soon turned around as well.
“Coach Spitfire! I-”
“That's enough Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire said in a gruff tone. She walked past Rainbow and looked directly at Sunset, her eyes filled with cold precision. “So...you're Sunset Shimmer, right?”
“Yeah.”
Spitfire continues to look Sunset over, her eyes shifting up and down. “Hmm...Rainbow told me you blocked all her kicks like it was nothing.”
“I did. I also told her I'm not joining the soccer team.” Sunset deadpanned.
“I see...come with me.” Spitfire said with a small gesture.
“I said I'm not joining-”
“I know what you said. You're not joining the team. I want you to come with me for a second though.” Spitfire gave a cocky look. “Don't have anything better to do, do ya?”
Sunset sat there for a second, trying to think of a good response. Nothing came to mind though. “No. I don't.” She pulled herself up and followed Spitfire to the field, all while watching the happy-go-lucky face Rainbow was showing off. “Rainbow I told you-”
“Here.” Spitfire said with presenting her hand to Sunset. “Put these gloves on.” Sunset looked at the gloves and slowly put them on. “Looks like they fit. Good.” Spitfire cricked her neck and pointed to the soccer goal. “Go over there.”
“You do realize I'm not gonna-”
“You're not joining the team.” Spitfire said in the gruffest tone possible. “I don't care if you defend the goal or not.”
“Uh...” Sunset stuttered. 'Why is...I don't get it. What is she thinking? Then again, if she says I'm not going to join the team, I got nothing to lose...' Sunset walked over to the goal and stood in a basic, non-defensive stance. She watched Spitfire signal for a soccer ball. She watched the coach crick her body as the ball rolled up to her feet.
“Okay Sunset Shimmer. I'm gonna only kick this once. That's all.”
“Once?”
“Yep.” Spitfire put her foot on the ball and began to kick it left and right. Sunset's eyes began watching her feet, seeing every movement. Then, as if it was a fireball, Spitfire kicked the ball like it was on fire. The ball spun like a top in the air, spinning into the top left corner. Sunset's body flew, her right hand barely tapping the ball. However, this was enough to knock the ball into the poles of the goal. The ball bounced and flew off the field. The other players just stood there, their jaws agape in shock.
“No way!” said multiple players. “How did she...”
“Ha! You see that coach?! I told you she was awesome!” cheered Rainbow.
Spitfire clapped her hands a few times as Sunset got back up. “Not bad kid. Too bad you're not joining.”
“Thanks.” grunted Sunset as she patted her shirt down. “Gotta admit, I thought I wasn't gonna block it.”
“Yeah. Now get off my field.” Spitfire said while pointing to the school. “I have no time for people who don't want to join the team.”
“What?! Oh come on!” Rainbow yelled. “Didn't you just see that coach?! She's ten times better than Score!”
“Hey!” Score screamed. Unfortunately for him, no one was listening.
“I know she is Rainbow. But she's not joining.” Spitfire deadpanned as she showed her hand to Rainbow, only showing two fingers. “I'll give you two reasons why.”
“Two?”
“One. She doesn't want to join and I have no need for people who don't want to play sports.” Spitfire turned back to Sunset. “Two...can I ask you something Shimmer?”
“Sure.”
“What were you looking at when you were defending?”
'Why is she asking that?' thought Sunset as she stepped back a bit. “Your feet. Why?”
“That's reason number two.” Spitfire said as turned back to Rainbow. “You see Rainbow, she doesn't have any spirit. Or, at least when it comes to sports.” Spitfire taps the side of her head. “She'd rather use her brain. Even though I would take her over Score any day, she's never gonna like soccer completely.”
“But-but-but-”
“Go ahead. Nice meeting you Sunset.” Spitfire said in a stern tone. She extended her hand, only for Sunset to firm grasp and shake it.
“Nice meeting you too.” Sunset turned and walked off the field, leaving a disappointed Rainbow Dash. The disappointment wouldn't last long though as another player ran up to Sunset.
“Hey! Wait!” the player yelled as Sunset turned to see who it was. Sunset's eyes went from curious to shock in under a second.
“Wha...Gilda?”
“Yeah...hold up.” Gilda said as stopped in front of Sunset. “Can I talk to ya for a sec?”
“Uhhh...er...okay?” Sunset said with a gulp.
“Thanks.” Gilda scratched the back of her head in slight embarrassment. “I just...I wanted to say that was pretty impressive. You know, that whole blocking the coach's shot. I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that before.”
“Really? Um...thanks, Gilda.”
“Right...uh...I just wanted to say, don't make me the reason to not join to the team. After seeing that, I'll gladly vouch for ya.”
“Oh well...” Sunset felt lumps gather in her throat. 'Wow...this is so embarrassing. I'm freezing up.' Sunset slightly blushed. “Thanks but...I'm not interested anyways. I just did this to satisfy Rainbow...which apparently I still failed at.”
“Ha!” Gilda let out a hearty laugh. “Sounds just like her. She always wants to have her way.”
“True...heh heh heh...”
“Hey!” yelled Rainbow as she cut in between the two. “What do you think yer doing Gilda?!”
“Whoa!” Gilda stepped back. “Calm down Dash. It's cool, I was just complimenting Sunset here.”
“No you weren't! I bet you were gonna try something again!”
“I'm not-look Dash!” Gilda said as she butted heads with Rainbow. “I was trying to-”
“No you weren't!”
“I-”
“ENOUGH!” Sunset screamed at the top of her lungs. She then slammed her hands between the two, pushing both away from each other. “That's enough! No fighting!”
“But-”
“Quiet Rainbow!” Sunset said with a glare. “Listen, Gilda was just complimenting me on what just happened, okay?”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Sunset deadpanned. “So stop worrying. Me and her aren't gonna fight anymore.” Sunset turned to Gilda. “Right?”
“Yeah...right.” Gilda gulped. “I don't wanna get expelled or anything, okay Dash? I already got suspended for a half a week.”
“Well...”
“Rainbow...” Sunset sighed. “Listen, remember what happened to Lightning Dust?”
“Yeah. She got suspended for a week after yelling at the Principal Celestia. And she's banned from sports.”
“Exactly, and if she does anymore, she gets expelled. Same with Gilda.” Sunset said while pointing at Gilda. “The only difference is that Gilda is allowed to still play sports cuz she agreed to Principal Celestia's terms and didn't throw a tantrum. Do you think she wants to lose that privilege?”
“No...sorry.” Rainbow said, her head drooping down.
Sunset took a deep breath. “Its cool. Sorry I lost my temper. I just...I just wanna go home today Rainbow. I'm sorry but I'm just not interested in sports.” Sunset presented her hand. “Friends?”
“Friends.” Rainbow shook back. “I'm still watching you Gilda.”
“Rainbow.” Sunset groaned as she glared at Rainbow. “Be nice. Don't make me get Fluttershy out here.”
“Its cool Shimmer.” Gilda waved her hand. “Me and Dash don't fight each other anymore anyways. We're old pals, right?” Gilda put her arm around Rainbow's shoulder. “Remember when we pranked old coach Iron Will with that fake football?”
“Yeah, I remember.” Rainbow said with a hearty laugh. “Man, he was really ticked off.”
“See? Its cool Shimmer.” Gilda shined a smile. “Me and Dash can get along just fine. We're the best of old buddies!”
“Yeah...we were.” Rainbow muttered. “Till you started hanging out with Lightning Dust.”
“Hey! She's cool if you give her a chance...” Rainbow glared at Gilda with an arched eyebrow. Gilda tried to give a half smile. “Okay...she's not that cool. She'll come around, I promise.”
“Just keep her away from my friends Gilda. Got it?"
“That's fine. Let's just get back on the field. Later Sunset.”
“Later.” Sunset waved goodbye as the two walked back to the field. 'Glad that's over.'
Later that evening...
Dear Twilight,
Ever had that day where someone wants you to do something that you really don't want to do? Then you do it and they still aren't satisfied?
Twilight looked at the entry, her mind thinking about the question. 'Hmm...something I had to do...and then they still weren't satisfied...'
The Past...
“Are you sure about this princess?” Twilight asked as she glanced at the large menu in front of her. “I mean, I don't mind eating just the usual food.”
“Now Twilight, don't you remember what I just told you?” Celestia said as she put her menu down. “There are times in a pony's life where you must try new things. You've spent the last two weeks trying to hole up in your room and just study. If you are going to be my student, there are times you need to relax and try new things.”
“But-”
“No buts Twilight.” Celestia did a slight cough. “Now, I want you to try something new. Don't ask for just hay or a simple salad. Make sure to try something you've never had before.”
“Okay...” Twilight’s eyes shifted through the menu, glancing at each entry. “Hey princess?”
“Yes?”
“What's a quesadilla?”
The present...
You have no idea.
Sunset chuckled at the entry. 'Glad to see I'm not alone...'