Tell Me Baby

by Gpizano

The Innocence You Left Behind

"You know, when I said I wanted to talk, I meant inside where it was warm Jackie."

"Yeah? Well tough. This is what me and my friends do when we need "to talk". It's like, what they do in the movies or on TV or whatever."

"And the beer that you some how acquired despite being under the drinking limit?"

"Look, Bobby is a good dude but he's too good. I had to pay the usual guy by the liquor store down the way to get us the two packs."

"Lovely."

"Hey, if you don't like beer I got Tino to get a thermos of hot horchata since you're so picky."

It had been three days since Sunset Shimmer had talked with Princess Twilight over the phone and she had become more reclusive than normal as she thought over everything that they had talked about. She hadn't spoken to anyone except Jackie or Bobby in passing when she ventured out to get food from the kitchen but now she was ready to have a talk. She knew it had to be Jackie and she had told the guitarist so yesterday. What she hadn't expected was for the blue haired woman to come home from playing guitar on the streets with beer and horchata in hand, telling her to get two of the lawn chairs in the corner and head to the roof.

At this point the sun getting low and the temperature was starting to drop, as warm as the comfy jeans and Red Hot Chili Peppers hoodie she powered from Jackie were, it was still freaking cold! Yet she still helped to unfold the old, worn out lawn chairs, positioning it as Jackie directed before sitting down and feeling herself sink about an inch. Jackie placed her guitar case to her right and set the drinks in between their chairs. Sunset turned down the bottle of beer offered to her, watching Jackie take a bottle opener out of her pocket and take the cap off before taking a swig. Sunset instead opted to reach down for the thermos of horchata.

"Remind me again why we can't do this in the nice, warm apartment?"

"Look."

The annoyed sigh caught in her throat when the red head finally took a look at the view ahead of her. They were facing west and had an unobstructed view of the skyline, the tall buildings nothing more than silhouettes against a wonderful palette of fading yellows, oranges, pinks and reds that were giving way to the rich purples and blues of night.

"... huh."

"Right?"

For awhile they just sat their, watching the sun sink lower in the west as they sipped their respective drinks. It was... comfortable. Despite the cold, Sunset Shimmer found she felt at ease as she had during the car drive only... different. She didn't feel a need to unload her troubles, she didn't feel her nerves were frayed around all edges... it was nice. It was almost a shame to have to break it.

"... why are you so... nice? So willing to help me?"

"Come on..."

"No. You didn't have to drive me out here. You didn't have to walk me home or buy me a cheap meal. You didn't even have to step in to save me from Gilda."

"You know, decent people do step in to help others."

"And the rest?"

The guitarist slightly tilted her head to look at Sunset Shimmer, the high schooler mimicking the action as they sort of stared at each other through the corners of their eyes. Finally, Jackie turned her gaze ahead and drained the last of her beer, setting it back in the case as she reached for a second one.

"That's... on the personal side, Sunshine."

"Oh come on, I've told you about myself."

"Bullshit, you haven't told me everything."

That earned Jackie a glare that she returned right back.

"Come on. Yeah, you told me about how bad you were in high school but I heard about the main stuff from Treehugger. What about before that? Where you come from? What was up with you a couple days ago? I might not be the sharpest pick in the rock star's pocket but I'm not stupid. I'm not saying we need to swap secret for secret but you don't get to pull that bullshit card on me."

"... sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

The sun was slowly disappearing but there was still enough good light that Sunset could look over and see that the other was deeply contemplating something. It was only after the second beer was gone and a third had been opened that Jackie finally spoke again.

"... I can't stand to see girls cry."

When guitarist saw the questioning look on Sunset's face, she continued.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not like, a sexist, I don't want to see guys cry either. I beat the shit out of some guy that made Bobby cry once. Granted at the time I couldn't tell if it was the guy who made Bobby cry, but I digress. I helped because I fucking hate bullies and I wasn't going to let you keep getting beat up. But there's a reason that makes it so I can't stand seeing girls cry. And seeing you just... break down... it made me want to go that extra mile and beyond for you I guess. Cause if I left you there then... I dunno, I guess I just thought you'd be hurting even worse than that."

At this point Sunset Shimmer was quietly staring at the other with an unreadable expression on her face. Jackie started to squirm some as those teal eyes stayed locked on her, nervously draining the last three-fourths of her bottle.

"Look, say something? Call it a bullshit reason, say I'm horrible and you don't need my pity. But you're kinda just staring and it's making things like... really tense."

"Why... do you have to be so damn nice?"

Looking over, Jackie watched the red head stand up and take a few steps away, running her fingers through her long hair in agitation.

"I don't know what the reason is, but it can't be so important that it makes you this nice! I made you drive me out here, I'm making you give me a place to stay and clothes and food! I bet you'd just let me stay forever if I worked you like I worked you for a ride back in Canterlot!"

"Whoa! Back up a couple steps, Sunshine. I did what I wanted to do! And second off, yeah I'd let you stay here but you have to get a damn job!"

"STOP IT!"

By now tears were starting to stream down her face for the first time since a week and a half ago when this all started. The sight made a lump start to form in Jackie's throat but she stayed put in her seat for now.

"You... have absolutely no reason to be nice to me. You look out for your friends right? Well, I tormented Treehugger and her friends for years! I became something horrible that nearly ended lives. You heard about it from her! It's because of all that... Anon-A-Miss... my friends... but you..."

Setting aside her beer bottle, Jackie stood and stepped closer to Sunset Shimmer, the high schooler holding herself again much as she had the day they met. The guitarist gently placed her hands on the others shoulders and tried to look her in the eyes.

"Talk to me Sunshine..."

Sniffling softly, Sunset Shimmer kept her gaze to the ground as she wiped away the tears from her eyes.

"I tried so hard to make up for what I did. I thought that I could. And it hurt so much when they threw my past back in my face. I... I wanted to hate them. But... there's this small part of me that feels it's my fault. If I hadn't made those choices and done those horrible things... I hurt them so badly in the past, how could I expect that they would just... get over it? That I deserved kindness..."

"So what? Them hurting you back isn't okay! Especially after you saved their asses at the battle of the bands!"

"Maybe for the Fall Formal but not for the three years before that!"

"Dammit, you're not that person anymore!"

"But everyone thought I was when Anon-A-Miss came around!"

"WELL THEY FUCKING SUCKED OKAY?!"

Now it was Sunset Shimmer's turn to stare at the other, Jackie slightly red faced from having shouted but seeming to mentally take a step back and a deep breath. It took her a moment to think over her words, her face visibly going over in her mind what would be right and what would be wrong to say.

"Look... when people keep being angry and hating each other... where does it end? I've seen it where it just keeps going and it's not right. Someone has to be bigger and just finally let it go and move on. The people at your school should of let it go, but they didn't... and your friends should of been real friends and stuck by you because they knew you changed... but they didn't because deep down, they couldn't let go either. That's their failing, not yours. No one can tell you who or what you are except you. And who you are is a good person Sunset Shimmer. I could see that even though we only hung out for like, an hour or so the day we met. So don't you ever let anyone else ever make you feel bad again, alright?"

It was hard to swallow down the sizable lump that hard formed in her throat, so the best that Sunset Shimmer could manage was a short nod.

Once the tears dried they sat down in the lawn chairs again, their time in the setting sunlight growing to a close as they sat in silence for a few minutes. This time Sunset Shimmer did accept a bottle of beer... and quickly gave it back, opting for the warm horchata since it didn't taste so terrible! After the taste of beer was out of her mouth, the high schooler finally spoke.

"So... you'd let me keep living here if I got a job huh?"

"Yeah... and you plan on finishing high school right? Cause if even I've got a high school degree then you should make sure to get yours."

"Mm-hm..."

"... so you're not going back to Canterlot?"

"I don't plan on it... but I am thinking about contacting one of them there."

"Mm.... if that's you're choice to give one of them another chance."

"Well... I don't know about being friends. But one day it's got to be let go, right?"

"Yup..."

After a moment, Jackie smiled as a thought came to mind and she reached for her guitar case.

"I know you don't dig 'em as much as Nirvana but... you know Soul to Squeeze by RHCP?"

With a light snort, Sunset Shimmer gave a nod, closing her eyes as Jackie took out her acoustic guitar, adjusted and strummed a few notes before playing the opening chords of the song. Jackie started, softly singing the first two lines before Sunset Shimmer picked up on the next two. Through the song they switched off and even sang together, all in a soft key as the entire seemed to glow in the last rays of the sunset before them.

When Sunset glanced over at Jackie, she swore she thought she saw a... glow?

.... nah, must of just been a trick of the light.

For now she was at peace and tomorrow was another day.

Author's Note:

Annnnndddd I'm pretty sure that officially concludes Tell Me Baby.

STAY TUNED FOR SEQUELS!

And if you want to hear the song played at the end, here it is!

Comments

[thexat]

Was an excellent read, can't wait for the sequel!

[wiccanminnesota]

So which one does she contact and will they ever be able to be friends with her again.

[Gpizano]

7491371 I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[Gpizano]

7491671 Dude, sometimes life doesn't give us answers...

That's what sequels are for my friend!

[diablo4000]

I loved the latest chapter a good way to end it, even if it a cliff hanger.
Well have to see what happens next, who replaced Celestia in the school, if the girls will be looking for Sunset soon how the CMC handle the burden of guit for the things they done and caused to happen.
will Sunset forgive her former friends will she return or start a new life.

How Luna will fare with out her sister at her side, will Celestia also look for Sunset, and what of the freindship games, and will the lonely Human Twilight ever meet Sunset.
Will the winds of change guide them to each other, will they fall in love.

Will Sunset recover from the Broken Heart,emotional shattering events that left her in the deep dark dank dangerous deadly doom she finds herself in?!!

.........No wait that something else....

Will i stop asking these questions?!

Well as you said that what sequels are for.

[Gpizano]

7492865 Wait, who falls in love now?

Yeah, I got ideas for more writing and stuff. Like, exploring the OCs more, the human mane 5, CMC, stuff, seeing if there will still be Friendship Games stuff.

I got a lot of ground to cover.

[diablo4000]

7492879
Look forward to reading what you write.

[Lord Nopony]

Wait...a glow...? Heh. Looks like the magic of Friendship truly is everywhere! Not just mainly to the Mane 6/Humane 6. Lol.

This was fantastic! Keep up the good work. I look forward to the sequels.

[Gpizano]

7492925 *taps nose* THIS PERSON FINALLY COMMENTED ON IT! XD

Yeah I mean, I know the humane 6 were the elements of harmony and all that but come on. Magical beings and magic items have been in the human world. It's bound to have effected other people. XD

[Lord Nopony]

7493022 True enough!

[Wilddog88]

I smell a battle of bands coming up. Which would be the biggest mistake the girls could make. I could see twilight and the new friends yelling at the Rainbooms.

[Gpizano]

7497814 I had considered a battle of the bands but I also have like, half a dozen other things in mind to have happen right now.

Although after the next chapter in "Ponies Go To Heaven" things are gonna get a bit more wild.

[Dragonwaz]

Because (to my knowledge) THEY HAVEN'T SHOWN LOS PEGASUS IN THE SHOW

Guess you're in luck then, Episode 20 of this season is four new episodes away and it's titled "Viva Las Pegasus"

[Gpizano]

7502538 Son of a, it sounds like they're going to just make it Las Vegas.

I will be very disappoint if this is so!

[Uria the Sacred Beast]

7507280 punjabigraphics.com/images/148/Internet-Hug-Please-Wrap-Arms-Around-Moniter-Now.png
No worries! Cali was a great place to live for the time I was there. It's where I experienced most my childhood. Pokemon, Yugioh, PS2, Quad Biking, rattlesnakes, bobcats, Hollywood...Great times, seriously.
The Texas beaches are awful alone, let alone compared to California's.

[Gpizano]

7507289 Hey, I know I still enjoy living here. Even if I'm stuck in the high desert part right now. XD

If you ever wanna come back you're always welcome!

[Uria the Sacred Beast]

7507311 Maybe one day. I'd love to see Simi Valley and LAX and everything again.

[Gpizano]

7851838 Glad you like the story.

And yeah, I never heard of potatoes being used instead of meat for tacos until a couple years ago and I figure that's the vegetarian taco option. It does sound good though. XD

[lazyreader19]

Oh man, i was reading, and reading, and reading, then hit the end! "stay tuned" was said and i was like "nooooooo"!

Then i realized this is a few months old and there are sequels to read!

[Gpizano]

8306661

Oh yeah, this was back when I started and it seemed I had steam for days to just constantly crank chapters of things out. XD

[lazyreader19]

8310974
Steam's pretty awesome, my favorite kind of locomotive in fact

[Gpizano]

8315646
Oooo Steampunk. XD

[lazyreader19]

8317858
Who ya callin' a punk, bub?

[Gpizano]

8317881
Ya' tryin' ta'... PUNK me?

[lazyreader19]

8319811
Maybe, but the more important question is: Are ya feeling lucky, punk?

[Gpizano]

8321504
..... punk related pun because the coffee hasn't kicked in yet. XD

[lazyreader19]

8324621
Lucky me,i just had coffee!
....but alas, no puns come to mind... You win this round

[Gpizano]

8328228
BOOYAH!

[lioleo62]

Cuando Sunset miró a Jackie, ella juró que pensó que vio un ... ¿resplandor?

Espero que pronto la actualización