Her Broken Childhood

by girasol

Five: Her Nightmares

As Twilight held Sunset’s hands, Fluttershy stopped the bleeding that was coming from Sunset’s back. Twilight surveyed her yellow friend’s medical hands as she grabbed some disinfecting whips. She bit her lip, knowing that Sunset was about to be in pain.

“Okay Sunset. This is going to hurt okay? I’ll try my best to be as gentle as possible.” Fluttershy told the girl, giving her a reassuring smile.

Sunset shivered, but nodded her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

Twilight shut her eyes as the small girl’s wails of pain rang throughout the house. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Twilight reassured Sunset, though if she was being honest, she didn’t know if she said it to reassure herself more than to Sunset. Either way, she just hoped that it was over soon.

Fluttershy finished off by grabbed the long white bandage strips and carefully rebandaged the wounds. “Alright. You’re done.” Fluttershy said, walking over to the sink to wash her hands.

Twilight sighed in relief as she helped the small girl down from the tall brown stool they brought into the bathroom. “Does it still hurt?”

Sunset slowly nodded, her eyes still bloodshot from her panic attack and the pain from getting the wound cleaned. She looked up at the older girl. “Twilight?”

“What’s wrong Sunset?” Twilight asked her.

“What...what happened to me? Why was I bleeding? I don’t remember getting hurt from there.”

Twilight winced looking down at the small child before her, not knowing how to respond to the question. She brought her gaze up at Fluttershy, who tensed up and sadly stared at the girl.

“Umm... I’m not exactly sure sweetie,” Twilight told her. It wasn’t exactly a lie. Obviously those scars on her back are from the Fall Formal, but she didn’t understand why she had them, or why it was getting worse. The Elements have never done something like this before, as far as she knows. “But as soon as I find out, I’ll let you know, okay?”

Sunset nodded before a knock came from the door. Startled, she quickly gripped Twilight’s arm.

Applejack opened the door to the bathroom. “Is everythin’ alright?”

Twilight smiled at her friend, handing her back the red box of first aids. “Yeah everything’s fine now. Thank you for letting us use your first aid kit, Applejack.”

The blond teenager shook her head once, “No problem Twi,” She took the box from Twilight and opened the cabinet door underneath the sink, putting the kit inside. “Ya don’ need ta thank me for that.” The farm girl noticed the small girl peeking out from behind Twilight’s leg. “Uhhh..” she scratched the back of her head. “Dinner’s ready if ya wanna come down an’ eat.”

The three teenagers and small girl walked out of the bathroom and down into the dinning room where the rest of their friends and the rest of the Apples were.

Granny waved them over, “Come girlies, I’ve prepared yer plate.”

“Uhh... Granny I thought ah told ya that Twilight an’ Fluttershy’s a vegetarian.”

“Ah know that ya silly maggot!” She shouted at her grandchild, smacking her upside the head while handing Twilight and Fluttershy their vegetarian Shepard’s Pie. “Ahm not sure what’d she perder ta eat.” The old woman said nodding towards the child holding Twilight’s skirt.

Twilight looked down at Sunset, who was staring at the plate of food in front of her. “Do you like Shepherd’s Pie?”

The girl looked at her and shook her head, scrunching her nose in disgust. “I don’t know.”

Twilight cut a small piece off her plate. “Here, try it.”

Sunset frowned, but took her fork in her hand. The texture of the food looked odd. She couldn’t help but think that it also smelled odd, but she took a bite anyway. After swallowing, she was pleasantly surprised that she actually liked it. She looked up from her plate and nodded to Twilight, indicating that she liked the strange food.

Granny Smith placed the vegetarian meal in front of Sunset, who immediately began eating.

...

After everyone was done eating, the elder Apple took out two freshly baked apple pies from the oven and set them down in the center of the table. The delicious aroma of the freshly baked pie filled the room.

“Here ya go Rainbow Dash.” Granny said, handing the rainbow teen a big mug of cider.

The colorful teen let out a screech before happily taking the mug, making the old woman laugh.

As Granny Smith cut the pie, Sunset’s mouth watered. She’s seen these kinds of foods in front of cafes and bakeries when she was living on the streets, but never up close. It’s warm gooey insides looked so perfect. It smelled even better up close then from behind a window. Now she was about to try it!

Seeing this, Granny handed the first slice to the small child before cutting up the rest of the pie.

While everyone else happily picked away at the dessert, Sunset did not touch it.

Noticing this, Twilight asked, “Hey, Sunset what’s wrong? You don’t like apple pie?”

Sunset looked down at her lap. “I don’t know.”

“Oh. Well you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.” Twilight told her.

The small girl’s cyan eyes began to fill with tears. A flashback of the mess she did earlier came back to her. She remembered something her parents had told her: If she misbehaves, she will be punished with no food. And she had already broken that rule eating the Shepherds Pie. She was always in trouble and most of the time, she didn’t know what she did wrong. She remembered that once she was punished with no food for a week, and when they did give her food, it was rotten leftovers. This time however, Sunset knew she did something wrong. “I-I don’t deserve it.”

The whole room stopped eating. Some stopped with their forks halfway to their mouths. Even Rainbow Dash stopped chugging the cider to look at the small girl.

Twilight frowned at her response. “Sunset, what do you mean you don’t deserve it?”

Sunset’s breathing began to quicken. “I-I made a m-mess earlier and... I’m...” the girl whimpered. “I d-don’t d-deserve anything!” She cried out, hiding her face behind her hands as she began to sob.

Twilight held the sobbing girl in her arms. “Shhh... don’t say that. What happened earlier was an accident. You shouldn’t worry about that anymore.”

Twilight paused to whisper something in Fluttershy’s ear. The pink haired girl nodded before heading upstairs. “Sunset. Please don’t say that you don’t deserve anything.... breathe Sunset. Breathe with me... deep breath in.... deep breath out. Deep breath in... deep breath out.”

The small girl in her arms took one shaky last breath before opening her cyan eyes and looking up at Twilight’s lavender ones. “I’m sorry...”

Twilight shook her head, “You don’t have to be sorry about anything. You did nothing wrong.”

That was when Fluttershy then emerged from the doorway, holding a red, orange and yellow Phoenix plush, with big black eyes and brown feet and beak in her hands. She walked over to the small girl and handed it to Sunset.

The fiery haired child took one look at the plush and grinned. “Fiyero!” Sunset squeaked, hugging the soft plush to her face. She looked up at the tall, skinny teen. “Thank you, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy smiled in response, “You’re welcome Sunset.”

Twilight also smiled, “Now do you wanna try the pie? I promise it’s good.”

Sunset thought for a moment, looking down at her comfort plush. Fiyero always made her feel better. She smiled and nodded taking her first bite of the pie.

Sunset was amazed at the flavor of the pie. It was even better than she imaged it would be. She’s never had apple pie before, but she knew it was the best apple pie she’s ever going to try.

The group smiled as they watched the red haired child happily finish the dessert.

---

As night drew near, Sunset had started to become frantic. The teenage girls around her did not know what to do. Twilight just held the small child as she started to hyperventilate, reassuring her that everything was okay.

Applejack turned on all the lights of the house, hoping it would make the child feel better. Pinkie Pie’s hair deflated when she offered the girl another piece of pie, and did not take it.

“Shhh... it’s going to be okay. We’re all here with you. We won’t leave you alone. We’re here. I’m here. Don’t worry.” Twilight said, running her hand through the trembling Sunset’s red hair.

Apple Bloom was on the other side of the room. She felt bad about what she had said earlier. She still wondered why the former bully was a child, and why was she suddenly so frightened of everything. And those scars, what’s with them? She’s never seen anyone with that many scars before. Apple Bloom continued her rain of thought as she watched the small girl who had her face buried in Twilight’s embrace and clutching the small Phoenix plush. She was mumbling something to herself that no one could make out.

Fluttershy sat next to the small girl, gently running her butter yellow hand through the girl’s red and golden hair, trying to try to ease the child. “Oh Sunset, we are all here with you. Don’t worry about anything else. You’re safe.... You’re okay......”

The small’s breathing began to slow down. “I’m sorry... I’m sorry...” she sniffled out.

“Shhh... it’s okay. You did nothing wrong.” Twilight told her, slightly tightening her embrace.

Apple Bloom sighed, wishing she knew what could make the girl feel better. She needs a distraction. Hmm... what could— aha! Apple Bloom grinned at her idea and slowly walked towards the trembling child. She knelt down so she was in eye view of the red haired girl. “Hey uh... Sunset...” The girl turned her head to look at the young farm girl. Apple Bloom tried to give Sunset her best, gentlest smile. “Um... would ya like to watch some T.V.?”

The girl slightly cocked her head, a curious expression crossed her face. “W-what’s some T.V.?”

Apple Bloom pointed towards the box that sat across from the couch. “It’s where ya can watch movies an’ shows. Look, here let me turn it on.” Apple Bloom pressed the power button on the remote control.

The small girl was mesmerized. Moving pictures were being shown on the strange box. How is that possible? It’s a box with moving pictures and sound! It has to be magic!

An old black and white movie was playing. The screen showed a man holding on to a woman’s hand as the wind blow around them. He pulled her closer and embraced her, their lips meeting.

Apple Bloom gaged at the scene. Ah still can’t believe Granny likes those ol’ movies. Yuck! She showed the girl the black remote. “Ya can change the channels if ya want.” She changed the channel to reveal a colorful cartoon with three little girls in green, pink and blue dresses as the upbeat theme song played.

The young farmer watched as the girl gasped, her cyan eyes surveying every character and image.

Apple Bloom smiled and put down the remote on the coffee table, then sat back down on the green Lay-Z-Boy.

Across the room, Applejack smiled at her sister. She was proud that she figured out how to distract the panic-ridden child from her dark terrors.

...

“Well I’ll be, she’s finally asleep that poor thing.” Applejack said, nodding towards the sleeping girl cradled in Twilight’s arms.

Twilight sighed as she watched Apple Bloom switched off the T.V. “Yeah...” the purple girl glanced around the room. “You guys are probably wondering what exactly happened aren’t you?”

Rarity sighed, “I’m more worried about what could have happened to her that made her so...” Rarity trailed off trying to find the right words.

“Scared?” The rainbow haired girl finished.

Rarity nodded, “Do you happen to know darling?” She asked Twilight.

The purple girl sighed once more, “Yeah... I-I do...” Twilight sadly looked towards the small child in her arms. Twilight cleared her throat before she began, “Well, when the elements hit her, she became a child, and all her memories of the last ten years where wiped.”

“Yeah we kinda figured.” Rainbow Dash said before getting a flick in the forehead by Applejack. “Ow!” The rainbow girl turned to glare at her blond friend as she rubbed her blue forehead.

Applejack shook her head before nodding towards Twilight. “Please continue.”

Twilight took a deep breath, “The reason she’s so...... um....” Twilight trailed off before taking another breath, “Princess Celestia, she practically raised her... her parents.... t-they...” Tears bagan to gloss over her lavender eyes. She took a deep breath before starting again, “Her parents were so abusive.... those scars... they’re from them.... they would....” Twilight trailed off again as she started to sob.

Fluttershy put an arm around her friend, trying to control her own sobs.

Pinkie Pie’s normally curly hair was as flat as a sheet as tears pooled down her pink face.

Applejack took off her hat and looked down at her feet.

Rarity just sat there as tears and mascara fell from her face. She tried, but failed to find the right words to fill the saddened room.

Rainbow Dash had her face turned from the group, not wanting them to see her emotions.

Apple Bloom had her face in a pillow as she started to tremble from her sobs. The guilt that she had felt earlier increased as she thought about the horrible things Sunset’s parents could have done to her.

Twilight was the first to speak up again, “I’m not sure if she will ever revert back to her correct age again. I just know that she’s so scared... I don’t know what to do to help her...” Twilight began to sob again.

Fluttershy looked at her purple friend, “Twilight. You’re doing everything you can. She trusts you. I know you’ll help her get through this.”

Twilight sighed, “Thank you Fluttershy. I... What I’m not sure about is the gashes on her back... they seem to be getting... worse. I know that they were from the night of the Fall Formal but... they should be getting better. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Rarity sighed, “Darling,” She walked over and knelt in front of Twilight. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. I know you can figure it out.”

Twilight took a deep breath, grateful that Rarity’s words calmed her down a bit, “Thank you. I know if we all work together, we can do anything.”

It was Applejacks turn to sigh, “Ah think we should all call it a night an’ hit the hay.”

Twilight gently carried the small sleeping girl in her arms. She was light, lighter than she expected her to be, so she easily carried her up the stairs.

The six teenagers made their way upstairs to Applejack’s room. Apple Bloom went across the hall to hers.

Everyone took out their sleeping bags. Twilight set the small girl she was carrying down on the bed and pulled a purple sleeping bag out of her backpack.

“Twilight,” The farm girl began as she placed her hand on her purple friend’s shoulder, “Why don’ you an’ Sunset take the bed?”

Twilight shook her head, “Oh no I couldn’t. I—“

Applejack shook her head as well, “Ahm not takin’ no fer an answer.”

The purple girl nodded, if she was as stubborn as the Applejack from Equestria, she’ll never win this argument. “Okay. Thank you, Applejack.”

---

The group of teenagers were awakened by a ear piercing shriek coming from the bed.

The five girls on the ground all jumped up from their places on the floor and ran over to the bed. Applejack quickly turned on the room’s light.

The sight before the teenagers was concerning to say the least. Sunset looked terrified. Her small face was soaked with sweat and tears, her hair was a mess and she was trembling furiously. The small girl was mumbling something to herself as she stared ahead at nothing.

Twilight slowly grabbed the small girl’s hand with her own.

Sunset flinched away from her touch, looking even more terrified than before and her cries grew louder.

The purple girl glanced around the room to her friends who all had a saddened and worried expression on their faces.

Twilight turned her attention back to the small girl next to her when her mumbling became more clear.

“Don’t h-hurt me p-please. I-I promise I-I won’t do it a-again...... I’m sorry!” She shrieked again. “Don’t-don’t p-punish me.... No!” She whimpered, covering her face with her amber hands. “Please father don’t... it-it hurts! I-.... no father.... don’t-don’t no... no...! NO!” She screamed.

The room was filled with an uneasy silence. The air was then filled with the small girl’s wails.

Twilight took an unsteady breath, “S-Sunset sweetie.... I’m here. You’re okay. You’re safe.... it’s me, Twilight...”

The small child’s crying slowed a little. “T-Twilight?” She asked looking up at the purple girl with bloodshot eyes, as if she was seeing her for the first time since she had woken up. She breathed a sigh of relief as embraced Twilight. Sunset began to cry once more, clenching on to Twilight’s pj shirt.

Twilight returned the embrace, “I’m here Sunset. I’m here. You’re okay.... you’re safe. Breathe. Breathe sweetie. Breathe.....”

The door to the bedroom bursted open to reveal Granny Smith, Apple Bloom and Big Mac standing by the doorway.

“What in the blazes is wrong?” The old said rushing to the bedside with her grandchildren following right behind her.

Twilight held the small girl tighter when she was startled by the door opening. “She had a nightmare...”

The trio turned to look at the red haired girl who was trembling in Twilight’s arms.

“Is... is she okay?” Apple Bloom asked in a downhearted tone.

Twilight shook her head, “I-I’m not sure.” She looked down at the small girl. She was still trembling, and she was mumbling something under her quickened breath.

The small girl whimpered. “I’m-I’m s-sorry.”

“Sunset. You don’t have to be sorry about anything. It’s okay.” Fluttershy said, gently grabbing the small child’s hand.

The girl sniffled, “I woke everyp—everyone up and...” She let out a small cry.

Granny Smith took a step closer to the girl. “Listen here youngun,” Granny began in a serious tone, “Now ah don’ wanna hear ya sayin’ anything about causing a ruckus. Don’ apologize for nothin’ ya hear?”

Sunset nodded her head and looked down at her lap. “Okay.”

Granny Smith nodded once before she whispered something in her younger granddaughter’s ear. Apple Bloom nodded and left the room.

The small girl suddenly started breathing quicker, glancing around the room with panic. “W-where’s.... Fiyero.....?” She began frantically looking under the covers.

The group began looking around the bed, and on the floor, trying to help the girl look for her missing toy.

Rainbow Dash finally found her plush on the floor stuck between the headboard and the nightstand by the bed. “This whatcha lookin’ for?” She said showing the small girl the soft plush.

Sunset turned towards the rainbow girl and smiled widely. “Thank you Rainbow Dash!” The colorful girl handed her the Phoenix plush.

Rainbow couldn’t help but smile as the girl tightly hugged the toy. “No problem kiddo.”

Apple Bloom returned into the room with a glass of water which she handed to Sunset.

The small girl turned her head towards the young farmer, accepting the glass of water, “Thank you Apple Bloom.” The farm girl nodded in response before leaving the room again.

“Are you okay now?” Twilight asked Sunset as she finished drinking the glass of water. She took the empty glass and placed it on the nightstand.

Sunset closed her eyes, hugging her plush toy. “Yeah.”

With that response, Granny and Big Mac left the room and closed the door behind them.

Applejack turned off the lights and Sunset whimpered. “Oh darn! Sorry Sunset,” The farmer winced at the young girl’s whimpers, “I forgot... I’m sorry.” She turned the lights back on.

Sunset sighed in relief before laying back down on the bed and hugged her comfort plush closer.

As everyone was settling back down, the small girl turned to Twilight. “Can y-you sing?”

Twilight looked towards the small girl and smiled. The red haired child gazed at her with pleading cyan eyes, awaiting her response. “Okay.” The purple teen finally said. With that response, Sunset yawned and snuggled closer to Twilight.

Twilight thought for a moment, trying to think of a lullaby. She then remembered a lullaby her mother used to sing to her. She smiled and began to sing.

Author's Note:

Twilight’s lullaby to Sunset:

Eeyore’s Lullaby:

https://m.

Comments

[girasol]

10418114
Thank you for the advise! I hope these next chapters go at a slower pace for you.

[Skyblazer9]

I feel so sorry for Sunset having to grow up with such terrible parents who treated very horribly instead of giving her the love and attention she deserved.

[Halloween Spirit]

I've been thinking since i read the last few chapters. Those scars on her back became worse when the voices started, could the scars be cursed in some way to never really heal at least the ones on the back.

[Cheer]

I was thrown off by the plush. I don't remember any mention of it.

[raven618]

10570232
Neither did I, but I don't think its a problem.

Wow, this is a heavy chapter. And it feels like this will be the overall tone from here on out. Sleep well Sunset, know that you are safe, and loved.

[MatTheBook]

As everyone was settling back down, the small girl turned to Twilight. “Can y-you sing?”

Sure sweeitie

10429053