Sunset Shimmer used to have the whole school in her hand. She can manage without that power... right? The elements want her to learn friendship, but she can't decide if she's being forced or if she is actually learning friendship.
Sunset Shimmer used to run the school, she used to have all the power. Then, in the act of gaining more power, she lost it all. She wasted all her time just to lose everything and sink into a deeper hole, it's all thanks to that Twilight Sparkle. But now that Sparkle is gone, she'll teach everyone that Sunset Shimmer will always shimmer on. Sunset deals with all the post mistake stress and tries to live her life. She just has to wait it out until she can make it back to Equestria after her thirty moons are over, easier said than done. She still has to deal with five annoying girls that all want to try and teach her friendship, the scary part is that Sunset is feeling forced into accepting their help. The Elements of Harmony are in her system, and whether she likes it or not they're dead-set on helping her learn friendship.
A shadow blankets through the light, it creeps through my subconscious mind with precision. I can see a beam of technicolor light wrapping around me physically, I can feel the burning sensation as harmony courses through my veins. I can feel the burning sensation on my flesh as it tears through my magical form, it feels simultaneously painful and comforting. It’s still uncomfortable to feel, but my thoughts aren’t based around my comfort. I’m more focused at what’s happening inside my head. I can feel bright lights swirling in my head, but a dark cloud is beginning to shroud them. The lights feel powerful, but the darkness feels so comforting.
`Am I dead?` I think to myself, I thought that maybe you went towards the light if that happens. Maybe the end is just this darkness consuming you, it does feel nice. It feels much better than the reality I was living, I had turned into a monster at the end. Once the Darkness takes over the bright lights in my head, the darkness bursts into a variety of colors. The colors swirl around in a beautiful palette of bright colors, they stay swirling for just a moment. Just as soon as they appeared, the colors disappear like a fading memory.
I open my eyes and I see myself lying down in a crater, I can feel tears cooling my warm cheeks. I look up to see a familiar face looking down at me. I see Twilight Sparkle looking down at me, I can feel the tears continue to flow as she looks at me.
~~~~~~~
I watch as Twilight is about to head through the portal, I feel an overwhelming urge to run after her. I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up to see Principal Luna holding a tool that I’m not too familiar with. It’s a trowel, I don’t really know all that much about tools because work isn’t my thing. It’s obvious what she wants me to do as I look at the damage I’ve caused. I prepare to tell her off, but my hand works on it’s own accord and grabs the trowel. I take the tool begrudgingly; I hadn’t actually planned on working, though, I probably shouldn’t push my luck.
I should be very happy that I’m not being arrested or something, it wouldn’t be out of their power to do so. I did build a small brainwashed army. And destroy school property. And attempt murdering Twilight. As well as Arson, Blackmail, Manipulating teachers and students, and Bully the entire student body for my whole time here. I screwed up pretty big this time, didn’t I? Who am I kidding, I’ve just been one big screw up this whole time, I’ve just made it even worse with my latest plan. What a plan it had been, had I ever actually intended to go this far just to achieve what I wanted? The fact of the matter is that yes, I had planned to go this far. I truly am that much of a monster.
I think about going back to Equestria, but as I see Pinkie run to the portal and try to follow Twilight. There goes that plan, guess I’m stuck here. A bitter feeling of resentment for Sparkle boils in my gut. How could she abandon me? Strand me here in this world? `Because you’re a threat to Equestria. Come to think of it you’re a threat here, but even more of a threat there,` Sunset thinks to herself.
I exert a sigh and look at the tool with disdain; if I plan on actually trying to make things better, I might as well start with some manual labor. I finally drag myself over to the broken wall, I’m wishing I had been more careful when I had that power. I’m wishing I’d never taken that power in the first place… What am I thinking? That was my crown! Maybe I wouldn’t be here if Celestia had trusted me more! Then I wouldn’t be in this mess, if Twilight Sparkle hadn’t stolen my mentor.
Who am I kidding, this is as much my fault as it is hers. Heck, she never even stole my mentor, I abandoned Celestia and Twilight just came in afterwards. I’d dug my grave and she pushed me in. Celestia’s not my mentor anymore; not the principal, nor the princess. Twilights her new favorite now, cause she’s just so perfect! Now Twilights sitting high on her throne after leaving me to rot down here at the bottom of the heap. That makes her no better than me, how long will it take others to see that?!
Snips and Snails seem to be avoiding me, I don’t exactly blame them for it. But It does still aggravate the hell out of me, and I blame them for that. I want to yell at the, but I don’t really have anything to say. So we continue our work in relative silence, this is gonna be a long night…
~~~~~~~
“Wow! Tonight was awesome!” Rainbow Dash shouts. She can still feel her brain trying to flap wings she doesn’t have, she just brushes off the feeling.
“Yeah, it was pretty cool, wasn’t it?” drawls Applejack.
“That was the bestest party ever! It’s better than Christmas and my Birthday put together! Well, maybe not better than my birthday because I wouldn’t be able to celebrate this day if I was never born…” Pinkie’s shouts of excitement die down as she thinks about what celebrations are better than others.
“That was quite the experience, I thoroughly enjoyed myself,” Rarity adds.
“Um, girls? It was great and all… but what about Sunset Shimmer?” Fluttershy points out, all of the friends gazes turn to the girl in question.
“What about her?” Rainbow asks.
“She looks super sad, we should go cheer her up!” Pinkie smiles at the thought.
“Go cheer up the gal who just tried to obliterate us? That’s-” Applejack stops as she watches Pinkie run over, “Exactly what you’re going to do…” Applejack sighs in defeat. “Well, Twi’ did say we should help Sunset with being friendly and such,” Applejack finally admits with a sigh.
“I suppose we should go offer our assistance,” Rarity concludes. She doesn’t mind helping people, she’s just not that deadset on helping the girl that just tried to kill them. Fluttershy smiles and jogs after her friends as they run to catch up to Pinkie, Pinkie Pie is already halfway to Sunset.
~~~~~~~
I’m really starting to hate this work, or work in general. this day is turning bad in itself, dare I say, it’s the worst day ever. “Hey sunset!” calls an overly cheery voice. Welp, that settles it. This is the worst day I have ever had, EVER. “How ya handling things?” Pinkie Pie bounces over, all her friends trailing behind her.
“Just fine.” I don’t attempt to hide the malice in my tone, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Well there’s no need to be rude, we were just wondering if you need any help,” Rarity arrives and moves to help me but I stop her.
“I’m fine.” I warn, I move my hand to block hers. She pulls her hand back and I turn back to my work.
“Please, Sunset. Let us help, as friends,” Fluttershy steps up with a smile. I prepare to tell them off, to tell them all to go away. Everyone, myself included, is surprised when I don’t do it.
“Fine,” is all I can say as I turn back to my current work. I can’t believe myself, I know I have more resolve than that. I don’t want to work with them, they don’t wasn’t to work with me; so why didn’t I refuse their help? I had all the intention to continue refusing, but it’s like my body betrayed me. Oh well, not much I can do about it now. We’ll probably finish faster with them helping anyway, if they’re good at work. What am I thinking, of course they can do the work. One thing I have to give them credit for is their drive, they can always finish what they start.
The work is long and tedious, it consists mostly of cleanup. We work again in relative silence, though I can hear Pinkie pie blabbering about something, she isn’t trying to speak to me directly. The work drones on for what seems to be hours, but I know it’s only been about one and a half hours. We’re all working when Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna walk out of the building.
“Girls? I hadn’t expected you all to be here. You should head home now, we have a phone you can use to call for a ride.” The five girls that we’re helping me nod and head inside together, leaving me alone with these two adults. Snips and Snails had left a while back, so I’m stuck alone with the two figures of authority at this school.
“So, you have anything to say about what I did?” I sigh and await the horrible punishment coming to me.
“Nothing you don’t already know. Luna and I have decided on your punishment, you are to serve one month detention after school. you will also help with construction of the wall until school starts back up again. Come every other day and you’ll escape further punishment. We also have to inform your parents,” I laugh as they get to the last part.
“Go ahead and try,” I stop laughing and look away bitterly, they look at me with questioning faces.
“Why would that be so hard?” Celestia finally asks.
“Because they’re not here,” I deadpan.
Celestia stiffens at that, “You don’t have any parents? How have you gotten by?” she asks incredulously.
“Forging signatures on all my school forms, and avoiding authority,” Why did I say that, I bite my tongue before it has a chance to answer anything else I don’t want it to.
“What happened to your parents?” Luna asks.
“I don’t know, they’re still in Equestria. I never had any parents here,” why am I answering them? I don’t want them to know anything about me! I’m done with tonight; I’m sore, tired, aggravated, pissed off, and above all I’m very annoyed. I’m annoyed at everybody, why can’t they just leave me alone. I don’t want to know their lives, and I don’t want them to know mine. Yet I can’t stop telling them about myself, I must truly be out of it. I just need to rest up and get my ead clear. I start to walk away from the two adults that aren’t quite done interrogating me.
“Where are you going?” Principal Celestia calls after me.
“Home.” I call back, I’m to busy leaving to stop myself from answering.
“Home?” Luna questions.
“I’m not homeless!” I whirl around in anger and face the two sisters. I turn back around and continue on my way.
“Please, Sunset, come back and talk to us.” I planned on just walking away, but my feet have other plans. My feet turn me around and walk me back, much to my dismay. I don’t want to be here anymore, why can’t I leave?! I continue to listen despite my reservations about it.
“Sunset, you need a parental guardian, you can’t live like you are,” why does everybody want to tell me how to live my life?
“It’s been working so far, I’m fine.” And I’m sick and tired of people telling me what I can and can’t do!
“Please, we can help,” Celestia pleads.
“How?!” I challenge. Celestia bites her lip and averts her eyes. She stays like this for awhile before she looks at me expectantly.
“Well… I can be your guardian,” I’m taken aback by her offer. She’s offered to actually help me, if I accept then there’s one less problem. I won’t have to worry about being taken away, or about being found out. Celestia is offering to take me in again… No! I can’t, not again. This world is a parallel, a mirror. I can’t be held back by Celestia again, just to run away once more. Where would I even go? I can only trust myself and no one else. “You won’t have to fend for yourself, and I’ll try not to demand too much of you. It’ll be mostly for legalities, you can still be your own person. Just let me take care of you,” Celestia adds.
“Sure…” I mutter, I don’t know why. It seems like I can’t make my own choices, because I don’t want her to take care of me. I don’t want her to care, I don’t want to care. I need to get home and go to sleep, Before I manage to screw anything else up. I walk away with my hands to my ears so I’m not compelled to do anything else. I remove my hands from my ears once I get to the gate, at least they’re not trying to follow me. I finally start on my way home, finally free from distractions.
~~~~~~~
Five friends are walking down the halls of the school, they’re about to head home. “My folks won’t mind how I come home,” Applejack says.
“My parents don’t mind either,” exclaims Rainbow dash.
“Um, Could I come too? As long as I’m with others, my parents won’t mind…” Fluttershy asks.
“Sure thing Sugarcube, it’ll be nice to walk home together,” Applejack smiles at her timid friend.
“I’ll come too, it’ll be so fun!” Pinkie shouts.
“Well, if I’m with you girls… I’m sure my parents won’t mind. If anything, they’ll fuss about the time,” Rarity take a look at the clock on her phone.
“Well, it’s settled then. We’ll all walk home together,” the five walk out of the building to find Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna conversing.
“Hey Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna,” Applejack addresses the two adults.
“Girls, it’s nice to see you. Did you have fun at the dance?” Celestia asks with a smile.
“Heh, more than you know,” Applejack chuckles.
“That’s good to hear…” Celestia pauses, “Do you girls really plan on helping Sunset?” Celestia asks.
“Yeah, Twi’ told us we should help,” Applejack responds.
“Are you doing this just because Twilight said you should?” Celestia gives them a look of doubt.
“Of course not, but we do agree with Twilight. Sunset just needs a little friendship,” Rarity replies.
“I’m sure if anyone could show her friendship, it would be you five. She needs all the help she can get, I’ counting on you five to be there for her,” Celestia looks at each of them in turn, they all give her an affirmative nod.
“We’ll try…” Rainbow Dash’s nod is a little less convincing as she speaks.
“You five get home, and enjoy the break. School will be out until we can get this wall fixed…” Celestia walks away with Luna to straighten up this whole mess.
‘All of this destruction is going to be hell in paperwork…` Celestia thinks to herself as she walks away. The girls begin their walk home, but upon leaving the gate they see a familiar figure down the street.
“Look girls, it’s Sunset! Let’s go talk to her!” Before anyone can stop her, Pinkie dash’s off towards Sunset Shimmer. “Hey, Sunset!” Pinkie shouts, everyone follows after her.
~~~~~~~
“Hey Sunset!” My blood runs cold as I hear that dreaded voice, why won’t they just leave me alone? I quicken my pace and pretend not to hear them, but I soon find that it isn’t working. Pinkie runs up and starts walking beside me, “Hey there Sunset! I was calling your name, didn’t you hear me?” She asks.
“Yeah, I did…” I reply bitterly.
“Why didn’t you answer?” she asks.
“Because I don’t want to talk to you! I hate every one of you and I want to be alone. So leave me alone you pink menace!” I fume and I pick up my pace even more, Pinkie slows and the energy is taken out of her step.
“That wasn’t nice, you apologize right now!” I hear Applejack demand.
“No! I’m sick and tired of you five and your friendship act! we all know you don’t like me, so quit trying to act all friendly! Nobody likes me and I’m fine with it, but I can’t stand you all getting into my business! So just get out of my face you country hick!” I exclaim, turning around to face her.
“Why you-” Applejack is cut off by Rainbow.
“Look here, Sunset! It only seems like an act because you’re really trying our kindness. I would love nothing more than to beat the tar out of you! But Twilight believes in you, so I’m willing to give you a chance. That’s all you get though, and it’s not looking like you deserve it!” Rainbow gets in my face and I have to keep myself from decking her in the jaw.
“I don’t want a chance! I want you five out of my life!” I retort. Rainbow continue’s staring at me hard, so I glare right back.
“Sunset… I understand you’re upset, but there’s no need for-” I cut Rarity off before she can continue.
“Oh, shut up! Who are you to tell me what’s right and what’s not?! Just a day ago, you girls were no better!” I snap.
“Even if that’s true, there’s no need for petty insults,” she continues.
“Sure there is. Besides, isn’t petty your thing?” I mock, Rarity looks completely downtrodden.
“What’s your problem?!” Rainbow asks in anger.
“You’re my problem, Miss Super-Star! Why don’t you go back to your coolkid act and stop trying to help! I don’t want any of your help, especially not yours!” I jab my finger in Rainbows direction, I can see the anger rising in her features.
“Please, Sunset, stop…” I turn to see Fluttershy crying. I open my mouth to say something, anything, but no words come out. Instead I just continue on my way, the rage boils inside me. The nerve of those five, I just don’t understand it. Why won’t they leave me alone?! Isn’t it obvious that we don’t like each other?! Right, they listen to Sparkle… Who would’ve thought that Twilight would torture and haunt me after she’s gone. Sparkle’s stirred everything up and let me deal with the mess, she destroyed my precious system. Now only the people I least want to help me, want to do just that. Why can’t they just hate me like everyone else does…
I continue to stew the whole way home, but by the time I get close I lose things to be mad about. I find I’m just repeating previous aggravations, and this just makes me annoyed. Annoyed at the fact that Twilight might be right, that the solution to my whole problem could be friended. I quickly dismiss the stupid idea, this isn’t some stupid fantasy; the truth of the matter is that my life sucks and no amount of friendship will change that. Everything here is earned through power and seizing opportunities. Though, look how great that worked out for me… even if that might not be the answer, I’m positive that the actual answer isn’t friendship.
I make it to the abandoned house on the edge of town that serves as my home. I put the bump key in, I tap it with a rock and twist. I open the door and walk in, I am sure to lock the door up again. When I first got to this world, I was homeless. Then I met someone who could make bump keys, he hooked me up with the one I have currently. His name was Nickel Shard or something similarly stupid. I found this house shortly after and it’s been my home sweet home ever since. I think back on Celestia’s offer, the one I had so foolishly accepted. I’ll have to go back and refuse the offer the day after tomorrow, tomorrow I have things to do. Namely, get a new jacket. This one’s torn everywhere…
I move over to the cooler and make myself a sandwich, it’s a really late dinner. I eat my sandwich and clean up my mess, I then retire to my room. I have never been so happy to see my stiff and creaky bed, it has been a really long day. I lie down on the stale cushion and sleep takes me quickly.
~~~~~~~
Fluttershy wipes her eyes as Sunset stomps away, Fluttershy turns to her friends. They’re all watching Sunset too, half of them watch with hurt and half with aggravation, Rarity being part of both. Surprisingly, Sunset didn’t say a word to her. She looked like she was about to, but she didn’t, she just walked away angrily. Fluttershy expected Sunset to insult and mock her about how weak she is, just like she does every wednesday when Fluttershy passes out fliers for volunteers at the animal shelter… and practically any other time Sunset talks to her. Sunset had something to say to everyone but her, which is a first.
“Who does she think she is?” Applejack speaks up.
“When I get my hands on her…” Rainbow says, mostly to herself.
“I know Twilight said we should help her, but she seems like a lost case…” Rarity muses.
“She’s not so bad…”Pinkie says uncommittedly.
“Pinkie’s right, she’s just… frustrated. We just need to give her time, I’m sure she’ll come around eventually…” Fluttershy smiles and wipes the tears from her eyes.
“Did you even see what happened?” Rainbow motions with her hands.
“Yes, that’s why I think were making progress. We just need to let her cool down for the night, then we can try and help her. It has been a long night, I think she’s just feeling the effects of a very emotional day to her.” Fluttershy responds, Rainbow just looks at her.
“I guess…” Rainbow finally relents, “but how do we even help her learn friendship in the first place?” she asks.
“We just gotta be nice and friendly!” Pinkie replies with all of her old vigor.
“Sounds about a good a plan as any,” Applejack starts walking down the street. “Y’all comin?” after recovering from the shock of their encounter they continue on their way home.
“So, how long do ya suppose it’ll take to fix that wall?” Applejack asks.
“I’m betting on a week or two,” Rainbow answers.
“Probably,” Applejack admits. The group continues walking for several minutes of silence before Pinkie Pie speaks what’s all on their mind.
“What are we gonna do for two weeks?” the five friends all look to each other for ideas.
“Argh!” I open my eyes to the blinding light of morning. I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and look around to see my room. My thoughts fly back to yesterday and I groan in aggravation, thoughts of my folly just serve to sour my mood. Then again, my mood was never very bright. Insult to injury I guess. I heave myself out of bed and into the day, I have a lot to do.
I look at my clothes, they’re the same clothes from yesterday. They’re pretty dirty and torn up, but I have little else to wear. I’m running low on cleaning supplies anyhow, I need to pick some up today. I take off my current clothes and throw them in a corner to be washed later, then I turn to my dresser for another outfit. I look through it and almost decide on an identical outfit, but I can’t bring myself to wear it right now. The last thing I want is for someone to recognize me immediately based on clothes alone.
I look through the dresser and find some simple black jeans and a simple black shirt. I throw them on and grab a red hoodie off the chair at my study desk. I slip it over my head and look in the mirror, it’s decent. It’s the only jacket I’m willing to wear, my leather jacket is torn and battered, and the other two I want nothing to do with. One is pink and the other was given to me by Flash, I’d rather wear nothing than be seen wearing either of them. I don’t know why I haven’t bothered throwing either of them out yet.
I let them continue to gather dust on the coat rack and turn to the door. I walk downstairs to the kitchen and grab a box of cereal. I look in the cupboard and stomp my foot in aggravation, it’s empty. I turn to the sink and see the growing pile of dishes. I look at it, deciding if I’ll actually clean them. I sigh and move to the sink, I get started on cleaning the dishes.
Once I get all the dishes cleaned and put away I snag a bowl and carry it over to the table. I finally pour the cereal and put it away. I open the fridge and let out a groan of agitation, there’s no milk. Is nothing going my way? I turn sourly to the utensil drawer and snag a spoon. I eat my bowl of dry cereal in contempt, all the while listing things in my head I have to pick up from the store. I finish off the cereal and wash it down with a glass of water, I set the dirty dishes in the sink and make a mental note to wash those once I get more dish soap. I take a last look around the kitchen and see if there’s anything I was forgetting. I look inside the cabinet, I need to get more bread and peanut butter. I look in the fridge, along with milk I need to grab more water and lettuce. I make sure that there is always enough water for dishes, laundry, showers, and drinking.
I swing by the room where I keep the generator and check it’s fluids. Thankfully, it’s got plenty of fluids to last two months or so. I run upstairs and check the bathroom, I’m running low on hand soap. I sprint into my room and grab my wallet, I stuff it into the pocket of my hoodie. I swing into the kitchen and make sure there’s plenty of ice in the fridge, then I move back to the generator room and flip the generator off. With everything taken care of, I start to the door. I realize at the last second that I didn’t even check how I’m looking, I hurry up to the bathroom. I quickly brush my hair, but I skip the makeup today. I look into the mirror, it’s not a very pretty sight.
Despite the quick brushing, my hair is looking pretty dirty and is sticking out in various places. I could use a shower, but I don’t have time right now. I have to go to the store and get all my groceries, I’ll just have to deal with looking a little dirty and ashy. I flip my hood up and head out the door. I make sure that I lock it and start towards the nearest convenience store, it’s quite a ways away. While I make my way slowly I think about the events of yesterday, It just makes me sad. I’ve stopped being angry and now I just feel sad for myself, how could I have stooped this low?
I was living decently, it was less than honest, but it was decent. I had the school in my palm and everything worked out, now I don’t know what to do. Do I just wait a whole thirty moons so I can return? What then? What do I do in the mean time? I have to keep going to school or else people are going to start looking for me. I can’t move away from the portal, that wouldn’t help me in the slightest. What about those girls? They surely aren’t going to give up anytime soon, do I try to avoid them? That isn’t likely, they’ll always find me. I need somewhere to start, some solid purpose. First things first, what don’t I have anymore that I’m going to need?
I don’t have an income, that’s the biggest thing. I used to get by with stealing lunch money and earning a few bits here and there a various amount of ways, but I don’t know if that will slide with what’s happened. I can’t really steal lunch money anymore, and I can’t risk stealing in general. I can still do odd jobs, but that’s not a definite source of money. I guess this means I’ll have to get, ugh… a job. I can’t believe it’s come to this, will I even be able to get a job without means of identification? Maybe I’ll be able to find a job without it, maybe… I still have funds for now, I’ll need to really check when I get too low.
I also need… what do I need? Not much else, I’ve got all the essentials. A roof above my head, Food for now, Clothes, and electricity. What more could a person want? ‘Power?’ I think to myself. Look what good that did me, I think I’ll pass on power for now. ‘Parents?’ I flinch as the thought comes up. That’s one of the sore spots of this whole dilemma, I don’t even know where my parents are or if their even alive. Wait, I still have to talk to Celestia. She still thinks that I accepted her offer, we both know that I meant to refuse it. I’ll tell her tomorrow at the school, she’s sure to make sure I help.
I look up to find that I’m only a block away from the store, I put the thoughts out of my mind and quicken my pace. I walk into the store and grab a basket, I get started on my shopping. I’m about halfway through my shopping when I hear a familiar voice coming from another aisle, I listen in on the conversation.
“I still have a genealogy project due by the time we get back from school, I need to find someone who’s good with that sort of stuff.” I hear Pinkie Pie say.
“Well I’m not the one you should be asking, I really only know my family,” Applejack says.
“Well… who do you think could help me? Someone really smart with good grades that knows their stuff…” Pinkie muses.
“What, like Sunset Shimmer? Good luck getting that gal to help,” Applejack scoffs.
“She’s the one, I need her help!” Pinkie says excitedly.
“What are ya’ gonna do, beg her?” Applejack asks incredulously.
“Oh Sunset would you please help me?” I hear Pinkie ask.
“Fine.” I slap a hand over my mouth, did I just say that?
“Sunset? Is that you?” I hear applejack ask.
“...No.” I answer stupidly. I slap palm against my head at my stupidity, why did I even accept to help her. She wasn’t even talking to me, I could have just let them go. It’s almost like I was compelled by a supernatural force. I can’t believe that I accepted to help her. The two walk around the corner and I look at them in agitation.
“Sunset? Did you really mean that you’d help Pinkie?” Applejack asks.
“Yes,” I curse myself on the inside for continuously agreeing to things I don’t want to do.
“Well, that’s mighty nice of you,” Applejack says.
“Oh thank you so much Sunset!” Pinkie bounces in place.
“Ugh… whatever. But you owe me,” I finally growl, if I’m going to help her I’ll just take a favor. I can probably use that to my advantage later.
“So, when can we start working on it? Tomorrow?” Pinkie asks.
“I have to help with the rebuilding of the wall every other day,” I explain to her, “so, no.” I say with finality.
“Well then what about the day after,” Applejack suggests.
“Yeah, whatever. See you at the library I guess,” I turn back to my shopping aggravatedly, I’m getting sick of agreeing to things I don’t want to. At least this one isn’t a total waste, I should be able to use it to my advantage. While spending time with them is the last thing I want to do, I don’t have anything better to do.
“Well alright then Shimmer, we’ll see you later. Have a good day,” I hear Applejack say from behind me.
“Too late,” I mutter, but she doesn’t hear me. I continue to shop in peace with Pinkie and Applejack gone. Then I head to the checkout and pay for all of the groceries. I start towards home with my haul and my thoughts drift to the people I happened to bump into.
~~~~~~~
“That was mighty nice of Shimmer,” Applejack says.
“Yeah, it was!” Pinkie replies.
“Almost too nice,” Applejack muses.
“You can never be too nice!” Pinkie giggles in glee.
“You can be suspicious though, and looking at it… this sure is suspicious,” Applejack says decidedly.
“Why is it suspicious? Sunset just said that she’d help, what’s wrong with that?” Pinkie asks.
“That’s exactly the problem, since when is Sunset Shimmer eager to help anyone? She could have easily avoided this situation by just not speaking up, but she went out of her way to help you. She did seem a bit reluctant herself, but she still accepted. She’s just not the type of gal’ to help immediately out of the ‘kindness of her heart’. The only thing I can’t figure out is what she’s got to gain by helping you,” Applejack explains.
“Does she have to gain anything?” Pinkie asks.
“What do you mean? Sunset’s not the type of person to help without gain, she’s always looking for what will help her! She’s selfish by nature, people don’t change that fast!” Applejack says incredulously.
“Normal people don’t, but Sunset isn’t a normal person. She’s hardly a person, she’s more pony than anything. And Sunset isn’t a normal case anymore, not since yesterday. before it might have been hard to help her, but she was hit with pure harmony. The elements of harmony were powered by friendship, our friendship. She was wearing the crown and using it’s power, in a sort of harmony antithesis. We used our harmony and fixed her, which also required a lot of magic. You don’t think that maybe this magic had a little more effect towards her willing to be our friend?” Pinkie says sagely. Applejack has already stopped walking and is staring after Pinkie with her mouth hanging open, she didn’t expect to hear such an insightful thing from Pinkie.
“I… I… Uh… I guess,” Applejack says dumbly as she catches up to Pinkie. “So… what? You think that she’s helping because she feels compelled to?” Applejack asks.
“That would explain the reluctance. She’s still her own person, and she’s still prone to be the same old Sunset. But now she might also feel like helping more and stuff,” Pinkie shrugs.
“I guess that makes sense…” Applejack replies in defeat.
“Of course it does, who do you think you’re talking to?” Pinkie says with mock seriousness.
“Right, because that’s supposed to assure me?” Applejack jokes, the two girls laugh and continue on their way.
~~~~~~~
I close the door to my house and sigh in relief, finally I made it back to the solitude of my house. I place the grocery bags on the counter and head to the generator room. I flip it on and return to the kitchen to put away the groceries, once I’m done with the groceries I check the time. It’s around Ten and I don’t have anything important for today, so what do I do? I look around at the lack of things in my house and huff in aggravation, one thing I can’t stand is boredom. If I want to be not bored, then I’ll have to leave the house. I flip off the generator and head back outside, it’s a nice day. I lock the door and look around, I choose to go towards town. I had a rough day yesterday, I deserve a treat.
As I walk down the street I recognize multiple people, mostly students from canterlot high. As I continue down the streets, I start to notice the stares. Take that back, glares. Most of the people I recognize are glaring at me, I just try to ignore them and hide in my hoody. My attempts at ignoring the malice pointed at me fail as I continue to notice and acknowledge every hateful gaze aimed at me, or maybe it’s just my imagination. A second look and I see less looks of hate and more of fear. I see fear and contempt in everybody's eyes, and it makes me sick. An image of the students when I was that monster flashes before my eyes, when I look back all I see is weird looks being shot my way by people I don’t know.
I could have sworn all I saw was students, but now there are only strangers. I’ve definitely lost it, I’m crazy. No wonder I’m helping Pinkie Pie. I try once again to ignore all the stares, but I can’t help but feel like someone’s watching me, judging me. I continue to my destination without any more interruptions, I get to sugarcube corner and walk in. I realize that there are going to be lots of students from Canterlot here, but I figure I can handle them. I’m not going to let my insanity keep me from anywhere, even a place full of people who probably hate me. Or fear me, or both.
“Well, if it isn’t Sunset Shimmer,” I hear from a table, I look over to see Rainbow dash watching me with a judging glare. I just scowl at her and move to the counter, it’s empty at the moment. I ring the bell for someone to take my order.
“Just a minute,” I hear from the back room.
“So, I hear that you’re helping Pinkie with a project,” Rainbow says as she walks closer.
“I’m not in the mood, Dash.” I growl.
“It’s a simple question, are you?” She asks.
“I don’t know how you’d hear it otherwise,” I sneer.
“Well, you better not try anything Shimmer,” Rainbow says. “Everybody else seems to trust you, but I’m not buying it. I know you, and you don’t just help. Heck, you were ready to kill us yesterday, and sorry if I don’t respond nicely to the girl who would’ve murdered me had she the chance.” Rainbow says.
“Skip to the chase Dashie, I’m busy,” I huff. She looks at me indignantly but continues.
“If you do anything to any of my friends, I will be on you the moment I find out. Especially Fluttershy, if I find out you… She’s like a sister to me, and if you hurt her… You better watch yourself Shimmer,” Dash says.
“Whatever you say Superstar,” I wave her away, I’m not in the mood to deal with her. Rainbow dash growls in anger but turns away and back to her table, everyone else is staring at us. “What’re you looking at?!” I yell at them, they turn back to their conversations, but the volume has been reduced to a whisper.
“What can I get’cha?” I hear a cheery voice from the counter, I turn around to see Mrs. Cake waiting to take my order.
“I’ll have a chocolate milkshake,” I sigh tiredly.
“Alright, will that be it?” I nod and Mrs. Cake rings up my order. I pay for the milkshake and wait while she makes it, I continue to notice everyone’s curious stares. I just wish everyone would mind their own business, I turn and glare at the closest onlooker. I turn to every single onlooker and give them the same glare, except I stop on the last person. She’s not looking at me curiously, or with even a hint of fear. It looks more like interest, or something else that catches me off guard.
She takes an idle sip of her chocolate milkshake and I realize that I’m staring back. I give her a hard glare, but she doesn’t look away. Mrs. Cake gets my attention and hands me my milkshake, I turn back to where that girl was. She’s gone, I jump in surprise. I walk over to her table slowly, there's no sign of the girl. Except for a tiny slip of paper, I pick it up and unfold it.
You used to run amuck
Now you’re just so stuck
The power was irresistible
But you weren’t invincible
You tried to shine
But you failed this time
Now you’re left alone
It’s time to atone
With harmony you’ve been struck
I wish you good luck
I Look at the eerie poem with unease, I’m positive that I’ve never seen that girl before. Never, not even in Canterlot High. People leaving eerie poems, this is sounding like some cheesy horror. I’m sure it’s nothing, just some prankster that thinks it’s funny to make me feel uncomfortable. I’m sure that I will probably never have an encounter with her again, she’ll just be some other kid at Canterlot high that I never noticed.
I stuff the poem in my pocket and turn with my milkshake to the door. All eyes are on me as I open the door, I look back to find Rainbow Dash glaring at me. I give a huff of indifference and sidle out the door, I head back to my house. I’m walking down the street when I turn a corner and find myself in front of Carousel Boutique. I pass it, but then I have a feeling that I’m being watched. I turn to find myself face to face with Rarity.
“Gah!” I exclaim as I jump back a foot or two.
“Nice to see you Sunset!” Rarity cheers. I sigh and just turn away. “Hey! wait!” I find Rarity walking quickly to my side. “Where are you heading?” Rarity asks.
“Home.” I say simply, trying to avoid talking as much as I can.
“Home? Where might that be?” Rarity asks.
“Just down the street, take a left, continue till you get to the old beat up house, take a right, then down that street until you see another old beat up house.” I slap a hand over my mouth as I finish, why did I tell her that?
“You live in an old beat up house?” Rarity asks.
“Yes,” I curse myself inside for continually answering.
“Why don’t you ever fix it up?” Rarity asks incredulously.
“Because if I do then people are going to notice and not think it’s so abandoned,” I answer icily, I pick up the pace.
“Abandoned?! How could your parents let you live in an Abandoned house?” Rarity asks, shocked.
“They don’t,” I seethe.
“They don’t?” Rarity looks to me with confusion.
“No!” I snap.
“Then why is that you’re house?” Rarity looks to me in confusion.
“Because it’s all I have!” I stop at hearing myself admit my own troubles.
“All you have? What about your parents? You have them, right?” Rarity asks with fear of the answer.
“No! I don’t! Now stop asking me questions!” I stomp off, but Rarity doesn’t relent.
“You don’t have your parents? Who looks after you?” Rarity asks incredulously, she looks at me with pity.
“No one, I look after myself.” I growl as I find it impossible not to answer. “Stop probing! Butt out, I don’t want you to gossip all about me to your little friends. I don’t want you to even know this much about me! I don’t want anyone to know this much about me!” I spit the venomous words at her in anger.
“Then why did you tell me?” Rarity looks at me in confusion.
“I don’t know!” I stomp off and this time Rarity doesn’t follow. I seethe the whole way back home, I can’t believe I told Rarity all of that. When I get home I slam the door and throw a fist against the wall. There’s a loud thud and my fist is throbbing in pain, but it makes me feel the tiniest bit better.
“Why can’t I stop telling them things?!” I yell to myself, I thrust my hands into my jacket pockets angrily and start to the stairs. I feel a piece of paper in my grip and pull it out, it’s the eerie poem. I re-read it and one line sticks out to me. With harmony you’ve been struck. The elements of harmony, magic. My thoughts flash to what I learned about magic.
~~~~~~~
“Now Sunset can you tell me how magic works?” Celestia asks.
“Magic flows through all living things and is saturated into all of equestria’s beings, as well as the other countries. The magic manifests through connections, the most powerful magic is the magic of harmony.” I recite.
“Good, now can you tell me how you think an empowering spell would work? A spell to give a unicorn greater strength,” Celestia asks me, I think on it.
“Well… The spell would turn your natural magic into a different type of power.” I decide.
“Almost, the spell uses your natural magic to enhance your muscle and bone structure to give you more power. The natural magic is saturated throughout your entire body, so it can influence and enhance just about anything you can think. Some parts, such as your will, would require an immense amount of power to enhance. Even I do not have the power to change a ponies will, not that I would want to,” Celestia assures me.
“Could a spell enhance my brain?” I ask excitedly. Celestia chuckles and turns to me with a smile.
“Well, yes. But that would be difficult as well, you’re not quite there yet,” Celestia messes my mane with her hoof and continues on with the lesson.
~~~~~~~
“No… It couldn’t be. Are the elements that powerful? No, they couldn’t!” I gasp as my mind pieces it together. The elements are a magical force much more powerful than Celestia, somehow. I have to help, and tell the truth because of the elements of harmony. If the elements are that powerful, then that means that they must have left a powerful mark. That’s why they can still influence me into doing these things. I need to figure this all out, I need to figure out how to get my will back under solely my influence.
“Argh! Another parting present from Sparkle,” I seethe as I ruefully walk upstairs, I can’t believe that everything’s this bad. I’m literally being forced into being friendly by Twilight’s stupid crown, all because Twilight can’t keep her nose out of my business. I enter my room and flop onto my bed. It’s not that late, but I could use a quick nap. I turn off the light and let my eyes close, I drift off to sleep quickly with thoughts of Twilight Sparkle and magic.
I wake with a start and find myself in a dark room, I look at the clock. Great, it’s three o’ clock. I only meant to take a short nap, I should have set an alarm or something. I pull myself out of bed lazily, there’s no way I’m getting back to sleep. I look at my clothes from yesterday and just sigh, these are fine for today. I have to work on the wall today, and any clothes I wear are going to get dirty anyway. I stuff my phone in my pocket and head downstairs.
I pour myself a bowl of cereal and eat it in silence, it’s not even light out. Nobody starts working, not even construction workers, till the sun’s out. This gives me four hours or so until I have to start heading to the school. What to do for four hours? As I finish up my breakfast I can’t seem to find an answer. I carry my bowl over to the sink and rinse it off, I look at the running water. I could visit the park’s pond, it should be empty at this hour.
I place the rinsed dish in the sink to be properly cleaned later and head up to my room. I grab my purse and turn off the light. I check the ice in the fridge once more and turn off the generator. I take one last look around and head out the door, after making sure the door is locked I head down the dark streets towards the park. The streets are mostly empty, aside from the occasional car every once in a while. The streetlights glow dimly, lighting up spots on the sidewalk.
I look at the darkened houses idly as I make my way slowly in the brisk pre-dawn air. I make it to the park and head through the gates, I make my way through to the pond. I get to the pond and I find the bench, I find the park isn’t as empty as expected. I don’t much care if I’m alone, I just wanted to hang for a while. As I get closer to the bench I realize that its a girl, and she’s crying. I walk up to the bench and I recognize who it is, it’s Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy?” She would have been the last person I would have expected to see. Why is she out here?
“Eep!” Fluttershy jumps at me saying her name and I scold myself for even getting involved. The worst part is that I’m pretty sure this was just my own stupidity getting me involved and not the elements, I should have just walked away. “S-Sunset? What are you doing here?” Fluttershy asks in surprise as she attempts to wipe the tears from her eyes.
“Just taking a walk” I reply, I sigh and sit down on the bench away from her. I came all the way here and she already knows I’m here, might as well stay. That and I’d seem like the worst person ever if I just leave her, of course I might have already passed that mark. Everyone pretty much already hates me, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t put it past me to abandon a helpless girl. Still, I can’t just let something bad happen. Contrary to popular belief, I have morals. They just get a little jaded with power…
“Oh… okay.” Fluttershy sniffles and casts her gaze down at the water. My mind flicks to the elements trying to make me a better person, trying to make me be a better friend. Honesty and generosity so far, those were two of the attributes. It would serve to reason that each attribute would manifest in some way, which would include bending my will to fit them. Question is, am I going to fight it every second of the way and submit my will? There is one way I could keep my will, and that would be if I just be friendly on my own.
Why is that the only scapegoat? I can’t just live my life, friendship has to come and interfere. Still, I’m Sunset Shimmer. Nobody controls me, not even the elements. I hate the idea of being friendly to these annoying girls, but if I’m going to do it it’s going to be on my own accord. I look over to Fluttershy and remember that she had been crying. I guess I need a little practice, and I imagine a `friend` would be concerned. I sigh heavily and turn to the clearly distraught girl at my side.
“What’s wrong Fluttershy?” I ask lazily, even I wasn’t that convinced I sounded concerned.
“W-what? N-nothings wrong,” She tries to give me a false smile.
“Don’t give me that, you were crying when I walked up,” I point out.
“I-it’s nothing, you don’t need to worry yourself about it,” Fluttershy turns back to the pond, but I won’t give up so easily.
“It’s easier to handle than a lot of the things I’m handling nowadays…” I state, Fluttershy turns back to me with a questioning look.
“Why do you care? No offense, of course! I’m just curious, you’re being much… nicer. You were never… nice… especially to me…” Fluttershy says timidly.
“I don’t,” I answer, Fluttershy looks at me shocked. “But I’d like to,” I offer, she seems to accept it. “I was never nice to anyone, I had no reason to,” I continue, Fluttershy nods in understanding.
“Okay,” Fluttershy says sadly.
“Wait, did you think I was singling you out? Like I had some deathwish for you?” I ask incredulously.
“Well, you were always awful to everyone, but it always seemed like I was subject to more than what everyone else got. I didn’t say anything about it to anyone, I didn’t really have anyone to talk to. Dash stopped talking to us five as a whole, and we all kind of broke apart… Without anyone to vent to, I would usually try to cheer myself up with the pets at the animal shelter. Show myself that there were beings worse off than me, animals that needed help. I figured that since I couldn’t help myself, someone might as well help them. That, and I’ve always loved animals. Those animals are like family to me now, and I don’t know what I’d do without them…” Fluttershy whimpers and I can see tears glistening in her eyes.
“Why didn’t you ever stand up to me? If you had been a little more forward I wouldn’t have been so hard on you,” I say.
“I’m sorry…” Fluttershy flinches away. I recognize my folly and sigh.
“No, I’m sorry… I’m not very good at this,” I apologize, Fluttershy wipes her eyes.
“So, these animals. They were your crutch? What did you do when you couldn’t go to them, like if the shelter wasn’t open?” I ask.
“I came here, usually there are ducks or something. It’s too cold for them now though. The animals were usually a distraction so I didn’t have to cry so much, and so I didn’t have to think about…” Fluttershy hesitates for a second, “things.” she finishes.
“Things?” I question.
“Things.” She repeats.
“Like?” I urge her to elaborate.
“You… you don’t want to hear it…” Fluttershy tries to tell me, but I’m more eager to hear it now.
“ Fluttershy, I’ve had a lot happen lately. I think I can handle what you’re gonna say, so just say it,” I assure her.
“Well, when you fired that… energy at us, I was really afraid of dying… Just when I got my friends back, I would have lost it all. There had been times when I’d been contemplating doing it myself, but the animals always urged me not too…” Fluttershy sniffles at the thought, I look at her in shock. of all the things I was expecting to hear, it wasn’t that. When I said I could handle it, I meant I could handle something like running away. Not this, this is much worst. Not only did I almost kill six people when I was high on power and not fully aware of my moral compass, but on multiple occasions did I almost kill one girl when I was aware of my moral compass. Multiple times had I pushed her to the limit without a thought on my actions, and nobody had noticed. If she had done it, would I have cared? Probably not. Would I have even put the pieces together that I had done it? No. And I would probably continue doing it.
“F-fluttershy…” I’m at a loss for words, nothing can excuse what I’ve done to her. It’s clear that there needs to be a change, I can’t continue doing this to people. The elements have set me on the right track, I guess this isn’t so bad. I never would have stopped if they hadn’t given me a push, I guess I can thank Sparkle for one thing… Ugh, now I feel sick of myself. How could I have been so ignorant? I hadn’t even seen my fault when it was right in front of me. “Fluttershy, I’m so sorry,” I scoot closer to her and wrap my arms around her. It’s the only thing I can think to do, I’m not that good with the friendship thing.
“S-sunset?” Fluttershy asks in surprise at the hug, she’s trembling in my grip. Then I feel her calm down a little and hug me back, “Thank you…” Fluttershy says. I release her and scoot back to my side of the bench, I sit and think about what I’ve done. I think about what I’m doing now, I’ve already made quite the change. It won’t be easy getting used to friends, they all still annoy the Tartarus out of me. But now I know that I at least need to try, I do need to attempt to make up for all that I’ve done. Obviously I’ve done more damage than I realized.
“I’m going to head home now Sunset. It was nice talking, I’ll see you later,” Fluttershy turns towards the gate of the park and starts to walk down the still dark pathway. Images of shady men and violence float through my mind, I hop off the bench and catch up with her.
“I’ll walk with you, safety in numbers and all,” I say quickly. Fluttershy looks at me curiously, then she lets out a light giggle.
“That would be nice,” Fluttershy says, we continue down the path to the still mostly empty streets. “So Sunset, would you mind telling me about Equestria?” Fluttershy asks. I start to think on what to tell until a thought comes to my mind.
“I’ve never told you I was from Equestria,” I point out.
“I’m pretty sure most everyone has figured it out, how else would you know that the crown was powerful. or about the portal. or when it opens. or-” I cut Fluttershy off.
“Okay, okay, I get it. I make it obvious.” I say. “Well… let’s see… Equestria is egalitarian, and is ruled by Princess Celestia. Well, it was. I believe that Princess Luna is back and that they rule together. There are three main types of ponies, as I’m sure you’ve seen. unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies,” I start, Fluttershy raises her hand and I laugh at the gesture. I point to her anyway, “yes?” I ask.
“Twilight was a princess right? Does she rule there too?” Fluttershy asks, I stop at that.
“Argh, maybe.” I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that. “Or she could be like Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, not really ruling anything at the moment. Anyways, the princesses are alicorns. Ponies with attributes of all the other types of ponies, this gives them much more power. Equestria is covered in the magic of harmony, and this lets ponies do amazing things. Pegasi can control the weather, Earth ponies can grow crops much better and faster, and Unicorns are able to do a variety of spells. Another factor is what the ponies special talent is, everypony gets a cutie mark corresponding to their special talent when they find what it is. Their talents decide how good they are at doing certain things, like a pony with a flower cutie mark is better at growing things than a pony with a ribbon cutie mark.” I explain, Fluttershy raises her hand again. “Yes?” I ask.
“What was your talent?” Fluttershy asks.
“My talent was magic, I was good at doing most any spell. This allowed me to learn a lot more than other ponies could, I was Celestia’s personal student,” the memory brings pride, until I remember how that ended. “It was, now I don’t have magic. If I can’t be good at magic, I don’t know what I’m good at. Studying? Learning? My grades seem to suggest so.” I say.
“Maybe you can still be good at magic, just a different type of magic,” Fluttershy suggests.
“What? Like parlour tricks? That’s Trixie’s thing, I’m not a stage performer,” I reply.
“No, real magic. The greatest magic I know, maybe you can be good at friendship,” Fluttershy suggests.
“Are you kidding? I’m terrible at friendship, I don’t know the first thing about being a good friend. I’m not even sure I want friendship,” I scoff.
“I think you’re doing a pretty good job right now,” Fluttershy smiles at me and I think on this moment.
“I guess,” I say.
“Sunset? Why don’t you like friendship?” Fluttershy asks.
“What makes you think I don’t like friendship?” I ask in return.
“Because you always seem so distant, that and I’ve never seen you have a real friend before,” Fluttershy says.
“Before?” I question.
“I’d like to think that we’re friends now, is that okay?” Fluttershy asks timidly. I look at her blankly as I think on it.
“I guess, yeah. We could be friends,” I can feel a warm sort of happy feeling as I admit it and a smile forms on my face. “and about the friendship thing, I guess I just never felt I needed any friends. I was always engulfed in my studies, I never had time to make friends.” I answer.
“Okay,” Fluttershy’s smile widens. We continue through the dark streets in content silence, the roads are getting a little busier. Fluttershy breaks the silence not long after with a question, “What are you going to be doing while we have this break?”
“Half of it will be spent helping to rebuild the wall,” I answer.
“And the other half?” Fluttershy presses.
“I haven’t got the faintest clue,” I admit.\
“Well, when do you have to help with the wall?” Fluttershy asks.
“Every other day, today will be my first day, then tuesday and so on and so forth,” I answer nonchalantly.
“So you’re free wednesday?” Fluttershy continues.
“Why?” I ask curiously.
“Well, I was just thinking that if you aren’t too busy, you might maybe wanna… come to the shelter with me?” Fluttershy asks.
“The shelter? it smells like animals in there!” I exclaim.
“Oh, please Sunset! I promise it’ll be fun!” Fluttershy insists.
“Fine, I don’t have anything better to do,” I submit, Fluttershy lets out a small squeal of glee.
“Oh thank you Sunset! It’ll be so fun!” Fluttershy exclaims with enthusiasm.
“I’m sure,” I agree. I can see the light of dawn starting to peek over the horizon as we approach Fluttershy’s house.
“Thanks for walking me home Sunset. It was nice talking to you, Maybe we’ll see each-other before wednesday,” Fluttershy says.
“Yeah, maybe. See ya,” I say as I turn and walk back the way we came.
“Bye!” Fluttershy calls out, I wave back without turning around. I head off to the school, the construction workers should be there soon. If not, then I can just hang until they get there. I think back on my talk with Fluttershy, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. I actually kind of really liked talking with her, it made me happy. My thoughts drift to the fortunate meeting and I realize something, I never really found out the original reason she was crying. Does that make me a bad friend? Do I need to know? It’s not really any of my business, maybe it’s best that I don’t know. Maybe I should care what it was, do I need to know what’s going on with her to be a friend?
Being friends is hard business, and I don’t know the first thing about it. I doubt it’s something I could just look up in a book and learn about, I’ll have to learn the hard way. Through experience. Fluttershy is easy to be friends with, she’s the most level-headed of the group. I’m not even sure I want to be friends with any of the others, they’re all so annoying and like to get into my business. It’s aggravating to talk to them, imagine being friends with them. But if I’m friends with Fluttershy, she’s going to expect me to try and be friends with the rest of them as well. Maybe I’ll surprise myself and manage it, I hadn’t expected to be Fluttershy’s friend either.
I approach the schools gates and find the school mostly empty, there is one car there. I recognize Principal Celestia’s car as the only car, I sigh and move to the front entrance of the school. There’s a giant hole where the entrance should be, the hole I’m going to be helping fix. I walk down the halls to Celestia’s office and knock on the door.
“You may come in,” Celestia says. I open the door and Celestia looks up at me in surprise. “Sunset, I wasn’t expecting you so early,” Celestia says, I just roll my eyes.
“I wasn’t either, but I woke up early.” I state.
“Listen, Sunset, about the parent thing-” I cut her off.
“That’s what I came to talk to you about, I didn’t mean to say yes,” I tell her.
“What?” Celestia asks in confusion.
“I don’t want you looking after me, I don’t want anyone looking after me. I’m doing fine on my own and even if you say I will still be my own person, I know that’s not entirely true. I know you, I know that you’ll care too much. As much as I would love to Celestia, my answer is no.” I explain.
“But Sunset, please-” I cut her off once more.
“No, no please, no rethinking. I don’t want to be forced into doing anything I don’t want to do,” I say.
“No one’s forcing you Sunset, I just want you to reconsider. It would be for the best,” Celestia tries.
“My answer is still no, If it changes I’ll come to you. But unless I bring it up, I would like to never talk about it again,” I say with finality, Celestia gives me a long searching look.
“Fine, I won’t bring it up.” Celestia finally accepts, “But here’s the paper that would give me custody. If you change your mind, you just have to sign it and I can turn it in,” Celestia holds out a paper for me. I look at it with resentment, I take it with disinterest. Having the paper won’t hurt anything, I fold it delicately and stuff it in my purse.
“Okay, so what will I be doing?” I ask Celestia.
“Anything the workers ask of you, I’ve notified the workers that you’ll be helping. Most likely, you’ll just be doing small jobs. Such as sweeping, or getting coffee for them. You won’t really be helping with the actual building of the wall for a multitude of reasons, but you are to help with whatever they need you to help with.” Celestia says. “Also, you may not be needed at some point, if that is the case then the workers will tell you and you don’t have to come back to help. You do have to come every other day until that happens though. School should be back up in around two weeks, if there are no delays.” Celesia adds.
“Right, so I’m at the mercy of the workers?” I clarify.
“Within reason,” Celestia answers.
“Okay, see ya,” I leave Celestia’s office before she can say anything else.
~~~~~~~
Luna walks into Celestia’s office, Celestia smiles weakly up at her. “I saw Sunset in the hall, did you just talk to her?” Luna asks.
“More or less,” Celestia replies.
“And how did that go? Did you talk to her about the adoption?” Luna asks in earnest.
“It went exactly as you said it would, she denied it. I promised not to bring it up again,” Celestia sighs in exasperation.
“I was hoping I was wrong,” Luna comments.
“As was I, but there is nothing to be done about it now. If she comes around then she comes around,” Celestia says in defeat.
“Perhaps not,” Luna muses.
“What do you mean? I promised we wouldn’t bring it up, that means that we can’t influence it any farther,” Celestia points out.
“Maybe, did you promise that we wouldn’t mention it or that you wouldn’t mention it?” Luna asks coyly, Celestia thinks for a second and then brightens up.
“That’s right! I only promised not to talk to her about it, but can you be sure that you will get any different results?” Celestia questions.
“Not right now… we’ll have to wait.” Luna decides.
“What if you can’t talk some sense into her?” Celestia asks with doubt.
“Well, there is one other person I think might be able to talk to her. If nothing else, she can help bring some resolution to this,” Luna decides.
“Who might that be?” Celestia asks in confusion, nobody comes to mind immediately.
“Have you honestly forgotten our friend so quickly?” Luna asks playfully.
“Friend? Oh! You mean her, I almost forgot. It has been quite a while since we last talked… Actually, come to think of it… Does it not seem strange that she wasn’t here for what happened Friday?” Celestia says thoughtfully.
“I as well thought that, but I believe she was there,” Luna replies.
“Oh? Did you see her?” Celestia asks.
“No, but you know how she loves to watch from the shadows. Likely she just let it blow over naturally,” Luna replies.
“Right… So you’ll try to talk some sense into Sunset? And if all else fails we turn to her?” Celestia asks.
“In time, yes.” Luna replies, Celestia just sighs and turns back to her paperwork.
“Remember when things were simple?” Celestia asks, Luna chuckles lightly.
“Yes, sister. I remember it very clearly,” Luna replies playfully.
~~~~~~~
“She what?!” Rainbow Dash shouts loudly, all of sugarcube corner turns to her and she ignores them.
“She volunteered to help me at the shelter,” Fluttershy answers timidly.
“Why that little… You watch out Fluttershy, there’s something going on. First Pinkie Pie, now you?” Rainbow seethes.
“What happened with Pinkie Pie?” Fluttershy asks.
“Apparently she offered to `help` with Pinkie’s genealogy assignment.” Dash says, her voice dripping malice.
“What’s so bad about that?” Fluttershy asks in confusion.
“Dash! Have you ever thought that maybe she isn’t planning anything and that she just actually wants to help?” Fluttershy presses.
“What would make me think that?” Dash asks incredulously.
“The same feeling that makes you a good friend?” Fluttershy tries.
“Trust is for people who have earned it,” Dash counters.
“Well, I trust her. She’s earned my trust,” Fluttershy states.
“How? By saying she’ll be nice?” Dash scoffs, her tone is sarcastic.
“No, by showing me she is nice,” Fluttershy corrects.
“How did she prove she was nice?” Dash challenges.
“She helped cheer me up and even apologized this morning,” Fluttershy tells Dash.
“I came and got you first thing this morning,” Rainbow Dash points out.
“Before that, I was in the park feeling a little down and she asked me what was wrong. Then we had a nice talk and she walked me home,” Fluttershy says.
“That was just a part of her plan!” Rainbow says.
“No, Rainbow. It wasn’t, I know true kindness when I see it. She didn’t have to do any of what she did, she did it because she wanted to help,” Fluttershy says in Sunset’s defense.
“That’s what she wants you to think, she’s tricky!” Rainbow exclaims, waving her hands in exaggeration.
“Rainbow, just give her a chance,” Fluttershy pleads.
“Fine, but that’s all she’s getting. A chance,” Rainbow submits. Fluttershy just looks at her with concern, it’s going to be hard getting Rainbow and Sunset to be friends. Fluttershy looks to the door as the bell rings, she sees a familiar figure walk into the shop.
~~~~~~~
I walk down the street towards Sugarcube Corner, the construction workers have been asking me to do things the whole time they’ve been there. I’m just eager that my new task is a much better one than any of the others. Before they had me sweeping up debris and moving wheelbarrows, occasionally I’d go tell another worker what his job was. Now I just have to get them muffins and coffee from Sugarcube Corner. I enter the shop and immediately regret coming in here. Fluttershy’s here, which isn’t that bad, but she’s with Rainbow Dash. Rainbow is glaring daggers at me, I just return the gesture.
“Hey Sunset!” Fluttershy calls over, I sigh and offer a small smile over to her.
“Hey Flutters,” I reply, then I return to my glare off with Dash.
“I thought you had to help fix the wall today?” Fluttershy asks.
“I thought so too, but no, I’m just doing small errands for the actual workers. Right now I’m here to get them some muffins and coffee,” I answer, I walk to the counter and ring the bell.
“Hello! What can I get’cha?” The same cheerie voice from yesterday asks.
“Hello Mrs. Cake, could I get fifteen muffins and fifteen coffees.” I order, Mrs cake nods and rings me up. I hand her the fifty that one of the workers gave me and she gives me back some change, I just stuff it in my pocket.
“Pinkie? Could you bag fifteen muffins while I get some coffee going?” Mrs. Cake calls back.
“Yes indeedly!” Pinkie Pie’s cheerful voice responds. I sigh in aggravation, looks like I have to deal with Pinkie Pie again today. Pinkie Pie bounces out of the kitchen and up to the counter, she gasps when she sees me. “Oh my gosh, Sunset! You’re here! I thought you had to work on the wall? Oh, Celestia probably told you that you couldn’t work on the wall right? So what’re you doing? That’s a lot of muffins, what could you need with fifteen muffins? Are you having a party? You need a lot more muffins if you’re having a party! Oh, is this part of your job? Do you need to get the actual workers muffins? Do ya?” Pinkie asks enthusiastically. I wait a minute and make sure Pinkie is done.
“Yes, I do. Sometimes the rate at which you figure things out is frightening,” I comment as Pinkie bags my muffins.
“Mrs. Cake always tells me that my brain seems to work faster than everything else,” Pinkie says.
“Mind teaching me?” I ask jokingly.
“Hmm… I don’t know… do you think you have what it takes?” Pinkie asks.
“Not in the slightest,” I say. `If by what it takes you mean be an annoying sack of ADHD, then no,” I think to myself. I grab the bag of muffins and wait for the coffees, Rainbow Dash is still eyeing me from the booth. It aggravates the hell out of me, so I turn away in a huff. When I turn I see Pinkie Pie giving me a giant toothy smile, her happiness is also annoying. I look at the rest of the shop and find multiple people are also eyeing me, it aggravates the hell out of me that people can’t move on. Anywhere I look I find a reason to get annoyed, and it pisses me off. I turn to Fluttershy and she offers me a small smile, I feel some of my aggravation slip away. My thoughts drift back to this morning and I let a small smile form on my features, it would seem that Fluttershy is the only thing here to keep me grounded.
Fluttershy’s such a great friend, I find myself hoping I can be a good friend back. Since when have I ever had a want for friends? Never, as far as I can remember. Mrs. Cake starts to set carriers on the counter for drinks. She fills them up slowly with cups of coffee, I look at them with dismay. How am I supposed to carry all this stuff? Weight isn’t a problem, it’s a lack of space.
“You don’t happen to have any bigger carriers?” I ask hopefully.
“Sorry dear. Only these,” I look at the carriers, each one carries four cups. There are four carriers and one bag full of muffins. I look from my hands to the cups and try to figure the problem out in my head.
“Do you need help?” I hear Fluttershy speak up from behind me. I look back and see Fluttershy dragging Rainbow over to help.
“Sure,” I say nonchalantly. I’m actually really grateful that Fluttershy’s willing to help out, I’m just not that enthusiastic about Rainbow dash helping. I grab one of the carriers and Fluttershy grabs one as well. Rainbow Dash grabs two with a groan and we all turn towards the door.
“See ya girls later!” Pinkie calls out.
“See ya Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash calls back.
“Bye!” Fluttershy waves with her free hand.
“Later,” I reply lazily. We head down the street in silence towards the school, but the silence is broken by the last person I wanted to talk to.
“So, Sunset. I hear that you volunteered at the pet shelter,” Rainbow accuses.
“Is that a problem?” I ask angrily.
“I don’t know. Will it be?” Rainbow challenges.
“Only if you make it one,” I counter, Rainbow is glaring at me and I glare back.
“Girls!” both me and Rainbow jump at Fluttershy’s shout, I had completely forgotten she was between us. “Can’t you two at least try and get along?” Fluttershy asks.
“I’m sorry that I find it hard to be buddies with the girl that plotted to brainwash me and make me a slave, only to end up trying to kill me!” Rainbow seethes.
“Are you still hung up on that? Why can’t you just let it go?! I said I’m sorry, what more do you want? I have my own problems, I’m not defined by one bad incident!” I exclaim.
“It’s not just one incident though! You also tore my friends from me! That’s what I can’t forgive,” Rainbows voice is dripping with malice.
“Like your friendship is so great anyway, I know I don’t want it. Besides, I never saw you trying to get them back,” I point out, Rainbow’s clearly getting angrier.
“Well you-” Rainbow doesn’t have a chance to finish as she’s cut off by Fluttershy.
“Girls!” We both turn to fluttershy, she is ahead of both of us. We freeze under her stare, I can feel it piercing into my soul. Her gaze softens and I feel myself loosen up, I hadn’t even realized I was tense. “Can’t we all just put our bad experiences behind us? We don’t live in the past, we live in the present.” Fluttershy points out, I look away from her in shame.
“Sorry,” I say, more to Fluttershy than Rainbow Dash.
“I’m sorry too,” Rainbow says, we look at eachother and I can feel a mutual agreement to never fight in front of Fluttershy. We both nod and turn back to Fluttershy, she seems to think we’ve made up. We continue to the school without another incident, accompanied only by silence. We get back to the school and deliver the coffee, I part ways with the two of them and they head their own way. I watch as the two of them leave and I can feel my contempt for Rainbow Dash rising, why can’t she just let things go. I don’t like what happened any more than she does, but at least I’m attempting to move on. What’s that saying that Vice Principal Luna likes? `Let your past make you better, not bitter`. It looks like Rainbow needs a lesson in moving on.
I turn back to the workers and they continue to give me small tasks.
~~~~~~~
“God, I’ve still got to do that again for an innumerable amount of times.” I say as I flop onto my bed drowsily. I’ve just gotten back from working and I had dinner. I took a shower and cleaned all the dust and dirt off of me, I even remembered to switch off the generator tonight. I snuggle into my stiff bed contentedly and snuggle into my soft sheets. My thoughts drift to happy things and I stay warm in my pajamas. My thoughts bring up the four girls that try to be my friend, then my thoughts drift to the one girl that I will call my friend.
Then my thoughts drift to Principal Celestia, she dared to care. Not surprising, considering that’s what she’s known for. Canterlot high is one of the best schools, and it’s mostly because of her. Yet, no matter how much she cares, I don’t plan on submitting to her request. Elements or not, I will remain independent. That I’m sure of, if not anything else. I’m glad that I managed to make her give up the topic, that way I can’t be accidentally forced into giving up more of my freedom. My thoughts flick to my conversation with Fluttershy and I realize something strange. Every question I’ve been asked, I’ve had to give an answer for, unless the answer is answered before I can.
Except, when I was with Fluttershy, I could’ve sworn that I didn’t answer one or two of her questions immediately. That’s when I felt at ease with her, When I was becoming friends with her. Was my temporary solution and actual solution? I just have to actually become friends and be friendly to regain my will? That’ll be the hardest part of this, becoming friends. I need to gather my thoughts, what better place than the library? I’ll be there tomorrow helping Pinkie Pie, after that I can form some sort of idea on my situation. With my plan in mind, I drift off into a peaceful slumber.
A rainbow of colors dance around me, a chaotic display. It’s washed over by a calming darkness, I feel a happiness as a pink light bursts through. A pink butterfly forms out of the light and I look at it in wonder. My heart feels warm and fuzzy as I look at it and I feel a single word float through the black expanse towards the butterfly. Kindness. I look at the light and it explodes into a rainbow of colors and dissipates against the black background. I sit in the darkness contentedly.
~~~~~~~
I wake slowly and wipe the sleep out of my eyes, I look to the clock. It’s seven O’clock, I should get up. My thoughts idle on my dream, it’s already quickly fading. I don’t remember much of it at all. I remember darkness and a comforting feeling, then happiness. I can still sort of feel the happiness, but it’s much more faint. The fact I can’t remember more of the dream irks me, but I just brush it aside.
I look inside my drawer and pull out a red blouse, I find an orange skirt and put them on. I grab an orange cardigan as well and put that on. I look at my boots and decide that they’re not really matching this particular outfit. I turn to my other shoes and look over them. I grab a simple pair of red sneakers and put them on, I turn to the mirror and admire my choice. I grab my purse and head downstairs.
I complete my morning routine by getting breakfast and brushing my teeth, I also clean the dishes in the sink and put them away. I check the ice again and turn off the generator, then I head out. After making sure the front door is locked, I head towards the library. The light of the day is already in full swing and a chill breeze blows through the air. Not enough so that I’m cold, but enough to cool my skin. The streets are slowly getting busier as time progresses, it’s a fairly decent walk. I’m going to one of my favorite places, the library. Granted, it’s to help someone I’m not particularly fond of, but it’s the library.
Libraries are the best source for anything and everything you could want to know. The bigger the library, the more knowledge. And the library in this city is bigger than most I’d ever seen in Equestria. I could just go to the library at the school, but I’m pretty sure that I’m not allowed in. The city library is bigger anyway, and it has lots of records on families. That, or we could use the internet and find family records. That sounds like the better idea, because I’m not entirely sure where Pinkie’s parents are. I know that their alive and well, I’ve just never seen them. I also know that Pinkie is staying with her aunt and uncle the Cakes for some reason, I just don’t know what the reason is.
Actually the more that I think about it, the more I realize that Pinkie is one mysterious enigma. There is so much I don’t know about her, yet she knows so much about everyone else. Maybe I could ask her, tell her that I need to know so I can help her with her research. What if something’s wrong? I could be bringing up old scars, I’m not cruel. Am I? Would I purposely hurt someone for the sake of progress and discovery? Hurt someone just so I can leech information from them? Maybe before, I have a second chance now. Does that really mean anything? I have a second chance, but do I want to do anything with it?
I don’t have a choice whether I can be friends with them or not, if I had my choice I wouldn’t have had any friends. Either I force myself to be friendly, or the elements will force me. Am I really against having friends to see it like that? Fluttershy isn’t a bad friend, and I don’t regret it. What’s different about any of the other girls, that I’m not their friend yet? What’s that saying `Don’t knock it till you try it`. I’ll give them all a chance, even Rainbow dash. I probably won’t be friends with any of them immediately, but they deserve at least a chance. Especially with how many I’ve given them, and what I’ve done. Rainbow dash was right about one thing, the things I did are unforgivable. But I’m not looking to be forgiven, I’m hoping it can be forgotten.
I sigh and look at the rate at which I’m changing, I remember being so hateful. Now I’m just slightly aggravated most of the time, or just really bored. What happened to the old Sunset Shimmer? She was cool, I liked her. ‘No you didn’t, you hated her every minute’ I hear my brain tell myself. This is true, I never especially liked what I was doing. I liked the results it produced, but now that Sunset is gone. If you fall to the bottom from the top, do you turn to the conclusion of making friends? Apparently.
I walk into the library and find it fairly empty on first glances, there’s also no sign of Pinkie. I walk down aisle after aisle and look through the rows of bookcases in an attempt to find the over-enthusiastic girl, but it would appear that she’s not here yet. I look at the clock, then I realize that we didn’t exactly set up a time. She could potentially come by at five in the afternoon and I couldn’t get mad at her for being late. I could call her, but I guess I don’t really need her help. The faster I get this project done, the faster I can get to my research. I think that both Pinkie and I knew that I was going to be doing almost literally all of the project anyway. I get started on the research immediately.
~~~~~~~
“Whoa!” Pinkie Pie sits at the breakfast table, various twitches and shakes rattle through her body. Pinkie thinks for a second and she realizes what it is she’s feeling. “Oh no! She’s starting without me!” Pinkie finishes up her pancakes in three big bites and rushes upstairs. She grabs her stuff and stops by the bathroom, she brushes her teeth quickly. Then she rushes out the front door yelling a quick “Bye!” to everyone in the shop.
Pinkie runs towards the library at a steady pace, she can’t let Sunset get too far into the research without her. That wouldn’t be right, she couldn’t let Sunset do all the work. For one, that’s like making Sunset do things for her. She couldn’t just force the assignment on Sunset like that, that’s just mean. For two, Sunset doesn’t have the outline. Pinkie picks up the pace ever so slightly and rushes to the library. Pinkie almost stops by a candy store for a snack, but there’s no time. Her and Sunset can go together after the research is done! Pinkie continues to sprint gleefully down the street, not even getting winded.
~~~~~~~
I look through the files and organize the information I find useful, The projects about halfway done. I’m organizing all the info for the research paper, I have a pretty good idea on what they want. The outline would be nice, but it isn’t really needed. I’m looking at my data and trying to figure out what would make a better second paragraph when I recognize a pink blur in the corner of my eye, I turn and find Pinkie walking quickly up to me.
“Sunset! I came as fast as I could!” Pinkie says, I just look at her in confusion and then turn back to my papers. “How much have you done? not that much I hope, I had the feeling not that long ago!” Pinkie tells me.
“It’s almost done, I just need to organize this paper into flowing paragraphs,” I reply, “Feeling?” I ask idly, then I regret asking. It’s likely I don’t want to know, because this is Pinkie we’re talking about.
“My Pinkie sense told me that you started researching without me! But it looks like you finished all the research!” Pinkie complains.
“That is correct, it’s almost done, now go wait while I finish this up.” I tell her.
“But you don’t have the outline!” Pinkie says incredulously.
“Do you?” I ask.
“Yes…” Pinkie says, somewhat downtrodden.
“May I have it?” I ask.
“Yes,” Pinkie hands me the paper and I look it over.
“Ah, this one should be second,” I rearrange the paragraphs and turn back to Pinkie.
“Those books right there are the ones I found my research in, I believe one of them had Applejacks family too,” I tell her, she opens one up and begins looking at it. Pinkie starts to look through other books that I recognize as more genealogical books and then I find her coming back with old records. I didn’t need to go nearly as far back, most school projects won’t go back that far. I’m finishing up the report when I hear Pinkie gasp loudly.
“Genealogy is the greatest thing in the history of ever!” Pinkie exclaims, she receives a loud `Shh!` from the librarian. I put on my finishing touches and turn to Pinkie.
“It’s done,” I tell her, she looks up from the document she’s holding.
“Sunset! Come look!” Pinkie whispers loudly. I sigh and walk over to her, I look at the document. It’s an older document on the Apple family, I look at the page. It looks like standard genealogical records.
“Wow, records. So exciting,” I say sarcastically.
“No silly! Down here!” Pinkie points to a line near the bottom.
“What is it? I can’t read it, it’s all smudged.” I tell her.
“It says Applesauce of the Apple family lineage is a fourth cousin twice removed of the Pie family! That says Pie, right there!” Pinkie says excitedly.
“Are you sure it says Pie? It’s so smudged,” I point out.
“It is a bit difficult to read, but when I read it I knew in my heart it was true!” Pinkie exclaims. I just look at her and decide not to argue the validity of her claims.
“So… what? You’re a member of the Apple family?” I ask her, I’m not entirely understanding what this means here.
“That’s exactly what this means!” Pinkie receives another shush and she zips her mouth to show she understands.
“Great… well, the paper is done,” I tell her, I just drop the Apple family topic. Pinkie isn’t so eager to forget it though.
“We need to go tell Applejack!” Pinkie whispers to me excitedly.
“No, this is where I step off of this little expedition. You can go tell her, but I’m not going,” I tell Pinkie with finality.
“Please, Sunset? It’ll be fun! I promise.” Pinkie asks earnestly.
“...Fine.” I try to deny, but I begrudgingly accept. That must be the elements doing, I’ll just stay here. She can make me say yes, but she can’t make me mean yes.
“Oh thank you, Let’s get these books put away and we can go.” Pinkie dashes to all the reference books I had out and puts them on the cart, she then puts her books on. I don’t move an inch, I let her put it all away. Pinkie frolicks over to the computer and prints out her paper, then she runs over to the printer and grabs it. “Come on Sunset!” Pinkie calls to me, I feel my legs start to move after her.
“Gah! No! Stop!” I tell my legs, but it’s no use. I start to follow Pinkie, I barely manage to grab my purse as I walk away from the table. I look back and make sure I have everything, then I finally start to follow Pinkie of my own accord. I look forlornly back at the books as the library door closes behind us, we continue to walk to Applejacks farm. “Why’d you have to drag me along Pinkie? Isn’t this gonna be some sort of family business, or family conversation. What do I have to do there?” I ask Pinkie.
“Well, yeah… but it’s nice to have friends there!” Pinkie says.
“That’s my point, why not take one of your friends instead? Why am I here?” I snap, I’m irritated that I’m not doing research. Pinkie stops her bouncing down the street and I see her shoulders slump, she turns to me.
“We’re friends, right?” Pinkie asks me.
“No Pinkie, you want to be friends. I don’t want that.” I tell her irritatedly.
“Then… why did you help me? I thought you helped because you cared,” Pinkie presses.
“I helped you because I was weak, I wasn’t entirely in control of my actions. If it were my choice at the time, I would’ve just avoided you completely,” I tap my foot against the floor and she looks completely downtrodden.
“But…” Pinkie searches for something, but she just stops. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time, go do whatever it is that’s obviously more important than our friendship.” Pinkie turns away and I just watch her, it almost seems as if her hair’s a bit less poofy. “Oh, and Sunset?” Pinkie turns to me just before rounding the nearest corner, I look at her with disdain. “It doesn’t feel so great not being in control of your actions, does it?” Pinkie rounds the corner without blinking. My thoughts flicker to the student zombie army that I tried to create and I feel Pinkie’s words pierce my heart. She managed to hurt me, I didn’t think that Pinkie Pie was even capable of channeling anger.
I look after Pinkie Pie and feel a sadness, I just depressed the most optimistic person I know. That seems to be too low, even for me. It’s one thing to mock someone, and one thing to find them annoying, but it’s something entirely different to take away their optimistic spirit. Pinkie Pie just isn’t Pinkie Pie without it, and to make Pinkie Pie something she isn’t is just wrong. I may not like her, but I don’t hate her enough to do that to her. As much as I dislike the idea, I need to cheer Pinkie Pie up. It should be easy enough, I just have to be a little silly. Maybe even, apologize.
I sigh and walk to the corner Pinkie Pie turned around and look to find the Pink haired girl. I don’t see her anywhere on this street, I continue looking and find nothing. Pinkie Pie was headed to Applejacks, I can find her there. I continue towards where I know Applejacks farm to be, it’s one of the most popular farms and it’s right outside of the city. I walk at a brisk pace towards the farm, I have to make things right. Especially since Rainbow Dash promised me she’d do `something` if I hurt any of her friends, including Pinkie. I’m not scared of Rainbow, I’d just rather not deal with that right now.
I walk up on the apple family farm and walk up to the door, I knock quickly. Applejack opens the door and looks at me in surprise, “Well if it ain’t Sunset Shimmer, what are you doing here?” Applejack asks abruptly.
“Is Pinkie Pie here?” I ask.
“Yes,” Applejack answers simply.
“Can I talk to her?” I ask her.
“Don’t you got somethin’ to be doin’?” Applejack asks.
“This was more important,” I sigh and recount my mistake, I shouldn’t have said the things I did the way I said them.
“Little Sunset’s actually learnin’ somethin’ ‘bout friendship, it’s a miracle.” Applejack says, stepping out of the doorway and gesturing me in.
“Shut up Applejack, I didn’t say anything about friendship. I came to repent for my words,” I clarify.
“It’s a start,” Applejack sighs, I ignore her and walk towards the living room. Pinkie’s sitting on the couch and sulking, she looks up as I walk in.
“Sunset?” She asks incredulously and then she turns away sourly, “What are you doing here?” She asks bitterly.
“I came to apologize, Pinkie. I’m sorry about what I said,” I tell her.
“I thought you had better things to do that didn’t involve me?” Pinkie asks.
“They were less important than this,” I sigh and sit next to Pinkie on the couch. Pinkie looks me over for a second and I just sit there and wait for an answer. A slight smile comes onto Pinkie’s face and I can see her giddiness return.
“Thank you, Sunset,” Pinkie hugs me and I push her away gently.
“Yeah, I’m not a fan of hugging,” I tell her.
“That’s ok, we’ll get you better at it,” Pinkie giggles.
“So, not to be rude or anything, but why’d ya come here Pinkie? It’s farther than any of the other girls houses,” Applejack points out.
“Oh, that’s right I had something to tell you!” Pinkie exclaims excitedly, she reaches into her bag and pulls out the records.
“What would that be?” Applejack asks in intrigue.
“How’s it going Cousin!” Pinkie exclaims as she wraps Applejack in a hug.
“Cousin? What’s this about?” Applejack asks confusedly.
“Pinkie found some records during her genealogy project about your family, and it seems she found a record that proves your related,” I tell her as I watch the spectacle.
“What? We’re… family? That’s crazy! And great! That’s fantastic Pinkie!” Applejack returns Pinkie’s hug and Applebloom walks in.
“What’s goin’ on in here?” Applebloom asks.
“Applebloom! Say hi to your cousin!” Applejack tells her.
“Cousin? Pinkie’s an Apple?” Applebloom asks incredulously.
“It would seem so!” Applejack says.
“Wow, that’s great! How do ya know?” Applebloom asks.
“Pinkie found some records that say we’re related,” Applejack explains.
“Wow! C’mon, let’s go tell Granny Smith and Big Mac!” Applebloom and Pinkie Pie rush out of the room, Pinkie leaves the record.
“Hmm…” Applejack picks up the paper.
“What’s wrong AJ? Not happy with your lot in life?” I ask her jokingly.
“No, I’m just surprised that I ain’t heard ‘bout this before. Seems like something might’ve come up by now…” Applejack inspects the paper. “I’m not seeing where it says we’re family,” Applejack says aggravatedly.
“Right there,” I walk over and point at the line Pinkie showed me.
“There? It’s awfully smudged… Are ya sure it says Pie?” Applejack asks me, I shrug.
“Pinkie seemed sure,” I say non-committedly.
“Well, how can we be sure?” Applejack asks.
“I have no freaking clue, I didn’t even want to come over here. Pinkie insisted on dragging me along,” I tell her.
“About that. Listen Shimmer-” I cut Applejack off before she can continue.
“Yeah, yeah, what I did was awful and you’re mad at me,” I say.
“Actually Sunset, it’s the opposite. I’m proud of you Sunset, you’ve come far in this small amount of time. It takes real effort to come forward and apologize, you’ve shown that you do actually care about friendship. You have my trust Shimmer,” Applejack says, I look at her in embarrassment.
“Whatever, and I didn’t do it for friendship…” I say hotly. “I did it because I couldn’t stand doing what I did to Pinkie,” I tell her.
“Regardless of why, you’re learning,” Applejack insists.
“It seems to be all I’m good at doing nowadays…” I say sadly.
“C’mon Sunset, you’re good at a lot of things.” Applejack says in encouragement.
“Like what?” I challenge.
“Well, uh…” Applejack thinks on it.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. I’d expect the element of honesty to have more sense when she’s saying things,” I say with contempt.
“Hey! I’m trying to be nice, you’re question just caught me off guard!” Applejack shouts. “Why do ya have to do that? You were being plenty nice before, then you turned all sour,” Applejack says with a hint of sadness.
“Old habits die hard,” I tell her, I stand up from the couch. “You and Pinkie have fun with your `family stuff`, I have work to do,” I turn and leave the house abruptly. I don’t give Applejack a chance to reply, I just head to the library at a brisk pace.
~~~~~~~
Applejack looks after Sunset sadly, they had almost made progress. She had felt that they were bonding, Sunset was being pleasant. It surprised Applejack to be honest, she hadn’t expected to see progress like that for a long while. It’s obvious it’s still going to be a long road to getting Sunset Shimmer to be a true friend, and even longer to help her learn about being a good friend, but it won’t be too long.
“Applejack! Have you seen my paper? Granny smith and Big Mac wanna see it!” Pinkie sees it and grabs it. “Here it is! Say, where’d Shimmer go?” Pinkie asks, looking around.
“She left, she felt that she wasn’t needed. She told us to just go and do our `family stuff`.” Applejack replies.
“Oh, well then lets go! I still have to show Big Mac and Granny Smith the paper! Oh, and Applebloom too!” Pinkie runs over to another room where Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Applebloom are waiting.
“Pinkie, I actually want to talk to you about that. The signature is-” Applejack starts, but she’s cut off by Applebloom once Pinkie shows the three the paper.
“Smudged. It’s all smudged Pinkie,” Applebloom says, she looks over to Pinkie in confusion.
“Well, it’s a little hard to read, but it’s there all the same!” Pinkie says excitedly.
“I dunno Pinkie, how can we tell for sure?” Applejack asks. “I’d just hate for us to get all excited and then be let down if it’s not true. I just want a bit more solid proof is all,” Applejack says. Pinkie looks a little sad, but Granny Smith perks up.
“I know! We can go visit Golden Delicious, her cabin is basically a museum of family history! She’s sure to have a document or something that could prove it!” Granny Smith suggests excitedly.
“Yeah, that could work. Then we’ll know for sure!” Applejack says excitedly.
“What are we waiting for? I gotta go grab some stuff, then we can go on a family roadtrip!” Pinkie says excitedly, she runs out the door and the Apples all watch her hurry down the street..
~~~~~~~
Ugh, looks like it’s about lunch time already. I’ll have to delay my research a little longer and stop by somewhere to eat. I look at where I’m at and think of the good places to eat that are nearby. I see a nearby fast food place and I look at it with disdain. Of all the things in the world I despise, fast food is one of the worst ones. But it is fast and cheap, so I guess I’ll go. I walk to the restaurant and walk in the door, I look at the menu. I order my food and stand by to wait for it to come out, then I hear something.
“Strange how the school is off, did you see the wreckage?” I hear a voice say. I would ignore them, but the repliers voice catches my interest.
“Yeah, but it gives me some time to study before I get involved in the school. I still need to learn the layout and everything else. Public school is much different than private school,” The voice I hear makes me whirl around, but the person speaking has left the building. I managed to catch a glimpse, and I swear that I saw purple. Could that have been Twilight? No, I’ve been going crazy this whole time, now I’m just hearing and seeing things. It’s all the nerves, I’m getting stressed out.
Still, what if I’m not seeing things? Could Twilight really be here? It’s probably the Twilight from this world, but still. People tend to be the same in mirror universes, that’ll mean that this Twilight will be just as annoying and nosy. I can’t handle another Twilight, not now. Well, she doesn’t know me. I don’t know her, we’ll just stay strangers. I’ll ignore her and act like I regularly do. That’s a big if, if there really is a Twilight going to our school.
My food arrives and I take it to a table by the window, I look outside and see a group of friends I hadn't expected to see. Unfortunately, they see me as well. They walk into the restaurant and I sigh, can I go a day without running into every single one of the girls. Rarity and Fluttershy walk up to my table with smiles, I look at them indifferently before turning to look back out the window.
"Hello Sunset, fancy seeing you here." Rarity slides into the booth across from me with Fluttershy at her side.
"Yeah, fancy that. It's not like you followed me into here." I deadpan without looking to her.
"I admit, we did just want to talk. I normally wouldn't come to such a place, but I don't mind if theres a friend here." Rarity offers me a smile and I turn to see it, I look back out the window with disgust.
"We're not friends," I correct.
"The friend of a friend-" Rarity tries, I cut her off.
"Is someone I will tolerate. Nothing more," I continue for her.
"Won't you even try pretending to be friendly?" Rarity asks.
"Nope, harmony has made me more honest," I reply in a mocking tone.
"You're such a handful, it's a wonder you softened to anybody..." Rarity comments. I just turn away in disdain and look back out the window.
"How are you Sunset?" Fluttershy asks. I sigh and turn to her, I think for a second.
"Fine," I shrug, there hasn't been much to this day aside from helping Pinkie. That girl can tell people her lineage on her own accord, I don't need to get involved. "How about you?" I ask absently, Rarity seems to be listening intensely to our conversation. No doubt trying to identify something in the way we talk that makes us better friends.
"I'm doing good. Me and Rarity we're just heading to our first spa trip as friends again. We used to go all the time," Fluttershy says, I can't help but feel a little guilty. No doubt this activity brought happiness to Fluttershy, and it must have stopped when I split them up. "Do you still have to go help Pinkie with her project?" Fluttershy asks.
"No, I finished it up earlier," I answer.
"Well, if you have nothing to do, you could come up with us to the spa. It'll help get you all cleaned up from all the work and things that have been going on." Fluttershy tells me.
"I take showers," I counter.
"Just showers? Darling! Look at those nails, they're looking terribly worn... and your hair is a bit frazzled, and they could help with your complexion," Rarity speaks up.
"Are you saying I look bad?" I turn to Rarity with a frown.
"No, heavens no. You look fine, its just all the subtleties. I'm just saying that you could be looking better," Rarity says hastily. As much as I hate to admit it, Rarity's probably right. She is the schools biggest fashionista, if anybody knows everything about fashion, it's her. I could probably use a spa visit, there’s nothing bad about looking good. Besides, if I can't be the best at the school, I can at least look the part.
"But, I haven't the coin for a trip to the spa," I tell them.
"That's alright, my treat," Rarity smiles and I think it over. I had wanted to go to the library, but I can go there any time. This could be my only chance to go to the spa in a long while, I should take up the offer.
"Okay, I guess I'll come with. But, let me finish my meal first," I tell them.
"Oh joy, I promise you Sunset, this will be fun!" Rarity tells me excitedly.
"I bet," I roll my eyes at her sudden display of enthusiasm. I finish up my meal, thankfully the girls keep quiet the whole time. My thoughts wander to a multitude of things, mainly to the possibility of there being another Twilight. I just can’t get the thought out of my head, not after what the first Twilight did to me. The thought of there being a second Twilight shouldn’t bother me as much as it does, she’s not the same person.
But they are probably similar, they’re like copies. Actually, thats exactly what they are. Copies. They are the same person, in a sense. But this Twilight is still different from the Twilight I hate. Is this Twilight actually any different? How can I be sure? I’m getting way ahead of myself, I don’t even know if it is Twilight. I should save all the questions for if I find she’s actually here. I should really think about the statistical probability of the only other Twilight coming to this school. I should probably also think about the terrible luck I’ve been having with none of my plans working out how I want them too, I wouldn’t put it past the world to set up another roadblock along the way.
“Alright sunset, are you ready to go?” I look up from my musings to find Rarity look to me expectantly. I look down at my meal to find that I absent-mindedly finished it up, I was too deep in thought to notice.
“I guess,” I sigh and get up to throw my trash away. Rarity and Fluttershy head to the store entrance and I follow up, we leave together.
“So Sunset, how have you been faring as of late?” Rarity asks.
“Fine,” I answer quickly.
“Anything exciting going on?” Rarity presses.
“No,” I keep my answer brief and simple.
“Is the work you’re doing hard?” Rarity asks, growing more and more desperate for more of an answer.
“No,” I repeat.
“What do they have you doing?” Rarity seems to be grasping at straws by now.
“Stuff,” I answer, Rarity looks at me with a hard glare, but I just look ahead and continue without so much as a glance over to her.
“Come on Sunset, there has to be a better answer than that,” Fluttershy tries.
“Nope, there really isn’t. I’m just doing a bunch of stuff,” I reply, Rarity looks at me hotly.
“So, how was your time with Pinkie?” Rarity asks. My thoughts flicker to when I made Pinkie cry and when I was working on the essay. I also think of all the excitement Pinkie managed to gather in just about everything.
“Exhausting,” I sigh deeply at the thought.
“Come on Sunset, why won’t you try being friendlier?” Rarity asks.
“Because I don’t know how!” I whirl on my toes and glare at her hard, then I realize my unintentional answer. I had meant to reply snarkily, but the elements made me answer it honestly. I just turn away sourly and continue walking, Rarity just follows after in shock. She clearly doesn’t know what to say, I look over and see her attempting to form a response. She just gives up her futile attempts and continues walking quietly, I thank her internally for dropping the subject. I also rue her for bringing it up, so now it’s balanced once more. Fluttershy seems to be looking at me concerned, but when she notices I’m looking she offers me a weak smile.
`Great, my only friend is now uncomfortable with me…` I think to myself with regret. If only I could be friendly, even the elements can’t synthesize friendliness for me. We continue in awkward silence all the way to the spa, nobody knew what to say if anything. When we get to the spa I see one of the twins manning the register, I can’t rightly say which one. I don’t come here often, or even see them often, but they’re pretty memorable. Still, I can never differentiate Aloe from Lotus.
“Hello Aloe,” Rarity says, apparently she can decipher which twin is which.
“Hello Miss Rarity, and Miss Fluttershy. Oh, and a young miss whom I do not recognize, welcome! Are all three of you together?” Aloe asks.
“Yes, this is Sunset Shimmer,” Rarity tells Aloe. “Could we please get the Relaxation Spa treatment?” Rarity pays for the treatment and I look at the boards. Aloe and Rarity are talking about something, but I’m too caught up with the prices. These treatments are pretty expensive, why is Rarity spending this sort of coin on me?
“It has been a while since you brought any guests, miss Rarity. It’s a pleasure to service you once more miss Fluttershy,” Fluttershy blushes at Aloes kind words.
“Oh, um, yes. Thank you very much,” Fluttershy responds timidly.
“And Miss Shimmer, was it? We hope to do more business with you in the future,” I just nod in understanding and she leads us back to the back room. They set us down in seats and I recognize Aloe’s sister, Lotus, Come out of another room to help with the work. She heads back and a couple other people come to help them after she says something into the room she just came from. The group of people divide themselves and get started on our nails, I watch as they start shaping the nails individually into an aesthetically pleasing shape. We stay quiet for a couple minutes until Rarity and Fluttershy strike up a small conversation. It isn’t until the person working on my hand is almost done and about to move to the other when I realize Rarity is trying to get my attention.
“Sunset? Are you listening?” Rarity calls.
“No, why?” I don’t bother looking over to her.
“I was just telling Fluttershy over here how I’m going to Manhattan next Monday for a young designer’s competition. I have a new line to show made out of a special fabric I’ve been making, and I’m going to display it at the competition. I was wondering if you’d like to come? All the girls are going, and I can get another ticket for the plane.” Rarity says hopefully.
“What? Rarity, a plane ticket?! That’s crazy! Those are expensive, really expensive! Why would you bring me along?” I say in shock. I know Rarity is giving, but an all expenses paid trip to Manhattan? That’s a lot of money that I couldn’t afford in a long while, how can Rarity afford it?
“Because I want to be your friend Sunset! I think that going to Manhattan with us would be a great experience, and I’d love for you to see my new line! I also have six tickets to the Maid of the Mountains, a popular musical that will be playing while we’re there. What do you say Sunset?” Rarity asks excitedly.
“Rarity, that’s a lot of money to be spending, are you sure that you have enough?” I ask warily.
“Yes, it’s all fine. I’m sure, all I need to know is if you’re going.” Rarity presses.
“Well, I would love to get out of town for a while…” I say.
“Yes?” Rarity urges me to go on.
“And it would be nice to visit a big city like Manhattan…” I muse.
“Go on,” Rarity insists.
“And I would love to go with you Rarity-” I start, but Rarity cuts me off before I can finish.
“Wonderful-!” I cut Rarity off before she can say much more.
“But! I still have work to do, and I can’t be sure that they’ll release me from my duties by Sunday.” I continue, Rarity looks down-trodden.
“Oh, I see… you have to… work.” Rarity says quietly.
“What if we wait for you to be released Sunset, you could still go,” Fluttershy points out.
“That’s a big if,” I counter.
“That’s a great idea!” Rarity exclaims. “Sunset, you get your bags packed. Have them ready for if you’re able to go. You said you work every other day, so…” Rarity starts mumbling and counting off on her fingers. “Aha! So you’re last day of work is the Saturday before we leave. If you find out at any time that you’ve been released, just call me or text me and I’ll buy your ticket!” Rarity explains her plan and I just look at the two girls at my side before sighing.
“Fine, I’ll pack my bags and see what happens,” I submit, They both squeal in glee and I just roll my eyes at the display. I look back down and find that they’re already done with the shaping and are dipping my hand into some really warm liquid. “What’s this?” I ask curiously.
“That’s Paraffin wax, darling. It softens and moisturizes. I believe that this particular batch was made with Tea Tree oil, you can smell it. That means that it also clears up your skin,” Rarity explains as they dip my hands in a couple of times and then wrap it with some sort of plastic and then a towel. The wax is really warm and calming, I sit there contentedly. I’ve noticed that they are doing the same thing with my feet, I didn’t pay them much attention though. “It’s a rare and very special treatment. It’s one of the great things about this spa compared to most,” Rarity explains, I acknowledge it with a small grunt.
“It’s been too long since I’ve gone with you Rarity,” Fluttershy sighs in contentment.
“It really has, hasn’t it?” Rarity agrees.
“I’m sorry,” I say absently, I might as well apologize right now.
“Whatever for?” Rarity asks in confusion.
“I forced you guys apart, it was cruel of me,” I say with sorrow.
“That’s in the past, darling. We forgive you,” Rarity soothes.
“I know, but I just figured I should apologize. I know that I did more than I realized,” My thoughts drift to Fluttershy’s confession and I can only think of what else I may have done. I feel sick to my stomach thinking of it.
“Well… thank you. I know it’s hard for you to apologize,” Rarity says understandingly. I look over to Rarity and see her giving me the smallest of smiles, and I feel compelled to smile back. But then my thoughts move to what I may have done to her, could it be worse than what I did to Fluttershy? Fluttershy is one of the most level-headed of them, what could I have done to the drama-freak? I turn away in shame at the thought. We don’t speak much after that, Rarity and Fluttershy eventually return to their Idle conversation. I just sit there and think about all the thoughts going through my head, I really need to organize them into a list or something. I should, but I’m probably not going to. I don’t know what it is, I used to make lists all the time. All I used to do is study. Now that I’ve been forced into learning friendship, I’m not doing a whole lot of that.
I also used to be pleasant and respectable, but I’m neither of those anymore. Now I’m bitter and feared, or hated depending on how much guts you have. Rainbow dares to hate me, and I’m sure everybody else is still afraid of me. The way everybody looks at me seems to give away that feeling, it’s not like I don’t deserve it. What I did was terrible and everybody knows it, even me. I can’t even ignore it as everyone else just being weak, I can’t justify what I did in any way. This makes me helpless to my own emotions, which is a terrible feeling. Thankfully, the spa treatment is doing wonders for my nerves and makes me feel better. I close my eyes and everything goes dark, it’s a comforting darkness.
I remember when the elements fixed me, there was a comforting darkness then too. But it was much more comforting, it was a pure black void and there was nothing but an expanse of black all around me. My thoughts drift to my dream, I remember darkness then too. It had a sort of dimmed effect though, not as powerful and concentrated. It was nonetheless comforting, though I wish I could remember the dream entirely. Oh well, it matters not. All that I know is that it was a pleasant dream and that’s good enough for me.
The spa workers start unravelling our hands and finish on our hands, then Lotus leads us into a changing room and hands us some robes. We change out and into the robes and Lotus directs us into what I believe to be a sauna. Rarity, Fluttershy, and I all sit in the hot room as various colors dance across my vision and a calming mint smell invades my senses.
“So… I’m not going crazy, right? You girls see those lights as well, right?” I finally ask as the colors catch more of my attention.
“Oh, I thought maybe I was seeing things…” Fluttershy says with relief.
“No, it’s a special type of treatment. Chromatherapy, I believe. Along with that mint smell as a form of aromatherapy, they’re supposed to be very calming and rejuvenating. Why? Are the lights annoying? We can ask for them off,” Rarity explains.
“No, they can stay on. I just find more comfort in darkness, the light was just… a surprise.” I tell her, Rarity just nods in understanding and we return to our silence.
“So, you helped Pinkie with her project, right?” Rarity asks.
“Yeah,” I answer, my thoughts are more focused on the annoying lights dancing in my vision.
“Anything interesting in her family line?” Rarity asks. I think on it for a second and decide against telling them anything, that’s her decision to tell them. I’ll leave the Pie and Apple family to the Pie and Apple family. The only family I need to worry about is the Shimmer family, current member, one.
“You’ll have to talk to Pinkie, it’s not my place to say,” I tell her.
“Well, anything happening? What about your house?” Rarity asks, I freeze up and turn to stare at her icily.
“What about my house?” I ask shortly.
“Have you found a new place yet?” Rarity asks.
“Why would I need to find a new place?” I question.
“Well if the house is in as bad a shape as you say it is-” I stop Rarity before she can say much else.
“I never said that the house is in bad shape, I said it was old and beat-up. I have no need to find a new house and I don’t plan to, now let’s never mention my living situation again,” I warn.
“But-” Rarity starts.
“NEVER” I clarify, Rarity just sighs and nods in acknowledgements.
“What’s this about your house?” Fluttershy asks, lost.
“Nothing, it was an accident to tell her,” I say sourly.
“You have a house?” Fluttershy asks.
“I’m not homeless!” I yell, Fluttershy and rarity jump back in surprise. “Why does everybody assume that…” I mutter under my breath.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that. I meant more along the lines of it never crossed my mind, not that I thought you were homeless. I just never really thought too much about where you lived,” Fluttershy apologizes, I just turn with a huff to look at the wall.
“Yeah, well I’m not that keen on telling anybody where I live,” I reply.
“You told me,” Rarity points out.
“That’s different, I didn’t have a choice,” I snap.
“Didn’t have a choice?” She asks in confusion, I slap myself for my stupidity. If they find out that all they have to do to get me to be friendlier is say please and stuff, they’ll certainly use it to their advantage. I need to keep the elements influence a secret if I expect to keep my will.
“Nothing, I told you. It was an accident and it wasn’t meant to happen,” I brush aside her question. She looks at me curiously but drops the conversation. We continue to sit silently as the mint calms our nerves. Rarity and Fluttershy return to their small talk and gossip and I continue to ignore them and gather my thoughts, They flit from one subject to another. Eventually they return to this spa trip and I relish the feeling of the heat on my skin, this trip wasn’t as bad as I had originally thought. Sure, there has been a slew of good and bad conversation topics, but I must admit that there are more good than bad ones. That’s a plus, at least.
The rest of the spa trip goes on without much else happening. After we finished our steam bath we were given an hour massage, that felt really nice. I hadn’t even realized how tense I was until I felt it all massaged away. Then we were given European facials, which was a new experience for me. All the while Fluttershy and Rarity held up a pretty constant conversation, talking about this and that. Some gossip was spread about here and there and I caught a few things, nothing really interesting though. Occasionally I’d be asked a question to which I would give a quick and short answer, then I’d be excluded from the conversation for another long period of time.
Eventually though, it comes time for us to make our leave. We walk out the front door with our own clothes back on, feeling extra fresh and rejuvenated. I almost feel bad that after going back to work tomorrow I’m sure to feel dirty again, almost.
“That was heavenly Rarity, it was great to do that again,” Fluttershy comments as we walk away from the spa. I have no idea where we’re going, presumably to the boutique. Frankly, I don’t care, I don’t really have anywhere else to go right now.
“It was great, wasn’t it? I find it’s even better when you’re with friends,” Rarity smiles hopefully.
“Friend,” I correct. Rarity’s smile fades and she sighs.
“I can only try,” Rarity replies dejectedly, then she looks back up with a smile.
“Oh come on Sunset, you can’t say that wasn’t nice,” Fluttershy urges.
“I can, but I won’t. Because it was, It was really nice and I am grateful. I just won’t say that after one good experience we’re gonna be the bestest of buddies.” I tell her.
“Isn’t that what happened with you and me though?” Fluttershy asks and I pause. That is exactly what happened, but this is different. This isn’t a really great bonding experience and i’m just not feeling like friends, it’s gonna take more than a spa trip to become friendly with me.
“Well, yeah… but this is different. I am grateful, and your presence wasn’t as annoying as I thought it would be. I’m just not one to throw around the word friend lightly,” I explain.
“I see, I’ll have to work harder…” Rarity muses. “Well, maybe we can bond over an experience in Manhattan,” Rarity tells me, “be sure to tell me when you’re released early.” Rarity says.
“You mean if,” I point out.
“No, when. Friendship has a way of working things out,” Rarity says assuredly.
“Right,” I roll my eyes in exaggeration. This whole friendship spiel of theirs can be really stupid sometimes, if not all the time. I will not deny that it’s uncannily effective a good amount of the time, but it is still stupid. "Well, you girls continue doing whatever it is you planned on doing..." I say as I turn away from the two and walk back towards the library. When I said I don't really have anywhere to go, I meant that I'm now free to go to the library.
"Where are you going?" Rarity asks.
"The library, I need to do some research still," I tell them non-chalantly as I saunter away.
"Oh, but Sunset..." Rarity starts.
"No! No, 'but sunset'! No, please come with us. No, why don't you want to commune with us! I just don't and I won't be forced into anything else! I already went with you to your stupid spa and I held my tongue as best as I could, what more could you want from me?!" I ask scathingly. Fluttershy reels back and Rarity looks at me in shock, then she regains her composure and lets out an indifferent 'hmph'.
"Thank you Sunset for practicing what many of us call common courtesy, we're so very thankful," Rarity's tone is dripping in sarcasm, but I ignore her.
"Whatever, I'm out," I turn away indifferently and make long strides towards the library. I turn a corner, as soon as I'm out of earshot I let out a frustrated grumble and kick a stray can. Admittedly, that could have gone better. And Rarity could not be so selfish, but some things just won't happen. 'Wow Shimmer, you've stooped to trying to get yourself to believe something that just isn't true. You just called the element of generosity, the literal definition of selfless, a selfish person.' I think to myself bitterly. I sigh and continue on anyways, despite my regrets. Not about what I said, but about how they sounded. I can't even think of great ways to demean people anymore, of course if I'm demeaning people then it's less than great. Whatever, I need answers, not time to wallow in my self pity. I shake my head of my woes and continue to the library, there is studying to be done.
~~~~~~~
I walk out the library with my stomach growling, I probably shouldn't have put off dinner for so long. I didn't really manage to make any leeway in my research, aside from gather what I know into a list. I also managed to make a couple other lists on some other things, like what I need. I put all the lists in my purse, they're lying in there currently. Now I'm heading back home to throw something together for dinner and more than likely fall asleep. I've had a tiring day full of spending time with the girls, and one day is more than I want to spend with them.
I won't say that their company was less than enjoyable, but I'm just not ready to be that engaged with those girls. I'm still pretty peeved about the crown, but less so then I was before. The post stress rage is mostly gone, in its place is annoyance. This annoyance doesn't hinder my logical thinking like the rage, thankfully.
I ponder these thoughts as I make it home uneventfully, after such a day I don't think I could have stood it if anything had happened. I eat an uneventful dinner and get ready to go to bed, uneventfully. After I finally slip into my bed, it's not long before I'm taken by uneventful sleep. Did I mention how uneventful it was?
I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and look at my phone, It tells me that I have twenty-three days of service left. I have a pay as you go phone, so I have a good amount of time before I have to buy more time. This brings me back to the issue of money, I’m gonna need a way to get money soon. I’m too busy helping those workers recently, so I’ll have to find a job after I’m done. It took practically all of yesterday to do that work, it seemed like the same stuff again.
My phone also tells me that it’s Wednesday, which means I’m going to be helping Fluttershy today at the shelter. I heave myself out of bed and look once more at my phone, it’s nine o` clock. I realize once more that I have made the same folly as with Pinkie Pie, I never set a time with Fluttershy. I sigh with frustration as I make this realization, I need to really start thinking this stuff through. Nows a good a time as any to get up and start getting ready, so I get up and out of bed and trudge over to my dresser.
Okay, I’ll be working with animals, so… I’ll need something that I can get dirty and that has sleeves. I grab a simple long sleeved tee that’s a pastel yellow and some casual blue jeans. I pull on my red sneakers and grab my purse, I make sure to throw my phone inside. With my things together I head downstairs and get myself some breakfast, a plain bowl of cereal and a glass of milk. Once I’m all finished and my dishes are clean I make sure that everythings in order and flip the generator off. I lock the door and head off down the street towards the shelter in the middle of the town.
I pull out my phone and look through my contacts for Fluttershy ad call her up. The phone rings a couple of times and then I hear a voice on the other end, “Hello?” Fluttershy asks timidly.
“Hey, when are we supposed to meet up?” I skip straight to the point.
“Meet up? Oh, Shimmer? Is that you?” Fluttershy asks in surprise.
“Yes, now what time?” I ask again.
“Oh… well… um… it opens at ten, so… sometime after that?” Fluttershy answers.
“Alright, see ya soon,” I hang up abruptly and continue on my way. It’s about fifteen minutes away from where I’m at right now and Its half past nine, so I’ll be a little early. I could swing by the school and see where my works been going, I go every other day but I haven’t really bothered to see how well they’re doing on the wall. I change my course and head on a detour towards the school, It doesn’t take long to get there. I walk to a point where I can see the hole and take in the sight.
I look at it in confusion, it looks about the same as when the hole was first put there, just a little cleaned up. Have they started on the construction yet? Of course they have, I’ve been giving them the stuff to do it. I must not be seeing what they’ve done, I just gotta look closer next time they’re working on it. Content with what I’ve seen I set back on my original course, now I’m running ever so slightly late. I continue down the street to where I know the shelter to be, I see Fluttershy making her way to it as well and I run to catch up to her.
“Oh, Sunset. I didn’t expect you to be going so early,” Fluttershy says as I catch up.
“I don’t have anything better to do,” I say nonchalantly.
“Well, okay then.” Fluttershy answers in her usual soft voice.
“So, who’s gonna be there?” I ask. I ask the question to know if there are any less than favorable people there. Specifically, Rainbow or any one of the friendly five, aside from Fluttershy.
“I don’t think so, I’m usually the only volunteer. There’ll be our supervisor, but she’ll just be manning the front desk. We’ll more than likely be alone caring for the animals…” Fluttershy says.
“Alone? No one else comes to volunteer?” I ask incredulously. I thought that a lot more people were actively helpful in this community, like there was an unacknowledged group of helpful people that silently volunteered to do all sorts of things. I mostly just figured that’s what all the lame people did in their freetime.
“Well, There was one other girl a few weeks ago that came to volunteer, she was really nice. She helped cheer me up, but I haven’t seen her much. That was the last volunteer that wasn’t me.” Fluttershy says, I look at her in disbelief.
“Geez, one other volunteer every couple of weeks? You guys should probably advertise for help sometime,” I tell her, she flinches at the comment. I look over to her and see a slightly hurt look on her face as she averts her eyes away from me. “What? Was it something I said?” I ask in concern. I didn’t think I’d said anything offensive or could have come off as mocking.
“I do try and advertise, but it never really gets anywhere…” Her eyes start to tear up and I look at her in surprise, I’m not sure what to do. “I try to hand out flyers, every wednesday. No one ever hears me though, or they’re just ignoring me… or they do something else to keep me from getting volunteers,” As Fluttershy’s eyes are getting really teary I realize what she’s talking about with that last sentence. I remember her passing out flyers, I remember her asking for volunteers. I also remember occasionally mocking her or throwing the flyers out of her hand when I saw her doing this. I feel terrible and I don’t even know what to do, so I do the only thing that comes to mind.
“I’m sorry…” I mutter my apology and stand there feeling terrible about myself, I awkwardly step up to her for a hug. I wrap my arms around her and let her lean her head on my shoulder and I hear her sniffling gently. The tears recede and she pulls away, her eyes are a little red now.
“Thank you, Sunset… It’s okay, I don’t blame you. Not anymore,” Fluttershy tells me, it doesn’t help me feel less terrible. We continue on in silence the last block or so to the shelter, I just stew in my own regret. Fluttershy seems to forget her breakdown, as she’s wearing a big smile once again. Her eyes are still a little red though, but you can barely tell she was crying. We continue on towards the shelter in silence and I can’t help but think back on everything I’ve done to her in the future so I can try to avoid those topics, yet I can already tell that I’m forgetting most of it.
The things I can remember are the constant mocking about her volunteer work even though thats what makes her a really good person, and telling her how bad she smells when in reality she smells pretty nice, and how she looks ugly even though I’m envious of her beautiful hair and natural beauty, and I smacked the flyers out of her hands all the time even though I thought she was really driven to continue to advertise, and I told her how no guys could like her even though I know she has more admirers than me.
I stop as I realize that all the things I said were complete lies that she must have believed. I’ve been telling her how horrible she is and she must believe me, that’s why she’s so meek. I’ve been putting her down every step of the way out of jealousy, when the truth is that shes better than me in just about every way. Just another reason I’m a terrible friend. This thought lingers till we get to the shelter, then I put it out of my mind so I can focus on the work here.
We enter the shelter with her key and we move past the counter into the backroom where we find our supervisor. It could be the manager, or just another employee. I’m not entirely sure, but I do know that she and Fluttershy are close due to their reactions.
“Hello Miss Dawn," Fluttershy calls over to her.
"Fluttershy! It's so good to see you! And I see you brought someone to help you, wonderful. Who might this be? Is she that Rainbow Dash you were always telling me about? I can see what you meant by the fire in her eyes!" Ms. Dawn says.
"I'm not Rainbow Dash, my name is Sunset Shimmer." I say simply.
"Sunset Shimmer, she's not 'that' Sunset Shimmer... is she?" Ms. Dawn turns to Fluttershy.
"Oh, um... well... yes... bu-" Fluttershy doesn't get to continue, Ms. Dawn's barely concealed anger breaks free.
"You." Ms. Dawn gets in my face, "Why are you here?! She has come in literal tears to the shelter so many times, all because of you. Not only have you hurt one of my best employees, but you've hurt one of my closest friends. Why would you even do that? Why would you come here? To hurt her more? What are you planning?! If you touch her or these animals..." Ms. Dawn shudders in anger and continues. "You've hurt her, I won't let you hurt her more." Ms. Dawn says with finality.
"You think I don't know that? I'm not here to hurt her or your little animals. I'm here because I'm trying to help a friend. And I don't have to prove anything to anybody! I can't believe that you all are trying to stop me from helping!" I snap.
"Helping? I doubt you're capable of doing anything for others! Fluttershy's told me all about you! She's told me just what an awful person you are!" Ms. Dawn shouts back.
"You don't know me!" I yell back, anger lights up my eyes.
"Don't I? Fluttershy-" Ms. Dawn is cut off abruptly by Sunset.
"And you're just going to trust what you've heard? You're just a simple minded fool who can't give someone a chance! And everything you heard from Fluttershy? You heard wrong, or you're missing facts!" I stamp my foot for emphasis.
"Why should I believe anything you say?" Ms. Dawn questions angrily.
"You shouldn't! Anything she told you," I pause angrily, "it was ten times worse!" Tears are forming in my eyes as I shout with conviction.
"You lia- wait, what?" Ms. Dawn asks, genuinely confused.
"You think you know me so well, and only by ear! You don't know the half of it! I'm an awful person that's done terrible things, some I regret and some I don't. You don't know the half of it, but Fluttershy does. She has good reason to hate me, but you know what? She's willing to try and forgive me! Fluttershy, whom I have committed countless acts of hate against, is willing to forgive me. She even wants to be my friend, something I never even dreamed of having. Something I wouldn't think I'm worthy of! But she's willing to put it all behind us, something I could never repay! Versus you. The stranger who knows me by gossip alone and isn't willing to give me a chance. Not willing to even let me try. That's real nice," My voice drips in sarcasm, all the previous venom gone. Tears are streaming down my face, my composure gone. "Whatever, it's obvious I'm not wanted. I've said my peace. Sorry Fluttershy, it seems I can't help you with those animals after all," I wipe my eyes dry and move to the door, away from the shocked shelter worker.
"Sunset..." Fluttershy is lost for words as I exit the shop, Ms. Dawn stands there with that shocked look on her face for a few more seconds.
~~~~~~~
I walk down the streets angrily, tears trying to force their way out of my eyes, stupid shelter worker. I can't believe it, and I was just getting excited about helping the animals too. I turn the corner for no other reason than to get the shelter out of my sight, I don't need to think about that. I've just stopped the tears and turned down another street when my anger subsides a little, but I'm still aggravated.
"You're gonna have to go back sometime," a voice speaks up. I spin on my heels and look back to find an almost familiar girl following close behind me.
“Yeah, so?” I ask venomously.
“So, it’s gonna be harder to do that now,” The girl shrugs and continues to follow me.
“What do you know! Why the hay are you following me?!” I shout. The girl seems to pause a moment in thought before just shrugging.
“You’ve become a client, and I see to it that my clients are… happy.” The girl answers.
“Client? What are you talking about? Who are you?” I demand.
“Oh, you could call me a guardian angel of sorts. But I’m sure we’ll have plenty more reasons to talk.” The girl turns away from Me, but I follow her.
“You. You’re the one who gave me that note! What’s that supposed to mean?” I question. The girl looks at me curiously, and then gives a small grin.
“What indeed,” The girl says coyly, it only serves to enrage me.
“Don’t be coy with me! What does it mean?” I grab the girls collar and ball it up in my fist. The girl looks at the piece of cloth balled up and then at me, her look seems to portray disappointment.
“If I just tell you then it means nothing,” The girl says.
“Why do you have to act like it’s a big riddle! I just want to know what you know!” I yell. The girl stops and looks me directly in the eye, then she speaks clearly.
“No, you don’t. There may come a time when I can talk to you about the answer, but that comes after you figure out what it is.” The girl says, I shake with rage. How dare she just leave me in the dark when she could know vital information.
“Just go away. Stop teasing me with answers you won’t share,” I push her and turn away, the girl just nods and turns away. I look back and find the girl is long gone, I just turn away sadly and continue on in the direction I was going. Yet, I can’t shake the memory of the girl, despite her mysteriousness she seemed to genuinely know something. That small fact teased at the edge of my thoughts and slowly ebb me into a determination at finding something out about the girl, anything of use. I think on the things I have to do and come up with a blank.
With no plans, I turn my route to the library in an attempt to forget the bitter encounter with Ms. Dawn. Surely Rainbow would stop by to check on Flutters and she’d think that I abandoned her, Rainbow will come to some rash conclusion. I’ll end up in a fight I don’t want all because of that witch Fluttershy works with. I only have so long before Rainbow finds and confronts me about it, even less time than I would think considering the frequency I’ve been running into all the girls. With the bitter thoughts of an eminent fight, I continue to the library.
~~~~~~~
"You!" I throw my arms up in defeat after hearing Rainbows voice. I turn around slowly and come face to face with a livid Rainbow. I'd abandoned my path to the library, deciding on a walk in the park instead.
"Me." I deadpan, looking at her in boredom.
"I knew you were no good, just ditching Fluttershy like that!" Rainbow screams. "You know where I found Fluttershy, she had left the shelter and was walking the streets. She never just abandons her animals! How could you be so cold-hearted as to drive her away from the thing she loves!?" Rainbow Dash screams, amassing a crowd. I wipe my face free of spittle agitatedly, thinking about Fluttershy. She left the shelter? Why?
"Whoop-dee-doo. What do you want me to do about it?" I ask aggravatedly.
"You! I don't want you to do anything! You're gonna pay for what you did to Fluttershy!" Rainbow preps to launch a fist towards my face, but thanks to my martial arts training I just dodge it. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash is no slouch in fighting and her elbow clips me in the face. I stumble back and rub my jaw.
"So, that's how it's gonna be? Well then, show me what you got," I say, preparing to fight. Rainbow lunges and I'm more prepared this time, I move to the side and get a hit on her side. Rainbow spins to me and nearly lands a fist on the side of my head, instead I block it with my arm and jab with my other. Rainbow Dash dodges and attempts to trip me, I roll out of it and launch back to my feet and at her. I bring my leg into a roundhouse, Rainbow grunts as she blocks it with her forearms. I pull my leg back in and kick out, Rainbow dodges and pulls me down with my leg.
I send a fist towards her face and she meets it with her own. I reach out to grab the offending fist, but she tries to do the same. I manage to get the upper hand and grab the sides of her hand. I squeeze and she attempts to pull her hand out of my grasp. I reach with my other hand and grab her other hand, she kicks me in the stomach. I stumble back and so does she, we stare at eachother with contempt. I lunge once more, but she dodges. I feel her push against my back as she jumps into and off of it. I collapse to the ground and manage to roll out of the way of a punch.
I sweep her feet out and get up, she gets up too. Rainbow lunges and we tumble to the ground, she has my arms pinned and she's on top of me. She releases a fist towards my face and it connects with a sickening thud. disoriented, I struggle against her grip. I'm struggling as she pulls her fist back far for another another punch when I close my eyes tight. I feel the pressure leave my chest and get up, looking for Rainbow. I look over to her and she's pulling herself off the ground, I look around for what could have done it. I feel something hit my side and I fall to the ground once more, I'm prepared though. I roll out of it and hurry over to her, I deliver a knee to her gut and she crumbles away. I'm getting ready to kick her when she grabs my leg and pulls me down. I deliver a fist to her head and pin her arms. I'm getting ready to hit her in the face when I hear it.
"Stop! Don't!" I don't move my fist as I look over to Fluttershy. A face in the crowd surrounding us, I let my arm go limp as I look over to her. I get off of Rainbow Dash and turn away from her intending to just walk away. I hear Dashes faint footsteps running up behind me and I drop to my hands and thrust out with both of my legs. I feel as my buck connects and Dashes momentum stops, and she falls back. I drop my feet and get up, turning to Dash.
"We're done, Dash," I spit out some blood and turn once more. I hear her get up and turn to find her clutching her chest, she's still coming at me. I just turn to walk away as she collapses once more.
"Sunset, wait!" I groan and look back at Fluttershy, who's caring for Rainbow Dash. "I wanted to say I'm sorry, I should have talked with Miss dawn beforehand." I sigh and let my scowl fall away to regret.
"I, probably could have been nicer too," I admit, "I didn't mean to fight Dash," I tell her.
"Oh, no, I understand. Dash had it coming, she stormed off before I could explain anything. But, I guess you could have been a little less rough," Fluttershy flinches as she looks at the various scrapes and bruises lining Dashes body.
"Sorry Dash, you just wouldn't stay down. For what it's worth, you were pretty good," I offer.
"Yeah... so, you're saying Sunset wasn't to blame?" She turns to Fluttershy, who just shakes her head. "Wow, now I feel like a jerk. Uh, sorry... I guess. For, all that." Rainbow motions to my wounds and then clenches her stomach in pain.
"Eh, I've had worse." Truth is, I haven't. And it hurts so much. "But what about you? Most people I buck end up in the hospital," I say concernedly, its true. The only two other times I had to call nine-one-one and explain how it was self defense to the authorities.
"My training has hardened me. Not like Applejack, but decent enough. Either that, or my bones are rubber. I'm just really sore all over..." Rainbow groans as she attempts to get up, she struggles to her feet and Fluttershy holds her up. "Thanks," she mutters to Fluttershy, who just nods. The crowd has mostly dispersed, and we leave the park. I just follow Fluttershy, who I notice is helping Rainbow Dash to her house. We walk in silence, no one daring to say a word.
We arrive at Rainbow Dashes house and Fluttershy helps her up the steps, I just stay on the sidewalk. "Well, I'll see you later," I call out.
"What, why don't you come in?" Fluttershy asks as she opens the door.
"Welcome ho- WHAT HAPPENED? WHO DID THIS?!" I cringe as I hear Rainbow Dashes mom inside.
"That's why," I say simply before turning and walking the other way.
~~~~~~~
The fight runs itself through my head, what knocked her off of me? I was losing, then... I wasn't. I pause as I notice something, I've got a tail. Not an animal tail, but a tail as in someone following me. I turn and find nothing, except a hat peeking out from behind a garbage can. I walk up to the can and look over it. Trixie is huddled and looking around the side of the trashcan.
"What are you doing?" I ask her, she freezes and her gaze very slowly inches its way up to mine.
"Nothing," she says innocently.
"Really, because it looks like your following me," I comment.
"Well, I'm not," she argues.
"Oh? You just hang out by the trash cans around here all the time?" I ask. Trixie thinks about this for a second.
"Trixie was following you," she admits.
"Yeah, I figured. Why?" I demand.
"Trixie wants you to teach Trixie how to do that trick you did," Trixie insists.
"What trick?" I ask in confusion.
"When you were fighting Rainbow Dash, you were pinned. Then there was a flash and you weren't pinned. I'm an expert in prestidigitation and I know a magic trick when I see one." Trixie explains. I pause at this, what she's saying should be impossible. Yet, it makes some kind of twisted sense. But, that's impossible, I don't have magic. Of course, Trixie thinks it's stage magic, but I don't know stage magic either.
I never bothered studying too much into prestidigitation under Celestia, I thought it was a waste. Why do magic pretending to be fake magic when you can do real spells with lots of uses? Prestidigitation is all flare, and I liked the practical side of magic. But here she is, saying I did magic. That's not possible, this world doesn't have equestrian magic.
"So, are you gonna teach Trixie?" Trixie asks earnestly.
"Sorry Trix, a magician never reveals her tricks." I lie. Trixie... Trix. Tricks. Tricks, see? Huh, how did I never notice that before? The world sure is a funny place.
"I will find out. The great and powerful Trixie always wins!" Trixie then turns and storms off in a huff. I just roll my eyes at her showmanship and continue on my way. But one thing is stuck in my mind now, what happened? It obviously couldn't have been real magic because... well, it just couldn't. So then, what was it?
I sit in the hiding spot I've been using frequently. It's only just out of sight and no one seems to look here for me, but I can still see everything else. I use it as a short escape from the constant demands from these construction workers. Seriously, they just don't let up. I freeze as I hear voices directly above me, I realize they're talking about me.
"Have you seen her?" The first voice asks.
"No, but you need to find her soon. Make sure someone keeps an eye on her, we can't have her seeing what we're doing..." the second voice says.
"It'd be so much easier if we didn't have to babysit the kid," my skin bristles at that statement.
"Yeah, but it would look suspicious if we just neglected her help. Especially if she's only doing menial tasks," the second voice explains.
"How long can we keep it up? We can only keep her distracted for so long," that caught my attention. Why do they need me distracted?
"Well, we'll start working this weekend, then we can have it finished by the end of next week. Just keep stalling until then," I stop at this. Of course, they're paid by the hour! No wonder the wall looked the same, they're dragging out the job to get more money! But, by extension, their also prolonging my punishment. I could care less about the money, but I will not suffer with the schools budget.
"So extortions your game, huh?" I pipe up, popping out of my hiding spot. I buff my fingernails on my chest nonchalantly as the two tremble nervously. Their trying to compose themselves, but failing.
"I don't know what you're talking about," one of them says.
"Haha- shut up. I heard it all. And you know, I recorded it." I lie, holding up my phone. They buy it and panic traces their features. "Now, I could go to principal Celestia... Thankfully for you, blackmails my game. Don't worry, the terms are simple. You end my help, I don't tell." I tell him.
"Done," the other worker agrees. Wow, that was easy.
"Okay, see ya later. Or not, probably not." I wave lazily. I stop as I notice someone else popping up behind them, I can't stop from grinning devilishly.
"Thank you, Philomena, for alerting me to this unfortunate turn of events." The two construction workers freeze at Celestias voice. They turn to find the principal of Canterlot high petting her pet eagle, the two workers go white. "I must say Sunset, I'm a little disappointed. However, under the circumstances, I'll allow it. This part of your punishment has been served in full, enjoy the rest of your time off. As for you two," Celestia turns to the two workers. "Please direct me to the project manager," the two nod stiffly and start directing her to the project manager.
I have to admit, I wanna see how this turns out. I start to follow them. Celestia raises an eyebrow at my presence, but she doesn't question or try to stop me. We follow them to the project manager and he greets us with a smile. Celestia smiles a bittersweet smile, the project manager doesn't even realize what's happening.
"It has come to my attention that your company is not providing the services we have promised to pay for at an acceptable pace," the manager takes a second to take this in, but he finally gets the point. The look he makes is evidence enough, he's sweating buckets. My attention is brought away by a certain eagle nudging my shoulder. I turn to the side and find Philomina looking at me expectantly, I hesitantly reach my hand up and gently pet her head.
I assume it's a her, she reminds me of Celestia's pet phoenix of the same name. Which makes sense, considering all the similarities here already. I'd be shocked about not having seen Philomina before, except for the fact that I've never really seen Celestia outside of school. The school technically has a rule about not having pets on campus, and the principal would obviously follow the rules more strictly than Fluttershy. Surprisingly enough.
I continue to pet Philomina as I watch the unfolding discussion. The manager is growing increasingly frantic while Celestia maintains that same calm strictness she's so good at. They finally reach a consensus, and I have to admit I didn't really listen to a word they said. I was just having fun petting Philomina and watching the manager squirm. I do know that the plan didn't involve me, which is really the only thing I care about. Celestia finally ends the discussion with a curt goodbye and I follow her out, Philomina sticking close behind. I hear some yelling from behind as the manager no doubt gets after the two who had let the secret slip, I just scoff at it all.
"Well Sunset, what are your plans now that the first part of your punishment is served?" Celestia asks. I look at her cautiously before sighing and throwing up my hands in defeat.
"I dunno, probably tell Rarity about this turn of events." I absentmindedly scratch Philomina as she sits on an empty gas tank standing nearby. Celestia and I stop walking, I stand near Philomina and continue to pet her.
"I didn't realize you were one for gossiping, seems a bit social for you." Celestia comments. I think back on all the times I spread gossip to tear people apart and for personal gain.
"Not usually, but Rarity told me to tell her if I was released by Monday," I say idly.
"Why, what happens on Monday?" She asks.
"Apparently we're going to Manhattan," I answer.
"Manhattan? That's quite the expensive trip. I didn't realize you had so much money," Celestia says in surprise.
"I don't, Rarity's paying," I reply, inspecting Philomena's feathers.
"For your ticket?" Celestia asks.
"For everything," I hear Celestia gasp.
"Goodness, that's a lot of money. I had no idea her business was so successful," Celestia says.
"Neither did I," I reply blandly. Theres a moment of silence, Celestia just watches me pet Philomena.
"She seems to have taken a shining to you." Celestia comments. I actually smile at that, I never really liked animals. I never explicitly hated them, I just always kind of thought pets were useless. I do find myself enjoying their company though, a pang of regret at my missed opportunity yesterday courses through my body. I retract my hand a little and Philomena looks at me curiously, I smile hesitantly at her and continue petting her.
I lay my other hand on the container and retract it as the sticky feel of gas meets my finger. I look at the container and down at the ground. There's a leak and a small trail of gas leading towards the corner of a building ahead. I stop petting Philomena and lean down to look at the gas trail
"Stupid Principal... finding out... stupid Celestia..." we look toward the corner at the sound of grumbling. The manager turns the corner and stops, he stops mid-puff of a cigarette and nearly chokes. "Ahh! Principal Celestia... you're still here, I'll just-" he runs off and Celestia shakes her head. I notice one small detail that chills my blood. He left his cigarette behind, and it slowly rolls into the gas.
The trail of gas lights up in flames and the container erupts in an enormous ball of heat and flames, catching Philomina inside. There's a terrible screech as we watch the flames engulf the bird, Celestia looks on in horror as tears brim in her eyes. Her previously calm demeanor utterly shattering as her bird dies in front of her very eyes, my mouth hangs open as tears brim in my eyes too.
I only knew the bird for a very short time, and already it was gone. This wouldn't have happened if I had just left, if I had noticed the gas sooner. It wouldn't have happened if I had done something, anything differently. The flames die down and I stare in shock at the remaining pile of ashes.
"Philomena!" Celestias loud cry is filled with sorrow, panic, and surprise. I watch as my mentors equivalent, my principal, a person I had always looked up to, breaks right in front of me. Tears streak down her face and she lets out hysterical sobs as she looks dejectedly at the pile of ashes. I walk forward absently, completely stupefied at what had happened. I reach out and felt the still burning ashes, I almost retract my hand. I press my hand against it and clench my eyes shut, I can't bear to think that the animal I had almost befriended was ended so quickly.
As the burning sensation in my hand increases I feel something else, a bright warmth spreads through my body. I recall feeling it before, but where? I open my eyes and fall back as there's a bright flash. I rub my teary eyes and see Celestia doing the same, she's still sniffling confusedly at the flash. I look at the pile of ash and it erupts into flames once more. However, the flames die out and sitting in the middle of the pile of ash is none other than Philomina. She squawks happily and Celestia watches, slack-jawed.
"Ph-philomena?" She asks cautiously, the bird turns as it recognizes it's name. Celestia dries her eyes and throws her arms up in ecstacy, "Philomena!" She cries happily. Philomena screeches in delight and glides over to Celestia, I stare in shock at the scene before looking at my hand. What did I just do? My hand is badly burnt, and the pain is starting to catch up to me. I hold it away from me slightly to keep from hurting it more, I look up to find Philomena hovering beside me.
She looks at the wound and closes her eyes, I watch as a single tear drips down. I try to retract my hand, but I'm too slow. I feel the drop hit and wait for the burning pain, instead I feel a soothing coolness. I look down to find the burns fading away rapidly. I stare in shock at my hand then at the bird. What have I done?
Celestia was on the other side of me and she watches the burns fade away, we both stare in shock before Philomena breaks us out of our stupor. She screeches and flies over to Celestia, who promptly nuzzles the bird fiercely. Much like one would a kitten, or cute puppy, except with a bird of prey instead.
"Sunset, you saved her. I don't know how, or why, but you did. Thank you," Celestia says, tears threatening to break the calm she's struggling to keep. I can tell she sorely wants to scream in joy or something of the sort. I just turn abruptly and wave a hand lazily.
"Whatever, let's just say you owe me one." I turn the corner and Celestia is silent for a while. I hear a cry of glee a second later and I peek around the corner a second later to find Celestia crying into her pet bird happily. A small smile graces itself upon my lips and I feel a warm sensation throughout my body, could this be that feeling you get from performing a kind deed for someone?
~~~~~~~
The events play themselves over in my head over and over again. Magic, that's all it could have been. But, I don't have magic. At least, I shouldn't. I didn't. I can't, it's impossible. Yet, here we are.
Phoenix tears heal wounds, Philomenas tears healed my wounds. Philomena was reborn by fire, like a phoenix. I touched that bird with magic, and now it's part phoenix. What kind of magic can do that? Not just bring a creature back to life, but infuse it with magic natural to another creature. There aren't even spells for that in equestria, at least as far as I know. Even if by some force I did have magic, then this should still be impossible. If by some strange force I did have magic, it's strange magic I have no idea about. The only thing as dangerous as deadly magic, is any untrained magic.
Magic left uncontrolled can cause all sorts of chaos and can do all sorts of things which can be exceptionally annoying and/or dangerous. And if I truly do have some sort of magical abilities that I know nothing about, it’s even harder to control it. Not that I seem to have any control at all. Though, it tends to happen in moments of duress. Maybe that’s something…
So, what? I have a magical self defense mechanism? No, because it’s not strictly defensive. It seems to have the ability to imprint a magical signature and revive creatures, meaning this magic is advanced. Or at least complex. Now the matter of how, most likely the elements. But Twilight took the elements back, doesn't that mean the magic went back with it. Unless... the power was in them all along? No, that's silly. Besides, that would mean they have magic too. Obviously the elements have left an imprint upon me, and it seems this imprint has benefits.
But why? And to what extent? And how? Imprints like this are usually curses, and that doesn't supply power. A curse would take the victims inherent magic and pit the magic around them against them, manipulating small acts against the victim. Or large acts if it was a particularly powerful curse.
But this doesn't act like a curse, it acts like a set of rules. If I try to do something against those sets of rules, it stops me. It's almost like a magical limiter, or a magical filter. But a filter? Usually an addition to a complex spell design, or a result! This rule set is a side effect, a side effect brought forth by the elements of harmony. But that would mean the elements of harmony are like a complex spell design, they're just a couple gemstones.
Besides, it's obvious the elements don't have the power on their own. They just tap into that power inside the bearers. I managed to tap into magic probably seeping out of the portal and as such it was just pure power. But, that doesn't make sense. Their magic isn't just pure power, it's literally weaponized friendship.What's different? When I used the elements, it was just the one and it seemed to conduit any power it could find with reckless abandon. When they used it, it tapped into every aspect of the elements precisely. Their attack was complex, it had a form. It had a spell form. Spell forms.
How could five girls who had never even seen magic before uphold five sides of a spell form? Sometimes advanced unicorns who know what they're doing struggle with that. The experts struggle because it's an intricate procedure with delicate variables, but here these ponies are performing it perfectly. No, here these humans are performing it perfectly. How?
~~~~~~~
"How does it work?" Sunset Shimmer, Celestia's star pupil asks the DJ. The DJ snickers a little at the curious filly, he looks at her with amusement dancing under his shades.
"You're certainly different from other ponies, no ones asked me how they work yet. Let me show you a secret," he motions for her to come closer to his machine. She comes closer to the speakers and he opens a panel on the back and points inside. "You see that crystal, it's enchanted with the projection spell. I used it as the root enchantment for the spell because then I don't have to uphold that spell the whole time. The wires in there are made with gold, because it's a good conductor for magical energy. And then there's a magical battery and a stabilization enchantment on the case itself. " He tells her.
"Why use a crystal and not something cheaper for the enchanting?" Sunset asks.
"Well, for one. Crystals hold enchantments extremely well. That and they stand against time, meaning they don't wear out easily. But one of the biggest things is that crystals are known to amplify enchantments or spells considerably. The enchantment being a volume projection spell, amplification is extremely useful. Also, a Crystals enchantment can be made to only recognize when an aspect of a certain pony activates it. In this case I tuned it to my magic." The DJ explains.
"Oh, that's cool." Sunset decides with a quick nod of her head.
"Heh, it is isn't it." The DJ agrees with a chuckle. "Well... I do have some time before my next gig, do you want a demonstration?" He asks.
"Yes, please Mr. Neon Lights sir!" Sunset says, nodding vigorously.
"Just Neon Lights is fine, kid." The stallion chuckles before stepping up to his turntables. Sunset nods her head approvingly as a steady beat fills the room before erupting into a chorus of various wubs and beeps.
~~~~~~~
"Of course!" I exclaim excitedly as my explanation starts to formulate itself in my head. "Their enchanted artifacts of immense power! They work together, not alone! It's one big spell form!" I exclaim to myself.
"What is, darling?" I pause and look behind me to find Rarity approaching with Fluttershy and Applejack.
"Nothing," I wave the question off, careful not to forget my breakthrough.
"Oh, well we were just wondering what you were doing around here. Aren't you usually working at this time?" Rarity asks.
"They let me go. Celestia allowed it on account of they were trying to extort the school." I say nonchalantly.
"Oh, that's wonderful! Er... not the extortion, but the fact that you're free." Fluttershy exclaims, or, at least, as close to an exclamation as she gets on account of her low volume.
"Indeed, now you can join us in Manehattan." Rarity says excitedly.
"Why, those good for nothing..." Applejack trails off, grumbling incoherently to herself. "I'm gonna go have a word with them!" Applejack declares.
"Better not, Celestia already did. They're pretty shaken up about it," I tell her.
"Sunset? do you want to join u-" I cut Rarity off before she can finish.
"No time, somethings come up," I tell her. I spin around in the opposite direction and dash off towards the library.
~~~~~~~
I look at my notes in satisfaction, I think I finally have it all figured out.
"She's stopped writing, does that mean something?" I hear Fluttershy ask Rarity, Rarity just shrugs.
"Do you need anything else, Sunset?" Applejack asks.
"No, I think I have it figured out. Thanks," I say, turning back to my multiple pieces of paper. They had followed me here and we found the three Crusaders, they kept doing whatever research they were doing and Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack decided to help me. They did this by fetching books and other resources for me. To be honest, I don't even know why they started helping me.
"What was she trying to figure out?" Sweetie Belle asks Rarity in an attempt at a whisper, I shoot her an annoyed look. Sweetie Belle notices and hides herself behind Rarity, who gives her a confused look. I roll my eyes and turn back to the paper.
"I don't actually know. Sunset, what was the point of all this?" I look up and decide on whether I should tell them or not. I might as well tell them a little bit.
"Just trying to figure some magic stuff out. The Elements of Harmony in specific. I was trying to figure out how they work." I leave some stuff out about the side effects, but it's mostly the truth.
"Really? And how do they work?" Rarity asks with intrigue.
"Well..." I turn to them and prepare my explanation. "The elements run based off of six elements, which just happen to match the six basic functions a spell form needs. Loyalty would bind the elements together, Laughter would prime and create energy, Generosity distributes energy throughout, Kindness stabilizes the spell and keeps it precise, Honesty opens and preps the other elements and the area around, and Magic handles the intent of the spell. The crystals amplify the effects through every stage and you bearers supply an activation need. I don't know what they see, but you have a certain trait that activates the whole process. The gold is a conductor for magical energy, that's why the rest of the crown is gold." I explain, I look up to find them all looking lost. All, except one.
"If the bearers satisfy an activation need, why did the crown work for you?" Scootaloo asks, I slump down in my chair.
"I don't know..." maybe the activation need can be satisfied from a distance? Maybe I satisfied one of the needs? No, that's ridiculous, there wasn't a harmonious thing about me. There still isn't.
"Where did it get the magic to activate in the first place?" Scootaloo asks.
"I imagine it took magic from the portal," I tell her.
"But that would mean the magic never got put back, doesn't it? Wouldn't that leave the magic where it was?" Scootaloo asks, I pause. She's absolutely right, the magic is still here.
"Since when are you the expert on magic Scoots?" Applebloom asks.
"What? It just makes sense," she shrugs.
"Wait, so you're saying there's magic still around the school?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"Cutie Mark Crusader Magicians!" They all exclaim, receiving a stern glare from the librarian.
"Operation M.A.G.I.C. Magic Allocation and Gathering Inside Canterlot. Step 1: the Gathering." The three of them run off and I swear I hear one last question as they leave.
"How do you gather magic?" I sigh at their display.
"Well... as fascinating as this is, I'm afraid I don't see the point." Rarity speaks up.
"I... I guess there was no point," I hide my smile and Rarity nods.
"Well, we were glad to help you in this rather pointless endeavor. But, we are still going to the mall and my invitation for you to join us still stands. I toss the invitation around and finally relent.
"Fine," I say, gathering up my notes.
"Wonderful!" Rarity says in delight. Once I'm done gathering up the rest of my things we set course for the mall.
~~~~~~~
We enter the mall and I look around, I haven't really ever had reason to be in here. Sure I've been here once or twice, but always with a set goal. I've never had the urge, or the money to just window shop. I still don't, but at least now I have a reason.
What is that reason? Friends? Fluttershy really is the only one I'm friends with. The others... Well, I guess I don't mind their company. I still don't think that... friendship, is the reason. It's a stupid reason. It's more likely I'm just bored, or something like that.
I'm pondering this as I walk through the mall. Soothed by the steady sounds of construction, they're fixing up one of the statues. I look at the giant bear curiously, until I'm jarred out of my thoughts by a large crowd surrounding a stage in front of the statue.
"What's going on over there?" Applejack asks.
"A magic show." Fluttershy says from behind us all.
"How can y'all tell, I can't see the stage from here." Applejack says.
"There's a poster right over here." We turn to find Fluttershy pointing at a poster with all the details.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie? Is that the same Trixie as the one from school?" Rarity asks.
"Oh, I think it'd be great to see her magic show, let's check it out." Fluttershy says. We walk up to the crowd and can barely see the stage, I take the front lines and, rather forcefully, make my way to the front row with the others right behind me. We arrive and, sure enough, our suspicions are correct. Trixie's just starting up her act.
"Come one, come all! Witness the amazing feats performed by the one and only Great! And Powerful! Trixie!" Trixie rolls her `R's` dramatically and I just roll my eyes in response. "As the greatest and powerful... est." Trixie stumbles on the word and I hear Applejack snicker. "Of all magicians and people in general, I've chosen to take it upon myself as the greatest person alive to amaze you with a display of my power!" Trixie continues, undeterred.
"Apparently grammar and humbleness aren't in her repertoire." Rarity notes, a little unimpressed.
"It's called performance, I imagine she's trying to portray how amazed we should be before she starts to build up excitement. She's terrible at it, but it seems to be working on the idiots." I point towards an edge of the stage away from us where Snips and Snails are practically jumping out of their skin in excitement. Rarity gives me a deadpan look, but she doesn't say anything. "I'm just saying..." I tell her, turning back to `the Great and Powerful Trixie` to watch the rest of the performance.
"What makes you so Great and Powerful?" Applejack asks, Trixie turns to us and flashes a winning smirk. One I know all too well, the same smirk I used to have when I felt I was better than everyone else.
"I just am, nothing can beat me." She says with confidence.
"So you're saying no one can beat you at anything? I highly doubt that." Rarity says.
"Anything you can do I can do better." Trixie replies confidently.
"I'm pretty sure I can work a rope better than you," Applejack says, all eyes turn to her and Trixie pauses.
"We'll then show Trixie what you've got cowgirl," Trixie says challengingly, Applejack smirks.
"Gladly," Applejack steps onto the stage and I can only shake my head at the stupidity of it all. It's a show, you're not supposed to interfere. Applejack pulls a rope out of Celestia knows where and starts to spin it around, in seconds she's jumping through it and performing all manner of tricks with it. As bad of an idea I think it is right now, Applejack is admittedly very good at it.
"Admirable effort, but it's not nearly good enough." Trixie scoffs. She walks over and Applejack looks at her curiously. She reaches her hand out and tangles the rope, Applejack let's out a mangled yelp as the rope sweeps her feet out from under her and tightens around her arms and legs. The audience gasps before everyone around us starts cheering Trixie on. Rarity gets up on the stage worriedly and helps Applejack out of her bindings. "Looks like we have someone else who thinks they can beat the great and powerful Trixie!" Trixie announce.
"Hardly, I don't participate in these petty quarrels, I'm above such endeavors." Rarity scoffs.
"Looks like someone's backing out at the last second, out of fear. Probably afraid she'll chip a nail." Trixie mocks.
"Well I never! I'm not, however, above putting someone in their place." Rarity amends. "But you see, I've already bested you, seeing as I'm far more ladylike than you. While you may resort to brutish tactics, grace will always triumph." Rarity explains, Trixie looks at her in annoyance.
"We'll then, let's see how people admire your `grace` when you've disappeared!" Trixie exclaims, pulling a curtain over and blocking Rarity from view. When she pulls the curtain back, Rarity is gone. Everyone gasps and then cheers erupt from everyone but our little group.
"Well, I see someone isn't very impressed still. Do you think you're above me still, Shimmer?" All eyes turn to me as I look at Trixie in disinterest.
"No, I know I am. I'm above this stupidity. And I'm done with this show. You can humiliate some idiots and get away with it, but not this idiot." I say decidedly.
"C'mon Sunset! Beat her at... actually, come to think of it, what are ya good at?" Applejack asks.
"It doesn't matter, I'm not doing it." I tell her.
"Sunset-" I cut Fluttershy off gently.
"No, I'm not doing it." I say.
"No, look." I follow her finger and find Rarity crawling out from under the stage, various stains dotting her clothes and her mangled hair. It's obvious from here what happened, she was dumped in the trash. She looks at herself and then at us, I don't have to see it to know tears are brimming in her eyes. I watch her run away crying, into one of the bathrooms. I look at Fluttershys pleading face and try to hold my resolve. I fail.
"Hey, you with the ego bigger than her hat!" I call over the crowd. Trixie looks over to me with a devilish grin that makes my blood boil, she thinks she's so great.
"Decided not to run and finally fight? We'll then, let's see what you've g-" Trixie is interrupted by a loud shout.
"Wait!" Everyone turns to snips who had shouted out. "We'll be right back! Man I knew we shouldn't have drank those big drinks!" I look at them in annoyance as they run away. They run towards the bathroom and right through the construction site. One of the workers swerves the truck so they don't get hit. The truck, however, hits the statue and manages to snap a support wire. It gently tips towards the stage and everyone is watching in horror. People start scrambling away while Trixie looks at them in confusion, unaware of the looming danger threatening to squash her.
"Get off the stage Trixie!" I yell at her.
"What? No! I won't give up so easily!" She says indignantly, the bear starts to tip faster and the shadow creeps up on Trixie. She looks back and freezes in fear. She finally notices it. I hop onto the stage and rush towards her, I realize early on I'm not fast enough. I may be a partially reformed monster, but I don't want to see anyone die. I jump and hit Trixie, there's a flash and a crash and then I feel us tumbling along the ground. I feel Trixies body weighing me down and I push her off me.
"Ugh..." I struggle to look up and find the stage obliterated by the statue. I grunt and heave myself, I look over to find a terrified Trixie looking at me with wide eyes. "Your welcome," I say bitterly, shambling away from her. I move around the stage slightly and find Fluttershy crying her eyes out. Applejack is frantically digging at the wreckage. I saunter over to them tiredly, I can feel magical exhaustion setting in. I'm not surprised, I haven't used magic in a while, or as a human. Specifically, I haven't done complex spells in a long time.
"What are you doing Applejack?" I ask her. I hear her gasp and she turns to me. I see her puffy eyes, but I only get to look for a second before I'm embraced tightly by Fluttershy.
"Oh, thank goodness you're okay, Sunset! We thought you and Trixie were gone!" Fluttershy says between sobs.
"Bah, that lousy magicians fine, just in a little shock." I say, gently prying Fluttershy off me.
"How'd you make it out?! That statue came down right on top of you!" Applejack says, wiping tears from her eyes.
"I dunno. Where's Rarity?" I ask, wanting desperately to distance myself from this whole situation.
"I think she's still in the bathroom..." Fluttershy says, sniffling. I sigh and drag the two of them along, they don't resist. We arrive in the restroom and I hear gentle sobbing from one of the stalls.
"Hey, Rarity, let's go." I tell her, knocking on the door.
"I can't! I'm filthy!" She shouts out to me.
"Oh my celestia... fine! Here, take my jacket! I'll guard the door while you wash up." I say, throwing my hoodie into the stall and moving to watch the door. The sniffling stops.
"R-really?" She asks.
"Yeah, hurry up." I say, making sure no one comes in. I hear the stall open up, but I don't turn. Fluttershy starts walking towards the door, I shake my head and she backs up nodding her understanding. A moment later and Rarity opens the bathroom door and steps out, no longer smelling like trash and looking a little fresher. She's wearing the hoodie and I can see her shirt hanging out of her purse, it looks slightly damp.
"Thanks Sunset..." she says quietly.
"Don't mention it. C'mon, let's go home," all three of them nod and we move to the exit. As we pass the stage we see various security guards and even firemen are starting to show up.
"What happened?" Rarity asks curiously.
"Nothing, c'mon." I tell her, speeding up a little. I can't help but notice Trixie is nowhere to be seen, looks like she darted after I left her. Snips and Snails are getting berated by the construction workers and some authorities, some bystanders are being interviewed and police are taping off the area.
We leave the mall and eventually get far enough away that I relax a little. I don't question it when we get closer to Carousel Boutique. We enter and almost all of us take a seat. Rarity excuses herself to go get changed and we all take a breather. Once Rarity returns she hands me my hoodie and I just accept it with a nod.
"Anybody mind telling me what that was all about?" Rarity finally asks.
"The Ursa major statue came crashing down on Trixies performance." Applejack says bluntly.
"Actually, that was the Ursa minor statue. The Ursa major statue is the one outside." I correct, Applejack rolls her eyes.
"Oh my, if that's what the minor did, imagine what would happen if the major fell." Flutters says, all talk ceases as we all imagine just that. Long story short, it wouldn't be pretty.
"Well, that ruined our shopping trip..." Rarity sulks.
"Yeah, I don't know about you girls, but I think I'm ready for some good ol' R & R after that." Applejack says.
"How about the spa?" Rarity suggests, "I know I could really use it." Rarity suggests.
"No Thanks, I think I'm gonna go back to the farm. Probably do some work. Always helps me let out some stress..y'all are welcome to join me." Applejack says.
"I swear, Applejack, you're the only person I know that let's of stress with more work." Rarity says.
"I'll go to the spa with you, Rarity." Fluttershy says.
"Thank you, Fluttershy. And you, Sunset? What will you do?" The way she words the question it's no doubt she's wondering if I'll join them. Despite my small amount of reservations about going anywhere with them, I know for a fact that spas are perfect for rejuvenating after magical exhaustion. At least, in equestrian they are. I'm not sure how effective it could be here, magic wise. But this day has been one stressful day full of surprises, I think the spa is a perfect way to relieve a lot of that stress.
"I'd like to join you at the spa, if you'd have me." I say.
"That's just what I was hoping to hear." Rarity says.
"Well then, you three have a good time. I'll see y'all later." Applejack says.
"Goodbye, Applejack. Have a good time with your... work." Rarity says, Applejack smirk and heads off.
"Come on girls, we mustn't dawdle. The spa awaits!" I can't help but roll my eyes at Raritys dramaticism, but I can't fight the small smile that plants itself on my face.
I look around myself, a familiar black expanse stretching for, what seems like, an endless amount of space in any direction. It warms me, comforts me in the way only it can. I allow myself to tip back and fall, only to slowly float onto what feels like a soft cushion. As I slowly press into the cushion, beams of rainbow light fly out and float up like a breeze is pushing them. The lights condense into a single white ball. As I reach towards the ball it moves away quickly and explodes in a rush of purple that twists and turns in the air to make a brief diamond shape before swirling into letters.
G.E.N.E.R.O.S.I.T.Y.
I mouth each letter silently and then whisper the word silently with a smile. The word seems to break into tiny crystalline pieces against the black background and eventually fades away. I slowly allow my eyes to close in contentment, the darkness calming my nerves from all the former days stressors.
~~~~~~~
Darkness. Soothing, comforting, darkness. And... a light. Darn, I had that dream again. It felt... different, though. No matter what the dream was, though, I can't remember a lick of it. Just vague sensations associated to even vaguer concepts, and what good does that do me?
I do feel more rested than normal though, for some reason... probably the spa treatments effects. They were very relaxing before and after, especially after the events of yesterday. Some of which I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around, specifically the events surrounding Philomena. They were amazing and great, sure... but also really sobering. Sobering in the fact that not only do I have magic available to me, but I'm the only thing in possibly the entire world with magic. And along with being a beautiful thing, this could be potentially disastrous in any amount of ways. Especially seeing as I can't really predict or control when or what it does... not really anyways.
There did, however, seem to be some method to the madness. For instance, I was distraught about losing Philomena, so it did what it could to make her unlost. I wanted to save Trixie, but I realized I wasn't quick enough to escape the bear with both of us alone, so it fixed this with teleportation. And in the fight with Dash, if Trixie is to be believed, I needed distance from Dash and my magic supplied it. All instances different, but something must connect them. The former two are extremes, pure feeling driving my actions. But... the last one isn't. I didn't want to fight Dash, not entirely. That's not to say I hadn't expected or took steps to stop the fight, it just sorta... happened.
Thus I'm left with a dilemma. What's the connection in all this? As far as I can tell? Nothing, but that doesn't do me any good... Okay, so there's a reason, just an unknown one. Now I just need to find out more, and I can't do that from my bed. I heave myself out of bed and groan, despite feeling better about the morning.
I look at the clock on my phone and nearly jump at the time. I'm never this rested at five, I'm never this rested whenever I wake up hours from now. What’s happening? I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. I continue to pinch until I draw blood, I gasp and quickly raise my tiny wound to my mouth. I suck up the blood and head to the sink to wash it. The blood recedes quickly and I don’t even bother with a bandaid. It’ll be fine, I’ve been through so much worse.
I look at my phone idly and then look outside, it’s still pretty dark. I grab my jacket and lock the door.
~~~~~~~
“Sunset?” I sigh at the sound of my name. Can't I just walk in peace without running into someone I know? I turn to find Rarity walking towards me, I sigh and turn away. "Are you going to ignore me?" She asks, somewhat hesitantly. I sigh once more and turn slightly.
"No." I tell her, she places herself besides me and we continue walking.
"I didn't expect to see you out here." Rarity says.
"I kinda expected to see you. I had hoped I wouldn't, but a small part of me knew I would." I tell her.
"You knew?" She asks, a little startled.
"Not you specifically, just one of you five." I clarify.
"How did you know?" She asks.
"I can't seem to leave the house without running into someone I know." I grumble.
"That's... uncanny." Rarity admits.
"It's annoying." I tell her, she nods in understanding.
"I almost didn't recognize you if it weren't for the hair. It just... didn't seem like something you'd wear." I look down at the clothing in question and recognize why. I'm wearing the jacket I had, not too long ago, neglected to wear on account of it's color. It's my bright pink hoodie, that I can't even fathom why I still have it. But, the other choice was the jacket from flash. I may be more accepting of other people in my life, but I'm not too keen on getting to know flash more.
"I'm not sure I like it either. But it's comfy." I tell her.
"Oh, no doubt, it certainly looks it." Rarity agrees, nodding her head vigorously. We continue walking in silence before I decide to ask the question burning on the tip of my tongue.
"Why are you out here, Rarity?" I ask, under the assumption the world didn't just tell her to go to the park with the specific task of meeting me.
"I come here from time to time early in the morning, or sometimes later in the evening. I like to watch the sunset, or even the sunrise, to give me inspiration." She says. I just look over to her, she seems to realize what she's said. "Oh, right. Well, I assure you I didn't come here to watch you."
"I didn't think you did." I say with a wave of my hand to dismiss the notion.
"Right, well... why are you here?" Rarity asks.
"I dunno. It just felt like the thing to do." I reply with a shrug.
"Sunset? Have you ever considered that instead of some force guiding us to intercept you, some force is guiding you towards us?" I pause at that. I hadn't, but that idea seems to make a lot more sense. "Just a thought. That is to say, if there even is any force guiding anyone." Rarity continues. There is, it's guiding me. It's called harmony, and I don't like it. I don't hate it, but I certainly don't like it.
"Yeah..." I answer absently.
"Are you ready for Manhattan?" She asks.
"Just about as ready as I'll get." I tell her.
"You all packed?"
"I dunno, exactly how many days are we staying?"
"Three or four." She says.
"I'll need to do some laundry. I'll probably do that today." I tell her, shrugging.
"You can come by and do laundry, if you want." Rarity offers, I feel the heat rising to my cheeks indignantly. I would argue about how I don't need help, but I clearly do.
"Yeah, Thanks." I say through grit teeth.
"Well, don't sound too excited, Darling." Rarity says with a roll of her eyes. I sigh, I shouldn't be exasperated at her. She's just trying to help me, and here I am getting frustrated.
"Sorry." I mutter, Rarity turns to me curiously.
"Pardon?" She asks, sounding slightly shocked.
"I said Sorry, Okay? Don't sound so shocked about it." I grumble.
"Do forgive me darling, but it will take a while for me to get used to the new you. The old Sunset never apologized. Believe me, I like the new you much better." Rarity says.
"It's not like I've changed much. I still yell at you." I tell her.
"Oh contrare! You've changed a lot. Yes, you still have your rough edges, but you wouldn't quite be, well... you, without them." Rarity says with a shrug.
"I guess." I reply, disinterested in arguing.
"Sunset? Are you alright?" Rarity asks in concern.
"Why shouldn't I be?" I snap.
"Well, it's just that... I know it's hard for you to adjust. And it's not really in your nature to be friendly, but you're trying. I just can't help but think that it might be a bit much for you..." Rarity says, wringing her hands daintily.
"Are you saying I can't handle making friends?" I question.
"Er... a bit, Actually. Yes." Rarity says. I sigh and look at my feet.
"At least you're honest." I can feel the awkwardness present in the silent. I break the pregnant pause before it becomes unbearable. "You're not wrong. I'm not used to friends. I'm not used to caring." I shrug and kick a rock idly. Our progress has completely stopped, a tree above hiding us from the moon's light. A nearby streetlight giving our backs dim light.
"Surely you cared about something. Even if it was just yourself." Rarity says hesitantly.
"Heh, you'd think. With jealousy as my motive, I must have been narcissistic. But, not exactly. I never felt as if I deserved anything I got. But I couldn't stand the thought of anybody else getting them. The crowns? That wasn't me celebrating myself. That was me cutting everyone else down. I would be lying if I hadn't lied to myself about my own importance more than once... but, I never truly believed in myself." I stop talking abruptly, realizing what I've said. Why would I tell her that, she didn't ask Please.
"Sunset...?" Rarity asks hesitantly.
"I'm fine."
"But-"
"I'm FINE."
"Please, I want to-" I turn towards her and shove my face close to hers.
"Do NOT use that word." Rarity takes a single step back, cowering slightly. She nods briefly and I turn away bitterly, my mood soured. "I'm fine." I'm not sure why I said it again, I think my points pretty clear by now. The only person that needs convincing is me...
~~~~~~~
"Sunset!" I groan at the sound of Pinkie Pies voice. Rarity wouldn't, would she?
"Sunset, Rarity invited us." Applejack announces as all the girls round the corner to the laundry room.
I don't have a whole lot in the way of worldly possessions. But that goes double for clothes. A measly load and I've already got all my laundry done. I'm in the process of folding it. Rarity had thankfully left me alone while I washed my clothes. It's only now that I realise she quite literally left me alone, in her house.
"Sunset, we're concerned." Rarity speaks up.
"Speak for yourself." Rainbow huffs.
"Rainbow, shut it." Applejack says, turning to Rainbow. I tune out their conversation as I notice a pink-haired figure approaching me.
"I like your jacket, Sunset." I soften at her voice.
"Thanks, flutters." I say with a sigh.
"It's no problem. Sorry we came, I didn't want you to have to talk if you don't want to." She says.
"Don't apologize, it's not your fault." I tell her. "I'm just not all that keen on talking about myself."
"Sorry then. Do you want us to go?" I think on it. I almost say yes.
"No." I say instead. "No, I don't. Just... don't try to interrogate me." I tell her.
"Oh, I wouldn't think of it. Right girls?" Fluttershy turns to the side. It's only then that I realize they've stopped their own bickering to listen to us.
"But we still have to talk about-" Rarity starts to say. She stops suddenly and I don't realize why until I look to the side.
"Right, girls?" Fluttershy has the four of them all fixated in a stern stare. One that seemingly cripples the will of mortals and is absolute.
"Y-yes." Rarity finally stammers out. Fluttershy relaxes and the rest of the girls relax to. I think I'm too scared of that to question it, so I just return to folding my clothes. “So… about the trip?” Rarity ventures. Fluttershy doesn’t confront her, so she continues. “I do have to attend the fashion show, and then there’s the musical, but that still leaves a lot of leftover time. Is there anything you girls wanna do?” Rarity asks.
“I dunno. I’d kinda like to visit my aunt and uncle while we’re there. But I don’t want to impose nothin’ on ya girls.” Applejack says.
“Of course, Applejack. I’d love to meet your family.” Rarity says.
“And I’m sure they’d love to meet you…” Applejack mutters.
“What was that dearie?”
“Nothin’” Applejack says, waving it off. I blink suddenly. I’ve never seen Applejack lie so efficiently. I’ve never seen Applejack lie.
“Well, that still leaves the rest of you.” She says, turning to them.
“Rainbow, don’t you-” Fluttershy starts.
“Pass.” Rainbow Dash cuts Fluttershy off.
“But-”
“I said pass. I’m good with whatever you girls want to do.” Rainbow finishes. Fluttershy cowers slightly, and I resist the urge to scold Rainbow Dash. I do, however, turn to comfort Fluttershy. She gives me a small smile of assurance and wrings her hands anxiously. What doesn’t Rainbow want us to know?
What a hypocrite! To think that they’re trying to dissect my life when they’re just as secretive about their own lives. Well, if they insist on confronting me, this can go both ways.
“Do you need any help packing Sunset?” I snap out of my thoughts in aggravation, turning to Rarity viciously.
“I’M FINE,” I seethe, she nods quickly and I collect all my clothes in my arms. “I’m going. I still have to pack this stuff.”
“Sunset.” I sigh at Fluttershy’s voice behind me.
“Please, don’t try and stop me. I just want to go.” I say, my voice strained.
“I… uh… I won’t. I was just gonna say you dropped this.” I turn and see a slip of paper. still slightly damp. I look at it questioningly before I recognize it. It’s that piece of paper from that girl. I still have plenty of questions for her. I take it from Fluttershy and open it slowly, checking to see if it was salvageable. It isn’t.
“Thanks Fluttershy.” I nevertheless stuff the damp paper into my pocket and pick my clothes back up, placing them in the small hamper I originally brought my clothes over here with. I head straight for the door to Rarity’s house and don’t look back.
“Sunset Shimmer!” I freeze at the sound of Trixie’s voice and follow its source all the way down the path to Rarity’s house. Trixie is standing on the opposite edge of Rarity’s lawn.
“Trixie.” I say neutrally, not really wanting to have to deal with a nuisance like this.
“You think that your magic is so great, but Trixie has you beaten now.”
“Hows that?” I ask disinterestedly.
“This.” I gasp and nearly drop my laundry basket. Trixie is holding an impossibility in her hands. Trixie has the Alicorn amulet.
“What is that?” I turn to see Pinkie and the others looking at Trixie curiously.
“That’s the Alicorn Amulet. A magical artifact of immense power.” I tell them.
“So you are familiar with it? Behold as I single-handedly become the strongest magic user ever!” Trixie places the amulet on her neck and i wait for something to happen. I wait a long time.
“I think it’s a dud.” Pinkie whispers. Of course, why would the actual Alicorn amulet be here in the human world? I sigh as Trixie gets mad.
“This can’t be! It’s supposed to be powerful!” Trixie pulls the amulet off. “This is not the last you have seen of the great and powerful Trixie!” Trixie throws down a smoke bomb and I cough and wave away the smoke.
“Wow, I’m really glad that amulet didn’t give her the magical power to beat Sunset and force her to leave town, only for her to come back and use the power of friendship to trick Trixie into giving up the amulet and teaching her a valuable lesson.” Pinkie comments.
“I’m glad that oddly specific thing didn’t happen as well.” Rarity agrees.
I look back towards where Trixie dropped the amulet and I see a hand lean down and pick it up. It’s her, the girl with the poem.
“Hey! You!” I exclaim, running over to her. She doesn’t run she just holds her ground.
“Well, isn’t that rude. No, hello? No, how are you? Just hey? I’d say hay is for horses, but that isn’t as funny considering your situation.” She comments.
“How do you know about that?” I skid to a stop in front of her.
“How indeed.” She replies. “The how isn’t important. I was just responding to a sighting, I’ve got what I came here for.”
“The fake Alicorn Amulet?” I ask.
“Fake? oh, no. I wish. It’d be so much easier to contain.” she says. “Anyways, I have to go. Please don’t follow me.” I feel my legs freeze up as soon as she steps away from me. I grit my teeth at her. Did she do that on purpose? Does she know?
“Sunset, who was that?” Rarity asks.
“And what did she want with the dud?” Pinkie asks.
“And-” I cut rainbow off with a yell.
“I don’t know, Okay!?” I huff and turn around abruptly, grabbing my laundry basket. “I’m going home.” I say bitterly. I can’t deal with anymore ridiculousness right now.
“Sunset, are you okay?” Fluttershy asks, stepping directly in my way. I tense at the confrontation, I’ve never known Fluttershy to be confrontational. Ever. Where was this confidence when I was bullying her?
“I’m fine.” I insist, trying to push my way past her.
“Sunset, please.” I freeze at the sound of that word, waiting patiently for the rest of the sentence. I wait for Fluttershy to ask what’s wrong, and for me to answer. I wait for the curse to take effect, for the curse to decide for me. When the rest of the request doesn’t come I glance up to Fluttershy.
“Y-yes?” I ask.
“I’m not going to force you, Sunset… But we all care.” Fluttershy says simply before stepping aside. I stop and look at Fluttershy briefly, staring down at myself in surprise. I consider telling her, I sincerely do. Instead I find myself walking away briskly with my laundry. I chide myself, but I don’t turn back. Maybe it’s for the best.
“It’ll be nice to get away from the farm for a while.” I look up from my book and at Applejack with a questioning eyebrow raised.
“I thought you loved the farm.” I say.
“I do, don’t get me wrong. But you need a break from even the things you love.” Applejack replies. I think on that for a moment. I suppose it’s true, I feel as if I know it personally.
Images of a mirror and Princess Celestia come to mind. I shake the thoughts away as I realize my eyes are tearing up.
“Yeah, I guess.” I say, holding my book higher. I glare at the blurry words scornfully and wait for my emotions to calm down. I take a deep breath and stand up. “I need to use the restroom.” I tell her, making my way to the back of the plane, where the restrooms are. As I finish up in the washroom, I stare at my image in the flimsy piece of plastic that barely passes as a mirror. Gone is that vengeful visage that I remember seeing in my reflection, and now here is Sunset Shimmer. Just Sunset Shimmer, in all her average glory.
“You’re not really average, are you? You magical freak of nature.” I grimace at the thought and look down at my hand. No scar tissue or anything, philomena’s tears had completely healed it. It was… uncanny. Having magic again, that is. I remember what it felt like, kind of, but I’m still not used to it. That, and I still can’t control it at all.
And that girl… Equestrian, maybe? She knows too much, and might actually know more than me. She has to be an equestrian, how could a human know all of that. And the Alicorn amulet! It all just isn’t adding up! Upon hearing a knock at the door I sigh and relinquish the bathroom to the next person. My eyes come face to face with the large black shades of a familiar face.
“Vinyl?” I ask in surprise. She seems to jump a bit as well, likewise shocked by meeting each other on a plane. She seems to grimace a bit and I flinch back.
“Shimmer.” she replies curtly. I flinch back and turn away from her slightly. She kind of motions to the bathroom behind me and I just nod slightly before exiting. I know that all the students of CHS have a right to hate me, doesn’t make their animosity any better.
“Hey, Sunset, did you have anything you wanted to do in Manhattan?” Applejack asks me as I return.
“Uh, no, not really. I’m just kind of a passenger.” I answer kinda halfheartedly, though seeing Manhattan is honestly a great opportunity that I’m very thankful for.
“Okay then. You want to hear the plans we got so far?” Applejack asks.
“Sure, whatever.” I say, plopping down in my aisle seat next to fluttershy. Rarity is sitting by the window on the other side of fluttershy. Rainbow is sitting by the other window, not paying attention to the conversation, with Applejack in the middle seat and Pinkie.
“Well, When we land, primarily we’ll eat some, but then we have to get Rarity to her competition. But tomorrow We’ll head to the salon to get our hair done, then we’ve got some time before our dinner reservation.”
“Oh! Speaking of, I had a surprise for you girls for after the dinner I reserved~.” Rarity says in a sing-song voice. She ruffles around her bag for a few moments before pulling out 6 tickets. “I got us all tickets for the hit musical showing at the premier performance center on broadway!” Rarity says with a wide grin.
“You can’t possibly mean Maid of the Mountain! That show has been sold out everywhere for a month!” Fluttershy gasps.
“I can. I do.” Rarity replies.
“How did you manage that Rares?” Applejack asks in shock.
“Yeah, Maid of the Mountains was sold out for a reason! It’s the most popular musical this year!” Rainbow dash speaks up. I glance at her and quirk an eyebrow. I had no idea Rainbow Dash could even remotely be interested in musicals. She notices my stare and shoots me a glare that only loses power because of her blush.
“I happened to have a very exclusive contract with the director of the play, and I helped with a number of the costumes. So… I pulled a few strings and managed to get us all in!” Rarity squeals excitedly. I roll my eyes and turn away, everyone else is so excited. I mean, I guess I should be really grateful to Rarity, bringing me here and all. On this expensive trip to Manhattan…
Speaking of, Rarity really is something. At such a young age she owns her own business and is even handling custom orders from producers in the entertainment industry. She’s already very well off for herself, and I… I’m just a squatter in some rundown abandoned house. I sigh, something that doesn’t go unnoticed by Fluttershy. She offers me a friendly smile and I actually manage to smile back.
“Well, gee, Rarity. That’s so kind of you!” Applejack responds. “And you know, the night after that, my Aunt invited us all to dinner!” Huh, Manhattan isn’t a farming city. It’s hard to imagine an apple that doesn’t farm. I wonder what they’re like?
“Hey, Dashie! Doesn’t your-” Pinkie starts, only to be interrupted by Rainbow herself.
“Nope.”
“But-” Pinkie tries to interject, earning her a glare from Rainbow.
“I said no.” she whispers menacingly. Pinkie just pouts in response and Applejack looks between them confusedly. Fluttershy seems to stiffen up beside me and my mind is drawn to an incident from the day before. Nudging Fluttershy gently I get her attention and lean over to her.
“What’s up with Rainbow?” I ask, motioning to the rainbow haired girl currently looking out the window disinterestedly. Rarity takes notice and pays attention as well, assumedly also out of the loop.
“Um… Well…” Fluttershy cringes slightly, realizing the scrutiny she’s under. “She has some… family problems.” she finishes lamely.
“Family problems?” I ask questioningly.
“Is this about her father?” Rarity asks quietly, so as to not let Rainbow hear.
“Her father?” I ask Rarity. Rarity glances at Rainbow briefly before turning back to me.
“Rainbow’s parents split when she was younger, she stays with her mother. I know that her mother remarried, but… I don’t think I’ve ever heard Rainbow talk about her father.” Rarity clarifies.
“Well, Fluttershy seems to know,” I point out. Fluttershy squeaks once more and cowers a bit.
“I’ve known Rainbow longer than anyone else.” she explains.
“But you won’t tell us?” I say, expecting the answer already.
“It’s not my place.” she responds meekly.
“Of course dear, I won’t pry. I’m sure Rainbow will talk about it when she’s ready. If she’s ready.” Rarity assures Fluttershy, laying a hand on her shoulder. I just turn to Rainbow Dash, trying to puzzle out what might have happened. Maybe he just left? But she knows where he lives assumedly. How? And why? If she truly has no intention of interacting with him, she surely wouldn’t know where he is, right?
“Girls, We’re almost there!” Pinkie says excitedly, leaning over both applejack and Rainbow dash to get a look at the city below us. I turn to Rarity’s window to get a better view. I lean towards the window with Fluttershy and Rarity and look outside at the magnificent buildings that reach high towards the sky. The sun glints off the numerous amounts of windows that cover almost all of the skyscrapers, shimmering and shining throughout the city. Truly a bustling city of achievement and a testament to it’s splendor.
“Girls, welcome to Manhattan.” Rarity says softly. Nobody replies, too busy looking over the city.
/~~~~~~~/
“Wow, this city is amazing.” Fluttershy laments before taking a bite of her salad. I nod in agreement, it sure is.
“It sure is. I come here every once in awhile for inspiration and it never ceases to amaze me.” Rarity says with a dreamy sigh.
“You make this trip often?” I ask in surprise.
“But of course! I have many clients here. Most of them actually come to visit me in Ponyville for custom made outfits for their special occasions.” Rarity says, continuing to amaze me at her popularity.
I take this into account as I look at everyone in this city, bustling about. The cars whizzing by, and the traffic hectic in the midday sun. It’s such a busy city, and everyone seems so hurried and frantic. Busy with whatever today's chores happen to be I imagine.
It's kind of... Disconcerting.
"Sunset, what do you think of the city?" Rarity asks. I turn to look at her and find all eyes on me.
"It's okay." I shrug, turning back to looking out the window. Men and Women, all with places to be, things to do... They all seem so sure of their destinations.
"Hey, Rarity, what time is your competition?" I ask suddenly.
"3 O'clock. Why do you ask, Darling?"
"Well, according to that clock, it's 2:30. You don't even have your, er... clothes." I say, waving my hand absentmindedly.
"2:30? How can that be, my watch..." she stares at her watch before pulling out her phone. Her eye's go wide in panic at the sight before smacking herself in the forehead. "Timezones! Oh dear. How could I be so foolish." She berates herself. I just roll my eyes and shove another bite of sald into my mouth.
"Relax, Rares. We've got thirty minutes, that's plenty of time to swing by the hotel." Applejack reassures her.
"Oh, Applejack. Sweet, naive, Applejack. You have no Idea how bad Manehatten traffic is do you?" Rarity motions towards the streets outside the cafe and Applejack smiles nervously. With a gulp I look at the rest of my salad, it'd be a shame to waste it.
"Well then we better leave soon." I say to Rarity before shoving an unreasonable amount of salad into my mouth. Rarity nods affirmatively, forgetting her own meal in favor of her competition.
"To the Competition!" Rarity yells, causing everyone in the cafe to look at her. She blushes good naturedly, and proceeds to hurry out of the cafe.
/~~~~~~~/
"Wow, Manhatten is amazing," Pinkie Pie beams as we make our way back to our hotel room. After ensuring that Rarity got to her competition me and the girls had taken to exploring what the city had to offer, which seemed to consist of a lot of walking and window shopping. To be fair, it wasn't that bad. It is a nice city, and it seems to have plenty to offer in terms of variety. Everything just happens to be `out of my budget` as it were. Not that it's a very huge budget at all.
"You can say that again, Pinkie." Fluttershy says, nodding in agreement.
"Wow, Manhatten is-" Pinkie sentence is cut short by a blue hand obstructing her mouth. She frowns at Rainbow, or I assume she does, through the hand.
"Not Literally," Rainbow starts, pointing at Pinkie with a warning stare, "It's just an expression." she says, removing her hand. Pinkie looks at her in thought for a few seconds before Rainbow turns away.
"-Amazing," Pinkie finishes, turning away as Rainbow whips her head back at her. She whistles innocently, not making eye contact. Rainbow just sighs defeatedly.
"I wonder when Rarity is getting back," Applejack pipes up, causing us all to stop and think.
"I don't recall helping her back from the competition in her plans. I'm sure she's got another means of getting back." Applejack says, causing most of us to shrug and continue to the room. Finding the door, I reach into my pocket and find the room key. I'm about to put the roomkey into the door when I stop. Theres a sound coming from the room. Faint and even sobbing for a couple moments, and then...
Talking.
It's soft, but it's definitely Talking. I recognize Rarity's voice as the one talking, but who could she be talking to. I don't want to interrupt her if she's on the phone.
"Uh, Sunset? You gonna open up the door?" Applejack asks nervously. I look back at her blankly before shaking my head, then pressing my ear to the door.
"...Don't know what I'm going to do. I can't show my dresses now!" Rarity exclaims softly. There's a moment of silence. I start to take it as evidence that she is talking on the phone, but then I hear another voice.
"Your friends would help you, you know that, right?" the voice says tentatively. I pause at the new voice, frowning lightly as I try to put a face to the voice. I know her from somewhere, but where. and why would someone I know be in Manehattan? It's not Vinyl.
"I suppose I do know that, but I can't just ask them to create an entire line of clothes." Rarity replies gently. I hear a shifting in the bed as someone gets up.
"Sure you can. I'd even help you, Rarity." The voice says comfortingly.
"You?" Rarity laughs softly, the laugh only slightly tinged with sorrow. "But, no offense Darling, I hardly know you. I don't even know your name." Rarity says, sniffling a bit. I hear the bed creak as someone else gets up from the bed.
"Yes, me, and I'm sure your friends would be more than willing to help. Isn't that right?" I hear the other voice say before the door swings inwards. I find myself face to face with *her*.
"You." I say, narrowing my eyes. It's obvious why I know the voice now, it's the same girl with the poem, and the alicorn amulet. I could only imagine that us meeting here is not happenstance. Meeting in our hotel room miles from the mirror and Canterlot High.
"Hello, Sunset." She says softly, warmly even. As if greeting an old friend. "Girls," She nods to all the girls behind us, all of which are looking from me to the girl curiously.
"Don't know her my ass." Rainbow scoffs, folding her arms.
"Rainbow, language." Applejack says offhandedly, seemingly trying to figure out how she feels about this girl in front of us. Frankly, I'm not sure how to feel about her myself. She seemed to be comforting Rarity from whatever it is that's bothering her, but also she stalked us to a whole 'nother town for some reason.
"Starlet, Starlet Mint. A pleasure," The girl says, sticking her hand out abruptly. I look at it hesitantly before tentatively shaking it.
"How did you know we were here?" I ask her evenly.
"Why, all the noise of course. I assumed you all were waiting for an invitation in when it went quiet." She answers softly, her smile burning into me. I didn't like it, it felt... Weird. I can't trust someone like this, it's just too... off.
"What's wrong, Rarity?" Fluttershy asks, stepping into the room and walking up to Rarity. Rarity wipes her eye gently and looks at her friend thankfully. Rarity talks to the girls about the competition, and one Suri Polomare or something. However, I can't pay attention, my eyes are on Starlet. She notices and smiles my way before slowly making her way towards me, I narrow my eyes accusingly at her approach.
"What are you doing here?" I hiss venomously. "Did you follow us?" I ask accusingly.
"Of course," she says, almost taken aback by the insinuation it could be anything else. "And what I'm doing here is helping." She looks over at Rarity, recounting what happened at the competition and smiles before turning back to me. She frowns slightly before lightening up and reaching out a finger. Touching me on the nose she makes a boop noise, "You don't wear a frown well Sunset." She giggles playfully. Turning away from me she turns to Rarity just as she finishes her story.
"I need your help, girls. If you'd give it." Rarity asks.
"Of course, Rares, whatever you need." Applejack says earnestly.
"Yeah, we can get it done like nothing," Rainbow says, pumping her fists.
"I'd love to help," Starlet offers, turning towards me. Everyone follows her gaze expectantly. I sigh as I realize I don't really have a choice. Rarity's generosity is the reason I'm here, I owe her this much.
"Of course I'll help, Rarity." I tell her exhaustedly. "What needs to be done?"
"Oh, thank you girls! Here, I'll get my stuff!" Rarity explains. I sigh once more. I can tell that it's going to be a long night.
