> A Second Chance to Find Home
>  by Burning Sunset
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, December 11th:

Fluttershy sighed heavily, her large pink coat still not really giving her much protection from the cold. Of course she never liked the cold much anyways, so part of her discomfort could be blamed on that. The physical discomfort wasn't what was bothering her the most as she looked thorugh the glass of the front door of Sugar Cube Coorner. At their usual table was the rest of her friends minus Sunset as they were discussing the whole Anon-A-Miss scandal that was rocking the school and hurting their friendship. It was what they were coming here to do anyways, yet something was stopping Fluttershy from joining them.

She was extremely upset yesterday when they first confronted Sunset at the school over the whole situation and maybe acted a little too rashly. Yeah the evidence was hard to refute, but did she really want to believe that Sunset could do something so horrible and underhanded? She wanted to believe the girl had changed, they two of them having gotten rather close during the months after the Fall Formal then the Battle of the Bands. She couldn't help asking herself if her regret over her actions yesterday was really because she believed Sunset or because she wanted to believe Sunset.

It was no secret among the others that Sunset adn Fluttershy was very good friends, though they didn't know how deep Fluttershy's feelings ran. She perhaps cared a little too much for Sunset which was why the thought of th egirl doing this hurt her so much. A chill breeze blew across her making her shiver, a reminder of the dropping temperatures. The night promising to be one of the worst on record.

Seeing Rainbow Dash waving at her from inside, Fluttershy sighed and pushed the door open and stepped through into the small yet usually popular cafe. The warm air washing over her was a god send as it warmed her cold body allowing her to removed the bulky coat and hang it on the back of her normal chair at the table with the other girls. 

"You okay there sugarcube?" Apple Jack asked, noticing the blush on her face becasue of the cold, and maybe the stray thoughts of a certain somebody that she couldn't help worrying about. They should have been having a slumber party, not gathering to talk about one of their friends behind her back. Something that really didn't sit well with Fluttershy.

"Not really girls, I've been doing a lot of thinking." Fluttershy said nervously, getting all of their attention.

"About what Shy? Is more people bothering you?" Rainbow Dash asked, cracking her knuckes as her eyes narrowed angrily.

"About Sunset. What if she was telling the truth and we were that hard on her for absolutely no reason?" Fluttershy asked, her voice getting softer and softer as she noticed the anger in Rainbow Dash's expression grow word by word.

"You have got to be kidding me, Shy!" Rainbow Dash snapped as Mrs. Cake dropped off a cup of hot cocoa for Fluttershy.

"Now girls, we might not busy at the moment, but please don't make a scene." Mrs. cake said, smiling at the girls.

"Sorry auntie." Pinkie said, her voice seeming so sad.

"What's going on girls?" Mrs. Cake asked noticing the dep[ressed look on her niece's face.

"We figured out who Anon-A-Miss is, Mrs. Cake. It was Sunset Shimmer all along." Rarity said, Mrs. Cake's expression hardening.

"It might not be." Fluttershy squeaked out getting an incredolous look from Rainbow Dash.

"Darling, we know you care about her, but those pictures and videos could only come from one place." Rarity said putting a hand ontop of Fluttershy's. "You know she took those pictures at the slumber party and she never lost her phone."

"What if somebody hacked her phone or something?" Fluttershy asked, grasping at straws by this point.

"Sweetie, I don't think that is possible." Mrs. Cake said sadly putting a hand on Fluttershy's shoulder. 

"Shy, I know you care about her, but stop." Rainbow Dash growled out.

"It hurts me to Fluttershy." Pinkie said, her hair seeming flatter than usual. "She was so much fun."

"I know it hurts honey, but you can't save everyobody. You need to worry about yourself and your friends. It might be best if you just forget about that deliquent." Mrs. Cake said, her voice a mixture of sadness and anger. "I'm sorry girls, I need to get back to work."

"Look Shy," Rainbow Dash sighed as Mrs. Cake walked away, "It's either her or us. We're your friends and love you, but you have to understand we are the one who love you and wouldn't hurt you the way Sunset Shimmer has."

"She's a snake in the grass, sugarcube." Applejack sighed, tears flooding Fluttershy's eyes as she started to realize that they wer eright. Her heart didn't want to admit it, but she knew. She knew that they were right and there was no way somebody could have posted those pics since Sunset always keeps close tabs on her phone. The only time she doesn't is when she sleeps as she seemed to be such a heavy sleeper when at their houses. 

"I guess your right." Fluttershy cried as the other tried to comfort her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sunset tried to protect herself from the biting wind that had seemed to double in just the last few minutes. Her leather jacket wasn't in the best condition since it was old, the zipper broken and the few rips in it. Of course she had asked if Rarity could fix it, but the girl had apologized claiming that leather was a material she really couldn't work with and was afraid of damamging it farther. She had offered to make her a new coat out of a different material, but Sunset had foolishly refused and was now regretting that.

Her jacket was the least of her worries though as she knew that tonight was going to be extremely cold and she couldn't return to the library. Ever since she had blown a hole in the school, the school board put competent security guards at the school and kept them after it was fixed. This was going to be her first winter without a place to go and she had been looking forward to these slumber parrties as they promised her a safe, warm place to sleep. A place where she could actually rest instead of having to keep one eye open to protect herself.

Sadly she was only able to go to two of them before the Anon-A-Miss ordeal bacame too much. She honestly had no idea how it was done as the pictures really did look like the ones she had taken at Rarity's slumber party. Tonight should have been Apple Jack's turn if Sunset remembered right and it would have been a life saver as tonight the paper she had read warned people not to be out for very long. If she was stuck out her she was afraid she would become very sick if she was lucky, because death was what she feared she was looking at. 

Looking thorugh the front door she could see her friends sitting around a table enjoying what looked like Mrs. Cake's hot cocoa and right now Sunset would kill for a cup of it to warm her up. She had hoped that maybe if she tried talking to her friends again that maybe this time they would listen. Maybe they would give her a chance and she would admit the truth to her situation, though a part of her bitterly thought that they should have bothered asking. They should have known she had no family to celebrate the holiday with as they knew she was from a differnet world. Yet not even the one she cared for the most had bothered asking about her personal life much.

Were they ever really her friends? She didn't want to think that the answer to that question was yes, but the last few days had been pointing to the answer being a no. She guessed she would find out as she was going to try talking to them one more time. She was going to ask any of them for shelter for the night and maybe help finding something else tomorrow. 

Pushing into the door she froze when the group looked up at her, anger and hurt on all of their faces. She could only concentrate on one face though, a pink haired girl whose face was tear streaked and the tears didn't look like they would be ending any time soon. The sight broke Sunset's heart as she hated seeing the girl hurt like this.

"What are you doing here?" Rainbow Dash hissed out.

"Get out, Sunset." Fluttershy said softly, her voice sounding broken yet so full of anger.

"Shy?" Sunset asked softly, reaching out toward her though Apple Jack got between them and shoved her back.

"Get away from her you snake." Apple Jack hissed out.

"Don't come near me, Sunset. We aren't friends anymore. I don't even want to ever see you again!" Fluttershy sobbed out, her voice actually raising higehr and higher until she was screaming, "I hate you!"

Sunset just stood there, unable to do anything as she looke dinto the pain filled eyes of the one person she always thought she could count on. The person she had been wrestiling with herself over for weeks trying to decide if she should ask Fluttershy out or not. The person who she was sure she loved. 

As her mind threatended to completly shut down a stong grip closed around her upper arm and yanked her away from the girls. Looking up she was surpsied to see Mrs. Cake dragging her out of the cafe while Rainbow Dash could be heard snickering. 

"I can't believe I actually gave you another chance to prove you weren't that hateful bully." Mrs. Cake growled out, shooing Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo inside when they stopped near them. They started to say something, but quieted them with a look as they gave Sunset a sad look before going inside. "You tore those girls apart once and you are doing it all over again! Well I won't allow it, you ever come back here or go near those girls again and I'll call the cops."

"I didn't do it!" Sunset sobbed out, not noticing the look on Mrs. Cake soften for a moment before hardening again.

"Come back again and see if I don't call the police." Mrs. Cake hissed, Sunset feeling as if she had no options left. Nobody who even cared about her or if she lived or died.

"Don't worry, nobody will ever see me again after tonight." Sunset sighed, walking away from the woman as the snow began falling even harder making it hard to see too far. The cold seemed even worse as the backpack on her back seemed to grow even heavier as she trudged away from the cafe.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I can't believe we thought she was family." Rainbow Dash hissed out making the three girls freeze in their tracks. Scootaloo was already scraed of what they would do to them when they admitted that they were Anon-A-Miss, but seeing the angry look on her idle didn't give her much hope of things turning out okay. 

"Family doesn't hurt each other like that snake, sugarcube. Forget her." Apple Jack said as Rarity seemed to be trying to comfort FLuttershy and Pinkie Pie.

"Girls! We can't tell them!" Scootaloo hissed out at her two friends, pulling them back as she looked up at the group of girls who hadn't noticed them yet thanks to them being preoccupied with talking about Sunset Shimmer.

"We have to, what about Sunset? She looked really sad out there." Apple Bloom sniffed, hugging herself.

"Yeah, and Mrs. Cake threw her out. Do we really want to be the cause of that?" Sweetie Belle asked softly.

"If they thought of Sunset as family, what are they going to say if we tell them? What are they going to do to your two? At least you have the excuse of being real sisters with them, I don't have that. If we tell them they will hate me and never let the three of us hang out again." Scootaloo said looking at the floor. "And what about Christmas? Do you really want to ruin their Christmas?"

"What about Sunset's Christmas?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Look, I really do feel bad, but if we tell them then they are just going to go back to neglecting us and spending time with her! Do you want that? Don't you think Sunset deserves at least some punishment for the way she made everybody feel from before?" Scootaloo said.

"Maybe I suppose." Apple Bloom sighed, sounding undure about everything.

"I guess it would be nice to show her what it feels like to be treated the way she treated everyone else." Sweetie Belle said uncomftortably.

"Okay, then it's settled then. We wait and see what happenns." Scootaloo urged them, finally getting nods from he rtwo friends. She realy did feel bad about Sunset, but the older girl desevred this for all the pain she had caused and then taking away Rainbow's attention as well as Rarity's and Apple Jack's. She really needed to pay for what she had done instead of the slap that Sunset had gotten on the wrist. If she truly believed that though, why was she hurting so much after seeing Sunset so upset outside? And why was she feleing so guilty?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The snow was falling so heavily that no sooner had she brushed it out of her hair it returned. It was hard seeing too far ahead and her bare legs between her skirt and boots felt as if they were going to freeze solid. Once again she cursed herself for going to Rarity's slumber party instead of the church clothing giveaway as at least she would have had something warm now. 

Stumbling through the biting wind, Sunset held her jacket closed as she turned down an alley hoping to get away from some of the wind. She was in luck though as she realized where she was. It was the alley between that discount bread store and the jewlery store, and while the owner of the jewlery store had chased her off more than once, they were closed by now. The bread store had a raised platform that severd as a loading dock with a recessed garage door which she found to still be mostly dry.  The wind was taking the snow in the opposite direction of the opening as well as the worse of it being blocked by the two buildings.

Slipping her bag off her back she scooted as far back into the corner, the light overhead actually putting off a little bit of warmth, though not much. Still, it provided light for her as she dug through her bag before pulling out an old binder wither the plastic seperating fron the rest of it on the corners. She really did need a new one, but after tonight it wouldn't matter. Taking the pen out of her bag she tested it on the first blank sheet of paper she came to and wasn't sure if she was happy that it was still working or not. Did she really want to do this? If her choices was going on and most likely freezing to death tonight when knowing that everybody she cared for  hated her, that the girl she could admit to herself that she loved hated her, and ending it on her own terms and finally escpae this pain; there wasn't much of a choice.

Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure what will get me first, this freezing weather or my ownself. Either way tonight will be my last night on this world. I want to say one last time that I am not Anon-A-Miss. I don't understand why not one person will believe me after everything we've been through, unless nobody really did care for me. It doesn't matter anymore I guess, as by the time anyone reads this I will be gone. Maybe Anon-A-Miss will go away after I'm gone and at least something good will come from this.

I do want to say that despite the way you have treated me, I don't hate you. I don't hate any of you despite you breaking my heart into  a million pieces with false promises of friendship and family. I guess I always was alone and I'll be spending my last few minutes in this world alone. Maybe with me finally gone, your real freindships will grow and you won't have to worry about the worthless, homeless piece of trash any longer.

I'm sorry I don't have anything to leave any of you, but all I have is a few dirty outfits, a cracked prepaid phone Snips and Snails bought me for my birthday that your friendship lazer damaged. I don't even have wifi on it anymore since all I coould do was make calls on it at the best of times and take pictures. I do have some school supplies that if they survive the night anybody can have if they actually want them. I don't care, I won't have any use for them anymore.

You know, I was actually looking forward to these sleepover parties. Since Twilight left Snipa and Snails won't even speak to me and you were the only ones who seemed to care that I had noone to spend Christmas with. While I was very happy to be able to spend it with all of you, I have to admit it was also nice having warm meals and a hot bath with a roof over my head for the night, 

I'm sorry for tha tangent, I'm having trouble saying exactly what I want to say with me freezing my butt off here. I guess I should go, but I hope you al lhave a Merry Christmas and a Happy New without me around to interfere with it.

Love,
Your ex-friend,
Sunset Shimmer.

Closing the binder she shoved it back in her bag and pulled the small pocket knife out of her pocket. It was kind of ironic that the tool she kept close when on the streets at night in case somebody got the idea to attck her was going to be used to end her time here. Opening the blade she admired the silver gleam off of it's blade before pulling up a sleeve and rested the freezing metal against her wrist. Closing her eyes she quickly ran it across her tender flesh leaving a wake of red bubbling up after it. Changing hands she repeated the process with the other arm.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Thanks again for letting me come in after work to place my order." Cadence said, smiling at the older man who smiled back at her. His store was closed, but since he has done a lot of business with her In laws and knew cadence's busy schedule, he agreed to let her in the back and make an order for several Christmas gifts. 

"It's no problem dear, but I hate hearing that you have been so busy during the holiday season." Silver Watch said, opening the door for Cadence. They both winced at the cold burst of air that burst through the slightly open door before he growled in annoyance.

"What's wrong?" Cadence asked, following his eyes to see a flame haired girl huddled up on the loading dock.

"I've told that girl not to hang around here. She sits up there scaring the few people I allow come in after hours because of their work and she scares them. They worry that she's going to mug them." Silver Watch sighed, "I don't have anything against the kid, but I can't have her scareing my customers all the time."

"Call 911." Cadence said, seeing some of the snow that was building up stained with red.

"I'm sure she isn't going to do anything, there's no reason to involve the police." Silver Watch said.Cadence climbed up on the platform to move over to check on the girl.

"Not the police, she needs an ambulance. She's hurt!" Cadence said, checking for a pulse and finding that it was there if weak. The could possibly helped slow down the blood flow, though it was causing it's own damage.



> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, December 12th

"Is she going to be okay?" Cadence asked, sitting across from one of the doctors she had worked most with here in Canterlot General. Posey was a good doctor, probably one of the best, and usually cared for all of her patients. Yet Cadence couldn't shake the feelingthat Posey hated the girl that she had found nearly dead.

"She isn't in danger of dying, though I can't say for sure how much damage she managed to do to herself." Posey said, her voice much colder than Cadence had ever heard the woman. Maybe it was the fact that it was two in the morning and cadence had never interacted with Posey so late, but she somehow knew that this wasn't the reason for the doctor's attitude.

"Posey, what's wrong? You act as if you hate that girl." Cadence asked, fighting back a yawn as she was exhausted and in all honesty she would rather be in bed herself. 

"Hate is a rather strong word, but I strongly dislike her. She used to bully my little girl until something happened, and for some reason Shy gave her a chance to be friends. This girl just threw it back in my little girl's face and broke her heart." Posey said, her voice growing angrier by the moment. "So excuse me if I'm not thrilled having to save her life tonight."

"Then why treat her? Why didn't you let one of the others treat her?" Cadence asked, unsure of just why Posey would treat a girl she disliked so much.

"Beacause I'm the best doctor here tonight and when she came in I thought she was going to die." Posey screamed, slamming her hands down on her desk as she leaned over to glare at Cadence. "I may not like her, but I'm not goingto let a teenaged girl die when I could have prevented that!"

"I'm sorry." Cadence squealed out, pushing back into her chair as Posey breathed heavily a few momets glaring at her. Eventually the doctor sighed and sunk back into her onw seat.

"Don't be, I'm the one that's sorry." Posey sighed, "I'm just a little angry because I had to treat her without parental consent because when I looked at her records I found out her home address is an empty lot where the recently tore down an old warehouse."

"Maybe it's just a typo." Cadence suggested.

"I don't believe that, I've asked Shy before about the girl's parents and she told me Sunset doesn't like talking about her family or past." Posey sighed, "I really wish I put two and two together before, but that girl doesn't have any parents. I'm sure of it."

"I guess I'll have to take care of things then." Cadence sighed, "Guess I won't be making it home tonight."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The night sky was beautiful, much more beautiful than she remmebered with no clouds in the sky and all of the stars bright and beautiful with the full moon seeming larger than normal. The clear water of the ocean lapped at her bare feet as she stood there in the cool sand squishing between her toes. Her white gown flowing loosely around her body and falling just a few inches above her ankles. Sunset Shimmer couldn't keep the smile off her face as she brushed a few strands of hair out of her face that the gentle breeze blew out of place.

She froze for a moment when she noticed the billowy sleeve stained red as she noticed bllod leaking from her wrist. It stung a little, but she shook her head as she looked around herself. Behind her there were two sets of footprints leading back as far as she could see, one belonging to her and the other just disappearing next to her as if somebody had made them and just teleported away.

"What's going on?" Sunset asked softly, taking a few steps as she started walking again. Looking beside her she noticed the other footprints continuing along with hers until a pair of feet started taking shape, a body clad in a white robes following suit until a dark haired man with a beard was walking next to her. 

"Why don't you tell me?" The man asked softly making Sunset stop once again as she tried to remember what had happened and how she got here.

"I don't know, all I remember is being being alone. I'm always alone." Sunset sniffled, looking down as the man gently took both of her wrists in his hands and pulled them up to his lips and gently kissed them one at a time. Sunset stared in shok after each wrist was healed after he kissed them, the blood and red stains just vanishing before her eyes.

"You are never alone, my child. You have people who are waiting to love you if you give them a chance." The man said softly, a loving smile gracing his lips as he looked deep in her eyes. She wasn't sure why but the intensity of that unconditional love she was feeling from him made the coldness that was trying to fill her heart melt away as tears started falling down her cheeks.

"I can't, I can't take anymore pain." Sunset sobbed as the man drew her into a hug and rubbed her back.

"Child, you are a strong young woman who has been through many things. Yet you have overcome all of the hardships and become a person worthy of all the love and respect in the world." The man said, somehow Sunset found herself unable to deny his words.

"Can't I just rest? Can't I just have peace and get away from all of the pain?" Sunset sniffled as another light filled the sky for a moment before a new arrival made herself known.

"Greetings old friend, we take it that thee art well  tonight." The dark colored alicorn asked as she floated down earning a soft chuckle from that man. 

"Come mow Luna, I know for a fact that you are more than capable of speaking normally by now." The man laughed.

"Fine, I just like annoying my sister with it anyways. For this, it isn't really needed." The alicorn giggled.

"Vice-Principal Luna?" Sunset asked, though having a feeling she was close yet so far to getting the pony's identity right.

"No my dear, I am from your original world. I am Princess Luna though you may just call me Luna." Luna said smiling softly. "I felt your despair all the way in Equestria over the dream realm."

"So I'm dreaming?" Sunset asked, shaking her head as she should have realized it.

"No child, I'm sorry. You are close to death yet it is not yet your time." The man said making Sunset shiver. Somehow she had instinctually known that, yet she had dismissed it readily.

"My domain just doesn't cover the dream world, but the world that lies between the living and the dead where those souls come to much like a dream as their body either heals or...expires." Luna explained, "It overlaps with the dream world and I can visit it though usually don't. Yet your sadness was so great I had to come see what was wrong."

"Child, I know that you have been through a lot, but I know you can keep going. Keep being strong because very soon you will have your heart's true desire." The man said withe a smile that for some reason made Sunset believe him.

"What if I don't want to go back?" Sunset asked softly, lowering her head.

"I'll be sad, but I wouldn't blame you my child." The man said. as Sunset shivered at the sad tone that entered to his voice. For some reason she couldn't stand hearing him sound so sad. 

"Sunset Shimmer, I would be lying if I claimed I knew what all was going on. I can promise you that there are those that love you. My sister loves you dearly and is very proud of the young po...the young woman that you have become. And Twilight Sparkle speaks very highly of you as well." Luna sighed, "They would be very sad if you wer eto give up on life, so I beg of you, please don't give up just yet."

"I don't know what to do." Sunset whispered.

"Are you willing to give it one more shot?" The man asked softly, Sunset nodding after a few moments thinking about it. She just couldn't say no to either of these two, but especially the man. There was just something about him that compelled Sunset to want to do her best. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, "Then just wake up my child."

Gasping Sunset's eyes flew open to find herself in a warm, yet soft bed with someting tied around her ankles, wrist, midsection and head. Panic started to set in as she felt a stinging sensation in her wrists where she remembered cutting them earlier. 

"Where am I?" Sunset croaked out, her voice sounding hoarse and her tongue heavy as she squirmed in her bindings. Fear was starting to fill her as she tied down to a bed in a place she didn't know with a soft beeping coming from very close.

"Sweetie, it's okay, stay still or you will hurt yourself worse." A woman said, voice pleading Sunset to obey as she started checking the bindings. "You are very lucky you didn't get frostbite."

"Where am I?" Sunset croaked out, her voice sounding a little better yet her throat burned from thirst.

"In the hospital sweetie, everything is going to be okay." The woman said, "My name is Bright Heart, I'm your nurse."

"Can you untie me?" Sunset asked, squirming a bit before the woman's hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Just relax, please. You are going to reopen your wounds if you don't. As soon as the doctor comes in to see you we can see what we can do about taking your restraints off." Bright Heart said softly, a sad tone to her voice. "Honey, why did you do something lik ethis to yourself?"

"Water?" Sunset asked softly, the nurse's eyes widening in panic for a second.

"I am so sorry!" Bright Heart gasped, grabbing a cup with a straw on the table next to the bed and held it up to Sunset's lips so she could greedily drink some of it down. "Is that better?"

"Lots, thanks." Sunset sighed as she watched the woman sit the cup back on the table. She really didn't want to be here, didn't want to be taken and put into another orphange. She knew first hand how horrible they were and being a young woman in this world made the possibilities even worse. After all she had heard plenty of horror stories over the few years that she had been there about what happens in places like that.

"Sweetie, what could posses you to do this to yourself? Your such a lovely young woman." Bright Heart asked.

"Please leave us." Posey said as she came in looking between Bright Heart and Sunset, a cold look settling in on her face.

"Of c-course." Bright Heart said, sounding a little shocked by Posey's demeanor. Not that it surprsied Sunset as she knew the woman didn't really trust her at the best of times. After Anon-A-Miss, she doubted Posey would ever let her around FLuttershy ever again.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in." Posey said, anger in her voice after the door closed behind the nurse. "Tell me, Sunset, why?"

"I'd rather end it quickly that freeze to death." Sunset sighed, not wanting to implicate that Fluttershy and the others may have had a hand in pushing her to do what she did. She wasn't sure if the woman would go off on her or be mad at Fluttershy, but either way wasn't something that Sunset wanted to happen.

"Not that, while I did my best to help you, I don't really care beyond that. I just want to know why you broke my little girl's heart." Posey asked angrily, glaring at Sunset.

"It doesn't matter anymore, I don't plan to ever go back there." Sunset said, shocking Posey. The older woman was waiting for excuses or lies, but the answer didn't make sense. It wasn't the bully the woman knew, but a hurt girl laying there saying this.

"And where do you plan on going?" Posey asked, crossing her arms as Sunset looked away.

"I don't know yet, but I will promise you I won't go easily into another orphanage. I know what they're like!" Sunset said, hissing out the last with such venom Posey couldn't hold onto the anger at the girl anymore. She was questioning if maybe somebody did set the girl up for what happened as she pondered the new information. If somebody did hurt her badly then maybe it would explain the anger she had before her supposedly reformation. However, no matter how much Posey may have understood the girl's reasons if her suspicions was true, she wasn't going to so easily forgive Sunset for hurting FLuttershy.

"To be honest, I have no idea what to do with you yet." Posey sighed, "My friend is making some calls to see if she can find you a family to stay with. Problem is that no many are willing to take a suicidal teen into their homes."

"Then just let me go." Sunset sighed.

"I can't do that." Posey said shaking her head. "I am half tempted to take you myself, but I don't trust you not to hurt FLutershy more."

"Just send me to a stupid orphangae, I don't care, but promise me you won't tell Fluttershy. She doesn't need this right now, especially this close to Christmas." Posey said.

"Posey, you in there?" A woman's voice came through the door as a soft knock echoed on the door.

"Come in Velvet." Posey called, another woman walking into the room. She really didn't want to deal with Velvet right then as the two rarely saw eye to eye. It was sad to believe that they used to be friends, but Posey had shot their relationship to hell several times over. All over a worthless ex-husband who used to beat both Posey and Fluttershy. It was something Posey never forgave herself for because it was the reason behind her daughter's extreme timidness. It was also why she was so protective of her when it came to Sunset.

"I was talking to Cadence and she said she was having trouble finding somebody to take in your new paitient so I thought maybe I could at least give her a place to stay through the holidays at least until something more permanant is found." The new woman said, "Every young person deserves a decent Christmas after all."

"I'm still here." Sunset sighed, knowing they were talking about her and getting annoyed about being spoken about as if she wasn't in the room.

"I'm so sorry dear, my name is Twilight Velvet." The new woman said, scratching the back of her neck and giving a nervous smile as her eyes traveled up and down her bound body. Her eyes narrowing, she started to undo the straps holding her ankle down. "What are you doing? Does it look like she should be restrained Posey?"

"She tried to kill herself Velvet! What do you expect? A suite in the Hamptons?" Posey demanded, earning a glare from Velvet.

"Does she look like she's about to go off the deepend?" Velvet demanded as she moved to the other ankle.

"What do I know? I'm just the doctor. Do whatever the hell you want, Vel, but don't come crying to me." Posey growled out before stoomping out, angry at herself for allowing her anger to get the better of her. She really wished she could just be like she used to around her old friend.

"So, what's your name sweetie?" Velvet asked as she continued her work of freeing the girl.

"Sunset Shimmer." Sunset sighed, "Does this mean I can get out of here?"

"Just because I'm undoing your restraints doesn't mean I don't agree with Posey. You tried to kill yourself and you would have frozen to death out there if it wasn't for my daughter-in-law. You are staying here for observation and then I'm taking you home with me for the holidays." Velvet said, "And in case you missed it, my name is Twilight Velvet, but you can call me Velvet."

"Why bother with me?" Sunset sighed as she gingerly touched her bandaged wrists as she remembered her dream. She wanted to believe it was real, but she could clearly feel the stinging behind the sterile while gauze wrapped around her wrists. She was having trouble flexing her fingers which was a little worrisome, but maybe it was just because of the cold or they could have been asleep.

"Why not?" Velvet simply asked as she put the rail down and sat on the edge of the bed looking down at SUnset who was havng trouble maintaining eye contact.

"Because I'm trash that nobody loves." Sunset said before she actually thought about it. She could feel a dampness growing on her cheeks as she slowly realized that she meant exactly that. 

"Honey, I may not know you, but I know you aren't trash." Velvet said brushing the girl's hair out of her eyes.

"YOu don't know everything that I've done. I hurt people, bullied them." Sunset sniffed, shuddering as she remembered a specific pink haired girl she used to take so much joy in tormenting. A girl whose very image haunted her dreams for such a long time. 

"Do you still bully them? It sounds like you regret it and a bully wouldn't." Velvet asked.

"I changed, but I worked so hard to make others see that I changed for the better. Only to have them blame me the first time something bad happens." Sunset cried, turning away to face the wall as the woman stroked her hair.

"Then it sounds like they are to blame, not you. Would you like to talk about it?" Velvet asked, though Sunset shook her head indicating no.

"I just wanted them to care for me. They promised me they cared for me, but they turned me away. She turned me away. She said she...she said she hated me!" Sunset sobbed out loud making Velvet's heart go out to the girl evenmore. At first she was just trying to do something nice for a poor child who was down on their luck. Now though she was doing it for a lovely young woman who seemed to have her friends betray her and if she was right, even this girl's crush or love interest had been apart of causing pain to this girl. It would explain why the teen tried to kill herself, though Velvet couldn't just ignore the fact that the girl claimed to hurt people. She was going to have to be cautious with her as she wouldn't let the girl hurt her daughter, yet Velvet had a feeling Sunset wouldn't hurt a fly.

"Do you think I can do my job now and examine my paitient?" Posey said as she came back into the room, cooled down from being angry, yet her voice was still and cold.

"I'll be out in the hall honey." Velvet sighed as she patted Sunset's knee through the sheet before heading out the door to leave her old friend to treat Sunset Shimmer. She couldn;t help praying that nothing was wrong with the young girl, but she had notcided Sunset having trouble bending her fingers and with what brought the girl here, that was something very worrisome.



> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, December 13

"You know I love you, right?" Fluttershy asked, stradling Sunset as she sat in her lap under a large tree in the middle of what looked to be a small clearing in a large forest. There was this huge tree away from the mass of smaller ones and a crystal clear lake just a few yards away from the pair. Both of them was wearing bikinis and their hair was wet and tangled after a nice swim.

"And I love you to." Sunset said as Fluttershy leaned down while Sunset leaned up to meet the girl's lips in a passionate kiss. It seemed to go on forever as Sunset's hands rested on the pink haired gir's waist while FLuttershy's hands was on Sunset's shoulders. 

As peaceful as the scene was, something was bothering Sunset about it. This was something that she had been wanting for so long, to be able to show Fluttershy just how much she loved her, and for the girl to return those feelings. How did they get to the lake though? It was a place that was unfamiliar to SUnset, yet she felt completely safe here.

"What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked as she pulled back, a hurt look in her eyes as she met Sunset's own confused gaze.

"I don't know, Shy. Something just doesn't feel right." Sunset said softly, reaching up to brush her fingers against Fluttershy's cheeks. She couldn't understand why she just couldn't enjoy the moment as it was everything she wanted. Of course she wanted to take things slow with Fluttershy, and this seemed almost a little too fast, but that wasn't what was bugging Sunset about this situation. 

"What, I'm not good enough for you?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes narrowing. "Then again, I'm just a dork, right?"

"What, I'd never say that about you Shy!" Sunset gasped out as Fluttershy leaned back a little.

"You did you monster! Why don't you go kill yourself you freak! Nobody loves you anyways!" Fluttershy snarled as she pulled a knife out from somewhere as the sky all of a sudden became overcast, the dark clouds blocking out most of the sun.

"Why are you saying these things?" Sunset sobbed out, reaching up to Fluttershy who stayed in her spot with a dark look on her face. With a grin, Fluttershy lashed out with the knife slashing across Sunset's wrists splashing blood on both girls as the pink haired girl started giggling madly.

"Because I hate you, Sunset." FLuttershy giggled, licking the blood from the knife slowly. "I hate you so much that I just want you to die!"

"FLUTTERSHY!" Sunset screamed trying to sit up, but found herself restrained in bed. She started thrashing for a few moments before a new voice calmed her down.

"Hey, wake up honey, your having a nightmare." The voice said softly, gently as it's tone seemed to calm Sunset down as she sobbed.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't do it!" Sunset sobbed as the new woman gently ran her fingers through Sunset's hair, stroking the girl's head as she cried herself out.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" The new woman asked, wearing scrubs that looked a lot like her nurse from yesterday.

"I'm sorry, I was just having a bad dream." Sunset admitted, her voice cracking as the woman reached over to the table and held the cup up to her lips taking a sip. Even if Posey didn't make sure she was restrained for the night after Velvet had to leave, Sunset doubted she would be able to hold the cup for herself. As Posey had explianed, when she cut her wrist she had done some minor damage to her muscles and nerves that would heal thanks to the surgery, but the doctor expected a full recovery. Until then she was supposed to take it easy when using her hands. She had found she couldn't get a tight grip on anything, but she figured out how to balance her spoon to eat enough on her own as long as nothing needed cut up or anything. The cup was something else all together as it was just too heavy to lift up easily.

"It's okay honey, we all have them. Would you like to talk about it?" The nurse asked softly, patting Sunset's shoulder.

"Not really." Sunset sighed out, turning to look away.

"Well, we do need to talk still. I'm the on call mental health doctor, Soothing Voice." Soothing Voice said making Sunset wonder why the woman wasn't wearing one of those white coats like the other doctors seemed to all wear.

"So you've come to tell me I'm being locked up huh?" Sunset asked, a little surprised at the shake of the woman's head.

"I tend to try and avoid that if at all possible. If somebody has people to care for them I find it better for somebody's helth to be with them instead of forced to be locked up in a lonely hospital room with strangers." Soothing Voice said, her voice seeming to do what it implied, soothing Sunset's fears and anger as the teen laid there just staring at nothing in particular. Pulling a chair over, the woman sat down, crossing her legs as she looked into the young girl's eyes. "This is between us, nobody else will find out. Not your doctor Posey or the family you will be staying with. I need to know though, why did you do this to yourself?"

"Why should I trust you?" Sunset asked, swallowing nervously at the grin on the woman's face.

"Because I'm the one that decides if you get locked in one of those lonely hospital rooms." Soothing Voice said in a teasing manner making Sunset believe she was just kidding yet she couldn't help swalloing nervously.

"You promise you won't tell anyone." Sunste sighed, knowing full well that this world valued the whole doctor and patient confindetiality. 

"I promis." Soothing Voice smiled.

"Fine, I did it because I didn't have a choice. Either freeze to death or end it quickly." Sunset sighed, hoping the woman would drop it at that, but the look she was getting from Soothing Voice told her it wasn't going to be so easy.

"Somehow I get the feeling that there is more to it. Who is Fluttershy? You was crying out her name in your sleep earlier." Soothing Voice said making Sunset blush remebering the dream she was having. She could still feel Fluttershy's lips on hers and how good it had felt. 

"She was a friend." Sunset sniffed, closing her eyes. 

"Was that all she was?" Soothing Voice asked softly, reaching over to comforting rub Sunset's upper arm.

"I loved her, but I didn't feel she could love me. What did I have to offer her? I'm homeless with no family and no way to make money." Sunset sniffed, "Still, I loved her but I could never admit it to her. I was a bully to her and everyone for so long. I worked so hard to make it up to her, to everyone and then someone made it look like I was spreading their secrets over MyStable. They turned on me, the poeple I thought were my friends who told me I was family turned on me!"

"Oh sweetie." Soothing Voice whispered softly, feeling very bad for the crying girl.

"She said she hated me. Fluttershy hates me!" Sunset sobbed out as Soothing Voice did her best to calm the girl down. She felt really bad for the girl and was worried about her trying this again if she wasn't shown that there was people who could and would love her. Thankfully she knew Velvet was going to be taking her in which eased her fears a lot, yet she was going to have to make sure Velvet kept an eye on the girl for now.

"Honey, I truly hat eto say this, but if your friends turned on you so easy then maybe they don't deserve you." Soothing Voice said as Sunset settled down. "I know the woman who is taking you in and she will take good care of you. She will care for you if you let her and she has a really sweet daughter that's your age. I bet you two could be good friends."

"I'm not sure if I want to try to make more friends." Sunset whimpered softly.

"I know it hurts honey, but if your strong then things tend to not only work out in the end, they usually work out for the better." Soothing Voice said, already knowing her reccomendation. Sure she usually got a headache from her superiors, but she always had the satisfaction of being right in the end. She didn't know what it was exactly, but she could always feel what was right for someone to help them heal after just being with them a few minutes. Maybe it was her experience or makybe it was just some kind of unnatural instinct, but she had never been wrong once. "I think it's safe to say that you will be okay going home with Velvet when Posey is ready to release you. Just promise me that you will at least try with her. She's a good woman and won't do anything to hurt you."

"Sure, just more false promises of family and friendship." Sunset sighed which made Soothing Voice a little sad hearing. She would have to talk to Velvet about it and make sure the woman didn't even hint at anything she really didn't mean to follow through on.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I still don't think this is a good idea, Velvet." Posey growled out as she sat behind her desk looking at another patient's file. She was having trouble figuring out what was wrong with them, but she couldn't really do much until the labs came back and they were backed up this morning. 

"And you know I don't care about your opinion on this. I know what you said, that this girl did some horrible things in the past. Don't think I'm stupid enough to take somebody in without having plans to make sure my family is safe.I won't leave a hurting young woman like her alone with nobody on Christmas though like all the other registered foster parents." Velvet said, her voice a little hard. 

She really wish Posey would trust her more, yet that was the entire reason their friendship had ended and had never been repaired despite Velvet's attempts to fix things. She was sure her daughter would be great friends with FLuttershy, yet Posey wanted nothing to do with them. Of course Velvet knew a part of the reason was that Posey blamed Velvet for trying to protect her. 

Posey's husband had been a drunk, but no matter how the doctor defended her husband claiming it was a disease, it didn't explain the abuse. He beat and belittled both Fluttershy and Posey even when not drunk off his rocker and Posey had defended him for so long claiming he loved them. Posey had tried so hard to change him, in the end it was sending Fluttershy to the hospital that finally drilled it into the woman's head that if something wasn't done then one of them was going to be killed, if not both. Posey had pressed charges, had him arrested and thrown in prison and divorced. Yet since then a part of Posey couldn't help blaming Velvet for it all.

"They never want the damaged ones, it's too hard for them to take care of them and help them." Posey scoffed, both of them agreeing that some of those families shouldn't be allowed to take in children because all they wanted was the checks. Something Velvet's family didn't need as Night Light was a scientist and Velvet was a best selling author, both of them bringing in more than enough money so none of them ever wanted for anything.

"Well, can I take her then?" Velvet asked earning a glare from Posey.

"As soon as the doctor says she can go, I think she can." Soothing Voice said surprisng both women. She was a good friend of both of them, yet hated being around both at the same time as you could almost actually cut the tension between them. It was something Soothing Voice understood yet hated as it was stupid. Yet sometimes it was hard getting your head and heart to reconcile with each other over painful matters. 

"I don't think this is a good idea, but I'll go check on her. She really should stay for the forty-eight hours for observation though." Posey grumbled.

"It will be fourty-eight hours tonight though techinically." Velvet pointed out making Posey growl.

"Give me a few damned minutes and I'll see if she can go!" Posey snapped out before storming out of the office, Soothing Voice taking her chair as Velvet hung her head.

"I miss the way we used to be before that bastard." Velvet sighed out, Soothing Voice agreeing with a nod of her head.

"She still hurts Vel, she knows you only did it because you care for her and she still loves you. She's afraid of admitting that you were right and she let her daughter be hurt because of her stubborness." Soothing Voice sighed, knowing it was true. She wasn't Posey's doctor, the woman refusing to see a 'shrink' of any kind.

"I know, it's why I haven't given up." Velvet sighed, "But I think there's something else to it."

"What do you mean?" Soothing Voice asked, arching an eyebrow though she had a feeling that she knew what was on Velvet's mind.

"I'd rather not say, I don't know if it's true or not and I really hope it isn't." Velvet sighed, "What about Sunset Shimmer though? What should I know about her?"

"She has some abandonment issues, but you know I can't talk about details. All I can say is that you need to be extremely careful with her, she's very fragile." Soothing Voice said.

"Do you think she's dangerous?" Velvet asked, a little worried about her own daughter yet she had faith in Twilight that the girl could become friends with Sunset and help the girl over whatever it was that was bothering her.

"No, at least not to anybody else. I turned the camera off before I sent in, but I studied her on the camera when she interacted with the nurses. She was sad, but always very friendly with them and didn't exhibit any malicious tendencies." Soothing Voice explained, "She doesn't need you making her think that she will be staying permanantly with you though, so make sure that you remind he rthat you care but that we are searching for a permanant place for her."

"Okay, I understand that and already intended to do that." Velvet sighed, "Shiny's room has beenemptied out for awhile and w ehave had two other kids stay there tempraily since he moved out and in with Cadence." Velvet explained. "I will be sleeping in a recliner my husband is having put in there to keep an eye on her though to make sure she doesn't do anything."

"I understand that, and I do partially agree with that. You need to be careful about smothering her though and be patient." Soothing Voice said, mentally smacking herself at that. Velvet was the paragon of patience.

"Aren't I always?" Velvet asked with a smile.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Okay, I guess I can have Bright Heart come in and help you get dressed." Posey grumbled, not really wanting to release the girl just yet. True she wanted her out of the hospital as soon as possible, but she didn't feel right letting her go before the usual forty-eight hour observation period for something like this, but her guardian wanted her checked out as soon as possible so she technically had to comply unless it was life threatening to the point she could call Cadence in on it. 

"I can get dressed myself." Sunset huffed, sitting up on the edge of the bed, feet dangling off the side with her toes brushing against the floor.

"Really, so you intend to go out of here without a bra?" Posey asked, arching her eyebrow. Sunset was about to retort as her face burned, but she realized what Posey was talking about. There was no way she was going to be able to get the stupid thing on or zip her skirt or boots up with her fingers unable to really grip anything. 

"Fine." Sunset grumbled, admitting that she may need a little help.

"Sunset." Posey sighed, "I don't know what exactly is going on with you and my daughter, but I am sorry for being so short with you. I am going to write a doctor's excuse for you to stay home this week and by the time Christmas vaction is over with, you should be well enough to go back to school. You will need to come back here so I can check your wrists several times, and after they are healed enough you may have to start physicla therapy."

"I kind of figured." Sunset sighed.

"For what it's worth Sunset, I'm sorry that you felt this was your only option. I may not trust you, but you souldn't have ever felt that this was an option." Posey said softly. "If you ever tell anyone this, I'll deny it, but give Velvet a chance. She's a good woman and a goo dmother, she'll tale very good care of you."

"Will you please keep this a secret from Fluttershy? I don't want to ruin her Christmas by making her worry about me." Sunset sighed, looking down so she didn't see the shocked look cross Posey's face.

"I already plan to, I don't want to ruin my baby's Christmas." Posey grumbled, "Once you get dressed just sit and wait until Velvet comes to get you in a few minutes after I discharge you."

"Thanks." Sunset sighed, watching the doctor turn to leave. She could feel that the woman may not have hated her, but she sure didn't like Sunset. She really did feel bad though that Sunset had to end up here which Sunset could tell as she had been almost as kind as Fluttershy at times. 

"Tell me the truth, why did you do this?" Posey asked, afraid of the answer.

"Tell me, if you were looking at possibly freezing to death would you want to or would you rather end it quickly?" Sunset asked, looking down as she knew it may have been her logical reasoning, it wasn't the main motivation for doing it.

"Look, I may not like you really, but I don't want you to freeze to death. If for some reason you ever find yourself in that situation again come to my house and I'll give you a warm place to stay and something to eat. Okay?" Posey asked, her voice becoming a little gentle making Sunset nod in stunned silence. Posey gave her s small smile before leaving after saying, "Good, and good luck with Velvet."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hi sweetie, how are you feeling?" Velvet asked as she stepped into the room, noticing the redness in the teen's cheeks as she sat on the bed. She couldn't help wondering why she seemed to be either embarrased or angry about, but those eyes weren't those of someone who was angry.

"Humiliated." Sunset sighed as she looked up at the older woman. They had spent a long time yesterday just talking and the teen had to admit that the woman was nice. Though Sunset really didn't look forward to meeting her children after learning what their names were, Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle. Thankfully she knew before being taken to their home because she was sure she would have freaked out otherwise. Spending a couple weeks with Twilight Sparkle wasn't exactly high on her to do list, but she didn't have much choice. 

"What happened?" Velvet asked, before looking to the girl's bandaged wrists then realized what Posey had told her. Sunset would need help with a lot of things, cutting up food, picking anything heavy up, bathing and dressing. She could see why the girl was embarrased as she was dressed and ready to go which meant a nurse must have helped dress her.

"Just a reminder of how stupid I was." Sunset sighed, unsure if she meant she was stupid for actually doing it or stupid for not finishing it.

"It will be okay honey, you'll see." Velvet said, hugging the girl. She already had Sunset's discharge papers folded up in her purse before coming to collect the teenager.

"Sure it will." Sunset sighed, not really believing it. Sure she was going to have a place to stay, but she wasn't looking forward to being bathed and dressed by strangers since she couldn't get her wrists wet. She wasn't even allowed to wash her hands, she had to let the nurse clean them with those fowl smelling wipes in little foil packages and hand sanitizer.

"It will honey, but let's get out of here for now." Velvet said as the girl got up. Velvet helped her slide the worn leather jacket on making the older woman scowl at the condition it was it. It looked ready to fall apart and noone bothered to ask her about it? To maybe even offer to help get another one? What kind of school did she go to?

"Might as well." Sunset sighed as Velvet put an arm around her and led her out of the hospital.

"I hope you feel better honey." Bright HEart said as Sunset passed her as they were leaving.

"Thanks." Sunset said, "Have a Merry Christmas."

"You too sweetheart." Bright Heart said before hurrying off.

"I think we will need to make a stop on the way home." Velvet said as she helped Sunset get buckled in her husband's car. Thankfully she thought ahead of time and switched vehicles as she wasn't too sure if the girl would be able to pull herself up into the minivan.

"What kind of stop?" Sunset asked, shifting nervously as Velvet got in the car herself and buckled up before starting the car.

"To get you some clothes." Velvet smiled before pulling out on the street. "Cadence said that you didn't have a home in your interview."

"I don't, and I only have a few changes of clothes, but I don't know what happened to them." Sunset admitted softly.

"Well, then we will need to get you some new clothes. Especially a new jacket. No offense honey, but that thing doesn't look very warm." Velvet said as she pulled out onto a more busy street.

"It's not, but it's all I have. Besides, it's kind of special to me." Sunset sighed, knowing that the jacket did resemble her original one. It wasn't though as it was one of the few birthday gifts she ever recieved since coming to this world. In fact, it was her first birthday gift that she gotten when she started dated Flash. While they did broke up, she still had feelings for him. Not romantic feelings, but feelings of friendship or even feelings similar to one she would have for a brother, but she couldn't bring herself to love him.

"Well, we can get you a warmer one for now." Velvet said pulling up to a strip mall that had a clothing store that Sunset hadn't seen before. It was a litle surprising that Rarity or Fluttershy hadn't dragged her to this place as they seemed to do so everything they had the urge to shop. Something Sunset normally hated.

"I don't have any money." Sunset sighed, wisghing she could get a warmer coat for winter. Maybe a scarf and gloves and maybe even some earmuffs. Shaking her head at her foolish wishful thinking she looked up to see Velvet already out of the car and having the passenger door open getting the seatbelt off of the teen.

"Don't worry about money, we are getting you some warm things for winter and some outfits." Velvet said helping Sunset out of the car. 

If somebody could spontaneous combust, Sunset was sure she would have more than once over the hour they spent trying on different outfits. In the end Sunset had at the least ten new outfits as well as the coat, gloves, scarf and earmuffs. In fact she was wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater under them with winter boots instead of her normal boots when they left with her old clothes stuffed in a new bag. She also had plenty of new underwear that she couldn't really say she loved the design of, but was too embarrased to argue over them when Velvet asked her if she knew her size. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So, what do you think about this Sunset Shimmer dad?" Twilight asked as she saw her father put the marker down on the large dry erase board wher ethere was numerous equations. She understood some of it, but not all of it as she didn't go into the field of study. Of course she was still in High School so that may have played a part in her not knowing much about the more complex equations, but she still studied some college courses on her own to prepare for a good school after she graduated.

"What I think is that she's a fragile young woman who hit some bad times." Night Light said, cocking his head as he looked at the board with his arms crossed.

"Yeah, but what kind of girl do you think she is? Do you think that we might become friends?" Twilight asked, finally earning her father's full attention. Not that he was ignoring her as he always made time for his little girl, but she knew that sometimes when he was in 'the zone' he could be a little hard to pull away from it.

"Of course I think you two could be friends honey. I mean who wouldn't want to be your friend?" Night Light said moving over to the couch where he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. 

"Yeah, who would want to?" Twilight asked rolling her eyes. Sure she had three friends at Crystal Heart Academy, but for the most part she was a social outcast for being so much smarter than mst of them. She could have probably skipped a few grades, but Velvet wouldn't allow it thinking Twilight needed to experiance a normal childhood that Twilight was thankful for most of the time. She just wished she would have someone who was like a best friend, especially if it was someone as smart as her.

"Honey, just because some people are too blind to see what a wonderful girl you are it doesn't mean everyone is." Night Light said with a smile, though he did feel bad for his daughter.

"Do you think I should try and be..." Twilight said, trying to find the right word as Night Light sat down on the arm of the couch with a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner. "Dumber?"

"Be true to yourself Twilight and I'm sure everything will be fine." Night Light said as a car door could be heard from the garage. "It looks like they're here."

"Yeah, maybe you should move your stuff to the study before mom gets in here." Twilight suggested, giggling at the look on her father's face. Velvet didn't like for work to br brought into the living room unless it was school work and a study group. 

"Maybe your right.." Night Light said as he started to head toward his work before a voice caught his attention.

"Too late for that." Velvet said, her voice sounding a little stern. 

"Honey, we were just wondering when you was getting home." Night Light chuckled softly.

"And we're home, Sunset I'd like you to meet my husband Night Light and daughter Twilight Sparkle." Velvet said softly, "This here is Sunset Shimmer and she will be staying with us."

"Hellow Sunset, welcome to our home." Night Light said reaching out to shake her hand before Velvet pushed it down with a shake of her head making Night Light mentally kick himself. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine." Sunset sighed.

"Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle." Twilight said nervously, smiling as Sunset while shifting nervously on her feet from wher eshe came to greet them.

"Twilight, do you think you can show Sunset up to where she will be staying and help put her things away. Help her get her coat off to please." Velvet said, making Twilight smile and grab the bags from Velvet.

"Sure thing mom." Twilight said leading Susnet away and up the stairs to her room.

"How is she doing?" Night Light asked with worry as Velvet sighed and leaned back into his arms as he hugged her from behind.

"She's hurting, but I don't think she plans on trying it again anytime soon. Still, I'm going to stay in her room for a few nights to make sure." Velvet sighed, "Honey, why do youhave that in here?"

"I was working on it where I could be colse to greet you when you got home." Night LIght said in a thoughtful tone, "But I think I want to leave it there for now."

"What are you talking about?" Velvet nearly growled, but Night Light kissed her cheek and squeezed a little. 

"Didn't you see her looking at it? She wasn't just curios, I think she understood it." Night Light said slowly, unsure if he was right. If he was though the girl could be another geniius like Twilight. Though instead of desiging things like Twilight, Sunset may be into the actual sciences like Night Light himself.

"This isn't some ploy to keep your work in here is it?" Velvet asked in a somewhat cross tone.

"Of course not honey." Night Light chuckled nervously.

"Good, cause I'd have to find another way to punish you since I'm sleeping in the recliner tonight." Velvet teased as she pulled away from her husband. "I think I'll be calling for delivery tonight, be a dear and ask the girls if they want pizza or chinese."

"Yes dear." Night Light replied, head hanging as he made his way to the stairs.

XXXXXXXXX

"I did'nt get this stuff." Sunset paniced a little as Twilight pulled out a couple necklaces, one with a sun and the other a cross from one of the bage with various shades and different types of makeup. She didn't pick those out and didn't even plan on buying half of the outfits that Velvet had insisted on buying her. She was a little worried that maybe Velvet picked up somebody else's bag by mistake.

"No, it's here on the receipt." Twilight said pulling out the sales recietp and cjecking over it. "Mom probably thought they would look good on you so tossed them in when you weren't looking. She does stuff like that all the time."

"How am I supposed to even put that on?" Sunset asked, showing her bandaged wrists. 

"Easy, either mom or me will help you." Twilight smiled as she put the necklaces on the dresser intending to get her a jewlery box for them from her room later. 

"I don't want you guys to go through even more trouble." Sunset sniffed wiping her eyes with the forearm of her sweater's sleeve.

"Do you want to get that off? It's a little hot in here." Twilight said, blushing a little as she realized what she said and how it could have sounded. 

"I'd like that, I have a tshirt on under it." Sunset said as Twilight carefully helped the girl pull the sweater off and drop it off on the recliner. With a sigh of relief Sunset sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at Twilight who double checked to make sure everything was put up in their rightful places. 

"Are you going to be okay?" Twilight asked softly, shifting nervoulsy. Velvet had warned Twilight that somebody should be around Sunset most of the time for at least the first few days, if not longer. Whatever had happened, Velvet was sure it wasn't as simple as Sunset had claimed it to be.

"Yeah, don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to try this twice." Sunset said, looking down at her wrist that was in her lap.

"That's good." Twilight said moving over to sit next to Sunset and put an arm around her and lean her head agsinst the other girl's. "If you want to talk about it, I'll listen."

"There's not much to talk about, all I had was my skirt and ripped up jacket. Either freeze to death or end it quickly." Sunset sighed out. squirming a little.

"Hey girls, what do you want to eat tonight?" Night Light asked, getting the attention of both girls.

"Pizza!" Twilight said happily while Sunset nervously mumbled at the same time, "Pizza."

"Jinx, you owe me a soda!" Twilight cheered as she let Sunset go to turn and face her, pointing a finger. The look on Twilight's face was just so cute and funnythat Sunste couldn't help burst out laughing.

> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, December 14

The night was perfect, Sunset and Fluttershy were both dressed in beautiful dresses as the music flowed around them. It almost seemed that there was a spot light on them as they held each other close, their bodies moving to the music as shadows of what seemed other people danced around them. Of course Sunset didn't run for Princess this time, but she didn't care as she no longer craved the false love that it gave her. People voted for her before because they feeared her, not because they cared about her.

No, what mattered was that she was here with the one girl in the world that she felt she could love. They each seemed to be lost in each others' eyes when their gazes met each other as the music seemed to slow down. Their faces started getting closer and closer, their eyes closing as their lips nearly met.

"I love you Fluttershy." Sunset whispered before being smacked hard and knocked to the floor as laughter erupted all around her.

"Well I hate you!" Fluttershy screamed, tears falling as some of the shadows melted away leaving the other girls. Looking from one to another Sunset could see the pure anger and hatred turned her way as Rainbow Dash cracked her knuckle.

"I think we should strip that dress off her and dump her in the snow where she belongs." Twilight sneered as the sea of shadows parted for her as Sunset covered her chest with her arms, blood staining the fabric of the dress as it poured from her wrist. "She doesn't desevre it or a place to stay and if it wasn't for my mom she wouldn't even have it."

"Please, Twily, don't say that!" SUnset sobbed, backing away until her head hit something. Closing her eyes and reopening them Sunset found herself in the bed where she went to sleep earlier. Looking at the clock on the nightstand she was that it was ontl just past midnight and Velvet was in the chair, a book with a book light in her lap as the woman apparently nodded off reading.

Climbing from the bed, Sunset made her way to the bathroom while be careful not to wake the woman. She debated stopping to get a robe, but doubted she could get it on and tied. Using the restroom was a bit of a challenge as was washing her hands, but she turned the water on slow so there was no splash and was careful not to get the bandages wet. Once finished she wanted to cry as it had stung a lot more than when she ate the pizza, but she was able to balance it on her hand so she didn't have to be humiliated by being fed by someone.

Heading back to the room, she noticed a light on downstairs so carefully made her way to the living room where she found Night Light staring at the dry erase board he was working on earlier. He didn't seem to notice her as she moved to where she could see it, standing close to him. It looked almost like the same equations used with some advanced magic, which she studied a lot. It also looked like stuff she read in those college level ooks she read when at the library before the Fall Formal. Looking at it she noticed that one number was off if she was right.

"I think that should be a three." Sunset said making Night Light jump in shock, nearly making Sunset giggle a little.

"Oh Sunset, you scared me there for a second." Night Light said, chuckling. "What are you doing up?"

"I needed to use the bathroom and saw the light on." Sunset replied, looking over the equation once again. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure the eight should be a three."

"You know, I think you're right there." Night Light said, cocking his head and looking over the equation again. "That fixes everything, I've been trying to figure out where I messed up at all day."

"Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes." Sunset said, offering a nervous smile.

"Well thank you, that helps me out a lot." Night Light said scratching the back of his neck after changing the eight to a three per Sunset's suggestion. "So you understand this?" 

"Well, pretty much, it's just a simple equation." Sunset said, wondering if she said something wrong as Night Light's jaw dropped.

"Sunset, that isn't just a simple equation. Most of my students can't even do equations half this complicated at first." Night Light said with awe in his voice.

"I'm sorry if I did something wrong." Sunset said softly.

"Don't be sorry." Night Light said hugging her, "Don't ever be sorry for being smart. It's a wonderful gift that should be nurished."

"Thank you." Sunset said blushing, unsure of what else to say. She wasn't used to compliemts like this. She hated to admit it, but she never even got compliments from her friends that often. She actually got more hurtful comments from them than compliments even though she told them that there was no offence taken. 

"I think I'm done here for the night, care to have a cup of tea with me?" Night Light asked making Sunset a little nervous. She really didn't know this family too much yet despite feeling that she knew Velvet somewhat and Twilight a bit more. She had heard horror stories of foster children and really didn't want to end up being just another victim. "Don't worry honey, I'm not going to hurt you. And if anyone tries, just tell me and I'll make sure they pay for it."

"O-Okay." Sunset squeake dout, her voice hitching at first.

"I think there's even some pizza left. Do you like it cold or warmed?" Night Light asked.

"You're going to think I'm weird." Sunset said, hating herself for her emotions being a roller coaster as her nervousness had quickly turned to shyness, something she really wasn't before. Yet she felt a bit of a connection to this man and found herself trusting him even if a part of her was still a little nervvous about him.

"I wouldn't think your weird, what is it?" Night Light asked as he pulled the pizza out of the fridge while Sunset sat at one of the stools by the kitchen island.

"I kind of actually prefer pizza cold." Sunset said softly which got Night Light chuckling a little as he fetched a couple of glasses.

"So do I actually, it just has this taste to it that's hard to explain. My wife thinks I'm crazy, nice to know someone else on my side." Night Light said as he grabbed a straw for Sunset and the pitcher of iced tea.

"It's kind of weird I guess, but everybody has weird things they like, right?" Sunset asked as she licked her lips watching Night Light open the box between them. 

"Personally I like pasta cold if anything." Velvet said surprising the two as the woman hugged Sunset from behind. "Why didn't you wake me up? I was so scared when I found th eroom empty."

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to bother you just because I needed to use the bathroom." Sunset said softlyu.

"Honey, you don't have to be sorry, but please wake me up next time." Velvet said kissing the top of the Sunset's head before claiming the stool on the other side of Sunset and swiping Night Light's glass of tea.

"Okay." Sunset said softly, though she couldn't help feeling kind of good that somebody actually cared that much. 

"Sunset figured out what I messed up on and solved the equation for me." Night Light said making Sunset blush at the attention comng her way. "She's really smart, maybe I can see about getting her a scholorship at the University."

"What?" Sunset asked in shock, not sure f she heard right. She had more or less resigned herself to not being able to do much of anything after High School when she really didn't have a way to do so.

"Well only if you want to go there. The University has scholarships for those that are exceptionally gifted or have a lot of potential. For you to unserstand that equation enough to actually point out my mistake when I was havibng a ahred time doing so myself is a sign of you either being very lucky or very smart. Personally, I think very smart." Night Light said with an encouraging smile.

"Maybe we can talk about school later." Velvet said, "Though it is a good idea. For now, you two should finish your snack because you have school tomorrow Night."

"Yes mother." Night Light said, rolling his eyes which got a giggle from Sunset.

After their snack Sunset and Velvet returned to their room, the girl looking at the bed then back to Velvet. She didn't feel right about the older woman having to sleep in that recliner just because Sunset herself messed up. Looking up at the woman who put a hand on her shoulder when she paused before getting to bed.

"Are you okay honey?" Velvet asked squeezing Sunset's shoulder gently in a comforting way. 

"I'm not getting back in bed unless you get in with me." Sunset said, "It's big enough for both of us and it isn't fair that you have to sleep in the recliner. It's bad enough I'm taking you away from your husband."

"Honey, I'm fine in the recliner." Velvet said softly, though the woman rubbing her neck told another story.

"If the recliner is fine then you get in the bed and I'll take the recliner." Sunset said, crosing her arms though she didn't look very intimidating when she winced from hitting her gauze wrapped wound on her elbow.

"Sweetie, I'm really fine in the recliner." Velvet said, though she was starting to think abiut it. The chair wasn't all that comfortable to sleep in and the bed was really big enough for both of them with enough covers for them to have their own set each.

"Besides, it will help me sleep." Sunset admitted softly, "I'm having nightmares."

"Nightmares?" Velvet asked with worry.

"Ever since I woke up in the hospital." Sunset sighed, looking down. She really didn't want to talk about them, especially the last one since Twilight was there as well.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Velvet asked wth worry for the young girl. 

"Because I didn't want anyone to know,  but if somebody was next to me I trusted then maybe they won't bothe rme." Sunset said hopefully, though she wasn't sure if she trused the woman that much. She may not have been a man, but Sunset knew first hand that a female could just as easily have feelings for another female as a male.

"Okay, if I sleep with you, you have to promise me that you will talk aboutthem tomorrow while Twily and Night are at school." Velvet said.

"What all does Night Light do at school?" Sunset asked as the two climbed into bed.

"You haven't answered me." Velvet said before she got comfortable.

"Okay, I'll talk aboutthem if you promise not to tell anyone else aboutthem." Sunset sighed.

"Only if you promise to talk to Soothing Voice about them so she can help with them more." Velvet said.

"Okay, I promise." Sunset sighed, "So, what does Night Light do at school?" Sunset asked softly.

"His main job is researcher, but he also teaches a few advanced classes. Not many people tak ethem so he only has a few classes a week." Velvet explained, "The University isn't the best in the country, but they have good people who care for each other unlike some of the more popular schools in the country."

"That actually sounds nice." Sunset yawned, sleep threatening to overtake her. "Do you think he might be able to get me a scholarship there? I think I'd really like to go."

"Of course he can, honey." Velvet said, her eyes misting over as Sunset fell asleep. How could this sweet young woman who had such a wonderful mind and loving personality be pushed to do what she did? Velvet didn't believe for one moment that Sunset tried to kill herself just because of the weather no matter how logical it sounded. The girl was emotinally hurt and vulnerable and that meant that something else had happened to push her to slit her own wrist. Velvet promised herself that she would do her best to help Sunset not only find the best home possible, but to make sure her mind and heart both were nourished. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Velvet sighed as she looked across the island where she was sitting at the island in the kitchen, the door propped open so she could see the couch where Sunset was sleeping again. She was sure both of them needed a little time apart after Velvert had to help the teen bath, careful of getting the bandages around her wrist wet. The experience was really embarassing for both of them, yet they made it through it as Sunset told Velvet about her nightmares. 

Sunset was hiding something, that much Velvet was sure of. Actually she knew the girl was hiding more than just everything her dreams were about, but Sunset would need time to come to trust Velvet enough to talk about everything. For now Velvet wanted to figure out a way to help the emotinally destroyed girl get over what happened as more of the truth had come to light.

The teen had admitted that in her dreams her friends turned on her, accusing her of something Sunset didn't want to talk about or go into further detail. The point was the girl admitted that it really happened while letting it slip out that one of those girls had hurt her the worse, hinting that she possibly was in love with them. It was horrible that this was happening to the girl, but Velvet intended to do everything she could for her.

Right now though she needed to call the girl's school, and even though Sunset refused to admit what school she was going to Velvet was sure she knew the right one. After all there was only two High Schools in the area and one of them was a private school that Twilight attended. The other was ran by two of her oldest friends that along with herself and Psey was called the Four Musketeers by a lot of people. 

"Thank you for calling Canterlot High School, Pricipal Celestia speaking, may I help you?" Celestia finally answered the phone making Velvet sigh in relief. 

"You do know that I've been on hold for ten minutes, Tia." Velvet said a little sourly into the handset she held up to her ear.

"Sorry Vel, we're really busy here. If the holiday preparations weren't enough, I'm dealing with a scandal that is putting the students on edge." Celestia sighed, making Velvet wonder just what was going on and if perhaps Sunset was somehow involved.

"What's going on?" Velvet asked, unsure if she would get a straight answer or not. While Luna was a little more open with her about things, Celestia was more intent on sticking to the rules and not revealing things about the students to outside sources without a parent's permission first.

"One of my students that used to be a huge bully decided to go back to her old tricks." Celestia growled out, "And to make it worse, my sister is wasting time investigating it more instead of trying to get ahold of those idiots to get the account removed."

"I thought your school's MyStable setup was ran by a third party that closed down for Christmas." Velvet said, wondering just what was going on to have Celestia in this foul of a mood.

"They are, but interviewing a bunch of students to try and find the culprit when we already know who it is is a waste of time." Celestia sighed, "Vel, if this isn't important then I have to go. She didn't come in today and I need to go over to her home and talk to her parents about this. This can't go on anymore, we already had three fights today because of this."

"What's this girl's name?" Velvet asked slowly, biting her lip hoping that she was wrong.

"Vel, you know I can't tell you that." Celestia groaned out.

"What's her address?" Velvet asked, once again getting a frustrated sigh from Celestia.

"Vel, if you don't need anything I have to go." Celestia said before Velvet repeated what she was sure the address she was given by Cadence and Posey was. "How do you know that?"

"Because Sunset Shimmer is asleep on my couch right now." Velvet said, having to pull the phone away from her ear from Celestia's scream. "Calm down!"

"Calm down? Are you insane?" Celestia demanded to know, her voice full of anger and frustration, though Velvet was sure there was also a hint of worry.

"Celestia, what is going on?" Velvet asked slowly, with as much authority she could put in her voice.

"I can't discuss that with you..." Celestia managed to say before Velvet cut her off.

"Well seeing as I'm the girl's legal guardian right now, you very well can. I want to know what is going on!" Velvet demanded, growing a little angry herself.

"That ungrateful brat threw the second chance she was given back in her froiends face and broke the promise she made to me to not get in any more trouble." Celestia hissed out angrily making Velvet herself angry. She knew Celestia could get moody during this time of year as the workload right before the holidays more than doubled. Velvet refused to accept that as an excuse for the shattered teen on her couch ending up in that condition.

"I'm going to say this one time only, Tia. Don't talk bad about her. Not to me and not around me. I want to know what the hell is going on right now." Velvet growled out.

"She made a fake account and has been posting secrets and embarrassing photos of all the students. It's worse than a tabloid." Celestia growled, "And I can't even get ahold of anybody to get it taken down!"

"Has she posted anything over the last few days?" Velvet asked softly, her anger quickly slipping away.

"Yes, she even posted something before school this morning." Celestia said making Velvet smile sadly. It meant she was right, Sunset was inocent of it yet at the same time sad because whoever was had caused Sunset to try and kill herself. Velvet didn't buy that Sunset tried to kill herself because it was going to be cold all night. There was stores open all night at the very least that she could have went to to keep warm.

"Well it wasn't Sunset then, I have a doctor's excuse for the week for her here. There's no way she could have done anything since Friday night." Velvet said with a little more smugness than she meant to.

"And why is that?" Celestia huffed out.

"Because she tried to kill herself and has been in the hospital since then until yesterday when I brought her home. She's been with either Night, Twily or myself the entire time since coming home." Velvet replied. She was actually afraid that Celestia had hung up until her shakey voice came over the phone.

"This is a joke, right Vel?" Celestia whimpered, making Velvet feel a little bad for her friend.

"I'm afraid not, Tia. She's really hurting though she's trying to hide a lot of it." Velvet said. "I think it's better that I take her out of CHS Tia."

"What? You can't do that, Vel. She needs an education." Celestia said, her voice unsteady and if Vel knew her friend, the woman was crying on the other end of the line.

"I'm sorry, Tia. She was hurt very badly at that school and I think it will be better I transfer her to Crystal Heart with Twily or home school her." Velvet said rubbing her temples. She really loved her friend, but just a few short minutes ago it sounded at if Celestia was ready to persecute Sunset, and holiday frustration just wasn't an excuse. "Will you please bring me a copy of her records."

"At least let me talk to hr first, Vel." Celestia pleaded, something in her voice making Velvet want to give in. She refused to though, Sunset needed somebody there for her not somebody to force her to go back to an obvious toxic enviroment.

"If she wants to talk to you then she can, but I'm not forcing her." Velvet sighed.

"I'll come by as soon as I can, I need to talk to Luna about this. I'm not sure what to do." Celestia sniffed, her voice low and full of sorrow.

"I'll see you then I guess, Tia. Give Luna my best." Velvet said hanging up the phone. She kind of wished that it was one of the old style ones as a part of her felt as if slamming it down would have been better.

"Why did you stand up for me to her?" Sunset's voice came from the couch, making Velvet look again to barely see Sunset's eyes peering over the back of the couch, her hair a little messy from napping.

"Because you need somebody that cares for you in your corner. and I care." Velvet said as she got up and walked into the living room. Sunset sat up and watched her as she walked around and sat next to Sunset, pulling the youger girl into a hug.

"Why do you care?" Sunset asked, a little shocked that a virtual stranger cared more than her friends.

"Why shouldn't I? So far you've given me no reason not to care." Velvet said, rubbing Sunset's back. 

"Thank you." Sunset sighed, nit really sure what to say. She hated feleing like this, she knew she used to be strong and confident, but most of that was taken away by Twilight Sparkle and her friends. For awhile she regained some of it through becoming friends with the girls, then helping on the sirens' defeat. No matter how much confidence she managed to regain she was never able to admit her growing feelings for Fluttershy. Not it didn't really matter as she was shown that none of that really mattered and what little confidence and strength was taken from her by the firends who told her she was like family to them. 

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Posey grumbled about the incompetence of the newest interns as she scoured her desk for a simple sheet of paper to take some notes down on. She was reviewing Sunset's files again after cadence delivered adoption papers and other paperwork that Social Services would need for the girl when a permanant home was found, if one could be.

Looking over her office she noticed Sunset's bag sitting under her coat rack, remembering that she was planning on dropping it off at Velvet's later since the girl forgot it when she left the hospital. With a small smile she went to pick up the bag to look and see if the deliquent had any actual school supplies or if the bag was full of drugs.

"Damn it, Posey, stop thinking that way." Posey hissed at herself, feeling ashamed for her thoughts of the poor girl. She really didn't like Sunset a lot, but the girl wasn't that bad. She needed to stop taking her frustration out on everyone around her as it already cost her enough s it was.

Taking the bag back to her desk she dropped back in her chair nd opened the bag up. She couldn't help feeling a pang of sorrow at the couple changes of clothes wadded up in the bottom and a few school books and a notebook. Pulling the notebook out she started flipp9ng thorugh the pages looking for blank sheets until she caught sight of Fluttershy's name. Flipping it back she found doodles of butterflies, the same ones that Fluttershy wore on more than one page as well as Fluttershy's name written over and over in stylized lettering. Swallowing nervously she flipped the page to the last one that was written on to find a letter, Sunset's suicied note that made more than a few tears spill joining the dried wet spots on the page.

"Oh Sunset, I'm so sorry." Posey choked out, looking up as an orderly came in carrying a couple reams of copy paper for her printer/copier. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and glared at the young man. "About time."

"Sorry Ma'am, I had to help downstairs." The nervous young man said after putting the paper on the desk.

"It's fine, thank you." Posey sighed, mentally kicking herself for letting her anger and frustration get to her. She felt as if her ex was poisoning her as she was finding it harder and harder to let the negative feelings go. Thankfully everytime she saw her daughter all bad feelings fled as if Fluttershy had a holy light that banished all darkness around her.

"I have more deliveries to make, Ma'am, have a good day." The man said, giving her a smile.

"You to, thank you for bringing me the paper." Posey said, smiling as the man seemed to brighten up a bit before nodding and hurrying off. Grabbing the first ream she ripped it open snd stuffed a stack of paper in the tray of her printer and quickly made a couple copies of the note before shoving the notebook back in the bag. She left the copies on her desk with the file before heading to the door. She didn't have any appointments and the only reason she was here was to fill out the papers as a favor to Cadence. Right now she had something more important to do though.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"So, you have to let it simmer for a few hours?" Sunset asked curiously, sitting at the kitchen islan on a stool watching Velvet stir the large pot of homemade spaghetti sauce. She knew that cooking probably wasn't all that easy, but cooking completely from scratch looked like it took so much effort.

"Yes, well I like to, it makes it taste better." Velvet nodded, "So you really are enjoying watching me doing this boring stuff?" 

"If my wrists weren't so sore I'd be helping you if you let me." Sunset replied with a smile, meaning every word. It would be nice doing something like this with a mother figure while leaarning how to do it at the same time. 

"I'd love the help, honey. Twily hates cooking, and even if she didn't, she could burn water." Velvet sighed, "I love her, but cooking just isn't her thing."

"I'm not sure how I'd really be, I'm not usually a patient person to tell you the truth." Sunset admitted, "But something about just spending time with you doing it was fun."

""Well I'm happy your enjoying yourself." Velvet said as she walked by, kissing the top of Sunset's head like she often did to Twilight before catching herself. Brushing it off she looked toward the door when th ebell rang making her wonder just who could be there. She doubted it was Celestia yet, though you could never be sure with that woman. "I'll be right back honey."

Walking to the door, partialyy wondering if it was a good idea to leave Sunset in the kitchen alone. she was happy to realize she didn't have to wonder as Sunset followed behind her. Looking throughthe peephole she saw the pink hair of her old freind standing on the porch making Velvet sigh. She hoped that Posey was there for something good, but the way their relationship was made it very doubtful.

"Hey Posey." Velvet said as she opened the door, letting the woman into her home as Sunset looked on nervously as Posey held a bag out to Velvet after stepping inside.

"You forgot this, it's Sunset's things." Posey said nervously, her eyes red and puffy worrying Velvet. 

"Did you look in it?" Sunset said nervously, reaching for the bag momentarily before realizing she wouldn't be able to take the bag on her own.

"I'm sorry, I needed a sheet of paper and was going to borrow some from your notebook." Posey sighed, "I saw your doodles and your note."

"Note?" Velvet asked, looking between the two.

"I wrote a note before I killed myself." Sunset sighed softly, her eyes tearing up a little. "Please don't tell them, especially Fluttershy. I don't want her thinking this was her fault. I did this to myself." 

"You really are innocent, aren't you?" Posey asked, letting a few tears slip free at the theens nod. The doctor pulled Sunset into a hug. "I'm so sorry, honey. I've been so mean to you these last few weeks beliving you were just using my daughter and her friends."

"I'd never do that." Sunset cried as Posey stroked her back.

"Why don't we go in and get comfortable." Velvet said, feeling bad both her old friend and the teen who was now sobbing loudly. The poor girl seemed to e on a constant rolloer coaster of emotions, but she supposed that was to be expected from a young woman who recently tried to end her life.

Within minutes the trio were seated at the island kitchen with a plate of cookies and milk for everyone, Posey smiling a little as they were her favorites. Things seemed to be a little tense though as Sunset really didn't want anybody finding out about her letter as she was ashamed of being a little spiteful in it despite being angry and upset when she wrote it. Posey herself was a little nervous being in her friend's home after so long, not really wanting to step foot in it in what seemed like forever.

"Thank you for bringing Sunset's things." Velvet inally said after everybody ate several cookies quietly. She supposed she may as wel broke the silence between the three.

"I wanted to apoligize to you anyways, Sunset. For both the way I treated you and if it's true, the way your friends and my daughter treated you." Posey said softly. 

"Don't be sorry." Sunset sighed, looking down at her glass of milk with a straw in it. She really wished she could keep a good hold on a cookie to dunk it, but settled on being able to pick it up in the palm of her hand enough to eat it. She felt so clumsy doing so, having to blance everything between fingers or on her hand. "I didn't take any offense by it."

"Sunset, honey, if your trying to bury your emotions it won't help you. It'll only hurt you in the end." Velver said softly, putting a hand on the teen's arm.

"It doesn't matter, it's in the past." Sunset sighed, Posey groaning as a memorty surfaced. She remembered the few times that Sunset was around the girls and they kept saying things that Sunset would respond to their half hearted 'no offense' by replying 'none taken.' Looking at the girl, her expression a little similar to how it was during those times was like a splash of cold water.

"It isn't, is it? This has been building up for awhile, hasn't it?" Posey asked slowly, praying that she was wrong because if she was right it meant that Posey could have possibly helped prevent this from happening.

"It doesn't matter." Sunset said softly, her eyes watering as Velvet rubbed her arm.

"It matters to me, Sunset. If something is bothering you, you need to talk about it. I'll be here to help you if you let me." Velvet said as the girl started shaking.

"Fine, you two want to know the truth? Okay then, here's the truth. I've hated myself ever since my fall from grace. It was bad enough when I realized what a monster I've been to everyone, but to have the very people who were supposed to be my friends constantly reminding me about it just made me hate myself more." Sunset said, crying softly as she tried to ball up her fist only to hiss out in pain. Posy grabbed her hands and held them straighter as Velvet hugged her from the side.

"I'm so sorry I didn't put a stop to it." Posey sniffed, angry at herself for letting things get bad enough for this girl to try and kill herself.

"It's not your fault, and honsetly I was okay with it as long as I had her nearby." Sunset cried, "When she said she hated me, I couldn't take it anymore. She said she hated me. She hates me."

"Shhhh, it'll be okay." Velvet cooed as Sunset tried to rock back and forth as she sobbed out that somebody hated her over and over. Velvet and Posey both tried to comfort her until Sunset cried herself to sleep. Picking her up Velvet carried her into the couch where Posey picked the blanket that was left there and fixed the pillow there as Velvet carefully laid the teen there letting Posey cover her up.

"I can't believe I thought she could ever be a monster." Posey sighed, looking down at the girl as she slept. "She looks so sweet."

"Sometimes we make mistakes, Posey. All we can do is try to fix them and move ob when we realize that we made them." Velvet said softly, the two moving back to the kitchen.

"What if it's hard to fix your mistakes, Vel? What if you already drove the people you care about away before you realize they were right all along?" Posey sniffed, unable to look at Velvet now. The woman gently tipped Posey's head back with a finger under her chin.

"If they are real friends they will always be there waiting for you to come back to them." Velvet said opening her arms, Posey hesitating a few moments before throwing herself in those waiting arms while Velvet hugged her tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Vel." Posey cried, "So many years because of my anger and stupidity."

"Shhh, you aren't stupid. You had every right to be upset, I just wish you didn't have to be hurt so bad." Velvet said storking her friend's har.

"You know, I'm actually taking anger management classes and going to therapy." Posey sighed.

"That's a good thing, and if you ever need anything I'll be here for you. I'll always be here." Velvet whispered.

"I know I reject your offer every year, but if you plan on making it this year, I think we might actually come." Posey said, "I thinki maybe it's way past time we stop arguing."

"Does this have anything to do with Sunset?" Velvet asked softly, unsure of what to say but happy that she may have her friend back after so long. 

"Maybe, I saw what a monster I've been to her and it made me see how I treated you even when you always did your best to be there for me." Posey said as she pulled back from her friend. "I'm sorry to both of you, but I'll do my best to make things up."

"Just don't wait so long before you stop back by and I'll be happy." Velvet said giving a teary smile to Posey.

"I won't, I promise." Posey said hgging her friend again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Fluttershy hated avoiding her friends, especially since she felt so lonely and empty at the moment. She hadn't seen Sunset since Friday night and was getting very worried about the girl despite being angry and hurt. She didn't want to believe Sunset was behind everything, but there was no other explanation that any of them could come up with. Not that the othere cared enough to try coming up with more possibilities, but it's something Fluttershy was still trying to do with no luck. The photos came from Sunset's phone and it had never left the girl's possession.

At least she had an excuse to avoid the girls tonight as her mother was taking her Christmas shopping then they were planning to go out and eat afterward. Walking into Posey's office, Fluttershy couldn't help sighing when she found it empty with her mother nowhere to be found. Seeing Posey's ohone on the desk though meant that she had to be somewhere nearby so Fluttershy decided to wait.

Going over to the desk to see if maybe Posey left her a letter, Fluttershy looked over the paperwork to see something with Sunset's name on it. Picking it up she noticed it was some kind of letter which she quickly read over, having to read over it again to make sure she read right as she held a hand over her mouth in horror. Praying that it was some sick joke, Fluttershy sifted through more pages seeing x-rays's and mentions of Sunset slashing her wrists and comments about how the original x-rays must have been wrong as the following ones after she woke up showed a lot less damage done and there was no way they could have healed so quickly. All Fluttershy could do was stare n shock though at the letter as the fact that she had been a huge part of driving SUnset to doing this.

Angrily, she made a copy of the letter and a couple pages of the file on the desk that was easy to understand. Sure she could understand a lot of it actually as her mother taught her a lot, but the others wouldn't understand it. Still, what they would understand was enough evidence to prove that Sunset wasn't Anon-A-Miss so Fluttershy could shove the fact down her so called friends' throats.

XXXXXXXX

"This is a lot better than the school's." Sunset said, her eyes widening momentarily in delight. Velvet just had her test the sauce that was pretty much finished, just simmering waiting for the noodles to be cooked and for dinner to arrive.

"I hope so." Velvery laughed, "This is homemade from my gram's recipie." 

"It must be nice." Sunset sighed wistfully.

"What must be?" Velvert asked curiously.

"Having a family that loves you." Sunset sighed, looking down hugging herslef as she realized what she just said. Something she always thought about, but not something she ever admitted out loud to anybody before. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"Oh sweetie, there is a family out there just waiting to love you. Look at us, we care so much about you. We will find you a family that wants to give you a permnant home, I promise." Velvet said, her heart going out to the girl. She really did hope that Cadence could find the perfect home for the teen as it seemed that she had been through so much to reach this point and despite seeming to be hurting to most people, Velvet knew she was still puttig up a front trying to keep some sembalance of strength and control.

"I'm sorry if I'm not holding my breath." Sunset sighed, "Sorry, let'[s change the subject, please."

"Okay honey, why don't I put something on the TV for you?" Velvet asked, the teen smiling at that a little. 

"That'd be nice, thank you." Sunset said, managing to keep any hint of anger out of her voice. She was angry with herself for being in her current state of having trouble even using a remote. She had little doubt that she would have to be handfed by Velvet if the damage to her wrist was any worse than it was. Thankfully straws let her drink by herself, even if somebody had to prepare the drink, and she could eat by herself for the most part. She didn't think she'd be able to deal with more humiliation than having to be bathed.

"Sunset." Velvet started when they got to the living room, Sunset sitting on the couch as Velvet picked up the remote, running her fingers over the buttons. "I want you to know that even when you do have a family that adopts you, I'll always be here for you if you need anything. No matter what it is, I'll be here for you."

"Thanks." Sunset said, giving the woman a somewhat teary smile. It actually meant a lot that the woman cared for her and done everything that she had for her. She seriously doubted Celestia would have taken her in like this despite claiming she'd do anything for her students. Yet she went to try and talk to her after first starting at Canterlot High and see if there was any help she could provide, yet the woman brushed her off. There was just something in her eyes that made the woman look both angry and hurt seeing Sunset, but Celestia had told her that she should go see Luna as she was busy. It was part of the reason Sunset gave up trying to be good at all and decided to just take what she wanted by any means neccessary seeing how neither Celestia wanted anything to do with her.

XXXXXXXXX

"Fluttershy, what are you doing here?" Posey asked as she just about walked right into her daughter at the entrance to the hospital.

"We were supposed to go shopping then dinner, mom." Fluttershy said, stuffing something into her purse making Posey a little curious to what it was.

"You know what, lets go ahead and go. I think the file I was working on can wait until the morning. It isn't like it has to be done right this moment." Posey said hugging her daughter, not wanting to let go. Seeing Velvet and Sunset reminded how lucky she was to have such a good friend and an even better daughter. 

"Mom, are you okay?" Fluttershy asked as she pulled away, looking up at Posey who was wiping a few tears away. All anger at not being told about Sunset draining away as Posey looked a little upset yet happy at the same time.

"I'm fine honey." Posey said, running her fingers through her daughter's hair before tilting her head up a little to lock eyes. "I love you honey, please don't ever doubt that."

"I know mom, I love you to." Fluttershy sniffed, realizing what was wrong. "This is about Sunset, isn't it?"

"You saw the file on my desk, didn't you?" Posey sighed, dropping her hands to her sides and drooping her head.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help looking when I saw her name. Did she really do that?" Fluttershy asked, hoping that maybe she was wrong. The sadness in her mother's eyes confirmed that Sunset actually did do that.

"She made me promise not to tell you or the girls." Posey sighed, "She really cares about you."

"I don't deserve her." Fluttershy sobbed throwing herself into her mother's arms.

"Shhh, honey, she doesn't hate you or blame you. Just take this as a hard earned lesson to trust your friends more." Posey cried as she held onto her daughter as she was taking this whole thing as a lesson as well. She had apologized to her friend, but she knew it would take time before they were like they were before, if they ever were. The same would probably happen with Sunset and the girls, though something told Posey that her daughter had the best chance of succeeding. 

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, December 15

Fluttershy couldn't decide if she was shaking more because of the cold or her ever changing emotions as she walked across the school's campus to meet with her friends in front of the statue in front of the main entrance. She had sent messages to them all last night asking to meet up before school since Fluttershy really didn't think she could make it through the day without getting what she wanted to say off of her chest.

"Hey Shy, what's up?" Rainboe Dash asked, catching the soccer ball she had been bouncing on her knee as the others all either leaned or sat on the new benches that was put next to the large statue. Even Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom was sitting on one of the benched hunched over Sweetie Belle's phone looking at something.

"I wanted to tell you that Sunset didn't do it." Fluttershy sighed, a little surprised when Rainbow Dash glared at her.

"Shy, you need to stop pining for thet traitor! Look what she did to the school, everybody is at each others' throats!" Rainbow Dash snapped out.

"Darling, we know you care for her, but there is a time to realize that sometimes not everybody can be saved." Rarity said softly, coming up to Fluttershy and putting a hand on Fluttershy's shoulder only to have it slapped away.

"And sometimes you need to get over your ego and hurt feleings and realize that you were wrong!" Fluttershy hissed out as tears started falling yet again. She was happy that she didn't wear any mascara this morning or she would have already been a mess before now.

"Fluttershy, that snake betrayed us." Applejack said, crossing her arms after pushing her hat up to look at Fluttershy with a look of pity and anger.

"Come on Shy, forget her. Cheer up already!" Pinkie Pie said, going in for a hug only to be pushed away by the pink haired girl.

"You think you all are so perfect, well look at this!" Fluttershiy sobbed out as she pulled the papers out of her bag and shoved them at Rarirty who barely managed to catch them. As she looked at them she couldn't hold back a sob of her own as she covered her mouth with a hand, the other shaking uncontrollably as it clutched at the paperwork.

"What have we done?" Rarity sobbed out, shaking her head in disbelief.

"What in tarnation are you talking about?" Applejack asked, grabbing the papers only to have a similar reaction as Rarity. "She tried to kill herself?"

"As you can see, some of those are copies I made from my mom's official files. Sunset was in the hospital almost all weekend. According to my mom, the people she's staying with has been with her the entire time making sure she doesn't try to kill herself again." Fluttershy cried, glaring at Rainbow Dash who was shaking her head.

"Shy, this isn't the time to be joking around." Rainbow Dash croaked out, though she knew Pinkie and herself were the pranksters, not Fluttershy.

"She isn't joking, darling." Rarity cried, "There's no way Sunset could be Anon-A-Miss. There were posts made when she was in the hospital."

"We did it." Sweetie Belle sobbed out getting their attention as she slowly walked to the others, flanked by a very scared looking Scootaloo and Apple Bloom following.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"She tried to kill herself?" Sweetie Belle gasped out, almost dropping the phone they were looking at. They were checking out the newest comments on the Anon-A-Miss profile, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom a little angry that Scootaloo had made more posts after what happened Friday night. They had agreed that they were going to stop posting new things, but Scootaloo had went ahead and posted the new secrets that were sent to them via the profile's private messaging system.

"It's some kind of joke." Scootaloo said, shaking her head trying to dismiss the possibility that it could be real. If it was real then that meant that they were behind pushing one of their sisters' best friends to trying to kill herself. 

"We have to tell them." Apple Bloom sniffed, standing up from the bench.

"Are you crazy! They'll never speak to us again." Scootaloo cried out, wincing from the volume her voice took though wa sthankful that the others didn't seem to notice as they huddled around the papers passing them back and forth.

"Apple Bloom is right, this went on for way too long as it is." Sweetie Belle sighed getting up with Apple Bloom while Scotaloo crossed her arms. 

"Who do you care more about? Sunset or me? You know they will never talk to me again if you tell them! Unlike you two I don't have a real sister there!" Scootaloo sobbed out as she pointed to the other girls just a few feet away.

"We love you Scootaloo and so does Rainbow Dash so don't go thinking that any of us is going to just throw you away." Sweetie Belle said, hugging her friend. "This has to end though."

"Fine, but if this goes south I'm leaving!" Scootaloo hissed out, but her friends hugged her before slowly walking over to the others.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"What are you talking about?" Rarity asked, her eyes locking onto the nervous expression that filled Sweetie Belle's face.

"It's my fault, I started the whole thing." Apple Bloom sniffed, rubbing her eyes. "You were just spending so much time with Sunset Shimmer and you were ignoring me! It's Christmas and you were supposed to be there for me, for all of us Apples, instead you were spending so much time with her. I made the Anon-A-Miss account so you would stop spending so much time with Sunset, I never knew it would go this far!"

"What about the pictures?" Rarity asked, though she was already beginning to realize what happened and if she was right it meant she was a horrible sister and friend.

"When you all went to sleep at the sleepover, I snuck in and stole Sunset's phone long enough to copy all of the pictures and uploaded them." Sweetie Belle cried out.

"We didn't know it would go so far." Scootaloo finally said, joining in on the confession. "When people started sending in more and more secrets we felt special and popular and I kept posting them."

"How could you do that squirt?" Rainbow Dash asked agrily making Scootaloo hug herself and sob out loud.

"I'm sorry, please don't hate me!" Scootaloo cried out running into Rainbow Dash's arms, the older girl hugging her after a few seconds with a sad smile.

"How could we ever hate you, squirt? You thre are family." Rainbow Dash said softly patting Scootaloo's head.

"We told Sunset she was family to!" Fluttershy snapped out, "And look what happened? Where was your forgiveness when she needed it the most?"

"Shy, I know your upset." Pinkie Pie said, reaching out to Fluttershy only to have her hands knocked away.

"Don't you dare touch me! I was stupid to let you pressure me into chosing between Sunset and you! As of right now I don't want to see any of you until you learn what family really means!" Fluttershy screamed actually getting a few students that were arriving attention. She turned and ran off into the school leaving the girls stunned out just how angry the normally shy and timid girl was.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sunset couldn't help sighing quietly as she rode with Velvet to the mall, unsure if she really wanted to go there right now. They just left Soothing Voice's office and even though she hated talking about things, she was glad she did as the woman left Sunset with a lot to think about. Some of it wasn't very good, but there were several points raised such as if she would be willing to give her friends another chance. And even if she did, would she still want to go to Canterlot High?

The first answer was a lot more complicated while the second was an easy decision. No she didn't want to go to Canterlot High anymore after talking to Soothing Voice. While she expected her friends to have her back, she really didn't expect the same loyalty from the rest of the students yet somewhere deep inside she thought that she had proved herself enough that they wouldn't turn on her the way they did. And if they did it thi time, there was no reason they wouldn't do it again. In the end it would be better to have a new start at a new school where everybody wasn't against her from the beginning looking for her to turn into a monster.

As for her friends, that was a little harder to decide as she still loved them despite the pain they caused. She wanted to believe that she woudl easily forgive them, but was it worth it to do so? It was a miracle that they gave her a chance to be their friend to begin with after several years of bullying. At the same time what they did was worse as they didn't have any real excuses such as being lost and possibly infected with dark magic like Sunset. So would she forgive her friends? She just didn't know.

Even FLuttershy was somebody she just didn't know if she could forgive. She could freely admit it to Soothing Voice that she was in love with Fluttershy at most and had strong feelings for the girl at the least. Being inexperienced in love and romance as she really didn't have those feelings for Flash, at least not to the extent that they were for Fluttershy, she just wasn't sure. If anyone had a chance to be forgiven by Sunset it was that girl, yet at the same time Sunset was hurt the most by her.

"I'm giving you five hundred dollars to buy some things for yourself Sunset and another five hundred to buy Christmas Gifts for everyone." Velvet said as they pulled into the parking lot, finding an empty space more easily because of the school hours. 

"Who do I buy them for?" Sunset asked, looking up to Velvet who gave a soft smile.

"For whoever you want honey, anybody you hold dear in your heart. You aren't required to buy anything for anybody." Velvet said as she leaned over to kiss the top of her head. Sunset felt a little bad about having so much money given to her, but apparently Velvet just got a huge royalty check from her newest book which made the thousand dollars she was giving to Sunset seem like pocket change. 

As they made their way inside of the mall she coldn't help wondering just who she wanted to buy gifts for. Soothing Voice and Posey for sure after helping her so much was a high possibility. Velvet, Night Light and Twilight was a deffinite, but she would have to buy something without Velvet knowing it was for her. Then again if she could get Night Light or even Cadence when she comes tomorrow to take her back out she could buy Velvet something then. Did she want to buy her friends anything though? Why would she after what they did? She doubted that they would buy her anything, yet as bad as they hurt her she couldn't bring herself to hate them even if she didn't think she could trust them any longer.

"Should I get something for my friends? This was going to be our first Christmas as friends." Sunset sighed.

"While I want to tell you to forget them after what they did, I can't. If you care for them and want to buy them something, then I'll make sure that they get it." Velvet said, giving Sunset a half hug as they walked.

"I want to get you all something, but I still don't know if I know you all enough to get you anything." Sunset sighed, realizing that she knew even less about Cadence and her husband and yet she felt as if she wanted to get them something as well. Especially Cadence as she was the one who saved her life.

"Well, I can help you with that." Velvet said, "Twilight loves books, so she'd love any book you got her. Just not a cooking book. Night, well he goes through a lot of ties so you could get him a tie."

"What about you?" Sunset asked softly, looking down.

"The thing I want most is for you to get better and be happy. There's not really much else I can ask for." Velvet said making Sunset give her a teary smile. Wiping away the building tears before they could really fall, Sunset leaned into the woman a bit.

It took them several hours, but most of the store thankfully offered gift wraping services and the one place that didn't there was a booth in the mall that did. So all of Sunset's gifts was currently wrapped and labeled, including a gift for Velvet that Sunset picked out and whispered to the clerk to please wrap it and have it ready to go when they left while Velvet was distracted by looking at something else. The clerk smiled knowingly and did as Sunset asked which surprised Velvet when she paid for everything. Of course Sunset felt bad that the woman was paying for her own gift, but Sunset couldn't carry anything right now and didn't have any income or way to make money.

After they had a good, yet tiring time shopping, they headed to the food court where their good morning came crashing down as they approached a pretzel stand where a young man stood behind the glass case. At first he smiled at Velvet until he noticed Sunset, his smile quickly turning into a grimace.

"What are you doinghere sh-demon? Why don't you go kill yourself already, nobody wants you around." The man sneered at Sunset making her start to hyperventilate. She didn't recognize him really, but he looked like a girl from school so he could he her older brother. Sunset was shocked when Velvet slapped him hard, returning his glare.

"How dare you speak that way about my dau-Sunset! I want to speak to your manager you rude, insignificant little flea." Velvet hissed out angrily. Sunset had never seen the woman angry, and it was  alittle shocking that it was over protecting her.

"Let's just go." Sunset pleaded, hurting over what he said yet not wanting to cost somebody their job this close to Christmas. Velvet was going to say no at first until looking in her pleading eyes and with a sigh and one last glare to the man holding his cheek in shock, Velvet led Sunset away from the food court carrying all of their bags.

"There's an Asian Buffett across the parking lot, honey. We can go over there." Velvet said as they left the mall and headed to the car. "Are you okay?" 

"I'm okay, a little surprised you would do that for me though." Sunset said softly, wiping at her eyes. 

"Of course i would, you don't deserve to be treated like that. I don't know what happened before, but I know you said you changed and all I can see is a sweet young woman who has been hurt badly." Velvet said leaning over to kiss the top of Sunset's head while the girl kept trying to figure out of Velvet was really about to say daughter or if it was just some slip of the tongue.

XXXXXXXXXX

Celestia was beyond angry as the school had been in an uproar after the latest post by Anon-A-Miss just short while ago. There was pictures of an apparent suicide letter as well copies of what looked like official documents from Sunset Shimmer's medical records. While it calmed the anger of the students down when it came to Sunset Shimmer, they were now looking to have Sweetie Belle, Apple Bllom, and Scootaloo's heads. Not that she could fault the sentiment as Celestia was feeling the same in a way, but she wouldn't let her anger cloud her judgement.

"They're here." Luna said as she opened the door, letting the three young girls into the office followed by Luna who closed the door after her.

"We're really sorry." Scootaloo sniffed, unable to look up as the three girls huddled togetehr fearful of what was going to happen to them. Celestia couldn't help feeling a little sympathy towards the three after being filled in by their older sisters when they came to beg to have the Anon-A-Miss account taken down. Sadly they were still waiting for the company behind MyStable to get ahold of them. Luna saw a silver lining in this as after what happened to Sunset Shimmer the school board would now okay her creating it on the school's servers and running it herself.

"Your sisters already told us why you did it, but I want to know if you learned any lessons from this." Celestia said, her voice a little cold as she was doing her best to keep from snapping out at them. 

"Not to do something stupid like this." Apple Bloom cried.

"We didn't mean for Sunset to try and kill herself." Sweetie Belle sobbed out. "We don't hate her, we just wanted our sisters back!"

"I know your sisters and know that they love you deeply and would never abandon you. They regret that they did neglect you and agreed to share your punishment, though they didn't do anything I can punish them for." Celestia said spreading out the three files on her desk. "You three however I do intend to punish. For the rest of this week you three are suspended, though part of the reason for that is to give the students time to cool down and protect you from their wrath. Your real punishment is writing a letter from each of you to Sunset Shimmer telling her how sorry you are and admitting what you have done. After that you three will not be allowed to participate in any school functions for the rest of the year and you will have detention for the next six months."

"What? But that's crazy!" Scootall gasped out.

"No, you used a school funded social network meant for the students to frame a student and push her to trying to kill herself. That is what's crazy! The three of you are lucky you aren't getting expelled, but keep pushing your luck and maybe I can see that that changes." Celestia snapped out slammingher hands down on the desk. She wasn't sure why she was so upset really as she never really liked Sunset a lot to be honest. She saw the young woman as a painful reminder of what she should have had, and after the while otherworldly Twilight, Celestia couldn't help wondering if maybe this Sunset Shimmer was her alternate's daughter and what happened between them.

"I didn't want her to try and kill herself, I just wanted her to stop taking Rainbow Dash's attention." Scotaloo sighed.

"Come on girls, let's go to my office and get those letters written while we wait for your parents." Luna said ushering the three out.

"Don't write those letters if you don't really mean it." Celestia sighed before they made it out of the office.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Can't I just wait out here?" Sunset asked as they pulled into Canterlot High's visitor parking. She really didn't want to go into that place, but Velvet wasn't about to let her stay by herself. She hated being treated this way, but at the same time it felt good having somebody care enough to be this protective.

"Sorry honey, but that's why I had you wear the hooded sweatshirt. I'll help you get your scarf wrapped good and your hood pulled up enough so nobody will recognize you." Velvet said. "When we leave here we'll be stopping off at Crystal Heart so I can speak with Berry Punch about getting you enrolled before we pick Twily up." 

"Did you remember to get the thumbdrive for her?" Sunset asked, remembering that Twilight had asked them to pick one up for her project.

"Yeah, I got a couple of them while you were talking to the clerk about wrapping your presents." Velvet said with a smile before reaching over to pull Sunset's scarf up over her nose a little before pulling the girl's hood up making sure that her hair was inside before getting out and helping the teen out. The walk through the school was quiet since classes were in session at the moment as Sunset stayed close to Velvet mkaing the woman wonder if maybe she should have just waited until later, but when Berry Punch called and told her she had the afternoon free she wanted to get this over with.

" Hi Mrs. Appleby, Is Celestia in?" Velvet asked the woman behind the receptionist desk in the office.

"She is actually, though Vice-Pricipal Luna is busy at the moment." Mrs. Appleby said waving them back. Sunset wallowed nervoulsy when the woman gav eher a strnage look before going back to whatever paperwork she was doing before being interupted. Velvet didn't bother knocking on Celestia's office's door, instead pushing it open as Sunset slinked in after her nervoulsy.

"What are you doing here, Velvet?" Celestia asked in surprise at seeing her friend standing there.

"I wanted to pick up Sunset's paperwork. I'm withdrawing her from Canterlot High." Velevt said, crossing her arms while giving Celestia a look that said she wasn't going to put up with any protest.

"Vel, she might not even want to leave the school." Celestia sighed, looking up with a sadl expression.

"I do, Velvet said she's going to get me in Crystal Heart and I want a fresh start. I'm not getting that here and you know it." Sunset sighed, hanging her head as Velvel pulled her to her side in a half hug. "Look at how easy they turned on me because of Anon-A-Miss."

"You aren't Anon-A-Miss though." Celestia said as she got up to walk around the desk.

"So now you believe me?" Sunset sniffed, staring angrily at her soon to be ex-pricipal.

"I'm sorry, my sister was right though. It never was you, we found out who it was though." Celestia sighed, starting to reach out to the girl but backed away. "I'm so sorry, Sunset."

"It's fine, I just want a new start and I'm not getting that here. It's as much my fault as anything for the way I acted my forst couple years here." Sunset sighed.

"If they don't want to give you a chance then it's their loss, honey." Velvet said, rubbing the teen's shoulder.

"They're finished sister." Luna said, surpring the three as Luna and three younger children came into the office.

"Well, maybe they can tell her in person." Celestia said as Scootaloo looked up at the bundled teenager trying to figure out who it was.

"Sunset?" Apple Bloom asked when she saw the eyes and skin color peeking out from behind the hood and scarf.

"I'm so sorry!" Sweetie Belle sobbed loudly s she launched herself at Sunset, hugging the older girl tightly. 

"I'm so sorry, Sunset. This was all our fault." Apple Bloom cried, hugging herself as Scootaloo kept wiping at the tears leaking from her eyes. It took Sunset a few moments to realize what they were talking about, but she wasn't considered ne of the smartest students for nothing and quickly pieced it together.

"You three were Anon-A-Miss?" Sunset asked in shock, unable to figure out why. "Do you hate me that much?"

"What?" Apple Bloom sobbed out, staring in horror at Sunset.

"We don't hate you, we were jealous that you were taking up all of our sisters time!" Sweetie Belle sobbed out as Sunset gingerly wrapped her arms around Sweetie Belle, her sleeves pulling back a little showing her bandages making Celestia stare in shock. A part of her didn't want to believe it really happened, but there was the proof.

"We're really sorry." Scootaloo cried as she and Apple Bloom took a step forward, unsure if Sunset wanted them any closer. When the older teen opened her arms though they joined Sweetie Belle in hugging SUnset, the older girl gently hugging them back. Sunset couldn't hate them, they were a lot younger than her and they were hurting because they thought they were losing their family. Of course that didn't mean she wasn't upset with them, because she was very upset. It didn't matter anymore though as she was leaving this school anyways.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Sweetie Belle, I want to talk to you." Rarity said, her voice stiff as she came to Sweetie's room. The door was unlocked and she caight her little sister there staring out of the window.

"She doesn't hate us, Rarity." Sweetie Belles sniffed, "Even after what we did she doesn't hate us. Why don't I feel any better though?"

"What are you talking about darling?" Rarity asked moving into the room to joing Sweetie in the bench seat at the window.

"Sunset, we saw her in the office with this other woman." Sweetie Belle sniffed shocking Rarity. "We told her everything and she forgave us."

"So she's okay?" Rarity asked, sighing in relief. She may not have been as close to Sunset as say Fluttershy was, but she still considered the girl her friend, her family and it was destroying her that she had treated Sunset the way she did. 

"She has these bandages on her arms, but she's okay I think." Sweetie Belle sighed, "She's changing schools though."

"What?" Rarity sobbed out as she realized that if Sunset changed schools then there was a chance they might never see her again. She felt as if the world dropped out from under her at the realization.

> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, December 16

Unlike the last week, Sunset actually woke up peacefully snuggled up close to Velvet who was still sleeping soundly with her arm around the younger girl. Sunset couldn't bring herself to pull away from the warmth being given by the woman as she basked in the caring gesture even if the old woman didn't mean it. She was obviously asleep and not consciously hugging Sunset, yet the woman had been spending so much time with her.

That was something that made Sunset feel guilty as she knew the woman was sacrificing time with her husband to watch and make sure the teen didn't try killing herself again. Something that Sunset really didn't plan on doing, especially after seeing the results of the last attempt. Sure she was told she was lucky and the damage was nowhere near as bad as they first feared, but there was still damage that was going to take time to heal. Time where she would need help with a lot of things which she would have to burden others with, which was something she really didn't want to do. Especially since she was nothing to them but an extra body for the holidays.

Yet she was sure that Velvet was going to call her daughter at the mall, which confused her. Throwing around money if you had a lot was one thing, but all of Velvet's actions showed that just maybe Sunset meant something to the woman. Did she dare to hope for that though? Hope for something that she had once dreamed of, only to have her heart shattered by one pony who showed her the same care yet turned her away so easily?

“Your awake?” Velvet asked softly, sitting up in the bed and stretching a little. 

“I didn't mean to wake you up.” Sunset sighed as she averted her eyes from the woman so Velvet wouldn't see the pain and loneliness that was likely showing.

“You didn't dear, but let's go get cleaned up and I'll make some breakfast. You can help again if you want.” Velvet said in encouragement even though Sunset couldn't help rolling her eyes. What did she do to help before? Taste the sauce? Sit around and talk? “I enjoyed your company so much while cooking yesterday. Nobody else here likes taking the time to help cook a good meal.”

“I'll help whenever you want.” Sunset said, giving the woman a hopeful smile. She knew that she wouldn't be around to help for long though.

“That's sweet dear.” Velvet said kissing Sunset's forehead as she climbed out of the bed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The morning had went well, seeing both Night Light and Twilight off leaving Sunset to lounge around on the couch while Velvet curled up on the love seat watching some show or another. It was strange that even though they weren't talking at the moment as they watched the show, or at least while Velvet did, Sunset felt...cared for. It was kind of a strange feeling to her, though not bad. It had only been a couple of days and during that short amount of time she felt connected to this family even if she knew it wasn't hers and never would be.

Sighing internally so not to distract the older woman, Sunset looked down at her bandaged wrists. She was wearing a simple tee and a pair of sweat pants and socks leaving her damaged wrists in full view. She still couldn't get a tight grip on anything, and when she tried it stung really badly, but she could pick things up. It was a start at least and she knew that as soon as the holiday was over and her wrists healed up more she would probably be going to another home. Something she really didn't want to do. She trusted this family despite her best efforts otherwise, hell she cared about this family, but she didn't want to risk ending up with somebody that was out of a nightmare.

“Sunset, if you could have anything for Christmas, anything at all, what would it be?” Velvet asked, drawing her away from her thoughts to look at the curious expression on the older woman. Before she could think about her answer, she blurted out something that made her cringe at the pure sappiness and stupidity of it.

“A family.” Sunset said softly, sitting up and looking down at her wrists as she knew that it was what she truly wanted. No matter how tough she acted or how much she hid her envy of her friends with their families, she wished she had one of her own. And spending the last few days with this one made that desire only grow more. She just wish she hadn't blurted it out as she didn't want to make the woman feel guilty about having to send Sunset away soon.

“You do have a family.” Velvet said softly sitting down next to Sunset, surprising the girl as she didn't realize the woman even got up from her seat. The older woman wrapped an arm around the teen hugging her gently. “You will be spending Christmas here with us.”

“Thanks.” Sunset said, trying her best to sound cheerful and thankful though she didn't really feel that way. The longer she stayed here, the harder it was going to be on her when they sent her away. Would Twilight still want to be friends after Sunset left. And what was she supposed to do about school now that she was pulled out of Canterlot High? 

“You are a very special young woman Sunset, don't dwell on the past and try to be happy in the present. Don't let yourself get weighed down so much that you try something like this again.” Velvet said, motioning to the bandages. Not that Sunset was planning to try it again to begin with, but she doubted anyone would believe her if she said so, which she actually had a time or two so far.

“Yeah, special.” Sunset sighed, once again being reminded that she was special compared to other humans.

“You are sweetie.” Velvet said when a barking got their attention. Spike was dancing around barking wanting to go out for a walk which Sunset was actually thankful she had an excuse not to at the moment. While the dog was cute, it slobbered way too much for her taste and just seemed too energetic for her at the moment. The smile on Velvet's face kind of made Sunset swallow with worry. “I think a good walk would do us some good. I'll help you get changed and we can take spike out for a bit. When we get back I'll order us some takeout for lunch since we have dinner plans for tonight.”

“Dinner plans?” Sunset asked curiously.

“Yeah, we're going out to dinner with Shiny and Cadence. I'm sorry, I thought Twilight told you.” Velvet said feeling a little guilty dropping this on the girl.

“I thought she meant you guys were going since it was a family dinner.” Sunset said slowly, wanting to facepalm. Of course they wouldn't leave her alone since she was on suicide watch.

“And our family is going to be there, Sunset.” Velvet said, squeezing the girl's shoulder as Sunset held back the retort about it being Velvet's family and not hers despite how much she was starting to pine for it.

It didn't too long to be bundled up and walking down the street with Velvet holding the dog's leash and Sunset walking behind with her hands deep in her extra large coat pockets. She insisted on leaving the hood down with the scarf hanging untied around her neck for now with Velvet doing the same. She had to admit the cool, fresh air felt rather nice. It wasn't as biting as it had been, but then again she was bundled up in warm clothes now which made a huge difference.

“You know, this is a pretty nice neighborhood.” Sunset admitted, looking around her at the large houses that were loaded with Christmas decorations and lights. It was nice to see a neighborhood in the Christmas spirits instead of toning everything down. Not that Sunset loved the holiday, but this year things did seem kind of nice even if it wouldn't last.

“It is, we have a lot of friends that live close by including some of the students from Crystal Prep. Maybe Twilight can introduce you to some of them.” Velvet said hopefully, though Sunset couldn't help rolling her eyes at the suggestion as it was very unlikely. From what little Twilight told her, the few friends the girl had at Crystal Prep were dubious friends at best. She wasn't very popular because she was shy and that shyness caused her to be extremely socially awkward at times which caused a lot of the students to make fun of her. Not that the environment helped much as Twilight had told her before bed that it was more like a shark tank than anything else.

“Why bother though, after Christmas I'll just be sent somewhere else won't I?” Sunset asked sadly, looking up at the sky as Velvet gave her a sad thoughtful look.

“Sunset?” A familiar voice asked from behind the two getting them to stop. Gritting her teeth as the two turned around, Sunset found Fluttershy bundled up as well from the cold walking several dogs from what Sunset suspected was the animal shelter.

“What do you want?” Sunset asked, her voice turning cold and angry even as she was shaking on the inside. Between the last confrontation with the girl and her nightmares, Sunset really didn't want to be near her at the moment.

“I've been worried about you.” Fluttershy said, eyes tearing up as she looked toward the dogs pulling on their leashes.

“Do you know each other?” Velvet asked, though she sounded as if she was going on the defensive.

“She's...one of my ex-friends.” Sunset said making Velvet sigh sadly. She may not really know Fluttershy that well but she did know her, despite never really formally meeting because of the difficulties with Posey.

“Sunset, I'm sorry.” Fluttershy cried, wanting to reach out to Sunset though couldn't because of the leashes in her hands and the dogs trying to pull her away.

“Don't be, it's over. Our friendship is over and I...I don't want to deal with any of you anymore.” Sunset said as she fought back her own tears. It hurt to say that, more than she wanted to admit, though saying it to Fluttershy was a thousand times worse than it would have been to any of the others.

“Please, just hear me out.” Fluttershy pleaded, struggling with the now barking and fighting dogs drawing her attention away.

“Maybe you should worry about your dogs for now.” Velvet sighed and began leading Sunset back to the house. 

“But...Sunset!” Fluttershy cried as the dogs pulled her away from the two walking away with Spike.

“Are you okay?” Velvet asked softly as they got into the warmth of the house and letting Spike off his leash. Her only response was for Sunset to collapse into her arms sobbing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Later after getting Sunset to calm down and helping her get ready for their dinner, Velvet left her alone with Twilight to get ready herself along with Night Light who didn't take all that long himself to get dressed. Thankfully he wasn't hurrying Velvet along as she couldn't get Sunset out of her mind.

“Okay, I waited for you to say something, but since you haven't I will.” Night Light said as he came up from behind Velvet who stood in front of the mirror adjusting her dress. It was a simple black dress, which most of hers were as she hated spending thousands of dollars on one fancy one despite having the money to. She couldn't hide the worry though and as usual her husband picked up on it pretty quickly. 

“It's Sunset.” Velvet sighed as Night Light hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder and looking into her eyes through the mirror.

“What about her, what happened?” Night Light asked now growing worried himself. It may have only been a couple days, but he had grown attached to the teen who was just as smart as Twilight though the two seemed to be smart in two different areas. If the two ever worked together on something they would surely show the world a thing or two.

“I was thinking, we are only supposed to let her stay until after Christmas, right?” Velvet asked, Night Light nodding in agreement. “I was thinking, would it be so bad to just let her stay for good? We don't have to adopt her or anything, unless you want to later, but she really needs a stable environment with a family that actually cares. Not many foster homes really care a lot.”

“I'd love to have her stay, she's been wonderful to have around.” Night Light said thinking back to some of the time they spent talking equations and scientific theory. Some of the things seemed weird, but after he figured out what she was trying to say it made perfect sense. 

“Do you think Twilight would be okay with it?” Velvet asked with some worry.

“Honey, Twilight's happier than she has been in awhile.” Night Light said.

“She didn't look too happy when she came home tonight.” Velvet sighed, remembering the grumpy mood that seemed to vanish upon greeting Sunset. She tried talking to Twilight, but her daughter had insisted that everything was fine.

“No, she didn't, but I'm hoping she will talk to Sunset about it.” Night Light sighed kissing his wife's neck making her squirm with an annoyed look.

“Don't do that, we're supposed to be getting ready.” Velvet said as she grabbed her heels and sat down on the corner of the bed putting them on. “Besides, we don't want Sunset getting upset, she doesn't need that right now.”

“No, but she could use a friend and what better way of making one than helping them with their problem?” Night Light said as he leaned back against the dresser. “Vel, tell me something, do you care for Sunset? Do you...love her?”

“Of course I care! She's still a child, a child that has been through so much pain that she should never have had to deal with.” Velvet said.

“Pity isn't love honey. I know how I feel, but I want to know how you really feel. We can't offer her a place here if all we feel is pity. It would never work out.” Night Light said as she shook his head.

“Night, I love her more than I probably should have reason to. I know we haven't known her for more than a week, but I almost called her daughter. Night, I meant it, I thought of her as another daughter.” Velvet sighed, “Sure I feel pity for her, for her situation, but there's something about her.”

“I know what you mean, I'd be proud to call her daughter.” Night said with a small smile. “If you are sure that you want her to stay, I'll get Twily alone sometime and talk to her about it. Cadence called though and told me that she had an important announcement to make to us tonight at dinner.”

“Do you know what it's about?” Velvet asked, curious about what her daughter in law was planning.

“Not a clue, but when she has an announcement like this, it's usually good.” Night said, getting a nod of agreement from Velvet.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Can't you report her?” Sunset asked in shock as Twilight brushed her hair. Once again Sunset needed help doing something so easy. Despite Velvet helping her earlier, she needed a quick fix for her hair after an incident with a gallon of dog slobbers.  At the same time, it felt kind of nice making Sunset wonder if this what sisters did. Talk about things like this over doing each other's hair or something similar?

“To who, and who would believe me?” Twilight asked. “Since she came to our school its reputation for being the best in not only sports, but academics too, has skyrocketed. All the school board cares about is results. They don't care that Dean Cinch turned the school into an extremely competitive environment, turning friends against friends. I used to love Crystal Prep before she showed up.”

“What about Cadence, she's the counselor there isn't she? She's the one with contacts in social services that put me with you guys.” Sunset suggested.

“My brother and her are the ones who pushed me into going to see her about it.” Twilight sighed, “I don't think they know she blackmailed me, but Cinch wants me to train and be ready for the games after Christmas break. Shiny was so excited that I agreed to be in them, I just can't let him down.”

“If he's your brother, he would understand. I know if you were my sister, I wouldn't want you doing anything that made you uncomfortable.” Sunset said, “Are you sure you want to get out of school early for college though? That seems a little drastic.”

“First, as far as I'm concerned you are my sister and best friend.” Twilight sighed, not voicing the fact that right now, Sunset was the only person she could actually count as a friend her age. Of course she had a few at school that she was close to once before Cinch, but now the competitive atmosphere and the demands from Cinch to strive for personal excellence no matter who you hurt had all but driven them apart. “Second, I would love to stay at Crystal Prep if it was the way it used to be.”

“What about talking to your mom?” Sunset asked, unsure of how to help Twilight.

“I don't want to bother her with it, it would just ruin the holidays for her.” Twilight sighed, “Besides, just venting helped a lot. Thank you for listening.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sunset had to admit that even if the portions weren't huge, hell she ordered triple helpings on her second order, the food was actually really good. And while both Night Light and Velvet seemed pleased with it, they seemed even happier when she waved the offered glass of wine away when asked if she's like to try one glass with the meal.

“It's a test, they always do it to me to see if I've gotten into drinking.” Twilight said as she rolled her eyes at the guilty, yet pleased looks on her parents faces.

“Well, that was good.” Cadence sighed happily, before getting a serious look on her face. “I guess you are wondering what the announcement is.”

“Well, we are curious dear.” Velvet admitted, getting a nod of agreement from Night Light as both Sunset and Twilight looked on in confusion.

“Well, it partly has to do with Twilight.” Cadence said, taking Shining Armor's hand on the table for support. 

“With me?” Twilight asked in surprise.

“Yeah, that interview that your brother and I took you to? It was bugged.” Cadence said getting a worried expression from Twilight. “I didn't know Cinch was going to do that Twilight, but it put the final nail in her coffin. As of now she is suspended and I'm the new Dean of Crystal Prep until a replacement can be found or I decide to take the job permanently.”

“The Friendship Games will either be forfeited because of Cinch's actions, or postponed until later in the year if our opponents will agree to it.” Shining Armor said giving Twilight an apologetic look.

“What was Dean Cinch going to do?” Velvet asked turning to look at Twilight for an explanation.

“She was blackmailing me to head up the academic portion of the games.” Twilight said nervously.

“It's a good thing she was suspended, because if she wasn't I'd have her head.” Night Light growled out causingVelvet to take his hand to calm him down.

“Why didn't you tell us honey?” Velvet asked softly.

“I didn't want to ruin anybody's holiday.” Twilight sighed.

“Honey, you could never ruin anybody's holiday. Promise me that you will come to us if anything like this ever happens again.” Velvet said, “Are you okay though?” 

“I promise, and yeah I'm okay. I kind of talked to Sunset about it earlier and she suggested I came to you with it.” Twilight said noticing the thankful looks her parents shot Sunset.

“Yeah, Sunset's a pretty smart girl.” Night Light said giving said girl a smile making her blush at the sudden attention.

“You two could be sisters, your names are kind of similar.” Cadence said thoughtfully, not really intending to say it out loud. The look Night Light and Velvet shared didn't escape her either making Cadence smile to herself. Maybe Sunset found a place where she belonged already.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Hey honey, can I come in?” Night Light asked, knocking on the door before quietly entering the room on Twilight's invitation. Said girl spun around in her desk chair to look at Night Light as he sat on the edge of her bed next to where Spike was sleeping peacefully.

“What's up dad?” Twilight asked, fidgeting a little. She had been ready all night to hear one of her parents lecture her over not telling them about her problems at school. She was shocked by his reply though, not really expecting it in the least.

“What do you think of Sunset?” Night Light asked, looking to grow a little nervous as he scratched the sleeping dog behind the ears.

“Well, she's really nice and doesn't deserve what happened to her.” Twilight said leaning back in her chair, tapping the plastic arm in thought. “She's probably my best friend right now, even if I've only known her for a few days.”

“Would you say that she is sister material?” Night Light asked slowly, Twilight's eyes widening in surprise before a smile formed.

“Definitely. Dad, are you guys planning to adopt her?” Twilight asked, actually hoping that was the case and sighing when her father shook his head 'no.'

“Not yet, we really don't know her well enough to decide that no matter how much we like her. And on top of that we don't want to scare her off moving too fast. We do want to ask her to stay and see where things go from there.” Night Light said, his hand falling away from Spike. “To be honest, we would kind of like to adopt her, but we don't really know how that would work out. It's why we want her to stay so we can see if it would work.”

“I'd like that dad.” Twilight said as she got up and moved to join her dad on the bed, hugging him. She really hadn't been looking forward to saying goodbye to Sunset, and now she may not have to.