Family
Sunset landed roughly on the floor of the hallway where some student had pushed her. She didn't know who, but she knew why. As was the same with the students surrounding her, trapping her now: they thought she was the one behind this all. Spreading rumors all throughout the school.
Anon-a-Miss.
Verbal insults were thrown from all directions and she hugged her knees to her chest as the tears streamed down her face. It was all she could to try and protect herself, despite no one physically attacking her since the rude abrasive shove.
She was breaking. The girls- the very same she began to see as the family she never had- and hurled her out as fast as possible. They never even gave her a chance. Her life was crashing down once more and it felt as though she'd never be able to build it up again.
Hey. Sunset.
A familiar voice called for her. She blinked a few times, straining to hear the voice, figure out where it was coming from over the mob. She didn't have to, however, because it wasn't one of the many, many angry students. It was coming from herself. Or, her mind more specifically.
It only took her a moment, but soon it clicked. She knew what- rather, who- this was.
Demon Shimmer. The closed off, almost shy version of her who held the form of herself corrupted by the Element of Magic. If you had told her even a few days ago that the reserved being would approach her of her own volition, she'd have laughed in your face. Yet, here she was, doing just that.
In her mind's eye, she saw Demon Shimmer materialize next to her. The pointy-eared girl sat with her legs crossed in front of her, her claws fidgeting slightly with her tail. Sunset let the world around her dim as she focused on what was happening in the mindscape, sniffling and crying all the same as she was actually.
Finally, after an almost uncomfortable silence, Demon spoke up again.
"I.. I would ask if you're alright but, I think it's pretty clear you aren't."
Sunset whimpered and buried her face in her knees, "I just don't understand why someone would do this, now of all times. This school is much worse than when I broke it apart or even when the Sirens made everyone fight. They've all become such, well, jerks!" She choked back another sob
"Wow, really? I didn't notice," Demon muttered under her breath. With a sigh, she uncrossed her legs, uncurled her tail and leaned back against it. Her wing wrapped around Sunset in some sort of comfy side hug. She was warm. It was nice. "Look, I know I can be.. Distant, but I'm not gonna let you suffer through this alone. In fact, I'm not gonna let you suffer any longer!" She proclaimed.
Confusion spread across the baconette's face, and she raised her head to direct it at her demonic self, "What are you talking about..?"
Instead of answering her directly, a red claw pointed at a now visible image of the real world. Specifically, at the journal Sunset had dropped when she had fallen. It was open to that latest entry from Princess Twilight.
Sometimes all you can do is stay strong.
Stay yourself.
And find your family.
Sunset shook her head sadly, "I don't see what you're getting at. It just says to find my family, yet that's impossible. My family's been gone my whole life, and the closest thing I had.." She shuddered, "...I'm not ready to face, nor would she be happy to see me."
Demon chuckled softly, "Sunset, family doesn't have to be blood related. Nor does it have to be of those who raised you. Family is who you love, those you would stand by, who you would do anything for. Not for recognition, but because you care."
Sunset ran the words through again, before looking back at the journal entry. Then, it clicked.
"The girls... The girls were my family."
A small grin was tossed her way and the girl beside her nodded.
"But, they left me behind. They didn't listen to me. They all think I'm guilty of being Anon-a-Miss." She whispered, her tears were threatening to return in full force.
The warmth around her back and side disappeared as Demon Shimmer suddenly stood up, a fire ablaze in her eyes.
"Then make them listen," she said, holding out her claw to the still kneeling girl before her, "and let them understand just what they've done."
Sunset stared at the four pointed digits outstretched before her, preparing to grab it before she hesitated, her own hand hovering above the demon's. She bit her lip.
"And, if it doesn't work?"
"Then I'll still be right here with you, and we'll figure things out from there. No matter what happens, it'll be okay, got it?" Was the quiet, assured response from the being.
Sunset sniffled one last time, and took the offered hand, allowing herself to be gently pulled to her feet and back into the surrounding world.
She jumped to her feet, snatched up the journal, and sprinted out of the building. She was going to find her family, and even if she couldn't, it would be okay. After all...
She'd already found part of it.