> Sealed by a Minute
>  by Revanius
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: A Failed Goodbye
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Twilight Sparkle looked down into the recently created crater, glaring down at the one who had stolen her crown and nearly destroyed her and her friends. As the smoke cleared she could see Sunset Shimmer, a little worse for wear, shuddering as she got on her hands and knees, trying to force herself to rise and failing, just barely stopping herself from collapsing back to the ground.

"You will never rule in Equestria! Any power you may have had in this world is gone!" Twilight declared, "Tonight you have shown everyone who you really are. You've shown them what is in your heart."

Flash Sentry and the human CMC's looked down into the creator as Sunset lifted her head to address them, Twilight had expected rage and denial to be on the defeated villain's face but that was not what she saw. Sunset, faced covered in small scratches, a fair few of them bleeding, had tears flowing down her face as she took a shuddering breath.

"I-I'm sorry." She stuttered out cowering at the glaring looks of the watching students. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know there was another way."

Twilight, feeling a little uncomfortable by the broken look on the defeated girl, turned away from the crying teen who was now trying to crawl out of the crater. "The magic of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria, it's everywhere. You can seek it out," The smile that had formed when she looked at her new friends faded as she continued. "or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours."

When Twilight turned back Sunset had managed to halfway pull herself out, her tears pooling on the ground. She raised her arms protectively as if expecting to be pushed back in. "But, but all I've ever done since being here is drive everyone apart. I don't know the first thing about friendship."

Twilight took Sunset's hand, the redhead looking shocked at any act of kindness towards her, especially by someone she had so recently wronged, pulling her to her feet. "I bet they can teach you," Twilight said gently indicating to her new friends, most of whom were smiling hopefully except Rarity who had a slightly more skeptical smile.

"Those are my girls!" Spike said suddenly before he could remember dogs didn't talk here, though he doubted anyone would care after what they just saw. "Woohoo!" 

"Did that dog just talk!?" The boy next to spike asked taking a step away from him. "Whoa weird."

Or perhaps they would, Spike looked up at the boy in frustrated confusion. "Seriously!? The talking dog is the weird thing about all this?" He closed his eyes to the boy, opening them when he felt himself being gently lifted up, he looked around to see it was the human Rarity.

"I for one think you're adorable." She said searching him behind the ear.

"Oh yeah." He said blissfully, Twilight put a hand over her mouth, covering the smirk that had formed, not noticing Principal Celestia coming behind Twilight holding her crown.

"I believe this, belongs to you." She held it out to Twilight who kneeled before her. "A true princess in any world leads not by forcing others to bow before her, but by inspiring others to stand with her." She placed the crown back on Twilight's head.

Twilight could feel the magic course through her when it was back on her head, she could feel all the magic she had back in Equestria and maybe a bit more somehow. She felt like this could need some investigating but Celestia was still talking. 

"We have all seen that you are capable of just that. I hope you see it too, Princess Twilight." The principal said lifting Twilight's chin. It might not have been her Celestia, but the woman's words still made Twilight feel more confident in herself about her new role in Equestria.

"I do," Twilight said the crowd of students around her cheered in response surprising her. 

"Would now be a completely awkward time to ask you for that dance." Twilight turned around to see Flash smiling awkwardly as he held his hand out. Twilight looked up at the clocktower, which had miraculously survived Sunset's rampage, and saw she still had some time left before the portal closed. She giggled as she accepted his hand.

***

Twilight knew she had to go home soon, her friends were waiting for her on the other side of the portal and she had kept them waiting far too long already. But she couldn't just leave her new friends without taking a little time to celebrate their victory together. And Flash really was a nice guy, even joining her in an Equestrian style dance that might not have looked right in the human world but she knew they would look awesome back in Equestria, I mean she is a great dancer back there. So she felt they could wait a few more minutes before she went back through the portal.

Partway through the dance, she saw Sunset Shimmer limping around the gym, attempting to apologize to the students. A few listened and some of them even accepted her apology by the way they parted. But Twilight also saw a fair few reject her and while she couldn't hear them she thought they shouted at the defeated bully to leave. Most just ignored her and walked away, soon Twilight no longer saw Sunset at the dance. 

After a nice group photo with her friends Twilight decided to go looking for Sunset, they might have been enemies only a short time ago but she still wanted to make sure her fellow Equestrian was okay. Exiting the gym she didn't see Sunset in the hallway. "Sunset, you around here?" She called out gently walking down the hallway.

"Sunset?" She called out again turning down the corner to the dead in hallway Sunset had cornered her in only two days ago. There, curled up in the dark corner of the hallway was the girl she had been looking for, still crying as she tried to curl up even more on herself. "Sunset Shimmer?"

***

Sunset Shimmer was trying to go over what had happened logically in her head, trying to make sense out of what had happened when she put the crown on. She knew more about the elements than anypony in Equestria except maybe Princess Celestia, and she had no idea the crown would have done what it did to her. That terrible corruption feeling, just the thought of it sent a shiver through her, and the pain of it all. The lingering pain was far worse than the scratches and weak knee she had, it felt like she had been torn apart and the rainbow had left her raw to the world.

"Come on, calm down." She muttered to herself.  After her pathetic, and largely unsuccessful, attempt to apologize to the students for what she had done she had left the dance to try and recollect herself, not just sit and wallow in her own misery.

"Let's go over what the elements did you." She said, the idea of figuring out what happened helped calm her a little but the tears still flowed. "It obviously showed you what a horrible person you've been and yanked any control you had over yourself away before returning you to normal, so what else did they do?"

She was pretty sure the elements had done something to her emotions, making her more remorseful than she should have been considering how she had been the last few years. But she also knew those feelings were at least partially hers, the elements couldn't create something from nothing, and the desire to never be the way she had been again she knew was wholly genuine. Anything else it might have done to her she couldn't be sure, it was too early to be certain but she doubted making her a little guilty was all.

Sunset head footsteps approaching, Sunset curled up in on herself, she couldn't be certain but she had a feeling whoever it was they were looking for her. Going by the sound they made Sunset was pretty sure it was a girl, but even so, if they were looking for revenge Sunset would not be able to offer any resistance in her current state. Not that she would if she could, she deserved any retribution they sought. 

"Sunset?" She heard and Sunset pulled even more in on herself. Of all the people who could have found her she could think of few that she wanted less than Twilight. A part of her still wanted to hate Twilight for taking her place in Princess Celestia's affection. A much larger part of her though was grateful for the pony princess saving her sanity and showing any bit of kindness towards her after what Sunset had done to the innocent girl and her friends. She knew Twilight would not seek revenge but she still whimpered as Twilight approached. "Sunset Shimmer?"

Sunset looked up Twilight, the princess looking down at her with what she guessed was pity. "H-Hello Princess." She stuttered untangling herself lowering her head to bow. "I'm sorry if I distracted you from your friends."

"No I came looking for you," Twilight said. "I wanted to see if your alright and can you please not bow, I don't like it when ponies do that." Sunset returned to a sitting position, she knew she should stand and it was disrespectful to sit while the princess stood, she just didn't know if she could get up on her own. "Mind if I sit?" Twilight asked.

Sunset nodded, confused by why Princess Twilight would choose to sit down with her when she could be having fun with her friends, it's not like she had time, the portal would be closing soon. The portal would close soon and wouldn't open again for another thirty moons. Thinking about the portal gave Sunset an idea. "Princess Twilight, may I ask you something?"

"Yes?" Twilight said cocking her head slightly at the sudden question.

"Please take me back to Equestria with you," Sunset said.

"What? But I thought you were going to try and make friends here, try and make amends for what happened." Twilight said Sunset was just glad it was not an immediate refusal.

Sunset looked down. "That will never happen here, Princess. Humans aren't like Ponies, I've been here long enough to know that. They hold grudges a lot longer than our kind does and they have a tendency to take extreme punishment towards those that have done wrong. And me destroying half the school and attempting to kidnap everyone here and take them to another dimension probably counts to that.

"Please take me with you." Sunset continued bowing again. "I'll never find forgiveness here, not that I deserve it, and I'll never make friends. If I go back with you there might be a chance that I could make friends there. I'll take any punishment Princess Celestia sees fit but please, I'll never find any peace or friendship here."

She looked up at the princess seeing her frown down at Sunset, the redhead flinched away at the gaze. She had said something wrong, she was not sure what but she knew she had, somehow, made Twilight mad. Twilight reached out a hand and Sunset closed her eyes expecting a strike, instead, she felt her hair being smoothed out. Sunset dared to open her eyes, Twilight was still frowning but there didn't seem to be any anger or disappointment.

"You may have a point, humans are different than ponies and you probably would have an easier time finding friends in Equestria. But I think you're wrong in that they can forgive you for what you've done, it might not be today or tomorrow but it can happen. And I do think you can find friends here, you just have to be willing to put in the effort to do it."

"So I guess I'm staying then."

Twilight let out a small laugh and Sunset felt a little better, she sat back up so she was facing the Princess. "Yes, you are, but don't think of it as a punishment, rather as an opportunity for something new."

"Yes, Princess." Sunset inclined her head respectfully.

"Please, just Twilight, I prefer my friends call me that."

"Can we really be friends so soon after what I've done?" Sunset asked.

Twilight shrugged. "I don't see why not, you seem like a good person at heart and I think we could be really good friends if we had the chance, I just wish I didn't have to leave so soon."

Sunset scooched back so they were next to each other backs against the wall, the two ponies-turned-humans sat in silence except for the faint sound of music from the dance floor in the gym. Sunset was surprised how much better it felt just to have someone next to her, she felt more at ease and the guilt she had was lessened just a little. She let out a pent-up breath eyes closed as she tried to focus on that feeling.

"Hey Sunset, I have a question for you as well," Twilight said.

Sunset opened her eyes. "Sure what do you want to know?"

"A few days ago you asked me if I knew what happened when someone took an element of harmony to a different dimension and I couldn't answer you."

"Yeah..."

"Well, I was wondering if you could tell me," Twilight asked curious for the answer. "I want to know before I don't have the chance."

"Oh that," Sunset said thinking back to the forbidden library and all the books that had led to her self exile. "When you take an element of harmony, especially the sixth element." Sunset nodded to the crown still on Twilight's head. "To a different dimension its connection to the bearer becomes severed and anyone can wield it. I also learned that the element would grant immense power to whoever claimed it and once brought back to Equestria in the new holder's hands the power would remain until the original holder could reclaim it. But nothing ever said anything about turning into that demon."

"So that wasn't the plan?" Twilight asked looking a bit more relaxed.

"Of course, I never wanted to hurt anypony, not really. It was just supposed to give me the power I wanted to become an Alicorn. The worst I wanted to do was humiliate you a little once I got back." Sunset flinched at the idea. "I wanted to show the princess she was wrong about me, about choosing you, but it turned out she was right about both of us."

Twilight looked like she was going to answer when Spike came bounding down the hallway. "There you are!" He said when he saw Twilight. "Everyones wondering where you went, it's about time to go." 

Twilight looked at the dragon-turned-puppy. "Okay, but first there's something I want to do," She rose to her feet. "Sunset, I think you should come to."

Sunset tried to rise only for her right leg to flare in pain when she tried to put weight on it, seeing her struggle Twilight held out her hand. Sunset took it as the princess helped her to her feet, leaning into her so she could support the injured girl. "Thanks," Sunset said, Twilight nodded. Spike rolled his eyes bounding off back to the gym.

***

"Ya sure, ya have the time for this Twi?" Applejack asked, looking at the ruined entrance to the high school. The six friends, Spike, Sunset, and Principal Celestia, and Vice-Principal Luna had gathered at Twilight's request. Sunset rubbed her shoulder as she looked at the damage she had done when she had lost control of herself, Luna was glaring at Sunset, not one of real anger but one of a disciplinarian but it still made Sunset nervous. Twilight smiled confidently readjusting her crown.

"Yeah, this shouldn't take a minute." She glanced to the clocktower, she had five minutes left, plenty of time. She held a hand out, she could feel the magic in her build it begged for release and she forced it out at the ruined entrance, in a flash of light the entrance began to rebuild itself and in second it looked like it had never been damaged. Upon further inspection, it could be seen that the glass had even been cleaned.

Twilight turned to see the surprised expressions on everyone's face except Sunset. Who moved to lean against the now repaired wall. "It was actually Sunset who gave me the idea. She said with the crown I could do magic as I do back home."

Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna inspected the repaired school. "Very impressive Princess Twilight," Celestia said nodding approvedly.

"We were going to have Snips, Snails, and Sunset help with the repairs but this saves plenty of time. Not to mention money." Luna said. "I guess we'll just have to think of some other punishment for them."

"Please go easy on them, Sunset wasn't in her right mind when she put on the crown, and Snips and Snails were just following orders." Twilight implored. The two educators looked at each other before nodding to the Princess then left the six to say goodbye to one another.

They shared one more group hug, Pinkie Pie still holding onto Twilight's hands when they broke apart. "You'll look after her won't you?" Twilight asked looking at Sunset still leaning against the wall.

"Of course we will," Rarity assured Twilight. "Although I do expect an apology for last Spring's debacle." She looked away from Sunset, arms crossed. Sunset similarly looked away as she remembered what she posted about Rarity.

"I think she will," Twilight said smiling.

"We better get going," Spike said looking at the clock, two minutes left.

Twilight nodded looking at her new friends. "I know we have only been friends for a short time, but I'm going to miss all of you so much." Her eyes water but she blinked them away, she took one last look at the tower, one minute, she made it.

"That crown really does suit you, Princess Twilight," Spike said the last part with a sly tone.

"You know what Spike? I am starting to feel a little more comfortable wearing it."

"And the wings?"

"I've been walking around on two legs and picking things up with these!" She held her hands up, glad they would soon be gone. "Wings? I'm thrilled that's all I'll be dealing with back in Equestria." The two Equestrians stepped into the portal ready to go home, except they walked only into solid stone.

"What?" Everyone present said as the two fell back to the ground. Twilight's crown fell off her head and all the pony appendages faded but that was not on Twilight's mind. She reached out to the portal again, only feeling solid stone. She wasn't sure why but the portal was closed, and she was stuck on the wrong side!
> Chapter 2: Sealed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What! How?" Twilight demanded desperately pawing at the closed portal hoping it would open, that she would be able to get home. "We still had time, we had a minute left." She said looking up at the clocktower, according to it the portal should have still been open.

"It must have been damaged in the fight with Sunset." Applejack said looking up at the clocktower. She was good at fixing things and telling when something was broken and once she got a good look at it she could tell from a distance the tower was a bit more beat up than it had been before the fight. "Guess some of the debris hit the hands. Looks like it set it back a minute."

A minute, she and Spike were trapped in the human world, cut off from their friends and family because a clocktower had been set back a single minute. If she wasn't trapped Twilight might have laughed, in fact, she probably did laugh judging by the concerned looks she could feel her friends giving her.

"Eh, Twi?" Rainbow Dash asked stepping closer to the pony princess who was still leaning against the closed portal. Before she could lay a hand on her she heard a growl come from Spike whose heckles was up and he was bearing his teeth. Rainbow jerked her hand back instinctively before she realized that Spike wasn't growling at her, instead, he was growling at Sunset Shimmer.

"This is all your fault!" He shouted bounding towards Sunset letting out a furious bark. Sunset, eyes wide in fear, tried to run only for her weak knee to give out and the redhead fell in a heap on her face. She managed to get on her back just as Spike reached her, jumping onto her stomach barring her teeth at her.

"If you hadn't taken the crown or tried to steal it again, or not distracted her in the halls this wouldn't have happened. We can't go home because of you!" He shouted snapping his jaws centimeters from the terrified girl's face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen!" Sunset said desperately fearful that Spike might actually bite her.

"It's a little late for sorry, we might never get home now!" He growled again.

"Spike stop that," Twilight said suddenly appearing next to them picking Spike up. "I know this is bad but Sunset isn't to blame for this."

"How? The fight damaged the clock and that talk in the halls probably took up more time than if you hadn't." Spike said narrowing his eyes at Sunset.

"Spike I went looking for her myself, I wanted to talk to her, its not her fault it took so long," Twilight said stroking her friend, he calmed a little in her embrace. "And the fight might have damaged the clock but it's my own fault for not checking the time on anything else. I don't want you to blame Sunset for this okay."

Spike's glare held up for a few seconds before he slumped in her arms sighing in defeat. "Your right Twilight, sorry Sunset. I just want to go home." He whimpered as Twilight hugged him.

"It's fine Spike, I'm sure Sunset forgives you." Sunset hurriedly nodded in agreement. "We'll find another way home I'm sure of it. For now, we just have to try and survive here." 

"And it's not like your going to be doing it alone!" Rainbow Dash said confidently as she and the other girls came up to them.

"That right!" Pinkie said cheerfully. "We'll help you get home and make this the funnest time ever till we get you back!"

"Ya didn't think we wouldn't help ya?" Applejack said.

"I'm sure we can find some way to get you home and perhaps Sunset here might have some ideas." Rarity said looking at Sunset who was still on the ground.

"We're here for you Twilight," Fluttershy said with a confidence that matched Rainbow Dash's, if not her volume.

Twilight smiled appreciatively at her friends. "Thanks girls, and your right I'm sure we can find a way to open the portal again without having to wait two and a half years. But for now, I guess Spike and me need to find a more permanent place to stay." Twilight doubted she could stay at the library for months, possibly years. 

"You can stay with me!" Rarity said before anyone else could, eyes shining with excitement. "It would be my honor to host a princess at my humble home."

"Thanks, Rarity, I think we will. Though no need to treat me any different, we're friends and I'm no princess here." She said frowning. She was just getting used to the idea and now she was just another girl. Heck, she was now even younger than she really was!

"Nonsense darling, no matter where you are you are a princess. Though if you wish I'll try to keep my excitement down but I still intend to make you comfortable."

"Thank you." She said looking at Spike beaming at Rarity, tail waging, she had a feeling he was also happy with the arrangement.

"And just where do ya think yer going?" Applejack suddenly demanded looking down, turning around Twilight saw Sunset trying to crawl away from the group.

"Oh uh I didn't want to intrude on you helping out Twilight, and just thought I would get out of the way for now," Sunset said with a forced smile.

"Not with those injuries," Applejack admonished. "Don't think Ah didn't see how you fell when ya tried to run when Spike came at ya. Yer coming with us to get help and dat's final." 

"No, it's fine, really you don't need to-" Sunset's protests were cut off as Applejack lifted the smaller girl off the ground and into her arms.

"Ah said dat's final, yer getting help now. Rainbow Dash." She turned to her rainbow-haired friend who was smirking at the former bully's predicament. "Mind if we use yer house, its closest and Ah don't want to wait any longer than necessary to get her cleaned up."

Rainbow shrugged. "Sure, you still know the way to my place?" She asked Applejack nodded readjusting her grip as Sunset unsuccessfully tried to squirm free. "Alright, I'll get your truck running, bye Twi." She ran off to Applejack's truck before Twilight could return the goodbye.

"See ya tomorrow sugar cube." Applejack said.

"See you then Applejack." Twilight waved goodbye as Applejack carried the still resisting Sunset to her pickup truck.

"Now I just need to get Sweetie Belle then we can go." Rarity said going into the school.

"Fluttershy and I decided we're going to do a sleepover," Pinkie Pie pulled Fluttershy into a one-armed hug. "Have to start making up for all the missed times over the last year." She said. "It's going to be Epic!"

"Umm, yay," Fluttershy said quietly.

"Okay, I guess I'll see you girls soon," Twilight said.

"Bye girls," Spike said still in Twilight's arms. 

Rarity soon came back Sweetie Belle and the other two crusaders in tow. "So I forgot I promised Sweetie Belle she and her friends could have their little club meeting and sleepover at my house, I hope that won't be a problem?"

"It's fine Rarity," Twilight assured her.

"She's really a princess?" Sweetie Belle asked in awe.

"Yes dear and please don't bother her too much, she's had a rough night."

"Okay." The three girls said in unison, something about their smile made Twilight think they wouldn't hold up that promise.

"Well, let's get home." Rarity said linking arms with Twilight, leading her to her car, which like the others had been left after school for after the dance.

Home, Twilight thought. Wondering how long before she would see Equestria again.

***

"You don't have to do this I'm fine." Sunset continued to protest as the taller girl carried her over to an old red pick up truck. Her words fell on deaf ears as Applejack practically forced her into the truck, buckling in the still protesting girl while Rainbow Dash chuckled in the backseat before getting in herself.

"Ya should really stop complainin' girl, Ah'm taking ya to Rainbow Dash's and dat's final." Applejack said sternly silencing Sunset. "Ya need help, yer covered in injuries."

"Injuries that I brought on myself," Sunset said. "Why exactly are you guys helping me anyway? I know you promised Twilight you would 'look out for me' but I think this goes beyond that."

"Because your hurt duh." Rainbow Dash said. "Besides if we're going to be friends best start helping now."

"And Ah just plain don't like the idea of leaving someone who is hurtin'," Applejack added as they pulled out of the school. "No matter what they have done, and if yer serious about turnin' over a new leaf Ah don't want ya getting an infection before ya can do it."

After that Applejack and Rainbow Dash spent the car ride talking to each other, catching up for the year they missed thanks to Sunset. Sunset meanwhile tried to make herself as small as possible while keeping quiet, except for the occasional wince when one of her scratches flared up and a yelp when she accidentally banged her bad leg against the car. Whenever she did Applejack gave her a sympathetic look and said they would be at Rainbow Dash's soon, the sympathy just made Sunset feel worse about herself.

Sunset could sort of understand Twilight being friendly, she was the Princess of Friendship from a land where people forgave easily. But Applejack and Rainbow Dash, she had tormented them for over a year, driving apart and destroying their friendships. Not to mention they had been reunited by a shared hatred for Sunset and now they were taking her to one of their homes to help her with injuries she had gained in her attempt to kill them. It just made no logical sense in the ex-pony's mind as to why they were being so nice.

Part of her thought that maybe this was a trap, that they were luring her away from the school and Twilight so they could exact their revenge. It would have been what she would do if she was still her old self and she knew plenty of humans would do the same. But she was pretty sure that wasn't the case, that for some inexplicable reason, these two truly were just being and nice and for some reason, Sunset didn't think she would ever understand, actually wanted to befriend her. It still didn't stop her nerves shooting up when they pulled into Rainbow Dash's driveway, instinctively tensing up in case she needed to run and wincing when it caused another flash of pain.

"Welp we're here." Rainbow Dash said hopping out of the truck. "Mom and Dad are probably still awake so you better prepare yourself. Come on, maybe it won't be too bad with three of us."

Applejack chuckled as she got out, going around the car to help Sunset out, putting the redhead's arm over her shoulder, stooping a bit as she did so, helping the defeated bully limp to the door. Sunset looked up at Rainbow Dash's house finding it surprisingly average for someone with Rainbow Dash's flamboyant appearance. It was a little longer than its neighbors but otherwise was an average two-story dark greenhouse with a decent-sized well-trimmed lawn, a couple of garden gnomes had been placed out and there was an empty birdbath. Though the curtains were drawn on the house a little lighted seeped through telling them Rainbow Dash's parents were still awake.

"What did Rainbow Dash mean when she said it might not be too bad?" Sunset asked Applejack as they got close to the door. 

"It's been a while since Ah've been here but if they're the same parents they were two years ago... well Ah'll just say they're a bit intense." Applejack said, Sunset could tell the farmer was keeping something from her about them. 

Rainbow Dash was waiting by the door for them, only knocking when they stopped. "Brace yourselves, this could get ugly." The prismatic hair teen said closing her eyes. The door opened and a large man with the same rainbow-colored hair as Rainbow Dash, though his was cut in a buzzcut, stood there looking down at them arms folded and a sterm look that made Sunset nervous even though it wasn't directed at her.

"Rainbow Dash." He said.

"Hey dad," Rainbow Dash said eyes still closed. Then she was gone, pulled into the house in a powerful embrace as her father, all signs of seriousness disappearing, danced around with her in his arms.

"Oh, I missed you Dashie!" He shouted. "Hey Windy! Rainbow's home!"

A pretty woman in an orange dress with light scarlet and orange hair came bounding down the stairs, she smiled brightly when she saw her daughter and threw herself into the hug sending the family joyfully to the floor. Applejack chuckled again while Sunset watched in shock at the odd scene before her, how long had Rainbow Dash been gone for them to miss her this much.

Rainbow Dash was trying and failing to get out of the hug, a mortified look on her face. "Mom, Dad, I left just this morning."

Apparently not long at all, Sunset thought starting to believe everyone connected to Twilight was insane, there was no other way they could all be this nice.

"That's right, you didn't come home after school, we missed you." Rainbow Dash's father said refusing to let her go.

"I had to get ready for the dance, so I went with my friends to get ready." Rainbow Dash explained as the family got back to their feet. "You remember Applejack right?"

"Of course we remember your friend dear. It's been too long since we saw you and we were so happy to hear you and Dashie made up." Rainbow Dash's mother said breaking the hug to hug Applejack who was forced to let Sunset go to do so, the redhead stumbled into the wall but managed to catch herself before she fell but ended up putting pressure on her injured leg.

"Ow," Sunset said as she grabbed her injured limb holding it off the ground, whatever happened to her leg it really didn't want her to remain standing.

"Whose's this Rainbow?" The father asked finally releasing his daughter. "A new friend?" His eyes seem to light up at that.

"Right you've never met each other." Rainbow Dash said stepping in between them. "Mom, Dad, this is Sunset Shimer. Sunset Shimmer, this is my mom and dad, Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof."

"Sunset Shimmer? As in the girl who tore you and your friends apart for a year?" Bow Hothoof said frowning at Sunset who looked down at the reminder, preparing herself for a lot of shouting. Rainbow Dash, realizing what could be coming stepped in before her parent could say anything.

"Sunset told us she wanted to change and our friend Twilight said to give her a chance. She got injured trying to pull a prank so we took her here."

The disapproving look Windy Whistles had started to form immediately turned to one of what Sunset suspected was pity. "Oh, honey help me get her to the couch so you can look her over." The two parents took Sunset by her arms, guiding her over to a couch. "Now you just sit there and let Bow take a look at those injuries, I'll get us all a snack and maybe a few books to look through."


"Um, mom I'm sure Sunset doesn't want to see any of those." Rainbow Dash started to protest only for Applejack to take her by the shoulders.

"Ah'm pretty sure she does. How 'bout we go make sure yer rooms ready for us. Knowin' you it's still hasn't been cleaned since Ah was last here."

"Yep, best mess maker ever out little Rainbow." Bow Hothoof said with pride as he started to look at some of Sunset's nastier cuts. Applejack nodded leading a protesting Rainbow Dash away, Sunset noticed the farmer had a tendency to use her larger size to get her way with her friends when they were being stubborn.

"Now let's see what's wrong with you." Bow said.

What isn't, Sunset thought though she kept that to herself, easing back into the couch as Rainbow Dash's father started his work.

***

"Rarity I can't take your bed, this is your room." Twilight protested as her friend showed her into a large room with an opulent king's sized bed. "I can just sleep on the floor with some sheets."

"Nonsense darling, your our guest and deserve the best." Rarity said gently pushing Twilight to the bed. Spike hopped out of Twilight's arms curling up beside the bed. "I will just sleep with Sweetie Belle, not the first time we've shared a bed. The amount of time's I've had to come to her room when she has a nightmare..."

"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle whined from the door. "Not in front of the Princess!" Behind her, the other two girls giggled at their friend's embarrassment.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about dear, now why don't you and your little friends have fun while Twilight and I talk. And please try not to break anything." Rarity said closing the bedroom door. The three girls chorused an agreement that if they were anything like their Equestrian counterparts Twilight was certain they would not keep.

Once they were alone Rarity joined Twilight on the bed. "I do hope you find the bed fine enough, I'm sure it's nothing compared to the bed you have back where you're from. Being a princess in all."

"Actually I sleep in a bed not half this good inside a tree back home, and I've been sleeping on a bed of books Spike made for me since we got here."

"I think that was rather creative of me." He said smugly.

Rarity looked horrified by what they had said but she cleared her throat and spoke calmly. "Well, I guess that is making the best of a bad situation. And that was very thoughtful of you Spike to help Twilight out." She scratched him behind the ears and his eyes seemed to melt.

"That's my job," Spike said once she stopped. "I wanted to make it as comfortable as possible."

"Well you have us now dears and we'll make you as comfortable as possible till we can get you home." Rarity said putting an arm around Twilight.

"Thanks, Rarity, we appreciate it, really." Twilight felt tears welling up at the thought of home, she raised a hand to wipe them away. "It's just hard to know I can't go home, and it might be years before I see Princess Celestia, my friends, or... my family again." Her voice broke when she thought about her parents, Shining, and Cadence.

"We will get you home soon Twilight, that's a promise," Rarity said rubbing the crying princess gently. "And perhaps Sunset Shimmer will know something about how to get you home, she found out about the portal after all."

Twilight realized they didn't know Sunset was also from Equestria, she considered mentioning it but she'd let Sunset decided when to tell them that when she was ready. "I doubt it, she's known about the portal for years, she might know a bit about it and how it works," She did somehow know things about modern Equestria that she shouldn't have stuck in this world. "But even she can't open it."

"We have that magic crown of your now darling, who knows what is possible now. This world has never had magic before and now it does." Rarity assured her.

That did make her feel a bit better, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had said the portal only opened every thirty moons but she had her crown and her magic now. Perhaps Rarity was right and that would be enough to force the portal open again. "Thanks, Rarity, I do feel a bit better now."

Rarity stood back up. "Good, now as much as I love these dresses we can hardly wear them to bed, I'm guessing you don't have any sleepwear." Twilight shook her head. "Thought so. You can borrow one of mine, now let's get this dress off."

She grabbed the ends of Twilight's dress and with a tingle tug pulled it off the sitting girl, and then proceeded to blush when she saw nothing underneath. "Spike cover your eyes!" She shouted, Spike, looked confused by the order but obliged.

"Twilight darling, is there any reason why you aren't wearing anything underneath your dress?" She asked, Twilight cocked her head confused by her friend's bizarre reaction. 

"No, should I have?"

"Oh darling, yes. I know you said you were from a world of uh ponies but didn't the portal give you those clothes you were wearing. I highly doubt it spat you out without any."

"Yes, it gave me the clothes you saw me in when I came through, though I do wonder where they came from and how a portal is able to generate fabric."

"I don't think that is important now dear. I just want to know, was there any underclothes that came with the ones you were wearing."

"Yeah."

"Then why did you take them off with your dress?"

"Because they didn't match the dress and it would look weird, they're in my bag."

"Alright darling, first we're going to get into some nice silk pajamas, then you and I are going to have a talk about human women."

***

"And this was Rainbow after her first bath alone." Windy Whistles said pointing to a picture of a young Rainbow Dash with a towel tied around her looking grumpy at the camera. Sunset suppressed a laugh at the sight, though it was getting harder and harder with each picture.

"She looks a little old for this to be her first bath alone," Sunset said looking at the picture again, the Rainbow Dash in the photo had to be at least six.

"We didn't want her to be lonely in there but she wore us down." Windy Whistles explained.

"Best negotiator ever." Bow said as he continued to examine Sunset's injuries. He applied a little pressure to Sunset's bad knee causing her to gasp in pain. "Sorry, looks like it's not broken, just sprained. What kind of prank leaves in this kind of shape?"

"The very poorly planed kind," Sunset said bitterly thinking on how stupid she had been to think it could ever have worked.

"Well you'll be hurting for a few days and I'd watch those scratched for infections, the worst is your leg, looks like you sprained it with whatever you were doing, try not to put too much weight on it for at least a week."

"Thank you, and thank you for being so welcoming despite what Rainbow Dash has probably told you about me," Sunset said marveling again at how friendly these people were.

"It's no problem dear, your not the first high school bully to want to change and you certainly won't be the last." Windy Whistles told her. Sunset doubted any were as bad as she had been but again she held her tongue, she didn't want to give any new people a reason to hate her. "Oh here's Rainbow after her first soccer game," Windy said pointing to a new picture of young Rainbow, around the same age as the previous one, covered head to toe in mud yet looking like she was never happier. Sunset was glad she had never found these two when she was a bully, they were a blackmail goldmine against the athlete.

She was pulled from further musings when Rainbow Dash herself came back into the living room, now changed out of her dress and into some rather boyish pajamas and looking a little pale when she saw the scrapbooks. "Uh, we have the room ready if you're done with Sunset. And the shower's free so she can get cleaned up." Rainbow Dash said looking at her parents.

"Of course Dashie, we'll leave you with your new friend and Applejack," Windy said nodding.

"Go Rainbow, best friend maker ever."

"I think that would be my friend Twilight but thanks, dad." Rainbow Dash said helping Sunset to her feet.

"Make sure to keep her off that bad knee." Bow said as he and his wife said.

"Will do dad. Come on Sunset." The athlete said putting Sunset's arm over her shoulder as Applejack had done. "So how much did you see?"

"A lot, your parents really love you," Sunset said a little envious of Rainbow Dash's family and the unconditional love they showed their daughter.

"Yeah they're great but don't really know boundaries." Rainbow Dash smiled at that but that quickly turned into a glare. "You better be serious about changing cause if you are lying and use any of what they showed you as revenge I swear..."

"I won't, I swear I'm serious about changing. I won't tell anyone about those pictures." Sunset promised.

"Ya could tell Twilight, bet she'd get a nice laugh out of it and Pinkie would say making her laugh would be more important than some pictures." Applejack said appearing out of a doorway with another pair of Rainbow's pajamas. "And it's always nice to take miss ego here down a peg once in a while."

"Hey! My ego is perfectly balanced to my level of awesomeness." Rainbow Dash protested. "And Twilight doesn't need to see any of this to feel better."

"If ya say so Sugarcube." Applejack said. "here Sunset, I think ya can fit into these after you clean up." She handed Sunset the pajamas.

"We're here." Rainbow Dash said stopping at a door at the end of the hall with a gold star and the initials R.D. on the door. "Shower's across the hall so you can call if you need any help. Think you can get cleaned up without help."

"I'll be fine thanks," Sunset said limping into the bathroom. Once alone she was happy to rid herself of the torn clothes she had on, though she had some regret about the state of her favorite jacket, hopefully, it could be repaired cause she was not ready to give it up just yet. Setting them aside she got into the shower, leaning into the tiles to take some of the pressure off her ankle.

After the shower she was feeling better, the pain in her ankle felt a little lessened by the hot water which was a bit of novelty to Sunset. The clean clothes did fit her, though they were just a little snug in some places, but overall they fit. Rainbow Dash was waiting for her when she got out, taking her arm again and helped her into the room. 

The inside of Rainbow Dash's room was about as much as Sunset expected from one of the only girls at school with an ego to match Sunset's when she was on top. The dressers and shelves were covered in awards and trophies, the walls coated in medals and pictures of Rainbow Dash, the only piece of wall that didn't have the rainbow-haired teen was a poster of the nations airforce hanging above her bed. 

Rainbow Dash noted Sunset staring at it. "I plan on enlisting when I finish school." Rainbow Dash said. "I want to pilot a jet."

"She's had dat dream in mind as long as Ah've known her." Applejack said as she set some sheets and blankets down on the floor. "Dat and playing at the Olympics."

"And I'll do both, just you wait and see." Rainbow Dash said setting Sunset down gently on the sheets.

"Whatever ya say sugar cube." Applejack said. "Ah'm going to get cleaned up now."

Sunset laid back easing into the sheets on the ground. "Thank you again for helping me even after everything, I still don't really get how you can be this nice though I'll try to understand. And I really am sorry for everything, and I will do anything to try and prove it."

"It's alright Sunset." Rainbow Dash assured her. "Just own up to your past and give friends a chance, you might end up enjoying hanging out. And if you really feel you need to prove yourself helping Twilight get home will go a long way."

"I'll see what I can do about that Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash smiled. "See, you're already getting it, and my friends just call me Rainbow."

Sunset nodded laying back on the sheets and closed her eyes pretending to sleep when Applejack came back, the farmer and the athlete talked for a little while. When the lights eventually went out her mind flashed with the images of what she had done and tried to do. They were all from another's perspective, and all showed her as a terrible monster they had brainwashed hundreds of innocents and tried to murder six teenagers. Then there was the pain, not from the scratches or her leg, but a searing pain racking itself over her body, the same pain she had felt when she had first transformed. Then the pain would disappear and she would shake away the flashes, Sunset assumed it was part of her punishment and would endure it and prove she could change, that was a promise she would keep before anything else. 

And while she wished it was under different circumstances Sunset was happy Twilight was here, the Princess of Friendship might be able to help her really understand how to be a good friend. She just wished her actions hadn't led to the first person who was kind to her in years being trapped from her home and family, even if her actions were indirect.

It was just another thing she would have to atone for, and she would make it up to Twilight, she would make it up to them all. With that reaffirmation of her promise, she was finally able to drift to sleep.
> Interlude 1: On the Other Side of the Mirror
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equestria

The remaining members of the main six and the three gathered princesses waited with bated breath as the clock slowly ticked down, with each passing minute they grew more and more nervous for their friends, for Twilight and Spike. They were in a different dimension chasing a dangerous unicorn who had stolen one of the Elements of Harmony, one of the core defenses of their world. What's more, there was a good chance the two could be trapped on the other side of the portal for years and all they could do was wait and hope.

Rainbow Dash paced impatiently around in front of the mirror, she had been the first to want to go with Twilight and was not happy that she couldn't do anything for her friend. Applejack was pawing at the ground while Princess Cadence tried to comfort the cow pony. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were leaning worriedly at the mirror while Fluttershy alone appeared calm, though they were all certain she was just as nervous as the rest of them. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna hung to the back, the Princess of the Night glancing out the window at the moon as time slowly started to run out.

"Where is she?" Rainbow finally said looking to the mirror. "What if she needs our help."

"I'm sure she'll be fine Dashie," Fluttershy said trying to keep calm.

"This is Twilight dear, I'm sure she can handle this Sunset Shimmer pony," Rarity added.

"Yeah, maybe she got held up having fun with some new friends over there." Pinkie said.

Rainbow paced a few more times then her wings puffed out. "I can't just stand here and do nothing for her, I'm going." She declared running for the mirror.

"Rainbow! Wait!" Applejack shouted suddenly standing up. The pegasus ignored her and jumped into the portal only to crash against a solid surface.

Princes Luna dropped her gaze from the window. "It is too late," She said, "the portal is closed and will not open again for another thirty moons." 

"No," Rainbow said softly. "No! that can't be true, we can't just leave her there!" The pegasus pushed against the mirror as if she could force it to work again if she pushed hard enough.

Rarity turned to the princesses. "Can't you do something? Together you have more power than anyone in Equestria except maybe Discord."

Princess Celestia shook her head sadly. "No we can not, Luna could move the moon back into position on our side but we have no power to affect the other world. And if the two worlds moons are not in synch the portal will no open."

"What about Discord?" Fluttershy asked. "His magic can go against reality itself, maybe he can open the portal again."

The princesses considered the idea. "Perhaps he can do more than we can with the portal but finding him might prove difficult without all the elements, and even more difficult to control him if we can find him. Still, we will try." The Princess of the Sun said.

"For now though there is nothing we can do, as hard as it is we can not help Twilight Sparkle at this time." Princess Luna said. "For now you must turn in, we will discuss this further tomorrow."

"Turn in?" Rainbow questioned. "How do you think we can sleep now. Our best friend is trapped in a different dimension and we can't do anything to help her!"

"Exactly you can't help her at this moment, and if you think exhausting yourself will help then I am sorry to tell you it will not," Luna said sternly.

"Wait," Applejack said her voice hoarse. "What are we gonna tell Twilight's family, her parents? her brother? What do we tell them?"

"Shining." Cadence breathed, her already broken heartbreaking even more at the pain her husband would be in when he learned Twilight wouldn't be coming back. He was waiting in the throne room keeping security in the castle, expecting his sister to be back tonight. "I'll tell Shining Armor." 

"I'm going to tell her parents then, they need to know their daughter is lost in a different dimension." Rainbow Dash said shooting out the window before any of them could protest.

Applejack watched the rainbow streak fade away before she noticed someone hadn't spoken since the portal closed, Pinkie Pie was still laying on the case staring at the mirror. "Pinkie Pie, you okay?" She asked.

"I never said goodbye."

"Huh?"

"When she left you all said goodbye, I didn't I just smiled as she walked through the portal" Pinkie said still looking at the mirror. "I was sure she'd be back, I even thought she'd have fun over there. But now she might never come home and I never said goodbye to her."

"Oh," Applejack rubbed a hoof behind her head as she thought of what to say. "Well maybe yer right about her having fun over there, maybe she has friends who'll look out for her."

"Or maybe she's all alone because none of us did anything."

"Well, she's not really alone, Spike there with her. And those two together Ah'm sure they'll find a way to get back home in no time."

Pinkie brightened a little at the thought. "Right, yeah she'll probably be back with plenty of stories about her new friends on the other side. I better go start planning her welcome back party!" Pinkie zipped away leaving a small cloud outline of herself, Celestia gave a small smile to the scene.

"Alright now my little ponies there will be plenty of time to find a way to Twilight tomorrow but that will not be possible if you do not get to sleep."

"What about Rainbow Dash, maybe we should wait for her to get back,"  Fluttershy said not wanting her friend to return without them waiting for her.

"I do not believe she will be back before morning if she truly intends to fly all the way back to Canterlot," Celestia said. "And if she does we will tell her you wanted to wait."

Once the other ponies had left Luna turned to her older sister. "Do you think it is possible can we bring Twilight back when the portal is sealed?" She asked.

"We have to try do we not, we can't just abandon her and hope she can find a way to open the portal from the other side. Though I fear we will not be able to, but we must still hope we can."

"Perhaps Discord can..."

"Even if he does cooperate it is not a certainty, this mirror is made from powerful magic, magic I am not sure even chaos can change." 

"How can you be sure?"

"Because when Discord was freed and started changing Equestria, the mirror was left untouched even when everything around it was altered."

*** 

Rainbow Dash was feeling more than a bit faint by the time she finished telling Twilight's parents everything that had happened. Flying from the Crystal Empire to Canterlot at full speed then telling Twilight's parents, after rousing them from their sleep, had really taken a lot out of the pegasus pony. But despite her growing exhaustion and heavy breathing she had soldiered on. 

The Sparkles themselves were in absolute shock by the time Rainbow had finished her tale, neither able to believe what they had just heard after being roused from their peaceful slumber when the pegasus had crashed through their window. Night Light slide to the ground shuddering with every breath while Twilight Velvet remained standing with tears falling silently down her face. This made for a rather uncomfortable silence for the three, though the silence would not last long.

"This is a joke right?" Twilight Velvet asked. "It's just a horrible prank right. Well it's not funny so tell us why you are really here alright. What's really wrong?"

"I'm sorry Mrs. Sparkle, but it's really not a prank, it's the truth."

"You mean my daughter, my little Twily, is trapped in a different dimension with no way to get home for thirty moons. And neither you, the princesses, or any of her friends did anything to help her. Is that what you are telling me?" She demanded sharply.

Rainbow flinched at the words knowing they were true, they were the very same words she had said to herself on the flight over. "Yes, it is. We failed our friend. I'm sorry again that you had to hear this."

By now Twilight Velvet was shaking in what was either anger or grief, Rainbow couldn't tell. "Get out," She said flatly. "Get out of our house."

"Velvet." Night Light said still on the floor.

"Not now Night," Velvet said turning her head back to Rainbow. "Just leave, please."

Rainbow knew she shouldn't leave them, not when they were hurting, not after they had just received the news, and she definitely knew they should not be alone. But Rainbow also knew she was not the one that could be there for them, not her, and the only ones who could were still in the Crystal Empire. The pegasus nodded rising shakily into the air, her wings barely seemed to be able to lift her.

"Wait," Night Light said getting up. "You can't make the journey all the way back by wing, I'm a little surprised a pony even as skilled as you managed that."

"It's fine, I need to get back to them anyways, they need me there."

"Still you can't fly back after using up all that energy," His horn lit up floating a small pouch over to them. "Take this, it should pay for the train ride over to the Crystal Empire."

"I can't take your bits, not after the news I brought you." Rainbow protested, not to mention the broken window she had made in her entrance. "I'll be fine, I've done worse than fly tired before."

Night Light was about to respond when Twilight Velvet cut him off. "Just take it and go." She said before slowly trotting out of the room. Night Light used his magic to bring the coin pouch a bit closer, Rainbow feeling like she was about to fall after just hovering accepted the pouch before lowering herself to the ground.

"Thank you, I'll pay you back for everything."

"There's no need, just try and get my daughter back home, please." Night Light said following his wife.

***

"I'm so sorry Shiny!" Cadence said to her shocked husband. Shining Armor had been frozen since Cadence told him the portal had closed before Twilight could get back through and had been completely unresponsive as Cadence explained the slim chances of reopening it before the next thirty moons passed. But Cadence's apology brought him out of the stupor.

"Why are you apologizing Cadence? you did nothing wrong." Shining said nuzzling Cadence slightly.

"Because I didn't do anything to help her, I should have gone with her, maybe then she would have made it back." Cadence explained tears falling freely down her face.

"You know you couldn't have gone with her, Celestia and Luna said it could affect the balance of both our universes otherwise I would have gone after her myself," Shining said he pulled her into a hug wrapping his hoof around her, both shedding tears at their lost family member. "And she'll find her way back, this is Twilight after all."

Cadence gave a small hiccup before responding. "Yeah, knowing her she'll be back before we know it with plenty of stories about what she learned over there."

"Probably." He said with a laugh that was only a little bit forced, Cadence mimicked the laugh.

"Wait, I was supposed to be helping you feel better not the other way around," Cadence said once she calmed down a bit.

"You did Cadence," Shining said pulling her into another hug. "Trust me, you did."

***

The book had not been removed from its place or even touched in many moons and had a fine coating of dust over the spine. Princess Celestia had barely looked at it in years, not since Sunset Shimmer had vanished through the mirror, though she could remember every message in it word for word. A few times since she had considered writing in it, to try and reach her wayward student but every time she thought better of it if Sunset wanted to make a change or get reform contact she had her own, at least Celestia assumed since the journal's twin had vanished with its owner.

It was quite possible Sunset had long destroyed the journal or buried it somewhere in Equestria after Celestia had removed her as her personal student. But she doubted it, Sunset had a sentimental side no matter how much she tried to hide it and a tendency to collect keepsakes and hold onto them even if they were painful for her, so her former student most likely kept it close at hand. It was also possible the journal did not work in the dimension Sunset now called home and anything Celestia wrote in it would never appear.

Still, she considered writing in it now, that if Sunset would answer it would accelerate their chances of getting both her students back. But that was a very big if to go on, assuming Sunset still had the journal with her it was not too likely she would share it with Twilight, the Sunset she knew was not one for sharing, especially her keepsakes, and there was also the chance that Sunset was not in any condition to help Twilight with anything. Another possibility she did not like but had to consider was that Twilight lost and Sunset had defeated her or that both had been badly injured in whatever conflict might have come over the crown. It would explain why neither of them ever came through the portal.

Celestia shook her head turning away from the book once again, it was too unlikely that Twilight would get any message through the journal and too great a chance that Sunset might try and use the journal for her own gain. She had to have faith in her student to find her own way home and if they could help her from Equestria they would do so. But unless Sunset or Twilight wrote sent a message to that journal, she would not use it.
> Chapter 3: The Next Morning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack was an early riser and nothing could change that about her, not even a late-night dance and battle with a literal demon. And so at five in the morning exactly she was up and moving, ready to take on the day like she had a full night's rest. Stretching as she rose she saw Rainbow Dash hanging half out of her bed snoring slightly, Applejack remembered it being louder the last time they had a sleepover but just reasoned Dash had been working on it since then.

On the other side of the room, Sunset  Shimmer was silently laying on her sheets unmoving, breathing so lightly that Applejack actually had to place a finger on the sleeping girl's neck to make sure she was still alive. "Ah don't think Ah've ever seen someone sleep that quietly." She said to herself, Rainbow Dash muttered something incoherent and stretched even further off the bed, someone was going to be waking up on the ground Applejack thought. Sunset meanwhile remained completely still and didn't react in the slightest to the farmer's words.

Heading out of Dash's room Applejack found she was the only one awake in the house, and considering how lazy she knew Dash could get that was likely to remain for at least a couple hours. Wanting to be useful to her hosts and just to have something to do she dug out some cleaning supplied from a closet and went about the house dusting, Dash's parents were pretty clean folks but they did not have the eye for cleaning of an Apple and Applejack found some spots in the house that had never been dusted. By the time she finished, it was past six and she felt she earned some breakfast and might as well make some for everyone else. 

One look through the cabinets and the fridge told her that the kitchen had been tailored almost exclusively for Rainbow, filled with more fiber and protein snacks than any athlete should need but still want along with a whole section of the fridge dedicated to sports drinks. She did find some eggs, milk, and bacon as well, since she didn't know Sunset's appetite and it was the only breakfast food that wasn't sport themed she got them out setting the bacon strips on the stove to cook, enjoying the crisping scent they gave off, while she started scrambling the eggs. 

The food was just about finished when she heard a door open in the hallway and, to Applejack's mild surprise, Rainbow Dash came lightly jogging into the kitchen dressed for a run. "Well Ah'll be, Ah didn't take you for an early riser Rainbow Dash." Applejack said checking the clock that said it was barely six-thirty.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she stretched in place. "Of course I am, can't stay in shape if I don't run a couple miles every morning." She said bending down to touch her toes. "I see you made breakfast, it'll have to wait till I get back you know."

"Don't worry, it'll keep." Applejack said placing the bacon on a plate covering it with a paper towel. "Will yer parents be getting up soon? Or Sunset?"

"Mom and Dad are normally up not long after me, and I bet they'll appreciate breakfast. As for the living corpse in my room, she looks like she could sleep all day really." Dash explained bending her back out before straightening. "I'll be back in about a half-hour." She said then zipped out the door before Applejack could respond.

"Always dashing away," She said chuckling to herself as she set some eggs and bacon out for herself. She wasn't one to brag, unlike a certain friend of hers, but if she were she would say the eggs were pretty darn good, close to perfect really. She was savoring the taste of the bacon when her phone rang, checking it to see it was from Pinkie Pie.

Since when is everyone a morning person, Applejack thought answering the call. "Good mornin' Pinkie, yer up early." She said. 

"OF course I am! There's so much to do today and I was just telling Fluttershy you need to get up early to do it." Pinkie said over the phone.

"Ain't dat the truth." Applejack responded. "So did ya have something particular in mind Pinkie?"

"Yep, I was thinking we get everyone together and have a group day at the mall, we barely got to hang out since we made up and now that we don't have to worry about Sunset Shimmer we can just hang out like we did in freshman year."

"Dat does sound fun, but what about gettin' Twilight home, she probably wants to try and get the portal open. And what 'bout Sunset? Ah know she wants to change and all and Ah want to help her but bringin' her with us might be a bit uncomfortable for everyone."

"It'll be fine, Twilight needs to have some fun just as much as the rest of us and it might take a while to open the portal again so we should show her around a bit, also something's telling me to make sure Twilight has as much fun as possible before she goes home."

"Well if yer sure then okay, but what 'bout Sunset?" Applejack checked the hallway incase Sunset had woken up yet but saw no one.

"Bring her too, if she's going to learn about being friends then we can show her. And sometimes you need to give someone a push to help them get started so don't worry about her being a little uncomfortable, I think she'll warm up to us soon." She added the last part cutting off Applejack's next question.

"Alright, Ah'll tell Rainbow when she gets back 'bout it, what time you want us there?"

"How about nine?"

"Works for me, see ya soon Pinkie."

"Okay-Dokie-Loki, I have to call Rarity next, bye!"

Not long after the call Dash's parents got up and were pleasantly surprised to see breakfast was already ready for them, Sunset had still not woken up yet. It had been over a year since Applejack had been alone in the same room with Dash's parents and she had to say when their daughter was not around they were a little on the quiet side, mostly just eating in quiet contentment, though Applejack noticed they kept shooting glances to the front door. Applejack had finished her breakfast and was cleaning up when the front door opened and Rainbow came jogging in.

"I'm back, morning mom, morning dad, something smells good." The rainbow-haired teen said coming into the kitchen, her eyes lighting up when she saw the food. "Aw yeah, bacon," She quickly snatched up a pair of strips chomping into them as she leaned against the counter whipping her forehead with her free hand.

"Glad you like them, just save some for Sunset when she wakes up."

"She's still not up yet?" Dash asked mouth full of bacon, Applejack shook her head in response. "It's past seven already."

"Guess she's not a morning person. Though she'll need to get up soon if she wants to eat."

"How come?"

"Pinkie called said she wanted to get everyone together for a group day at the mall, said to bring Sunset with us so she can start getting used to the idea of friends." Applejack explained.

"Cool, it'll be nice to just hang out as friends again." Rainbow said diving faster into her food, "I can go wake up Sunset and we can be out in the hour."

"Before you go," Bow cut in. "I have something for Sunset that will help with her leg."

"Alright dad, I'll go wake her up," Rainbow said getting up.

"Maybe I should..." Applejack began saying only to see she was talking to a dust outline of her friend. "Or you can do it." She said gathering up the cleared dishes for the dishwasher. That girl, always dashing.

***

It felt good to be a pony again, Twilight thought as she came through the portal. It had been an interesting experience in the other world but she was happy to be back in Equestria, to feel her hooves against the cool crystal of the Crystal Empire. She was a little wobbly on her hooves standing on her hind legs, but she quickly came back down to all fours, feeling much more comfortable already.  

"Twilight!" Fluttershy said, first to acknowledge her return.

"Ah! Your back!" Rainbow exclaimed flying over, getting a little too close for Twilight's liking but she didn't mind.

"You got your crown." Rarity noted looking up, Twilight pushed it back into place. Suddenly Pinkie wrapped herself around Twilight.

"I knew you could do it!" Her pink friend said confidently.

"Oh we were so worried," Applejack added wiping tears from her eyes.

Princess Celestia leaned over the farm pony. "Sunset Shimmer, is she alright?"

"I think she's going to be fine," Twilight said looking back to the mirror, knowing her new friends would keep their promise. "I left her in good hands."

"What are hands?" Rainbow asked, the other four looking just as confused. Suddenly Spike poped through the mirror behind Twilight and quickly examined himself, he seemed happy to be back in his true form wiggling his claws and getting to his feet. 

"We should celebrate Twilight's return!" Pinkie exclaimed the others cheered in agreement starting down the hallway. "You coming?" She asked the two. Twilight nodded starting to follow, happy to be home.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! 

A relentless noise banged through the room as Twilight reeled under the terrible assault on her ears. What in Equestria is that terrible sound! Twilight thought as she tried to cover her ears to drown out the sound but it wouldn't stop, in fact, it seemed to be getting louder. Was it a warning Cadence had put in, were they under attack?

"Hey? what is that?" She asked looking at her friends. She gasped when she saw nopony was in the room with her, even Spike was gone, worse cracks were forming in the crystal walls and ground, growing with each beep. Twilight tried to back away from them but they were behind her as well closing her in trapping her all the while that terrible noise continued to grow.

"What is going on!?" Twilight shouted, nopony answered and the cracks reached her. The ground gave out beneath her and she was falling down into a pit of endless darkness. She flared her wings, trying to fly out of the pit but they refused to move and she just kept falling, all the while the relentless torment of the beeping continued.

Twilight's eyes shot open and she jolted out of her borrowed bed onto the ground, the beeping noise was still present but not as loud as it had been. Climbing to her feet she saw Spike was also awake, curled up on the ground, coving his ears with his paws. "Where is that sound coming from?" She questioned. He pointed to the nightstand next to the bed then went back to covering his ears.

Looking to the nightstand where a small box with a clock printed on its front that seemed to be the source of the beeping, picking it up Twilight began to examine the strange contraption. There were several buttons on top of it but no clear markings or instructions on how to turn the annoying thing off.

"How do I turn this off?" She asked.

"I don't know," Spike said keeping his ears covered, "Just please do something."

Shrugging Twilight started pounding on the buttons, which only seemed to make the contraption angry and it grew louder. Looking around she saw it was attached to the wall by a long cord and quickly yanked it out, the sound finally died.

"Finally," Spike said relaxing.

Twilight sighed as she dropped the cord, she missed her tree home, she missed the wood scent of it, and she missed waking up to the gentle sunlight that passed through her window instead of to mechanical monstrosities. While she had to admit Rarity had a very nice bed, certainly better than the book bed she had spent the previous couple nights on, it didn't feel the same as her bed back in Equestria. 

Equestria, how she missed Equestria and her friends waiting for her back there, she hadn't been able to truly feel the homesickness before since she had a goal in mind, and the previous night had been so crazy she hadn't really processed everything. Now, after a night's rest and the dream she had had the homesickness came on in full, tears starting to form in her eyes. 

Spike put a paw on her leg looking up at her. "We'll make it back okay." He said, Twilight nodded rubbing a hand to her eye brushing away the tears before they could start to fall. Picking up the dragon-turned-puppy she gave him a quick hug, she didn't hug him as often as she should of but there was something about his new form that told her to hug him more often.

"Right, Spike, I'm sure we'll be back home in no time, who knows it might even be today." She said encouragingly. "Now how about we go make some breakfast? I don't know about you but I could eat."

Smoke, that was the first thing Twilight smelled when she left Rarity's room, it wasn't strong but she definitely smelled smoke. "Fire!" Twilight shouted dropping Spike to the ground. "You go see what's on fire, I'll get Rarity and the girls!" She said running down the hall.

It took her a second to remember in her panic that she didn't know where Sweetie Belle's room was exactly and there were about six doors beside's Rarity's in the hallway. She chose the first door to her right throwing it open. "Rarity!" She said only to see it was a closet with a broom, no Rarity. The next one was a bathroom, and the two after that were both filled with clothes and clothing material.

"Fifth one's the charm," She said the smell of smoke was still in the air but hadn't gotten any stronger. Throwing open the door Twilight paused in confusion, it was not Sweetie Belle's room but a near-empty one with a few boxes and some curtains, though that's not what caused her to pause. It was the large white cat slowly sliding down the curtains with her claws as she stared at Twilight. "Okay..." She said slowly closing the door. Turning around to the final door she sighed and groaned when she saw the small S.B. printed on the door.

Inside it was an open room with some dolls, one of those magical computers she had used at the library, a rather full closet, and a queen-sized bed where her friend was sleeping soundly. Twilight didn't see the CMC's and hoped they were not the cause of the fire, though she had a feeling they were. "Rarity," Twilight said grabbing the sleeping teen. "Wake up."  

"Oh yes... I would love another apple..." Rarity muttered in her sleep snuggling a pillow.

"Rarity, wake up!" Twilight shouted shaking her. "There's a fire!"

"What? What!?" Rarity said jerking up in bed fumbling with the face mask she was wearing. "Oh, Twilight darling, whatever are you doing up so early?" She asked with a yawn.

"I told you, I think there's a fire I smelled smoke and came looking for you," Twilight said.

"Really smoke you say," Rarity said looking around the room, surprisingly calm. "It would seem that we have a problem darling."

"Yes, we need to find the fire, identify what type of fire it is, put it out, and figure out how it started." Twilight listed off.

"Oh, that won't be necessary." Rarity said rising. "I believe I know what caused the smoke and the only danger it poses is to your stomach. Follow me." She led Twilight out of the bedroom to the kitchen where the CMC's were grouped together in front of the stove while Spike watched from the corner, eye raised when the two older teens entered. "My dear sister and her friends seem to be trying their hands at cooking again, and forgetting all my lessons while doing so."

"No we didn't." Sweetie protested, behind her the toaster dinged and popped out a pair of blackened pieces of bread that could not dare call themselves toast. 

"You were saying?" She asked.

"Okay maybe we still need a little help," Scootaloo conceded. "But we made pancakes as well." She held out a plate of burn bumpy ovals of pancake batter, though they did look slightly edible compared to the toast.

"And we made apple juice," Applebloom added lifting up a pitcher of apple juice, which seemed to be the only part of the meal that had been done correctly.

"Well that's just lovely dear, why don't you go set the table while Twilight and I get some fruits for the side." Rarity said the three chirped in agreement grabbing the so-called food. "They really do try."

"I get it, they're just like this in my world." Twilight smirked, "Though from what I hear Sweetie Belle's an even worse cook over there. They never did tell me how they managed to burn juice."

"Goodness that does sound terrible," Rarity giggled opening the fridge. "Though I guess I shouldn't laugh since she is the counterpart of my sister. Here, a few strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple, and we should have a somewhat fitting breakfast."

When they did sit down at the table Twilight grabbed some of the berries and pineapple along with the apple juice, and a pancake that looked a little less burnt. The fruits were tasty, though they were not as good as the Equestrian foods she was used to, but still better than most of what she had since coming through the mirror. She tried to use the fork and knife on the pancake but she still couldn't get her mind around these confounded hands.

"Um darling, do you perhaps need any help?" Rarity asked wincing when Twilight's hand jerked, clacking the knife against her plate.

"No no, I got it," Twilight assured her narrowing her eyes at her hands. She was one of the most gifted unicorns to grace Celestia's school, she had been the Princess's personal student, she had become an Alicorn for crying out loud! She could figure out how to cut a burnt pancake with her hands!

Her hand spasmed and the knife slid off the plate scratching the table cloth. "Um... sorry," Twilight said to Rarity, her friend's eye twitched but she smiled.

"Don't worry dear, just let me help." She said taking the utensils from Twilight cutting up the pancake, the CMC's and Spike snickering while she did so. After it was cut up Rarity resumed her seat while Twilight took a bite of the burnt pastry, smiling at the CMC's who beamed proudly at their creation.

"So Rarity," Twilight said sipping her juice between bites. "I was thinking we could all go to the portal and I can try and use my magic to force it open. You know, as a first test."

"Sounds like a plan, I can call the others and-" Rarity's phone started buzzing cutting her off. "Well look at that, hello Pinkie Pie how are you this morning." Rarity said. "Oh yes, Twilight and I were just talking actually and... what? today? but we just- oh, Applejack already agreed. Yes, I guess that does make sense, alright I'll tell Twilight and see you then. Goodbye Pinkie."

"What did Pinkie say?" Twilight asked.

"She suggested that we all get together at the mall and have a day together, she already talked with Applejack about it, and she agreed."

"But what about going to the portal?" Twilight asked, as much as she would enjoy spending some time with her new friends without an impending threat to Equestria she wanted to go home.

"We could all go over tomorrow Twilight, it would be nice to catch a breath before dealing with magic again, and it would be nice to catch up with the girls again. We never got the chance before the formal."

"I don't know maybe you should go and Spike and I can go to the portal and try the crown." Twilight suggested.

"You could if that is your wish Twilight but it would be more fun if you joined us." Rarity said. "Though if it does not work I'm not sure how you will get back here without a phone or car."  

"Oh yeah," Twilight said thinking it over for a second. On one hand, she wanted to get back to Equestria as soon as possible, her friends were probably worried sick about her, not to mention her family and the Princesses. On the other hand, though, it might be best to remain with the others in case she needed their help. Not to mention the others might be needed to force it open.

"Well, it is just one day..."

"You won't regret this darling." Rarity assured her.

Spike coughed from the ground getting their attention. "So, what do dogs eat in this world?"
> Chapter 4: The Mall Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Rainbow Dash entered her room Sunset was still where they left her, laying on the ground unmoving and barely breathing. It was honestly a little creepy how still the defeated bully was, the way she made almost no movement at all like she was in a coma or something. Deciding to start small Rainbow starting poking the sleeping girl in the side repeatedly with her finger, no response whatsoever.

"Welp, I gave her a chance. Now we do it my way." Rainbow said cracking her knuckles. Grabbing Sunset by the shoulders she pulled her up so she was sitting then went about shaking her.

"Hey time to wake up coma girl." She said shaking her again, Sunset's head lolled but besides a slight mumble Sunset still gave no sign of waking up.

Rainbow wondered what it would take to wake her up, a smile forming on her lips as she got a funny idea. Digging around a bit through her room she found what she was looking for and kneeled down next to Sunset holding up a small air horn. She had mainly used it as an extra-alarm when she needed to get up extra early though a couple of times in freshman year she had used it to prank her friends at sleepovers, once she got Rarity to leap in the air in shock.

"Last chance Sunset you gonna wake up or do things need to get loud?" Sunset gave no response. "Okay then, sorry Sunset, but you leave me no choice," Rainbow said chuckling.

Shaking it up she held it next to the sleeping teen and pressed down the blaring noise echoing throughout the room, Rainbow Dash looked away, one hand covering the ear closest to it. There was a loud scream that carried over the noise and Rainbow was on the ground as a hand lashed out slapping her with a lot more strength than she would have guessed. 

"Leave me alone!" Sunset screamed over her. She shot to her feet, or at least she tried to. Sunset seemed to have forgotten about her injured leg for a second as she put weight on it, she let out a gasp of pain and tumbled on top of Rainbow Dash. Their groans mixed together as Sunset cleared the sleep from her eyes glancing down at Rainbow Dash who smiled at the confused teen.

"Rainbow Dash!" Sunset screamed as she scrambling off her host as fast as possible "I'm so sorry!" She stammered. She continued her rant before Rainbow could get a word out, eyes clenched shut and pressed against the wall. "I didn't mean to hit you, honest! I was just having a bad dream and lashed out when you woke me up. Not that it makes what I did okay or that it's your fault. Please don't be mad, I honestly didn't mean it."

Sunset stopped any further rambling when Rainbow Dash started laughing as she pulled herself off the floor. "Man," She said rubbing her cheek. "That is some arm of yours, ever considered trying out for baseball or something."

She continued laughing as she pulled herself off the ground rubbing her cheek. Sunset looked at her like she was crazy or something. "So your not mad at me for slapping you?"

"Heh, not the first time I've been slapped for a prank and it won't be the last time, at least you didn't chase me around the house with my bat, like Rarity did," Rainbow said. "Welp, come on you need to eat before we leave." She held out her hand for Sunset.

"Leave? You going somewhere?" Sunset asked taking the hand, pulling herself up with Rainbow's help.

"We are all going to the mall in a bit, Pinkie Pie invited us and can't turn down an invitation from her, trust me I've tried." Rainbow shuddered remembering the time Pinkie chased her halfway across town in freshman year. 

"Are you sure you want me there with you?" Sunset asked. "Wouldn't it be better if it was just you and your friends?"

"Well one, it's not my call, Applejack said Pinkie wanted you there and I already told you, no saying no to her. Two, if you really want to show us your good now this could be a good chance. And three, no it would not be better if we went without you cause that'd mean leaving you all alone and that's not right."

"Well, if you say so."

"Course I say so, now come on you need to eat at least something before we go."

"There ya are was wonderin' when ya'd get out here." Applejack said as they entered the kitchen setting out a plate of eggs and bacon. "Gonna have to eat fast if we're gonna make it."

As Sunset sat down Applejack turned her eye to Rainbow Dash pulling her out of earshot. "Now did Ah hear ya set off the airhorn in there?" She questioned.

"Hey not my fault she sleeps like the dead, it was either that or I started slapping her." Rainbow defended waving her hands in front of her. 

"Looks like she beat ya to it." Applejack commented looking at the red mark on her face.

"Heh yeah, for a girl I barely saw on the field she has quite an arm and some strength behind her." She said looking to the table. Sunset had finished her eggs but was looking at the bacon with a queasy look that looked pretty familiar to the athlete.

"Is something wrong dear?" Rainbow's mom asked.

"No," Sunset replied picking up a strip grimacing. "It looks... good."

"Is she?" Applejack said as Sunset closed her eyes and took a bite.

"She is," Rainbow Dash was already moving, remembering a very similar situation years ago, it had not ended well. 

Sunset's eyes bugged out as she started to gag, hands pressed tight over her mouth as she repeated gagged. Rainbow grabbed a small trashcan they kept in the kitchen, rushing to Sunset. "Here." Rainbow gestured, Sunset accepted it without a word, understandable, and then vomited into the small trashcan. Once she finished heaving, Sunset buried her face in her hands while Applejack removed the trashcan, Rainbow sat next to Sunset staring at the former bully.  

"So, you're a vegetarian," Rainbow said matter-of-factly.

"Uh-huh," Sunset responded. "Eggs and milk are fine though." Rainbow bonked her lightly on the head.

"Well then you should have said something, honestly that was almost as bad as the first time Fluttershy came here," Rainbow said shaking her head, at least Sunset didn't force herself to eat almost all of it before barfing. Rainbow's mom came back from the kitchen with a small plate of sliced apples and a glass of water, Rainbow nudged Sunset who stuck her head up to see the offered food and water.

"Thank you," Sunset crocked, voice still a little raw from the vomit.

"No problem dear." Rainbow's mom smiled as Sunset started crunching on the apples. Rainbow's dad came back from his office he had gone to after Sunset threw up carrying a small pill bottle in one hand and a pair of Rainbow's old crutches from when she broke her leg last year.

"She feeling any better?" He asked. "Need some stomach medicine?"

"No thank you," Sunset answered, her voice clearing up. "I'll be okay."

"Good, though I still recommend taking one before you leave just to be safe. Also, I brought you something that will help you moved around more with your injured leg." He said offering the crutches. Sunset poped one last slice in her mouth before accepting them, rising to her feet holding the crutches under her arms, she remained on her feet though she was a little shaky looking.

"It will probably tire you out faster keeping pressure off your injured foot so try not to move too much." Rainbow's dad advised. 

"Yeah and it gets really annoying after a while, not to mention moving as slow as a snail," Rainbow added thinking back to her own time with the crutches, worst two months of her life!

Sunset did a few test steps around the kitchen as she got used to the crutches, when she turned back to them there were tears in her eyes. "Thank you." She said. "Really you've all been much too kind to me, far more than I deserve."

"Yeah, don't mention it. Really." Rainbow said a little embarrassed by Sunset's words. This new Sunset would really take some getting used to she thought. Really wanting to end the awkward feeling Sunset was giving her she turned her attention to Applejack who had returned from putting the trashcan outside. "Hey Applejack when did Pinkie Pie say we should meet up?"

"'bout nine." Applejack answered looking at the clock, 8:30.

"Looks like we'll be late," Rainbow said with a shrug.

"Then best get a move on already. Come one." Applejack ran out of the room, Sunset and Rainbow Dash shared a look before following.   

***

"Of course she would be late, two years has done nothing for either of their punctuality." Rarity huffed pulling a brush out of her purse, brushing a stray hair putting the offending stand back in its place. Twilight and Rarity were waiting in front of the mall for their friends, Sweetie Belle and the other CMC's had been left in charge of watching Spike who couldn't come. The two had arrived on time at Twilight's insistence yet they were the only ones there.  "Honestly I thought she would have learned."

"I'm sure Pinkie Pie and the others will be here soon," Twilight said not really listening. 

"Yes, Pinkie Pie. Of course." Rarity brushed her hair back again and smoothing out the rhinestone dress' skirt while searching the parking lot for any sign of Applejack's old pickup truck. Honestly, could Pinkie Pie have not given her any more time to prepare, she actually had to rush choosing her dress so they would be on time. Of course, she still looked fabulous but that did not make it any better. Not to mention her hair which refused to flatten out today.

"Hey Rarity, Do you think Spike will be okay with the CMC's?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Rarity said waving, a bead of sweat running down her head. "The girls can be responsible when they try."

"Really? Cause you don't sound too confident." 

"Everything will be fine dear, now where is Pinkie Pie, she invited us you would think she would show up on time. And Applejack, how is she always late?"

"I'm sure she'll be here soon." Pinkie commented. 

"Yes but that does not make it any less rude and AHH!" Rarity screamed as she realized Pinkie Pie was right next to her. "Pinkie! When did you get here?"

"Huh?" Pinkie raised a confused eye. "We've been here the whole time silly!"

"I'm sorry, we?" Twilight asked.

"Hi." Fluttershy's head popped out of some nearby bushes.

"Eek!" Twilight screeched jumping away, Pinkie laughing the whole time.

"Sorry," Fluttershy whispered climbing out the bushes. "Pinkie said to hide in the bushes and come out when she came out. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh, it's fine." Twilight helped brush some leaves that had stuck to their quiet friend's dress.

"Miss Pie," Rarity scolded. "Were you hiding in the bushes to prank us? And you roped in poor Fluttershy into your little scheme."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Sorry Rarity, it just seemed so much fun and you should always start the day with a laugh."

"It's mid-morning," Twilight interjected.

"Still counts!"

"What counts?" Applejack asked, her truck pulling up next to the curve. The farmer tipped her stetson hat, raising an eye as Rarity quickly fixed her hair again, curse its determination to stick up when she least needed it. 

"Oh nothing darling, Pinkie Pie was just having her fun is all."

"Guess that's why Fluttershy has leaves on her dress." Rainbow Dash vaulted out of the backseat without opening the door, jogging up to the shy girl brushing off the remaining leaves.

"Rainbow! No jumpin' out of mah Truck! Yall break it!" Applejack got out of the truck getting out a pair of crutches from the truck bed. "Here ya go Sunset at least someone can wait two seconds." 

"Sunset? Sunset Shimmer came as well?" Rarity asked as the defeated bully in question lurched into sight, keeping one foot off the ground as she moved rather shakily on the crutches she was obviously unfamiliar with. "I was under the assumption that it would be just the six of us."

"Pinkie Pie invited me, that not a problem is it? I can just go if it will be a problem." Sunset made a hesitant lurch to the side away from them.

"No no, it's fine just unexpected." Rarity turned away already putting aside the unexpected intrusion. "So Pinkie did you have a plan for our first group outing in nearly two years, exculding the milkshake parlor before the formal?"

"Yep and the first thing is something I really want to do," Pinkie exclaimed. "Though we need to go to the fountain to do it."

"Yall just go on ahead, Ah have to park mah truck." Applejack turned her truck back while Pinkie Pie somehow gathered the rest of them together and pushed them through the mall entrance.

"Pinkie we can walk for on our own." Rainbow Dash complained.

"Oops sorry, I just really want to do this." Pinkie said stopping. Sunset Shimmer stumbled giving out a slight whimper that Rarity almost missed when she put some weight on the foot she had off the ground. Fluttershy moved to help but the two both flinched away from each other when they locked eyes and nearly taking a tumble when they did so. Rainbow and Pinkie, who were closer, helped steady Sunset while Twilight and Rarity caught Fluttershy. Rarity frowned as the other two steadied the defeated bully.

"I'm sorry," Fluttershy whispered just lough enough for Twilight and Rarity to hear. "It's just when I saw her eyes I just..."

Rarity rubbed their quiet friend's shoulder. "Shh, it's okay dear I understand, trust me." Twilight looked slightly confused at the act but said nothing. When they got to the fountain Pinkie started lining them out in front of it, Fluttershy and Rarity keeping Rainbow Dash between them and Sunset Shimmer to their left.

"Okay now, all we need is Applejack." Pinkie held her hands out making a camera square with her hands.

"Ah'm here." Applejack jogged up to them. "What ya need me to do?"

"Stand right here." Pinkie Pie pushed Applejack next to Sunset Shimmer, getting out her phone and passing it to a random boy walking by. "Can you take our picture please?"

The boy shrugged holding up the phone, Pinkie leaped over them landing on the fountain behind them. "Say cheese everyone." She leaned down and pulled up the corners of Sunset's mouth whose eyes widened in shock, Rarity quickly struck a pose, tossing her hair back with a wink, as the picture was taken. "Thanks." Pinkie said releasing the startled Sunset to catch her phone.

"So you just wanted a picture?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"Not just a picture," Pinkie Pie held up the phone. "I wanted something to look back on as our first get-together since freshmen year."

Looking into the picture Rarity did have to say that it was a good shot, even if she wished she had more time to do her hair. But she loved the way her rhinestone dress caught the light not to mention her heels, she always dressed her best and this time was no different. Then there was Applejack who, like Rarity, had struck a pose before the photo was taken tipping her hat, winking, and raising a thumb to the camera. It was quite a silly little pose and Rarity found herself giggling as she looked at it.

"See that's why I wanted us all here, smiles all day today." Pinkie pocketed the phone and pulled a map of the mall from her hair. "We have a lot of ground to cover today and I don't want a minute wasted, so I was thinking-"

"That we should split up, what a great idea Pinkie." Rarity said quickly cutting her off. Yes, it was terribly rude but honestly, it was for the best. And she did not think Pinkie would mind considering how often she will do it.

"That wasn't what I was gonna say silly." Pinkie started again.

"Oh but it would work out just perfectly," said Rarity. "You see Twilight here needs a new wardrobe and while I can make some for her it would be best to purchase a few for her now, and Fluttershy can help us. Meanwhile, you and Rainbow Dash can show Sunset around." 

Fluttershy nodded in agreement and Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Fine with me, if it gets me out of shopping for dresses then I'm good with splitting up."

"But this is supposed to be our first big get-together," Pinkie Pie protested. "It can't be a get-together if we split up."

"We can meet up for lunch at noon together," Rarity assured her.

"Well alright then Ah guess Ah'll go with Rainbow Dash then." Applejack said.

"Actually darling I was hoping you could come with us," Rarity grabbed Applejack's hand. "We might need your help at the store."

"Uh Ah don't know Rarity..." Applejack began. "Rainbow and Pinkie might need my help." Rainbow Dash gave Applejack a quick push-in Rarity's direction so the farmer had to grab onto her to keep the fashionista from falling.

"Don't worry about us Applejack you go have fun at the clothes store, me and Pinkie will take care of Sunset." Rainbow Dash already had Sunset by the shoulder and was leading her away, Pinkie shrugged and followed.

"See you at lunch!" Pinkie waved before the three were swallowed by the crowd.

"Um Rarity, was there any reason why you did not want to be around Sunset? Cause it certainly felt that way." Twilight moved up next to Rarity giving her a questioning look as Applejack let Rarity go.

"Later darling, I'll explain later, promise." Rarity gave a dainty sigh then clapped her hands together. "But first, we go shopping."
> Chapter 5: The Mall Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh yes, I do believe that this suits you perfectly darling, don't you agree dears?" Rarity, eyes glimmering with diamonds, asked Applejack and Fluttershy, looking Twilight over, admiring her work. 

Applejack tilted her head up looking at Twilight. "Ain't it a little too fancy for her to go wearing 'round town. Ah, mean it's not like she's goin' to the Great Ball or somthin'." 

"It is a little much," Fluttershy muttered then quickly added. "But still very pretty." 

"Uh! It is just fine for casual wear," Rarity protested. "Right Twilight?"

"Well..." Twilight looked down at herself then in the dressing room mirror getting a full view of herself. Rarity had put her in a sleeveless lavender dress that just reached her knees that was pulled tight around her waist, combined with the 'heels' as Rarity called the stilted shoes, Twilight felt like if she took two steps she would either fall down or pass out, neither of which she was keen on doing. Still...

"I don't know, back in Equestria we don't really use dresses much, though when we do it's normally for important social events."

Applejack took that with a smirk. "See? She don't need any fancy stuff, 'sides she might be goin' home tomorrow anyway."

Rarity rolled her eyes at the farmer. "One should always aspire to look their best and even if she leaves tomorrow she should still be allowed to wear the best our world has to offer."

"Rarity she needs something she can move in, just look at the stuff ya picked out," Applejack held up a pair of dresses Rarity had grabbed when they first entered the clothing store. "If Twilight ends up stayin' she'll need practical clothes, not just dresses."

"Fine, but I'm not having you pick them out Applejack, you'd probably have her dressed as a cowgirl," Rarity turned to Fluttershy who had kept quiet during the two's argument. "Fluttershy dear can you please go pick out some casual clothes for Twilight, perhaps a jacket or two for winter."  

"Um sure Rarity, if you think I can do it."

"Of course dear after me I'd say you have the best taste in Canterlot." Rarity assured her. "Go I'll help Twilight out of the dress and get the rest back to the shelves."

"There was that so hard?" Applejack asked once Fluttershy left the dressing room, patting Rarity on the shoulder. The ivory-skinned girl turned away from the other two covering her face.

"Apologises, I guess I got a little over-excited at the idea of helping our new friend find a style, especially a Princess."

Twilight decided to reenter the conversation at that. "Rarity I thought we agreed not to bring up the princess thing while I'm here, it doesn't really matter till we get the portal open."

Rarity sighed turning back to them, starting to help Twilight out of the dress and stilt shoes. "I know as I said I just got a little overexcited."

"Not the first time she did it either," Applejack said. "Remember freshman year when ya found out Rainbow Dash had never worn a skirt?" Rarity blushed as Applejack continued. "This one here nearly had a heart attack then tried to drag Rainbow Dash to the mall in the middle of a school day!"

Twilight held a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh as Rarity playfully slapped Applejack's arm, glad to see they had not let the previous night's events get to them. They had gone through an event very similar to one Twilight and her Equestria friends had gone through with Nightmare Moon and her new friends were several years younger than them. Yet here they were hanging out at a mall and joking as if nothing happened. Though it had happened and thinking about it brought up a question she needed to ask.

"Hey Rarity," Twilight said distracting Rarity from Applejack. "There is something I wanted to ask you."

"What is it darling?"

"Well, it's just earlier, you seemed like you... uh, how should I put this? You..."

"Did not want to spend my day with Miss Shimmer." Rarity said flatly. "It's okay to ask I'm willing to explain now."

Applejack, who had returned to her seat looked up at that as Rarity finished tidying up the dresses she had brought to the room before turning to the two. "Alright then so why do you not want to be around Sunset?" Twilight asked.

"The answer is quite simple really, I'm not willing to trust her yet and am in no mood to spend too much time around her unless it is necessary." Rarity said matter of factly.

"But you seemed fine with her helping to open the portal and you said you'd look out for her last night."

Rarity nodded. "And I meant what I said on both accounts, if Sunset can and is willing to help you go home then I won't deny her that. Given what she accomplished I won't deny that her help could be invaluable. And I did promise to look out for her and I will but that does not mean I have to trust or spend too much time with her, yet."

"Yet?" Applejack asked.

"Yes if Miss Shimmer is genuine about changing and makes an effort to make up for what she has done then perhaps I will be willing to put the past behind us, but I won't just blindly accept her into our group."

"Well, Ah saw her last night, and she looked as genuine as can be," Applejack said with a shrug. "And she was nothin' but polite since me and Rainbow Dash took her to Dash's."

"And that is fine by you Applejack," Rarity said. "But after everything Sunset Shimmer did to us before and during the formal forgive me for being a little wary of her." The ivory-skinned girl looked to Twilight. "And I'm guessing our counterparts in your world would feel the same if they went through what we did."

"Actually we did go through something very similar back home," Twilight said smiling at the memory of Nightmare Moon. It's funny it was so terrifying when it happened but what it led to just made her smile.

"Really do tell," Rarity inquired.

Twilight shook her head. "Another time, just know that back in my world it wouldn't take much for everyone to put what Sunset did in the past."

Rarity gathered up the dresses heading for the dressing room exit. "Well, it might take me a little longer to forgive her than in your world." 

Applejack pulled the curtain out for Rarity as the dress lover left before saying to Twilight. "Ah know what Ah saw in Sunset last night, that girl meant it when she wanted to change."

Twilight nodded. "I think so too. Though it might not be easy."

"Don't worry 'bout that Twi' takin' on tough jobs is an Apple's specialty." 

***

Sunset was not really sure what she was supposed to be doing, then again she had not been sure of anything today and she was starting to get used to the feeling. Since the group had split Sunset has just followed along as Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash led her through the mall, Pinkie kept talking, though Sunset only caught so many words though Rainbow Dash seemed to have no trouble keeping up. Sunset found herself questioning why she was here with them, why was she walking around with the people she had tried to kill. She knew they said they wanted to be friends, at least Applejack and Rainbow Dash had, and Sunset was starting to believe them, but she still questioned why she was with them at the mall.

It almost felt forced, like the idea that she could be their friend was just being pushed on by a promise and good intentions for her. That thought did not sit well with her, Sunset Shimmer would not be just a promise to be fulfilled, she had meant what she said when she wanted to change, and maybe she needed some time alone to think of that on her own.

Finally, the redhead broke her silence. "Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie. I want to say thank you for inviting me."

"And we're happy you said yes!" Pinkie interrupted.

'Not that I was given much of a choice,' Sunset thought. "But I think I should be getting back to my place."

That stopped the two teens in their tracks. "What are you saying Sunset, we just got here?!" Pinkie exclaimed getting a little too close for comfort. 

Sunset backed away a step before answering. "This doesn't feel real, it's just too fast."

Rainbow cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

Sunset shifted a little on her crutches. "Me being here, it's too soon. I needed time to think, really think after everything that happened last night okay. And I don't want this friendship just to be fulfilling a promise."

"I thought I told you-"

"I know what you said but it still feels wrong okay, I just need some time okay, and maybe get this whole reform thing thought out."

Sunset turned to leave, ignoring Pinkie Pie's protests when Rainbow put a hand on her. "Okay you can go, but first I want you to try one thing with me and if you still feel like this is forced you can go."

Sunset paused before answering, she really wanted to go and think things over, but if Rainbow said she just had to do one thing it might be worth checking out. Looking back to the two she nodded.

"Um Rainbow Dash," Sunset said looking down at the controller. "How is this supposed to change anything? I've never even played a video game before."

Rainbow's head jerked to look at the red head. "Huh?! How have you never played a video game before or even an arcade game?"

Sunset shrugged. "It never seemed important you know. I spent most of my time plotting or studying didn't leave much for these strange machines."

"Well, these strange machines are the perfect way to make you feel more comfortable! You have no idea how easy it is to form a bond after playing a game together!"

"You tell her Dashie!" Pinkie exclaimed holding up a sign stating Go Rainbow Sunset! that Sunset had no idea how the pink teen had made so fast.

The red head raised an eyebrow at the controller, not really believing the teen's words. But if it got her out of the mall she would give it a chance. "One game, then I can go?"

Rainbow smirked. "If you want to go sure." She pressed the start button.

Sunset was the dumbest genius in the world, how had she lived in the human world for so many years and ignored these amazing machines. Five minutes in and she couldn't take her eyes off the screen as she and Rainbow blasted away at the aliens. It was oddly soothing seeing the alien ships blown to bits, like a little of her tension was in each one, and blasting it away brought her more at ease. Before she knew it they were on their third game and still going strong, Rainbow leading by nearly a thousand points but Sunset thought she was doing pretty good for her first time playing.

"Man, I can't believe you've never played a video game before," Rainbow said as they cleared another wave of aliens. "Seriously how have you never played?"

Sunset shrugged. "As I said, I spent most of my time either plotting or studying, neither left much time for video games. Though now I wish I had tried them."

"What about before you came to Canterlot? I doubt even you were plotting in elementary."

At that Sunset's eyes drifted slightly a bead of sweat starting to form. "Uh I've been studying all my life and I didn't have many chances to play games where I'm from." She turned her attention back to the game, a giant alien boss just appearing on the screen.

"Oh, you mean the pony world?" Pinkie Pie asked. 

Sunset's hand jerked and the alien boss blasted her ship to piece, Rainbow's followed soon after as her head spun to look at Sunset.

"Do they not have any video games there?" Pinkie Pie continued.

"How did you know I was from Equestria?!" Sunset asked, Pinkie shrugged.

"It's obvious isn't it?" 

"I didn't think it was."

"Wait wait," Rainbow said. "You're from the same world as Twilight?"

***

Meanwhile at the Belle Residence

"Stay back you animals!" Spike shouted grabbing another fruit in his paw, flinging the food at his attackers. It was a messy battle and Spike could tell he was losing but he could not give up yet, he would not surrender to these monsters.

"Give up Spike! Ah promise it won't be so bad." Applebloom held up a plate blocking the projectile fruit.

"Never!"

"Surround him crusaders!" Scootaloo directed salad bowl in hand. "I want that badge!"

Sweetie Belle's head popped up from behind the overturned table a salad bowl helmet covering her hair. "Can we please not destroy the kitchen again! Rarity didn't let me out of her sight for a whole week last time." 

"Then leave me alone!" Spike shouted lobbing a tomato at them. 

Rarity's kitchen was a warzone with mashed fruits and scattered kitchen appliances all along the floor, on one side Spike and Opal crouched in waiting, on the other side the CMC's stood gathered trying to force their way to the animals. Sweetie Belle hid behind the crusaders' fort, the kitchen table, with the source of the conflict, a set of grooming brushes and soaps meant for the animals. All that stood between them and a new badge for the scouts was an uncooperative dog and many fruits. 

"I'm almost out! Opal, I need more ammo!" Spike shouted to the cat peaking over to see the approaching crusaders. "Hurry they're almost on top of us!"

'growl'

"Huh?" Spike turned just as Opal kicked Spike in the face knocking him out of their makeshift defenses. "Traitorous furball," Spike muttered, rumbling his nose.

"Heehee," A pair of voices giggled above him.

"Oh no...."

They were on him before he could even make to run, Scootaloo grabbing him from behind, lifting him into her arms. "Success, come on girls! To the bath!"

"Twilight where are you?! Save me!" Spike shouted as the crusaders carried him away.
> Chapter 6: The Mall Part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash stood, open-mouthed, as Sunset fidgeted slightly on her crutches while Pinkie Pie's eyes darted from one to the other, a slightly confused look on her face. Of course Pinkie Pie figured me out. And of course she goes and blabs about it in front of Rainbow Dash. How in Equestria did she even figure it out? Sunset thought, she knew there had been a chance after all the magic and her demon self's plan to invade Equestria, but she had hoped it would take longer than a day for someone to realize.

"So, you're an alien horse as well huh?" Rainbow finally asked.

"Pony actually, we don't really call ourselves horses over there, though some stallions with some ego problems will," Sunset explained.

"Yeah not the issue right now," Rainbow rolled her eyes. "So I guess that's how you knew about Twilight's crown. So you're the same as her."

That caused Sunset to look down. "No we're not, she's nothing like me, we're not even the same species back in Equestria. Anyway, can you two not tell the others about this yet, Twilight and Spike are the only other two that know and I want to keep it that way for a while."

"Why?" Pinkie Pie asked. "If you tell everyone then they'll know and we can all be closer together and you won't have to hold your secrets from us."

"It just isn't important right now, I'll tell the story once Twilight has a way home okay, just put it aside for now please."

A beep on Rainbow's phone stopped them from answering. "Just got a text from Fluttershy, they said they finished shopping and are waiting for us at the food court."

"Ooohhh let's go, I want pizza!" Pinkie Pie zipped away racing out of the arcade.

"So, besides the whole, your a pony from another dimension reveal how was your first game," Rainbow asked as they started making their way to the food court.

"You know, that was a lot more fun than I thought it would be," Sunset said as she hopped alongside the two.

Rainbow gave her a jab to the arm. "Told ya, just you wait Applejack and me, we'll make a gamer out of you in no time!"

***

"Hey Rainbow Dash! Pinkie Pie! Over here!" Applejack hollered to them as they entered the food court, standing up by a table near the back, next to her were Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Sunset also saw several bags by Twilight's legs.

"We'll be right there!" Rainbow shouted back before turning to Pinkie Pie and Sunset. "Come on, let's grab some pizza and soda."  When the three arrived at the table, Fluttershy and Rarity were already eating while Twilight sucked on a milkshake, Applejack smiled as they sat down, Sunset ended up between Twilight and Rainbow Dash while Pinkie Pie sat across from Applejack.

"So, ya three have fun?" She asked.

"Heh, you could say that," Rainbow answered. "Turns out Sunset here has a bit of a gamer in her." She nudged Sunset. Sunset noticed Rarity roll her eyes at Rainbow's words but her attention turned when Twilight set her milkshake down.

"Well it's nice to hear you're already forming a new hobby Sunset," She said. "But if it's okay with everyone I wanted to talk about the plan for the portal."

"You already have something in mind?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, I believe that the portal could be weaker on this side than it is in my world. The portal has kept the magic from my world separate from here but something holding that much back would have a weakness. As there was originally no magic in this world so this side should be the weak point. With the crown giving me access to my power I might be able to force the portal to open long enough for me and Spike to return to our own world."

"Ah guess that could work." Applejack scratched the back of her head. "But what if it doesn't?"

"Then we try joining out power and unleashing it together like we did to defeat Sunset." Sunset flinched slightly at Twilight's words though Twilight carried on without noticing. "I would like to avoid using that too much if possible, that much power can be very destructive and I don't want to tear a hole between our worlds."

At that Rarity gave a very unladylike cough as she tried to swallow her food. "That could happen?"

Twilight shrugged. "I don't know, nothing like this has ever happened before as far as I know, everything I've said is more theory than fact. For all, I know all we could end up doing is blow up the statue."  

"I wonder what Principal Celestia would do if it was destroyed?" Pinkie Pie wondered allowed. "Maybe she'd replace it with a unicorn, ooh, or a giant cupcake!"

Rainbow raised an eye. "How would a giant cupcake make sense?"

Pinkie Pie shrugged. "I dunno, but it'd look delicious!"

"Ahem," Rarity coughed. "If we could get back to Twilight getting home. I was wondering, what will you do if this does not work?"

Twilight looked down. "I'd rather not think about that right now if that's okay, I'll cross that bridge if or when I need to."

Sunset shifted slightly in her seat, a thought coming to her, a possible idea that just might help Twilight get home, but it was a long shot and she didn't want to bring it up in front of everyone. Not when it had such a high chance of failure, no, she'd bring it up the next time she and Twilight were alone. Besides there was a chance it wouldn't matter to anyone, best just to keep quiet and stay out of the way. She nibbled on her pizza while the friends continued their conversation, her wandering eyes, drifting over to Fluttershy, who hadn't added anything to the conversation.

Fluttershy's eyes widened slightly when they met Sunset's, Sunset tried to give a small smile but the quiet girl's shot back down and she scooched just a bit closer to Rarity.Yep, that makes sense. Sunset thought shaking her head, honestly, she was just glad Fluttershy hadn't burst into tears or run away yet, she had a feeling that would be worse than any anger from Fluttershy. 

"So besides clothes, did you three do anything in the mall?" Rainbow asked bringing Sunset's focus back to the group. Applejack grunted, tilting her hat over her eyes.

"Does shoe shopping count?" Rarity held up a smaller bag.

"Unless they're soccer shoes, no."

"Well they are nothing as plain as soccer shoes, but they are fit for casual wear."

"Hope Applejack didn't pick them out or Twilight will be wearing cowboy boots." Rainbow joked getting a laugh out of Pinkie Pie. 

"Hey!" Applejack sat up. "Ah'll have ya know Ah put some thought to other people's style."

"So did you try to take Twilight to Happy Horseman's Ranch Wear because you thought that was Twilight's style?" Rarity question, tilting her head with a smirk.

Applejack pulled her hat down again though Sunset could still see the hint of a blush on the farm girl's face. "Well, at least Ah didn't dress her up like she goin' ta the Canterlot Grand Ball."

"Ugh! Don't you think that is a bit of an exaggeration Applejack?!"

Now Applejack was the one smirking. "Coulda fooled me. Ah was half 'specting another limo to show up for her."

"Um, girls I think you should stop," Twilight interjected. "Or at least move so Fluttershy's not in the middle." Rarity and Applejack looked down where Fluttershy had her head on the table and hands over her ears. They quickly muttered apologies and sat back down. 

"Ha! These two never change you know Twilight." Rainbow commented, leaning back in her chair. "They were like this two years ago, it's like just kiss already!"

Rarity's face went beat red. "What! We-we would never!!!"

"Yeah, dat's just silly RD!"

"I dunno, seems right to me," Pinkie Pie giggled, fist-pumping Rainbow. 

Twilight leaned over to Sunset. "It's uncanny, they're so much like my friends back home, though maybe a little..."

"Immature." Sunset offered, Not sure if I'm one to talk though..

"I was going to say hormonal but I guess that works too." Twilight took a slurp from her shake then frowned shaking it, "Aw it melted."

Rarity stood up. "I'll take you to get a refill darling, I could go for another juice myself."

As the two got up Sunset was now pretty much next to Fluttershy who again looked away from her and this time scotched up close to Applejack. "Oh, and Twilight, I want to assure you again that you will always have a room at my house, mother and father are very accommodating when they are around that is." Rarity said.

"Thanks, Rarity that is very thoughtful of uff!" Twilight grunted as she ran into someone, as she fell backward her melted milkshake flew backward out of her hands. Sunset had just enough time to realize it was coming at her before it flew into her face.

Meanwhile, Twilight was saved from falling on her back when the person she ran into reached out grabbing her hand and pulling her back to her feet. "Sorry! Didn't see you there, Twilight!" Flash Sentry exclaimed realizing who he caught. "I thought you went home."

"Hehe, w-well you see I just decided to stick around a little longer." Twilight giggled tucking her hair behind her head. "It's nice to see you again Flash."

"You too, actually I wanted to ask you something."

"Really what?"

"Well, you see... I was wondering if maybe, that is if your available you'd want to..."

"Oh my," Fluttershy said.

"Yeah I get it, way too, oh," Flash looked over Twilight's shoulder then cringed.

"What?" Twilight asked, turning around and gasped at what she saw. Sunset's face, hair, and top were drenched in a mix of melted chocolate and vanilla milkshake. "Sunset I didn't mean..." 

Sunset was shaking visible, her face heating up as she felt the anger starting to rise in, her right eye twitched slightly. She felt like she was about to boil over when there was a jolt in her back, her hand spasmed under the table, then a wash of coldness over her, and suddenly the anger was gone and she slumped slightly in her chair. "It's fine," She said softly. "Just an accident."  

"Pfft, hahaha!" Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's just ha!" She brushed a tear from her eye and stood up tugging on Sunset's sleeve. "Come on, you can clean up in the restroom. You two continue with whatever it was you two were doing."

Rainbow pretty much led Sunset to the washroom giving her a slight push to the sink. "There you go," She said leaning up against the wall.

"Thanks," Sunset mumbled as she started trying to wash the shake from her face and hair.

"Don't mention it," Rainbow shrugged. "And sorry about laughing, your face just looked so funny getting all red there, I just couldn't help myself." 

"I guess it would look pretty funny to an observer."

"Yeah," Rainbow swayed slightly on the balls of her feet. "So I also saw you didn't get angry there, got to say, that was a little surprising. I mean I thought there would at least be some shouting, even if you want to change. I probably would have if it was me."

"I guess it just wasn't something to really be mad about."

"I'm not sure about that, you looked like you were getting angry one second, then the next there's nothing."

Sunset shrugged as she splashed her face again. "I just let it go okay."

"And was that jolt and spasm part of letting it go?"

Sunset looked at Rainbow. "You saw that."

"Heh, these eyes can see the hint of a ten-year-old sports injury in the middle of a soccer game halfway across the field. I think I can see a sudden spasm a foot away before you lose your anger." Rainbow said with a proud glint in her eye that softened after a second. "Maybe you should tell Twilight about it, could be some weird magic side effect."

"If it is I'll let it be for now," Sunset said as she finished drying herself off. "There are more important things to worry about than whether me getting hit by a giant rainbow had any side effects. I know you don't owe me anything at all but is there any way you could keep this between us for now?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Your body, as long as your not hurting yourself it's your choice. Though you sure do like you're secrets huh?"

Sunset shrugged fingering her top, still stained with milkshakes. "It's a habit okay, I feel better if I have a few things close to the chest. It's easier for me then."

"I guess I get it, I still haven't told Pinkie I don't like pi- forget what I said! Oh, and here," Rainbow tossed Sunset her blue jacket. "You can wash your top at my place later."

Sunset eyes the jacket. "You're just a big softy aren't you."

"Hey, I'm not soft!" Rainbow exclaimed lightly punching Sunset on the shoulder. "And don't go telling anyone I am."

"Alright, I won't."

When the two returned Flash was gone and Twilight and Rarity had returned to their seats. "Where'd Sentry go? Thought he wanted to ask you something?" Rainbow asked.

"He got all nervous after you two left and said he'd talk later," Rarity explained, patting Twilight on the shoulder.

Sunset shifted slightly on her crutches "So, um thank you for having me here today. But I should probably be going, I want to get my clothes cleaned as soon as I can."

"Yes of course we understand, wouldn't want them to be ruined." Rarity, to Sunset's slight surprise, agreed.

"And I'll be going too since Sunset here's going to be staying at my place again tonight," Rainbow added nudging Sunset in the side.

"I am?"

"You are."

Applejack gave a slight sigh and stood. "Guess that means Ah'm heading out too, these two'll need a ride."

"You'll all still come tomorrow to the portal right?" Twilight asked.

"Course we'll be there," Applejack assured her.

Pinkie Pie hopped up. "Wait! Before you go, there is one more thing I want us all to do back at the fountain."

"And why exactly did you want us here again?" Twilight asked looking at her reflection in the pond. "We already have a picture."

Pinkie started digging around her hair. "Because I want to make a wish and we all have to be here for it. Alright everyone come here." She said as she pulled a penny out. 

Sunset hung back a little as the others came closer to Pinkie Pie as she flipped the penny in the air, jumped up to catch it, and flung it into the fountain. "And there we go, all done!"

"So what you wish for?" Rainbow asked.

"Rainbow Dash she can't tell or it won't come true." Rarity protested. "And I think we want it to come true, don't we dear?"

"Yep!"

***

"Y'all sure yah won't need help tonight?" Applejack asked poking her head out the window of her truck. "It'd be no trouble really, harvest season's over for the year." 

Rainbow waved her off. "We'll be fine Applejack, see you tomorrow at the portal." 

"Right, see ya then."

"Sooo?" Rainbow nudged Sunset once Applejack had driven away. "How'd it feel? Being out with everyone?"

"It... was actually pretty nice, being out, though a little weird if I'm being honest."

"Yeah, it is a little strange, us all out like that, actually having fun together even if our group did split up. And it was a little strange with you there, for the longest time I wanted to knock that smug look off your face, and maybe knock a few teeth out." Sunset edged slightly away from Rainbow, threats against her teeth caused that, even if it was in joke. "Seriously though now, it was pretty fun having you there, the only person who actually tried to match me at games before was Applejack, and that was two years ago. It was cool having a challenge again, though you're still a total noob."

"Agreed."

"You're coming to the portal with us tomorrow right?" Rainbow asked suddenly.

"Uh, yeah I guess so, I need to get my car back from the parking lot and if it works, I'd like to get a chance to say a proper goodbye to Twilight if that's alright."

"I'm sure it'll be," Rainbow said then frowned as she saw a pair of familiar faces pressed against the window. "Come on, let's get this over with."

Sunset couldn't help but feel a small pang of envy at the love Rainbow received yet she seemed to resent it. "They really do love you, you know."

"Yeah I know, come on. Let's in before they break the windows."

***

Twilight backed away from her open-mouthed friend as they stood at the entrance to what looked like a small warzone. Splattered food and discarded silverware were everywhere across the kitchen, the table and chairs had been overturned, and bits of fur were scattered across the ground. And then there were the three young girls responsible for the mess, still wearing cooking pots on their heads, and hands behind their backs and they looked down on the ground. Just looking at the mess Twilight thought it was a wonder her friend hadn't burst into flames.

Finally, Sweetie Belle said something. "Rarity, we're sorry. We just wanted to get our badges in pet grooming." Next to her Applebloom nodded in agreement.

"Spike and Opal just wouldn't listen, and it got a little messy," Scootaloo added in, folding her arms as she cast a glare to the kitchen closet where Twilight heard a hiss in response.

Sweetie Belle stepped forward. "We'll clean it all up, I promise. And this won't happen again!"

Rarity, still shocked and open-mouthed as she continued to take in the warzone that had been her beautiful kitchen her eyes flicked down at her sister then to Twilight. Then she fainted.

"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle rushed forward, Twilight reached her first, keeping her friend from collapsing to the ground, as Twilight lowered her gently Sweetie Belle dropped down next to her. "I'm sorry Rarity, is she..."

"She's fine," Twilight said feeling her friend's forehead. "Guess this was a little bit of a shock for her. You did destroy her kitchen."       

"Twilight!" Spike's shout rang through the house as the dragon-turned puppy came running into the kitchen. "Help, save me from these demons!"

Spike leaped onto the crouching Twilight sending the surprised girl to the ground. "Spike? what's wrong? and why do you look like that?"

Spike growled as Twilight took in his new appearance, the fur on his head was standing up straight and taller than she thought possible, his small tail now looked like a feather duster, and he wore what looked like Hanohoof lederhosen, though without the hat and shoes. She smelled a slight flowery smell coming from him as if he had been dunked in some of Rarity's perfume bottles. Twilight turned her head back to see the crusaders all blushing, Scootaloo tried to whistle as she scooted out of sight.

"I guess I now know why the kitchen's a mess," Twilight said flatly. "You can get off Spike it's fine, the girls won't try anything else. Right?" 

"Right!" The three girls chimed in sync.

Spike eyed them suspiciously as he slowly climbed off Twilight and padded over next to the still unconscious Rarity. Twilight brushed herself off as she stood. "Alright then, time to clean this up before Rarity wakes up."

"We can do it!" Applebloom said. "Let us handle it."

"We made the mess," Sweetie Belle agreed.

"We'll make the whole kitchen shine," Scootaloo finished.

"Thanks, girls but I think this will take all of us if we're going to clean the kitchen before Rarity wakes up or she might faint all over again." Twilight wiggled her fingers, they still felt weird on her, it felt like having a bunch of noodles on her hooves and all control had gone to them. But that wasn't important right now, with any luck she'd be back in Equestria by this time tomorrow and never have to worry about the weird finger noodles. Besides, even if she was having some trouble using them she could at least still clean and organize with them, she was sure she could do that much.

"Alright girls, let's get to work."
> Chapter 7: Back to the Portal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Fluttershy her morning would start with the light thumping in her side gently waking her up, she hadn't needed an alarm clock in a long time, not since her lovely Angel came into her life. Stretching out gently in case any other friends had decided to join her she gave a small yawn as she opened her eyes, smiling at the little white rabbit by her side. "Good morning Angel, did you sleep well?"

The rabbit of course did not answer, simply hopping off the bed, thumping his foot impatiently at her as she climbed out of bed. "Alright, Angel I'm awake, good morning everyone." Around her, her two parrots squawked, Mr. Paws stretched, and the mice squeaked in their cage. "Come on, Angel, let's fill that hungry belly of yours."

Angel hopped into her arms as she carried him to the kitchen, the cat trailing behind them, her parents were likely already at work and it seemed Zephyr was sleeping in since his door was closed. That was good, she thought, she did not want to deal with her little brother today. "It's a big today Angel so we need our strength," She said as the bunny hopped out of her hands while she grabbed his food. "Twilight and Spike might be going home today. It's sad that they have to leave so soon, oh but of course I want them to be able to get home. I just wish that once they had a way home they could stay maybe a little longer. Twilight really saved me, Angel."

Fluttershy set the bowl of fruits and celery down. "Now you make sure to clean your bowl this time while I go feed the other little ones."

She could have sworn then that she saw the little rabbit roll his eyes at her, but that was impossible, no matter how expressive he was she had never heard of a rabbit rolling eyes. While Angel ate his breakfast, Fluttershy gave Mr. Paws his two sardines, holding her nose the whole time, the parrots their seed, and the mice a nice small wheel of cheese. "Now everyone eat up. I have to step out again today so please try and get along till I get back."

Once all her animals had been fed, Fluttershy attended to her own needs, a nice simple vegetarian breakfast while checking the time to make sure she had enough before leaving. They had decided yesterday to meet up at the statue before noon and it was still pretty early. But she didn't have a car to take to Canterlot High so she'd have to walk, which meant she'd need to leave soon if she did not want to be late. After she finished her breakfast she changed out of her pajamas into her usual outfit, grabbed her bag with a little homemade goodbye present for Twilight if the plans worked.

"I'm leaving, behave yourselves," She said shrugging on her bag. As she made to leave she felt a slight tug on her leg, looking down she saw Angel holding onto her shoe. "Angel? What is it, need more food, you don't want to overeat."

The rabbit did not let go. "Do you want to go out? I can't right now, I need to get to school." He did not move. "Oh, did you want to come with me?"

At that Angel let go of her shoe, standing up on his hind legs. "Aw Angel," She said unzipping her bag. "Hop in."

It was a clear sunny morning that Fluttershy stepped out into, perfect weather, birds singing, and a few squirrels running across the early autumn grass. "Enjoy the sun Angel, it'll be winter before we know it."

Fluttershy was not a big fan of winter, she loved Christmas and getting together with friends and family, but winter was also when so many cute animals had to hibernate for winter. At least she'd still have Angel to keep her company during the coming winter. But that was the future, now she could just enjoy the morning on her walk, giving a few shy waves to her neighbors as she passed them. Fluttershy could not understand how Pinkie was able to chat with everyone she met when they walked together, it took every bit of courage in her not to flinch away anytime a stranger looked at her as they passed. 

It was still early when she saw the tall equine statue and long building that was her school, as it was a weekend there were few cars in the parking lot. She did notice Principal Celestia's car in faculty parking which meant at least one of the sisters was at school. In student parking, there were two cars parked at opposite ends of the lot, she saw Rarity's light purple car in its usual spot close to the school,  and a rather beaten up reddish-orange car close to a security camera. Both Rarity and Twilight were standing by the statue, Spike sitting by Twilight's leg, and Twilight's crown in her hands.

"Fluttershy!" Rarity called as she saw her. "Good morning dear, sleep well?"

"Good morning Rarity," Fluttershy answered quietly. "Yes I did, thank you, Good morning Twilight, hi Spike."

"Hi Fluttershy," Spike responded, Twilight said nothing, staring at the base of the statue. "I smell something, you bring food with you?"

"Just Angel," Fluttershy said turning slightly so Angel could poke his head out of her bag. "He wouldn't let me leave without him."

Fluttershy thought she heard Spike mutter, "Sounds about right," But she didn't question the strange phrase as a loud bike came around the corner. Bright pink, multi-colored balloons hanging from the back and sides, and three different bells on the handlebars Pinkie announced her arrival with a small song on the three bells. Pinkie pulled her bike to a stop in front of them, picking up a small box in her basket.

Their pink-haired friend hummed as she skipped to their sides. "Morning everyone, I brought a pie with me for the occasion." She held up the small box.

Rainbow Dash is not going to like that, Fluttershy thought, but she just smiled and nodded, she wasn't going to be the one to tell her the truth. "And a good morning to you Pinkie Pie," Rarity said, leaning in close to her, Fluttershy could still hear them though. "Are you sure it's wise to bring a celebratory treat here? There is a chance this won't work."

"Then it'll be an I'm sorry it didn't open pie."

"Of course."

It was nearly eleven when they heard the familiar rumbling of Applejack's pickup truck as it pulled into student parking, and a rather tired and sweaty Applejack stepped out with a stretch. "Applejack? Why do look like you have not slept at all since yesterday?" Rarity asked.

"Sorry," Applejack yawned. "Little incident at the farm last night, some of the animals got loose and we all had to catch them, then this mornin' the tractor needed some fixin'. Ah dropped Applebloom off with her friends, was lucky to get here when Ah did. There's gonna be lots to do soon."

"Oh, dear,"

"Maybe you need some more help," Fluttershy commented.

"We're thinking 'bout it." 

Applejack leaned back against the state, resting her eyes while the rest of them waited for Rainbow Dash to arrive. As the clock grew closer and closer to noon Twilight started pacing back and forth, chewing a thumbnail with the occasional glance at the road. When it was a quarter to noon Fluttershy started to get worried as well for Dashie, her friend wasn't the best at telling time or remembering events normally, but she was always there when needed. She couldn't help but fear something might have happened, and that Sunset Shimmer might have something to do with it.

"Where is she," Twilight finally said when it was five minutes till noon.

"Ah just called her phone, but she not answerin'," Applejack said holding up her phone.  

"She'll be here," Fluttershy assured them, not really confident about her words. She was about to call Rainbow Dash when the sound of shouting reached them and a rather bizarre sight came into view.

Rainbow Dash was peddling down the road towards them and, in a basket attached to the front, a shouting Sunset Shimmer holding her crutches close. "Bush! Tree! Tree! Ledge!" Sunset Shimmer shouted as Rainbow peddled, twisting to avoid the obstacles. "Statue! PEOPLE!"

Rainbow's bike skidded to a stop more feet from Fluttershy as the shy girl came face to face with Sunset. The red-head was looking a bit paler than usual and was clinging to her crutches while she curled up in the basket, taking shallow breaths as her eyes flickered around. Fluttershy quickly averted her gaze, turning it to her friend wiping sweat from her forehead.

"See, told ya the bike was fine," Rainbow said confidently as she stepped off the bike.

"We were almost hit by three cars! And nearly plowed into a convenience store!" Sunset protested as Rainbow helped her out of the basket.

"Almost and nearly Sunset, we're fine and have plenty of time." 

"Two minutes, and thirteen seconds to be exact," Twilight said, Fluttershy heard the irritated tone in her voice as Rainbow waved the anger off with her usual confident smirk.

"Yeah, yeah. So what's the plan again?" Rainbow asked, patting Fluttershy on the shoulder as she passed her.

"Do you ever listen?" Rarity asked.

"Sorry, what'd you say?"

Fluttershy stifled a giggle as Twilight explained what she was going to do again. "Now even if this works I have no idea how stable it will be," Twilight advised. "So you might want to take a step back."

When none of them did Twilight sighed and held up her crown. "Here we go," She said setting the crown on her head. There was a flash, Fluttershy felt a tingle down her back, and when the light faded she felt a flutter as a pair of light yellow wings spread out, her ears flicked as they had turned equine. The others had gone through similar transformations, with Rarity growing a horn, while Applejack and Pinkie Pie just had the ears. Twilight's wings flapped as she rose unsteadily off the ground, hanging a couple feet in the air, glowing purple energy gathering in her hands.

"I missed this," Twilight said as the energy grew, then flew from her hands, crashing into the statue with a large bang. Fluttershy covered her ears at the noise, averting her eyes as the light increased until it she could feel it even through her closed eyes. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of violet light, it started to fade, when Fluttershy was able to face the statue again Twilight was kneeling by an unmarked statue.

"No... Good..." Twilight panted, one hand holding the crown to her head. "Urgh, I... don't have... the usual energy for... this."

"You okay Twi?" Applejack asked reaching out, Twilight nodded, rising shakily to her feet. She didn't look alright, Fluttershy thought as Twilight wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. 

"Everything's fine, this just means that plan A is not enough to force the portal," Twilight told them. "I think plan B will work though, the amount of power it has should be more than enough to force a portal open."

"And you're sure this is safe?" Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie Pie jumped in to add. "Yeah! What if we make a big hole in the ground that leads to your world instead?"

"Uhh don't worry, I don't the power used in harmony would cause that kind of destruction. All we're going to do is force a portal that is already existing into opening."

Applejack tipped her hat. "Well if she says is alright then count me in."

"Seems like we are in agreement there."

"Fine by me, let's punch this portal!"

"Okie-Dokie-Loki!"

"Okay," Fluttershy mumbled stepping into the circle the others had formed, taking Rainow's hand, she felt the energy building up inside her as they all rose into the air.

Twilight's voice resonated around her. "Everyone, focus your thoughts on our goal, opening the portal, and nothing else."

It was a strange feeling really, Fluttershy thought, last time she'd not really had the mind to think about the feeling of using the power when they used it against Sunset Shimmer. It felt like she was connected to the others like they were a part of her, and at the same time, it felt like she was being drawn into Twilight as their friend gathered the energy. Remembering what she had to do she focused on the portal, getting her friend home, they needed to get her home!

A scream faintly reached Fluttershy and a blast of light even stronger than Twilight's spell went off and then Fluttershy was sitting on the ground, her wings gone. Around her, the others sat or stood up while Spike bounded over a hunched over Twilight, Fluttershy felt a tug on her skirt that happened to be Angel. She held the bunny close as Applejack and Rarity moved to Twilight.

"Twilight dear, are you okay?" Rarity asked the still hunched over Twilight, Fluttershy heard Spike whimper as he pawed at her.

"Twi?"

"It failed," Twilight said sullenly, hands clenched around the crown.

"I'm sure if we tried again..." Rarity tried.

"It won't work!" Twilight shouted.

"Well maybe we just need to try something else," Rainbow added.

"What! I barely know anything about this portal! This world has no books or legends on it! And I can't get in contact with anyone from my world!"

The others went silent as Twilight finished shouting, Rarity and Applejack backed away, none sure what to do as tears started to form in her eyes. Fluttershy though understood, understood why Twilight had been hesitant to talk about if the plan failed, she really didn't have a plan. For all her smarts she knew nothing about the portal and, as she said, no way to contact her home. Going on instinct alone she set Angel down and wrapped her arms around Twilight without a word, holding her friend as the tears flowed and the sobs followed. This was all she could do right now.

***

Get away! Get away from the light! Those thoughts tore through Sunset as she burst through the school doors, desperate to be out of sight from the light even as the rational part of her brain screamed that she was being foolish. She had no reason to fear the blast, it wasn't pointed anywhere near her. Reason was all well in good but it did little to slow her legs, which had momentarily forgotten its injury, turning corner after corner in her flight until as was bound to happen, she tripped and fell in a shock of pain.   

Her arms wrapped around her legs as she sucked in air through clenched teeth, eyes screwed shut as she waited for the panic to fade. As her breathing calmed the pain in her legs increased, she chastened herself mentally for letting her emotions get away and put her body through unnecessary pain.

"Idiot, Mr. Dash told you to be careful, I know you're not used to listening to authority figures but this was simple," She muttered as she tried to push herself up. "Come on, get up, if they succeed you need to get back. You have to say goodbye and thank you to Twilight. Move it stupid body!"

"Sunset? What are you doing here?" The voice of someone she really didn't need right now asked.

"Oh, just inspecting the ground for... cracks. Don't want any broken tiles." Stars above that sounded bad.

"I... see," Principal Celestia said slowly. "And do you need any help getting up?"

"Nono, I get it," Sunset said grabbing a crutch with one hand and pushing with the other. "See, got it."

A pair of gentle but firm hands grabbed underneath her arms and pulled her to her feet, holding her steady as Celestia handed her the other crutch. "Welp, I should really be going, see you tomorrow Principal Celestia."

"Actually Sunset, I wanted to talk to you before tomorrow. I tried to call your home phone but got no answer."

Sunset's eyes flickered back, swallowing. "Well, you see, it's just. Phones you see."

"But seeing as you are here we can talk before you leave." 

"I ah... can't think of a reason not to."

Vice-Principal Luna was folding papers when the two entered the office. "Sister? What is Miss Shimmer doing here?"

"She hasn't told me yet, though I think it has something to do with Princess Twilight and several of our students out  front, Sunset here agreed to speak with us."

"I see," Vice-Principal Luna followed them into Principal Celestia's office, standing behind her older sister as she and Sunset sat down.

"Now Sunset, we need to discuss the uh incident that happened at the Fall Formal," Principal Celestia said.

"You mean the mind control or where I threatened the entire school body," Sunset responded bluntly, she knew this would be coming, no use beating around the bush.

"Yes, that." Celestia tugged on the collar of her jacket. "Honestly we are not sure how to proceed, nothing even remotely like this has ever happened at our school."

"The closest we can think of is the bully exposure that happened two years ago," Luna added, Sunset made sure to keep her eyes away from the Vice-Principal and on the Principal.

"Yes but the school rules do not really cover mind control."

"Then, just get rid of me. I can probably list more than enough evidence to do so," Sunset said.

"Well, we hope to avoid that," Celestia said to Sunset's mild surprise. This was a change compared to the Celestia she remembered back in Equestria. "Princess Twilight expressed to us that what happened at the Formal was not your intention and you expressed a desire to change. We have only expelled a few students and only when they showed no intention of trying to change."

"So? What will happen?" Sunset asked.

The sisters looked at each other before Luna answered. "We asked around the teachers for ideas on discipline, some suggested detention, a few said in-class suspension, in the end, we settled for a different discipline that Celestia and I think will help. In addition to restrictions from using the school computer and submitting your phone to each teacher at the start of class, you will participate in both on and off-campus community work."

Wait... what? Was that really it? Basic restrictions and community work? That felt way too light after everything she had done, she opened her mouth but froze as she saw the smile on the sisters. She knew that look, they had something planned. "If that's what's decided, then I accept the restrictions and will do my best to prove that you are not mistaken in giving me a second chance."

"Try not to let this happen again Miss Shimmer. We would hate to take more drastic measures, I'm not sure our school GPA could survive without you," Luna said in what could be seen as her way of making a joke.     

Rainbow Dash and the others were huddled around Twilight when Sunset left the building, seeing as how the pony princess was still there and the statue was undamaged told Sunset all she needed. Part of her wanted to go over, to give her own support to the person who had helped her, but this was their moment to help Twilight. If Sunset went over there it would only cause problems. Instead, she took the opportunity to retrieve her car from where it had been parked since the morning of the Formal.

"Good thing I kept my key on me," She muttered as she patted her car. She hadn't planned on ever using it again after the Formal but had kept the key in her jacket pocket, as it turned out that was one of her few cases of forethought. 

Opening the car she pushed some soda cans and dirty clothes into the back, she hadn't really kept it clean since she thought she was leaving. "Alright, time to go," She said pulling out before they realized she was gone. "See you girls tomorrow I guess."

***

Twilight hadn't spoken since her breakdown at the school and while this concerned Rarity she understood their new friend was in pain, not bothering her as they drove to her home. The downcast princess' eyes had lost much of their light, silently petting Spike and barely registered when Rarity pulled into the driveway. "Should I get you something to eat dear? Perhaps some soup?"

"No," Twilight answered in an emotionless voice. "Just need some rest." 

"I see. Well, if you need anything and I mean anything just ask."

"Twilight!" Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom exclaimed as they came through the door, the three girls jumping up from their board game. 

"We thought you were leaving today."

"Did you decide to stay longer?

"Ah don't know girls she seems a bit down."

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity chided. "Could you and your please give Twilight some space, she's not feeling good."

"It's fine Rarity," Twilight assured her sounding no better. "I'm going to be staying a little longer, no need to worry about me. I just need some rest."

"Alrigh' we'll just be getting out of the way," Applebloom said following after Sweetie Belle as she half dragged a frowning Scootaloo out of the room.

Twilight and Spike locked themselves in Rarity's room while the teen prepared some food for herself and set a bowl of soup aside in case Twilight was hungry. As the sun got lower in the sky and neither Twilight nor Spike had emerged Rarity decided to bring the food to them. Food in hand she was about to knock on the door when she heard voices on the other side.

"Come on Twilight," She heard Spike say.

"Thirty moons Spike, over two years," Twilight's quiet voice answered.

"You'll figure something else out, I know it."

"And if I don't? It'll be two years before we see Princess Celestia, our friends, my... our family. And it's all my fault we are here."

"Don't say that."

"It's true, I made the choice to stay for dancing when I knew we were on a time limit. So stupid, normally I would have never made that big of a risk. Stupid..."

Rarity was about to knock, to tell Twilight she was not to blame for being here, but she stopped before she did. She heard Spike hop onto the bed and Twilight slump onto it through the door. Rarity pulled back, she'd let them sleep for now and talk to her tomorrow, perhaps by then she'd be feeling a little better. Setting the soup bowl in front of the door she quietly stepped away. Hopefully, they would be feeling better tomorrow.
> Interlude 2: Return to Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a quiet train ride back to Ponyville, Rainbow Dash had been back by morning on the train still exhausted from her flight to Canterlot and stressed from thoughts of Twilight, so she spent the ride back sleeping. Applejack spent most of the ride next to Pinkie Pie who had been unusually silent on the way back home, her normally poofed mane lying flat on her neck, that left Fluttershy and Rarity together on their bench. Rarity stroked the yellow Pegasus' mane while Fluttershy quietly cried, normally she would have left comforting Fluttershy to Rainbow Dash or Twilight but with the latter lost in another dimension and the former out of energy she took up comforting the shy pony. It at least gave her something to do and not feel entirely useless.

"She does want to come back, right?" Fluttershy asked breaking her weeping, Rarity stopped, mid-stroke when she heard the question. Applejack and Pinkie Pie looked up. "You don't think she might have chosen to not come back."

"Where in Equestria did you get that idea dear?" Rarity asked.

"Before her crown was stolen she kept saying how uncomfortable she was with all the attention of being a Princess," Fluttershy said.

"Dat don't mean she'd run off to another dimension and not come back," Applejack interjected. "She probably just lost track of time, she can get a bit distracted ya know."

Rarity nodded. "Yes, that is almost certainly the case, and I am sure she and Spike will figure out a way back home in no time, I assure you."   

"Or that meany Sunset Shimmer hurt her," Pinke added solemnly. 

"Princess Celestia did say she was a former student of hers," Fluttershy pointed out. "She was trained like Twilight, and who knows what she might have learned in the other dimension." 

"Now just stop," Applejack stomped her hoof down. "Twilight's fine, We know she is, Ah mean it's Twilight, she's fine and safe and knowin' her made a bunch of friends to help her. Now no more talk of her not comin' back!"

"Wha!" Rainbow Dash snorted lifting her head.

"I agree, we know she will find a way home, and until she does we should make sure her home is nice and ready for her and Spike," Rarity said.

"Agreed," Applejack Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy said, the latter two a little less certain than Applejack. Rarity settled back in for the rest of the ride.

"Seriously, what's going on?" Rainbow asked.

***

Soon after the train pulled into Ponyville Station Fluttershy excused herself from the group telling them she wanted to get some rest, Rainbow Dash had asked if she wanted company for the fly but Fluttershy told her she'd be fine. Back in the safety of her own home, the yellow pegasus let her tears flow freely again, her animals gathered around her in comfort but she barely noticed them as her thoughts turned to Twilight. No matter what Rarity and Applejack said she feared they would never see the friend that brought them all together again.

"Oh dear," A familiar voice said above her. "This wasn't the reaction I hoping to see from my dropping in."

Fluttershy's tears slowed as she looked up at the floating Draconequus above her. "Discord?"

Two other Discords appeared beside the first. "The one and only," All three Discords said in unison before two vanished. "And what has my favorite little pony so sad? Missing chicken, sick bear?"

"I guess you don't know yet," Fluttershy said wiping the tears from her face. "Twilight's crown was stolen by a pony named Sunset Shimmer and Twilight went through a portal to stop her, but she didn't get back before the portal closed."

"Hmm, I thought something seemed off..." Discord said. "I just thought it was... ah never mind, soo Sparkle's gone? That is so sad, oh would you look at that, I've sprung a leak from sadness." He pointed to a spot on his long body where a hole formed, and a small trickle of liquid flowed from it.

That got a little laugh from Fluttershy, Discord smiled as he plugged up the hole. "Would you like some tea while your here Discord? I just got some before I left."

"Now that sounds lovely," He said landing on the ground. 

***

"Luna? What are you doing?" Celestia asked walking into her sister's room. Princess Luna was levitating her personal items into serval suitcases. "Why are you packing?"

"I'm not sure," The younger Princess said. "I just feel like I need to go somewhere, Ponyville actually."

"And what brought this on?"

"A dream, it told me I would be needed there."

Celestia cocked her head slightly at the odd reasoning, but her sister was sometimes like that. "If you feel that this is right then I won't stop you, perhaps your presence will help Twilight's friends in this troubling time."

"Agreed, and it will be nice to see more of Equestria outside of the dream and nightmare of the land," Luna agreed, placing more of her items in the cases. "And... it would help to be away from palaces for a time. At least until whatever is needed of me is complete."

"I hope you enjoy your stay in Ponyville and when you find the reason for your travel I know you will succeed," Celestia said turning away, letting her younger sister finish her packing in peace. "But I wish you did not go," She muttered sadly to herself.

***

"I truly am sorry about Sparkle, Fluttershy," Discord said, sipping his tea. "I was actually hoping to spend some time with her soon."

Fluttershy sipped her tea in turn. "She was already worried about being a Princess, I can only imagine how scared and confused she is wherever she landed. If there was only a way we could help her."  

"Yes, shame."

A thought crossed Fluttershy's mind, that thought turned into an idea. "Discord! There is something we could do to help her. You could open a portal and we could all go in and find her."

"I was wondering when you would say that," Discord said setting his teacup down in mid-air, it floating as he cracked his fingerers. "Thought I would need to wait to open a portal home for you to ask."

Stretching back to where his head touched his tail, he straightened back up. "One pony Princess coming right up," He snapped his fingers.

And nothing happened.

Discord frowned. "How odd, that doesn't normally happen." He snapped his fingers again, Fluttershy heard a faint fizzling sound but no portal. "Hhhmm, I wonder... You said Sparkle went through a portal, what did it look like, was it black, red, swirling?  Where did it come from?" ​

"Um, it was purple and it came from a mirror Princess Celestia had been keeping with her."

"Oh dear," Discord said looking away.

"What is it Discord?"

"Well... I can't exactly create a portal to that world," He said, his eyes rolling back.

"But... how?" Fluttershy asked shocked, she didn't think there was anywhere Discord couldn't go.

"I don't like to talk about it."

"Oh, okay then."

"Well if you insist! I'll tell you," Discord said throwing his hands up. "There is too little magic there, I'm not sure how old beardy face created a portal to it but that world is like an endless hole that sucks away anything magic and condenses it, locks it away. It was quite effective against some of my old playthings."

"Huh?" Fluttershy asked, not quite getting the last part.

"Nothing important, ancient history. Just that I can't create a portal."

Despair started to find its way again into her. The spark of hope Discord gave her faded away. "So there is nothing we can do?" 

Discord sighed, his usual jovialness absent. "The mirror portal is the only way and unless its magic can be connected with the locked magic of the other world Sparkle will just have to wait for it to open on its own again. I am sorry Fluttershy, truly."
> Chapter 8: New Beginnings and Delays
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, Rainbow Dash's least favorite day of the week, and for good reason too. But today she was a little hopeful for the day to come, for the first time since freshman year she had friends, real friends, at Canterlot High. And this time she had, even more, she promised that this time she wouldn't let anything tear them apart. As she did her morning stretches, she looked down at the strewn sheets Sunset Shimmer had used still on the ground. None of them saw when the redhead took off yesterday, but Fluttershy did say that one of the cars that had been parked was gone when they left, most likely Sunset's. Rainbow hoped she made it home alright, wherever home was for her. Shaking herself from her thoughts she headed to the kitchen.

Her parents were waiting for her, her dad sipping on his morning coffee while her mom drank her tea. Rainbow snatched an apple up, tossing it in the air before taking a bite. "Hey, mom, dad, morning."

"Morning dear," Her mom said cheerfully. "You ready for school?"

"Yep, and for the first time in like forever I'm kind of looking forward to it."

"That's good," Her dad said. "You want a ride? I could drop you off on my way to work."

"Dad, the school adds twenty minutes to your drive," Rainbow reminded him again. Her mom opened her mouth to offer the same, but Rainbow cut her off. "And it's nearly the same for you mom, I'm fine. Besides I was thinking about riding my bike to school today, looks nice out."

Her dad shrugged. "If that's what you want sweetie."  

"Just be careful out there, and don't be home so late, the game is on tonight," Her mom added as Rainbow grabbed another apple and her bag.

"I remember, I'll be home by five," Rainbow said as her father pulled her into her morning hug, her mom not far behind. "I never miss soccer night."

"Have an awesome day Rainbow," Her dad told her. "And when you see Sunset Shimmer remind her to watch that ankle of hers, she struck me as the type that would try and play off when she is hurt."

"I know the feeling," Rainbow said grabbing her bike helmet. "Bye!"

Rainbow loved the feeling of the wind against her face as she zoomed down the sidewalk, swiveling around the few people that were out. Peddling even harder her speed increased, it was exhilarating going as fast as she could and just barely avoiding the many potential crashes. Sunset might have thought it terrifying but for her, it was the perfect wake-up call before school. Before she knew it, she was pulling into the school zone and finally slowed her speed as she turned into the school parking lot and bike rack.

"One of these days yer gonna get yourself killed," Applejack said from her usual parking spot. "Ah'd rather not lose ya just after we stopped fightin'."

"You think any car's gonna kill me after the formal?" Rainbow said. "And I keep off the road, I'm careful."

"Yeah, Ah bet ya are," Applejack said doubtfully as the two walked into school. "Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are already here, Rarity's still at home."

"That's not like her," Rainbow said. "What about Sunset?"

"Saw her car parked but haven't seen her."

"Guess that means she here at least."

"Hey, Dash! Applejack!" A senior with long straw-colored hair and dark orange skin Rainbow had talked to once shouted walking over. "Nice work at the Formal, finally brought the she-devil down a peg!"

Applejack grunted and tugged her Stetson down, Rainbow Dash, normally one to love any kind of praise, shifted her eyes away. "Yeah, thanks it was pretty cool I guess, uh..." 

"Strawfall," The senior said. "Shimmer's in one of my classes, bet she won't be so high and mighty anymore!"

"Right, ya wouldn't happen to see her yet?" Applejack asked.

"You want to give her a piece of your mind too?" Strawfall asked. "Saw her by her locker trying to get her books in while on those crutches. Can't believe they let her back in school."

Rainbow's anger was really starting to rise with the senior's words, Applejack though kept a straight face. "We'll be goin' now."

"Alright, and good work again with her," Strawfall said walking away. "Only be better if she were in a wheelchair, or not here at all."

"That's it," Rainbow said starting after him.

"Nope," Applejack grabbed her by the collar of her jacket, dragging her away. 

"Hey! Let me go!" Rainbow protested.

The farmgirl shook her head and kept dragging. "He's not worth it."

"I don't like the way he was talking back there," She said folding her arms.

"Neither did Ah, but that don't give ya a reason to slug him, even if he deserved it."

Once the senior was well out of sight Applejack let her go, Rainbow stuffed her hands in her pockets and followed after her taller friend. "I never wanted her gone before you know. I wanted to punch her a few times, or at least slap that annoying look off her face, but I never wanted her really hurt or anything."

"Ain't gettin' no argument from me," Applejack said patting her on the back.

"Well, that's something you don't see every day," Rainbow Dash said when they found Sunset. The redhead was trying to get her books to her locker while on crutches, though she was obviously not used to it. Her locker was hanging open along with her bag, but the odd part was that she seemed to be trying to dig the books out with her teeth as both her hands were holding the bag and herself steady.

Sunset had managed to get one of her books out of the bag, but as she started moving it to her locker the bag started to slip from her hands. Before she was sent tumbling the two teens rushed forward, Rainbow Dash swooping in, taking the bag as it fell from Sunset's hands and the book that fell from her mouth while Applejack steadied the smaller teen by grabbing her shoulders. "Woah there partner," Applejack said keeping a firm grip on Sunset's shoulders. "No need to be takin' a tumble over some books."

"It's fine, I can handle it," Sunset assured them reaching for her bag.

"Nope!" Rainbow exclaimed holding the back out of reach.

"Come on, I need to get ready for class," Sunset protested.

Rainbow tossed the bag to Applejack, Sunset turned to the farm girl with a glare that quickly faded under the farmer's eye. "Just tell us what books you need, Ah'll put the rest away."

"I can do it myself," Sunset muttered looking down.

"And it'll go faster if ya just tell us what you need and let us help," Applejack told her, Rainbow smirked as Sunset, with some reluctance told Applejack what she did and didn't need.

"Well don't you three look comfortable together," Rarity said coming up to them as Applejack handed Sunset's bag back to her. Behind Rarity, Rainbow Dash could see Fluttershy nervously tugging on a streak of pink hair, Rainbow shrugged at her friend and leaned against the lockers.

"Yep, no problem with that right?"

Rarity shook her head. "No, just commenting, I also noticed it's noticeably cheerier around the hallway this morning, quite a welcome change."

"I guess so," Rainbow Dash said looking around the hallway, she did see several students moving about the halls together that just last week wouldn't even look at each other. Bulk Biceps and Ditzy Doo were holding hands while Micro Chips and Sandlewood were by Micro's locker. Even those Rainbow already knew were friends, like Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon were being more open together. "They do look happier."

"Indeed, it's a new day at Canterlot High, for a better it seems," Rarity said.

"Won't get any argument here," Sunset said quietly, shifting on her crutches.

"Speakin' of happy, you see Pinkie Pie today, Rarity?" Applejack asked.

"Yes, I believe she was going to speak with the teachers, something about Halloween decorations around the school and permission from Principal Celestia."

"What about Twilight?" Sunset asked. "Is she here today?"

Rarity frowned. "No, she has been a bit down since her attempt at the portal failed, so she decided to stay at my place today. She is not officially enrolled here so it should be no problem for her."

"I'm a little surprised that never came up before the Formal," Rainbow Dash said. "Twilight not being a real student and all you know."

"Huh, yer right there, for the best anyway," Applejack said with a shrug.

"Yeah, oh! I almost forgot!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "I'm reserving the field for tomorrow for a practice game, anyone want to come watch?"

"Ah'll be there," said Applejack.

"And so will I," Rarity commented.

"I want to, but I have work tomorrow after school," Fluttershy said, eyes cast down. "I'm sorry."

"And I start volunteer work at...tomorrow as well," Sunset said hesitantly. "Sorry too."

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "It's fine, just a practice game, at least some of you can make it." 

"We'll cheer for the two of ya," Applejack said.

Rarity added. "And Pinkie Pie will be there, so she will undoubtedly help."

Rainbow Dash felt a slight tug on her sleeve. "Dashie," Fluttershy said quietly. "We have to get to class."

"Right! We got to go, see you later!" Rainbow Dash said taking her friend's hand, rushing off with Fluttershy in tow. "Come on, I can't afford another tardy!"

***

For Rarity, the day had been one of the best school days she had had in a long time. For the first time since freshman year, she didn't need to watch everything she said for fear of being overheard or see the constant fear and tension in almost every student. She had even been able to talk openly with some friends she had not spoken with in over a year since the clicks closed up. The only dark spot in her day was when she and her little sister came home, Spike was laying in the living room and Twilight was nowhere to be seen.

"You're back!" Spike exclaimed jumping up as they came in, tail wagging rapidly.

"Spike!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, dropping her bag as she rushed the puppy.

Spike blanched at the sight of the younger Belle sister. "Oh no! Not again!" Before he could make his escape, Sweetie Belle snatched him up in her arms.

"Don't worry Spike, I had a long talk with Sweetie Belle about being gentler around you," Rarity assured the talking puppy. "Isn't that right Sweetie Belle?"

"Yes Rarity," Sweetie Belle said bashfully letting Spike go. "I'm sorry about what happened Spike."

"O-okay, but if you ever come near me with a hat..." The puppy growled.

"I won't. Does that mean I can pet you again?"

"Umm, fine," Spike said letting the younger Belle scratch him behind the ears. Rarity hid her smile behind her hand, despite his protests otherwise she could tell he loved every bit of attention Sweetie Belle gave him.

"Spike, has Twilight come out of her room since we left?" Rarity asked, bringing the puppy out of his tranquility.

"No," He said between scratches. "I brought her a bowl of soup earlier, I think she ate it, but she hasn't really left your bed since we got back from the school.

Rarity had been afraid that would be the case. "I will go say hello then, Sweetie Belle remember to do your homework before heading out with your friends."

Rarity knocked before opening the door, she could faintly make out her friend underneath the plush blankets pulled up tight around her. Rarity's drapes were pulled covering the window, so no light came through, leaving the room in darkness. "Mind if I turn on a light?" She asked only getting a groan in response, she decided to take that as a yes.

Sitting down next to Twilight on the bed, moving the empty soup bowl out of the way, Rarity stroked the long hair that the pillow covering Twilight's head couldn't bury. "I'm worried about you dear, you have barely said a word since we got home yesterday." Twilight adjusted the pillow slightly, one eye looking up at Rarity. "I know I can't understand what you are going through, I am just worried. I could get Pinkie Pie to come over if you want."

She had hoped that would get at least something from her downcast friend and she was not wrong as Twilight answered. "It's fine Rarity, I just need time."

Rarity nodded grabbing the bowl as she stood back up. "Of course, just make sure you keep your strength up, we don't want you collapsing from hunger when we find a way to get you and Spike home. And if you need anything just ask."

"Okay, thanks," Twilight muttered sinking into the pillow again. 

Rarity sighed once the door was closed, she really was concerned for Twilight. 'She needs help to get her spirits back up, more than just me.' She thought deciding to bring their friends over sometime soon, maybe Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy could help their saddened friend in a way Rarity couldn't. But she would still do her part, she swore to herself, that until they found a way to get Twilight and Spike home, she would continue to help them however she could, it was the least she could do as their friend. Nodding as she assured herself, Rarity went off to start preparing dinner, not noticing the faint glow that came off her hands for a split second before fading away.

***

Rainbow Dash groaned as she left her 'Special Education Class', as the teacher insisted on calling it, she was ready to get home and watch the game. At least she had something to look forward to tomorrow, she always felt more alive when she was competing, especially when it came to soccer. It was too bad some of her friends wouldn't be able to see her moves but at least Applejack, Rarity, and Pikie Pie had agreed to come.

Stepping out into the mid-afternoon sun she grinned up at the sky, perfect weather, and expected to be just as good tomorrow. As Rainbow made her way to the school parking lot, her thoughts on the games she would play when she got home before the Soccer game came on and the practice game tomorrow, she almost didn't hear the sounds of other people's voices. When she did, she stopped, listening in on what sounded like at least three people, two of them were not happy.

"I can't believe you came back here after everything you did," The first voice said, a boy from what she could tell.

"I still go to school here," A second voice Rainbow recognized as Sunset responded.

"Did you hear that she didn't even get detention," A third voice said, this one a girl. "You should have been expelled, what did you blackmail the principal or something?" 

Rainbow turned a corner to the parking lot, at the end Sunset was by her old car, a junior boy Rainbow had PE with, and a sophomore girl named Spritzer she'd seen around that Scootaloo said had caused her some trouble, were blocking Sunset from the driver's door. "It was their decision, not mine," Sunset told them pulling out her keys. "Now is there anything you wanted from me?"

"Yeah, we want you to get lost, like you should have after the formal," The junior, High Wind she remembered, said.

"I can't do not, at least not until I help a friend get home," Sunset told them.

"Ha! Like you could ever have a real friend," Spritzer laughed. "Those girls are only around you in case you try and act up again." Rainbow Dash rolled up her sleeve, ready to charge at them when Sunset responded. 

Sunset shook her head. "That's not true, I-I don't care what you believe, they said that they want to give me a chance and I'm not disappearing till I make sure Twilight gets home, now if I did anything to you two, I am sorry, but can you please just move."

"You still have some nerve for someone who is lucky to not be in prison right now!" High Wind said as he took a step closer, Spritzer leaning against the driver's side door of the car. Sunset backed up on her crutches as the junior advanced.

"Maybe we should teach her a lesson, get it in her head that she's nothing here anymore," Spritzer agreed as High Wind reached for Sunset who tried to back away.

"Hey! Get away from her!" Rainbow shouted catching all three's attention. High Wind and Spritzer bolted when they saw Rainbow running at them, completely forgetting about Sunset. "Yeah, you better run!"

"Thank... you," Sunset said next to her, sounding shacky.

"It's nothing," Rainbow said facing her, a little surprised at what she saw. Sunset didn't look so good, she was shivering heavily, sweat running down her face, and she was breathing rapidly. "Hey, you okay, did those guys scare you?"

"No... not sure... what's going on," Sunset said her breathing becoming more rapid.

"You sure? You don't look so good."

"I'm... fine," Sunset insisted. "I just... need to get in my... car."

Sunset took a hobbled step towards her car then froze. "Sunset?" The red head stiffened in place, she started trembling, then she screamed and fell backward. Rainbow caught the writhing teen before she hit the concrete, trying to keep her steady as Sunset heaved and spasmed. "Sunset? Sunset!"
> Chapter 9: Human Kindness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come on Sunset, snap out of it!" Rainbow shouted as Sunset spasmed on the parking lot ground, the redhead didn't scream again but she looked like she was having a seizure. Rainbow started running back and forth as she panicked. "I should get help! But I can't just leave her."

Rainbow tried to remember her dad's emergency first aid lessons; she knew he had said something about seizures at least once. She banged her fist repeatedly against her head, why did she always ignore the first aid!? "Something about keep them safe, remain calm, and stay with them!"  

Sunset let out a shuddering breath then went still. "Sunset?" Rainbow asked worried that she had just died, checked her vitals, to her relief Sunset was still breathing. "Okay, this is weird, why did she suddenly freak out like that."

After nearly ten minutes of Rainbow nervously tapping next to the unconscious girl, Sunset groaned and opened her eyes, slowly starting to rise. "Hey, you okay?" Rainbow asked helping her up.

"I'm... fine," Sunset said slowly, she looked a little more tired and there was less energy in her voice, though Rainbow guessed that was normal after she collapsed like that. "I just need to go."

"Woah, Woah, Woah, no way are you just driving away after you freaking collapsed like that!" Rainbow exclaimed holding Sunset's shoulders. "What was with that anyway?"

Sunset shook her head, trying to get around Rainbow Dash. "It's nothing, I am fine, I just need to go, get my work done, and get some rest before tomorrow." 

"Maybe we should get you to a hospital or something, what if you have another episode while you are driving," Rainbow insisted.

"I can't go to a hospital," Sunset said flatly. "Remember, not from this world, I lied my way into the school, not going to work so well with a hospital."

"They take anonymous patients too, my dad told me."

"I'm not going to a hospital, I'm fine, I promise."

Rainbow let Sunset go, the redhead reached for her car. "We could at least tell Twilight about this, if it's something to do with magic then she probably has an idea on how to fix it." 

Sunset paused; eyes down locked on her car as she answered. "Please, just let it go, I'm fine, I can take care of it myself. Don't tell Twilight, she has enough to worry about."

Rainbow groaned and stomped her foot before answering. "Fine! But if it happens again, you tell me!"

Sunset nodded slowly, opening the door to her car. "I will, just don't tell Twilight."

"Yeah yeah," Rainbow grumbled, eye rising as she caught a glimpse of the back of Sunset's car. She saw three pairs of dirty clothes, several empty water bottles, what looked like a painting under a canvas, and a set of thick books. "Wow, and Applejack says my room's a mess."

"Oh, I haven't gotten a chance to clean it recently, didn't think I would still be in this world this week you know," Sunset explained as she climbed into her car. "See you tomorrow."


"Yeah, see ya," Rainbow said as Sunset drove off. She thought it was a little odd that Sunset kept that many clothes in her car, but she just shrugged it off. Her bigger concern was the seizure, she didn't really believe Sunset would tell her if it happened again. But Rainbow had promised not to tell Twilight about it, and unless it got really bad, she would keep that promise. With a final sigh she took off running, she needed to get home before her parents freaked out and went on a search party for her, again.

***

The next day was more or less the same for Sunset when she arrived at school, pulling into the parking lot she was happy to see that High Wind and Spritzer were not around. She had been somewhat surprised by the apathetic response most of the school had given her when she had first come to school yesterday. She had expected a lot more outrage from the student body, but most were content to just ignore her existence, which she was quite okay with all things considered. Only a few students, the two from before included, gave her looks of what she could only say was pure hatred.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack continued to insist on helping her with her stuff as the stupid crutches still hindered her movements, and today she was further aided by Pinkie Pie. The teachers as well kept a professional attitude around her, though they did seem to be keeping a closer eye on her and checked their desks several times throughout class to make sure she hadn't somehow stolen her phone back.

As Sunset left her third class of the day, she found Vice Principal Luna waiting for her. "Ms. Shimmer I was looking for you."

"Did I do something wrong?" Sunset asked instinctively, seemed right to start with that.

"No, just a reminder that your first community service assignment starts today at the animal shelter after school," Luna reminded her.

Sunset flinched internally at the reminder that she would be spending at least two hours after school around the student that she had tormented worse than any other, and Fluttershy was still too scared to even look at her. "Right, I remember, I'll be there. Don't worry."

Luna nodded. "Good, my sister is taking a chance on you Sunset Shimmer, do not make her regret it."

"I won't," Sunset said as Luna walked away, then sighed once the Vice Principal walked away. "At least I'll be able to properly apologize to her if she doesn't faint when she sees me."

***

Sunset drove her car to the animal shelter, even though it wasn't too far away from the school she didn't think it was a good idea to leave the car sitting in the school any longer than she had to. Taking a final minute to prepare herself she entered the shelter. "Hello, I was told to come here for community service."

An older balding man was asleep behind the desk, with a snort he jolted awake in his chair. "What's that, I thought the girl scouts didn't come till December?"

"No, community service, my Principal told me to come here."

"Principal eh," The man said rubbing his short white beard. "Wouldn't happen to be that girl Little Celeste told me would be coming by?"

Little Celeste? Sunset thought. "Yes, I'm Sunset Shimmer."

"Ah I remember now," He said looking her over. "Don't seem like a troublemaker to me, don't see many bad girls wear fake leather."

"Well, it's true," She said looking away from the man.

"Name's Yeller Blonde, though most folks call me Old Yeller," Old Yeller said with a chuckle. "Fluttershy's in the back with the animals, you'll be helping her. She's the best with keeping them happy, I just look after the sick ones and man the desk."

"Thank you," Sunset said moving past Old Yeller into the shelter.

When entered the main area of the shelter she was greeted by the barking of many dogs and quite a few hissing cats within a line of kennels on the left, to the right was a hamster enclosure fishtanks, at the far end Sunset could see several reptile cages, and at the center of it all was Fluttershy. The quiet teen was petting a pair of beagles while nudging two food bowls into their kennel. "Now no roughhousing you two, there is plenty for both of you."

"Uh, Fluttershy," Sunset said trying to get her attention. Fluttershy made a mewl of surprise and fear and fell back, the two beagles turned and growled at Sunset as she moved back in case they attacked. "You okay?"

Fluttershy nodded getting to her feet, she kept her face down not meeting Sunset's eyes. "Sooo, what should I be doing exactly?" Sunset asked not sure what to do, having spent little time around animals. She took a step towards Fluttershy and Fluttershy took a step back. "You don't want me here, do you? I'll just go. I'm sure Principal Celestia can find something else for me to do."

She turned to leave, wondering what she would say to Principal Celestia when Fluttershy finally spoke. "Wait", She spoke in a whisper, Sunset almost didn't hear her over the animals. "I'm sorry I just got... scared."

Sunset pivoted to face Fluttershy. "No I get it, it's probably a bit uncomfortable being around me."

"It's... okay," Fluttershy said as her voice returned to a more normal volume and she raised her head, though she bit the bottom of her lip when she looked at Sunset. "I just felt safer around the others."

"I'm not going to hurt you, couldn't even if I wanted to," Sunset said nodding to the crutches. "Look, how about you just tell me what I can do, and I'll keep my distance." 

"Um, first you could help feed the animals, you could try feeding the hamsters and fish, because of..." Fluttershy trailed off looking at her crutches. 

Sunset looked at the barking dogs, they must be the most difficult to feed, the best way to show her I mean to help is with them. "I'll take care of them," She nodded at the dogs.

Fluttershy looked nervously at the dogs. "If you say so, be careful though, they can be a little excited.".

Sunset ran into her first problem with feeding almost immediately, once again her crutches and ankle hindered her movement and made picking up the bowls from the ground far more difficult than it should have been. When she tried to bend down, she felt a knife of pain shoot through her leg, but she almost reached the first bowls. That did give her an idea, a very painful idea but it seemed to be her only option. 

"Come on, I can do this." 

Looking to make sure Fluttershy was busy feeding the hamsters and would not try and stop her, Sunset took a deep breath, let the crutches fall, and grabbed the dog bowls. Her right leg felt like a thousand little needles were poking up through it, but she had done it! Before anything else, she leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. She looked down at her fallen crutches then back at the two dogs waiting in their kennel ten feet away. She checked again at Fluttershy, the taller girl was completely entranced with the hamsters to have noticed her, rubbing a brown and black hamster in her hand, letting the little furball rub against her cheek.

"No asking her for help, not after everything, just do it yourself," Sunset told herself bracing for the next round of pain. Each step felt like her leg was going to fall off and her vision started to swim before she made it halfway across, panting by the sixth foot she kept on going till finally when she was near ready to collapse, she reached the kennel and kneeled down before she opened it.

When her vision returned to normal there was a large black dog wagging her tail in the kennel, next to the black dog was a slightly smaller brown male. She shivered slightly at them, dogs normally made her a little uncomfortable, and being this close to one was not helping. "Okay, time for lunch." 

She opened the kennel door and screamed in shock as the black dog threw herself at the teen, she flung her arms out trying to protect her face as the large dog's paws forced the kneeling girl onto the ground. She expected to feel the canine's jaws around her throat only for a warm tongue licking every part of her body.

"Stop! Stop!" She shouted then was forced to stop as the great beast started licking her face and hair, she was starting to gag when Fluttershy intervened. 

"There's a good girl, there's a good girl, now come on give Sunset some space," Fluttershy said gently, rubbing the dog's head and neck. "How about some food for the good girl." 

Sunset scrambled back on her hands while Fluttershy got the large dog back into the kennel, the brown male already eating his food. Sunset reached her crutches by the time the dogs' kennel door was closed. As she wrapped her arms around the metal supporters and tried to push herself back to her feet, she felt two arms wrap around her and help lift her back up. Fluttershy backed away as Sunset steadied herself. She felt a wave of familiar biting anger building up, beaten by a slobbering mutt, she felt like she was going to burst when suddenly she felt numb and the anger was gone, with a sigh she turned to face Fluttershy.

"Thanks."

Fluttershy tugged at a length of hair as she responded. "I hope she didn't scare you, she's just really friendly is all."

"It's fine, really, I'll just get back to feeding the other animals." Sunset moved to the next pair of food bowls and prepared to do the process all over again. Before she dropped the crutches, however, Fluttershy reached down and picked them up, handing one to Sunset.

"I can take care of this," Sunset said reaching for the other bowl. Fluttershy stepped back, shaking her head.

"It'll be better if we work together," She said gently, walking over to the next kennel, Sunset following behind her. This one held a couple of yipping Doxens, their behinds shaking with their tails, Fluttershy reached down and scratched the two behind their ears before opening the kennel. "Just give them a few pets and then give them their food."

One of the Doxens gave Sunset a panting smile and the redhead cringed slightly but did as instructed and gave the dog a few scratches behind the ear before setting down his food bowl. The little dog barked happily before eating while Fluttershy closed the kennel door. 

"See, give them a little attention and they calm down, it also helps with the more aggressive animals," Fluttershy said, stroking one of the dogs. Sunset looked down at the other one who looked up at her with a panting smile. She still felt a little uncomfortable around him, but she guessed he was kind of cute.

"I guess so." 

After the Doxens, at Fluttershy's polite but meek instruction, Sunset agreed to leave the dogs and cats to her while she took care of the fish and reptiles. The fish she found a little boring, they didn't do much except float there, but at least they didn't try to slobber her. The reptiles were easily her favorite of the animals in the shelter, she couldn't help but smile when she saw the lizards and snakes moving about in their cages. She enjoyed the vibrant colors of their scales, their relaxed personality, and the rough yet gentle feeling when one rubbed against her when she placed their food in the cages. 

Fluttershy seemed to ease up a little during that time, though she still flinched whenever Sunset accidentally brushed against the timid girl while helping. And while Sunset found the experience to not be terrible, the little movements Fluttershy made, like she was preparing for something terrible was going to happen reminded her that there was something else she needed to do. She just wasn't sure if words would be enough.

As time ticked by and the sunlight coming through the window started to dim Sunset knew she had to say it now or wait until the next time they were alone. "Fluttershy, I wanted to tell you something, something that needs to be said."

"Yes?" Fluttershy stood up, a little puppy in her arms.

"When I was a bully, I did more to you than I did to anyone else," Sunset started. "More than I can even remember."

"You were pretty terrible," Fluttershy muttered then flinched when she realized she said it out loud. Sunset shrugged; it was true.

"And I wanted to apologize to you for everything I did, though I doubt that is nearly enough to make up for everything," Sunset said. "So, if you ever need anything or just want to, I don't know, slap me or something, I'll be there."

Fluttershy didn't say anything, she put the puppy down and started moving slowly and hesitantly towards Sunset, raising a hand as she got close. Huh did not think she would take up on that offer, Sunset thought, closing her eyes waiting for the slap to come. Instead of a slap though she felt a stroke on the side of her cheek, when she opened her eyes, she saw Fluttershy hesitantly petting her.

"Like I said, a few pets can help," She said. "I want to believe you Sunset Shimmer, I just need a little time, but I think you do want to be a better person, and I don't want to start anything by hurting you."

Sunset laughed slightly as Fluttershy continued to pet her. She really didn't understand how these girls could be so forgiving to her. "Thank you, Fluttershy, and I'll make you promise, no matter what I will never hurt you like I did before."

***

"Thank you again for coming Pinkie," Rarity said as the two pulled into Rarity's driveway. "She could use another friendly face right now."

Next to Rarity, Pinkie was bouncing in her seat. "Of course, give me a few minutes and I'll have her smiling and moving again, that's a Pinkie Promise."

"Well try not to be too forceful with her," Rarity advised. "We don't need to overwhelm the poor girl."

"Come on, do I ever do more than people can take?"

"Yes, indeed quite frequently in fact."

"And they were always smiling when I left," Pinkie said hopping out of the car.

"Well, that is true," Rarity said before following after her pink friend. "Just please try and tone it down, for her."

Pinkie didn't answer, stepping into the house. "Hey Spike! How's the best puppy from another world?" She asked petting Spike down his back.

"Oh, right there," Spike said stretching into her pet. "I never knew this felt soo good!"

Pinkie giggled, pulling the puppy into a hug before setting him back down. "Where's Twilight?"

Spike looked down at the ground. "Still in Rarity's room, she barely leaves the room."

"Not for long," Pinkie said with her usual cheerfulness.

Pinkie Pie burst into Twilight's borrowed room juggling a trio of bright pink balls, the lost Pony Princess was curled up on the bed rocking slightly looking up at the ceiling. "Hey, Twilight!" Pinkie beamed, closing the door with her foot.

"Hey Pinkie," Twilight said glancing at her friend. "What's with the juggling?"

"I heard from Rarity that you are feeling down, so I'm here to turn that frown upside down!"

"Uh thanks Pinkie, but I don't think juggling is going to help right now, I just need some time to think. I need to think of a plan, some way to move forward."

Pinkie tossed the three balls into the air, catching them in her hair, she jumped into the bed beside Twilight, laying down smiling up at her. "You have anything? Can I help?"

"I don't really have anything concrete yet, just really wondering if there was any way I could contact my friends back home or Princess Celestia, and if I can't do that, I need to figure out a way for me and Spike to well, live in this world."

"Maybe Sunset could help with that, she had a life here and she from Equestria," Pinkie said idly kicking her feet.

Twilight's gaze shot down at Pinkie Pie. "Wait you know about Sunset being from Equestria?"

"Well duh," Pinkie responded.

"How did you- wait let me guess, Pinkie Sense."

"Hmhm."

"I shouldn't even be surprised by what you know any more," Twilight said actually smiling for a second. "Speaking of Sunset Shimmer, how is she doing? I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to her since the Fall Formal. Is she adjusting or are there any problems?"

"Hmmm," Pinkie hummed tapping her finger over her mouth. "She's all moppy and she's hiding something, but she doesn't even know what it is, but no demon and she feels real now." 

"Well, I guess that's pretty good really and she does still have a right to her secrets. I want to talk with her again soon, but I'm glad you and the girls are giving her a chance."

Pinkie turned on her side. "She's actually fun when she's not all Gloomy Sun."

"Well, if anyone can help her smile, I know it's you. Plus doing activities could really help her with making friends, it certainly helped me."

"I have ideas but I'm not sure which one is best."

"Maybe I could help you with that," Twilight suggested.

"You'd do that?"

"Of course, we could group them by interactivity with others or maybe by the number of lessons they can teach at once," Twilight said, Pinkie Pie could almost see the gears turning in her friend's head. "I need to ask Rarity if she has a notepad and some chart paper." Twilight looked down at her hands. "Pinkie, I'll need you to write everything down."

Pinkie smiled as Twilight left the bedroom, waiting a second before kicking her feet up and jumped off the bed. She knew that would work, give Twilight a task and it got her mind right off how to get home, at least for a little while, and that was all that was needed for a start. Looking over the little list of ideas she had she nodded before pocketing it. "Wait for me!" She called and ran out of the room.
> Chapter 10: Laughter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset hopped down the halls of Canterlot High on her crutches, Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon both looked away with a huff as she passed, the usually enthusiastic Bulk Biceps dropped gaze from her, and Micro Chips glared when she got within two feet of him. For Sunset it was an uncomfortable feeling, she was used to people jumping out of the way when she passed, but now all she got after the Formal, was looks of contempt or apathy, and while she couldn't begrudge them in the least, that didn't do much to make it feel any better. She sighed, knowing that this would probably be the norm until she either graduated or disappeared. But there was something else that crossed her mind when she wandered down the halls that really got her thinking.

When she compared the looks of those, she passed in the halls to the looks she got when she was around the girls, she could not help but wonder how they were so different. They had as much reason to hate her as any of the students, even more so in some cases, but they actually seemed to genuinely want to put the past behind them. She could only guess they had to be different in some way, they were the embodiments of the Elements of Harmony. That made sense, she reasoned, anger and resentment were common here but those five were special, it was the only way they could be willing to forgive someone like her that easily. Content that she had a logical reason behind it now, she made her way to her next class, she didn't have any community service scheduled for today and was intent on using that time to relax and hopefully help her persistently sprained ankle.

As usual, Sunset breezed through all her assignments, happy that no matter what her intellect remained the same, finishing long before any of the other students in her class and allowing her to lean back in her chair and think, idly rubbing her injured leg. It had been several days now since the Formal when she got the injury but every time, she tried to take a step with it she felt a knife of pain like it had just happened. 

Maybe I should ask Rainbow Dash or her father about this, Sunset thought after another twinge of pain in her ankle caused her to flinch. No, it's probably just taking a while to heal because I never stay still. I'm sure it'll be fine by next week. Besides, there is someone more important that needs help.

Her thoughts turned to Princess Twilight and how she could help her and Spike get home. They are only here because of me, and I have to be able to help them get home, I owe Twilight so much for giving me a second chance, plus she encouraged the girls to give me a chance as well. Helping her and Spike get home is the least I could do for them.

When the final bell for the day rang, Sunset gathered up her stuff, ready to take a little time off, when a very excited voice shouted her name.

"Sunset Shimmer!" Pinkie Pie burst into the still emptying classroom, knocking a few startled students on their butts.

"Pinkie?" Sunset asked before the hyper teen gripped her by the shoulders.

"I need you to come with me!"

"What? Woah!" Sunset shouted as she was half carried out of the classroom by Pinkie Pie at a speed that shouldn't have been possible with Sunset's added weight. "Pinkie! Wait! my stuff is going to fall! Oof!"

They came to a stop and Sunset found that they were outside the school next to the bike rack, more specifically next to Pinkie Pie's pink bike with so many bright attachments. Attached to the back was a wheel barrel overloaded with what looked like party supplies. Pinkie Pie patted the basket of the bike. "Okay hop on!" 

Sunset's recent ride with Rainbow Dash flashed in her mind, Sunset quickly shook her head. "No way, I am not double riding with anyone! We can just take my car."

"Oooh! Riding in Sunset's car!" Pinkie said as Sunset pulled out her keys, gathering up the party supplies.

"Just ride in the front seat okay, I don't like people in the back," Sunset said opening the driver's side door, Pinkie hopping into the passenger's seat. She was glad that she had cleaned up since Rainbow Dash had seen it, cleaning up the clothes and trash, though most were just stuffed in the trunk, which now also held Pinkie's Party supplies, but the pink-haired girl didn't ask any questions. Her most recent painting was still in the back under a canvas but that wasn't too odd. 

"Okay, where are we going exactly?" Sunset asked as she pulled out of the school. "Pinkie?"

Next to her, Pinkie was bouncing cheerfully in her seat, turning on the air conditioner, looking at the back seat, completely lost in her own world. "Pinkie," Sunset said again.

"Yeah?"

"I need to know where we are going?"

"Oh, just follow the FPS," Pinkie said pulling out her phone.

"FPS?"

"Uh-huh, Fun Party system," Pinkie said with a giggle as the phone started giving Sunset directions. Pinkie then gasped pulling a CD. "You have a PostCrush CD!" She quickly slid the disk into the player and soon the familiar song True Original was playing through the car.

"Huh? Yeah, I like their music you know," Sunset said, a little surprised. "Didn't know anyone else at CHS liked them."

"Are you kidding! They're the best band ever! Which one is your favorite!?" Pinkie Pie asked excitedly.

"Kiwi Lollipop," Sunset responded automatically, "of course, K-Lo's the main singer of the duo after all,"

"But without Supernova Zap's drums, they got no beat."

"I guess so," Sunset conceded, smiling a little. She never got to talk about PostCrush with anyone before, Flash preferred his rock bands and Snips and Snails had no taste in music and no talent from what her last birthday showed. "I really wish I could see them live, but they went on that 'indefinite hiatus' and might never come back."

"Never give up hope Sunny! I haven't given up on finding friends for my sisters and you shouldn't give up on seeing PostCrush live!"

"That would be cool, Pinkie."

"And maybe I could see them with you."

"Well, you are the only one I know who likes PostCrush," Sunset said. "So I guess so."

"Yay!" 

***

"we're here," Pinkie said as Sunset pulled into a parking lot, Sunset looked up at the sign of the building. Little Hearts Children's Hospital.

"Pinkie Pie, why are we here?" Sunset asked as Pinkie got out and started grabbing her party supplies. When the cheerful teen didn't respond Sunset sighed and got out moving around to the back. Pinkie Pie had a large load of boxes, streamers, confetti cans, and balloons in her arms, or in the balloons case tied to her arms. 

"Here you go," Pinkie said tilting the load slightly, the streamers falling off onto Sunset's shoulders. "Now you are ready to party."

"A party here, you sure that's a good idea?" Sunset asked, from what she knew about hospitals they were not the usual place to throw a party.

"Don't be silly, if anywhere needed a party, it's here," Pinkie said confidently. "Come on, there are smiles to make."

With some reluctance, Sunset followed Pinkie Pie into the children's hospital, when they entered the waiting room there were a few kids sitting with their parents or sitting alone. One girl around eight was being held by her mother and her father had her right arm in a sling while her little brother played with toy trucks on the ground. An older boy around ten without a shirt had a large burn on his shoulder, one dad was arguing with a nurse while the other dad was talking to the boy. In the corner was a girl that couldn't be older than five was huddled in a chair in a ratty oversized shirt with a nurse trying to coax the girl out of the chair into a wheelchair. Altogether it was a little depressing for Sunset who quickly averted her eyes when the little girl looked her way.

"Pinkie Pie, I really don't think this is the best idea," Sunset tried to tell Pinkie, these kids wouldn't be cheered up by some streamers and balloons, and she really didn't like looking into their eyes, it gave her a bad feeling in the back of her mind. Pinkie Pie though didn't seem to listen to her, going straight to the front desk smiling like she was in a candy store.

"Pinkie Pie, it's been a while since we've seen you here," The nurse at the desk said barely reacting to the large number of party supplies in the teen's hands. 

Pinkie Pie poked her head through the supplies. "Hi, Nurse Gel, sorry I haven't come by this month, getting the Fall Formal ready took alot more time than usual."

Sunset winced internally, then twitched externally when she felt a jolt of pain in the back of her head, knowing that her ill-worded commands to Snips and Snails, plus her own demands, were the cause of that extra time and energy. Pinkie though carried on her conversation with Nurse Gel. The Nurse then handed Pinkie and Sunset a pair of visitor passes before Pinkie started leading Sunset into the hospital.

"You've been here before?" Sunset asked once they were through the hallway doors.

"Well duh, I fell on my head a lot as a kid."

"That doesn't surprise me one bit," Sunset said. "No, I mean you've been here recently, that nurse knew your name and you don't need help finding your way around here."

"Yep! Nurse Gel is so nice and friendly, she even helps do the balloon animals when she's not checking kids in, and I never lose my way." 

"Okay, and exactly where are we going?" Sunset asked as Pinkie led her through another set of doors, she hoped Pinkie wasn't taking her where kids were waiting for their surgeries.

"The Recovery Ward, they need a party for getting better," Pinkie said as they came to a pair of double doors with the label Recovery Ward above them. 

"Hi Everyone!" Pinkie shouted, bursting into the Recovery ward, Sunset a few steps behind, several kids resting in the beds looked up curiously at the pink intruder. "Who's ready for a happy getting better party!?"

A what? Sunset thought as Pinkie was already setting up serval chairs in a ring and tossing confetti around the ward. She did notice the kids starting to smile when they saw the decorations being set up. "I also have a special delivery from Sugarcube Coner," Pinkie said holding up two light pink boxes. "Mrs. Cake wanted something special for all of you, so cupcakes!"

Sunset stood back while Pinkie Pie passed out a cupcake to the kids, not sure what she was supposed to be doing in this situation. How was she supposed to make children smile, especially kids who are at a hospital? "Sunset here!" Pinkie said handing Sunset a jar of confetti.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Sunset asked.  

"Spread it around, give it a little tap! tap!" Pinkie said patting the jar. "Can't have a Pinkie Party without confetti and streamers." She grabbed the streamers from Sunset's neck and tossed them into the air, lining up the halls perfectly.

"Alright," Sunset said taking the jar while Pinkie started entertaining the kids with what looked like an impromptu play involving several animal costumes she switched into for each line. Sunset mostly avoided eye contact with any of the children unable to leave their beds, tossing some confetti around the room before moving on to the next one. When she got to the fifth room, she found a little purple-haired girl with a bandage wrapped around her head, trying to grab a kindle sitting on a stool just out of reach.

"Need some help?" Sunset asked as the girl missed the desired object again. 

"It's... okay..." The girl said in a strained voice as she tried and failed again. Setting down the jar Sunset grabbed the kindle and handed it to the girl. The kid immediately opened up a story and laid back in her bed, muttering a slight thanks before she forgot Sunset was even there. 

"Odd one," Sunset said quietly turning to leave when she saw a cupcake on the table next to the girl, uneaten. "Don't you like cupcakes?"

"Huh?" The girl looked up from her book then to the cupcake before returning to her book. "It's fine, just want to read right now. You want it?"

"Uh no, you should have it, anything from Sugarcube Corner is guaranteed to be great."

"Hmm, okay," The girl said flicking through another page of her book. She briefly looked up, took a single bite from the cupcake before setting it back on the table.

Sunset was about to leave but decided to ask one more question. "What's your book about?"

"Um, it's about a Princess and a Farmgirl, the farmgirl, saves the princess from a monster, and the two go on an adventure to save the Princess's kingdom."

"I think I know that book," Sunset said, mentally going through the books she read recently. "Does the farmgirl have an older sister?"

"Uh-huh," The girl nodded looking up from her kindle.

"I didn't think anyone your age read that book, where you at in the book?"

"The Princess and her friends just got to her Kingdom, and the big sister just fainted."

"So, then you already read the boat scene where they had to tie up the ninja girl then pretended to throw her overboard, that's probably one of my favorite parts." 

The girl gave a low energy giggle while nodding. "It was funny, that and when she stole the bard's fish."

Sunset started to laugh too, remembering the scene, when she felt another painful spike run through her head shutting off the laughter. Sunset held her hand to her forehead while leaning heavily on her other crutch, the girl sat up straighter in her bed. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine," Sunset assured her. "Just a headache, I should probably go see if Pinkie needs any more help, enjoy your book."

"Okay, thank you again for the help..."

"Sunset, names Sunset," She said stepping out of the room, she barely heard the girl mutter the name Lily before she was out of earshot.

Pinkie Pie had begun making balloon animals and handing them out to the kids, Sunset leaned against the wall watching her work. Pinkie created an elephant, a puppy, and a giraffe in quick succession, handing one to a kid who was on his feet and handing the other two to kids stuck in beds. "You make those really fast," Sunset commented after the pink-haired girl created three lions on request.

"Years of practice," Pinkie said making a rhino without looking. "You having fun?"

Sunset raised an eye. "Not sure fun is the right word for this place, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I was wondering, how often do you come by here?"

"I like coming every week or so, give the kids a little cheer, they need it, sometimes I bring Applejack to read to the kids before their operations, they love her stories," Pinkie Pie ruffled the hair of a little girl with an IV. "I didn't get to do it this time, with the Fall Formal..."  

"Look Pinkie, about the formal," Sunset started not sure how to say what she wanted without it sounding like an excuse. "I'm sorry that I messed up your hard work, and that Snips and Snails went overboard, though really I never should have had them do it in the first place, so yeah I'm sorry for what I did."

"Hmmm," Pinkie scratched her chin, smiled, and held out a cookie. "Eat this."

"Okay?" Sunset said taking the cookie, a little confused by the sudden change of subject. She took a bite out of the cookie, then her taste buds went up in flames as her eyes watered from the sudden spicy taste coming from the cookie. Trying to cough out the taste she bent over tossing her head around as she coughed, the kids that could see her cracking up at her actions.

"There, all forgiven," Pinkie said matter-of-factly as Sunset started to adjust to the spicy taste.

"What was in that!" Sunset asked stumbling slightly. 

Pinkie Pie held up a jar of hot sauce. "For all your pranking needs, we good?"

"If it's fine with you, a little prank is more than fair," Sunset said, feeling a little better that she had said sorry. Sunset gasped as she felt another pain in the back of her head and instinctively banged it against the wall.

"Sunset? What's wrong?" Pinkie asked leaning in close.

"Nothing, just a little headache, I'm fine," Sunset assured her, Pinkie leaned in a bit closer. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, the redhead edged away.

"Maybe we can have Nurse Gel look at it," Pinkie suggested. "She's great with heads, one time she had to get my big sister's head out of a bucket."

Still getting over the pain in her head, Sunset wasn't certain she had heard correctly. "Why was your sister's head in a bucket?"

Pinkie Pie giggled nervously looking away. "Prank gone wrong."

"Well, like I said I'm fine, just a headache," Sunset said again. the pain starting to fade.

Pinkie Pie was still giving her a look, rubbing her chin. "Hmmm, Okay! Back to the party then, let's bring some smiles to these kids."

With that, Pinkie Pie went back to making balloon animals. Sunset sighed as the pain faded away. "It's fine," She muttered to herself. "Just a little head pain, nothing to worry anyone about."

***

Applejack tapped her hand against the dashboard of her truck along to the music as she pulled onto Rarity's street, the farmgirl having asked Rarity for some help with their homework. She was also hoping to see Twilight again, she hadn't seen her since the failed attempt to force the mirror open and she was worried about the girl. Er pony, or girl, she wasn't sure which one was right, and it gave her a bit of a head turn when she thought about it too much. 

Still humming the song when she arrived, backpack slung over her shoulder, Applejack was feeling ready to knock this homework out early. When she knocked on the door, she was greeted not by Rarity but by Sweetie Belle, the younger Belle sister's hair tied up in a tight bun and wearing plastic gloves. "Hey Applejack, you here to see Princess Twilight? Or my sister? Please be Princess Twilight," She asked casting a look back into the house.  

"Both actually," Applejack said stepping into the house. "Uh, whatcha doin' in there?."

"Twilight wanted to help around the house, she's been volunteering for everything ever since Pinkie Pie came over, right now we're doing the dishes and Rarity told me to help."

"Well that's mighty nice of you to do sugar," Applejack said stepping into the house.

Sweetie Belle responded. "Honestly, I'm really tired Applejack, I don't know where she gets the energy, we've been cleaning for like ten hours."

"Only two hours and twenty-three minutes," Princess Twilight said popping out of the kitchen, like Sweetie Belle her long hair was done up in a neat bun, Applejack suspected Rarity's work, and was wearing yellow plastic gloves in addition to an apron with Rarity's diamond motif. "Hey Applejack, just trying to be helpful around here, and turns out cleaning can really help get used to these hands."

"Ah'll take your word for it," Applejack said. "Why don't ya take a break and help Rarity and me? We could do some talkin' while we work."

Twilight considered for a moment before answering. "Maybe in a bit, I want to get the dishes finished then put away, get a snack for Spike and Opal, then I could come and help with your homework. Think you could save your toughest for last?"

"Sure Twi'," The taller teen nodded, Twilight ducked back into the kitchen, and Applejack pulled Sweetie Belle aside. "Keep an eye on her, right now her hands are like the wings of a startled chicken."  

Sweetie Belle looked at her slightly confused. "Okay, I'll do my best. By the way, Rarity's in my room."

Rarity was flipping through a magazine when Applejack entered Sweetie Belle's room, the older Belle sister sitting on a small couch, she tossed it aside when she saw her friend. "Applejack! I was wondering when you would get here."

"Spoke with Twi' and Sweetie Belle, they're doin' the dishes right now."

"They are still working?" Rarity asked. "Honestly didn't think they could find anything else, I offered to help when they started but they insisted on doing it without me."

"You did say once that your sister loves helping," Applejack said sitting down on the ground, pulling out some workbooks. "Ah think Twilight might be the same."

"It appears so, well it is nice just seeing her up and around really," Rarity said grabbing her own workbook. "So, what was it that you needed help with again?"

"The usual, Math and English are givin' me some trouble, and Ah don't want a word about the English," Applejack quickly added.

"I wasn't going to, it could happen to anyone, shall we start with math then, get it out of the way?"

"Actually, can we wait on that, Twilight said she might come and help and asked we save the tough stuff for last, she looked excited about it really."

"If that is what you want, then sure, now in class we have started Romeo and Juliet, why don't we start with the analysis questions." Rarity started going over the play, Applejack scribbling along. It took nearly an hour but by the end, Applejack had finished the assignment on the play's first act, the whole fancy language still threw her for a loop, but Rarity was good with translating, at least when she didn't fall into fancy talk herself. 

"Now then, there is just one more little piece we must go over before we can turn to math, then we can check on Twilight and Sweetie Belle and see it-" A crash from the kitchen cut Rarity off. "Oh dear."

The two teens jumped to their feet rushing to the kitchen, Applejack worried Sweetie Belle had dropped something that might set Rarity off. Instead, they found Sweetie Belle holding an unbroken plate, though she had a look of confusion mixed with concern, her eyes locked on the cause of the crash. Twilight was on her knees, Spike sitting near her trying to calm her down, as she tried to piece a broken plate back together.

"Twi' wait!" Applejack said as Twilight's hand drifted to a sharp looking piece, Twilight didn't seem to hear her and grabbed the fracture. Her hand then shot to her chest as she cut herself on the shard. Applejack and Rarity eased their way around the shards. The two touched Twilight by the shoulders, intending to ease her back, but she jerked like they shocked her.

"Hey there Sugar, it's okay, right Rarity," Applejack stated calmly.

Rarity nodded. "Yes dear, it's just a plate, I have back-ups."

Applejack eased her hand onto Twilight's shoulder, this time she didn't jerk away, together she and Rarity led Twilight over to the couch, Spike following behind. "I'm sorry I broke your plate Rarity," Twilight said after she sat down, Spike jumping into her lap. "My grip slipped, and it hit the floor."

"It really is fine Twilight; I have plenty of dishes, one broken plate is not going to put me out or anything."

"Wait! Maybe with my crown I could fix it."

"Now there is no need to tucker yourself out over it," Applejack cautioned. "Just sit and relax for a moment."

Twilight gave a weak laugh. "You are giving me advice not to work too hard?"

"Now why is that funny?"

"Well in my world there is a counterpart for almost everyone including you girls," Twilight explained. "And I once had to caution my world's Applejack from working too hard after she drove herself to exhaustion during harvest season."

"Heh funny, something like that actually happen' in freshman year, remember Rarity?"

"Do I? Applejack's granny caught ill, and Applejack decided to fill in for her at lunch, the same week she volunteered to help Pinkie at the sweet shop where she had just gotten a job, and the week she promised to help Rainbow Dash with tryouts."

"Not my finest week, I accidentally mixed up the ingredients' for the macaroni and the chocolate cupcakes, and I nearly broke Dash's leg when I jerked my leg at the wrong moment. After I nearly cost two of my friends what they were working towards I promised myself not to overwork again. Now I'm telling you Twi' it's great that you want to help out, but don't try and do too much too soon, or next time it could be worse. Just take it slow and steady 'kay?"

Twilight nodded. "Okay, thanks for the advice."

Rarity clapped her hands cheerfully. "Good, now how about we all take a break and watch a little movie before we do anything else."

"You mean go to the theater right now?" Twilight asked.

"No dear, we can just pop a movie into the television."

"You can watch films at home?" Spike commented just as confused looking as Twilight.

Applejack and Rarity nodded, Rarity started rubbing Twilight's back while Applejack got up. "Sit tight sugar, you have a very good surprise coming your way, Ah'll clean up the mess and get the popcorn ready. Rarity you pick out a good one."

"On it, Twilight, darling, you are going to love this."

"Does this mean I can stop cleaning now?" Sweetie Belle called from the kitchen. The teens started laughing, along with Spike.