Not long ago, a mysterious user named Anon A Miss ran havoc on CHS, the user spreads everyone's darkest secrets, causing fights and disharmony in the school. And then they all believed that Sunset Shimmer is the culprit.
She spends two weeks, two damn weeks, enduring all that hate, assault, and abuse, and the 5 girls she called friends were not there for her, they thought she was back to her evil deeds. Sunset Shimmer was innocent, but nobody believed her, not even Flash, nor the teachers as well. She was all alone.
She tried to reason with the girls one last time, only for them to throw her away, that was it. Just it. They were never her family, never.
What's worse, Rainbow Dash plotted to have her beaten up, she had Gilda and her team to take care of that. Only that they went too far, they ambushed Sunset in the gym, beaten her up, kidnapped her, and took her to an abandoned factory, leaving her to die. Only to be saved by Snips and Snails, and they also knew she was innocent, that's why they rescued her.
And later on, the police got involved, the Police Commissioner, Swift Order has got Applebloom and her friends to fess up for everything they did, and he also got Gilda and her group to confess their crimes as well, which not only makes the 5 girls horrified but they felt utterly guilty for throwing Sunset away when she needed them the most. And she almost died because they left her, they're not being the true friends she thought they are.
Now, everyone was in the cafeteria, including Sunset, she was also here to give some punishments to the people who wronged her, that is until Gilda suddenly step up and tries to negotiate with her.
"Hey, Sunset, how about a deal?" Everyone at the table turned their attention towards Gilda.
Sunset glared at her. "What?"
"You see those three pieces of garbage over there?" Gilda questioned her, pointing to the real culprits of Anon A Miss. "We're not the bad guys here. They are. They turned everyone against you and made fools out of all of us," she leaned to her and whispered. "If you cut us some slack, I promise that I'll make some things happen for you."
"You do know we can see what you're trying to do, Miss Gilda?" Swift Order questioned her, his grip tightened on his taser. "We may not hear it but I can tell what you're saying to her!"
"That's right!" Applejack shouted, tightening her hold on Applebloom. "You ain't layin' a finger on Applebloom, ya' hear me?!"
"Quiet!" All their attention was turned to Sunset. "So you're saying that you're going to take care of them for me?" she questioned Gilda.
Gilda eagerly nodded. "Totally! Just wait, it will happen soon!"
"Woah, Woah, Woah, hold on there," Swift Order interrupted, he turned his head to Sunset. "Miss Shimmer, are you saying you're letting them walk away free and retaliate on the three girls who ruined you??"
Sunset sighs, "With all due respect, Commissioner, " she replied. "What I mean by that is for Gilda and her gang to be their bodyguards in case if everyone here will attack them once the truth got out."
Hearing this makes Gilda angry, "WHA?!" She shouted. "BUT I THOUGHT WE WERE ON THE SAME PAGE!!"
"Silence!" Celestia shouted, making Gilda silent but she's still unhappy. "It was Sunset's decision to whether or not she can put you in jail!"
"I'm afraid we can't allow them to walk away from facing justice, Miss Celestia," Swift Order said sadly.
This shocks everyone, including the CMC and Rainbow Dash, fearing that there is no way out of this except to be taken away.
"W-What do you mean?" Principal Celestia asked him.
"Well," Swift Order explains to her. "We, me and my comrades, and friends, we are the Canterlot Police Department, we took it upon ourselves to protect and serve as the Law, and nothing says about leaving a group of criminals who have done a serious amount of crimes such as the ones that Gilda and her group had committed to just walk away."
He turns back to Sunset, "I'm sorry Miss Shimmer but I don't think we can fulfill your requests of letting them walk away from this, the Law is the Law. So no matter what you say, about everyone involved in this mess, we would still have to take them away, just for the sake of the Law." He told her sadly.
Sunset thought about it for a moment, just as she was about to make Gilda and her group protect Applebloom and her friends, only to realize that she can't do that, the police won't allow that, Gilda and she assembled team nearly killed her, so that was... understandable to say the least. But there are still a few more people who were not going to end up with the same fate as them.
After a minute, she finally spoke, "Okay, that'll do...."
Hearing this makes everyone shocked, including the CMC, not only they feared of going to jail, but they have to share the same cell with them, and they might possibly get killed. But Rainbow Dash did not flinch, not even one bit. She orchestrated the hit on Sunset, she knew she messed big time, and she must pay the price. If only she's not that stupid to figure out the truth, maybe none of this would've happened but it happened, and there is nothing she can do but to face the consequences of her actions.
"But just one condition," Sunset speaks again. "If you're going to take Gilda and her team away, please do so, but only if you're willing to spare Rainbow Dash and Applebloom and her friends from ending up in jail as well?"
Now, this surprises everyone, even Rainbow Dash but she knew there's still more.
"Are you quite certain of sparing the three girls and Miss Dash, Miss Shimmer?" Swift Order asked her, being so skeptical about her decision.
"I already have," Sunset answered. "The three girls are just kids who made a stupid mistake, Rainbow Dash is just someone who lets her anger get the better of her but Gilda and her group," she stopped, turning to the group of people that nearly killed her. "I admit, I'm also a terrible person before but I tried to make up for it, and I did, only for all of that to go to waste," hearing this makes her former friends feel even more guilty. "Sure, I made people's lives miserable but I would never stand so low like what they did. And thinking about it, I don't see any redeeming qualities they have in them if they're willing to do such thing, so yes, I have made my decision."
Now, this makes Gilda, Lightning Dust, and everyone else begin to yell out in desperation, begging her desperately while Rainbow Dash and the CMC just stayed still, surprised by Sunset's decision.
"I know you don't want to go jail," Sunset told Gilda and the rest. "But you heard The Commissioner, there's no way of redeeming you all as what the Law says, except, sparing Rainbow Dash and the three girls..."
"This is not fucking fair!" Lightning Dust yelled outrage, she turned her eyes to the CMC, still clinging on the 4 girls. "If it weren't for those brats," she pointed at them, " we wouldn't get even deeper into this shit!"
"I don't tolerate that language, Miss Dust!" Principal Celestia told her coldly.
"Shut up, bitch!" Lightning Dust yelled at her, making everyone shocked that a student would yell at her own school Principal, Sunset would never get that far. "Don't be such a hypocrite when you also say the same thing during your personal life! Hell, I might as-"
But she was interrupted when someone landed a decent punch on her face, knocking her on the ground. Lightning Dust groaned In pain and looked up to see Sunset standing before her, her glare was murderous that sends a shiver in the entire cafeteria, even Discord uncharacteristically flinched at that.
"That earns you extra few years in prison!" Sunset yelled at her, although, she was immediately calmed down when Swift Order places his hand on her shoulder.
"Miss Shimmer, please," Swift Order told her softly. "Let me take it from here."
Sunset sighs but she obeys and steps aside, allowing Swift Order to do his job.
"You heard it right there, Miss Dust," Swift Order told her strictly and harshly. "You, Gilda, and everyone else had committed a very serious amount of crimes against Miss Shimmer. Your original punishment is to force you to be the bodyguards for the Anon A Miss masterminds but as the Law, we can't allow that, so you're punishment is to be taken away along with your accomplices, the only blessing here is sparing Rainbow Dash and the real masterminds from going down with you all, that was all we could do. If you dare to retaliate, then that's extra 6 years in prison for you, young lady!"
"And why can't we get the same blessing as them?!" Lightning Dust yelled at him. "This is bullshit!!"
"Again, it's not Miss Shimmer's decision to take you all away," Swift Order told her again, his authority stands still. "We, like the Law, we decide to put you all away for your crimes, Miss Shimmer's only decision is to spare Miss Dash and the real culprits if we were to take you all behind bars!"
"And if that was the case, I have something to say," Principal Celestia announced, "Gilda, Lightning Dust, and everyone who were involved in that night, all of you were hereby expelled from Canterlot High! And for you girls," she turned to the CMC. "You three are suspended for the rest of the school year, you are all banned from extracurricular activities, you're banned from the trip to Camp Everfree, speaking of which, there will be no Friendship Games at all! No prom, no camping trip to Camp Everfree, no Spring dance and all other activities!"
She takes deep breaths and turns her attention back to Swift Order, "Commissioner, I'm finished, you can take care of the rest now."
"Thank you," Swift Order replied, then turning to his comrades. "Now, let's take them away. We got all of the evidence we need, all that was left to do is to serve some justice. Tomorrow, we're taking them to court."
So then, the Canterlot Police Department handcuffed, Gilda, Lightning Dust, and everyone else, and they escorted them away from the cafeteria. Sunset watched as the police officers took them all away, Gilda was being handcuffed by Swift Order, she took one last look at Sunset before she was finally escorted out of the cafeteria.
As everyone left, the 5 girls and the CMC stared sadly at Sunset while Sunset just stood there, staring at the door where she last saw them just now.
With a little bit of hesitation, Applebloom decided to speak to her, "Sunset?"
But Sunset didn't respond, she just stood there. Like nothing.
"Darling?" Rarity called her.
Not taking the silence anymore, Pinkie Pie pops up in front of her, "C'moooon! Please say something!" She begged and she looked into her eyes. "Maybe with a cherry on the top?! Please Sunset, say something!"
"Shut up," Sunset finally said, and boy, that tone was cold. Pinkie Pie whimpered and quickly rejoined with the girls. She still did not bother to turn to them but she continued, "Just be ready for a court hearing tomorrow. Don't be late."
The girls flinched at that cold tone but after everything that happened, they knew they deserved it.
Applejack nodded profusely, "We-we will, Sunset, we will," she answered.
So then, Sunset left the cafeteria as well, followed by Snips and Snails.
Sunset?! Oh Celestia, are you okay?! How did it go?!
I'm fine, apart from the bruises, I should be okay. And about Gilda and her assembled team? They were arrested, I was about to give them a chance but the police won't allow that, because it's the law, I have no control for that decision
But what about Rainbow Dash and Appleboom and her friends?
They're fine, my only decision is to spare them from going to a jail cell. And thinking about it, I don't think Gilda and her accomplices deserved redemption, I've seen it in their eyes, they can't be redeemed I'm afraid. Not even a big rainbow blast on them will change that
I see. So what's going now?
Tomorrow, we all be at the supreme court, they're going to answer everything they had done to me that night, and shortly after the police had taken them away, Applebloom and her friends confessed to the whole school, not only that they also give the word of Gilda and her group and what they did, especially Rainbow Dash's involvement. Needless to say, not only they were guilty, but they were all horrified for what I had been through and they gave me a lot of space.
So I've heard. What about you and the girls?
Doesn't seem obvious to you? I'm done with them, they're not the true friends I thought they were. I would have died because of them! I would be forever gone from this world because they left me when I needed them the most! And what about family, huh? Where's my family, Twilight? No, it doesn't matter, because I never have a family to begin with. Just some parole officers who happened to be in the same school as me, nothing more, and nothing less
I understand why you're being that way, and quite frankly, I'm also angry at them too. But I just hoped that one day, you can forgive them
I pretty much doubt that. So, how were those Amulets? Are there ready?
Yes, but don't try to change the subject. What time is the court hearing tomorrow?
Around 9 in the morning, but I'd rather get it done quickly
Wait for me I want to go too. I want to hear what they have to say, and when they're done, I'll have a word with the girls, after that, I'll come with you to the Dazzlings to give them the Amulets. I know you said I don't need to talk to the girls, but I have to, this is something I should've done when that whole mess happened
After a moment of silence, Sunset responded.
Fine, but you better not be late. You don't want to miss a thing
I won't, I will be there as soon as I can
It was 9:00 in the morning, at the Canterlot Supreme Court. Today is going to be a big day, where Gilda and her gang are going to face some justice. Rainbow Dash and the CMC were lucky not to go down with them, who knows what Gilda and the others will do to them. Applebloom and her friends owed Sunset so much for sparing them, and for all that pain they caused her, Rainbow Dash owed her with her life for nearly getting her killed, and for abandoning her but she doesn't know what to do.
The room was filled with police officers, judges, parents of Gilda and her gang, the mane 5's parents, the school faculty, the 5 girls and the CMC, Princess Twilight, and Sunset Shimmer. The judge was Harrington Grey, he was a middle-aged man, he wore a black suit with a white shirt underneath and a red tie. He looked down on everyone presented in the trial, he seems strict but he plays by the rules.
"Now," Judge Harrington spoke first. "Let's not waste any more time and let's get this over with. I call for Police Commissioner Swift Order, to come here on the stand."
Swift Order obeyed and took the stand, "Yes your honor,"
Harrington nodded, "Kindly explain to me what the situation is all about?"
"Yes your honor," Swift Order begins to explain. "It is come to my attention that there's this cyberbully called Anon A Miss, and this user has been spreading the secrets of the students of Canterlot High. And that young lady with the red hair," he pointed at Sunset. "Sunset Shimmer was partially blamed to be the mastermind of the account while the reality is that she's innocent. She was abused, tormented, and suffered for the last two weeks, it seems that Anon A Miss tries to destroy her by framing her."
"Framing one another is a cheap move," Harrington commented.
"Yes, indeed," Swift Order agreed and then he continued, "What's worse, the five girls who she thought were her friends also believed she's behind it all, and they threw her away to the wolves. One of them, a girl named Rainbow Dash, got caught up with her anger when one of her secrets got out on Mystable, Gilda came to her and they plotted to have Miss Shimmer beat up, what Miss Dash didn't know is that Gilda and her gang went too far, they ambushed Sunset in the school gym, kidnapped her, and took her to an abandoned factory, leaving her there to die. But like a miracle, these two young brave boys, Snips and Snails came for her and they saved her life." He pointed at Snips and Snails who just waved at them.
"How brave they are," Harrington remarked. "So, do you finally figured out who Anon A Miss really is?"
"Yes, but you're not going to believe it, your honor," Swift Order answered. "The culprits are three little girls, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootalo."
Harrington sighs in disappointment, "This is going to be a long day, okay, thank you, Commissioner, I suggest you return to your seat and I call for Applebloom to take the stand."
Swift Order nodded and walk back to his seat as Applebloom takes the stand.
"Applebloom, If I just heard Commissioner Swift Order correctly, you and your friends are responsible for the chaos at CHS, correct?"
Applebloom gulped but she answered, "Y-ya, ah am...."
"Kindly explain your motivation behind all of this and what do you had to gain ruining Sunset Shimmer's life?"
"It's because....." Appleboom spoke hesitantly as she started to sob. "It's because I was so jealous that my older sister, Applejack, always took her time with Sunset. Not only that, but Sunset was once a bully before," she continued as tears spilled from her eyes. "I never believed her turning over a new leaf, I always thought all of that was a ruse so she can get closer to Applejack, and I thought creating Anon A Miss and framing her may stop her from attempting to hurt her and everyone else but in the end, I was wrong!" She cried at the last part. "Ah was so dang wrong! I'm so sorry Sunset, yah' don't deserve this!!"
She cried harder than the whole court can hear it, everyone including Judge Harrington was disappointed in her, he'd hate himself to throw these girls away to jail, only thanks to Sunset's request of sparing them from going down with Gilda and her gang.
"That's not all your honor!" Sweetie Belle called out, suddenly standing up from her seat, tears are also spilling from her eyes. "I stole Sunset's phone when she was asleep with Rarity and the others during their sleepover, I also wanted to get back at her but in the end, I became a bully myself and I did worse than Sunset had done."
"Same here, your honor," Scootalo added. "Rainbow Dash always took her time with Sunset instead of me, but in the end, it's very cruel and selfish for us to do such a horrible thing," she turned to Sunset, who has been staring at her with no emotion. "We're so sorry, Sunset, you don't have to forgive us right away, but we're sorry," she then broke down crying.
Harrington stared sadly at them for a brief moment but retained his strict demeanor, "Then I suggest Applebloom returned to her seat, and may I call Sunset Shimmer to take the stand."
Applebloom, still crying heads back to her seat while Sunset stood up and took the stand next to the judge.
"Now, Miss Shimmer, I must say I feel bad for you," Harrington told her softly. "If you tell me about the whole mess from your perspective, I will see to it that the ones who wronged you may be sent to prison."
"As long as you spared the three girls and Rainbow Dash, your honor, I'm willingly obliged," Sunset said and she begin to explain and look down on everyone, beginning to listen to her. "I admit, I was once a bad person, a bully, but I had a friend who made me see things clearly," she turned to Twilight and smiled. "And she entrusted those 5 girls over there to teach me about friendship and helped me become a better person. Over the last few months I spent with them, my heart began to change, I began to turn into a much nicer person, and it's all because of them. And my friendship with them grew stronger to the point that I viewed them as a family."
The word 'family' struck them with guilt, they were supposed to be her friends, her family, and yet, they didn't treat her like one when Anon A Miss rises up.
Sunset's smile faltered and was replaced with a frown, "But all of that was just a big waste of time. When Anon A Miss happened, they immediately assumed it was me!" She started to sob as tears begin to spill from her eyes. "They left me! They threw me away! They left me to face the hatred of the school alone! And what's worse... one of them, Rainbow Dash, plotted a revenge scheme against me and she let Gilda and her gang took care of it. I was beaten up so badly, they kidnapped me, and took me to the abandoned factory, and left me to die. If it weren't for Snips and Snails to save me, I would've had died. If I died at that factory, the last thing I'll remember is the girls, and they're not my family."
Rainbow Dash and her friends just lowered their heads in shame as Sunset continued to cry, Twilight cried too and she looked at the girls in disappointment, she is going to have a long talk with them after this.
Harrington hand out a tissue from the tissue box and give it to Sunset, "Here, take this," he offered her the tissue."
"Thank you, your honor," Sunset accepted the tissue and blow her nose, she grabbed another one and wipe her tears away with it. "That's all I wanted to say, may I return to my seat?"
Judge Harrington Grey nodded, "Yes, you may,"
Sunset quickly returned to her seat. Twilight couldn't take her gaze off of her and she is also glaring murderously at Gilda and the others who nearly killed Sunset that night.
"Rainbow Dash, may I call you to take the stand?" Harrington announced.
Rainbow Dash, without hesitation, stood up from her seat and took the stand next to the judge.
"So, tell me, Miss Dash, is it true that you and your friends believed that Miss Shimmer is going back to her misdeeds and you wanted revenge on her, right?"
Rainbow nodded. "Y-yes, your honor,"
"Then, kindly explained to me what do you had to gain to have Miss Shimmer beaten up like that?"
"It's because....." she begins to explain as she is about to sob. "It's because I thought she was hurting everyone again! Not only did I get her beaten up, but I also took it far by giving Gilda her address, where she eats, her usual class schedule, and how often she uses the toilet, but I swear to you your honor, I had no idea they went that far!" She lowers her head in shame. "But that doesn't excuse me for what I had done, I'm so sorry Sunset. Forgive me."
She begin to cry, the whole courtroom watched her cry. Needless to say, her parents are very disappointed in her, Sunset was also disappointed in her but she turned her gaze away from the rainbow-haired girl, Gilda and her gang just showed no sympathy. Typical for them.
"I believe that's all we needed to hear from you, Miss Dash," Harrington told her strictly. "Now, go back to your seat."
Rainbow Dash obeyed and returned to her seat. She no doubt be seen as some sort of monster who would do that to her own friends when she's angry, everyone will never look at her the same way again. Her friends, well, they're not gonna forgive her for her involvement but they brought it all this to themselves. They did this to Sunset, and things were never going to be the same again.
The next one is Gilda, and afterward, it's Lightning Dust and everyone else involved in that night. It took about an hour and a half to get all stories and facts from their perspectives, Snips and Snails also told the same story but from their perspectives as well, and so does Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, everyone listened closely from their side of the story and needless to say, they were ashamed of what they did to Sunset, all of their parents were also ashamed of what they did while others remarked of how brave and noble the two boys were when they rescued Sunset. Judge Harrington listened carefully to everything they told their side of the story.
After a while, everything is now crystal to the judge, and he was about to make a verdict.
"Your honor, do you have a verdict?" one of the lawyers for Gilda asked him.
"Yes, I have," Judge Harrington said. "Gilda, Lightning Dust, and everyone who ambushed her that night, I declared you all guilty for attempted murder, kidnapping and trespassing, and also gang violence. All of you will be spending 5 years in Juvenile Prison, for Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootalo, for your intentions to ruin Sunset Shimmer's life, you three are on house arrest. It will be lifted by your next school year and for Rainbow Dash, you're going to have serious therapy to treat your anger issues, and I suggested your parole officer to line you up with a job he can find for you. I declared that this case is closed." He banged his hammer, signaling them all the case is closed.
"Let's take 'em away boys," Swift Order announced as he and his men took Gilda and the gang away while all of their parents watched in desperation, and some of them were breaking down crying, wondering what they did wrong in raising them. Sunset also watched them being taken away, her expression doesn't hint anything at what she's feeling now. Just nothing.
As they all left and took them to the police station, Sunset left the supreme court first, followed by Snips and Snails, Twilight tries to follow them as well, and the Rainbooms, with a little bit of hesitation, followed suit as well. They knew damn well that they're gonna have with Twilight sooner.
Just as the trial was over, Sunset left the building first with Snips and Snails following her. But before they could get over across the street, Princess Twilight immediately catch up with them.
"Sunset, wait," Twilight called to her, the trio stopped and gazed at her. Sunset's gaze is either of disappointment about what happened, or a bit annoyed that Twilight stopped her, or maybe it's both. Princess sighs and said, "Listen, I know you've been through a lot lately. And I don't blame you if you're being this way but,"
But she was interrupted when the Rainbooms also exited the building, and they all stared at them with sad expressions. Sunset turned away while Twilight glared at them but she soften her glare when she turned back to Sunset. Snips and Snails also gave them glares as well.
"How about you wait for me at your apartment?" Twilight asked her softly. "I'm going to speak to them, and after that, I'll accompany you afterward. Is that okay?"
After 10 seconds of silence, Sunset sighs but she doesn't turn back to her. "Fine, but remember that I'm very uncomfortable to be with them again," she told her coldly. Twilight flinched a little at that tone but she understand Sunset. "Snips, Snails, let's go." Twilight watched as Sunset and her two friends walked away from the Canterlot Supreme Court.
Twilight turned her attention back to the Rainbooms and she gives them an icy glare, "Let's talk at Sugarcube Corner," she suggested coldly.
15 minutes later, the girls were now in Sugarcube Corner, they were sitting in their usual spot, there are no customers so to speak. Given the whole event made it to the news headline, now everyone at CHS doesn't have the energy to be here, especially the parents, and the school staff. It's even worse when Gilda and her gang were now in juvenile, spending quite a time in there.
Twilight just glared at them, the Rainbooms can't bring themselves to meet her icy stare, especially Rainbow Dash. And she wished she would've ended up in jail alongside Gilda instead of meeting the fury of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy just covered her eyes, Applejack and Rarity hugged each other, and while Pinkie Pie embraces Rainbow Dash and she slowly returned the favor.
After a while, she finally said, "So tell me. I had heard about Rainbow Dash's side of her story, but I want to hear it from the rest of you," she narrowed her eyes hard at the other 4. "And be specific!"
That last part was almost like a scream and they shuddered really hard, but eventually, they started talking. Starting from Applejack's nickname to Rarity's sleepover, and pretty much following after that. And how they ditched Sunset, and also how they pushed her away the last time she was here. And Needless to say, Twilight is not happy, no, she's furious.
"I can't believe it...." she said silently, "Tell ME!!" She suddenly screamed at them. "Tell ME WHY!! Tell me why would she throw away all her hard work to redeem herself?! Why would she do that?! And if she's been faking and had been plotting revenge, why would she be so careless to make it so obvious of her involvement??!! She's smarter than that!! Just tell me at what point in time did the thought ever occur to you that maybe she was telling the truth?! Or was she worth so little to all of you that her side of the story wasn't even worth taking into consideration?!" The Rainbooms huddled together as Twilight continued to yell at them. "Answer me!"
"We-we, th-tho-thought she was faking it but," Rarity stuttered. "But, me, Fluttershy, and Pinkie may have a doubt that she may have been set up..." she said weakly.
"But you didn't do anything about it and just kept on blaming her!" Twilight pointed out angrily.
"Yes, you are right," Rarity admitted and she lowered her head in shame. "None of us did anything about it. Sunset had every right to be angry with us, you were counting on us to look after her, and we let you down."
Twilight turned her attention to Rainbow, "And you," she pointed at her. "I couldn't begin to tell you how furious I am and angry with only you, Rainbow Dash!" She yelled angrily, Rainbow just whimpered hugged Pinkie tighter. "You not only tore Sunset down, but you also made it even worse for her is by setting her up in an ambush! And don't say you don't know they went that far, that is not an excuse! You're very lucky that Sunset still had the heart to spare you and your sisters, even though she can't say the same for Gilda and the rest of her because the Law cannot allow it. But if she dies because of you, then I doubt there will be anyone else to get you of that situation, and so does your sisters."
Rainbow Dash couldn't handle it anymore, she started to break down, crying. She now understands what Sunset had gone through, and she doubts that she can go through what Sunset went through the last few months. She hated herself, and as she knows it, she's never going to be the same again. The rest of her friends also cried as well, wondering what had come over them when they thought it was Sunset.
"You not only betrayed my trust," Twilight continued, her voice softening but still retaining that cold and harsh tone. "But you also betrayed Sunset's trust, and you may no doubt shattered her mental state and her faith in friendship. Sunset thought the world of you, and when you called her 'family', she was over the moon, she felt loved and accepted. And this is how you repay her for her hard work and effort of her redemption. Betrayal, abandonment, abuse and broken."
Hearing this makes the girls cry even harder than a moment ago. They now hated themselves even more, and the thought of themselves hurting Sunset that much makes them regretful and they wished if they can go back in time and beat the senses out of their past selves. Rainbow Dash would give her past self a decent beating than what Gilda and her gang did to Sunset, even if it means ceasing herself from existence.
"But there's one thing that I learned that wallowing won't do you any good," Twilight told her, the others stopped crying and looked up to her. "Sunset also learned that and she picks herself up and moves on because she had all of you. But now the tables had turned, and all you needed is each other to pick yourselves up and move on, while Sunset had now is me and a few other people who believed she was innocent. Something that you should've done when it mattered the most."
.........
"T-Twilight?" Pinkie hesitantly asked her, her voice is so quiet.
"What?" She asked the party girl.
"Are we bad people?"
Twilight sighs and pinched the bridge of her nose, "No," she replied. "What all you did was a terrible mistake, but it's not enough for you to be seen as bad people. I don't know what to say about Rainbow Dash but I couldn't say she was a bad person for nearly getting Sunset killed," Rainbow Dash shuddered and lowers her head again. "But even if she didn't talk to Gilda, then chances are, if Gilda and her gang were capable to do such a horrible thing, then they would still do it even Rainbow never provided them with the information they need. And I agreed with Sunset, she's right, there are no redeeming qualities in them. Not even a big rainbow blast can change them. I don't know why Sunset at first tries to get them to protect your sisters but that was before it became crystal clear to her that she can't redeem them, and I'm kind of relieved the Law apprehended them."
"And ah owe Sunset so much for giving mah sister a second chance," Applejack said. "But ah just don't know how."
"Same for me," Rarity added.
"Me as well," Rainbow replied. "Even if I can't stand to be with Scoots, I wouldn't want her to share a cell with Gilda. I'm willing to go down with them while Scoots remained safe."
"But again, your very lucky that Sunset is mercy enough to spare you," Twilight told her, again her tone is a hint of anger. "And I am also mercy enough to not strip you all of your pony features so you'll no gain access to your magic, heck, if we're in some alternate universe where this whole thing happened in different ways, I would do that now!" the girls flinched at that statement, the thought of losing their magic forever is the last thing they'll ever lose. "But I wouldn't want to do that, and I couldn't bring myself to no matter how angry I am with all of you."
The girls turned their gaze away from Twilight, they're supposed to be the Elements they represented. Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, Honesty, Generosity. Even if Twilight made it clear she wouldn't bring herself to take away their magic, they felt like they didn't deserve this blessing for what they had done to a friend.
"Let me tell you girls what you should do," Twilight said, her voice is not of anger but it's more of a stern tone. "Don't let this whole mess drive you away from each other when you needed each other to get through it. Put in a lot more effort to redeem yourselves, just like what Sunset had gone through, even if Sunset rejects your friendship and makes it extra clear to you all that, I don't blame her, don't force her to let go. At least try to stay strong, keep moving forward, for her. If another trouble with magic happens, and how you severed your friendship with Sunset, the Magic of Friendship won't be possible, but it's better and very noble of you if you solve it together with Sunset, stand by her side, watch her back and don't let her get hurt. And most importantly, don't. Abandon. Her. Again. Got it?!"
The girls listened carefully to every word Twilight told them, and they nodded profusely. They failed Sunset once, and they abandoned her once. But after the whole mess was settled and everyone now knew the truth, they vow themselves to never make the same mistake with Sunset again. And if another magic arrives, they won't fail her again, they won't abandon her again.
After half a minute of thinking of what she said, Rainbow Dash held her hands firmly and looked at her right in the eyes, Rainbow's guilty look was replaced with determination. Even just a little bit.
"Twilight," she said to her softly. "I know it's not my place to say this for what I had done, but I swear to you, no, I frickin swear to you, you have my word and I will keep it true to my word."
"And so do ah," Applejack added with determination her on the face.
"Same for as well, darling," Rarity agreed.
"And me," Fluttershy said with a hint of determination as well.
"And me!" Pinkie suddenly popped up behind Twilight.
Twilight just looked at her friends for a moment, while she was grateful that her friends were now willing to make up for what they did, she was still angry at them for letting the whole mess worsen than she thought.
"While I'm still disappointed and angry with you all," Twilight told them softly. "I believe in second chances, even a third one. So I'm willing to acknowledge your efforts to better yourselves in the future. If you don't have any questions, it's best if I should get going, Sunset and I had important matters to attend to."
She stood up from her seat and begin to leave, but not before she took one last look at the Rainbooms.
"Don't fail me again."
And that was it, Twilight into disappeared the door, and into the snowy streets of Canterlot.
After her chat with her friends, Twilight makes her way to Sunset's apartment. She remembered the directions since she last visited a month ago after they defeated the sirens, despite the snowy weather and the icy sidewalk, she eventually made it to her apartment.
She politely knocks on the door, she needed to see Sunset and how she's doing. After waiting for a bit, Snips slowly opened the door only to see Princess Twilight.
"Oh, you're here," Snips said, letting her in and shut the door just as Snails came by to see Twilight just arrived.
"You two must be the boys who saved Sunset and for that, I am grateful," Twilight said gratefully.
"Your welcome, Twilight," Snails replied smiling but his smile soon fell.
"What's wrong?" Twilight asked him, noticing his frown, and Snips also frowned as well.
"You see..." Snips hesitantly explained. "It's Sunset. She's got into a mental breakdown but it's even worse...."
"A what?!" Twilight exclaimed.
Snails weakly nodded, "Yeah, she's not like this when we rescued her. But when she saw the picture frame of her former friends, she snapped and thrashed it into pieces. We tried to calm her down but she told us to leave her room."
Twilight shook her head. It broke her heart that she failed a friend, she's supposed to be the Princess of Friendship, but she can't even give a friend the friendship she deserves, even though it only lasted for a few months but it ended this way. And It didn't end well. And it ended horribly.
"Let me speak to her," Twilight told them softly. "I'm the last person she ever listens to. I may fail her as a friend, but I'm not stopping until I see things straight."
With a little bit of hesitation, Snips and Snails let Twilight go into Sunset's bedroom. Twilight slowly opened the door, only to find the entire room dark but not that dark, she gaze down to find a portrait picture of Sunset and her former friends, shattered into pieces. Her heart was breaking at the sight of the photo, and then she heard sobbing, Sunset Shimmer was sobbing in her bed, lying sideways whilst hugging a small pillow.
Twilight quickly rushed to her broken friend and tries to get her into her embrace, embracing her as Sunset continued to cry, she knew Twilight would be here, so she's not stopping her and instead give in to the princess' embrace.
After 5 minutes, Sunset eventually calm down and she was sitting up with her head resting on Twilight's shoulder, Twilight felt so bad for not assisting her when it mattered, even though she was her listener and she would give her advice, but sadly, that never worked. She begins to wonder, how and why did it go wrong for her friend? And why does this has to happen?
"Sunset?" Twilight asked her after a bit of silence. "Are you okay?"
Sunset sniffed, "No," of course she's not okay. "I'm not. I felt like crap."
Twilight sighs sadly and rubs her head. "Given what's happened, I understand. But how you snapped and broke the photo, was unexpected."
Sunset sniffed again and she tries to gaze up to her, "If I'm being honest, I don't know what came over me. I bet it's what when I look at the picture again, the terrible memories I had when they accused me, and how they threw me away, and especially they're the reason I almost died if it weren't for Snips and Snails, I let it all come back to me and I felt fury in my heart and I kind of snapped," she quietly explained.
Twilight shook her head sadly as she realized that Sunset was even more hurt than the ambush that night. If only she's there for her instead of listening to her to leave her to solve the problem on her own, things shouldn't have gone this far. But it happened, and what she learnt is that she can move on from this. And she's going to help Sunset to do the same.
"I...I don't know if I can move on from this, Twilight," Sunset said sadly as tears fell from her eyes again. "It hurt so much than in the Fall Formal because you're so merciful to spare me, but Gilda and her gang? They're not...."
Twilight begins to cry too, "I'm so sorry for leaving you here, Sunset," she said sadly. "I thought the decision to leave you here with the girls is for the best, and what's best for you. But unfortunately, in the end, I was wrong." She tightly embraced Sunset to ease off her discomfort.
After a minute of embracing her, Twilight slowly lets her go, Sunset just gazed at her blanket, but not daring to look at Twilight.
"What am I gonna do, Twilight?" There was no hint of anger or sadness, just emptiness but that's also not right either.
Twilight paused for a little, trying to come up with an answer that may help her friend, but it has to be an honest one as well.
"It's best if you stop thinking about them for a while, for your sake," Twilight advice her. "Even if you're in school, stay away from them if you're feeling uncomfortable with them but Forgiveness is an important aspect of Friendship, I'm hoping you can find that so you can forgive them. But it will take time, I know that."
Sunset slowly gaze up at her, "But I felt I can never find that. If I'm being honest, well, you've forgiven me, and I've been thinking about doing the same for them but..." she stopped for a moment and then she continued, "I can't seem to bring myself to. I do want to, believe me, I want to but I can't no matter how hard I wished..."
Twilight lay a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "It's not good either to force yourself to forgive. Like I said, It takes time, it may be forever but with time, you'll be able to forgive them."
"And that's why I want Gilda and her gang to protect Applebloom and her friends," Sunset continued tearfully, "But when the police say they can't allow that, that's when I quickly changed my mind about it and realized that even if they do agree to give them this punishment, then they might as well treated the three girls the same way they did to me that night, and that's also when I quickly realized that Gilda and her goons will never change. And this is also why I spared Rainbow Dash and the CMC if the police were willing to take them all away who ambushed me."
Twilight sighs again and said, "I see. But now the question is if there's another magic that happens, would you help the girls?"
Twilight waited for Sunset to reply for her answer, if she says no, then she would understand but she'll have to find another way to deal with how magic works in this world.
"I'm very uncomfortable with them, Twilight," Sunset answered sadly, "I could still help but another question comes to mind, how? I doubt the Magic of Friendship still works."
Twilight nodded, "I know," she replied quietly. "And I already spoke with the girls about it, it may not be possible unless your friendship with them was restored, but one thing I know is that they will stay by your side when there's trouble. I know you don't want to be with them anymore but trust me when I told them this, they'll never abandon you the way they did two weeks ago, again. Not when there's another threat with magic."
Sunset sniffs, "I still don't know about that, Twilight," Sunset complained sadly. "If it happens, I'd still want to help them but I don't think we can, even if we're in it together."
She lowered her head in sadness but Twilight lifts her head up to face her again, "Don't worry too much, Sunset," Twilight pleaded with her. "I'm sure you and the girls know what to do. But for now, just be away from them for a while. For your peace, and your happy place. I'm not telling you to move on from them or forgive them and be their friend again, that's your choice."
Sunset nodded, "Yeah, I'll think about it,"
"But don't think about it, for now, Sunset," Twilight told her. "You just need time."
Sunset agreed, "You're right," she sadly replied. "Maybe I do need time. And I think I need to take a nap, I don't think I have the energy to give the Dazzlings the amulets for now."
"Sure," Twilight nodded. "I'm staying with you just to ensure your peace. I know Snips and Snails were on your side but I needed to be with you so I can take care of a friend."
"Okay, I do need you here," Sunset said as she lies down on her bed again.
Twilight also lay down beside her, it was almost afternoon, but they figured they'd still need some sleep. After a few minutes, Sunset fell asleep while Twilight was barely awake, watching her friend deep in her slumber. She also felt guilty for not being there for Sunset when the mess started, but she's staying here until she sees things straight. Before she let her own slumber take over her, she said one last thing that comes out of her mind.
It was like 2:30 PM when they woke up. Despite Sunset still looking tired, she still wanted to give the amulets to the Dazzlings. Twilight explained to her how they work, and hopefully, the Dazzlings should live but also not cause trouble as they did before.
"Are you up for this?" Sunset asked her.
Twilight was still skeptical about this but she reply, "Probably not, but I'm only doing this for you."
"Then, let's go," Sunset told her.
After they put on their warm jackets, Sunset and Twilight exited the bedroom and begin to leave, Snips and Snails had left 10 minutes ago. They didn't want to leave her but Sunset told them to. So they obliged and left.
Just as they left the building, Applejack was in her pickup truck from the other side of the block, stopped at a red light. She was making her way back home after making some apple deliveries. She saw Sunset and Twilight walking the street, the sense that their on to something 'important' Twilight talked about a few hours ago. So she decided to see what's up. As the light turned green, she drive off to them.
The two girls saw a truck pulled over next to them, and much to Sunset's dismay, she saw Applejack. Sunset turned away just as Applejack gazed sadly at them, she couldn't blame her, they treated her worse than what she did to them.
"Hey, uh," Applejack begins, her voice sounding so hesitated. "Ah was on mah way home until I saw you both just now. Is there anywhere you want me to take yah both?"
Just as before Twilight to reply, Sunset stopped her, she gazed back at the farmer but her expression doesn't say nor hint anything. Just emptiness.
"Fine," she finally said. "Just take us to the park. Don't ask questions."
Applejack, "Okay, hop on in. The ride ain't long."
So the two went inside her truck and Applejack drive off to the park. She figured that this won't take long, she's already done with the deliveries anyway.
During the drive, no one spoke anything. Applejack just keeps her eyes on the road, Twilight just turned her attention to Sunset, who was very busy with her book. The trip lasted for 10 minutes straight as they finally arrived at the park, Applejack pulled up in the parking lot.
Sunset and Twilight got out of the truck and before they went in there, but Sunset wanted to say something to her.
"Don't leave just yet," Sunset told Applejack sternly. "We will be back shortly. And again,don't ask questions. Capiche?"
Applejack nodded again, "Ah got it, Sunset. Ah know you don't trust me, but ah won't leave yah both here."
Sunset's face remained cold. "Good," she said.
So then, Sunset and Twilight went into the park, the park was empty, with the exception of some parents looking after their kids in the playground. As much as Twilight hated this idea, she knew they have to go through with it.
They sat down on the bench, waiting for any of the Dazzlings to show up. Sunset tapped her knee impatiently, she needed to get this done fast but she also learned not to rush things. Twilight stood up and try to buy some hot chocolate, after a little bit, she came back with two plastic cups of hot cocoa in her hands.
"So, are you ready for this?" Sunset asked her, accepting the hot cocoa.
Twilight sighs as she sits down, "I just hoped you're right about this one, Sunset."
"I am," Sunset told her confidently. "And the sooner we get this done, the better."
After about 5 minutes, they finished their hot cocoa and throw the cups into the nearby trash bin. And just then, a figure with a dark purple hood covering her head showed up. The figure put down her hood and was revealed to be none other than Aria Blaze.
"I see you brought your princess friend, here Sunny," Aria said.
Twilight wanted to talk some sense to her but Sunset stopped her and said, "Yes, I'm glad you showed up. How were the others?"
"Ugh, they're getting worse off," Aria replied. "But they should be fine. But enough with the stalling, they don't have long. So, where are the amulets."
"It's right in here," Twilight replied, digging her hand into her purse and pulling out three looking amulets, but before she give it to her, Twilight held it tightly in her palm. "But here's the catch," Twilight explained to her sternly. "You three can live a lot longer with these amulets, but if you try to gain negative energy with these, then you'll lose them forever. Consider this as a second chance I gave you."
And she finally gave Aria the amulets, and hopefully, she gets the message. And this one has to be firm enough to make sure they don't cause trouble.
"Fair enough," Aria agreed, placing them carefully in her pockets. "We don't even have the energy to cause more chaos. Ever since the Battle of The Bands, we made the ultimate decision to go straight, it's hard but we'll pull through. But that doesn't mean we will choose Friendship!"
"Then I respect your decision," Sunset told her bluntly. "Just take the amulets and get out of here."
"Whoa, I really liked that attitude of yours," Aria commented, thus earning a glare from Twilight, so she tries to change the subject. "Anyways, we watched the news, and if I'm being honest or anything but I kind of felt bad for you, and Sonata was crying her eyes out hearing your side of the story during the trial, and I could say Adagio felt bad just like me."
"Thanks for the pity," Sunset muttered but Twilight and Aria heard her.
"Well, since you got nothing else to say, I might as well get going," Aria said.
"But remember the warning I just gave you," Twilight reminded her. "And if you three messed it up, don't expect me to give you a third chance."
"Alright, alright, I get it, Princess, sheesh," Aria replied annoyed. "I already told you we tried to go straight, but we ain't taking Friendship our only way."
"Then, get moving," Twilight said silently.
So then, Aria left, now it's just the two girls. They sat back on the bench, figuring out what to do next, and tries not to make Applejack wait for longer. Before that, Twilight turns her head to Sunset, who just stared slightly at the sky.
"Sunset?" The fiery head girl turned her eyes to the princess. "Do you still believe in Friendship?" But Sunset just stared at her, that was just it.
"Sunset, I am asking," The princess repeated. "Do you still believe in Friendship?"
But much to her disappointment, Sunset just shrugged, doesn't say a word. What does that mean?"
"What do you mean by that?" Twilight frowned.
"Nothing that you don't know," Sunset answered, but that's not the answer she's looking for. But Twilight decided not to pressure her with questions, Sunset stood up. "Let's go, we don't want to keep Applejack waiting."
"Yes," Twilight agreed as she also stood up. "Let's go now."
When School day came by Monday, things didn't get any better. In fact, this was the last week before the holiday break.
The Rainbooms were disbanded for good, none of the girls ever wanted to play anymore, when the whole school knew who Anon A Miss was, they were very angry at Apple Bloom and her friends but they knew better than to mess with the same girls who saved their lives twice. Well, they couldn't exactly say the same for Rainbow Dash.
When word also got out of her involvement, the whole school treated her like some kind of monster. After the CMC's confession, they immediately banned her from every activity in the school, and immediately denounced her as captain of the football team. It's not like there will be no events for quite a while no, Friendship Games and the camping trip to Camp Everfree were canceled.
As Rainbow Dash makes her way to her locker, all of her fellow classmates just immediately stop talking and whispered one on another as she passes by. Most of them were giving her stares of fright and others were giving her cold angry stares. Rainbow could swear she heard one of them whisper, "Monster," she tries to ignore them and made it to her locker.
As she opens her locker to get her things for the morning class, she can't help but hear Lyra and Bon-Bon were talking, and they were not pleased with her presence.
"I honestly cannot believe what kind of a person would do such a thing to her own friends," Lyra said in disgust.
"Yeah," Bon Bon agreed, giving Dash an icy glare. "I don't think Sunset Shimmer may go that far, and given everything that's happened, Shimmer actually does change after all. And she seems genuinely hurt about it."
"But can she still be a good person?" Lyra asked her skeptical. "Given everything that happened, I don't know for sure."
"But I'm still not fine with Sunset's decision to keep Rainbow Dash around," Bon Bon said.
"Nor I'm okay with her decision to keep the real Anon A Miss around for what had they done to her," Lyra added. "But they're just little kids anyway, Rainbow Dash should've joined Gilda and her hooligans in prison. But at least Gilda is no longer, I don't think we should be worried.
"Let's just go," Bon Bon said impatiently. "I don't want to waste my time talking about that monster."
The last part hit Rainbow really hard as she struggled not to cry, both girls turned their heads away from the rainbow athlete and proceed with their own thing.
She closed her locker and grabbed her two books and continued to walk into the hallway. As she continued walking, someone purposefully pushed her, knocking her to the ground. Everyone stopped and saw her lying there.
"I wonder who did that?" Silver Spoon mockingly wondered.
"I don't know," Diamond Tiara replied mockingly. "It must be that monster!"
"Monster!"
"Horrible fiend!"
"Monster!"
"If you're so angry to do such a thing to your own friends, I don't want to imagine how you're gonna do to us!"
"Monster!"
"Get out of here, Monster!"
"You're not worthy as team captain, Monster!"
Rainbow Dash covered her ears. To avoid the harsh words given to her, to avoid the harsh treatment she was getting. It was only Monday, and she's getting horrible treatment in the worse possible. Now she gets to feel what Sunset had gone through but even worse than that.
Please stop
I'm not a monster
But people continued to assault her with words as Rainbow started to tear up and keep her ears covered tightly.
Someone help me.....
And a Christman miracle happened a voice shouted, "That's enough!"
Everyone stopped. They knew that voice, so they quickly make way for Sunset Shimmer with Snips and Snails on her side. She looks pissed, she hasn't been happy since Anon A Miss happened. Everyone just stared at her, they knew they pissed her off real good, and if she died, it's all on them. So from that point on, they decided to respect whatever decision she makes in this school.
"I suggest all of you get your rush our asses to classes," Sunset coldly suggested. "Everybody, scram!" Everyone immediately rushes from the hallways and to every classroom they can find.
With the hallways empty except for the 4 of them, Sunset walks towards Rainbow Dash and looks down on her with cold and angry eyes.
Rainbow quickly wipes her eyes and said, "Sunset, th-thank you, I-"
"Shut up," Sunset stopped her, Rainbow flinched at that but she knew she deserved it. "I suggest you get yourself fixed up and get going. I don't have time to deal with you."
And that's just it. She left. Snips and Snails followed suit. Rainbow Dash is all alone.
Rainbow didn't spend the entire day attending classes. Instead, she spent the whole day wallowing in the band room where she and her friends used to play. She doesn't know what to do, sure, Sunset went through this before that's because she and the others were there for her. But the tables had turned, and this time, Sunset is not interested to tolerate her anymore, if she gets her to defend her, she'll only make Sunset irritated even more. She doesn't want that, she doesn't make her even angrier, not after what she did.
Just then, the door slowly opened to reveal her lifelong friend, Fluttershy. She's the first one to enter, and so do the rest of the girls and the CMC. They shut the door and lock it as they went over to their friend, Fluttershy sat next to Rainbow gave her a comforting hug.
"I know what you've been through," Fluttershy said softly. "I'm sorry we're not there to stop it."
"It's okay, shy," Rainbow replied sadly. "Sunset stood up for me. But I don't want her to intervene, because I'll just make her even angrier than last week at the cafeteria."
But then, she begin to cry as she continued, "It's not that it hurts so much," she sobbed. "but it's for what I had done. I wasn't thinking straight, she would've died because of me. And if that happens," her voice begins to crack. "we'll ultimately lose this school and we may be forced to go to separate schools. Away from each other... And our sisters and I, we would've joined Gilda to rot in prison with her..."
The girls embraced her in a hug as Rainbow continued to cry. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle lower their heads in shame, while Scootalo stares sadly at Rainbow Dash. She slowly joined in the group hug, to hug her older mentor, to hug her big sister.
When they let go of Rainbow Dash, she stared at Scootalo with sorrow, Scootalo doesn't know what to say but she owe it to Rainbow for her part as Anon A Miss.
"Rainbow Dash," she begins. "I'm so sorry for everything. Can you forgive me?"
Rainbow shook her head, "No, squirts. I can't. It's bad enough that everyone saw me as a monster, which, I am. And forgiving you will just make me a typical hypocrite. And it makes me more of a horrible person than I already am!" The last part was like a scream and Scootalo recoiled at that, as she also teared up too.
"I'm.... sorry...."
Rainbow sobbed, "Me too... Me too...."
Scootalo lung forward to Rainbow Dash and they embraced each other with a hug as they cried together. The rest of the girls watched sadly, Apple Bloom felt really guilty than the others. She started this, all because she was jealous. Nothing else but jealousy.
Unbeknown to them, Sunset Shimmer was seeing all of this from the door, as much as she was angry at them, she can't help but feel bad about it. But can she truly forgive them? Especially now?
Hey, Twilight
Oh, hey, Sunset. How were things at school
I don't know, everyone felt bad for me and they all decided to respect my wishes and decisions I'll make in this school
And how were the girls? I know you don't want to be with them anymore but at least tell me if they're doing all right?
To be honest, when I saw Rainbow Dash crying her eyes out about her actions, I can't help but feel that for her. Twilight, did I make the right call by refusing to forgive them?
She waited for Twilight to respond, and then...
That depends on the person, and for your case, I'll say that after everything you've been through, you had reached your breaking point, you couldn't take it anymore. So I say you're not ready to forgive, and when you're feeling bad for them, don't be so obliged to forgive just yet. You still need time to recover, and whatever decision you make, I will respect it. But like I told you, don't pay them with a mind for a while if you're uncomfortable, for your own sake and happiness, just focus on your peace and mind. That way, you can recover, and maybe one day, you can speak with them
Alright, I guess that helps. How much time do I need?
Like I just said, it depends on the person. So I can say it's you, whether you decide or not, I'll respect it.
Saturday had come, and Sunset couldn't help but relax. It was quite a horrid week so to speak, despite everyone now knowing the truth, but she doesn't want to think about it for a while and tries to keep her mind clear about recent events.
She's got a blueberry jam sandwich and a hot chocolate for breakfast. Snips and Snails were out for a bit but they promised they will be back soon, they just need to get some things at the store.
It was a good Saturday.
At this rate, she would finally relax and get peace of mind. She can just forget about her problems, concerns, homework, and other things that can get her stressed out. Life is too good for a time like this.
Just as she smiles, cherishing this peaceful moment, someone is knocking on the door. Snips and Snails must have returned with the snacks. She stood up from her couch and went to the door, when she opens the door, instead of the two boys she's been waiting for, it was someone she least expected to show.
Her smile turned upside down.
Rainbow Dash stood before her. The moment she met the rainbow haired's presence, Sunset's eyes immediately turned from peaceful to eyes of not of hate, but of anger and resentment. Rainbow uncharacteristic flinched at that, but she must see this through. Her nervousness reaches a new height but she constantly tells herself why she has to do this.
Twilight did tell her to focus on herself for her own sake but she didn't tell her what to do when the girls are bothering her
After a long bit of silence, Sunset broke the ice, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kick your ass out of my apartment?" She demanded in a cold, venom tone.
"Uh-Uh," Rainbow stammered. "Y-You s-see Sunset, I-I just want to say-"
"Save it," Sunset replied coldly. "I know what you're going to say, but I can't forgive you yet. Well, if you excuse me, I might as well head back inside." But as she closes the door, Rainbow quickly holds the door wide open with her might.
"Wait, Sunset!" Rainbow stopped her. "That's not just what I'm here for! It's something else!"
Sunset sighs in frustration, "Fine," she finally said, "Wait in the living room. I'll be making hot chocolate."
2 minutes later, Rainbow is sitting by the couch with the hot chocolate in her hands. She slowly sips some to warm her throat for the winter, Sunset is sitting by a soft armchair, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands as well. She stares coldly at Rainbow Dash as she takes a few sips of the hot chocolate.
Rainbow gulped as she gazes up from the cup to the fiery-haired girl, she started to get nervous again but the hot chocolate helped ease her nerves for a bit.
"Well," she started to explain. "Thanks for the hot chocolate Sunset," she meekly smiled at her.
Sunset narrowed her eyes, "That's it?"
Rainbow immediately shook her head, "No, it's just," Rainbow stopped herself and sighs, and then she continued. "It's hard to explain but you see.... about that day...."
Sunset narrowed her eyes hardly at Rainbow as she knows what she's talking about.
"I' wasn't thinking straight," Rainbow said, as she sip her hot chocolate. "I... I thought you were hurting everyone again... and I had to do something," she couldn't hold her tears anymore as she continued. "But I swear! I never expect them to go that far! I only expect them to beat you up a little, I thought you might have called someone to pick up...."
"Hiring 30 people to beat me up isn't considered too far?" Sunset questioned her, her voice is sounding angry.
Rainbow weakly shook her head, "No," she replied, sobbing. "I didn't think clearly. I-"
"No, you don't, you want to hurt me," Sunset interrupted her. "In fact, if it weren't for Anon A Miss, I wouldn't have seen it myself of what your truly capable of when you're angry."
Rainbow felt hurt by that, but she's right, in a way, "I suppose you can say," she replied as her tears fell on her cheeks. "Whatever I said about that other, may not excuse me of what I did to you," she put down her chocolate to the table and said, "Sunset, after everything that happened, I understand if you never forgive us. Even if you didn't do that for a year, or even longer than that, I don't deserve your forgiveness. You can hate us all if you want, it's fine, it's understandable. But Sunset, don't hate our sisters forever."
Sunset raised an eyebrow. "What about them?"
Rainbow sniffed, "I mean, they're the ones who start it all," Rainbow reminded her. "And we're so stupid enough to fell for it. You can despise us, but please, Sunset," she looked at Sunset into the eyes as she begged her. "Please don't hate them forever, they're just little kids."
"Little kids who made a terrible decision that should've been resolved in a civilized manner," Sunset finished, she can see the tears and sadness in Rainbow's eyes, it reminded her of herself when she's begging everyone when they all believed she was Anon A Miss. But should she care?
"Yeah, but their own actions hit them even harder than ours hit all of us," Rainbow cried as she knelt on her knees and looked up to Sunset, begging her former friend, begging the person whom she almost killed. "I called Applejack last night, asking her what's up, she said it's pretty bad because Apple Bloom was carrying apples while the blizzard grew strong."
When she told that to Sunset makes she froze in shock, last night there actually was a blizzard going on, at least she's got a roof over her head. But the thought of the little girl who started Anon A Miss carrying apples back to the house with the blizzard growing strong, she can't help but feel symphony for the girl who destroyed her, but she must not show it on the outside. She just stayed still.
"Applejack also told me that Rarity called," Rainbow continued as she wiped her tears. "She says that Sweetie Belle has been crying all week over what she did, she even refused to eat her food. What's even worse, she keeps having nightmares of what would happen if she joined Gilda and her associates in prison, that she would get beaten up, gang-raped, or even worse! Rarity had to wake up every night whenever her little screams, and to ease her discomfort!"
Sunset continued to listen to her, as much as she's angry at Rainbow and the girls for her misery. She can't help but feel terrible for them. Did she actually make the right call to be separated from them?
"What about Scootalo?" She asked Rainbow quietly, but the athlete heard her.
Rainbow sniffed again, "She..." she hesitantly explained. "She hasn't been herself lately. Not after how I exploded at her last week when we found out she's part of Anon A Miss. She's scared of me, despite that she tried to apologize to me a few days ago, I can see the fear in her eyes. Even when we hugged, I can even feel the fear she have of me. I wanted to forgive her, Sunset. But...." she stopped as more tears fell from her eyes again. "I can't. Not it's because I am mad at her, no, it's because it would make a typical hypocrite if I give her a chance and I couldn't give you one when you needed it. It makes me more of a horrible excuse of a friend than I already am..."
Sunset watched her sorrowly as Rainbow continued to cry. And this is exactly why she decided to spare Dash and the CMC from going to prison with Gilda. Sure, letting their guilt eat them alive is bad, but getting expelled, ending up in prison, and like what Sweetie Belle's nightmares said, the possibly getting killed, gang-raped, or even worse while sharing the cell with Gilda is even worse. She watched her former friend crying, she doesn't know what to make out of this. Yes, she's still angry but after hearing of what they've been through this week, Sunset wasn't sure what to do or say about this.
After one minute, she finally spoke, "Rainbow Dash," Sunset spoke, Rainbow looked up to see her instead of anger and resentment, more like remorse. "I don't.... know... what to say about this... I honestly don't know but I'm feeling really bad right now..."
Rainbow stood up, she places her hand on her shoulder and said, "You don't need to say anything else," she said as she wipes her tears. "It's okay if you hate us and never want anything to do with us again, unless if there was a problem with magic, but if you're ready, please forgive our sisters. They're really sorry...."
Sunset wiped some of her tears off of her eyes, "Let's... just finished with our hot chocolate, and then you can go."
Rainbow nodded, "Yeah, maybe we do that."
So after they finished their hot chocolate, Rainbow took off but not before giving one last look at Sunset with sad eyes. Sunset is no longer in her view when she closes the door, Rainbow lowered her head in shame as walks away. Back to her home.
Sunset sat back in her armchair and think again about Apple Bloom and her friends. They made a mistake, and they regretted it. She wished she could forgive them but she couldn't bring herself to, and she's not even ready to forgive her former friends yet. It's just too soon. She just needs time, that's all. She needs to think about it until she finally decides....
With the Friendship Games cancelled the following month after the holiday, Twilight Sparkle, the top student of Crystal Prep, decided to find some alternatives to study strange sources at Canterlot High.
And that's when she decided she has to leave Crystal Prep and transfer to CHS. It was hard at first, but despite being the best in her school, Twilight eventually give in to the desire of wanting to continue studying in a new school, a better one, unlike Crystal Prep and its very competitive and mean students, with the help of Cadance, she finally convinced Principal Cinch so she very reluctantly let Twilight transfer.
And when she first came to CHS, it was pretty different as she expected, but she didn't expect every student to be a little sad over something. But what's strange is that when she makes her presence known, people stop talking as if they are dead in their tracks and begin to whisper, she could swear she heard them whispering, "That's Twilight?" "Why is she here?" "Is she's going to punish all of us for what we did to Sunset"?
But Twilight choose to ignore the whispers, at least it's not something hostile like her former classmates in Crystal Prep, but the students in CHS were rather surprised, they seem guilty, and a little scared of her. But for what?
But that doesn't matter, what matters is that she must study the strange power sources in this school. If she could only just get a sample from the source, maybe she can finally analyze what it is.
Word got out to the whole school that Twilight has returned, but she looks slightly different, especially the glasses and the ponytail. Snips and Snails begin to investigate, starting with asking every student who sees how completely different Twilight was and how she acts so different as if this is her first day in school. And to see her investigating something like she's looking for something unusual. The two boys were beginning to have a bad feeling about this so they report everything back to Sunset.
Sunset took a little bit of time to comprehend what they reported to her, and that is when she finally realizes that this world's Twilight Sparkle has enrolled on Canterlot. And they also say she's a scientist, if she's a scientist, it'd be a bad idea for her to try and study magic. So she quickly runs around the school for Twilight, and she finally found herself looking for magic outside on the football field.
Sunset catches up with her, and with the school day ended, it was time to tell her everything, from the bottom to the top. they settled in Sugarcube Corner, so Sunset begin explaining everything to human Twilight, starting from who she is, where she comes from, where magic comes from, her equestrian counterpart, and everything that had happened with magic last year. Sunset also demonstrated some of her magic to Twilight just in case she doesn't believe her, and she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
After 10 minutes, Sci Twi now understands the dangers of magic, and where Sunset and her pony counterpart came from. She also realized that studying magic she doesn't understand will create even more problems they can't afford to deal with. So Twilight ultimately calls off her investigations but decided to continue with her studies in her new school. Sunset happily agreed to help her way around her new school. But since she's so focused on Human Twilight, she didn't notice the Rainbooms sitting at the other side of the cafe, and they heard the full story, and they do want to befriend this Twilight but they were not sure about Sunset in the way.
When the Rainbooms suddenly crossed paths with her the next day in school, Twilight immediately confirmed that they also shared the magic with Sunset, based on what Sunset told her. The girls introduced themselves to her, for a proper introduction, but then Sunset also came by and see the girls talking with Twilight. The Rainbooms' smile fell when they see her, Twilight can't help but feel like there was some tension going on between them, but Sunset immediately reassured her it's fine, she can hang out with them if she wanted to, but Sunset's not joining with them.
So, a month has passed since Twilight enrolled at CHS, and she never felt this much happier. Her new classmates were so nice to her, but it's not because they met her pony counterpart, but it's because they learned something about Friendship her pony counterpart had taught them. But as much as she enjoys studying at her new school, and making new friends, there is one thing that bothered her.
Whenever she joined Sunset to hang out, the Rainbooms immediately stopped and told her it's okay, they'll just carry on with their own business. And when she hangs out with the Rainbooms, Sunset refused to join and told her it's okay, she's gotta go and help Snips and Snails. She must know what's up, even they refused to tell her, she will find out one way or another.
"Hey, Sunset," Twilight spoke to her. "Do you have time?" She's now wearing new clothes, (The choice of clothing she wears in the EG series)
"Sure," Sunset replied, neatly placing her books back into her locker She. "Let's talk outside the building." She's also wearing her orange shirt with her cutie mark logo, a black leather vest, a dark purple miniskirt, and new boots.
So they went outside of the building and sat down by the Canterlot Statue. Twilight needed to know what is up with Sunset and the Rainbooms, so she asked, "What is up with you and the Rainbooms? Every time I hung out with them, you won't join us, and when I hang out with you, they won't even join us as long as you were around? Sunset, is there something you haven't told me?"
Sunset frowned. Of course, this day would come, she didn't tell Twilight about Anon A Miss because she was still new to her school at the time. But since Twilight asked her this question, she knew she can't hide it anymore, so she must tell her the truth.
So, she hesitantly explains to her, about Anon A Miss, about Rainbow and Gilda, and Apple Bloom and her friends being the masterminds behind that account, and needless to say, Twilight was horrified.
"Oh my god..." she said, her eyes widening. "Sunset... I' can't believe it.... they.... they..."
"I get it, Twilight," Sunset interrupted her. "I am alive, and before you say it, it's pretty bad."
"Yes, it seems," Twilight replied but she's still shocked. "But I'm still horrified of what Gilda and her cronies did to you! Especially how Rainbow Dash sold you out like that!"
Sunset sighs, "Yes, even though I can't forgive them, I know they felt horrible about the whole thing. That is exactly why I chose to spare her and the CMC from sharing a prison cell with Gilda. Listen, Twilight, Vice Principal Luna told me before that there is no such thing as perfection, people make mistakes, Rainbow Dash just got caught up with her anger, Gilda and her goons don't seem to deserve redemption if there's so willing to beat the shit out of Apple Bloom if I give them a chance to walk away, I already told you about the whole She-Demon thing, remember?"
Twilight nodded, "Yes, but still! It's horrible!" She exclaimed. "Especially when the holidays were around the corner!"
"Yes, I know," Sunset told her. "Look, Twilight, it's all in the past and I tried to move on from it, the girls were doing the same. And please, don't make them out as bad people, especially Rainbow Dash, they really want to own up to their mistake. Apple Bloom and her friends were getting the worst punishments than I got in the past."
"Oh, I don't intend to, Sunset," Twilight said. "I'm just shocked, that's all. And like you just said, there is no such thing as perfection. And come to think of it, I would've made things worse by studying magic that it turns into chaos at the end, and you and the girls can't afford to deal with it. But I'm glad you stopped me that day we met."
Sunset smiled, "I'm glad too that I stopped another magic chaos from happening," she said. "Although, there is still more magic problem to deal with."
"I know," Twilight replied. "I'll try and help in any way I can." She hopes she can because Sunset and the Rainbooms might need her the most. "So, anyway, how were things with you and the girls?"
Sunset's smile fell again and sighs, "That's what your pony counterpart told me the other day?" she frowned. "No, I still don't forgive them. And believe me, I wanted to but it hurts too much. And whenever I see them, I get bad memories of how they treated me, especially how Rainbow sold me out," she looks down as she continues. "But I know they realized they messed up big time, I just need time and space. Away from them...."
Twilight lays a comforting hand on her shoulder, "How much time do you need?"
Sunset looked up to her, "It's been nearly a month since that cold, cold night..." she said quietly. "And I'm still very hurt about it. I don't know but I do need plenty of time. And this is also exactly why they were so friendly and caring than they are in the past. They genuinely grew wiser from the experience, and, I'm still in the process of healing. But Twilight, don't think we're forcing you to choose either them or me, no, the girls were not like that. I'm not like that anymore. You can always make friends with everyone in this school if it makes you even happier."
"Ever since Anon A Miss, I lost all my love for Friendship," she continued. "And I don't want you to lose that, too. The Rainbooms already lost me as a friend, and they don't want to lose you too as a friend. It's fine if you want to hang out with them or me from time to time, but just don't bring me closer to them when I'm not ready."
Twilight nodded, "I understand, Sunset," she said. "You helped me so much since the day I came to this school, so now, as a friend, I must do the same."
Sunset smiles again, "Glad to hear it, so, you need a lab partner?" She winked.
Twilight smirks, "Of course I do! Let's go, there's so much we can learn more about science together!"
Sunset chuckled as she and Twilight stood up and went on their way to Twilight's house. She may lose a lot of love for Friendship, but that doesn't make her descend into the old cruel person she once was.
Not long after Rainbow's last meeting with Sunset that day. Not after 15 minutes since she left, Sunset is starting to lose her head. By the time Snips and Snails returned with the snacks, they find half of the living trashed (saved for the T.V and the gaming console) they immediately find Sunset in her room, thrashing some things like she did the other day where Twilight check up on her.
They tried to hold her down to get her to stop, but Sunset was too much of despair to get a hold of. When she breaks free of them, Sunset knocked herself out by banging her head to the bathroom mirror, passing out.
They quickly call for an ambulance whilst informing Principal Celestia and her sister, Luna (Since Sunset can also trust them) the bad news, so the two principals rushed to the Hospital for Sunset.
A few hours later, when Sunset woke up and found herself in a coma, with a large gauze on her forehead, a bandage on her right hand, Snips and Snails told her about what happened and how she acted, she doesn't know what came over her, not since Rainbow appeared in her apartment door. After learning the history between Sunset, Rainbow, and the Rainbooms, the doctor analyzes Sunset's condition, and then she immediately confirmed Sunset was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Shocked by the revelation of Sunset's condition, Celestia immediately asked the doctor what they can do. The doctor says it can be treatable, so Sunset must take some meds to help her at ease every single day. The sight of Rainbow Dash is what caused her PTSD to break, Snips and Snails also confirmed something like this happened to her not long after the trial, the doctor says it's the first sign of PTSD that needs to be seriously treated.
Twilight, I think I've been messed up...
Why? What happen?!
Well... you see... I didn't realize it but I got PTSD. It's pretty bad...
What, how?
Well, you saw how I acted that other day when you are checking up on me?
Oh, yes, I remember that. It's because you were reminded of the girls, right?
Yes, well, Rainbow Dash happened to arrive on my doorstep, and... I guess that she's the sole reason that my disorder breaks since she's the one who organizes the ambush on me...
Well, since she's guilty of what she did, I highly doubt that she would want to harm you in some way. I'm pretty sure it's for something else
Yes, she told me about how Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootalo had been going through since their confession. They felt so awful and Rainbow couldn't stand it, that's she begged me for forgiveness towards Apple Bloom and her friends since they are the ones who started. I don't know, Twilight, I can't help but I actually hate them for starting that shit, to begin with... I haven't felt this hate since the Fall Formal
It's okay, Princess Luna said that it's okay to express your emotions, if it's hate, then she's confident that it will eventually die down in the future. I hope you can't hate them forever.
I don't know how long I'll be feeling this hatred to those three but I guess it's best to stay well away from them if I know what's good for me
That you should. So what's going to happen to you?
Oh, I'll be fine. The Doctor says I have to take some meds every day to help me at bay, if I don't then, I might as well go crazy again
I wouldn't say you're fine, Sunset. Given how serious PTSD was and it needs to be treated seriously. Promise me to keep me posted every day so I will know how you're feeling
Promise, and don't worry about me, I'll be staying in the hospital for the night. And I'm still tired... I gotta get sleep
Sleep well, Sunset. You need it.
3 months later....
"Twilight, have you seen my meds?! Where are my meds?!" Sunset frantically removed every piece of clothing in the closet, looking for her meds.
The nerd frantically look around the living room, "I'm looking! I'm looking!" she said rapidly.
"This can't be happening!" Sunset exclaimed as she removed the pillows and the blankets off of her bed, "If I can't find them and take them today, I will go nuts!"
The two girls were having a sleepover of their own when Twilight decided to keep her company for the night. And when they woke up this morning, Sunset can't seem to find her meds, this caused her to panic and she abruptly woke Twilight up to help her search for her medication. Twilight, being a smart scientist and a new student of CHS, knows how those meds were important for Sunset so she immediately agreed to help.
They've been looking for 10 minutes and still no, Sunset is about to get worse off she doesn't take them now. Twilight's expression changed from panic to determination
"Then we must race against time to find your precious medication," Twilight declared, she picked something from her backpack and pull out a high-tech invention or something. It looks like a tracker of some sort. "Come here, Sunset, let's use this."
Sunset immediately went to the living to Twilight, who activates the tracker and it let out a bright green beam and it shined to Sunset's face, she covers her eyes upon the beam shining on her eyes.
"Twilight turned that thing off!" she yelled whilst covering her eyes.
"Oops, sorry!" Twilight says as she immediately turns it off.
Sunset rubbed her eyes and glare at her, "What is that for?!"
"I'm sorry, Sunset!" Twilight replied. "It's a tracker! It could help us find your meds!"
Sunset takes a few deep breaths to calm down and said, "Look, maybe we don't need the tracker. My apartment is not that big but every second counts, Twilight. If I can't take them soon, I'll go crazy!"
Twilight turns off her tracker and puts it back in her backpack, "Okay, let's keep searching."
Just then, Sunset's journal just glowed on the couch, causing it to drop some small pills. Sunset immediately recognized these small objects.
"My pills!" she exclaimed, quickly picking them off of the ground. "Twilight, get me a glass of water!"
"Uhm," Twilight says uncertainly. "Are you sure you still want them? I mean, they fell on the ground, and the ground is dirty and..."
"I don't care!" Sunset told her. "I don't have time!"
Twilight yelped and quickly went to the kitchen and hurried back with a glass of water. Sunset gently took the glass and she swallowed her pills with the water. When she's done drinking, she sighs in relief. She doesn't have to go crazy again. She looked up to Twilight with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry that I yelled at you, Twilight..." Sunset says genuinely
Twilight smiles softly at her, "It's okay. We know what happens if you don't take them in time."
Sunset smiled back and nodded, "Yep," she turned to her journal. Princess Twilight must have called her. "Do you have a minute? It's your equestrian counterpart."
Twilight nodded, "Sure! I'll just get our stuff ready for school!"
Twilight hurried back to the room to get the school supplies, leaving Sunset to have a morning chat with Princess Twilight over the book.
"Hey, Sunset, can we have an important chat?" Twilight asked her friend.
"Sure, why not?" Sunset replied.
The bell just ring as they walked out of the classroom. The school day is almost over, and after one more class, then it's finally over for the rest of the day.
"I just want to ask you if you heard that the school board, for some reason, wants our football team to be back on the field?" Twilight informed her.
Now that got Sunset surprised, she turned to her friend and raised her left eyebrow, "What?" she asked.
"I don't know," Twilight shrugged. "All they said it's more of a way to get our school's spirits back up since... you know,"
"Why would they bother?" Sunset asked annoyed. "The Friendship Games, the camping trip to Camp Everfree, and other activities were all canceled because of what happened last holidays."
"I said I don't know," Twilight repeated. "They just want our school back to its former spirits. Also, they even decided to put Rainbow Dash back as team captain."
"What?" Sunset exclaimed, both of them stopped walking because of Sunset's reaction.
"Yeah, they literally did," Twilight confirmed. "Because they said if you can spare Rainbow and the CMC from going to jail for their part in Anon A Miss, then.... why not bring Dash back as the captain of the team?"
Sunset grumbles, just as her recovery is going really well, only for the school board to be stubborn enough to put the football team back on the field.
"I'm also meaning to ask if you also want to come back to the team as a lead striker?" Twilight questioned her.
It's true, ever since the Battle of the Bands, Sunset joined Rainbow's football team to see what she got. And over time, Sunset nailed in every football practice and match. Sunset also went through a lot of intense fitness training of her own, and she practiced day and night to get this sick signature move right, she called it; The Shimmer Spinner. She's virtually unstoppable with this move in every game she and the team played.
Twilight just realized what she asked and she immediately said, "Oh-oh wait! I'm sorry! I forgot that your-!"
"It's fine," Sunset told her annoyed, shutting her up. "But even if I want to come back to the team, my body is still recovering, so I doubt the Shimmer Spinner is still possible anymore."
She looked away, looking emotionless about the board's decision. Twilight tries to say something to her but Sunset spoke again, and this time her emotionless face turned into one of determination, "But if the school board can be so stubborn enough to bring back the team, then fine. But if their decision proved to be a bad idea, then I'm not coming back!" She turned to the nerd. "Let's head out to the field."
The two girls were outside and at the football field, Sunset was in the center of the pitch with the ball to her foot, and Twilight was just next to her, looking so concerned.
"Sunset, wait," Twilight protested. "Maybe this is a bad idea. You don't need to show that you can still use your signature move."
"I just want to try," Sunset told her, she looked so determined as she glares at Twilight. "It wouldn't hurt to try. I'm gonna see if I can get my signature move back."
"But Sunset, how were you going to hold it together to be with Rainbow Dash during the game?" Twilight reminded her about her PTSD.
"I took some meds, not only that but I've been taking much therapy as I can," Sunset told her again. "I don't need to keep my eyes on Dash, all I can do is to give her the ball or something."
"Okay, I see," Twilight said. "But how long are you going to keep it up? I remembered how fast Indigo was, she can move up to 20 miles per hour. And if I remember what you told me when you were in the team, you can move up to 18 miles per hour. Sunset, I don't think you can keep up with her!"
"And I told you that I have my own scuba gear and I trained underneath the ocean, remember?" Sunset reminded her. "Let's see if 5 months of recovery should be enough."
So then, Sunset took a deep breath and takes her eyes on the ball. And then, time slows down around her, Sunset sweeps the ball with her foot and begins to spin, she spins, and spins until she finally got it! After quite a long time, the Shimmer Spinner is back! Sunset is spinning like a furious tornado, Twilight couldn't believe it herself. Sunset herself looked like a tornado when she's spinning that fast, and then, she quickly stopped and unleashed a power shot to the goal.
Sunset stared at the ball at the net, she smiled in determination, "Now I'm ready,"
"Welcome to Crystal Prep vs Canterlot High School in our home ground pitch," Lyra announced, she and Bon Bon were the commentators for the game, both of them were in the commentator's room and both students of CP and CHS were cheering wildly.
"I can't believe the school board wanted our team back, Lyra," Bon Bon told her. "After everything that happened last holidays, what were they thinking?"
"I have no idea," Lyra shrugged. "And what Sunset is also thinking of coming back to the team as well? And why does Rainbow Dash comes back as team captain too?"
The CHS team was stretching but the rest of the team avoid eye contact with Rainbow Dash, some of them whispered to her, saying "monster", Rainbow Dash tries to ignore them as she stretches. It's only been half a year, and so far so good, almost no one has stopped calling her mean names but they still gave her the glares and the cold shoulder. Well, that's some good for her at least.
She gazes her right to Sunset, who's also stretching but avoiding Rainbow and the others. Rainbow sighs sadly, but not wanting to be reminded of what happened, she continued her warm-up stretching.
"Hey," Sunset's voice called out to her, surprising the rainbow-haired girl. Rainbow turned her attention to Sunset approaching her, wearing a neutral expression on her face. "You knew this is a bad decision making the School Board makes, right?"
Rainbow nodded, she knew that too. "Yeah, this is a bad idea, especially for what happened."
"Yep," Sunset agreed emotionlessly, "just try and think about this game. And if you want things to be a bit easier for you, let me deal with Indigo."
"Yeah, sure, good luck," Rainbow told her, and then she thought of something. "Oh, and Sunset," she took off her captain armband, giving it to the redhead. "I wanted you to have this... I'm not worthy to be the captain after what I.... you know.... what I did to you...Here."
Sunset just stood there for a few seconds, and then, she slowly took the armband from Rainbow. Lyra, Bon Bon, and everyone else noticed that and they were all a little surprised what Rainbow had just done.
"Rainbow Dash just made Sunset Shimmer the new captain of CHS," Lyra commented. "I have to admit, that's touching."
"But the question is; can Sunset being the new captain make the difference?" Bon Bon questioned.
"Especially with the two known speedsters; Indigo Zap vs. Sunset Shimmer," Lyra added, she grabs her speed tracker.
So the game is on! While the home fans were pretty displeased to see Rainbow Dash taking possession of the ball, however, it's not long when they see Indigo and Sunset challenged one on one with each other using their legit human speed. Sunset bought her scuba gear using her hard-earned money from the gems and gold she fenced, she's been using her scuba gear to train underwater to become faster and improved her stamina.
Indigo, on the other hand, was also trained to improve her speed and stamina using a weight belt and it paid off. Now, two players, two strikers, and two captains battled one on one. Minutes passed, the crowd goes wild, the scores were tied 2-2, both Sunset and Indigo scored those two goals thanks to their impressive speed and stamina.
85 minutes later, the scores were still tied. Lemon Zest jumped over Rainbow's slide and tackle and pass the ball to Indigo, and she then makes a break for it, zooming through the midfield like a wind, leaving CHS' midfielders in the dust.
"And Indigo once again makes another run to goal," Bon Bon commented.
"And she's fast as ever," Lyra added, tracking Indigo's speed using her speed tracker. "21 miles per hour."
"But if there's anyone who can keep up with her, it's Sunset Shimmer," Bon Bon said.
Just as Indigo was about to take her third shot in the game, Sunset zooms in and steals the ball from her, and makes a break to Crystal Prep's goal.
"22 miles per hour," Lyra said, tracking Sunset's speed.
But then, Indigo catches up with her and steals the ball, and runs back to CHS' goal.
"23 miles per hour for Indigo,"
Indigo shoots, the goalkeeper dives the wrong way as the ball flew to the other side of the net, however, Sunset zooms in and steals the ball again.
"What an unbelievable save from the new CHS captain!" Lyra exclaimed. "And she reached 24 miles per hour!"
Indigo chases Sunset all the way to the other side of the pitch. Now wanting to feed Indigo's need to win with arrogance, Sunset performs her Shimmer Spinner move. She moves through Sunny Flare and Sugercoat's defense like a raging tornado, she jumps mid-air and takes a powerful shot. Crystal Prep's goalie was way too late to react just as the ball hits the back of the net.
However, just as she lands on her feet, Indigo just slide tackles her with such a strong force, her right foot went straight to Sunset's right knee! Creating a small crack in her knee, Sunset yelled in agony that the whole school can hear, she fell on her back. Indigo just realized that she was too late that Sunset had already taken her shot just a split second before Indigo injures her.
The crowd gasps in shock at what they have witnessed, but the ones who have been hit the hardest were Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and the girls.
"SUNSET!!" Rainbow Dash and the girls cried out at the sight of the redhead on the ground in pain, holding her knee.
"That was the dirtiest dangerous tackle!" Both Bon Bon and Lyra exclaimed at the same time.
"CHS' best speedster and their new captain was down!" Lyra cried out.
"And Indigo has made things way too far!" Bon Bon added, just as Mr. Cranky Doodle who poses as a referee gives Indigo a yellow card.
"A yellow card?!" Applejack cried out surprised. "That no-good varmint deserves a red card!"
"I pretty much expected Indigo to have a red card instead!" Lyra claims.
"Out of my way!" Rainbow barked, shoving her teammates out of the way to check on Sunset, who was laying on the ground, gripping on her broken knee, she's gasping in pain. She knelt down to get a closer look at her, "Sunset," she spoke, her eyes widen seeing Sunset's condition. "I'm so sorry this happened!"
"Rainbow... Dash...." Sunset barely spoke, she slowly lids her eyes open to see Dash staring down at her, scared for her.
"Yeah...." Rainbow mumbled, she gets lifts Sunset's a little with her right hand, "speak to me, Sunset. Speak."
Sunset is still wincing in pain, "We... all... knew this was a bad timing to play soccer again," she barely told her.
Rainbow nodded, "Yeah, I know but this is not the time to talk about it," she said quietly, "because of this, I'm out, for real this time."
"Yeah, I'm with you..." Sunset agreed.
Moments later, Sunset was taken to the hospital again to get her knee treated. What's even worse is that her body is still recovering and a knee injury is just as bad enough.
What?! Are you okay?! How bad was it?!
It's pretty bad. Real bad. Like, it hurts like hell, Twilight.
That Indigo girl has got some explaining to do!
I'd say the school board has got some explaining to do. It's their dumb decision to bring back the football despite what happened with Anon A Miss.
And what about Rainbow Dash?
Well, she and I both knew it is bad timing to be playing some soccer again. If the school board didn't decide to let us play soccer again despite our school's condition of what's left after the holiday incident, I would never end up here again.
Okay, but what about you? Are you feeling better?
For now. The doctor said I have to wear this knee for like a long while and I shouldn't put too much pressure on my knee. Well, I guess I can no longer use my Shimmer Spinner for a while.
Well, I'd never see how you'd done it yourself despite what you told me about and how it works but I'd recommended you not to do that while you're healing. Get some rest, Sunset, and don't forget about your meds.
I already took my meds and thanks. Anyway, I should get some sleep. Goodnight.
A week later after Sunset's terrible injury, the School Board was forced to cancel Football games until further notice. If that's not bad enough, Indigo receives a lot of scolding from Crystal Prep faculties, and her parents as well. She was grounded for 2 months.
Rarity herself still does not stop thinking about the sight of a very ex-friend whom she hurt so bad last holidays, to be lying on the pitch, holding tight on her injured knee. Rarity wished she can help but there's nothing she can do, and she doubts Sunset would want her help anyway.
But for now, she has this other problem she needs to deal with it. She slowly opens the front door of CHS, peeking at the outside world, hoping someone or something is not there to get her or worse... or something.
She shut the door closed, not wanting to take the chance. Should I go now should I wait for at least a few minutes until he leaves? Rarity thought warily.
Just as she stepped back a little, feeling unease, she accidentally bumped into someone. Someone yelled in frustration, however, that voice sounds so familiar that made Rarity's blood go cold the second she heard that voice. She slowly turns around to see Sunset Shimmer glared furiously at her. There's a black bandage tied around her injured knee.
"O-Oh! Sunset!" Rarity said anxiously, she looked around for anyone to aid her, she was sweating so much already. "I-I S-See you're getting better," she immediately wears a smile on her face.
However, Sunset already see through her, forcing Rarity to drop the act, "Yeah, no thanks to you," Sunset told her dryly,
Rarity tries to ignore the sharp tone in Sunset's voice when she sees the fiery head girl attempting to reach her satchel on the ground, but her bandaged knee was making It a little difficult for her. Rarity immediately assist in picking up the satchel off the ground and handing it over to her.
"Thanks," Sunset said with no emotion in her voice as she takes her satchel back.
Rarity decided maybe it's time to ask Sunset to see if she's okay, "So... how was your knee?" She asked very reluctantly. "Does it still hurt since.... you know?"
After a moment, Sunset replies, "Yes, my leg should be okay," she looked over her bandaged knee and gaze back up to her old friend. "What about you? What's with that face shows that you're feeling unease? Even before you bumped into me?"
Rarity tries to come up with an answer, something that should hide most of the truth. But she realized that lying to the same person whom she hurt so bad last holidays is not a good answer, so eventually, she gives in.
"Well, you see," she gulped. "I... I seem to have... a stalker."
Sunset raised her eyebrow, "A stalker?"
Rarity nodded, "Yes, darling. You see, I have this customer who admires me of my.... fashion skills. However, as time flies, that admiration turned something more... than that. He's stalking me these past couple of weeks! And I'm afraid he knows where I study, what if he's waiting for me out there, to go out that front door?" She panicked frantically. "I don't want to"
"Okay, okay!" Sunset interrupted her. "I get it," she takes her time to think about this, and then she found a conclusion. "How about I'll come with you? And we'll find out who this motherfucker thinks he was?"
Rarity was flabbergasted by Sunset's decision, "Well, I never conde the language, darling, but are you sure? Especially what-"
"I don't need you to remind me about what happen," Sunset told her sternly. "We're going to get this guy to stop stalking you, one way or another."
Rarity was skeptical at this point, "But are you really sure? What about your knee?"
"I will be fine," Sunset answered, getting irritated with the questions. "Let's go."
That sharp tone in the last part made Rarity shiver, she decided to stop questioning Sunset even further and followed her out to the front of the school.
Just as they were heading to the parking lot for Rarity's car, Twilight eventually found Sunset.
"Hey, Sunset, wait up," Twilight called to them as she run towards the two girls, however seeing Sunset and Rarity together made Twilight stop in her tracks and get confused. "Wait, but I thought you two-"
"We're still not friends," Sunset immediately answered, "but Rarity here has a problem she needs help to take care of. And I thought, "why not?"
"Are you sure you want to be with her?" Twilight asked Sunset concerned.
Rarity stepped in, "It's her decision, Twilight, so I'd say, yes."
"Okay..." Twilight mumbled. "Anyway, Sunset, ever since what happened last week, I've been working on this for a whole week, something that should keep you secured so you won't get hurt again?"
"And what is that?" Sunset asked her.
"Why am I in a hamster ball?" Sunset asked annoyed, she was inside of a plastic sphere that was surprisingly bouncy and invincible.
"That my friend is the Super Sphere 2.0," Twilight answered, Rarity was pretty unsure about this invention. "Sure, the sphere is made out of plastic, but it's a plastic sphere that's invincible and can never be popped by ordinary sharp objects."
"And bouncy too," Sunset added, she takes a few jumps and each jump gets her even higher.
"Stop jumping!" Twilight exclaimed, making Sunset stop. "You're leg is still healing!"
Sunset sighs in annoyance and crossed her arms, "Fine," she mumbled.
Twilight readjust her glasses, "Anyway, what seems to be the problem, Rarity?"
"There's this stalker who is used to be my favorite costumer, he admires me of my skills so much he went as far as to stalk me!" Rarity answered frantically, "I can't live with a constant fear of being watched! If he gets me, then good God knows what will happen!"
"Oh my, that is bad," Twilight frowned.
"Not for long when we get this guy," Sunset declared. "Whether you like it or not, I'm gonna have nice chat with this creep. Where does he spy you often?"
"He sometimes at the mall, watching me going in and out," Rarity answered, "The person rides silver Tesla, he's brown-haired, and he wears sunglasses."
"What was his name?" Twilight asked her.
"He never told me his name," Rarity told her. "Every time I asked him, he either dodges the question or changes the subject."
"Okay," Sunset sighs. "Why don't you and Twilight get there? I'll meet you there.... somehow," she mumbled at the last sentence.
Rarity, not wanting to question Sunset now, guides Twilight to her car. They enter the vehicle, Rarity started the engine and drives off, leaving Sunset in the "hamster" ball. Now all Sunset has to do to get to the mall herself... while she's in this "hamster" ball Twilight prepared for her. Damnit, maybe she should've just asked Twilight how to get out of this thing, the Super Sphere 2.0 was locked and only Twilight can open it from the inside.
However though, lightbulb. She takes a few jumps and each jump gets her higher until she can reach the height of the school building, when she does, she bounces on the school rooftop, jumping even higher. She continues jumping her way to the mall, she bounces on houses, buildings, and such as she makes her way to the mall.
Sunset was on cloud level and she landed on a parked bus, oops, she bounce on the comic book store until she finally makes it to the mall, she lands on the rooftop of the shopping building.
"Now, silver Tesla, brown-haired, and shady sunglasses," Sunset muttered. She picks up her phone and dials Twilight's number, waiting for a bit until Twilight picks up her call, "I'm already at the mall."
"Already?" She heard Twilight speak over the phone. "Where are you?"
"Uhm, let's just say I'm in a "comfortable" position," Sunset said. "But what about you two? Do you guys spot him?"
"Rarity?" Twilight turned to her friend, they were at the parking lot of the mall, which is at the front while Sunset landed on the back of the place. They were looking for the stalker's vehicle but they can't seem to find him.
"He's not here, which is good at least," Rarity answered. "I remember now! He's sometimes in the Sugarcube Corner."
Twilight turns back to her phone, "Sunset, Rarity said the stalker could be at Sugarcube Corner."
"First place he spies on a specific CHS schoolgirl," Sunset commented. "Alright, I'll head over there. I'll see you, girls, later."
When she hung up, Sunset leap from the rooftop and bounce on the ground level, and continues bouncing even higher, all the way to Sugarcube Corner.
I have to admit, this thing is pretty fun, Sunset thought. Maybe one day, I'll persuade Twilight into letting me keep this thing.
She continued bouncing until she finally makes it to Sugarcube Corner, she take one last jump and bounce on a tree, and landed safely on ground level. There's the place, it's just across the street. The place gives her that bitter memory of former friends shutting her out again when she tries to reason with them here, Sunset frowned bitterly at the place.
However, that thought didn't last long when a horn honk beside her, she turned to her left to see Rarity and Twilight also arrived.
"Let me guess, you bounce your way here, didn't you?" Twilight asked her with a stern glare.
Sunset shrugged, "What? It's fun,"
"And dangerous," Twilight retorted as she exited the car. "Maybe I should get you out of that thing."
"No!" Sunset quickly protested before Twilight do something, "Y-You can't! This thing is pretty fun, to be honest. Can't I please keep this thing?"
Twilight just stared at her uninterested, while Sunset stares back at her with pleading eyes, however, this moment was interrupted when Rarity sees someone exit the shop, fearing who that person might be.
"Darlings," Rarity called to them, pointing at the man across the street. "It's him! That's the stalker!"
The stalker is brown-haired like Rarity said, he also wears sunglasses, and on top of that, he wears a brown hoodie, black pants, red shoes, he is also purple-skinned. He was unaware that Rarity and the girls spotted him as he made his way around the back of the black to obtain his tesla.
"He's going for his car," Sunset said, "Let's get him."
However, before she does so, cars started the drive from the left and right directions, this street just becomes busy this hour of the day.
However, Sunset has a plan. She started taking a few jumps until she can reach a certain height. She bounces on a rooftop of a small building and flew across the street, from a height, she can see the stalker heading to the parking spot for his car. Not wanting to waste this chance, Sunset moved faster and leap faster.
Sunset leaned forward to get down, she bumped into the stalker by the back, causing him to fall on his torse and Sunset bounce on him resulting to go even higher, she eventually landed smoothly right before his eyes.
"Didn't see me coming ain't ya?" Sunset taunted him.
The stalker slowly backs away, "W-What do you want from me?!"
Sunset smirked at him, "Oh I just want to let you know, that you're stalking a very specific classmate of mine. Rarity, right?"
Rarity's car pulled up right next to them, "That's him, Sunset! That's the creep!"
Sunset stared back at him, "You see? You've been stalking her for quite a while, and now you're past actions have come back and bitten you in the ass. Believe me, I know what that kind of karma feels like before," her smirk turns into a murderous glare despite still being in the "hamster" ball, "Now listen here, you stop spying on Rarity or I will have to find you and teach you a damn lesson, man! Better believe that!"
The stalker nodded in fear, he was hurting from that bump Sunset gave him earlier, and he doesn't want to know what will Sunset to do him whilst being inside of the "hamster" ball.
"Yeah, -s-s-sure, I was jumped, I never saw a thing!" The stalker stuttered, quickly standing up and making a run for it, not bothering to pick up his car.
Sunset smiles in satisfaction as she and the girls watch the stalker making a break for it, she turns to Rarity and said, "Well, it seems like you don't have to deal with him anymore."
Rarity can't help but be thankful for Sunset's help, "Oh, Sunset, thank you so much!" she said thankfully. "If only I had done the same for you back when Anon-"
"I said I don't want to be reminded about what happened," Sunset interrupted her sharply, however, she softens her tone, "But your welcome, and we're still not friends."
"Y-yes, I know, I understand, but I'm just grateful for your help," Rarity replied.
Sunset nodded, "Good."
Twilight exited the car, "You can go now, Rarity, I need to take care of Sunset,"
"Oh sure, goodbye darlings," Rarity said as she drives off. Even though Sunset never wanted to be her friend anymore, at least she's still around to help out, Rarity can't help but put on a smile on her face.
Sunset jolted awake, she was panting and sweating. She look around and see that she was having a nightmare. Ever since Anon A Miss, Sunset has been receiving nightmares, although, these nightmares happened rarely since Twilight enrolled from Crystal Prep to CHS.
She yanks her blanket aside and sees the black bandage sealing tightly on her right knee, that injury she received from Indigo a week ago was still fresh, and it was still taking a long time for her knee to heal. In fact, she's not the only person in her bedroom, Twilight Sparkle startled awake as well after Sunset does, Sunset's sudden awake must have disturbed her peaceful slumber. She was sleeping on her own sleeping mattress. She gazes up to Sunset half tired but worry as well.
"Sunset, are you okay?" Twilight asked her as she stands and sits next to her, Spike yawned and he jumps on her bed as well.
"Yeah, you look a little spook," Spike added. A week after Twilight's time in CHS and getting to know Sunset, Spike got blasted by some equestrian magic despite Twilight calling off her investigations, the girls don't see this as the problem considering the fact that the school already had talking dog before.
Sunset deeply sighs, knowing she can't hide this from them much longer, so she vented. And needless to say, both Twilight and Spike were saddened.
"Oh, Sunset," Twilight said sadly, "I'm so sorry."
"You don't need to be sorry," Sunset told her, "these nightmares happened often since..." she becomes hesitant when she was about to say it, "since... last holidays, however though, when you came around, those nightmares became rare but I still have them..."
"Anon A Miss hits you really hard," Twilight said, and then she realized what she just said, "Wait! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say that!"
"Don't worry about it," Sunset replied, "Now, let's drop this topic and be ready for school."
"Are you sure you don't want to talk about?" Twilight asked her concern. But Sunset doesn't need to reply to her, and instead just gives her an annoyed look, telling her no for an answer, "Oh, okay, if you say. But first, we need to check your knee first," she moves herself a little and tries to get a better look at Sunset's bandaged knee, "Do you experienced some cramps last week since you're being treated in the hospital?"
Sunset shook her head, "No," she answered, "Although, it's a matter of time for that to happen and that will hurt as hell."
"Have you taken your injections by your doctor every once and a while?" Twilight questioned.
Sunset grimaced at the memories of visiting the hospital every day just to get her injections to reduce the symptoms of her injured knee. At least it's not as bad as getting injured by Indigo in the first place.
"Yeah," Sunset shuddered, "But I don't want to talk about that."
"Hey, it's a start," Twilight told her, "The doctor said you need it."
"Sure," Sunset replied sarcastically, "Adding with my meds to help ease my PTSD."
Twilight sighs and stood up, "We still have time for school but I'm gonna need some time to treat your knee with an ice pack. I'll be right back."
Just as Twilight left Sunset's bedroom, the journal glows, Princess Twilight must be active enough to talk to her. It was at the study table, Spike leaps off the bed catches the journal with his mouth, and brings it back to Sunset, she grabs the journal
Morning, Twilight
Morning, Sunset. How are you? How's your knee? Still, hurts?
It's getting better so far, although I'll possibly experience cramps and that will be real bad. But, your human counterpart was looking after me.
That's a relief to hear. I'm glad that you met my counterpart, so aside from Snips and Snails, to look after you.
I've been looking after her since the day she showed up at CHS.
And now she does the same to you when you're hurt. Does it hurt pretty bad since... you know... last week?
Sunset shivered, Yes, it does. You know, Twilight, gives me the nerves when you have to ask that.
Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to, I'm just so worried about you. Most of the time, I wished things could've been different if had been with you when the incident happened, maybe we can solve it together before it gets any worse, and you would've been in your happy place by now.
Sunset sighs annoyed, Stop saying that, Twilight. You know what they say, it is what it is. I learned that since I'm having trouble moving on from the Fall Formal. And now I'm still having trouble moving on from Anon A Miss and it still hurts a lot.
Yes, I know. But you at least have some friends, right?
Your counterpart, Snips and Snails, Principal Celestia, and Vice Principal Luna. Speaking of friends, I have another nightmare again.
Again? Is it about your former friends?
I wouldn't want to tell you even though you knew, I didn't have the energy to tell it to your counterpart. I'd be a hypocrite if I did.
Oh, okay, I understand. But I knew it was a nightmare about your former friends. Have you thought about them sometimes?
Well, the only time I interact with Rainbow Dash is when the school board decided to bring back the football team, and then we have a game against Crystal Prep, well, you know how that turned out. And 2 days ago, I bumped into Rarity and she has... a problem with a stalker and I thought maybe I should help? Anyway, did help her but we're still not friends.
You did? That's great! Even though you're not friends anymore, it's still nice to help them in need!
Even though they never did when that damn incident happened...
Just then, Sci-Twi comes back with the ice pack, "Sunset, I got the ice pack," she told her.
Twilight, I have to go. I wish we can talk more but we can always talk later. Bye.
Bye Sunset! And be careful out there!
Sunset closes the book and sets it aside just as her Twilight sits next to her, "That's my pony counterpart?" she asked. "What did she say?"
"As usual, she's checking up on me," Sunset answered, and then she thought about what her friend asked her earlier, "And Twilight," she said, "About my nightmare, well, it's about my former friends."
Twilight frowned, "I figured you'd say that, considering what you told me the other day when we're getting to know each other. I take it that you're having troubles from moving up, right?"
Sunset nodded, "Yes, but I knew I have to rely on Princess Twilight since she knows Friendship is not always easy, but it's always worth fighting for. And the only friends I got is you," she turned pets Spike, "Spike, both Snips and Snails, and Principal Celestia."
Twilight smiled sadly, "That's great to hear but what about your former friends?"
Sunset sighs, "Honestly, I'm still traumatized by them, and I want nothing to do with them, especially one of them who causes my disorder to break. But..." she paused, very reluctant of what she has to say, "ever since I helped Rarity with that stalker two days ago, not only it's a good thing that I still want to help her, but this feeling I got from helping her... one of my ex-best friends whom I nearly died because of them, was starting to get more... complicated?"
Twilight sits next to her, "How complicated?"
"I don't know," Sunset shook her head, "It was either hate, sadness, or... guilt?" she placed her hands on her face in desperation, "I don't really know, Twilight."
Twilight moves closer to her and embraces her in a hug, Sunset resting her head on Twilight's chest.
"Maybe it was not either of those three emotions you thought you have," Twilight claimed, stroking her hair, "Maybe it's something else besides that or close to that?"
Sunset lays down her hands and looks up to her in despair, "Do I look like I have an answer to you?"
Twilight shook her head in defeat, "I suppose not," she answered, and then let her friend go, "Anyway, I need to treat your knee before we're heading off to school. I just need to gently take this off of your knee."
So Twilight gently removes the black bandage protecting her injured spot, and then she placed the ice pack down. Sunset winced and cried a little over how cold it was, but she knew it was worth it. She'd rather have this than get injections every day.
After minutes passed, Twilight takes the ice pack off of Sunset's leg, "There," she finished, "That should do. You want me to walk you to the bathroom for a shower?"
"No thanks," Sunset replied, "I already had my shower last night before you show up in front of my doorstep."
"Really? I did too before I left and come to you," Twilight said, and then she gently puts the bandage back on. "There, I made sure it's tight enough to protect your knee. But are you sure you don't need a stick to walk?"
"I don't need it, I'm sure," Sunset answered confidentially.
"Well, if it's hurting, let me know, okay?" Twilight told her, Sunset nodded in reply. "Good, let's get to school for breakfast."
So she helps Sunset up and be ready for school, they decided to take the bus to school. Sunset may not have an answer to what she might have to say to her former friends, nor she's ready to face them if she decided to. But for now, it's time to hang out with the friends she got at this point.
When the day had ended, it is time for another therapy session with Doctor Chrysalis. Celestia and Luna are good friends with her and they had Sunset to take much therapy with her.
The two girls are standing by the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi. Unfortunately for them, when they call for a taxi, the caller sadly replies that all of its drivers are occupied.
"That's just great," Sunset grumbled, shoving her phone back in her skirt pocket. "How am I supposed to get there now?"
"We can always walk our way there," Twilight suggested. "It's an excellent exercise for your knee."
Sunset narrowed her eyes at her. "And getting late for my therapy session?" She complained. "It's far, Twilight. It will take us forever if we just walk."
"You're right," Twilight sighed. "My parents are busy, so they're taking the car. Shining Armor's car is being worked on in the shop, and Cadence doesn't even have one. So can ask for a ride?"
Sunset just sighs. "Okay, I guess we can do that."
But as her misery would have it, Applejack pulls up in front of her.
Now that's just great....
Applejack opens the window. "Yah two need a ride?" And she noticed Sunset giving her a sharp look, and she shuddered. "Look, if yah don't a want, ah understand."
"Wait!" Sunset immediately said. She opens the door and gestures for Twilight to enter first. Sunset is last and closes the door. Applejack just start driving without trying to glance at Sunset.
"We're heading to Doctor Chrysalis' office," Sunset told the driver, looking at the window. "And I'd be brutally honest if I tell you to be quick."
She just nodded. "Gotcha, Sunset." She uses the GPS on her phone and follow it.
The drive last for five minutes and neither spoke a word. Twilight, being seated in between the two former best friends, decided maybe she should try to break the ice.
"So...." She begin awkwardly. "How's anyone's day so far?"
Sunset turned to her. "Twilight, I've been on your side for the entire day," she told her, annoyed. "And if you want my answer; I don't know. Good, I gues...?"
She turned to Applejack. "So AJ, how's your day so far?"
She just simply nodded. "Ah'm been doing well, perhaps." She replied steadily. "The same goes for the girls, and so does Rainbow Dash. But... she ain't been herself a little since... yah now."
Sunset nodded back. "Yeah, it's a terrible game alright," she said. "And then I ended up paying for it and it would've cost me a leg."
Twilight waved her hands. "Lets try not to talk about what happen last week with that game," she immediately suggested.
"Ah suppose yer' right," She agreed. She pulled over for a red light and turned back to the fiery-haired girl. "Anyway, Rarity told me how ya dealt with that stalker, Sunset."
Sunset is still not looking back at her. "Yep. I did what I can."
"But she also told me how yer being a little extreme when confronting him." AJ added.
"I did what I did, AJ. And that's that," Sunset replied with a sharp tone in her voice.
The light turns green so AJ turns right just as Sunset asks; "So.... how's Apple Bloom doing?"
AJ was a little surprised to hear that. "Y-Yep. She's been doing well. And so does her friends, but the school is still angry with them. Ah'm still grateful for how yah stood up with them.
Yes, at other times in school, Sunset had to save them from the wrath of vengeful students. Which is something their older sisters were supposed to do.
"Your welcome but that was supposed to be your job," she then glares at her. "I gave them what they wanted from the start since then, and yet you three are not doing your jobs right?"
Applejack winced at that, but she knew she's right. She's not doing her job as a big sister and she'll fail her again if she's not there to defend her. Same goes for Rarity and Rainbow Dash.
"Yer... Yer right," she said sadly. "It turns out... ah still don't learn from what happen and I let Bloom fall in the hands of our angry classmates and ah do nothing about it."
She stops for another red light. "Just like how ah ditched yah when yah needed me." She continued silently and tears fall free from her eyes as the memory of leaving Sunset behind replays in her head.
Sunset softens her glare with sad eyes. She turned back to the window. Deep down every day, it's the not same without the girls. Deep down, she still cared for them. Deep down she wants to switch places with Twilight so she can give Applejack a hug where they both needed a moment. But it still hurts, she just can't....
"It's been so long," Sunset started and her tears dripping from her eyes. "I felt far from betrayed by you girls. You girls would've been the main reason how and why I died..." she started sobbing, Applejack looked away while Twilight gives her a hand on the shoulder for comfort. "But... deep down.... I.... I miss you, girls."
Applejack looked back at her. "What?"
Sunset nodded. "Yes, you heard me right. Since then, everything is not the same without all of you. A part of me wished everything is back when Anon A Miss never happened. A part of me wants to reconnect with you but..." she said in difficulty, "after what happened, I can't. As much as I missed you girls, I can't. Because it's so difficult for me to."
Just as Sunset cried, Twilight wrapped her into a tight hug. "It will be okay. I promise." She said silently.
Applejack just watched sadly. She was touched by the fact Sunset still misses her and her friends. She honestly thought Sunset hated her for good since the day with the revelation. She wanted to join the hug but she can't bring herself to, especially with what happened.
After several minutes, Applejack pulled up in front of a small white building. Her GPS said this must be Doctor Chrysalis' place.
"This is the place," Sunset said upon stepping out of the truck. "My session is only for an hour."
The farmer nodded. "Okay, Sunset. Ah'll pick up in an hour. Just call Twilight."
"Good. Thanks again. Oh, and AJ? Kindly come to me, please?"
Without hesitating, Applejack did as she was told. And before she know it, Sunset wrapped her into a hug. A hug she never can ever get this from Sunset herself. Applejack returns the favor. Feeling touched by this, but guilty for never giving this to her when it mattered.
"I longed wanted this with any of you girls," Sunset said. "I don't know, I just felt the sudden urge and then this."
They sadly break the hug. "It's alright. We both wanted this after so long..." AJ replied sadly.
"Yeah, even if we can never be friends again, I suppose we can let go." Sunset said quietly.
So then, Sunset turns away and went inside the building as Applejack sits back in her truck and drives away.
...
"Ah, Sunset Shimmer, I am thrilled to see you again." Doctor Chrysalis said eagerly as Sunset entered her office. "Anyway, sit down and let's begin with our session."
Sunset sits down on a chair while Chrysalis is writing her notes on her desk. She is wearing a black suit with a green tie. "Now, tell me, Shimmer. Do you take your meds every day?"
Sunset nodded in reply. "As usual, Doc."
"Good, good. And how is your knee? Is it still bad?"
"Yep," Sunset answered. "But it's getting already. And I can't wait to sprint again."
"I'm glad to hear it," Chrysalis placed her papers aside. "Do you experience some... mixed emotions lately of how you've been dealing with your struggle?"
Sunset's smile fell. She knew where this goes. So she explained. "Well, Doc, despite everything that happened with... them I can't help but a part of me missed them so much." She takes a deep breath and continued, "I have so many mixed emotions about them I can't comprehend of what I'm feeling about them. But one thing I knew, I could never hate them, and yet I could never reconnect with them.
Earlier on the way here, Applejack offered us a ride. We talked about... what happened, and... that's where I spilled my guts out, showing her how much I still miss her and the others. But I'm still hurt, betrayed, and traumatized by them to go further with that." She continued as she sniffed. "I don't know what to do, Doc. A part of me wanted to reconcile with them, but another part of me says otherwise."
Chrysalis nodded with each word Sunset said. "I see. While it's a complicated problem you have there, Sunset. What they say it depends on the person. Some may eventually overcome this and reconcile, while others move on without the ones whom they've been hurt by."
"But Doc, it's been half a year since then, and it still hurts." Sunset complained. "And I still.... think about them every day."
Chrysalis looks at her with sympathy. "I understand, Sunset. It's difficult. Even from my experience. All you need to do is take all the time you need to process this, sure you said it's only been half a year, but you're still having these mixed emotions about your former friends. It takes time to sort out your true feelings, Sunset. Believe me."
Sunset nodded. "Yeah. I suppose your right. I guess I'm not ready to reach out to them, yet."
The doctor nodded in return. "Yes. And we can talk about more if it helps you a lot. I'm always listening...."