Sunset Shimmer lifted her camera to capture Flash Sentry and several of his friends putting up posters promoting the yearbook. Smirking at how the purpose of her camera today is to take photos for it she proceeds to meander around the school. She spotted several other groups of students showing school spirit or general friendliness which would make good photos for the yearbook.
Continuing her random path her thoughts stray to previous years where she would've been terrorizing the other students. That inevitably lead to the results of her bullying where after Princess Twilight Sparkle had defeated her preventing her from charging Equestria as a she-demon with an army of mind-controlled teenagers (a fairly stupid plan upon reflection) where nearly every student ignored her or treated her to her own medicine.
Even with Princess Twilight having asked her friends to try to befriend her, it still took time for Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash to become Sunset's friends. Pinkie Pie would make friends with a stray breeze and therefore doesn't count for this. It took months, and a trio of sirens taking over the school, for her to be redeemed in the eyes of the rest of the students.
During all that time the loneliness crept in and drove her mind to some dark places. Luckily her friends were able to brighten her life up. Allowing the good memories they've made to drive away the funk that was trying to build, Sunset entered the yearbook committee room and plugged her camera into one of the computers.
All her friends were already in the room helping to figure out the layout of the yearbook and choosing which photos to put in. Turning around she bumps into a girl with long green hair causing her to fall on her butt.
"Sorry, didn't see you enter." Sunset apologizes as she helps the student up.
"I was already here actually." She responds, accepting the help up.
"Oh. well it's nice to meet you."
"Wallflower Blush. I'm part of the yearbook committee and we met in eighth grade math." She states a little gruffly.
Sunset mentally runs Wallflower's face through her mind as she verbally backpedals, "It was nice to meet you back then, which is what I was about to say if you had let me finish."
"I have the list of superlatives for the yearbook." Wallflower says as she hands over a stack of papers.
Continuing to try, but failing, to place her face, Sunset turns around and shuffles through the list.
"Well, no surprise, we won best friendship." The red and yellow haired girl remarks, to the excitement of all her friends.
Rainbow pipes up with, "Just don't put use across from best biceps. Don't won't our picture to be kissing Bulk Biceps every time the book is closed. Though I don't understand the hype around a yearbook. Just a bunch of photos."
Applejack shakes her head as Pinkie Pie gasps while Rarity and Sunset look very annoyed at the remark.
Sunset responds with "It's a good way to keep track of the memories you've made during school."
Before much more could be said, the door slams open and a blue-haired girl storms in and demands "I need to speak to the president of the yearbook committee!"
Sunset takes a deep breath before answering, "How can I help you Trixie."
"You can fix the horrible mistake of me not winning Greatest and most Powerfulest." Trixie states
"That superlative doesn't exist. We can only put in ones that the students voted on." Sunset remarks.
Trixie counters with "That didn't stop you from winning biggest meanie freshman year."
Rarity speaks up while placing a comforting hand on Sunset's shoulder, "That's because everyone voted on that. I would suggest you leave."
Trixie noticing the looks she was getting from the other girls throws down a smoke bomb for a magician's exit but runs into the locked door. Sunset lets her out with all her friends following before hitting the lights. She failed to notice Wallflower still in the room before closing the door leaving the forgotten girl in the dark.
Laying in her bed, with a special book laying in front of her, Sunset fiddles with a pencil as she thinks about what to write. Since her past was on her mind, she includes yet another thanks to Princess Twilight for stopping her and getting the girls to be her friends.
Continuing on she mentions how many good memories they've all built up and how she'll make sure to send a yearbook over. After a thought, she includes what a yearbook is. Finishing off the letter she closes the book and goes to sleep.
With nearly all the town settling down for the night, strips of magic, appearing as older style film rolls start drifting across the town converging on Canterlot High School before shifting to a spot nearby in the forest.
The following afternoon found Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack at the beach enjoying the day with their friends. Twilight is fiddling with a drone, programming it to be able to take good selfie and group photos.
As she's testing out her tweaks, Applejack remarks "Ah prefer taking my selfies my...self."
A couple of the other girls chuckle a little while Rarity is dithering which beach towel to choose from, all of which are shades of white. Rainbow not quite getting how each one is different looks over to the water in time to see Fluttershy rising out of the tide with seaweed in her hair.
"Mr. starfish says the tide's coming in. So if we don't want to get our ankles wet we'd best take the group photo soon." She relays while plucking the seaweed off.
Sunset walks up as they start to gather and says "Sorry I'm a bit late. My bike needed fuel and there was a ton of traffic, but I'm all set for the group photo."
The girls all pause at her words, with Rainbow Dash and Applejack glaring at her. Flutteryshy shifts to hide behind Rarity. Noticing their reaction makes Sunset stop.
"What makes you think we'd want you in the photo?" Rainbow gruffly asks.
Sunset, confused at her friends reaction, replies "We're friends. What's going on girls? If this is a prank, not funny."
Applejack marches up to her and, with a controlled anger, states "With all that you did, you are not our friend."
Feeling something being way off, Sunset triggers her power and grabs Applejack's arm. Looking through her memories she sees that her presence is missing. Sidestepping the farmgirl she grabs Rainbow only to see the same thing.
"That's wrong, you turned around to save me during that race." Sunset thinks out loud.
While Rainbow yanks her arm back, Rarity steps up and says "The only thing wrong here is you. Nobody wants you here and you do not belong here, so leave."
Sunset starts to reach towards Rarity, but the amethyst haired girl steps back. Locking eyes, she sees the hatred that used to be there back when she was making a point to ruin the lives of the other girls. Feeling the hate stab her in her heart, she turns around a leaves as Rarity brings the arm she tried to grab up to her chest.
Sunset laying on her couch lifts her arm up to feel her face. Her fingers gently trace the slightly crusty lines from having cried out all her tears for the moment. While the back of the couch blocks the kitchen from her view, her thoughts perfectly bring up the image of her cabinets.
The image focuses on a specific cupboard that has a hidden compartment. Filling that secret spot was her special knife. One that had been crudely filed to have serrations, all so that when she used it, it would feel MORE.
Her other hand idly pressed against her side, near where one of the only two spots of her body had retained magic when she came to this world. The image of her cutie mark replaces the knife in her mind. Like nearly all cutie marks, it would always heal quickly and in a way to ensure it wouldn't get marred.
Luckily that thought lead her to think of Equestria and Princess Twilight. Looking over at the book on her table that lets them talk even between words, a flicker of hope gives her the strength to move.
Picking up the book and pen, she writes out, "Princess Twilight, Help." Dearly hoping that whatever affected her friends wasn't able to bridge the gap between realities.
A short time later the book glows with Twilight's response. Quickly calming the prone to panic princess, and writing out how glad she is that the princess remembers her, Sunset pauses to think.
Settling on a decision she sends "The situation is complicated, it would be better to explain in-person, or rather in-pony."
Getting up and packing a bag real quick, the former pony heads to the High School and the inter-dimensional portal hidden in it's statue. Taking a deep breath she steps through it and is returned to her original form on the other side.
A yellow unicorn, oddly standing on her hind legs, with a red and yellow mane and tail steps out of a mirror inside a fancy crystal palace. Before her is a purple alicorn with a two tone purple mane, who appears very glad to see her.
"So glad to see you Sunset." Princess Twilight greets her.
Swaying a little before catching her balance, Sunset replies, "Went to give you a hug." Setting her front hooves down she continues "Do you have any tea? I could use a drink before getting into what's going on."
Twilight nods and leads her friend through the castle to a large map table with various chairs around it. Spike, a young dragon brings them a tray with a kettle and teacups on it. Sunset watches as Twilight drops several sugar cubes into her tea with light shock.
"I hope Celestia doesn't see you do that." She remarks, knowing how their mentor is very much a snob about tea.
After they finish chuckling, Sunset explains, "Some magic affected our friends and erased me from all the memories we've made since the fall formal. Now they only see the bully I used to be. I'm sure it's someone who picked up a magical artifact, but I don't have any means of finding out what it is and how to undo it."
Twilight thinks for a moment before an apologetic look crosses her face. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you, but there is somepony who can. Princess Celestia."
Looking down in acceptance, Sunset replies "I figured as much. It's for my friends so I can face her."
The pair head to Canterlot and Princess Twilight leads them straight to the throne room. The guards having spotted both of them have quickly activated code Bacon, ensuring that Celestia would be on the throne, with Luna (having been woken up by an unfortunate guard with a cup of coffee strong enough to simultaneously raise the dead and give them three heart attacks) is next to her.
Seeing her mentor and mother figure up on the dias raised a variety for emotions inside Sunset. The foremost being that she was just not yet ready to reunite with her mother. Deciding to keep it entirely as subject asking her ruler for help gave her the strength to approach, albeit with Princess Twilight Sparkle in front of her.
When the purple alicorn indicated her and slight sidestepped, Sunset realized she needed to say something.
"Princess Celestia, I know we didn't part on the best of terms. The pony I was when I left is no more. Twilight, and our friends have helped me. A changed pony stands before you, in dire need of guidance." She asks while kneeling.
Seeing the solar diarch approach her in her periphery, Sunset readies herself.
Celestia leans down and states "I forgive you and offer my own apology. I would be more than glad to assist you."
Looking up, Sunset quietly says "I'm not ready to return as anything other than your subject."
As her smile turns to one filled with sadness, her mother responds just as quietly with "WHEN you are ready, I'll be here for you."
Three alicorns and a unicorn make their way over to The Royal Canterlot Library. Sunset and Twilight sharing a joke about Luna and her human alternate as they fill in the diarchs in on the situation.
"I know this library like the back of my hoof." Twilight proudly states before Celestia informs her of the restricted section.
Nearly salivating at the thought of an entire area of the library she's never been, Twilight follows the others as the two larger alicorns use their magic to pull books with their symbols to unlock a hidden staircase. Once they descend, she squees with delight before galloping around the sizeable area to examine books.
"Sadly the catalog system is in disrepair, so you might have to search the old fashioned way. As I can't offer you much more direct help, I'll leave you to it." Celestia remarks.
Sunset gently pulls a level on the catalog before it falls apart, shares a quick laugh with her mentor before saying "Thanks for the assistance Princess Celestia."
The smaller pony turning to some of the books already out and deciding that the best course would be to quickly read the first few dozens pages of each book just to see what it pertains to and narrowing it down from there.
Several hours later found her slogging through the first few pages of a book thicker than her barrel filled with laws that Chancellor Puddingcup put into place. Letting out a really annoyed sigh as she closes the book.
"Did you know that Puddingcup tried to make it so you could only drink carrot juice at every meal. I know that. I wish I didn't know that." She says to Twilight who had been trotting around the upper levels of the section rapidly reading every book and scroll.
With how fast the pages of the books were moving, she guessed the princess was using a speed-reading spell to actually read entire books rather than just skimming. Though as the unicorn looked up, the other mare stopped and flew down carrying a scroll.
"Found something. Clover the Clever once chased a witch who was terrorizing a town with a memory stone. However anytime he got close she would erase his memories." Twilight explain as she unrolled out the scroll.
Looking over it Sunset remarks "Looks like he wrote himself little notes so he would remember what was going on and who he was chasing. Quite clever..." Finishing with a sigh "Oh, right. Clover the Clever."
Not noticing Twilight states, "Looks like he chased her through a portal where he finally beat her."
Shaking her head, the yellow mare questions "Just how many dangerous villains and artifacts did they just toss through a portal to get rid off? Would be nice if they left a list of stuff to look out for."
Spreading out the scroll out a little further they notice the ending had been torn off. The good mood that was building from finding the cause of the spell took a hit.
Twilight nudges Sunset "You know what to look for now. Head back and find it, I'll stay here to find the last part of the scroll. Even if I have to reorganize this entire section, alphabetically AND by subject matter." Ending her statement on an oddly upbeat note.
"Thanks for all your help Twilight. Please let me know the second you find something more." Sunset says before going back to the mirror and the world she now calls home.
Returning to the human world Sunset notes that it's the afternoon. Figuring she spent an entire day in Equestria, she pulls out her phone. Luckily the other girls didn't realize that she was part of the group chat and that they had returned to the beach.
Making her way over there she spots them playing a volleyball game, with Pinkie Pie being weirdly competitive against Rainbow Dash. Taking a moment to enjoy seeing them all having fun, Sunset reinforces her resolve to recover their memories.
Walking up to the group causes them to turn defensive again, so she quickly says "I figured out what happened. Someone used the Memory Stone to erase all your good memories of me."
Sunset pulls out a rough sketch of the artifact and shows it to her friends. She focused mainly on Rainbow and Applejack as a way to avoid looking at the person she was hoping the most to be able to sway. While still cautious, having dealt with several dangerous magics give them cause to listen.
The redhead girl continues as she pulls her phone out, "I have photos of us hanging out, that proves I am your friend."
At this moment a blue girl strolls up and states "Those are likely faked with your editing skills. Don't forget that video showing a certain someone destroying decorations."
Pinkie swoop in and grabbed Sunset's phone to scroll through pics. "Yeah, these are clearly faked. Like I'd ever make a face like this." Turning the phone around to show the cotton candy haired girl making an extremely silly face, only for her to be making the exact same face.
"I'd bet you would just love to make everyone forget your deeds Sunset. Great and Powerful Trixie takes her leave." Trixie exclaims before throwing down a smoke-bomb, but the smoke dissipates before she finishes climbing the stairs.
As the magician stomps away somewhat embarrassed as Sunset leaves before the stares of her friends can hurt her.
The next day at school Trixie is getting stuff out of her locker only for Sunset to appear behind the door as she closes it.
"Tell me where the stone is Trixie." Sunset demands of the other girl.
Startled Trixie responds "I don't know what you're talking about. So back off."
Looking into the other girl's eyes lets Sunset realize that she had nothing to do with the situation. The shock of which makes her fall back against the lockers and slide down to sit on the floor. Lowering her head into her arms as she begins to see that she might have lost her friends forever.
"Wait, did someone actually erase everyone's good memories of you?" Trixie tentatively asks.
Seeing the other girl nod, "So your view of yourself is at odds with the you everyone else sees, huh? I understand that quite well." Beatrice states as she reaches down to pat Sunset's shoulder comfortingly.
"Well, get up. This Memory Stick won't find itself."
Sunset looks up at the other girl, before says "Memory Stone. And are you offering to help me?"
Trixie watches as she stand before saying "Of course."
Sunset and Trixie make their way over to the nurse's office, figuring that maybe someone realized their memories had been messed with and went to talk to Nurse Redheart. Unfortunately nobody had.
Talking to some of the other students lead them to the library and some of the more techy kids who are experts at erasing memories, only for it to turn out that it was data not actual memory. Sitting in an empty classroom they are discussing what to do next, with Sunset not paying much attention as she is looking out a window.
Her friends are outside, trying another attempt at their group photo for the yearbook, likely that Principal Celestia vetoing having the photo of all of them in swimsuits as a full page spread. Watching them causes her loneliness to build up and rather than letting it make her sad, Sunset storms off.
Later in the yearbook committee room, Sunset sees Twilight had left her drone on the table. Connecting it to a computer she sees the group photo and spots herself in the window, looking forlorn.
"Staring at that pic isn't helping you." Trixie says before setting down printouts of some of the pages. "We've talked to almost every student, even Pinkie's sister who was able to rattle off the geological makeup off of just a sketch, and haven't gotten any closer. Maybe we should think about what to do next."
Sunset quirks an eyebrow "We?"
Trixie replies "Yeah. Friends help each other."
"Well I'm glad I will have at least one friend after today."
Looking back at the pages, the magician notices something odd, "What's with this blank space? Who's Wallflower Blush?"
The green haired girl sitting at another computer speaks up "I am, and I've been here the whole time. WE met back in the third grade Trixie."
Trixie brushes some hair out of her face before stating "You can't expect the Great and Powerful Trixie to remember every fan she meets."
As the two girls quibble Sunset notices her book lightly glowing indicating a message from Princess Twilight. Pulling it out she sees that the other pony had found the missing part of the scroll. Information about where Clover had buried the stone, in the middle of three rock pillars, as well as a warning about how after the third sunset the loss of memories is permanent.
The drawing of the rock formation causes Sunset to look at Wallflower's computer again.
"Hey Wallflower, that a cool background. Never saw such a lovely garden before." She remarks distracting the two other girls.
Trixie confused at the sudden subject change watches as the third girl moves back over to the screen.
She says "Oh yeah. It's the school garden, well sort of. Since I'm the president of the Gardening Club, and it's treasurer, and well it's only member. I found it some time back and have been tending to it since."
Sunset took the explanation to approach, specifically noting the three rounded stones sitting at specific spots of the garden. Once she was close she grabbed Wallflower's arm and used her power to search her mind. Seeing her always alone despite being surrounded by the other students, exploring the forest around the school and finding the garden, digging up the memory stone and instructions on how to use it, and finally seeing her cast the spell to erase everyone's memories of Sunset.
Wallflower jerks her arm out of Sunset's grip, before starting to sing about how she was invisible. The former pony takes the opportunity to pick up the other girl's backpack. Trixie seeing her friend shift to hide behind the island adjust her stance to help block the green haired girl's view.
However they get discovered, and as she yanks her backpack back, Wallflower says "I was right, you haven't changed at all. You are still nothing but a big meanie."
Pulling out the Memory Stone, she holds it out triggering a flash of light.
Sunset and Trixie are standing in the yearbook committee room despite the late hour. Feeling a wave of defeat Sunset sits down on the floor.
"Don't worry Sunset, even if we can't find this stone to get your friends back, You'll still have me." Trixie states.
Feeling something in her pocket Sunset pulls out a note telling her to check the camera. "I will also have my cleverness. I set the camera to record."
Hopping up the two girls check Twilight's drone to watch the video of them and Wallflower.
"I never get over how often the students here tend to break into song." Trixie remarks.
Nodding her agreement, they fast forward through the singing only to discover Wallflower erasing their afternoon.
"I just don't get what her deal is. My memory and recall is fairly good and I was never mean to her." Sunset grumbles.
Trixie then says "Well, you might not have bullied her, but were you ever nice to her. If someone is always ignored, they can take it just as hard as if someone was being mean to them."
Checking the clock, Sunset explains "I don't have much time to catch her. Once the sun sets all the erased memories will be gone forever."
"Then lets get out of here" Trixie states before finding the door is locked. "Stand back, the Great and Powerful Trixie has this."
Throwing a smoke bomb, she finally successfully manages to pull her trick off and appears on the other side of the door. Spotting Sunset still trapped, she tries again causing them to switch places.
Rather than keep trying she tells Sunset "Go. If you run you should be able to catch her in time to destroy the stone."
Thanking her friend, the bacon haired heroine sets off.
Reaching the parking lot Sunset spots Wallflower as she walks past the girls who are gathered around Applejack's truck. Running to catch up, she does slow down as she passes by the truck trying to not feel their glares. Managing to get close enough to girl who caused the problem she calls out.
Wallflower turns around and says "You are persistent. Erasing everyone's good memories of you, and even taking away your entire afternoon hasn't stopped you." Noticing how they have the attention of Sunset's friends an idea forms "However, maybe taking away all their memories will work. Prepare to be completely forgotten Sunset Shimmer."
Seeing Wallflower pull out the stone and point it at her friends, Sunset jumps over taking the full blast of the magic herself.
Looking over to her friends she calls out "Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Twilight."
As she says each name a strip of magic corresponding to that girl's primary colour flies from Sunset's head over to the stone.
"Rarity, please don't forget me." Sunset finishes with a voice filled with sadness, causing the ivory skinned girl to place a hand over her own heart.
The red haired girl then falls down to the ground as the final series of memories is stripped from her. A few seconds later she reopens her eyes and climbs to her hands and knees. Though her hands are curled over so she's resting on her knuckles.
"Huh? What? This isn't Canterlot. Where am I? Mo... Celestia help me please." Sunset panics, being just a young filly finding herself far from her mother and mentor's castle in a form entirely foreign to her.
A purple hand lands on her shoulder, before a kind voice says "Don't be afraid we're here for you."
"Yes Darling. You're safe with us." States a loving voice as a white hand lands on her other shoulder, quickly followed by several others.
Magic flows between all of them, triggering them to grow pony ears, their hair to extend out and some of the girls to grow crystalline wings. Their friendship binds them and returns to them the stolen memories. Channeling the power, Sunset directs it and destroys the Memory Stone.
Landing before Wallflower who fell to her knees saying "I'm sorry. At first I just used the stone to erase small things and embarrassing moments. Never meant it to get this out of hand."
"I also need to apologize. Just because I was never mean to you, doesn't mean I was nice to you either. Please let me make that up to you." Sunset asks while reaching out.
That night there is a knocking at Sunset's door. Opening it a rush of white and purple slams into her wrapping her in a tight hug. Embracing her girlfriend and hugging back just as tightly, she carries her over to the couch. As Sunset sits down, Rarity brings her legs up so she can fit in her lover's lap, her face buried against the older girl's neck as she starts to cry.
"I love you. Even when my memories were erased and I hated you, my heart was till yours. It pined for you and hurt so bad when we drove you away." Rarity manages to speak between sobs.
Tears forming in her own eyes, Sunset strokes the back of the other girl's head. "I love you too, so much more than is physically possible to say. I never told you or the others about how bad it got for me back when I was earning my redemption. If it wasn't for Princess Twilight I might not have survived this."
Rarity looking up at Sunset's face, shifts her position so she's holding onto her friend as she lets out all the darkness her loneliness had made and was kept hidden until now.
A few days later had the yearbooks being delivered. As Rainbow complains about her their group photo was across from Bulk Biceps, Sunset smirked at her petty revenge on her friends having forgotten her, Trixie storms up.
"I demand to know who did THIS." She exclaims before holding a yearbook open to a page with her magic poster displayed.
Sunset smiles at her new friend before saying "Well, we had to honour the Greatest and most Powerfulest student in the school."
Beatrice smiles back before turning away to go gloat to other students.
The red haired girl then states "I have a couple special deliveries to make, so I'll catch you later." before leaving with two books.
Swinging by the statue to toss one through the portal, laughing at how Princess Twilight will react to seeing the yearbook haphazardly on the floor, she makes her way around the school. It isn't long before she walking into a garden with several students tending the plants, and one carefully arranging rocks.
"Hey Wallflower, got a special delivery for the Best Gardener." Sunset remarks as she holds out a yearbook open to a photo of Wallflower Blush working on her garden, signed by all of her friends.
Sunset took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Reaching up she carefully opened the secret compartment of her cupboard and removes the knife hidden away there.
Looking it over she takes in the serrations that had been crudely filed onto the edge. Laying the blade onto a brick she had brought in making sure the handle sits out over the floor. Stacking a second brick ontop of the knife, Sunset holds it securely and takes in another breath.
Quickly and with all her strength, she snaps the handle off. Lifting the top brick, she then tapes the edge so nobody would get cut on it.
Holding the two pieces above the trashcan Sunset mutters, "No more shall you taste my blood."
Dropping the broken blade into the garbage, she then goes over to her couch. Loading up a video on how to make scarves, she orders yarn in all of her friend's colours.
