Mutual Interests

by Spirit Shift

Rating: everyone
Tags: Fluttershy, Equestria Girls, Comedy, Rarity, Slice of Life, Human, Sunset Shimmer, Coco Pommel, Rainbow Dash
Length: 3574

After the events of the Fall Formal, Sunset Shimmer has become a solitary recluse due to the entire town hating her. Can the girls bring her out of her shell enough to make amends with the town?

After what happened at the Fall Formal, Rarity comes to see that Sunset Shimmer's become little more than a recluse, a mere shell of her former self. It also doesn't help that no one in the school is even willing to give her a chance. Rarity sees this as inexcusable. So, honoring their promise to Twilight, she convinces the girls to try their hardest to get Sunset out of her shell by having the girl take part in their activities.

But will a simple shared interest be enough able to open up Sunset's rapidly closing heart?

Somehow featured! (8/12/14) What an awesome birthday present!
Image by Uotapo
Stolen from and Proofread by Harmony Charmer
Edited By the loyal Ersmiller

Published 2014-07-13 03:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-26 18:03:21 UTC

CH1: Friendship Attempt #1

“Hello, girls,” began Rarity, standing at the head of the group's signature Sugarcube Corner table. “I’m glad you all could make it here today.”

“Don’t be dramatic with it, just tell us why we’re here,” said Rainbow, impatiently drumming her fingers on the table, “I’m going to be late for practice.”

“Ah’m also a might curious, not that I don’t like spendin’ time with you or anything.”

“I don’t know,” said Fluttershy, petting a white cat that had stuck it’s head out of her bag. “you sounded really urgent on the phone.”

“Ohh, OOHH! Did Twilight come back? Do we get to be super awesome moe magical girls again!?” she exclaimed, jumping out of her seat, and waving her straw around like a wand.

“Ok, firstly, no more television for you, Pinkie. Secondly, this is extremely urgent, we have to keep the promise we made to Twilight before she left. We have to teach Sunset Shimmer the magic of friendship.”

“Ugh, do we haavvvvee to?” Rainbow groaned spreading herself over the table. “Personally, I don’t want anything to do with the one who wrecked it in the first place.”

“Don’t be like that, Dashie,” said Pinkie, patting the girls rainbow hair, “You saw how she was, I’m sure she’s learned her lesson.”

“I agree, not to mention it’s been almost 3 months since then, and her situation has only gotten worse. Most of the school refuses to talk to her, and now nobody has even seen her outside of the local library in the past month.”

“Well, maybe if she hadn't destroyed the school, terrorized the students, and broke up our friendships, I would care just a little bit more…. just a little.”

“Be that as it may, it’s the start of spring break so we should use this time to help her learn how to make some friends.”

“Oh, no, I am not wasting my hard earned spring break on her!” she said, bolting upright and crossing her arms.

Applejack scoffed. “Waddaya mean ‘hard earned’ you nearly failed most of your classes except for gym.”

“Whatever, I still don’t want to!”

“But, Rainbow, we promised Twilight,” pleaded Fluttershy, giving her a wide eyed puppy dog glaze. Eventually, Pinkie and the cat joined in as well. Sensing that they were needed, just about every animal that Fluttershy kept on her emerged and added their stares to the attack. Bombarded by adorableness, Rainbow reluctantly backed down and slumped in defeat. Pinkie gave a thumbs up to Rarity who nodded in appreciation.

“Thank you. Now, the problem is going about it. Any ideas?”

Pinkie slowly raised her hand.

“No parties, if we hold one now, no one will show up and she’ll only feel worse.”

Pinkie slowly lowered her hand.

………..

“Well? Come on, don’t be shy, speak up,” she said in response to the group silence.

………..

Rarity sighed. “Well I had at least intended to listen your ideas, but if none of you have any, I’ll tell you mine. I believe that we should all spend a day with her, include her in our activities in order to bring her out of her shell.”

The collective group offered murmurs of agreements

“I think that Fluttershy should go first.”

“What?” she exclaimed, hiding behind her hair in surprise, “Why me?”

“Fluttershy,” she said gently as she moved closer to the shy, introverted girl, “you are the kindest person I know. Also, if you remember, you were in the same situation as her when we first met.”

“Except she didn't try to enslave two worlds,” Rainbow muttered.

If Rarity heard her she didn't show it. “You can relate to her the most out of all of us. I have complete faith in you, darling.”

Fluttershy, although reluctant, decided that if her friend trusted her, she would at least give it a try. “Alright,” she said softly, her eyes showing a small amount a confidence.

~~~

*Tap…. tap…. tap*

“Umm, yes, hello, may I come in,” asked Fluttershy as she stood in front of the glass doors.

“Fluttershy,” sighed Cheerilee, “This is a public library, you don’t have to knock on the open doors.”

“Oh right….. sorry.”

“It’s fine, come in,” she said, smiling slightly as she turned to walk away.

“Wait, please. Do you know if Sunset Shimmer is here?”

Cheerilee turned back to Fluttershy with an irritated look on her face. Without a word, she pointed toward an out of the way table with a single girl with intertwining red-orange hair, quietly reading a book.

“Thank….. you,” she said as Cheerilee briskly turned and left. “She looked a little mad when I mentioned Sunset Shimmer…. she must still be upset over what happened.’ she thought sadly before making her way over to the girl in question.

Shimmer responded by looking up at the new arrival, she momentarily looked surprised that someone actually visited her, before hiding back behind her book. “H-hi, Fluttershy.”

“Um, hi.”

Silence reigned as neither girl knew how to proceed. Eventually, Sunset broke the veil.

“Well? What do you want?”

Fluttershy jumped at the sudden question. “I just… I wanted to see if you wanted to spend the day helping me at the animal shelter.”

“No thank you. I would rather stay here where no one can hate me.”

Fluttershy mustered up a small amount of courage to continue. “Please? I really would like some help….. and to get to know you better.”

Sunset looked up to see Fluttershy’s pleading eyes, and knew that she couldn't say no anymore. She sighed, put the book down, and followed Fluttershy out of the library.

Once outside, Fluttershy couldn't help but notice the many people glaring in their direction. Before she could shy away, she realized that all of the stares were, in fact, being directed at the girl next to her. She also noticed the way Sunset walked. She had her head down  and her pace had quickened, almost as if she were to begin running any second.

~~~

As Fluttershy entered the animal shelter, she was assaulted with various sights and smells. To most people, it might seem a bit overwhelming, but over time she had learned to get used to, and even sort of enjoy, the various smells. Eventually, the smells became something of a comfort to her in times of distress.

“Hello my animal friends, how are you all today,” she said as she bent down to pet all of the various dogs, cats, lizards, snakes, and other assorted animals. They all chirped, hissed, and purred at her touch, clearly enjoying the affection of their caretaker.

“Is that you, Fluttershy?” called out a voice from the back room. Sunset turned towards the nearby door just in time to see a tall woman with jet black hair, exit from a door near the back of the shop. She wore a violet dress, polka dotted with what resembled sunflowers, and had what some would call librarians glasses that were attached to a chain that went around her neck.“Welcome back, and I see that you’ve brought a friend.”

“Oh, yes, Is that ok?”

“It’s completely fine, dearie. I wish that there were more kind children like you.”

“Oh no, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, just a few financial troubles, nothing you young ones need to worry about.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Really, it’s nothing. Just having you around makes the animals happy, and having you volunteer here everyday makes me happy.”

“Well,” she said brightening up a bit, “all right then.”

“Well the,, you know where everything is, but call me if you two need anything,” she said, leaving the two girls to their own devices.

Fluttershy waved to the departing woman before turning back to Sunset, who had waited out the conversation by staring at a caged mouse in the corner. Fluttershy got to work feeding the animals, getting them water, and grooming some of the furrier ones. What should have been an enjoyable experience was eventually made somewhat awkward when she remembered that she wasn't alone today. For the next 30 minutes she would constantly look back toward Sunset Shimmer who spent her time gravitating from one animal to the next, sometimes petting or grooming them like Fluttershy would do.

Normally, she would sing a small tone while working, but with someone else present, she couldn't muster up the courage to do so. Instead, she tried to make some light conversation.

"S-so,” she began hesitantly, “….do you like animals?”

“I guess,” she said, still grooming the bunny that she had gravitated to.

“Really? Which one do you like most?”

Sunset thought for a few seconds before softly petting the bunny between it’s ears slightly smiling as he leaned into her touch. “I don’t have one. I used to hate animals actually…. but, now it seems like they’re the only ones to not shun or glare or at me for what I’ve done.”

Fluttershy couldn't help but notice how sad she sounded. It was true that many of the students in the school had expressed their hate for her, but did it really spread that far around town?

In the end, because she unable to bring up any further conversational topics, Fluttershy decided to only focus on the animals in front of her for the remainder of the day.

CH2: Okay, that didn't work. How about this?

Finally, I did it! The crown is mine, I can feel it’s power coursing through me even as it sits in my hands. “Finally, more power than I can ever imagine!” I say.

I relish in the defeated face of Twilight as I put the crown on. The moment I placed the crown on my head, I felt the immense power it contained. It’s just so much to take in.

So much...

Too much...

It hurts.

It burns!

Why does it burn, is this what having power feels like? I thought it would be the best feeling ever.... so why does it hurt so much? I feel like I’m going to explode. Bright light fills my vision, and I can feel my feet leave the ground. But I ignore it when the pain grows even worse. I can feel something strange happening to my body…. like ....it’s transforming into something that isn't me. Something is taking over. This wasn't what I wanted.

“But, Sunset, this was exactly what you wanted, wasn't it?”

All at once, the pain stops, and the light fades. I open my eyes, but all I see is darkness. Where is that voice coming from? I yell out for the voice to identify itself.

“I’m what you desire most. I am what you succeeded in becoming.”

Eventually, the dark begins to fade revealing a bright orange color. A silhouette manages to bring itself into my vision. I can’t make out many details, except that it’s a woman, much taller than I.

“I am the power that you have craved so badly.”

I can make out even more details as she brings herself into my vision. I can see her flaming red orange hair, literally blazing like fire. I flinch when I attempt to look her in the eye, there’s nothing there. Completely black and lifeless.

Pulling myself back together, I demand, once more, for the creature to name itself.

“Haven't you figured it out yet.. or is it that you only wanted my power to yourself smarter?”

The figure is now fully visible. Something clicks in my mind, something I have been trying to deny... but I fail. Even so, I can’t accept what I see in front of me. That… this.. this demon…… is me.

“Ahh, finally, took you long enough. Yes, I am you, and you are me. I am what you have become with all of this power. Do you like?” she asked, twirling in the air and showing off her dark red skin.

I don’t care, I refuse to believe that this is me, I would never have become something like this. I wanted power, not madness.

“Foolish child this IS what you wanted. You are now all powerful, even more powerful than Celestia herself. And certainly more powerful than that wannabe princess, Twilight Sparkle. So now, watch as I fulfill our goals. I will destroy Twilight and her friends, and I will take Equestria from that foolish princess who denied us the power we deserve! Enjoy the show, it’s to die for.” she says, laughing as everything fades back into nothingness.

No, I scream for her to stop, but it’s too late. That wasn't what I wanted. I just wanted to prove that I could handle it, that I was worthy of this power. Tears began to flow down my cheeks as I realize that this might actually be what I meant by that.

Suddenly, a large screen appears. A window to the outside. I can see Twilight and the other’s faces. They look so scared, so afraid. Why? I don’t understand.

The screen pans down to look at the flaming skirt and dark red claws. A voice giggles in glee as she looks over her own figure, and I realize that they are looking at me. They are afraid of me, of what I become.

I try to move, only to realize that I don’t even have control of my own body anymore. This isn't what I wanted, this isn't what I wanted at all!.

I watch helplessly as she turns Snips and Snails into beings like her. I can’t bear to

watch. They shouldn't have been dragged into this. It’s my fault. It’s all my fault!

The demon…… the me, outside… forces me to watch, as the body that I cannot control, destroys the school, and brainwashes all of the students. I watch myself I laugh at Twilight, and threaten to use them to take over all of Equestria. I wish that I could make it stop, I try to take back control of my body, but I’m powerless inside my own mind.

I can’t do anything to stop her.

No, what is she doing….. Twilight…...Twilight run, get away!

TWILIGHT!

I break down at this point. Tears flow freely as I watch myself blast Twilight and the others into dust. It’s all my fault. She was right, this is what I wanted. I wanted power at all costs…..

…..even if Twilight and her friends were my payment.

~~~

Sunset Shimmer woke up in alarm, sweat and tears dripping down her face in abundance as she gasped for air. Her eyes began quickly darting around her room, her heart pounding faster than it had the right to be. Eventually, she managed to calm down enough to realize what had happened.

“It was that dream again,” she sighed, wiping her face, “well….. as much as a memory could be called a dream.”

Unable to return to sleep out of fear, Sunset Shimmer curled up on her bed, legs against her chest, and let the rest of her tears flow freely.

~~~

“So, I take it that animal therapy didn't work?”

Fluttershy shook her head sadly. “If anything, I think that I may have made her sadder.”

“That’s not good,” said Rarity, sitting down in front of the group.

“So, what now? Do we send in the big guns?” asked Rainbow, pointing across the table to the pink haired girl, who was currently downing an extra large double chocolate banana creme, strawberry cimicherrychonga surprise milkshake sundae.

“No, not yet, I want to try something first. Applejack, would you like some help on the farm?” she said, turning and giving her friend a bright smile.

Applejack backed away a bit before answering. “Rarity? Where’re ya goin with this?”

Rarity only scooted closer to the reluctant farmgirl. “I’m only saying, that such a hard worker could use her hard work to take someones mind off of their problems.” she said, fluttering her eyelashes.

“That don’t make no sense, Ah hope you know that.”

“Be that as it may. I would like it for you to take Sunset Shimmer to your farm, and let her help you.”

“How would that help anythin’!?”

“It’s obvious that she is distracted by the people around her, their attitude towards her is causing her to keep reflecting on what she’s done. So we could probably distract her by having her work hard in a secluded area. Also, trusting her with farm work would show that you trust her as a friend.”

“No, way. That still doesn't make any sense, and Ah don’t trust her near mah farm. Ah said that ah’d help, but find another way.”

Rarity leaned back to her normal position and crossed her arms. After a few seconds of thinking, she calmly raised her hand and snapped her fingers. “Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie.”

The two girls immediately answered her call, faces at the ready.

~~~

“Applejack, why am I here?” asked Sunset as she hopped out of the Apple Family truck.

“I- uh, Ah could use your help on the farm. Ah figured that it would be a good… uh….. bonding experience.”

Sunset scoffed, “If you were forced to spend time with me you can just say it,” she said turning around. “If you don’t want me here…. I’ll just leave, alright?”

Applejack, hearing the depression in her voice, quickly responded. “No! Ah mean, it’s ok. Ah want you here, to help, Ah mean… jeez, just come on over here.”

Sunset reluctantly followed Applejack to the main section of Sweet Apple Acres. She was surprised at exactly how many trees the apple family owned. Needless to say, it was a shitload, at least.

“You have…. alot of trees.”

“Thank you, captain obvious,” she replied instantly, “sorry, Rainbow says the same thing every time she visits. Anyway, Ah might have to get rid of a few.”

“Why?”

That question seemed to hit a nerve in Applejack, when she scowled and clenched her fists. “It’s those gosh darned Flim Flam brothers!” yelled Applejack, stomping her foot on the ground.” They said that they would triple our profits at last months Apple Family bake sale. But all of the food tasted like garbage! Ah can’t even find them anymore, they just up and disappeared. Why, when I get my hand’s on them Ah-”

Applejack glanced over, and saw the red-orange haired girl cowering some distance away. “Ah’m sorry, ah’m sorry,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “It’s just that they done made a mess of our sale. Mac said somethin about, money issues and excess taxes and refunds. Ah don’t really get it, but it means that we might have to sell a portion of the farm, an that ticks me a might off.”

Sunset hesitantly took a few steps forward, “Well, if it’s financial issues I could probably-”

“Hey, what’re you doin here!”

Both Sunset and Applejack turned to see Apple Bloom running up to the from the house. Applejack groaned into her hand.

Apple Bloom stomped right up to Sunset Shimmer and pointed right up at her face. “You’re not welcome here. I won’t let you destroy the farm like you did the school. Put em’ up!” she said, raising her fists and jumping from foot to foot.

“I…. uh…”

“Uh uh, nope, your fancy magic words won't work on me! An don’t even think about-”

“APPLE BLOOM!”

Apple Bloom instantly stiffened as she slowly turned her head to look at the wrath that was her older sister. “Apologize!”

“But, sis, she’s gonna cast her magic voodoo, and destroy the farm!”

“Sunset Shimmer is not here to destroy the farm. She’s here to help us work, alright.”

The small red headed girl turned and glared at Shimmer before turning and muttering a quick sorry, before running off toward the house. “Don’t blame me if a giant beanstalk grows, or Mac becomes a frog or somethin’!” she yelled.

Applejack sighed before turning back to Sunset. “Ah’m sorry about that, she’s still a little bitter about what happened.”

“I-it’s okay, she’s right anyway I deserve it,” she said, her head now lowered and her arms wrapped around herself. If one were to pay close attention, one could see her shaking slightly.

“Hey,” she asked, genuinely concerned, “you alright there?”

Sunset quickly pulled herself back together. “N-no…… I’m fine, what do you want me to do first?”

“Umm, sure, go get those buckets over there.”

~~~

“Is that it?” asked Rainbow.

“Yeah, unfortunately. She did everything I told her, but Ah couldn't hold a conversation worth a grain of salt.”

“We need an activity where we can actively converse then.”

“Is it Party time!?” asked Pinkie, jumping and tossing confetti into the air.

“Sorry, darling, I’m afraid not”

“Awww,” Pinkie groaned as she fell back into her seat, the confetti fluttered to the ground listlessly behind her.

“I suppose that this requires a gentler touch. I believe that it’s time to throw my hat into the ring, as the case may be.”

“You’re going to spend the day with her?” asked Rainbow with a disbelieving smirk.

“Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I only made my friends do all of the work.”

“You’d be actin like that one girl with the diamond on her skirt. Now what was her name again?” answered AJ.

“Please, passive aggressiveness is beyond you, Applejack. I would happily help my friends, I only need one thing from her in return.”

CH3: This one's going to work for sure, I can feel It.

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Extra CH3.5: Palace of the Aqua Pearl

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CH4: Seems like it's working....

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CH5: Okay, this is bad. But we can make it work.

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CH6: Just a little bit more...

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CH7: Something doesn't feel right here.

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CH8: Damn It! We were so close!

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CH9: Back to the Beginning.

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CH10: Try, try again.

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CH11: Making Headway.

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CH12: What is there to really doubt anymore?

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CH13: If this works we're in the clear!

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CH14: Now to begin the preparations...

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CH15: Just a bump in the road.

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CH16: I just don't know anymore.

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CH17: I won't let you give up!

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CH18: Sunset Sanctuary

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Bonus CH: Fun Facts and Deleted Content

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Extra CH: Sequel Hook

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