Author's Note

I am so. Fucking. Sorry.

I did not mean to be gone for so fucking long.

I could go into a lot of detail about my life. All the good, all the bad. God, I've been through a lot. I'll be honest, I almost killed myself this year.

But I'm alive. I'm happier than ever. Really, I am. I'm glad to be alive.

The Soul's Savior has been a constant thought in my head for the past decade. I started this story at 15. I'm 25 now. Wild, right? I wanna get this thing finished, I really do. And I have more energy than ever, now.

We'll do this, together. Is anyone still reading? Maybe not, but I'll keep going anyway.

I love you all.
-Qrow

title song:

Chapter 11: Trust In You

“Would Sunset Shimmer please come to the principal’s office?”

Sunset froze and immediately felt every single eye in the cafeteria find its way to her. As she slowly turned and rose from her lunch table, more and more people looked her way and with every new gaze her heart dropped further into her stomach. Dread filled her body as she looked from the students and then at the exit on the other side of the room.

Her breath picked up. She took a hesitant step forward - and then stopped, as she felt someone’s hand grasp onto hers. Sunset’s head snapped towards whoever it was only to find Rainbow Dash, who had sat next to her, her hand clasped in Sunset’s, looking at her with a determined expression.

“You got this,” Rainbow Dash hissed. “Don’t be scared of them.”

Sunset stared at her for a solid few seconds, and then looked at the other girls sitting at their table. Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all returned the sentiment with nods of their own. Fluttershy, however, cowered away from Sunset’s gaze and hid herself behind her pink hair. Sunset frowned and looked back at Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ll see you guys later.” Sunset waved to her friends as she turned away.

Various cries of “good luck” erupted from behind as Sunset walked forward. She steeled herself with a deep breath and took confident strides across the room. She could feel the glares following her, though she did her best to ignore them.

I’m Sunset Shimmer, she thought, and I can get through this.

She kept her hands firmly at her side and her eyes forward. She forced her breathing to steady as she reached the exit doors and calmly opened them. Sunset half-stepped through the door and stopped, barely turning her head enough to see her friends from the corner of her eye. She could just see Rainbow Dash give her a small nod.

Sunset exited the cafeteria and made her way through the hallway. There were no other students roaming the halls, due to classes and lunch, a fact Sunset took some comfort in. The walk to the principal’s office was uneventful, and eventually Sunset found herself standing in front of a door. The door’s window had the words “Principal Celestia” emblazoned on the glass.

Taking a deep breath, Sunset gently opened the door. Inside, she was slightly surprised to find not only Principal Celestia, sitting behind her desk, but also Vice Principal Luna, standing next to her sister. The two women greeted Sunset with small smiles. “Good afternoon, Ms. Shimmer,” Principal Celestia spoke softly. “Please, take a seat.”

Sunset did so, her heart beating nervously. “Hi. Did I… do something wrong?” She asked. She immediately regretted the question when Vice Principal Luna gave her a questioning, raised eyebrow. “Did I do something wrong today?” She amended.

Principal Celestia laughed lightly. “No, no. Not at all. We just wished to speak with you,” she said. Sunset personally thought that Luna would rather be anywhere but here, but she kept her mouth shut about that.

“What did you want to talk about?”

Vice Principal Luna spoke next. “We’ve taken note of your recent actions - or rather, your lack of them. You’ve been… quiet. It’s been a week since the Fall Formal, and so far you’ve been very careful to not cause any trouble.”

Sunset caught the interesting phrasing, but kept her mouth shut. She simply nodded and let out a polite “thank you.”

Principal Celestia leaned forward in her chair. “I realize it's been a rather short period of peace, but it’s a welcome change. And we wanted to assure you that we see your progress. And we wanted to recognize it by placing a bit of trust in you.” Celestia reached into a drawer and pulled out three folders, each with a picture safety-pinned to the front. Sunset took a good look at the pictures - each folder held the image of girls who seemed to be around her age.

Reaching across her sister, Luna grabbed the folders and handed them to Sunset. “These three girls are starting here at CHS rather soon. We wish for you to chaperone them around the school, to let them gain their bearings before their first day,” Luna said with a small smile.

Sunset studied the first picture. Dazzle, Adagio, it was labeled. This girl had seriously big hair - giant curls and poofs that reached all the way down to her waist. Her outfit was varying shades of purple - a purple shirt with a low neckline, a lighter purple jacket with matching leggings. The only purple not on her - as shown by the picture, at least, was the striking red necklace adorning the girl’s neck.

Sunset clicked her tongue. This girl was obviously the flashy type. She decided to forgo looking at the other two pictures for now and placed the folders back on Celestia’s desk. “Not that I’m not grateful for the trust…” she started. “But why me? Surely there are other students better suited for this.”

“We’re aware,” Celestia said. “But we believe this is the best way to really start healing the wounds that have festered in the student body for too long. And besides…” Celestia’s smile faded, still just barely present. “Mr. Turner put your name forward. Our science teacher seems to have a soft spot for you.”

Sunset cocked her head to the side. “Mr. Turner?”

Luna nodded, her own smile much more evident. “Time Turner sees great potential in you. And, if I’m being honest, probably a bit of himself in you, too.”

Chuckling, Sunset shifted her weight and shook her head. “Does he know a thing or two about regret?” She said jokingly, but immediately regretted it. Luna’s smile fell and Celestia’s became nonexistent. Sunset looked between the two women and backed away slightly. “Huh?”

Luna’s smile returned, but Sunset could tell it was slightly forced. “It’s not our place to say. But if you’re curious… maybe you should ask him. You may be surprised with what you may have in common.”

Sunset stared at Luna for a good few seconds. In common? With Mr. Turner? Sunset thought to herself. She didn’t know the man very well, and she couldn’t think of anything they could have in common, but she figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. With a nod, Sunset spoke. “I’ll think about it.”

Celestia nodded in return. “Think over our offer, as well. These three new girls still have some time before they start here, so we don’t need an answer right away. Just in the coming weeks.”

Sunset nodded and turned to walk away, but was stopped by Celestia’s voice. “One more thing, Ms. Shimmer.”

Sunset stopped and turned around. Celestia’s face was suddenly much more serious, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“The Musical Showcase is next month,” Celestia said sternly. “It’s the first big event the school will hold since the Fall Formal. And as such, we will be keeping a close eye out for any… incidents. Are we clear?”

Gulping, Sunset nodded. “All clear, ma’am.”

“Good,” Celestia said. “Do not take advantage of the trust we are showing you. Dismissed.”

“This is good, ain’t it?” Applejack asked.

Sunset remained silent, idly twirling her hair between her fingers. “Yeah, but…” she paused. She and the other girls were all gathered around Rainbow Dash’s car - the girl herself lounged on the hood - and each of her friends looked at Sunset expectantly. “I don’t know if I’m the right person for it.”

Rainbow Dash scoffed, but was preempted from answering by Pinkie Pie. “Don’t be silly, silly!” She looked at Sunset with her earnest blue eyes and wide smile. “This is your perfect chance! Three students who’ve never met the mean you! You get a blank slate with them!”

All of the girls nodded in agreement, sans Fluttershy, who was currently doing her best impression of Rarity’s shadow, cowering shyly behind the fashionista. So much for Fluttershy wanting to be my friend, Sunset thought bitterly. Not that I blame her. I wouldn’t want to be my friend, either.

Fluttershy caught Sunset’s gaze and slid further behind Rarity. Sunset sighed. “I’m going home,” she said with a breath, turning to grasp the handle to the passenger door of the car. “I promise to think about the principal’s offer, though.”

Rarity stepped forward - leaving Fluttershy exposed and startled - and placed a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Chin up, dear. This is an extraordinary amount of trust they’re placing on you. And, if I may, I think you’ll do fantastic.”

“You think so?”

“I do.” Rarity smiled. “Sleep on it, alright? We’ll support you in whatever you decide.”

Rainbow Dash slid off the hood of the car, her feet landing with a thud. “You need to start making big moves, Sunset. This seems like a good way to start.” She walked around the car - stopping briefly to give Fluttershy a comforting hand on her shoulder - and then opened the driver’s side door. “You’re staying the night at my place again.”

Sunset opened her mouth to argue, but one look in Rainbow Dash’s eyes silenced her protests. “My knight in shining armor,” Sunset snarked, opening her own door. “What would I do without you?” She slid into her seat with a huff.

“You’d still be on the streets, princess.” Rainbow flopped into her own seat.

“I’m no princess.”

“Yeah? You rocked the Fall Formal tiara like you were. Acted like a bratty princess, too.”

Sunset glared at her. “I was not a brat. I was a bitch. There’s a difference.”

Rainbow smirked. “Was?” That earned a growl from Sunset, but Rainbow just laughed at her.

“Start the damn car,” Sunset pouted. Rainbow Dash went to do just that, but was cut off by one of the back seat doors opening and the sudden appearance of Fluttershy. Sunset looked over her shoulder at the shy girl, who pointedly avoided meeting her gaze and focused on Rainbow Dash.

“Um… can I have a ride, too? I need to pick up food for my animals…” Fluttershy whispered, her voice just barely audible to Sunset.

Rainbow Dash groaned, but nodded. “You order your stuff from that specialty store. It’s so out of the way…” Despite her annoyed tone, Rainbow waved, signaling Fluttershy to slide into the backseat. “Better get comfy. It’s like a thirty minute drive from here. There seriously isn’t another store in Canterlot that sells this stuff?”

Fluttershy looked at her feet, twiddling her fingers. “The animals don’t like other brands. This is the only one they’ll eat.”

The car roared to life and Rainbow Dash stuck her hand out of the window to wave goodbye to the others. “That bunny takes advantage of you.”

Fluttershy gasped, offended. “Angel Bunny is a perfect angel! He’s just very particular about his meals!”

Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking spaces. Sunset spied their other friends waving goodbye as the car pulled out of the school’s lot. “Is this the same bunny you bring to school all the time?” Sunset asked, looking at Fluttershy over her shoulder.

Fluttershy hid behind her long, pink hair, but nodded. “He stayed home today, but usually he insists on coming with me.” Her voice was somehow even quieter than usual, now that Sunset’s attention was on her. “He’s a very opinionated bunny.”

Sunset looked forward. “Seems like it.”

Rainbow Dash reached over and turned the radio on. Loud punk music began blaring from the speakers, making Fluttershy jump but Rainbow Dash smiled and began bobbing her head. Sunset’s attention was drawn by the way her multicolored hair bounced and waved with the motions.

Rainbow lightly smacked Sunset’s shoulder, encouraging her to bob along. With an exasperated grin, Sunset obliged, lightly nodding her head to the beat of a song she’d never heard before. The song lasted for a few minutes before the guitars’ wails faded into the voice of the radio jockey. The radio was soon drowned out by Rainbow Dash’s laughter, however.

“I knew you’d be a punk,” Rainbow Dash said with a smile. “You certainly dress like one.”

Sunset looked at her leather jacket, still a little roughed up by the night of the Fall Formal. I should ask Rarity to fix the tear in the shoulder, she thought to herself. Out loud, she responded, “I never really took the time to listen to this world’s music.”

Even Fluttershy gasped at that. “Never?”

Sunset shook her head. “Never. I mean, I’ve heard some in passing, and Flash tried to introduce me to some, but…”

“Hard to get into your boyfriend’s interests when you’re just using him,” Rainbow Dash said pointedly.

“Yeah. That.” Sunset said flatly. “I didn’t care about what he was into. I just… needed his popularity.”

Rainbow tsk’d. “Why’d he stay with you at all?”

“I… don’t have an answer for that.” Sunset said quietly. A ball of guilt weighed in her gut, and she turned to the window to her side. By this point, they’d left the main roads and were on the back streets. Trees lined the road and there wasn’t another car in sight. “I guess he actually saw something in me.”

Silence loomed over the car for a few seconds until, surprisingly, Fluttershy was the one who broke it. “Have you talked to him yet?”

Sunset gulped, her mouth suddenly dry. “No.”

“Will you?”

“No.” Sunset said, and then shook her head. “Yes. Eventually. I can’t avoid it forever. He deserves an apology at the least.”

Rainbow Dash turned the radio down and shook her head. “You’ve got that right. And hey, if he takes it well, maybe you guys can try again.” She teased, making gross kissing noises much to Sunset’s chagrin.

“Ugh. No. I don’t like him that way.” Sunset groaned. “He was… fine, I guess. But he’s not what I’m looking for.”

As soon as Rainbow Dash chuckled, Sunset knew she’d made a mistake. Before she could protest, Rainbow asked the question. “What are you looking for in a boyfriend?”

“No. We’re not talking about this.”

“Come on! It’s typical girl talk!”

“No. Just no. Come on, Fluttershy doesn’t wanna hear this. Right?” Sunset looked at the other girl in the backseat, only to find a horrible sight: a small smile on the shy girl’s face. “No. Not you too, Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy’s smile grew a tiny amount. “Share with the class, Sunset.” Rainbow Dash laughed loudly at her friend’s words.

“You’re both the worst.” Sunset glared pointedly at the both of them. “I take back everything I said about redemption.” Glancing between the two other girls, neither lost their teasing smiles. Sunset sighed, resigned to her fate. “I can’t believe I’m talking about this.”

Rainbow Dash patted her shoulder. “Come on, just give us something. You like ‘em big or scrawny?”

Heat enveloped Sunset’s face. She looked at her feet, trying and failing to hide her blush. “I… I don’t know, alright? I’m a pony, remember? Humans don’t really do anything for me.” Rainbow Dash opened her mouth, but Sunset cut her off. “You’re about to imply something disgusting and I will not allow that.”

“Fine,” Rainbow said with a huff. “Personality wise, then. What do you look for in a guy?”

“I…” Sunset blinked a few times, racking her brain for an answer. “Someone strong, I guess. I can be a little headstrong, so I guess I’d want someone who can keep up with that, instead of constantly fawning over me. What’s it matter to you?”

“So Flash was too nice for you?” Rainbow asked with a teasing grin. “Poor guy never stood a chance.”

Sunset crossed her arms with a groan. “He’s an alright guy, alright? But he’s not the one for me. I doubt anyone in this school would be willing to give me a shot now.”

Rainbow Dash was silent for a second as the car went around a bend. “Anyone, hm? Not limiting yourself to just guys, then.”

Sunset blinked. She was silent for a few seconds, and then let out a frustrated breath. “So? It doesn’t matter. Guys, girls, others - they all hate me at the moment, and I’m not exactly in a rush to get in another relationship. Can we drop this?”

“Fine, fine.” Rainbow grinned. “For the record, you’re the least subtle bisexual I’ve ever seen.”

From the backseat, Sunset could hear Fluttershy giggling softly.

“What’s that supposed to-”

Then the world went spinning.

There was a loud crash, the sound of something impacting the front of the car as the windshield cracked and the hood bent inward. Rainbow Dash swore loudly as the car spun around, making several rotations as she desperately tried to get the vehicle under control.

Sunset gripped her seat tightly, her body being violently rocked back and forth. Her shoulder impacted the door, her head smacked against the headrest, and her seatbelt painfully kept her body from slamming into the dash. Eventually, the car skidded to a halt, thankfully coming to rest peacefully on the side of the road.

“Fuck!” Rainbow Dash yelled, jamming her fist into the ceiling with an angry snarl. “The hell was that? Is everyone alright?” She turned around in her seat, her eyes full of both anger and worry. She looked at Sunset, her eyes quickly taking in her condition before looking back at Fluttershy. The shy girl was clutching her head, eyes closed in pain. “Are you okay, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I hit my head,” she whispered. “But I’m okay.”

Nodding, Rainbow unbuckled her seatbelt and threw open her door. She rushed around to the front of the vehicle and then threw her head back with a yell. “Dammit! My dad’s gonna kill me!”

I highly doubt that, Sunset thought in her head. Her shoulder throbbed painfully, but it didn’t seem to be broken. Thanking her lucky stars, she also unbuckled herself and exited the car. “Is the car okay?” Sunset asked as she stepped outside. She could see Rainbow Dash knelt to the ground, fussing over the front of the car.

“Mostly,” Rainbow Dash said, her voice choked in a worried whine. “I think it’ll be fine… but fuck, it scared the hell out of me.”

“What happened?”

Sunset heard Fluttershy exit the car and walk over. Rainbow Dash stood and walked over to her. “Let me see your head, Fluttershy.” Rainbow didn’t wait for an answer before placing her hands in the other girl’s hair.

“I’m okay, Rainbow Dash…” Fluttershy said, but it didn’t deter Rainbow from fussing over her. Sunset watched as Rainbow parted Fluttershy’s head to parse the injury - Sunset couldn’t see it well, but Fluttershy didn’t appear to be bleeding. Rainbow slowly stepped back.

“You let me know if you start to feel dizzy.” She turned to Sunset. “Your turn. Where’d you get hurt?”

Sunset stretched her arm and rotated it around, her shoulder protesting painfully. “My shoulder’s sore, but that’s it. I’m fine.”

Rainbow Dash shot her an unimpressed look. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She strode over to Sunset, got behind her, and gently grabbed the collar of her jacket. “Let me know if it starts to hurt.” Without waiting for a response, Rainbow pulled at the jacket. Sunset allowed it to slide off, leaving it hanging from her other shoulder. Under her jacket, Sunset was wearing her usual purple tank, the sudden absence of her jacket exposing the skin of her shoulder to the cool evening air.

Then, Rainbow’s hands were on her.

Rainbow Dash placed both hands on Sunset’s right shoulder and gently squeezed, causing Sunset to let out a sharp, quiet gasp. A dull pain radiated through her shoulder, but it wasn’t the pain that made her gasp. She was grateful that Rainbow couldn’t see her face, because Sunset was sure she was as red as a tomato right now.

The sensation of being touched with such concern - such care - was foreign. Sunset hadn’t been touched like this since she was a filly. She could feel each of Rainbow Dash’s fingers pressing gently into her skin, and Sunset fought to keep her breathing steady.

Then Sunset’s eyes locked with Fluttershy’s.

Fluttershy looked at Sunset, then behind her at Rainbow Dash, then back to Sunset. And then the shy girl smiled. Sunset could feel her blush intensify. Fluttershy continued to smile as she turned away, inspecting the grill of the car herself, leaving Sunset alone with her stomach twisted into several knots.

Then, after a few seconds, Rainbow Dash’s hand slipped away. Sunset took in several breaths, steadying her beating heart, before slipping her jacket back around her. “Well? Tell me the news, doc.” Sunset didn’t like the slight crack in her voice, but Rainbow Dash didn’t comment on it.

“Doesn’t seem broken,” Rainbow said. “But probably take it easy for a few days, yeah?”

Sunset gazed into Rainbow Dash’s eyes. They looked at her with such concern, such care. It was far different than the looks from others she was used to. Her mouth suddenly felt dry, and she swallowed to try to relieve it before nodding. “Yeah. Yeah, I will. Thanks.”

Rainbow Dash shot her a thumbs up and walked over to Fluttershy. Sunset’s eyes tracked her as she did, taking in her friend’s confident strut despite what had just happened. I’m a mess over here, and Rainbow Dash doesn’t look bothered at all, Sunset thought. Get a hold of yourself, Shimmer. She’s just a friend.

Rainbow Dash bent over to get a closer look at the grill. Sunset suddenly found the sky very interesting.

“Look here,” Fluttershy said quietly, pointing to the shattered remains of one of the headlights. Among the broken glass was what appeared to be a clump of fur. “We hit a deer,” she said sadly. She looked around the area for a bit, gazing into the line of trees on either side of the road, but there was no trace of the animal. “I hope it wasn’t hurt too badly…”

Rainbow Dash scoffed. “It fucked up my car. Can’t say I’m too worried about its well-being.”

“What an awful thing to say!” Fluttershy cried.

“Jeeze. Sorry. What time is it? Think we can still make it to that store?” Rainbow Dash asked, patting her skirt to find her phone, which she had apparently left in the car.

Sunset finally returned her gaze to her friends. “Should we really be driving the car like this?” She asked.

With a groan, Rainbow Dash fell to the ground in despair, burying her head in her knees. “I need to call my dad and ask him to pick us up. And call a tow truck…”

Sunset laughed quietly, walking over and sitting next to her. She placed a hand on Rainbow Dash’s back, rubbing it in small circles. “You’ll be alright. Your parents love you a lot, remember? They’ll just be glad we weren’t hurt.” Sunset looked up to Fluttershy to ask her to reassure their friend, only to find Fluttershy smiling at her again. Sunset’s face heated up again.

“That’s right, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy spoke softly. “You’re surrounded by people who love you. It’ll be alright.”