Author's Note

A little explanation why this chapter is here. While the original fic was dark and creepy, I've had a long time to think about it. I've decided to add this chapter to add another layer to it all. It might take away some, but I'm hoping that it will add for you, what it did for me.
Enjoy.

Fading Dreams or Forgotten Memories?

Sunset Shimmer woke with a gasp, as if it was the first breath she’d ever taken in her life. Her head shot right off her arms that she’d been using as a pillow, looking around wildly. What had happened? It had been after the graduation party and, and, the memory of it was slipping, mixed in with the dull rumble that was the cafeteria. She blinked at the five sets of eyes watching her. It seemed that Pinkie Pie was telling another one of her jokes when Sunset had gasped, ruining the punchline.

“Not quite the response I was looking for,” Pinkie put a finger to her chin, tapping it as she watched her friend try to calm down from hyperventilating. “Buuuuuuut, it works!”

Sunset put a hand to her chest, as if trying to will it back into it’s usual pitter patter rhythm. What was the dream? It seemed so important, so scary, but…

“You okay Sugar Cube?” AJ asked, worry on her face. “Ya’ look like a horse that’s been spooked by a rattler.”

Rainbow Dash deadpanned. “Nice one AJ. In cause you have forgotten,” She pointed with a spoon, which still had some jello on it at Sunset. “Sunset is a horse.”

“Pony.” Fluttershy corrected. “There’s a few fundamental differences between ponies and horses. For example-”

“I don’t think RD was insinuating that Sunset was a species she’s not.” Rarity cut in, heading off any lectures on animal species before her friend could get started. If allowed to, Fluttershy could spend the entire lunch period telling you the subtle differences between rabbits and hares. Which she had done before. Several times in fact.

“I’m fine.” Sunset breathed out, once again bringing all attention back to her. “I just had a really bizarre dream.”

“Like that one time you told use about some gray pony,” Rainbow over emphasized the word ‘pony’ while giving Fluttershy an annoyed look. “Became a princess of muffin’s or something? Because that was a really weird one.”

“Not my fault I was craving muffins before bed time.” Sunset blushed, subconsciously hugging her middle. “And you know that eating carbs before you go to bed is bad for you!” She looked away moodily, adding under her breath. “It all goes to my waist.”

Rarity came to her rescue, before Rainbow Dash could say something. No matter what that girl ate, she stayed as skinny as a rail. “So, what was this dream, Darling? With the way you woke up, I’m assuming it wasn’t pleasant.”

“That’s the thing,” Sunset answered, leaning her forehead against her hands, closing her eyes tight as she massaged her temples. “I can’t remember. We all were there, and I think we were having a party after graduation, but...” She sighed and looked at all of them. “I have no idea how it ended.”

There was a moment of silence, until Rainbow broke it. “Probably everyone died from drinking the koolaid.”

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash laughed, leaving the rest of the table in the dark of the dark humored joke.

“Dangit, RD!” Applejack slapped the table, still chuckling. “Ah’ just knew that helpin’ ya sneak into that movie was a bad idea!”

“I know, right?” RD winked, nudging her with an elbow. “And it was all over orange koolaid, eh?”

“Som’it’ like that.” AJ nodded. “An’ the whole school died or som’it the likes.”

Sunset slumped back into her seat. “So, I’m getting upset because I had a dream of a movie that you two told us about?”

Both girls stopped laughing, suddenly confused. “We never told you about that.” Rainbow told her.

Again, silence rolled across the table.

“Pffffff,” Pinkie made a silly face, instantly causing the others to crack up. “This is silly girls, we’re talking all doomy and gloomy because Sunset’s moody because of a loony dream.”

“I think you’re reaching on that one Pinkie.” Fluttershy remarked.

“You think so too? Ah well, it was the best I could do on the spot,” She shrugged. “But the point is we’re here and about to have more fun, cause the day is only half over.”

Sunset agreed that there was some wisdom in Pinkie’s logic.

“Besides,” Pinkie winked as the end of lunch bell rang. “If it really happened, I bet you wouldn’t remember it.”

The other girls got up, starting to clear their trays, leaving Sunset and Pinkie at the table alone.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Silly Sunset Shimmer,” Pinkie smiled, lifting her soda for a toast. “You wouldn’t remember it, because you’d be way too busy having fun with us! After all, Friendship is Magic, and Magic is Eternal.”

Sunset froze. Those words. They sounded so familiar. And yet…

She lifted her own bottle, clinking it to her friends. “Thanks Pinkie.”

“No problem!” And with that her over sugarfied friend zipped after her other friends, leaving Sunset to sip at her beverage. Tiny bubbles burned her tongue as the strong orange taste manifested itself.

“Orange soda,” Sunset murmured to herself, a memory of the dream at at the tip of her tongue. After another sip, she set the bottle down and shrugged, running off to join her friends.