A young girl sat alone at a bus stop bench, the colorful world around her somber through her eyes.
With the day nearing its end, a faint orange glow was cast beneath the clouds that overtook the horizon. Subtle gusts carried the evening chill on their shoulders as errant leaves and garbage skittered along beneath them. A piece of paper danced in front of the girl's face, and she pondered its contents as it drifted far out of reach. Was it a lost homework assignment? Or perhaps a rejected love letter. No--such a thing would surely have been crumpled, she thought.
Long wavy locks of orange and yellow dangled behind the bench as she stretched her arms across either side of it. Her small black jacket offered little in the way of warmth while the chilling wind seamlessly permeated the fabric. She paid little mind, however, as she found the chill to be somewhat bracing. Invigorating, even. There was a bittersweet sense of nostalgia as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply through her nostrils. The scent of rain-clouds flooded her lungs. It was a universal scent shared by the entire world. In this case, by multiple worlds, it turned out. Coupled with the brisk breeze brushing beneath her chin, thoughts of her time spent on the balconies of the Spires of Canterlot surfaced.
She found it curious, the fact that after several long years away from her home world, feelings of homesickness never touched her heart. She opened her eyes to see strangers walking past her, most without a second glance. A girl across the street noticed she was being watched, and she put on a smile, offering a friendly wave in passing. Sunset Shimmer waved back, half a smile pushing against her cheek. This was her home now. These people: her family.
The sky darkened with a faint, distant roar of thunder echoing across the city. Wind-chimes sang a discordant tune from a porch across the street as the breeze picked up. Their gentle tones were a peaceful, if not an ominous reminder that a storm was brewing. Sunset glanced to her side, noting the absence of an umbrella. She scoffed.
A city bus rolled down the street, though, westbound it went as Sunset waited to head easterly. She sighed a deep sigh of apathy and tapped her knees, impatience manifesting in through her restless hands. A sudden cool shock struck her hand, and she looked down to see a single drop of water splashed against the back of her palm. Her eyes then looked to the sidewalk where she noticed a series of small gray circles dotting the concrete. The number of circles grew, and she crossed her legs, somehow finding humor in her situation. She cracked a smile and placed her hand against her forehead while the countless raindrops dampened her hair.
The sound of distant laughter stole her attention as she spotted a young couple running down the street, hand-in-hand. At the sight, a dull pain pulsed through her chest. What a time to be alone. She considered the joy, the laughter, and most of all the companionship she so desperately lacked, yet, simultaneously felt she didn't deserve. Perhaps complacency had taken its toll over the years. Was there no going back? Was the concept of friendship and love truly so foreign, or was she simply too jaded to reciprocate such things appropriately? Such was the contemplation of a teenage girl; an impossible riddle, a quandary. Could it be possible that she was beyond reconciliation, she wondered. Would the world ever see her for what she truly was, or would the veil of malevolence never be lifted. Could a tattered, poisoned heart ever approach purity? Not likely, she thought.
With a bright flash, thunder crackled ever closer. The rain pelted the ground and the wind howled overhead. Sunset hugged her knees, her hair and clothing soaked. She glanced up towards the sky to see a towering thunderhead overtake the final beam of sunlight. A darkened sky matched a darkened heart, shroud in self-induced hopelessness. Sunset's teeth chattered and her body trembled as she attempted to suppress her shivering. Eyes lowered, she stared at the cracks in the pavement, miniature rivers coursing through them. It reminded her of the way emotions coursed through her cracked heart, flowing straight through and spilling out into the void. Never pooling. Never lasting. She winced beneath her own depressing thoughts.
Where was that damn bus?
Another flash illuminated the dark streets followed by deep, resounding thunder. Sunset flinched and squeezed her eyes closed, balling her fists. She contemplated seeking shelter indoors, but she knew that the moment she left the bench, the bus meant to take her home would roll by without a second glance. Her lip quivered and tears welled up in her eyes, concealed by the rain pouring down her face. She gritted her teeth and wiped her eyes, then stood up and steeled herself. Her shivering stopped and she stood strong. After all she's been through, all she's conquered, what harm could a little rain do?
Headlights shone brightly through the cascading rain; just the sight Sunset so desperately hoped for. The city bus rolled to a stop and the doors folded open. The bus driver signaled for her to board, his eyes and smile soft, welcoming. Sunset stepped aboard and apologetically acknowledged the mass amounts of water drizzling from her clothing onto the metal steps of the bus. The driver simply smiled and nodded towards the rows of seating. Sunset paid the fee and stepped into the isle, her eyes spotting people of all ages who looked straight back at her. Several people scooted towards the windows to silently offer a seat next to them.
Sunset stepped forward, still soaked, somewhat embarrassed. An elderly woman stood out of her seat and wrapped a sweater around Sunset, guiding her to an empty seat. She wagged her finger, lecturing her over the risk of contracting a cold. Sunset took the words to heart, the care and concern of a complete stranger warming her to the core. A second set of tears welled up in her eyes as the girl sitting in front of her leaned back and offered a friendly smile. Sunset bit her tongue--all she could do to keep from bursting into tears. Where was all of this emotion coming from? Lonely thoughts, faded memories, the gloom and utter grayness of an evening thunderstorm: all contributing factors, she was sure. But there must have been something more, something deeper, to evoke such profound feelings from a series of seemingly mundane events.
She steadied her breaths and stifled her tears, only a crooked smile remaining. Sunset turned her gaze to the bus window, where she watched orange streetlights cast a fleeting reflection of herself against the glass as they each passed by. Every glimpse she caught of her own eyes revealed a complete stranger. She was the same girl on the outside, but the fire and determination that once defined her was absent. A mirthful smirk plastered itself onto her face as her mind wandered. Was it all worth it? To trade absolute power for friendship. She wasn't left with much of a choice, all things considered. Would she have chosen the same path had it been her choice? Will she remain on the path that she was placed on. She wished not to rise up only to fall from grace and land into the flames of failure once again. How had her life so quickly and drastically changed, and why her? She hadn't a clue.
Nearing her stop, she pulled the signaling cable overhead and stood up. She returned the sweater to the woman with a forced smile, then she stepped off the bus into what was now only a light drizzle. She stared at her apartment complex from across the street, then plopped down on the bench at the stop. She ran her hands through her wet hair and slicked it back, looking up towards the sky. Where would she be today if not for Twilight Sparkle, she pondered. A fiery succubus tormenting all she'd ever known? Was that really the path she'd chosen?
Sunset winced and covered her face. Such a deep-seated regret wouldn't be shaken so easily. She was a strong girl, but even the strongest of people find moments of weakness. Sunset was no exception, and she knew better than most how easily one can lose sight of who they truly are once they step into the darkness. A single misstep can become a journey into the depths of madness, while a single pull from a caring hand can guide one down the path of redemption.
Sunset stood up and flattened her damp clothing, then stretched her back and yawned. Her mind was fatigued after hours of sulking and wallowing in self-pity. She brushed the thoughts away and let apathy befall her once more as she headed towards her home. Having a place to truly call her own was all she needed in life, and the friends she knew were only a text message or phone call away offered the utmost sense of solace in her times of doubt.
"I'm fine," she muttered aloud. "I'm... fine."
