(Sunset Shimmer's POV)
I ran for my life, only to come up against a wall. Then, a beam of light hit me.
"Don't panic,"I tried telling myself,"Don't panic. Start by assessing your surroundings."
I turned to what I thought was an empty wall, to see a mirror. I stared at it. I didn't look like I was supposed to. No, I looked like a like I used to, before I came here. Somehow this scared me the most.
"But why? Why am I scared?"I wondered.
"Isn't it obvious, my dear?" said a sickly sweet voice. A voice that I recognized. Suddenly, I realized that this was all a dream. The only problem was figuring out how to wake up.
"You will do what you fear most, and nothing will stand in your way,"the voice said.
"No! I'd never do that!"I cried.
"But you will, my sweet, and bring down everything you've ever loved with it," said the voice that tortured me since I was a foal.
"No!" I cried, "I won't, I won't, I won't!"
Dark light swirled around me, capturing me in its gloom. I heard them, the voice of my friends, crying out to me.
"How could you! You just abandoned us!"Rainbow said.
"Ah cain't believe Ah ever trusted you,"Applejack said disapprovingly.
"I know fun! And this is not fun! And its all because of you!"Pinkie said, tears flowing out of her eyes.
"Why, Sunset? Why? Why did you do this? Why were you so unkind to us?"Fluttershy's question could barely be heard.
"Was this all a sham? A scheme? Was our friendship really nothing to you?"Rarity exclaimed.
"Sunset, what did we do wrong? Please, tell us,"said the human Twilight
"Maybe I was wrong to trust that you could be reformed. I'm sorry I failed you, Sunset,"Princess Twilight's apology was the worst, making me hate myself for what I had done.
More voices crowded around me, all screaming questions. I saw faces, but could recognize none, except those of my friends. They kept screaming questions at me , but they were lost in the din.
I listened, trying to hear what they were saying, but afraid to know. Then, one voice made itself heard.
"Sunset! Sunset! Wake up! Are you okay? Sunset!"
I felt someone shaking me, and I woke up to see my roommate, Thunder Rose.
"You okay?"she asked me.
I ignored her question for a moment, taking deep breaths.
"Yeah. I'm fine,"I said after a few seconds.
"Good,"she said,"Bad dream?"
"Yeah,"I answered.
"What happened?"she asked.
I told her everything that had happened.
"Wow. And this is the first time you've had this dream?"she asked after I finished.
"No. I used to have it back when I was in Equestria," I answered.
Thunder was one of the few people at the social housing who knew about Equestria. In fact, she was the first person ever, to know about it.
Thunder was just about the nicest person in my sector of the housing, but she didn't have any trouble making her ideas heard. She was a medical student, a doctor-in-training, to be precise. She also knew a bunch about herbal medicines, so she was well liked throughout our sector.
"What's the time? I asked.
"Around sunrise,"said Thunder, as she pulled out some books from her bag.
"I think I'll go out for a jog,"I said, grabbing a hoodie and some cash,"See ya!"
"See ya!"Thunder answered.
I scrambled down eleven flights of stairs and pulled up my hood. I usually got pelted by rocks as soon as I went toward the gate. Even though I usually left at 8:30, I wasn't about to take any chances. When I reached the gate, I pulled my hood off, and turned east. Then, I heard two familiar voices behind me.
"Sunset Shimmer?"said Applejack and Rainbow Dash.
"I'm stupid, stupid, stupid!"I thought.
I knew that Rainbow and Applejack jogged past the housing everyday at sunrise, yet somehow today it had slipped my mind. I didn't want anyone to know that I lived in a social housing, but had also known it was only a matter of time.
"H-Hey, guys,"I said, trying to look as nonchalant as possible,"What's up?"
"Sunset, why did you come out of that social housing?"AJ asked.
I sighed. The game was up.
"Follow me,"I said.
I put my hood back on, and walked toward the stairs of my building, AJ and Dash following me. I climbed back up the eleven flights of stairs, slower this time. When I reached the top, I walked to the end of the hall, pulled out my key and opened the door to apartment 1107.
"Hey,"said Thunder, who was still focusing on her books.
"Hey,"I answered, "I've brought company."
Thunder looked up to see me in the doorway, but when I moved, her eyes widened to see Applejack and Rainbow standing uncomfortably.
"Your friends from school?"she asked me.
I nodded.
Then, our neighbor from 1106, Whistle Sharp, opened his door.
"Hey!"he barked,"Sunset! Thunder! These two your friends?"
"Yes, Whistle, they're my friends,"I said, squeezing out of the doorway,"You got a problem with that?"
"Yeah! They're standing in my way! Besides, they look like Homies! Homies ain't welcome 'ere!"
"Shut up an' get yourself a job, Whistle, before you start making up rules over here,"I answered.
"Just 'cause you helped me out the other day don't mean you can boss me 'round, Shimmer. Remember, you don't belong here,"he shot back.
My breathing quickened. I shoved my friends into my apartment and slammed the door behind them, balling my fists.
(Applejack's POV)
I felt myself shoved into the little apartment behind me and before I could comprehend what had happened, the door slammed in my face. I glanced at Rainbow, who looked just as shocked, and then stared at the door. I could hear the sound of a fight on the other side and I began reaching for the handle.
"Don't."
I'd almost forgotten about that other girl. For a second, we stared each other down. She had dark gray skin and extremely short black hair. She was wearing black-framed glasses and a white shirt with a red rose coming out of a gray cloud. On top of that, she wore a red-and-white checkered jacket and a pair of black jeans.
"Don't?"I finally broke the silence,"Mah best friend is getting beat up out there and you tell me not tah help her?"
"Your sentiment is appreciated, though not encouraged,"said the girl,"Sunset has been here since she was twelve. She knows how to take care of herself, and won't be happy if you interfere."
"Who do ya think you are, telling us what to do and what not to?"Rainbow asked.
"I'm Thunder Rose. It's a pleasure to meet you,"the girl answered, sticking her hand out.
Just then, Sunset walked in. She took a look around and nodded.
"Oh, good, you've gotten acquainted,"she said, before collapsing onto one of the beds in the room.
"Well, Sunset," Thunder Rose said,"I wouldn't say acquainted, exactly. More like they know my name, and I have no idea of who they are, beyond the fact that they are your friends."
"Thunder, these are Rainbow Dash and Applejack. AJ, Dash, this is my roommate Thunder Rose,"Sunset said.
"Yeah, hi,"Rainbow said. I could feel how awkward she was.
"Hey,"I said.
"Like I said, it is a pleasure,"Thunder Rose said, smiling.
She turned to Sunset,"I take it they want an explanation."
"I suppose,"she said, turning to us with pleading in her eyes, silently asking us to say no and ignore this whole thing.
"Heck, yeah, we do,"said Dash.
I nodded my head.
Sunset sighed, "I figured."
She motioned to a couple of chairs.
I sat down in one of them, and Rainbow sat in the other.
"So, spill,"said Rainbow.
"Well, I was eleven when I came here, and I didn't know much about this world,"began Sunset
I cast a sharp glance at Thunder Rose.
Sunset noticed this, and said,"Don't worry, Thunder already knows this story."
I nodded, and Sunset continued with her story.
"I lived in a cardboard box near Ponyville Middle School, a couple of weeks before school started. I mostly found food by earning a few dollars here and there by running errands and such. I subsisted on less than a dollar a day, sometimes. I occasionally stole from trash cans and stuff like that.
"When I came here, I was't like Twilight. I didn't have any reason to go back to Equestria. So, instead of making my presence known, I hid, learning about this world. Soon, it was time for me to start school here. By that time a few other kids knew I existed, so not going to school would have been suspicious. I went and enrolled myself and I was in.
"My first year, I was the quiet kid with no questions but, all the answers, too afraid to speak, but always acing quizzes, no friends, but plenty of enemies. In seventh grade, someone figured out where I lived, and ratted me out to the authorities. I was hunted down, and sent to the social housing. I've lived here ever since,"Sunset finished.
I was speechless for a moment.
"Sugarcube, why did't you tell us?"I asked.
"I didn't want you feeling sorry for me,"she answered.
"Well, I guess its too late for that,"I said, chuckling drily.
"Yeah,"she snorted, before her expression grew concerned,"You won't tell anyone, will you?"
"I don't see how we can not tell anyone,"Rainbow answered.
"Please?"Sunset begged,"I don't want anyone feeling super-sorry or anything. It isn't their fault."
I sighed,"Okay, we'll just tell our friends, and leave it at that."
"Okay,"she answered.
"Well, I gotta go!"Rainbow said,"See ya at school, Sunset!"
"Ah better go as well. See ya!"I said, before taking my leave.
"Bye, guys!"Sunset said,"See ya!"
Author's Note
I can't do it! I can't do it anymore! Writing in first person... I hate it! I'm sorry! I can't do it! It is going to be in third-person limited from now on. I'm sorry!
Lunchless
"Bye!"said Sunset to Thunder Rose before she left her apartment. She went to the bottom of the stairs and made for the exit to the building. Before she got there, though, the owner of the building stepped out of his office.
"Sunset Shimmer?"she asked.
"Hey, Miss Harshwhinny!"Sunset answered.
"Your rent will be due in thirteen hours. I expect it to be there, post-haste,"she ordered in her drill-sergeant voice.
Sunset fought the urge to salute.
"Yes, Miss Harshwhinny."
"Good. Now I believe you have school. Go on now, chop-chop!"Miss Harshwhinny marched proudly back to her office.
After Miss Harshwhinny's door closed, Sunset raced back up the stairs. She pushed into the room, startling Thunder Rose.
"Where is it... Where is it!"Sunset muttered as she rummaged through her duffel bag.
"What are you looking for?"Thunder asked.
"My wallet. It's time to pay rent,"Sunset answered
"Oh. Here's my half,"Thunder said. After a little searching, she handed me a hundred fifty dollars.
"Yeah... lemme just find my wallet..."Sunset answered.
"Didn't you take that with you when you tried to go for a jog earlier?"
Sunset froze. Then she slapped her forehead.
"Of course!"
She ran to where she had left her hoodie and searched through her pockets. Finally, she found what she had been looking for. She reached in her wallet and pulled out her half of the rent. Then she stared regretfully into her wallet.
"I guess I'm skipping lunch today,"she said.
Sighing, she grabbed her backpack and the rent and raced back down the stairs. She stopped before Miss Harshwhinny's office and walked into the waiting room. There was a dropbox for each of the eighty-four apartments in the building. Sunset pulled out her key to the dropbox and opened it. Then she slipped in the three hundred dollars and locked it again.
"Well..."she thought,"Of to school."
Applejack was digging into a piece of apple pie when Sunset entered the cafeteria. Sunset, instead of going to the lunch line, walked to their table instead.
"Heya, sugarcube!"Applejack said.
"Hey, AJ!"Sunset said.
"No lunch?"Applejack questioned.
"I'm not really very hungry,"Sunset answered sheepishly.
Then, Sunset's stomach growled.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. Why would Sunset lie to her?
"Are ya sure Sunset? 'Cause your stomach seems to disagree."
"Fine... I'm on... a diet!"she defended,"Yeah, a diet! Totally a diet!"
"You're on a diet?"asked Rainbow, who had just sat down at the table,"Why?"
"Yes, darling, excessive dieting can cause health problems,"Rarity added.
"In fact, people have died due to improper and excessive dieting,"said Twilight.
"Well, just... because...,"Sunset attempted to form a whole sentence.
She sighed,"I give up."
"Sugarcube, is this related to that thing you were telling us about this morning?"Applejack asked.
"Yeah, and why were you nearly late this morning? I mean, you're never late! You live too close to school to be late!"said Rainbow
"Oh, darling, that reminds me, wherever do you live? We've known you for ages and I don't even know where you live! How embarrassing!"said Rarity.
Applejack could clearly see how all the questions were putting pressure on Sunset.
"Okay, y'all, one at a time now,"she said.
"Okay, so does this have something to do with what you told us this morning?"Rainbow asked.
Applejack felt a small surge of satisfaction the her question was being answered.
"Yes,"said Sunset in a barely audible voice.
"What is this thing?"Fluttershy asked.
"Well, you see,"began Sunset Shimmer...
Rarity stared in shock at her friend.
"You... you lived in a social housing?"she asked.
"Live, not lived,"said Sunset.
"I suppose that answers my earlier question of where you live,"Rarity replied, her mind racing.
"Oh, the poor dear!"Rarity thought,"You've known her for a while now and you've never asked he where she lived? Bad Rarity! Bad, bad Rarity! I must make her something to show I'm sorry! Maybe a new jacket? No... she seems kind of attached to her old one. Maybe a new costume, like something I made for the Friendship Games? No... I doubt she'd use it. Maybe a bejeweled helmet for her bike? Yes... that seemed the most func-"
"Hello! Earth to Rarity!"Rainbow said, cutting into her thoughts.
"Oh... yes, Rainbow Dash?"
"Nothing. You just blanked out for a while there,"Rainbow said.
Rarity rolled her eyes. Perhaps she should make Rainbow a frilly, pink, "frou-frou" dress, just to get back at her for interrupting her creative process.
"Anyway, why were you late this morning and why are you not eating any lunch even though you're hungry?"Pinkie Pie asked in her usual bouncy manner.
"Oh... I kinda had to pay rent and ran out of money?"Sunset said.
"Rent? I heard it isn't much at social hosings... right?"Rarity asked.
"It's less than most other apartments. The rent for my apartment is three hundred dollars a month. I also have a roommate, so we split it in half. So a hundred fifty each. Just my luck, that I had enough to pay rent. It could have been worse if I had less than a hundred fifty."
"Wait, how could it be worse? I mean you're already skipping lunch and its the best part of the school day!"Rainbow asked, shocked.
"I could be in debt. Better broke than in debt,"Sunset said as though this was something she had rehearsed.
"Well, Sunset Shimmer, in that case, I think you'd better meet with Principal Celestia and me,"said a voice.
Rarity and her friends turned to see Vice-Principal Luna standing right next to their table.
"This way, Sunset Shimmer," she said.
"V-vice Principal Luna?"Sunset asked shakily, her mind racing.
Thoughts like:"How long has she been standing there? How much does she know? Please don't have heard the whole story..."were mere flashes in her mind.
One big one stayed in her mind, though, a slow moving truck next to the many fighter jets.
"What is she going to do with me?"
