The darkness within: The Demons return.

Classes for the day were just letting out and everyone was heading home, everyone except for Sunset who was just heading outside of the school. A soft gentle hand reached out from behind her stopping her in her tracks as she stepped outside into the cold afternoons air. Turning around she saw that Fluttershy was the one that had stopped her she smiled warmly to Sunset replying to her gently.

“I don’t want you to be out there by yourself please will you let me take you to my home Sunset”.

Sunset at first looked at her with bewilderment had she actually heard correctly did Fluttershy really just offer a place to stay for the night? Not sure what to do or say Sunset stepped back releasing herself from Fluttershy’s hand which rested delicately on her shoulder. Sunset looked down swallowed hard then back up just as Fluttershy replied to her with.

“You don’t have to live on the streets any more Sunset you are more than welcome to live at my place for as long as you want”.

Her friends who were just coming into earshot all stood there with their mouths gaping open each of them were rather surprised to hear that their friend Sunset Shimmer was...homeless. Rainbow was the first to say something which immediately got Sunsets and Fluttershy’s attention.

“Sunset did we...did we hear correctly are you really living on the streets during winter!”

Sunset and Fluttershy both turned around to see all four of their friends and the twelve students that the had showed around earlier that day standing behind them. Looking down for a few minutes Sunset closed her eyes she knew it was time to let everyone know what was going on.

“Follow me to Sugarcube Corner I’ll explain everything there.” She replied softly.

Fifthteen minutes later Fluttershy found herself sitting next to Sunset who sat across from Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Rarity and Applejack sat on either side of them with Rarity sitting next to Fluttershy and Applejack sitting next to Pinkie. All eyes were on Sunset except for Fluttershy who was looking down at the table in front of her. Sunset let out a soft quick breath before starting.

“OK, as you all know I come from Equestria and while in Equestria I was a unicorn with a red and yellow sun cutie mark on my...flank.” Sunset looked at each of her friends then to Fluttershy before continuing. “When I first came here I didn’t have any money, food or clothing except for the clothing that the portal gave me. I am still to this day three and half years later trying to figure out why I was given clothing when in Equestria clothing isn’t something that most ponies wear unless it is for fashion.”

“Whoa hold up there a minute!” Rainbow interrupted “are you telling us that you basically walked around” She quirked an eyebrow to Sunset who returned the gesture. “Naked?”

“Uh, yes and no...Look Rainbow” Sunset looked back at her friends each showing signs of either shock or bewilderment “guys can I just please tell you all why I am living on the streets rather than having to deal with all the other drama. We can deal with this” She flexed her index and middle fingers on both hands twice “pony walks around naked stuff some other time.”

“Sunset darling please continue.” Rarity chimed in.

“Thank you Rarity, now where was I? Oh, yes after I got here I had as I said no money, no food and no clothing other than what little and I do mean little the portal gave me. I was for some reason given the leather coat, black and pink leather boots, orange mini skirt and my pink or purple shirt. The portal did for some reason give me some money but, it was only ten dollars which I used to buy a few apples and cheese sandwiches from a local store. Needless to say I don’t have a job and I also don’t have the proper paperwork to get one. So thus I must live on the streets eating when I can and...where I can.”

“What do y'all mean a-eatin' when ayn' where y'all can sugar cube?” Applejack chimed in with a genuine look of concern on her face.

Sunset swallowed hard then looked down at the empty table in front of her she let out a soft sigh before closing her eyes as she replied to Applejack with.

“I normally eat lunch at the school this you all know because you all have either joined me or seen me eat lunch there. But, when I need dinner or breakfast I will normally get it out of dumpsters found throughout the city. I know it sounds disgusting and all but, unless you all have had to live how I have had to live I don’t want to hear any words on the subject.”

Everyone looked down at the empty table except for Sunset and Fluttershy who each locked eyes with the other. Rarity was the first to try to break the uneasy silence that had fallen over the group as she spoke out to her friend who clearly was having a difficult time.

“Darling I don’t know if I can speak for everyone else but, I can assure you that I for one won’t make light of this situation. I very humbly shall offer you my home and a warm bed to sleep in for as long as you wish to have it. You may also have hot safe food each and everyday that you are at my home as well.”

Sunset broke eye contact with Fluttershy for a few seconds as she smiled softly to Rarity who returned the smile before she could say anything however Fluttershy spoke up.

“Sunset will be coming home with me tonight after we stop by her...place to get whatever she needs to live in my cottage comfortably.”

Sunset gulped but, replied nevertheless to what Fluttershy had just stated.

“Fluttershy has...already offered me her home but, I am not sure if I should take her up on it.”

Hearing this made Fluttershy’s eyes water with tears Sunset noticed this as she raised her hands in a ‘whoa let me explain' motion to her. Fluttershy fought back her tears while she listened to what Sunset had to say as did the rest of Sunset’s friends.

“You see Fluttershy the reason I don’t know if I should take you up on your most gracious of offers to me. Well it is because I feel like I am being asked to chose from you to the rest of our friends.” Sunset looked to Pinkie first. “I feel like I must chose who to laugh with” she looked to Rarity. “Who to be compassionate with” she looked to Rainbow. “Who to be loyal too.” she looked at Applejack who had her hat tipped back and warm smile on her face showed clearly on her orange face. “Who to be honest with.” she then turned back to Fluttershy saying to her softly “Or who to be…kind...with.”

“I see” Fluttershy replied meekly “Sunset you wouldn’t have to chose between us just choose which home you want to be in.”

Again Sunset swallowed hard as she started to stammer on her words to Fluttershy.

“Y..you..d..don’t unders..s..stand F...Fluttershy. I don’t want to be just” Sunset closed her eyes pushing herself away from the table standing up to leave the area. “I am sorry I have to go.”

“Oh, no you don’t Sunset you're not backing out of this. Not this time!” Fluttershy snapped angrily.

Sunset stopped in her tracks to the front door when she heard the hurt angry voice from Fluttershy she stood almost frozen like a deer in head lights. Fluttershy also got up from the table she headed over to Sunset wrapping her arms around Sunsets stomach pulling her into a warm tight embrace as she said loud enough for all to hear her words.

“I know what you want Sunset Shimmer, and it is the same that I have wanted since I first met you. But because of how you were back then I was too terrified to ask now I am not.”

Sunset turned let out a soft sigh and as a smile slowly came to her face she turned around embracing Fluttershy fully.

“Alright Fluttershy I will...come home with you. But, I need to stop by my place to pick up my journal so that I can contact Twilight there are somethings that I must talk with her about.”

What Sunset Shimmer didn’t know as her friends all got up from the table to see her and Fluttershy out was how bad thing were about to get. Rainbow gave Sunset a hard slap on the shoulder causing the red and yellow haired girl to yelp out in pain. Rubbing her shoulder with her hand she shot Rainbow a glare that would have frozen all of hell ten times over. Rainbow smirked in reply. Pinkie bounced around happily knowing that her best friend wouldn’t be spending another night on the streets. Rarity smiled warmly to Sunset saying to her gently as she laid a soft tender hand onto her shoulder.

“If you two need anything at all Darling please don’t hesitate to call me, I’ll be there for both of you regardless of what time of day or night it is.”

“Thank you Rarity.” Both Sunset and Fluttershy replied in unison.

Applejack stood by the door holding it open for the two as they made their way out of the shop and down the street. She tipped her hand towards the two of them saying to her friends while she watched them leave for Sunsets home.

“Ya’ll think those there two make just the darnedest, cutest couple?”

“No I don’t A.J.” Rainbow snorted out.

Everyone still at the Sugar Cube Corner turned to face Rainbow not sure what she was about to say next. Applejack was about to speak with Rainbow cut her off.

“I think they make the most super awesome couple I wish them nothing but, happiness and best of luck.”

“As do I darling” Rarity chimed in watching her friends disappear from view.

“This is so exciting!” Pinkie bounced around like a rubber ball. “I get to throw my friends a super party now.” She continued to hop around like a giddy school child. “I’ll call it ‘it's about time you two got together’. There be lots of cake and cupcakes and cupcakes cake and candy and all sorts of really yummy treats for them to eat.”

“Carefull surger’cube you don’t want to fatten them up like the cows ready for milking now do ya?” Applejack replied grinning from ear to ear.

Pinkie beamed a huge smile to Applejack who just smirked back replying to her with.

“Yur going to aren't you Pinkie?” Tipping her hat back a bit Applejack smiled warmly to Pinkie “I can’t say that I blame you for wanting to fatten them up I mean gosh those two do look mighty thin. I mean have you all seen how skinny Fluttershy is and Sunset with her living on the streets she looks like a half starved fox that no matter how many chickens it gets ya’ll can’t get it to gain any weight.”

“Now darling it is not proper to try to” Rarity cleared her throat and flexed her fingers up and down. “Fatten up our friends like that. If those two want to stay skinny like that then that is their choice not ours to make.”

“Yur right Rarity. We should be instead making plans to celebrate they're going out together not trying to fatten them up like pigs.”

The group of friends left Sugar Cube Corner each happy for Fluttershy and more so for Sunset. Sunset and Fluttershy got to where she lived an hour latter only to find that the building was completely engulfed in thick high flames and that there were several fire trucks parked outside. Wanting to know what happened Sunset asked one of the firefighters and was told that several kids were caught playing around inside the building. A scuffle had started with a passing police officer and the building caught fire due to a oil lamp that had been knocked over. Looking around she found what was left of her journal in a small pile just a few feet from the firefighter. Getting up to it she looked at the book which wasn’t much picked it up and balled her right hand into a tight fist. Closing her eyes she picked up what was left it reopened her eyes then tucked what was left of her journal into her backpack.Taking Fluttershy by her hand she gently led Fluttershy away from the area her only thoughts rested on how she was going to contact Twilight without her book.