It's Time To Leave

Chapters

It's Time To Leave
The Race Against Time
A Time For Redemption
Time Heals Most Wounds
A Time Of Celebration
Time For A Familiar Face

It's Time To Leave

Author's Note

While it isn't required, for the best reading experience, it is recommended that the prequel is read first.

It's Time To Leave

So let's review up to this point. I was a total bitch from the time I left Equestria until I got hit in the face with a rainbow laser. The "Princess of Friendship" told her friends to show me how to make friends, only for them to treat me like shit. Twilight Sparkle returned to help us with the Sirens only to fall to peer pressure in treating me like something that needs flushed down the toilet. All of which drove me to begin cutting myself in response to the stress. With that being said, let's return to the rest of my treatment during the Battle of the Bands.

Following the victory in the first round, the six of them huddled around each other discussing their victory, Twilight's "counter-spell" and how everyone did something wrong. I was left alone with Spike to dog-sit (again) all while I assumed that they were trying to find new ways to hurt me.

"Um, Sunset?" Spike asked me with slight concern, snapping my attention back reality. "What happened to your arm?"

Busted, I thought.

"Oh, I, uh, snagged it on a nail at the farm yesterday," I lied with a nervous chuckle.

"Must've been a pretty sharp nail for it to still be that red," he replied.

"Yeah," I said quietly before changing the subject. "Let's go see if the others need some help."

Me and Spike went to rejoin the group but they broke up the huddle before I could offer any advice. Well, I went to the restroom for another "cut" in the action. While I slowed the bleeding, I began to think of the different ways to commit suicide.

I don't have access to a gun, so that's out, I thought sadly. The amount of drugs I would need to overdose would cost too much. Slitting my wrists is hit or miss. Maybe I could use some of the cables the hang myself in front of the entire school after the finale tomorrow night.

I decided on the last option because the materials were readily available and won't cost anything. Plus doing it in front of the whole school would place a guilt trip so large, that even the Friendship Mistress wouldn't be able to recover from.

"So Twilight, how's it feel to be part of a band?" I asked once we had a moment to talk privately.

"It's actually pretty fun. I, mean, there's differences in opinion on how things should be but that's normal, right?" she replied enthusiastically.

"Honestly, I wouldn't know," I told her quietly with my head hung in anguish.

"Sunset, is there something bothering you?" Twilight asked as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

I paused for a moment as the tears began to rise to the surface while I tried to decide whether or not to tell her.

"No," I lied blatantly. "I'm fine. Just a little stressed."

"Are you sure?" she continued to press. "Spike told me he saw some strange scratches on your arm earlier."

"It's nothing," I insisted. "Like I told him, I snagged my arm on a nail at Sweet Apple Acres. I'll be fine."

"Okay then," Twilight said slowly. "If you need to talk, you know where to find me."

Yeah, planning other ways to make me feel worthless, I noted as she headed back to the gymnasium for the next round of the competition.

As I listened to "Friendship Through The Ages", it took all of the mental strength I had left to keep from pulling the knife out of my pocket and stabbing myself in the heart.

I can't believe the nerve of them. After the way I've been treated by them, they play this fucking song? Why am I continuing to associate myself with these hypocritical assholes? I thought as my rage began to build. I looked down to see Spike grooving to the music. Damn snitch.

...But our friendship carries on through the ages. Ohh, oh. Carries on.

It was that last line of the song that got me. I left there in tears like a bat out of Tartarus. I turned off my phone and left the school to go prepare for the following night.

I got home, slammed the door behind me and collapsed on the floor in tears.

How could they? Is this their version of revenge? I thought as the waves of heartache, anger and confusion flowed through my mind.

I pounded my fists against the floor from frustration until my left sleeve slid up causing one of my cuts from yesterday to catch my eye. I pulled my knife out of my pocket after taking my jacket off. The perfect idea. While I wouldn't be able to collect enough to write the entire thing, I could gather enough of my own blood to sign my suicide note. I went to the cabinet to get a paper cup and a toothpick so I had something to collect the "ink" for my signature.

I sat down at the kitchen table, tears in my eyes, and wrote the following words:

To whom it may or may not concern,

The last couple months I've been trying to make amends for all the trouble I caused. It doesn't seem to matter to anyone though. The members of the Rainbooms were supposed to look out for me and teach me how friendships are made. They have treated me like complete shit. I thought when Twilight came back I could tell her what I was feeling, but she's been more interested in her friends that are fighting with each other. I thought that cutting my arms would give the release I needed to get through this but when they decided to show their hypocrisy in the second round of the competition, I couldn't take anymore.

By hanging myself in front of the school, I'm showing my celebration for how fucked up humans really are. Hopefully everyone will feel better once I'm gone, especially those who were supposed to be my friends.

Goodbye and fuck off

I took the knife in my right hand and with the right amount pressure, I made a cut on my left arm deep enough to allow the blood to flow into the paper cup. I set the knife down on the table, picked up the toothpick, dipped it in to the cup and at the bottom of the note, signed my name...

The Race Against Time

After signing my note, in my own blood, I changed into my pajamas for what I planned to be the last time. I laid in my bed staring at the ceiling through the tears in my eyes. I moved my right hand from behind my head onto the mattress and just happened to hit my phone.

Why did I bring this in here again? I wondered as I turned it on. Oh well. May as well check MyStable one last time before I go.

After my phone was on, I got blasted with text and voice message alerts.

Might as well see what kind of shit they decided to send me, I thought sadly. I pulled up the texts and read them one by one.

What happened to u at school Sunny?

-PP

Right. Like you care. Next...

You missed one awesome song, Sunset. It totally kicked ass.

Go to Hell you egotistical bitch. Next...

Darling, there was no reason to run off like that. My attire wasn't that bad.

Yes. That's what I truly care about. Your outfits. Next...

You ok sugarcube? You ran off without a word.

Go back to picking apples instead of a bass guitar. Honestly. Next...

Spike said you were upset about something before you left. Twilight wants to know what it is.

So you'll help at the animal shelter but not pay attention to "friends" in need? Best revenge ever.

Now they care? I have to run off crying in the middle of a song? I should have tried that months ago if that's what it took, I speculated as tears began streaming down my face. I'm not even bother with the voicemails. They've hurt me enough.

I was just about to turn my phone back off when it rang. The display showed "Fluttershy". The only reason I answered was because I figured I could use it as a way to tell them off.

"What do you want?" I asked angrily.

"Sunset Shimmer?" came the unmistakable voice of Twilight.

"Oh hello, princess," I replied. "I see the clique taught you to use a cell phone."

"Sunset, please tell me what's wrong," she begged. "Something is bothering you and I'd like to try to help."

"Really? Like you wanted to help last night?" I cried. "I know you saw the cuts on my arm. But it wasn't important. 'Never mind'. Remember those words? I sure as fuck do."

"Sunset, I-" Twilight began before I interrupted.

"Oh save it. You are the ring leader in this whole mess," I ranted as tears continued to flow like rivers down my cheeks. "I may as well have been on my own after the Fall Formal. You told the rest of your friends to get their revenge on me before you left."

"I never-" she started before being interrupted again.

"For being the 'Princess of Friendship', you sure know how treat your alleged friends," I said before ending the call. I turned the phone off before Flutterbitch could redial my number for Twilight. I rolled over and crossed my arms to bury my face as I cried until my eyes hurt.

The next thing I remember, there was a pounding on the front door, accompanied by the sound of my name being shouted. I looked at clock and saw that it was 8:23 pm.

Who the fuck is pounding on my door at this time? I pondered as I got up and stumbled to the door, puffy eyes and all. The answer to my question was answered as I approached the door.

"Sunset! You okay in there?! Sunset!" I recognized Rainbow Dash's voice coming from the other side of the door. After double checking to make sure the security chain was latched, I unlocked the deadbolt to confront the blue-skinned skank through the door.

"What do you want?" I asked her.

"Can I come in?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Actually... no," I said as my anger began building. "I would like to be alone. Since that's how you and the rest of your crew would prefer me."

"What?!" she exclaimed allegedly surprised. "We never wanted that. Twilight told us-"

"Oh so you're only here because Twilight told you about her phone call with me," I interrupted with a burning fire in my eyes. "Here's the deal. You and anyone else that's with you have ten seconds to leave or I call the police."

I slammed the door in her face and locked the deadbolt. I walked back to my bedroom as my anger gave way back to sadness as my already sore eyes began watering again.

The nerve of them, I thought somberly. Can't they not take a hint? My phone is off and I didn't return their texts. I want to be alone.

'How did I get back to school?' I wondered after waking up in Ms. Cheerilee's empty classroom.

I looked around, confused, before deciding to leave the classroom to investigate what was going on. After leaving the classroom, I began hearing "Friendship Through The Ages" playing over the PA system.

'Really? I have listen to this again?' I thought as the heartache began surface.

"We know all about you, Sunset Shimmer," I heard Adagio say behind me. When I turned around, however, all I saw was an empty hallway.

"Waiting the wings while your 'friends' have all the fun?" Aria chimed in, again, from behind. Spinning around again, I came face-to-face with the Rainbooms.

"You seriously think you're good enough to play in my band?" Rainbow Dash asked me.

"She can't play any instruments or sing worth a damn," grinned Twilight Sparkle.

"I know I speak for everyone when I say that she would make us look bad visually," Rarity said.

"Yer probably right Rarity. Besides we're at capacity fer band members already," Applejack laughed at me.

"No. I can't listen to this! It's not true! I'm a good person!" I shouted with my hands over my ears and tears escaping my eyes.

"Really? Would good person bully someone to the point of tears?" Fluttershy inquired.

"But I apologized. I can't undo the hurt I caused you," I continued to cry.

"But you did have lots of fun doing it. Didn't you?" Pinkie Pie said as she pressed her forehead to mine.

I fell to my knees and held my head in my hands as I cried uncontrollably.

"Oh, yes. You girls are sooo tight. And yet, they didn't ask you to be in the band," Adagio laughed

"Probably afraid no one would want to see them play if she was in the group," Aria said as she began circling me with her sisters.

"Too bad. So sad," Sonata chimed in.

I didn't know what to say. They were right...

"If it's any consolation, no one is going remember you at all..." Adagio's words echoed through the darkening hallway.

"Nooooo!" I shouted.

"Nooooo!" I continued shouting as I sat straight up in bed, drenched in a cold sweat. My heart felt like it was going to go flying out of my chest. I looked at the clock. 3:18am. I grabbed my phone and turned the power on.

"Please, please pick up," I said quietly as the phone rang.

"Hello?" came a groggy, weak voice.

"Please tell me Twilight is there," I cried.

"Sunset? Are-are you okay?"

"Fluttershy, please tell me Twilight is staying with you," I begged. "I'm sorry it's so late but I really need to talk to her badly."

"Yeah, just a minute," Fluttershy said sleepily. "She's asleep in my bed."

After what seemed like an eternity, Twilight got on the phone.

"Sunset? Are you okay?" she asked with concern in her voice. "What's wrong?"

"No, I-I'm not okay," I replied as I bawled like a baby. "I'm so... so confused. I-I feel so alone. It doesn't seem like... like... like anyone cares. I want to give up."

"Wait. Slow down," she said as I continued to cry. "What do you mean by 'give up'? Are you considering..."

"Yes. I-I want to hang myself," I admitted. "I-I'm so sorry I-I yelled at you and... and Rainbow Dash earlier. Twilight, I-I need help."

"Shhhh," Twilight consoled me over the phone. "Everything is going to be fine, don't worry."

"I-I don't know what to do," I sobbed. "Part of me wants to... to die but another part of me wants to live. I-I'm just... I don't know what to do."

"Sunset, please tell me what is going on," Twilight said to me in a soothing tone. "Start from the beginning, slowly."

"They-they hate me," I cried. "All of-of them."

"Who hates you?" she asked.

"Th-the rest of the girls," I wept. "Rain-Rainbow Dash and Rarity es-especially."

"Fluttershy, can you get the, uh, thing that keeps this powered. I'm going to need it." I heard her whisper before coming back to me. "What did everypo-, er, everybody do that makes them hate you?"

"Th-they don't want anything to...to do with... with..." I completely broke down again. My eyes began to hurt from all the crying.

"Sunset, I need you to dig deep and be strong. Okay?" she told me calmly. "I will stay on the phone as long you need me to."

"Uh-huh," I managed through my bawling.

"Whenever you're ready, continue," Twilight told me softly.

I just sat and cried into the phone for close to fifteen minutes before I regained the ability to speak, listening to Twilight's calming voice the whole time.

"Th-the girls... they won't in-invite me..." I sobbed. "They won't invite to... to an-any slum-slumber parties. *sniff* I-I never get asked to... to... Oh, Twilight, why do-do they hate me?"

"Sunset, I don't think they hate you," Twilight said. "I think they don't realize what they're doing."

"I'm... I'm sorry, Twilight," I cried. "I'm not strong. *sniff* I-I need to end th-the... the pain somehow."

"Sunset, you are strong," Twilight told me. "I know because I saw it before you reformed yourself."

"Twilight, I... I..." I stammered. "Th-that was when I was, *sniff* was... a bully. Now I-I'm all alone."

"You are not alone," Twilight said softly. "You will always have me, at least."

"Th-thank you," I sniffed as tears continued to roll down my face. "But... what happens after you... you go back to Equestria? This is, *sniff* is just... gonna continue after you... you..." I began to break down again at the thought of how I'll be treated by the rest of the girls after Twilight leaves. Twilight began consoling me as I cried uncontrollably again for another ten minutes or so.

"I just want to... to... belong some-somewhere," I stuttered after regaining the ability to speak once again. "I-I don't feel that..."

"Sunset, everyone belongs somewh-," Twilight said as the phone went silent.

Author's Note

Originally published on 4/2/17. The ending was rewritten on 4/19/17 to slow down the storytelling.

A Time For Redemption

"Twilight? Twilight? Are you there?" I hollered frantically, thinking she had hung up on me before I looked at my phone to find out that the battery had died. I couldn't believe that I was so upset that I hadn't even heard the low battery warning.

With my eyes sore and red from crying, I slowly looked over my shoulder at the clock and saw it was 4:58am. Still somewhat shaken, I laid my head down on the pillow and hoped I could go to go back to sleep. After almost a half an hour of staring into nothingness, I decided to just get up and take a shower.

I had to shield my eyes for a moment when I turned the bathroom light on so they could adjust. After starting the water, I removed my top and just stared at my arms.

What have I done? I thought to myself. Was this really necessary?

I finished undressing and got into the warm shower. The feelings of being mistreated began to grow stronger my mind as I rubbed the soap over the scabs from where I had sliced my arms over the last two days.

Maybe I went too far. No, It's still the best for everyone if I go away, I began arguing in my head. But Twilight assured me she'd talk with the others. Of course she'd say that to calm you down in the middle of the night.

I shook my head violently as I attempted to end the argument in my head before clutching it tightly in my hands.

What is going on with me? I wondered as I felt my tears being washed off my face by the warm water. I'm a better person, ain't I?

I finished my shower as I ran out of hot water, got dressed and went to the kitchen for my usual bowl of corn flakes. Before I began eating, I took note of the sheet of notebook paper still laying on the counter from last night. I picked it up, reread it not once but twice, folded it in half and put it in the drawer that I keep my bills in.

"I should probably call Twilight and explain I didn't hang up on purpose," I muttered to myself.

I noted the darkness that still covered the outside, so I got my guitar from the coat closet and began to hum the song I had planned to sing at the Musical Showcase to kill some time. After humming the first verse and chorus, I began singing the second verse softly with my eyes closed.

Ambition... is what I believed,

Would be the only way to set me free.

But when it disappeared, and found myself alone,

That's when you came and got me,

And felt like I... I...

I had to stop playing when I reached the end of the verse. I just couldn't finish it. I hadn't felt like I was home in a long time. The cuts on my arm proved it. I tried to figure out why I suddenly changed my mind about killing myself. I'm alone here and I most likely be imprisoned if I go back to Equestria.

What am I doing here? I thought as I began weeping. I need to leave. Twilight sacrificed her sleep to listen to me this morning but I still don't feel as though I belong.

I glanced toward the direction of my bill drawer and thought, Maybe...

When I was about halfway to school, I received the following text from Applejack:

Sunset, we need to talk asap.

I wonder what she wants to do to hurt me now? I thought uneasily. I guess I should play along.

Where do you want to meet?

A minute later came the response:

Meet at the statue when you get to school.

I put my phone back in my jacket pocket, and felt the crinkle of paper that was in the inside pocket.

I saw the iconic horse statue as I came around the last corner before CHS. At the base of the statue was someone looking toward my direction, waving at me.

I felt myself start to hyperventilate as I grew nearer to the statue, so I stopped and took a moment to calm myself before resuming my journey toward school. Hopefully this wouldn't take long.

"Hey thar, Sunset!" Applejack hollered with her arms stretched wide.

Here goes nothing, I sighed as the farm girl wrapped her strong, slender arms around me.

"Why didn't y'all say anythin' to us?" she whispered to me as I heard her voice start wavering.

"I-I'm not sure that... that you would understand," I told her as my eyes started watering.

"What do you mean, sugarcube?" she replied, confused. "We're yer friends. We'll be thar fer ya."

With that last line, I broke down emotionally. The months of pain, frustration, confusion and anger all spilled into my words as I cried my heart out for the second time in less than six hours.

"Frie-friends? Friends?!" I raged with tears running down my face. "Y-you... all of you have ignored me since the Fall Formal. I admit I was a-a total asshole to you and the others but... but why did you guys have t-to take advantage of me?"

Applejack released me from the hug but still kept ahold of my upper arms while her confused look began to grow stronger.

"What?!" she said as she looked at me eye-to-eye. "Y'all really believe that's what happened?"

"Isn't it?" I cried. " That's a popular saying in this world. 'Kick 'em when they're down'? Seems like the best way to... to..."

"Sugarcube, listen. While Ah don't know 'bout anyone else, but Ah person'lly didn't ev'n realize how Ah was treatin' y'all," she said as she pulled me back in for another hug as she began shedding tears herself. "Ah'm real sorry, Sunset."

"Like I-I told Twilight this morning, I-I'm so confused," I cried into her shoulder. "I want to... to... die so I can escape the pain. But I still want to live."

She led me over to the statue and helped me down onto the grass, where I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my forehead on them. Applejack sat down next to me and rubbed my back to help comfort me as my cocktail of emotions continued to escape from my eyes.

"Sunset, Ah'd like, no, love ta do what Ah can ta make it up ta ya," she told me as she cradled me in her arms.

"Me too," I heard someone else say softly.

It was then that I realized that there were more than the two of us in the grass. I looked up and wiped the tears from my eyes to see Fluttershy squatting down in front of me.

"Sunset, I'm so sorry," said Fluttershy as she reached out to hold my hands. "I wish I would've known before this. Is it really true that you began cutting yourself?"

I just nodded as I pulled my left sleeve up to reveal seven scabs, each measuring about two inches long. There were five audible gasps as I pulled the sleeve back down. I looked to my right and saw Rainbow Dash looking over Applejack, then to my left to see Rarity kneeling on the ground beside me and finally above me to see Pinkie Pie looking down from on top of the statue.

"Darling, why on Earth would would you do this?" Rarity asked. "It looks terribly painful."

"It is but it helped take my mind off the emotional pain for a while," I whispered softly. "Why do all of you want to help me now? I'm not worth anything to anyone."

"What?!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "You're totally worth it to us. You really think we hate you?"

"Well don't you?" I asked as I resumed crying. "I-I got left out of everything y-you guys do together. Hanging out after school at-at the Sweet Shoppe, MyStable, slum-slumber... part-parties, being... being..."

There was a silence between the six of us as my breakdown spiraled out of control, eliciting tears from everyone else. A moment later Applejack was joined by four other girls in holding me while I wept.

"We are sooo sorry, darling," Rarity whispered in a comforting tone. "Please accept our sincerist apology."

After regaining some control, I looked over Fluttershy's head to see that Twilight had arrived was and standing behind the group holding Spike with tears filling her eyes.

"Thank you," I mouthed in her direction as I embraced the rest of the group the best I could.

After five minutes or so, we each released our embrace one-by-one until it was just me on the ground until Twilight approached me, reached down, took my hand, pulled me to my feet and into a tight hug. "You're welcome," she barely whispered.

"Let's head inside and get ready to compete," Rainbow said, wiping tears from her eyes.

I still had a little skepticism deep down that what happened at the statue was just a front, but for the first time in months I began to feel like I belonged somewhere. Not only did I actually get to be part of the band's pre-performance discussion for the first time, they had me give the pep talk.

"This is it. Last round and you're in the finals." I said enthusiastically before turning to Twilight. "Unless you think the counter-spell is ready to be played now."

I looked at Twilight and saw she had a worried look on her face. I knew then there was something wrong with the spell she was trying to write.

"Don't worry, Twilight," Applejack reassured her. "Finals aren't until t'night. We'll git in a little more practice before we're supposed to hit the stage. We won't let ya down."

While Applejack's statement was met with a chorus of "Uh huh" and "Yep" from the others, Twilight turned around and in a tone that I knew all too well, quietly whispered, "You won't let me down..."

Fluttershy used the silence to let her tiny voice be heard, "Um, I was just wondering... we haven't played any of my songs yet and..."

"It's the semi-finals. We gotta do 'Awesome As I Wanna Be'," Rainbow Dash said in an egotistical tone.

Dejected, Fluttershy quietly said, "Don't know why I even asked..."

After Trixie finished playing her only song, "Tricks Up My Sleeve", her and Rainbow Dash started jaw-jacking with each other. The two massive egos were pissing everyone off, Rainbooms and Illusions both. I thought a fight was going to break out when Trixie brought Twilight into their trash talking. Luckily, Trixie set off a smoke bomb and "disappeared" before it got to that point. A moment later we heard Principal Celestia on the PA:

Next up, the Rainbooms.

"Knock 'em dead, Rainbooms," Spike said enthusiastically.

"I'll be here," I said before my tone of voice changed. "Just... watching..."

My skepticism from earlier began to surface as my disappointment grew. They didn't know about my guitar skills but I thought they would've at least offered to let my help on back-up vocals.

As the girls started playing, Rainbow's ego began to take over as she showed off. She began playing harder and something caught my eye when she turned to face my direction.

No, no, no, no. Her ears are changing, I thought as I began to panic.

"Rainbow! You've gotta stop!" I yelled, hoping she would be able to hear me over the music.

She either didn't hear me or chose not to hear me because she continued to play harder.

"Spike, what do I do? She's gonna blow our cover," I asked frantically.

"I don't know but you gotta do something, and quick," Spike told me, just as frantic.

With my mind blank, I reacted on instinct, I ran on stage and tackled Rainbow like I was a football player. She fell backwards into Twilight who tripped backwards onto Rarity which caused her to kick Applejack's bass into the air where it landed inside of one of Pinkie's drums. Fluttershy hauled ass off the stage screaming as soon as the lights came up.

The students in attendance all began booing the band and myself until Flash hollered, "Now that's the bad girl we love to hate!" That caused the entire gymnasium to erupt in cheers.

The girls all left the stage, leaving me alone to take the crowd's negative reaction for them.

What have I done? I thought as I stood there frozen with embarrassment.

My "friends" were waiting off stage like vultures for me to join them.

"What was that?" Rainbow Dash asked angrily.

"You were showing them your magic," I replied. "I... I didn't know what else to do."

Rarity responded in an almost degrading tone, "Close the curtain. Unplug her amp. Give us the chance to deal with the situation."

"I just wanted to help," I said as the emotional pain began surfacing.

"Yeah, well, you didn't," Rainbow Dash replied, still angry.

I tuned them out after that as I was working hard to keep the tears from escaping my eyes.

I shouldve known that it was just a show outside, I thought sadly.

And then Trixie had to get her digs in on me, accusing me of sabotaging the band out of jealousy before Principal Celestia and Vice-principal Luna announced the Rainbooms as the winners. We all stood there in shock before having a stare down with the Dazzlings and getting booed out of the gymnasium.

I excused myself from the group to use the restroom, where I took out the paper out of the inside pocket in my jacket. I read it slowly as my left hand caressed the knife in my pocket.

I know this says hanging but fuck it, I can't take this any longer, I thought as I opened the pocket knife and lined it up with the large vein on my left wrist. Just as I began to apply pressure I heard a voice say, "Sunset, what are you doing?!"

Time Heals Most Wounds

I eased the pressure of the knife but made sure to keep it in contact with my skin. I looked in the mirror to see who the girl talking to me was.

"I'm... I'm leaving, permanently," I cried. "No one cares. After a group lovefest by the statue this morning, those two-faced... bitches showed me that all that matters to them is winning a stupid band competition. Now if you don't mind, it's time for me to go."

"Sunset, can you please put the knife down?" she asked me.

"Why?" I asked distressingly. "What do you care? I was set up earlier today to get me to lower my guard. And... and... then they took advantage of me."

"Sunset, why would they do something like that?," she said softly.

"Because... No. One. Cares," I said to her aggressively as my grief continued to take over."Don't you understand? No one."

"Sunset, please give me the knife," she pleaded. "I will help you. If others won't, I will. I promise."

I looked at the knife through my tears then at her and back down to my knife. I began to reapply more pressure against my skin.

"Sunset, please. If I didn't care, would I have been a figurative shoulder to cry on early this morning on the phone?" Twilight continued to press.

I eased the pressure again as I thought about what she asked. She had a point, but so did I and mine was resting on my wrist.

"Sunset, will you please let go of the knife?" she asked again.

I felt a small trickle of blood begin to run down my arm from where the skin was cut. My eyes had all but blinded me with tears as I continued to cry.

"Please, Sunset. Let me help you... I want to help you. More than you know..." Twilight begged softly.

My hand began trembling as the pain and confusion consumed me. I looked at the knife once more before I finally dropped it into the sink and fell to my knees, bawling into my hands.

Twilight knelt down and cradled me in her arms. "Everything is going to be fine, okay?" she told me. "I'll help you through this the best I can."

"Wh-why is this happening t-to me though?" I cried. "I-I just can't take... much... m-more."

"I don't know why this is happening, Sunset," Twilight told me as her eyes began to water. "You need to stay strong. I'll try to be with you for advice and an ear for you to talk to when you're down. When this issue with the Sirens is over, you'll still be able to keep in touch with me after I return to Equestria."

"You... you... really mean it?" I asked through my sobs. "You... you'll really be there for m-me?"

"Absolutely," Twilight replied as tears began running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry for how I treated you since I've been back. I had no idea you were near this point. How long have you been near ending your life?"

"About a-a month but th-the thoughts have *sniff* grown exponentially in th-the last two days," I told her as my crying began to subside slightly.

"Oh Sunset," Twilight said as she pulled me in tighter. "Why didn't you tell me things were this bad when you poured your heart out to me this morning?"

"I... *sniff* I don't know," I replied, still sobbing.

"Sunset, I imagine that is has got to be difficult but if you need help, please tell someone," Twilight said softly. "I know you have the strength to make it through this."

"How can you be so sure?" I asked her quietly. "I'm nothing. No one cares about me except you and Spike."

"Listen," she said as she pulled herself away and looked me in the eyes, "I'll have another talk with the girls with you present to make them see how they've treated you."

An weak, uneasy smile appeared on my face when told me that. I had stopped crying but my face was still soaked with tears.

"You'll really do that for me?" I asked.

"Of course," she smiled. "That's what friends do. They stick up for each other."

Twilight stood up, reached in the sink and grabbed my pocket knife.

"Can you show me how to close this?" she asked me as she held my knife.

"You should probably wash the blood off before you close it," I told her as I reached for the knife.

"No, I want the others to see how far they've pushed you," Twilight said sternly as she pulled the knife back out of my reach. "I know it sounds grim but I feel they need to see this. Also I'm going to hold on this for now to make sure you don't try cutting your wrists again."

"Ok then," I responded somewhat upset as I finally got off the floor. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, what is it?" Twilight repied as we left the restroom.

"How did you know to come check on me?" I asked her.

"Please don't take this the wrong way but I wasn't checking on you," she replied timidly.

"You weren't?" I asked, surprised.

"No, I was coming in here to have a moment to think and relax from writing the counter-spell," she admitted quietly. "The timing when I walked in was just a coincidence but I'm so glad that timing worked out how it did. I don't know what I'd do if you died by your own hoof, er, hand."

I stopped and pulled Twilight into a tight embrace and rested my chin on her right shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Thank you for caring. I would like to ask a favor please."

"Sure, what is it?" Twilight asked.

"Um, when you go back home..." I started nervously, "...will you ask Princess Celestia if I am... how to put this... welcome... back in Equestria in case things don't work out here?"

"I don't know why you wouldn't be," she replied assuringly. "She asked if you were ok when I returned after the Fall Formal. I will ask to be sure though."

I began to release more tears, this time they were tears of relief, before we broke the hug and went to join the rest of the girls at the amphitheater.

***

"Sunset, you wait here and hide until I motion you over. Then I want you to roll up your sleeve to show them where you tried cutting your vein," Twilight whispered after we got to the outdoor stage.

"Okay," I replied as she left me to hide as she approached the other girls.

"There you are Twilight!" shouted the prismatic-haired prima donna as Twilight went on the stage where the finale was being held.

"What happened to you? Did you get lost? I, mean, it's not it's hard to miss this place because its huge but I guess if you're not from around here and you get separated from your group..." Pinkie rambled before Twilight interrupted.

"How dare you?" Twilight said angrily. "All of you..."

I saw the Rainbooms stand there staring blankly at her as I hid just out of view. I never saw her angry before. Then she pulled out my pocket knife and opened it up.

"I went the restroom to take a short breather and found this in the sink," she chastized them. "This is Sunset Shimmer's pocket knife and I hope you all notice what's on the blade."

"Is... that... blood?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

"Yes it is," Twilight continued. "It's Sunset's blood. I hope you are all proud of yourselves."

"Oh my... no," Rarity gasped.

"Are y'all tellin' us that Sunset killed herself in th' lavatory?" Applejack asked with worry in her voice.

Twilight didn't say anything. She continued to stare daggers into her friends.

"I asked one favor of you girls after the Fall Formal," Twilight continued to yell at them. "Show Sunset Shimmer what it means to be a friend and how to make friends. Like I told all of you this morning, she has been feeling shunned and lonely. And now I find out that she's been suicidal lately."

"We didn't think anything was wrong," Rarity replied. "She never said anything to us until this morning."

"From what I've read, ponies, I mean, people that are depressed don't always say anything when something's wrong. Especially if they're shy or feel like they don't have anyone to talk to," Twilight told them. "You guys almost drove a good person to kill herself."

She then motioned at me to join her and as planned, I pulled my left sleeve up just past my wrist to show them the shallow cut that I had made about twenty minutes earlier.

"Had I been any later, I would've had to call the undertaker instead of joining you all on stage," Twilight said as her voice changed tones. "I can't begin to express the disappointment in you that I'm feeling."

The other five girls were silent as Twilight paused from her speech to catch her breath. I wanted to say something during this break in the tirade but the words kept escaping me.

"What's really disappointing is the fact that just this morning you all apologized to Sunset," Twilight resumed. "She let her guard down for the first time and then you guys, Rainbow Dash and Rarity especially, proceded to yell her after your performance in the semi-finals. Sunset, what are you looking at?"

Busted. Again.

"Oh. I, um, thought I saw someone's, uh, dog over by the speakers," I lied while I looked for a way to get to the top of the amphitheater. She may have stopped me in the bathroom but there was still a decent amount of spare cable to allow me swing like a pendulum after the show.

"I want you to stay in my sight at all times for now, Sunset," Twilight told me after I noticed she looked in the spot that I had been looking. "And stay away from those cables." She turned her attention back to the others and continued, "This is what I'm talking about. I'm trying to talk to you guys about how Sunset's been feeling and she's checking out the cables and the top of the stage. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going through her mind."

"Sunset, we are truly sorry," Fluttershy said weakly.

Then the rage hit me.

"Are you? You all joined in the feelgood moment by the statue, said you're sorry and all that shit. How can I be sure you're not putting on another act?" I yelled angrily as tears began to roll down my cheeks again. "Twilight's right. If she was any later, you... you..."

"Shhh," Twilight told me softly. "It's going to be fine. Trust me."

"No!" I shot back. "I need to get this out. I think Aria was right when she told me that no one would want to see your band if I was part of it. That's why no one asked me if I was interested. I have a beautiful voice that could help on backup vocals at the very least. But you all decided to get your revenge on me instead."

"Wait. What?" Rainbow Dash said, confused. "You think I'm getting..."

"Oh shut up Rainbow," I continued to rant. "You're the worst one. Everything always has be about you, doesn't it? My band, my songs, me, me, me. That's all you think about."

"Sunset? Why are y'all..." Applejack began before I interrupted.

"You know what?" I continued. "I should've said goodbye months ago. I could've avoided all this heartache, pain and anguish. I looked forward to learning what it means to be a friend and the example you set made me feel like our roles over the previous two and a half years had been reversed. I laid in bed almost every night, wondering if... if..."

My speech was cut short as I broke down again. Fluttershy approached me to try to comfort me but I pulled away before she could hold me in her arms. Rather, I turned and rested my face on Twilight's shoulder, which was followed by her wrapping her right arm around my back and holding my head with her left hand.

"It's going to take a long time for her to get over how she's been left out," Twilight calmly told her friends. Then she looked turned her attention to me. "Sunset, I know you've been hurt a lot recently but will you be willing to give them one more chance?"

I lifted my head, looked at Twilight, looked over my shoulder at the girls and then back at Twilight. After looking at the girls one more time, I thought for a few minutes, then gave my response.

Author's Note

I know, another cliffhanger, but where's the fun in giving the answers at the very end of the chapter if there's another chapter following it? :pinkiehappy:

A Time Of Celebration

Everyone that got their ass chewed out by Twilight stood waiting in anticipation for my response. Their expressions changed to a look of confusion as I gave the most appropriate response.

"We'll see," I said quietly.

It even caught Twilight off guard. She had the same perplexed look on her face as the others.

"Let me explain," I said a little louder. "Part of me is saying 'Yes forgive them' and another part wants me to tell you all to 'Fuck off'. I'm not sure what to do. I'll make my final decision after the Battle of the Bands finale tonight. If I feel this round of apologies is sincere I'll stay here but if not, I'm going to be taking my chances back in Equestria."

Fluttershy and the others attempted to give me another group hug but I made sure to keep my distance.

"Sorry, but I'm not taking part in any feel-good moments until I feel I belong with the group," I told them defiantly.

***

A few hours later we, well they, were finishing the setup for the the finale that started at sundown. I was primarily there to dog-sit Spike like usual, but every so often I'd slip off to check out the spare cords on the edge of the stage only to be called back over by Twilight.

Trying to hang myself is going to be impossible with Twilight watching me like a hawk. Maybe I'll go try to figure out how to work the equalizer, I thought dejectedly as I made my way to the sound board.

Everyone had been quietly doing their own thing ever since I rejected their hug earlier until Rainbow Dash took to the microphone to see if it worked.

"Check... 1... 2... Testing, testing," she said into the mic. I attempted to help by pushing one of the sliders to "Max". When Rainbow repeated once more, "Testing," it put off some awful feedback, thanks to me.

"This doesn't make any sense," Fluttershy said a little louder than her normal tone. "We were awful. Doesn't anyone else think it's strange that we're the ones that made it to the finals?"

"Very strange," came a familiar arrogant voice from the other side of the stage.

"What are you doing here, Trixie?" Rainbow Dash said. "Pretty sure the losers are supposed to be up there in the cheap seats."

"The great and powerful Trixie is the the most talented girl at Canterlot High. It is I who deserve to be in the finals." She ranted before snapping her fingers and finishing, "And I will not be denied."

Suddenly, the floor below us gave way sending everyone and their instruments falling down to the storage area under the stage. We all looked up to see Trixie laughing her ass off.

"See you never. Ha ha ha ha," she laughed.

***

After what seemed like the 100th time that Rainbow Dash tried knocking the door down, the fight the Sirens had been waiting for finally took place.

"I don't think the counter-spell would've worked, anyway," Twilight said sadly.

"Course it would've worked, Twilight," Applejack told Twilight before turning her attention to Rainbow Dash and continuing, "Assumin' a certain member didn't try ta hog th' spotlight th' entire time we were tryin' ta play it."

I just watched Twilight slowly back up with tears in her eyes as Rainbow Dash flung a few accusations toward her. Rarity then joined in the argument by sticking up for Twilight, but I think the damage had been done. I went over to comfort her as the other five continued to argue.

"Is... is this how things have... been while I've been in... in Equestria?" Twilight asked me as she cried into her hands.

"Pretty much," I said as I knelt down to console her. "It's gotten worse the last few days though."

Twilight didn't say anything else after that, she just pulled her knees up to her chest. I didn't know what to do or say so I just backed off to give Twilight her space and turned around to watch the argument behind me. It was then that I noticed a green aura rising off the girls and disappearing through the cracks in the ceiling. I heard the bass from the Sirens' song and that's when it finally hit me what was going on.

"Stop!" I yelled as loud as I could. "You have to stop! This is what they've been after all along. They're feeding off of the magic inside you!"

"How can they be using our magic?" Applejack asked, confused. "It's the Magic of Friendship."

I looked over my shoulder at Twilight to see a look of either confusion or annoyance, or a combination of the two, of her face. With her seemingly at a loss for words, I gave a speech of my own.

"Ever since you started this band, you've been letting little things get to you," I told them. "I never said anything because I didn't feel like it was my place. Not when I was still new to this whole 'friendship' thing. I still have a lot to learn but I do know that if you don't work out even the smallest problems right at the start, the Magic of Friendship can be turned into something else."

Twilight joined me by my side said, "I can't believe all this tension was happening under my nose and I didn't realize it. I'm supposed to be the one with all the answers and all I've done since I got here is let you down."

"I don't think anyone is supposed to have all the answers," I told Twilight with a weak smile. "But you can count on your friends to help you find them."

"I think you already have," Twilight said with a huge grin on her face. "Come on! We need to get out of here."

We all tried breaking the door down again, in a futile attempt. But seconds later Spike and Vinyl Scratch let us out. The six friends then got their gameplan together, that surprisingly didn't involve me. Why the fuck should it? I just brought everyone to an understanding of what was going on, so why not leave me out? Honestly...

***

Welcome to the show,
we're here to let you know.
Our time is now,
your time is running out.

As we stood at the top of the hill opposite of the amphitheater, Rainbow Dash asked a fair question, "How are we supposed to play over them from way up here?"

Before anyone could respond, we heard a car horn moments before Vinyl showed up with her car and with a push of a button it converted into a portable stage. Everyone got plugged in while the Sirens continued.

Feel the wave of sound,
as it crashes down.
You can't turn away,
We'll make you want to stay.

We will be adored,
tell us that you want us.
We won't be ignored,
it's time for our reward.

Now you need us,
come and heed us.
Nothing can stop us now!

Pinkie started up the Rainbooms' song as soon as the Sirens finished transforming and managed to get everyone's attention.

Oh, oh, oh, oh!
I've got the music in me.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

Don't need to hear a crowd
cheering out my name.
I didn't come here
seeking infamy or fame.

The one and only thing
that I am here to bring,
is the music, is the music,
is the music in my soul.

It was then that the girls managed to summon the magic to pony up.

Gonna break out! (Out!)
Set myself free, yeah!
Let it all go! (Go!)
Just let it be, yeah!

Find the music in your heart,
let the music make you start,
to set.. yourself.. apart!

I saw Adagio say something but because of the distance, I didn't make out what it was. The Sirens then took their turn.

What we have in store,
all we want and more.
We will break on through,
Now it's time to finish you!

I almost pissed myself when the Sirens revealed their true forms, three Equestrian Dragons. I had seen dragons before but they were a lot different from these. They caught everyone off guard to the point they stopped playing for a moment. After getting over the initial shock, the two groups went into a instrument versus voice battle which finally knocked the Rainbooms off their feet and sent Twilight's mic flying from her hand and landing at my feet.

What do I do? I thought. Do I leave the mic, give it back to Twilight or join them?

"Sunset Shimmer! We need you!" hollered Twilight, snapping me out of my train of thought.

Here goes nothing, I thought as I walked in front of the group and tossing my jacket on the ground.

I began singing as soon as Vinyl restarted the beat.

You're never gonna bring me down,
You're never gonna break this part of me.
My friends are gonna bring me 'round,
Not singing just for popularity.

We're here to let you know,
that we won't let it go.
Our music is a bomb,
and it's about to blow.

And you can try to fight,
but we have got the light
of friendship on our side.

Got the music in our hearts,
we're here to blow this thing apart.
And together... we will never
be afraid of the dark.

Just then, I felt a surge of magic build up from deep inside me and I began to glow and levitate as the girls continued to sing.

Is this really happening? I thought as my ears began to rise and change shape and a ponytail extended from my hair.

Got the music in our hearts,
we're here to blow this thing apart.
And together... we will never
be afraid of the dark.

Here to sing our song out loud,
get you dancing with the crowd.
As the music of our friendship
survives, survives, survives!

At the end of the song a unicorn appeared and fired a rainbow laser not only aimed at the dragon form but also human forms of the Sirens, destroying the sirens and the pendants that connected them to the Dazzlings.

After putting my jacket back on and making our way to the stage Rainbow Dash looked me square in the eyes and said, "You know... Twilight is going back to Equestria soon and the Rainbooms could use someone to help Fluttershy on back-up vocals."

I felt a huge smile cross my face as I grabbed a guitar that was sitting on stage and played some random riff on it. I think that was the first time that I've ever seen Rainbow Dash shut up.

"I also play guitar..." I smiled.

"We'll see..." she replied right before I was ambushed by all of them in a group hug.

They really do mean it this time, I thought happily.

***

I spent most of the day Sunday talking to Twilight about which element of friendship I represented. She told me that the only thing she could find that might explain my Pony Up was the rare, seventh element of harmony that only exists in this world, Empathy. As I tried to digest this, Twilight sent me a another message:

The element of Empathy can only be used by a human with a troubled past and due to it's strength, it can fill the void of the element of Magic, if necessary.

My jaw almost hit the floor when I read that. I knew the other girls were not going to believe this unless I showed them the message. And speaking of messages, while I was talking to Twilight my phone went off with this text:

BRING YOUR PJ'S AND GUITAR!

Sleepover at Sweet Apple Acres
Sat. March 22, 6:00pm
Fun, games, and Pony Ups guaranteed

See you there, Sunset!

-PP

A lone tear of joy rolled down my cheek. I finally belong somewhere...

Author's Note

A few notes:
-I know it's a rather anti-climatic ending than usual but it's needed for where the series is going.
-I color-coded the lyrics for who was singing what to avoid confusion; Sirens, Rainbooms and Sunset Shimmer.
-There is going to be one more chapter to tie this to the sequel, which will be told from SciTwi's POV (the sequel, not the final chapter).
-Stay tuned for the (possibly thrilling, no promises) conclusion to the story.

Time For A Familiar Face

I walked into the Sweet Shoppe for our weekly girls day out late as usual.

"SURPRISE!" yelled all my friends. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

As crazy as everything has been lately, between working extra hard to prepare for the Friendship Games, and band practice, I had completely forgotten my own birthday. I was glad that someone remembered for me.

"We got you lotsa presents and surprises and cake and more surprises and lots and lots of fun and..." Pinkie rambled before Applejack cut her off.

"Easy thar, Pinkie. We don't need y'all burnin' yerself out b'fore the party gets goin'."

"I can't believe you all remembered my birthday," I said with a warm smile on my face. "I guess me always being late to girls day worked out for decorating the place."

"How have you been?" I heard behind me.

"Twilight?" I asked teary eyed as I turned around. "How did you know it was my birthday? You've been in Equestria and I never told you about it during our chats."

"Well let's just say that I'm not the only interdimensional traveler here," she said as she winked at Pinkie Pie.

"Wait! What?" I asked with a confused look on my face.

"Oh yeah. That was really fun. It was all swirly and rainbowy and sparkly and then I was a pony and was lost in this huge castle and then..." Pinkie began rambling again before she was interrupted again.

"You went to the castle and didn't tell me you were going, Pinkie?" Rarity gasped in shock.

"Yeah, sorry but anyways, there I was wandering around naked until I saw a pink pony that was bouncing and had a mane that looked like my hair and she said, 'Oooo, you must be Pinkie Pie because you look like me and my names Pinkie Pie and you must be here to talk to Twilight because you don't have a book to talk to her so you had to come through the mirror to talk to her' and I was like mmmph..." Pinkie continued until Applejack covered her mouth.

My head was spinning from Pinkie talking in circles for the last five minutes. I sat down to recover only to get have a party hat strapped to my head.

"Before we get too far into the party I want to see your arms," Twilight whispered in my ear.

"Why? I'm doing great," I replied somewhat offended.

"I'm just checking on one of my best friends," Twilight said quietly.

"Okay but not out here," I said. "I'll show you in the restroom in a little bit."

"No Secrets!" Pinkie yelled as she appeared upside-down in between the two of us, knocking me out of my chair onto my head.

"Whoa, you okay, Sunset?" Rainbow Dash asked as she helped back to my feet.

"Yeah, I'm still not used to Pinkie Pie materializing out of thin air," I chuckled as I rubbed the back of my head.

I made my way back to my seat and adjusted the hat. Everyone brought the presents they got for me over to the table. Each one was wrapped in paper with their cutie marks on them.

I started with Pinkie's since it was the smallest. I tore open the paper and found a coupon book with one hundred coupons for free stuff at the Sweet Shoppe.

Fluttershy's was next. A medium sized box that contained seven plush ponies, custom made to look like the Equestrian forms of everybody.

Applejack handed me a box that had a hand sewn quilt, made by her and Applebloom. It had a rainbow pattern with my cutie mark in the center and everyone else's surrounding it.

My eyes began to tear up as I unwrapped Twilight's gift. There was two framed pictures, one of my parents and one of the seven of us after the Battle of the Bands. I sat there and slowly ran my fingers over the photo of my parents. I really missed them.

After wiping the tears from my face, I opened Rarity's gift. I knew it was some kind of clothing just by the shape of the box. I took off the top of the box and reached under the tissue paper inside to feel leather. I pulled the fabric out to reveal a brand new black leather jacket with orange chevrons on the sleeves.

Finally, I unwrapped Rainbow Dash's gift, a box that held a custom painted motorcycle helmet. It was beautiful but I didn't have use for it so I thanked her and we moved on to the cake and ice cream, a tradition that I still don't understand.

I had one of the best times of my life that afternoon. The best part was when we all piled in the bed of Applejack's beat up farm truck to take me home. The wind blowing through my hair felt awesome. We got to my apartment and I noticed a bright red and gold metallic painted motorcycle with a rainbow colored bow on it.

"Remember that fundraiser we did a few weeks ago?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah, why?" I replied.

"This is what it was for," Rainbow Dash said smiling.

I was stunned. I had a mode of transportation finally and more especially my friends bought it for me. Now I had learn to drive it.

"Thank you everyone. I don't know what to say," I said excitedly. "I guess now I'm going to need motorcycle lessons."

"Perfect!" Rainbow Dash said. "I'll be over tomorrow after school."

***

I stormed into my apartment pissed to the gills. I went to take my driver's test, waited almost three hours for an evaluator only to be told that the evaluator for motorcycle licenses had the day off. Fucking DMV.

I have a brand new, custom painted GSX-R1000 in the fucking parking lot and I can't get a plate for it until I have my license. I needed someone, no, somepony to vent to. So I grabbed a Monster from the fridge and my journal from the bookshelf and sat down to vent to Princess Twilight. However, before I could open either the book or the Monster, I received the following text:

To: Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Sunset

Friendship 911. Meet in front of CHS. ASAP.

-Rainbow

"Are you kidding me? She better have an explanation for needing us after standing me up this morning," I fumed.

So I put the journal in my backpack, grabbed my jacket and headed out the door toward CHS at a steady jog.

***

I was a lot calmer when I got to the school having run my anger off. I saw Applejack was already talking with Rainbow Dash about something as Rarity and Fluttershy were jogging up to the school just ahead. Where Pinkie Pie was, I had no idea.

As I caught my breath I called out, "I got your text Rainbow Dash. Did something come through the portal? Is Equestrian magic on the loose? Did Twilight come back with a problem only we can solve?"

"Has a giant cake monster covered all the cakes in the world in cake?" Pinkie asked as she appeared with two cupcakes in her hands.

"Um, not exactly," Rainbow replied hesitantly.

"Uh, I don't understand," I said slowly.

A guitar string? Seriously? I thought as everyone, even Fluttershy, voiced their displeasures.

Rainbow's ego began to show through the cracks as she explained why she needed a guitar string.

After a chorus of groans from the five of us, I gave Rainbow Dash my last spare string. The rest of the girls went inside as I sat down to write a letter to Twilight.

What the...? I thought as I looked up from my journal. Feeling the statue was someone with purple skin, wearing blue jeans and a blueish-green hoodie with the hood up, and holding some kind of device. Is that...? Can't be...

I tried chasing after the girl but after I got blocked by a passing car, she managed to escape on the bus headed to the city.

"Who was that?" I wondered aloud.

***

We all gathered backstage after Rainbow Dash's semi-motivational speech during the pep rally. After Fluttershy and Rarity got their school pride sentiments out of the way, Applejack brought a serious point to the table.

"Is anybody else wondering how Dash ponied up without playing her guitar?"

"I know, right?" Rainbow said with a cheesy grin on her face. "It's probably because I'm so awesome!"

I rolled my eyes as I responded to her in an irritated tone, "Maybe. I mean, you are awesome. But there's gotta be more to it than that, right? It just seems so random."

"Well, it would nice if you girls could get a handle on it. We'd like to keep magic as far away from the Friendship Games as possible. We don't want to be accused of cheating. The Friendship Games are serious business. We don't want any surprises, especially the kind that could cause us to forfeit," Vice-Principal Luna sternly told us before focusing directly on me. "Sunset Shimmer, you came here from a world of magic. Perhaps you can get to the bottom of our magical development."

"I'll do my best," I said somewhat confident. Great! Now the whole competition rides on if I can solve this magic riddle. Ugh. Maybe I should've went back to Equestria.

The other five girls were speculating on what the events were going to be while had immediately began racking my brain for ideas.

"I'd really want to help, but I think I better go focus on figuring out why Rainbow Dash ponied up," I said nervously. "See you later."

***

A few hours later we took a short break from band practice to have a mini-meeting about the Friendship Games.

"We're supposed to keep magic out of the Friendship Games, remember?" I told Rainbow Dash after she commented about having a musical event.

"Easier said than done, darling," Rarity said. "I'm sure in Equestria magic does whatever you want, but..."

"...This isn't Equestria," I sighed.

Applejack tried cheering me up with a pat on the shoulder and a vote of confidence right before at least a dozen clothing racks appeared from nowhere.

"You really didn't have to do that," Dash said uneasily.

"I know," Rarity smiled.

"No. You really didn't have to do," Applejack retorted.

"I KNOW!" Rarity beamed.

"Uh, Rarity, these outfits are great, but why would ya put so much time an' effort into clothes we might not even wear? Yer gonna exhaust yerself b'fore the games even start," Applejack warned.

"Oh, pffft, don't be silly, darling," Rarity said excitedly. "Putting effort into clothes is what I live for. And spending time with my friends fills me with energy!"

"And magic too, I guess," I sighed disappointedly as we watched Rarity pony up.

After floating for about a minute, Rarity suddenly had a tired look on her face before suddenly powering down and collapsing into Applejack's arms. Then we got the surprise of our lives as the door opened.

"Twilight?" we all said in unison.

"Uh...yes?" she replied.

While I was happy to see her, I could tell there was something off. She didn't seem to have anything magical about her. My suspicions were confirmed moments later when Rarity asked about her uniform. This wasn't the Princess of Friendship.

Author's Note

I got the idea of Pinkie traveling through the portal from the end of the Friendship Games blooper reel.

GSX-R1000 is made by Suzuki Motorcycles

Click here for the next part in the series.