Chapter 6: check-up

Applejack and the rest of the rainbooms were walking down the street to Sunset’s house. The past three days had been marvelous. There were absolutely no magical outbursts. On top of that, Sunset was behaving even nicer than before. A lot nicer.

Two days ago, AJ had received a call from vice principal Luna, who explained that she wanted to check on Sunset sometime in the future, to see if her problem had been solved. She said she would have told Sunset herself, but Sunset wasn’t answering her phone or texts. After reassuring Luna that Sunset was okay, Applejack agreed to have herself and the Rainbooms inform Sunset of the upcoming visit and to prepare.

Now here they were, going to Sunset’s house, after finally having time in their days to due so, to tell Sunset that vice principal Luna will be coming to see her. They also wanted to see Sunset anyways, as they were also curious as to why Sunset wasn’t answering her phone, or texts.

When they got to Sunset’s house, they stopped at the front porch. Without warning, Pinkie Pie dashed forward and pounded on the door loudly. “SUNSET SHIMMER!!! IT’S YOUR FRIENDS!!!!” she cried, grinning wildly.

Applejack quickly put her hand over Pinkie’s mouth. “Pinkie, it’s nine in the mornin’! Do ya wanna wake up the entire street!” she said, only raising her voice enough to ensure she was taken seriously.

AJ took her hand away from Pinkie’s mouth. Pinkie blushed a bit. “Heh. Sorry Applejack.” she said, her voice going back to normal volume.

AJ smiled. “Ah forgive ya. Just don’t go yellin’ out to the world okay?”

Pinkie nodded.

Applejack walked up and knocked on Sunset’s door three times. “Sunset?” she called. “Are ya home?”

“Well that’s rude. We come over to Sunset’s to visit and she’s not home.” rarity commented upon receiving no answer from the door, her hands on her hips and a disappointed expression on her face.

“Hold on now.” AJ said as she arched an eyebrow at rarity. “Like ah said to Pinkie, it’s nine in the morning. Sunset could be asleep or just wakin’ up.”

Rarity pursed her lips. “I suppose so.”

Applejack nodded. “Just wait a minute.”

Just then, Applejack thought she heard something. “Huh?” She said. She looked up and heard the noise again. It was coming from inside the house. “Sunset?” she called again and knocked on the door, this time out of concern.

After receiving no answer again. Applejack decided she wanted to see what was going on. She tried turning the doorknob. Seeing that the door was unlocked, AJ turned the doorknob and opened the door.

“Come on ya’ll.” Applejack beckoned and everybody followed her in.

“Sunset?!” AJ called again, before hearing the noise again. It was louder this time, and it sounded like it was coming from upstairs.

“Sunset?!” she called again as she began to follow the noise upstairs, everybody else, following close behind.

The noise was getting louder, the further they all went upstairs. It now sounded like bangs.

“What do you think it is?” Pinkie piped up.

Applejack shrugged her shoulders. “Ah don’t know.”

“I hope Sunset is okay.” Fluttershy squeaked.

AJ looked at her with a reassuring smile. “Ah’m sure she’s fine.”

With one final step, they reached Sunset’s bedroom door. The noise was very loud now, and Applejack was sure she heard someone giggling crazily.

Reluctantly, Applejack knocked on the door. “Sunset? Are ya in there?!” she called. She didn’t even have to wait a second before she got a response.

“DIE APPLEJACK YOU BITCH!!! DIE!!! HAHAHA!!! WOOOOOO!”

Applejack jumped back in shock, hurt and anger at hearing those words coming out of what had to be Sunset’s mouth; and clearly directed at AJ, no less. But then her emotion changed to confusion when a very loud explosion sound ripped through the air, scaring Fluttershy and making almost her fall down the stairs. Fortunately, Rainbow Dash caught her before she fell.

Applejack recovered from the shock and moved back to the door. She banged on it very hard this time. “Sunset! What the hell are ya doing in there?!” she called out loudly, with no small amount of anger. AJ may have been curious as to what made Sunset call her that, but being referred to as a bitch still stung. A lot.

As soon as Applejack had finished calling out, the banging noises from inside the room immediately stopped, then started again, but this time they were much more varied. What was also curious to Applejack was the series of small not-so-whispered “fuck fuck fuck” coming from in the room.

Just then, the doorknob twisted and the door opened, but only slightly. Sunset’s head poked out, just her head. There was a massive blush on her cheeks, her hair appeared disheveled, and her eyes were frantic in nature.

Sunset looked at Applejack, who had an unhappy expression on her face and giggled. “Hehe...uuhhhhh...give me sec.” Sunset said in an overly sweet voice, before closing the door.

The noises resumed again, but this time they sounded like clothes ruffling around. There was a large bump sound and AJ heard Sunset squeal “Fuck! That hurt!” before the ruffling noises started again.

After about five minutes of the Rainbooms somewhat patiently waiting outside Sunset’s room, the door finally opened.

Sunset stood at the door way with a broad smile on her face and her arms spread out in a surprised gesture. “FRIENDS!” she shouted. “What a pleasant surprise!”

Applejack didn’t respond. Instead, she put her hands in her hips, pursed her lips, and rose an eyebrow.

Sunset noticed this. Her eyes immediately lower in slight guilt. “S-sorry you had to hear that.”

Applejack bow her head and sighed. “Just let us in. We need to talk to ya.”

Sunset nodded. “Oh yeah. Of course.” she said as she opened her bedroom door her friends to come in.

Applejack and the rest of the rainbooms walked into Sunset’s room and Applejack gasped. The room looked like it had been hit by a tornado. Clothes were everywhere. The bed sheets clearly hadn’t been made in a while. There wasn’t any garbage on the floor though.

They all made their way across the room looking at everything with interest. Applejack sat on the mess that was Sunset’s bed and Sunset sat as well. Everyone else sat on the floor.

No one was really sure how to start the conversation so Sunset decided to make the first move. “So…” she started. “What are you guys doing here?”

Applejack answered. “We wanted to check on ya. You weren’t answering any of our calls.”

Sunset looked down for a moment and put her hand on her neck. “Yeah. Sorry about that. Guess I got too wrapped up in the game to notice.”

Applejack stood up. “Yeah.” she went over to the game console and picked up a controller, almost like she was inspecting it for damage.

While she was doing this, AJ spoke up. “Ah gotta ask ya Sunset.”

“Mm?” Sunset said in response.

“Did you seriously play this game non-stop, every time you came home?” AJ asked with an almost disbelieving tone.

Sunset giggled awkwardly and looked down. "Y-Yeah." she simply said.

AJ pursed her lips. "Wow." she said quietly. she put the controller back down on the floor and looked back up at Sunset. "Well..." she started. "Ah can't say ya aren't enthusiastic. And Ah can't say it hasn't helped ya," AJ sat down on the bed next to Sunset again. "but have ya ever considered tonin' it down a bit?"

Sunset arched an eyebrow. "Why would I want to do that? You said it yourself; it's helping me."

"It's called video game addiction Sunset." Applejack replied. "When ya play to much video games, eventually, ya get to a point where couldn't stop, even if ya wanted to." AJ looked at Sunset with a concerned face. "Video games are a good venting tool when used in moderation, but too much, and you'll find your life destroyed."

Sunset's eyes went wide in slight shock. "Oh...well I guess toning it down just a little bit wouldn't hurt." she finally said.

Applejack smiled. "Glad to hear it Sunset."

Rainbow Dash, eager to get a move on with the real reason for being there, coughed. "Applejack, remember to other reason we came to see Sunset?"

"Huh?" Applejack thought for a moment before snapping her fingers. "Oh that's right, ah forgot." she looked to Sunset. "Sunset, vice principal Luna called me recently because she couldn't get a hold of you. She said she wanted to check on ya, to see if you're okay comin' back to school. Said something about it bein' wrong to keep you out of school, but wanted to ensure the safety of all the students."

Sunset nodded her head in understanding. "Do you know when she's coming?" she asked AJ.

"She said she would come by sometime within the week," AJ started, "and that was three days ago, so," she thought for a second, "she should be any day now."

Just then, there was a knock at the front door downstairs.

Applejack and Sunset both looked in the direction of the knock. "That could be her." said AJ.

Sunset looked back to Applejack for a moment before getting and heading downstairs, her friends following behind.

Sunset got downstairs and immediately approached the door. she looked through the spy glass on the door to see who it was and found that Applejack was right; it was vice principal Luna. she was standing on the front porch, waiting patiently for the door to be opened.

Sunset turned the door knob and opened the door. Luna smiled and Sunset smiled back. "Hello Sunset." Luna greeted.

"Hello vice principal Luna." Sunset greeted back.

Luna gestured inside the house. "may I come in?" she asked politely.

Sunset nodded her head. "Of course." she said as she moved out the way, for Luna to enter.

Just inside the house was the living room. it was plain, moderately furnished; it was clear Sunset didn't want to be overly fashionable, but liked to be comfortable. There was a couch backed up against the wall with a chair in the same style next to it, probably used for reading in comfort.

In front of the couch was a coffee table, made of a light colored wood, smooth to the touch. In front of that, at the other end of the living room, was a TV. Medium sized, flat-screen, not too expensive, but not cheap either.

Luna walked in and Sunset followed close behind. Luna gestured over to the couch. "May I sit down?" she asked, not wanted to impose.

Sunset nodded. "Yeah." she said.

They both sat down on either side and got comfortable. Luna looked to Sunset's friends. "You guys should sit down as well. this conversation may take a few minutes." she said.

Rarity moved to sit on the chair but Pinkie Pie beat her to it, so she huffed and just remained standing by the kitchen entrance. Applejack opted to stay standing. Rainbow and Twilight stood as well. Fluttershy went and grabbed a chair from the dining room beside the kitchen, and placed it in the middle of the room, left of the bottom of the stairs, where AJ, Rainbow and Twilight stood.

Luna wasn't lying when she said the conversation might take a few minutes. it was a good half-hour before the conversation ended. it took a little longer then expected because Sunset had revealed to Applejack that she had found a hack for Grand Theft Auto 7 that allowed the changing of NPC skins. Sunset had changed the skins to be exact replicas of all of Sunset's friends and that being the reason why she called Applejack a bitch; she was talking to the game, and not her. After an awkward moment, Applejack forgave Sunset and they continued the conversation.

"So," Luna started, "Do you think that you'll be able to go to school now? With this new venting strategy I mean." she asked.

Sunset nodded her head. "Yes. I'm fairly certain this will solve the problems I've been having."

Luna smiled at this. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm sorry to have had keep you out of school, but me and my sister had to ensure that the students were safe. I hope you understand." she said, sympathetically.

Sunset nodded her head. "You have no reason to be sorry vice principal Luna. I completely understand." she said reassuringly.

Luna let out a breath. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."

Sunset smiled. "You're welcome."

Once the sort of tender moment had passed, Luna moistened her lips. "So, I guess that's it then."

Sunset nodded. "Uhuh." she said as she and Luna stood up. "So, when do you want me to come back to school?" she asked.

"The upcoming Monday would be best." she replied. "There's a lot of paperwork to be done about you and what has transpired, and I'd like to get it done before you come back. Don't want any complications when you come back. Okay?" Luna finished as she approached the door.

Sunset nodded. "Okay. I'll see you then." she said.

Luna nodded back. "Alright." she said as she turned the door knob and opened the door, revealing the sunny outside. Luna gave a small wave goodbye. "Bye Sunset."

Sunset waved back. "Bye."

And with that, the door closed, leaving everyone in silence.

"Ah guess that would be all our cues to leave," Applejack started, "but before we all leave, ah got one question for ya Sunset."

Sunset shrugged. "shoot." she said.

Applejack looked right at Sunset. "Where, the absolute hell, did you get an NPC skin change hack?" she asked in a serious tone.

Sunset, wondering where Applejack was going with this, answered, "The internet."

"Oh." Applejack replied, nodding her head in thought.

Sunset cocked her head to the side. "Why do you ask?"

Applejack looked at Sunset again. "Because Granny Smith has done a lot of things over the last few days that have really pissed me off." she answered matter-of-factually.

Sunset arched an eyebrow and smirked, almost laughing. "Really?" she asked.

Applejack answered immediately. "Yup. Ah wanna blow her up."

That got silence from everybody. After about three seconds, Sunset couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing. For some reason, she found Applejack's admission really funny.

"Well, at least she's honest with herself." Rarity said quietly to herself as Sunset continued to laugh.

After a few seconds, Sunset calmed down and wiped away a tear that had gathered from laughing so hard. "Alright AJ." she said as she took out her phone. "I know this site on the internet that has the information for a bunch of really good hacks for GTA 7." Sunset typed something on her phone. "I'll send you the link now."

Applejack took out her phone and found the link to the site. She smiled at Sunset and gave her a thumbs-up. "Alright, ah got it. Thanks Sunset."

Sunset just waved nonchalantly. "No problem."

After that, the rest of the Rainbooms began to file out of the house, each one saying goodbye, except for Pinkie Pie, who gave Sunset a chokingly tight hug.

Applejack was the last one to leave. She turned to Sunset to give her her goodbyes. "Bye Sunset, ah'll see ya at school on Monday."

Sunset smiled and waved back. "Bye. good luck blowing up grandma." she said, giggling a little bit as she did so.

Applejack giggled a bit to. "Thanks. see ya." she said.

Applejack closed the door with a thud, leaving Sunset in silence. She let out a breath and went into the kitchen, wanting to make a PB and J sandwich for breakfast.

After a few minutes, Sunset came back into the living room, sandwich on-plate and in-hand, and set it down on the coffee table. Sunset decided to put on the TV. After flipping through the channels, she settled on some cartoons and started eating her breakfast.

While she was eating, Sunset's thoughts drifted to when she punched Trixie. A pang of guilt surged through her. She thought about what the cop said to her and she began to worry. What if Trixie decided to press charges? Sunset didn't want to end up in jail, even though she knew that she probably deserved it. How would she ever talk to her friends again? Even worse, what will happen if some magical disaster happens? Sunset wouldn't be of much help if she was in jail.

Sunset took in a shuddering breath. 'Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.' she thought finally. she took another bite of her sandwich, stomping down those thoughts for now. Sunset just continued eating, and hoped Trixie will have a bit of mercy.

Author's Note

Hello everypony! That's the end of chapter 6! Wow, things are starting to move along aren't they? As always, like or comment if you enjoyed. I've edited the story as best as I could, but if you, as the reader, find any other mistakes I might have missed, feel completely free to inform me of them in the comments. I'm always looking for ways to improve!

Anyway...That's all I have to say for now! See you guys next update! BYEEE!!!