Paying it Forward

“So I’m not the only one worried about this, right?” asked Rainbow Dash as the Rainbooms sat around their usual haunt at Sugarcube Corner. The quintet of teenagers had received a text yesterday from Sunset Shimmer, saying that she had successfully found one of the Sirens, and was now caring for the Equestrian.

Needless to say they were less than optimistic about the current situation, and had all informed Sunset of just that. However she managed to convince them to at least allow her to bring Sonata to their meetup, insisting the Siren was in need of some friends.

“Ah reckon we all’r a mite bit on edge, Dash.” Applejack responded, shifting around the stetson on top of her head. “But it would be mighty rude if’n we didn’t at least try.”

“Just imagine the response from the Princess!” everyone around the table rolled their eyes as Rarity brought a marshmallow coloured hand up to rest against her head. “Why, I would never forgive myself if we disappointed poor Twilight!”

“After all she’s done for us…” ever the soft spoken, Fluttershy had to repeat herself when no one heard her soft tone. “Saving the school twice…”

“And maybe even the world! Can you imagine what the Sirens would have done if they got our magic!?” Pinkie was somehow simultaneously yelling at the top of her excitable lungs and gulping down her Pinkie-Sized milkshake, ignoring the warning looks from the other occupants of the cafe. “Or what Sunset would have done if Twilight hadn’t saved us? Er, no offense.”

“None taken…” Sunset gave a tired roll of her eyes as she entered the cafe, the chime above the door making its melodic tune as Sunset paused to hold the door open, looking back at her trailing guest.

“Come on, Sonata. No need to worry.” Sunset smiled warmly as she watched the Siren look around uneasily before slowly starting to make her way into the cafe. Sunset could feel the eyes of the other patrons who happened to be Wondercolts widen in fear as they watched Sonata enter, causing Sunset to spin on her heel and address them all. “Oh, relax, would ya? She’s here with me.”

“Sunset…” Sonata shuffled close, gingerly grabbing onto the hem of Sunset’s sleeve.

“Ignore them, Sonata. Come with me, we should properly introduce you to the other girls.” Sunset motioned towards the table with the other Rainbooms with a nod of her head, earning a reserved nod of Sonata’s own. The pair made their way through the few feet that separated the door from the usual spot the Rainbooms crowded in a quick pace, coming to pause before her five closest friends, a hopeful smile on her face.

“Girls, Sonata Dusk.” Sunset nodded as she motioned between her friends and her house guest. “Sonata, the Rainbooms.”

The air was pregnant with how heavy the pause was.

“Now I know none of us got off on the right foot, what with the Battle of the Bands and all, but keep in mind that the six of us didn’t start off on the greatest of terms either.” Sunset gave a nervous chuckle as she tried to break the immensely deep ice. “And I was the biggest bully at CHS for three years before I tried to take everyone over with magic, so I hope the five of you would be willing to give Sonata here the benefit of the doubt.”

“Well Ah guess if’n ya got tha support o’ Sunset, then we should at least meet ya halfway.” Applejack said, nodding her head as she looked at the Siren. The rest of the Rainbooms gave small nods of their own, marking short sounds of agreement.

“Alright!” Sunset clapped her hands, a warm, hope filled smile on her face as she turned to look back at Sonata, the Equestrian still the epitome of unease as she shifted around. “Come on, Sonata! Let’s go get some drinks and we’ll join the girls for a bit before we do our running around.”

“Running around?” Sonata asked quietly in confusion as she was shepherded away by the smiling Sunset. “What running around?”

“I promised you that if you feel uncomfortable or that the receptions from the Rainbooms were cool, that we would leave, remember?” Sunset’s smile shifted slightly, a knowing look in her eyes as she glanced over at Sonata. “Well you are incredibly uncomfortable, not that I blame you- I mean, things were incredibly awkward between the girls and me at first. It didn’t really turn around until after the Battle of the Bands if I’m being totally honest.”

“Hello, Sunset…” the pair paused as they reached the counter, the unsure voice of Mrs. Cake floating towards them as they shifted to look at her. “What can I get you and your… guest?”

“Were just stopping by today, Mrs. Cake,” replied the red and yellow haired girl, her smile twitching at the corners as she felt Sonata shift behind her. “so nothing too fancy for the two of us. What would you think of some hot chocolate, Sonata?”

“...O-Okay…” the girl muttered softly as she clung onto her host.

“...Two hot chocolates, Mrs. Cake. To go.” Sunset responded flatly after a low sigh, before turning fully towards Sonata, resting her hands on the Siren’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, Sonata. I’d hoped it would have gone better than this… At least you should enjoy the hot chocolate…”

~

“I still don’t trust her…” Rainbow Dash grumbled once Sunset and Sonata were a fair distance away from the seated girls. “She’s totally mind controlling Sunset or something! I know it!”

“You forget that we were immune to their dreadful magic, Rainbow.” Rarity responded, shifting her legs around as she set down her tea cup. “You remember what the Principals were like, I hope? Glassy eyes? Well that’s definitely not Sunset.”

“And she has been trying to find them ever since the Battle of the Bands…” Fluttershy added meekly, hiding behind her long mane of hair.

“Ah wonder what tha Princess thinks o’ all o’ this?” Applejack stroked her chin delicately with her well calloused fingers.

“Oh! We should totally go through the portal and ask her ourselves!” Pinkie shot up in excitement, a smile on her face that would look maniacal if it were anyone else.

“Maybe we all should try’n be polite, first.” Applejack commented as she watched the pair of Equestrians start heading back towards them. “Dash? Make up for yer earlier starin’ and go’n fetch Sonata a chair.”

“What? Why do I have to get her a chair!?” Rainbow said louder than she should have, a few nearby heads turning to stare at her.

“You were giving her a rather… unfriendly look, darling.” Rarity responded, giving a small wave towards the approaching pair.

“Gah- Fine!” Rainbow grumbled as she stood up and clomped over to another table, grabbing another chair and depositing it beside the other empty chair at the table, just in time for Sunset and Sonata to arrive.

“Thanks, Dash.” Sunset’s smile seemed more forced as she helped Sonata to her seat, the teen taking her own afterwards. “We aren’t gonna be here too too long. Sonata needs a few things and we need to grab a bus to the mall.”

“So, er… Are you ready for the history exam on Monday, Sunset?” Rarity asked, trying her best to keep a warm smile on her face.

“Yeah, at least as much as I care.” Sunset gave an emotionless chuckle as she sipped at her steaming beverage. “Columbus was the first to discover the New World in-”

“No he wasn’t…”

“Hm? What was that Sonata?” Sunset turned to look at the Siren who had just quietly mumbled.

“Columbus wasn’t the first to discover this continent…” Sonata said from behind her mug of hot chocolate. “Amerigo was…”

“But the books say-” Rainbow started, only to have Sunset cut her off with a sly look.

“Remember that history is written for the winners, by the winners.” Sunset smirked, before turning back to Sonata. “And is that so?”

“You believe her?” Pinkie piped up, a confused look on her face.

“Why would she lie?” Sunset’s brow furrowed as she gave a bemused smile to the pink girl. “Besides, she lived through it.”

“Oh? Ah didn’t know that.” Applejack said with a small trace of amazement. “How long have ya been around?”

“U-Umm… Well… A long time?” Sonata gave an uneasy smile as she moved around a little in her seat. “We were around a while before Roam was founded…”

“So, like, two thousand years?” Rainbow asked incredulously, a stern look from every other Rainboom warning her not to continue.

“I guess so…” Sonata took another sip of her hot chocolate.

“We should get going.” Sunset said after a few moments of silence. “We don’t want to miss the bus.”

“Oh, okay then.” Rarity gave a sad smile as she watched the duo stand up, one after the other. “Um, maybe we can talk later tonight then?”

“Probably.” Sunset gave a forced half smile before waving and starting to depart. “See you all at school.”

“...You don’t think she’s going to bring her to school, do you?” Rainbow asked after the two had exited the cafe.

“After what you just put her through, Dash?” Applejack grumbled, crossing her arms as she glared at the athlete.

“What did I do?” Rainbow asked in annoyed shock, her arms waving out. “If it turns out that this is just some kind of ploy from the Sirens, you four are gonna be thanking me for saving your asses!”

“She looked like she didn’t want to be here.” Fluttershy said with surprising volume.

“She looked really sad- like really really really sad.” Pinkie added onto the shy girl’s comment.

“Well, duh!” Rainbow rolled her eyes as she listened to her friends talk. “We beat the three of them- in case you all forgot!”

“This felt… different.” Fluttershy’s voice held an edge of concern as the other four turned to regard her.

“She was incredibly on edge, though I do believe that was because of Rainbow’s constant glaring.” nodded Rarity as she glanced over towards the sky blue athlete.

“As uneasy as tha situation be, Ah think we all should be as supportive as we all can about this.” Applejack said, interrupting Rainbow before she had a chance to speak. “Maybe it’ll end up just like it did with Sunset?”

“We could throw a party for her after school on Friday?” Pinkie seemed torn between her usual excitedness about parties and wondering if it was the right idea as she sat up and sat down multiple times.

“It looked to me like she was wearing some of Sunset’s clothes.” Rarity tapped at her chin, a slight smile starting to spread across her face. “Sunset keeps turning down my offers to make her some new clothes, but maybe Sonata would be more open to it?”

“This is all stupid if you ask me.” Rainbow Dash grumbled once again as she kicked her legs up onto the table. “Look, can we change the subject?”

~

“You don’t have to keep apologizing, Sunset.” Sonata’s facsimile of a smile was cold and empty as she followed beside Sunset. The pair had been walking back towards the apartment, and just turned the last corner.

“I will until I feel better.” the fiery haired girl responded passionately. “It’s my fault for pushing you so hard to go when you kept making it known that you didn’t want to.”

“You’re only trying to do what you think is best…”

“And look what came of it? Rainbow kept glaring at you, Fluttershy cowered, the rest were barely welcoming!” Sunset’s arms flew into the air in exasperation. “It’s been weeks since the event and they just won’t let it go.”

“I think you’re the only exception here, Sunset.” Sonata’s eyes remained glued on the lid of her hot chocolate as the pair paused in front of their apartment building. “Don’t worry, I know why they feel that way. I can’t blame them…”

“Haaa… Alright…” Sunset sighed heavily as she opened the door, the pair shuffling inside and up the stairs. “I have head to school tomorrow, so I’ll be gone most of the day, but I’ll be sure to rush home as soon as possible, okay? Feel free to make yourself at home while I’m away.”

“Okay…” Sonata muttered quietly as the pair entered Sunset’s apartment.

~

Sunset gave a small sigh as she flopped down onto her sofa, depositing her journal linked to Equestria onto her lap. Sonata was up in her bed, the Siren having asked if she were allowed to take a nap, to which Sunset burst out into giggles and informed her guest that she didn’t have to ask for such a thing.

She reached down and slowly flipped the gently pulsing book towards the page that she and Twilight have left off on, a new response awaiting the former unicorn.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

I do hope that things are continuing to go well with you and Sonata. I think Celestia would be incredibly proud of you if she heard that you were trying to help introduce the Magic of Friendship to a Siren, let alone how proud I am to see how much you have embraced it yourself! You have changed so much since the Fall Formal!

I am understanding as to why you had to use my name with the girls in regards to the situation, but I dearly hope that the meeting goes well. Be careful not to judge Rainbow Dash too harshly. She is incredibly loyal, her Element, but does not properly understand how to raise the curtain, as it were.

I am glad to hear that things are improving with you at Canterlot High School! I hope that soon enough everyponyone will have forgiven you. There is no need for anyone to hold onto anger.

Though I do hope that one day you will forgive yourself, Sunset. I have, I am certain that Celestia has, so you should have no worries about returning to Equestria. But I do agree that you should focus on your protégé! Maybe you can help introduce the other Sirens to the Magic of Friendship?

Anyways, I was wanting to inform you that I have some time free six days, and I was wondering if you would as well? I was hoping to come visit you, and maybe talk with Sonata. Please let me know as soon as you can!

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle~*

Sunset’s face lit up at the thought of her best friend visiting her, on a Saturday no less! She could show Princess Twilight all around the city, and she would undoubtedly need food at some point, so a stop to the taco shop with Sonata would be an easy way to get them together! She grinned uncontrollably as she quietly dashed over to the kitchen and rummaged for a pen before returning to the sofa and started writing her own response.

Dear Princess Twilight,

I would be more than happy to have you visit on Saturday! I can show you around this world’s Canterlot even! We could even bring Sonata! Wait… that sounds a little bad, doesn’t it? You know what I mean though, right?

I think it would help her immensely to have a second friend, especially given how cool the reception from the other girls was. Rainbow never stopped glaring at her! At least Rarity and Applejack tried to be friendly… Even Mrs. Cake was cold regarding Sonata!

Anyways, I know you and the others have forgiven me for my past actions, but it’s not that easy for me. This wasn’t a one time deal. I was the Queen Bitch of the school for three years, Twilight. I blackmailed, bullied, and berated each and every student over my time here, and I still have to make amends in my opinion. Until then, I don’t think I can face MPrincess Celestia. I’m sorry, Twilight.

Aside from that, I am going to be busy this week with classes. I have so many tests and exams next week, and we have barely started the school year! At least classes here are easier than back home, I guess? I’m in “Advanced” classes, but they aren’t exactly challenging, you know?

I’ll keep in touch as the week goes!

Your friend,

Sunset Shimmer~*