CHANGELING Interlude II: Those We Leave Behind
Celestia could feel a fine layer of sweat coat her body as she entered to mess hall at Camp Everfree. Majority of her students were still asleep. She wasn't surprised however to find Luna sitting alone at a table drinking a cup of coffee. Celestia poured herself a cup and took a seat next to her sister.
"How was your morning run Tia," Luna asked, "Tia?"
Luna noticed that her sister was staring at the front of the mess hall. Following her gaze Luna saw what Celestia was looking at. In a guitar stand at the front of the mess hall was an item that hadn't been there the night before, Sunset's guitar.
"I want to see Rarity and the Diamond Dog Boys immediately after breakfast." Celestia said coldly.
"Sister, they only wanted something to remember Sunset by," Luna said, "I don't see the harm in-"
"No!" Celestia cut Luna off, "how many students are missing because of the ISA, Sunset died, and Rainbow is clinging to life. How many more must we lose, tell me Luna, how many more?"
"Sister, I," Luna began, "I want this to end as much as you. I don't want any of our students to have to face what we both know is coming. We may have to play by their rules if we are to defeat them."
"Remember what happened the last time you spoke like that." Celestia countered
Before Luna could answer, the doors to the mess hall opened, as their students began to enter the mess hall, at first they began to trickle in, but soon they began to enter in groups. Celestia and Luna watched in silence as most of them walked up to Sunset's guitar and touched it, or simply looked at it. A few students broke down weeping when they saw it. Flash Sentry walked out of the mess hall upon seeing it, but he returned shortly with a sunflower that he then delicately wove between the guitar's strings.
*****
Fluttershy sat quietly in the camp infirmary. She didn't want to wake Scootaloo who sat in the chair next to her. She sat next to Rainbow Dash, holding her hand. Looking at the unconscious form of her best friend, a sorrowful sigh escaped from Fluttershy's lips.
"I'll be here for you Rainbow," Fluttershy said at last, "you were there when I needed you most and you never gave up, well I'm not giving up on you."
Time Turner stepped into the infirmary and checked Rainbow's vitals. He looked at Fluttershy and silently nodded at her before exiting the room.
"Hey Sugarcube, how's she doin'," Applejack asked from the doorway.
"No change," Fluttershy answered, "it makes me so angry seeing her like this."
Applejack took a seat next to Rainbow across from Fluttershy.
"I mean, ever since summer camp when we were eight, Rainbow has always been there for me," Fluttershy continued, "now when she needs me the most I'm helpless."
"Y'all ain't helpless," Applejack said, "yer doin' her good just being here by her side."
"How Applejack! She is in a coma remember!" Fluttershy whispered harshly, the last thing she wanted to do was wake Scootaloo.
"Just by bein' by her side," Applejack said softly, "they say that talkin' to coma patients may help with the healin'."
Fluttershy looked at Applejack for moment then down at Rainbow, before looking back at Applejack.
"Ya know that Rainbow and I have been competitive with each other since our freshman year," Applejack continued,"that's how Ah know that Rainbow'll pull through this. And you can bet she'll make that Tirek fella sorry that he messed with CHS."
"You may need to get your rope ready," Fluttershy laughed, "she'll be chomping at the bit to whoop somebody's butt."
That brought a laugh from Applejack.
"Ah'm tempted to go with her," Applejack said, "why don't ya go get some breakfast and some sleep. Ah'll stay with her and come get ya if there's any change."
Fluttershy hesitated before nodding and standing up.
*****
One of the recent improvements to Camp Everfree was the replacement of the tents with cabins. Each cabin held up to six occupants. Twilight sat on her bunk in the cabin she was sharing with her friends. One bunk was unoccupied, being saved for Rainbow Dash once she got out of the infirmary. Curled up at the foot of Twilight's bunk was her puppy, Spike. On the "Day It Happened", as she thought of it, she had luckily snuck Spike into school in her backpack. She was glad that she had, she had no idea where her parents were of if they were even safe.
"Twilight, are you ok," Spike asked, "I heard you crying in your sleep last night."
"What. Oh. Last night," Twilight answered, "I was dreaming of Sunset last night."
Spike looked forlorn.
"I miss her too," Spike said, "everyone does. It's probably best to talk about it. I mean, if we don't talk about Sunset, we run the risk of forgetting her don't we?"
Twilight looked at spike before smiling.
"You're right of course," Twilight said, "want to go for a walk?"
Spike didn't answer, instead he jumped off of Twilight's bunk and ran up to the door wagging his tail. Twilight chuckled as she opened the door.
As Twilight and Spike walked through the main part of the camp, they passed the lake. Twilight noticed a familiar head of pink hair sitting on the edge of the dock. Instead of her normally chaotic curls, Pinkie Pie's hair had gone completely straight. Twilight and Spike approached their normally bubbly friend, Twilight sat down next to her, and Spike laid down between them with his head in Pinkie's lap.
"Don't tell me to get over it." Pinkie said without looking at Twilight, "I know that she is gone and there is nothing we can do about it."
"Not my intention," Twilight answered.
"She worked so hard to change," Pinkie said as tears stained her cheeks, "very few people get a second chance like she did, and now in an instant, Sunset was taken from us."
"I didn't know her as long as the rest of you did," Twilight said, "but Sunset always went out of her way to include me in what ever the seven of us did."
"I remember the first slumber she went to with us," Pinkie continued, "Fluttershy, Rarity, and Sunset were taking a selfie and the other Spike photo bombed them."
"That's funny," Twilight said.
"Oh, Rarity wasn't pleased," Pinkie said, "but Sunny couldn't stop laughing."
"That deffinetly sounds like Sunset," Twilight laughed.
"Thanks Twilight I needed this." Pinkie said. At that moment a red-tailed hawk landed on one of the dock pylons near both girls and just looked at them moment before screeching and then flying off.
"Weird," Pinkie said looking at Twilight.
*****
Rarity could tell from the fire in Celestia's eyes that she was furious. Of course the tone of voice she was currently using, and the fact that the Diamond Dog Boys were wincing with every word was also a good indicator.
"Just what in the seven blazing layers of hell were you four thinking," Celestia said, "more to the point, what were you thinking Rarity, I know that you were the one who came up with this plot."
"Yes, it was my idea," Rarity said, trying to keep her dignity, "so please allow the boys to go and punish me."
"No!" Rover cried, "Miss Rarity may have asked us to help her sneak into the school, but we didn't say no."
Both Fido and Spot nodded their head quickly with River's statement.
"Besides, we needed something to remember Sunset by." Rarity said, again the Diamond Dogs nodded.
"While I applaud your noble gesture," Celestia said,"what would have happened if you got caught! Rarity, Sweetie Belle and your friends need you."
"Miss Celestia, we wouldn't allow anything to harm Miss Rarity!" Spot exclaimed.
"Again, I applaud your noble gesture," Celestia said, "but next time think, don't allow yourselves to be persuaded by a pretty face."
Celestia knew that she couldn't outright punish Rarity or the Diamond Dog Boys, too many of the students currently saw them as heroes. Even Celestia was impressed by Rarity's ingenuity.
"I'll let you go this time," Celestia said, "but there won't be a next time."
*****
Applejack sat alone with Rainbow, she had sent Scootaloo to go get something to eat and to go get cleaned up when the younger girl had awoken. In her hands she held Sunset's jacket. Applejack thought back to how Sunset had torn her friendship with Rainbow apart, but had later become one of her best friends. Now Sunset was gone, and all that remained of her was her guitar and her jacket. Even the statue and the portal had been destroyed, cutting CHS off from Princess Twilight and any assistance from Equestria. Sudden movement and the sound of someone coughing brought Applejack out of her reverie.
"Hey AJ," Rainbow Dash said Horsley.
"Rainbow," Applejack said, " yer awake, how are ya feelin'?"
"Like I played football with the Carolina Panthers." Rainbow answered, "where are we?"
"Camp Everfree." Applejack said, Fluttershy and Scootaloo have barely left yer side since we got here."
"What happened," Rainbow asked, "last thing I remember is Sunset fighting Bon-Bon."
"Rainbow," Applejack said, handing her Sunset's jacket, "Sunset didn't make it."
Author's Note
Just for the record, I'm a Jacksonville Jaguars fan.