It started with a simple online post. Sunset didn't have anything particularly pressing to attend to, As a result, she stayed in and browsed her social media accounts to see what the latest goings on were. While scrolling through her Facebook feed, she ran across an unexpected cry for help. Everybody in Canterlot city tended to stay connected whether by phone or online. When the teen saw who was asking for aid, her stomach acids churned from heartache. Above the message "Someone please help. I'm scared..." was Diamond Tiara's name. Sunset immediately reached out.
"What's wrong, kiddo?"
She was relieved when Diamond started typing back. It wasn't too late yet.
"I keep imagining a rope around my neck suffocating me to death..."
"One you tied...?"
"Yeah..."
"Step back and take a breath. Do you think you'll be able to make it until after school tomorrow?"
"Why...?"
"Meet me in front of Canterlot high. I think I can help."
"How...?
"I need you to trust me. Believe me, I've been where you are."
"You have...?"
"Stick with me. We'll figure this out. I promise."
"...Okay."
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be better, even if just a little."
"I will."
"Night."
Sunset exited the doors of the learning facility with a downtrodden expression. dealing with the ugly truth of a suicidal child was not something she expected to contend with in her lifetime, but she also understood things wouldn't always turn out the way she hoped. The wind swept through her hair. She looked up at the sky and sighed.
"You're Sunset Shimmer, right...?"
Sunset gazed forward. She spotted a familiar face.
"Hey, kiddo. How are you holding up?"
"A little better after sleeping."
"That's good. That's a cute bear you've got there."
"Thanks. My dad made him."
"Are you hungry?"
"Not really."
"I figured as much, but you need to keep your strength up."
Diamond Tiara nodded. Sunset led her to a popular burger restaurant. They ordered their food and settled into a secluded corner.
"What's on your mind?"
"I've been thinking about a lot of stuff. I used to be a real brat to people. Now I don't really know who to be. I do good in school, and I have a best friend, but I still feel lost."
"Silver Spoon isn't your friend yet."
"What are you saying?"
"She follows you around and goes along with whatever you do. Right now, she's more of an enabler than a friend with a conscience. Real friends hold you accountable when you're on the wrong path."
"I never thought about it like that..."
"She doesn't have to stay that way."
"How can I change her?"
"Show her by example. There comes a point where everyone is faced with an ultimatum. If you're a good person, she'll become one too."
"But...How do I be a good person?"
"By making the right choices when it counts. You used to tease Apple Bloom and her friends all the time, right? What did that choice lead to?"
"Pain and misery..."
"Not only that, but wasted time and energy. They say you learn from your mistakes by realizing their impacts on people, but it also works the other way around. You know the impact your future choices will have based on your previous experiences."
"And the way other people respond reinforces my behavior based on my perception."
"You just won psychological bingo, kid. The better you treat people, the better they respond, and the better you feel. It sounds cliche, but I can tell you from experience, it's the truth. Being kind and compassionate will lift a lot weight off your shoulders in the future."
Diamond and Sunset finished their meals and threw their trash away before heading to the outskirts where Sunset lived.
"What about the other stuff."
"I'm gonna' tell you something that might suck to hear, but I can only call it like I see it. Right now, you're stuck in an education system that lacks any kind of faith in its own students. The faculty believe if you can't understand something while you're with them, you'll never be able to on your own."
"But Ms. Cheerilee's not like that."
"She's teaching younger kids easier concepts. It's easier to maintain a positive outlook when everyone understands you."
"What can I do?"
"Teach yourself the skills you want to learn. With the technological advancements we've made, anyone can teach themselves just about anything. Knowledge, creative thinking, planning, and critical problem solving are all important keys to living a content existence."
Rain started pouring down. Sunset stopped walking for a moment.
"You can be anything you want to be. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is full of shit."
Diamond Tiara could almost see the strength and determination radiating off the older girl in front of her.
Diamond and Sunset played video games together for a while while listening to heavy rock music. The change of pace felt refreshing for Diamond.
"I'm not used to hanging out with normal people," Diamond admitted, "It's usually my parents' business partners and other people with a lot of money."
"Do you like being around them?"
"Not really. Sometimes I think they're robots."
"Well, why not shake things up a little? Get into more of the stuff you want to try and hang around some people in town."
"I like live music, but the stuff I sit through is always classical."
"You're in luck. Rainbow Dash has tickets to a nu metal show tonight. She might be able to get a last minute extra."
"Actually...Let Scootaloo have it."
"You don't want to go?"
"I do, but Scootaloo looks up to Rainbow. I know she'd want to spend some time with her."
"That's really cool of you."
"Someone once taught me the importance of doing the right thing."
"Using my own words against me. You're such a knucklehead."
"I guess I am."
Sunset left the room and dialed Rainbow's number.
"Hey, S. What's up?"
"We need an extra ticket. Think you can get one?"
"You got a date?"
"No, but you do."
"What!?"
Sunset hung up. She giggled.
When Sunset went back to her room, the music switched over to Cave In's Moral Eclipse. She saw Diamond sleeping peacefully under the blankets of her bed. She walked over to the child and stroked her hair.
"I can't promise things will always go right, but we'll be here to look after you until the end. Live your life with love..."