Tirek got out of the car alongside Sunset and Cozy. Sunset frowned as she limped forward “Follow me, this place has a few guardians I set up to keep myself safe.”

Cozy frowned “Are you sure don’t need any help? You’re limping.”

Sunset shook her head “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

Cozy and Tirek exchanged worried looks before following Sunset. Tirek looked around the trees that menacingly towered over them, his eyes widened as a wolf made of wood leapt out of the trees “Sunset get back!”

Sunset shook her head as the wolf ran over to her, she sighed “Good work but I believe it’s time for you and your friends to rest.” They watched as several small balls of light flew into Sunset as the wolf turned into a pile of sticks. She frowned “I can use magic here, it just takes a really long time to recharge when the portal is closed. When it’s open I could access a lot more magic without worrying about burning out.”

Cozy smiled “Well you shouldn’t need to use it when staying with us. You can if you want but there will be no need, our home will be a lot safer than the forest.”

Tirek grinned flexing “Very few would try to fight me, I’m really strong.”

Sunset giggled for a moment then sighed “I don’t why you put so much trust in me, I’m a stranger and have done horrible things to others secrets’ before. Why trust me with so many of yours.”

Cozy shook her head “Trust needs to be earned, we wanted you to trust us and you have. You opened up to us because we opened up to you thus you opened up to us, people and I assume ponies as well bond by being honest with one another.”

Sunset slumped “I wasn’t very good at any of that, too focused on my own goals to bond with anyone.”

Tirek frowned “I’ll go and get Sunset’s things, I know where the hut is. Cozy stay with Sunset, she needs you right now.”

Cozy silently nodded her assent, she then gave Sunset another hug “Now is your chance to take hold of your life. I understand better than anyone else that making change isn’t easy, two months of counselling and support was required before I could live a normal life and some days I feel like I’m on the brink of falling back into bad habits.”

Sunset looked at her with worry “You think I can do it?”

Cozy snorted “It may not have been good but you entered another world that you had no knowledge of then gained a position of power to control others. You can do this, you just have to take it one day at a time.”

Sunset smiled “Thanks Cozy, I’m glad to have someone as strong as you in my corner.” She then sighed “I don’t mean to be rude but how did you get such damage to your face.”

Cozy snarled “I suffered fifth degree burns because another captain of a squad poured Napalm on my face!” She then sighed “I’m lucky to be alive all things considered, fifth degree burns are not that common and surviving them less so.”

Sunset eyes widened in shock, in her studying of history she had researched Napalm and was horrified. The idea that scum a weapon existed was shocking enough but the fact that someone else would use it someone else, especially someone who was on their side was beyond any horror she could have ever imagined. Cozy frowned “What’s wrong Sunset?”

Sunset shivered “The idea of that stuff is terrifying, the worst monsters back home wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing to anyone. The fact someone who is supposed to be on your side could do that is terrifying prospect.”

Cozy smiled “Your not a bad person Sunset, someone who could that is a truly bad person. I did things to him afterwards that made that pale in comparison, trust me you don’t want to know.”

Sunset shuddered “I definitely don’t, had you not told me about why this happened I would be giving you a wide berth. In fact you scared me quite a bit over the years, whatever caused the damage to your face had to be something that most people would die from. I thought you were some monster sent here from Equestria.”

Cozy frowned “I am both flattered and unnerved that I could be considered something so dangerous. Still I am here to help you regardless of what you think of me.”

Sunset gave her a weak smile “I see you as a friend, you have given me so much for nothing.” Sunset started to sob “Shown me so much kindness that I don’t really deserve.”

Cozy frowned “What did that Rainbow blast do to you? You are suffering way too much for what amounts to high school drama and an ego problem.”

Sunset looked up weakly “By pony standards what I did was wrong. I could be put into Tartarus for what I did here. Blackmailing others with their worst secrets to hold power over them. Trying to defame another for my own ends, trying to take over Equestria because of my ego. Not to mention the mind control.”

Cozy’s growled “They would put you in the equivalent of hell for that. The mind control was bad sure but you clearly lost control, the other things while bad are not above redemption and certainly don’t deserve such suffering. It’s okay to feel bad, that is a good thing it means you don’t want to be that way.”

Sunset slumped “How do I know this is me and not the element’s magic suppressing my darker urges?”

Cozy frowned “The elements seem to be powered on friendship, that means they would never cause you any permanent harm. Maybe they offering you some respite to start making changes when those emotions return you can handle them better, that is my guess.” She then shook her head “Now is not the time to focus on what ifs, instead focus on healing and growing.”

Sunset nodded weakly “I’ll try.”

Cozy smiled “That’s all anyone can ask of you, now come on I see my father carrying your stuff. We need to get home.”

Tirek smiled carrying several boxes full of books as well as some blankets and a few pairs of clothes “I’m glad to see you two bonding. Still we should take Sunset home, she deserves a proper bed for the night.” The rest of the trip to the their home was quiet as the sun slowly descended past the horizon.

Sunset’s eyes widened as she saw the wooden lodge style building, the green roof reminded her of brilliant green leaves. Sunset was escorted through the plain living room, a small tea table in front of couch, a reasonably sized TV set up laid against the wall.

The kitchen was made of fine marble and had a plenty of room for cooking as it lead it into a peaceful dining room with flowers adding to the serene atmosphere. Sunset was then taken to a nice dark blue corridor. Sunset smiled “This place is beautiful.”

Cozy grinned “Wait until you see your room.”

Sunset’s jaw dropped as she was escorted into a room that had a very clear jungle aesthetic as well as a nice polished writing desk and a warm looking bed covered with a warm tiger style blanket on top “This is amazing.”

Tirek smiled “This is the room my wife uses when she is home, she isn’t around often enough to have a dedicated room. She’ll just have to join me from now on.” Sunset simply laid in the bed and within seconds descended into slumber. Cozy and Tirek simply left the tired girl to enjoy her new bed.

Author's Note

Fifth degree burns are a real thing, had to do some digging. Bascially everyone has three layers of skin, each one corresponds to the first three burn degrees once you get past that it starts to burn muscle and eventually bone, also from I read they tend to be fatal which is why you don't hear about them often.