It is a cold and snowy morning for AJ, as she sits with Granny and Big Mac, finishing up the preparation on her end of the plan. "So I gotta make sure I pick up Sunset, hopefully, she'll listen and accept our apologies, then we can do the party. A lot is riding on me getting to her.' She thinks, as they hang up some lights for Christmas, and also prepare some stuff for later, mainly gifts to hand out, as this was their celebration together before they all go celebrate Christmas with their own families. AJ looks at Granny, "So, you sure Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna are okay with this? I mean, isn't it a bit too soon?"

Granny smiles, and speaks with confidence, "Sunset will need time yes, that is true, but right now, you all owe her a try at making amends, and if she doesn't accept, you know she'll need more time. I know for a fact she shouldn't be alone AJ, and I ain't havin' her not get the gifts we got her yesterday." Granny smiles, as Bloom walks over, with a sad look, "I also gotta make my attempt to apologize, but after I shovel the path." She sighs and is already bundled up. "I'll be out watching you kiddo," Granny says, as she drinks her coffee. AJ nods and thinks about how determined Granny is to make amends, and wonder if that is either from experience or simply her kind nature.

AJ then looks at Mac, as he finished hanging up the lights around the old family photos, as she sees the one of herself as a baby, with her Ma, Pear Butter, and her da, Bright Mac, in the hospital, holding her. She recalls the words her ma told her, and feels ready now, "No matter what, I still gotta try to make things up to Sunset." She thinks, as she gets herself ready, and checks her phone, as the girls are all getting ready on their parts, and will be at the house by three, so she has hopefully from eleven to three to try and get Sunset at least comfortable with coming to a proper apology party. Not only that, but she has to remember her shopping list, as they are running out of things. So she goes over the list as she gets changed, and dressed up for the winter.

"Got my medicine still for the month last I check, so no need to pick it up till after Christmas, will save time on me getting my gift for Sunset and the girls. Now, where am I gonna get Sunset, maybe something nice, like a new phone? No, don't have the money. Maybe I can just have her grab something and I'll pay for it." She thinks, as she feels inclined to check her draw, but stops as knocking occurs. "Jackie, I'll be in the truck." Big Mac says as he walks off, and AJ shouts back, "Alright, be right down." She then grabs her wallet, hat, and old scarf, as she heads out, and soon gets out into Big Mac's old but reliable truck.

"You got your list of things?" He asks, as he is going to drop her off instead of her having to walk there, since it is lightly snowing, and AJ is yet to get her license. "Yes, I did Mac, so her place is on Chester Drive, in the more respectable area of the city, since she moved in with our Principle." Mac nods, as he gets into gear and drivers down the path as they see Bloom working on clearing the porch with Granny watching, as they drive off. AJ checks the time, which is half-past ten, as she looks at him. "So, reckon next year I can take driver's ed?" Her brother responds with his signature "Yup." as he is focused on driving, and she sits back, and checks her phone, seeing the other's plans and also seeing Rarity's message of "Making something special for everyone, and extra special for Sunset." as she sighs. The drive is long and quiet, with some Christmas music playing, country kind, as they arrive at the large, almost small mansion-like home of the Principals, as AJ blinks.

"Some old home must suck to heat." AJ's mind doesn't think of that, but the age of the place, and how well kept it is, but also how, big it is for two, now three, people living inside. She wonders why and how her principles can live in such a large home. AJ then hears Mac's voice as she stops zoning out, "You got everything?" AJ nods, "Yes Mac, I got my wallet, keys, all warm and cozy, plus the winter hat is on." She says, lifting her cowboy hat, to show the knitted hat her Aunt gave her last year. He nods, and she nods back, as she soon exits the car, and heads to the front door as the path to the front door and driveway, are already cleared, but the newly fallen snow is building up, making that satisfying crunch as she walks to the double set doors. Mac remains in the driveway, as she goes to the doors, and rings the doorbell, as she waits, cold air nipping her cheeks and nose, as soon Vice Principle Luna opens the doors, wearing a robe and casual clothing, as she has her hair down.

"Ah, Miss Applejack, you're a bit earlier than Celestia expected, she is just talking to Sunset, but do come in." She says, welcoming her in, as she nods, "Thank ya kindly Vice Prin-" Luna stops her with a hand, "Please, outside of school Miss Eclipse of Miss Luna will be fine." She informs her, as AJ nods, as she heads inside, and Mac heads out to get his shopping done. "Right, sorry, thank you Miss Eclipse. So uh, how she, Sunset, how is she doin'?" AJ asks, feeling a bit awkward as she takes her boots off, as Luna shuts the door and locks it.

"Sunset is having a rough morning, to say the least. Seems a nightmare or wondering thought got her when she woke up. So do be warned, she might not be in the best mood, nor am I when Tia told me the idea." AJ stops, and looks at her, as she has her boots on a mat, and looks worried. "Why is our plan bad or, is something wrong with it?" AJ is worried and wonders if she and the girls were trying too hard too soon. 'Please don't say it.' Aj fears, as Luna looks at her. "I fear this is coming on too soon for her. She is just getting help and taking some anti-depressants, plus these events, are too fresh, I worry it is far too soon to try and put her back, in the place she had her breaking point reached. No offense Miss Applejack, but I am worried you all will only get Sunset back in a dark place."

AJ sighs, as she looks down, and thinks about what Luna said, though she sighs, and looks at her Vice-Principal. "I get that, your worried we'll not help her out, or she'll feel alone or hurt again. But I promise ya Miss Ecplise, I ain't letting Sunset be alone now. I know she has you and Principle Celestia, but I know, the girls and I want to make it up to her, and so do Granny and Bloom. I, known Sunset for a while, she's been over our home a lot, and the truth is told, Granny wants Sunset to feel at home there, no matter what. So making amends is what our goal is, and help her know she's not alone and has friends to lean on in those dark times. Plus, we all angered Fluttershy, so this is also to help her feel better and to, try and mend our friendships and hopefully form one with Sunset."

AJ sighs after she speaks her case, as she finishes, and looks at Luna for her response. Luna seems, contemplative of their plan, as she gives AJ a hard look. "I do understand your points Miss Applejack, though I do have my concerns, if you promise me you'll be kind to Sunset, and help her in the school year and be her friend, then I'll not be a hovering guardian for her when she is with you, but your friends, I will not fully trust just yet, especially Dash, as she is a good student and sports player, she is not keen on holding her words." AJ regrettable nods in agreement, "Yeah, Dash got a bit of an issue with blurting things out. But, I know she'll try to let things in the past go, we all will." Luna nods, as she gestures for AJ to come to sit.

"Yes I do hope so, however, for now, while we wait, let us sit, do make yourself more comfortable, and may I ask how did you plan for today?" Luna asks, as AJ undoes her coat, and walks over to the sofa, and sits down. "Well, the plan is for me and Sunset to go shopping, chatting, and eat lunch, as I try to see how she is doing and get some items than we get picked up by Big Mac and head over to my home at three, for us to have the party." She says, quietly in case Sunset is listening in. "A surprise one, to make Sunset feel welcomed and know we are sorry and well, want to be friends with her still."

Luna nods, and thinks this over, as she sighs, "You are a good student, hard-working, caring, and very well mannered, plus you have known Sunset for a while, as I do recall the records, you're in a few classes with her, though I will say I do hope things work out, I rather not push her into anything. So if she decided to hold off on an answer to being your friends, do not be dismayed, just give her time. I know this is hard for her." AJ nods, and looks at her, "I know how she feels, sort of, I been on both sides of it after my folks died when I was little, I, blamed Granny and Bloom, then myself, but, with ma family by my side it helped me through it, so I plan to be there for Sunset." She beams, as Luna seems touched, and smiles a bit.

Then, Celestia comes down the stairs, with Sunset, dressed up warm, as Celestia speaks, "I'll be driving you two to the shopping center and open mall, and anywhere else you two need to go." She says, to both Sunset and AJ, as she looks up, and sees Sunset, who is not in a good mood, not angry, but just sad and tired, as she nods. AJ looks at Celestia, who looks like "One of the bad days." as they descend to the ground floor, and Sunset looks at AJ. "Hey." She says, slightly trying to sound alright, as AJ puts on a smile.

"Heya Sunset, you ready for this surprise bit of shopping and, hanging out?" AJ asks, as Sunset shrugs, "Yeah, just, sorry I, yesterday brought up some, old emotions, is all. Feeling homesick." AJ nods, and smiles, "Well, I think some fresh air and some movin' will help ya out." She says, as Sunset nods, but looks a bit unsure, as Celestia rubs Sunset's back gently. "I guess so, but, let's take things slow. It's just my medicine, I took it, and it's helping somewhat, though today, is just a bad day." She sighs, as she looks down. Celestia looks at AJ, with a look of "She needs some cheering up." AJ nods, and looks at Sunset, before smiling.

"Heya, what if I told you Granny was making some apple cinnamon pie later? May be done by the time we're done shopping, so I can ask Mac to drive us over to ma home for them?" Sunset looks up, and she looks surprised. "You, I, well, maybe we can hang out there, though will it be alright?" She looks at Celestia, who nods and smiles. "We'll be a call away if you need us, and Granny Smith is a trusted lady. I knew her since I was young." Luna chuckles, and sighs, "She also makes great pies." Sunset and AJ nod, as Sunset smirks a bit then thinks, "Well, sure I'll come over, though what about the others, how have they been handling all this? And you, I, mean Xavier and, the freaky stuff?" She asks, with her curious look and attitude.

AJ is caught off guard, but chuckles, "To tell ya the truth, I haven't thought about that, Xavier guy, or the other parts of that night, just been worried about you is all. Plus Christmas is comin' soon, speaking of I got gifts to buy and wrap to send to the girls." She says, as Sunset nods, and sighs. "Oh, so uh, have they been-" AJ walks to Sunset, and puts a hand on her shoulder. "We all been worried bout ya Sunset, but giving you space to recover. However, do know I got the girls on speed dial to meet up with us if you want." Sunset nods and thinks about it, as Celestia clears her throat. "While that is good to have, right now we should get going, we have much to do." Sunset looks up to her, "Yes we do, and maybe, we'll see how I feel as this outing goes on."

AJ and Celestia nod, as they get ready to head out, AJ looks at Luna, "Why aren't you joining us, Miss Luna?" She asks, wondering about this as the two get into their winter coats. "Ah, well I am doing last-minute online shopping, as I got most of everything else done during Black Friday, plus I have a small virtual meeting with some friends online at 2." She says, as Celestia chuckles. AJ nods, and smiles, "Well do have fun, Miss Luna." She smiles, as Luna nods, and heads off to her room, as Celestia and Sunset are ready, and AJ puts on her boots and soon heads to the cars, getting into Celestia's small eco-friendly car, as both sit in the back so they can talk, as AJ looks at Sunset, and sees her new coat and smiles.

"So, a question, did he just buy you that coat?" She asks as Sunset looks at her and nods. "Yeah he did, I guess he is caring enough to give me things I need. But let's keep that between us all, or else, people at school may think things are, weird." AJ nods, and chuckles, as she looks at Sunset, "Yeah, and having a magical duel and a Pony Princess visit isn't?" She asks, as Sunset chuckles lightly, "No, though, nor is having a raging demoness take over." AJ stops chuckling and looks at Sunset, as their on the road heading into town. "Now Sunset, that wasn't your fault, you didn't know it would do that, you looked scared when the crown did that to you. Plus you didn't do much lasting damage, I am sure our classmates will get over it, or get to know the real Sunset as I do." She smiles, as Sunset looks at AJ and sighs.

"You don't though, I, hid what I was and where I was from, and lied about my parents being here, having a home, and I did, steal from your family." Sunset says, as AJ looks at her, and sighs, "While all that is true, you also helped us on the farm, was ma friend, and while, we had our falling out, I knew the real you, the smart, science-loving girl who was not a bully, but a survivor and a fighter." She says, as Sunset chuckles, and looks at her. "Yeah, though, still I did make fun of you and to get popularity, and I also did, that." She mentions as AJ chuckles, "Hey, that was seventh grade, and I don't hold it against you, so we're fine. Now, whatcha gonna buy while we're out?" She asks as Sunset thinks on this, as Celestia puts on some Christmas music, and keeps heading to town, and the open mall and shopping center.

Sunset then smiles, and speaks, "Some gifts, some things I need, a few items to donate to the homeless shelter and soup kitchen I been to, plus I may get myself something." She pulls back a sleeve, sighing as she looks at her scars, and speaks boldly, "I want to get a tattoo to cover up this older scar." She says as AJ is shocked, and Celestia looks at the mirror and exclaims, "Excuse me, aren't you suppose to ask an adult if that is a good idea?" Sunset smirks, and responds, "I technically got it suggested to me from Doctor Wolf, he said tattoos to beautify my scars may help me."

Celestia focused on driving, and nodded, "Well if he said it may help, but I'll be there for that part, so you don't get anything, unsightly." She stats, as Sunset nods and looks at AJ. "So, what are you getting AJ?" AJ smiles, and soon tells her what she plans to get, stuff for the farm, the girls, her siblings, and Granny, as she got the other gifts and mailed them to her extended family already. Sunset nods and mentions how she wonders if she can mail a thank you gift or letter to Xavier, and get something maybe for the nurses and Doctor Wolf for helping her, as their conversation improves Sunset's overall mood greatly.

As they ride along and chat, as soon Celestia looks back and speaks, "We're almost there, so you both keep close, and keep your phones on you." She says, mothering the both of them, as she looks at Sunset in the rearview mirror, "And Sunset, if you have any issues or someone gives you trouble, just let me know." Sunset awkwardly chuckles and sighs, "I'll make sure to do that." as Sunset blinks, and internally thinks, 'She and the Princess are way too alike sometimes.' Sunset sighs, as they continue on with their car ride.

---End of Part 1---

Author's Note

Greetings all, and oh boy. Guess, who over-planned a chapter. Me, so to avoid a chapter over my max limit of 5,000 words, we'll split this one up into two parts, hence no end part for this chapter. Hope you all love it and know more are coming out in the days to come.