Sunset and AJ, after a lovely lunch with Celestia, now wait for Big Mac to finish his shopping so Celestia can head home to grab Sunset's stuff, and deliver it, as Sunset is on her phone, trying to keep her fresh tattoo safe and not messed with too much, as she thinks to herself, and the tattoo she got. ' Once I find his number, or meet him again, I am gonna show it to him, Xavier would find this interesting they had a tattoo of an amber-eyed crow. What are the chances of that?' She contemplates as AJ sits back with her bags of stuff, as Celestia sits with them in a covered sitting area, as Sunset notices someone and sighs. "Great, please don't notice me." She says quietly to herself, but still, AJ heard her and gave her an odd look.

"What was that?" AJ asks as she sighs, and points subtly to two police officers, a man with light orange skin and dark blue-gray hair and thick sideburns, in his uniform which is well kept but with some winter gloves and police winter jacket on, as the other, is a more tan-skinned man, younger by twenty years or so, with dark well-kept hair, and a clean military look. He looks to be fresh out of the army, as both walks around casually drinking coffee. "That, is Flash's father, Magnus Sentry, and uh I guess that is his new rookie patrol partner." She says, avoiding eye contact, as they walk by, and Magnus and the other office talk mainly about how crazy folks come out during the holidays.

Celestia looks at Sunset, "Why do you not want to speak with Officer Sentry?" Sunset sighs, and looks at her, mentally wishing to not tell her this, "Me and Flash, dated, but broke it off, however now I am worried he told them about me, or his dad is upset at me dumping him." She sighs, and Celestia chuckles, "I am sure his father won't judge you for dumping his son, nor would Flash tell them about your past, he is too nice of a boy to spread that sort of secret about."

Sunset nods, and sighs, "I hope not, but I did break his heart." She thinks, as she mumbles, "Yeah but I did dump him in the middle of a date, plus he, never actually knew me personally, I kept a facade up, to stay the popular girl." She looks at Celestia, who simply nods, but smiles. "Well, maybe you can make it up to him, besides, I am sure once you explain things he'll understand." AJ nods, and then chuckles, "Yeah, though I don't think he is gonna mind you being whatcha are, if him being all soft for Princess Twilight like he was anything."

Sunset chuckles at first, then it grows into full-on laughter as she finds this oddly funny, "Yeah if he even gets that we're both literal ponies turned human.' she thinks to herself, as she calms down as both nod, and smile, happy she is laughing, as soon Big Mac pulls up to the parking area, and waves. "Welp, our ride is here, now you ready?" AJ asks kindly, as Sunset nods, and gets up. "Yes I am, and you'll be by once you got me all my stuff for a sleepover right?" Celestia nods, standing and taking her bags.

"Of course, I will Sunset, now go on, be with your friend for the afternoon and evening, and know-" Sunset interrupts her, "That if I need you, to call. Yes, I know." She smiles, as Celestia smiles back, a tad embarrassed she keeps repeating herself. "Right, then I'll be off, stay warm, and see you both in a bit." Celestia smiles, as they both say goodbye, and head to Mac's truck with their purchased gifts all safely wrapped and bagged.

They both get into the cabin, after putting the bags in the back of it, as AJ smiles, and talks to Mac, who gives simple nods or says "Yup" or "Nope" to her questions, as Sunset sighs, and watches as they pull out and head out of town, as she thinks. 'I wonder if Granny planned this out, probably her and Celestia to get me at least one friend via Jackie. Well, I will try to make this work. I wonder if we can invite Shy, or Pinkie. Though I do wonder if Dash would come if we invite either, maybe Rarity is a safer bet? No no, she still dislikes me for ruining her chance at the Fall Formal.' She sighs, and looks at the passing snow-covered buildings and light poles, as people are out and about, doing last-minute Christmas shopping and such as tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

As she thinks things over and allows the siblings to chat, she sighs, thinks over who would be best to invite, and finalizes they all should be there, so their friendships with each other aren't at risk from not being invited. She looks to tell AJ, but she is on her phone, currently grumbling as Rarity soon calls her, as she soon talks to her, and Big Mac focuses on driving. She will hold it off till later, whenever Rarity ends her call.

Soon the drive is over, as they go up the drive, Sunset sees the freshly shoveled path to the home as Granny sits, and she notices Shy's van is there. Additionally, she sees Granny talking to one tired Bloom, as their dog is outside, running around in the snow, to get her all tired out early before it gets colder. AJ looks at Sunset and speaks, "So uh, I might have mentioned earlier about this, so it seems they didn't wait for me to say your alright-" Sunset sighs, and chuckles, "No that sounds like the way Pinkie, Dash, and Rarity think when they agree on something, let me guess Pinkie Party?" She inquires as AJ nods, as Big Mac parks up by the van, and stops the truck.

They all exit, and head out to the porch, as Bloom looks away, as Granny welcomes them getting up in her thick winter attire, and with a smile. "Sunset dear, your here." She gets up, moving to hug as Sunset smiles. "Hello, Mrs. Smith." She softly states as she looks unsure of the hug. Granny chuckles. "You can call me Granny dear, but if you're not ready for hugs, you're fine. Shall we get inside?" She asks Sunset, as she nods, and they all head inside, taking off winter layers, as all the girls are here.

Dash and Pinkie are in the kitchen, Pinkie making cookies and snacks, as Dash is helping her. Rarity is too busy trying to decorate the tree to notice Winona rush in, as Bloom calls after her, and Winona nearly knocks over Rarity. She freaks out, screaming a bit, before Shy calls Winona over, and gets the good girl away from Rarity, as she thanks her. Bloom soon walks over to Shy and helps handle Winona. Rarity sees Sunset and speaks. "Oh, uh hello."

There is an awkward silence, for all of two seconds, before somehow Pinkie is next to Sunset, and smiles. "SUNSET, YOU CAME. Oh sorry." She backs up and pulls a large gift from her hair. "Here, part one of tonight's Apology Party." She says, as Sunset blinks, and sighs, "Pinkie, you didn't have to get me-" Pinkie speaks, "Course I had to get you something."

Sunset blinks, and sighs, 'It's Pinkie, how bad can-', her train of thought was derailed as inside the box she has opened, was a copy of "Starswirl's Spells, Enchantments, and Other Magical Marvels" here in her hands. She had only ever seen three of them, all of which were in Celestia's care.

Pinkie smiles, as Sunset looks up, and is silent, as Rarity speaks, "Uh darling, hello." Pinkie looks concerned and waves her hand in front of Sunset. Sunset blinks, as she ponders this, 'Pinkie someone has a rare ancient tome, in mint condition, without a sign of being OPENED, just here, now. How? Is, this is a joke it has to be-' she opens it and reads the from paragraph, and sighs.

Sunset looks at Pinkie and speaks, "Pinkie how did you get this?" She asks as Pinkie smiles, "Oh well I found it in an old antique and oddities shop in town. I got it several weeks ago, for Twi, but you may want it. Cause I bet it's not from our place." She says, as Sunset nods, sealing the box up, and putting it right into her backpack.

"Yes it is from Equestria, but, I'll worry about it later because if I begin to read that I won't stop till hunger demands." The others nod, and soon Granny speaks, "Alright, well then, let's go get you settled in." She says, as Sunset nods, as soon she and the others lightly chat, with some tension between them all, but slowly it ebbs and flows, fading away as the girls, one by one, work their way up to apologizing.

After two hours, and Celestia dropping off Sunset's stuff, they all sit together for dinner, but before they begin, Granny speaks, "First, I think it is time for some words to be said." She states that this intrigues Sunset, as Granny doesn't mean grace probably. Bloom soon stands up and speaks.

"Sunset, I am so sorry for what I did to ya. I shouldn't have made that fake account and made things so, well bad for you. I am really sorry, and I shall help you fix this all up with anyone, and will take the blame for it. Scoots and Sweetie will too. Don't worry, we'll make sure everyone knows we did the blog and were Anon-A-Miss." She says, and Sunset nods, sighing, as she goes to speak, but Dash stands up.

"I am also sorry for snarking at you and believing in the whole Anon-a-miss blog, thinking it as you and not even hearing you out. And also for saying sh-crap behind your back. I was just, a really bad person then and I am so so SO sorry Sunset. I can't forgive myself for it, and I am, worried you hate me for it, which if you do, makes sense." She says, slightly crying, as she looks tired, as she sighs. "I am just sorry, and, if you want to be, friends at all, even not now but, in the future, I'll be the best damn friend yet, no back talking like that." She stammers out as Shy rubs her back.

Rarity soon stands, and speaks, "Now, I, am sorry for the whole incident too Darling. It was uncouth and wrong of us all to not hear you out, especially me. I should have known it was Sweetie, while she is so sweet and innocent, she also did once ruin my dresses because I forgot our sibling hangout was that night. And, I will also say Sweetie will have her apology and is currently doing chores for our folks, who also scolded her but luckily the worse she got was no phone or social media. Now, I will like to be friends with you, your fashion is on point, though why are you wearing your jacket, I mean it is-" Shy elbows her, as Rarity clears her throat. "Sorry, rambling. I will just want to say, I would like to be your friend, properly this time, and if you allow me to be, I will be grateful." She finishes, being the most elegant of the apologizes.

Shy stands but immediately Sunset speaks, "No, Shy you don't need one, I...know you defended me, and while you didn't believe me during the whole Anon-A-Miss incident, I forgave you, since I was horrible to you before I got...redeemed." She says as Shy shakes her head. "No, I am apologizing about not defending you more, and just, not being a good friend at all. And I...I-" She sniffles as she takes a moment to recompose. "I just, want to be your friend, and help you stay safe." She says, as Sunset nods, and wishes she could hug her, but sadly she can't, it would look weird 'I can hug her later.' Sunset determines.

Pinkie soon speaks, "So I did have a big huge speech about how sorry I was, and how I didn't want you being alone or hurt again, but then I was like 'Silly Billy, you can't say all that, it will make your teeth fall out.' so instead I planned all this, and also made you a bunch of gifts and will be your party gal for as long as you wish. Also, Maud scolded me some for not believing you, so yeah I know I goofed if Maud gets mad. She is usually so chill and is good at reading folks. Oh oh, also all my sisters hope you're alright, my folks were, less than positive so I'll leave what they said out, but oddly they and my sisters got gifts for you, oh and so did Flash, I sort of-" She stops, as Sunset has a look of 'Oh fuck, Pinkie please no.' as this was the last thing she wanted.

AJ rubs Sunset's back, Pinkie awkwardly chuckles, as Bloom speaks, "Uh, something up Sunset?" AJ looks at Pinkie, who blurts out, "Oh just that Sunset and Flash have history, you might know, and well, uh, I didn't tell him much, but his dad is an Officer, so he probably heard since like, half the officers all got put onto "The Watch" to make sure they check places for folks with sessional depression and help them. Something new they put in because no officer or person was gonna find you. I mean uh...." She looks around, for a way out of the sad start to her rambling.

Granny interrupts, and speaks, "Girls, settle down, and don't worry Sunset if problems happen you got me to help ya. Now, we gotta supper to eat up. I also made your favorite." She says as Big Mac sets down the food, and a big pot pie, with vegetables, mushrooms, and other good non-meat foods in it, as Sunset feels her stomach growl. She smiles, as she looks at the girls, and speaks. "I, do accept your apologies girls, and know, I don't plan on doing anything like that night again. I also have a reason not to." She says, showing her bandage, at first they all look worried or scared, as Sunset then speaks up, "Oh don't worry." she says, swiftly, "it's just a tattoo. I can show you all in...roughly 16 hours or so." she says, calmly, as they all blink, and Granny chuckles. Soon a discussion of the kind, how it was done, and more begins, as Sunset feels relief flood through her, as this feels, better. Not perfect, not better than before Anon-A-Miss, but, a step in the right direction.

They all soon eat up and finish dinner, Granny soon retiring to the office, as she has some calls to make, to her family and also to see if the New Year's Eve Family Gathering is going to happen for the Smiths. Big Mac soon heads to the basement with Winona, as he has some small things to do, as AJ mentions he has the usual thing he does, carving a new wooden statue, for Bloom. A symbolic gift of some kind. Sunset only knows this after asking once why they all have a collection of wood-carved animals in their rooms. AJ only responded by saying they were from her pa and left it at that. Only after a few years did Sunset realize Bloom never met her father or mother, so someone else had to have carved the toys, but by then she stopped caring about others, and never realized it was Big Mac.

Sunset soon sighs, a bit sad after seeing and recalling these memories, as she wonders how Twilight and Princess Celestia are in Equestria, celebrating Heart's Warming, and also perhaps maybe wishing her well? She checks on her book and finds no responses, so maybe Twilight is too busy right now. In the meantime, she soon sees Rarity begins to braid Shy's hair, and Sunset smiles, as she walks over, 'Maybe this is how I can also repay them all, living my life, one step at a time.' She soon walks over and asks Rarity to do her hair next, as soon Dash asks Sunset to play a game, and eventually they all get into hanging out, and being friends.

Well, seems things have gotten better for Sunset. New gifts, even if confusing, have arrived. However, will others be so easy to forgive as them? Only time will tell dear reader. So do get comfortable, and enjoy my tales to you. And whenever you may read this, do one thing for me. Be kind to one another. See you in our next chapter, of a Shimmering Hope.

Author's Note

I have no excuse. I got covid, for a month, got better, had chaotic work, became a DnD DM suddenly, got too invested in my campaign and preparing, also had two cases of just looking at this chapter and going "No needs to be better." Thus after ~~4~~ 5 rewrites now. I hope this one is satisfying to you all as it is for me. Also do know I will from now on, publish my chapters on Fridays, or try to, my goal is once every two weeks. Also, I have been out of writing for a while, so please have mercy on any issues, it might be me rewriting this late at night after work, or me being out of touch. So, look forward to Fridays for new chapters, and I'll see you all, well hopefully by the Friday after next, if not sooner.

Be kind to one another, and stay safe out there readers.