It is the morning of Christmas Eve, and Sunset finds herself awaking to the odd sensation of being hugged, having had a restful night unlike the previous. She looks around, dazed about where she is, as she sees the gentle arms and hands of someone around her waist. Soon she notices who they belong to, a sleeping Fluttershy, dozing off with a peaceful expression. Sunset recalls yesterday, the party, her friends apologizing, discovering secrets, and that magic truly is here in the human world.

'And now Shy is hugging me in my sleep, well I guess I am stuck here.' She thinks, as she lays back down, and processes the night's events, though she looks at her tattoo, still wrapped, and wonders how it looks. She thinks about her past, her ambitions, and her goals. She soon holds her arms close, as she sighs, thinking over the week's events, and how she never thought she would have a good Christmas here after her betrayal of AJ and dumping Flash before the school year began.

She hears movement, as soon Pinkie sits up, and yawns, moving Dash off of herself, as she stands up, using her hands to mess with her hair, in an instant, it becomes a fluffy mess. Sunset chuckles, and sighs, 'Pinkie is a Fae, well that explains some parts of her. AJ and her sibling's loyalty is like a pack behavior I think, though now I want to look into this more. Maybe, me helping them understand themselves will help me get my own problems under control.' She thinks to herself, as the others stir before Big Mac walks down, and whispers to Pinkie, who nods, both soon heading to the kitchen, as Sunset loses sight of them with Shy blocking her view.

Sunset's breath hitches in her throat, as she looks at her. Pink hair drapes over her face, and soft breaths flow from her, peaceful and simply stunning. Sunset blinks and soon turns away, her heart echoing in her head. 'Ugh, this again, fucks sake why now? I was so mean to her, and I am trying to make it up to her. But this, I can't. Should I move away? Would she be mad? Oh, Celestia help me!' She thinks, conflicted and trying not to move too much, as Shy slumbers away. Sunset resigns herself to remain still, and let Shy hug her. 'I hope no one notices, but, she does feel warm.'

Meanwhile with Applejack

AJ stirs, as her stomach growls and she feels sore as hell. She grunts, and sighs. ' Now, gotta get some medicine from the store before tonight.' She sighs, and tries to look around, before noticing a weight on her, and looks down, to see Rarity's face against her stomach and abs. AJ tenses up, before swiftly knowing what to do. She gently lifts Rarity, easily moves her to lay on a pillow, and gets the blanket back on her. She looks down at herself, thankful back to being human.

AJ gulps, feeling nausea. 'Sunset and Rarity know, oh Crabapples. Welp, let's hope both won't be too awkward to explain this too.' She soon goes about getting the robe tightened on her, and going about her usual morning routine, thinking over what to do, how to explain everything to the girls, and if she should ask them to keep it a secret to their other friends or not. She is so busy in thought she fails to hear Rarity wake, and seems confused, before speaking in a hushed voice.

"AJ? Darling, you here?" She whispers as AJ forgot how dark it is, and her eyes see better than a typical person's. Soon AJ walks over, changed and ready for the day. "I am here sugar cube," AJ whispers and gently touches Rarity's arm. "so, you slept alright?" 'Hopefully she won't ask questions yet. I am starving.' AJ thinks, her stomach growling loudly.

Rarity sighs, and softly responds, "I did sleep quite alright, though a bit, too warm. Now, we need to talk, about this." She looks at her, eyes narrow and trying to see in the dark. "Also mind turning on a light? Or opening a window it is pitch black in here. How can you see?" Rarity questions, as AJ chuckles, and turns on a lap.

"Sorry Sugarcube, uh, part of what I am, and," with a heavy sigh, AJ accepts that she has to answer questions now, "sure I can answer ya questions. Just know, I may not have all the answers." She chuckles, as Rarity sighs, rubbing her face a bit. "So, how, long have you been, a Lycan right?" She asks, as AJ sighs, soon sitting down comfortably on the bed, as she looks at Rarity.

"About, well technically all my life, my ma was turned into one, a wild lycan had taken a bite into her, and she became one. See it can only happen via a bite in our lycan form. But we only get that part when we hit puberty, so around 4 or 5 years ago. I got a handle on it Rares." She says, smiling softly, in assurance, as Rarity looks shocked, and intrigued.

"So wait, who else in your family is one? Or well, do your exten-" AJ cuts her off, and speaks, "Yes, most of ma family knows, its a family secret, also why the Pears and Smiths get along, was because Granny knows folks in the mystical stuff. But from what I know, no one else is lycans, well besides my Aunt Orange and her family, she and they are pretty distant though, sort of why I went there for a summer with ma family when I was young."

Rarity processes this, as AJ thinks, 'I hope she doesn't ask how they are lycans, cause I barely recall that story. May need to ask them again soon.' Rarity looks up and whispers, "AJ, is this why you avoided sleepovers for a bit and started being more day-loving? I just thought it was your work ethic but it seems you wanted to...avoid this being discovered by us. And I am, a bit confused. I mean, I never met a lycan before, and now I know your one. Why it doesn't change anything, besides makes me feel safer around you."

AJ blinks, and speaks, "Uh, why is that? I thought-" Rarity, know interrupts her. "Honestly AJ, do recall I am a Twilight book lover, and was on team Jacob, also while I have grown up with cats as you know, I do adore dogs. And now one of my best friends is a big, strong, and fluffy lycan. Uh sorry, I just also really love how soft your fur was, it is like your hair, though that might be odd to say." She says, lightly blushing, as AJ feels her cheeks warm a bit.

"Well, not terribly weird, Bloom likes to cuddle me too. Big Mac's fur is a lot more rough and wolf-like. I got my ma's long hair kind of fur, I recall cuddling her in her lycan form..." AJ sighs, as Rarity looks at her, and sighs too, the mood shifting from slightly silly to somber. "I know you miss her, but, I think she is smiling at us being silly and talking about your fur." She says, as AJ nods, and sighs, looking down. Soon she feels Rarity's delicate arms hug her, and she hugs her back, the two sharing a moment, as AJ lets her emotions flow, no tears, just a soft melancholy feeling slowly dying down.

Back with Sunset

Sunset has been stuck, as Dash and the others slowly stir, as she is stuck facing Shy, who hasn't let go of her. She has pretended to be asleep, to make this less awkward for herself, but soon, the smell of food cooking stirs Shy, who opens her eyes. Sunset blinks, and panics once more. "Starswirl's Beard, what do I do? Shit." she thinks, as she then feels a voice speak to her, 'Be smooth, and say hello.', as Sunset blinks, and is unable to figure out if she just imagined that, as Shy blushes, and lets her go.

"Oh, I am, s-sorry." Shy stammers out, moving back and sitting up, as Sunset sighs, "Your fine Shy, good morning." She manages to say it smoothly, and Shy calms down, and the two have an awkward moment before Dash speaks up. "Hey sleepy birds, we got waffles, eggs, oatmeal, some fruit, and other stuff for breakfast. Oh, and I am gonna go find AJ and Rarity." She says, as Sunset blinks, and speaks, "Actually, Dash, I got it." She says, as Shy sighs, soon standing as she heads to wash up, and Dash chuckles, "Naw, wake up and get all ready, presents happen soon, and besides, your hair is a mess."

With that, Dash heads upstairs, as Sunset sighs, and soon goes about getting ready, grabbing clothing to change into, and her hairbrush, as she heads to the upstairs bathroom, as Shy uses the one downstairs. Soon Sunset is ready for the day, as she exits to see Rarity and AJ, holding hands as both stop, and AJ motions for her to enter a guest room, as Sunset nods, and enters. Soon, AJ speaks up. "So, uh, you okay?"

Sunset smiles, "Yeah yeah, just an awkward morning, but uh, are you okay? After your transformation. Your starving I bet. And, uh, I should say Pinkie, revealed to everyone she is a fae-" Rarity blinks, and looks confused. "I..suppose you weren't there, and AJ didn't tell you huh Rarity?"

AJ nods, "No, I haven't not yet, and well that makes me coming out as a lycan easier." Sunset is shocked, and mentally thinks, 'Is that, a good idea, well, considering how accepting is of Pinkie, maybe this will be fine. She nods, and shakes off her shock. "I say do it, and then I can ask you a billion more questions," Sunset says, smirking.

"Well Darling, only after she eats, and the others ask their questions." Rarity states, and sighs. "Though we don't need to drop it just yet, though AJ, should she promise it too?" Aj thinks, before nodding, as Sunset feels her concern grow, unsure what this promise is.

"Well, what is this promise?" She asks, slightly worried. Rarity soon takes her hand and speaks. "If the girls dislike Jackie over this, we stay by her side and also help them keep this a secret, especially Dash. Do you promise me that?" She asks, looking into Sunset's eyes, as Sunset feels her nerves loosen, and she simply smiles and nods. "Good, now, let's get breakfast." She says, soon dragging both down, as they arrive at the table, and a large morning feast awaits.

Their breakfast was delicious and very filling. Now the girls and the smith family all sit together, having some fun, and preparing to open presents. AJ looks nervously around, as she talks to Granny and Big Mac before this, both said they support her decision, but say not to show her full transformation, and only do a partial one if she can, so as not to ruin her clothing or risk an accident.

Thus they are all cozy in the living room, AJ sits on the sofa, Granny in her chair, Big Mac in the old rocking chair Pa made, and Blood is pouting as she can't open her gifts till tomorrow, but AJ smiles, as Pinkie hands out gifts. AJ keeps a special one, in her pocket, and looks at Sunset, who has Shy right beside her. Dash is helping Pinkie, and Rarity sits next to her, Winona, lays in her lap, and gets a lot of pets and praise from Rarity. Soon Pinkie finishes passing out gifts, and now, it is time.

"Hold ya hor- her, hold on girls." She says, not sure if saying "Horses" is insulting to Sunset, so she avoids it. "Twilight never minded it, but then again better safe than sorry.' "So, before we begin, you all know, about Pinkie I presume?" She asks, making sure everyone knows, as Dash, Shy, and Rarity nod, and Dash smirks.

"Yeah Pinkie is some magic fairy-person, which is totally awesome, AND, makes so much sense." The others nod, and Pinkie giggles, as they all smile. Shy gives AJ a skeptical look, as AJ sighs. "Yes well, she ain't the only one-" Shy: "You're a fairy too?"

"Nope Jackie is a Lycan." Pinkie blurts out, before awkwardly chuckling, as Dash looks confused. "A what now?" She asks, as AJ sighs, soon focusing, as she does her partial shift, though this is only her fourth attempt at it. She grows in height, gains fur on her face and her teeth feel tingly. AJ feels her ears shift and grow, and also her eyes become more sensitive. Soon she stops, feeling like she closed up a dam mid-release, but it holds, as she awkwardly rubs her neck. Rarity, Sunset, Shy, and Dash look on shocked, before Shy walks over, and hugs her.

"Fluffy," Shy says, before blushing and stepping back "I mean, uh, cool." Dash begins to bounce up and down. "COOL! COOL! THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME. Look at you, your awesome, and well, a bit weird, but still cool. Though, isn't this what a werewolf is?"

"Nope, see lycans can control it, werewolves can't." Big Mac says, as Granny and Bloom nod, and the others look at them, as Big Mac simply shifts his eyes, and Granny speaks with a chuckle, "I ain't one sadly." She says as she drinks her coffee still. Bloom giggles, as Rarity looks at AJ, curiously, "So, uh, this is a controlled transformation?"

AJ nods, as Sunset is marveling at this, as is Shy, while Dash soon blinks. "Wait, this is why you are as fast as me, your literally part wolf. Sunset is fast because of pony strength, and you got wolf strength. So I am the fastest normal person." She says before Pinkie speaks, "Well yes that is true, but you are also the only one of us who plays every school sport and seems to never lose energy. Are you even human?" She questions, as Dash blinks, before both begin to laugh, as Dash being something would be funny.

"Actually, uh, I..uh..." Shy looks down, and nervously. "I do, have something to say, which is...AJ, w-why did you hide this?" She asks, as Sunset steps in, "Well, like I hid what I was because she was scared you all would take it poorly, which has been proven wrong. I learned last night when she filled changed." Rarity nods, as the two gals nod, and soon begin asking more questions. AJ shifts back, and soon adjusts herself, before relaxing, and answering questions, as best she can, with help from her family, as the gals ask Pinkie them too.

After an hour of questioning, the girls get to open their gifts. First is Sunset, who gets a colorful winter scarf from Rarity with a matching pair of gloves and a hat. With that is a very well-made clay pot filled with cookies, and decorated by Pinkie. Next is Dash, who got her, a 150-dollar Amazon gift card. At that everyone looks at Dash, who sighs, "Look I..don't know you enough okay, so use that money well, it was, actually my own money."

Sunset chuckles, "Your fine Dash, thank you, and now-" She opens AJ's present, and AJ smiles, as she pulls out the newest fantasy book series, which is "The Witch in White" as the cover has artwork of a couple of folks, various skin tones and the lead having ginger hair, in white robes. The first three books are there, as well as the Zelda guide books for Twilight Princess. Sunset smiles and looks at AJ. "I assume you got me this since your the only one who knows me as a nerd."

"Well, they all do now." She smirks, as they all smile, and soon Sunset finishes her gifts, a large sweater, teas, and more comfort items from Shy, and Sunset smiles, and thanks Shy for them. Bloom also hands Sunset her gift, which is a homemade apology card, and a scarf. Sunset accepts both, and gently hugs Bloom, forgiving her and hoping she learned her lesson about the harm social media lies can cause, but both soon hug and seem to be on better terms. Soon the others open their gifts, the usual fancy items from Shy, Rarity, and Dash, as their more well off, while AJ and Pinkie have quality thoughtful gifts for everyone. Sunset looks to feel bad, but soon a knock on the door occurs, and Big Mac answers it, only to find no one there, but five boxes sitting there.

"Uh, packages for, Sunset?" He asks, confused. 'How did that happen? And why didn't Winona hear anyone coming up? AJ wonders, as Sunset blinks, before coming over to check them, and reads a note, before she chuckles. "Uh, so seems, someone bought the gifts I wanted to get you all, even though I thought it would be too much."

AJ and the others blink, as Dash speaks, "So, gonna be help bringing it in?" She asks, as AJ nods, before Big Mac easily grabs three of the five big boxes, as Sunset grabs the last two. They set them down, as Sunset sits and goes to her pocket, only to pat it, and check all her pockets. "Uh, OH, right. Does anyone have a pocket knife?" She rubs her neck, as the others all look around, none of them having any.

Big Mac soon pulls out one, from his set of keys, and hands it to her. Sunset opens the packages up, though doesn't remove anything, as the others are excited. AJ still wonders how they got there, before she notices, an odd small crow sitting there before he caws and flies away. Soon, Sunset finishes opening and hands the knife back, to which Big Mac closes it up and puts it away safely. "Alright, let's see what we got here." She beamed, opening the smallest one, revealing a new set of tennis shoes, sporty ones, a flight jacket, and a pair of aviator shades, though also with them is...a signed hat.

Dash soon bolts over and takes the hat, which is wrapped in a bag and freaks out. It is a wide-brimmed, tall hat with green ribbons on the base, and signed by "AK Yearling" on the brim. Sunset seems confused, before she chuckles as Dash begins to ramble about a book series and also some old movies. Sunset though is also nervous, asking how much it is, as Dash is about to mention it, but stops. "Don't worry, I bet he got it cheaper, I assume he knows the writer." She says as AJ notices how Sunset's nerves are being hit.

Soon the others check the boxes, each Sunset swiftly matches to their new owners. A Sowing Machine and several nice material bolts for Rarity, as well as a new design book. Cookbooks, copper pots with safety handles, and party makers' dream supplies for Pinkie. Shy gets several large blankets, a large stuffed animal, and oddly enough a simple card, which Shy soon begins to tear up over. AJ lets Dash help her calm down, though the tears seem to be tears of joy. Now it is her turn, as she gets, some new work boots, an envelope, and oddly enough, a scarf.

AJ picks up the scarf, as Granny gasps, "T-that looks just like the one...your mother wore so often...before the accident. It was ruined in the crash." She says, as AJ blinks, and holds it close, looking at Sunset. Sunset gives her a soft smile, as soon she comes over and hugs them. Soon all the girls hug together, as AJ speaks, "Girls, can we..all make a promise of something?"

"Of course Darling." Rarity answers, as Pinkie nods, Shy gives a small "Yes" and Dash chuckles, "Sure thing AJ." Sunset sighs, "Of course Applejack." she reassures her, as AJ sighs. "Promise to never let anything break us apart again." She says, putting her hand before her. Pinkie swiftly puts her own hand out. "Okie Dokie Lokie." She beams, as Shy puts her hand in too. "Never again." Shy proclaims, with some confidence oddly fitting of her. Rarity soon puts her hand on Shy's, "Well of course." Rarity proudly states, as Dash smirks and puts her hand in, "I can keep to that." she says, as they all look at Sunset.

AJ sees Sunset hesitate, unsure of if she can do this, before she takes deep breaths, and soon puts her hand in, "I think I can keep that promise, but you all promise me, to hear me out in the future okay?" Everyone nods, as AJ smiles before soon they all chuckle, and get back to the celebration, enjoying gifts and chatting, as AJ puts on the scarf, 'Ma, I hope you and Pa are happy up there.' she thinks, as she soon joins Shy and Pinkie for some gaming before they all part this evening for family celebrations and their own Christmas eves.

-----End of Part 1----

Author's Note

I have kept my schedule so far. Sorry, yet again I look back at old chapters and have to make some changes. Originally, this was only 2,000 words and much less impactful. So I filled it in and hopefully, you all like it. Next up, is Sunset's spending time with her guardians, and how they have been doing.

I do not apologize for cliffhangers and feel free to chat to me about questions in comments or DM. Just be respectful. Be good people, and enjoy yourselves.