Life Is Strange. Episode. 1. : Ȑ̵̞̹̗͒̑̆̈́̾̆ë̶̹̳̬̫́̌̈́͐m̵̜̣̫̲͕̄̅̿ĕ̵̖͕̞͙ḿ̶̧̺͈̫͕͊̾̓̌͠b̸̠̫̲̓̀̽̚e̷̗͒̐̊̀̕r̶̨̻̀͛͝ ̸̼̤̳̝̖̙̽̋̒̒͜M̷͙̫̐͛̚e̴̪͙̹̳̻̞̪͊̊͋̾́͒́

by Forgetful

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Drama, Juniper Montage, Equestria Girls, Slice of Life, Wallflower Blush
Length: 9213

Sunset Shimmer a young woman running out of time, meets an odd loner who will forever change her life.

A distraught Sunset Shimmer meets an odd loner, who turns her once fading world upside down.

Now with growing light in her life, she has to work on bettering what she has become.

Or risk losing all she loves again.

Now in a episodic format, takes place before Pony Sunset Shimmer arrives in the human universe.

Published 2020-05-17 22:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2021-07-14 18:35:41 UTC

Crossroads

Sunset took a deep drag from a cigarette held between her thin fingers. The girl's bathroom was completely empty as a small cloud of smoke wafted high towards the ceiling indifferently. A dull flicker of fluorescent lights danced over the saddened girl below, her bright teal colored eyes a vibrant contrast to the growing darkness around her.

She felt as if her welcome in this world had been entirely spent. Everywhere she looked were faux smiles and mocking whispers. They knew she didn't belong here, deep down inside she knew they were correct.

It was fear that anchored her to this place, it was that same fear that also isolated her from everything in life. She couldn't form relationships nor build a foundation for a better tomorrow. Everything she touched would decay into dust, leaving behind the fleeting memories of nobody.

She wished to use that fear for something else, anything besides creating a void in her own soul.

Perhaps to finally gain a bit of respect from her lonely existence.

Sunset took a deep breath in dismay, a slender frame turned to face the reflection of a stranger she couldn't recognize in the bathroom mirror. Eyes stained with confusion, a broken smile that could no longer be pieced together with lies.

A beam of light soon exploded from the restroom door, as a green-haired girl made her way inside full of anxiety. Those nervous emerald hues locked onto Sunset in stunned silence, she thought to turn around yet couldn't find the courage.

“That biology test today, huh?” Wallflower Blush stammered with fear, as those words fell off her rose-colored lips.

“...” Sunset gazed away from the mockery of her reflection.

“I can study for something, but still always fail.” Wallflower forced a laugh from her throat.

Sunset flicked the rusted knob of the sink on. Water cascaded down the drain in a vortex of uncertainty, both hands lowered under the flow to collect a small puddle inside her grasp. In a swift silent motion, the redhead splashed her face with the icy reality of her situation.

“Ignoring me, it's ok… everybody does.” Wallflower turned to walk away, only to feel firm long nails dig into her shoulder.

With a soft yelp, the shy young woman was spun around to face Sunset. A sense of pain echoed from her eyes, Sunset slammed the girl up against the nearby wall with a thunderous thud. Wallflower wanted to scream for help but found a rough golden hand pressed over her lips.

“Do you know who I am?” Sunset whispered to the frightened girl in a serious tone.

Wallflower nodded a no in reply, tears swelled around the edges of her eyes. Body shivered in anticipation of pain or harm within the next few moments, unsure what this strange girl could be capable of.

“See? ~ You're not the only invisible one.” Sunset gently used her spare hand to caress the cheek of the young girl.

“Nobody knows who I am!” Sunset could feel her prey squirm against the wall in a feeble attempt to escape.

Sunset clutched her hand into a tight fist to land a hard slug into the stomach of Wallflower, who gasped in pain, unable to move or beg for mercy. Streams of tears rolled down each cheek, Sunset gently pressed her forehead against her victim's.

“They won't care, not unless they fear you.” Sunset winced to fight back a flood of pain from within.

“Fear is their weapon, it's ours too.” Sunset locked eyes with her frightened victim.

She couldn't see a faceless stranger in the dark, she could only see her reflection.

Releasing Wallflower who slid down the wall sobbing, Sunset took a few wobbly steps backward in a confused state of mind. Her heart thudded in her chest wildly, mind ablaze with thoughts of what she had done.

“I don't want to hurt people…” Sunset kneeled to apologize.

Wallflower quickly covered her face in terror, the soft echo of her cries filled the claustrophobic room in a sickening melody of Sunset’s failures.

“I'm sorry!” Sunset began to sob in dismay.

Her tiny hand ran through the hair of her frightened victim.

“Please, forget me.” Sunset pleaded in genuine sorrow.

In a dash, she fled from the room in tears.

Left was only a lit cigarette on the floor far in the corner, the sound of water drowning out the sound of tears.

Wallflower remembered those words, words etched into her soul.

Forget me.

Sunset flung the double doors of the school open in a panic, the fresh air of the late afternoon helped her regain some composure. The once blue sky painted a fiery orange, the crowded schoolyard no longer full of anonymous chatter.

The grounds near empty, save for a few who stayed behind to work on after school activities.

Sunset could feel her lungs burn from a lack of oxygen. The action of inflicting pain on another had always brought happiness to her within a fantasy, yet finally acting upon those hidden urges filled her only with disgust.

The fiery redhead stumbled down the front steps of her school, off-balance she plummeted to the cement ground with a loud crash. She wanted to be anywhere but here, even at Tartarus, no matter how she despised it so.

Helpless under a massive statue of a horse, she could feel the skin of her knees torn open. A streak of crimson stained the ground below, her broken gaze lifted to stare into the reflection of a marble base.

She couldn't recognize the demon, she had become.

A single hand lifted to touch the flawless surface, she wished only to sink within the stone. To fade away and never be seen again, to somehow leave this empty life behind.

“Who are you!?” Wallflower stepped out into the open world with caution.

Sunset could feel a gaze burn into her backside from the staircase. “I don't know.” She would reply in honesty. At this moment she was lost in a sea of emotions, drowned in her own apathetic thoughts that edged her towards insanity.

Delicate sounds of footsteps grew closer.

They were calm, collected, and full of confidence.

The gentle touch of a green hand touched Sunset's shoulder with compassion.

“I'm Wallflower Blush.” The girl kneeled down behind the broken redhead.

“...” Sunset began to sob slumped over in a puddle of tears.

“Shhh, it's ok.” Wallflower embraced the lonely girl in a tight hug.

The world might not notice them.

But for the moment, she would.

She'd notice this lost young woman.

Tartarus Storage Units.

Sunset kneeled to the tiny silver lock near the floor. A delicate key was removed from her jacket, with a click she unlocked her little slice of nothing. The metallic door lifted in a loud swoosh, dim fluorescent light poured into a cramped claustrophobic space.

“Oh, you live here?” Wallflower poked her head inside with a thin arched brow.

Sunset nodded as she walked deeper within, her hand snatching a pack of cigarettes off a nearby stack of brown boxes. She gave the pack a few gentle taps on the bottom, polite enough to offer her odd visitor a tiny taste of death, who refused promptly.

“Mom hit the road a while ago.” Sunset flicked her lighter in one swift motion.

“So you're alone?” Wallflower walked inside as Sunset passed her by, the metallic door slammed shut with a loud crash.

The darkness quickly faded as clapper lights sprung to life, the tiny space encased in a cozy orange glow. Multiple posters of metal bands hung on the wall, a few old pizza boxes were stacked in the corner, and two large bean bag chairs were squished dead center.

“Well if I let those nosey principals know, I can kiss my freedom goodbye!” Sunset plopped onto a beige chair with a thud.

“So you just keep to yourself?” Wallflower gently lowered herself onto the second chair, in visible pain as her handheld to her waist in discomfort.

“It's easier that way.” Sunset was quick to snuff out her cigarette on the dirty cement floor, after a few drags.

Sunset's teal eyes locked onto the girl’s waist with a hint of worry.

Wallflower swift to turn away and negate an awkward moment.

“Did I hurt you?” Sunset quirked her brow.

“Phst, no!” Wallflower scoffed with a forced giggle.

Sunset could tell when somebody was lying, she'd been around the foul custom for longer than she'd like to admit. She lifted off her seat as she scooted over to her new acquaintance, thin fingers intertwined under the striped brown sweater.

“I'm fine really.” Wallflower thought she should pull away.

“Seriously, I won't be rough.” Sunset lifted the fabric to reveal a dark purple bruise on soft green skin.

Sunset frowned as she crawled over to a nearby stack of boxes. “What about you? Don't you have a place?” She asked curiously as she swayed her hips side to side, eyes locked on her dwindled supplies in search of a certain something.

“So-so.” Wallflower shrugged sheepishly.

“How bad could it be!? I'm living out of a god-damned box!?” Sunset laughed wholeheartedly.

The green-haired girl nearly laughed herself, if not for a sharp pain that shot up her side. Sunset suddenly squealed triumphantly, a bottle of icy hot lifted above her head in a tiny sense of delight.

“Well, my parents aren't really around much.” Wallflower caught the bottle as the redhead tossed it over with a playful smirk.

With a dollop of the medication squirted onto her hand, Wallflower began to rub the chilly substance over her bruise in a slight shiver. “When they are, I'm not really the number one priority.” She spoke freely with a weakened smile over her lips.

“You just let the days drift by?” Sunset turned with a huff, her back pressed against a few boxes.

“You could say that.” Wallflower placed the bottle at her feet.

“About today.” Sunset let her eyes fall to the floor in shame.

“Totally fine.” The girl was beyond quick to reply.

“Hmm?” Sunset lifted a narrowed gaze.

“You wanted somebody to hurt, to feel what you feel daily.” Wallflower bit her lower lip hard.

“Do you?” Sunset questioned in a calm voice.

“Could never act on it.” Wallflower felt ashamed with such a weak reply.

“Don't.” Sunset huffed.

“...” Wallflower batted long dark lashes full of innocence.

“You'll just feel empty afterward.” Sunset arched her head to the ceiling as silence gripped the room.

Before the shy green-haired girl could reply. A thunderous knock echoed from the metallic door aggressively, a tiny yelp given from the pure shock of such a noise. Sunset quirked a brow with uncertainty, walking over to the entrance in silence.

"Don't open it…" Wallflower swallowed a massive lump growing in her throat.

"Open up, I know you're in there!!" An angry voice of a woman hissed from behind the frame.

Sunset rolled her eyes from the empty threat, ready to face whoever thought they could push her into a corner. With a loud swoosh of the door, the golden-skinned girl came face to face with a horrible sight.

The gleam of a silvery pistol pushed out of the darkness into her face with a swift motion, the silent attacker hidden behind cold unfeeling shadows. Time almost seemed to slow to a halt as Wallflower tried to scream, but was only met with silence.

Followed by a loud pop.

Wheeling and Dealing.

Sunset rolled her eyes annoyed, the loud echo of the pistol still clinging to the air.

"Juniper, dumb bitch!" Sunset swatted the gun out of her face, turquoise eyes filled with a sense of indifference.

A pale yellow girl suddenly pulling the gun towards herself protectively, dark ocean blue eyes hidden behind sleek stylish cat-eye glasses. "Don't touch the merchandise, this prop is worth more than both of us combined!" She hissed in a very catty fashion, flipping Forrest green locks over her shoulder.

"What do you want!?" Sunset cut to the chase with both hands atop her hips.

"I got hold of that good stuff you...wanted?" Juniper trailed off as her eyes narrowed towards the hyperventilating Wallflower sitting on the floor.

"Oh nice, Mind Breaker!" Sunset smirked excitedly before walking off towards a tiny silver tin hidden off to the right corner of the room.

"Who's the narc!?" Juniper spoke in a rude blunt fashion, her hand flaunting to the frightened girl.

"That's Wallflower, she's cool." Sunset removed a couple twenty's from the tin.

"Too sweaty to be cool." Juniper sneered.

"Well, she's my guest, not yours!" Sunset walked over with money in hand, Juniper staring at Wallflower with pursed lips.

"As if!" Juniper rolled her eyes, suddenly walking out of the room.

"I can go…" Wallflower felt the walls closing in around her.

"Just stay here!" Sunset grumbled aloud, quickly following Juniper out into the hallway but not before slamming the metal door closed.

"I don't do well in enclosed spaces." Wallflower could barely even whisper.

Juniper stood in the hallway, leaned against a rusted metal frame of another storage compartment. A look of anger spread across her face, those dark blue eyes following Sunset's every move with careful calculation.

"Why are you being a bitch!?" Sunset spoke in a stern tone.

"Me!? ~ That weirdo in there has rat written on her forehead, can't you see that!?" Juniper let a faux laugh escape her lips.

"I said she's cool!" Sunset returned a blank stare.

"Well, I'm not risking getting caught with this shit!" Juniper ran a hand into a pale violet purse hanging from her left arm, removing a small bag of marijuana.

"This coming from the tard flashing a fake gun around!?" Sunset rolled both eyes, tossing a few crumpled bills against Juniper's chest in anger.

"I thought your lonely ass would enjoy a joke!" Juniper collected the money speaking through gritted teeth.

"But it looks like you'd rather just get busted, I'm not risking a job with my uncle for some dumbass!" Juniper let those words sting Sunset like a strike from a snake, the golden girl suddenly backhanding her with a loud pop.

"I knew there was a reason, I hated dealing with you!" Sunset huffed watching the yellow girl stumble against the wall, holding her cheek in both pain and shock.

"You'll pay for that loser!" Juniper began to walk away, heading towards the exit before feeling a tiny bag smack her up across the head.

"Take your trash too!" Sunset giggled tossing away her acquired stash, Juniper pouting at a loss for words, soon vanishing from view.

Taking a few seconds to collect her thoughts, Sunset spun around to swing open the metal door to her little slice of nothing. Wallflower tumbling out into the floor with a loud thud, the poor green-haired beauty holding to her chest gasping for a fresh breath of air.

"I… don't do well in… enclosed spaces." Wallflower was clearly in panic mode, her whole body shivering out of control.

Sunset cupped her cheek tenderly with a light smirk, this oddball had a warm sense of innocence to her actions, those she never thought could exist in this world anymore. "Let me walk you home." She spoke with confident reassurance.

"Kay." Wallflower gazed upward to her newest acquaintance, this day filled with too much excitement for her tastes.

Outside was far cooler than inside that little hotbox, the sky above now a lovely dull orange hue. A gentle ballet of wind blowing through their long hair, a familiar scent of fresh flowers wafting out towards the horizon.

The vibrant glow of fresh green grass that stretched endlessly or the melody of birds singing high above the earth from the treetops. These were the reasons Wallflower adored her time within the school garden, or simply outside for that matter.

Nature brought forth a true sense of harmony to the world, one that could never be stolen or corrupted. Perhaps one of the last few places with true goodness inside, surrounded by a world quickly being engulfed by madness.

"Did I scare you?" Sunset walked at a leisurely pace across the warm grey sidewalk.

"The gun thing? ~ Maybe a little…" Wallflower bit down on her lower lip sheepishly, deep down wishing she could be far braver.

"It was a dumb prop, Juniper works for her uncle at some Movie Set and thinks that just makes her smell like roses!" Sunset grumbled, still clearly annoyed by even mentioning that rude girl.

"Did I ruin your friendship with her?" Wallflower whimpered aloud in regret, running a delicate hand through her hair in utmost defeat.

"Juniper wasn't my friend. ~ People like her, they just use others to get what they want." Sunset flaunted her hand upward in a dismissive manner.

"Had she used you before?" Wallflower asked with a tone of concern.

"Not anymore." Sunset flashed a stern gaze as if silently asking to drop the subject.

Wallflower nodded quietly before coming to a halt in front of a massive two-story house, the sides overgrown with dark green vines as long tall grass seemed to devour the front yard. "This is my stop." She reached out to gently tap the golden girl on her shoulder.

"Damn, I thought my place looked spooky!" Sunset giggled as she stuffed both hands into her pant pockets.

"It's nicer from the backyard." Wallflower gave a tiny shrug, both cheeks burning a bright red.

"Guess I'll see you around?" Sunset quickly smirked as she began to dash off.

"Actually!?" Wallflower found herself yelling after the lonely girl in a loud tone, one she'd never had honestly heard before until now.

Sunset turned to lift a thin arched brow.

"Would you like to spend the night? ~ I can order something out unless you're a fan of cold leftovers?" Wallflower rubbed the back of her head embarrassed, knowing in her heart she must sound like a total dweeb.

"Thanks, but I doubt your parents would like my company." Sunset began to wave off the young girl solemnly.

"That's just it, they're not here…" Wallflower ran a hand down her own arm in growing silence.

Sunset found her turquoise eyes gazing off into the distance towards the Tartarus she called home, nothing but emptiness and echoes awaiting her in the dark. "I'd like… that." She let those words fall from her lips carefully, unsure what exactly she was letting herself do.

"Cool." Wallflower nearly squealed in excitement, turning to rush through the tall grass of her yard, only to trip and tumble into it instead.

Sunset ready to help the delightfully dorky girl up, yet a green hand lifted upward to pause her in place.

"I'm ok!" Wallflower replied embarrassed.

Sunset couldn't help herself but laugh.

Why Not?

"Wow, didn't figure you'd be a fan of cold leftovers?" Wallflower watched her guest hunched over at the kitchen table, those bright turquoise eyes locked dreamily on the plate of cold meatloaf, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.

"Home-cooked shit is the bomb, I've eaten so much takeout it all tastes like cardboard now." Sunset chewed a mouthful of meatloaf excitedly, lifting her spare hand to form a gun shape towards her head, pulling the trigger jokingly.

"Well, I could've still heated it up?" Wallflower delicately flung the door to her fridge open, searching for something Sunset could drink as a pale yellow hue basked over the darkened kitchen.

"No need, best stuff in life is cool." Sunset plucked a carrot off her plate with a dull silver fork.

"Let me guess, like you?" Wallflower grabbed a cold can of Cherry Soda from inside the icebox.

"Way to ruin my joke." Sunset smirked playfully as her new friend tossed the can, catching it from the air with one hand impressively.

"If I may ask, where did your mom go?" Wallflower spoke carefully with interest, the sharp click of the aluminum can opening echoed across the out of date room.

"She bolted with her boyfriend to Manhattan, he claimed that he had gotten invited to join a business venture with his brother." Sunset took a deep long drink from the soda, her eyes never leaving Wallflower.

"She just left you?" Wallflower found herself jumping up atop the kitchen counter to sit, the room blanketed in growing darkness that formed outside, the girl annoyed that the bulb above had blown right as she flicked it on for a guest.

"He never liked kids, besides mom said I was old enough to do fuck all." Sunset slowly stabbed her fork into the meatloaf below, eyes almost seeming to glow in the dark.

"Do you miss her?" Wallflower gazed down to her feet, averting her eyes from making contact.

"Yeah, I do." Sunset gave a simple reply, sliding a half-empty can of soda across the table.

"So what's your room like?" Sunset was quick to change the subject, dipping her finger into the potatoes on the plate, lifting it upward to her lips to lick it clean.

"This is it!" Wallflower skipped up a flight of old wooden steps leading into the attic, her arms lifted to show off a large open area covered in dozens of potted plants and various photos of flowers decorating the walls.

The pale blue moonlight pouring into the room from a massive circular window which hung dead center of the wall, Wallflower's bed nested underneath it in disarray covered with old clothes or magazines.

"So you're a literal flower in the attic?" Sunset giggled at her own joke, climbing up into the room slowly as Wallflower clicked on a bright golden light.

"I enjoy wide-open spaces." Wallflower rushed towards her bed, tossing off the trash swiftly as her guest explored the room.

"Open is an understatement." Sunset walked over to a photo near the far right, Wallflower stood by herself surrounded by dozens of various flowers.

"That some kind of fancy vacation picture?" Sunset turned to face her hostess, hand-throwing a thumb back towards the photo.

"Actually, that's the Garden Club at school." Wallflower giggled as she took her seat upon the bed.

"Really!?" Sunset looked absolutely shocked, she never thought such a beautiful place could exist so close by.

"Mm-hmm, I'm sort of the only member." Wallflower bit her lower lip in embarrassment.

Sunset took a moment to admire the room around her, usually any attic, a place to be feared or forgotten by time. Yet Wallflower had molded this area into her own little paradise, everything popping to life with the wondrous scent of fresh flowers.

An enchanting place straight out of a fairytale.

"You've done all this?" Sunset seemed shocked, sitting each day in her piece of garbage compartment and this girl had nearly created a whole florist's department.

"Just in my spare time." Wallflower seemed visibly uncomfortable.

Sunset could only guess that her spare time was in constant supply. The look of loneliness in her eyes a mirror reflection of herself, Sunset carefully walking over to the corner of the bed and sitting down.

"So your parents are gone a lot?" Sunset stretched her slender arms outward lazily, keeping the moment casual as possible.

"They're busy, most of the time off on…" Wallflower searched her mind for the perfect words, ones that might not make her sound completely pathetic.

"Business ventures?" Sunset giggled with a knowing wink.

"It's absolutely fine, I have tons to keep me busy!" Wallflower turned her gaze upward to the window of her room, cheeks on fire from this current moment in time.

"I have shit to do too, but that doesn't excuse it's harder to do alone." Sunset popped her lips softly in a deflated manner, her eyes catching glimpse of an old Polaroid Snapshot camera on the nearby nightstand.

The fiery Redhead bouncing to her feet and snatching it up with a beaming smile of excitement, looking it over with awe and absolute glee at such an awesome little sight. "No effin' way!" She pointed the camera towards Wallflower taking a quick picture.

Wallflower gasped from the sudden flash of light, her gaze locked to the object in worry. "Be careful with that, it's a gift from somebody special!" She nearly flew off the bed, quick to gently tug the camera away from her guest.

"Oops, sorry.~ Just haven't seen one of those in freakin' forever!!" Sunset shrugged with a sheepish smile.

"Yeah, I've taken each of these photos with this old girl." Wallflower hugged the camera, tilting her head to the walls surrounding them both.

"Dang, you're just trying to hint I'm lazy aren't you?" Sunset flashed a playful gaze to Wallflower with softly pursed lips.

Wallflower in complete horror, lifted one hand to cover her mouth, it was never her intention to belittle her only known acquaintance. "Omigosh, I would never…" She tried to apologize as Sunset simply burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Chill out, I'm just messing with you!" Sunset shook her head with a smile, reaching into her pocket to remove a beat-up scratched phone.

"Sorry, are you needing to call somebody?" Wallflower felt so embarrassed, every turn she took to impress this girl ended with one loser move after another.

The sudden melody of a rock ballad filled the quiet room with untold excitement, Sunset placing her phone on top of the nightstand on her own personal playlist. "You totally need to relax more, life isn't one big job!" She swayed her hips to the music, gyrating her upper body in perfect rhythm to the music.

"I don't dance…" Wallflower placed down her camera with a shaken tone of voice, trying her best to hide.

"Bullshit, everybody dances!" Sunset gently took the shy girl by the hand, pulling her over playfully as she guided her to sway in place.

"I look stupid." Wallflower tried to shake her hips but only succeeded in convulsing in place foolishly.

"Hahaha, you look sexy! ~ Shake that thing!!" Sunset laughed to the beat as Wallflower blushed a bright pink, both young girls soon in full swing to the melody dancing in their own unique flavor.

"Why are we dancing?" Wallflower tried her best to wiggle in place, unable to shake the feeling that she was messing it up.

"Why not?" Sunset giggled watching the shy girl dance more confidently in place, trying to perform a quick twirl only to trip and fall to the floor with a loud crash.

"Darn it!" Wallflower hid away her face instantly.

Sunset smirked as the song shifted to something new, a true vibe of positive energy filling the room with a newfound warmth. "Dude, stop feeling like you need to impress!" She danced over to a nearby dresser, spotting a permanent marker hidden under a few dirty shirts.

Swaying to the beat, Sunset stood humming to her favorite song on the phone. Hand tracing across the wall in a fiery flash, turquoise eyes glowing bright with a sudden sense of purpose to get this shy babe out into the world pronto.

"Because all you really need to do is…" Sunset spun around to Wallflower slapping the once empty white space of wall smugly.

"Just Go With It!"

Wallflower allowed the words to sink deeply into her heart, weakly flashing a tender smile she picked herself off the floor. It was a rare moment she didn't feel invisible or a sudden urge to hide away in a dark quiet place.

No, instead she grabbed Sunset by the hands.

With a reassuring squeeze, they both danced.

Because why not?

Just A Normal Day.

Rain fell from the heavens calm and collected, the clouds above Canterlot High a smokey grey hue devoid of any color. The grounds were empty and darkness enveloped the horizon for infinity, Wallflower stood soaking wet before the school's massive shadow.

The wind blowing the grass violently back, the sour stench of decay heavy upon the wind. She could feel an icy chill creep down her lower backside, dark brown eyes lifting towards the sky in utmost despair.

The clouds swirled high above in an odd red glow, the eerie sight basking this world in an otherworldly light unseen by human eyes. Suddenly a large gust of wind blew her hair back, Wallflower turning her àttention to the school in terror.

Tears cascading down her cheeks from such a horrible sight.

Heartbroken.

The sunlight poured into Wallflower's room from the lovely window above, the warmth of a new day placing a tender kiss upon her cheek delicately. Rising up from her bed in a haze she was greeted by silence, eyes adjusting to the light she noticed everything was completely still.

Alone once more, just as before.

Sunset had vanished no evidence of her presence anywhere, except for the message of hope written across the wall. With a tiny sigh of disappointment, Wallflower rolled onto her side, grabbing the camera off the nightstand and quickly focusing it upon the emptiness of the room.

A soft flash later, the moment vanished forever.

Simply a memory.

Downstairs Wallflower took her time to brush out the wild tangles from messy locks, the house devoid of any warmth that a family would bring. Laughter only an echo smiles a distant dream, and hope simply forgotten.

She was used to that sensation of being a footnote upon the lives of those around her, a drifting Spectre in the world unseen by most and never able to leave a lasting impression. Wallflower could've sworn that Sunset might be different, yet much like her parents, she simply stayed a small while, soon on her way to greater things.

After all, she was barely worth remembering, perfectly fine if they needed to leave.

She had tons to keep her busy.

To keep her hidden away.

Better this way.

Grabbing a red apple out of the basket hung next to the kitchen doorway, Wallflower allowed her mind to drift into the silence which surrounded her. Each step towards the counter calculated and slow, her slender hand reaching to slide an old silver knife out from a nearby drawer.

This object capable of many things, full of purpose and belonging to the world it inhabited. To be used as a tool to peel away the unwanted from this reality, or simply an item of mercy to end the pain. Wallflower bit her lip hard, the blade lowering away from the apple towards her arm.

The sudden sound of the school bus speeding by catching her attention, gasping in shock the knife plummeted to the floor below with a shrill clank. Her bus was never this early, why did she always get the worst luck?

Barely able to snatch up her backpack from the dingy tile floor, Wallflower darted outside in a frantic panic to stop that vehicle. Tripping over her own feet, she fell back into the horrid grass of her front yard with a thud.

"Wait, please!!" Wallflower scrambled out into the opening of the sidewalk, her voice drowned out by the loud roar of the engine.

Without a single care, the bus vanished over the skyline. Wallflower left collapsed on the sidewalk trying to catch her breath, the perfect start to an unwanted day.

"Wallflower Bush?" Mrs. Harshwhinny quirked her brow in uncertainty, reading off the name from a slip of paper in her hand.

Personally, it sounded fake, a possible joke from the class. One of the many reasons, she undoubtedly hated to substitute these annoying brats. The door to her crowded class suddenly bursting open, a frazzled green-haired girl stumbling in pathetically.

"Wallflower Bush?" Harshwhinny sighed in pure annoyance.

"Actually it's Blush." Wallflower gasped gently covered in sweat, her voice barely breaking a whisper.

"Speak up Ms. Bush!" Harshwhinny snapped in anger, Wallflower simply darting off towards the back of the class, the whole room echoing with snide giggles.

"Saw you running after the bus this morning, hilarious!" A rainbow-haired girl turned to face Wallflower, sitting in the seat ahead of her in a lackadaisical manner.

"Thank you for telling them to stop." Wallflower pursed her lips sternly, she could feel the whole class laughing at her.

"I figured you needed the exercise." Her violet eyes flashed over Wallflower's body as if to judge her figure.

"Hmm." Wallflower huffed silently.

"Thank me later, after finding deodorant." The girl laughed waving a hand in front of her face jokingly, soon turning away as the room began to grow silent once more.

Why was she the world's punching bag?

She never chatted much to anyone, but if they needed to humiliate a person. Wallflower was always their first choice, she just wanted to be left alone.

Was that so much to ask?

Clutching her hand into a fist, she needed to prove that she wouldn't take it anymore. Wallflower took a deep breath ready to strike, but the courage never came. In fact, she simply lowered into her seat full of defeat, the class in full swing after a few moments.

Like always, she was never called on.

Lunch arrived after a total blur of classes, Wallflower simply sat through each in a numb emotional state. Any words spoken towards her by classmates were those that she stunk or had sweat stains under her armpits.

A joke which never grew old.

Finally outside during her lunch period, Wallflower curled up on the edge of the school fountain. She watched from a distance the massive groups of people strewn across the endless landscape, each overflowing with laughter or a sense of togetherness.

The fountain her only place of reprieve from the constant taunting of her peers, she had been in such a rush this morning. That she had even forgotten to pack a lunch, it didn't matter much, she wasn't hungry at the least.

But anything to distract herself from this day would be welcome, with a silent sigh she stood up to walk across the nearby parking lot. Her garden a short jog through the bushes, a tranquil little slice of paradise that would always welcome her.

Each step across the burning hot asphalt edged her closer towards serenity, mind flooded with happy thoughts of her plants. They were the only real friends she needed, never judgmental nor snide, but only loving.

With a dreamy daze across her face, Wallflower stepped out right in front of an oncoming vehicle. A loud honk blared across the school wildly, the young girl snapping back into reality from her deepest thoughts.

Praying it wasn't too late, Wallflower flinched in place.

The whole world fading to black.

Fearless.

The beat-up sedan screeched to a sudden halt in front of the frightened Wallflower, edging forward enough that the teen was nudged in place, her balance lost as she plopped atop the hood in an utter daze.

"Holy shit balls!" Sunset clutched the steering wheel in her own panic, turquoise eyes locked on her crazy friend in worry.

"I'm alright!" Wallflower swung her head up off the hood shivering wildly, yet somehow forcing herself to show a faux smile.

Sunset sighed as teens watched from afar, most were too busy having a laugh. A few watched with fading interest, but she noticed not one asshole came over to see if everything was fine. Sunset rushed to the front of the car, her arm protectively lifting the fragile flower to wobbly feet.

"Why did you jump out like that!?" Sunset placed a hand on each of Wallflower's shoulders, giving her a tender squeeze of reassurance.

"You have a car?" Wallflower tilted her head to the side in a daze.

"It's a piece of garbage my mom left, but yeah!" Sunset guided the poor Wallflower over to the passenger side door, opening it as the adorkable girl slid inside.

"I was just in my own thoughts." Wallflower spoke as if she were sleepwalking, eyes twice the size of the moon.

"Yeah, almost roadkill too." Sunset scoffed with a sigh of relief.

"Way to thin the herd, Suntits!" The loud chortle of a group of guys echoed from the distance.

"Bite my fabulous ass!" Sunset flicked off the boys, only to receive a howl of laughter in return.

Yet she didn't let the laughter sear into her soul or send cracks of pain across her heart. Instead, she lowered her head into the car, flashing Wallflower a warm smile full of excitement and pure mischievous intention.

"Want to get a bite?" Sunset winked to the blushing green beauty.

"Um, lunch is almost over?" Wallflower gave a limp shrug in confusion.

"For this dumbass school, not for the world!" Sunset slammed the door shut hard, Wallflower in awe as she watched the redhead easily slide across the hood.

"We're cutting class?" Wallflower squeaked sheepishly as Sunset entered the driver's seat.

"Is that a problem?" Sunset twisted the key inside the ignition, the engine sputtering to life proudly.

"Babba Gabba?" Wallflower mumbled out absentmindedly.

Sunset immediately burst into laughter.

"You don't break the rules, do you?" Sunset yawned as she sped down the open road wildly, Wallflower sitting extra politely in the passenger seat as if preparing to receive an award.

The world flashed by in a vibrant canvas of colors, people of the world each on their own personal adventure. It was amazing how many people were out during the day, how fast the world moved without a single care for anything.

A far cry from the protective walls of Canterlot High, Wallflower felt as if that had become her world. That high school was the only place where everything mattered most, that if she messed up amongst her peers she'd be ruined forever.

But that wasn't true, was it?

School was just a grain of dust on the wind, outside in the real world was where all decisions truly began to have weight. Each faceless person passing by the car window with a story to tell, true worries to fear and dreams to catch.

It was in a way humbling.

"No." Wallflower relaxed in her seat at long last, replying with a whisper.

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen," Sunset smirked as the car took a sharp turn to the right.

"I thought you bolted this morning." Wallflower blushed a bright pink in embarrassment.

"Huh, no I left a note?" Sunset replied as her nose scrunched slightly.

"What?" Wallflower asked confused.

"The photo I took of you, I wrote a note on the back and left it on the nightstand." Sunset giggled as her head shook in place.

Wallflower felt a sense of idiocy flush over her body, she didn't think about searching out for any kind of note at all, instead simply judging Sunset point-blank. "I didn't know?" Wallflower whimpered, her voice cracking with regret.

"Totally fine, I just decided to finally pick up my car from the towing company." Sunset playfully extended a hand to rock Wallflower's shoulder.

"Tired of walking?" Wallflower weakly flashed a smile.

"You could say that," Sunset replied returning a smile to her friend, this piece of junk not impressive to most, but it seemed to keep Wallflower in awe.

That alone worth the seventy dollar bill.

With a flick of the wrist, Sunset turned up the radio to something with a vibrant beat. Eyes glancing to her side to watch Wallflower bobbing her head along cutely, "Do you like burgers?" Sunset asked curiously.

"Sure, though I don't really have any money on me." Wallflower felt that dorky feeling creep in.

"Don't worry, lunch is on me girl!" Sunset suddenly slammed her foot on the gas, Wallflower squealing in shock as she instinctively latched onto Sunset's arm tightly.

"What's the rush!?" Wallflower swallowed a huge lump in her throat.

"I'm hungry!" Sunset laughed wholeheartedly, the feeling of something so delicate holding to her.

It was amazing.

"Junkyard Jake's?" Wallflower gazed out the windshield at a complete loss for words, the tiny diner they had stopped at looked pieced together, to say the least.

As if molded out of busted cars and rusted tin, tons of various items from a junkyard such as tires, old televisions, and even an anchor were sprawled out front. Wallflower feared just looking at this place, could give her tetanus.

"You haven't lived until you've eaten a Junker Burger!" Sunset jumped out of the car with a lazy stretch.

"Sounds metallic." Wallflower gently exited the car, this place far on the outskirts of the main city.

She had never been so far out before, the usual colors of the busy streets replaced by the simple scenery of thick woodlands. This diner hid away off the main road, a true surprise to find for those, not in the know.

"It looks rough, but Adagio loved this place!" Sunset suddenly caught herself off guard, stopping in front of the car sadly.

She had been in such a rush to share a special place with a new friend, she had nearly forgotten what made it stand out in the first place. Taking a deep breath, Sunset silently pushed ahead towards the small building.

Wallflower finding that this place was pretty odd at first glance, but a hidden charm sort of vibrated from within. She needed to give this place a genuine chance, after all, she was miles away from school right now.

Might as well enjoy being a fugitive on the run.

Collecting her courage she followed Sunset close, tetanus or not.

She'd eat a burger…

A Junker Burger.

Burger Time.

Sunset gently slid her dark leather jacket over beautiful narrowed shoulders, her long bouncy locks a trail of wildfire that danced down her lower back. Without missing a beat she lazily pounced into a booth towards the back, turquoise eyes beckoning her friend over with playful intentions.

Wallflower had to admit, this place was beyond cute from the inside. Large red booths lined the walls, as a cozy little fan spun gently above on the ceiling. Various posters clung to the wall telling a humorous tale, from beware of the dog, grab a cold one with some friends, or simply a painted canvas of two young girls hitchhiking.

The diner had a quaint but quirky charm, Wallflower could understand why somebody like Sunset would enjoy this place. Politely taking her seat across from her friend, Wallflower clasped both hands together in a prissy little fashion.

Sunset smirked in delight, both legs lifted up onto her seat with her backside to the window. She didn't know why, but she enjoyed how innocent Wallflower acted in general. As if she somehow had been shielded from the filth of this world, her dark brown eyes overflowing with genuine kindness if also apprehension.

"I think you should start with a Junk Pup." Sunset grinned from across the table with a toss of her wild mane.

"A Pup?" Wallflower tilted her head to the side a tad confused at the current lingo.

Sunset lifted her hands up playfully and pressed them close to a very tiny shape. "It's a cute little burger, you'll love it!" The redhead giggled as she grinned teasingly.

"What, you don't think I can handle the Junk-a-majig!?" Wallflower suddenly pouted as she pursed her lips together cutely.

"You'd be destroyed!" Sunset snorted.

"And you wouldn't?" Wallflower narrowed both eyes slowly.

"You can't destroy something this awesome!" Sunset lifted her arm up to flex proudly.

"Wow, I've never seen a ham flex before?" Wallflower teased with a tiny flaunt of her hand.

"Trust me, smol pup for smol girls!" Sunset spoke in quite a confident manner, waving over the waitress with her hand.

Wallflower simply sat in place with a stone-faced expression of defiance, dark chocolate colored eyes burning a hole into her laminated menu on the table.

"Well ladies, what will it be?" A rotund hearty woman asked with a joyous smile, dressed in a simple pastel blue uniform.

"I'll have a Sloppy Junker Burger with a Mountain Dew and my cute friend will have…" Sunset smiled warmly before she was interrupted mid-sentence.

"A Quadruple Junker made sloppy with a Cherry Soda!" Wallflower proudly made her order, though unsure what it was, she knew it at least sounded intimidating.

"Hahaha, I like this kid!" The woman walked away laughing up a storm.

"Are you insane!? ~ That's like a twelve dollar burger!!" Sunset slumped into her seat utterly shocked at what just happened.

"Too expensive?" Wallflower bit her lower lip trying to keep cool.

"What do…" Sunset could finally see that this girl was trying to show off, cooling off she decided to have a little fun instead.

Relaxing back into her seat she smiled, twelve dollars totally worth the price of admission to this shit show waiting to happen. "Not at all, I'm no cheapskate." Sunset smugly lifted her hand upward to inspect her nails.

"Ahem, awesome because I'm starved." Wallflower tried to slump into her seat as well, only succeeding in looking uncomfortable instead.

"You do know that Sloppy Burgers are chili, cheese, mustard, onions, and jalapenos?" Sunset quirked a thin brow to her devious little friend, the waitress returning to place their drinks on the table.

"Mmm, sounds interesting?" Wallflower's voice cracked softly as she quickly sipped from her drink.

"Oh, it's going to be interesting alright." Sunset flashed a wicked white smile in smug satisfaction, the scent of cheese and jalapenos thick upon the air.

Their waitress soon walked over with a tiny plate in one hand and a massive beast in the other. Placing the petite burger in front of Sunset, the woman plopped the oversized monster before Wallflower laughing.

"Jake said anybody who can finish a quad, gets their photo on the wall!" The woman nudged her head to the wall found near the entrance, photos of overweight truckers and frat boys covering the area.

"Lovely." Wallflower spoke in barely a whisper.

The burger was like Everest itself, four stacks of meat one after another intimidating all who dared to cross it. Chilli overflowed from the sides much like lava, staining the plate a dark brown. Swirls of yellow taunting her taste buds to enjoy, the scent of jalapenos stinging her nose sharply.

"Down the hatch." Sunset lifted her baby burger high, chomping a large bite from it easily.

Wallflower took a deep breath watching the ham before her taunt, basking in the glory one could only feel when being right. She was tired of being the joke, having everyone around her always laughing.

Without warning Wallflower picked the beast up in both hands, taking three large chomps out of the burger in quick succession. "Absolutely delicious!" She spoke through a muffled voice full of meat, watching happily as the color faded from Sunset's rosy cheeks.

"Stop, it's not funny!" Sunset gasped in shock of such a scene.

Wallflower's whole face bathed in chili and spicy mustard. The slender girl ripping apart the burger as if it were some kind of deceased carcass, she the hungry prey hidden in the darkness with bared fangs.

"You can't stop me!" Wallflower swallowed another huge bite, delving in again and again.

Guided only by instinct of the hunt.

Sunset watched in awe as soon over half the beast was vanquished from this world, the insane green girl actually in shooting distance of eating a whole quad by herself. "You crazy bitch!!" Sunset suddenly lifted up onto the table with her palms excitedly.

Wallflower paused while sweat poured down her forehead, watching as Sunset was no longer mocking her but instead cheering loudly as if at the Superbowl. Heart racing in excitement or perhaps meat poisoning, Wallflower pushed herself to take more bites towards the finish line.

"Just one more bite and you're my effin' hero!" Sunset began to pound both hands on top of the table, screaming proudly at the top of her lungs.

Wallflower felt her hands quiver holding one massive piece of burger, her stomach as tight as a drum and vision swaying side to side. "This is what hell must be like…" She groaned stuffing the last piece into her mouth, chewing slowly absolutely sickened when she finally mustered enough courage to swallow.

"YOU ACTUALLY DID IT!" Sunset screamed flabbergasted.

The redhead flipped out of her seat to go grab the waitress, who she nearly pushed over nudging over to their table. "Dang, you must've been hungry girl?" The woman giggled while lifting up the camera to take a photo.

"Sunset, be in it with...me?" Wallflower felt herself shivering in place wildly.

"Effin' yes!!" Sunset quickly jumped in the seat on the far side of her friend, wrapping her arm tightly around Wallflower and flashing a proud smile.

Wallflower gazed upward to the enchanting redhead as the flash went off, she felt an odd spark of tranquility trace down her lower back.

She didn't feel alone.

The Best and Worst.

"So who's Adagio?" Wallflower hunched over next to the passenger seat of Sunset's car, she was struggling to fight back the behemoth she somehow vanquished moments ago.

Her stomach gurgled aloud in discomfort as once vibrant green skin was more of a pale sickly affair. Sunset watched with a hidden smirk from the opposite side, she knew this would be the outcome of such boldness in the face of burger adversity.

"Dagi?" Sunset placed a thin hand over her chin falling into deep thought.

"You don't have to share." Wallflower belched suddenly in embarrassment.

The sunkissed girl flashed an amused smile back towards her friend. "She was a total dork, always worried about the dumbest things." Sunset giggled while walking away from the car a tad deflated.

"I'm sorry." Wallflower let the words fall under her breath.

Sunset traced the road stretching into the horizon with sparkling turquoise eyes. "She drifted away towards her own path before I could say goodbye she was gone." She clutched her fist into a tight ball at her side.

Wallflower couldn't hold back another second as she erupted a stream of chili burger over the gravel parking lot. "It tastes even worse in reverse!" She squealed out with a shivering hand perched atop the car.

Sunset rushed over as the poor thing was in absolute agony of this purge, without saying a word she held her friend's hair back as she continued to let go. "Don't worry I have you." She gently massaged Wallflower's backside with concern.

This wasn't exactly how Sunset wanted to end this hangout session, but that's just how life works.

You rarely get a happy ending.

Wallflower watched the trees flash by in a blur of vibrant colors, her body curled into the fetal position in the backseat. She nestled her cheek on the door gently and watched the world drift by outside in complete silence.

"I'm such a loser." Wallflower drifted her gaze towards Sunset driving up front.

Sunset shrugged in reply taking a sharp curve as the car bounced roughly, a pothole sending vibrations across the car swiftly. "Yeah, you kind of are." She tilted her head back slightly to smile joyously.

"Wow, thank you!" Wallflower pursed her own lips into a frown.

"Well, you're talking to Queen of the losers!" Sunset shook her head in place from the girl's snippy reply. "I doubt we would've crossed paths otherwise." She finished with a genuine tone of seriousness in her voice.

"So that scene back there, you're not totally grossed out?" Wallflower lifted much like a zombie from the grave and rested her cheek tenderly on her friend's shoulder.

Sunset happily lifted a delicate hand upward and cupped Wallflower's cheek in a comforting manner. "Not at all, I actually respect you for it." She laughed wholeheartedly as they arrived back at the front of the school.

"You respect seeing me blow chunks?" Wallflower replied with a stone-faced expression.

"I respect you for sharing both your best and worst." Sunset turned to see a cute pouting face, finding herself lost in such dark brown pools of beauty.

Before the moment could linger a moment longer, a pale blue hand tapped on the driver's window roughly with no sense of mercy. Sunset turned to spot Vice Principal Luna casting a gaze that could petrify even Medusa. "Fucker!" Sunset mouthed her disapproval at the current situation silently.

The driver door swung open as Luna placed both hands on her hips fuming with built-up anger. "Enjoy yourselves, ladies!?" She snapped sarcastically hand motioning for Sunset to kill the car engine.

"Yeah, for a moment I was." Sunset rolled both eyes.

"Out of the car wiseass!" Luna pointed to the sidewalk behind her.

Sunset grumbled under her breath. "I need to park!" She lifted her eyes upward towards the principal, knowing if she left her car here it'd be towed again.

"I don't care!" Luna replied harshly as Sunset stepped out of the vehicle her chest heaving in place.

"Of course not bitch, you're not paying to get it out!" Sunset hissed before Luna towered over her in anger, an outreached hand demanding she sit atop the sidewalk now.

"Ma'am?" Wallflower barely could speak in a broken voice.

Luna just rolled her eyes and motioned the frightened girl to exit as well. Within seconds Wallflower plopped out of the backseat with a thud, almost crawling her way to Sunset's side out of pure terror.

"Shall we go inside?" Luna turned to face the troubled delinquents at her feet in exhausted dismay.

Sunset wasn't a surprise at all.

Yet it was the odd green-skinned girl who seemed out of place.

Luna for the life of her, couldn't quite place who this student could be.

"Wallflower Blush," Luna spoke aloud, still uncertain even as her eyes investigated the student's personal profile.

"I just want to apologize for any rules I might have broken." Wallflower preemptively tossed herself at the mercy of her educator.

Luna simply scrunched her nose in mild confusion. "It's a first offense, I'll just let it pass this time." She sighed deflated by the current state of children today, before turning complete attention to Sunset.

"But you, what got back from suspension like yesterday!?" Luna lifted fingers to her temple and began to massage.

"Two days ago actually." Sunset popped her lips loudly in defiance.

"You're expelled! I'm calling your mother, right now!!" Luna reached for the phone atop her desk.

"No need! I'll just drive home myself!" Sunset snapped before the woman could react, lunging out of her chair in a panic.

"Upon expulsion, I must inform your…" Luna flashed a concerned look to both girls in her dimly lit office.

"I'm the one who forced her to leave campus!" Wallflower stood out of her seat hastily.

"What!?" Luna narrowed both eyes in confusion.

Wallflower leaned forward over the desk as if to try and seem more confident. "If you must expel anybody, let it be me!" She lifted her hand over her heart solemnly.

Luna just snorted in disbelief. "I find that hard to believe."

"Believe it...bitch." Wallflower casually cursed her principal without even a stutter.

Sunset nearly exploded in laughter yet curbed it to a loud yelp followed by a soft cough.

"That dear wasn't the smartest choice." Luna's voice deepened into a scowl.

Wallflower could feel her life flash before her eyes.

She was totally dead.

C̸͕͈̖̿͑̄ŗ̴̛͚͙̂̆͆ǫ̷̛̪͎̐s̷̪̒͆̏̑s̷͙̩̓ŕ̵̳͉̽̈̏o̸̺̘̿͠a̴̳͂̔̿̈́d̶̲̳͔͖̎̈́s̵̝͗̀͊͠ͅ.

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