Diary of the Dead

The girls all rushed back to Sunset’s apartment, eager to peruse the diary for more information. For five of them, it would be their first time seeing it in an in-depth environment. Sure, Sunset had shown them the mysterious entry, but at the same time, she’d also neglected to show them anything else. They didn’t know of Fluttershy’s anger, sadness, loneliness, or hurt. They were completely clueless of her secret romance and of how terrible Sunset truly was. But the yellow girl was willing to face up to her past in order to ensure Fluttershy’s future. When they arrived at her coffee table, she flipped the book open and began to show them a deeper side to their lost friend.

As they watched, they kept their eyes peeled for clues. They wanted to know anything that might help lead them to the departed’s truth. But they were also shocked and appalled at Sunset’s mistreatment of her. The story of the broken arm hit them the hardest, as they all remembered Fluttershy’s cast. She’d claimed it was because of a nasty fall, but now they knew that she was being dishonest on purpose. She was so scared of Sunset’s temper that she was willing to lie to her close friends to protect herself. Now, ironically, they were looking to protect her from someone else’s lies.

“I can’t believe you broke her arm!” Dash exclaimed.

“Darling…you really were evil,” Rarity said bluntly.

“I know, I know,” Sunset said, “and I deserve every bit of vitriol you give me. But later. Right now, we have to keep searching.”

The girls looked at each other and nodded. There was a much more important task at hand. So, Sunset continued flipping through the entries until they got to the day after Fluttershy “died.” They’d already scrutinized this one closely, so Sunset turned to the next one. The girls began to read it together, and they were shocked at what they found. To say it drove them to tears would be an understatement, although some brave souls attempted to fight off the emotion. It just didn’t seem possible, yet there it was in black and white.

Dear Diary,

I…am…alive, although just barely. They can scratch me, claw me, hit me, kick me, and shoot me, but I will NEVER go down for them! They don’t deserve the satisfaction of seeing me quiver in fear. No, I will continue to rise against them. They want me to be someone cruel, vicious, and mean, but I cannot go against my principles of kindness and love. So, I sit…in my prison of iron…waiting to be rescued like some damsel in distress. Perhaps…my friends have found this already. That’s my only hope.

The evil ones might have imprisoned me, but they’re going to make a mistake. They’ve already begun to disguise me for a trip back to my school. They want my locker combination, and the times when Principal Celestia will be in and out of her office. Their conspiracy against Canterlot High School and this world has begun. They are evil, and they’ve captured me. So, I’ve hatched a little plan of my own. When I’m there, I’m going to drop this diary onto the floor. I know someone will find it and come for me. Sunset…I hope to God that it’s you.

The girls were overjoyed. Fluttershy was truly still alive! They couldn’t help but cheer and hug and feel absolute relief. Even Sunset, stoic as she was, placed her head into her hands and wept tears of happiness. She felt Fluttershy’s warmth begin to envelop her again and she smiled. But at the same time, she recognized the weight that had been put onto her shoulders. Fluttershy had specifically named her at the end of the entry. She had been placed on the edge of a cliff, holding her friend up as the abyss slowly advanced upon them.

“Sunset? You okay?” Applejack asked, wiping her tears away.

“I’m better than okay,” Sunset said, “I just found out that I have yet another chance to prove my friendship to her. But…”

“But what?” Pinkie squeaked.

“But if I fail…then we might lose her forever.”

“That’s why you’ve got us!” Dash exclaimed, “we’ve faced how many villains and come out okay?”

“Let’s see…you’ve faced me, The Dazzlings, Midnight Sparkle, Juniper Montage, Wallflower Blush-”

“I rest my case,” Dash said satisfactorily, placing a hand on Sunset’s shoulder.

Sunset smiled. She was so lucky to have friends like them. Knowing that they had her back every step of the way lessened the load. She couldn’t believe that she used to abhor friendship like she did. Now, she felt as free as a bird, soaring through the sky. Determination began coursing through her veins. Fluttershy was counting on, not just her, but all of them to come rescue her. They just had to figure out where she was.

“Um…I hate to break it to y’all,” Applejack said, “but we’re still more lost than the side plot in The Last Jedi.”

“Ooooo, nice reference,” Pinkie said.

“Thanks, but my point is…we don’t know hide nor hair of where Fluttershy actually is!”

“Maybe she left us another clue?” Rarity asked, “I mean, she did write a lot into that tiny entry. Perhaps there’s something we missed.”

Sunset nodded and turned the page. Much to everyone’s shock, there were more entries! They told of Fluttershy’s awful prison, of how she was tortured every day, and of how they starved her. But she also told of her unbreakable fortitude, which brought a sense of joyous satisfaction to everyone involved. But as Sunset continued to turn the pages, the entries just kept coming. Then, they arrived at the current date. As they watched, something magical happened. Words…came out of nowhere! It reminded Sunset of the journal she shared with Princess Twilight back in Equestria.

Dear Diary,

More starvation again today, although I hope by now, my friends have found this trinket I left them. Girls, if you are reading this, then you must know that you’ve all been lied to. It’s all part of a conspiracy against this world. Humans are the target, but that’s all I can say for now. They’re coming for me…they’re coming to beat me again. I’m in such severe pain that I can barely write this. Please…come rescue me. I’m in hell…and I need all of you more than ever before. Don’t forget me…