Diary of the Dead

Twilight and Sunset took a moment to just breathe. While they did, Sunset began flipping through the pages of the diary once again. Twilight was surprised to find just how dark Fluttershy’s thoughts had become while she was being bullied. She proclaimed her love of horror films, metal music, and something of an alternative lifestyle. It seemed Sunset had driven her into a mental corner, and there was no escape…that is, until Princess Twilight showed up. But for human Twilight, she’d only gotten to see one side of Fluttershy. This diary showed an entirely new perspective, one that was as interesting as it was brutal. Then, Twilight remembered Fluttershy’s love of the band Skull Cruncher, and it all made sense.

“Wow…she certainly went to…a dark place,” she said as Sunset read yet another deeply depressive entry.

“She didn’t go there,” Sunset said, “I pushed her there. I forced her into it…just because I was pissed off at another world.”

“Well, that’s all in the past,” Twilight said, placing an arm on Sunset’s shoulder, “and I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“She said she’d never forgive me for being so violent with her,” Sunset responded, “yet, we became such good friends. I…don’t know what to believe anymore.”

“Look, maybe it’s time we moved past the ‘you being a bully’ phase and into the amiability that you two enjoyed. She’s gotta have some good in here about you, right?”

Sunset nodded and, for the first time in a while, she smiled. Her hands moved quickly as she flipped to the very day she’d been defeated in her quest for power. The smile grew larger as she read Fluttershy’s words:

Saturday, September 15th,

Dear Diary,

Well…it finally happened. Someone finally talked some sense into Sunset Shimmer. It was this odd girl who claimed to be a princess from a world filled with ponies! At first, I didn’t believe it. But then, when we grew adorable pony ears and little tails and shot rainbow lasers, I did. I never knew that I could help save the world! Perhaps…I’m not all Sunset’s told me I am. Perhaps I’m worth more than that, and perhaps I can help her as well. Yes, as surprising as it is, I believe Sunset and I could become friends. Maybe I can forgive her for all she’s done to me. Maybe…there’s a sweetness and a tenderness underneath her heart of stone. Thanks to Princess Twilight, it’s begun to be chipped away. I think that the five of us can truly help her understand that there’s so much more to life than being a bully.

I don’t know why I wrote the mean spirited things I did. I guess I was just angry. But the music and films help me control my…issues. I guess, what I’m trying to say…is that I’m sorry for writing them. I never wanted to hurt Sunset Shimmer, but I always questioned her constant targeting of myself and my dreams. She has to have dreams, too…or, at least, ones that don’t involve teenage zombie armies and conquering worlds. Perhaps…I can help her find them. Just because she was a bully to me doesn’t give me any right to be one in return. One day, I’ll find out her true intentions in hurting me all this time. But for now…I’m just glad to have a new friend.

Twilight and Sunset were in tears again. But this time, no pain accompanied them. Rather, they were touched that Fluttershy had written something so personal. It was especially impactful for Sunset, who once again, held the journal close. However, instead of a sharp thorn in her heart, she felt a wonderful warmth. She smiled as some tears dripped onto the tome, feeling just as if Fluttershy had wrapped her up in an embrace. That entry proved that Fluttershy had forgiven her, even if she’d never officially said it. The regrets began melting away, replaced with the light and love of their friendship.

“I didn’t deserve such a terrific friend,” Sunset said as she set the book back down.

“Nobody deserves friendship,” Twilight remarked somewhat cryptically.

“I…don’t follow you,” Sunset responded, “don’t you believe in friendship?”

“More than anything,” Twilight said, “but you don’t become friends with someone because they deserve it. You become friends with them because of a deep seated connection and love between both themselves and you. Nobody just randomly walks up to someone and goes, ‘I’ll be your friend because you deserve it.’ That turns friendship into a popularity contest, where you have to determine who deserves it and who doesn’t.”

Sunset realized the truth in Twilight’s words. She and Fluttershy hadn’t been friends because either of them deserved it. They’d been friends because they loved each other like sisters. Even though the past had been painful, they’d wiped it all away. When they first hugged, it was like Sunset had a clean slate. She suddenly realized that she didn’t need Fluttershy to say, “I forgive you.” That inaugural embrace had been a wordless method of passing the debt into nonexistence. Every smile they shared, every musical chord they played, and every moment they enjoyed. It all had been Fluttershy’s way of forgiving Sunset for deeds long past.

“She did love me,” Sunset said as more tears gathered, “and all I’ve been doing these past few days is sulking in self-loathing. Oh, Twilight…I feel like such a rat!”

“Don’t,” Twilight responded simply, “we all go through pain. You were just dealing with it in the wrong way. Now that you understand what Fluttershy wrote here, you can release yourself from it.”

“You’re right,” Sunset said, her smile returning, “I’m free…and I know Fluttershy would want me to continue living. So, I will. I’ll keep going, I’ll pursue my dreams, and I’ll achieve them!”

“Good girl!” Twilight praised, throwing her arms around Sunset, “that’s the Sunset I know and love! Oh, by the way, what else did Fluttershy write about?”

“Oh, you know, this and that,” Sunset said, breaking up the embrace, “she even wrote about a boy she liked!”

“Wow, really?” Twilight asked in shock, “I had no idea she had a crush!”

“It was more than a crush,” Sunset responded, before flipping to a corresponding entry, “apparently, his name was Tidal Wave, and he was a huge fan of all things sea based. That includes some of the same animals Fluttershy loved. They met and he became her only friend until…well…you know.”

“Mm-hmm,” Twilight nodded, “but go on.”

“Anyway,” Sunset continued, “she writes about how they fell madly in love with each other. She even writes about their first kiss.”

“So, what happened?”

“He had to move away,” Sunset responded, “it was probably the only thing in her life that I didn’t ruin. Poor thing. She says she cried and cried when it happened. He’s never mentioned again.”

“Wow…she went through a lot,” Twilight said, “…it’s a shame she never got a second chance with him.”

“Yeah,” Sunset said, “it sure is.”