Shadow Evolution

May's summer warmth bathed the city in an all-consuming light. The grass was as green as ever. The birds chirped their hopeful songs, and the butterflies drifted through the air without a care in the world. Back at the residence of one particular child, a new journey of discovery was about to begin.

After graduation, Sunset decided to enroll in Ray Tech University in the northernmost region of the continent. She was scheduled to begin classes in September, intending to major in the field of computer science. Her ultimate goal was to learn game development and cyber security engineering. For those things, her mathematical knowledge needed to be as polished as a freshly smithed sword.

One morning, a knock came from the other side of the Rich family door. Sunset opened the barrier to find a familiar face standing before her.

"Silver!? I haven't seen you in forever!" the teen greeted jovially.

"Is Diamond here?"

"Yeah, yeah. She's in her room. I'll take you to her."

Sunset led the child to her old friend's chamber.

"I'll let you two talk in private," Sunset vocalized, "I have to study. We'll hang out later if you're not busy."

Silver nodded. Sunset left her to enter Diamond's room on her own.

Silver opened Diamond's door to a familiar sight. It was the same as ever, save for a few minor objects.

"Diamond...?" Silver called out.

Diamond turned around. The sight of Silver at her door summoned a well of emotion from within. Tears of relieved contrition fell from her eyes.

"Woah! Why are you crying!?"

Rather than respond verbally, Diamond tackled the girl in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry..." Diamond whispered with a sniffle.

"What happened to you...?"

Diamond told Silver everything: her meeting with Sunset, her heartbreak with Apple Bloom, Anvil's treatment and research methods, and her budding relationship with Sunset.

"Sounds like you've been through a lot." Silver noted.

"I would've told you sooner, but..."

Silver shook her head.

"Don't worry about it."

"What about you?"

"I've just been between school and home. Without you around, I didn't really have much to do."

"I'm really sorry. I wanted to be there, but I needed help."

"It's cool. I get it. Everybody's got something to deal with."

"I learned a lot. If you want, I can show you some stuff I did while I was recovering."

"Sure. Sounds like fun."

Diamond showed Silver her video game collection, her music, her new clothes, and her movies. She talked about the assimilation of her shadow and how it helped her cope with pain. Silver was equal parts amazed and bewildered by her friend's radical transformation.

"I never knew you thought about this kind of stuff. It's all so strange and...Exciting!" the bespectacled girl declared.

"Damn, it's good to see you again." Diamond poured out.

"You, too." Silver concurred.

"You know, Sunset's going to be leaving for college soon. When she's gone, we can keep each other company again like the old days."

"Yeah...I'd like that a lot."

"We should make plans with Apple Bloom and the others soon. To quote Pinhead, I have such sights to show them."

"You're good at being scary, ya know that?"

"Maybe I should audition for movie roles."

"Definitely."

"Nah, but seriously, there's too many drugs and weirdos in that business. If I did something like that, it'd have to be something small with you guys."

"True."

"So...What should we do now?"

"Wanna go out for pizza?"

"Hell yeah! Let's go!"

The girls ran out of the room. They exited the house and headed into town.

The day of Sunset's departure finally arrived. That morning, the teen failed to appear for breakfast. When Diamond inquired as to her whereabouts, she received little more than vague answers. Half an hour later, Sunset returned with a small puppy in hand. Anvil stood nearby, waiting for the family to say their goodbyes.

"What's that?" Diamond asked curiously.

Sunset knelt down to show the child what was in her possession.

"A present." the teen replied. She handed Diamond the border collie, "His name's Draven."

Draven licked his lips. The anxiety of moving to a new home was causing him to shiver. Diamond held the poor animal close to comfort him.

"I love him."

Sunset smiled.

"Take care of him for me while I'm gone."

Diamond looked her future lover in the eyes. She nodded. Sunset stroked the child's hair before rising back to her feet.

"We'll miss you." Spoiled spoke in a nostalgically somber tone.

"I'll be around for the holidays," Sunset assured, "Anvil, take care of Diamond for me."

"I will." the therapist replied.

Sunset hugged each of her family members, including Draven.

"I'm gonna hang out with Twilight and the others for a bit before I leave. You guys take care."

With that, the teen disappeared over the horizon. Anvil stayed behind to console Diamond and her parents. Diamond lovingly scratched Draven's belly, both to comfort him and herself. He was a piece of Sunset left behind to remind her of the future awaiting them.

For days, Diamond did little but watch TV and care for Draven. Silver appeared again to check on her.

"Aw, how cute," Silver squealed in delight, "What's his name?"

"Draven."

"What breed is he?"

"Border collie. I think she picked him out because of his fur. It symbolizes a balance of darkness and light. Come to think of it, I wonder if dogs have shadows too."

"I've never seen a really bad dog before. It's their owners that make them that way."

"You're starting to sound like me."

"I want to be more like you."

"Trust me, no you don't."

"Huh?"

"The things I've felt, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."

"Is it really that bad?"

"If it wasn't for Sunset and Anvil, I'd probably be in a ditch somewhere right now."

"I never thought about it like that."

"My goal is to keep you guys safe: you, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, all of you. I know there's only so much I can do, but every ounce of empathy helps. Compassion, mercy: these things barely exist anymore. I don't want them to disappear completely..."

"Diamond..."

Diamond shook her head.

"Sorry. I just get carried away sometimes."

Silver placed her hand on Diamond's shoulder.

"I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through, but I'm here for you. We all are. We'll do whatever it takes to keep you going."

Diamond closed her eyes and held her friend's hand. Their conversation ended without another word spoken.