Sunset Shimmer - Six Friends One Heart

Chapters

2 - Prologue - Sunset
4 - Prologue - Pinkie Pie
5 - Special Holidays - Book 1
6 - Special Holidays - Sunset - Anon-a-miss
7 - Special Holidays - Sunset
8 - Special Holidays - Principal Celestia
9 - Special Holidays - Shining Armor
12 - Special Holidays - Luna - The Assembly
13 - Special Holidays - Canterlot Movie Club Redux
15 - Special Holidays - Twilight
16 - Special Holidays - Sunset - Homeward Bound
17 - Special Holidays - Twilight rides the Rocket
18 - Special Holidays - Luna
19 - Special Holidays - Principal Celestia
22 - Special Holidays - Sunset
24 - Special Holidays - Sunset
26 - Special Holidays - Luna
27 - Special Holidays - Sunset
28 - Special Holidays - Sunset redux - Canterlot Mall
29 - Rehabilitation - Book 2
30 - Rehabilitation - Gilda
31 - Rehabilitation - Sunset - Assimilate and Adapt!
32 - Rehabilitation - Trixie
33 - Rehabilitation - Starlight Glimmer
34 - Rehabilitation - Trixie
36 - Rehabilitation - Luna
37 - Rehabilitation - Sunset
38 - Rehabilitation - Trixie
39 - Rehabilitation - Dust
41 - Rehabilitation - Gilda
42 - Rehabilitation - Sunset and the Babysitters Club
43 - Rehabilitation - Cadence
44 - Rehabilitation - Luna
46 - Beginning of the End - Book 3
47 - Beginning of the End - Sunset and Twilight Sparkle
48 - Beginning of the End - Gilda
49 - Beginning of the End - Dust
50 - Beginning of the End - Sunset
52 - Beginning of the End - Dr. Discord
53 - Beginning of the End - Sunset's Nightmares
54 - Beginning of the End - Angel Dust
55 - Beginning of the End - Faust
56 - Beginning of the End - Sunset
57 - End of the Beginning - Epilogue
58 - End of the Beginning - Sunset's Reprise
60 - End of the Beginning - Dear Twilight
61 - End of the Beginning - Dust
1 - Prologue - In Medias Res
3 - Prologue - Twilight - Another where, Another when
10 - Special Holidays - Luna
11 - Special Holidays - Canterlot Movie Club
14 - Special Holidays - Sunset - Dr. Quinn Explains
20 - Special Holidays - Canterlot Movie Club
21 - Special Holidays - Five Former Friends
23 - Special Holidays - Flash Sentry
25 - Special Holidays - Sunset Redux
35 - Rehabilitation - Sunset
40 - Rehabilitation - Trixie
45 - Rehabilitation - Twilight Sparkle
51 - Beginning of the End - Sunset Redux
59 - End of the Beginning - The Beginnings End

2 - Prologue - Sunset

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4 - Prologue - Pinkie Pie

Pinky Pie

The bell over the door at SugarCube Corner tinkled. A young woman entered, back pack in hand. She dug through it, looking for something. “Ah, there it is! Knew I still had some.” She pulled out a golden coin, walking up to the counter.

“Hello dear, welcome to SugarCube Corner!” cheerfully greeted a plump older lady, with a bit of flour in her hair. “How can I help you?”

“Hi Mrs. Cake. Have you seen Pinky? I need to ask her a few questions about Sunset,” replied the girl. “Also may I please have a mocha latte, and a twist?” She placed the coin on the counter.

Eying the coin, the lady's eyes widened. “Oh Twilight! I haven’t seen you around in a while. Yes, Pinky’s working today. She’s helping Mr. Cake with some baking in the kitchen. I’ll let her know you’re here.” Looking at the coin on the counter, she smiled. “Still having issues with currency, eh? Don’t worry dear. You’re good for it.” She laughed, pushing the gold coin back to Twilight.

“What? That’s right, right? Isn’t it enough? Did I do it wrong?” asked Twilight, confused, as she picked the coin up. “I thought I figured this out last time.” Shaking her head, she placed the coin back in her backpack.

“Never change dear!” smiled Mrs. Cake. She placed Twilight's order on the counter, then walked back into the kitchen.

Talking her order to an open table, Twilight removed a scroll, quill and inkwell and started writing. “Checklist. I need a checklist. Have to prioritize, first things first. One. Create a checklist. Check.” Tongue in cheek, Twilight scratched off the first item. “Next, talk to the girls. First Pinky.” The quill scratched across the parchment.

“Hi Twilight! Wacha doing?” asked Pinky, her head over Twilight’s shoulder watching her write.

“Gah! Wah!” Twilight lept from her seat and stumbled, knocking the scroll across the table. A quick grab by Pinky saved the coffee as Twilight fell sideways.

Looking up from the floor, Twilight gasped. “Pinky! How? Where? Ugh! Don’t do that! How do you always manage to sneak up on me?”

“I didn’t sneak up on you, silly!” chirped Pinky, helping her up and into her seat, and passing her latte back. “I was standing right here! But you seemed so oblivious, I decided to wait and see what you were writing!”

Leaning into Twilight's face, she asked. “So, whatcha writing?”

“Uh. Yeah. Checklist. Writing a checklist. Check.” Twilight shook her head, then focused. “Pinky, have you seen Sunset lately? I got some really distressing messages from her and I’m really worried about her.”

Pinky’s face fell, and her hair went flat. “Sunset? No. We don’t talk to her. She’s a meany mc-meany pants! And a secret stealer! We just leave her alone now.”

“What?! No, wait. What? Pinky no, that’s not possible! Not Sunset. What are you talking about? She would never do that! What’s going on?” Twilight quickly stowed the ink quill and scroll away. “Pinky, please tell me that Sunset is okay. This is important! I need to know right now, what’s going on?”

Pinky sat across from Twilight, and told her exactly what happened.

5 - Special Holidays - Book 1

Special Holidays - Book 1

6 - Special Holidays - Sunset - Anon-a-miss

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7 - Special Holidays - Sunset

Sunset

“Sunset. Sunset Shimmer. Can you hear me? Nod if you can hear me, sweetie.”

Sunset opened her eyes slowly. Everything was blurry, and her body hurt everywhere. “Wah… Where am I?” she asked, turning her head slowly to see who was talking.

A nurse, with white hair and a gentle smile, looked into her eyes. “Hey, Sunset Shimmer. Good to see you awake. You were really out of it there. How are you feeling honey?”

“Uhmm... “ groaned Sunset. “What happened to me. Where am I?” Looking around, she added, “How did I get here? What’s going on?” She saw a glass of water sitting by her bedside. She reached over to take it, but had trouble lifting the glass.

“Hold on sweetie. Let me help you.” The nurse took the glass, holding it gently to Sunset’s lips. She sipped the water slowly. “Little sips honey. If you drink too much it will just come back up. Have to start slowly.”

The cool water soothed her parched mouth, sore throat, and dry lips. “Thank you,” she whispered, then laid back against the pillow. “How did I get here? What happened?”

“911 received an anonymous call. You were found just outside the gym at Canterlot High School. The ambulance brought you here. You were admitted and brought into trauma. If you want more details I can bring in the attending Doctor. Hang on a bit, I‘ll get her for you. So, how are you feeling? Do you need anything? Do you need us to contact anyone? We tried to reach your parents but no one answered. We left messages, but they weren’t returned.”

Sunset turned in her bed. “Ugh!” she groaned, unexpected pain radiating from her chest as she moved. “My phone. Have you seen my phone?”

“Uh, one-second dear. You came in with a backpack. It’s in the closet somewhere..” The nurse crossed the room, opened the cabinet door and pulled out a battered and dirty backpack. It looked to have been dropped and kicked a bit, but was still intact. “Okay, let’s see. May I open this for you and look for it?”

“Yes please,” Sunset replied. “It’s in the front pocket.” The nurse opened the pocket and pulled out the phone.

“Here you go sweetie… this it?” She handed the phone over to Sunset.

Sunset took the phone. She winced… even that hurt. “Thank you.” She unlocked the phone and checked her messages. Sure enough. Over 30 new messages, the recent ones from the hospital. That figured. The phone number in her school file went straight to her phone. Everything else was forged - she had no parents, and until recently, no real address.

She opened the messaging app and played the first message. “Sunset, you little shit! I know it was you. If I ever get you alone I am so going to make you regret ever being born. Share my secrets, will you? This will be the last mistake you ever make with me!”

“Oh, heh… oops. Didn’t mean to play that one. Sorry!” she said. She deleted the message and scrolled through to the more recent ones.

“Mr. and Mrs. Shimmer. Please contact us immediately. We have your daughter here at Canterlot General in Urgent Care. She’s undergoing emergency surgery. She needs her family, and we need you to help complete her paperwork. Please contact us as soon as you get this message. Thank you.”

“Why do you have that message Sunset? That was supposed to go to your parent’s number,” stated the nurse. “Something you need to tell me?”

“Hehe… yeah, about that…” Sunset blanched. Caught. “Yeah, I kind of don’t live with my parents. I’ve on my own. For a while now, actually. I’m actually an emancipated minor. Honest. I just never got around to updating my records at school.”

“Uh-huh. Anything else you want to tell me hun?” asked the nurse.

“Um… Sorry?” said Sunset.

“Nice try kiddo,” the nurse replied. “I believe you, but it really feels like you're leaving a bit out here. Who’re you living with? Who takes care of you? Do you have any family?”

“Well, no. But I have friends.” Sunset’s face fell. “Well, I had friends. I kind of lost them. We had a misunderstanding.”

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with how you ended up in here now, would it?” asked the nurse.

“Maybe?” said Sunset, with a pensive shrug. “Oww. Okay, seriously. Is that really supposed to hurt that much? Why am I so sore? What happened to me?”

“Sunset, honey, what’s the last thing you remember before you came here? Do you remember how you got hurt?”

“The last thing I remember was getting a text from Rainbow. She said we needed to talk and to meet her in the gym. I was headed there, but after that… after that… I got nothing. I don’t remember anything after that.” Sunset looked worried. “Why can’t I remember anything after that? What happened? Why am I here?”

“Shhh… it’s okay, relax honey. Relax. That happens sometimes. You’ll be fine. I’m sure once you've had a chance to rest and recover a bit you'll remember everything. Don’t worry. It’s okay.”

“But it’s not okay! What happened to me? Why am I here, and what’s going on?” Sunset tried to sit up, looking frantic.

The nurse leaned forward and gently embraced her. “Hang on, Sunset. Deep breath. Sit tight for a second, okay? You okay now sweetie? Deep breath.” She took a deep breath; in, then out, slowly. “Okay, good. Good. One more. Deep breath.”

Sunset took a deep breath. In, then out. In, then out. Slow. Relaxed. She laid back down on the pillow. The nurse took her hands with a gentle squeeze.

“Okay, Sunset? Feeling a bit better now? Okay?” Sunset nodded. “Good. Here’s what I’m going to do. You hang tight here honey. And I’m going to get Dr. Quinn, and have her come and explain what’s going on to you, okay? Can you wait here for a few moments while I do that? You okay now?” The nurse squeezed her hands again and smiled.

“Okay,” Sunset answered. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be fine. Just, please. I need to know. What happened? Why am I here? Please...”

“Okay honey. Alright then, I’ll be right back. Just hang on, alright? Just breath in and out, and relax. It’s going to be okay.” The nurse got up and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Sunset looked at her phone again, checking her messages. The messages were all garbage, hate from her friends… former friends. They were messages full of anger, raging at her for betraying them after all they had been through together. There was an end to them at least; the last message from every one of them said something like ‘and we will never speak again’.

A tear rolled down her cheek, then another. “But I didn’t do it,” she whispered to herself. “I would never do that. Why can’t they see that? Why can’t anyone see that? It wasn’t me.” She sighed, lowering the phone. “It wasn’t me.”

She stared out the window. It was raining outside; a perfect match for the storm raging through her heart. Feelings of hurt and betrayal blew through her soul, leaving her spent and exhausted. Waves of anguish washed through her heart, stripping away everything smooth and gentle, leaving only rocks and boulders and jagged stones of hurt that cut and tore her soul with every pulse and wave. There was nothing left but pain and bitter hurt.

Someone knocked at the door, breaking her anguished reverie. “Knock knock. Ms. Shimmer?”

“Yes, that’s me,” replied Sunset.

“Hi! I’m Dr. Quinn,” answered the young Doctor, entering. “I’m the attending for this shift. Nurse Redheart informed me you’d woken and were ready to discuss your case. That’s correct, yes? This a good time for it?”

“Yes, please!” said Sunset. “Can you tell me what’s happened, and why I’m here? I can’t remember anything past yesterday afternoon.”

“Okay. Actually, about that. You were brought in Friday evening. When you arrived you were unconscious and needed emergency surgery. We were unable to reach your parents. We obtained special permission to perform the surgery in their absence. There was some swelling to your spinal column, and to your brain. You were in a mild coma post-surgery and all day yesterday. You started to respond to stimuli this morning. Today’s actually Sunday.”

Sunset blanched. “I was out for an entire day? What happened? How bad was I hurt? Okay, yeah about that… Why does everything hurt so bad? What the heck happened to me?”

Dr. Quinn walked to the head of the bed. Pulling out the guest chair, she sat and held Sunset's hand. “Sunset, you were badly hurt. We don’t know the specifics, but it’s very clear from your injuries you were beaten. Severely beaten. Someone - or ones - beat you so badly you had a dislocated hip, and have two cracked vertebrae, broken ribs, and fractures to your leg, forearm, and left cheekbone. You also have a fractured occipital lobe and a hairline fracture to your skull. You have contusions - that’s deep bruising - over 60 percent of your body. The injuries you sustained caused inflammation of your spinal cord, and some mild swelling of your brain. You were fortunate. Someone called 911. We were able to treat you quickly. We’re not sure if the inflammation will cause any lasting damage. We won’t know for sure until the swelling subsides, at which point we’ll reevaluate and reassess the damage.”

“What does that mean Dr? What are you saying?” Sunset shrank into herself visibly, worry creasing her brows. “How long am I going to be like this? How long until I can go home? I will get better, right? It’ll get better?”

“Ms. Shimmer. I’ll be honest. We don’t know. We just won’t know until we can reassess the damage once the swelling subsides. We just have to wait.”

“How long?”

“How long what?”

“How long do I have to wait? How long until I know? Can I get up? When can I leave? I don’t want to be here. I want to go home.” Sunset looked like she was about to cry. “I want to go home…” she breathed quietly. “Home.” Another tear rolled down her cheek.

“The swelling should respond to treatment fairly quickly. We’re hopeful we’ll know something within the next week. We have you on an aggressive steroid treatment to address the swelling, as well as other anti-inflammatories. For now, let's do a quick assessment. Can you sit up?” Dr. Quinn took her hand.

Sunset pulled, lifting herself off the pillow into a sitting position. “Good. Good girl. Okay. Let's start with some simple tests. I’m going to let go, and I want you to sit straight for as long as you can. We’re going to test your trunk strength and balance with this. Ready? Okay, I’m letting go now, don’t worry. I won’t let you fall. You’re safe. Okay. Letting go.”

Dr. Quinn let her hands go, keeping her arms out to catch her if she started to sway. Sunset concentrated, trying to keep herself upright. But something was wrong… She couldn’t feel anything past her chest! She could feel pain… But nothing else! She was trying to keep her stomach tight - but there was nothing there, just the pain. She tried to flex her hips. Nothing. Looking down at her toes, she tried to wiggle them. Nothing moved. There was nothing. Just pain. She started falling back.

“Talk to me Sunset. What’s happening?” asked Dr. Quinn, gently bracing her shoulders, lowering Sunset back to the pillow. “What just happened?”

“Dr. Quinn. Something’s wrong!” Sunset blurted out. “I can’t move them. I can feel them sort of… I think I can feel them. But I can’t move them! What is wrong with me?” Sunset cast a worried glance at the Doctor. “I feel the pain! I know they’re there. But I tried to move my hips or toes, nothing happened. And my stomach won’t flex. But I feel pain! What’s going on?”

“Okay. That’s not actually unexpected. That’s the swelling. We won’t worry about that right now, okay Sunset? You with me? Sunset?” Dr. Quinn gave Sunset a gentle squeeze. “Say something Sunset. You’re okay. This is normal for what you’ve experienced.”

“So, I’ll be okay? This is just for now, right?” asked Sunset.

“As I said, we won’t know for certain until the swelling goes down. But we’re hopeful. Okay, I’m going to test your sensations and reflexes. This will be a bit cool, I need to remove the blanket to test your sense of touch.” Dr. Quinn removed the blanket from her legs, carefully folded it up, and placed it on the table at the end of the bed.

“Sunset, I’m going to gently run this wheel over your arms and legs. I want you to tell me when you can feel something. I need you to look away, so we only test what you can feel, not what you can see. We already know your eyesight works.” The joke got a brief smile from Sunset.

“Always nice to meet a fan of my bedside humor.” Dr. Quinn grinned. “Okay Sunset, look out the window for a bit. This will only take a moment. Tell me when you feel something.”

Sunset looked out the window. The rain was still falling, streaking drops across the glass. Brief flashes of light lit the grey sky, with occasional peals of rolling thunder. A few harried souls scurried through the rain, heading to and from the hospital parking lot in the downpour. “I’m ready, Dr. Quin. You can start whenever you want.”

“Already have, Ms. Shimmer. Just let me know when you feel anything.”

“What!?” Sunset turned back to stare at the Doctor. “I can’t feel anything! Why can’t I feel that?” She worriedly watched the Doctor gently rolling the pinwheel up her leg.

“Now, Ms. Shimmer. No cheating. You’re not supposed to look,” joked Dr. Quinn. “Don’t worry, this is normal. With the inflammation to your spinal cord, it’s expected you wouldn’t feel this now. Just checking to be thorough. Be a dear please, and look away. Almost done.”

“Okay,” she gazed back out the window.

Dr. Quinn finished, and moved on to her other leg. Nothing. Up to her waist, then abdomen. Still nothing. “Okay, Ms. Shimmer. Almost done. Next limb… Ready, here we go.” She rolled the wheel down her finger.

“Ouch!” flinched Sunset, pulling her arm back. “Sorry!” she said, offering it back, still looking out the window. “Felt that one.”

“Good! Let’s continue.” Dr. Quinn rolled the wheel up and down her arm, across her palm, and up and down her other fingers.

“Ouch. Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch!” muttered Sunset, trying not to flinch from the constant painful pricks the wheel’s pins inflicted.

“Well-done Sunset. Next arm.” Dr. Quinn switched sides, taking Sunset’s right arm and holding it out straight across the bed. Sunset turned and stared at the door, watching people pass through the narrow glass window set over the burnished metal handle.

“Ouch. Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch!” muttered Sunset, again flinching at the pricks of the wheel’s pins.

“Almost done Ms. Shimmer. One last test.” Dr. Quinn put the wheel away and pulled out a little hammer made of a red rubber triangle in a burnished steel frame. “Let’s check out those reflexes.” Dr. Quinn started at her toes, gently tapping the hammer across Sunset’s shins, knees, wrists, and elbows, noting each time a twitch or pull accompanied the hammer’s strikes. “All done Ms. Shimmer.” Dr. Quinn put the hammer away, picked up her chart, and made notations for a few moments.

Removing the stethoscope from her neck, Dr. Quinn placed it in her ears, then breathed onto the disk. “An old trick I learned from my mentor while in med school. These things can get rather chilly. A little bit of warmth works wonders. Okay, Sunset, let’s check your vitals, and then we’re done.” She moved the scope around Sunset’s chest, occasionally asking her to take a breath or hold her breath.

When finished, she reached over and grabbed the blanket off the table. Unfolding it, she placed it snugly over Sunset’s legs and waist. “Wouldn’t want my star patient to freeze now, would I?” she joked, then pulled the blood pressure cuff over, placing it onto Sunsets left arm. After snugging the cuff, then hitting the start button on the monitor, she removed the probe and placed a sterile sleeve over it. “Under the tongue and we’re almost done!” she sang, slipping the probe into Sunset’s mouth then hit another button. Moments later, the monitor beeped, she removed the probe and cuff, popped the sleeve into the trash, and placed the probe back into the monitor. After a few more notations in the chart, she turned and smiled at Sunset once again.

“Tell me, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Smiled Dr. Quinn. “Can I get you anything Sunset? Anything you need? No? Okay. If you do need anything, the red call button with the nurse hat on the remote hanging on the bed.. Yes, that’s the one. Right. Right there, uhm hm. Okay. If you do need anything, and I mean anything, you hit that button, and your nurse will be right in to help. And Sunset? That means anything. Do not try to get up. Do not try to walk to the bathroom or move around or leave the bed. I'm serious, miss. We don’t want our favorite people getting hurt. And right now, your legs are not in any shape to move you anywhere So if you need to use the bathroom, and you will - trust me, no one can hold that forever - you call. And we will come to help you. You are NOT to try to move or get in or out of bed on your own. Understand dear?”

Sunset nodded.

“Okay. Good girl. With that out of the way… I’m going to call down to food services and let them know you’ve woken and would like some food. They’ll send someone along in a few to get your food preferences and fill out your meals for today and tomorrow. Let them know if you have any allergies, food sensitivities, or preferences.”

“Uhm. I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat,” answered Sunset.

“Noted. Yes, you definitely want to tell them that. Okay kiddo, like I said, if you need something - Anything - press that button and let us know. And stay in bed. Oh, also, the remote for the TV is on the same remote… yes, that’s it, right there. We have two movie channels as well as the normal TV lineup, though my personal favorite is our in-house hospital health channel.”

Sunset smirked. “Yeah yeah, laugh it up girl. Trust me after watching the same 5 movies for the sixth time in days you’ll really come to appreciate the variety our health channel has to offer.”

Sunset laughed. “That’s my girl!” Dr. Quinn said. “I’ll be back later to check on you before the shift change. Hang in there girl!” She waved and left.

Sunset took the remote and flipped on the TV. ‘News. News. News. Game show. Daytime drama. News. Blech… Oh hey. This must be the health channel Dr. Quinn mentioned... ‘ Sunset settled in, engrossed in a documentary on ‘Your health and hygiene’.

The next show had barely started when there was a knock at her door. “Come in.” Sunset called.

An older lady with a clipboard and pen poked her head in. “Hi, deary. I’m from food services. I was told you woke up with a bit of an appetite? We have a few choices for each meal, and I’d like to get your preferences, if you have a moment.”

“Yes please!” replied Sunset. Recalling what Dr. Quinn had told her earlier, she added. “Before I forget… I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat.”

“Oh good! Thanks for telling me that… I’ll note it right now,” replied the woman. She scribbled a note on her chart. “Okay. I take it you haven’t eaten anything yet, as you just woke up, yes? Would you like to have something sent for now? Lunch won’t be for a few hours, so might be a good idea. This late, I can’t offer anything fancy, but if a bowl of cereal or sandwich works for you, I can have that to you right quick.”

Sunset’s stomach growled. “Oh, someone heard me did they?” laughed the lady. “I’ll take that as a yes. So what’ll it be? Here is our menu for today, and for tomorrow. Yes, flip it over. That’s tomorrow's menu. When you’re done let me know and I’ll take it. If you just want a sandwich, side salad, or bowl of cereal I can get that now while you’re looking over the menu.”

“Really? That would be great. Can I have a salad please, ranch dressing on the side?” Sunset smiled.

“You bet deary. Be right back.” The lady disappeared through the door and off down the hall. Sunset went back to the menu, using the attached pen to check off her choices. As she finished, the door opened, and the lady appeared with a food tray. “I picked out some mineral water for you too, deary. If you want something else, just let the nurse know and they can drop it off. They have all the basic soda flavors, tea, coffee, and of course the perennial favorite, cold water.” She set the tray down on the mobile table, rolled it under Sunset’s bed, then adjusted the bed so Sunset was sitting up and could eat comfortably.

“Oh, I see you’ve finished. I’ll take that for you, sweetie.” She took the menu and left, calling out “You have a good day dear.”

“Thank you!” Sunset replied, already pouring the dressing over the salad.

Bored. Bored bored.

Sunset checked her phone again. She had already listened to all her messages. She deleted the ones she didn’t want to keep. Which frankly, was just about all of them. Really, aside from the last few messages from the hospital, which she didn't want to deal with right now, and the messages from Flash Sentry and Vice-Principal Luna, she had no reason to keep the rest. How many times and in how many ways can you listen to yet another person tell you how much they hated you, or why, or what they planned to do to you when they got the chance? Good riddance.

The message from Flash was a surprise. After so many messages of hate, rage, disappointment, or combination of the above, she hadn’t expected the message he’d sent.

“Sunset, it’s Flash. Look, about this anon-a-miss thing… We need to talk. I mean in a good way. I mean… I mean… Huh…” Flash sighed.

The message continued after a moment. “Look, Sunset. This isn’t you. I mean, this, it’s not you. Ugh! I mean I know anon-a-miss is not you. You would never do this! Even at your worst, you were never this. This is just stupid mean. And you were never stupid. Mean? Yes. But never stupid. And you’re not mean now! I know you’re not. So I guess what I am saying is, I know it’s not you.” Another pause.

“I just wanted you to know. I know we’re not friends anymore. And you’ve moved on. That’s fine. But Sunset. You’re not alone. I just wanted you to know that, Okay? Okay? Ugh, message. I know you can’t reply. Okay, so… Just, hang in there. You’re not alone.”

When she first played the message, she started shaking, then she cried her eyes out

Someone finally believed her.

Flash believed her. He would… He was a straight arrow. When they were dating, even after she used him mercilessly to improve her popularity, he was never critical of her. He never responded in anger to her constant jabs and taunts. Even when he finally broke things off, he was a perfect gentleman. He didn’t let her goad him into getting angry or petty. He just didn’t want to be part of what he saw her doing to the rest of the school. And he’d told her, in no uncertain terms. But even then, he was only disappointed. As he left, he still wished her happiness.

And now, after everything she’d done, he was one of the last people she would’ve dreamed would stand in her corner. Yet, she had to admit to herself, she should be the least surprised he was the one who did. He was a good person, always willing to see the best in everyone. What a joy it was to know there was at least one soul who didn’t think she was the devil everyone else believed her to be.

“At last!”, she cried out, shedding tears of joy.

All cried out, tears dried, and hours later, she was bored. She had called Flash back, and left a message. No reply yet. Not surprising really - she’d heard he took a job delivering pizza for his uncle’s restaurant, and Sunday afternoon was one of their busier times. She wanted to call her friends… her ex-friends. But they were clear in their final messages about how welcome that would be. A few of them were graphically clear.

She checked her journal once again, to see if Twilight had answered any of her messages. The last message Twilight had sent to her was something supposedly inspirational - ‘Friendship will prevail’ and other platitudes. It really seemed less than useful at the moment.

Sunset had sent other messages, but really wasn’t surprised when she got no response. Twilight had mentioned she and her friends had been invited to Canterlot for their annual Hearth's Warming pageant, and was staying with the other Princesses. She likely hadn’t brought her journal along when she packed. Bless her heart, the mare would remember to bring extra scrolls and ink for her lists, but something out of the ordinary like her journal would be completely forgotten until she went to use it.

‘Hehe.. I guess there is a reason for all those lists, huh Twilight.’ Sunset mused with a chuckle.

Knocking at the door. Dr. Quinn poked her head in. “Hello, Ms. Shimmer! How we doing? Everything going well? You get your meals straightened out?” She opened the door, taking Sunset’s chart and flipping it open as she walked in and sat down at the head of the bead.

“Yes, thank you Dr. Quinn. I did - I ordered my food, and let them know I’m a vegetarian. I got a salad and a late lunch. They said dinner should be here shortly. Nurse Redheart helped me with the bathroom earlier, so like, whatever there. I’m still in a lot of pain, but they’ve been giving me some stuff that helps for that. Along with the other things you said were for my inflammation. It seems to help. I’m fine, thanks.”

Sunset sighed. “Well, okay, honestly. Everything is not fine. But, you know what I mean.”

Dr. Quinn nodded. “Sunset, I know this is awful. It’s a lot to deal with. But we’re here for you, okay? No one expects you to feel good through all this. This is a horrible situation you’re in, and you’ve every right to feel awful about it. But you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help you - every step of the way. And we’re not going to let you go through this alone.” Reaching over, Dr. Quinn placed a hand on her shoulder, and smiled. “We’ll get through this together, okay girl? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to do this alone. Let us help.”

Sunset’s eyes misted. She reached over and gently squeezed Dr. Quinn’s hand. “Thank you. You’ve no idea how much I needed to hear that! Just, thank you.” She smiled, a tear rolling down her cheek. She reached up and rubbed the tear away. “Ugh. I’m crying like a little foal. Baby. I mean baby! Ugh.” She laughed.

“Foal huh? Wow, bet there’s a filly story there,” laughed Dr. Quinn, smiling back.

“You have no idea!” grinned Sunset.

“Okay, you’ll have to tell me all about it sometime. Not tonight though. We’re coming up on the shift change, which means my chance to catch a few hours sleep before I’m back for my rounds again. I’ll be back tomorrow, and we can talk then.” Dr. Quinn smiled. “But, before I go, I need to go over a few things with you. Tomorrow, we have a few more tests lined up. And we’re going to start some therapy, mostly to keep your muscles moving and limber. We don’t want you tightening up while we wait for your inflammation to clear up. Also, several of our alternative therapists will be coming around. We encourage you to take advantage of what they offer. We care for your whole person here, so please, let them help you where you feel comfortable. I’ll check in on you tomorrow when my shift starts. Then you can tell me all about your silly filly slip.”

Dr. Quinn gave Sunset a gentle hug, then got up and walked to the door. “Thank you, Dr. Quinn. Have a good evening. I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Sunset.

“You too Ms. Shimmer.” Dr. Quinn left, shutting the door behind her. Sunset got out her journal, still no message from Twilight. Dinner came, then later, with a little help, Sunset got ready for bed. Turning the lights out, she drifted off to deep and dreamless sleep.

Morning came early for Sunset, with a steaming cup of coffee, with creamer and honey. After her morning medications, wakend fully with the welcome cup of caffeinated warmth, she was helped through her morning ablutions, cleaned, and dressed for the day. The ‘dress’ in this case was a set of aqua scrubs, an appreciated upgrade from the dreadful patient smock she had worn since her arrival.

Morning ablutions completed, breakfast arrived; eggs, toast with jam, orange juice, oatmeal with honey, and another welcome cup of coffee. Sunset tucked into the meal, making short work of it. Energized, she was ready to face the remainder of her day.

Which at least at this point, was mostly waiting.

Eventually, the PT therapist came in, ran through a few basic evaluations, and prescribed some basic movements to help keep her muscles toned and flexible. After a few practice runs, she left Sunset some light reading, leaving her once again to her own devices.

Which, in this case, was her cell phone and the TV remote. Ugh. No relief there.

Sunset rang the nurse, and was delighted to find they did have a library - sort of. They had an odd selection of periodicals and reading materials, as well as audiobooks, puzzles, and games. As for actual books the selection was very sparse. Unless you were looking for popular - but decidedly not recent - bodice rippers or over-the-top fantasy or science fiction titles, in which case you had several rolling small bookshelves to choose from. Fortunately for Sunset, the periodicals did include a few scientific and exploratory journals, which Sunset found intriguing enough to browse. ‘Hehe… guess Twilight isn’t the only egg-head,’ she grinned as she flipped through the pages of Equestrian Geographic, settling on an article documenting a study of a newly discovered tribe from the Applosian RainForest.

Then there were the visits from the other therapists Dr. Quinn had mentioned.

A pair of Zebrican Shamans came in - sisters actually - both garbed in the traditional black and white robes with bands of golden jewelry. They offered to clear her chakra and enlighten her inner being. Sunset, enchanted by their lilting, rhyming speech, begged them to please do so. They stayed for a while, chanting and holding their hands over different parts of her body, ‘clearing her channels’, and ‘allowing her inner energies’ to heal her body and psyche. She wasn’t sure if she believed it, but she did feel better. She thanked the sisters kindly, then to her surprise fell asleep for a bit before her lunch arrived.

After lunch, a minister from the Church of Celestial Harmony arrived, offering to pray with her for peace and inner harmony. After a brief prayer, they chatted for a fair bit. Sunset learned more about their faith, and religion in general on this side of the portal. She had never really bothered to study religion before. After a final blessing and shared prayer to harmony, the minister left to continue her rounds. Sunset went back to her casual reading.

More tests were scheduled for her afternoon. A cat scan, with some contrasting dye, was run to view the breaks and swelling in her spine. That completed, she was off to the MRI for imaging on her head and spine. There was a complication when the doctors realized that the contrast from the cat scan would interfere with the contrast used for the spinal MRI. They decided to postpone that part of the scan until the next day to allow the dye time to metabolize, and just ran the MRI scans of her head.

Returning to her room, she found a respiratory therapist waiting for her. She had a weird little plastic pipe and ball toy she wanted Sunset to use. After teaching Sunset how to use the test ‘toy’, the therapist noted the readings from the small device. Sunset was instructed to use it several times throughout the day, using deep controlled breathing to move the ball between the lines the therapist had marked on the pipe. It seemed silly, but was apparently important for keeping her lungs healthy and free of fluids. So she practiced diligently, despite how ridiculous she felt playing with the little device.

Dinner came, and Sunset welcomed it. Despite the fact that she was basically sedentary, and clearly hadn’t exercised enough to justify her healthy appetite, she tucked away her meal quickly, enjoying the food immensely.

Dr. Quinn poked through the door. “Knock knock Ms. Shimmer. How’re we doing this evening?” She entered the room, removing Sunset’s chart from the foot of the bed and reading through the notations from the day. “You’ve been a busy girl, Sunset. How’re you feeling? Any better?” She pulled out the guest chair, sitting once again at the head of Sunset’s bed.

“Hi Dr. Quinn. Yeah. Hehe… Busy day.” Sunset laughed. “Have you gotten any results yet from the tests they ran? Am I getting better like you said?”

“Okay, first a question for you Ms. Shimmer. How’re you feeling? Do you feel better now than you did yesterday? How is the pain?” She reached over, holding Sunset’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I’m not sure the pain is any better. And I still can’t feel my legs, my hips, toes, or stomach. But I kind of feel better. I mean, I don’t feel as sad anymore. And my headache is feeling much better.” Sunset looked down at her hand, resting gently in Dr. Quinn’s. “That’s good, right? That means that I’m improving at least, and that’s progress, yes?”

“Yes, Sunset. That’s progress. You are improving, and that is better, at least for your head and heart. Did you meet with the therapist making the rounds today?”

“I did. They were… interesting.”

“And helpful?”

“Yeah. Yes, they were. It was different than I expected, but yeah, I think it helped. I feel a little better now. I’m not crying all the time, so there’s that.” Sunset looked up from her hand to Dr. Quinn. “I’m still sad. I feel like a huge, important part of my life has been cut away. But, I feel a little peace too. And I’m really looking forward to getting better and getting out of here. And going home.”

“Still a ways to go for that Sunset,” said Dr. Quinn, squeezing Sunset’s hand. “But I’m still hopeful for you.”

“So, did you get anything from the tests?”

“It’s still too early to say much about the inflammation, and any damage it may have caused. But the latest CAT scan and MRI show your wonderfully young body is already healing the fractures and breaks, which is very good news. Your bones are knitting well, and we fully expect them all to heal completely in due time.”

“And then I get my memory back, and can walk and get my life back, right?” asked Sunset.

“Maybe. We’ll see. Again, I’m hopeful. And you’re healing quite well, so I really have no reason not to be.” Dr. Quinn gently pulled on Sunset’s hand. “Do you remember anything yet from the evening before you were brought here?”

Sunset’s gaze fell. “No,” she sighed. “Not yet. Still nothing.”

“No worries Sunset. It takes time. We’ll just keep waiting and checking. No worries.” Dr. Quinn smiled at her, then with a final squeeze, released her hand to reach across the head of the bed, retrieving the blood pressure machine. “Now let’s get those vitals.”

The following days were more of the same. Sunset rose each morning, and with her nurse’s help, got ready for the day. Then, breakfast, tests, therapy, lunch, more of the same, all interspaced with large amounts of boredom, relieved by reading. No further messages came from her fellow students, nor her former friends. While a relief in many senses, it was also distressing. It hurt her deeply to be tossed aside so completely from her friends' lives, torn from the friendships that meant so much to her and defined so deeply who she thought herself to be.

Even more frustrating was not hearing anything from Twilight. Sunset knew she was probably still busy with Holiday festivities and with family, as well as the duties that fell to her as a Princess and the element of magic. But it didn’t change the ache in her heart that when she needed her most, she wasn’t there. She really needed a friend right now, someone that really knew her, at her deepest, rawest level, and still reached out in love to embrace her. Someone to let her know that everything was going to be okay. To let her know she was still loved, wanted, and needed. That she was still a friend.

8 - Special Holidays - Principal Celestia

Principal Celestia

Principal Celestia had contacted the hospital, volunteering complete cooperation - as much as was allowed - to help them help her student, Sunset. She had contacted Social Services, and through them released to the hospital all the information she had for Sunset, so they could contact her family and arrange her care.

Now, midway into the seasonal holiday break, she was sitting at home with her sister, enjoying some much appreciated time off, and especially enjoying the break from the drama that had encompassed the school over the last few weeks. Her thoughts, as was often the case lately, were on one of her favorite pupils.

‘Sunset…’ she mused. She had not heard anything back, and while that wasn't cause for alarm, it did leave her feeling more than a touch concerned. Clearly, Sunset’s family was taking care of her in her time of need. They clearly just hadn’t the time or energy left to contact her or the school with an update on Sunset’s recovery. No reason to worry, totally understandable. If she were completely honest, she would only be a burden to them if she tried to reach out now. Better to let them deal with this in their own way, and let them comfort their daughter as she likely desperately needed.

But… she thought. That didn’t mean she couldn't show she cared. “Lulu, I’m going to go visit Sunset. Do you know where she is now? Is she still at the hospital, or has she gone home with her family already?”

Luna looked up from her game, pausing her play. “I spoke with the hospital this morning Cele. I was checking to see if Sunset needed anything from the school while she was out. They told me she’s still there. She also hasn’t requested anything, for what that’s worth.”

“Would you like to come with me to visit her Lulu?” Celestia asked.

Luna nodded. “Sure, when do you want to go? There’s nothing going on here.”

“Let’s go in the late afternoon. I don’t want to interfere with anything, and her family probably wants to spend their evenings with her. Sounds like a plan?”

“Okay. Let’s do it. I’d love to see Sunset.”

The sisters arrived at the hospital, getting directions to Sunset’s room from the front desk where they registered as visitors. It was still early in the evening, an hour or so before dinner, so the halls were clear of much of the traffic that would normally be present. Together the sisters found the nurses station for Sunset’s floor, and notified the nurse they were there to visit their student. After clearing that Sunset wasn’t with therapy or one of the staff physicians, the nurse directed them down the hall to Sunset’s room.

Peering through the narrow window in the door, Celestia saw her student studiously reading what appeared to be some sort of scientific journal. With a snort, Celestia whispered softly ‘that’s our girl’ then gently knocked on the door.

Sunset looked up to the door, smiling brightly when she saw her Principal and Vice-Principal through the window waving and smiling back. “Come in! Come on in,” she called, putting the journal she was reading back on the table over her bed.

The sisters entered, then crossed to the head of Sunset’s bed. “Principal Celestia! Vice-Principal Luna! Wow, it’s so great to see you both! Come on, sit down, stay awhile! Gosh, you two are my first visitors since I got here… I was beginning to think everyone forgot about me!” gushed Sunset.

Looking at the single guest chair at the head of the bed, Celestia turned to her sister. “I can stand Lulu. Go ahead, you take the chair.”

Sunset pulled herself over to the far side of the bed. “No no. Sit, please! You can sit by me! I won’t bite, promise!” smiled Sunset, patting the spot beside her.

“Okay!” grinned Luna, sitting down by her student. “Sunset, despite the circumstances, it’s good to see you. Happy holidays!” She leaned forward and embraced Sunset gently.

Celestia took the guest seat and moved it up next to the bed. Reaching out, she took Sunset’s hand, holding it tight. “How are you Sunset? Happy holidays!” she smiled.

Sunset beamed back. “It’s so good to see you both. Wow, I really missed this.”

“Well, that’s a first for me!” snarked Luna. “It’s not often I’m missed by any of my students, especially over the holidays.” Sunset laughed.

“We missed you too Sunset. We were worried about you. I hope you don’t mind us dropping in like this. We just wanted to say hi, and let you know we were thinking about you, And that we cared.” Celestia smiled at Sunset. “I’m confused though - what do you mean, we’re your first visitors? You mean besides your family right? And your friends too, yes?”

The smile fell from Sunset’s face, and she dropped her gaze to the hand clasped by her Principal. Seeing this, Luna reached out and took Sunset’s other hand, holding it tightly.

“Sunset…” Luna looked to Sunset with concern. “Sunset, what’s wrong? You can tell us. Anything you need, just let us know.”

Sunset looked up into Luna’s eyes. Her eyes misted over as she saw the concern in Luna’s face, the lines of worry in her eyes, and felt the warm and comforting pressure of her hand on hers. Looking over to Celestia, she saw the same concern echoed and felt the same comfort.

“I mean, no one has visited. No one. I… I…” her gaze fell, as did a single tear. “You know how I came over through the portal, remember? I lied. I don’t have any family here. My family is all back in Equestria. My Equestria, on the other side of the portal.” Another tear. “My friends are the only family I have here. And I don’t even have that anymore. Anon-a-miss took that away from me. They won’t even talk to me. I’m all alone.”

Shoulders shaking, the dam broke. Sunset’s tears streamed, wetting her cheeks completely. Luna reached forward and pulled her into a hug. “You are not alone, Sunset Shimmer. You have us.”

Celestia joined the hug. “We won’t abandon you Sunset. You have us”.

Crying gently, Sunset held tightly to the sisters, thankful for the gift of their friendship.

Several minutes and more than a few tissues later, the three sat back and resumed their discussion. “Sunset, if you are not staying with your family, who is looking out for you?” asked Luna.

“I’ve been living on my own. The girls… my friends… They helped me get a single room apartment, and I’ve been living there. I have legal documents. I filed for emancipation, so I am an emancipated minor. All the contact information for my parents, the numbers, email, it all goes to me. It ends up here on my phone.” Sunset looked over to the phone on the edge of the table.

“So who’s helping you now?” asked Celestia.

“No one. It’s... just me.” Sunset sighed sadly. “I’ve been trying to reach Princess Twilight through my Journal. But she’s away for the holidays too! So, I haven’t been able to reach her.”

“Sunset, I don’t understand why your friends would refuse to visit you. That goes completely against everything we stand for, and honestly seems a bit abusive if you ask me,” said Luna. “Sunset, if Celestia and I offered to help you, would you let us? Would you be willing to allow us to help you, and care for you if needed? It’s not something I offer lightly, but I offer it to you. Will you let us?”

“Yes, Sunset. I’m with my sister completely on this! Will you let us help?” Celestia looked into her student’s eyes with a gentle smile.

Sunset’s closed her eyes with a happy gasp. She cried again. “Yes! Yes, please! Yes,” and pulled the sisters into another hug.

Dinner came, but rather than send them away, Sunset begged them to stay. They happily accepted, and two extra sodas and salads later, the three were happily laughing and sharing stories late into the evening.

9 - Special Holidays - Shining Armor

Shining Armor

Detective Shining Armor, seated in Principal Celestia’s office, looked up from his notepad. “So there is no security footage of the incident, nor of any activities in the surrounding area?”

Principal Celestia nodded. “That’s correct. For privacy reasons, we don’t have cameras in the interior of the school. The school board received intense push back from many of the parents when it was first proposed, so the idea was tabled. There is footage from the entrances, including the gym entrance, where the incident took place.” Celestia sighed. “Unfortunately, someone damaged the camera to that entrance earlier that day. They managed to avoid showing their face in the process, but you’re welcome to that footage too.”

Shining Armor’s eyebrow raised. “So that would imply this was planned and premeditated. Yes, please, thank you. In fact, we would like all the footage for the day of the incident. We may find something relevant, unless you have any objections?”

“No. I certainly have no objections. I'll have to pass the request through the school board and their lawyers, but I’ll give it my highest recommendation. Anything that helps you find and prosecute Sunset’s attackers has my fullest support.” Celestia wrote a brief note to herself. “Is there anything else I can help with, Detective Armor?”

“The girl that was attacked, Sunset Shimmer? She still doesn't remember anything from the event?” asked Shining. “And can you tell me more about her? What type of student was she? And can you shed more light on this ‘anon-a-miss’ incident, and why you believe this may have been related to her attack?”

“Sunset is a model student. She has been an inspiration for many of the students here with her willingness to volunteer, and to help her fellow students. She’s worked after school tutoring. She’s the student lead on the Yearbook committee. She organizes and runs many of the student charities. And is a member of a fairly popular band with her friends, the ‘rainbooms’ I believe they call themselves.” Celestia smiled. “They’re quite good. I myself have enjoyed many of their songs. I hope they continue, I’d love to see more from them.

“That said, Sunset wasn't always the ‘model student’ she is now. There was a period of time… well actually a rather long period… When she first came to our school, she was popular, but… let’s just call her… manipulative? Yes, manipulative. She was rather good at ingratiating her way into the different cliques and groups in the school, then turning them against each other and themselves.”

Shining looked up from his notes. “She was disciplined for these actions then?”

Celetia shook her head. “No. We didn’t know until later. She was very good at staying ‘below the radar’. She never did anything overtly. She always staged things so it looked like someone else initiated the troubles. Most of the time it didn’t even appear she was a part of it. We didn’t realize she was even causing any trouble until the incident at the Fall Formal, when she stole the Formal’s crown from the girl who won it instead of her.” She bowed her head and pinched the bridge of her nose, then groaned. “Pardon my vernacular, but that was a shitshow… She went off the rails then. She stole the formal crown… There was a confrontation at the front of the school between the girl that won with her friends, and Sunset with two of her friends. A sledge hammer was involved. Somehow, near as we can piece together, the gas main in the front of the school exploded. We were extremely fortunate that none of the students were hurt in the explosion, though it did damage the front of the school, which had to be repaired.”

Shining Armor looked shocked. “I remember that! It was in the news at the time. That was her.. Sunset Shimmer did that? Okay, noted. Wow. That’s something,” he scribbled in his notepad. “Anything else?”

Celestia nodded and continued. “Yes, after that, everyone knew of her actions, and she had a rather marked ‘fall from grace’ as far as the other students were concerned. She was disciplined of course, banned from further extracurricular activities, placed on in-school suspension, and was required to participate in the repair of the damage to the school from the explosion.”

“She had to repair the school?” asked Shining, shocked. “I didn’t think that was allowed. What about the rules against underage labor?”

“No, not like that… She wasn’t part of the demolition or construction. We did make her do some token ‘construction’ work, supervised, the night of the incident, just to give her an idea of the scope of what she had caused. But she was never part of the actual work.” Shining nodded his head, relieved. Celestia continued. “She did however have to assist the workers after school, running odd errands for them - getting coffee for their breaks, picking up food orders delivered for them, that sort of work. We also had her sweep up the worksite after they left each afternoon. Our goal was to show her what she had caused, and what was involved in recovering from it.”

“I see,” nodded Shining. “Please, continue.”

“The students were rather cold to her after that. Except the friends of the girl who had won that night. They all pulled together, and included her in their activities. They even ate lunch together every day. When Luna and I saw that we were overjoyed. We had high hopes that Sunset would rise from the ashes of this incident, and become the student, the woman, we had hoped she could be from the beginning.” Celestia’s gaze drifted to the window. “She tried so hard. She threw herself into her work, excelling at everything we gave her. After we removed the restrictions on her activities, she volunteered tirelessly and poured her energies into helping her fellow students. They were slow to accept her at first, understandably given her past actions.

“The real turning point I believe was fairly recent. We had a school spirit event - a friendly competition called ‘Battle of the Bands’ where students could join and compete against their fellow ‘Wondercolts’ for the title of Best Student Band. Somehow what started as a friendly competition turned vicious, and once again the student body was fractured and divided. It turned out three of the girls competing, the ‘Dazzlings’ they called themselves, were using Sunset’s old tricks to turn the students against each other and divide the school. Sunset and her friends found out, and faced them down, uniting the students against the hate they had sown. It was quite inspirational, and after that, Sunset enjoyed the admiration of her fellow students.”

“So, how did she go from that, to this - to the events that culminated in her attack, and this ‘anon-a-miss’?” asked Shining.

“She was framed,” replied Celestia. “I’m certain that’s the long and short of it. Someone… or someones, with their own ‘ax to grind’ created the account, and are using it to frame Sunset for all its slander and viciousness. I don’t think they wanted to hurt her, not physically at least, maybe emotionally. We suspect they were possibly trying to force her to leave the school. They didn’t get what they wanted. Clearly they got something far worse.

“We do not believe this anon-a-miss was directly behind the attack on Sunset. As for who the attackers were, we have no idea. Even suspecting they must have been individuals directly hurt by the anon-a-miss postings, that casts a wide net that includes nearly the entire student body.

“We do know that Rainbow Dash, the girl whose message led Sunset into the gym for this attack, was not involved. She lost her phone earlier in the day, though in hindsight it was clear it was stolen from her. Whoever sent the message used Ms. Dash’s stolen phone to do it.

Celestia sighed. “So anything we can provide to help you find who did this to her, to our Sunset, we are happy to provide.” Celestia turned to Shining Armor, looking into his eyes. “Shining, this girl is dear to us. We consider her family, Luna and I. That someone did this to her, hurt her so bad… It makes my blood boil! It angers me so much I want to call down the sun on their heads, and burn them from existence.”

Celestia slumped in her chair. “I am ashamed to admit that. I consider myself a peaceful individual. I abhor conflict and violence. I won't tolerate neglect or abuse. But by harmony herself I would hurt whomever did this to that precious girl. Please find them Shining. Please.. Bring Sunset some justice.” Celestia slumped, her face in her hands, elbows on her desk. “Please Shining. For Sunset. For Luna and I. Find them.”

“I will Celestia. I promise!” Shining rose, then walked over to Celestia, sat on the corner of the desk and put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll make it my top priority. I know how much this means to you. And to Luna. Sunset will get her peace.”

They sat there in silence for several moments. Eventually, Celestia took a deep breath and turned to Shining Armor. “Thank you Shining. I know you will. I know Sunset can count on you.”

“Absolutely Aunty Celestia!” replied Shining with a grin.

“You know I hate you calling me that,” replied Celestia, with a grin of her own. “Besides, it’s not true. I’m not your aunt until after the wedding. Even then, I’ll be your aunt-in-law, not… ugh, aunty? That’s not even a word! And it makes me sound so… old. I’ll have you know I’m not that much older than you young man.”

“What? No way, you’re ancient!” joked Shining.

“Ha ha,” snarked Celestia in reply. “So, how is your blushing bride to be? Are you two still coming over for dinner this weekend?”

“We wouldn’t miss it. Yeah, Cadence is doing great. I’ll tell her you said hello when I get home tonight.” Shining grinned. “She misses you guys. But she’s really enjoying her independence, and her show is doing well, so exciting times for her, right? ‘Princess of Love, Cadence Cares!’ seems to be taking off, maybe she’ll be able to get syndication. We’ll see.”

“I hope so. She loves helping people, and sharing her hope and love. She’s a shining heart in an ocean of cold indifference. We’re so proud of her.”

“And I’m her ‘Shining Armor’,” Shining grinned. “Me too. Yeah, she’s a regular Princess of Love. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes. And I’m gonna be right by her side through all of it.” Shining’s smile beamed. “That’s my girl.”

Celestia placed her hand over Shining's. “That’s our girl, you mean. We’re in this together Shining. We’re Family.”

12 - Special Holidays - Luna - The Assembly

Luna - The Assembly

It was time.

The student body filtered slowly into the assembly, still subdued. Gone were the usual boisterous banter and hijinks. Everyone quietly found a place to sit; with their friends, if they still had them, alone otherwise. Anon-a-miss had been rough on the school’s friendships. More than a few long-time friends were currently not speaking with one another. Or near one another.

Everyone found their seats. The whispers died down as Vice-Principal Luna took the stage.

“Good afternoon Canterlot Wondercolts.

“I am sure you have all heard of the activities of a certain blogger, who has been targeting students in this school with cyber-bullying posts, disrupting our school spirit, and harming the emotional welfare of our student body.”

“She should be arrested!” someone yelled out.

“She should be expelled!”

“She should be beaten!” yelled out another.

“Silence!” exploded Vice-Principal Luna. “Can you hear yourselves! Is this the way Canterlot Wondercolts behave!”

Luna glared at the assembled students. “Be silent!” Taking a deep breath, she continued.

“It has come to your Principal’s and my attention that many of you believe you know the identity of the person making these posts. Some of you may have decided to take matters into your own hands.”

“And good riddance!” shouted another voice from the back of the auditorium.

“I said silence!” yelled back Luna.

Complete silence wrapped the entire room. “Not one more word! I said silence and I meant it!”

Luna continued. “Sunset Shimmer, a long-standing student of this school, honor student, and friend to many of you was brutally attacked right before the holiday break on these very school grounds.” A pin could be heard hitting the floor.

“She was taken to Canterlot General Hospital with serious, possibly life-altering injuries, and is currently there receiving treatment.”

Scootaloo started quietly swearing. “Bacca bacca bacca bacca…”

“We will find out who was responsible for her injuries. And rest assured we will be joining Sunset in filing the appropriate charges for the brutal assault that was carried out on her person.”

Luna paused. She took a deep breath. “Her person! A fellow student. A friend. Something clearly many of you here have forgotten.”

“My sister and I have been visiting Sunset. And I assure you, she is not, nor ever was, this anon-a-miss many of you assume her to be.”

Luna scanned the faces of her students, shocked expressions on most of them.

“That’s a LIE!” shouted a girl to her right.

“I! SAID! SILENCE!” screamed Luna.

Shaking with rage, she clasped her hands to her head. Taking several slow breaths, she lowered her hands and continued. “I said silence.

“My sister and I have been visiting her throughout the holiday break. She did not, and would not post ANYTHING on that infernal account! This morning, while you were all reading this anon-a-miss person’s latest trove of toxic filth, my sister, your Principal, was with Sunset.

“With her. The. Entire. Time! The entire time these posts were coming out, Principal Celestia was with Sunset Shimmer. She DID NOT post these posts! She IS NOT this anon-a-miss person. AM I CLEAR!”

Shocked nods and murmurs drifted through the assembly.

In the corner, Scootaloo passed out.

13 - Special Holidays - Canterlot Movie Club Redux

Canterlot Movie Club redux

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle sat next to their friend in the school nurse's office. Scootaloo was laying on a bed, a cold compress on her forehead.

“Y’all right Scoots?” asked Applebloom, reaching out to her friend.

“I’m fine. Don’t touch me!” groused Scootaloo, pulling back from her friend. “I told you we shoulda just deleted the dang thing.”

Sweetie Belles’ eyes went wide. She quickly glanced across the room to the school nurse, who was turned away. She punched her friend in the arm with a glare. “Ouch!” yelled Scootaloo.

The nurse turned back around. “Are you alright dear?” she asked.

“Uh… yeah, I’m fine. Just a cramp. Ouch,” claimed Scootaloo, rubbing the arm. “Um… can I go now? I’d like to get back to my class if that’s okay.”

“Hmm.. let’s give it another minute girls. Just to make sure the dizziness has passed. Do you need some more water dear?”

Scootaloo took the glass beside her and sipped it. “No thank you. Still workin’ on this one.”

A few moments later, the school nurse released the girls, satisfied that Scootaloo was in no danger of a relapse. They cleared out of the offices, and raced to their club room, then locked the door.

15 - Special Holidays - Twilight

Twilight

After finishing her cinnamon twist and mocha latte, Twilight left the bakery and returned to the school. Earlier, when she first arrived through the portal, she tried the doors but they didn't budge. The building was clearly locked up tight, with no signs of anyone present. She tried banging on the doors, yelling, even running around the hedges and jumping up, pounding and glancing into the classroom windows. There hadn’t been a single soul there. At that point she decided to make the quick trip to SugarCube Corner, recalling Pinky worked there and it was only a short walk from the school.

On her return, things looked slightly better. There was an old pickup truck in the parking lot. Through the glass doors at the front of the school a light was clearly visible. Running up to the doors, Twilight tried once again opening them. They were still locked. Frustrated and emotionally drained, she banged on the doors hoping someone, anyone, would hear her and let her in. Nothing.

With a groan of frustration, Twilight again made the rounds of the building. After her second pass, she slumped on the steps to catch her wind.

“So frustrating! Why can’t anyone hear me!” she groused. “I swear, where is everyone? Are they all still on vacation? They have their own holiday, I remember. Called it something else though…” Sighing, she sat and waited.

As the evening wore on, the sun set. The air started to get chilly. Twilight briefly considered going back through the portal to fetch something warmer to wear, but decided it wasn’t worth the risk. What if she left, and whoever was inside came out? She would miss her chance to talk to them, and find out where Sunset was and what was going on. No. No, she couldn’t risk it. It wasn’t worth it. She was an Equestrian Princess, darn it. An Alicorn. The element of magic for pity's sake! She could stand a little cold. She would be fine.

Twenty minutes later, and that much colder, she felt she had more than adequate reason to rethink her decision. Shivering, she wandered over to the old truck hoping she could climb inside it to warm up. At least then she would be out of the wind that was picking up, robbing her body of warmth with every gust. And, she thought, congratulating herself on her cleverness… ‘If I’m in the truck, they'll certainly see me! And then I can ask them all my questions!’

Her clever plans came to a crashing halt when she reached the truck. Both doors were locked, and the windows were fully rolled up.

“Ah sugar plums!” she swore, then blushed profusely at her indiscretion.

She was about to give up hope and head back for the school, when she noticed a large tarp tied down in the truck's bed. Climbing into the truck bed, and pulling the tarp from its ties, saw, thank harmony, not only was there a wonderful tarp she could use to keep the wind off, but beneath were two blankets she could wrap herself in to keep warm! Delighted with her find, she wrapped herself up in a blanket like a pupating moth. She wrapped the tarp around that and sat in the bed of the truck, waiting for whomever would come back. A while later, Twilight was still shivering. The wind was freezing her exposed face and head. She really didn’t want to wrap her head in a blanket - how would she see then? Instead, she decided to lie down using the second blanket as a pillow. That put her below the wall of the truck bed, protected from the chill gusts.

Smiling at her cleverness, she snuggled into the second blanket - and promptly fell fast asleep.

Hours later, Granny Smith emerged from the school, locking the doors behind her. She’d come in for a bit to get things ready for the breakfast crew. Students were returning from break tomorrow, and for many of them, breakfast and lunch at school were an important part of their daily nutrition. Everything had been stowed and locked down for the holiday, so she wanted to ensure everything was prepped and in working order for the breakfast crew when they showed up bright and early.

As often happens, it was more work than she thought. So it was several hours later - in fact, darn near midnight - before she finally finished. With everything ready for the morning’s breakfast, and a good start on the preparations needed for her shift with the lunch crew, she was proud of her work. And rightly so… but powerfully tired too. She stumbled to her truck, unlocked the door and climbed into the cab. Powering up the engine, she headed home.

Not once did she notice the little bit of tarp whipping up occasionally from the back of the truck.

When Granny got home, she pulled the truck into the barn, and shut everything down. She slid the barn doors closed, and entered the old farmhouse.

Her oldest grandson, Big Mac, was dozing fitfully in the living room rocking chair by the front door.

“Mac!” Granny yelled. “Mac! I’m home! Go to bed, you big galumph. Ya didn’t have ta stay up ta babysit me. I’m a big girl ya goof! I can take cara myself!”

Blinking, looking around in a daze, Big Mac focused on Granny. “Oh, hi Granny. Yeah, okay. Good night. Glad ya made it home safe. See ya in the mornin’.” Granny went up the stairs. Big Mac almost followed her, but decided he’d make a quick check before he tucked in for the night. Wouldn’t be the first time Granny forgot to take care of something…

Heading out the door, he crossed to the barn and slid the barn door open. Granny had parked the truck in the middle of the barn. That was fine. He went over to check it and noticed the tarp, unfolded and laying in the back of the bed.

“Consarn it, Granny! Whadja have ta mess with the tarp for…” He pulled on it, and felt it weighed down by something. Bending over, he pulled back the top of the tarp and saw a girl’s face.

“WHAT THE SAM HILL!” he started and swore, then bent down and looked again.

“Twilight?” he said. Shaking his head, he laughed. “Darn it all Granny. You might have mentioned you’d left Twilight Sparkle in the back of the darn truck!”

Carefully pulling the tarp aside, he gently lifted the snoring Princess of Friendship, still wrapped in her blanket, and carried her into the house. Taking her to the guest bedroom, he pulled back the covers, and tucked her, blanket and all, into bed, then turned out the lights. “Good night Twilight,” he said at the door.

“Good night Spike…” mumbled the bundle of blankets. Big Mac laughed, then shut the door and went to bed.

Despite being up late, Granny Smith rose with the sun. A lifetime of early rising made the habit hard to break. She started making a nice farmers breakfast for everyone. While the biscuits were baking, she made the rounds, knocking on doors to get her kidlins’ keisters up and pointed in the right direction.

“Up an at em girls! Back ta school today! No shirking! Up up up!”

As she passed the guest bedroom she could have sworn she heard a girls voice say “Five more minutes Spike…” Shaking her head, she continued back to the kitchen to finish making breakfast for her hungry family.

Big Mac drifted out of his room, pulling suspenders up over his woolen shirt. Scratching the back of his head, he headed downstairs, but seeing breakfast wasn’t ready yet, decided to finish cleaning up the tarp and blanket from last night.

Back in the barn, while folding the tarp and blanket and putting them back under the tie-downs, he noticed the feed still out from yesterday. “Applebloom!” he muttered, then decided he may as well get an early start on feeding the animals, seeings as it was already out.

Grabbing the feed bag, gloves, and scoop, he headed out.

Back in the house, Applejack and Applebloom came down the stairs, drawn by the wonderful smells coming from the farmhouse kitchen. “Come and get it girls!” cackled Granny, serving up plates of biscuits and gravy with links and sausage to her granddaughters. “Where’s your brother?” Granny asked as the girls tucked into the delicious food.

“Ah think ah saw him heading out earlier,” answered Applejack between mouthfuls. “Must have decided to get an early start on the chores.”

“That’s Big Mac,” smiled Granny. “Always thinking ah others.”

The phone rang. Yes. The farmhouse had a wall phone. They really do still exist some places, I swear. And Yup, they had one. Anyway.

Granny banked her cooking, and reached across to answer the phone. “Hello!” She nodded a few times, then answered. “Okay, just hang on. I’ll head on in. Go ahead and start serving up the rest of them. I’ll sort it out in a bit when I get there. Okay, bye.”

She hung up the phone. “AJ, I gotta head on in now. You and your sister ready to go?”

“Yes, mam!” answered Applejack. Applebloom just nodded as she stuffed her food into her mouth, swallowing as quickly as she could.

“Alrighty, girls. Get yer stuff and get in the truck. We’re heading out as soon as I set this grub aside.” Granny quickly scraped everything into a tin, placed it in the fridge, then scribbled a note on the whiteboard by the sink. She grabbed her purse and keys and headed out the door.

Upstairs, a very confused and tired Princess of Friendship drifted out from the guest room, still wrapped in the truck’s blanket. Smacking her lips and yawning, she looked down. Realizing she was still in the blanket, she returned to the room, carefully folded it up, and placed it on the end of the bed.

Rubbing her eyes, it dawned on her exactly where she was. “AJ?'' she called softly. She stretched, then headed down the stairs looking for everyone. “How did I get here?” she wondered aloud. The last thing she remembered was being in the school parking lot, and laying down in the back of a truck to stay warm.

The kitchen looked like it had recently been used. There were dishes in the sink, the stove was covered in pans, and the smell was heavenly. No food though. She must have missed them. She wondered why no one had bothered to wake her up.

She walked out the front door, looking for anyone. “AJ!” she called out, heading towards the barn.

Big Mac, finished with the morning feed, was on his way back to the barn to put the feed away. Rounding the back of the barn, he noticed Twilight wandering around, looking out of sorts. “Twilight!” he called out, waving when she turned toward him.

“Big Mac? Big Mac! Where is everyone?” She headed towards him.

“Just a sec Twilight! Lemme put this feed away and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Twilight nodded, turned back to the farmhouse and went inside.

Putting everything away and quickly cleaning up, Big Mac joined Twilight in the farmhouse kitchen. “Get you anything princess?” asked with a smirk.

“Coffee. Please,” groaned Twilight, face buried in her hands. “Ugh… feels like I could sleep for another few hours.” Taking the proffered caffeinated gift from the gods, she scooped in some sugar, poured some cream, and stirred. “You wouldn’t happen to know how I got here would you?”

Big Mac laughed. “Nope. Found you in the back of the truck last night when Granny got home. So I tucked you into the guest bedroom. I guess you were plenty tired, you slept through the whole thing.”

Both hands wrapped around the mug, Twilight slurped her coffee, slowly waking. “Ugh. Thank you. Is AJ still here?” she asked.

“Nope.” Big Mac replied. “Ya just missed her.”

Twilight groaned.

16 - Special Holidays - Sunset - Homeward Bound

Sunset - Homeward Bound

Sitting in her borrowed wheelchair, Sunset surveyed everything she would be taking home.

On her bed were several boxes, filled with supplies the hospital was sending home for her care. Packages of adult diapers, wipes, disposable nitrile gloves, and bed pads. Suppositories, creams and gels. A bed pan - she hadn’t even known what one was a week ago, let alone what it looked like or was for. She shook her head.

Travel kits - an odd name for the small packages of soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant placed in little plastic tubs. A walker - not that she was walking yet. But with help, she could stand for about thirty seconds or so, holding tightly to the walker, shaking the entire time. But progress. Progress, not perfection.

A transfer board. A practical name for the mobile butt slide, letting her glide from one seat to another. In practice, it was a literal pain in the behind. She was always afraid she was going to fall. And falling was now an uncontrolled flight to the floor, a painful one way ride she was determined to avoid. Her nurses and therapists had drummed into her head; falling was dangerous, killing many in her circumstance. It was to be avoided at all costs. Her hope was she could strengthen herself to the point she never needed the board, and could stand and shift herself to wherever she needed to go.

Folders and books, the most notable being titled ‘Living with SCI’, featuring an older couple sitting in wheelchairs while holding hands. It was large, thicker than she expected, and featured many pictures and diagrams. She briefly glanced through it, but put off reading it until later. An exercise packet she had previously reviewed while going through all the exercises with her PT therapist. She’d promised to keep them up, building on what they had started to keep her mobility, such as it was, intact.

A folder full of paperwork, including orders for full leg compression stockings - like nylons, but much less fashionable, and thicker. What they lacked in style they made up for in function - keeping her legs from swelling. An order for a block of foam to be used to keep her legs elevated while she rested in bed. Celestia promised she would get her a power bed, similar to what she was using here at the hospital. But until then, the block would do. Referrals to specialists, including the OT department downstairs, who would work with the vendors to order and fit her custom wheelchair. And the order for the therapist specializing in PTSD and trauma recovery. It was all a bit overwhelming.

She wheeled over to the cabinet that served as her hospital room’s closet. Opening the doors, she noticed her backpack, buried under blankets tossed into the bottom of the cabinet. She placed the pack on her lap, and felt the pack vibrate. “The Journal! Twilight!” gasped Sunset. She quickly rolled over to the bed, pulling the vibrating journal from her pack.

Flipping to the last written page, she read Twilight’s reply.

‘Sunset! Hang on, what the hay is happening there? This sounds like it’s become serious? Are you okay? Do you need anything? Sunset, please let me know!’

The messages continued, each becoming more distressed and urgent, up to the final one.

‘Sunset, I am coming through the portal. Meet me at the base of the statue, and we’ll work through this together. I promise, we will get through this! Yours in Friendship, Twilight’

“Horse Apples! When did she send this? Ugh… I’ve got to get someone to go meet her. Damnit…”

She grabbed her phone, scrolled through to Vice-Principal Luna’s number and hit dial. “Come on Luna, pick up…. Please!” She got voice mail, so she left a quick message. “Ms. Luna, it’s me, Sunset! I have a bit of an emergency, can you please send someone to the Wondercolts statue and pick up Twilight? I got a message from her, she is waiting for me there. But I have no way to reach her! Tell her I am coming, please?” She disconnected. “Ugh!”

“There has to be someone else I can call… who, who?” Sunset groaned, hands to her head. “Wait! Flash… I still have his number, right?” She scrolled through her contacts, found it, and hit dail. “Come on Flash, pick up, please…”

“Sunset?” came the answer from the phone. “Hey Sunset, where are you? Are you alright? No one’s seen you all morning, and there are some really bad rumors going around…”

“Flash! Oh thank Celestia! Flash, can you help me out, please? And why the heck have you not responded to my messages all last week?!”

“Uh, yeah, sorry Sunset. I lost my phone making deliveries last week! I just got the replacement yesterday. I changed it overnight. I was going to call you honest! So where are you? What’s going on? Vice-Principal Luna just called a general assembly, and rumor is it’s about you. Are you okay?”

“No. No, I’m not okay. But Flash, I need your help! Princess Twilight is there, she came through the portal! Do you see her there? Did someone pick her up?”

“Twilight is here?! Ugh.. wha.. Twilight? Okay. Uhm… Wow. Yeah, no… There’s been no sign of her here. One sec…” Sunset heard Flash in the background. “Mr. Doodle? I need to be excused for a moment. Family emergency, I need to go to the office.. Okay thanks!”

A moment later he was back on the phone. “Okay back. I’m checking the statue now. Need a moment.” She could hear him moving though the hall then opening the door. “Okay, no sign of her. Checking around the building.” He must’ve been running, she could hear his labored breath through the phone. A minute later “Sorry no sign of her Sunset. I’m going to check with the office. Hang on…”

Back through the door. “Ms. Raven? Vice-Principal Luna? Anyone?” called out Flash.

A moment later, Vice-Principal Luna’s door opened. “Mr. Sentry, please come in.” She turned, returning to her desk and sat down.

“Are you still there Sunset? I’m putting you on speaker. I’m heading into Vice-Principal Luna’s office now…”

“Okay Flash. Thank you!” answered Sunset.

“Mr. Sentry! What can I do for you today? Is everything alright?” Sunset heard Luna greet.

“Vice-Principal Luna. Hi, uhm… no, actually I think something is wrong. Princess Twilight is here I think. Uhm… one second. I have Sunset on the phone here. She’s on speaker.”

“Sunset! How are you? Is everything okay? What’s this about Princess Twilight?”

“Ms. Luna! Thank you! Thank you Flash. Ms. Luna, I got a message from Twilight saying she was coming through the portal, and would meet me by the Wondercolts statue. I’m not sure exactly when she sent it, but have you seen her? Is she still there?” asked Sunset.

“No, sorry Sunset. I haven't seen Twilight, and she hasn’t come through the office. Could she have possibly gone back through the portal when she saw you weren't there?” replied Luna.

“Maybe? I don’t know.” Sunset groaned. “Flash said he didn’t see any sign or her, and he checked the school grounds, right Flash?”

“Yeah. That’s right, I ran around the building and looked. I didn’t check the fields or anything but no, I didn’t see any sign of her,” responded Flash.

“And I haven’t seen her in the office or around the school this morning either, Sunset. I’m sorry, but she likely tired of waiting and returned to her home,” answered Luna.

Sunset sighed. “Okay. okay… one sec. Let me check. I have the journal right here.” She put the phone on speaker, and set it on the table by her bed. She opened the journal.. “Pen… pen, where is it?” Digging through the drawers, she found a pen found and prepared to write.

‘Dear Twilight. Where are you? Did you come here? Are you back in your castle? I’m sorry I couldn’t get to the portal to meet you, long story. Let me know where you are and I’ll ask someone to meet you. Thanks! Your friend, Sunset.’

“Ugh. I feel like an idiot. I should have done that first,” grumbled Sunset.

“What’s that Sunset? I couldn’t quite hear you,” responded Luna.

“Nothing… I was just saying I was an idiot for not responding to Twilight first,” groaned Sunset. “I’ll give her a minute or two to respond. And will definitely let you know if she says anything.”

“Okay. Yes please. And Sunset? Don’t worry, we will sort this out. I’ll see you tonight when I get home,” answered Luna. “Sunset, Mr. Sentry and I have an assembly to attend. I’ll call you back after it’s completed. We have to ‘sign off’ now. Goodbye Sunset.”

“Okay. Goodbye Ms. Luna. See you soon. And thank you!”

“So Sunset, you’re living with Vice-Principal Luna? That’s cool. When did that start?” asked Flash.

“Not now, Mr. Sentry. We have to leave. Tell Sunset goodbye. Let’s go.”

“Bye Sunset. I’ll call you back later. Take care, okay?” Flash hung up the phone.

“Ugh. So frustrating…” Sunset stared at the journal, willing some response to appear. Still nothing.

Celestia entered the room. “Sunset. How’s it going in here? Almost ready? They’re getting the final papers together now.” She noticed the journal. “Ah, what’s that? I’ve never seen that book before. It looks rather fancy.”

“This is my Journal from, er.. Okay. you know how I came over through the portal from my Equestria, right? The world I come from is kind of a parallel to your world. A lot of the people here are also in my world too. Well not exactly… but I mean they are there too. Like the people here are people, uhm…. Well creatures? Anyways, they are creatures in my world too. Like parallel. I was a pony. A unicorn, studying magic, and I was the personal student of Princess… uhm. I was the personal student of your counterpart. Princess Celestia. She rules Equestria, where I come from. I was her student. And she gave me this Journal so I could communicate with her while we were apart, when she had to leave and couldn’t be with me during my studies.”

“Uh… Oh. Okay.” The shocked look on Principal Celestia’s face was priceless.

“So… uhm. Yeah. So I was your student… I mean your counterpart’s student, back in Equestria. And this Journal lets me communicate with her… well not her. Not anymore. She gave it to Twilight. So now it lets me communicate with Princess Twilight. And we use it to talk. Like a phone.. But, well… not like a phone. But like text messages. You know,” finished Sunset lamely.

“Okayyyy….. So what’s going on then, are you talking with her now?”

“No. No see that’s the thing. She sent a message she was coming through the portal to meet me. She wanted me to meet her at the base of the Wondercolt statue. But my Journal was buried in my backpack, and apparently covered with blankets.. Ugh.. whatever. But I haven’t used it since yesterday afternoon! So I have no idea when she came over. It might have been yesterday, or today. But whenever it was, apparently no one was there to meet her! And she may have gone back. Or not. We don’t know. Ms. Luna said she didn’t see her, and Flash looked all over the grounds, and I sent a message back but she hasn’t responded… and I’m starting to get worried.” Sunset huffed.

“Okay, deep breaths Sunset. There’s no point in letting this get you worked up. It will sort itself out.” Celestia pulled the guest chair over and sat next to Sunset. Holding Sunset’s hands, she gave them a gentle squeeze. “We’ll sort this out. Together. Okay Sunset?”

Sunset raised her head, and looked into Celestia’s eyes. “Yes. Yes, together. Thank Celestia yes! Together.” She took a deep breath.

“Uhm. Sunset?”

“Yes?”

“Why do you keep using my name like that?”

Sunset groaned.

17 - Special Holidays - Twilight rides the Rocket

Twilight rides the Rocket

Twilight pushed away her finished breakfast plate, savoring the taste of the scrambled eggs and biscuits she had just enjoyed. Nursing her coffee, she looked to Big Mac.

“Thank you for that breakfast Big Mac. That was wonderful!” she smiled. “Don’t tell Spike, but I haven’t had eggs like that in ages. And these biscuits are so light and airy. How do you do it?”

“Yup!” grinned Big Mac. “The secret is the mix. You can only get that mix locally, ain't nowhere else has it, and ain't nothin good as it anywhere. And them eggs are home grown. Just gathered ‘em up this mornin.”

“Umm. Well thank you Big Mac. That was a fantastic way to wake the day. Though… Can you get me back to the school? I was supposed to meet Sunset at the base of the portal. I can only imagine what she must be going through.” She sipped her coffee. “Mmm.”

“Sorry Ms. Twilight. Ya done missed Granny taking everyone to school with her, and the truck’s the only car we got here on the farm. Though, if you’re feeling up for a bit of adventure… we could take rocket.”

“Rocket? Sounds dangerous… what’s that?”

“Rocket’s my pa’s old motorbike. He used to race it when he was a kid. It got banged up a bit, and he put it in storage. Then, after Ma and he disappeared, no one touched it for years. Ah fixed it up when ah got older, and now ah use it to race around a bit when ah get a chance. Up for a ride and a bit of adventure?”

“Sure,” grinned Twilight. “After everything else that’s happened? What can it hurt?”

“Ahhhh!” screamed Twilight, arms wrapped around Big Mac, holding on for her dear life. “Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! I’m going to fall off and we are going So Fasssstttttttt!”

Big Mac grinned. “Hang on Ms. Twilight. We’re almost there.” He gunned the bike through another intersection, accompanied by Twilight’s terrified screams.

Eyes screwed shut, face buried in Big Mac’s shoulder, Twilight embraced Big Mac, holding tightly with a grip she hoped might defy death itself.

“We’re here Ms. Twilight. Ya can let go now.” Big Mac chuckled. Twilight didn’t move. “No seriously. We’re stopped. We’re at the school. Really. Ya can let go.”

Twilight opened her eyes, then blushed madly. She quickly scooted off the bike and brushed off her blouse and skirt. “Uhm.. eh… uhmm… err…. Thank you! Yes, thank you Big Mac. Ummm… yes, thank you so much for the ride. On your bike. I mean, the ride on your motorbike. Yes. on that. I mean. Yes. Thank you!”

Big Mac laughed. “Yer most welcome Ms. Twilight. Have a good afternoon now.” He revved the bike's engine. Twilight flinched.

Grinning, Big Mac waved, then popped up the front wheel as he raced off through the school gates. “Sweet Celestia! How in the tartarus is that man not already dead!” gasped Twilight as she watched him speeding off.

She turned and entered through the school doors, and headed for the Principal's office.

18 - Special Holidays - Luna

Luna

Vice-Principal Luna left the assembly, walking calmly back to her office. Inside, she was shaking with rage, angered by some of the responses during the assembly. That anyone could think so poorly of Sunset, after everything that had happened, was to her unfathomable. Sunset had suffered so much! They had no right to treat her like that! And to show such callous lack of sympathy, such complete disdain for Sunset’s sufferings! Intolerable! She would not stand for this! When she found whomever was responsible for Sunset’s sufferings, they would rue the day their mothers bore them!

Rounding the corner, she entered the school offices. Opening the door to her room, she stepped inside, and closed her door. She then took several deep breaths, bringing her arms out and in with each one, centering herself. “Calm, Luna. Peace... I am one with the stars. I am one with the planets. I am one with the cosmos.” She took several more cleansing breaths.

‘Nightmare Moon, Mistress of Darkness, may need to spend a bit less time on-line… rue the day indeed…’ she mused.

A final cleansing breath later, and considerably calmer, she sat behind her desk. A knock sounded at the door. Flash poked his head in. “Ms. Luna? I mean, Vice-principal Luna? May I come in?”

Nodding, Luna pointed at the seat across from her “Mr. Sentry, come in, please.” Flash entered her office, and sat in the chair in front of the desk..

Flash sat quietly, face in his hands, reflecting on what Vice-Principal Luna shared during the assembly. He too had been floored by some of the responses from the other students. “I can’t believe some people can be such insensitive assholes…” he muttered quietly.

“Language Mr. Sentry, and quite agreed,” responded Luna.

“Hello! Anyone here? Ms. Raven? Principal Celestia? Vice-Principal Luna?” a voice called out from the school office.

Flashes head snapped up. “Twilight?” he called out.

“Flash! Is that you? Where is everyone?”

“Twilight! It’s Vice-Principal Luna! I’m here with Mr. Sentry, please, come in,” called out Luna. A moment later, Twilight poked her head into the office, then smiled when she spied the pair.

“Oh thank Celestia!” she called out, then entered the office and took the seat next to Flash. “Hello Flash!” she greeted. “Haven't seen you in a while! How have you been?” A flush crept up her cheeks, as she turned her head shyly.

Flash blushed as well. “Hi Princess Twilight. Nice to see you too!” he grinned.

Luna raised an eyebrow, then smirked. “Well… greetings all around! Welcome Twilight. We’ve been worried about you. It seems after Sunset received your message, no one was able to find you.”

“Ah.. yeah. Well… yeah. I kind of… got lost. Sort of. Long story. Anyways….. Here I am! So, what’s going on with Sunset? Where is she, is everything alright?” asked Twilight.

“No Twilight. I’m afraid not. Everything is not ‘alright’. Sunset has been attacked,” replied Luna.

“Attacked! What! Where is she! I need to see her! Take me to her please? Where is my friend?” Frantic, Twilight leaned over the desk, both hands planted. “Please Luna, tell me… is she okay? Where is she? What happened, what’s going on?”

A voice called out behind them from the door. “Twilight! I was so worried about you! When did you get here? You didn’t have to wait long did you? I am so, so sorry I didn’t get your message!”

Turning, Twilight saw Sunset sitting in the doorway. She was in a wheelchair, and behind, pushing her, was Principal Celestia.

19 - Special Holidays - Principal Celestia

Principal Celestia

Celestia helped Sunset pack everything into the boxes the hospital provided. Eventually everything was ready and loaded on the cart. They waited for the staff to finish the release paperwork.

Dr. Quinn returned, paperwork in hand. “Okay Ms. Shimmer. We’re ready. Sign this, and we will get you loaded up and heading out to your new life.” She grinned. “Sign here, here, and here. And on this tab here. Initial this. And here. Also here. Right. Read this, then sign here and initial here, and here. Okay. Done. And Ms. Shimmer, please be sure to contact Dr. Discord, he specializes in trauma, and I am sure he’ll be able to help you with your memories. Also don’t forget I expect to see you back here twice a week for your evaluations and checkups. The appointment schedule is in right here, in the back of this folder. Do not forget please.”

Papers signed, Dr. Quinn removed the back copies of each and placed them into Sunset’s folder. The originals she placed into Sunset’s chart. “All set then! I’ll have a nurse come roll you out, and I’ll see you, Ms. Shimmer, in my clinic downstairs in two days. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early, there’s paperwork you’ll need to complete before the appointment. Best wishes Sunset! I’ll see you then.”

With a smile and wave, Dr. Quinn left the room, heading for the nursing station. She chatted briefly with the charge nurse, then went into her office. The charge nurse tapped one of the shift nurses on the shoulder, and after a brief discussion the shift nurse headed to Sunsets room.

“Hello Ms. Shimmer. My name is Nurse Feelgood. I’m told you’re going home now? Congratulations! I’m sure you are looking forward to that.” Nurse Feelgood smiled, hands crossed before her. “If you’re ready to go, I’ll wheel you out now.”

Grinning, Sunset replied. “Yes, please. I love you all dearly, but I am so ready to be home. Let’s go.”

Taking her queue, Nurse Feelgood stepped behind Sunset’s chair and pushed her towards the door. “Where are we heading exactly?” she asked.

Celestia pushed the cart through the door. “Perhaps I should take the lead. We're heading to my car in the northeast lot. This way.” She cleared the door and started down the hall towards the elevators.

“Wagons ho!” snarked Sunset, causing Nurse Feelgood to grin.

“Wagons ho it is Ms. Shimmer,” she laughed.

Down in the parking lot, Celestia, Sunset, and Nurse Feelgood looked at Principal Celestia’s sports car. It was a sleek and sporty two seater, with a swept top and a little tiny compartment in the back for a few bags of groceries or whatever else someone might put in a sporty car’s trunk.

Looking at the boxes, then back at the opened trunk, Celestia sighed. “I think I’m going to need a bigger car.”

Sunset face palmed. Nurse Feelgood burst into laughter.

It felt good to be out of the hospital. Strapped into the passenger seat of Celestia’s sporty two seater, window down, Sunset enjoyed the breeze whipping through her hair. Behind her, strapped to the open trunk of the car, was her borrowed wheelchair, fronted by boxes and looking like something out of a scene from an old movie, with hillbillies and lots of horrid twanging music. She snorted out a laugh at the image, which she tried and failed to stifle.

“Laugh it up, Sunset. Laugh it up. I know where you live,” growled Celestia. They both exploded in fits of laughter.

“Stop! Stop… don’t make me laugh so hard! Oh ugh..” Sunset gasped. “You’re horrible! When did you get a sense of humor?”

“I’ve been hanging around this girl who likes to snark at everything. I think it’s rubbing off on me,” grinned Celestia.

Sunset grinned. “Thank Celestia! I was hoping I would rub off on someone!” She laughed.

“Okay, seriously! What’s up with that?” asked Celestia. “You do that all the time. So why is Celestia your apparent swear word of choice?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Uhm… Yeah, I can see where that would sound… .awkward? Okay. Yeah your counterpart? Princess Celestia? My mentor? She’s not just the ruler of Equestria. There’s magic involved…”

“Yes. And…” asked Celestia.

“Well. She’s responsible for moving the Sun. Like, around. Every day. She brings the day. She used to bring the night too. But her sister returned. Long story. Anyways…. Yeah, so her sister? Princess Luna? She moves the moon. Brings the night. And like, the stars. And the planets. So, yeah… magic. Anyways... “

“Wait. What? So Luna has a counterpart too? And she moves the moon? And Celestia moves the Sun?” Celestia got a pensive look, then after a moment, pursed her lips in a moue.

“Uhm… Yeah. So that’s why everyone says ‘thank Celestia’. And thank Luna too, I guess? Don’t know - that’s new, she returned after I left, you’d have to ask Princess Twilight about that. Wait… what’s that face? Why the pout? You’re pouting.”

“I am not pouting! I’m merely reflecting!” pouted Celestia.

“No. No, that’s a moue. What’s up?”

“I am reflecting. Reflecting… Reflecting that maybe, I got the shorter end of the existential stick here? I’m the Principal of the local High School. And my counterpart is a Princess, and a god? What the heck fate? Why do you hate me?”

Sunset laughed, then reached out and hugged Celestia. “Trust me, no one hates you. You’re the real deal in my book.”

Celestia laughed. “In my book too. Okay, driving Sunset. Need my arms… thanks!” Sunset leaned back into her seat, smiling.

22 - Special Holidays - Sunset

Sunset

Gathered in Luna’s office, Twilight related her ‘adventures’. Sunset then explained what had happened, and what was currently going on. She told Twilight she couldn’t recall anything about the events that lead to her injuries. She was sure, however, that Rainbow couldn’t have been one of the ones responsible.

“It had to have been a setup. Even as angry as she was, there is no way Rainbow would ever have done that,” Sunset added.

“I would certainly hope not!” stated Twilight. “Still though, we need to talk to the girls. Any idea where they could be?”

“They usually meet in the band room,” stated Flash. “Or SugarCube Corner. They have a booth at the bakery where they hang.”

Luna looked at Flash askance. “Mr. Sentry, I do hope you have not been stalking your fellow students?”

“Wha? Huh?” responded Flash. “What? No! I... no. I just know where they go because I ask them about…” Flash blushed profusely. “Uh… nevermind.”

“No please, Mr. Sentry. Please elucidate us,” requested Luna.

“Uhh. ugh. Okay. Yeah. I ask the girls a lot if they have heard from someone,” answered Flash.

“Someone?” asked Twilight.

“Some.. uhg.. You. I ask them about you, Twilight,” responded Flash, face buried in his hands in embarrassment. “I ask them if they have heard from you, or if you’re coming back to visit.”

Twilight flushed red with embarrassment. “Uh… Mhh… Uhg….”

“Flash, I think you broke our Princess!” snarked Sunset, grinning ear to ear.

“Mhg… ugh… hmmm,” added Twilight.

Flash reached over, and placed a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “Twilight, are you okay?” he asked.

With a start, Twilight’s eyes went wide. Snapping her head up, she looked to Flash, then shook her head, and smiled. “Hi!” she chirped.

Sunset face palmed. “Reboot!”

Luna cracked a slight grin, catching herself. Celestia let out a muffled snort.

“Okayyy….” said Flash. “That happened.”

“Uh. Yes. Hi. So you might know where they are. Okay,” continued Twilight.

“Yeah… um.. I’ll be right back, let me go check.” With that, Flash jumped up and bolted from the room.

She held out for as long as she could, but a few seconds later Sunset lost it, laughing so hard she nearly fell out of her chair.

Seeing that, Luna and Celestia joined in fits of laughter.

“It’s not that funny!” stated Twilight, still beet red, squirming in her seat.

Taking a deep breath, Sunset replied. “Oh Twilight. Twilight Twilight Twilight… Don’t ever change!”

The whole group exploded in renewed gales of laughter.

Twilight grinned. “Okay, fine. Yeah. It is a little funny. Ha ha ha.”

24 - Special Holidays - Sunset

Sunset

Stories shared, everyone was brought up to speed.

Twilight cried as she embraced Sunset. “I am so, so sorry Sunset! I never thought this would happen. Not in my worst nightmare. I am so, so very sorry.”

“It’s not your fault Twilight. I don’t blame you. Please know I don’t blame you for any of this,” Sunset cried on the shoulder of her friend. “I know you would never have let this happen if you knew. It’s not your fault.”

There was a knock on the door. “Enter please,” called out Luna, and Flash poked his head in.

“I found the girls. The CMC is here too, they have something they want to tell you.” Saying that, Flash opened the door fully, stepping aside to hold the door open. The five friends and their sisters entered the office, lining up in front of the desk, heads hung low. Flash shut the door then joined them.

“Sweet harmony, Sunset! You look like 50 miles of bad road sugar! What tha heck happened to ya?” gasped Applejack.

“Long story Applejack. Long story. Short answer? I wish I knew.” Sunset hung her head, still holding Twilight. Twilight brushed the tears from her eyes, then smiled at Sunset.

Luna looked to the girls before her desk. “Alright girls. I believe you have something to say?”

Applejack stepped forward, her hat in her hands. “Sunset. Ah was wrong to not listen to ya. Ah know ah ain't got no right to ask this of ya, but ahm here ta ask it anyhow. Can ya ever forgive me for not listening, and not giving ya the chance ya needed? Fer not giving ya muh friendship instead ah the horrible guff ah put ya through?”

Rainbow Dash stepped up to stand next to her. “And some loyal friend I turned out to be. Sunset, I don’t expect you to ever forgive me for what I’ve done. But I am begging you please forgive me.”

Rarity looked up, turning to face Sunset. “Darling, I was a complete ass. You have every right to be angry with me. I would completely understand if you never forgave me. But please dear, I am so very sorry. And I will never abandon you like that again.”

Fluttershy looked down at her shoes. “I was wrong. You were a true friend. I was the one that was never a friend. Please Sunset. Please forgive me. I’m sorry.”

Pinky Pie slumped down, hair flat, looking completely dejected. “I’m sorry. I should’ve never called you a meanie secret stealer. Sunset, please forgive me. I just want to be your friend again. I‘m so, so sorry.” Tears streamed down her face.

Leaning back from Twilight, Sunset palmed away her tears. She looked towards the girls. “Girls, I know you didn’t do this to me. And I know you never expected this to happen. But it did, and now we are all stuck with these consequences.” Their faces fell.

Sunset continued, arms outstretched to the girls. “But I do forgive you. And I still want your friendship, if you’ll have me. I’m damaged goods now, but if you could forgive me for everything I’ve done, I could never hold this against you.”

With that, the girls rushed forward and embraced Sunset and Twilight in a massive hug. Tears were shed, and hearts were mended.

After several tearful moments, Applebloom stepped forward.

“We’re anon-a-miss,” she said simply.

Sunset looked stunned. Twilight sighed. “I was afraid of that.”

“Wha… huh?” Sunset gawked.

Twilight turned to Sunset. “Their counterparts did something similar a while ago. I’ll tell you later.” Turning to Applebloom, she only had one word. “Why?”

Applebloom looked down in shame. “Ah was jealous of all the time she was spendin’ with ma sister. Ah wanted her ta spend the time with me.”

“Me too,” added Sweetie Belle. “I wanted Rarity back. She used to spend more time with me, but since Sunset came she hasn’t had time for me anymore.”

“I was missing all the time Rainbow used to hang with me. Even though we’re not really sisters, she's been a big sister to me for as long as I can remember. I wanted her back too.”

The girls hung their heads in shame. Sunset looked at the girls. “Girls, look at me,” she said.

The three of them looked up at Sunset. Seeing her there, they were ready for her rage. She had every right to hate them. They had hurt her, hurt her badly.

But when they looked in her eyes, they saw something else. It wasn’t rage. There was pain, there was confusion too. But no hate. Pain and confusion.

“Girls, are you telling us the reason for all this, for starting anon-a-miss, for spreading these secrets and hurting everyone around you, was just to get your sisters back?” The three girls nodded. “Did you talk to them? Did you tell them how you were feeling, that you missed them and needed them in your lives?”

Scootaloo shook her head, the other two nodded. Scootaloo sighed. “I was too ashamed,” she said.

“Scoots. Ashamed? What did you have to be ashamed about?” asked Rainbow Dash, still shocked.

“I knew you’d think I was uncool if I acted like a little crying baby. So I kept my mouth shut,” she answered. “I didn’t want you to think I was a baby. I wanted to be cool like you. I wanted you to like me.” Scootalo hung her head in shame.

Rainbow knelt in front of Scootaloo. “Scoots. Hey… Scootaloo. I would never think that! I’m sorry you thought that. Clearly I haven’t been the friend you needed either.” She groaned and face palmed. “Way to go Rainbow. Letting everyone down lately.” Looking back to Scootaloo, she took her hands. “Scoots. Hey Scoots.” Scootaloo looked up at her. “Scoots, I’m sorry. I messed up. I didn’t realize you felt so abandoned. And then when all this started, I abandoned my friend Sunset. I screwed up Scoots. Big time. And I’m sorry. That was wrong of me. But what you did here… that was wrong too. Big time. You’re gonna have a lot of work to do to set this right. It won’t be easy.”

Scootaloo’s shoulders started shaking. Her head dropped. Silent tears slid down her cheeks.

“Scoots. Look at me.” She raised her head again. “Scoots, this hurts. This hurts a lot. You’re hurting. I’m hurt. Sunset is hurt horribly. And you got a lot of track you’re gonna have to cover. But not alone. Scoots, I’m not abandoning you girl. You’re not alone. I’m here, and I’m not leaving you. I’m not gonna leave you hanging.” She pulled Scootaloo into a tight hug.

Sunset reached over, and pulled them both to her. “And neither am I. Come here girls.” She hugged them tightly, tears spilling.

After a few moments, Sunset looked back to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. “Girls, what happened? After you spoke with your sisters, why’d you continue this?”

“She pushed me off. She kept insisting everything was fine. She was busy, there wasn’t time right now, it wasn’t a good moment,” Sweetie Bell answered.

Applebloom nodded. “It felt like no matter what ah said, it wasn’t important enough to change nothing. Like anything ah was worried about was just not important. No matter what ah said or did, ah was just ignored. Ah blamed you for it, all ah it. But ah can see now, ah was wrong. Mah heart was bitter, and ah wasn’t looking at the facts. Just mah hurt feelings and mah anger. Ah am so sorry Sunset. Ah’d give anything to take it all back, ah swear ah would, on ah stack ah bibles.”

Sweetie Belle continued. “I blamed you. I blamed Rarity. I blamed everyone else. But now, I see it clearly. I made the poor choice to start this mess. And to continue it. And I let you get hurt by this, even though that's nothing I ever wanted. I am so sorry Sunset. I will do anything to make this right, even though I know I can never set this straight.” Sweetie hung her head, still crying.

Holding out her arms again, Sunset called them over. “Come over here girls. Let’s work together to make this right. We can’t change the past. But we can build our futures, a better future, together, as friends.” The girls stepped forward, and joined Rainbow and Scootaloo in the hug.

Sunset looked over to her former friends. “Group hug girls? As friends again? Can we do that? Can we be that again?” Her friends rushed over and joined them, all joyful tears and smiles.

Flash placed his arm around Twilight’s shoulders. “Your padawan has grown so much, Obiwan.”

Twilight looked over at him and smiled. “What? I don’t get it.”

Flash grinned. “Star Wars reference.” Cocking an eyebrow, he spoke in a high pitched ragged voice. “I see your training is incomplete, my padawan. I must train you thoroughly…”

Twilight blushed and laughed. “Okayyyy… Not sure what that entails but color me intrigued. Maybe later?”

“It’s a date, Princess,” grinned Flash. “And it entails several hours of binge watching some awesome old movies, with lots of snacks and insightful discussion.”

“That sounds like my kind of evening. It’s a date,” agreed Twilight, placing an arm around Flash and giving him a gentle squeeze. Smiles so wide they threatened to split their faces, they watch their friends tearful and heartfelt reconciliation.

Pulling away from the hug, Sunset grinned. “They grow up so fast!”, Sunset snarked at Flash and Twilight.

Behind her, Luna snorted.

26 - Special Holidays - Luna

Luna

Later that afternoon, Luna finished up her paperwork, looking forward to spending the evening with Sunset and her friends.

Looking over her desk, Luna nodded. Everything was caught up, reports filled out, requisitions signed and approved. Contented, she placed the completed work into a purple folder and locked it into the cabinet she shared with Raven, her and her sister’s assistant. Another day’s work completed.

Stepping out from behind the desk, she moved to the coat rack in the corner of her office, removing her purse and coat. The purse was a small and simple affair, dark purple, almost black in the dim light of her office, with a crescent moon emblazoned on its front. Luna had always had an affinity for the symbol, and found ways to incorporate it into her life whenever the opportunity presented.

Stepping out of her office, she called out to her assistant. “Raven, I’m heading out. Has Celestia finished for the day?”

“No. She’s still in a meeting. Shall I tell her you left?” replied Raven, not missing a beat as she updated student reports from the sheets on the desk beside her.

“Yes, please. Still in there with Detective Armor I take it,” said Luna as she crossed through the central office on her way to the door.

“I don’t know why you two don’t just call him Shining. It’s not like everyone doesn’t know he’s marrying Cadence this summer - they already sent out the invitations. I know I’ve sent my RSVP,” responded Raven, still typing.

“Just trying to stay professional. Appearances and all that my dear Raven. We have to keep up appearances,” responded Luna, stopping at the door. Turning back for the moment, she added “Yes. Please let Celestia know I’ve already joined Sunset and her friends at SugarCube Corner for their celebration. Thank you Raven. Have a pleasant evening.” She then stepped out and closed the door behind her.

The bakery was crowded, though that was expected. Besides Sunset and her friends having their celebration in the back corner of the bakery, there was the usual gathering of students enjoying the time away from school in the company of friends, surrounded by the familiar pleasant ambiance of the bakery. And of course the heavenly scent of the baked goods that had earned the bakery a fair bit of notoriety. Succumbing to the delightful temptations presented in the display counter, Luna ordered a fresh croissant, with dark berry jam, and a tall dark roasted coffee with honey, hazelnut and fresh cream. Once served, she headed over to the both where Sunset and her friends were gathered.

“Hello Sunset, Princess. Hello girls. Have room for an overworked Vice-Principal in your festivities?” greeted Luna as she approached the group.

Looking around, there wasn’t a seat in sight. They had pretty much taken over that section of the bakery. Pinky Pie popped up, and bounced over to her. “No problemo, Vice-Principal Luna! I got this! I’ll find a chair for you, one sec!” She bounced past, and through the service door to the bakery itself.

“I don’t know where she gets her energy,” observed Luna with a wry grin.

“It’s one of life's little mysteries.” laughed Rarity. “So glad you could make it Vice-Principal Luna.”

“Please, just Luna here. We prefer to keep things less formal away from the school grounds and activities,” replied Luna.

“Yes, of course Ms. Luna. Uhm… Luna. Sorry that just seems.. I’m not used to being this casual. Sorry Ms. Luna,” responded Rarity with a frown.

“Any friends of Sunset are friends of mine. And my sister,” Luna smiled at Rarity. “We consider Sunset family. She is dear to us, and holds a special place in our hearts. And as her friends, so too do you. So please, off the school grounds, no titles. Just Luna,. Or Ms. Luna if you must, whatever makes you the most comfortable.”

“Ah… of course. Yes, thank you Ms. Luna,” smiled Rarity. At that moment, Pinky reappeared, chair in hand.

“Okey dokey lokey. Here you go!” She placed the chair at the table, next to Sunset and Twilight, then with surprising grace bounced and flipped over the back of the both to slide back into her original seat, tucking into the treat still melting where she had left it. Smiling at her antics, Luna took her seat, and enjoyed a sip of her aromatic coffee.

Luna turned to Sunset. “Celestia is still meeting with Detective Armor. I imagine he will want to speak with you at some point as well. Don't worry though. He’s an extremely nice person, a true gentleman. You’ll like him, I am sure.”

Twilight turned to Luna, latte foam hanging from her chin. “Wait, Armor? That wouldn’t be Shining Armor would it?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Yes, the very same I infer from your query you know him?” replied Luna, spreading her berry jam over her croissant and taking a small bite.

“Know him! Know him? He’s my BBBFF!” gushed Twilight. “Or, I mean, he’s my brother's other. My other’s brother? My counterparts BBBFF? Yeah. That means he knows my counterpart. Oh! Oh oh oh. Have you met her? You know my counterpart? What’s she like? Where does she go to school? Is she here? Can I meet her?” A manic glint formed in Twilight’s eyes.

“Ah, know of him… Indeed. Yes dear. We know Shining Armor’s sister. In truth, we thought you to be her when you first appeared. It seemed odd that you would be here at the time, when you were enrolled elsewhere. But then after the incident at the Fall Formal, when the whole ‘portal to another world’ thing was revealed, it was clear to us you were not her.” Luna sipped her coffee.

“I would love to meet her. Can I meet her? Will she be here too?” Twilight enthused.

“Down girl!” laughed Sunset.

“Sorry!” blushed the Princess. “I just really would love to meet her. We could compare notes, and discuss the difference between our worlds. Just think of the discoveries we could make! We could advance science! And who knows…” Twilight got a distant look in her eyes and she zoned out, staring off into whatever distance she was imagining.

“And she’s off…” snarked Sunset. “Equestria to Twilight… come in Twilight!” Twilight continued staring off into space with no answer, causing a chuckle from Sunset and Luna. “So glad you could make it. Thank you for coming” Sunset smiled. “I am so thankful for everything you and Celestia have done for me. I don’t know where I would be without you two. I really, really am grateful.”

“And so are we Sunset. So are we. You’re more than welcome into our home, and our lives. Please know you will always be welcome.” Luna smiled back, taking another bite of her croissant. “Mmm. These really are heavenly. I should come here more often.” Luna moaned softly as she took another bite of the croissant, which she had almost completely eaten. “So flaky. So delicious.”

“Thank you Ms. Luna!” chirped Pinky, appearing suddenly beside her. “I baked those this morning before school! They are delicious, that’s a fact! It’s an old Cake family recipe! The secret is in rolling out the layers of butter in the dough.” She looked quickly from side to side. “But it’s an old family secret… can’t let just anyone know about it.” She mimed zipping her lips shut, locking them, then throwing away the key.

Sunset laughed, while Luna looked at Pinky askance. “Okayyyy,” responded Luna, drawing back slightly from the smiling teenager.

Twilight suddenly turned to face the counter at the front of the bakery. “I know that voice,” she said. Moments later, Principal Celestia approached the gathering, Detective Shining Armor in tow. “Shining?” questioned Twilight.

Shining turned to Celestia. “Wow, you weren’t kidding. She looks just like her!”

Pinky twirled between them. “Two more seats, coming up!” she cried out, and with a bow, disappeared again through the door at the back of the bakery.

Shining’s eyebrows raised. “Um, who was that?” he asked.

Sunset laughed. “That’s Pinky Pie. And that was just Pinky being Pinky.”

Twilight grinned, “You get used to it.”

Shining Armor extended his hand to the Princess. “Shining Armor, as you figured out. So wow, okay. You’re my sister’s counterpart! Or she’s yours? However that works. Whatever. Pleased to make your acquaintance Princess. Princess right? Do I call you Princess? Or Princess Twilight. Or Your Highness. Highness? That’s right, right? Or maybe your Royal Highness?” Shining got flustered.

“Just Twilight, please,” smiled Twilight. “Sweet Celestia, but you sound exactly like my brother.”

Shining laughed. “And it's uncanny how much you look exactly like my sister. Hair is different. Maybe a tiny bit taller. But if I didn’t know better I would swear you were her.” Just then, Pinky reappeared, two chairs in tow.

Placing the chairs behind them, she chirped “Make yourselves comfortable and stay awhile! The partys just getting started!” She then slipped under the table and popped back into her seat, tucking into her now very melted and messy strawberry banana split with extra everything. “What just happened?” asked Shining.

Twilight laughed at his confused expression. “Like I said. You get used to it. Pinky being pinky, am I right?” She turned to Sunset with a grin.

“Pinky being Pinky,” Sunset nodded back, smiling at her friend.

“Okay... Noted.” said Shining, pulling the seat up to the table and joining the girls. Smiling, Celetia pulled her own seat forward and joined them.

“Greetings sister, Detective Armor. Delighted you could join us,” commented Luna. Turning to her sister with a grin and snarked. “I see you found the cake.

“Stuff it Luna...” responded Celestia between bites.

After the party, they parted ways. Shining Armor made his apologies, needing to leave to pick up Cadence from her shift at the radio station. The girls and their sisters accompanied Twilight and Sunset to the portal at the front of the school. Twilight crouched before Sunset, and took her hands in her own. “Sunset…” she looked down at their hands.

Sunset gave her a squeeze. “It’s okay Twilight. Really. It’s not your fault.”

Looking up and into Sunset’s eyes, Twilight’s eyes misted. “I should’ve brought the journal with me. If I’d taken it with me, if I’d read it, and responded to your messages…”

“And if and if and if, yada yada yada… Twilight. What happened, happened. You’re here now. That’s what counts.” Sunset pulled her closer. “You came. As soon as you could, you came. And stayed until you found me. And went through some crazy adventures… Seriously, girl. You are a magnet for crazy, you know that right?” She laughed.

Twilight laughed with her. “Yeah. Yeah, I know. One of the many things we have in common. You do it too, you know.”

Sunset gave her a wry grin. “Don’t I know it.”

They hugged, then the girls took their turns. Twilight bid them all farewell, promising Sunset to stay in touch through the Journal. Sunset promised to contact her if she needed anything, even if it was just somepony to chat with. With a final wave, the Princess passed through the portal, returning to Equestria. The girls made their farewells as well, their sisters in tow. Rainbow took Scootaloo, promising to walk her home to her Aunts.

With everyone gone, the Royal sisters and Sunset made their way to the faculty parking lot. Luna helped Sunset into her car, and placed the chair in her trunk. Her trunk, that was considerably more spacious than her sisters - one of the advantages to driving a sedan, instead of the sportier but significantly more cramped vehicle her sister favored. ‘Comfort over Style’ was Luna’s motto.

As they made their way home, Sunset turned to Luna. “Thank you again for taking me into your home. You’ve no idea how much I appreciate all that you and Celestia are doing for me. I really am grateful for it, and for both of you.”

“And we are grateful for you Sunset. It’s our privilege to share our lives with you. Thank you for saying yes and coming into our home and our lives. We consider you family Sunset. You’re part of our lives now, and family is forever. You don’t have to be alone any longer, not if you don’t want to,” Luna replied as she navigated their way home. She was loosely following her sister, but considering her sisters aggressive driving habits, was really not putting much effort into keeping up with her. Let Celestia have her fun, she thought with a grin.

“I’ve been alone enough thanks. I think I’ve had my fill of ‘alone’ for a while.”

“I understand completely,” replied Luna. “I too have spent time in solitude, and know the heartrending pain of being forgotten in loneliness.”

“What? How? I’m sorry, not my business. I didn’t mean to pry....” Sunset looked away. Luna reached over and took Sunset’s hand.

“Sunset. I would not have mentioned it if I felt you were ‘prying’. It’s fine,” she comforted.

Turning to face her, Sunset gave her a hopeful look. “When were you ever lonely? I’m sorry to ask, it’s just that you and Celestia seem so close. I can’t even imagine you two not together.”

“We are close. I do believe we would die for each other, if it came to that. We certainly live for, and with, each other.” Luna said with a smile. “But, it was not always that way. There was a time, when we were younger, where I let jealousy and hate cloud my heart. I felt my sister had abandoned me. She was always more outgoing, and popular, and never seemed to have difficulties finding and making friends. I was more introspective, and quiet. We drifted apart, though in my immaturity I saw only her abandoning me, not seeing my own actions in pulling away. My thoughts grew dark, my heart was clouded, and my visions turned inward, seeing only my pain and suffering.”

Sunset's eyes grew wide in surprise. Luna continued.

“After a time, having pulled away from her, and thinking only of my heartache, which I blamed completely on her, I decided I would punish her. One night, I followed her to a party she was attending with her friends, and snuck into the house they were in. I stole the keys to her car. I was planning to steal it and leave it with the keys in some disreputable part of town, hoping someone would take it. It was her favorite thing, so I figured perhaps by losing it she would feel some of the loss I was feeling.” Sunset squeezed her hand. Luna continued.

“It was a foolish endeavor. She saw me sneaking out of the house, and followed me. I rushed to her car, entered and started the engine. She placed herself before the car, hands on the hood, and called out to me to come out and talk.” A tear fell down Luna’s cheek, and Sunset’s eyes misted as well.

“What happened? Was she angry with you? She was yelling at you then?”

“No Sunset. Not at all. I thought she was angry. But she was only calling to me out of love. She was worried, not about her car as I assumed, but about me, about what was wrong. She wanted me to come out so she could talk to me, to find out what was wrong, and why I was acting so bizarrely. But I only saw her yelling, bent over the hood, and I saw red. I decided to give her a good scare, and revved the engine hard. But in my anger, as I jerked my hand up to express my feelings to her with one of my fingers, my cuff caught on the shifter. In my rage I tried to pull it off, and wrenched my arm down. I accidentally threw the car into gear. It lurched forward, knocking my sister down and lurched over the top of her. I screamed, threw the car into park and ran to her.”

Sunset was crying profusely. Eyes wide, she gripped Luna’s hand tightly.

“It was horrid, Sunset. My sister was wedged beneath the car, blood everywhere. I tried to pull her out, screaming my head off for her not to die. Some of her friends with cooler heads pulled me away, and held me aside while they called emergency services.” Luna was crying profusely too.

“They jacked up the car, and carefully lifted her out from under it. They took her away in the ambulance. She didn’t move the entire time Sunset. Not a twitch. I was so scared! I thought I had killed her. I thought I had killed my sister. The police came, they cuffed me, read me my rights, and took me away. I was in a daze. I don’t remember much of any of it. All I could think about was Celestia. All I could see was her face, covered in blood, moving only when the board bounced as they carried it to the ambulance. I lost it Sunset. I completely lost it. I howled in grief and screamed in the back of the cruiser on the way to the lockup. At one point I remember being tased as they tried to get me to calm down. It barely even registered. They left me in a cell alone to ‘cool off’. I couldn’t tell you how long I was in there. I didn’t even care. All I could think of, all I could see was my sister’s bloody face, dead before me. They brought me food, but I never even noticed. I didn’t touch it. I didn’t move. I just sat there, silent, lost in the memory of what I thought was my dead sister.

“Eventually, I was transported to another jail. They realized I was a juvenile, and given my apparently psychotic actions, decided I should be placed on something I believe they called a ‘psych hold’. I was moved to the psych ward of the juvenile corrections center. The doctors came in, did some examinations, treated the few scrapes I had from trying to climb under the car, and the burns from the taser, but I never spoke. I barely acknowledged their presence.

“Our parents came to see me. I didn’t acknowledge them either. At some point, I finally realized our mother was saying Celestia was alive. I finally turned to her. ‘She’s alive?’ I asked quietly, and she answered yes. I turned away then, back into my fugue. They left eventually, and that was the last I saw of them until the trial. I thought they had abandoned me too, but they were actually spending all their time with Celestia, sitting by her bed, waiting for her to wake from the coma she had slipped into.

“She was in a coma for six weeks before she awoke. When I revved the car and knocked her to the ground she hit her head. The trauma caused bleeding and swelling in her brain. It was only an act of Harmony herself that she suffered no permanent deficits. Save one. Save one...

“Her lower abdomen was crushed when the car ran over her. Her uterus was so damaged they couldn't repair it. They had to perform an emergency hysterectomy. My sister can never have children, Sunset. I did that to her. I took that from her.” Luna sobbed as she drove. “I took that future from her, with my selfish actions. With my blame. With my hate. I was her worst nightmare.”

Holding tightly to her hand, Sunset sobbed as well. Several moments later she was able to speak again. “What happened then Luna? Were you alright? What happened to you?”

Luna continued. “I was right where I belonged. The therapist came, and with my lawyer present, they explained what had happened, and what would happen to me. I plead guilty to everything, not even bothering to ask for leniency, though my attorney did ask on my behalf. I felt I deserved whatever they threw at me. I wanted to suffer for what I had done to my sister. I did not feel worthy of any mercy. I felt I was beneath that dignity.

“The judge sentenced me to 1000 days, including time served. I served most of that in the psych ward, until the psychiatrists felt I was fit to return to the general lock up. Even there, I didn’t speak with anyone unless I had to, and only then the bare minimum. I made no friends, I isolated. I stayed in my cell and kept to myself. My parents came to visit, but I never talked and eventually their visits became more infrequent.”

Luna pulled into the driveway, and turned off the car. She turned to Sunset.

“I was released when my sentence was served. Our parents came to pick me up. They brought me home, but I was silent the entire time. I felt horrible, and didn’t feel like I was worth their kindness. As soon as we got home, I went to my room and locked myself inside. For the next few weeks I only came out to use the bathroom, to clean up, and to eat the food they left for me in the hallway. In hindsight I don’t know why they didn’t just knock the door down and drag me out of there… but I guess they had more patience than I gave them credit for.

“Celestia had come home. After she was released from the hospital, she went through months of rehab. Then she went off to school to get her teaching credentials. She figured that even if she couldnt have children, she could at least spend her life helping children.” Luna paused there, then started shaking. Her body wracked with the strength of her sobs.

Eventually the sobbing passed, and Luna continued. “That was always her way Sunset. My sister has a pure heart. She’s always finding a way to give, even when she’s hurt. Even when she has lost something precious. Even in her darkest moments. She inspires me Sunset. I want so much to be like her. To have that fire that lights her darkness. To have that love, that compassion that moves her heart to tenderness, even when others can only see pain and hurt…

“She finished her education. I had enrolled in adult education, and earned my high school diploma. Celestia was hired by the district, and given a teaching job in the local grade schools. She invited me to come live with her, and our parents encouraged me to move in with her, hoping it would help me, help us, to heal and move forward from this horrible mess I had bequeathed my family.

“I accepted Celestia’s invitation. I moved in with her - we shared an apartment near her work. She encouraged me to go back to school, to move on with my life, not to be stuck in my past. I decided to follow in her footsteps and become an educator. I enrolled in the program at the local college, and on the strength of her recommendation, I was accepted. I threw myself into my studies, and Celestia was there for me every step of the way.

“She never once blamed me, or raged at me for what I had done to her. I expected it - I would have welcomed it! I felt I deserved it, deserved her hate, her scorn, her anger. But she never felt like that. She was happy. She was overjoyed that we were together again. She was delighted to have her sister back in her life. Eventually her love broke through my broken heart, and lit the way for my recovery. I owe her so much Sunset. I own my sister my life.

“While I was working my way though my program, our niece Cadence came to live with us. Her parents had passed, and she needed somewhere to stay while she completed her education and got her feet on the ground. With three of us, we needed a larger place to live, so we looked for a house. Celestia had already advanced to being an assistant principal at one of the local grade schools, so she felt we could afford to purchase a place of our own. We found this house. When she purchased it, she placed my name on the deed as well, even though I had no job and was in no position to contribute anything to the purchase.

“The three of us lived here. I completed my teaching certificate, and was hired by the district as well. Cadence completed her schooling and entered a trade program, interning at a local radio station. The program manager liked her attitude, and gave her a shot filling in for a late night program they had open. She did so well they gave her her own program and moved her into a better time slot. She and Shining got engaged. Now have their own place and are getting married this summer.

“Celestia eventually was put in charge of CHS, and requested me for the Vice-Principal position. So here we are, and here you are. And now, you’re one of us. Sunset, welcome to our family. We know pain, we know heartache. But we know love and acceptance too. And you are welcome here Sunset. You are home here. You are family.” She reached over and gave Sunset a tight hug.

“Welcome home, Sunset Shimmer.”

27 - Special Holidays - Sunset

Sunset

Sunset moved into the guest bedroom. Cadence’s old room. The irony was not lost on her. They contacted the local medical supply warehouse, and ordered a hospital style bed for her. They informed her it would take a few weeks to process before it was delivered. The sisters also assured her she had free reign to redecorate her room however she wished. They wanted her to feel it her own space, in her own home.

As they were putting away Sunsets wardrobe, they noticed a distinct lack of… well everything.

“Sunset, do you have other clothes besides this? You only have two outfits here,” noted Celestia.

“Yeah, that’s about right. I have another outfit back in the room I was staying in, and an old coat. And a really, really old laptop I've been using for some odd jobs online,” replied Sunset.

“Oh, how enterprising! What jobs have you found Sunset? Coding? Web design?” asked Luna with interest.

“Oh, uh… haha, just stuff. Really just stuff. Nothing important...” replied Sunset, turning bright red in embarrassment.

“Stuff? What kind of stuff?” asked Celestia as she hung Sunset’s two outfits and jacket in the closet.

“Er.. stuff… With a webcam. Webcam stuff,” groaned Sunset, face in her hands.

Complete silence. No one moved.

Luna turned to Sunset, who still had her face buried in her hands. “Sunset… Sunset, what kind of ‘stuff’? What kind of webcam ‘stuff’ were you doing?”

Sunset groaned. “I am really, really embarrassed and don’t want to talk about it. Please don’t make me say it.”

Celestia looked worried. “Sunset, this sounds like something you really need to talk about. If you don’t, it’s just going to eat at you until you do. We promise, we’re not here to judge you. We won’t think any less of you no matter what you say. We care for you, and we are here for you. Whatever happens, we are here. You are safe. You can talk about this.”

Celestia sat on the bed next to Sunset. “Sunset, look at me.” She held Sunset’s hands. “Sunset, no matter what you’ve done, no matter what has happened, it won’t change this. It won’t change us. We are family, and that isn’t going to change. So please, go ahead. Tell us.”

Luna placed her arm around Sunset. “Yes Sunset. We’re here for you. Please, tell us what you meant.”

Sunset squirmed. “This is so embarrassing. I ran a video blog. My subscribers could join and watch me playing with myself. I played with others too. It was fairly popular, but I really didn’t have the following like some of the other vlogs.”

Both Luna and Celestia went pale as ghosts.

“Sweet harmony Sunset! I am so sorry! I just.. I can’t even… just… I am so sorry…” gasped Celestia. Luna, on the verge of tears, turned away.

“Oh it wasn’t that bad! I do enjoy playing with myself! And some of the others I invited were pretty good! They played with me too, I liked that,” Luna nearly fell over, reaching out a hand to steady herself. Celestia, tearing up, choked and started to have trouble breathing.

“I just wish I could have gotten as good as Nightmare Moon. What I wouldn’t give to have her following... “ Sunset said wistfully.

“Wha.. what? What did you say? Nightmare moon?” Luna’s head whipped around, looking Sunset in the eyes.

“Yeah, Nightmare Moon. Now there’s a player! Everyone loves her vlog. She’s the best, I follow her religiously.”

“Oh thank HARMONY!” shouted Luna, hand to her chest.

Confused, Celestia looked to her sister. “Wha… er… what?” she asked.

“I’m Nightmare Moon! That’s my GAMING VLOG! Oh sweet harmony, thank you!” Luna gasped.

“Oh thank the maker!” gasped Celestia. “Wait - Gaming Vlog?” she turned to Luna.

“Wait wait wait! Luna, wait. You’re Nightmare Moon!?” screamed Sunset.

“Yes, that’s my gaming vlog, why?” asked Luna.

Sunset launched herself across the chair and wrapped her arms around her. “I’M YOUR BIGGEST FAN!” she shouted.

Wrapping her arms around Sunset, Luna hugged her back. “Thank you! Always nice to meet my fans.” She leaned back a bit, and looked Sunset in the eyes. “So that’s what you were so embarrassed about? You ran a gaming vlog?”

“Er.. yeah, why? What did you think I meant?” asked Sunset.

Luna looked over to Celestia, who only buried her face in her hands, shaking. She couldn’t hold it in; eventually she exploded into loud, braying laughter. Luna joined her in peeling gales of heartfelt relief.

“Uh, what’s so funny? Am I missing something here?” asked Sunset, looking back and forth between them.

After the sisters had calmed somewhat, and were able to talk without breaking into fits of barking laughter, Luna replied. “Sunset, we thought you were doing an Adult Vlog.”

“Adult Vlog? I mean sure, there were adults on my vlog. I mean, I would play with anyone if they were good enough! Age didn’t matter.” At that, both sisters lost it, howling in hilarity.

“Seriously guys, you’re giving me a complex. What is so darned funny?” groused Sunset.

Knucking tears from her eyes, Celestia gasped. “Sunset. Adult Vlog isn’t about the age of your guest. It refers to what you do on your Vlog.”

“Eh?” Sunset quirked her head in confusion.

Luna took a deep breath. “Adult Vlogs are Porn,” she deadpanned.

Sunset’s eyes got huge, and her mouth flew open. “Wha.. wha… WHAT!? PORN! OH SWEET CELESTIA NO! You thought I was doing PORN! Oh. no no nonononono… owh… bleah... “ She looked sick. “No! Nope nope nope.. Not happening. No no….”

She buried her face in her hands.

Celestia and Luna lost it, rolling with laughter.

28 - Special Holidays - Sunset redux - Canterlot Mall

Sunset redux - Canterlot Mall

That weekend, Luna drove them to the Canterlot Mall. At the sisters’ suggestion they had asked her friends to join them later. Rarity was showing up earlier to help Sunset pick out more clothes to ‘flesh out’ her wardrobe, as Celestia put it. Honestly, she was getting a little tired of the porn jokes. She was beginning to understand why Luna occasionally called her sister ‘Trollestia’.

They started at the electronics store, picking up a new computer for Sunset.

“Be sure to pick one out with a VHDI web cam. We wouldn’t want your viewers to see you in anything less than your full radiant beauty,” snarked Celestia. “Nothing should come between you and your viewers.”

Sunset pinched the bridge of her nose. “Stop. Please stop... ” she groaned.

“Fret not Sunset. I will aid in your efforts to repay these indelicacies!” snickered Luna.

“Please don’t encourage her Luna,” begged Sunset.

The sisters laughed, hugging Sunset. Luna mussed her hair. Sunset growled and smoothed it back, then laughed. “Fine. Whatever.” She grinned.

At Luna’s suggestion, they added an external monitor, mouse, keyboard, game controller and graphics tablet to the purchase. Finished, they moved on to the next task - Sunset’s wardrobe.

Rarity was waiting for them in front of the boutique.

“Sunset! Darling, how are you?” She bent and hugged Sunset. “Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna, so good to see you both!” she greeted.

“Just Celestia and Luna please,” replied Luna.

Celestia smiled. “Hello Rarity. Thanks for joining us.”

“Oh of course darling! I mean, Ms. Celestia. My pleasure. Always happy to help a friend. Especially a friend with a, ehem… fashion emergency.”

“I wouldn’t call it an emergency,” groused Sunset.

“Dear, I mean this in the kindest possible way… I’ve seen your wardrobe. This is an emergency! This is perhaps the very definition of a fashion emergency. Not to be indelicate dear, but you need help. I love your look - that bad girl ‘vibe’ you’re reaching for. But honey, two outfits are not going to cut it... Now, come with me! I’ve set up an appointment for us at the boutique. I’ve reserved the back room for us… And I’ve set aside several outfits for you…” Rarity continued as she walked off towards the store, locking arms with Celestia.

Sunset turned to Luna. “I’m really gonna regret this, aren’t I?” she groaned. Luna laughed, pushing her after Rarity and her sister.

Several wardrobe changes later, Rarity had selected several outfits for her, as well as accessories and jewelry to compliment her new wardrobe.

One of the ‘joys’ of being in a wheelchair paralzed from the chest down, they discovered, was it really interfered with the whole ‘quick change’ process. Nonetheless, between the three of them, with the privacy afforded by the back room, they got through the outfits quickly enough. Sunset was happy with the selections, and ready to move on with the rest of their shopping ‘adventure’.

Next on the agenda was new furniture for her room, and decorations.

Sunset had already picked out new colors for her room - light teal, with burnished red and gold accents, surprising absolutely no one. Her bed was already ordered, so she was looking to complete the rest of the room. She needed a dresser, desk, guest chair or chairs, lamps, poster and other art.

This was the shopping she had most looked forward to.

They rolled through the furniture store, browsing. An adaptive desk caught Sunset’s eye. It was a corner unit, with separate adjustments for the back and front. It featured pop-outs for cable and power management, and an optional integrated power management system with battery backup. It was perfect for Sunset’s computer and gaming system. They purchased the unit.

Sunset completed her room’s furnishings with a room ionizer (Celestia’s suggestion), a bookshelf; extra depth for her printer and scanner on top, and half height - a full height bookcase made no sense, as she wouldn't be able to reach the top shelves. Also purchased were a guest chair, a small couch, an umbrella floor lamp with red and gold accents, and a half height dresser.

Sunset fell in love with a lava lamp; red and gold lava swirled up and down, suspended in a slightly pinkish fluid. Rarity found it garish. Luna however thought it was ‘definitely Sunset’. It was added to the cart.

Sunset found a Banksy reprint, one of his Mona Lisas. Sunset said it ‘spoke to her’, so into the cart it went.

At Luna’s suggestion they added extension cords, electronic remotes, and adaptive switches, so the room’s lights and fans would be easier to use for Sunset. They could be controlled from an app installable on her phone, allowing her, from wherever she was at, to set or dim the lighting, and to adjust the speed on the fans and turn them on or off. Sunset found that ‘cool’.

Luna realized it would be ideal to include the house’s lighting and many appliances too. The salesperson recommended a contractor they worked with frequently, and gave Luna their card. Luna agreed to contact them, thanked her, and slipped the card into her purse.

When they finished, it was nearly lunch time. They set out for the food court to meet the rest of the girls. They would eat lunch together, and afterwards Sunset could enjoy the afternoon with her friends.

Applejack caught sight of them. “Sunset! Rares! Over here!” She waved her hat. Rarity, Sunset, and the Royal sisters waved back.

Lunch over, Luna and Celestia bid Sunset farewell, with a promise from Luna to pick her up before dinner.

Rainbow wanted to catch the latest installment of her favorite franchise, ‘Daring Do and the Crystal Heart’. Sunset was on the fence about it, as the book was one of the weaker moments in the series. Despite her misgivings, they decided to get tickets for the mid-afternoon show. While they waited for the show to let in, they went to the arcade to spend some quality time.

Sunset wanted to play DDR, one of her favorites, but was frustrated. Her favorite game was out of reach for now - the arcade version did not have a ‘hands only’ mode of play. She settled for a karaoke game with Rarity and Pinky, while Fluttershy watched. Applejack and Rainbow wandered off to find something a bit more physical.

When it was time for the movie to start, the girls raced to the theater. They all joined with Sunset sitting in the handicapped row of the theater. Rainbow zipped out to get snacks for everyone before the movie started.

Unfortunately, the movie failed to live up to the rest of the franchise, just as Sunset had feared. Nonetheless, she enjoyed every moment, entirely due to the company of her friends.

While the movie was letting out, she texted Luna, letting her know they were done for the day. The girls accompanied Sunset to the front of the mall to wait, chatting while they waited. Luna arrived, pulling up to the loading curb. While Luna loaded her into the car and placed her chair in the trunk, the girls bid Sunset goodnight. Smiling brightly, Sunset waved goodbye, heading back to her new home.

29 - Rehabilitation - Book 2

Book 2 - Rehabilitation

30 - Rehabilitation - Gilda

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

31 - Rehabilitation - Sunset - Assimilate and Adapt!

Sunset - Assimilate and Adapt!

Sunset waited at the dining room table. The contractor was coming today to upgrade the Royal household with the adaptability aides they had ordered while on their Mall shopping trip.

Sunset was looking forward to using them. In truth so where Celestia and Luna - carrying Sunset up and down the stairs was a labor of love. She wasn’t particularly heavy, but she also wasn’t much help. Fortunately, both the sisters were in great physical shape - they were frequent users of the gym membership they shared. The gym even included some adaptive equipment that Sunset was able to use, so Sunset had joined them for a few sessions. They enjoyed having her and had a great time.

The doorbell rang, and Luna answered.

“Good evening Ms. Royal. Mary Fixit, contractor. Are you ready for us? I’ve brought my crew and equipment, and we’re ready to get started, if that's okay with you.” Mary held out her hand in introduction, clipboard clasped firmly in the other. Behind her, Luna could see her crew unloading boxes and tools from the back of a work truck.

“Come in, please. Yes, this is an excellent time. Allow me to introduce you to our foster daughter. She’s the one we’re setting all this up for.” Luna shook her hand, then stepped back to allow Mary to enter.

Mary called back to her crew. “We’re on! Stage it all then come on in for instructions. I’ll be inside talking to the clients!” She turned back to Luna then followed her to the dining room.

Sunset was waiting expectantly. Smiling, she waved. “Hi! I’m Sunset Shimmer! Pleased to meet you!”

Mary walked over to Sunset and shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you Sunset! I’m Mary Fixit, and my crew and I are here to set up some aides that should help you out! I’d like to go over them with you if you have a moment.”

Sunset nodded happily. “Yes please! Have a seat!”

Mary sat next to Sunset. Luna smiled, then left to go supervise the crew.

“So Sunset, first thing to go over, we are going to put a stair elevator in, which should help you with getting to your room on your own. I have a website with an instructional video I’d like to show you that explains the features and safety rules with using the elevator. It’s not a toy, but I suspect with a young lady of your obvious maturity that shouldn’t be an issue.” Mary pulled out a tablet, and loaded up the video. “I’ll give you the URL for this too, so you can go back and review it at any time.”

Sunset blushed at the complement. She leaned in, and together they watched the video. She had a few questions, which Mary was happy to answer. It was simple enough - she needed only to roll onto the platform then hit the button. The lift then raised the lips of the platform to keep her from rolling off, then lifted her either up or down the stairs. It could only carry up to 500 pounds, but it was pretty amazing. It also included a battery backup, so she could exit the house even if the power was out in an emergency.

Mary also explained the appliance control devices they were setting up, as well as the security cameras being placed throughout the house so Celestia and Luna could check on her while they were away. The latter seemed a little creepy to Sunset, but Mary assured her access to the cameras was only through the app, and only people in her family with an account would have access to the cameras and security devices. So only Celestia, Luna, and herself would be able to use any of them. The cameras also included the ability to automatically record video, which could be enabled or disabled as desired, or as requested on demand for each camera. Mary also explained that by law they couldn’t place the cameras in certain areas that were considered private; bedrooms, bathrooms, that type of area. They couldn’t stop them from doing that themselves if that was what they wanted, but legally as contractors they were forbidden from doing it.

“Blech! Yeah no thanks. I really don’t want anyone watching me sleeping or using the bathroom! Hard pass on that, thanks!” stated Sunset with a look of revulsion.

“I couldn’t agree more!” laughed Mary.

Mary helped Sunset load the app onto her phone, and set up her account. She showed her on the demo setting how to set the temperature on the thermostat, turn on, off, and dim lights, use the different camera settings, and lock and unlock doors. There was even a setting in the appliances section where she could turn on the coffee maker. Sunset laughed. “If it didn’t already have a timer this would be a great feature! Don’t think we’ll be getting much use from that one though.”

While Sunset and Mary were going over the features and settings of the new security system, Luna was out front helping the crew with the installation. She opened the double front doors to allow them access, and showed them the stairs, thermostat and different places where lights and fans would need the updated switches. She worked with one of the technicians to enable wifi access for the security system control hub, enabling the internet control and monitoring features to the apps being installed on their phones.

Luna beamed happily at the work in progress.

A few hours later, the contractors and electricians were done with their work. They cleaned everything up and packed the boxes and trash into the work truck. “It all gets recycled,” explained Mary. “We get carbon credits for reducing the amount of trash we produce.”

With everything packed away, Mary thanked them for their business, and they drove off.

Turning to Sunset, Luna smiled. “Well Sunset, what do you think?” she asked.

“I think it’s awesome!” smiled Sunset.

32 - Rehabilitation - Trixie

Trixie

The Great and Powerful Trixie was greatly and powerfully troubled.

“Starlight, Trixie doesn’t have anyone else to talk to about this,” she whispered into her phone, hidden in her bedroom. “Trixie never thought it would go that far, and has no idea what to do now!” A tear rolled down her cheek

“Hey, at least you called 911 and got her some help. And it’s not like you knew they were really going to beat her,” replied Starlight Glimmer.

“True, but that really doesn’t help Sunset. Trixie wants to help her, but if she recognizes Trixie, Trixie will be in deep trouble!”

“Trixie, relax. You’re doing that third person thing again. Take a deep breath. It’s going to be fine, okay? Deep breath.”

Starlight could hear her friend breathing in and out through the phone. Moments later, she was back on. “Okay, thanks Starlight. That helped. So yes, I’m very worried about her. I want to talk to her, and make certain she is okay. But if she recognizes me and I get in trouble, I can’t even imagine what the consequences might be. But I need to know if she’s alright. I just don’t want Gilda or her goons finding out I spoke with her, or thinking I am ‘ratting them out’. If they thought that, I’m sure they would do to me exactly what they did to Sunset!”

“I hear you girl… Look, maybe you just need to do this secretly? Or, better still, I’ll help! She doesn’t know me, I don’t even go to your school. I’ll just chat with her, and mention you were concerned for her, and you wanted to know how she was doing. I don’t even have to mention your name! I’ll find out what’s going on, and get back to you. Easy peasy! Sounds good?” asked Starlight.

“Starlight Glimmer, you’re a lifesaver! Thank you!” gushed Trixie.

33 - Rehabilitation - Starlight Glimmer

Starlight Glimmer

Starlight looked around nervously. This was the address; the sign over the door proclaimed “The Royal’s Residence”.

She had asked her friends at CHS, and found Sunset was staying with the Royal sisters; Celestia and Luna, the school’s Principals. On-line sleuthing turned up their address; now here she was. She timed it to arrive while school was in session, hoping to catch Sunset alone. Clearly though, someone was still here. A sedan was parked in the driveway, and a video game could be heard inside the house. Nervously, Starlight rang the doorbell.

The game stopped. Starlight could hear footsteps coming to the door. Her heartbeat quickened. A bead of nervous sweat ran down her forehead.

The door opened. Vice-Principal Luna looked down at her. “May I help you young lady?” she asked.

Starlight's heart raced. “Uhm. Yes mam. I’m looking for Sunset Shimmer? Is she here?” she gulped.

“She is. And whom might you be?” replied Luna.

“No one mam! Just a friend! Hehe. We were worried about her. We just wanted to know that she was alright, and ask how she’s doing?” Starlight swallowed nervously. She looked hopefully at Luna.

“I see,” responded Luna. “Come in, please.” She pulled the door back, waving Starlight over to the couch in the living room. “Wait here.” She left, and went up the stairs.

Starlight could hear muffled voices. Luna returned, standing at the top of the stairs. “Sunset will see you, ‘friend’.” She turned, stepping aside, waving Starlight up the stairs. Starlight approached; Luna pointed to the open door just down the hall. “She’s in there.”

She called out down the hall “Sunset! Your ‘friend’ is coming in. I’ll be in my room, just call out if you need me.” She walked down the hall, entering the room at the end.

Starlight leaned into the open doorway, and knocked lightly. “May I come in?” she asked.

Sunset looked up from her desk. “Sure, come on in. Have a seat.” She shut the laptop, and rolled over to the sofa. “I don’t bite… much.” She grinned.

“Hehe… okayyyy. Sure.” she sat on the couch, hands clasped in her lap.

Sunet smiled. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe we’ve met. Do I know you?”

“Sorry no, hehe. We’ve never met. I go to a different school. Crystal Prep Academy. Maybe you’ve heard of it?” Starlight replied nervously.

“Oh… actually yes, I have. Are you friends with Twilight?”

“Twilight Sparkle? You know her?” asked Starlight.

“No, not exactly. I’ve never actually met her. I know her brother.”

“Ah. Oh, okay. Uhm... no. I’m not friends with Twilight Sparkle. Not that I wouldn't want to be! Just... she doesn’t really travel in the same circles. Or well… in any circles really, I guess? She’s kind of a loner. She doesn't hang out with anyone actually,” answered Starlight.

“That sounds like Twilight. Yeah… okay, so pardon my asking, but then… why are you here?”

“Uhm. yeah. Hehe. Well, about that… I’m friends with some girls from your school. And they were kind of hoping to find out how you were doing? They hoped to see you at school, after hearing what happened, but, well... when they didn’t, they asked me to stop by. You know, to see if you were alright, and what’s happening.” Starlight looked down at her hands. “They’re just really worried about you, and wanted you to know they cared, and they wished you were alright.”

“That’s very sweet of them. Thank you Starlight, and thank them for me when you see them again,” replied Sunset. “One question though… why you?”

“Why me? Why me what?” Starlight looked up in panic.

“Why you, Starlight. Do you live around here? You don’t even go to my school. Why did they ask you to stop by, and not come over themselves? It just seems odd, don’t you think?”

“Odd? No! No no no, not odd. Just, why not right? I offered to help out, that’s all. Nothing odd here!” Starlight wrung her hands.

Sunset reached over and placed her hand on Starlights. “Starlight. It’s okay! Just tell me. What’s going on. Why didn’t your friends come over themselves? Why did they ask you to see me? You can be straight with me. I won’t mind. Just talk to me.”

Starlight stopped fidgeting, and looked up. Her eyes misting, she looked into Sunset’s eyes. “She’s scared, Sunset. She's really scared, She doesn’t want to get hurt. And I don’t want her to get hurt! So... I kind of offered to come, in her place. She’s worried about you, and she’s scared.”

“She was there, wasn’t she,” asked Sunset.

“Yeah. Yeah, she was there,” replied Starlight in a small voice. “She was there, and she was horrified by what happened to you. And she’s scared to death if she says anything, that the ones who did this to you will do it to her too! But she couldn’t not know if you were alright! And she wanted you to know she cared! But she’s scared. Scared to death.”

“Considering what they did to me, I think she’s a smart girl,” answered Sunset. “But she has a very brave friend in you, willing to help her out.” Sunset squeezed Starlight’s hands.

“She was the one that called 911. She hid until they came. And she didn’t leave until she knew you were going to be okay. She thought you were going to die. She was so scared. You were so hurt.” Starlight looked into Sunset’s eyes. “She’d do anything to take back what happened! Anything.”

“Nothing can ever undo the past Starlight. What’s done is done. But thank you for the thought.” Sunset looked pensive. “Can I meet her?”

“Can you meet her?” echoed Starlight. “I don’t know. If anyone finds out she was talking to you, she could really get hurt.”

“No one needs to know. Just you, me, and her. Bring her by. I'd like to thank her. Tell her it’s okay, I want to meet her, to say thank you. Can you do that Starlight? Can you tell her that? I can give you my number. We can set it up if she agrees.”

Starlight nodded, then handed her phone over. Sunset typed in her number. Starlight saved it. A moment later Sunset received a message with Starlight’s contact information which she saved.

“Okay. I’ll let her know. Thank you Sunset.”

“Starlight, why did you tell her? If they find out I said anything, they're going to kill me! Or make me wish they had.” Trixie yelled at her friend. “Trixie trusted you Starlight!”

“Trixie, it’s fine. Relax!” Starlight hugged her friend. “Look, I know you’re frightened those thugs will hurt you too. I get it. But trust me Trixie... I would never let you get hurt. I talked to Sunset. She’s not mad at you. She just wants to talk, and thank you for helping her. I’ll be there the whole time. No one will know anything about it but the three of us. You’ll be fine! And we both know - you need to do this. You need to talk to her about this. Or you’re never going to be able to put this behind you.”

“Are you sure she said that? Are you sure she isn’t angry with Trixie?” Trixie asked.

“I’m sure. One hundred percent positive. Trixie, she’s not that kind of girl. I got a really kind feeling from her. You can trust her!”

“Okay. Trixie is trusting you Starlight. Don’t let me down!”

“Okay. So Trixie, here’s what we’re gonna do…” Starlight laid out her plan.

The next day Sunset received a text from Starlight. “My friend would like to meet you. Are you free this afternoon?”

Sunset texted back. “Sure. Come on over. I’ll be here all day.”

A few hours after lunch, there was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it!” called out Sunset. She rolled out of the dining room and into the entry hall. Opening the door, she saw Starlight and Trixie standing in the entryway. “Hi Sunset.” Trixie said quietly, looking down in shame.

“Trixie? You’re Starlight’s friend?” replied Sunset. “Huh… okay. Come in! We can meet out back.” She backed up, letting the girls enter. Shutting the door behind them, Sunset rolled past. “Follow me.” She rolled down the hall and into the dining room. “Luna, I’m going to the patio with some friends! Let me know if you need me!”

“Will do Sunset! Thank you!” called out Luna from the back of the house.

“Vice-Principal Luna is here!” whispered Trixie in panic.

“Trixie, relax! It’s her house. We live here,” Sunset reached out, taking Trixie’s hand. “It’s fine. Let’s just go talk. So, do you girls need anything? A snack maybe, or something to drink?”

“I could use something to drink. What’cha got?” asked Starlight. Trixie just nodded, looking back and forth from Sunset to the hand Sunset was holding. Letting go, Sunset led them into the kitchen. She showed them the drinks in the fridge, and opening a bag of chips, dumped them into a serving bowl. Placing the bowl in her lap, she led them out to the patio.

They sat in the shade, around the patio table, chips and sodas in easy reach. Sunset took Trixie’s hand again. “I wanted to say thank you.” She nodded to Starlight. “Thank you both. I really appreciate your being here, and your talking with me, Trixie. Starlight, I can see you’re an amazing friend. This has to be incredibly uncomfortable for both of you. It says so much that you’re here, by her side.”

Starlight blushed, but nodded.

“Trixie, you’re incredibly brave! Thank you for coming here, and for coming forward to speak with me. I know you’re scared. I am too! But I won’t allow anyone to hurt you. I’d never want you, or anyone else, to go through what I’m going through. I’m just so grateful you’re here.” She squeezed Trixie’s hand gently. “And I’m extremely grateful for what you did! Trixie, you may have saved my life. I’d definitely like to have you as my friend. Will you be my friend Trixie?”

Tears spilled down Trixie’s cheeks. “Trixie would love to be your friend, Sunset,” she said softly. Starlight poked her side. “I mean, sorry. Sunset, I would love to be your friend,” she amended. Starlight grinned.

“Trixie, I would love to be your friend too. Thank you.” Sunset beamed.

“So…” Sunset continued. “This is probably hard for you to hear… but I’ll just put it out there. I have no idea what happened that evening. I mean, aside from the obvious… I was beaten within an inch of my life. But I really don’t remember anything about it. The last thing I can recall was heading towards the gym looking for Rainbow Dash.”

Tearfully, Trixie related what had happened…

34 - Rehabilitation - Trixie

Trixie

Trixie had arrived early, as Gilda suggested. Everyone was to quietly sneak into the gym and hide before Sunset arrived. Gilda had stolen Rainbow Dash’s phone, which she used to text Sunset, inviting her to join them. Gilda told everyone, once Sunset entered the gym, they would jump her and hold her down. Then they would confront her, forcing her to admit she was anon-a-miss and to delete the anon-a-miss account. Once she had deleted the posts, they would let her go.

Trixie was angered by several posts directed against her. A video of her flubbing one of her tricks had garnered scores of mean, hateful, and derogatory comments. They demeaned not only her stage skills, but Trixie personally. Some posts even suggested she would be better off dead. She was humiliated. She was convinced Sunset was behind the posts, back to her vicious ways.

Everything seemed to go according to plan. Sunset arrived in the darkened gym; Hoops and Dust jumped out and grabbed her. Holding her down, the others come out of hiding to surround her.

“We know it was you Shimmer!” growled Gilda. “Just admit it already, and take down the posts! Do that, and we let you go. You can walk out of here. Don’t do it, and we’ll make you regret the day you were born!”

Tears streaming down her face, Sunset pleaded with them. “Gilda, I didn’t do this!” Turning her head to the rest of them, she begged. “Please, you have to believe me! I would never do this! I’ve changed! I’m not that kind of person! I would never do anything like this! It wasn’t me!” Crying, she looked down to the floor. “It wasn’t me…” she wept softly.

“Damn it Shimmer! Stop lying! Just admit it! Delete the damned posts so we can get this over with!” Gilda grabbed her by her hair, shaking her head. “Do it Shimmer! Just do it!”

Trixie backed away slowly. This was not what she imagined. “Trixie thinks we should let Shimmer go…” she said quietly.

“Shut up Trixie! Or I swear I will shut you up!” roared Gilda. Trixie ran. “Damn it! Someone go find her! I don’t want her screwing this up by blabbing to someone.” One of the others ran after her. “Trixie!” yelled out Gilda. “I swear if you say ONE THING about this I will BREAK EVERY BONE in your body!” She turned back to Sunset. “And I think I should do the same with you Shimmer. How about it? Does that sound fair to you, Shimmer? Should we start now, Shimmer? Whaddya say?”

Trixie hid in the supply closet. Whomever was chasing ran past. Waiting a few moments, she looked out the closet door. Seeing no one nearby, she slipped out and back into the gym, hiding under the bleachers. She was shaking with fear, but determined not to leave until she knew Sunset was safe. And she needed to know. She needed to hear Sunset to admit she was the one that hurt her, that hurt all of them with these postings. But she didn’t want this. She never even imagined this. She cried silently. “Please don’t hurt her,” she whispered softly.

The student who’d ran out to find her returned. “She’s gone, I can’t find her,” he said, joining the others around Sunset.

“Looks like your time has run out Shimmer. Where should we start…” Gilda pulled her head back, and slammed her fist into Sunsets face. There was a loud crack, blood running from her damaged eye. Sunset slumped. Hoops and Dust dropped her to the floor, then gave her a few kicks. “Damn weaking… she didn’t even last through the first punch.” Glida drew back her boot, and gave her a swift kick in the ribs. Sunset twitched and groaned, but otherwise didn’t move.

“Shimmer you worthless piece of crap. You have to be kidding me. Okay that’s it! Everyone let her have it!” Gilda backed off, and everyone stormed forward and started kicking and punching her. Sunset didn’t budge, not making a sound.

“Hold her arm out!” Someone yelled out. “See if you ever type something about me again you bitch!” She jumped on Sunset’s outstretched arm, and there was a loud snap. Blood leaked onto the floor.

Someone else was straddled across her back, slamming her face against the gym floor. Others kicked and punched her back and legs. “Get off! Out of the way, nube. I’ll show you how to do it!”

The girl on her back was lifted off. Another jumped on Sunset’s back. They jumped up and down, slamming their feet into her back each time. Another loud snap was heard. “Take that bitch! She demon! Get up from that I dare you!” they screamed as they continued to jump. Blood trickled from Sunset's mouth and pooled by her chest.

Someone pushed her off, then started in, punching and kicking Sunset. Several hands reached down, and flipped Sunset over. More jumped in, punching and kicking. Sunset’s blouse and skirt were covered in her blood, a pool gathering under her.

Panicked, Trixie kept repeating quietly “Stop… please stop… Oh sweet harmony please stop….” Tears poured down her cheeks. Looking away, she saw Rainbow’s cell phone on the bleachers. Sneaking over, Trixie grabbed the phone, and ducked back under the bleachers

Trixie dialed frantically. “911, what’s your emergency?” called out the operator.

“Hurry!! You have to hurry! Please help! A girl is being beaten! She needs your help!” whispered Trixie into the phone. “Please hurry! She’s in the CHS gym!”

“Please stay on the phone. We are sending someone now…”

Pausing, Gilda looked over towards the bleachers. “Did anyone hear that? Sounded like someone talking.” Straining to see into the darkness, she scanned the bleachers, seeing nothing. “Huh,” she grunted, turning back to Sunset. “Continue!” she growled.

Trixie quickly hung up the phone, pulling further back into the shadows. “Give in yet Shimmer?” she called out. The kicks and punches continued. “Okay! Okay, everyone back off. Give her some room. I think she got our message.” Gilda knelt, lifting Sunset’s head by her hair. “Last chance Shimmer. This is your last warning. Take the posts down. Next time, we won’t leave enough of you to bury. Don’t let there be a next time. You dig me?” Slamming her head back into the floor, she got up. “Okay everyone, split! Not one word of this, hear me? Anyone squeals, I will find you. And I will mess you up worse than what we did to Shimmer here!”

Heads nodded profusely. “Now git!” yelled Gilda, and everyone quickly ran off. Gilda turned to Sunset, and gave her one last kick. “That was your warning Shimmer. Remember, next time, we end you. Don’t make me do a ‘next time’.” Turning, she left the gym.

Trixie stayed hidden under the bleachers. After several moments, when it was clear everyone had left, she ran out and crouched down by Sunset. “Sunset!” she whispered. “Sunset! Can you hear me? Talk to me!” Feeling her neck, so felt a pulse, and could see Sunset's chest rising and falling, however slightly. “Oh thank harmony... she’s still alive,” gasped Trixie. She couldn’t believe anyone could survive the beat down she had just witnessed. “Sunset, help is coming. Let’s get you out of here.” Trixie tried to help Sunset up, but she was completely ensensate. “We need to get you out of here, Sunset! We need to get you somewhere safe…” Trixie took Sunset’s legs, then gently pulled her towards the Gym doors. “Come on Sunset… somewhere safe…”

Slowly they made their way to the Gym doors. Pulling Sunset past them, she took Rainbow's phone and placed it in Sunset’s hand. “Hang in there Sunset. Help is coming!” Trixie heard a siren in the distance. Tears still streaming down her face, she ran down the hall, hiding in the supply closet. Peeking out the door, she watched down the hall.

The siren grew louder, then stopped just outside. A policeman pushed through the gym doors, looking around. He spied Sunset sprawled out on the floor. “She’s in here, come quick!” he called into his shoulder, running over to Sunset. Kneeling down beside her, he touched her neck, then gently touched her head, pushing her hair back behind her ear. “Help is here, miss. Hang in there… Help is here.”

Sunset groaned. Looking back into the gym, the officer could see a trail of blood that ended in a bloody pool by the bleachers. “Sweet harmony child… What have they done to you?” he gasped.

Trixed wept. She pulled the door shut, then hid behind some boxes in the back of the closet. What felt like hours later, the sounds outside the door were gone. Fearfully, Trixie crept out from her hiding spot, and looked into the hallway. Seeing it empty, she left the closet, and ran as fast as she could from the building, not stopping until she was home, safely in her room. She refused to come out, not even for dinner, and wept bitterly on her bed.

36 - Rehabilitation - Luna

Luna

Starlight left, taking Trixie home.

At the dining room table, Sunset sat across from Luna, sipping her coffee. Luna stared out the window, lost in thought. A tear rolled down Luna’s cheek.

“So that’s what happened. It’s bizarre, but I swear I still don’t recall any of it. Everything past walking to the gym is a complete blank.” Another sip. “I promised Trixie and Starlight we would protect her, and keep her name out of things, so no one finds out she told me what happened.”

Luna nodded slowly. She turned to face Sunset. “Understood. Yes, that would be for the best. I would hate to see another student subjected to the abuse you’ve survived. We’ll keep her name private.” Luna rose, pacing slowly across the kitchen. “We will of course need to report this. I’m grateful for Trixie coming forward as she did, and providing this timely information. I will inform Detective Armor of this. This is the break he needed. Perhaps now those responsible for your injuries will now be brought to justice.”

Still pacing, she bit her lip gently, deep in thought. “We will need to include Ms. Lulamoon in the punishments. Not only for her part in your suffering, but to protect her from any suspicions. Please inform her of this, with our regrets.” Sunset nodded.

“Okay. We have our plan of action. Sunset, I’m going to call Shining Armor. I’ll need you to relate to him what you just shared with me. My sister must be informed as well. Together we’ll plan our actions forward.”

Luna left the room, phone in hand, dialing her sister. “Cele, I need you home quickly. We’ve found out what happened to Sunset. No, she didn’t recall. A friend came forward. All will be explained when you get here. I am calling Shining now.”

She hung up, then scrolled through to Shining’s contact. Dialing, she waited.

“Shining here, what’s up Aunty Luna?”

“Shining, how quickly can you get here? We’ve received information regarding the attack on Sunset… Yes, I called Cele just before you, she’s heading home to join us…. Yes, that would be perfect. I’ll see you then. Thank you Shining.” She hung up. “Sweet harmony! Finally we can give Sunset some closure.”

She returned to the table to wait with Sunset.

Celestia arrived first, Shining Armor right behind her. Coffee and tea were served. Gathered around the dining table, Sunset related the story again, as told her by Trixie. More tears were shed, while Shining took notes.

“I’ll need to speak with Ms. Lulamoon directly, and get her statement. She’ll need to sign the statement, but I’ll keep it completely confidential to protect her privacy. How soon can I contact her?” asked Shining.

“I’ll call her to my office under some pretense, and explain to her what we need then. Together we’ll find a way to get her to you,” agreed Celestia.

“Perhaps she can join us here for dinner? Surely she has some way to arrive unnoticed.” enjoined Luna.

“I could ask Starlight to pick her up. She brought her earlier. I imagine she’d be happy to help her friend again.” Sunset added. “We should invite Starlight too, she can help Trixie stay calm.”

“Okay, sounds like a plan. Let’s do this!” nodded Shining.

37 - Rehabilitation - Sunset

Sunset

Sunset dialed Starlight. “Hi Sunset, what’s up?” answered Starlight.

“Starlight, what are you doing for dinner the day after tomorrow?” asked Sunset. “Do you think you and Trixie could come over? Celestia and Luna would like to meet with her, and also Shining Armor. He’s the detective investigating my assault.”

Starlight’s angry response could be heard loudly. Sunset responded quickly. “No, no it’s okay! Starlight, he’s promised Trixie complete anonymity. He’ll keep her involvement completely confidential. That’s why we’re meeting here, so no one knows. I don’t want anything to happen to Trixie either, I promise.”

Starlight calmed. Sunset continued. “Okay, great. I’ll let them know. Yes, 6 PM. Thank you Starlight! See you both then. Goodbye.” She hung up.

“Okay, Shining…” she scrolled through her contacts and placed the call.

“Sunset! How’re you doing?” he answered.

“Hi Shining! Better thanks. Look, I spoke with Starlight. She says she’s fine bringing Trixie over for dinner tomorrow. Are we on for this? Okay. Yes, Celestia will talk to her first tomorrow at school to confirm. Okay, see you then. Thanks!”

Hanging up Sunset sighed. ‘That’s set. Now we just wait.’

38 - Rehabilitation - Trixie

Trixie

Trixie Lulamoon squirmed in her desk. She was nervous. Despite Starlight’s promise nothing bad would happen to her, she could think of a thousand ways this could all go wrong.

Ms. Harshwinny’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. “Ms. Lulamoon? You are needed at the office for a project. You’re excused, please head over there now.” She resumed reviewing the papers before her.

“Thank you Ms. Harshwhinny,” said Trixie. She left, heading for the school office.

Trixie notified Ms. Inkwell she was there to see Principal Celestia, then took a seat. A moment later, Ms. Inkwell informed her Principal Celetia was ready to see her, and sent her in. Gulping, Trixie rose and walked to the Principal’s office.

“Come in Ms. Lulamoon. Please shut the door behind you.” Principal Celestia stated as she signed papers at her desk. She then placed them in a folder. “Come in please, take a seat.”

Knees knocking, Trixie shut the door, mading her way to the seat. “Yes Principal Celestia, you wanted to see Trixie?” she said meekly.

Folding her hands, Celetia leaned forward, sternly looking into Trixie’s eyes. “Trixie, it’s come to my attention you know the facts regarding the assault on one of your fellow students, Ms. Sunset Shimmer. Anything you can tell us regarding this attack would be greatly appreciated.”

Trixie’s breath caught. The room started to spin, then she saw stars.

Trixie woke, laying on the couch in the Principal's office. Principal Celestia sat next to her. Ms. Raven applied a cold compress to her head. “Darn it Cele, sometimes you come on too strong. You don’t always have to be the heavy,'' groused Raven, brushing back Trixie’s hair. Trixie’s eyes fluttered. “Oh look, you’re in luck, she’s coming around. Hey kiddo, how you feeling?” smiled Raven.

“Trixie does not feel well.... Trixie wants to go home!” she closed her eyes again. “What happened?”

“That would be my fault Trixie. I’m sorry about that,” apologized her Principal. “I may have frightened you a bit.” She took Trixie’s hands. “It’s okay Trixie. Sunset told me what you told her about the night she was attacked. Trixie, I’m not angry with you. I just need to speak with you, for you to tell my sister, myself, and Detective Shining Armor exactly what you told Sunset.”

Trixie screwed her eyes shut tight, tears spilling down her face. “Oh no. no no no no! They will hurt Trixie! Trixie cannot talk to detectives! They will hurt Trixie so bad!”

“Trixie. No one will be allowed to hurt you,” promised Celestia. “Detective Armor will meet you in private, at Sunset’s house. No one will see you or know. He’ll make sure your name is kept confidential. No one will find out you spoke with him. Both Starlight and Sunset will be with you the whole time, so you don’t have to face this alone. You don’t have to be scared. Please Trixie. Let us help you help Sunset.” Celestia rubbed Trixies hands.

Trixie took a deep breath. She opened her eyes. “Do you promise Trixie will be okay?” she asked quietly.

“Trixie, I promise. You will be fine,” replied Celestia. “In fact, you’ll be better than fine! You’ll feel so much better about yourself. Your friends will be with you! You’ll be glad you’ve done this. And we won’t let anything bad happen to you Trixie. No matter what.”

“Okay.” Trixie dried her tears. “For Sunset… Trixie will do this for her friend Sunset. What do I do?”

That evening, Starlight arrived with Trixie in tow. They rang the doorbell. Sunset answered and led them to the dining room table.

Detective Armor and the Royal sisters were already seated, talking quietly. “They’re here,” announced Sunset, gesturing for the girls to take a seat. Sunset sat next to them.

“Thank you for coming Ms. Lulamoon. And you too Ms. Glimmer. Let’s take a moment to let you know what we’re about to do.

“Ms. Lulamoon? I am going to need you to tell me exactly the same thing you told Sunset before. I’m going to record it, and take notes. I may ask you to pause from time to time and ask questions.” Trixie nodded. Shining continued.

“Sunset, Starlight, Celestia and Luna will be here too. But they won’t be in the room with us. They’ll be in the kitchen. They’ll still be able to hear us, but we won't be able to see them. This is to keep them from influencing your testimony. If at any point you need to pause, please let me know, and we can take a short break. That said, the sooner we get through this, the sooner it’s done, so it’s better if we minimize any pauses. Do you understand this Ms. Lulamoon?”

Trixie nodded, then gulped. “Good. Okay then, let’s get started.”

Trixie related the story, just as she had earlier to Sunset. Shining stopped her at a few points for clarifications. They took a few short breaks to allow Trixie to collect herself; she was overcome with sorrow, especially while recollecting some of the more horrid moments.

Once everything was completed, Shining had Trixie review his notes for completeness, then sign the statement. After signing the document, Trixie slumped in the chair.

“Trixie can see her life flashing before her eyes,” she groaned.

“Trixie, you know I won't allow anything bad to happen to you, right?” said Shining. “What you’ve done here is incredibly brave! I’m proud of you for being a true friend to Sunset.” He placed a gentle hand on Trixie’s shoulder.

Looking up into his eyes, Trixie smiled. “Thank you Detective Armor”.

“Just Shining now, Trixie. You’re among friends.” Turning to Celestia, he smiled. “I’m starving! Let’s eat!”

The next day, at the end of the general announcements, Principal Celestia added, “Students, there will be a general assembly after lunch. Please come straight to the auditorium immediately after the lunch period. Attendance is mandatory for all students. That is all.”

The rumors started flying immediately.

‘It’s about anon-a-miss again.’

‘It’s about Sunset getting beaten!’

‘They found who did it and they are all going to prison!’

The student body was on edge.

After lunch, everyone gathered in the auditorium. Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna, and a younger man in a business suit were sitting on the stage, talking together. When it was time to begin, Principal Celestia stood and walked to the podium. “Everyone, please take your seats and be silent. We’re about to begin.” She waited a few moments for silence, then continued.

“As you recall, a short while ago, one of your fellow students was savagely beaten in the school gym after class. We now know this was in response to the ‘anon-a-miss’ incident, and have additional information regarding what happened, and those responsible.”

At that point several students in the back attempted to sneak out, but were met by teachers at the doors with stern expressions and crossed arms. They slunk back to their seats. Celestia continued. “I have here Detective Shining Armor, of the CPD, to discuss what we’ve learned and what’s going to happen moving forward. Detective Armor, if you please?” She stepped back from the podium, and the man in the suit approached.

“Good afternoon students! I’m Detective Shining Armor, and I’m the detective in charge of the investigation into the assault on Ms. Sunset Shimmer.” He paused, sternly looking over the student body. “As you know, assault is a serious offence, especially assault against a minor. Coupled with the facts of the brutality of this assault, this is what is known as Felony Assault. Felony Assault means there is mandatory jail time for this offense, and that anyone convicted of this offence will have this on their permanent record. For the rest of their lives.

“We recently had a breakthrough in this investigation. Footage was found of the assault, and is being reviewed. We are processing the footage, and expect to be making arrests of those responsible over the next few days.” He paused here, looking over the student body again. It was completely silent.

“I am here to offer those responsible a measure of mercy. Anyone wishing this mercy needs to come forward now, before we come for you, and confess what they have done. Anyone who does this will be given special consideration by the prosecutor, and will be in a much better position than those who choose to wait for us to come get them. And we will be coming, make no mistake there! So, anyone wishing for mercy, come forward now.”

Shining stepped back from the podium, arms crossed, and glared at the assembly. No one moved. Several minutes later, still no one had come forward. It was clear no one was going to confess. Detective Armor returned to the podium.

“I’m disappointed none of you have accepted my offer of leniency! That is unfortunate. For you. I will be back, and when I return, several of you will be leaving with me. Permanently. So for those of you who will be joining me then, I only have one comment.

“Enjoy these moments of freedom. They will be your last.”

With that, Principal Celestia took the podium and released them all back to their classes.

39 - Rehabilitation - Dust

Dust

Gilda Griffin was angry. And when Gilda was angry, people got hurt. Right now, she was fantasizing wrapping her hands around some stool pigeon’s throat, throttling the life from them, then snapping their neck for good measure.

“I’m not buying it!” she growled to Dust. “We checked for cameras. And we made sure no one recorded any of it. The only phone that should’ve been there is Dash’s.”

“I still don’t know how the tartarus she managed to grab it and crawl outta there,” added Dust. “When we left, I didn’t figure she could even move. Hey, you think Shimmer told them? Maybe she snitched on us.”

“Dunno. Maybe? But why the charade? Why now? She coulda just said something earlier… Nah, it doesn’t add up,” mused Gilda. “Know what I think? I think we have a snitch! I think somebody ratted us out.”

“Well if it wasn’t Shimmer who? We gotta plug this fast!” asked Dust.

“Not sure. But when I find out, they’re dead!”

The next morning Lightning Dust was in the office picking up papers for her homeroom teacher. She noticed Trixie entering. Pretending to tie her shoe, Dust ducked down behind a desk, and watched as Trixie spoke to Ms. Inkwell, then went to Vice-Principal Luna’s office. When no one was watching, Dust darted over to the office door, and pressed her ear to it.

“Vice-Principal Luna, Trixie is scared! Everyone seems to be staring at Trixie! They know! Everyone knows Trixie told! They will hurt Trixie! I have to go! Please Vice-Principal Luna! Let Trixie go home!” She could hear Trixie sobbing.

“Ms. Lulamoon. Trixie… if you leave now, it will only serve to make them more suspicious. Take heart, we’ve promised we will not let harm come to you. You may stay here for a while if you wish, but really you need to return to your classes. Stay strong, Ms. Lulamoon. We are with you; you will survive this.” Dust heard Luna heading for the door, so she quickly pulled back and left the office.

“Damn! That little shit! It was Trixie, she’s the rat! I shoulda known!” mused Dust as she made her way down the hall back to her homeroom.

She cornered Gilda during break. Dragging her off to a quiet corner, she whispered softly. “I found our rat! It was Trixie!”

“Damn that little snake! She’s dead! And so is Shimmer! I swear I’m going to kill them both!” raged Gilda.

“Keep your voice down!” growled Dust. “Damn it Gilda, someone will hear you!”

“Right, right… screw it. I don’t care! I’m going to rip their throats out!” whispered Gilda. “I’m going to grab Trixie when she leaves after school. Then I am going to give her what’s due… I'm going to beat the living tartarus out of her!”

Gilda’s plan was not to be. During the lunch break, a swarm of officers arrived, fanning out throughout the school. They arrest Gilda, Dust, and several others. As they were hauling them out of the school for transport back to the station, Gilda spied Trixie in cuffs being placed into a police cruiser.

“Trixie!” she yelled out, glaring daggers. Trixie cried hysterically as they placed her in the back of the car.

Arriving at the station, they were processed, then placed in separate holding cells. They were interrogated separately. After interrogation, they were placed into a common holding cell.

41 - Rehabilitation - Gilda

Gilda

Gilda used her one phone call to call her parents. She made bail after her arraignment. Her father drove her home in silence. She was sent to her room as soon as they arrived home.

In her room, she locked the door, then called Dust. “Come on Dust, pick up!” she groused. When no one answered, she threw the phone on her bed and ran her fingers through her hair.

“Shit! Shit shit shit! This is all going to tartarus. Damn that Trixie! Damn her to tartarus!” she swore. Going back over to her bed, she grabbed her phone again and started typing. “Lulamoon. Last name Lulamoon. Where do you live Lulamoon?” Pulling up a search app, she typed the name in, scrolling through addresses. Lulamoon was an uncommon name, so she was quickly rewarded with a local address, which she used to map out directions.

“Okay Trixie. Time to pay you back for this shit. With interest!” she hissed. Ducking into her closet, she retrieved a 12 inch hunting knife from its hiding place. “I’m going to make you wish you had never been born, you rat bitch!”

She opened her window and disappeared into the evening.

A half hour later, she was at the address. Hidden in a hedge across the street, she scoped out the house. No sign of the popo, or anyone else hanging around. There was a car in the driveway, so clearly someone was home. After a bit, a couple emerged from the house. “We’ll be back later tonight Trixie! Lock the door, we’ll bring you back something for dessert!” The door shut. They got into the car, driving off.

Waiting a bit to be sure they were really gone, Gilda quickly ran over to the house. She tried the front door. Locked. Passing swiftly through the lawn, she circled the house, looking for an open window or door. In the back of the house, she spied an open window, leading into a study. “Bingo…” she whispered, popping the screen, sliding through into the house.

Exiting the study, she crept through the house, eyes and ears open. Passing the stairwell, she heard voices talking softly upstairs. “Gotcha rat…” crowed Gilda.

Creeping stealthily up the stairs, Gilda followed the sound of the voices to a closed bedroom door. Placing her head next to the door, she could hear Trixie and some other girl talking quietly. Grinning, she stepped back, preparing her grand entrance. Kicking the door in, she jumped into the room.

“Time to die Trixie!” she yelled.

Trixie was sitting on the bed with another girl wearing a purple beret. They both turned to face Gilda.

“Gilda,” calmly stated Trixie. “You just made the second biggest mistake of your life.”

Confused, Gilda pulled out her knife, brandishing it at the girls.

“Oh really?” she asked snidely. “And what was that Trixie? Care to tell me now? Or should I carve it out of you while I’m carving out your rat bitch heart!” She started towards the girls.

Trixie's closet door burst open. Shining Armor stood there, gun drawn, laser lead centered on Gilda’s chest.

“That would be coming after Sunset’s friends, Gilda. And your biggest mistake was ever coming after Sunset. Drop it!” he commanded.

Gilda slowly dropped the knife, then dropped to the floor. Officers rushed through the door behind her. She was quickly subdued and hauled off.

Trixie broke into relieved tears. “Thank you Shining Armor!” She hung tightly to her friend. “Please thank Sunset for Trixie too.”

Shining smiled, and hugged them both. “Thank her yourself, Trixie. Sunset considers you her friend.”

42 - Rehabilitation - Sunset and the Babysitters Club

Sunset and the Babysitters Club

Author’s note:
Trixie’s theme song is ‘Your Place’ by ‘Zero7’. Look it up! (She especially enjoys the bridge at 1:50 and plays it at all her shows.)

Luna knocked on Sunset’s door. Sunset looked up from her desk and smiled. “What’s up?”

Luna smiled back and sat on the sofa. “Sunset, how would you like a chance to earn a little money, and meet the neighbors?”

“Sure, I guess? They pay people to meet them? That seems a bit strange…” Sunset mused.

Luna laughed. “No. No no, nothing like that! They’re going out. They need someone to babysit their children. They asked Celestia and I if we knew anyone, and we thought of you and your friends.”

“Ohhh. Okay! Yeah, that makes more sense,” Sunset nodded. “Sure! My friends? Okay, what does that mean?”

“Well, the kids can be a handful. And with the pool out back, there’s always the danger someone will fall in and need to be pulled out. I’m sure there’s nothing you can’t handle but… probably better to have someone that can literally dive into the pool and pull them out. I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, Sunset.” Luna frowned.

“I guess that makes sense. I can deal with that. Hmmm.” Sunset mused. “I think I have an idea. Yeah, let me call and see if they can come over and help out. When’s this happening?”

“This Friday. The kids will be dropped off here after they’re picked up from school, so about 2:00. They will be here for the rest of the afternoon and evening, until their parents pick them up probably late after dinner. I’ll let them know you’re available. Thanks Sunset!” Luna got up to leave.

Walking out the door, Luna added. “Let me know what your friends say, and anything you need for the evening!”

“Thanks Aunty Luna! I will!” called out Sunset, already scrolling through her contacts. “Trixie, what are you doing this Friday…” she mused.

She placed the call.

Trixie was hesitant. But when Sunset promised she could put on a Magic Show, volunteering to be her assistant, Trixie relented. Trixie wanted to include Starlight, which Sunset agreed to wholeheartedly.

“Thank you Trixie!”

Mr. and Mrs. Caring knocked at the door. Their children, Joyfully and Brightly, bounced in excitement. “Is there going to be a party?” enthused Brightly, the youngest. He was full of energy and couldn't wait to make friends with his new babysitter, Sunset Shimmer.

“No Bright! Remember, Mom said it was a Magic Show!” corrected his older sister Joyfully. “She is going to have a real Magician doing real magic!” She squealed happily.

“Yay! Magic!” bounced Bright. Mrs. Caring looked at her husband and grinned.

The door opened, Sunset greeted them. “Hello! You must be my neighbors. I’m delighted to meet you! I’m Sunset Shimmer!” She leaned down to the children. “And you two must be the adorable kids I’ve heard about. I can’t wait to spend the afternoon with you both!” She booped them both on their noses.

“Please, everyone come in!” She rolled back to let them by, then led them to the dining room table. Bright and Joy were drawn immediately to the snacks Sunset had placed on the table. The Caring’s sat. They shared their contact information, where they would be, and the best ways to reach them in an emergency, other contacts to try if they were unavailable, and rules for the children's behaviour. Sunset took notes on everything, then shared the basic safety rules they were following and her contact information, as well as Celestia’s and Luna’s. Satisfied, the Carings bid the children goodbye, with a final admonition to behave while they were gone. They left while Sunset led the children to their first activity.

“Joy, Bright, this is Starlight. She is going to play a game with you while I help our Magician friend setup her show. I’ll be right back to get you all when it’s ready. Okay?” Sunset asked the pair.

“Yay! Games!” Bright shouted enthusiastically, racing across the room to grab the beanbags for the bag toss game. “I get to go first!”

Joy laughed and joined him. “I’ll help you aim!”

“I’m big, I can do it! Don’t need no helping!” grumped Bright. He turned around and tossed the bags, laughing and dancing.

Starlight turned to Sunset. “Wow! They have a lot of energy, don’t they! What did you feed them?” She grinned.

“Caught!” laughed Sunset. “I turned them loose on the snacks. And… they both had some of Pinkie's cupcakes, so yeah, they should be rocket fueled for a while.”

“I’ll get you back for this Sunset!” snarked Starlight. Laughing, she put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper. “Thank you so much for this! It really means the world to Trixie that you invited her here to do a magic show for the kids.”

Turning to Starlight, Sunset grinned. “Anything for the Great and Powerful Trixie! Besides, what are friends for?”

Starlight and Sunset shared a hug. Starlight joined the kids. “Okay, practice time is over! Who wants to play for real? Here are the rules..”

Sunset wheeled away to find Trixie.

“Trixie, how’s it going!” she called out when she got to the patio. Trixie was bent over a chest, her waist and legs hanging over the edge.

“I’m fine! Trixie is fine!” called out the chest. The chest bumped and jostled as Trixies legs kicked while the thumping continued. “Ah ha! Trixie has it!”

With a flourish, Trixe rolled back out of the trunk and held up a large magicians hat. “Behold! Trixie's magical hat of wonder! What magical feats shall be seen when the Great and Powerful Trixie enchants this Magical Hat of Wonder!” Smiling ear to ear, she danced, black cape bouncing behind her, over to the table where her tricks were laid out. She placed the hat on the table with them.

“Wow Trixie! You're really getting into this! You go girl!” laughed Sunset.

Trixied laughed, performing an elaborate bow. “The Great and Powerful Trixie always ‘gets into it’ Sunset Shimmer!” she grinned. She went back to the trunk and pulled out a sparkling gold outfit with a pair of shimmering gold rabbit ears. Prancing over to Sunset, she held them out.

“Ta da! Trixie even brought an outfit for her great and powerful assistant! You like it?”

Sunset took the outfit, holding it out at arms length. “Wow Trixie! This is great!” Holding it up a little higher, she observed “Not much to it though, is there… Trixie, I think I have swimsuits that cover more than this…”

“It matches the outfit of the Great and Powerful Trixie! Standard show fare. You get used to it,” nodded Trixie.

“Okayyyy… Well I guess I’ll wear it then. Thanks Trixie!” smiled Sunset. “Need any help with anything else?”

“Trixie does need to go over some of the tricks with you,” nodded Trixie. Taking Sunset’s hand, she led her over to the ‘stage’ and taught her some of the tricks they would be performing.

A few games and snacks later, Sunset rolled into the playroom, glittering in her golden outfit. Two golder bunny ears flopped on her head as she shook it side to side. “You like?” she snarked to Starlight.

Laughing, Starlight answered. “Better you than me girl!”

Sunset turned to the children, still tossing the bean bags. “Who’s ready for a magic show!” she called out.

“Yay! Magic!” they cried, running over to her.

“Wow Ms. Shimmer. You look really pretty!” stated Bright.

“Thank you Bright! You’re quite the sweetheart!” laughed Sunset.

Starlight rolled her eyes, taking the kids by the hand. “Alright everyone! Follow me to the Great and Powerful Trixie’s Show of Magic and Wonder!” Sunset followed them to the patio where Trixie was waiting.

Starlight and Sunset got everyone seated. Sunset rolled up to the table Trixie was using as her stage. She placed herself next to Trixie. Trixie stood straight in her black cape, head bowed, magical hat on her head.

“Prrrresenting! The Great! And Powerful! Trixxxxxieeeeee!” called out Sunset, flourishing her arms towards Trixie. Smiling, Trixie raised her head and threw her arms out, revealing her glittering silver outfit, a match to the one Sunset was wearing, minus the adorable bunny ears.

“Greetings my wonderful audience! Welcome to the Great and Powerful Trixie’s Show of Magic and Wonder!” Trixie called out. Taking a bow, she walked to the side of the table opposite Sunset. The children cheered and clapped, and the show began.

Trixie started with card tricks. Sunset had them pick a card from an oversized deck while Trixie turned away. Putting the card back in the deck, Sunset handed the deck to Trixie. Trixie then shuffled the deck, ending with a bridge where the cards arched over her head. She placed the cards down on the table, asking them to think of the card they had chosen. With a flourish of her wand she tapped the deck. Nothing happened. She tapped the deck again, still nothing stirred. Trixie took off her hat and scratched her head. “Where could that card have gone? Hmmm.”

Reaching into the hat, she exclaimed “Ah Ha! Ta da! Here it is!” With a sweep of her arm she whipped the card from her hat. The kids screamed in excitement while Trixie bowed.

She moved onto illusions, including one that thrilled Joy. She showed them the hat was completely empty, and placed it on the table. She asked Joy what her favorite color was (it was teal - Sunset grinned happily). Trixie tapped her wand on the edge of the hat, and exclaimed “Presto Magico!” She reached into the hat, and pulled out a paper bouquet of teal flowers, which she handed to Joy to keep. Joy was overjoyed with the gift and clutched it tightly.

Several tricks later, Trixie was ready for her last and greatest feat of magic. She called her assistant forward.

“For her last trick, Trixie will cause her beautiful assistant to vanish, and appear in this magical chest. Sunset please, prepare yourself for this magical journey!”

Sunset wheeled into position next to the oversized chest, which had been extended high enough to hold a standing person. Trixie placed a black and white checkered curtain around Sunset, and asked if she was ready.

“Ready!” exclaimed Sunset, poking her head out from the curtain, golden bunny ears bouncing.

“Trixie's beautiful assistant is ready! Back in the curtain please, beautiful assistant.” Trixie waved her arms over the curtain. With a smile and a final nod, Sunset pulled her head back and shut the curtain.

“And now, if you would all please concentrate! We will send my beautiful assistant Sunset your kindest thoughts, and she will begin her journey through the Realm of Magic! Abra Cadabra!!” Trixie tapped the curtain three times with her wand. The curtain fell to the ground. Sunset was gone!

The children gasped in shock. “Where did she go!?” Yelled Bright.

“Fear not, beloved audience! Trixie has only sent her assistant on a journey through the realm of magic. She will return to us shortly…” There was a bump from the oversized chest.

Trixie turned to the chest. “Behold, the now Enchanted Sunset! She has traveled through the Magical realms and returned to us, filled with the Magic of the cosmos!”

Trixie tapped the chest three times with her wand, and the sides all fell away. There, sitting in the middle of the chest in her chair, was Sunset. Eating popcorn.

She looked up to Trixie with a smile. “What? It was a long trip, I stopped for popcorn! I got hungry.”

Starlight burst out laughing, while Trixie shook her head, hand on her forehead. “Sunset, that’s not how it’s supposed to go… Popcorn is not the Magic of the Cosmos!” she laughed.

The children ran up to Sunset, thrilled. Trixie took her final bow, laughing with them.

Begging a few minutes to clean up, the kids were sent off with Starlight while Sunset and Trixie changed out of their costumes. When everything was put away into the now normally sized trunk, Trixie and Sunset joined them at the dining room table.

Sunset had ordered pizza and pasta for dinner. The kids were served, then the girls served themselves. Everyone enthused over the show while they ate, to Trixie’s absolute delight. When they finished, Sunset cleaned up while Trixie and Starlight took Joy and Bright to Sunset’s room, where they’d prepared a movie for them. Leftovers put away and trash stowed, Sunset joined them.

Towards the end of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Caring arrived. They joined them in watching the ending. When it was over, they thanked Sunset and the girls for watching the children, and took them home.

Sunset high fived them both on the fantastic job they had done. “You guys ROCK!” gushed Sunset. “Trixie, your magic show was fantastic! And Starlight, you were awesome, keeping the kids busy and out of trouble. I couldn't have done it without you both!”

“Thank you for having us over! This was fun,” said Starlight, leaning over to hug Sunset.

“Thank you so much! They were the best audience Trixie has had in ages!” Trixie bounced happily, hugging Sunset as well.

The three sat and talked happily for a while until it was time for Trixie and Starlight to head home. With a final hug goodbye, Starlight and Trixie left. Sunset went back inside.

“Best day ever!” she smiled.

43 - Rehabilitation - Cadence

Cadence

Shining Armor took the plate from Cadence, dried it, and placed it into the cabinet. “She really is a sweetheart. We should get Twilight and her together. As smart as she is, I bet the two of them would hit it off.”

Cadence smiled at him sweetly. “And it would be great for your sister too. That girl really needs to get out more! She spends so much time with her books… she needs to make some friends.”

“I’ll ask her if she’s interested. I know mom and dad would be thrilled - they’re as pushy as you are when it comes to getting her out of her ‘lab’ and out with other kids her age,” agreed Shining, taking another plate.

“I am not pushy!” pouted Cadence, poking Shining in the ribs. “Just ask me - I’m the biggest sweetheart ever! And I only have others' best interest in mind.”

“Oh absolutely! Only ever! That’s why people are calling in droves on your show!” grinned Shining.

“You know, actually, they kind of are. Huh…” reflected Cadence, stopping for a moment with a pensive look.

“I know, I know, you were only kidding! But seriously, you do give good advice. And you have a scary good knack for cutting through issues, getting down to what’s really going on, especially with relationships.” Shining smiled at her. “I’d trust you with my heart.”

Cadence grinned then poked his side. “You already did you dolt! And with your life as well!”

Setting the plate aside, Shining took her in his arms, pulling her in for a gentle kiss. “And looking forward to every moment.” He smiled. Grinning, she kissed him back, then they turned back to finish the dishes.

“Seriously though, you should ask her,” Cadence said.

“I will. Next time we’re over I’ll bring it up,” he promised.

Friday evening, Shining picked up Cadence from the station, and the two of them headed to his parents house for dinner. They stopped to pick up a bottle of wine for his parents, then pulled into the driveway and walked up the entryway to the door.

While the ‘estate’ his parents owned was nice, it was really nothing compared to many of the other residences in the neighborhood. The yard was well maintained, the house was decently sized, but it was definitely a family house, not one of the more ostentatious mansions seen up and down the street. A nice three car garage was attached to the home, and you could hear the sound of splashing and laughter from the back.

“Sounds like they started without us!” laughed Cadence.

“Yeah, we should just go in.” Shining tapped the code into the door. They walked into the house and out through the dining room. “Hi guys! We’re here!” he called out as they walked out back.

“Shining! Hey BBBFF! Come join me!” called out Twilight, floating in the pool. Her puppy Spike growled and barked playfully from the side. Taking the ball beside her, she flipped it over her head, where it bounced off the fence and rolled to a stop next to the pool. Spike tilted his head, then scampered over to fetch it, dropping it in the pool next to Twilight. He resumed his energetic barks and jumps. “Okay okay, hold on Spike,” grinned Twilight, taking the ball and throwing it again, this time with better aim. Spike bounded off after it, bouncing happily.

“Okay LSBFF, I’ll go get changed. Be right back.” Shining disappeared back into the house.

Shining’s mom came over, taking the wine from Cadence. “Thank you Cadence! I’ll put this on ice, so we can enjoy it with dinner.” She headed into the kitchen.

“Hi Mr. Nightlight! Hi Twilight!” called out Cadence as she followed Mrs. Velvet into the house.

“Cadence! Cadence! Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake!” called out Twilight from the pool.

Cadence swung around, poking her backside out and swung it from side to side. “Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” she called out to Twilight, then laughed and waved as she headed inside.

Cadence caught up to Twilight Velvet. “Anything I can do to help out mom?” she asked.

“You are so sweet dear. I like the sound of that. It tickles me pink that you and Shiny finally got together. You know he’s been sweet on you since the first time he saw you watching his sister? That boy was nursing a serious crush on you for the longest time!” smiled Velvet as she filled the silver bucket from the ice dispenser.

“Still is!” grinned Cadence. “And it’s more than mutual, I assure you.”

“To see the way you two carry on, I’m sure it is,” teased Velvet. “It’s so sweet to see the two of you so completely in love. Reminds me of Nightlight and myself when we were your age.” She placed the wine into the bucket, settling it down into the ice, twisting it a few times to get it settled in place. She took the bucket and set it on the table. “Cadence dear, can you get the wine glasses and set them on the tray? Thank you dear.”

Cadence moved across the room, pulled the flutes from their cupboard, and placed them on the silver serving tray. “So… not to steal Shining’s thunder, but he’s found a friend for Twilight. Maybe. You recall the girl that was attacked over at CHS about two weeks ago? It was on the news.”

“Yes, the school your aunts run. Horrible news that! I hope the dear girl is recovering.”

“Yes. She is. She was hurt rather badly. Shining was talking with Celestia and Luna - they’re taking care of her - and they think it would be good for both of them to meet and maybe get together,” Cadence continued.

“Really? What makes you say that, if you don’t mind my asking.” Velvet pulled down a stack of plates, carrying them over to the table.

“Apparently they’re both extremely smart. And nice,” replied Cadence. “The girl, Sunset, could probably use some friends right now after everything that’s happened.”

“Well if Celestia and Luna vouch for her, and Shiny agress, you’ll get no argument from me,” nodded Velvet.

“Shiny is going to approach her about it while we’re here. Just wanted to give you a heads up,” smiled Cadence.

“Thank you sweetie! Deeply appreciated! And thank you for both for thinking about Twilight. I know she loves you both dearly,” smiled Velvet.

“And we love her too!” Cadence smiled back. “Anything else to do here?”

“Let’s go check on the chef, and see how he’s doing,” answered Velvet, heading out to the patio.

Shining jumped from the diving board arms outstretched, at the last moment tucking in to form a ball, spraying a huge splash of water over his sister and her dog. “Shining!” yelled out Twilight, sputtering and shaking her head, while Spike yipped and barked, shaking water all over.

By the grill, Nightlight was pulling off kabobs of grilled vegetables and meat, placing them on a serving tray. ‘Kiss the cook - but he’s taken’ was emblazoned across his apron. Turning off the grill, he carried the tray over to the door. He called out “Dinner is served!” Cadence opened the door for him, and followed him into the dining room.

Shining climbed up out of the pool, then reached down pulling his little sister up and onto the patio. “Thanks Shiny!” she smiled and gave him a big hug.

“Good thing I’m already wet, you goofball!” he grinned at her, pulling her in for a hug. “Noogie time!” Slipping her into a headlock, he knuckled her head.

“No! Shiny no! You’ll knot my hair!” she laughed, pushing him away. She grabbed a towel and tossed it to him, then grabbed another for herself.

“You’re a knucklehead!” he teased.

“No I’m not - you’re a knucklehead!” she laughed back, drying quickly and wrapping the towel around her as she made her way into the dinning room.

“Takes one to know one!” he answered, throwing the towel around his waist and following her to the table.

Dinner was fantastic. As always, Velvet knew how to put on a spread, and Nightlight was no slouch at the grill. The wine Cadence and Shining bought was the perfect compliment to the evening. Even Twilight had a small serving. Content and sated, everyone sat around the fire Nightlight had lit in the firepit, planning to enjoy some “’smores”, once they’d had a few moments to let dinner settle.

Shining turned to his sister. “So Twilight, I was talking to Celestia and Luna, and we think we found a girl you’d hit it off with. She’s staying with them now, in Cadence’s old room. Want to meet her? She’s really nice and very smart. We think you two would like each other.”

Twilight turned her head, and looked at her brother. “Huh?”

Cadence reached over and smacked Shining on his leg, laughing. “Smooth Shining! Smooth!”

“Are you trying to hook me up?” asked his sister. “Cause seriously Shiny, I’m not even sure I swing that way. I’m not even sure I swing in any way really. I mean, really? Who can know? I mean, I studied it - we had to! They made us take a class in it. Seriously. A class. For that. Just for that. Anyway… I read up on the different genders. And gender identities. And personal pronouns… Still she/her for me, thanks! And I don’t even know what I’d be, I mean what I am… Well no, I know what I am. I’m a girl. A woman. A human being. Yeah, and I’m really not sure about the rest of that…'' Twilight paused for a breath.

“Stop. Stop stop stop,” called out Shining. “Yeah, smooth Shining…” he grumbled under his breath. “No! No, I didn’t mean to imply that you should date her - not that there's anything wrong with that - no. I only meant that I think, er… we think the two of you could be good friends, and have some things in common you could, like, bond over, or something.”

Cadence pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head, chuckling lightly.

Shining soldered on. “She’s a really nice girl! She’s just been through some rough times… But if you’d like, I can make some introductions, maybe exchange numbers or something, bring her over, or whatever, and you could hang out? Together. Hang out together. Yeah. If you want.”

Cadence was shaking silently, a hand over her mouth, silently struggling to keep in her laughter. Shining pushed her knee and grinned at her.

“Yeah, nice. Thanks for the save Cady! Way to cut bait.” Unable to hold back any longer, Cadence cackled.

“Okayyyy. Yeah, that just happened. Whatever that was... That happened,” Twilight observed. “So… well…. Yeah. Sure, I’d love to meet her. As a friend. To meet her. I mean, as a friend to meet her. Not meet-meet her. I mean, unless she wants to meet-meet? Meet-meet? Can you meet-meet someone? But if that’s what she wants. To meet-meet, I mean. Whatever that means…”

Shining groaned, placing both hands over his head. Cadence howled, laughing so hard she cried.

44 - Rehabilitation - Luna

Luna

Shining Armor's voice rang out from the phone. “So, anyways, yes, after everyone finished laughing hysterically and we got Twilight calmed down, she said she would be delighted to meet up with Sunset. So, yeah. If you want, I can pass on Twilight’s number, or we can set up some sort of… I don’t know, play date? Whatever, not sure what to call it, and I can bring Twilight by and they can just hang out. Whatever you guys decide. Just let me know.”

Luna grinned. “Sounds like you had a highly entertaining evening Shining.” She chuckled lightly. “Sure, I’ll pass that onto Sunset, and call you back later. We’ll figure it out.”

“Okay thanks! Sounds like a plan. Later then!” Shining signed off.

“Later Shining!” called out Luna, then disconnected the call. She crossed through the hallway and climbed the stairs. Sunset was sitting in her room reading on her new computer. Luna knocked gently on the door. “Sunset, do you have a moment?”

Sunset looked up from her computer. “Hi Aunt Luna! Sure, come on in.” She closed her laptop, and rolled over towards Luna. Luna entered and sat on the sofa. “Ah, longer conversation then… Okay, what’s up?” asked Sunset.

“You remember Shining Armor, yes? And how he mentioned his sister, Twilight? Princess Twilight’s counterpart?”

“Yessss… I recall that,” answered Sunset. “And…”

“And indeed. He mentioned you to her, and she would really like to meet you. She’s about the same age, she attends Crystal Prep, the same school Cadence and Shining Armor used to attend… anyways… She’d like to come over and hang out with you for a bit, if you're okay with that. The truth is, she doesn’t have many friends, and Shining Armor, Celestia and I were hoping maybe you could help her with that. If you wanted,” amended Luna.

“Well… yeah sure. Okay. I’m always happy to make a new friend. Not many friends huh… I’ve been there. Yeah, I’d be happy to help out! When would she be coming over?”

“We haven't really discussed times. If you’d like, I can get her number for you and the two of you can work it out amongst yourselves,” replied Luna.

“Yeah sure! Just let me know. Sounds good!” said Sunset.

Luna smiled. “Okay. I’ll get that to you. The two of you can let us know what you’ve decided.”

46 - Beginning of the End - Book 3

The Beginning of the End - Book 3

47 - Beginning of the End - Sunset and Twilight Sparkle

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

48 - Beginning of the End - Gilda

Gilda

Gilda was arraigned. It was decided due to her age and the nature of her offenses, she would be tried as an adult.

Her trial was quick. With the overwhelming evidence against her, she was found guilty of attempted murder and felony assult of a minor. She was sentenced to serve her time in the local penitentiary.

49 - Beginning of the End - Dust

Dust

Lightning Dust pled out, was briefly placed in Juvie, but was quickly released for her exemplary behavior, and on recommendations from her parents' friends. It paid to have connections apparently.

Once Dust was released, she returned to school, doing everything she could to appear as a model student. Hearing that Dust was out, Gilda got messages to her through friends. They were not allowed to meet, but that didn’t stop them from communicating and planning. Together they planned their revenge on Sunset.

It looked like Dust would need to make a new ‘friend’ to make this work.

50 - Beginning of the End - Sunset

Sunset

To say Sunset was surprised was an understatement.

When Lightning Dust contacted her asking to meet, she was hesitant. She firmly believed everyone deserved a second, or even third or fourth chance. None-the-less, knowing how deeply Dust was tied to what happened to her, she felt reluctant to welcome Dust into her life.

She finally agreed to meet Dust, and arranged for her to come over late one afternoon. Sharing her scepticism, Luna arranged to be home as well, in case Dust intended anything less that wholesome or healthy for her foster daughter.

Sunset sat nervously in her usual waiting spot at the dining room table, Luna next to her. “Dearest Sunset. If she tries anything to hurt you, or you feel the slightest bit threatened, you need only call my name. I’ll be in my room doing paperwork, but you need me, only say my name and I’ll be by your side.” Promised Luna.

“Thank you Luna,” sighed Sunset. “It means the world to me that you care, and are here for me. I owe you and Celestia so much.”

“Nonsense Sunset. We love you dearly. We’re delighted to have you here with us, and for you to share our lives,” countered Luna with a gentle hug. She smiled.

Sunset smiled back, and returned her hug. The doorbell rang. “Guess it’s time. I’ll get it.” Sunset said, rolling towards the door.

“I’ll be in my room. Remember, you need only speak my name, and I’ll come,” reminded Luna, heading up the stairs to her room.

“Thank you Luna! I will, I promise,” said Sunset, as she answered the door.

“Hello Dust,” she greeted. “Come in, please.” She rolled back and gestured towards the dining room. “Take a seat, let’s talk.”

“Thank you. You’re not alone, are you?” asked Dust. “Sorry, this just feels very awkward. And I am so sorry.” Dust stepped in, then headed towards the dining room at Sunset’s direction. Sunset shut the door and followed her to the table. Dust sat.

“Can I get you anything Lightning Dust? Are you thirsty? Would you like something to eat?” offered Sunset.

“Uhm. Sure, anything is fine, just something to drink, thank you Sunset,” answered Dust. Sunset fetched them both a soda, and returned to the table.

“Thank you. Well, awkward as this is, let me just start. Sunset, I know I can never make up for what I did, and for the part I played in what happened to you. I was wrong, and even though I was just following along with Gilda, that will never excuse what happened or my decisions to be a part of that. I’m just here to beg your forgiveness, even if you never want to see me again. Please, forgive me if you can. I am truly sorry for everything I’ve done and all your suffering.” Dust looked down at her hands, appearing truly penitent.

Sunset took her hands, and looked into her eyes. “I believe you Dust, and for what it is worth, I offer you my forgiveness.”

Looking up. Dust’s eyes misted. “Thank you Sunset. That means the world to me.”

They talked for a while, Sunset asking Dust about her friendship with Gilda, and her plans for her future. Dust spoke of her childhood, growing up as Gilda’s best friend. She told Sunset about the troubles they got into together. Eventually, she had Sunset laughing at some of the tales of their misadventures. Gilda had apparently always had a temper, was stubborn and opinionated, but from what Dust related was a loyal and true companion to her friends.

When the time approached for their visit to end, Lightening reached into her backpack. “Sunset, I know I can’t ever make right what I did. But I wanted to give you something, just a small gift, to say how sorry I am.” She pulled out a box, wrapped in blue tissue paper. “It’s not much, but I wanted to say once again how very sorry I am. Here, please accept this.”

Sunset took the gift and opened it up. It was a bass booster bluetooth room speaker. “I know it’s not much, but I figured you love music, with you and your friends being in a band and all. Thank you for letting me come over and apologize.”

Dust got up to leave, then turned back to Sunset. “Oh, it’s also a wifi speaker. You can hook it up to the wifi and it will stream any of the internet music services if you have a subscription. Thanks again for seeing me Sunset. I need to get home, my curfew is coming up.” Sunset walked Dust to the door, then bid her goodbye.

“Wifi huh? Guess I’ll try it out later.” She went to the stairs and took the stair lift up. Rolling over to Luna’s room, she knocked on the door frame.

Luna looked up from her paperwork. “Well Sunset, how did it go?” she asked.

“It went okay. It went well actually… We even shared a few laughs. I don’t think I’m ready to go anywhere with her, but it was a good first step,” Sunset replied. “Oh, and she gave me a little gift, this speaker. I’m going to set it up and try it out.”

“Ah, how nice. Okay Sunset. Let me know if you need anything. Celestia is picking up pizza for dinner. She ordered one half veggie, so you’re covered. We’ll come fetch you when she gets here. You can tell us all about your visit then,” Luna added, turning back to her work.

“Sounds great! Thanks.” Sunset headed into her room and shut the door. “Now, let’s see how this thing works…”

Twenty minutes later, Sunset could be heard in her room. “Okay, trying this out. Beatbox, play playlist Rainbooms!” Moments later, the Rainbooms could be heard singing out from the room. “Sweet! This thing has good sound too! I’m definitely keeping this around.” Sunset sang along with the music.

As she was reading through the rest of the manual, she saw the speaker had an impedance matching setting, allowing her to connect her guitar directly to it. “Ah sweet! I can use it as a personal amplifier!” She rolled over to her guitar, slung it on, and grabbed the aux cord. Wheeling back over to her desk, she plugged the cord into the box, and jacked up her guitar. She strumed a chord, which played over the top of the streaming music. “Sweet Celestia! I am so going to rock this!” She started playing along with the song, singing out, smiling ear to ear.

Downstairs, Celetia arrived. On entering the house, boxes of pizza in hand, she called out. “Luna! Sunset! I’m home! I’ve got dinner! Hope you're both hungry!” Luna emerged from her room, knocking on Sunset’s door as she passed. The music stopped. Luna called out. “Sunset, Celetia’s here. Come on down and join us for dinner.”

“Okay, be down in a moment!” replied Sunset.

Luna went down the stairs and joined her sister, puting plates, napkins and drinks out on the table. “Welcome home Cele. How went your day?” she asked.

“It went well Lulu. Glad to be home though. How did the visit go? Well I hope? From the music and Sunset singing I gather it went well?” answered Celestia, sitting at the table to wait for the others to join her.

“It was surprisingly drama free. They seemed to ‘hit it off’ as it were. Ms. Dust left a gift for Sunset, which is what you heard earlier. Some kind of speaker. Sunset seems to be enjoying it.”

Sunset wheeled into the room. “I sure am! It even has a setting so I can plug in my guitar and jam along. Sweet!”

“So I heard,” smiled Celestia. Luna and Sunset sat at the table, joining hands and bowing their heads. “Thank the maker for this food and the harmony we share,” canted Celestia.

“Thank the maker,” replied Luna and Sunset. Both grabbed a slice of pizza and a drink.

“Yeah it was a bit awkward to start. But Dust shared some stories about her growing up with Gilda, and we hit it off, a bit. Not ready to call her a full friend yet, but it was a good start,” responded Sunset between bites.

“I am quite pleased to hear that,” responded Luna. “Hmm… This is good. Thank you for picking this up Cele.”

“No problem Lulu. Anything for my girls!” responded Celestia.

They chatted a while, enjoying the dinner and each other's company. After a quick cleanup, Luna challenged Sunset to a battle royale, and the two were off for some gaming while Celestia went to finish up paperwork before retiring for the evening.

It was a good day in the Royal household.

52 - Beginning of the End - Dr. Discord

Dr. Discord

The session with Dr. Discord was interesting, to say the least.

Luna accompanied Sunset to her appointment, it being her day to stay with Sunset. Arriving early to complete the ever present ‘first visit’ paperwork, they sat in Dr. Discord’s waiting room. The walls were painted like something out of an Escher original. Sunset was getting a slight bit of vertigo just looking at it. The receptionist came to show Sunset in, wearing glasses with hypnotic black and white swirls on the lenses. Seeing Luna’s raised eyebrow, she lowered the glasses and grinned over their tops. “It’s a Dr. Discord thing. It’s kind of his schtick.” She pushed the glasses back up and accompanied Sunset back to Dr. Discords office.

“Ms. Shimmer is here to see you Dr. Discord,” she announced, stepping aside to let Sunset enter the office. Sunset wheeled in, immediately noting the troupe reclined couch by his desk, and the crazy hypnotic pattern painted on the wall opposite.

“Good afternoon Ms. Shimmer!” greeted Dr. Discord. “Welcome to my clinic!” He turned to the receptionist. “Thank you Ms. Screwball.” She nodded then returned to her desk outside his office.

“Pleased to meet you Dr. Discord. Wow, quite the office you have here!” greeted Sunset.

Looking to the couch, Discord observed, “A pleasure to meet you Ms. Shimmer! I would normally invite you to make yourself comfortable on my couch, but considering your situation, please feel free to make yourself comfortable wherever you wish.”

“Awesome!” snarked Sunset. “I’m heading back to my bedroom. Nice meeting you Dr. Discord!” She pretended to head out the door.

“Hohoho! I’m going to like you Ms. Shimmer! Touche!” laughed Dr. Discord.

Dr. Discord had her stare at the odd wall in his office, while he droned on to Sunset in a droll tone, guiding her through some meditation. At one point she could swear the wall started swirling in on itself.

Then she was back outside the gym, dispassionately watching herself heading in looking for Rainbow Dash. She saw herself enter the gym, then being grabbed and held down. It all unfolded just as Trixie had described, though a bit more graphically. The entire time, Sunset just stood to the side and observed it unfolding, unfeeling and uncaring of the brutality of what she witnessed. When it was over, she watched as Trixie hid shaking in her closet while her body was carted off to the hospital.

She then was bathed in golden light, and woke feeling refreshed and at peace, but unable to recall much of what she had just experienced.

Dr. Discord assured her she was doing just fine. There was nothing wrong with her memories - they were clearly intact and functioning correctly. It was only her mind showing her kindness, protecting her from the grief and suffering she had experienced.

“You have an old soul, my dear. And in its wisdom, it knows you are not ready for these sorrows life has shared. So she is carrying them for you, for a time. Don’t worry my dear, when you are ready, your soul will share with you all that it is carrying,” advised Dr. Discord.

Slightly confused, but enjoying the feeling of peaceful serenity, Sunset nodded.

Luna had scheduled a follow-on session for the next week while she waited. They thanked Dr. Discord for his time, and returned home.

53 - Beginning of the End - Sunset's Nightmares

Sunset’s Nightmares

That night, Sunset’s nightmares began.

She was trapped in the vision again. But this time, while she watched, she felt every terror, every blow, every break. She woke several times, crying and shaking, not calling out, but returning to sleep. And each time she slept, she returned to the nightmare, right back at where she left off.

That morning, she rolled into the kitchen, bags under her eyes, hair disheveled, looking weary and worn. She rolled up to the coffee maker, placed her mug in, and punched the Espresso button. Celestia looked up from her papers at the table. “Sunset, sweet harmony! Whatever happened to you?”

“Ugh… rough night,” groaned Sunset, pulling her coffee from the machine and taking a long draught. “I had nightmares all night about the attack. It was horrid. And every time I would wake up, I would fall right back asleep and right back into the nightmare. I don’t think I’ve had that wretched a night’s sleep since the fall formal.” She rolled over to the table, picking up a slice of tofu bacon to nibble.

“You don’t think you were having a reaction to the therapy do you?” asked Celestia.

“Maybe? No? I don’t think so. I don’t know,” groaned Sunset. Face in her hands, she rubbed her eyes, then looked over to Celestia. “I felt such peace after the session. I felt anything but peace last night. I can’t imagine the two were related. But maybe? I just don’t know.” She shook her head. Taking another sip of the expresso, she mused. “I do know that was tartarus! I never want to feel that again. That was pure tartarus.”

Celestia stood and wrapped Sunset in a tender hug. “Sunset, if that happens again, call out, please. I’ll come get you. You don’t need to suffer that alone.”

Sunset hugged Celestia tightly. “I will, I promise. Thank you!”

That night, the nightmares returned. This time, when she awoke shaking and crying, she remembered what Celestia had promised the day before and called out for her.

Celestia rushed into her room. “Sunset, is it the dreams again?” Sunset nodded, tears flowing. “Scoot over sweetie. I’m not leaving.” Celestia laid next to her, enfolding Sunset in her loving embrace. Sunset snuggled up against her and fell back asleep.

The next morning, they awoke, Sunset still snuggled tightly in Celetia’s arms. She was sleeping soundly, but still had the occasional shake or whimper. “Sunset,” called Celestia, caressing her head gently. “Sunset, it’s okay. I’m here.”

Sunset slowly opened her eyes, and seeing Celestia hugged her tightly. “More nightmares Sunset?” asked Celestia. Sunset nodded, face buried in her shoulder. Celestia gently turned her face to her, and kissed her forehead. “No more nightmares now, dear. Time to rise and greet the day. Come on, I’ll make us pancakes.” She kissed her forehead once more, then rose and went down the stairs to get started. Sunset stretched, prepared for the day, then followed.

That night, Luna declared she would stay with Sunset, rather than either of them waiting for her to call out. Holding her dear foster daughter close, the two fell to sleep quickly. Luna’s dreams were troubled, peppered with scenes of her sister under the car once again, blood everywhere. Sunset was once again forced to relive the horridly wicked attack, but this time with the added trauma of watching and reliving every wretched act she had performed against her fellow students and friends, reminding her of why she deserved nothing but their scorn and hate. She felt she deserved every wretched unkindness she had suffered. She never woke once during the night, convinced instead she ought to suffer each and every torment to atone for the evil she had caused.

That morning, both Sunset and Luna awoke completely drained from their night of ‘rest’.

“Sunset,” stated Luna, holding tightly to her tearful foster daughter, “Were I of the superstitious mindset, I would swear your room possessed by some foul evil.”

She helped Sunset get ready for the day. They ate breakfast together with several cups of the blackest coffee.

After breakfast, Luna received a call from Celestia. “Lulu, I need you to head to district administration offices. Director Neighsay has called an emergency meeting to review our funding. Apparently there are allegations we misappropriated funds while reconstructing the school after the fall formal. He claims to have some sort of proof that it wasn’t an explosion to the gas main. Can you please head over and try to head that off? For Sunset’s sake, that’s not a road we want anyone treading.”

Luna wholeheartedly agreed, and prepared to leave.

“Sunset, I have to attend an emergency meeting. I’ll be back as soon as it’s over. Celestia will be here right after school as well. Please stay safe.” She hugged Sunset, grabbed her purse and keys, and went out the door.

Sunset tried to distract herself, but refused to go back in her room, feeling almost haunted every time she went near it. Watching videos on her phone, there was a knock at the door.

Answering the door, she was surprised to find Lightning Dust standing at her doorstep.

“Hi Sunset! How’s it going? Sorry to stop by unannounced. I had the day off, and thought I’d stop over and say hi. How’re you doing?”

“Hi Dust, one sec.” Sunset answered. Rolling back, she replied. “Come on it. Can I get you anything?”

“Uh sure? Want to join me in a drink?” she replied stepping into the entryway.

“You’ve no idea... this way,” said Sunset, shutting the door behind her. Together they went into the kitchen and pulled out sodas, then sat at the dining room table.

“Sunset, sorry, I know it’s not my place to say but, you kind of look like crap. You okay?” asked Dust.

Opening her soda, she shook her head. “I started therapy. And I’ve been having wretched nightmares every night. I’m back in the gym each time, reliving the attack.”

“Oh Sweet Harmony! Sunset I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have asked.” Dust reached out to give Sunset a hug and accidentally knocked her phone to the floor. “Oh shoot! Let me get that!” she said.

“No, I got this… I drop it all the time anyway, don’t worry about it.” As Sunset leaned over in her chair to pick it up, Dust leaned over across the table. When Sunset leaned back, phone retrieved, Dust was back in her seat.

“Sunset, I am so sorry. Look, maybe I came at a bad time. I just wanted to say hi and check in on you. But maybe it would be better if I left and let you get a little rest,” stated Dust.

“No! No thanks! No rest! Every time I rest, it’s back to that damnable nightmare. No rest.” Sunset shook her head.

“Okay. Well, if you want, we can just hang here and talk. I’m free the entire evening.”

“That works for me. Tell me, what have you been up to?” said Sunset, sipping her soda.

54 - Beginning of the End - Angel Dust

Angel Dust

Dust shared with Sunset what was going on at school, including the volunteer work she had taken on to try to atone for her misdeeds. As she spoke, Sunset felt herself slipping further and further into a disconnected state.

Eventually, Dust noticed she was fading. “Sunset, you okay? You seem to be spacing out. You sure you don’t want to lay down for a bit?”

Sunset turned to face Dust. She could see lines of light radiating out from her, and heard her voice echoing as though she were in a far off canyon. “Dust, I don’t feel so good.”

Dust took her shoulders, looking into her eyes. “Sunset, I’m sorry, but you need to lay down. I think you're getting sick or something. Look, I’ll help you up to your bed, and you can rest for a bit. I’ll head back over to school and ask Ms. Celestia to come help you. Okay?”

“Okay,” nodded Sunset confusedly. Dust rolled her over to the stairs and onto the lift. Once they were upstairs, Dust rolled her into her room, gently placing her on her bed. She leaned over Sunset.

“Sunset. Wait here, okay? I’ll be right back. I’m going to go get Principal Celestia, and bring her back. Don’t wander off, just rest. Okay? Can you do that?”

“Okay Dust,” mumbled Sunset. “Okay.” Dust smoothed Sunset’s hair from her eyes, then left.

Sunset lay there, delirious. She heard the voices of everyone she’d ever tormented. Every friendship she had ever broken, they were there, standing in her bedroom, tears streaming from their eyes as they stared at her in silent rage. Her friends were there too, crying in betrayal.

“Sunset!” they called out. “How could you! We trusted you Sunset! You were family! How could you betray us!”

Sunset shook. She cried out. “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! I would never do that! I love you! You’re my family! I would never do that!”

Writhing in anguish, she moaned and called out in grief. “It wasn’t me! I would never hurt you!” She cried and wailed.

One by one, her friends turned silently and walked away. Soon, no one was left, the only sound Sunset weeping piteously.

An angel walked slowly into her room, calling out her name. “Sunset.... Sunset…” She turned towards the angel. “Sunset..” called out the angel.

Sunset turned to face the angel. Her face was bathed in a beautiful golden light. Her smile was peaceful and serene. Sunset reached out to the angel.

“Sunset, it’s time for peace,” stated the angel simply. She held her arms outstretched. “All of this suffering, all of this torment. It must end. It’s time to end it. Come Sunset. Know peace.”

The angel stepped forward, drying Sunset’s tears. She gently pulled her up, and lifted her into her chair. “Sunset, let all of this go. Let this life go. Leave it behind you. Come, join us in Elysium Sunset. Time to leave the suffering of this life. Leave this torment behind, and know peace.”

Sunset looked at the angle, and nodded her head slowly. “Peace,” she breathed. She looked away to her desk, and said again “Peace.”

“Yes Sunset. Let’s leave this life behind. Come with me to Elysium and peace.” The angle started to push her out of the room and into the hallway.

“Wait!” shouted Sunset, pointing back to her desk. The angel pushed her back into the room and over to the desk. “Peace,” said Sunset. She pulled down her journal, opening it to the last written page. Picking up a pen, she breathed “Peace”, and began writing.

‘Dear Princess Twilight. I can no longer bear to live with the horrors I have committed in both this world and yours. I am completely unworthy of anyone’s love and forgiveness. I’m sorry to have caused you and all my friends such complete pain and suffering. Please forgive me. I’ll see you someday in Elysium. I love you dearly, thank you for being my friend.

Yours in Harmony, Sunset Shimmer’

The angel nodded. “Yes, that will bring peace. Well done Sunset. A note for our loved ones. Now come. It is time for you to know peace.” Sunset placed the Journal on her desk, a beatific smile on her face.

The angel rolled her into the bathroom. Placing her next to the tub, she helped Sunset turn on the water. “Let the warmth comfort you on your journey Sunset, as the warmth of eternity prepares to enfold your soul.”

When the tub was full, the angle led her over to the sink and helped her remove the blades from her safety razors. “Let the suffering flow from your body. Open your wrists and let the pain and torment leave, never to return.”

Sunset smiled. “Peace,” she intoned.

Gently, the angel helped her into the tub, placing the blades where she could reach them. “Release your pain Sunset. Release your suffering. Pour out your torment out into the cosmos, let your sorrows flow from you into eternity. Open your wrists, and let your suffering flow out from your wounded spirit!”

Sunset nodded. “Peace.” She drew the blade across her wrist with a flinch. She looked curiously at the blood that flowed down her arm from her wrist. “Peace,” she intoned again. She placed the blade in her other hand and drew it across her remaining wrist, once again watching the blood flow down from her hand with detached curiosity. “Peace,” she sighed, then lowered both hands into the water, looking out the window.

The angel followed her gaze. Outside clouds drifted by slowly, carried across the small bathroom window by the gentle breeze. Children could be heard playing happily nearby. Sunset smiled serenely. “Peace.”

The angel gently kissed her forehead, and tearfully backed through the bathroom door. “I will see you in Elysium, dear soul,” she breathed, then left, never to return.

55 - Beginning of the End - Faust

Faust

A white light surrounded her, lifting her gently from the world and carrying her through the cosmos. Cocooned in the beautiful light, she watched stars, nebulae, and galaxies float and drift past. She felt loved and accepted by the universe, completely wanted and cherished. A bright and colorful band of light grew before her, until she entered a vast field of grass and wheat, flowing and folding in the gentle breeze that gusted across it’s endless acres. It stretched beyond the horizons in every direction, the skies covered in gentle clouds, and bathed in the purest of golden sunlight.

In the distance, she could see a herd of horses approaching, running joyfully, calling out to one another happily. As they grew nearer, she realized they were not horses at all, but ponies; unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies, laughing and playing together as they ran towards her. At their head was an alicorn, reddish main and tail whipping in the wind as she danced and played with the others. As the alicorn drew closer, Sunset noticed the quill and inkwell cutie mark. Smiling, Sunset gasped. “Faust!” she called in joy. This was the beloved Faust, mother to Celestia and Luna, spiritual mother to all of ponydom.

Sunset fell to her knees in joy, reaching out to her.

“Greetings my little pony!” Faust called out.

Tears of joy fell from Sunset’s cheeks. The beloved Faust. She was being greeted by the beloved Faust! Blessed Harmony!

A small part of Sunset’s soul observed with snark, ‘So that’s where she gets that…’

Rising from her knees, Sunset walked over to Faust and the ponies. Then she noticed. She was still human. Looking down, she could see her feet, shod in golden slippers, laced with golden thongs up her caves. A white toga with gold trim was bound at her waist. On her arms were golden wristlets, and from her forehead extended a brilliant horn, bathed in warm teal light. Turning to look over her shoulder she saw two large wings of flame, extending out, light shimmering from them but not burning. Turning back to Faust, she ran to her, and bowed deeply on one knee.

She asked only one word. “How?”

Touching her horn gently to Sunset’s, Faust smiled. “My dear little pony. You’ve come so far, and done so much. You’ve suffered greatly on your journey. But my dear, I am sorry to say, you do not belong here.”

Sunset looked up into Faust's large aqua eyes.

“I don’t belong here?” she asked, anguish clear in her voice.

Faust smiled gently.

“No my little pony. You don’t belong here. Not yet. Your journey is not complete. There is work still to be done. You have so much love left to give. So much care left to share. A heart as big as yours cannot be stilled so easily. You have Friends to make, Joys to share, and Love to spread. The magic of friendship is strong in you. Harmony flows through you like a river, watering a parched and dusty land. You have strength yet to share in your weakness, hope left to show in your hopelessness, and joy to shine brightly in your darkest hours.”

Tears of joy streamed down Sunset’s cheeks as she hugged Faust tightly.

“Thank you!” she breathed joyfully.

“Thank you my dear little pony! Know that you carry my heart wherever you go. And when your journey is complete, you will join me forever here, in your true form, to know peace and harmony with your loved ones forever. Go now, return to those who await you, and take up your mantle again until the day you are called to us once again for eternity.”

Faust stepped back, joyfully smiling, her wings out regally.

Crying tears of pure joy, Sunset faded in a bright white light.

Elysium faded from her view.

56 - Beginning of the End - Sunset

Sunset

Sunset heard crying. Someone was crying out her name.

“Sunset Shimmer! Damn you! Don’t you dare leave me! Come back Sunset! Don’t you dare leave!”

She slowly opened her eyes. She saw Luna by the bathroom door, talking loudly into her phone. She saw Celestia, in the tub with her, holding her head up, weeping, looking at her, radiating love and concern.

And Twilight. Princess Twilight was here. She was yelling at Sunset, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t you dare leave me Sunset Shimmer!”

Sunset looked over to Twilight.

“You came,” she said softly.

Twilight stopped talking and sobbed in joy. Sunet smiled. “You really came.” Luna went silent and gasped. Looking at them all, Sunset glowed with joy.

“I love you all so much!” she sighed.

Then everything faded to grey.

57 - End of the Beginning - Epilogue

The End of the Beginning - Epilogue

58 - End of the Beginning - Sunset's Reprise

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

60 - End of the Beginning - Dear Twilight

Dear Twilight

I love you so much! Twilight, you are my forever friend!

Thinking back on everything that has happened, I’m filled with deep Peace.

No, seriously! After meeting Faust, and meditating on everything that has happened to me, by me, and through me, I really see Harmony’s Hand in this!

I was wretched. I tried to sow discontent and sorrow everywhere I went. I fooled myself into thinking it was some grand plan my superior intellect had concocted. But deep down, I always knew it was my bitterness striking out at happiness wherever I saw it. I was miserable. And even if I wouldn't admit it to myself, I wanted everyone else to be miserable too.

When I stole your crown, ‘thinking’ I would somehow ascend just by wearing it, I was fooling myself again. I was so jealous of you. I wanted what I felt you had taken, I wanted to be a Princess by Celestia’s side forever. Seeing you with your crown and as an Alicorn broke something in me. My jealousy and hatred ate at me, until my thoughts were so scrambled I really believed I could take everything you had earned just by placing that crown on my head.

I was a fool.

And when you and your friends (now my friends too, THANK YOU for that!) defeated me with the Harmony that was always yours, always in your heart…

It stripped all the lies from me Twilight. I have honestly never felt so naked and alone as I did that night, looking up to you from that hole. I knew in my heart what I had done. I was covered in naked shame, with the knowledge that everything I had done had been in hate and bitter jealousy. I had sown disharmony with every action. I was evil.

I had no right to expect or hope for anything but damnation. When I looked up to you, when I told you I didn’t know there was another way, the last thing I expected from you was forgiveness. Twilight, when you reached out to me, when you pulled me up from that pit, and introduced me to the girls who are now OUR friends, you changed my life! Forever. Forever Twilight. You saved my soul! You were my saviour in that moment Twilight, and I am and will be FOREVER grateful to you for that.

Twilight Sparkle, APBFF, I owe you my life! Thank you!

Hehe. (Alicorn Princess Best Friend Forever!)

Knowing all that, and after what Faust shared with me, I can see Harmony working through everything that has happened to me. I see how my suffering has affected everyone around me, and how by the way I face my trials, others around me are empowered to face theirs.

Trixie finally knows peace and forgiveness, and can grow and move on from her part in this.

Dust found a reason to hope, and I hope has finally found peace.

Celestia has a healed heart. The hole in her heart has been made whole. Who knew it was shaped like a Sunset?

Luna has been a kindred spirit. In helping me to overcome my sorrows, she has been strengthened in her own battles. She really is a kindred soul.

The others are works in progress. But the work isn’t mine, it is Harmony’s. I am just her willing and grateful servant, happy to do whatever she needs, wherever she needs, knowing that I am helping others just as others helped me.

It fills me with such joy to say that!

And most of all, I‘ve realized that sometimes, even when life is at it darkest, the only thing left for me to do is face what’s before me, with a joyful heart. With my friends when I can. With Harmony herself always.

When I come to those places, and there are many now, where I can’t see a way around the hard road ahead, I know…

The only way out is through. And onward!

Your friend forever, Sunset Shimmer.

61 - End of the Beginning - Dust

Dust

Lightning Dust was enclosed in a white cloud, drifting through the cosmos. Ahead of her, a rainbow band of color stretched out from horizon to horizon. As she drew closer, she could see golden fields waving in a gentle breeze, stretching for as far as the eye could see.

In the distance, Dust saw a magnificent white horse cantering towards her. As she came closer, Dust saw her brilliant white wings spread wide. A majestic horn projected from her red main, glowing with ethereal aqua light. She drew up before Dust, smiling serenely. Dust noticed a mark on her flank, a purple inkwell with a golden quill. Her large auga eyes bore into Dust, with a gentle smile on her muzzle.

“You’re magnificent!” Dust breathed, falling to her knees in awe.

“Greetings, my little child. I am Faust, and I have come to welcome you to eternity,” smiled the alicorn.

“Thank you!” breathed Dust.

Her face fell, gazing in sadness at the ground before her. “I don’t belong here. I’m an evil person.”

“No my child. You do not belong here. You belong in a place of eternal torment and anguish.” replied Faust gently.

She paused for a moment, to allow Dust to collect herself. “Fret not child. Mercy has been shown to you.”

Dust looked up to Faust, barely daring to hope. “How?” she croaked. “How can there be mercy for me after all I have done? How is it possible anyone could find it in their heart to show me mercy?” Tears fell from her cheeks as she cried out in her shame.

“Harmony hears the cries of her children. She has heard your cries. And she heard the cries begging mercy for your soul from her precious child, whom you attempted to cut down in her prime,” answered Faust.

“Sunset? Sunset prayed for me? She forgave me? She prayed for my soul?” whispered Dust, incredulous. She looked to Faust, hope lighting her face. “Sunset prayed for me?”

“Just so, my child. She prayed for you, has forgiven you, and begged Harmony you be released from your torment, to know everlasting peace instead of everlasting suffering. She begs you be allowed to roam the sacred fields of Elysium, here to wait for the day when she can join you in joyful eternity.”

Smiling in joy, Dust rose to her feet and hugged Faust gently. “Oh thank the Maker! Praise Harmony! Thank you dear Sunset. Thank you Faust! Thank you!” she cried.

“Come my child. Join us in these fields of peace and harmony!” Faust stepped back, horn glowing in power, wings outstretched.

Dust bowed to her knees, arms outstretched. “With all my heart, yes!”

A gentle light enveloped her, and she floated before Faust. She was transformed in an instant, arms and legs to legs and hooves, head and hair to muzzle and main, and from her back sprang two wings, flapping genty.

When the light faded, Dust floated before Faust as a beautifly pegasus pony. “Welcome to eternity, Lightning Dust. Come share our joy!”

With a laugh, Faust sprang away, bounding joyfully through the fields. Dust flew behind her, laughing and calling out in joy.

THE END…. or is it.

Author's Note

Yeah, for anyone who guessed it - Dust was the ‘angel’. Amazing what you can get people to see and believe with a little PCP and some post hypnotic suggestions.

(Yes - PCP is Angel Dust. The irony was intentional. :rainbowlaugh: )

So what happened… Dust pretended to leave the house, but instead sat in a ball in the hallway balling her eyes out waiting for Sunset to trip complete balls. Why is she crying? Believe it or not, she has fallen for Sunset. Not in a ‘come on baby’ way, but in a ‘soul to soul deep spiritual sister’ way.

So why was our neighborhood butt-head still doing this horrible thing to her ‘soul sister’? She loves Gilda. Gilda was her only friend when she was younger, Gilda looked out for her and protected her, and helped her through some brutally rough times when she was growing up (abusive - but that’s another story). She would do anything for Gilda, even rip her own heart out. And that’s what she’s doing here. She is literally ripping out her heart.

Every vicious act she has done to Sunset, every betrayal, every time she whispered the subliminal lies through the speaker while Sunset slept (yeah, those dreams were a bit too spot on, don’t you think?), every time she turned on the subsonics to bring terror to Sunset’s sleep. As she slipped the PCP into Sunset’s soda then pretended like nothing was wrong. Then pretended like Sunset was sick. ‘Helping’ her into bed, then refusing to help her at all. And giving her the final ‘help’ of essentially walking her through her own suicide. It was ripping Dust’s heart out. Every step of the way. But she couldn’t stop. She needed to do this for her first love.

Dust is one broken soul. I love her, I hate her, I want her to know true peace and harmony, all at the same time.

Poor Lightning Dust.

At first, I was just going to let her demons eat her from the heart out, until she killed herself to find peace. But screw that.

No one gets to ride the short bus to eternity in my stories. If one person reads my story and decides I am saying it’s okay to take the short ride out, I have FAILED. I don’t get to ride the short bus to eternity, and no one else does either.

Like Faust said, our journey is not complete. There are hearts still to mend, love still to share, and joy to spread. Get cracking people - look around, it is needed EVERYWHERE. No leaving the field before this battle. Gird up and step into it. Face eternity, don’t flee to it. We have lives to finish living here. Our time will come when harmony calls us to her. Not before then.

So Dust, my second favorite broken soul - right after her soul sister Sunset - I give you peace eternally. Dust died for what she did. Not because Sunset could not forgive her - she could, and she did, and she ends up loving Dust’s soul as dearly as Dust does hers - only more perfectly, not because Sunset is perfect. But because Sunset is perfectly willing. She keeps coming back. She works it. And she won’t stop no matter what, because her heart cannot bear to lose one single soul along the way.

So Dust, my broken soul. You were caught. The Royals have cameras in their house, because they care and fear for the life and soul of their dearest foster daughter. You were watched. You were seen. And from that, Shining was able to find out everything. Prison is where you ended. And no, you were not allowed to join your first love. Our imperfect criminal justice system doesn’t work like that. You were alone, with only your broken heart and broken soul for company in the darkest hole of hell that is our prisons. And when one of your fellow inmates decided you needed to die, you did not fight them. Dust, you didn't take the short bus to eternity. But you did have a shorter ride then the rest of us.

And Dust, when you arrive, look up. Faust will be there. But guess what? She loves you, just as she loves Sunset, and all her ponies. And as you were dear to her beloved Sunset, you will be dear to her too, as she welcomes you joyfully, in mercy wholly unearned, to the beautiful waving fields of Elysium.

1 - Prologue - In Medias Res

Author's Note

This story contains graphic descriptions of Suicide and Violence. The topics dealt with in this story are often hard to hear. And while I hope you find this story entertaining and enjoyable, these topics are anything but.

I conceived of this story while reflecting on my own. A few years after MLP came out, my youngest daughter and I fell in love with Twilight and her friends, and I suffered from an illness that left me paralysed from the chest down.

While working through my grief and loss, a well meaning soul referred me to a story where the protagonist was traumatically paralysed, and in working through his loss, realized he had no reason to live and killed himself.

This had a profound effect on me, and led me to become suicidal myself. I’m sure that was not this person's intent in showing me the story, but that is the reason I am not linking it here.

I got help. I found support, and with the help of my friends and supporting resources, I was able to crawl out of the ‘hole’ I had fallen into and reclaim my life. So know - I do not believe taking that shortcut to eternity is the answer. And if you find yourself thinking that I BEG you to get help. NOW. Make that call, send that email. Reach out! You are NOT alone!

Visit the https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ website, or call their hotline at 800-273-8255. Don’t put it off. Your life MATTERS!

So this is my answer to the nightmare I traveled, my love letter to anyone else making that journey. There is hope, there is love, and there is a reason to live. You are NOT alone.

And Friendship REALLY is magic!

B.A.Broniedad

Cover art found at https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/870798-my-little-pony-equestria-girls still looking for attribution.

Woo hoo! Featured on it's first day - 26 March 2021! Yay! :pinkiehappy:

1 - Prologue - In Medias Res

Prologue - In Medias Res

3 - Prologue - Twilight - Another where, Another when

Twilight - Another where, Another when

“Come on Sunset! Where are you!”

A very frustrated Princess of Friendship groaned as she bent over the journal, quill scratching across the page in a plume of magic. “I’m here Sunset! Answer me! Please!”

Across the room from her, Spike looked at Twilight, pausing his efforts at unpacking their bags.

“Uh, Is everything okay Twilight? You sound really stressed. Is it Sunset? Is she okay? What’s going on?”

“I thought this was handled. Now it sounds like everything’s spun completely out of control. How could things have gotten this bad so quickly? We were only gone a few days. Then we get back and - this. Ugh!” Twilight groaned, then shook her head. “I should’ve taken the journal with me. What was I thinking?”

With a frustrated huff, Twilight used her magic to place the quill back on the blotter by the inkwell. With a flash of magic, she dried the ink on the message just written, and shutting the book, lifted it over the portal. She placed it on the magical device she’d created to force the portal open when Sunset’s school was attacked by Siren magic.

“Spike, take a message for the Princess. I ‘m going to check on Sunset. I have a very bad feeling about this.”

Spike set down the bag he was unpacking. Crossing the room, he pulled a new scroll from the desk next to Twilight. Quill in hand, he looked up. “Okay Twilight, I’m ready. One scroll to Princess Celestia! What should I say?”

Magically levitating her saddlebags from where Spike left them, she dumped their contents on the desk’s corner. She proceeded to open drawers, throwing in scrolls, quills, and anything else she thought might be needed on the other side of the portal.

“Dear Princess Celestia”, she began, still packing. “Sunset needs my help, though honestly I don't know what is going on. From the last messages Sunset sent, things don’t sound good. I’m going over to check on her and make sure everything’s alright.”

“And I’m coming with you”, added Spike as he wrote the message down.

“No! No Spike I need you here! You stay here with the Journal. If something is wrong, and Sunset needs our help, I’ll need you to tell the Princess what’s going on. You need to be ready to relay a message to her, just in case something is really wrong. Please?”

Twilight struggled to close her bags, stuffed to the top and overflowing. A few frustrated moments later, she gave up. Taking several scrolls out of each one, she tried again, with much better results.

“Ah, okay. If you say so. But tell the girls I said hi, okay? Especially Rarity...” Spike looked up wistfully. “She gives the best ear scratches!” He smiled. Looking back to Twilight, he asked, “Anything else?”

“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “I will keep you apprised of the situation. If we need anything from you or Princess Luna, I’ll let you know. Yours in Friendship, Twilight. Then send it. Heading out now - I’ll use the journal to keep in touch with you! Let me know if the Princesses need anything. You can reach the Journal, right Spike? And use the step stool! Don’t just try to climb up or anything. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

In a puff of dragon fire, Spike sent the scroll off. He turned to Twilight, claws on hips. “One time! That was One Time! I know how to do this.” Sighing, he added, “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you. One. Time. Sheesh.”

“Nope! Besides, I wouldn’t want anything to hurt my number one assistant,” grinned Twilight, as she scruffed Spikes head ridges. “Okay, I’m off. Let me know if the Princesses say anything. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon.”

Saddle bags buckled, Twilight sent a pulse of magic through the probes at the top of the device. The glow enveloped the book, then worked its way through the machine and into the portal. With a flash, the portal activated, and Twilight sprang through it.

“I’m coming Sunset! Please hang on!” She called out as she slipped into the portal and disappeared.

10 - Special Holidays - Luna

Luna

The break ended, and school once again resumed.

Anon-a-miss had taken a break over the holiday, suspending her toxic postings. With the return to school, however, she was right back to her old tricks, postings resumed as soon as school started. It was noticed that Sunset wasn’t present. Bragging reports from a few students that she was beaten - quite literally - and driven from the school caused some confusion. How was she still able to find and post these secrets when she clearly wasn’t present?

Two hours into the school day, the account suddenly stopped posting further fueling confusion. Less than thirty minutes later, Vice-Principal Luna announced there would be a mandatory assembly for all classes after lunch in the school auditorium.

11 - Special Holidays - Canterlot Movie Club

Canterlot Movie Club

The girls of the CMC met in their meeting room during the first break. “This is bad. This is really, really bad!” gasped Scootaloo. “We are so caught. We are so in trouble.”

“I heard she was beaten within an inch of her life and is on life support in the hospital. We are so going to be jailed - as murderers!” wailed Sweetie Belle, pulling her hair, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Ya all need to chill! We done goofed, but ther’s no need ta panic,” said Applebloom, pulling the girls into a hug. “Relax. Breath. We just need ta stop posting for a bit while we figure this out.”

“Done!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle. “I’m not touching that account until we figure out how to shake ourselves free from this.”

Scootaloo continued to hyperventilate, while Applebloom held her, repeating her refrain. “Just breath Scoots. Slow breaths. It’ll be fine.”

“We should just delete the account!” gasped Scootaloo, once she had caught her breath again. “Just delete it and pretend it never happened. No one will ever know.”

“We can’t do that, Scoots'' growled Applebloom. “We ain’t got what we wanted, not yet. We need ta make sure she’s really gone. Just hold up a bit. We can delete it if’n she really is gone and we got our sisters back.”

“And if we don’t delete it? And they find us ‘cause they know it can’t be Sunset now? We’d be so fried! We should just do it now, it’s not worth it!” shot back Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle chimed in. “Hold on Scoots. I agree with Applebloom. Let’s take it slow. We can delete it any time. Let’s find out if the She-Demon is really gone first. Then if she really is out of our lives, and we got what we started this for, we can delete it.”

Applebloom nodded. “Yeah, we can delete it then. Let’s go to this meetin’ first. See what they have to say, and find out what is going on. We can decide after that. But for now - no more postin’. Agreed?”

“Agreed!”

“Yeah, agreed!”

The three girls chatted for the remainder of the break, then returned to their classes.

Lunch was unusually quiet. The normally boisterous lunch hall was filled with nervous students, checking their phones while whispering to each other. Everyone noticed the queen bee responsible for the school’s latest troubles was conspicuously absent. Her friends... Former friends sat at the table they usually shared, quietly whispering, casting nervous glances.

14 - Special Holidays - Sunset - Dr. Quinn Explains

Sunset - Dr. Quinn Explains

Sunset Shimmer sipped her apple juice through a paper straw.

“I guess cafeterias are all the same, right?” she grinned, lifting the carton-shaped box that came with her breakfast. “Not going to lie - exact same thing where I come from. Probably haven’t been around as long though. They were a new invention when I left.”

Principal Celestia smiled as she gnoshed her croissant. “I wouldn’t doubt it!” she snarked. “I’d imagine it was invented anywhere that had paper, and needed to put drinks into a kind of box.” Celestia snorted. “I can just picture some future explorer uncovering a trove of ancient drink boxes.” The two shared a laugh.

“Did you just snort? I heard a snort!” gasped Sunset, juice dripping down her chin from her unexpected chortle.

“What! I would never do something so undignified,” decried Celestia. At which point they both dissolved into fits of uncontrolled laughter.

While they recovered from their fit of folly, Dr. Quinn knocked, poking her head in. “Hello Ms. Shimmer, Ms. Celestia! Have a moment?”

“Come in! Please, come in!” laughed Sunset, drying her face and clearing away her finished meal. “We were just finishing up. Come on in, please!”

“I should go,” said Celestia. “I’ll give you two some privacy.” She got up and offered the chair to the Dr.

“No, wait, please? You don’t have to go. You can stay.” Turning to Dr. Quinn, she asked “She can stay right? She’s family to me, she can stay if I want, yes?”

“Sunset, you are legally an adult. If you want her to stay she can stay. It’s fine,” replied Dr. Quinn.

Turning to her Principal, Sunset reached for her hand. “Please stay! Unless you have to leave, I’ll understand. But please, if you can, stay, please?”

Celestia sat at the edge of the bed, next to her student, and took her outstretched hand. “I can stay Sunset. If you want me here, I’m not going to leave.” She smiled, and squeezed Sunset’s hand.

With a smile of her own, Sunset squeezed her back. “Thank you. Yes please. You can’t imagine what a comfort it is to have you by my side. Thank you so much.”

Sunset turned to Dr. Quinn. “Okay please, don’t keep us in suspense. What’s the good news?”

“I really admire your optimism Ms. Shimmer. It will take you far, I am sure, through life, and through your recovery.” She smiled at Sunset, then flipped through the pages of her chart.

“Let’s start with the good news. You’re healing at an amazing rate. Not freak of science fast, but definitely well above what’s expected. Your bones are mending, the fractures in your spine and head are set and closing well. We expect no complications from those beyond what you’re currently experiencing, and those should clear up as well over time.”

Dr. Quinn flipped to the next page. “Onto the swelling. Okay so more good news. The swelling in your brain is gone, no long-term negative effects there…”

“...aside from the missing evening…” interrupted Sunset.

“...aside from the missing evening,” repeated Dr. Quinn. “Still nothing then? Okay, still not worried. Sometimes it takes longer for memories to come back. And sometimes they only come back after therapy and counseling, especially in cases where there was violent trauma involved. You may need to see a specialist in traumatic event recovery Sunset. I’m referring you to a colleague I’ve worked with. He has a successful practice and a world-class reputation in his field.”

A few more quick notes to the chart, then she flipped the page. Dr. Quinn continued. “The swelling appears to be substantially reduced in your spinal cord. However, you still seem to have sensory and motor deficiency from L5 down. There doesn't appear to be a break in the nerve fiber itself, so we suspect your injury resulted in the demyelination of your spinal nerves, causing the issues you’re experiencing.”

“Wait what? What does that mean? So my nerves are fine, but some myeli-something got knocked out? So I’ll still be fine, right?” Sunset looked apprehensive. “I don’t get it.”

“It’s called Transverse Myelitis. Or TM for short. Basically, something happened, causing damage to the myelin sheath that wraps around the nerve fibers running through your body. That sheath allows your nerves to fire and communicate effectively with each other, so your brain can send your muscles messages to flex and relax, and your muscles and other sensors in your body can tell your brain when something is wrong, or how they are working.”

“But I feel something. I’m in pain all the time. That means it's working right?” asked Sunset.

Dr. Quinn answered. “Sort of, but not really.

“Right now, your nerves are passing messages. But they’re getting the message wrong. Without that sheath, the messages are all getting garbled. Instead of the wonderful symphony of messages usually passed through them, you're getting a terrible screech at top volume that your brain has no idea what to do with. When it doesn’t know what to do, and it’s getting something LOUD it doesn’t expect, it falls back to the default. Pain. All the messages coming through are getting read as pain.

“And the messages to your muscles from your brain? They’re wild and chaotic screeches of noise as well. That’s why when you try to move your legs or toes, nothing happens. Or at best, something happens, but it’s a spasm or spastic twitch.

“It’s not all bad news though. First, those spasms can be useful. We can train your muscles to use them to get some limited functionality back. With a well-trained spasm you can hoble for short distances with a walker, allowing you to… get in and out of a car, or into a bathroom stall if needed. Or to transfer from your bed to chair without a transfer board, so you wouldn’t have to deal with carrying one around to slide from seat to seat.

“Second,” continued Dr. Quinn, “the myelin sheath has been known to regenerate. It’s entirely possible given time you could make a partial or even complete recovery. We won’t know for certain until enough time passes, but it’s a distinct possibility. So have hope!”

“What are my chances for that?” asked Sunset.

“About 30%,” answered Dr. Quinn. “About one-third of the time with a demyelinating injury similar to yours, there is some significant recovery of function, given enough time for the myelin sheath to repair. Roughly another third of the time there is no significant change. And a third of the time the function actually degrades over time, with significant ongoing loss.

“For what it is worth Sunset, the latter case it’s usually because the underlying cause for the demyelination is systemic, meaning it keeps coming back. In your case, because this was something that was done to you, that’s likely not the case, in my opinion.”

Celestia took Sunset’s hands in hers. “Sunset? This is good news, okay? Maybe not great news, and definitely not what we wanted to hear. But this is good! And you won’t have to face this alone. Luna and I are right here. We’re with you every step of the way.”

Sunset looked into her Principal's eyes. “Okay. Yeah. You’re right. This is good news. Thank you. And thank you for staying.” They hugged briefly then turned back to Dr. Quinn.

The medicine woman continued. “I’m not going to sugar coat it. You’ve a rough climb ahead of you. But I am confident you will pull through it, and in the end, when you work through all this, it will not have defeated you. You are a strong and wonderful young woman Sunset Shimmer. You will survive this, it will not define you. You can do this.”

“I can do this,” repeated Sunset. “I can do this.”

Dr. Quinn scribbled a few last notes into the chart, then rose to leave. “I think you’re ready for the next phase of your recovery, Sunset. I can release you to a recovery home, where you can learn to function with your current deficits while working on your recovery. I’ll write those referrals for you, then get started on your paperwork. I’ll need you to return for Physical and Occupational Therapies, and continued workups so we can monitor your inflammation and nervous response. But other than that, I feel comfortable releasing you.”

“So that means I can go home?” asked Sunset.

“Not home, so much as more like a group recovery home. Or a rest home.”

“A rest home? I thought that was only for older people,” commented Celestia,

“No, a rest home is a place that will provide the level of care Sunset needs to meet her daily functions… using the bathroom, bathing, cleaning up after herself, eating… all the little ins and outs of life that we normally take care of ourselves, but that Sunset can’t at the moment because she needs help even getting into and out of bed. No offense dear - that’s part of what you will be learning in Occupational therapy.” Dr. Quinn turned back to Sunset. “For now, until you’ve mastered those skills, you just need that little bit of extra help.”

Celestia looked to the doctor. “Dr. Quinn? My sister and I talked about this. We would like for Sunset to move in with us. We would be happy to provide that care for her, and we can make sure she’s back here for her therapies and tests.” Turning to Sunset, she added “That is, if you want this Sunset. Neither Luna nor I want to force anything on you. This is entirely your decision. And you don’t have to decide now, take your time.” Celestia hugged the girl gently.

“Yes! Yes! I chose yes! Thank you. Yes!” cried Sunset, clinging tightly to Celestia.

“Okay then!” smiled Dr. Quinn. “Give me a few, and I will get started on that paperwork.” With that, she left the room, chart in hand.

20 - Special Holidays - Canterlot Movie Club

Canterlot Movie Club

The girls were back in their room. Apple Bloom had her phone out, logged into the Anon-a-miss account.

“Delete it! Delete it now!” gasped Scootaloo. “We shoulda deleted it earlier! Darn it all… we shoulda deleted it ages ago.. We shoulda never done it. Ah crab apples!”

Fingers racing, Apple Bloom deleted the account, and removed the app from her phone. “Done!” she called out.

“Look,” said Sweetie Belle. “We all need to just relax. No one meant for this to happen. We didn’t tell anyone to attack Sunset. We just wanted her to leave. It’s not our fault.”

“Doesn’t matter... '' groused Apple Bloom. “We started the whole mess. It’s gonna fall on our doorstep no matter how it shakes out.”

“Girls, we gotta own it. We need to fess up to it,” begged Scootaloo.

“Are you crazy!” shouted Sweetie Belle. “Do you know how much trouble we are gonna be in if we get caught?”

“Nah, think about it Sweetie Belle. Scoots is right...” sighed Apple Bloom. “We’re already in trouble. We did it, can’t duck that. An’ if we try and wait an’ hope it passes us by, and we get found out later, it’s gonna be a whole lot worse than if we just fess up.”

Sweetie Belle face palmed. “We are so royally screwed…'' she groaned.

“Yeah, royally. That’s a given” agreed Scootaloo.

“Okay, come on then. Let’s get this over with.”

21 - Special Holidays - Five Former Friends

Five Former Friends

After the assembly, the students were instructed to return to their homerooms and wait for further instructions. Luna was hoping that the news, coupled with a chance to quietly reflect on what they had learned, might motivate the responsible parties to own up to their parts in the events.

Apparently that was not to be, so as instructed by Vice-Principal Luna, the teachers informed the students at the end of homeroom they were released for the day, and that their normally scheduled classes would resume the following morning.

Pinky rounded up her friends, suggesting they head to SugarCube Corner to talk about what they’d just heard. They all agreed, so the group adjourned to their favorite booth in the back corner of the bakery.

“We done goofed,” groaned Applejack, face hidden under her father’s battered Stetson. “We shoulda’ believed her, than none of this mess woulda happened.”

“We more than ‘done goofed’ AJ.,” sighed Rainbow Dash. “We left her hanging. I left her hanging. Tartarus sake, I left her out to dry. Some ‘element of loyalty’. I might as well have beaten her myself.” Rainbow hid her face in her hands and bowed her head. “How in the seven hells of tartarus am I ever gonna make it up to her?”

“...”

“I’m sorry Fluttershy. I couldn’t hear a word you said there dear. What was that?” asked Rarity, gently putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.

Pushing back a strand of her bright pink hair, Fluttershy looked meekly at her friends, then spoke again. “We can’t,” she stated softly, then looked back down to the table, wringing her hands in her lap.

Morosely, the friends continued to stare at the table in front of them, lost in their thoughts.

The bell above the door clanged, and three young girls entered the bakery. Looking around, they spied their sisters sitting at their usual booth. Heads hung low, they walked over and stood before them. Apple Bloom spoke up. “AJ?” she called out quietly. No response. “Applejack.” Nothing. Still clearly lost in thought, someplace else. “Sis!” she called out.

Applejack looked up. “Oh, hi girls,” she said, then looked back down at the table. A moment later, she looked back up. “Apple Bloom, what ya need girl? We’re kinda in the middle of somin’ here.”

The girls flinched. “Uhm.. yeah. AJ, we need to talk. We gotta tell ya’ll somin.”

The others all looked up. “What is it, dears?” asked Rarity.

“It was us,” stated Apple Bloom.

“We’re anon-a-miss,” added Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo just hung her head in shame.

The five friends gapped.

23 - Special Holidays - Flash Sentry

Flash Sentry

Flash ran down the hall to the band room. His face was still flush, embarrassed by his inadvertent confession.

‘Ugh. Really? Really really?’ he thought.

Poking his head into the bandroom, he saw no one was there. SugarCube Corner it is then. Off he went.

‘Why? Why did I say that? So not cool…’

His thoughts continued as he flew through the halls and out the doors, crossing the lot, then heading down the street to the bakery.

‘Now she’s going to think I’m the biggest dingus ever. Ahggg.. Who am I kidding.. I am the biggest dingus ever! I just admitted to basically stalking her through her friends. Creepy creepy creepy.. I’m so toast! She’ll never talk to me again…’

Still lost in his thoughts, he entered the bakery. Looking up, he spied the girls sitting at their usual table. Their sisters were there too. Snapping out of his funk, he headed over to their booth.

“...we’re anon-a-miss,” he heard Sweetie Belle say.

‘Wait, what?’ he thought. ‘They’re anon-a-miss? The CMC is anon-a-miss?’

The table exploded in response. “What! How in tarnation are you anon-a-miss?” exclaimed Applejack.

“Sweetie… no!” gasped Rarity.

“Scoots…. Say it isn’t so…” cried out Rainbow.

Everyone was shouting. The CMC were crying and yelling. The girls started crying too, and in moments the rest of the bakery had turned to them, all other conversation stopped.

Flash stepped up, and hugged the CMC, pressing them shoulder to shoulder before him. “Girls!” he shouted over their shoulders. “Girls! Listen up!” They still were crying and yelling, no one paying any attention to anything except their drama. Sighing, he hugged the girls tighter and whistled loudly.

Silence. Finally.

They all turned to him. “Girls. Twilight’s here,” he stated. “She’s looking for you. She wants to talk about what happened to Sunset, and what’s going on. All of you, come with me. I’ll bring you to her.”

Five girls nodded, while the CMC just hung their heads. “Come on girls, with me.” Flash took Sweetie Belle’s and Applebloom’s hands, while Scootalo tagged behind with the girls. Flash led them out of the bakery and back to the office of Vice-Principal Luna.

Everyone in the bakery just sat there looking stunned.

25 - Special Holidays - Sunset Redux

Sunset redux

The group adjourned to SugarCube Corner, celebrating their reconciliation, and the joy and peace they found in the process.

At Sunset’s insistence, the girls of the CMC were included. They knew they were facing severe consequences for their actions. Principals Celestia and Luna let them know, in no uncertain terms, there would at the very least be suspension, followed by a period of in school detentions. That was in addition to whatever punishments their parents enacted. However, Luna was quick to laud them for coming forward and admitting to their wrongs, and for their willingness to work to make amends, where they could, for what they had started.

Luna and Celetia promised to join them after they wrapped up for the day. “Recall Ms. Shimmer, I am your ‘ride home’ this evening,” grinned Vice-Principal Luna. “I would be remiss not to join you.”

Principal Celestia rolled her eyes, but grinned at her sister none-the-less. “Oh please, sister,” grinned Luna. “You know you intend to join as well! You’ve never been one to pass up the chance to enjoy a well made slice of cake.”

Principal Celestia gasped, affecting shock and outrage. “What? How could you say such a thing! The very thought!” She rolled up some papers and lightly struck her sister over the head.

“Have at thee knave!” grinned Vice-Principal Luna, rolling up her own stack of papers. She then proceeded to engage her sister in a mock battle of paper swords. As the two went back and forth behind the desk, the princess grinned and shook her head.

“I think that’s our cue to exit. Ready Sunset?” asked Twilight, stepping behind Sunset’s chair and placing her hands on the grips. “Last one there buys!”

“Let’s do this!” shouted Sunset. Turning to Twilight, she snarked “I think you better go in before me though. They don’t take bits.”

“One time… Make a simple mistake one time..” groused the Princess.

“One time? Are you sure about that?” teased Sunset.

“Okay. Fiiiiine…. Maybe a few times. Maybe I still forget. Hay, I’m good for it. Sort of. Eventually.” Twilight leaned down and whispered into her friend's ear with a grin. “Hey Sunset, can I borrow a few… uhm… whatever their calleds?” They both laughed as Twilight pushed Sunset out the door.

35 - Rehabilitation - Sunset

Sunset

Trixie cried softly, hugging tightly to Sunset. In shock, Sunset gently rubbed Trixies back, while Starlight held her shoulder. Trixie’s shoulders shook; she sobbed in guilt and grief.

Sunset took a deep breath.

She didn’t recall any of it. Even hearing the horrific details, she could only listen in shock. It was as if she were hearing about something happening to someone else, somewhere else. Unreal. Unrelatable. Unbelievable.

Drawing back, she looked at Trixie. Her eyes were screwed shut, tears streaming down her face. Her shoulders shook, and her breath hitched in quiet sobs.

“Trixie.” Sunset whispered. “Hey, Trixie… look at me. Trixie, look at me.”

Trixie took a deep shuddering breath, and opened her eyes. She looked sorrowfully to Sunset. “Oh Sunset… I am so sorry…. Trixie is so very sorry. Please! Please forgive me Sunset… Please forgive Trixie..” She leaned into Sunset, holding her tightly. “Please forgive Trixie..” she cried softly on her shoulder.

Giving Trixie a gentle hug, Sunset replied. “Trixie, I forgive you. I forgive you. You’ve nothing to fear, and nothing to apologize for. You saved me Trixie. You saved my life. I’m forever grateful for that. Thank you Trixie.”

Trixie shuddered, taking a deep breath. “Thank you Sunset. Thank you.” She held on, comforted in the arms of her newest friend.

Starlight beamed.

40 - Rehabilitation - Trixie

Trixie

Trixie sat, crying and shaking, waiting in her cell. Even though she knew being arrested was part of the act to protect her anonymity as the informant, she was thoroughly terrified.

When her turn came to be ‘interviewed’ she was relieved to see Detective Shining Armor waiting for her in the room.

“Shining Armor! Please, please help me! Trixie is terrified! Trixie can’t do this!” she wailed, clinging tightly to him.

Shining returned her hug, stroking the terrified girl's hair. “Trixie, it’s okay! Remember, this is just part of the act. You’re fine! You’re almost done, then you can go home. We just need you to join everyone in the holding cell. Then when the others are processed into jail we’ll bring you home. You can do this Trixie. Stay strong.”

“Oh no! No no no no no! Trixie cannot do this! Trixie cannot face Gilda again. Gilda knows, Shining! Gilda knows, and Gilda will hurt Trixie!” sobbed Trixie, shaking in terror.

Shining continued to hold her, gently reassuring her, but Trixie remained thoroughly terrified. Eventually Shining relented, realizing Trixie couldn't face Gilda, and drove Trixie home.

“Trixie, I promised we would protect you, and we will. I’ll have a car patrolling your house tonight. We are watching, and we will protect you. No one is going to hurt you Trixie. We won’t let them,” promised Shining Armor.

He walked Trixie to her door, leaving after her parents let her in.

Trixie ran to her room and curled into a ball on her bed. Shaking, she retrieved her phone, dialing her friend.

“Trixie, how’re you doing? Did everything go okay?” asked Starlight.

“Trixie is not okay! Nothing is okay!” quaked Trixie. “Trixie needs you! Trixie is terrified!”

“Okay. Hang tight Trixie. I’ll be right over.” Starlight hung up the phone.

Shaking, Trixie laid on her bed and waited.

Shortly, Trixie heard her doorbell. Moments later, the door to her room opened. “Trixie?” called out Starlight. Trixie shot from the bed and wrapped her friend in a tight hug.

“Thank you thank you thank you!” she sobbed, hanging from her friend. Starlight wrapped her arms tightly around her friend and smiled.

“Of course, silly girl! What are friends for?” She led Trixie back over to her bed, and sat her down, sitting next to her. Starlight pulled her phone out, dialing.

“Hi Starlight, what’s up?” came Sunset’s voice from her phone.

“Sunset! Trixie is terrified! Please help!” Trixie cried out.

“Sunset? Yeah, I’m here with Trixie,” added Starlight. “She’s in really bad shape here. Can you come over?”

“Hang on! I’m going to call Shining to see if that’s okay. One sec…” Sunset hung up.

“See Trixie! You’re not alone! Your friends have your back.” Starlight rubbed Trixie’s shoulders. Trixie continued to shake, sobbing gently.

Moments later, Starlight’s phone rang. She answered, putting it on speaker. “Hey Sunset. What did he say?”

“Girls, you need to stay put. He’s headed over now.”

45 - Rehabilitation - Twilight Sparkle

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight hung up the phone. “Well, that was awkward…” she mused.

Shining, her BBBFF (Big Brother Best Friend Forever!) had called, and told her she was invited over to Cadence’s Aunts' house to meet their foster daughter, Sunset.

Sunset Shimmer, the girl that had been attacked in the gym recently at Canterlot High School. Twilight groaned and face palmed.

“Okay, that’s a no… I can’t think like that! I would be horrified to be known as ‘the girl attacked in the gym’! Sunset. Sunset Shimmer. She’s practically my cousin. Cousin Sunset.”

Visions of girls in cowboy hats, shorts, boots, and flannel halter tops danced in her head.

“Okay, just… no. Cousin Sunset is right out.” She shook her head to clear the bizarre imagery. “Just Sunset. Sunset Shimmer.” She took a deep breath. “Maybe she would like to be friends. Shinny said she was very friendly. Celestia is always telling me to make friends… Okay. Friends. We could be friends, right?”

Twilight took several breaths. In slowly, out slowly, arms extended then pulled back to her chest with each breath. Calm. Okay. “Friends. I can do ‘friends’.

Mind made up, she dialed her new friend.

51 - Beginning of the End - Sunset Redux

Sunset Redux

Sunset awoke that morning feeling well rested. She had her PT this morning, then OT in the afternoon. As Celetstia had chosen to be the one to stay with her today, they loaded Sunset into her sporty car and headed out to her first appointment. At least this time Sunset did not have to watch her chair bounce around in the tiny open trunk. Celetia had purchased a rack that mounted on the back of the car. The chair was secured to that instead. It was much easier to use, and less likely to involve Celestia in a conversation with one of her future ‘son-in-laws’ coworkers.

After her PT was finished, they had some time to waste before her OT started. Celestia took Sunset to the Sushi shop that was near the hospital, where they enjoyed their lunch together. After the OT session, they returned home. Sunset again enjoyed her new speaker, playing along with her friends band virtually.

Celestia knocked on Sunsets door a bit later in the afternoon. “Sunset, I contacted the therapist recommended by Dr. Quinn. He had an opening tomorrow afternoon. I’ve signed you up for it. Dr. Discord, 2:00.”

Sunset paused the music, and turned to Celestia. “Okay!” she smiled, then unpaused the song, strumming and singing along with the music. Celestia smiled and returned to her work.

59 - End of the Beginning - The Beginnings End

The Beginnings End

The days returned to some semblance of normal; her new normal.

Sunset continued her recovery. Within a few weeks, she was able to return to school. She was still in the wheelchair, but she had adapted. She no longer felt limited by her disability.

Dust stood trial for the attempted murder of Sunset.

During the trial, Sunset saw the footage of Dust moving through her home as she guided Sunset through her suicide. Sunset was deeply troubled when Dust left her room to wait in the hallway while she was experiencing the delusions caused by the PCP Dust had given her. Dust curled into a ball, clearly shaking and crying. She kept reaching out towards Sunset. Eventually Dust stopped shaking. She just sat there in a tight ball. She finally rose and helped Sunset into the bathroom, where Sunset tried to end her own life. Sunset was moved deeply by how troubled and damaged Dust was.

“Please Harmony, save her soul!” she breathed a silent prayer for the troubled girl.

Dust was sentenced to prison for her crimes. She was not placed in the same prison as Gilda, as it was felt she might find that a reward for her actions. Shortly after she was imprisoned, Sunset received a letter from Dust.

In the letter, Dust begged Sunset for forgiveness. Dust confessed she had come to love Sunset as a sister, and regretted all the suffering and horror she had caused her. She described how Gilda had rescued her from abuse as a child, and the unbreakable bond they shared as sisters from another mother while growing up and recovering from their shared abuse. The deep loyalty and love she felt for Gilda was what motivated her abuse of Sunset, to her lasting shame and sorrow.

After reading Dust’s letter, Sunset was determined to show her she was forgiven, and resolved to visit Dust.

Sadly, when she called the prison to arrange the visit, she was informed that Dust had died in a prison fight.

Grieved by the news, Sunset prayed for her soul, begging Harmony to comfort Dust through eternity.