Author's Note

So I am introducing three new characters in this chapter! If you want to know their story you should read "Corruption." This story isn't connected to that one in any way but I do use the same OC in this one. But I will give you the short need to know the version of the OCs just so you guys don't need to read that story if you don't want to. Keep in mind, the version I am telling you is the versions they are in Equestria. Not humans.

(Spoilers for "Corruption" and the sequel "The Crystal Eclipse" (Not completed yet) are below.)

Bini Filters: A female Unicorn. Head Librarian at Canterlot Royal Library until she lost her job when Canterlot collapsed because of Princess Celestia turning evil and destroying the city.

Arone: A male unicorn (disguise)/ a changeling who was once a spy. Princess Celestia found him starving for love in the Canterlot Catacombs. She took him in and made him her personal Assistant until her downfall.

Chocolate Shadow: A female Earth pony. Assistant to Bini Filters. Lost her job when Canterlot was destroyed.

Rocky Snow: A male pegasus. Former Canterlot Castle Royal Guard. He was fired when he accidentally ate Celestia's cake. He was low on rent so he decided to become Bini's assistant. At the time, Bini didn't see any better choices so she accepted him. He lost his job when Canterlot was destroyed.

Hoped that helped! If you can, please read "Corruption" and/or (preferably and because it is a sequel) "The Crystal Eclipse"

Note that "The Crystal Eclipse" is still not complete yet. I am low on ideas for that story but will try to continue it soon.

Love

"Sunset. Sunset! Wake up!"

Sunset gasped for breath as she shot up in distress. She felt a pair of hands grab her shoulder and she reflexively grabbed them until she became aware of her surroundings. She was in the nurses' office on a medical bed, her shoulders were being grabbed by Nurse Redheart, who was in front of her. Holding tight.

"Sunset. Breathe. It's OK. It was just a nightmare. Breathe." The nurse insisted. Sunset took in deep, slow breathes. Redheart smiled then slowly removed her hands. Moving to help Sunset untangle herself from her blanket. Sunset noticed that she had some bandages on her arm...Where she cut herself. Oh no.

Redheart finished ticking her in, then stood back up, noticing Sunset's gaze on her bandaged arm.

"It's alright, Sunset. I understand. I won't tell anyone due to confidentiality but..." Redheart bit her lip as she considered her next words when Sunset looked up to her with fear. "I think you need to tell someone. I think you need a counselor. This isn't a healthy way of relieving stress."

Sunset nodded for the sake of agreement. That didn't mean she agreed with Redheart but she didn't have the energy to argue. She slumped against the fluffy pillow and let out a deep sigh of relief that the nightmare wasn't real. That she didn't actually kill anyone.

But the demon's words still echoed in her mind.

"I am you. You are me. You can never escape yourself. You will never change."

What if she was right? Sunset tensed up again as Redheart tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"There is another matter I have to discuss with you. You should go to the hospital. You have bloodstains on your back, making your shirt stick to your back. I didn't want to remove it without a real Doctor present in case the wounds you have are deep. Which is what I suspect the most."

Sunset nodded again. Having no intention of doing that because of her lack of records.

"Hello, Nurse Redheart?"

Sunset didn't think it was possible to tense up any more than she had but apparently, it was. Principal Celestia entered the room, briefly looking back into the hallway to make sure no one saw her before she closed the door and Redheart waved her over with a grim smile.

"Principal Celestia has a Doctor she can trust at the hospital so she will take you...Now."

Sunset really hated Mondays now.

Art class was over. Finally. It may be Bini's favorite subject but that doesn't mean she has to like the teacher running it. She stepped into the Cafeteria for Canterlot High that was quickly filling up with students. She grabbed a tray and stood in line, slowly moving with the crowd as the food was plopped onto her plate and she was handed a drink by the cook Granny Smith.

She thanked Granny Smith before turning back to the large room. Navigating it with ease as she had gotten into a rhythm over the years of how to get through lunch. She sat down at a long empty cafeteria table that would usually be able to sit about twenty students. But since Bini wasn't a part of any popular group, or any group to be honest she sat alone until the first of her friends came.

Arone, a boy her age that had black hair, brown skin, and a green and blue shirt with dark blue pants and black running shoes moved to sit across from Bini. Immediately starting to shove mashed into his mouth.

"Hey, Bini." He said between chomps. Bini glared at him as he swallowed his food. "So-"

He was interrupted by another one of her friends Chocolate Shadow launched herself into hugging Bini despite Bini's clear protests against hugs. Although this time it seemed more out of panic than an attempt to annoy her. Then her last friend Rocky Snow with a mohawk, light yellow skin, a gray tank top with a shield and spear design on it, loose jeans and gray running shows with a tattoo on his arm of a shield and a pair of wings attached to it with the words "Fly Forever. Protect today."

Bini, who had known Rocky for almost a year, still had no idea what that meant. Bini managed to pry Chocolate off of her. Chocolate had black hair, tied up by a purple bow into a bun, light brown skin, a purple frilly dress that went to her knees, tied in the middle with a bow, high knee socks, and purple and white running shoes with smiley faces on them.

"Are you OK? Did she punch you?!" Chocolate asked in alarm as she grabbed Bini's face. Bini one again had to detached Chocolate from her and got her to sit down with Rocky sitting next to Arone as Chocolate sat next to Bini.

"Alright. Explain to me what exactly has you all fired up." Bini said as the three friends around her shared a confused glance.

"So...I assume this means you don't know." Rocky said to break the tension. Bini stabbed her juice box with her straw and nodded. Choosing to ignore Chocolate as she grabbed Bini's apple and took a big bite out of it. Seeming not too eager to go up and get her own.

"Know about what?" Bini asked with annoyance. Chocolate pulled out her phone and opened MyVideo. Everyone leaned into the middle of the table to watch the video Chocolate suggested start playing. It was a video from half of the fight, Bini's stomach dropped as it came from one end of the hall. She watched as Sunset was punched by Gilda, then slammed against the locker. Gilda pointed towards Bini, saying the words to order the other two after her. Then it continued to show when the lackeys got her. One picked up Bini as the other ripped the book out of her hands. Then the video abruptly ended.

Everyone was silent for a moment before Bini gulped and nervously looked at her friends.

"Does anyone know who took that video?" She nervously asked. Rocky and Chocolate shrugged as Arone nodded.

"Yeah...Someone called...Wallflower Blush, I believe. I have only ever seen her name in the yearbook with strangely no picture. Never met her but that's the name everyone is tossing around." Arone explained before shoving more mashed potatoes into his face.

Chocolate gestured to the expensive camera around her neck with glee.

"I could try to take a photo of her!" She suggested. Rocky chuckled and shook his head.

"You can't take a photo of someone if you got no idea what they look like!" Rocky pointed out. "Good luck next time."

Arone rolled his eyes and used his fork to gesture around the table.

"Sorry to interrupt this thrilling conversation but has anyone got any money? It's important." Arone said with the puff of his chest. Bini and Rocky shared a knowing look as Chocolate was too distracted with her camera to pay attention.

"Are you really asking us for money for that drug again? What was it called...Love? Geez, what a stupid name. Naming a drug after a stupid emotion. What type of idiot came up with that one?" Bini complained.

"Well, love has a better effect on me than other drugs!"

"You have only ever tried cocaine before this new one so what do you know about other drugs exactly?" Rocky asked with a smug smile. Arone gritted his teeth as he thought of a response.

"Well, love gives me intense happiness. Makes me feel like I am on cloud nine. Cocaine makes me feel happy for about ten minutes, then I want to bite someone's head off, also I don't look like an idiot when I take it."

"That's one way of looking at it. But debatable on the last point for sure." Bini muttered as Chocolate finished off her apple, then threw it a few feet into the garbage can, that got the attention of Mr. Cranky doodle who waved his fist (As the grandpas do in those old cartoons I think.) at her as she apologized by shouting "sorry" across the room.

"Right, right. So can I have the money or not?" Arone asked with impatience.

"No." Everyone said together.

"Get a job." Chocolate suggested before holding her camera up and taking a few photos of five colorful girls who recently saved the school sitting at a table nearby, seeming to be a bit concerned as they nervously checked around the cafeteria without trying to look suspicious.

"I already have a job!" Arone protested as Chocolate snapped more photos of the group. Bini yanked the camera down on the table, earning a death glare from Chocolate.

"Mowing Mrs. Doodles lawn and doing her chores during the winter so that you can get better grades in Mr. Doddles class doesn't exactly count as a job," Bini said with the wave of her hand. The other hand was still planted on Chocolate's camera which Chocolate was currently working on try to pry off. "Chocolate, quit trying to take photos of them."

"Hey, they saved the school." Chocolate barked before yanking the camera back. "It's called the freedom of the press. I am the school's newspaper photographer for a reason. Besides you might be in the Canterlot Press soon so try to look at least a little presentable this week, Bini."

"Me?" Bini said with confusion. "Why? I haven't done anything."

"Being Sunshit Shimmer's friend counts as doing something big," Rocky said.

"Can we please not call her Sunshit? I know she really screwed up big time but...Come on, guys!" Bini protested. Rocky, Arone, and Chocolate blushed.

"Sorry, Bini. It is sort of a habit now. News travels fast on the internet." Arone apologized.

"And for your information, I am not her friend. We are acquaintances." Bini continued. The three friends raised their eyebrows towards Bini with a slow blink.

"Smashing a really heavy book to defend Sunshi-Sunset seems like a big thing to do for just an acquaintance," Rocky said. The others nodded in agreement.

"I hit Trixie. She kind of had it coming for what she did last week."

"OK. Good point." Arone agreed as Chocolate raised her camera again to snap more photos.

---End of Chapter Six---