Sunset's human world origin

Katon family backyard
Date: July 30th, time: 12:00 pm

*Emi’s perspective*

Sunset and Emi were playing/sparring with each other. This time, Emi focused more on running and dodging. Emi had to learn the hard way that Sunset wasn’t fooled by her genjutsu tricks. However, Sunset was a bit of a klutz. That means that Emi could easily out maneuver her. Sunset lunged at Emi, but Emi was able to dodge, and Sunset went barreling to the ground. Sunset quickly got back up and began chasing Emi again. Emi made a quick turn to put Sunset off balance, but she ended up tripping on something and went careening to the ground. Unlike Sunset however, Emi did not bounce straight back up. Instead, the worst pain she ever felt shot through her left arm. “Aaahhh.” Emi could only scream, it was so painful. Emi had barely registered Sunset running and screaming for their parents. What felt like an eternity later, Emi felt herself being picked up and carried somewhere. Emi was able to regain some level of coherence and realized that they were all in the car. Emi looked down to her arm and found that it looked funny. Emi pulled on her wrist and her arm moved in a way that it really shouldn’t have, but for whatever reason, that fact just couldn’t quite register for her.

“Hey, look, Sunset. I have two elbows.” Hm, I sound funny.

Sunset looked like she was going to be sick.

Time had ceased to make sense to Emi, but at some point, she was being taken out of the car and into a hospital. Emi couldn’t remember most of what happened next. She could remember the doctors asking a lot of questions but not what the questions were or what the answers were. The next thing she could clearly remember was lying in a hospital bed, with her arm in a cast. Sunset was sitting in a chair next to the bed, but Mom and Dad were nowhere to be seen. “Where are Mom and Dad?”

“They’re talking with one of the doctors. He said the way you broke your arm and those red spots on your skin were cause for concern. He wanted ta do some tests. They’re going over the results of those tests.”, Sunset answered.

“Huh” Emi’s family had noticed the red spots, but were only monitoring them up until now. Emi looked at her cast. It was exactly what you would see in the movies. Emi turned back to Sunset. “Hey, Sunset.”

“Hm?”

“Ah don’t have ta take showers now.”, Emi said in a cheery sing-song voice.

“Oh, yes you do. It’s just your arm that can’t get wet, and that’s why they invented sponge baths.” Sunset’s grin was composed of such evil that it could only be rivaled by the Christan devil himself. Emi returned the grin with a tongue spat.

It didn’t take much longer for Mom and Dad to come back with the doctor. They all had sad looks on their faces. Sunset picked up on it too and started looking very scared. Mom came over and kissed Emi on the head. Ki propped his front legs on the bed, and even he looked worried.

“Emi, we have some‘hin’ really important ta tell ya.” Mom was speaking in an incredibly soft voice. This could only mean whatever was going on was really, really bad.

“Girls, do either of you know what leukemia is?”, the doctor asked. Both girls shook their heads. “Do either of you know what cancer is?” The girls shook their heads again. “Okay then, cancer is when the cells in your body don’t die when they are supposed to and continue to grow abnormally. Leukemia is bone cancer. The specific type you have is AML M0 leukemia.”

The sisters looked at each other. Emi could see tears welling up in Sunset’s eyes. This is bad.

“Now, we will need to talk about a treatment plan, and the first step is to find you a blood donor, which is going to be harder than normal. You have O- blood, but your blood has also tested negative for the Kell, Yt, Vel, and XK antigens. This means you can’t receive blood from just anyone. Less than one percent of the population are missing any one of these antigens, so this might take a while.”, the doctor said.

“What about one of us?”, Sunset asked.

“Your mother’s blood isn’t missing these antigens, and my blood is only missing the Vel antigen. We are not compatible.”, Anzhong said.

“Then what about me?”, Sunset asked.

“That is what I was hoping to ask you. We just need a sample of your blood for testing. We can do that here, if you like?”, the doctor asked.

Sunset gave an affirmative answer, and the nurses wheeled in a cart with needles and a bunch of other stuff. The process was quick, and the nurse took the cart and blood to what Emi guessed would be a lab. The doctor explained to Emi and Sunset what chemotherapy was, what it would entail, and what the side effects were. Due to the chemotherapy making Emi immunocompromised, their parents decided to pull Emi out of school and homeschool her. That was not a decision Emi had a problem with. Some time later, the nurse came back with Sunset’s blood test results. Strangely, the nurse asked to talk to the doctor in private before giving the results. Once the two were done with their talk, they came back in and gave the results.

“The results came back, and Sunset is a suitable blood donor and a HLA match for Emi. As a matter of fact, Sunset has RhNull blood or golden blood as it’s commonly called.”, the doctor said.

Mom was shocked into silence, but Emi, Sunset, and Dad just looked confused. Although, the part about Sunset being a suitable donor came across clear.

“There’s more. All other cases of golden blood have irregularly shaped red blood cells due to the lack of antigens along with some other negative side effects, but Sunset’s red blood cells are normally shaped and show no other signs of the negative side effects. This has never been seen before, but before I geek out, I would recommend that we set up a system so Sunset donates blood to herself. Sunset is the 44th case of RhNull blood ever recorded.”, the doctor said.

“Ah’m completely lost.”, Emi said.

“Sunset has absolutely no antigens on ‘er red blood cells. Y’r only missin’ six a’ da fourteen known antigens. Sunset is missin’ all a’ dem, and ‘er red blood cells aren’t misshapen, less elastic, or more fragile and don't have an abnormal covering or an altered volume. Dat’s incredible.”, Mom explained to Emi before turning to and kneeling down be eye level with Sunset. “Sunset, we’re gonna set up dat system f’r ya, but Ah highly recommend ya at least register y’rself as a blood donor. Y’r blood has so many life savin’ medical applications. Ya don’t have ta make dis decision right now, n’ ya can stop donatin’ at any time, but y’r blood c’n be used to save da lives a people like Emi n’ save da lives a babies who are a’ different blood type ta deir mothe’s.”

Sunset looked to be thinking hard about it, but she also looked strangely nervous. I wonder why Sunset’s freaked out by this. If Ah was the one with the miracle blood, Ah’d say yes is a heart beat. Eventually, Sunset gave her answer. “I’m willing to donate my blood, but I’m uncomfortable with people studying it.”

“Okay, it is your decision. We should start putting blood in reserve for you today. We’ll do the first blood draw after we get the paperwork taken care of.” With that, the doctor, the nurse, and Mom were off.

That left Sunset, Emi, Ki, and Anzhong in the room. Ki had finished inspecting the cast and laid his head on Emi’s lap. Dad and Sunset both had solemn looks on their faces, and it was about then that the gravity of the situation hit Emi. Ah’m gonna die.

Sunset’s bedroom
Date: July 31st, time: 12:30 am

*Sunset’s perspective*

After getting home from the hospital, Sunset did some more research into Emi’s leukemia and her “golden blood”. To Sunset’s dismay, out of the seven variants of AML leukemia, Emi had one of the three highest risk variants, and it turns out, RhNull blood was called “golden blood” because it’s worth its weight in gold. My blood’s probably worth more because of its oddity. Why I have this “golden blood” is also worth its own study. Uhg, there are so many things that need further study that I’m starting to lose track of them all. After some more research and a stressed induced hysterical laughing fit brought on by the cosmic joke that was being played on her, Sunset was now curled up in her bed, balling her eyes out. There has to be some way I can fix this, some way I can help. It was then that Sunset made her decision. I’m not going back to Equestria, at least not permanently. When the portal opens, I’ll go back to grab whatever I can to help Emi. Despite being two completely different species, humans and ponies seem to react the same to medications. Sunset untagged herself and sat up. “Whatever it takes, I will save Emi.”

CMS PTA meeting
Date: Aug 1st, time: 6:00 pm

*Pinkie’s perspective*

“Okay ladies and gentleman, the new school year is starting soon, and we need to find a way to get the students more invested in the student council.”, Principal Winters said. “Last year, none of the students entered the running to become president, and almost no students even submitted ballots. We can’t have that happen again this year.”

The adults in the room went back and forth, debating what they could do, but Pinkie already had the perfect idea in mind. “Why am I at a parent teacher association meeting?” you might ask. Well, it’s quite simple. You try leaving me with a babysitter. My most recent babysitter ran screaming from the house. The only way we could get any babysitter was if my parents promised to not leave me with the sitter. Our current arrangement is that I can come with my parents so long as I behave. If I don’t behave, I’ll be left with Ms. Gray, and she’s a big meanie who expects kids to not make any noise at all and is no fun. Once all the adults had submitted their proposals, Pinkie jumped up and gave hers. “I propose we have a party to get everyone all excited. There will be balloons, streamers, and one of the students can be nominated as the prince or princess of the dance and would also be elected student council president.”, Pinkie said.

“A dance that early into the year?”, one of the parents asked.

“It will work, and I will be taking care of it because I’m president of the party planning committee.”, Pinkie said.

“Hmm, that is the most cost effective method suggested so far. If you can keep the budget low, I’ll allow it. Any objections?”, Principal Winters asked. No one objected. “All right then Pinkie, we will go with your plan.”

Sunset’s bedroom
Date: Aug 3rd, time: 8:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Sunset, c’n ya come ‘ere, please?”, Brigid called from the living room.

Sunset hopped out of her bed and ran out to the living room. They had just come back from Emi’s first chemotherapy appointment, and she looked like hell. The doctor did explain what chemotherapy would do to Emi’s body, but it was hard to properly picture it until Sunset saw it. Emi looked tired and like she was about to throw-up. It was hard for Sunset to see the once hyperactive little turd that would bounce off the walls like SCP-018 now so sickly and weak. Sunset’s resolve reaffirmed itself. She had eight months to prepare, and she wasn’t going to waste her chance.

Brigid pulled something out of her pocket and walked over to Sunset. “Here Sunset, dis is y’r medical alert bracelet. It is engraved with information about y’r condition n’ who ta call ta get y’r blood delivered ta ya. Ya should wear dis at all times in case y’re incapacitated n’ c’n’t explain what ya need ta whoeve’s helpin’ ya. Now, hold out y’r arm.” Sunset raised her left arm, and Brigid secured the bracelet on her. It consisted of a black metal tag with Sunset’s name and Dr. Dracul’s number on the front and information about her medical condition on the back and a black velcro band. Emi was wearing one of her own, but her band was purple. Everything’s changing so quickly.

Sunset looked back up to Emi. Since the chemotherapy would cause Emi’s hair to fall out, they were going to shave it off to make it “easier”. Like we can really make anything easier for her. Brigid walked over to Emi and began reassuring her that everything was going to be alright, but Sunset knew those were “empty words”, as humans put it. Emi knew that too. She was about to go through something only the absolute worst of humanity deserved to go through.

“Sunset, do ya want ta come help?”, Brigid asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be right up. I just want to grab something from my room first.”

Brigid gave an afferming nod then picked Emi up to head upstairs. Sunset dashed back into her room and to her wardrobe. Sunset rummaged around all the weird crap she had in there before finding what she was looking for. “Why do I even have these?”, she said, holding a pair of googly eyed glasses. Sunset dropped the glasses and grabbed her prize. Sunset darted out her room and up to the upstairs bathroom.

“Hey, Sunset.”, Emi said in a much more subdued voice than should ever come out of her mouth.

“Hey”, Sunset said solemnly. “Well, let’s get to it.”

“Okay, but don’t either of you even think about shavin’ your own hair. It’s too pretty for that “we stand together” crap.”, Emi said with a bit more energy. Even with shit hand they were dealt, Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle. Even with her body actively trying to kill her, she is still her little sassy shit-stain usual self. “I’m glad you say that because I wasn’t going to. My hair is far too beautiful to ever chop off.”, Sunset said while looking indignant. “It’s also a giant pun. Red n’ gold hair and golden blood, it’s like someone’s playing a joke on ya.”, Emi retorted. Sunset rolled her eyes. “Oh, so you’re only just noticing. I’ve known since the night we came back from the hospital. I think you’ve fallen on your head one to many times.” Emi narrowed her eyes at Sunset, clearly thinking of a retort.

“Okay girls, ya c’n have y’r banter late’. For now, let’s get started.”, Brigid said.

“Fine”, both girls said.

The process took longer than expected due to Emi’s hair being tougher than expected, but it was done, eventually. When they were done, Emi had a naked gnogen.

“Ah look weird.”, Emi said.

“But ya still look beautiful.”, Brigid responded.

“Of course Ah do. That’s beside da point. Ah’m jus’ saying that Ah’m so used to seeing myself with a full head of hair that it’s odd to see myself bold.”

“Hmhmhm, neve’ lose y’r confidence.”

“Here.” Sunset said as she placed her old beanie on Emi’s head. “Ya still need ta protect your head from the sun.”

“Dat’s very nice a’ ya, Sunset.”, Brigid said.

“It looks nice.”, Emi said.

Sunset grabbed the broom and dust pan and started sweeping up the hair while Brigid took Emi back to her room. Sunset had gathered up all of the hair and was about to sweep it into the pan but stopped. She just looked down at the pile of hair on the floor. Every emotion she had swirled in her mind. She wanted to cry, scream, punch the walls, but she could only stare. Humans took such pride in their hair. For as long as Sunset’s been a part of this family, she was taught to take pride in her hair too. Emi took such pride and care of her hair. It showed how good of a job she did in how difficult it was to cut it off. Despite the act she put up, Sunset knew Emi was heartbroken about having to lose her hair. Sunset’s numbness and every single emotion just couldn’t decide how she should be feeling.