Alan Shoemaker: Detective

Chapters

Prologue
Always Hope During Cold Times
Bygones Can Never Always Be Gone
If Crimes Were Had to Hurting One's Feelings
Subliminal Messages Must Be Read Carefully
Even Small Actions Can Cause Greater Consequences

Prologue

Author's Note

Loosley based off this story:

Almost Too Late by Final Sunlight

(https://www.fimfiction.net/story/236129/1/almost-too-late/almost-too-late)

Please at least read the first chapter of the aforementioned story to get an idea as to what will pertain to the beginning of this story. The beginning of thia story is basically an Alternate Universe to the end of that story.

Thanks, and hope you enjoy.

Prologue

Bumping up and down through the empty streets of Canterlot, the ambulance hustled toward the hospital, as the unconscious figure was covered in blankets and heating pads to bring their temperature up. The cardiac monitor was keeping a steady reading as the person's heart was still, thankfully, beating. The paramedics were doing everything they could to warm up the patient and dress her wounds.

"Self-inflicted." Stated the ride-along, who was taking several notes on the situation. It may have seemed like a different story to any other person, but seeing as this man saw his fair-share of 'accidents,' he knew too well how those cuts were made. "Just wish it didn't have to be like this."

"Sir?" Looking up, the passenger saw the paramedic was addressing him. Once his attention was had, they continued, "I couldn't find any other form of ID on her, except this." Handing over a cheap, plastic card. "It looks like a school or club card, or something, but there is a name."

First glance at the card shows nothing too grand. Like any other type of identification, there's a Name, Picture, and some form of representation. According to this, the ID says, "FRIENDSHIP SQUAD."

Ok, that's a first, the man thought, as he then studied the photo. There was a young, yellow skinned girl, with a smile to rival that of many beautiful women her senior. Along with her complexion and, what seemed to be, pure confidence, was her very striking red and yellow hair, just like a raging inferno. Seeing as it was the spitting image of the person in question, he knew it wasn't stolen. Heh. Who'd wanna steal someone's friendship pass?

Getting back to the task at hand, he then looked at the name upon the card to see if they could further help this young girl:

SUNSET SHIMMER

Looking up toward movement on the gurney, he watched as the rescue team removed a pad away from the face of the girl. In place of that smile and confidence from the photo was nothing but sadness and pain, something that no one, not even a child, should bear. After checking for certain things, they then replaced the breathing face mask and the heating pad and continued other duties.

As they did so, the other paramedic, a woman, sadly remarked, "To think, something like this would happen right before Christmas." If there wasn't any melancholy before, then more just seeped in, filling up the back of the ambulance with nothing but dread.

Despite, or even because of this, Alan Shoemaker steeled himself for another long night or two, and he would do everything in his power to make sure that this girl would get better and have an even better chance at life. As a detective, it's not just his duty to solve issues or fight crime for the sake of society, but it's his job to put all the puzzles together and make sure they fit perfectly, so the people around him can feel safe and secure.

Looking back at the card, he saw another piece of this particular puzzle that might help him out. In small letters he saw the name, CANTERLOT HIGH SCHOOL. This reminded him of the events that took place earlier that night.

Always Hope During Cold Times

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

Bygones Can Never Always Be Gone

~~~Canterlot Suburbs, 2257 East Royal Way, December 25, 2020, 3:13 am~~~

Stepping off the bus while throwing on his now acquired trench coat, Alan made sure to steady himself, incase of hidden ice on the ground below. Despite not having a lot of moisture the past few days, there was still a chance that Mischievous Mother Nature would want to add some 'fun' to the detective's already hectic night. He can't risk hurting himself as he searches for the best source of help for Sunset.

Hopefully, meeting… her tonight will give some leeway to achievinghis goal.

"You sure this is the place, Shoes?" The gruff voice of the bus driver sounded over the low hum of the idle engine. Turning to face him, Alan noticed that, though his hair and beard were unkempt, the bus driver kept a respectful and professional look for his job. Something that he appreciated. Alan knew what it was like to take one's job seriously.

"Sure seems like it." Alan said, as he looked down to the scrawled notes on the piece of paper. It had the same address written down that was on the house and street sign. If Bill from public records was right, which he usually is, then what was told to Alan over the phone was definitely the right place. He just didn't know if it would be a good time considering…

"Well, I'll leave you to it then, but you better not forget this." The bus driver handed Alan his phone. He was kind enough to let it charge on the way over. "I'm sorry that it's not completely charged. If I had one of them supercharger things, I would've---"

"It's fine Phil, thanks." Alan said, smiling a tired smile and taking the phone. He was about to leave when he stopped, "oh," and rummaged through his pockets and pulled out his wallet, taking out a few Benjamin's. "Here. Thanks for the ride home, as well. Merry Christmas."

Alan hopped back out of the bus and headed toward the dark house but was stopped by Phil.

"Shoes, wait." Alan turned back toward Phil as he continued, "I'm Jewish!"

A semi-awkward pause lasted for a few seconds as Alan was taking the… random news in stride. It wasn't unwelcomed or anything, it was just… O… kaaaay..? He thought as he spoke to break the silence.

"Um… Mazel tov...?" Alan said warily, hoping not to offend.

Another long bit of silence stretched out as nothing but the bus's engine made any noise. Phil just stared back at Alan with a deadpan look, which made Alan think he said something wrong. When he was about to apologize, Phil cocked his head back and started to laugh. A very hearty laugh, to boot. Calming down after a few more seconds, he practically yelled out.

"I'm kidding ya, Shoes! I'm a quarter Jewish! Merry Christmas and L'Chaim!" He then grabbed the bus's door lever, turned it to shut the doors and drove off into the night without another word.

Shaking his head with a smile and chuckle as the bus sped off out of view, Alan then turned to the task at hand. Taking out his phone, he made certain that it was turned on, in case anyone tried to call. As it turned on he saw that the battery life read thirty-one percent. Good enough for now. He thought as he turned the ringtone all the way up and slipped it back into his trench coat pocket.

Looking up at the dark exterior of the one-story, one-car-garage home, he started to debate with himself whether this was a good idea or not. Pushing those thoughts out of his head, he started walking toward the front door with determination.

"Sunset needs help." Alan said to himself. "Let's just hope that she will listen."

Climbing up the three steps to the darkened green door, Alan raised his hand to knock, only to pause. A flood of emotions and memories came into his mind about, what seemed to be, a long-distant past. Something he had not thought of for a long time before this night. Alas, seeing as there was no other option, besides waking up half the force, the chief, and a judge or two, early Christmas Day, no less, he gave in to the cause at hand, and knocked on the door.

No answer.

Of course, the household was asleep, so he had to knock louder. Which Alan did. Still, no response. He then tried the doorbell once. Then twice. Then multiple times at once.

This was pretty disrespectful, and any regular person would say psychotic and inhumane, due to disturbing one's sleep in the wee-hours of the morning. It couldn't be helped, of course, because of the little girl at the hospital. She needed help, and Alan concluded that this was the fastest way possible.

Again, after trying the doorbell for the sixth time, no answer. There was a slow, yet creeping sensation of dread coming over him. What if they weren't home? It was possible, seeing as the holiday season was at its peak, but it didn't help his concerned thoughts. Looking around the area, he notices that, much like the house he was at, there was no sign of life. Everything was dark and asleep, with the exception of the outside lamp posts, illuminating the now growing-smoggy neighborhood. The air quality was bad in this town during the winter. Every year.

While distracted, he failed to notice the lights within the house turn on. He was a bit startled when he heard the familiar sounds of muffled door locks being undone as he turned to see the now, bright green door opening slightly, as the occupant inside peered out to their unexpected guest.

The single, magenta eye peeking out at Alan in the darkness, stared at him for a second with a bit of nervous curiosity, before what seemed to be a few emotions taking hold in less than a second. Confusion to recognition. Recognition to Realization. Realization to even more confusion. Even more confusion to seething rage.

Alan was hoping the last feeling she had wouldn't come to light.

"Heh-hey!!" Alan started, half-saying, half-nervously-chuckling. Hopefully things will go smoothly. More so than last time. "Long time, no se---."

He couldn't finish, as the door slammed shut, despite it being open a few inches. It seriously seemed that the door would fall off from the force of the slam alone. Much to Alan's chagrin, though, the door not only stayed shut, but the locks were replaced on the door, and the lights of the house were turned out.

So much for smoothly, he thought bitterly to himself. This of course did not stop his resolve, as he leaned up against the door and slammed his fist on it a few times.

"Come on, open the door! I need to talk to you." Alan yelled out quickly, receiving an even faster response.

"GO AWAY!" The muffled, feminine voice of the house's owner shouted back angrily. This wasn't surprising to Alan, with their history and all. Even so, it still didn't stop him.

"Come on, damn it all. There's an emergency." He shouted out. "I need some information about---"

The door's locks were being undone, much to Alan's surprise. As his surprise turned to a string of hope, however, it turned to mild annoyance and impatience as the door opened a little ways and stopped, pulling the chain lock on the upper part of the door tight. The angry eye of the woman staring daggers at him made the situation all the more stressful.

"Information? About what? Some poor soul who doesn't know any better, so you can blame them for all the problems of your 'perfect world'?" She says, progressively getting louder as she finishes her hypothetical question. She then silently glowers at him, "you were never welcome, nor will you ever be, around us again. Especially my sister!" She emphasizes as she then slams the door again.

Pinching and rubbing the bridge of his nose, Alan takes a deep breath to try and calm his temper. It didn't work, considering he hadn't slept for almost two days, and he was craving a smoke.

"Ten years." He said. "That was ten. Fucking. Years ago!" He shouted, letting a bit of his temper flare up. If there was any person alive who could push his buttons just right in the wrong way, it was the vixen on the other side of the door. "Can we put that aside for the next couple minutes, please. I'm here as a detective, not a fri---." The door opened again, showing the glaring eye once more.

"Don't. You. DARE. Call me that." She said through gritted teeth. "And all that BS about 'being a detective' won't work here. Not after last time!" She said, still simmering.

Pinching the bridge of his nose even harder than before, Alan was at his wit's end. He didn't have time for this, and he knew that Sunset didn't have time. Breathing deeply, he went to kindly ask her for help.

Then his phone rang.

Jumping slightly, they both looked toward the noise, then each other. Though the surprise was there for a second, the eye in the door went back to being miffed at the eyes of the man outside. While the silence permeated beyond the ringing, they stared at one another, waiting to see if the other would relent.

"Will you please just listen to me? Give me a few minutes and I'll---" Alan expected it, but didn't like it, as he was interrupted yet again.

"I told you, you're not welcome here." She shouted back. "What makes you think that I'd even give you the time of day, if that were the case, huh?"

"Look, please, just let me explai---."

"There's nothing to explain!" She stated matter of factly, which caused Alan to lose more and more of his patience. "You're a liar, a cheater, very unhygienic individual, and a vulgar man with no love for anyone else, but himself!" The camel's back had broken.

"And you're a self-righteous, fucking CUNT!"

Alan… hadn't screamed like that in a while. If he wasn't staring daggers into the person beyond the door, he'd probably check his surroundings to see if any of the other homes were disturbed. If their bickering match didn't stir any other households, his profaned yelling probably did.

Staring back at him, more surprised than angry, but still upset nonetheless, she simply addressed the other noise-making thing within their vicinity that was annoying the both of them at that moment.

"You gonna get that?" She asked, deadpanned.

Though fuming from his lack of sleep, eating, and nicotine agitation, he begrudgingly and quickly pulled the phone out of his trench coat pocket, put it on speaker, and yelled at it.

"WHAT?!" If he was in his right mind, he would've thought to not yell. After all, it could've been someone important.

"H-hello. Is this Detective Shoemaker?" The vaguely familiar voice asked, with a hint of hesitancy.

"Yes it is. What is it?" Again, Alan was being aggressive. This night wasn't going well for him. He turned away from the door as he was expecting the answer to be the last thing he needed at the moment.

"This is Nurse Flagstaff, of the ICU wing at Canterlot General." She stated, hoping to assuage any more frustration that the detective may have. "I'm calling to give you more information regarding Sunset Shimmer's condition."

Again, for what seemed like the hundredth time that night, his fury was quelled and he got ahold of himself. Being upset as he was, Alan was losing focus on the main reason why he was in the middle of the suburbs in the first place. As he was composing himself, the nurse continued.

"You said this would be the best number to reach you. Is this a good time?"

"Yes. Right. Sorry." He muttered. "How is she? Is she alright?" More worry was piling up as the call was going.

"Sunset is in stable condition, we are close to getting her body temperature back to normal." She said, with a tone akin to a mother speaking to her toddler. This news was good to hear. "We are in the process of testing her blood type, so we can give back to her what she lost."

"Well, great!" Alan said, relieved. Sunset was on her way to getting better. "That's wonderful news. How much longer will it be until she's well?"

There was a pause on the other end, so much so that Alan thought the phone disconnected. He was about to check when the nurse replied.

"That's… the reason why I called." She said, sounding hesitant, and somewhat confused. "You see, we were testing her blood, at least what we could get from her discarded bandages, to figure out her blood type. The thing is, though…"

She hesitated, for some reason. Alan was confused. They should know what to do during situations like this. Why are they having issues?

"What's happened?" Alan asked, mindlessly sticking his free hand in his pocket and pulling out a cigarette and lighter.

"Well…" The nurse started. "We usually do rapid tests to see what the unknown blood type is of a person..." She said, trying to explain the ordeal. "...and when we've tested Sunset's blood, well…" If Alan would have seen the nurse, she would've probably been in a state of not knowing what to say, but she said it anyway.

"Her blood type came back Inconclusive."

…

Huh, that's a first. Alan thought as he brought the cigarette to his mouth and lit it with the lighter. Taking a short, yet addictingly sweet puff, he exhaled, and felt a calming sensation fill his body. He then went back to the conversation.

"Well, that happens, tests can be faulty, right?" He asked, rhetorically. "Just test it again." He said, knowing that testing blood for certain things takes time and patience, and sometimes you gotta keep testing it until you get the right answer. He's put so many convicts away through this method alone that he knew enough to know what he was talking about.

"We did." Came the reply. "We went through four rapid tests with what we had, and they each came back Inconclusive. Despite having on-set hypovolemia, the doctor ordered a small portion of blood to be drawn from her to go through a standard test, which could take some time. So another rapid test was done from the drawn sample, and the answer was still the same."

For being chilly outside, it seemed to get a little bit colder, despite having his trench coat and newly lit cigarette. Just when they were so close to saving, what he thought was, a poor, helpless girl, something had to come up. Something had to block the way to the finish line. Just when he thought that they had to wait longer, a thought came to mind.

"Why tell me all this?" He asked curiously. "Surely you should be calling another hospital or doctor…? He trailed off.

"Well, funny thing. She started. Why is this situation funny? "The head doctor tonight said that if there was someone he could trust to divulge this information to at this time, it would be Detective Shoemaker. He said that you, uh… know a thing or two about medicine… and practicing it."

"Wait, who would---?" Alan started, confused. That is, until it occurred to him. He knew EXACTLY who the nurse was talking about. Dropping his smoke in his bewildered stupor, he then slapped his now cigarette-free hand to his face, making an audible slapping noise. "Oooh, fuck me…"

Silence came from the phone for a few seconds. "Sir?"

Snapping himself back to the present, Alan knew what had to transpire, but, again, he didn't know if he could handle all the shenanigans.

"Nothing." He said. "Let me get this straight. We need to find out her blood type, before any further damage could happen, correct?" The nurse stated the affirmative, as Alan asked, "What is the most pressing matter that needs to be resolved that I can help with?"

As though she anticipated that type of question, she answered, "we need a parent or guardian to come answer questions as soon as possible. To put together a better medical history." To this answer, Alan explained that he was doing just that.

"Wonderful." She happily said. "When can we expect them to come to the hospital?"

"We'll be there in about twenty minutes to a half-hour." Alan said, while planning his next few moves. "And thanks again, Merry Christmas." She repeated in kind, and the call ended.

Giving an exasperated sigh as he rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes, he couldn't help that he was missing something. Wondering what he was forgetting, he noticed that the lights in the house were on and that the door was open. All the way.

The homeowner, having removed the chain-lock and showing the interior of the home to the exterior, was standing there, in her pink nightgown, overlayed with a white, yet fuzzy bathrobe, along with matching slippers. The owner's blue, green, and pink hair, though somewhat bed-headed, was in a ponytail, and the white face of the owner had no trace of make-up. What's also interesting about the woman's face is that it didn't have the expected woman-scorned anger that she had earlier while peeking through the barely opened door. What she did have was that of terrified worry, almost as much as a mother to their seriously ill child. Seeing as the woman was a school principal, this wasn't unexpected.

"What happened to Sunset?" Celestia asked, barely above a whisper.

Staring at one another, Alan didn't know if her speaking first was a sign of truce or of a false sense of security. He could then speak or make the first move, but Celestia, being… Celestia was just as much a cunning genius as she was a complete bitch… not the right time or place, he thought, but couldn't help 'lighten the mood' in his own way by replying snarkily to her motherly fears.

"Oh, so, NOW you wanna talk!..."

If Crimes Were Had to Hurting One's Feelings

~~~Canterlot General Hospital, ICU, Room C6, Christmas Morning, 3:37 am~~~

As weak as she was, Sunset Shimmer was restless, as she shifted around bit by bit. Her temperature was close to normal, but with the low blood count within her body, she was sweating, pale, and, unfortunately, almost feverish.

"Tsk-tsk-tsk."

A large, gloved hand came over with a damp cloth, wiping the sweat from Sunset's restless face, as she was mumbling incoherently under her breath. She moved, almost flailed, her arms out, only for the nurses close by to gingerly catch and rest the bandaged, tender wrists back onto the bed. This whole ordeal was something the staff in attendance dreaded to ever see.

"My dear, fräulein…" The owner of the hand said softly, with his very thick German accent. "No one should ever have to endure self-loathing, especially you, mein kind."

Adjusting his glasses and glancing down at the bed ridden patient, he returned his attention to the clipboard with her information… or lack thereof. Which only added to his curiosity of the subject. Or, the patient. This patient.

His patient.

"Ve vill find zhis root cause, mein dear. Don't vorry." He said, then his face went dark. "I vill break down zhe shackles off zhe valls of prisons, keeps, and strongholds of zhe north, if I have too. I vill rain down superb fire power upon zhe doors of destiny. I vill rend zhe skies above, and throw zhem down to the bitter most parts of hell! I vill make God cry in majestic vonder, and zhe devil himself vill be mein puppet! Death! Vill NOT have you zhis day! Nor vill he ever! For mein medicine is SOUND! AND MEIN PRACTICE IS SURE! HEIL HITL---"

"Ahem!!"

Coming down from his self-motivation (or monologue), and before he could finish the "forbidden salute" from the 1930's and '40's, he turned himself toward the door of the small room, and saw the head nurse. Standing there in the doorway, she was tapping her foot, with her hands on her hips, as she gave him a look which could kill even the deadliest of diseases. Which even gave him pause… and lustful exhilaration!

"Ah! Nurse Flower Bud! Vas there somezhing you vould like to add?" He asked giddily, as she said nothing but pointed to a sign out in the hall, that he could see through the room's indoor window.

VISITING HOURS:

8 AM to 9 PM

QUIET TIME:

10 PM to 7 AM

He read it over twice, then looked at his watch, then the clock in the room, then back at his watch. He then paced back and forth in the small room as he was mumbling numbers and calculations. Then he stopped, looked at Nurse Bud, and grinned.

"AH, IT'S QUIET TIME!"

"Shhh!!!" She, the other two nurses in the room, and a few others down the hall sounded out at the same time. While this happened Sunset managed to fidget a bit more in her blankets from the outburst. Noticing this, the man turned to her and gently brushed some of her hair out of her face.

"Oh, mein fräulein. Do not despair. Ve will make your stay…" he said softly, as he leaned closer towards her face. "...comfortable…"

"AHEM!!!"

Before he could connect the kiss, he turned back, again, toward Nurse Bud, as she pointed to the sign again.

"Ja, ja. I know of zhe Quiet Time." He said, irritated.

The nurse just shook her head, and pointed harder toward the wall. Following her hand, he looked back at the sign, but then looked beside it, only to find another sign. Which read:

NO INTIMATE CONTACT BETWEEN HOSPITAL STAFF AND PATIENTS

(THAT INCLUDES KISSING, DOCTOR LUDWIG)

"Ah." With a blank stare, and sudden realization, The doctor pulled back from the patient. "Right. 'State vs. Ludwig.' Don't vant zhat again."

As he got up, he hesitated, not knowing what to do, so he did the first thing that came to his mind. He decided to pat her gently on the head.

"Gut gemacht!" He said, then pranced his way towards the door, as the two nurses watched with both shock and mild disgust.

Already leaving before him, Nurse Flower Bud started back toward the help desk to manage the rounds of other nurses, while Doctor Ludwig followed behind. The two nurses that stayed behind helped Sunset get a bit more comfortable and check her vitals as she calmed down and drifted further into sleep. Then they heard more commotion from the hall.

"My, my, Nurse Flower." Doctor Ludwig said, playfully. "Iz zhat a Bud in mein pants? Trick question. Yes, because I'm happy to see---"

A loud slap could be heard throughout the whole floor.

"Mein Glasses!"

~~~Northbound, Faust Blvd., 3:42 am - 15 minutes from Canterlot General~~~

The ride was quiet, thus far as she peered out of the passenger side window. Holding a somewhat-hot mug of coffee, Celestia had a lot of emotions going through her mind.

For starters, she was tired. It was almost four in the morning, and she was hoping to at least get a couple more hours of sleep before she had to get up and drive over to the school, to then make her way over to her niece's house, for their Traditional Christmas Breakfast. If it was any other circumstance, Luna would have killed her had she been just a minute late. Luna always stayed up all night at the school, putting her whole heart and soul into preparing the food for the holiday. It was always a wonder where she got this very amazing gift from.

Next, she was worried. The main reason why Luna would stay her wrath was because one of the high school students-- their student-- was in the hospital. Looking down at her swirling coffee, she felt a twinge of guilt. There had to be something she could've done to prevent this. She shook the doubtful thoughts from her mind as quickly as they came. Knowing how competent they are, she had faith that Canterlot General would take good care of Sunset and bring her swiftly back to health.

Finally… There was that last feeling as she turned towards the one in the driver's seat, and adopted a mild scowl of frustration as the one in question was driving them to the hospital.
But not just driving…

Though focused on the road, he could sense evil eyes on him.

"Quit looking at me like that, your wrinkles will get worse." Alan said with a monotone voice.

Celestia rolled her eyes and looked away, but that didn't stop her from quipping back.

"Says the 'complete stranger' who is DRIVING MY CAR!" She said, yelling into Alan's ear. She pulled back and looked out the window. "And since it is, shouldn't I be driving, because you haven't slept in two days?" In this circumstance, she was right on both accounts about what was said back at the house.

After finally letting him in, Celestia was heading toward her room to change, as Alan was headed toward the kitchen. When asked what he was doing, he said they both needed coffee. She did, to wake up, and he did, to stay awake. Which ended up with another tirade of bad words thrown at each other. She relented when he brought up Sunset (again) and went to change into something presentable. After getting dressed, and on their way out with coffee, he took the key fob from her, and hopped in her new 2021 Lexus NX, much to her annoyance.

After these events transpired, there was silence for a few minutes, until… Well, the rest is history.

"I don't need to be reminded about what was said. I was there, too, remember?" Alan said, trying to keep his cool. "You need time for the coffee to wake you up, which is why I'm driving." He said, while lifting his borrowed mug of the aforementioned black drink as he took a few gulps himself.

"I don't know about that." Celestia retorted sarcastically. "Because the way I see it, it seemed like you were more interested in the car than my safety." She then eyed him with mild suspicion. "You just wanted to drive my new car, didn't you?"

"..." Not saying a word was all that she needed to not hear to smack Alan in the shoulder. The surprise attack caused him to shift the steering wheel to the left, as the vehicle veered into the oncoming side of the empty road. Thankfully, no other cars were out this early, with the exception of a few early birds or night owls they passed by minutes prior.

He corrected the car back to the right side, and knew that another yelling match was about to start. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He said as evenly as he could while glancing back and forth between her and the road.

"Me?" She loudly said, "you're the one that's driving recklessly!"

"I wouldn't be driving 'recklessly' if the passenger would keep her hands to herself." He retorted. "I thought, being a principal, you'd be all about teaching your students that. How come you don't practice what you preach?"

Celestia rolled her eyes, again. "Oh please, it was just a tap. It didn't even hurt at all!" She said, as though she knew what her little jab felt like. She wasn't wrong, of course, but it was still unexpected to the detective. "You're always so on edge. Don't you ever relax? Oh wait, no you don't. Because you're busy trying to exploit and ruin people's lives for, what was it again...?" She asked, sarcastically putting a finger to her chin, while gaining a false epiphany. "That's right! To prove right your interpretation of the justice system to save your own ass!"

He didn't say anything. Only squeezed the lining of the steering wheel until it creaked under the twisting pressure. His face also went dark at the constant barrage of accusations. He'd defend himself if they didn't carry a bit of truth to them. Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his grip and replied with a soft voice.

"Ok, look." He started, breaking the silence, and glancing at the back of Celestia's head as she faced out the window. "I'm sorry for bugging you, I'm sorry for causing you grief…" She relaxed for a second, "... I'm sorry for calling you a cunt…" she stiffened right back up. "... and a bitch, and a vixen…"

She turned to him with a look of confusion rather than annoyance. "When did you---?"

"---in my head."

There it was, she thought as she rolled her eyes and lifted her arms in a shrug and folded them to her chest in exasperation. That didn't stop him.

"But we have pressing matters right now." He said with a hint of both worry and hope. "There's a little girl at the hospital that needs our--- your help. I could only have done so much, and you know that." He said, focusing on the road. "She kept calling your name." This both caught Celestia off guard and relaxed her shoulders significantly. "If that's not a cry for help to you, then I don't know what is."

Guilt flooded Celestia, as she was reminded, again, why she was with Alan in the first place. She took her own deep breath to calm her nerves, and took another sip of her drink.

"You're right. I'm… sorry." She relented. "Now's not the time. Let's just get to the hospital."

He sighed with relief. "Thank you." Thinking of what else to say, he went back to his training. "Now, I just have a few questions." Getting her attention, he continued, "how is Sunset at school?"

An odd question, to be sure, but, seeing as this was an officer of the law wanting to get as much information as he could for a possible report, she happily answered.

"She's amazing." She started, while thinking of other words. "She's kind, generous, out-going. Amazing grades. Practically one of my top students." She said as she thought back a few months. "She's doing much better, all things considered."

"What do you mean?" Alan asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Oh, she was a bit of a trouble maker." She said off-handedly, thinking back to the fall formal. "A bully, even. She wanted to be crowned 'fall-formal queen' so badly, she did everything she could to get it."

"Hm." He grunted, not expecting this particular information. " you said 'was'?" He asked.

"Oh yes. She, uh, lost badly, and ended up having to clean up the school after vandalizing some of the property." Celestia stated matter of factly. "But she ended up getting help from the winning queen and her friends, and they ended up asking her to join them at a slumber party..."

Celestia went on and on about Sunset's escapades with the rest of the now mentioned 'Friendship Squad'. Six other individual girls, with similar ages, were helping her, as it were, become 'reformed'. Very interesting way of putting it, he thought, as Celestita then spoke about a 'rock concert' thing and how Sunset helped her friends win the competition.

"... and they've been almost inseparable ever since. The rest of the school also forgave her and accepted her as one of their own and she has never seemed happier." Celestia finished, hoping that would suit Alan's inquiry, but to her mild annoyance, it didn't.

"What about recently?" He asked, garnering a confused look from the female passenger.

"What do you mean?"

"Has anything happened the past few days between Sunset and anyone else at the school?" He said, rephrasing the question to hopefully get a quick and honest answer.

She paused, thinking for a second. "No, not that I'm aware… wait," she said, "I didn't notice, but Luna did."

Nodding for her to continue, Alan listened. He came to a stop in the left turn lane at a stop light, right before the hospital.

"I was busy with files and helping the rest of the faculty get their grades in order, when Luna came into my office asking to use my computer to check the cameras. I asked her to keep an eye on the students, as I was busy, so checking the cameras was no big deal." She said, glancing toward Alan. He in turn nodded. "It was an hour after school got out, yesterday, that she pulled up the feed to the east side of the school, by the gym. Rewinding the feed, she stopped it around the group of girls, looking down at Sunset as she knelt on the floor..."

Alan perked up, as his face turned grimmed, hoping that this wasn't turning out as he knew it probably was. Celestia continued, without noticing his change.

"... Luna and I watched intently as they seemed to say something to her, and then walked off, leaving her there. Sunset cupped her face in hands, for a time, and that's when Luna walked up behind her." Celestia said, recounting the tale as she saw it, while Alan was fully invested in listening to said story. "Sunset turned, seeming upset, and as Luna reached out for her she took off in a run. Luna then followed after her, though not for long, as Sunset didn't stop. Going through the school's camera system, she followed where Susnet went. She ran all the way through the school, and left out the main entryway."

As she finished, Alan took it in stride. Something wasn't adding up, so he asked, as the light to the left-turn arrow showed green.

"Do you know why she was upset?" He asked softly, as the car moved, turning onto the hospital property.

"That was just it." She said, after taking a sip of her coffee. "I had no idea what happened. Luna then explained what was happening on the school's student Facebook page. Someone was going around as a 'anonymous' person, or something, sharing a lot of people's personal secrets on there. No one was safe, apparently." She said, looking down at her mug.

Alan, thinking for a moment, tried to put the pieces together, but they didn't add up. There was still… something wrong, he just knew it.

"So, was Sunset responsible?" Alan said, driving up toward the closest parking lot.

"That was the theory, but Luna said otherwise." Celestia said, getting Alan's full attention again. "She said that, looking through the Facebook page as a 'site administrator', whatever that means, and using some 'unorthodox' skills," she said, with floating quotation marks from her free hand, "she found out that, even though many, if not all students were blaming Sunset, it actually turned out to be three other girls." She said, watching as Alan started to park in a spot in the almost, very empty parking lot. "Luna knew this, and already spoke with the three girls, so she went to get Sunset's side of the story and then, well…"

"She ran off…" Alan finished, as he slowed to a stop in the stall. He didn't put it in park, because he was too busy in his head.

It all made sense. Everything, fitting together. Despite her mistakes, she was trying to be a better person. Doing everything she could to fully repent of her past mistakes. Then this whole gossip thing came up. Though he didn't know the full details, he knew enough about high school to realise that, despite everything she'd done to become a good person, it was all worthless when her so-called 'friends' didn't even bother to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Just as before, he clenched the steering wheel tightly, as well as his teeth as well. His face darkened to the point that his hair covered his eyes, obscuring their view of the world. He knew that people made mistakes, but being to stupid to realize that everyone has bad, even terrible days that pushes them to the point of know return? He only thought of one thing to convey his building malice on behalf of Sunset.

Those. Fucking. Children.

Not noticing his state, Celestia drank a bit more from her cup as she finished, "Luna said that a punishment was going to be given to those girls after the holiday break. So I guess there's no need to worry about that. For now, let's get inside to see Sunset." She went to open the door, but realized she forgot something. So she turned to Alan to inquire. "By the way, from what I heard Sunset had an accident, but what exactly happened?"

She saw how still Alan was, and thought that he fell asleep, at first. But as she studied him, she realized that he was facing forward, still as a rock, besides the shaking of his bone-white hands, which were squeezing the life out of the steering wheel. She thought this unorthodox to the stoic nature and professionalism of the detective, especially when dealing with matters like this. This gave her concern.

"Detective, what's wrong?" She asked, a tinge of worry in her voice, as her eyes held a plea for nothing. He said nothing in return, which turned worry to panic for the woman. "Alan…" She said softly. "It… was an accident, right?"

He moved. As he slowly turned his head toward her, he relaxed his hands just enough to put the car in park, and they both made eye contact. When she saw his eyes, they were filled with what she thought could destroy the whole city if it came to life: pure rage. She was terrified, now. It was made worse, however, when the implications about Sunset set in to her already breaking heart as he spoke.

"No." It was soft. Too soft, yet it was heard by the principal all the same. "It wasn't." He finished, as he pressed the car's power button, and the engine went dead.

Just as she saw the detective's face, with godly amounts of anger, turn away from her, she only thought for a split second what her own may have looked like at that moment.

Without thinking, the motherly terror came back to her as she choked back hysterical sobs and tears welled up. She threw the cup to her left, threw open the door, and ran toward the hospital entrance.

Getting woken up from his simmering rage by luke-warm coffee, Alan looked at himself, then the running woman, then back at himself. Giving an exasperated sigh, he slowly got out, did what he could to wipe himself down, made sure the doors were shut and locked, and made his way after the distraught woman.

Author's Note

Hey guys. I just want to apologize for the short and hopefully not too slow chapters and stories. I hope you enjoy them nonetheless.

The next chapter will be longer, this I can assure you. It may take some time, however. So please be patient.

Thanks again!

-Taco Blend.

Subliminal Messages Must Be Read Carefully

~~~Canterlot General, Main Entrance, 3:59 am~~~

Walking past the sliding, automatic doors, an annoyed, coffee covered Alan entered with annoyance on his face. He wished he could do something about his now wet, smelly clothes yet given his situation and why he was there in the first place, some things weren't worth the time. That still didn't mean he couldn't be a little bit angry.

"This was my favorite coat, you know." He said, toward one person in particular. "And this shirt was growing on me." Referring to his new and used, yet coffee-stained Slipknot shirt, he then looked up. "Plus, I'm not paying for that mess you made in your car."

Celestia wasn't paying attention to Alan's complaints, as she was holding the lapels of the secretary behind the front desk, half-demanding, half-begging for any form of answer. To her credit, the secretary was keeping her reaction down to a minimum and as professional as possible. She must have seen or been through this scenario many times.

"Please, tell me where she is!" Celestia said, hysterics slowly turning to unabashed commands.

The secretary, with her hands held up and eyes wide, was calmly trying to gain an understanding. "Ma'am, I can see you're under duress, but would you kindly just--."

"Tell me where she is!!"

Celestia was now yelling. Another sigh came from Alan. He stepped closer toward the desk, and started to gently pull Celestia away from the secretary. After being let go, said secretary turned toward her savior with nothing but relief.

"Detective Shoemaker. Thank you very much." A. Richards, as her name plate stated on her scrubs, said. "I was told you would be here with Sunset's---"

"Please, tell me. Is she okay?" Celestia interrupted, and was still beside herself, crying and yelling in the formerly quiet hospital. She was leaning over the desk, but was pulled back by a level-headed Alan. He turned Celestia toward him and slapped his hands on her face to get her attention.

"Celestia!" Now he was yelling. "Calm! Down!" Celestia was breathing ragged breaths. He'd never seen her so… vulnerable. "Breath in." He said, while doing so. "And out." Again, following suit.

It took a second for the woman to calm herself, which was made easier as Celestia looked up into the eyes of the man that brought her here. Alan, repeating the same mantra which grew softer each time, was patiently holding Celestia's head in her hands. She listened to the commands of the detective, and was slowly coming down from her overexcited fears.

"Everything is ok." He said softly, wiping away straggling tears with one hand while the other moved strands of frazzled hair out of her face. "Sunset is ok. YOU are ok." As she got a hold of herself, Celestia realized what kind of situation she was in.

Not only had she been close to the detective, but she was holding onto Alan's wrists, as though they were a lifeline. This confusion slowly turned to annoyance. She then gave Alan a weird look.

"What are you doing?" She asked as Alan noticed that he was, for some reason, acting weird and was too close for comfort. They then quickly separated, but that didn't hide the small blush that they both shared. "Thanks." She said off-handedly, and turned away with embarrassment.

"Don't mention it." He responded, then turned his attention toward the desk. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine," Nurse Richards said, giving the Principal a wary look. "The situation demands it. Plus, I wouldn't expect anything less from Sunset's mother." This gave the two visitor's pause. Celestia, wide eyed about the implication, was about to object when Alan went with it.

"Yeah! Mother bears and their cubs, am I right?" He said, nervously chuckling and doing his best to keep a no nonsense attitude, but was barely succeeding.

"Right." Unsure of what to say, Nurse Richards left it at that. "Since visiting hours aren't until later, you can't visit Sunset." The two were about to object. "However, since the circumstance merits a police officer's wellness check, as well as the fact that family should be together for the holidays, we can make an exception." She picked up the phone and started dialing. "Just let me page someone, and they will come and take you to---"

A loud thump could be heard from off to the side, by the door that leads to the stairwell. Looking toward the noise, they saw a person who was fumbling with themselves clumsily and managed to open the door, falling face first into the waiting area. At closer inspection, they could see it was a man wearing a lab coat, with brown hair, and their glasses off, which fell away from him to the side.

This came as a surprise to Celestia, wondering if he was okay, but annoyance and casual glee to Alan and the nurse respectively.

"Ah, Doctor Ludwig! I was just about to page you." The nurse said, as she went to help the German doctor up to his feet. He picked up his spectres, and put them on his nose. His kind of crazy looking eyes and handsome chiseled jaw really helped put one at ease in his presence. Yet it was his way of speaking that gave one pause.

“Nurse Richards?” The Doctor, now shaking away the effects of the fall, got a closer look at the one who had helped him up. “Vhy are you on zhe zecond floor?” He asked incredulously. “I zhought you vorked on zhe first?”

“I do,” deadpanned the nurse, with a look to match. “Where do you think you are?”

He looked toward her, then the desk, then the front doors and beyond, and then back to her. “Zhis izn’t zhe baby cages. Vhere did zhey go?”

Facepalming, Alison fought back a grumble. “Nursery. It’s called a Nursery.” She said, thinking about not being paid enough to babysit middle aged doctors. “And again, you are in the main entrance area on the FIRST FLOOR. Also, you have visitors.” She said, pointing to the two in question as she went back toward her desk.

The doctor had to look and study them for a second, and then revelation struck him. “Mommy… Daddy…?” he asked, with hope in his voice.

Celestia looked at Alan with nervous incredulousness, while Alan pinched his nose for the umpteenth time again. Without missing a beat, the nurse back stepped toward the doctor and quickly grabbed the Doctor’s glasses and flipped them right-side up, then put them back where she found them. This changed the Doctor’s look to a new realization which, to the surprise of none except Celestia, changed to an emotion that he seemed to be better than his previous.

“Vom Teufel, Detective Shoemaker!” He shouted with a laugh and a skip in his step as he grabbed Alan in a hug, much to the Detective’s dismay. This caused a little surprised chortle to come out of the Principal next to them, which added to Alan’s annoyance. “It’z zo gud to see you, mein freund. It haz been a vhile! How did it go? Zhiz iz a first, you know. I didn’t expect you to come here to---.”

He was interrupted by Alan clearing his throat, and getting out of the Doctor’s arms. “Vig, I’m here for Sunset. As is she.” He said, gesturing to Celestia. The Doctor turned, and it seemed that his eyes were going to bug out of his sockets.

“Mein Wort!” Doctor Ludwig exclaimed. “For being early in zhe morning, Dear Celeztia, you ztill are fairly beautiful. Tell me, fräulein, how did your parentz rezerve zuch genetic makeup to produce zuch a natural beauty such as yourself?” Celestia ignored the question.

“Please, Doctor. Tell me, is Sunset ok?” She asked, hoping that someone such as him would know anything about her status.

“Who?” He asked, a gleam of confusion in his eyes, much to Celestia’s dismay.

“Room C6, Level 3.” Nurse Richards said offhandedly, while focused on her cell phone.

“Ah! Mein Patient, Feuer Haare!” The Doctor said, which caused Alan to, yet again, pinch his nose and groan. “I vill take you to her. Follow me!” He said, turning toward the elevator, beckoning them to follow with a wave of his hand.

“Oh thank you,” Celestia said, her heart filling with some semblance of relief. Alan followed slowly, and begrudgingly behind.

“Ah, it iz in my bezt interezt to zee to the patientz vell-being.” He said, bowing a little and showing them entrance into the open elevator. He followed in behind them, and turned on his heel, facing away from the two to press the button to floor three. “By zhe vay, Principal Celeztia, vould you mind if I took a zample of your hair? I vish to know how it zeemz to zparkle like it iz.”

As the doors closed, Celestia could be seen looking at Alan with a look of confused alarm, as he just shrugged with a look of giving up.

~~~Level 3, ICU, Room C6, 4:09 am~~~

Silence permeated the room, as the sleeping figure began to be restless once again. Sunset's eyes opened to the waking world as she took in her surroundings. Everything was a dark, white blob, fuzzy even, as she looked around the room in a daze. Needless to say, she was out of it. She had no idea why she was in a random bed, in a white room, that smelled like a certain disinfectant that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She turned to her left, and noticed artificial light coming through what seemed to be a window next to a possible door. Is this what Elysium is like? She thought, until a shiver went through her body, causing her vision to fade to the blackness of unconsciousness. Had she been awake a little longer, she would have seen and heard visitor's come closer to her room.

The sound of speaking came from the hallway, as shadows filled a portion of the room through the window, as the door handle turned and opened to the trio of people.

"Und zhat iz vhy you never mingle a hamzter and an F-Sharp tuning fork! And here ve are." Doctor Ludwig said quietly, motioning for them to enter.

Celestia slowly walked into the room, looking to and fro until her eyes met the sleeping form of Sunset Shimmer. To no surprise of the men, she started to tear up, as the sight before her was almost too much to handle. She could not imagine the pain that Sunset went through getting to this point, and it only proved even worse as she saw one of her hands. Wrapped in layers of bandages, Celestia saw the forearm of Sunset, laying there as still as it's owner.

Alan stood just outside the room, watching with a cool demeanor. He saw Celestia hesitate for a few seconds before she practically lunged for the other side of the bed to sit in the chair at Sunset's side while gently clasping her hand in her own, brushing some of Sunset's hair away. If the situation wasn't morbid enough, he might have been moved by Celestia's thoughtfulness toward the teen.

"I heard there was an issue with her blood?" Alan said, with very little emotion in his voice.

Ludwig sighed, "Ja. Zo much zo zhat I vas cloze to calling zhe Zee-Dee-Zee!"

This came as a surprise to Alan. "The CDC? Wait, did you?"

"Ha! No!" Barked the doctor. "Like zhey would know anyzhing about medicine!" He gave a big smile toward the detective, as Alan rolled his eyes, but smirked all the same. The doctor then slammed his hand on Alan's shoulder. "Alzo, I vas vaiting for you. I knew you'd be interezted in zhiz vittle… fräulein."

Gesturing again to the bed's occupant, the two looked at Sunset with a look of pity, as well as… caution.

"Where is the sample?" Alan asked.

"In my office, on zhe fifth floor." The doctor said. He then addressed Celestia. "My dear," she turned toward him, "if you need anyzhing or if Zunzet is troubled, pleaze feel free to call in zhe nurze." He then looked at the clock. "Alzo, zhey may come in zhortly to check on her. And please, keep your chin up." He finished with a warm smile.

Celestia smiled softly and nodded in kind, as the two men left, she made eye contact with Alan for a split second, as he nodded to her through the door and turned away. Yet, while she appreciated his gesture, she couldn't help but notice something peculiar about his look. Almost like he was… longing for something.

All those thoughts were pushed from her mind, however, as Sunset began to stir. Giving the girl her full attention, she scooted closer and waited for Sunset to speak. The teen mumbled to herself, eyes half-lidded as, and she turned her head to and fro. Finally, she opened her eyes just enough to look around. Still dazed, she noticed her hand was being squeezed and she turned to see someone next to her.

"Sunset," Celestia said softly, brushing aside some of Sunset's locks.

"Ce...st..a?" She was barely able to speak, and her mouth was terribly dry. "Pri...c...s Celes..ia…"

"Shh…" Celestia said, getting closer. She seemed so scared. "I'm here. There's no need to worry." Even though she said it, in her mind that's all she was doing. Hopefully Sunset didn't notice.

"P… Princess?..." Sunset choked out.

Celestia knew that, where Sunset was from, things were different. She didn't know to the fullest extent, other than 'she's from a mirrored world/dimension full of ponies and magic', from what 'Princess Twilight' said, but she knew enough about this certain thing to just go with it.

"Yes, Sunset?" She asked, choking back a small sob.

"Am… am I…" Sunset closed her eyes, trying to hold back something, but through a deep breath and a single tear, she uttered the phrase, "am I a good pony...?"

This was too much for Celestia, as another wave of tears came to her eyes, but that did not deter her from smiling and slowly leaning forward, and kissing Sunset on the forehead. As she pulled back, she reassuringly squeezed Sunset's hand.

"Yes." She said, trying everything she could to hold back her emotions. "Yes you are. And I am so proud of you, my…" she said as Sunset's eyes started to gleam with tears of her own. While thinking of the right words, she had a thought come to her mind, as though she needed to say it. "...my faithful student…" she finished with a smile.

Sunset's smile faded as her lower lip quivered, she then started to cry like a little kitten mewling for its mother.

"I'm s-so sorry, Celestia." She said weakly, stuttering through her cries of anguish. "I l-let you down. I'm n-not g-g-good enough. I hate m-myself. Every t-time I try t-to do something g-good I always fail! Why am I so stupid!" She couldn't say more as the weak sobs were taking their toll on her exhausted form.

"That's enough, Sunset." Celestia said firmly, as she looked down into the eyes of her student. "You are a strong, young woman. You can do anything that you put your mind to, no matter what anyone says." She then wiped the tears away from her own face as well as Sunset's. "And you have people that love and care for you. They would blame themselves if anything terrible happened to you. So please, please hold onto your strength and be brave. I'm here, and I'm not leaving you."

Sunset cried silently, gazing at her supposed sovereign with awe and admiration, as Celestia drew near again, and leaned her head against Sunset's, in a pseudo embrace.

"You... promise...?" Sunset whimpered, strength failing.

"Yes, my dear." Celestia whispered with a smile in her voice. "Always."

With an inkling of a smile, Sunset drifted back into unconsciousness. Celestia, pulling away from her student, couldn't hold back anymore, as she quietly cried into her hand, doing everything she could to not wake Sunset.

A small knock came from the door, as Celestia was startled to see a nurse looking pitifully at her.

"I'm sorry, may I come in?" The nurse asked, a hint of sadness in her voice.

Nodding in the affirmative, Celestia was quickly composing herself, wiping away tears as the nurse handed her a box of tissues, with a small smile. Smiling herself, Celestia took the offered box and took a few in hand. The nurse then turned to check Sunset's vitals and other such things that she needed. She then turned back to Celestia with a question.

"Are you Sunset's mother?"

This came up a few times already, and, after witnessing the pain of her student just recently, she knew that Sunset needed this. Needed her. She nodded, planning on taking full responsibility for Sunset's well-being.

"I'm sorry for what's happened. I wish you both well." The kindness was much appreciated by Celestia. "We would like to know if you would like her backpack?"

This caught Celestia's attention. "She… she had her backpack with her?"

"Yes. It was brought with the paramedics and Detective Shoemaker. Would you like me to bring it to you?"

"Yes, please!" Celestia exclaimed, which the nurse then left to fetch the bag.

After returning, the nurse said, "we didn't go through it, and Detective Shoemaker requested that we leave it be."

Odd, Celestia thought. Usually the police or hospital would rummage through the victims items in case of emergencies, especially with the lack of information on Sunset.

Noticing her confusion, the nurse helped her with her answer.

"He said that it was best to not look through it. That there may have been things in there that Sunset doesn't want anyone to see." She said with a shrug. "We were all confused, so we just let it be." She then turned to leave, but before closing the door, she remembered, "she may also have her phone in her backpack. It's been going off a lot the past few hours."

As the Nurse left the room, Celestia, simply just stared straight ahead. She didn't know what to do or think at this point. For the second time in her life, she felt utterly helpless. The first, of course, dealing with…

She slumped backwards as she dropped the bag on the floor next to her. She started rubbing her forehead from the excitable early morning she had so far. She met with an old acquaintance, as he dragged her into this rollercoaster of emotions, all on a day of good tidings and great joy. No joy was found within her heart so far, and she could only imagine the turmoil that Sunset has gone through.

This has all been causing a headache to start ringing through her head, and the vibrations of a phone didn't help none.

She snapped her eyes open! Shit! She thought as she dug through her purse to find her phone. All this craziness, and I haven't told Luna! Oh she's gonna…

There was no phone.

The realization slowly hit her that, while scrambling to get to the hospital, she forgot the one thing that would help her personally contact her sister and others if need be. And this moment was a 'need' to 'be' informed about.

She slouched again, and felt that achy pain starting to rise in her head, but was suddenly aware that the buzzing was still going. She looked around, thinking it was something to do with the hospital room, when she knocked over Sunset's backpack, and realized that the bag was the origin. Without hesitation, she started to go through the small pockets of the back pack, and found the thing in question that was making the buzzing. Or she thought, because Sunset's cheap flip phone was dead, and it seemed to be cracked on the screen.

Though she had a phone in her hand, the buzzing continued, which led her to open the main pocket. Unzipping it she noticed that there was a glowing object which was buzzing…

Like a phone…

A book… phone?...

Shaking the thoughts from her head she grabbed the book in question, and noticed that, once in hand, it stopped vibrating, like it knew that it was being held.

Flipping it over, she was wondering what made it do those things, when she remembered the events of the fall formal and rock concert, causing her to relent with said questions. Looking closer at the book, which seemed more and more like a diary, there was a silk bookmark sticking out from the bottom, and a little ways deep from the front.

Celestia gingerly took the bookmark, and hesitantly opened the book. She glanced at Sunset to make sure she was asleep, and the window, to make sure no one saw her. She then looked at the contents and started to read. What was written in Sunset's handwriting, that she could guess, really made her heart sink.

Dear Twilight,

I just want you to know how grateful I am for what you've done for me. I don't think I could've ever seen the beauty that is friendship without you having to, well, practically shoot me with it. Suffice it to say, it really helped me.

I also want to say that, no matter what happens, you'll always be the best friend that I always wanted. I wish I could tell you this in person but seeing as we're worlds apart, I'll just leave it here.

I hope that, someday, many great people will come around and really know how wonderful you are and that you will always be there for them no matter what.

Your friend forever,
Sunset Shimmer

P.S. If the other girls ask about something, tell them it's okay.

It was hard for Celestia to understand this at first, but from the events that happened that night, she could tell that Sunset had written her…

With a hand clasping over her mouth as she quietly sobbed, she read over the letter again and again. She wiped the tears away, and saw at the top of the note, she saw what looked like a timestamp:

Sent:

December 25, 2020 - 12:03 am

Received:

December 25, 2020 - 1:25 am

Mere hours ago. It felt like so long ago, but it just happened four hours ago, at least!

Looking toward the book, she saw that it was glowing a little bit from the next page. She turned it and noticed a time stamp, which read:

Delivered:

December 25, 2020 - 1:32 am

Viewed:

December 25, 2020 - 4:29 am

Celestia looked at the clock and noticed that the time was exactly at what the book stated. She then turned back to the book and read the entry, now in new handwriting.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

I'm glad you feel that way. I happen to feel the same. For you, and my other friends. If anything, we all tend to have many things in common.

In fact just the other day, Rarity and Pinkie said that…

And on and on it went. For five pages, it went on to recount the dealings of Princess Twilight and some of her escapades with others from her world. Celestia just skimmed through it and got to the end, which didn't yield any further inquiries from the messenger.

… and that's how that happened.

Well, I hope all is well with you. If there is anything that you need, and I mean anything, please, don't hesitate to ask. Even if you need to come to Equestria for help with something, my door is always open. After all, we are best friends, aren't we?

Your friend always,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S. I know it is different there, and correct me if I'm saying it wrong but, how do you say it again?

Merry X-mas?

Giving a sigh, Celestia turned the next page, and noticed that it was empty. Skimming through the other pages gave the same result.

Flipping back through to the beginning, she noticed that there were all kinds of different notes, not that she read them, but she noticed that Sunset's and Twilight's were not the only ones. She then thought about how she could help Sunset, when all she had was this…

Then she started digging through Sunset's bag and found a pen. Turning to the blank page she hesitated. What should she say? What can she say, this is a book. How can she communicate with a stupid---

She took a deep breath, steeled herself for something that probably wouldn't, but hopefully would work, and began to write:

Twilight.

This is Principal Celestia.

I need your help...

Even Small Actions Can Cause Greater Consequences

~~~Main Bed Chambers, Friendship Castle, Hearth's Warming Morning, 4:34 am~~~

The young drake jolted awake, as he heard the distinct noise of a vibrating book. Odd, as it was, and warranting a regular pony's fascination, Spike just gave a tired sigh. It took him a few hours the night before to finish wrapping gifts, and even hours longer to find the Sandmare and get a few minutes of shuteye. Despite being practically a teenager, he was still childishly excited for the next morning. The more presents he got, the more his hoard could grow, much to Twilight's annoyance.

What she couldn't find wouldn't hurt her nor decrease his treasures.

The reminder to his reason of being awake so early came to full force as the book buzzed again. Spike shook his head a bit, rubbed his eyes, and blew a few small flames from his mouth. These flames made their mark as they lit the few candles on Twilight's personal desk. Even with his keen eyesight he didn't need the extra light to see the book glowing… white?

"Huh. Weird." He said to himself as he picked up the book and opened it. It usually glows gold but weird pony-human magic can have different effects. He thought as he opened to the new message. "Hey, is Sunset trying out new handwriting, cause this…"

His mind went blank.

He saw the words on the paper, but couldn't believe them. He wiped his eyes a few times more, and blinked what he thought was more sleep from his eyes. He wiped the page, thinking it was hiding a sick joke, even flipped a few pages back and forth as though he was trying to find an answer.

None came. Just the same message.

Thoughts went through his mind. Denial. Rage. Sorrow. All mixed together like some bittersweet pudding set out for Santa Claws to eat a few bites of on Hearth's Warming Eve. Despite these, there was one flavor that he felt that came crashing into his heart like Rainbow Dash through the many windows of Ponyville.

Guilt. Had he done something…?

Shaking these thoughts from his mind, he had one thing to do. Quickly, grabbing the book, he sprinted out the door faster than he'd ever run before. Passing a few guards on their rounds, he yelled for them to follow one order:

"Help me find Twilight! There's an emergency!"

As Spike and the guards booked it toward the main entryway, they passed by the Cutie Mark Hall where, if anyone took the time to look at the map, they could see a faint, blinking Sun of red mixed with yellow within the heart of the miniature castle. Yet, even the most fair sighted of any creature could barely see that, around the sun, were faint stars swirling around.

~~~Ponyville Town Hall, 4:43 am~~~

"Thank you so much for helping out, your Majesty!"

Twilight bit back an exasperated groan as she gave a small smile to Mayor Mare.

"It was my pleasure, Mayor, but please, I've told you many times. Just call me Twilight. We are friends, after all." Twilight then gave the Mayor a pat on the shoulder. "Plus, it is always fun to do service for those who are less fortunate. I'm sure the foals at the orphanage in Canterlot will appreciate these gifts."

They were at town hall, with a few other night owl ponies, wrapping toys and treats for said children. There were hundreds of different sized goodies for the kids this year. It took away a few hours of precious sleep, but it was all worth it.

The Mayor chuckled. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I just can't help but think that you, a Princess of the Realm, is helping small children get their Hearth's Warming gifts. It's like a fairy tale! I should call my sister in the next town over and have her write the story! A new and original Hearth's Warming tale! That'd be fantastic, you think?"

They were heading outside to oversee the loading process of wagon upon wagon of toys to be transported by pegasi. Though it may have been an interesting story idea, Twilight couldn't help but cringe inside. She was still having reservations about being a princess, so having a story being told about her kindness is giving her more self-doubt. True, she was being nice for the young kids without families, but she just didn't want the praise. She just wants others to be happy.

"I'm just doing what anypony else would do." Twilight said. "Besides, if I had the funds and such, I'd be doing this everyday instead of once a year." She said looking down to the new-fallen snow, beating herself up inside. "I just wish there was a way to make them all happy, everyday. Every moment. How can I be a good princess if I can only help these poor colts and fillies once a year?"

Twilight's head snapped up as she felt a hoof on her withers. She turned and saw the warm look and soft smile of the Mayor. For some reason, the elderly mare's gesture calmed Twilight's heart, almost as much as her own mother.

"You're doing fine, Sweetheart. Nopony is perfect." The mayor said, then gesturing to the wagons. "Despite living in a peaceful world, there are bad things that happen to good ponies. It's what we do to help those ponies deal with the bad things that makes our efforts all the more worth it."

The mayor turned back to Twilight, with a little moisture in her eyes. "I was an orphan, you know." She admitted, much to Twilight's shock. "Though times were tough, we made due with what we had, and when those few presents came every year," she paused, sighing listlessly, "it made everything seem lighter and more bearable. We felt love from those that we didn't know and it meant so much to us."

She sighed again, as she wiped her eyes and looked towards the princess, who was wiping her own eyes.

"All in all, Twilight, what you've helped do tonight will go a long way. Years even. And, as my beloved caretaker used to say: 'by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass.' So chin up," she said as she smiled. "You're doing great work today!"

Twilight couldn't help it. She wrapped her wing around the mayor and she returned the hug the best she could. Being uplifted like this was what she needed.

"Thank you." Twilight whispered. "That means a lot to me. And thank you for sharing something so personal."

"Well, being the Princess of Friendship, I think you should be privy to many things that are meaningful in that sense." The mayor said as they let go from the hug. "Now, let's get these toys delivered!"

Twilight giggled at the mayor's enthusiasm, and started down the steps, when she heard a familiar call.

"Princess!"

Twilight turned and looked to see a few guards gallop their way towards her, as another was behind yelling towards others a ways off. Reaching her, they bowed and then saluted, waiting for permission to speak.

"Flash? Gold Leaf? What happened?" Twilight asked with bewilderment.

"It's Master Spike, your Highness," Flash said. "He said there was an emergency!"

"An emergency?" The mayor echoed. "Is there a monster running amuck?"

"TWILIGHT!!"

There were many things colder than the snow and the night air around them. The particular scream filled with terror and sadness that came from the young drake was one of them. He ran faster than he ever had before, and the look on his face told the surrogate mother/sister/friend/teacher one thing, and that was that something was definitely wrong.

Catching up and coming to a stop in front of the princess, Spike was trying to speak his mind, but being in the presence of his Friend and Protector, the adrenaline of the whole situation started to come down. The tears welled up. He started to blubber and choke out wordless sobs. Though everyone there was apprehensive, Twilight's worry was relieved when she saw the little distraught dragon.

"Oh, Spike. Did you have a nightmare?" Twilight cooed, much to Spike's annoyance. "I told you to not eat so much before going to bed. You know what happens when---"

"Dammit, Twilight! That's not why I'm here!" Spike yelled, as she and the others present gasped and the guards tensed up.

"Spikard Reginald Sparkle!" Twilight said, "how dare you use such language. Why, I'd have half a mind to---"

"There's no time!" Spike blurted out, while shoving the other-worldly journal in the mare's face, much to her agitated confusion. "I-it's Sunset! She's… she… something's happened!"

Twilight took the book away with her magic, giving Spike a hard look. She then zipped through it while prepping a long lecture for her assistant.

"There is still no reason for you to use a swear word, Spike. We're gonna have to wash that mouth out after Hearth's Warming." She sternly said as she got to the page in question. "Besides, I sent a message to Sunset hours ago. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. I bet she's doing… just…."

Her sentence died in her throat and her lecture was forgotten, as she read the words over and over. Spike could recognize that the same thing that he went through earlier was now happening to Twilight, but it wasn't just bad. She was taking it a lot worse.

For Twilight, the washed away feeling of doubt came flooding back to her tenfold, as a tear slipped down her face. Though she was always good at keeping herself composed, only a few in Equestria could tell that something was wrong as the cracks started to form. Mayor Mare noticed this as well.

"Twilight?" She gingerly asked, "is everything---"

The mayor didn't get to finish as a sob escaped from Twilight's lips, while she held the book and grabbed Spike in her magic and teleported away to Sisters knows where. Without missing a beat, the guards went about to find their lost princess and assistant and secure their charges.

The mayor noticed though, that as they left, she could tell something truly was amiss. If something as good as giving gifts to those in need could be drowned out by something so terrible, then something was definitely wrong. She just prayed to the heavens above that no one's life was in jeopardy.

~~~Royal Resting Lounge, Canterlot Castle, 4:56 am~~~

Princess Celestia was putting the finishing touches on the gifts for the holiday. This was always her favorite thing to do this time of year. Celebrating a day of receiving by doing nothing but give. It really brightened up her life. At least as much as it can for the Sun Goddess, but it's the thought it counts.

As she looked over to her two companions, she couldn't help but give a hearty giggle.

"Luna, it's just scotch tape. It is not going to strangle you." Celestia said playfully. Luna for her part was somehow wrapped up in the tape, trying to finagle her way out of her trap.

"Easy for you to say." Luna grumbled. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say the blasted pony that invented this stuff would have been able to best me without a thought!"

Soft laughter came from the two other occupants of the room. They both shared a silent agreement that Luna was just too cute in her own way.

"I see why you suggested I come help you, Auntie Celestia. I would never have guessed that Auntie Luna was this entertaining." Said the third occupant.

"Oh, put a hoof in it, Cadence!" Luna retorted grumpily, much to the other ponies amusement.

"Oh come now, Lulu." Celestia said, while easily levitating the unwound tape off of her sister. "We're just having a little fun---."

"---At my own expense, no less." Luna interrupted, with her forelegs folded and looking away.

"Oh, Auntie, it's ok!" Cadence said, scooting toward the dark princess, and nuzzling her affectionately. "We didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Besides, aren't you the one who is always pranking us when it benefits you?"

This eased Luna a bit, knowing that if she can dish out harsher pranks, she should be able to take them. Turning toward her niece, she nuzzled her back and gave her a smile.

"My apologies." Luna relented. "It's just… I wish the best for these foals, and yet I can't even wrap a gift properly!"

To prove her point, she lifted up a gift that seemed to have been wrapped by a blind manticore while their claws were extended. Giving a knowing look, Celestia lifted up a few presents of her own, but they were wrapped in star filled wrapping paper, the same that Luna was attempting to use.

"I know, Luna. Which is why these, and others, are already prepared." Celestia said, putting the gifts in a pile on the other side of the room.

Luna gave a sheepish green to Celestia, but leaned over and nuzzled her in thanks all the same.

"You think we have more presents than Twilight?" Cadence asked curiously.

"Now, Cadence, this isn't a competition, you know." Celestia said. "However, considering that we, here, have promised a certain amount towards the hospital and Twilight to the orphanage, I'm sure that we have less."

"Thankfully." Luna added. "It just means there are less sick children this year. Which is great. But all the more reason to make sure that this year's children are happy, despite their circumstances."

"That's a good way of looking at it, Luna." Cadence said. "I never thought of it that way. And I hope this year there isn't anything terrible that happens."

As if on cue, purple light bursts out of nowhere by the door, and a frantic purple alicorn and her assistant appear. The three shake off their confusion and recognize the duo.

"Oh, Twilight. You're here." Celestia said, getting up to meet her former student. Looking at the clock, it showed that it was still early. "We weren't expecting you for a few more hours, how are things goi---"

She dreaded seeing her subjects sad, more those closest to her, so when she saw a shaking Twilight, crying openly and choking back sobs she was very much attentive. The other two alicorns quickly stood up and trotted over next to Celestia and the distraught Twilight.

"Twilight, what's wrong?" Celestia said, voice filled with concern. Though it had been a while since she mothered foals of her own, she saw many ponies 9f today, especially Twilight, as her own. Her motherly tone was enough to warrant a response.

"Wh-what did I d-d-do wrong?" Twilight managed to say through thick emotions.

Celestia didn't know what Twilight was talking about, but saw a sad looking Spike pointing to a book that was in Twilight's magical grip. She carefully took it into her own magic and noticed how easily Twilight relented. Cadence went to Twilight and took her into a hug as Luna watched on intently.

"W-w-was it s-s-somehting I d-did?" Twilight said as Celestia viewed the book more closely. It was the journal she entrusted to Twilight alongside the portal. Dread began to fill her heart as she opened it up to the latest entry. Upon reading the first few lines, she felt a stone hit her in the gut.

Twilight

This is Principal Celestia

I need your help. Sunset is in the hospital and is in need of blood.

Now, be aware, she is in stable condition and the hospital staff are doing everything they can to keep her comfortable. But considering all that has happened this early morning, it's a miracle that she is still here with us.

I know she and you are different from me and everyone else on this side of the portal, which is why I'm requesting that, if possible, send or tell me the type of blood that she needs to make a full recovery. I don't know what they'll do to her if she is found out to be from another world, but, as much as I hate admitting it, I can only protect her so much.

Twilight.

She tried to take her own life tonight.

I wish I knew about what she's been going through. If I knew that I could've helped, I would have in a heartbeat. And I'm sure you feel the same.

Please don't tear yourself up about this. You wouldn't have known unless she confided in you. This is not your fault.

Please, come if you can or send word for what we need to do.

"Tia?"

Celestia turned toward her sister as Luna went to wipe a tear from her cheek with her wing. Luna herself had a look of concern on her face, as well as knowing. She had most likely read the journal over her shoulder and she was now ready to act. Luna was willing to do everything she could to help make this right. Oh, how Celestia loved her sister.

"I'm a terrible friend."

Turning their attention, they saw Cadence and Spike trying to console a heavily crestfallen Twilight. Though the sobs have ceased, she still had trars as she still leaned into Cadence and held Spike in her forearms, not wanting to ever let go. She seemed absolutely defeated.

"Twilight," Celestia said softly. "You wouldn't have known if this was going to happen. It is not your fau---."

"It's not?!" Twilight screamed in anger toward her former teacher, much to the surprise of the others. "It IS my fault. She was reaching out to me, and I did nothing. Sh-she sent a message to me hours ago, and I thought nothing of it! I thought it was weird, but, again, I thought it was NOTHING! Now look at what's happened. Sunset would be fine if I didn't ignore her! Now she tried to kill herself, and it's my FAULT!!" Twilight collapsed, shaking even more. "I'm not fit to be a princess, let alone anyone's friend. I might as well give up."

"Twilight Sparkle, don't you ever say that!" Everyone snapped their heads toward Luna, a look of disappointment and hurt was on her face. She knelt down to face Twilight, and spoke to her at her level. "That line of thinking is what put Sunset and many others like her in that predicament. Unlike Sunset, however, there are those who weren't as lucky to live like her."

Luna turned away, and seemed to Twilight as though she were repressing something. A long, lost memory that still aches in her very heart and soul. Luna felt a wing over her, as she saw Celestia kneel down next to her, giving her a supportive look.

Celestia then beckoned everyone to come together for a hug. They knelt together and held one another. Giving love and kind, healing words to one another. This was something Celestia would do to all those she held dear. Despite the circumstances, she knew that everyone needed this time to help strengthen one another. Though it seemed like forever, it was a simple and quick thing for them to do.

"Thank you." Twilight said, drying her eyes. "All of you. I know that if we work together, we can save Sunset."

They all got up, and Celestia magicked to herself a parchment and quill. She was writing things down as she gave out a battle plan.

"Here's what needs to be done. Luna and Cadence." The two alicorns stood ready. "You two will help with the children's toys for the orphanage today. I'll stay here and manage the toys for the hospital foals." They both nodded affirmations, and went off.

"Shall we race, dear niece?" Luna said, with a playful tone.

"Only if you're willing to keep up." Cadence returned with a giggle.

They turned toward Twilight and Spike and nuzzled them as they left out the door.

Celestia finished writing on the parchment and started to roll it up.

"Listen carefully, you two." Celestia said, "go down to the infirmary, and ask for Doctor House. He'll be a bit cranky, but show him this note, and he'll get you what we need." The note floated to Twilight, and she took it in her magic. "Once you have what's needed, return here at once. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Princess. You can count on us!" Twilight said with determination, she lifted Spike up and put him on her back, he then was given the note to hold onto. "Come on Spike, let's go save our friend!"

Twilight galloped out of the room, leaving Celestia alone with her thoughts. If there was anyone who should be blamed for Sunset's circumstances, it wasn't Twilight.

"I'm to blame."

Celestia was then determined to help her former student in any way she possibly could. Being the tactician that she was, a plan was forming in her mind the moment she read the journal entry. Speaking of which, she levitated the book and, with a quill at the ready, she started to send a note to the other journal.

~~~ICU ROOM C6, Canterlot General Hospital, 5:17 am~~~

Celestia quietly reentered the room from the hallway. She saw that Sunset had not really moved since she left. Luckily, the way the machines were silently recording their readings, Sunset was still alive and… almost well.

With a bland and hot cup of coffee in hand, she sat back down in the seat beside the bed. She hadn't really done anything other than worry and think. And get coffee, but that didn't count in her mind. She set the cup down and leaned back to stare up at the ceiling. What was she going to do if they found something about Sunset that was off to them? Would they take her away? Would they do terrible things to her?

These thoughts were thrown out as she heard the sound of a vibrating… book. Gotta get used to that. She thought as she picked up the book and opened it to the magically new entry. This handwriting seemed an awful lot like her own for some reason.

Principal Celestia.

We thank you for reaching out to us on behalf of Sunset Shimmer. She means so much to us, and knowing that she is in the company of an amazing and intelligent woman, has made us very relieved…

"Heh, thanks but flattery will get you nowhere." Celestia said out loud as she turned the page.

… Alas, flattery will not help the situation…

Celestia Blinked.

… Right now, Sunset's life and safety is on the line. Twilight has been sent to retrieve vials of blood to be used for transfusion. We hope that these would be satisfactory to the needs of young Sunset.

Twilight will be sent through the portal within half-hours time. Hopefully we'll make it in time for Sunset to be fully awake and well enough to enjoy Christmas.

You, truly

The Sun Princess

"She seems nice." Celestia said. "But aren't you supposed to say 'yours truly'?" She thought outloud, but brushed it aside, when she looked down further and saw more.

P.S. Please, Celestia. Please let her know how much she means to us.

How much she means to me.

Please cherish and take care of her as the beautiful soul that she is, and let me know how she is doing. Please, care for her the best you can

Again, you have my eternal thanks.

Celestia thought for a moment about what this Sun Princess meant. Take care of her as a principal? A friend? A moth---

She pushed those thoughts from her mind, as she got up from her seat. She headed to the door as she grabbed her purse, and shuffled through it for a moment and… she didn't have her keys.

Then, realization came crashing down upon her as she stopped dead in her tracks and asked herself with wide eyed terror:

"How do I tell Alan?"