A Sunset Within The Darkness

The morning sun peeked through the curtains of Y/N’s room, signaling the start of a weekend that couldn’t have come at a better time. The loss to Crystal Prep still stung, but the team needed this break, as Coach Iron Will had insisted. The team was in a good spot, only losing two games so far but Y/N knew they could be better.

“It’s not defeat, Wonderbolts,” Coach had said in his booming voice after the game. “It’s a lesson. Rest, regroup, and come back stronger. Next week, we start preparing for the rest of the season.”

For Y/N, rest didn’t mean sitting idle. When Y/N came back home from the game he immediately went to watch film and see if he could find any flaws in Sundrop or the defense. While the team took their break, he decided to head to the park with Flash Sentry for some practice. Rarity, ever the supportive cousin, insisted on tagging along, though her real motive was to talk to Y/N about Sunset Shimmer.

The park was alive with the usual weekend energy—children playing on the swings, joggers pacing along the paths, and families enjoying picnics under the shade of the tall oak trees. Y/N and Flash found an open field, the perfect spot for throwing a football around and the perfect spot for them to get some training in.

Flash stretched his legs, ready to run routes, while Y/N adjusted his grip on the ball. “Alright, Flash,” Y/N called, “Let’s start simple. Ten-yard slants.”

“Got it!” Flash jogged into position and sprinted forward as Y/N launched the ball with practiced precision. It sailed through the air, landing squarely in Flash’s hands.

As the two fell into their rhythm, Rarity sat on a nearby bench, keeping her eyes on Y/N. Watching Y/N throw the ball to Flash also impressed her, she didn't think Y/N had a secret talent for football but it seemed he did. After a few minutes, she called out, “Darling, do you mind joining me for a moment?”

Y/N jogged over, wiping sweat from his brow with Flash took a seat, and took a sip from his water bottle. “What’s up, Rarity?”

She motioned for him to sit beside her. “I wanted to talk to you about Sunset. Have you noticed anything... different about her lately?”

Y/N nodded, recalling Sunset’s recent behavior. “Yeah, she’s been... off. More irritable. She came up to me and told me to forfeit the game because Sundrop would beat us despite being a Wondercolt. She also gloated after Crystal Prep beat us.”

Rarity sighed. “It’s not just that. She’s been snapping at our friends, even me, saying things she normally wouldn’t. It’s almost like she’s reverting to the Sunset we knew before she changed for the better. She scared Fluttershy so bad the poor girl started crying.”

Y/N frowned. “Do you think it’s because of Sundrop?”

Rarity hesitated before answering. “I hate to say it, but yes. Now that I think about it ever since she started dating him, she’s been acting differently. It started off slowly with small things that could be overlooked but it's only gotten worse. He’s rubbing off on her, and not in a good way.”

Y/N clenched his fists, the mention of Sundrop reigniting old memories of being bullied at Crystal Prep. “That guy... he’s a toxic influence. I don’t know what she sees in him.”

Before Rarity could respond, raised voices caught their attention. A boy and a girl were arguing nearby, their voices carrying through the quiet park. The two cousins glanced at each other, curiosity got the better of them, and they crept closer, crouching behind a row of bushes for a better look.

To their shock, speak of the devil, the arguing pair was none other than Sunset Shimmer and Sundrop.

“You think I don’t know what you’ve been doing behind my back?” Sunset’s voice was sharp, tinged with both anger and hurt.

“Don’t act like a saint, Sunset,” Sundrop shot back. “You’ve been getting on my case for weeks now. Maybe if you weren’t so controlling—”

“Don’t you dare put this on me!” Sunset interrupted, her hands balled into fists. “I trusted you, Sundrop. But now I find out you’ve been cheating on me when I've been nothing but a great girlfriend? I can’t believe I let you turn me into someone I don’t even recognize anymore!”

Sundrop smirked, his usual smugness on full display. “Oh, come on, Sunset. Don’t act like you’re so perfect. You loved this side of me at first. What changed?”

“What changed,” Sunset said through gritted teeth, “is that I realized you’re nothing but a manipulative jerk. We’re done, Sundrop.”

Sundrop scoffed, crossing his arms. “Fine. Go ahead. But don’t come crawling back when you realize you’re nothing without me.” Sunset didn’t respond, storming off in the opposite direction.

Y/N and Rarity exchanged wide-eyed glances. They had expected many things from their morning practice, but not witnessing Sunset and Sundrop’s breakup.

“Wow,” Y/N muttered, still crouched behind the bushes. “I didn’t think she’d actually stand up to him.”

Rarity straightened up, brushing dirt off her skirt. “Neither did I. But it’s about time she realized what kind of person he is.”

As Sunset walked past their hiding spot, her head hung low, Rarity turned to Y/N. “I’m going to go talk to her. I’ll make it seem like a coincidence.”

Y/N nodded. “Good idea. She could use someone to talk to right now.” Rarity hurried after Sunset, leaving Y/N and Flash behind.

Y/N watched as Rarity caught up to Sunset, her cousin’s comforting presence already beginning to ease Sunset’s visible sadness. He turned his attention back to Sundrop, who remained near the bushes, muttering angrily to himself before walking away.

Flash joined Y/N, his face mirroring Y/N’s determination. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Absolutely,” Y/N replied, his gaze never leaving Sundrop. “That guy’s been a thorn in my side for too long. It’s time to take him down—not just for what he did to Sunset, but for everything he’s done to everyone.”

Flash smirked. “And what better way to do it than on the field? We’ll show him and Crystal Prep who the real champions are.”

Y/N nodded, a renewed fire igniting in his chest. “We’ll make them regret ever underestimating us. When we meet again in the playoffs—or the championship— and trust me, we will, we’re taking them down.”

As they returned to practice, Y/N felt a sense of clarity. The path to redemption was clear, and it started with becoming the best player and teammate he could be. Victory wasn’t just about skill; it was about heart, resilience, and proving that no matter how many times they were knocked down, they would always rise again.

With the girls, Rarity caught up to Sunset near the park’s fountain. “Oh, darling, what a surprise seeing you here!” she said, feigning coincidence.

Sunset looked up, her expression a mix of sadness and frustration. She gave a small smile before looking down. “Rarity... Hey.”

Rarity placed a hand on her shoulder. “I couldn’t help but notice you looked upset. Care to talk about it?”

Sunset hesitated before sighing deeply. “I broke up with Sundrop.”

Rarity nodded giving Sunset a small smile. “I see. And how are you feeling about that?”

“Conflicted,” Sunset admitted as she scratched the back of her head. “I know it was the right thing to do, but it still hurts. I let him change me, Rarity. I became someone I don’t even like anymore.”

Rarity gave her a reassuring smile. “What matters is that you recognized it and made the decision to walk away. That takes strength, Sunset. And you’re not alone—you’ve got all of us to support you.”

Sunset managed a small smile. “Thanks, Rarity. I really needed to hear that.” The two friends hugged each other.

As the two friends continued their conversation, Y/N and Flash practiced with renewed determination in the background, setting the stage for the challenges yet to come. The Wonderbolts’ path to glory was far from over, and the rivalry with Crystal Prep was only heating up.