Recovery

by TheKing2001

Rating: mature
Tags: Trixie, Bon-Bon, Suicide / Self Harm, Adventure, Equestria Girls, Sunset Shimmer, Profanity, Raindrops, Sad, Lyra, Drama
Length: 7001

Some friends explore an abandoned factory.

Following the events of the Fall Formal, three friends explore an abandoned factory amd discover way more than what they expected.

Published 2023-03-02 02:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2023-05-22 19:10:08 UTC

Chapter I

I’ve had enough, Sunset thought as she threw her backpack on the floor of her room. Describing this a room was being generous as she looked around at the concrete floors and a small mattress in the corner. She walked to the “kitchen” as she liked to call it. Really, it was just an empty room with a beat up cupboard she found on the side of a road, a small mini fridge Flash gave her, a half working microwave and a sundamaged extension cord that connected to the pawn shop next door.

Sighing, she got a bowl and a bag of Ramen. Ripping open the Ramen, she poured it into the bowl and poured water into it and stirred the mix in with it before putting it in the microwave. After it got done, she sat on her mattress and ate. Reaching over, she grabbed her small metal box and flipped it open so she could do her nightly routine. Inside were a box cutter blade and some basic first aid tools.

She gingerly picked up the blade, positioned it at her arm and slowly it moved it down. Blood instantly slowly spilled out and she hissed in pain. She picked up the medical supplies and pressed the gauze over the cut till it stopped bleeding. She then picked up a notebook and opened it. Inside were times, dates, how much she bleed and how long it took to stop the bleeding.

She scribbled down ten minutes after checking her phone. Shortest time yet but it still wasn’t enough, she decided. Standing up, she walking to a room with the sign maintenance on it, opened it and walked in and then shut the door behind her. Her eyes flicked over to a old piece of rope and then up at a pipe in the ceiling.

Standing outside the abandoned factory were three girls dressed warmly as the snow slowly fell around them.

“Are we sure about going inside? It looks dangerous, Lyra,” a cream girl said nervously.

Lyra nodded eagerly. “It’s gonna be so epic. A lot of people are doing urban exploring, Bon Bon. We can even start a channel on TubeYou of us exploring,” she said excitedly.

“What about you, Trixie?” Bon Bon turned to their third member. “Do you agree with her?”

Trixie nodded, slower than Lyra had. “Trixie agrees with Lyra.” Not many people knew that Trixie only spoke like that because of a tic she developed as a kid. Her two friends knew the truth, though. They were the only two she trusted to know about it.

Bon Bon sighed, knowing she’d been out voted. The three girls walked towards the entrance and Lyra opened the door for her two friends to walk. She shut the door after following them in.

It was dark enough where they could make out each other’s shapes but beyond that, they saw nothing. Bon Bon reached into her bag and produced three flashlights. She then passed them out to each girl. “So we can see,” she explained.

“Gee, thanks for explaining what a flashlight does,” Lyra rolled her eyes.
Bon Bon sighed in irritation.

“We should split up and search each part alone. Cover more ground,” Lyra suggested.

Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. This place is really old and we don’t know how stable the upperfloors are. We should stay together.”

“Trixie agrees with splitting up. The faster we get done, the faster she gets to go home and leave this totally not creepy factory,” the light blue girl commented, sounding slightly nervous.

Lyra pumped her arm in victory while Bon Bon sighed dejectedly. “Fine, but I’m calling the groupchat. That way if something goes wrong, we can tell the others instantly.” She pulled her phone out and started tapping a few buttons till her partners phones rang. They both answered and Lyra immediately said “hello” In a creepy voice into her phone.

“Really Lyra?” Bon Bon scoffed. “Grow up.”

“I’m going upstairs,” Lyra replied sticking her tongue at her friend.

“It looks big up there, I’ll go up there too and explore some rooms,” Bon Bon decided.

“Trixie will explore down here.” When they each had a plan, all three girls turned their lights on and went their own ways.

“Why do you think this place shut down?” Bon Bon asked as she and Lyra walked up the stairs.

“I heard after the Industrial Revolution, factories like these were abandoned for newer ones with better equipment. Some got made safer for workers, others got torn down,” Lyra commented.

“Wow, someone’s been paying attention in history class,” Bon Bon teased.

“Shut up.”

The two girls approached a split hallway and looked at each other.

“I go left, you go right?” Lyra suggested.

Bon Bon visibly gulped and nodded. Each girl headed down their hallways.

Trixie was walking around downstairs when she heard a dripping sound. She froze and looked around nervously.
She took a deep breath and followed the sound cautiously. A drop of water hit head and she stepped, glancing up. She gave a sigh of relief when she was saw it was just a leaky pipe.

“Thank Primus,” Trixie muttered.

“Are you good, Trix?” Came Lyra’s voice from the phone.

“Yeah I’m good, just heard dripping water. It’s just a dripping pipe though.”

Her two partners got nervous, Trixie only talked normally when she was afraid.

Bon Bon stepped into a room and looked around, moving her beam from the flashlight across the floor and froze. In her beam was a backpack, a bowl and a mattress.

“Hey guys?” She said nervously.

“Yeah, what is it?” Lyra replied.

“We’re not alone here,” Bon Bon commented, edging closer to the bowl.

“What do you mean?” Trixie asked.

“I mean, I’m in a room with a half broken mattress, a backpack, a metal box and a bowl”. She touched the bowl carefully. “The bowl is still hot too, chances are the person is still here potentially. Be careful, you two. We dont know if they’re violent or not.”

“Will do, you do the same,” Lyra said.

Bon Bon approached a basket of clothes. “These clothes look familiar,” she mused.

A sound behind her made her spin around and yelp. She gave a sigh of relief when she saw it was just a small mouse.

“Bon Bon, are you okay?” Trixie asked.

“Yeah I’m good. Just saw a mouse is all.”

“That’s to be expected. It’s an abandoned building after all.’

“Shut it, Lyra. I hate mice.”

Bon Bon left the room and entered another a short ways down. She saw a fridge, cupboard and a microwave. Opening for fridge, she scrunched her nose up at the smell of something like rotten cheese.

“Yeah, someone definitely lives here. This room has a fridge, microwave and a cupboard,” Bon Bon announced.

“Who do you think it is?” Lyra questioned.

“I have no idea, but I’m not sure I wanna meet them,” came Bon Bon’s reply.

A crashing sound came through the phone and a girl cussing.

“Trixie? Was that you? Are you okay?” Bon Bon asked quickly.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just tripped on a rock I think.”

“Well, don’t do that. I don’t wanna have to drive someone to the hospital,” Lyra commented.

Trixie rolled her eyes and forgot her friends couldn’t see it.

Lyra walked down the hallway she chosen and saw something on the floor. She stopped, kneeled down and touched it.

“What the hell?” She muttered too quiet to be heard by the others. Pulling her hand back, she shined the light on it. Her fingertips had red on them. She stood up quickly and looked at the door. It said maintenance on it. She took a deep breath and slowly reached for the door handle. Taking another breath, she yanked it open.

“HOLY FUCK!”

Chapter II

“HOLY FUCK!” Lyra exclaimed stepping back. On the floor was Sunset, laying with a snapped rope around her. Her cut had reopened in her fall. Behind her was a chair that was tipped over.

“Lyra!” “LYRA!” Lyra could hear Bon Bon yelling frantically into her phone. “Are you okay?”

Shaking her daze off, Lyra cautiously stepped into the room and kneeled next to the girl checking her pulse. Oh thank God she has one, Lyra thought.

“You guys gotta get to me now. I found the person who lives here. It ain’t pretty.”

“Where are you?” Trixie asked nervously.

“Head up the stairs, take a left at the split hallway and look for the door that says maintenance.”

“We’re on our way,” Bon Bon said and Lyra could hear running. “Do you know who it is?”

“It’s that one girl from school, Sunset,” Lyra said.

Bon Bon snapped her fingers while skidding around the corner, “I knew those clothes in the bed room looked familiar!”

“How bad is she?” Trixie requested.

“She has a cut on her right arm that’s bandaged but bleeding and a noose around her neck. She’s lying on the floor.”

Bon Bon cursed softly under her breath. This doesn’t sound good, she thought to herself.

“Slowly loosen the noose,” Trixie directed.

“Okay it’s done,” Lyra said as she tossed it aside.

“How bad is her arm bleeding and how bad do you think her neck is injured?”

Lyra checked Sunsets right arm as her two friends burst into the room.

“Holy shit,” Trixie cursed. “Stabilize her neck, we gotta get her to my house and my mom.”

Bon Bon stared at Trixie in shock. “Are you crazy? She tried to kill herself, she needs a hospital!”

Trixie shook her head. “I’m gonna give a guess she’s from Princess Twilights world, so she won’t have any documentation to get proper care. My mom is a doctor, remember? She can help at home.”

Lyra broke in. “I hate to interrupt, but make a decision fast. I really don’t wanna go to jail at seventeen for involuntary manslaughter or something.”

“Bon Bon, hold her neck still and I mean keep it hella still. Lyra, help me carry her to your car. I hope it’s unlocked,” Trixie ordered.

Lyra nodded and all three girls got in position and lifted Sunset.

“If she wasn’t injured, I bet Bon Bon could carry her on her own,” Lyra joked slowly walking backwards with Trixie to the stairs and down them out to her car.

“Hush it,” Bon Bon snapped. “Nows hardly the time for jokes.”

“Yeah well, jokes are how I deal with stressful situations. Sorry for having coping mechanisms that don’t work for you.”

“Would you two quit it for five seconds, please?” Trixie groaned in frustration as she opened the back door to the car.

“Now Bon Bon I need you to hold her head in the back seat,” Trixie instructed. The girl nodded and did as she was told.
The other got in the driver and passenger seat and headed to Trixie’s moms house.

Trixie burst into her house. “Mom! Dad! I need your help at the car.”

Her parents came down from upstairs as Bon Bon and Lyra carried Sunset in. Trixie’s moms eyes widened.

“Put her on the couch,” she instructed.

The girls did so and stepped back. Trixie’s dad took them all to the kitchen to get the nerves in order. A short while later, Trixie’s mom joined them. All three girls looked up, making eye contact with the older woman.

“Well? How is she?” Lyra broke the silence.

“Her neck is fine, it isn’t broken. She’s gonna feel it when she wakes up. A chair shaped bruise is on her back, so I’m assuming a chair broke her fall. Her arm is fine now too and bandaged properly. What I don’t get is why you brought her here and not a hospital,” Trixie’s mom narrowed her eyes.

“The house was closer,” Trixie cut in quickly. Staring at her daughter to see if she was lying, Bon Bon quickly jumped in and backed Trixie’s statement up.

“She’s being honest.”

Trixie’s mom nodded. “Well take her to the spare room. You two can sleep in Trixie’s room. Think of it as a sleep over.” All three girls nodded and went to do their job assigned to them.

Fifty minutes later, all three girls were sitting on Trixie’s bedroom floor playing Uno but it was clear to all of them their hearts weren’t into it.

“Well, tonight was eventful,” Lyra said evenly.

Bon Bon snorted. “That’s an understatement of the century.”

“Why are we helping her exactly? Doesn’t the whole school hate her right now?” Lyra questioned out loud.

“Well yeah they do, but she never did anything to us during her rule of terror remember? She always left us three alone,” Bon Bon retorted. “Besides, she tried to kill herself. Wouldn’t you want her to help you like we did to her if she found you in that situation?”

Lyra rubbed the back of her neck. “When you put it like that, yeah it makes sense.”

“She always left Trixie alone too. Only thing she ever did was call me a failed magician that one time when she had a bad day,” Trixie piped in.

“It’s getting late,” Bon Bon noticed.

“Yes brilliant observation,” Lyra commented.

“Hush,” Bon Bon glared at Lyra.

“Trixie will get blankets and pillows,” she stood up and went downstairs to retrieve said items.Ten minutes later, she returned with an armful of blankets and pillows.

“Trixie has returned,” Trixie announced with a tired smile.Lyra rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

“Bon Bons already asleep,” she commented. She glanced at Trixie as she stood up.”Are you perfectly okay with Sunset being here after her attempt?”

“Yeah? Trixie wouldn’t have brought her here if she wasn’t comfortable with it,” Trixie remarked. She narrowed her eyes.”Why do you ask?”

Lyra fidgeted nervously. “Well I mean your uncle and all.”

“Trixie can handle anything,” Trixie declared.

Lyra nodded and covered Bon Bon with a blanket and gently lifted her head to shove a pillow under it.

“Goodnight Trix,” Lyra said after making her own makeshift bed and laying down in it. Trixie nodded as she settled onto her bed.

“Goodnight Lyra.”

Chapter III

Rolling over in the bed, Sunset woke up staring at the ceiling. This isn’t my factory, where the fuck am I? She wondered. She started to sit up when a older women opened the door.

“Hello,” The older women smiled at Sunset.

“Uhm hi,” Sunset replied. “Who are you and where am I?”

“I’m a doctor. As for who am I, you can call me Serenity. You’re at my house. My daughter and her friends brought you here,” Serenity explained.

“I’m sorry but I have no idea what to say to this. Who exactly is your daughter?” Sunset kept looking around cautiously. The older women sat on the bed.

“My daughters name is Trixie. She and her friends were exploring a factory they told me before leaving for school and found you there injured.” She decided to not bring up the suicide attempt. She would slowly work up to talking about that later once the younger girl was more comfortable.

“Trixie brought me here? What time is it and what day is it?”

“Yes she did. Its about 2:30 in the afternoon and it’s a Friday. Trixie already texted me saying her friend’s would be joining her here after school. They wanna talk to you.”

“I was a bitch to that whole school. Half of them hate me. Why would they help me?” Sunset demanded.

The older women shrugged. “You’d have to ask them that. You must be thirsty and hungry, I’ll bring up some food,” She stood and worked her way to the door.

“Thank you,” Sunset said softly. Twenty minutes later, Sunset was eating a ham sandwich and drinking a water while the older women looked on. They both heard the downstairs door open.

“Mom! Trixie is home!” Trixie yelled up the stairs.

“Well, your friends are here. I’ll give you guys some space,” Serenity said as she left the room. Right after, Trixie’s, Lyra and Bon Bons heads poked into the doorway cautiously. Sunset just stared as the other girls walked in and shut the door.

“Hey there,” Bon Bon said softly.

“Hello,” Sunset said with an uncomfortable expression.

“Are you feeling okay?” Lyra questioned. Bon Bon quickly elbowed her.

“Ow!” the mint girl yelped.

“What she means is that we are glad to see you awake,” Bon Bon continued speaking. Trixie and Lyra both nodded in agreement. Each girl sat on the bed.

“We were very worried about you,” Lyra said.

“Why? Don’t you hate me? Everyone else does?” Sunset mumbled.

Lyra quickly shook her head. “I don’t hate you. Bon Bon and Trixie never did either.” Sunset stared at her.

“You slammed a sledge hammer into the portal,” she deadpanned.A memory flashed through lyra’s mind of her slamming a sledge hammer into the statues horse legs and she winced.

“I’m truly sorry about that. I was blackmailed into it,” Lyra admitted.

Bon Bon glared at her. “You said you refused Gilda’s demand.”

Lyra tossed her hands up. “She threatened to tell your mom about us and get you kicked out. It’s the beginning of December, what would you have me do?”

“It’s okay,” Sunset interjected. “The portal can still be used, the horse is just damaged,” she sighed in frustration. “When can I leave?” Sunset asked the others. “I want to get home.”

Trixie shook her head. “Trixie’s mom said you are staying here. To live here. She doesn’t want you to sleep in that factory. It’s very dangerous.”The other two nodded.

“Why were you three there then?” Sunset inquired.

“Someone decided urban exploring would be entertaining,” Bon Bon said, looking at Lyra.

“Lucky for us, we were there at the right time,” Lyra looked back.

“Can I at least go get my stuff from the factory?” Sunset asked. She wasn’t enthused about being forced to stay in this house, she assumed she could escape when the others were asleep. Lyra and Bon Bon looked to each other and then Trixie who shrugged.Lyra slowly pulled onto the dirt road next the abandoned building and put the car in park before shutting it off and hopping out. Her other three occupants got out and Sunset walked to the door. Bon Bon and Lyra followed her upstairs while Trixie picked up some of Sunsets belongings from the downstairs and carried them out to Lyra’s car.

Sunset breathed in slowly. She had taken some time getting used to the awful smell of the abandoned factory, but soon began to appreciate it. It signified safety from the elements even though one wall was slowly starting to fall apart and one upstairs room had a hole in it. She soon got to her bedroom with the other two girls hot on her heels. Lyra started gathering the clothes while Sunset grabbed her phone and backpack with a laptop in it.

“Anything else?” Bon Bon questioned. “You have some bowls and stuff in the kitchen.”

Sunset shook her head. “I’ll leave them here. Someone else may need this place and it’ll help them to have that stuff.” She didn’t say the real reason was to sneak back over so she saw no real point to carry everything.

Bon Bon nodded. “Good idea.”

“Hey what about this?” Lyra asked, walking over to a small metal box and picked it up, causing Sunset to freeze.

“Hey uh I’ll take that,” she tried to say before Lyra flipped it open and stared down.

“What the hell?” she demanded.

“What?” Bon Bon asked, edging over to her partner and looking down. She soon looked to Sunset who looked at the floor nervously.

“It’s uhm nothing,” she lied. “Can you hand me that?”

“Absolutely not,” Lyra exclaimed and dumped the box cutter blades into her palm carefully. “You’re not getting these back.”Bon Bon could only nod her agreement.They got all of Sunsets meager belongs into the car and headed back to Trixie’s. Once all the girls got inside and Sunset was sure Trixie and her parents were asleep, Sunset sneaked out the spare room with her backpack on to the downstairs. She put her hand on the front doors door handle.

“Going somewhere?” A voice behind her startled her. She jumped and spun around. Behind her was Bon Bon in pajamas with her feet kicked up on the couch watching Sunset.

“Uh I was just going out for a walk,” she quickly lied. “Beautiful night out.”

“With your backpack?” Bon Bon inquired, standing up and stretching.

“Why are you here anyway? Do you live here or something?” Sunset asked nervously.

“Nah, Trixie’s mom had a feeling you might try to leave in the middle of the night so I volunteered to stay and watch the front door,” Bon Bon explained, looking at the other girl with narrowed eyes. “Why would you try to leave? Why go back to that life?” Sunset sighed and sat down on the couch. Bon Bon quickly joined her.

“Because I don’t deserve this. I was awful, I deserve to live in that run down building,” Sunset hugged herself.

“Trust me, no one deserves that. You already got punished by Principle Celestia and VP Luna,” Bon Bon stated shaking her head. “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but you deserve this,” she gestured around her. “A warm, safe, secure place to sleep.”

“I was a total bitch to everyone,” Sunset shot a response back. “I don’t deserve to be happy.”

Bon Bon only smiled and shook her head. “You left me, Lyra and Trixie alone. You weren’t a total jerk. Yeah sure you were rude to some of friends but not us. Therefore we are on your side. Why wouldn’t you go to a homeless shelter or something?” Sunset pulled her legs in close to her chest and sniffled. Bon Bon put her hand on her shoulder.

“I tried. I saw Fluttershy and Applejack volunteering at one. I didn’t want to explain my living situation so I turned around to leave. Applejack noticed me though before I could and asked me why I was here. Lying to her is way harder than it looks by the way.”

Bon Bon laughed. “Trust me, I know. Try being related to her.”

Sunset looked surprised. “You’re related to Applejack?”

“She’s my cousin. My mom and Granny Smith work together often. They deliver apples and other such produce to our candy store, we give them publicity and sell said produce.” Sunset yawned and nodded.

“Someone’s tired”, Bon Bon teased. “Will you stay now Sunset?”

“I still am not hundred percent but I’ll try to stay. It’s cold outside, gonna be the worst winter yet I hear,” Sunset sighed. Bon Bon nodded and laid down on the couch. “You should come over and hangout at my place sometime. You can help make some candy if you want.”

Sunset nodded slowly. “Sure.”

When Trixie woke up, she found Sunset and Bon Bon snoring on the couch together. She only smirked and rolled her eyes.

Author's Note

It should be fairly obvious now I love me some Lyra and Bon Bon😂😂

Chapter IV

Bon Bon woke up and felt something pressing next to her. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to find Sunset sleeping next to her. She jumped up quickly, blushing.

Trixie heard the commotion and walked into the living room with two coffees and handed one to Bon Bon. Smirking, she sat next to her friend who accepted the coffee and took a sip.

“So did you sleep well?” Trixie asked.

“I really didn’t expect her to fall asleep right here. Honest,” Bon Bon coughed out.

“Did she try to leave like mom guessed?” Trixie stared at Bon Bon.

“Yeah it was around two am when she went to leave. I convinced her to stay obviously. I offered for her to come over to the store sometime and help with the candy. Figured being busy would help take her mind off of stuff, at least for a little bit.”

“Trixie feels bad for her,” the magician said sadly. Bon Bon could only nod her agreement.

“The most surprising thing is I guess for me at least, is that she was the queen of Canterlot High. Yet she lived there. Why?” Bon Bon wondered.

“I had no real money.” Both girls jumped at Sunset looking at them.

“When I came from Equestria, all I had was a handful of bits,” she explained.

“Bits?” Bon Bon questioned.

“Where I come from, we use gold coins as a common currency,” Sunset explained.

“Like the Greeks with drachmas?” Trixie asked.

Sunset gave a surprised nod. “I didn’t think you paid attention in history. You’re always asleep.”

Trixie huffed and looked away. “I study history in my spare time. No point in being awake if I know everything already. I also like astronomy among other things.”

“Like what?” Sunset asked. Trixie fidgeted nervously.

“You’ll think Trixie is a nerd and make fun of her.” Sunset shook her head while Bon Bon watched on.

“I won’t. I promise,” Sunset reassured her. Trixie huffed as she made her mind.

“Trixie likes science, chemistry and photography.” Bon Bon sighed and Sunset rolled her eyes.

“Those are hardly nerdy,”Sunset remarked. “Science is fun, I love it.” Trixie looked surprised.

“How long did those gold coins last you? You’ve been here since freshman year so I’d say two years right?” Bon Bon inquired.

Sunset shook her head. “I’ve been here for six years and the bits only lasted two out of the six.” Bon Bon almost dropped her coffee. So that’s why she was so aggressive probably her beginning, probably assumed she had no other way, Bon Bon thought to her self.

“Trixie, Bon Bon and Lyra has a friend who likes photography. Would you wanna meet her?” Trixie asked and Bon Bon instantly smiled, she knew who Trixie was referencing.

Sunset sat quietly for a moment. “Did I ever hurt her?”

“A little bit,” Bon Bon admitted. “You said her photography sucked. Rainy is pretty forgiving though. Cloudkicker is a different story.”

“Twilight did say to make friends. It might be productive to get outdoors,” Sunset sighed. “I’ll need a coffee first, can you take me to Marebucks.”

“Lyra’s getting her lyre tuned I believe. I’ll shoot her and Rainy a text,” Bon Bon said pulling her phone out and tapping away at it.

Trixie pulled Sunset up. “Trixie has coffee in the kitchen already made. Different creamers are in the fridge too.”

“Thanks. I prefer my coffee black,” Sunset said as she was handed a cup for her coffee.

“Lyra will be picking us up in an hour and a half and Rainy said we can meet her at her house,” Bon Bon said joining the other two in the kitchen. “First I gotta change. Pajamas aren’t the best for public.”

“Trixie disagrees. If you’re gonna do something, do it in comfort.” Bon Bon rolled her eyes. The three girls played bowling on Trixie’s WeeSport till Lyra came bounding in.

“Hey Trix, hey Sunny, hey Bonnie,” the mint girl said. Each girl gave a wave and stood up.

“Ready to go?” Lyra asked. Sunset gave a nervous smile and felt Bon Bon throw an arm around her shoulder.

“Everything will go fine,” Bon Bon said with a reassuring smile.
“I hope so.”

Lyra parked her car out on a street in front of a small two story brown house. A purple girl with golden hair was sitting out on the porch wearing a soccer shirt and shorts playing on her phone. She glanced up at the approaching girls and stood up quick, shooting a glare at Sunset.

“Is she here to cause drama or something?” The other girl demanded while Sunset shrank into herself, appearing smaller. Bon Bon put a hand up.

“Easy Cloudkicker. She’s cool, she’s friendly and won’t harm anyone. She’s with us,” Cloudkicker stared at Sunset for a moment before nodding and stepped aside.

“You, come with me,” she pointed to Sunset. “Kitchen.” Sunset shot a nervous look at Bon Bon before following the other girl into the kitchen. Cloudkicker leaned against the counter and folded her arms.

“Are you here to actually be kind and respectful or just start drama?”

Sunset sighed. “You’re straight to the point aren’t you? No, I’m not here to start drama.”

Cloudkicker nodded. “This is your only opportunity. Make things with Raindrops and I might follow her and do the same with you. It all depends on her.”

“I understand,” Sunset sighed. Cloudkicker nodded and turned to the fridge and rummaged through it.

“Here, give this to her,” She tossed a apple juice box and a cheese stick which Sunset barely caught.

“A cheesestick?”

Cloudkicker shrugged. “They’re her favorite. Fastest way to get to her heart”.

That’s a interesting way to get someone’s attention, Sunset mused to herself. Bon Bon walked into the kitchen.

“Good you’re still alive. Rainy is willing to meet you. Head up the stairs, first room on the left.” Sunset nodded and left the kitchen to work her way up the stairs.

“So,” Bon Bon began looking at Cloudkicker. “Did she pass your test?”

“Yep. She seems remorseful and honest about her intentions,” Cloudkicker sighed.

“Don’t get too used to her, otherwise you might to have a threesome with her and Rainy,” Bon Bon snickered.

Cloudkicker stuck a tongue out at her friend. “Maybe I will. You and Lyra can join too.” Bon Bon pushed her gently.

“Pervert.”

Sunset knocked on the door hesitantly.

“Come in,” a voice from inside called. Sunset opened the door and cautiously stepped in and looked around. All over the walls were pictures of rain clouds and tornadoes and a poster for a movie called Twister. On the dresser was a model airplane along with a box of crayons. At the desk sat a laptop with three blue raindrops on the top and a camera.

“Hi”.

A voice made Sunset look over at the bed where a yellow girl with blue hair was sitting. Lyra was sitting on the bed idly brushing the other girls hair which she didn’t look too pleased about.

“Uhm hi. Raindrops, right?” Sunset asked cautiously. Raindrops nodded and cracked a nervous
Warm smile.

“Did Cloudy bite your head off?” Raindrops asked.

“Nah, she just gave me a exam or something,” Sunset admitted. Lyra nodded and put the hair brush down.

“Alright I’m done,” she announced.

“Thank God,” Raindrops muttered. Lyra quickly stood up and rolled her eyes dramatically.

“I’ll be downstairs.” She quickly edged out the room.

“Do you like it?” Raindrops suddenly asked.

“Like what?”

She pointed at the ceiling. “That.”

Sunset gazed up at the ceiling. There was clouds painted into, some grey pouring out rain and a tornado in one corner and a hot air balloon floating peacefully along.

“It’s very nice. Did Watermelody paint that?” Raindrops cocked her head to the side.

“I have no idea who that is. But no, I painted it.”

“I’m impressed,” Sunset walked over to the pictures on the wall and examined them.

“I took those. Cloudkickers parents take us random places during summer and I always get to photograph new storms. It’s my goal to be a storm chaser”. She quickly pulled her knees close to her. “You probably hate them, I suck at it. After all, you said I suck at it so it must be true.”

Sunset spun around. “It’s not true. These are beautiful.” She sat down next to the quietly sniffling girl and hesitantly put an arm around her. Raindrops leaned into it somewhat surprised.

“I was mean to you and I’m sorry. I never should have said that, but I’m changing now. For the better.’

Raindrops nodded and wiped a tear away. “I forgive you. Are you okay though?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

Raindrops waved a head in the air. “With all that’s happened, trying to change living with Trixie. I love that girl but she can be a bit much.”

Sunset chuckled. “That she can. Uh how much did Lyra tell you?”

“She said enough, mentioned unideal living conditions and that’s why you were with Trixie.”

“I may or may not have been homeless,” Sunset chuckled nervously.

Raindrops stared at her. “Wow that is pretty unideal living conditions. So adjusting is difficult I bet.”

“You have no idea. I still don’t think I deserve this after all I’ve done,” Sunset sighed. Raindrops stared ahead at a photograph thinking.

“You see that picture right that?” She pointed. “The one with the giant tornado?”

Sunset nodded. “Yeah? What about it? It’s very pretty.”

“I love storms. Storms give life, they help plants grow and help us. But they can also be deadly. Tornados kill lots of people. But when they’re in a field in a countryside, they’re quite beautiful. Powerful. They’re like people, wild with emotions and ready to go off at a moments notice in the right conditions. When warm air mixes with cold air, it starts to form a tornado. They don’t last long but they are gorgeous while they are alive. You’re a lot like a tornado. You were deadly at first, but now you’re in a countryside, calm and misunderstood just a tornado. And with tornadoes comes rain. Lots of rain. It’s really quite fascinating really.” Sunset sat there listening while the words sank in.

Raindrops continued. “And after the tornado dissipates and the rain stops, the sun comes out again. Every rainy day comes to an end and brings out a sunny day. Your sunny day is coming, quicker than you think. And it’ll be beautiful.” She finally broke her gaze off the photo and smiled at Sunset. Sunset gave her a hug and Raindrops blinked in surprise before embracing Sunset back.

“Thank you.”

Chapter V

“You want to go hang out? With me?” Sunset asked incredulously. Octavia sighed and rolled her eyes. Sunset sat across from the other girl in the lunchroom, trying to ignore the angry glares she was receiving. To her left sat Bon, Raindrops and Cloudkicker. Across from her sat Lyra, Octavia and Trixie.

“Yes dear. Lyra and Bon Bon are my friends. I trust their opinions but you have to earn my trust,” Octavia answered. “Lyra, Trixie, Bon Bon, Cloudkicker and Raindrops are coming with us.”

“What about Vinyl?” Lyra asked. “Isn’t she coming?” Lyra and the others were crowded around the table, eating.

“Unfortunately not. She has a music project going on right now,” Octavia sipped her cranberry juice.

“Do we really have to sit in front of everyone?” Sunset asked as she looked around and shivered at the angry looks she received. “Everyone is looking at us and it’s making me uncomfortable. I can go back to the hallway with the trophies that no one ever goes down.”

“Absolutely not,” Trixie declared. “Trixie says you sit with her friends. Fuck the schools opinion.”

“Without such vulgar languge, I agree,” Octavia announced with an eyeroll. “Where did the confident Sunset go?”

“She died in that ditch,” Sunset hugged herself. “I should have too.”

“No you shouldn’t have,” Bon Bon insisted. “You’re cool and we like you around. Especially Trixie.” Bon Bon gave Trixie a grin and she turned faintly red. Trixie had noticed Sunset changing and speaking nicer to others. Not that she was paying special attention to what Sunset did of course.

“So uh what do you want to do Octavia?” Cloudkicker changed the topic hastily for Trixies sake.

“Not sure. I didn’t think she would agree so easily,” Octavia admitted sheepishly. She bit into her bagel and sighed happily.

“Rollerskating!” Lyra exclaimed as she took a massive bite of pizza. Bon Bon gave her a disgusted look.

“Can you not eat like a normal person Lyra?” Bon Bon scoffed.

“No,” Lyra grumbled around a mouthful of food. Octavia glared at her before looking away.

“That’s so gross. Please stop Lyra.”

“Fine,” Lyra sighed and made eye contact with Sunset. “We can go rollerskating. A new rink opened up downtown that me and Vinyl went to last week.”

“And you didn’t invite me?” Bon Bon asked with a hurt expression. Lyra groaned and rolled her eyes.

“You said you didn’t like going to loud places with your two equally loud friends remember?” Lyra pointed out.

“That’s not what I said or meant. I said you two are loud. I never said I didn’t like going out to places with the two of you,” Bon Bon shot back with a glare.

“Sure felt like it,” Lyra grumbled as she looked away.

“I’m down,” Sunset admitted hesitantly to prevent the two from arguing.

“Really?” Lyra asked excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to go with more than one person!”

“You would have if you asked me to go,” Bon Bon said quietly. Raindrops sighed and squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

“Do you even know how to skate?” Cloudkicker asked with a mischievous grin.

“Uh no? Can’t be that hard though. Probably just like walking,” Sunset shrugged. Lyra and Cloudkicker gave each other the same mischievous grin.

“Hey Sunset,” Rainbow slid into the seat next to the girl. “How’s it hanging?”

“Pretty good. And you?” Sunset asked half heartedly.

“Good. Why ain’t ya sitting with us?” Rainbow smirked. “We’re your friends.”

“I can’t have more than one friend group?” Sunset scoffed. “That’s stupid, Rainbow.”

“Well you can but you’re never with us anymore it seems. Are you good?” Rainbow looked her up and down. “Are they forcing you to stay here? You can tell me and I’ll fight em,” Rainbow glared at the other girls at the table.

“They’re not. It’s okay Dash,” Sunset chided.

“Alright,” Rainbow relaxed and finally offered them a smile. “Sorry about that. Gotta look out for her.”

“We understand dear. Just don’t be so confrontational next time,” Octavia sighed.

“Do you need a ride tonight?” Lyra asked Sunset suddenly.

“Yeah. If you would be so kind,” Sunset smiled faintly. Rainbow looked between the two confused.

“Ride to where?” Rainbow asked.

“She’s going rollerskating with us tonight. Wanna come?” Bon Bon asked. “I’m nice enough to at least invite others to activities with friends.” Lyra sighed and glared at her in frustration.

“Yeah sure. Can the others come or just me?” Rainbow questioned. Bon Bon shrugged.

“Yeah sure. The more the merrier,” Bon Bon said happily ignoring Lyra’s growing anger. “I could always use more reliable friends.” Lyra finally had enough and slammed her hand on the table, standing up and storming off.

“What’s her deal?” Rainbow asked hesitantly.

“Who knows,” Bon Bon smirked. “See you guys around eight pm.” Bon Bon stood up herself and brushed her skirt off. Cloudkicker sighed and rolled her eyes.

“God help us all.”

Sunset sat on the bench as Bon Bon knelt down in front of her tying her skates. Bon Bon looked up and smiled at her.

“You nervous?” Bon Bon asked. Bon Bon had already tied her own skates expertly, making Sunset come to conclusion she had been rollerskating multiple times.

“A little,” Sunset admitted. “But it can’t be that difficult. What’s the worst that could happen.”

“Falling down and hurting yourself,” Bon Bon explained. “My first time I fell a few times. Took Lyra a few weeks to teach me.” The mint girl was sitting a few seats away, watching the two calmly.

“Damn,” Sunset sighed. “Oh well. Can’t get more hurt than I already am.”

“Still haven’t told the others or Rainbows group what happened?” Bon Bon asked sympathetically.

“No. I don’t want to bring attention to myself,” Sunset shook her head.

“You should tell them when you’re ready,” Bon Bon smiled. “When YOU’RE ready of course.” Lyra and the others walked over. Lyra ignoring Bon Bon.

“Having fun yet?” Pinkie spun around excitedly. “I’m having fun!”

“It’s pretty cool here,” Sunset admitted as she looked around at the bright lights and the dark carpet with multiple colored swirls.

“Uh oh. Here’s come Gilda,” Fluttershy whispered and hid behind Rainbow. Rainbow glared at the approaching girl.

“What do you want?” Rainbow snapped.

“Hey old buddy,” Gilda stopped and gave a cold grin. “Still hanging with the losers and a demon I see.” Sunset slumped onto the bench and Bon Bon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as she glared at Gilda.

“Be nice. Or go away,” Bon Bon scoffed.

“Or what?” Gilda challenged. Sunset groaned and shakily stood up.

“Or I make your life miserable,” Sunset growled. “I still have all the dirt on you at my house. While I may not be willing to use it on anyone else here, I’m more than happy to make you an exception.” Bon Bon exchanged a nervous look with Raindrops. The Sunset in front of them was way too much like old Sunset from before the Fall Formal. “Make me mad and I will ruin you. More so than you’ve already done yourself.”

“Just wait until your group of gays and misfits aren’t around. Then we will see how tough you really are,” Gilda snapped as she stepped away once she realized she was outnumbered.

“Dude her calling us gays was so uncalled for,” Rainbow grumbled. “She shouldn’t be in other people’s business about what they do. She has anger issues.”

“Let’s just ignore her and try to have fun,” Bon Bon suggested and stood next to Sunset. “I’ll teach you Sunny.” Sunset hesitated before taking her hand with a smile.

“I’m kinda scared,” Sunset admitted as Bon Bon stepped forward onto the ground.

“It’s perfectly normal your first time,” Bon Bon reassured her.

“There’s a dirty joke in there somewhere,” Sunset smirked as Bon Bons face turned a bright shade of red. Bon Bon sighed and shook her head with a smile.

“You’re worse than Vinyl and Lyra.”