Lost Among Memories

"Liar"

"False friend"

"Traitor"

"Demon"

Sunset’s eyes shot open, and she immediately sat in bed. Her breathing was heavy, her face reflected terror, and she was drenched in sweat.

"Well, you're finally awake."

The unexpected voice startled her. She jumped back, quickly pulling a knife from under her pillow and gripping it tightly in her hand. Her eyes locked with Aria Blaze, who looked at her with curiosity and surprise.

"You sleep with a knife under your pillow?" Aria asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sunset blinked, glancing between the siren and the weapon in her hand. Finally, after a moment, she responded:

"This world isn’t safe for a high school girl living alone."

Although still disoriented, Sunset lowered the knife and allowed herself to relax. Her expression, however, remained confused.

"Aria? What are you doing here? What am I doing here? How did I get back to my apartment?" she finally asked, looking around at the familiar surroundings of her room.

"Adagio and I brought you here after you fainted in Canterlot," Aria replied flatly, pulling out her phone and typing something.

"In Canterlot? But..."

Suddenly, the memories came flooding back: returning to Equestria, meeting the girls from Canterlot High, and... the painful moment when they accused her of being Anon-a-Miss.

"It wasn’t a dream... It can’t be... Not again."

She hugged herself, curling her legs against her chest and burying her face in her knees.

"Yeah, we saw everything," Aria said, focusing still on her phone. "We also heard about the memory-erasing thing. At first, I didn’t believe it, but after seeing how your 'friends' treated you, it seems possible... Or maybe they’re just dumber than I thought."

Sunset remained silent, lost in her thoughts until something important came to her mind.

"The stone! My bag! Aria, where are my things?"

"If you mean that bag you had, it’s over there."

Aria gestured toward the door, where Sunset’s satchel hung. The girl dashed to it, quickly pulling out the papers she had transcribed in Equestria, along with the sketch of the Memory Stone.

Sunset sighed in relief, grateful the portal had allowed everything to cross intact.

"Is that a clue to what happened?" Aria asked, moving closer to her.

"Maybe... I don’t know..." Sunset murmured hesitantly, her eyes fixed on the sketch.

"So, what are you going to do? Do you know where that stone is?"

Sunset's silence answered for her. Aria rolled her eyes, shook her head, and walked toward the door.

"Whatever, it’s getting late. Adagio has to work, and if we leave Sonata home alone, she might end up eating the kids' toothpaste again."

Aria opened the door but glanced back at Sunset, her expression serious.

"Let us know when you decide what to do... Not that I care."

Without waiting for a reply, she closed the door behind her, leaving Sunset alone.

The former pony sat back on her bed, spreading the papers out before her. Her gaze fell on the sketch of the Memory Stone.

"The Memory Stone..." she whispered to herself. "Could someone have found it and been using it to make everyone forget me...?"

As she tried to connect the pieces in her mind, recent events flooded back. The accusing stares of her former friends haunted her, just as they had months ago.

And then, she heard it again. That name...
The name of that... "person." That mistake.

Sunset clutched her head with both hands, trying to suppress the memories invading her mind. She shook her head from side to side, gritting her teeth in a desperate attempt to push them away.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

In another place, another girl with fiery hair struggles with her mind.
In her head, she tries to relive memories, that moment she had worked so hard to forget—when a far too dark side of her took over and caused disaster.
But… something was missing.

"Sunset… Shimmer…?" she whispered.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

Dragging her feet with exhaustion and a swirling sense of confusion, Sunset arrived at Crystal Prep. Her mind looped through everything that had happened in such a short time.
Her friends at Crystal Prep had forgotten her. Alongside Princess Twilight, she had uncovered a possible cause. Then, her former friends in Canterlot had once again accused her of being Anon-a-Miss.

"Ugh, what am I going to do?" she muttered, clutching her forehead. "I don’t think I can find that stone alone."

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a distant yet loud voice.

"SUNSIIIIITE!!"

"Sonata?" Sunset's head snapped up, just in time to see a blue blur rushing toward her. Before she could process what was happening, she was enveloped in one of Sonata's signature spine-crushing hugs.

"Sunset, there you are!" The siren cheered.

"Gh-ghh—Sonata," Sunset wheezed, her words strangled by the siren’s grip. "I… love your hugs, but… not my vertebrae…"

Reluctantly, Sonata let go, leaving Sunset coughing and clutching her chest.

"Dang, Sonata," The pony girl croaked, regaining her breath. "I forgot how much your hugs hurt. Forget—wait! Sonata, you… do you remember me now?"

Sunset's hopeful eyes met Sonata's, but the siren's hesitant smile faltered.

"Not really… but even so, we'll help you! Come on!" Sonata grabbed Sunset's hand without waiting for a response and dragged her toward the school.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

Inside Crystal Prep, Sunset spread the sketch of the Memory Stone on a table in Twilight’s 'lab'. The small room was crowded with the group of friends, who practically smashed their faces together to get a look at the drawing.
Indigo Zap was the first to pull back from the pile of curious faces, looking directly at Sunset with an eager expression.

"So, this stone is what erased our memories?"

Sunset folded her arms and leaned against the wall. "Well, I can't be sure, but it all lines up. If that stone ended up in this world and someone found it, it would explain everything."

"Then what are we waiting for?!" Lemon Zest exclaimed, bouncing in place. "Let’s find that stone and fix this, like, right now!"

Sunny Flare sighed and raised an eyebrow. "Lemon, honey, I doubt it’s going to be that easy."

Sunset nodded solemnly. "I know what to look for, but I have no idea where—or even how—to find it."

The goggles girl smirked confidently. "Don’t worry. I’ve got this. We’ll just search everyone’s stuff at school until we find who has the stone!"

"Indigo, that’s impossible!" Sunny protested.

"'Impossible' isn’t in my vocabulary," Indigo declared, darting toward the door. "I’ll grab my gear—we’re gonna need backup!"

Without waiting for anyone’s objections, Indigo sped out of the room.

The others exchanged glances, their silence filled with thought. Finally, Twilight spoke up. "Well, gathering more people to help search isn’t a bad idea."

"Totally!" Lemon agreed, already pulling out her phone. "I’ll get our Hooftube followers in on this!"

With that, she dashed out, tapping away on her screen.

Sunny sighed again and turned to Sunset. "Well, while they do their thing, any ideas, Sunset?"

Sunset crossed her arms and looked down. After a moment of thought, she exhaled deeply. "This time, I’ve got nothing. I don’t even know where to start looking."

"In that case," Twilight interjected, "I suggest we split up. We’ll cover more ground that way. I also recommend setting alarms on our phones—every five minutes, we send each other updates. That way, if any of us gets memory-wiped again, we’ll know right away."

"Now that sounds like a plan," Sunset admitted with a faint smile.

"Alright," Sunny said, pulling out her phone. "I’ll set the alarms and tell those two. Good luck, girls—and be careful."

As Sunny left, Twilight turned to Sonata. "Sonata, can you let your sisters know about the situation? If we all end up memory-wiped, they’ll be our backup outside the school."

"AYE SIR!" Sonata saluted and started texting as she skipped away.

This left Sunset and Twilight alone. For a moment, they stared at each other, as if both wanted to speak but didn’t know how to start.

"Hey, Twi…" Sunset finally broke the silence.

Twilight adjusted her glasses, curious. "Yes?"

"I just…" Sunset hesitated, then smiled softly. "Thanks."

Twilight blinked in surprise before returning the smile.

The two parted ways shortly after. Unfortunately, neither noticed someone lurking nearby, listening to every word. This figure clenched the Memory Stone tightly in frustration, causing it to glow ominously.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

The next few minutes felt eternal for Sunset as she wandered the hallways, unsure where to go or what to do. Her mind kept conjuring images of the Memory Stone and the possibilities of what anyone could do with it in their possession.

She thought about her friends at Crystal Prep and those from Canterlot. That last thought made her stop in her tracks, clutching her chest as her heart tightened painfully. The hurt of being accused of being Anon-a-Miss was something she had believed she left behind, a memory she thought she had overcome. And now…

She shook her head forcefully, pushing those thoughts away.

"I need to recover the stone and fix everything," she thought with determination.

She checked the time on her phone, ready to send the agreed-upon message to the group. But then, something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, every student around her froze, clutching their heads as if in pain. What happened next was inconceivable.

A flash of light emerged from the forehead of every student, forming a glowing ribbon that floated through the air like it was alive. Sunset watched in horror as each boy and girl seemed to suffer intense pain before releasing that ribbon of light and collapsing unconscious.

The hallway fell eerily silent, now filled with the still bodies of students on the floor. Sunset, paralyzed for a moment, could only watch as the ribbons of light drifted together, all heading in the same direction and phasing through walls and ceilings.

Her concern urged her to check on her fallen classmates, but seeing them all unconscious, she decided instead to follow the glowing ribbons and uncover the cause of this phenomenon.

She quickly typed an urgent message on her phone as she forced her legs to move, chasing after the mysterious lights that intertwined and danced through the air.

Finally, the ribbons converged at the school’s main entrance. Without hesitation, Sunset pushed the doors open and stepped outside, hoping for answers. But what greeted her was a blinding light that engulfed everything around her.

Before she could react, her vision caught the faint outline of a figure before her body gave out, and she fell to the ground.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

"Sunset… Sunset! Please wake up…"

The insistent voice pulled Sunset from her unconscious state. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking as her vision began to clear. The first thing she saw was… her own face.

Startled, she scrambled back, confused and frightened.

"Sunset, wait! It’s me, Sunseen!"

The other redhead raised her hands in a calming gesture. Sunset stared at the glasses adorning her face and finally recognized her counterpart from this world.

"Sunseen… It’s you, but…"

Sunset’s words trailed off as she noticed the presence of others. Looking up, she saw the Rainbooms standing nearby, each of them gazing at her with a mix of sadness, doubt, and curiosity.

To her surprise, it was Rainbow Dash who extended a hand to help her up. Sunset accepted the gesture, allowing the athlete to pull her to her feet.

"What… what are you all doing here?" Sunset asked, still disoriented.

"We’re not entirely sure either," Rainbow replied, crossing her arms.

"Rainbow!" Rarity scolded gently, her tone soft but firm.

Rainbow clicked her tongue in irritation but said nothing more. Though she seemed annoyed, there was an air of uncertainty about her.

"Sunset, we know something strange is going on," Sunseen spoke up, her gaze steady and serious.

"Um… Excuse me, Sunset… It’s… your phone…?" Fluttershy’s quiet voice drew Sunset’s attention.

Looking down, Sunset saw her phone lying on the ground. Confused, she picked it up and realized the camera had been recording the entire time.

With trembling fingers, she stopped the recording and played the video back. What she saw froze her in place.

On the screen, she relived the moments leading up to her blackout: the glowing ribbons of light she had followed throughout the school led her to the exit. As she stepped outside, she was met with a familiar figure.

A girl with forest-green hair stood there, holding the Memory Stone.

"Wallflower Blush…" Sunset whispered, a knot forming in her throat.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

Sunset hurried through the hallways of Crystal Prep, her phone pressed to her ear as she tried to call someone.

“Why isn’t anyone answering?!” she muttered in frustration.

As she rounded a corner, she spotted the familiar figure of her purple-haired friend. Relief washed over her as she called out.

“Twilight!”

Twilight turned, startled, her expression confused.

“There you are! Are you okay?” Sunset asked, rushing toward her.

“Uh… sorry, who are you?” Twilight’s response made Sunset freeze in place.

“Not again…” Sunset whispered, her voice laced with dread. “Twilight, it’s me! Sunset! Your friend!”

Twilight’s puzzled expression didn’t falter. Sunset groaned in frustration and tried calling again on her phone.

“Twilight, where’s your phone?!” Sunset asked urgently.

“My phone…?” Twilight echoed, her confusion growing. Despite her bewilderment, she began searching for her belongings. “My phone… where… it’s not here… where did I leave it?”

Sunset’s heart sank. “Wallflower… she must have taken it!”

Twilight stopped her search and stared at Sunset, utterly lost.

“Twilight, it’s Wallflower! She has the Memory Stone, and she’s used it to erase your memories—and everyone else’s in the school!”

“My memories?” Twilight asked, her voice shaking. “What are you talking about? Who even are you?!”

Twilight took a step back, visibly unnerved by Sunset’s intensity.

“I’m Sunset! I’m your best friend! We’ve known each other since last year! We went to Camp Everfree together! You’ve stayed at my house! We have a band with Lemon and Sonata!”

“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Twilight stammered, now clearly frightened. She turned to leave, but Sunset grabbed her wrist, spinning her back around.

“You do know me!” Sunset insisted. “Twi… I know you don’t remember, but we’ve been through so much together.”

“Don’t touch me!” Twilight shouted, yanking her arm free. “I don’t know who you are! And I don’t want to be rude, but you’re acting crazy!”

“Twilight! Please!” Sunset begged. “I know you! If you just think—if you try to remember—you’ll realize things don’t add up.”

Twilight’s frustration boiled over. “What could you possibly know about me?!”

“I know EVERYTHING about you!” Sunset replied with absolute certainty.

Her words stopped Twilight in her tracks.

“I know, When you were nine, you built a weather satellite but couldn’t launch it because your parents wouldn’t buy you rocket fuel.”

Twilight scoffed, masking her discomfort with sarcasm. “Big secret.”

“I know that when you sign your name, you draw a six-pointed star on the dots of your i’s,” Sunset continued.

“And what of it?” Twilight snapped.

“I know you hate baths and only take showers.”

Twilight tried to walk away, but Sunset followed, undeterred.

“I know you can’t sleep with socks on. I know that when Cadence babysat you, you invented a silly handshake together.”

Twilight’s pace slowed. Her head dipped lower as Sunset’s words sank in.

“And I know that Spike—your dog—was a gift from your brother, Shining Armor. He gave him to you when he left for college so you wouldn’t feel lonely.”

Twilight stopped completely. She turned around abruptly, her voice trembling as she demanded, “How do you know all that?!”

Sunset’s intense gaze softened. She took a step closer, her voice calm but firm.

“Because you’re my best friend, Twilight. There are no secrets between us.”

A heavy silence settled between them. Twilight’s mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest. She clutched at her heart as if trying to steady it, her eyes darting away, unable to face Sunset directly.

Sunset broke the silence, her tone quieter, yet filled with emotion.

“Twilight, ever since I came to this school, you’ve been the one who’s helped me the most. I trust you more than anyone, and your friendship means more to me than anything else. The moments I’ve shared with you… they’re my happiest memories.”

Twilight stood frozen, unable to respond. Her chest tightened as she felt an inexplicable wave of anxiety and nervousness washing over her. She looked away, gripping her chest tighter, overwhelmed and unsure of what to do.

Twilight hesitated, her voice trembling as she tried to make sense of her emotions. "I... I don’t understand. Why...? I don’t even know you, but... I feel like... like..."

Sunset’s expression grew serious, her fiery hair casting a faint glow in the dim hallway light. Beneath her determined gaze, fear and sorrow swirled. She stepped closer to Twilight without a word, closing the distance between them until they were standing face to face.

Their eyes met, locking in a silent exchange that carried the weight of unspoken memories—or at least, Sunset’s memories. For a moment, it seemed like the world around them had faded. Neither moved, neither spoke.

Then, the shrill ring of Sunset’s phone shattered the stillness, as if snapping them both out of a trance. Sunset startled and quickly answered the call, her breath catching when Rainbow Dash’s voice came through the speaker.

“Sunset! I found her! Green hair looks like grass—she’s in the school parking lot!” Rainbow’s voice was urgent, almost breathless.

Twilight could hear every word, the call on speaker mode. It wasn’t just them; all the Rainbooms were on the line. Rarity and Sunseen had found Indigo Zap. Applejack was talking to Sunny Flare, while Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy stayed with Sonata and Lemon Zest.

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Rainbow Dash was already moving, her sharp eyes locked on Wallflower’s retreating figure. Without hesitation, she started after her.

“Hey, moss-head! Get back here!” Rainbow shouted. Her voice, carried by the phone, echoed in the air.

“Rainbow, wait! Don’t face her alone!” Sunset called out in a panic, gripping her phone tightly. “Rainbow! RAINBOW!”

There was no response. Sunset’s chest tightened with worry as her imagination conjured the worst. Gritting her teeth, she shot a nervous glance at Twilight, who was still frozen in her place. Without waiting for her to speak, Sunset bolted toward the parking lot, her determination unwavering.

Twilight stood there, stunned and overwhelmed by the chaos unfolding around her. She still didn’t fully understand what was happening, but as she watched Sunset disappear into the distance, a sharp pang hit her chest. It was an unfamiliar, unbearable ache—an undeniable pull.

Unable to stop herself, Twilight took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and ran after Sunset.

~ Lost Among Memories ~

Sunset sprinted across the school grounds, her heart pounding as she reached the parking lot. Her gaze immediately landed on her friends, all they gathered in a tense semicircle around Wallflower Blush. In Wallflower’s trembling hands was the Memory Stone, its ominous glow promising devastation. She aimed it at the group like a weapon.

“Stay back! Don’t come any closer!” Wallflower’s voice quivered with a mix of fear and determination. “You don’t want to end up like your friend!”

Sunset’s eyes darted to Rainbow Dash, who lay on the ground cradled by Fluttershy. Rainbow’s usually confident expression was replaced by confusion and fear, her wide eyes unrecognizing.

“What happened? Where am I?” Rainbow’s voice was faint, almost trembling.

“Rainbow…” Fluttershy whispered, her voice shaky with worry.

“Who are you people?” Rainbow asked, her gaze darting around nervously.

Anger and fear twisted the faces of the other girls, but none dared approach Wallflower. Sunset froze momentarily, taking in the scene. The reality of it struck her like a physical blow. Gritting her teeth, she ran to the group.

“Wallflower!” Sunset called out, her voice sharp.

Wallflower flinched at the sound of her name, turning to face Sunset. Her grip on the Memory Stone tightened.

“Don’t come any closer, Sunset!” Wallflower warned.

Sunset’s gaze didn’t waver. Her friends exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what would happen next.

“You brought them all here,” Wallflower spat bitterly. “You couldn’t just stay forgotten, could you?”

Sunset shook her head, her voice firm. “Of course not! Wallflower, you stole everyone’s memories! Not just here, but in Canterlot too!”

Rarity stepped forward, her anger barely contained. “She made us believe we were still dealing with Anon-a-Miss! All the heartache, the division…”

Applejack crossed her arms, her tone grim. “If it weren’t for Sunseen noticing things didn’t add up, we’d still be fooled.”

Wallflower’s knuckles whitened as she clenched the stone. Her face twisted in frustration. “I thought erasing Sunset would make you all hate her, drive you away from her. But no, you just had to ruin everything!”

Indigo Zap stepped forward, her fists clenched. “Listen, kid, I don’t know what your deal is, but no one messes with my friends or memories and gets away with it.”

Wallflower’s glare hardened. “Try it! I dare you!”

“Wallflower, please!” Sunset pleaded, her voice desperate. “Stop this!”

“Shut up!” Wallflower snapped, her voice breaking. “I wanted to teach you a lesson, to make you feel what I feel. I erased everyone’s good memories of you. But it didn’t work…”

Her voice faltered, the weight of her words hanging in the tense silence.

“But what if I erase all their memories of school?” Wallflower’s voice gained a manic edge. “Then they’ll think of each other the same way you think of me: as nothing!”

Sunset’s heart sank. “Don’t! If you erase their memories, you’ll destroy their friendships!”

Wallflower’s eyes gleamed with tears. “Then they’ll finally understand! They’ll feel what it’s like to be… invisible!”

Before anyone could react, Sunseen stepped forward, her geode glowing. Her magic reached out, wrapping around the Memory Stone in a shimmering aura. Wallflower gasped as the stone was tugged from her grasp.

“What are you doing?! Let go!” Wallflower screamed.

“You let go!” Sunseen retorted, her hands trembling as her magic intensified.

Their eyes locked in a fierce struggle. Wallflower’s pupils began to glow a faint green, and suddenly, the Memory Stone emitted a blinding flash. A wave of light struck Sunseen, and she collapsed, clutching her head. The glow faded as the stolen memories were absorbed into the stone.

“Sunseen!” Sunset rushed to her fallen friend, helping her sit up. Sunseen’s face was pale, her eyes unfocused.

Sunset’s fear transformed into fury. Rising to her feet, she faced Wallflower with fire in her eyes.

“Why are you doing this?! You’re erasing everyone’s memories, but not mine! Do you want me to suffer? Is that it? What did I ever do to make you hate me this much?!”

Wallflower’s anger wavered, replaced by sorrow.

“What did you do? YOU WANT TO KNOW?” Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, “I… I’m invisible… to everyone. No one notices me, no one talks to me. I’m always there, and no one ever sees me…”

Her voice broke as painful memories resurfaced. Wallflower’s shoulders trembled, but she continued.

“No one cares about me… No one except you, Sunset.”

Sunset’s breath hitched. “What?”

Wallflower’s gaze was a mix of anger and longing. “When you were the mean girl at Canterlot High, you saw me. You made me your target. You bullied me, pushed me around…”

Guilt stabbed at Sunset’s heart. She lowered her head, her voice trembling. “Wallflower, I’m so sorry. I-”

“Don’t apologize!” Wallflower interrupted, her voice rising. “Do you know how I felt back then? How did I feel when you bullied me?”

Sunset braced herself, expecting the worst.

“I felt… happy.”

The words stunned everyone. Wallflower’s tears fell freely as she continued.

“I was happy because, for once, someone noticed me. Someone knew I existed. Even if it was to hurt me, at least I wasn’t invisible anymore.”

Her grip on the stone faltered as her body trembled with emotion. “I didn’t care that it hurt. I was just glad someone was looking at me. I even got jealous when you bullied others instead of me…”

Wallflower’s voice broke, her tears dripping onto the Memory Stone. “Then the Fall Formal happened. You changed. You became a good person. You started helping everyone… everyone except me.”

Sunset took a tentative step forward, but Wallflower raised the stone defensively.

“You were just like everyone else,” Wallflower whispered. “You stopped seeing me. I stopped existing for you. I stopped existing to anyone.”

The memories of her loneliness surged, and Wallflower’s voice cracked under their weight. “I just wanted to matter. I just wanted to be seen…”

Wallflower sat alone, lost in her thoughts. She had been nobody, a mere shadow at Canterlot High, invisible to everyone. Not even to be bullied or helped. She was nothing. No one had ever really seen her, and that feeling of isolation had gnawed at her, day after day.

She recalled the sight of Sunset, laughing and talking with her friends, enjoying the companionship of others. A sense of bitterness grew within Wallflower as she remembered how Sunset had forgotten her, how she had faded into the background like a ghost.

It was as though Wallflower had never mattered to her.

One memory in particular stood out: a photo of Sunset, leaning against a wall, gazing off in another direction. It was a photo taken without her knowledge. Wallflower’s cheeks flushed with a mixture of sadness and longing as she stared at it. But her sorrow was quickly replaced by anger. In a fit of rage, she ripped the photo into pieces.

“I came to hate you… I hated you because you forgot me, just like everyone else,” Wallflower whispered to herself, the bitterness in her heart growing sharper.

The memories surged, bringing with them the events of Anon-a-Miss. She had seen Sunset, broken and crying, on the ground.

“When Anon-a-Miss happened… and everyone despised you and abandoned you…”

Wallflower’s lips curled into a smile as she recalled the scene. For the first time in what felt like forever, she had felt a sense of satisfaction.

“I felt good, I thought you were finally paying for everything.”

Another memory returned to her: the sight of Sunset, pleading with others, trying to convince them she was innocent.

“I knew it wasn’t you. I knew that if it had been you, no one would’ve ever found out. You begged them to believe you, and I believed you… but I didn’t care.”

Wallflower just walks away from her, leaving Sunset to suffer alone. A twisted satisfaction had filled her, and she couldn’t deny it.

“For once, I was the one ignoring you. And it felt good.”

Back in her room, she stared at the photo, now taped back together. Her tears fell onto the fragile image.

“But I still missed you seeing me, I wanted... I wanted you to notice me again.”

The tears continued to fall as she collapsed onto her bed.

“When it was all over, and I realized you wouldn’t come back to Canterlot High… I decided to come here.”

Her confession left Sunset’s friends in stunned silence.

Sunny Flare, unable to hide her shock, finally spoke. “You came to the school… for Sunset?”

The question made Wallflower hesitate. She clutched the Memory Stone tightly in her hands, her body trembling.

“I came for you,” Wallflower said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wanted to see you… I wanted…”

Sunset took a cautious step toward her, her eyes fixed on Wallflower.

“Wallflower…”

Wallflower remained still, though her fear was evident. Sunset moved closer, her steps deliberate, but Wallflower did not stop her.

“I wanted to make you see me again, like before…”

Sunset continued walking, unwavering. Wallflower, her heart racing, didn’t stop, and her voice was growing desperate.

“At first, you did… but then, when you were with your friends, you forgot about me! I... I didn’t matter! I didn’t exist to you anymore… or to anyone!”

Her words carried a heaviness that seemed to sink into the hearts of everyone present.

“I didn’t matter… when you were with them... I didn’t exist…”

Sunset paused, glancing back at her friends. They exchanged looks, unsure of how to respond.

Wallflower’s voice cracked as she continued, her pain laid bare. “So, I thought… if you didn’t have your friends, maybe you’d see me again.”

Her hands trembled as she held the Memory Stone, her grip tightening.

“I erased their memories of you, of the school, of everything. I wanted... I wanted everyone to forget you, so it would just be you and me…”

Sunset reached her, her face softening. Wallflower’s hands shook, but she kept the stone pointed at Sunset.

When Sunset reached out, Wallflower flinched, stepping back instinctively. But Sunset’s amber eyes, filled with understanding, met Wallflower’s tear-streaked emerald gaze.

The silence between them was heavy, and Wallflower’s composure shattered.

“I just wanted someone to see me… I don’t want to be invisible...” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want to…”

Sunset’s voice trembled with empathy. “Wallflower, I’m sorry... I truly am.”

Sunset’s words were filled with raw emotion. Wallflower bit her lip, her hands shaking as they fell to her sides. She clenched her teeth, fighting back tears. The Memory Stone slipped from her fingers and hit the ground with a soft thud. A moment later, Wallflower fell to her knees, her sobs breaking free as she buried her face in her hands.

Without hesitation, Sunset knelt beside her, pulling the broken girl into her arms. Wallflower clung to her, finding comfort in the warmth of Sunset’s embrace as she cried.

The others watched in silence, their hearts heavy as they witnessed the vulnerability of the moment. Even Rainbow Dash, holding Fluttershy’s hand, looked on with an uncharacteristic softness.

Rainbow Dash spoke quietly, her voice gentle. “Wow, I don’t know what’s happening, but… I think she means it.”

Her words, so unlike her usual tone, surprised some of her friends.

Wallflower continued to sob, her voice muffled as she whispered repeated apologies. “I’m sorry... I’m so sorry… I’m sorry…”

Sunset said nothing, only stroking Wallflower’s hair, offering what comfort she could. The tension in the air began to ease, a collective breath escaping the girls as they realized the storm had passed.

But none of them noticed the Memory Stone lying on the ground, glowing faintly.

Sunset was the first to sense it. A sudden unease gripped her, and she pulled away from Wallflower, her eyes darting to the stone. Wallflower, frozen in fear, watched as a beam of light shot from the stone, twisting and pulsing in the air.

The light grew brighter, almost as if it was forming a pair of glowing eyes that fixed on Wallflower.

“SUNSET!” Wallflower screamed, terror, filling her voice.

The light engulfed her, and a blinding flash erupted, consuming the parking lot. Everyone shielded their eyes from the searing brightness. The world around them vanished in the radiant burst, leaving them unable to see what was happening...

To be Continued...