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                     The Last Question                     
                         -by LCDN-                         
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                     1: What's next ?                      
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1: What's next ?
As the sun rose in the sky, footsteps echoed through the city of Canterlot. Sunset Shimmer ran, impatient yet also anxious about the impending exam results. These results would decide the future for her and her friends, and she knew that if any of them had failed, it would be a disaster. Nevertheless, she tried to push these thoughts away and ran faster, eager to reach her friends.
She quickly arrived at Canterlot High School and circled the statue - not without giving it a quick glance, a way of saying "I haven't forgotten" - and found her friends sitting at a table in the school courtyard. As she approached, they all fell silent, the stress of the results suppressing their laughter. Nervous smiles appeared as Sunset sat down beside them and placed her bag on the table. She opened it and took out seven envelopes, each holding the coveted information: had they passed their exams?
Sunset Shimmer had herself gone to Principal Celestia's office to fetch the envelopes for her and her friends. Now that they were all gathered, a general sense of impatience settled in. Sunset then distributed each envelope to its respective recipient.
"Alright..." sighed Sunset Shimmer. "On the count of three, we open them!"
"Three..." whispered Rainbow Dash.
"Two..." continued Rarity.
Then Applejack finished: "One—"
"LET'S OPEN THESE ENVELOPES!!!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie with a big smile, cutting Applejack off.
Each of the girls began to open their envelopes, and smiles and laughter filled the air. They had all passed their exams! With varying degrees of success, of course, but the fact remained that they had all succeeded. Twilight, as everyone expected, nearly aced everything; Sunset Shimmer and Rarity had very good results; Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack had quite satisfactory results; and Rainbow Dash had just scraped through her exam.
"But hey, a pass is a pass, right?" Rainbow Dash reacted to her results with a smirk.
But what mattered now was that together, they had all passed their high school exams. After the congratulations and laughter, a moment of reflection came. The conversation quickly shifted to another topic: their future. What would happen after high school? This question oddly brought about a long silence, but Rarity broke the ice.
"So, what do you all have planned after high school?"
After a moment of thought, the answers came. "I'm gonna help out on the farm, of course!" Applejack replied.
"True to yourself," Rarity chuckled. "As for me, my path is already laid out: the world of high fashion and haute couture awaits!"
"Boring!" Rainbow Dash interrupted. "As for me, I'm going to become the greatest athlete this world has ever seen... Not that it'll be too hard, since I already am!"
But playfully, Applejack nudged Rainbow and bumped her shoulder, showing her own exam result in sports: almost as good as Rainbow Dash's. Not quite, of course, but it was enough to annoy her.
"So, Rainbow, not too scared I might steal your title as Canterlot's best athlete?"
"Dream on!" retorted Rainbow Dash. "Stick to your farm, instead of trying to snatch my specialty."
While a friendly dispute unfolded between the two friends, Rarity rolled her eyes and turned to Fluttershy.
"And you, sweetie, what do you plan to do?"
Fluttershy thought for a few seconds and then replied, "Oh, well... I'd like to work at an animal shelter or something like that."
"Isn't that what you're already doing?" Twilight Sparkle wondered, clearly recalling having helped Fluttershy at Canterlot's shelter several times.
"Yes, but I'm just volunteering there," clarified Fluttershy. "I've never been paid for it."
This caught Rainbow Dash's attention, and she turned immediately.
"What?! But you've been working there for so long!" she exclaimed. "Even when we still lived in Cloudsdale, you'd take the train to Canterlot every day after school to work at the shelter!"
"Rainbow's right," Rarity continued. "Given the time and effort you've put in there, you certainly deserve compensation."
But Fluttershy hid behind her hair, saying, "I just wanted to be with the animals..."
Attention turned to Pinkie Pie, and she responded with a big laugh.
"It's obvious, duh! I'm gonna be the world's greatest party planner... Or baker! Or both at the same time! Party cake planner, sounds cool, right?"
The girls laughed, and then Twilight voiced her plans.
"As for me, I'm going to a science university and trying to advance in that field. With a bit of luck, I might even end up at the same university as my brother!"
Then all eyes turned to Sunset Shimmer, the only one who had remained silent all this time. She looked at her results sheet, fixated on the "very good" marked on it. However, Twilight's question interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to reality.
"And you, Sunset?" Twilight asked. "What do you have planned after high school?"
"Well, um, you see..." Sunset began.
But she didn't finish her sentence. No words came out of her mouth. She thought and thought, but nothing. It surprised her. She had no idea where life would take her after high school. All the other girls had a clear vision of their future, but Sunset's remained blurry. Why? She didn't know. She tried to think hard, to come up with something, but... nothing emerged. She had never really taken the time to think about her future.
When she first arrived in this world, she intended to go back and conquer Equestria, but that was obviously no longer on the table. After learning about friendship, she never really thought about what she should do next. It was strange, this feeling of being lost. Not knowing where to go for no apparent reason, feeling stuck without a visible path to follow. Even though it made her anxious, Sunset still tried to appear calm in front of her friends.
"I haven't... really figured it out yet," she announced after a few seconds of pause.
But her smile didn't fool anyone, and it was clear to her friends, who had seen her at her worst, that something wasn't right.
"You know, Sunset," Twilight put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, "it's okay not to know."
"Yeah!" Applejack continued. "You ain't got no need to worry, it'll come in due time!"
"There's still two months left until the graduation ceremony and the end of high school. You've got plenty of time to find your path!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a smile.
"And we're here to help you, of course," Twilight finished with a reassuring smile.
Sunset, though puzzled, let herself be convinced that everything would be alright. "You're right, girls... I'll figure it out in time."
But deep down, she didn't really believe it.
The rain was pouring heavily, and without the streetlights illuminating the night, it would have been difficult to navigate in the darkened city of Canterlot. The shops were closing, Canterlot's mall was locking up for the night, and the last workers were heading home. Late, Sunset Shimmer arrived at her doorstep. She took out her keys from her jacket, opened the door, and stepped into her loft; small, modest, yet undeniably cozy.
With a swift motion, she removed her shoes and flung them towards the others, then tossed her jacket onto the coat rack, unconcerned about whether it was hung properly or not. Tired from the long evening shift at a restaurant in the mall, she slumped onto the couch, struggling to push away the emotions that had been weighing on her since morning. She kept thinking about that moment when, upon seeing her results, she realized she felt lost - unable to know where life would take her next. Had these past two years been for naught?
Unable to find a solution to her problems, she climbed onto her bed and retrieved a journal from a shelf. THE journal. After all, if there was someone capable of finding a solution to her problems, it was her. She settled at her desk, picked up a pen, opened the journal, but just as the tip touched the paper, Sunset Shimmer began to doubt. What if even she had no advice to give? But she shook her head, regained her composure, and with a slightly trembling hand, started to write.
"Dear Twilight,
If I'm writing to you today, it's not to talk about a magic problem (for once), but about a simple problem, so normal that it seems impossible for me not to find a solution. Yet here I am, asking for your help, because I have to admit, you're the person I trust the most. Your advice has been invaluable to me throughout these past years, and I'm certain you have more to offer. I know your new responsibilities as the ruler of Equestria are significant, and my problems might seem trivial, but I hope you'll still grant me a bit of your precious time.
Today, my friends and I received our exam results. We all did well, and we will all graduate. I, myself, achieved results I'm quite proud of, but that's not the point.
The others started talking about their future plans, and that's when a realization hit me: I don't know. It's crazy, right? Me, not knowing what to do. I don't know why, but I feel completely lost. During these almost 6 years in this world, I've had the opportunity to try many jobs; I've been a delivery person, a cashier, a cook, and more... I didn't really have a choice if I wanted to survive on my own in this world. But looking back, nothing made me happy. I mean, I did them because I HAD to, not because I WANTED to. Just tonight, I worked at the restaurant again, but I did it because I need to pay my rent, because I never want to sleep on the streets like I did in the past.
Even though the circumstances are different now, and I have friends by my side to help, I'm filled with a sense of uncertainty and doubt. What if I never find it, Twilight? I'm not from here, I'm an outsider, I know that well, maybe that's why I can't find it, but... I don't know. I can't move back in with my parents "while figuring it out" like my classmates can. I can't afford to wait. High school ends in 2 months now, and after those 2 months, I'll have to find my path. If I don't find it, well... I don't know.
I'm sincerely sorry to bother you with my problems, Twilight. I know you have much better things to do than listen to a whiny "teenager," but I hoped you could help me.
Your friend, Sunset Shimmer"
Sunset closed the journal, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her uncertainties now laid bare, she lay down in her bed and awaited Twilight's response. But nothing came. She waited for several tens of minutes, but the page remained blank, and there was no sign of Twilight. It was true that they hadn't spoken as much since she had recently become the ruler of Equestria, but this still worried Sunset. What if she didn't want to talk to her anymore?
Tired from her workday and bored of waiting for a response, she lay in her bed. She began pondering the possibilities she had. A cook? True, she excelled at it, but she was sure it wasn't her calling. Something in music? But all the others had planned things completely different and distant from that... And she couldn't see herself pursuing a solo career in music. After all, if she played, it was for fun with her friends. The Rainbooms were a way to have fun together without the stress, but her friends didn't seem to care anymore... Not anymore.
In Equestria, even if she could never become a princess as she once wished, she could have become a great magician. But here, her magic wouldn't help her. She thought of Starlight Glimmer, who had a similar journey. She, at least, had made it through. She was now the headmare of the School of Friendship, she had found her path. Even Twilight! Sunset Shimmer knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help feeling a bit envious and jealous of her. Twilight was everything she could never become; a princess, a success, an example.
"Maybe she would let me have a position at the School of Friendship...?" thought Sunset Shimmer.
But she quickly dismissed this idea. She couldn't just go back to Equestria and leave her friends behind, after all. But what should she do? As she continued to ponder her future, she fell into a restless sleep, tormented by her deepest fears...
But a few hours later, she woke up. Still night. Unable to fall back asleep. Sunset got out of her bed and her gaze immediately turned to the journal.
No replies.
So she got out of her bed, went to her kitchen, brewed herself some coffee, her eyes vacant and tired. The rain was still falling outside, reflecting her inner turmoil. The soft sound of the rain seemed somewhat soothing, like a song to her ears. Waiting for the coffee maker to finish, she walked over to a window and opened it. She stuck her head out and took in a deep breath of fresh air. She looked at the starry sky and began to think. She was scared. Yes, she was scared. She couldn't deny it. Scared of never finding. Scared of being rejected if she made the wrong choice. Rejected by the world. Rejected by her friends. She couldn't envision the future. She felt like she was at a crossroads with no path, a road without continuation, the edge of a world she didn't even belong to.
Ding. The coffee maker was done. Sunset grabbed her cup of coffee and went back to her bed, staring into space as if she had lost her bearings. But as she sat on the bed, a light appeared; the journal began to glow. Sunset's eyes widened, a smile forming on her face. She immediately understood. She rushed to the journal, opened it, and read the message that had been addressed to her.
"Dear Sunset,
First and foremost, I apologize for my late response. It's true that my new responsibilities take up a lot of my time, but I'll always find some for you if necessary. You're my friend, after all.
First, I want you to understand that your worries are entirely valid. None of your problems are "trivial," and they're not "whining." You're at a crossroads in your life, and every decision you make will impact your future. However, I also know that no matter what choice you make, it will be the right one. I know how intelligent you are, and if there's one person I believe can achieve great things, it's you. You're talented, and your range of possibilities is limitless; make the most of it, try things, take risks, but above all, never doubt yourself. Sometimes, life is scary. We don't know if we'll make it, what will happen to us, but we have to hold our heads high. I know sometimes everything feels like it's just too much. But listen; you gotta let it in, even if it's tough. You're much stronger than you think.
I've had moments of doubt myself. Being a princess doesn't shield you from stress, fear, or uncertainty. Just because I'm the ruler of Equestria doesn't mean I'm better than anyone else, or you! Sunset, you have your whole life ahead of you. A life that I hope will be wonderful. It's never too late to find your path. I can't tell you what you'll do in life. That's up to you to discover. But I know you can do it, if you believe in yourself. Everything will come in due time.
Never forget that you have wonderful friends by your side who only want to help you. Let them help you. Don't be ashamed of that. It's not an admission of weakness. On the contrary! I believe in you, Sunset Shimmer. If you ever need to talk, to share your fears and uncertainties, I'll always be there for you.
Your friend, Twilight Sparkle"
Sunset smiled. She closed the journal, a tear of happiness in her eye, then picked up her coffee cup. She returned to her window and looked at the stars. Yes, that's right. She didn't know. Twilight hadn't given her the answer. But in exchange, she had given her hope. It was up to her to find the answer. And even if she didn't have it now, what about tomorrow? She had her friends by her side.
And that's all that matters.
This morning, the sky was misty. The sun had barely risen, but Rainbow Dash was strolling around the town.
"She should be around here..." she muttered.
She squinted her eyes, trying to see into the distance, with little success due to the fog obstructing her view. After several minutes of walking and searching in the still-asleep Canterlot town, she found her: Spitfire. She approached her. Spitfire, who was running, seemingly out for a jog, turned around and saw Rainbow Dash.
"Dash? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised. "Didn't you say you wouldn't come today?"
Indeed, every Saturday morning for over 6 months now, Spitfire and Rainbow Dash went jogging together on the streets of Canterlot. It was at Rainbow Dash's request, who had told her teacher that she was bored during weekends. So, Spitfire had suggested joining her. This had not only allowed them to do more sports together but also brought them closer, as they usually only had a teacher-student relationship.
"Wait!" Rainbow Dash tried to catch her breath. "I was just wondering if we could talk, miss..."
"'Miss'? We're past that stage, Rainbow. You can call me Spitfire," she declared. "Besides, we're almost the same age, so..."
"Oh, uh... Okay, but..." Rainbow Dash gasped, out of breath. "Can we stop for a couple of seconds...?"
The two of them stopped then, with Spitfire saying she was "planning on taking a break anyway." They sat down on a step, and Spitfire took a sip from her water bottle. She then turned to Rainbow Dash.
"I saw that you passed your exam, Dash. Congratulations," Spitfire said.
"Thanks," Rainbow Dash replied. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."
Intrigued, Spitfire listened.
"I want to become a great athlete... I already have the talent for it!" Rainbow Dash started. "That's why I'd like to get into college, specializing in sports... And I was hoping you could write me a letter of recommendation. To give me a boost, you know?"
Spitfire was a bit surprised but responded.
"You, in college? That's new! But you know what? I'd be happy to do that for you. Even though, in my opinion, you don't need it. Your results speak for themselves. You're an excellent athlete, Dash."
"Hehe... You're going to make me blush!" Rainbow laughed. "But thanks, I knew I could count on you."
Rainbow Dash stood up, ready to leave and head back home.
"By the way, just because you've passed your exams doesn't mean you can slack off!! If I catch you slacking on Monday...!" Spitfire declared with a mockingly annoyed and mockingly threatening expression.
Rainbow left with a teasing smile. She knew Spitfire well by now. Big mouth, sure, but also a big heart.
She was trying to push back the stress and anxiety, but she couldn't do it. The shelter would open in 30 minutes, and there she was, standing right in front of it. She hesitated. One minute. Two minutes... Then three... And from her bag emerged Angel, who gave her a light tap on the back of her head. Fluttershy turned around, looking uncomfortable.
"I know, Angel... I have to go in and ask him if I can get paid for my work..." Fluttershy stammered. "But I'm so scared... What if he refuses and kicks me out of the shelter forever...?"
Angel, visibly annoyed, stomped his feet. Fluttershy saw him and sighed, knowing she had to go in. With rather shaky steps, she opened the door and entered the shelter. Already inside was the shelter manager, Kibble Bowl, a man in his fifties, relatively friendly but a bit cynical.
"Hey, Fluttershy!" he exclaimed upon seeing her. "How are you today?"
"Oh, um... Fine, thank you..." she replied in a quiet, almost inaudible tone. "I would like to talk to you..."
"Of course!" he replied. "I can do that for you, considering how much you help us."
"That's... Exactly what it's about..."
Fluttershy began to fidget, clearly nervous. She took a step back, but felt Angel in her bag giving her a gentle nudge, signaling her to continue. Gathering her courage, taking a deep breath, and trying her best not to stutter, she started.
"I've been working here for a very long time now..." she stammered. "And even though it's true that I've always worked as a volunteer, I would like... Um... to be paid for my work..."
But at these words, the man started to laugh. Fluttershy, confused, took a step back, and the man ignored her, returning to his activities. "Does that mean yes...?" Fluttershy thought. She followed him, and he noticed her presence. He turned around to face the young girl.
"Is that a joke ?" he grumbled. "You didn't really expect to be paid, did you?"
"But... Um... Why not...?" Fluttershy stammered.
"It's voluntary work. You knew what to expect, kid."
"B-but I've been helping you for years! I-I work even more than you do here...!" she said in a very small voice, as if not to upset him.
But it didn't seem to appease him.
"Listen to me closely, kid. I have no legal obligation to pay you. Besides, you didn't have to come today. Out. Now."
Fluttershy, hurt, offended, but most of all, sad to be rejected, left slowly. "At least I tried," she thought to herself, trying to dispel the sadness. But no. It didn't sit well with her. She had never had a problem with this before. But ever since Rainbow Dash and Rarity had told her that she should be paid, she couldn't get it out of her head. And that's why today, she had tried her best. In reality, she didn't really care about not being paid. She worked at the shelter because she loved it, because she wanted to see animals, not for the money. But it was a matter of principle, of justice, because even if she said otherwise, deep down, she knew she deserved compensation for the work she was putting in; especially since it exceeded what Kibble Bowl himself was doing.
The shelter manager then went back to his routine, sweeping before the shelter's opening. But as Fluttershy was about to open the front door and leave for the day, her bag opened, and out came Angel, who headed towards the center of the store.
"Angel!" Fluttershy exclaimed, trying to keep her voice low. "What are you doing?"
Angel put on a mischievous smile and ran into the store, which worried Fluttershy. She knew him well by now; it was certain that he was up to something. Hesitant, she followed Angel through the shop.
"Angel, come back here!" she said, trying to keep a calm voice, attempting not to be noticed by Kibble Bowl.
She hid behind a piece of furniture and gestured for the rabbit to come back, but he stuck his tongue out at her. "What a little rascal!" Fluttershy thought. She tried to communicate with him from a distance, making gestures that he pretended not to understand in order to continue with his plan. Fluttershy continued to follow him until he was near Kibble Bowl. No turning back now. In a panicked manner, she signaled for Angel to stop there and not to do anything, but he didn't listen.
He secretly climbed down from the desk, and with quiet steps, he approached Kibble Bowl's feet. Just as he was sweeping, Angel gently tied his shoelaces together. Was that it? Only that? Fluttershy felt relieved in a way and gestured for Angel to come back, which he did with a little laugh. As he walked back towards Fluttershy, he suddenly pushed a vase, which fell and shattered immediately. Fluttershy's gaze was horrified, but Angel laughed even more as the shock made Kibble Bowl jump and fall on the ground, not realizing his feet were tied. Fluttershy and Angel quickly fled from the shop.
Once outside, Angel, though satisfied with his prank, expected to be scolded by Fluttershy. As he stood ready to accept his punishment, nothing happened.
"Ah ah... Ah ah ah!"
Angel looked up and saw Fluttershy, with a tear in her eye, laughing.
"It's mean, I know, but... I have to admit that your dirty trick really made me laugh, you little trickster!"
Angel laughed too. He didn't regret a thing. "That pretentious manager deserved it," he thought.
"Sugar, please?"
"Here you go."
Pinkie put the sugar in the bowl - much more than would normally be needed, Rarity noticed that very well - and began mixing it with the butter before kneading with her hands.
"Aren't you wearing gloves...?" Rarity asked, surprised and a little disgusted.
"Gloves? Why would I?" Pinkie Pie replied with a big smile as she continued kneading the dough.
This morning, Pinkie Pie had a stroke of genius: making an exam results cake! So in the afternoon, she called Rarity and invited her to come and prepare the "best cake the world has ever known," as she called it. The truth was, she called all her cakes that. However, that didn't stop Rarity from joining her friend.
"Darling, I really appreciate the invitation, but... you didn't really need me to make this cake," Rarity said. "You would do just fine on your own."
"Maybe, but baking alone is much less fun than with friends!" declared Pinkie Pie with a big smile.
"Not untrue, but if you become a pastry chef, you won't necessarily have friends with you all the time," Rarity remarked.
Pinkie Pie paused for a few seconds, as if she had turned into a statue, lost in thought, then she continued and brushed off Rarity's comment with a simple and naive "Well, whatever!" which didn't really surprise Rarity, who expected this kind of response from Pinkie.
She asked for egg yolks, flour, and baking powder, which Rarity gave her, before she started mixing everything by hand, which seemed to slightly disgust her friend. What a lack of hygiene! But she knew how good Pinkie's cakes were, so she let her carry on. After all, Pinkie was the cake expert.
"Are you going to quit your job as a waitress?" Rarity asked, curious.
"Well... probably," Pinkie answered while kneading the dough. "If I want to become a pastry chef and party planner, I'll have to. I just need to find a position, you know!"
Then Pinkie divided the dough in two and flavored one side with vanilla and the other with chocolate. Next, she greased a loaf pan and alternated the two mixtures before finally placing them in the oven. After that, she sighed; she was now free for several tens of minutes. She then asked Rarity what her plans were. Rarity had said the day before that she wanted to pursue a career in fashion, which everyone expected, but she hadn't specified which path she intended to take.
"Probably stay at Carousel Boutique with Prim Hemline for now..." she began. "Before eventually taking it over, of course."
"Ah, businesswoman style, huh? Doesn't surprise me coming from you!" Pinkie Pie laughed.
Then she approached Rarity and gave her puppy eyes. "Come on, my best friend, if you ever plan parties for big fashion stars, could I help with the preparations?"
"Ahaha! Of course you'll help, Pinkie!"
Pinkie jumped from joy. "Yippee!" A few minutes later, the oven timer went off. Pinkie took out a wonderful marbled cake with vanilla and chocolate, and immediately took a piece, which didn't fail to elicit a reaction from Rarity.
"Hey, leave some for me!"
Applejack returned after an afternoon spent in the orchard, harvesting apples. A slight backache, sure, but it was worth it! She stretched and then broke into a wide smile. She greeted Big McIntosh, who was in the kitchen, and then Applebloom, who was doing her homework on the living room table, before heading to sit on a chair near her grandmother.
"Well, my dear, not too tired?" Granny Smith asked. "You didn't have to do it all on your own, you know."
"Oh, don't worry, I'm happy to do it!" Applejack replied. "And besides, it's what I'm going to do for the rest of my life, so I might as well get used to it now!"
But Granny Smith laughed, looking up from her newspaper.
"What you're going to do for the rest of your life? You're dreaming, kid! You're going to college, believe me."
But Applejack furrowed her brows, clearly displeased. Going to college? That wasn't what she wanted at all! Why would they try to force her to go there? She didn't hesitate to show her discontent, but Granny Smith didn't seem to be bothered, saying that the decision had already been made a long time ago. Yet, Applejack already knew what she wanted to do: help on the farm. She couldn't see herself doing anything else, in fact. It seemed to be the only logical continuation of her life.
"But why?" Applejack exclaimed. "And why didn't Big Mac have to go, for starters?!"
"I did offer it to him, but he refused."
"Eeyup!" Big Mac replied, slouched against a piece of furniture and sipping on a cup of coffee.
"You're not helping!" pouted Applejack before turning back to Granny Smith. "But then why am I being forced to go? I don't understand…" Applejack said, confused, as if overwhelmed by the situation.
Granny got up and placed her hands on Applejack's shoulders.
"Because it would be a waste to keep all that talent and potential confined to just a farm, my dear. You're smart, smarter than anyone else in the family. You have everything it takes to pursue higher education!"
"But I don't want that...! Helping on the farm suits me..." Applejack replied, a bit lost.
"I'm not asking you to give up the farm, Applejack. Just to explore other things as well!" Granny Smith lovingly and comfortingly stroked Applejack's cheek. "Your parents wanted to pursue higher education, you know. But the family simply didn't have enough money back then, and they had to give up their dreams... But you, you don't have to do that. You have the opportunity to become whatever you want. And not everyone is fortunate enough to have that chance, believe me..."
Granny Smith held Applejack's hands, filled with emotions.
"...So seize it."
Applejack hesitated for a few seconds. Did she have to answer? She wasn't sure. In fact, she wasn't sure of anything anymore. Everything seemed to have happened so quickly. Just ten minutes ago, she was certain about where her future would lead her. But now? It seemed more unclear. And she knew that everyone had high hopes for her. It was true that her exam results were great, and it was also true that she could probably get into college... But why? It wasn't what she wanted. Applejack didn't have any other ideas about what to do, but deep down, she knew Granny was right. Family is always right.
"O-Okay, Granny... I'll do it."
With those words, Granny Smith embraced Applejack. It lasted for a few seconds, a few minutes, a few hours. Applejack isn't sure. She doesn't know anymore. But she trust her.
As surprising as it may seem, Saturn's density is lower than that of water. In fact, if we were to place Saturn in an ocean - assuming we could find one large enough - the planet would float. However, this ability doesn't enable it to withstand the stress it faces. In the same vein of anecdotes, Saturn's rings are much flatter than one might think. Despite having a diameter of over 360,000 kilometers, they are no more than 10 meters thick. On the other hand, this doesn't help Saturn choose an outfit for the evening. These rings are primarily composed of dust and ice; but did you know that the coldest place in the universe is on Earth? A temperature of -273.14 degrees Celsius was recorded once. But such cold wouldn't go well with short sleeves! By the way, a common trait between Earth and the Moon is that both have a liquid core. But if it rains, it will ruin my hairstyle!
"Shining Armor, you're distracting me from my reading," said Twilight, lying on her bed in front of a book.
"I know, I know, but I'm so stressed!" Shining Armor replied, pulling out two suits and showing them to his sister. "So, which one? The first or the second? Which one do you think Cadance would prefer?!"
"You tell me. you know her better than I do," Twilight chuckled. "And why wear a suit? You're just going to a concert with friends, nothing more."
"NO SUIT?!"
Shining Armor rushed to his room, bumping into a piece of furniture on the way. Tonight, he, Cadance, and several of their friends were supposed to go to a concert. But he interpreted this invitation as a "date." It wasn't one. But he felt that way. As Cadance was about to arrive any minute, he started to stress, not knowing what to wear, how to style his hair, what to say – basically, not knowing much at all. Twilight, on the other hand, was simply reading a book about astrology. Everything was going fine until her brother came in and disrupted her reading. Twilight sighed. Her brother was really making a big deal out of nothing. It seemed to run in the family.
"TWILIGHT!" Shining Armor yelled from his room. "How should I style my hair, do you think?!"
"Don't style it at all?"
"NO HAIRSTYLE?!" he yelled.
Twilight sighed. Shining Armor and Cadance had known each other for a long time, and it was obvious there was something between them. But for years, neither of them had admitted their feelings. Yet, it was clear to everyone around them that something would eventually happen, sooner or later. Suddenly, the door to Twilight's room opened again, and Shining Armor walked in. No suit, no styled hair. Just him, in casual attire.
"So, Twilight? Am I good like this...?" Shining Armor asked, slightly anxious.
"You're perfect just like that, big brother," Twilight replied. "Cadance loves you for you, no need to go to great lengths. Especially since it's not a date..."
Suddenly, a ding was heard. The doorbell! Cadance was there!
"Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, what do I do?!" Shining Armor exclaimed, completely panicked.
Twilight got up, put her hands on her brother's shoulders, and ruffled his hair. It was still too neat.
"Come on, it'll be fine. Go on now," Twilight said with a smile. "Have a great evening, bro."
Shining Armor smiled too.
"Yeah... You're right. Thanks, Twily."
Shining went to the door and left with Cadance. Twilight looked out the window and saw her brother outside with Cadance. He seemed more relaxed. She lay back on her bed.
"Phew... What a hassle!" she exclaimed. "But now that I'm home alone, I can finally get back to my reading..."
Twilight picked up her book and began to read.
Then a ding was heard again. She looked at her phone. Sunset Shimmer. Really...
Author's Note
Thanks to @Acidlulamoon on Twitter (or X, whatever) who gave me inspiration for this chapter !

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                      2: Help wanted                       
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2: Help wanted
Another day at Canterlot High School, another misadventure. In fact, since the day the results were announced, everything had been rather calm. Classes were not as demanding now that the exams were over, and nothing particularly noteworthy had happened since that day. Everyone was quietly contemplating their future, how to approach it in the coming years, which created a kind of tension in the air. No one really talked about it or made a fuss, but everyone could feel it; the end of high school was creating a sort of unease in everyone, without really being able to explain why. The fear of parting ways, perhaps? The end of an era? Nobody paid much attention to it. It was just there, plain and simple. And everyone was aware of it.
Despite the hallways seeming less cheerful and the students less playful, everything was going rather "normally." Students hung out together after school, especially at the Canterlot Mall, the go-to place for outings with friends. Restaurants, games, shops... Everything was there to guarantee a fun day. Sunset Shimmer, however, never came. When her friends invited her to the mall, whether it was for a meal with Twilight, shopping with Rarity, or just a stroll with Fluttershy, she always declined. She already worked there, and late into the evening at that. So hanging out there reminded her of work. And work made her think about the future. And that thing scared her. To avoid hurting herself by going there, she just started avoiding that place as much as possible. And her friends understood, actually. They didn't really blame her. Each of them was anxious in their own way. The future was not a walk in the park for anyone.
That day, everything seemed normal. Rainbow Dash, drenched in sweat, had just finished a match, accompanied by Sunset Shimmer. It was a friendly match between Canterlot High and Crystal Prep, something that happened regularly. This time, Canterlot had won, which was rare enough to be noteworthy. Sunset, who didn't play, had still come to cheer on her friend. The two of them left the stadium and started walking through the halls of Canterlot High. Sunset wore a proud smile for her friend's victory.
"Wow, Dash," she began. "You really went all out!"
Rainbow Dash laughed. "You know, I always give my all in all my matches! That's my secret to staying the best!"
Then suddenly, as if out of nowhere, appeared Bon Bon, one of their friends. A slightly panicked look could be seen on her face, and the two young girls quickly noticed it. Bon Bon approached Rainbow and Sunset.
"Thank goodness, I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Why's that? Is something wrong?" asked Sunset Shimmer, slightly worried.
Bon Bon grabbed the two girls and led them into an empty adjacent room. She put her bag on a random table and then sighed, trying to relieve her stress. Sunset and Rainbow exchanged questioning, yet concerned looks. Bon Bon tried to regain her composure.
"Listen, I may have... messed up," she began. Then she put on a guilty, embarrassed smile. "A big mess-up..."
"Well, spill it!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, curious as ever.
Bon Bon sighed and looked away, clearly ashamed.
"Well... I may have broken something very important. Something that belonged to Lyra..."
"And... how important was it?" Sunset Shimmer asked, gradually realizing the extent of the situation.
"Important as in... a project for a university entrance exam..." Bon Bon whispered.
Rainbow couldn't help but let out an "ouch" that made Bon Bon feel even more guilty. She explained the situation more deeply. While she was at Lyra's helping her finish her project, a model, Bon Bon had to leave it in her friend's garage to let the paint dry. However, she dropped it, and the model was destroyed on the spot. She decided not to tell Lyra, fearing the consequences it could lead to. Lyra had not yet been to her garage since the day before when she asked Bon Bon to put the model there, but now she was afraid her secret would be discovered.
"You have to help me hide this from Lyra!" Bon Bon pleaded.
"But why us?" questioned Rainbow Dash with a raised eyebrow. "What makes you think we're suited for the job?"
Bon Bon sighed and began, "Rainbow Dash, you're literally a troublemaker. You know everything there is to know about covering up a mess you've made!" Bon Bon exclaimed. "And you, Sunset, well... for 4 years you hid from everyone that you came from a parallel world where you were a pony. Of course you're qualified!"
But Sunset was puzzled by this request. She wanted to help her friend, of course, but wasn't it at Lyra's expense? What's the point of helping a friend if it's going to hurt another one? She tried, although awkwardly, to change Bon Bon's mind.
"You know," Sunset began, "I think being honest with Lyra would be best... You didn't do it on purpose, I'm sure she'll understand if you explain."
"Pff, Sunset, come on. Honest?" Bon Bon reacted. "I asked for help from Sunset Shimmer and Rainbow Dash, as far as I know. Not from Applejack."
Sunset lowered her gaze, feeling a bit guilty. But Rainbow tapped her on the shoulder.
"Come on, Sunset, Bon Bon is our friend!" she said. "We have to help her!"
Sunset reluctantly agreed to help Bon Bon, even though she didn't really agree with her idea. But did she really have a choice? Bon Bon, on the other hand, was relieved to see that Rainbow and Sunset volunteered. She had to hide her mistake from Lyra.
"Twilight, darling, is it really necessary to go to such lengths for this?" Rarity asked, sounding slightly tired.
Twilight Sparkle turned to face Rarity before assuming a proud posture.
"Of course it is!" she exclaimed. "Principal Celestia has entrusted me with the responsibility of being the school treasurer, and I won't let her down!"
Earlier that morning, Principal Celestia had offered Twilight the role of school treasurer. She was tasked with gathering information about everyone's expenses in each of the school's clubs, recording everything, and keeping track of the school's expenditures throughout the year. For this task, she had asked Rarity to accompany her. Since Rarity knew everyone, she would surely be of great help.
"And me... Why am I here...?" Fluttershy asked, a bit confused.
"You're here to smile and make a good impression," Twilight replied. "You're kind, and that makes people more willing to talk."
Fluttershy lowered her gaze, and the three girls continued to walk through the school's hallways. They visited numerous clubs, although neither Rarity nor Fluttershy seemed particularly happy about it. After visiting the chess club, Twilight started heading toward the gardening club. Over the past year, the club had grown significantly and had turned Canterlot's garden into a popular place, with occasional tours organized for visitors. This success was in part due to Wallflower Blush, who took care of the garden the most.
In reality, there were two sections of this club: one that tended to the outdoor garden of Canterlot High and another, more suitable for beginners, focused on learning about plants and how to care for them. This section was located in a small greenhouse near the garden and had only a few members who weren't necessarily planning to turn gardening into a serious hobby. It was just basic learning to understand how to take care of plants properly. However, there was nothing stopping these members from later working in the garden.
Rarity sighed when she realized that Twilight was heading toward the school's garden.
"Darling, do we really have to go through the gardening club?" Rarity asked.
"Of course we do!" Twilight exclaimed. "We have to visit all the clubs, not just the ones that suit us."
Rarity leaned toward Fluttershy. "I don't mean to be rude, but Wallflower Blush still gives me the creeps..."
At this remark, Fluttershy giggled. Then, within just two minutes, the three girls found themselves at the entrance to Canterlot High's garden. It was beautifully decorated as always, with numerous lights, ornaments, and sculpted bushes. In the center stood a tall tree with long branches, on which nearly all the students of the school had attached pieces of paper. This was an idea conceived by Wallflower Blush and had captured everyone's hearts - the "hope paper." On a piece of paper, each student wrote where they saw themselves in two years, as adults or just older, their hopes for the future, and so on. In two years, everyone could come back and read what they had written to see how they measured up to their goals. The number of hope papers on the tree increased every day, resembling more and more leaves. However, none of the girls had put theirs on yet. Sunset had been the first to decline, for obvious reasons, and all the others followed suit. They would put their hope paper eventually, but none of them felt ready to do it now. The time would come, just not yet.
In front of the tree, watering a potted plant, was Wallflower Blush.
"Hey, Wallflower," Twilight said. "We're here for the end-of-year inspection."
Upon hearing these words, Wallflower Blush turned around.
"Twilight, wow!" she exclaimed with a radiant smile. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Wallflower also turned toward Fluttershy and Rarity and greeted them. The former responded with a friendly hello, while Rarity offered a nonchalant greeting.
"So, you're here for the end-of-year inspection, I presume? It's for the club's expenses, right?"
"Exactly," Twilight replied. "Normally, the club has expense sheets where all the spending is noted. Could you provide those to me?"
"Hmm..." Wallflower thought for a few seconds about where those sheets might be before responding. "They should be in the greenhouse over there, I think."
Not wanting to further bother Wallflower, who was in the middle of her work, Twilight offered to retrieve the sheets herself. So, she and her two friends headed to the infamous greenhouse and opened the door. Inside, they were greeted by something they absolutely did not expect to see in a gardening club: dead plants. Many dead plants. Twilight was confused, Rarity was downright indignant, and Fluttershy was saddened by all the withered flowers.
"These poor flowers..." Fluttershy mumbled. "But what could have happened to them?"
Twilight went to a table and picked up a sheet, the one she was looking for.
"How long has it been since anyone came here?" she wondered aloud, touching the leaves of one of the plants. "These flowers died from neglect, that's for sure..."
Suddenly, the greenhouse door swung open again, and the three girls turned to see Lyra Heartstrings.
"Lyra?" Rarity questioned upon seeing the new arrival.
At first, the three girls wondered why Lyra was there, considering she wasn't a member of the gardening club, and the greenhouse wasn't open to those who weren't part of it. But quickly, that question was replaced by another: was she okay? Because it was evident from her facial expression that she wasn't. However, her expression quickly shifted from apparent fear to one of resignation. Lyra dropped her arms and sighed sadly.
"You know everything now..." she said with an air of surrender.
"What are you talking about? And why are you here?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
Lyra then leaned against a table and recounted what had happened. During the past week, their friend Sweetie Drops (nickname Bon Bon) had to leave town temporarily. Being a member of the gardening club in the greenhouse section, she had asked her dearest friend, Lyra Heartstrings, to take care of the flowers and plants in the greenhouse.
"But I forgot..." she admitted. "I only realized it when she returned, and I said I wanted to continue taking care of the greenhouse by myself for a while longer to hide all this from her... But it won't work forever."
It was now just a matter of time before Bon Bon wanted to return to her place in the club and come back to the greenhouse. But in the meantime, Lyra wanted to rectify her mistake, and most importantly, seek forgiveness. Upon hearing this, Rarity's eyes lit up with an idea, and she volunteered.
"Don't worry, Lyra, because your friends Rarity and Fluttershy are here to help you!" Rarity declared with a radiant smile, grabbing Fluttershy by the waist and bringing her closer without Fluttershy fully understanding what was happening.
"And what about the inspection?!" Twilight grumbled.
"Come on, Twilight, would you really stand in the way of us helping our friend?" Rarity teased. "Come on, you can let us handle this, can't you?"
"Pff..." Twilight sighed. "I know you've been waiting for an excuse to back out. Fine, go ahead, I'll finish it myself."
Rarity jumped from joy, took Fluttershy and Lyra, and left Twilight behind to her duties.
Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, and Bon Bon found themselves walking through the town, heading towards Lyra's house.
"We'll get there, snatch the model, hide it somewhere, and it's done!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "With a good excuse and an alibi, you'll find a way to make her believe you had nothing to do with it." Rainbow winked at Bon Bon.
"And how do you plan to sneak into Lyra's place?" Sunset furrowed her brows.
Rainbow took a hairpin from her pocket, and Sunset understood, sighing. After all, it was Rainbow Dash; you had to expect anything with her. Bon Bon, who was still walking beside them, began to think about the perfect excuse to explain the disappearance of the model. The dog destroyed it, so she got rid of it? No, too common. A burglary? Too big. The place was too humid, the paint wasn't drying well, so Bon Bon tried to move it but someone knocked her over, causing the model to fall and break? Perfect!
With a perfect excuse, a plan for breaking into Lyra's house, and determination, the three girls arrived at their destination. Rainbow stood in front of the door before taking the hairpin and inserting it into the lock like a key. The two other girls watched closely, Sunset puzzled about the effectiveness of the technique. However, after a few minutes of effort, Rainbow failed to pick the lock.
"Okay, I knew it was a bad idea," sighed Sunset.
"I have the keys, you know," admitted Bon Bon. "Don't worry, Rainbow, I'll open it."
Rainbow stepped aside, making way for Bon Bon to open the door and provide an easy entry for her two friends into Lyra's house.
Upon entering, the three girls were greeted by a nice, warm, simple but pleasant home. To the right of the door was the couch, and in front of it, a TV; straight ahead was an entrance to the kitchen, which they avoided; in front and to the right was a wall with a large frame containing many photos of Lyra and her family; then, to the extreme right of this frame and just next to the TV was another hallway leading to the bedrooms, two well-kept ones and one more childlike and messy, as well as the bathrooms and other rooms. However, the door to the garage, the desired room, was on the left. The three girls opened it and entered. It was a cluttered room, serving as a catch-all where the family put various objects randomly and without organization; there wasn't even enough space to park a car. Against one wall was a large wooden table, and on top of it was the model that Bon Bon claimed to have destroyed. Indeed, the impact had caused significant damage to the model. Pieces were missing or detached, and the whole thing was cracked and on the verge of collapsing. It was at this moment that the two other girls realized the amount of work it would take to fix this.
"Well, it's clear, you really messed up," Rainbow Dash laughed.
"Ah, very funny," Bon Bon replied sarcastically. "Instead of saying nonsense, wouldn't you rather help me?"
Rainbow Dash walked over to the model. "Okay, okay, calm down," she said. "Let's quickly glue a few pieces together to make transportation easier. Is there any glue here?"
"Hmm..." Bon Bon pondered. "Probably in Lyra's room, on her desk."
"Sunset, can you fetch that for me?" Rainbow asked.
Sunset complied and went into the house, heading towards the corridor leading to the bedrooms. She ignored Lyra's parents' room, as they were currently at work, and Lyra's little sister's room, as she was at school. She entered the last room, the one she was looking for. Its walls were adorned with blue wallpaper, and the bed was the same color. Against the right wall was a desk with shelves mounted on the wall above it. The desk was well-organized, and on it were several family photos, including one of her and Bon Bon. Sunset picked up the photo and held it in her hands. What Bon Bon intended to do would inevitably strain her friendship with Lyra. She knew that one of the most important values of friendship was honesty, and what Bon Bon was doing did not respect that principle at all. Sunset thought for a moment, but she didn't want to be complicit in this. She found the glue she had been asked to get but instead of returning it to them, she put it in her pocket and hid it there. Sunset returned to the garage, lost in thought.
"So, did you find it?" Rainbow Dash wondered when she saw her friend return.
"Oh, um... No, sorry, there was nothing..." Sunset lied.
"Darn it... Well, we'll have to buy some in town!" Rainbow suggested.
However, Bon Bon quickly intervened.
"We won't have time, Lyra will be back before we can get rid of the model," she declared. "No choice, we'll have to carry the model like this!"
Rainbow Dash sighed, but she and Bon Bon began to carry the model, struggling with its weight. They asked Sunset to go get her car to transport the model more easily, but she pretended to have forgotten her car keys at home, forcing the two girls to carry the model through the street all the way, hoping everything would go smoothly. Sunset, on the other hand, was determined to sabotage their plan.
"So you're looking for the best way to make amends?" Rarity asked.
"Exactly," confirmed Lyra. "Bon Bon is a dear friend, and... I wouldn't want her to hold a grudge against me, you know?" Lyra fell into thought. "Even though I know it would be deserved..."
Fluttershy placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder. "You know, I think it's very kind of you..." she said softly. "It's clear that you care a lot about her... I'm sure she'll forgive you."
Lyra, Fluttershy, and Rarity were walking through town, trying to find a way for Lyra to make amends for her mistake.
"Both of you are the perfect choices for this," Lyra asserted. "Fluttershy, you're the kindest person I know! And Rarity, I don't know anyone more generous... Surely, you must have an idea, right?"
Both of them seemed lost in thought, but Rarity quickly came up with an idea. Lyra needed to replace the flowers she had neglected to care for in the greenhouse where Bon Bon worked, so she should buy new flowers! Lyra's eyes lit up at the idea, and Fluttershy smiled.
"What a wonderful idea, Rarity! It's so romantic..." she said. "There's nothing kinder and more generous than giving beautiful flowers to your special somebody."
"And besides, it'll help address your problem," Rarity affirmed with a big smile. "A pleasant way to say, 'I let your flowers die, so here are some new ones!'"
Lyra smiled and thanked her two friends. "I honestly don't know what I would do without you two..." Then the three girls decided to go into town to buy the flowers. On the way, Rarity tried to "coach" Lyra on how to make a proper apology, something she seemed strangely proficient in. The right tone is important: it shouldn't sound too fake, but if it's too sincere and remorseful, the other person might find it annoying. Body language is also crucial, especially since Lyra would be giving something – the flowers. So, for at least 10 minutes, Lyra practiced finding the perfect voice, the perfect posture, and the perfect statement to make amends for her mistake.
After some time, the three girls arrived at a flower shop. In front of the store were dozens of different bouquets, each more beautiful than the last, and it continued inside the shop!
"With this, I'll have no problem finding the perfect bouquet for Bon Bon!" exclaimed Lyra with a big smile.
The girls looked at the bouquets, the flowers, and Rarity lent her expert eye.
"When giving flowers, the key is to match the colors," she stated. "So, you should choose flowers in the color of Bon Bon's hair."
Lyra looked at the flowers and picked one up. It was a small pink rose, its vibrant color seemed to resonate in Lyra's eyes. Fluttershy noticed it and approached.
"Oh, a pink rose?" she asked. "I heard they represent femininity, sweetness, indulgence, and tender love..."
Lyra blushed at these words. "That's all Bon Bon...".
She continued to choose other flowers, this time a blue rose, to match her hair and eyes.
"This one can mean many things... But mostly patience and eternal hope," Fluttershy explained. "It also means the person you give it to is unique to you."
And every time Lyra picked another flower, Fluttershy provided its meaning, all adorable and positive. Lyra wondered why all flowers had positive connotations. But she thought about it and concluded that taking care of a flower is complicated, tedious, and can quickly turn into a disaster. Yet, it's worth it in the end to see all the wonderful beauty that emerges. And thinking about this, Lyra realized that this was the definition of love.
Following Rarity's advice, Lyra took exactly 15 flowers, creating a beautiful bouquet of pink and blue flowers, all reminiscent of her beloved. At the cash register, she was surprised by the price, but she didn't pay it much attention; her friendship with Bon Bon meant more to her than mere money. So, she left the store with a big smile on her face and anticipation in her cheeks, thinking about giving these flowers to Bon Bon.
The three friends left the florist, Lyra holding her bouquet, and they headed to the high school, eager to see how it would unfold. They were excited, but also anxious; what if it didn't work? Nevertheless, they tried to remain confident. Lyra's steps became shakier, her heart raced, and she began to feel those famous butterflies in her stomach. But she kept walking, and as she did, she spotted something that shattered her confidence. Right in front of her, on the sidewalk, was Bon Bon, impossible, Lyra didn't know what to do.
Sunset and Rainbow Dash looked at each other anxiously; if Lyra saw them carrying the model, it would be over! They moved a little, positioning themselves behind Bon Bon while holding the model behind their backs, which, besides being entirely dependent on chance, was incredibly challenging. Lyra summoned her courage; Bon Bon was there, this was her chance! She approached her friend, her hands behind her back to hide the bouquet she held, and began to speak.
"Bon Bon, I wanted to talk to you..."
"Uh, um... Oh, uh, really..?" Bon Bon replied, nervous at the thought that Lyra might see the remnants of her model held by Rainbow and Sunset.
"Yes, and..." Lyra began. "I made a mistake, and... I wanted to make it up to you, you know, and..."
Bon Bon became perplexed. "A mistake?" she asked, suspicious.
"Well... It's about the greenhouse," she said in a weak voice. "I couldn't take care of it, and since all the flowers died, I thought-"
"Wait, what?" Bon Bon interrupted.
A long silence followed, and nobody dared to speak on either side. Lyra looked confused, and Bon Bon seemed annoyed.
"The flowers in the greenhouse died?" Bon Bon seemed to get angrier. "When I entrusted you with taking care of them?"
"Listen, I just didn't have the time, and-"
"And to think I went to great lengths to hide your broken model when you didn't care at all about the trust I gave you!" Bon Bon exclaimed.
"Wait, the model is WHAT?!" Lyra yelled.
Bon Bon grabbed Rainbow Dash's arm and brought her in front of Lyra to show her the model.
"Yeah, I broke it, but at least I made an effort to try to hide it to preserve our friendship!" she replied, angry.
Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, and Fluttershy all looked at each other, trying to understand. Yet, none of them really knew what to do.
"Listen to me, Sweetie Drops, there's a difference between lying to a friend and trying to make things right!" Lyra responded in an aggressive tone.
"It was just a mistake!" Bon Bon yelled. "You, on the other hand, don't care about our friendship that much since you completely forgot to do what I asked of you, me, your FRIEND!"
"Seriously, what's your problem?!" retorted Lyra.
And the argument went on and on. The two girls shouted at each other for several more minutes until they decided to go their separate ways. The four friends, however, remained in place, not knowing what to do. They had been complicit too. This couldn't just be left like this...
Three days later, the situation hadn't changed. Bon Bon and Lyra still avoided each other, not speaking a word to each other. The only thing that brought them together was the intense look of hatred they exchanged whenever they crossed paths in the school hallways, and that didn't seem to be changing anytime soon. In reality, this situation could have lasted a long time. But they hadn't counted on the fact that they had friends who cared deeply about them. So, that afternoon, around 4 p.m. when the bell rang, the two girls were called into a classroom. They were welcomed by the four girls who had helped them and were now determined to make things right. Lyra and Bon Bon glared at each other with hatred, but the girls were determined to fix this.
"Sit down, both of you," Rainbow Dash ordered.
The two former friends complied and sat in chairs at opposite corners of the room. Sunset and Fluttershy exchanged glances and sighed, then Rarity approached Lyra and Bon Bon.
"Listen, girls..." she began. "You can't stay like this indefinitely!"
"Of course we can!" Lyra retorted. "The less I'm around her, the better I feel."
But Sunset frowned. "And after three days of not talking to Bon Bon, can you really say you're happier?"
Lyra avoided Sunset's gaze, ashamed to admit the truth.
"And you, Bon Bon?" Rarity asked. "You two used to spend all your time together, I'm sure you haven't had any 'good' days either since."
"Pff... Plus, Wallflower chewed me out about the greenhouse..." Bon Bon looked away, ashamed to tell the truth.
Fluttershy approached the two girls, still wearing a gentle, comforting smile. "Listen, girls... The best way to resolve problems is to talk about them. Say what you mean..."
But Lyra and Bon Bon remained silent, refusing to speak to each other. They even refused to look at each other. However, Rainbow Dash decided to intervene.
"Listen, let's get this over with once and for all," she declared. "Just say everything you think to each other, let it out, and we'll be good!"
So Bon Bon began.
"Well... I trusted you, and yet you betrayed my trust! I've been in this club for months, and now I might even get kicked out..."
But Lyra defended herself.
"You gave me a responsibility I wasn't ready to handle," she replied, "I don't know enough about plants, and besides, I didn't really have the time to focus on your greenhouse... I work, you know, outside of school!"
"Well, you could have just told me, and I would have asked someone else? What is that hard to just be honest with me?"
At these words, Lyra got angry. The tension escalated, but just as she was about to get up from her chair, a look from Sunset made her calm down just enough to stay in her place.
"And you're the one saying that!" she retorted, still somewhat aggressive. "You destroyed my model, and you didn't hesitate to hide it from me!"
"I knew you would get angry if I told you," Bon Bon replied, starting to feel guilty. "If I wanted to hide it from you, it was to avoid jeopardizing our relationship."
"Of course I would get angry! It was a model for a university entrance exam project, it was more important than ever!" But Lyra also began to feel guilty. "I just wanted to find a way to make amends... I knew I was wrong about the greenhouse, that's why I wanted you to forgive me... I was afraid for our friendship too."
Bon Bon's voice calmed down.
"I... I was wrong about the model too... That's why I wanted to hide it from you," she confessed. "I didn't want you to stop being my friend if you found out what I had done..."
Rarity smiled at these words, then approached the two girls and put a hand on Bon Bon's shoulder.
"You see? It wasn't that complicated after all," she said. "It's impossible to solve problems without talking about them first."
Lyra approached Bon Bon and took her hand.
"I'm sorry, Bon Bon... I should have told you from the beginning that I didn't feel up to the task."
"And I'm sorry too, Lyra. I should have told you when the accident with the model happened, instead of trying to hide it from you..."
The two girls looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds before hugging each other. Rarity stepped aside, making room for these two friends to have their emotional reunion. Sunset nudged Rainbow Dash teasingly and laughed.
"Looks like I was right all along!"
Rainbow Dash chuckled.
"Heh heh... Yeah, apparently. Next time you tell us to be more honest, we'll follow your advice!"
Another day at Canterlot High School, another misadventure. In fact, since the day before and Bon Bon and Lyra's reconciliation, everything had been rather calm.  
The gardening club's greenhouse was gradually coming back to life. New plants and flowers were added, all even more beautiful than the old ones. Lyra had also joined the gardening club, both to make amends and rectify her mistakes, and to learn how to take care of plants. Bon Bon, on the other hand, had helped Lyra rebuild her model. It was already larger, but this time, Bon Bon had added a beautiful floral touch, giving it a more than welcome rustic appearance.
In Lyra's room, on her desk, there was a small vase filled with beautiful roses. They were all pink, blue, and green. There was a red one as well. In this bouquet, there were 27 roses.