Author's Note

Apologies for the long wait between chapters. I’m trying to take my time with the character development and not rush through to the violent action.

Regret

Twilight sat in the waiting room as a nurse came over to her. Twilight quickly stood up and took a step forward. "H-How is..."

"She'll be fine," the nurse said with a smile. "Nothing damaged inside and we have her shoulder on ice. She should be discharged later today."

"Oh, thank god," Twilight sighed as she sat back down. "Is... Is she saying anything? Can I see her?"

The nurse frowned. "She has chosen not to accept guests. Other than that, she hasn't said a word. I did offer to give her a ride home on my break later and... she just nodded."

Twilight smiled. "At least she's okay."

The nurse gave her a smile and walked off to resume her duties. Twilight laid back in the seat and sighed as she closed her eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry..." she muttered, before she pulled out her phone and called Rainbow Dash. "H-Hey, I'm... ready to be picked up."

Twilight stared out the passenger’s side window at the buildings zipping by, lost in thought. Rainbow eyed her and let out a soft sigh.

“So… I spoke to Pinkie and got you the rest of the day off. So, after I drop you off at home, I’m gonna go finish my shift, but… afterwards, maybe we can go have a late picnic in the park?”

Twilight stayed silent but nodded in response. Rainbow gave a light smile and kept quiet the rest of the drive. When they arrived at the hotel, Rainbow turned to her passenger and broke the silence once again.

“If you need anything… Anything at all… Just call, okay?”

Twilight gave her a light smile before she left the car. As Dash drove away, Twilight headed inside and made her way towards the elevators. When she glanced over at the front desk, she saw Psyche giving her a concerned look. Did Trixie’s attack already make the news?

The nurse parked at Trixie’s apartment building and turned the engine off. “So, I’d recommended against driving for a while. At least until you have a clearer mind.” Trixie said nothing. “And if you need anything, please call the hospital.”

Trixie remained motionless and silent for a few more seconds before she opened the door and left. The nurse sighed and drove off as Trixie entered the building. She made her way up the stairs and to her room. When she was inside, she closed and locked the door. Making her over to the bed, she glanced over at the easel with all her plans on it. She took off her jacket and tossed it on the floor before she headed over to the plans, looking them over. With a yell of frustration, she grabbed the easel and threw it to the floor. She then went to the table and grabbed the papers and began to tear them up as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Fuck," she whimpered, throwing the pieces of paper to the floor and stumbling backwards until she fell onto her bed. Covering her face, she cried softly. "Fuck everything."

Twilight was seated in the shower, knees pulled up to her chest as she just thought about what had happened. Maybe Trixie would’ve been better if she had stuck around. The men might have decided to leave. Or they would’ve attacked her, too. Twilight buried her face in her knees and just let the water wash over her.

The water was cold and Twilight was shivering by the time Rainbow Dash came back. She heard the shower on and peeked inside the bathroom. When she saw Twilight sitting down, head on her knees and shaking lightly, she quickly walked over and felt the water.

“It’s freezing, Twilight.”

Twilight said nothing. Rainbow hesitated before she felt the water again. With a sigh, she stripped down and climbed in under the cold water. She then knelt down beside her friend and put her arm around her.

“It’ll get better, Twilight. Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. Or next week, but… it will.”

“Do you think she hates me?” Twilight asked softly.

Rainbow Dash rubbed Twilight’s shoulder. “I’m sure she hates everything right now, given what happened. Just give her time.”

“I hope she’s okay.”

“I asked Lightning Dust to check on her when she got back.”

Trixie lay on her back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling when there was a knock on her door. “Trixie?” Came Lightning’s voice. “Are you okay? We’re all worried about you.”

Trixie made no movement or noise. Lightning continued. “Well, If you’re in there… I want you to know that… we’re here for you.”

Trixie’s eyes narrowed as she thought about Twilight.

“I’m in number 305. If you, you know, wanna talk.”

Trixie heard the woman walk away and waited for pure silence before she got up to get changed for bed.

Twilight had put on her blouse and pants from her first day and Rainbow had put on a sports bra, jacket, and shorts before they drove off towards the city's park. Twilight stared out the window as Rainbow Dash kept her eyes on the road. She slowly reached over to place her right hand on Twilight's shoulder. The entire drive was silent.

Rainbow parked the car as the sun was starting to set. Rainbow grabbed a basket of food out of the back and a couple of flashlights. She then went back to Twilight, who was still in the car. Rainbow sighed and set the basket and flashlights down before she knocked on the window. When she got no response, she opened the door and knelt down.

"Come on, Twilight. Bad shit happens all the time in this city."

"I came here to help others, Dashie. First chance I get... I ran."

"What were you planning on doing? Stand your ground? Yell at them? They would've attacked you, too. Maybe even killed you for being a witness." Twilight stayed silent. "Sometimes... you just have to run, Twilight. You can't save everyone."

“But… Trixie…”

“If Trixie really cares about you… If Trixie really wants to be with you… she’ll come around. After all, who could stay mad at you?” Dash cooed as she gently gripped Twilight’s nose with her index and middle fingers.

When she wiggled, Twilight giggled softly and started to try and swat her hand away. “Stop it. I’m not a kid.”

“Still cute, though,” Dash said as she retracted her hand with a smile.

Twilight eyed her, her own smile not fading. “Thanks.”

“Sure.” Rainbow then stood up and patted the roof of the car. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Twilight finally left the car and picked up one of the flashlights while Rainbow Dash picked up the second flashlight and basket. They made their way into the park where there was a nice clearing lit up with garden lights.

As Rainbow set up the blanket, Twilight looked around nervously. She was about to sit down when she saw something shining by a tree. She tilted her head and walked over towards the unusual light source. As she got closer, she got a better view at what it was. It seemed to be a crystal fragment about the size of her pinkie and it was giving off a radiant glow.

“Twilight?” Rainbow asked, looking over at her friend. “I’m set up.”

“Just a sec,” Twilight called over to her as she squatted down. “I found something cool.”

“Cool?” Asked Rainbow. “Like, cool cool?”

Twilight reached out to pick it up. As soon as she touched it, the crystal shattered into dust particles and then seeped into her skin. Twilight let out a yell as she felt a strange energy coarse through her body.

“Twilight?” Rainbow asked worriedly as she ran over.

Before she could make it, a large blast of energy shot out of Twilight’s hands and sent her flying backwards. She hit a tree, hard, feel to the ground, no longer moving.