Well, This Is Unexpected

by TheKing2001

Chapters

Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX (Bon Bon)
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XI( Bon Bon)
Chapter XII
Chapter XIV (Derpy)
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII (Pinkie)
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXII (Rainbow)
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII(Bon Bon)
Chapter XXI

Chapter I

I nervously stood in front of my school with it’s freshly rebuilt entrance. It had taken me, Snips and Snails all week end to rebuild it but oh well. Not like I had any other plans.

I wasn’t entirely sure why I even came back. I can guarantee the second I step through those doors, I’ll be given dirty angry looks and pushed around. Not to say I don’t deserve it because I totally do. I treated people here like absolute shit.

Vandalizing Rarity’s chances of the Spring Fling, lying about Lyra and Bon Bon dating, ruthlessly bullying Fluttershy, destroying Watermelodys paintings, vandalizing Trixie’s magic shows just for a laugh and separating the school by groups like a dictator.

Celestia, I really was a bitch wasn’t I? I guess if I don’t like going here anymore, I can always drop out or transfer schools. There might be one in the city I could go to.

I inhaled, pushed the doors open and stepped through, preparing for the worst. Everyone stopped and stared at me as I looked down, walking forward.

“Hey Sunset!” Someone called out from down the hall.

“Hey girl, how’s it going?”

“Looking good! That skirt suits you.”

“Where did you get your jacket?”

I slowly raised my head in confusion as I kept walking. The other students were smiling or waving as I walked past them. This wasn’t the reaction I had expected. Where were the rotten tomatoes? The she demon comments? The physical assaults? The things I deserved?

All the way to my locker, I got the weird compliments or smiles. I sighed and opened my locker as a pink haired girl jumped out.

“Gah!” I screamed and flailed my arms out as I toppled backwards into Applejacks arms.

“Woah girl! Careful, ya almost fell!” Applejack said as she pushed me back to stand upright once again. “Pinkie, don’t go scaring people like that. Ya coulda hurt her!”

“Okie dokie lokie. Hi Sunset!” Pinkie giggled as she extricated herself from my locker. “How are you? Are you excited to be back at school? I bet you are!”

Each question she leaned in closer and closer till our noses were touching and I stared into her bright blue eyes for a moment.

“Darling, you’re smothering the poor girl! Give her some room!” Rarity snapped as she put her hands between us and forced Pinkie away. “I do apologize for her. She can be quite excitable.”

“It’s okay,” I mumbled as I glanced at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy standing behind Rarity as Rainbow stared at me.

“Hey how’s it going?” Rainbow asked with a smirk as she leaned against her locker. “You did good on the entrance. Not as good as I would have done, but close.”

Applejack groaned as she facepalmed and Rarity rolled her eyes in frustration as Fluttershy shot Rainbow a glare.

“I’m okay I guess. Uhh how are you?” I asked nervously as Rainbow shrugged and bounced a soccer ball she had held under her arm on her foot.

“Awesome as always! Don’t be just okay, be spectacular!”

I raised an eyebrow slightly as I turned to face my locker, hanging my backpack and purse up.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked as I felt a soft hand on my shoulder. “You’re being, well quiet and not talking.”

“Just confused I guess is all,” I admitted as I grabbed my science book along with a few pens, pencil and a notebook for taking down notes.

“About what?” Applejack asked as she rummaged through her bag and procured an apple. She rubbed it on her shirt before examining it and taking a bite.

I inhaled as I looked at the other girls faces. They looked surprisingly concerned, especially since I almost killed them a few days ago. That isn’t necessarily the reaction of people who almost got killed. If anypony should be mad at me, it should be them out of the entire school.

“It’s just everyone is being nice to me,” I admitted as I rested my hand on my locker.

“How is that weird?” Rainbow inquired as she quit playing with her soccer ball and held it under her arm. “They’re being friendly is all.”

“Exactly!” I snapped and spun around as they recoiled. “That doesn’t make any sense! I was a bully, physically hurt people for years, sabotaged them, broke up your guys friendships, mind controlled the others and tried to kill you five! You should be furious at me, pushing me around, insulting me. Where’s the rotten tomatoes to run a pony out of town?”

The five shared stunned looks as Rainbow burst out laughing.

“Seriously? Run you out of town? This is high school, bullying is expected!” Rainbow said as she continued laughing. “It’s kinda stupid to be angry at you for being just a normal teenager in a high school.”

“I-what?” I muttered as Applejack squeezed my shoulder.

“We were a mite annoyed ya tried to kill us but in all honesty, ah reckon if that was our time then so be it. The school is a bit more friendly than ya are willing to give credit. Besides, ya could use a friend.”

“She’s right,” Pinkie jumped in with a grin. “We were all there. The whole school. We heard you say you don’t know the first thing about friendship. So we all decided to teach you and now you have a whole building of people as your friends!”

“And animals too,” Fluttershy added softly as she unzipped her back pack to display a few smiling dogs and cats.

“We really don’t care or judge about pasts boo boos here darling. What matters now is the future and using the second chance you’ve been given.”

“Rarity is right,” Rainbow said in probably the most serious tone I’ve ever heard as I stood there in stunned silence. “So what if you bullied people? Half the people in the world have bullies at the school and not all of them change themselves. But you did with help. Helping you is what’s right. Even Trixie agreed to help you and this is Trixie we’re talking about. Trixie!”

“Trixie heard that!” A voice shouted out of a classroom as a few people laughed.

“Now come on, let’s get to class. Cranky is not too happy with people showing up late, no matter who they are,” Pinkie chimed in as she grabbed my hand. “Hope you can run fast!”

“What do you mean-waaagh!” I screamed as she took off down the hall and I had to give a few awkward steps before I could run with her.

Well, this is unexpected.

Chapter II

I sat in class as Miss Cheerilee continued talking at the front of the class. Something about biology and how plants reproduced. I wasn’t really paying attention as I propped myself up with a hand.

“You good?” A girl next to me with a tennis ball on her shirt asked quietly as she set her pencil down.

“I’m sorry what was that?” I asked as my eyes flicked over to the girl. She rolled her eyes and smiled faintly.

“I asked if you’re okay. Now what’s up?”

“Nothing,” I lied and shook my head gently as she frowned at me.

“I have a little brother and he’s an awful liar and no offense, so are you. Now what’s really going on?” The girl repeated as I rested my head on the desk so I faced her.

“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly as her facial expression relaxed. “It just feels weird. A lot has happened in a week and a half.”

“A lot has happened,” she readily agreed and leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. “Names Tennis Match by the way. Forgot to tell ya.”

I nodded slowly as I examined her closer. Her light blue hair seemed familiar along with her matching eyes and I gulped slightly.

“I saw you,” I said cautiously as we both made sure Miss Cheerilee wasn’t watching. “At the Fall Formal. You were in the crowd when Twilight was crowned the princess. I also saw you in the cafeteria with Cloudkicker.”

“Yeah I was there,” Tennis Match frowned again slightly and looked away for a moment. “It was a unique experience. Flying girls wings and long tails. Honestly, thought someone spiked the punch. I think a lot of people thought Cherry Crash or Vinyl did. I still don’t entirely know what the hell happened that night and I was there.”

I sat quietly as I made eye contact as she sighed.

“What was it like?” I asked finally as she gave me a confused look. “To be mind controlled I meant.”

“No offense Sunset but I think it’s a bit too soon to be talking about that. For a lot of people. I personally would say wait a few weeks for everyone to have gotten over the surprise of a whole different world out there on our front lawn. I think a lot of people are still trying to take it all in,” Tennis Match advised as she twirled a pencil around on her desk. “But you’ll be okay, the school is pretty decent. Especially since Gilda is gone. In all honesty, you did a lot of people a favor getting rid of her. She was evil.”

“I framed her for theft,” I said bitterly and rolled my eyes up to look at the ceiling. “That’s nothing to be proud of. She will probably kill me when she gets out of jail.”

“The fact you’re worried about her killing you is exactly my point. She would probably be willing to do that to anyone here, not just you. And besides, Rainbow Dash is a strong girl. I highly doubt she would allow that to happen, just like the rest of us.”

I focused back up front for a moment as she watched me quietly. She did kinda have a point, Gilda was always a loose cannon and those are dangerous. I’d rather not have an unpredictable pyscho running around the property. Getting rid of her had been the first thing I did.

“When did you all come up with this plot to help me?” I asked as Tennis gave a low chuckle.

“Rainbow Dash came up to me a day or so after the Fall Formal. She and the others reached out to their respective groups. The athletes, the baking clubs, the tech kids, the floral clubs, the fashionistas. She had me help spread the word to the rest of the teams around the school. Spitfire, Mystery Mint the like.”

“Huh,” I mused as she smirked slightly and placed her hands behind her head. “I’m sorry by the way. For being a bitch to you. I never even knew your name.”

“I know,” Tennis Match said and wrote down something on a piece of paper before subtly handing it to me. “My number. If you wanna talk, you can text or call me. I’m usually pretty busy with the sport clubs and teams, but I’ll reply when I can.”

I gave a nod as the bell rang and I picked up my stuff, heading for the door.

“See ya around Sunset,” Tennis Match waved as she disappeared out of the door. I stepped out and watched her leave as someone stood behind me.

“Hello Sunset,” Miss Cheerilee said behind me and I glanced at her. “Is there a reason why you didn’t take notes in class today?”

“Oh. Uh I got distracted,” I admitted as she frowned slightly.

“Mhm. While I’m all for you talking with your friends in class, please do it while you’re taking notes or save it after class please. Your education is important.”

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

Miss Cheerilee sighed and rolled her eyes as I turned to face her properly.

“You know everyone makes mistakes. Hell, I’ve made more than a few in my life. I can’t necessarily give you my phone number because that breaks school policy but if you need to talk, my door is always open,” Miss Cheerilee smiled faintly and I nodded as I walked away.

I watched her door curiously, waiting for it to shut like Principal Celestia would. Everytime she says my door is open, she shuts it right after I’ve noticed. I always did find that a bit hypocritical in a way.

I raised an eyebrow slightly when it stayed open and I turned around to head to my locker.

Trixie ran past with a frown as I stepped back nervously.

“This is a travesty! A travesty!”

“Uh what is?” A girl next to me asked.

“The vending machine is out of peanut butter crackers. Trixie demands to speak to whoever stocks the vending machine this very moment!”

“Try the office. They might help you.”

I watched curiously as Trixie grinned and ran back towards the office. I idly wondered if she knew she could just bring her own peanut butter crackers.

I shrugged and went to my locker. I just wanna go home and sleep.

Chapter III

I sat cross-legged on my bed and tried to sort out how I felt about the events of today. I was still slightly doubtful about it all. Felt like some kinda dream but a surprisingly welcome one.

I’d much rather have people be friendly even if I deserve their scorn. Hell, I hate myself and that’s saying something.

I stared at the bed sheets as I chewed on my pizza. I never in a million years thought I’d be eating meat or even worse, enjoying it.

Eating meat was like the biggest taboo ever. I bet Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia would send me straight to Tartarus if they knew about this. And I wouldn’t even fight back in all honesty.

All day, people had been adding their number to my phone or writing it on my wrist. Sandalwood, Norman, some girl named Blueberry Cake, Trixie and her two compatriots. More like the other two held me down while Trixie added their numbers to my phone but could have been worse I suppose.

My phone dinged and I glanced over at it as I set my pizza slice down.

Rainbow Dash: How’s it going?

I gave a sigh as I wiped my hands off on a nearby towel and picked up my phone.

Good I guess. Uh, what about you?

Rainbow Dash: Oh, can’t complain. Only downside is homework. Here, hold on.

I raised an eyebrow slightly as I watched my phone curiously. My phone vibrated slightly as I examined it closer.

“The groupchat?” I asked aloud to myself.

TheAppleFreak: Howdy, Sunset!

Rarebear: Hello, darling.

“No way. She actually says darling when she texts people too. Wow.”

Pinkie: Oh my goodness,you actually added her! I’ve never been so excited in my life. Except maybe that one time we all became friends but this is a close runner up!

Fluttershy: Oh uhm hi.

While I would normally be worried about a response like that, I kinda felt grateful for it after Pinkies.

Rainbow: Of course I added her! She’s one of us after all. Now you can easily reach any of us five at any given time.

Really?

Multiple dots appeared on the bottom of my screen as I held my breath nervously, waiting for them to say it was a joke.

TheAppleFreak: Well,duh! We already told ya about all this earlier at school.

Rainbow: Anyway, wyd Sunset?

I tapped my finger on my chin as I debated an answer. Moping in the dark sounded well lonely.

Just hanging out in my room, eating and watching tv. That technically wasn’t a lie.

Rarebear: Watching what darling? I presume some action movie?

Uh no, not tonight. Lady and the tramp.

Rainbow: Yuck, romance.

Fluttershy: I love that movie. Everything about it was amazing!

Agreed. I’ll uh be back soon.

I yawned slightly as I stood up, picking up the pizza box and plate. I walked down from my loft into the kitchen and put the pizza box in the fridge along with the plate. I set my glass down on the counter and made a mental note to buy groceries. I’ll do the dishes later. Not many in the first place.

I barely use any of the actual plates I own. I prefer paper and plastic silverware. Less to clean up and cheaper too. This way I can spend my money on my video games and live streaming plus rent.

I yawned again, louder this time as I walked back up to the loft. I fell backwards on my bed as I picked up my phone curiously.

Rainbow had been begging Applejack for something about apple cider season while Rarity and Fluttershy discussed romance movies and Pinkie just tossed in random comments. I don’t know how they are all friends. They have such differing personalities, all clashing whenever they hang out or talk.

I put my phone on the charger and curled up in a ball as I closed my eyes.

I was floating in a black room as I looked around nervously at the laughing around me. I hated going to sleep.

“So you’re back,” Demon Sunset’s voice echoed as she appeared in front of me and I stepped back nervously. “You know they don’t care about you right? You’re just a project for them to pat themselves on the back to look good for Princess Twilight.”

I looked down as she grabbed my chin. She was probably right. They most likely were just using me. Hell, if I was in their position I’d use me too if that made me look better in the Princesses eyes.

“You can fight back and protect yourself of course. Show them it’s truly us who’s in charge. After all, I’m you and you’re me.”

“But why?” I asked as she looked me in the eyes. I truly was an ugly thing as a demon, good god. “Shouldn’t I focus on being a better person?”

“Better people aren’t the best,” Demon Sunset scoffed as she rolled her eyes. “Ruthless determination is the only way to the top. You want to be a princess? People prefer actions, not words. Do this and Princess Celestia will have no choice but to make you a princess. The school will be our kingdom.”

“But they seem happy,” I pointed out quietly. “Is it worth being alone if I’m the best?”

“Oh you blind girl. Being the best is what we know. After all, like I said I am you and you’re me.”

I screamed as I felt myself growing wings and burning pain in my stomach as my skin turned red.

I screamed again and shot in bed. My entire bed was wet with sweat as I panted, looking at myself in a mirror.

“Stupid nightmares,” I muttered to myself. “Why do I even sleep?”

I wiped some sweat of my leg and sniffed it, turning red. I hadn’t wet the bed since I was a filly.

I gave a frustrated sigh as I rolled out of bed to change the sheets. I’ve never been more thankful in my life that I live alone and with no nearby neighbors except for Iron Will, my landlord.

I rolled the blanket up as I glanced at my phone on my nightstand.

“Tennis Match and Rainbow Dash did say to text them whenever I needed any one of them,” I said uncertainly as I kept looking at it. I bit my lip as I extended a hand out to it cautiously.

I shook my head and kept changing the sheets.

Author's Note

So I decided to make this a crossover story as well instead of making a sequel. Won't say what franchise yet. I also will be doing the most fucking controversial Sunset Shimmer ship I have ever done on this site. Povs will alternate between Sunset and that character I'll ship her with.

Chapter IV

“Ya doing okay? You look exhausted sugarcube,” Applejack pointed out as she pointed a fork out me. I barely was able to keep my head up. It’s been almost a week since the five girls befriended me. During that week, they insisted I sit with them during lunch.

I hadn’t slept for almost a week either. If only Vice Principal Luna had the alleged abilities of her counterpart in Equestria. I don’t know if Princess Luna is unbanished or not, but most ponies who knew the legends knew she could give advice on nightmares and I really don’t feel comfortable asking faculty for help with that.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled as I bit into a orange. If only we had pears here more often. I love pears. Straight up a gift from Celestia.

“Uh huh,” Applejack folded her arms and gave me a flat look. “Alright then.”

I looked around the cafeteria as I continued to peel the rest of my orange before tossing it in my mouth.

“How’s the live streaming going?” Rainbow asked suddenly as the rainbow haired girl stared at me.

“Uh good,” I admitted and stared down at my lunch. “You uh know about that?”

“Well, duh!” Rainbow scoffed and rolled her eyes before she snickered. “I watched you in freshman year. I quit for the obvious reasons but I watched your Firewatch playthrough the other day.”

I raised eyebrow slightly as I piled my orange peels on the side of my tray, examining the pizza and idly wondering how many times this one slice was reheated.

“Oh uh thanks for the support,” I offered weakly. I didn’t really know how to respond to that in all honesty. I never had anyone ever come to me about my streaming life and say anything about it.

“No problem,” Rainbow waved a hand as my hand holding my face up slipped and I face planted onto the table. Rainbow and Pinkie snorted so hard chocolate milk came out their noses as Pinkie covered her mouth.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked quietly as Rarity pulled me up. “You’re not bleeding at least.”

“Yeah I’m fine,” I yawned and rubbed my nose. Shit felt like it was on fire. Rarity wiped the front of my shirt off and I realized I had face planted onto my pizza.

“I’m sorry but that was funny,” Rainbow snickered as she and Pinkie cleaned up their chocolate milk off the table.

“Ah don’t think our friends getting hurt is funny Dash.”

“Sorry,” Rainbow muttered as Applejack continued glaring at her.

“It was a bit funny,” I admitted sheepishly as they all gave me stunned looks. “It’s okay to laugh.” I gave a honest snicker as they all nervously laughed.

A balled up paper slammed into the back of my head and I jumped slightly. I looked around nervously. Well, looks like I was right about the bullying part.

“What was that for?” I asked them as they all shrugged.

“That’s usually how people pass notes in class is throw it. It also has your name on it,” Fluttershy said as she handed me the ball of paper. “I don’t think it was thrown to harm you.”

“And even if it was, we would beat em up!” Rainbow exclaimed and punched her fist into her palm as Applejack pulled her down to her seat.

“Yah, that’s what we won’t do.”

I unfolded the note and read it quickly, turning a bright red as Rainbow smirked slightly.

“What’s it say?” Rainbow demanded after a moment.

“N-nothing!” I stammered as I started to ball it back up again.

“Yoink!” Pinkie shouted and yanked it out of my hand as she placed it on the table and flattened as she, Rarity and Rainbow peered over her shoulder. Applejack stared at the paper.

“Rose’s are red, violets are blue, I’m secretly in love with you,” Rarity read out loud as she and the others grinned at me. “Someone’s got a secret admirer.”

“I wonder who it could be,” Fluttershy said as she tapped her chin. “It could be anyone, the whole school is here after all.”

“Probably someone in the gardening club based on the poems flower rhymes. Could be Roseluck or Lily. Maybe even Daisy. Daisy’s the youngest so it could be something she would do,” Pinkie mused as she built a robot out of her spare forks.

“Nah Daisy is dating Micro Chips, Lily is chasing after Caramel I think. Roseluck is a bit more quiet about her relationship status,” Rarity added as she shook her head. “I know it wasn’t Derpy. She has her eyes on who was it again?”

“Lyra,” Rainbow said as she stretched a bit. “It’s a complicated situation. Lyra likes Derpy too but they are both waiting for the other to make the first move. Apparently they’ve known each other for years and are both afraid of screwing up the friendship they got.”

“Ah heard about that. Last ah heard, Bon Bon and Vinyl were trying to get the two together,” Applejack said before eating some of her apple sauce.

“I always thought those two were dating,” I admitted as I looked up as Pinkie shoved the note into my backpack.

“So did everyone else. Apparently they grew up together. Like, as toddlers and shit,” Rainbow commented and shrugged. “We all placed bets on them dating sometime this year but we all lost when Lyra posted on Mystable that they were just good friends.”

“I lost good money that day,” Rarity grumbled as she tossed her trash onto her lunch tray. “I swear, those two did it to spite me. Lyra isn’t that big of a fan of me I heard according to rumors.”

“Rumors are just rumors,” Pinkie said casually as a piece of candy rolled out of her hand. “Oh. That’s yours Sunny. It was taped in the note.”

I picked it up and examined the Starburst carefully. I’d rather not get poisoned. I shrugged and unwrapped it as I tossed it in my mouth.

“So what are you gonna do about the note?” Fluttershy asked curiously as the others looked at me.

“Nothing. I’m not even sure I deserve friends, let alone a girlfriend or a boyfriend.”

They gave me sad looks as I returned to eating my lunch.

Author's Note

I feel like I'm committing a crime not shipping Lyra and Bon Bon. If anyone knows me, they know I'm a HUGE Lyra Bon Bon supporter. They are my favorite characters out of the entire franchise. I'd even go as far to say people like them more than Mane Six. Even people who don't know background characters know Lyra and Bon Bon. It's insane the reach and popularity these two got. It feels like I'm committing a death penalty worthy crime NOT having them date.

Chapter V

“So what are you doing after school?” Pinkie asked as she grabbed my shoulders.

“Could you uh please let me go?”

Pinkie surprisingly stepped back as I gave her a grateful nod.

“I don’t know yet. Probably homework and sleep, why?” I asked as I opened my locker. A white box sat on the top shelf and I raised an eyebrow slightly.

“We’re all going to Sugarcube Corner after school for milkshakes. Wanna come?” Applejack asked eagerly as I picked up the box.

“I don’t know,” I admitted as I opened the box. Two rows of chocolates were inside the box as I read a note taped inside.

These are for you. Handmade of course. I saw how nervous you were about the other candy I gave you today. It’s not poisoned or anything, don’t worry. SD

“Wow. Someone is going to a lot of effort for you. Someone is a smitten kitten,” Rarity teased as she leaned over my shoulder. “Who is SD?”

“No clue. It’s a girl though,” I said as I put one of the chocolates in my mouth and gave an experimental chew. It was a surprisingly good peppermint and caramel mix. “Wow, that’s some good chocolate.”

“How do you know it’s a female?” Rainbow asked curiously as she leaned against a locker with her arms folded across her chest.

“Females tend to write more rounded, curved letters. Men don’t. See how the W is written along with how the Ts have more little curves at the bottom?” I pointed to the letters as they crowded around me.

“Well, ah’ll be damned. She’s right,” Applejack said as she read over my shoulder.

“Mhm,” I said and looked around. There was nobody nearby who could have put this in my locker. I presume they did so when I was in class. “Who here has initials with SD?”

“No one,” Fluttershy shook her head. “I’ve never heard anyone with those before.”

“Anyway, are you coming with us or not?” Rainbow asked impatiently as she tapped a foot. I finished chewing another chocolate and put the box in my backpack.

“Yeah I guess.”

I stepped into Sugarcube Corner and looked around curiously. I’ve only ever been in here once and that had been when I first got here almost five years ago.

“I’m so getting the cotton candy shake. Or the oreos. Or the peanut butter!” Pinkie exclaimed before gasping. “Or all three combined!”

I watched her bounce away to the counter as Rainbow sighed.

“How does that girl not have diabetes yet?” I asked as Applejack laughed.

“Trust me, we’ve asked ourselves that many times since we’ve met her. She’s a unique case.”

“Got that right,” Rainbow muttered as she pushed me into a booth at a nearby table. “You stay here Sunset. We will order for you.”

“I can do it myself,” I snapped. I’m not a little freaking kid. I’m a grown up who can order for her self.

“Trust her,” Rarity said with a smug grin. “Let us darling. And if you don’t like what we order for you, you can go pick out whatever you want and I’ll pay.”

I sat there for a moment before nodding. Satisfied, Rainbow and the others walked away as I pulled out my phone.

Might as well watch YouTube while I wait. I clicked on a random gaming video and propped my head up with a hand.

A large glass that had blue in it was placed in front of me as the others returned.

“Uh what is this?” I asked curiously and pulled it closer to me.

“It’s a milkshake duh,” Rainbow scoffed and stuck her straw in her mouth.

“I know what a milk shake is. I meant like the flavor ya know?”

“Oh. It’s cotton candy, it’s Pinkies and Fluttershys favorite.”

I hesitantly took a sip and stared at it with wide eyes.

“Damn,” I said and took another eager sip. “Not bad.”

“Told you so,” Rainbow said as she shot Applejack a smug grin. “And I told you she would like it. Pay up.”

Applejack sighed and slapped ten dollars into Rainbows waiting hand as the rainbow haired girl pumped her fist eagerly.

“Those two are always competing over something silly,” Rarity whispered as she waved a hand in the air. “We’ve gotten used to it.”

Pinkies phone started vibrating on the table as a pop song I assume started playing and she quit drinking her one of four shakes she had brought.

“Is your ring tone really Jellyfish Jam?” Rainbow asked incredulously as she stared at the girl.

“Mhm!” Pinkie shouted as she bobbed her head enthusiastically.

“Jellyfish Jam?” I asked in confusion.

“Yeah ya know, from SpongeBob? The episode where he had a dance party with a bunch of Jellyfish and they were all vibing and shit,” Rainbow explained as I gave a shrug. “Good lord girl, we really have gotta catch you up on cartoons.”

“I’ve seen SpongeBob,” I said and rolled my eyes. “I’ve been in this world for five years, just not that particular episode.”

They all looked at each other curiously before looking back at me.

“What do ya mean?” Applejack asked curiously as she licked her straw clean.

“You seriously think I’m from here?” I asked incredulously as they all nodded slowly. Internally, it made happy they considered me not entirely different from them. “I’m from the same world as the Princess.”

“And the portal is closed for another thirty moons,” Rarity said slowly as I nodded. “Which means-”

“I won’t be able to go back home. Not for another two and a half years, at least.”

They all gave me stunned looks as Pinkie’s hair lost it’s color a bit as Rainbow looked down.

“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy muttered as she patted my shoulder. “That must be awful.”

“You have no idea. I miss my tail and it’s abilities. It can be used to pick things up and stuff. I miss my magic.”

“You have magic?” Applejack asked as she played with her hat.

“Not here. Not anymore. Back home, yeah I did,” I admitted as I stirred my shake half-heartedly. “Can we change the topic? I don’t wanna talk about home, I’m sad about it enough as is.”

“Yeah of course,” Fluttershy said hastily as she forced a smile my way.

We returned to our shakes but it felt different than it did before.

Chapter VI

“Do you want a ride home darling?” Rarity asked curiously as she held the doors open for me. I gave her a grateful nod before frowning.

“I’ll ride my moped home. Thanks though.”

A loud clap of thunder made us jump as it started raining slightly and I groaned.

“Darling, I insist. We can put your moped in the trunk and I’ll take you home.”

I didn’t see any way out of this, especially since Rarity was already opening the trunk for Applejack as the farm girl picked my blue moped up and put in the white cars trunk. I wanted to get a motorcycle but I figured getting used to two wheels was a good move so I got the slowest thing I could imagine. A moped.

“Okay,” I sighed as Applejack shut the trunk before she waved. I watched as she and Fluttershy sat in the front of a rusty Ford with an apple on the doors.

Rainbow nervously approached a pink car that didn’t take long to figure who the owner was.

“Why is she so nervous about Pinkie driving?” I asked Rarity as Rainbow put her seatbelt on and held onto it.

“Pinkie is a very unique driver,” Rarity commented as she opened the door of her car. I cautiously opened the passenger side and sat inside. The interior was unsurprisingly clean and very well Rarity. I put my seat belt on as Rarity did the same and smiled faintly. “So darling, what happened to your leather jacket? It really completed your look.”

I looked down at my white hoodie. My leather jacket had practically been destroyed in the rainbow I had gotten hit with. I still haven’t had the time to get a new one or throw it out. Partially sentimental reasons.

That jacket had been the first thing I had bought with my bits when I first came her. Unsurprisingly, the hundreds of gold bits I had brought with me from Equestria had been worth quite a lot here.

Still didn’t buy much with the money I have. Just video games, a few clothes, apartment and my moped. And of course, Cassandra. And yes, I named my leather jacket so do not judge me.

“It’s at home,” I finally settled on as Rarity started her car. That technically wasn’t a lie, it was at home. Just wasn’t the full truth. Rarity thankfully seemed to accept that as an answer.

“I understand. No offense, but the white just doesn’t suit you as black leather did. Black goes well with your orange and red hair,” Rarity commented as we sat at a red light.

“None taken,” I chuckled as I put my address into my phones map and set it in her cup holder. “Not the first time I’ve been complimented on it.”

“The bad girl look definitely suits you. I’d say embrace it. It doesn’t work for most people.”

I gave a smug grin her way as I watched the the light turn green.

“Oh I know.”

“Well, here we,” Rarity said as we both looked at my apartment building. “It was certainly nice having you with me.”

“Yeah likewise,” I admitted sheepishly. It had been surprisingly entertaining to be in the same car as Rarity. I had partially dreaded it. “Oh uh can we not tell the others where I live please? For a little while?”

“If that’s as you wish darling. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thanks Rarity,” I sighed and stepped out of the car as her trunk opened.

“Anytime darling. See you at school tomorrow!” Rarity called out as I pulled my moped out of the trunk and shut it. I watched her leave as I dragged my moped to it’s normal spot and locked it up.

I dragged my self into the lobby, working my way to the elevator. Thank the lord it worked this time. Usually it doesn’t. I stepped inside and pushed the button of my floor as the doors closed.

I leaned back and counted, watching the number rise as the elevator rattled. I had half expected it to stop as the doors opened and I stepped out onto my floor. My apartment was surprisingly close to the elevator so I didn’t have to far to go.

I walked to my door, checking my phone as I unlocked the door. Seven thirty isn’t usually my bed time but I was tired after today. I stepped inside and gently shut the door behind me as I locked it.

I flopped onto the couch and pulled the blanket I had kept down here in case of emergencies over me as I closed my eyes. It had been a few days since the last nightmare so hopefully they’re over.

Unsurprisingly, I was wrong. I was in the black abyss yet again as I stared at my demon self. I had gotten used to seeing her at this point but it didn’t make it any less terrifying.

“You know they’re just using you, right?” Demon Sunset asked me curiously as she walked around me. “You were the most popular student. Still are without a doubt. They are just getting popular from you. Just like Tennis Match is doing.”

“Tennis Match is nice. She and the others wouldn’t do that,” I pointed out as she laughed. I shuddered slightly at the sound.

“You mind controlled her in a failed attempt to take over Equestria along with her friends and the rest of the school,” Demon Sunset reminded me flatly. “You seriously think they would forgive us? We’re their enemies in a sense.”

“I guess,” I said and looked away as I hugged myself. “It doesn’t seem like they are though. I mean, I have someone giving me chocolates and is apparently secretly in love with me.”

“Once again, using you. Don’t let anypony get close to you and you don’t get hurt. It’s simple. Worked in Equestria.”

“But I was lonely,” I admitted. “Is it really worth it?’

A bright light blinded me as my eyes burned and I shot up on the couch screaming as I rubbed my eyes.

“Oh thank the lord. I would rather die than lose my eyes,” I muttered as I hugged myself again. I groggily looked at my kitchen clock. Three am. “Oh, fuck me.”

My eyes flicked to the kitchen once again where I kept my knives and I sighed.

Author's Note

It's three am as I'm writing this in bed (I'm est) just saw a spider in front of me for the second time tonight. Screamed like a five year old, rolled out of bed and threw my phone.

Update: It’s been thirty minutes. Found and killed the fucker, crisis averted.

Chapter VII

I covered a yawn as I stepped off my moped outside of my job. Just because I had technically a decent amount of money doesn’t mean I can’t work. Plus, I needed something to do when I first got here.

Working on cars also made it quite easy learning about they worked. I had been stunned when I first got here and saw metal carriages moving like that.

“Hey Sunset,” my boss, Lightning Dust waved as I took my helmet off. “You look different.” She was leaning against the wall with a cigarette sticking out of her mouth.

“In a good way I hope,” I joked as she chuckled. I fist bumped her as she tossed her cigarette onto the sidewalk and stomped on it.

“Well duh. We got a surprise for you today,” Lightning smirked as I followed her inside the shop and she gestured to the sitting car and my jaw dropped.

“No fucking way. A Porsche 911 GT3 RS,” I said in awe as I approached the silver car. “God damn. How did you even get someone to bring this here?”

Lightnings mechanic shop was a smaller business. Definitely not as well known as the others. The most I work on is Mustangs and Cameros, not freaking Porsches.

“What can I say?” Lightning said smugly as she shrugged. “I know people. We have a good rep here, partially thanks to you. You work hard.”

“Thanks,” I said and blushed slightly as I allowed a hand to trail on the exterior of the car. “So what’s wrong with it?”

“Engine and exhaust. It’s probably gonna need to be swapped out. They want the same engine put in so we got one on order in a few days,” Lightning explained as she strode over to the radio we had set up and she turned it on.

”Above the rest, accept no less. Go ahead, check the game, be my guest. Somethin’ brand new and heavy to get off my chest. Win time after time til there ain’t none left. Hardhat, punch the clock, back to work. I’m bigger, stronger, faster, built to hurt. Everybody and anybody who come to my party. Like they ready to get rowdy and touch somebody.”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes as Lightning bobbed her head subtly.

“Are you seriously still going through your gangster rap phase?” I asked incredulously as she pushed a toolbox over to me.

“It ain’t a phase Sunset. Now come on, let’s get to work before Oil Pan gets back. I have a bet with him we can get more done before he does.”

I gave a frustrated sigh as I knelt down in front of a motorcycle out back. Lightning had told me if I got the bike started, I could keep it.

A cigarette hung out of my mouth as I unscrewed the cover of the engine as footsteps behind me approached.

“I can’t believe you’re actually trying still,” Lightning commented as I blew some smoke out of my mouth. “This thing hasn’t ran in years.”

“I’m a determined individual.”

“When did you even start smoking? This is the fourth time today I’ve seen you with a cigarette?” Lightning asked as she lit up her own cigarette.

“I’ve always smoked. Running a high school and being a queen bee is stressful business. Helped me focus a bit.”

“Fair enough. I’d offer to help you with the bike but I got a date tonight. Aiming to get laid in fact,” Lightning boasted as I snorted.

“With what? All you going is your tits, you got no ass. You’re flat as a board back there.”

Lightning shot me a mock wounded look as she placed a hand on her quest.

“Why Sunset you wound me. Blunt as always my friend,” Lightning said and shook her head with a large grin as my head snapped up and I stared at her.

“Wait, we’re friends?”

“You know, you claim to be the smartest girl you know but you’re surprisingly dense when it comes to picking up on social cues,” Lightning said as she gave me a flat look. “Do you seriously think I would give away a motorcycle for free to just anyone who had a interest in it?”

“Uh hell no?” I offered as she snorted before asking her head again.

“Think along the lines of fuck no.”

I gave a low chuckle as I continued taking the bike apart. That made a bit of sense. I had known Lightning ever since I first came here. She had given me a place to stay on her couch until I got my own apartment.

“Fair,” I admitted as I wiped my hands on my jeans. The two of us were covered in oil and had messy hair with oil in it from the previous car. My shift had ended a few hours ago but I chose to stay behind and work out the bike like I always did. “That does make sense. I’ve scarily made a lot of friends recently.”

“Scary indeed. Stuff that would be in a horror movie.”

I rolled my eyes at her sarcastic comment and set my wrench down. She was probably the most sarcastic woman I’ve ever met and she’s only ten years older than me.

“Shush, you’re thirty two,” I shot back as Lightning chuckled again.

“I may be but I can do things you can’t,” Lightning retorted as she stood up.

“Like what old timer?”

“Old timer? That’s something you’ll never be one of these days but I buy alcohol. Go into the bars. The like.”

Oh if only she knew I could get alcohol and go into bars on my own. Benefits of being a scheming, blackmailer. I could convince anyone to let me into anywhere I wanted. Plus, being an adult helped. I just showed them a fake ID and boom.

I should probably get a real one sooner or later. I can easily see myself getting jammed up one of these days. My luck can’t keep going on forever.

“I’d love to stay and talk but I gotta get ready. See ya around Sunset,” Lightning said as she stood up. She tossed me a key which I caught. “Just lock up after you leave please.”

“See you boss. Have fun, have a good date,” I said sincerely as she waved before walking to her truck. I legitimately hoped it went well for her. I turned back to the motorcycle. “And now, to figure out why you won’t start.”

With only a few light bulbs my source of light, I went back to work.

Chapter VIII

I grunted as I continued scrubbing the counters. I absolutely hated cleaning but well, I didn’t want rodents or bugs. Rats terrified the absolute hell out of me. Scary looking creatures.

I looked back at the door as someone knocked out.

“Sunset Shimmer! Come to the door!” Iron Will called out as he continued knocking.

“Give me twenty to clean up my hair and I’ll be right there!” I called back.

“Iron Will needs you to come to the door now.”

I froze and stared at the door. I’ve never heard him talk like that to me before. Other tenants, yes but me? No way. I was nervous now. I hope to God I wasn’t about to get kicked out.

“C-coming!” I called out hesitantly. I dried my hands off and strode to the door quickly, opening it.

Iron Will stood in the doorway with a basket in his left hand. He was a large, bearded muscular man with a tattoo on his left arm that made me nervous at first when I met him. In all reality, he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“Hey Mr. Will. How’s it going?” I asked as I forced a smile on my face.

“Pretty good Sunset. I told you to just call me Iron Will. I brought you a gift for early Christmas. I’ve also gotten some complaints about screaming coming from your apartment. I don’t care if you have sex in the apartment obviously but please take precautions if you’re going to be loud,” Iron Will said I turned bright red.

“I- sex- what?” I stammered as I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m not having sex in the apartment! It’s uh other things.”

“I won’t pry,” Iron Will said as he held out the basket. “My daughter made this so if there’s anything well, dirty in there, it wasn’t me.”

I didn’t know he had a daughter but I wouldn’t push. I know he was divorced so it was fair to assume she lived with her mom.

“I understand. Thanks Iron Will,” I accepted the basket gratefully with a smile as he shut the door. I carried it to the table and sat down, picking up a item. “No fucking way.”

I flipped it over and turned even redder.

“His daughter really got me a ball gag,” I said as I dropped it. I looked at it for a moment before laughing. “That is actually hilarious.”

I continued looking through the basket. It had random hair products, another gag, lube and I burst out laughing again. If I was anyone else, I’d be offended but that was actually hilarious. I wanted to meet this girl in all honesty.

“Maybe I’ll give Rainbow this lube and tell her it’s hair gel.”

I didn’t give Rainbow the lube. I decided to be safe and just throw it away. I didn’t think Rainbow would entirely appreciate a prank like that. I didn’t want to go too far and be considered a bully again after trying to change.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Applejack started as we all looked at her. We were sitting in the library at the computers. We all had a project in Miss Cheerilee’s class to work on. She was probably my favorite teacher. She’s nice. “But have ya ever thought about well manipulating people to do good things?”

“Uh what do you mean?” I asked curiously as Rarity shot Applejack a glare.

“I’m not entirely sure that is kind dear Applejack,” Rarity said pointedly as she continued her glare. “Nor nice to Sunset.”

“It’s fine,” I said honestly and leaned towards the farmer. “What do you mean?”

“Well, ya could always encourage Lyra to go talk to Derpy. If neither of em be honest to each other, then nothing will happen between em. The whole school knows they love each other, just not each other. Ya could encourage them both to go talk to each other.”

That wasn’t entirely a bad idea. I still was a bit unsure about manipulating a relationship after I did it so much in the past. Especially if I could hurt someone unintentionally and be hated by that individual.

“Okay,” I said as they all gave me stunned looks. “I’ll do it.”

“Woah really?” Rainbow said in awe. “That would be epic of you! I’ll dead ass buy you a drink if you do this.”

I rubbed my chin.

“Alcohol?” I asked hopefully as Rainbow shook her head. “Aw damn. I’ll take a sprite.”

“Aren’t you a bit young to be drinking?” Fluttershy pointed out quietly. I had almost forgotten she was there.

“Uh no?” I said as I stood up.

I walked over slowly to Lyra’s table where Octavia, Vinyl and Bon Bon were sitting around a table with books open. Most likely studying for upcoming finals. I faintly made out Rarity lecturing Applejack about something.

“It’s literally right here Lyra, love-”

“Hello,” I said softly as they all looked at me. Octavia gave me a cold look as I shuddered.

“It was quite rude of you to interrupt me love,” Octavia chided as I hugged myself nervously.

“I-I’m sorry,” I whispered and wiped my eye. “I’ll go.”

I turned to leave as Bon Bon grabbed my wrist and I stared at her in confusion. She had surprisingly very soft hands.

“Ignore Octavia. She’s quite prickly about decorum and all that,” Bon Bon said with a smile as she let go and gestured at an empty seat. “Please, sit.”

I looked at all their faces and sat down.

“So what can we do for you?” Lyra asked as she set her pencil down. “You’ve never talked to us before.”

“I uh came to give you advice,” I answered as Octavia raised an eyebrow. Vinyl continued writing as she bobbed her head. How she didn’t go deaf from her music, I’ll never know.

“About what?” Bon Bon asked.

“Not you. Her,” I pointed to Lyra. “You know, we all know you like Derpy. And you can’t really expect her to come talk to you. She’s shy as all hell.”

“I know. You really think I should? She’d probably hate me.”

I rolled my eyes and Octavia made a choking sound. Vinyl slammed her hand onto her back and Octavia nodded gratefully.

“Thank you.”

“I’m sure,” I said as Lyra inhaled.

“Okay.”

I watched her stand up and leave as Octavia, Vinyl and Bon Bon gave me approving smiles. Bon Bon beamed at me as she slid a Starburst my way.

Maybe Applejack wasn’t so wrong in the first place.

Chapter IX (Bon Bon)

“I can’t believe Lyra actually went and did it,” Octavia mused as she brushed her hair with a brush she always carried in her back.

“Scratch that,” I corrected. “I can’t believe Sunset did that.”

“Okay that too,” Octavia conceded after a moment. We both looked over to the fiery haired girl sitting with her friends or well, people who I assumed was friends. She was almost always with them. “You’re staring love.”

“I-I am not!” I shot back with a blush. “I was not staring!”

You most definitely were. Vinyl wrote on a piece of paper and slid it to me as Octavia giggled.

“It’s funny, really. You should go talk to Sunset,” Octavia suggested as I looked over at Lyra and Derpy talking at a table on the opposite side of the library. It seemed to be going fairly well. “You were also drooling.”

“Was I really?” I asked nervously. I hope to God I wasn’t.

“No,” Octavia admitted with a mischievous smile. “But it was funny seeing you freak out.”

“Why do I even hang out with you girls?” I grumbled as I blushed.

Probably because we are your only friends because you are shy as hell? Vinyl wrote on a different piece of paper and held it up for us to see.

“Vinyl Scratch!” Octavia snapped as she yanked the paper away. “That was completely unnecessary! While unnecessary, she unfortunately has a point. You are shy.”

“So are you! Do you think she knows it was me who threw that paper at her in the lunchroom and broke into her locker to put the chocolates I made in there?” I asked nervously as I looked back at Rainbow and the others.

If anyone would be my competition, I would bet money on Rainbow. She always gets whatever she wants when it comes to the dating area.

“Let’s be real, if Sunset knew it was you, she would have mentioned to you. Surprised she hasn’t put it together with the whole Starburst thing.”

She had a point there I suppose. If she knew, she would have said something. Or maybe she was afraid. Hell, I was afraid.

“You didn’t have to call Sunset out on interrupting you. She didn’t know you were talking, Octi.”

I tossed Octavia a glare as the girl winced and blushed.

“Maybe I was a bit overzealous in my reaction.”

“A bit?”

It’s her time of the month. Vinyl wrote as Octavia blushed even harder and yanked the paper away. I snickered as Octavia glared at us both.

“Do not broadcast that V. That is private information!”

We both looked at each other and laughed.

“Shit!” I swore under my breath as the bell rang. “Gotta get to Crankys class. Got a history presentation.”

“Good luck love!” Octavia called out as Vinyl gave me a thumbs up.

“Thanks!”

“Alright Bon Bon, you’re up,” Mr. Cranky called as I stood up and walked to the front. I dumped my bag of items onto the table, including a pair of glasses.

“Alright. So, for my family genealogy report, I decided to do it on my great-great-grandfather, who was a famous man, Captain Flawless Victory, Very famous explorer. In fact, he was one of the first to explore the Arctic Circle, which is a big deal. In 1897, he took forty one brave sailors straight into the Arctic Shelf.”

I glanced over at my paper I had typed up before inhaling. I hated speaking in class like this. So much could go wrong.

“So that’s the story, right? And here we have some of the basic instruments and tools used by nineteenth century seamen,” I said as the other students burst out laughing and I rolled my eyes. Lyra gave me a thumbs up from the back as Sunset and Rainbow were talking quietly in the back. “This here is the quadrant, which you can get for eighty bucks. It’s all for sale, by the way. Like the, uh, the sextant here.”

Everyone started laughing again as Mr. Cranky held up a stop sign. Why he had one or how he had one is a mystery.

“Fifty dollars for this, which is a bargain. These are pretty cool. These are my grandfather’s glasses. I haven’t quite gotten them appraised yet, but they’ve seen many cool things,” I said as I held them up. I typically wouldn’t sell my stuff in class but well, I needed the money so.

“Please move on Bon Bon.”

“Sorry. Um, unfortunately, my great-great-grandfather, the genius that he was, wound up going blind and crazy in a psycho ward, drawing these strange symbols and babbling on about some, uh, giant ice man that he thought he’d discovered,” I said as the bell rang. I sighed as I watched the others leave. Lyra waved as she ran to catch up with Vinyl. “So?”

“Okay. Might be a pop quiz tomorrow. Might not. Sleep in fear tonight!” Mr. Cranky called out to the other classmates and I waited at his desk.

“Pretty good right?” I asked eagerly as he sat down next to me.

“Uh I’d say a solid B minus.”

“Just a B minus? Seriously? I worked my ass off on that!” I snapped as he rolled his eyes.

“You talked for like eight minutes Bon Bon. You were supposed to bring pictures as well like the others did, not just artifacts.”

“I’m not all that fond of getting in front of the class. So what if I missed my pictures? The rest was good!”

“I agree.”

Cranky and I finished our impromptu staring match as we both flinched, looking at the door. A sheepish looking Sunset was standing the door way.

“I uh forgot my backpack and over heard. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Sunset said as she stepped further into the classroom. “But I think Bon Bon did well.”

“Thank you!” I exclaimed and turned around so my blush wasn’t visible. “See, even she agrees!”

Cranky and I continued staring as I leaned forward a bit and he sighed.

“Fine. This is a one time thing only! I can’t just give out As like they are nothing.” Cranky wrote on my paper and pushed to me as I grinned.

“Thank you!” I exclaimed as I shoved the paper in my backpack I had sitting upfront. This was probably the only time I’ve ever been allowed to bring it. I spun around to face Sunset. “And thank you-”

I stared at the empty space and looked around. Cranky pointed out the hallway as I ran with my backpack clenched in my hand.

“Hey wait!” I called out as Sunset paused.

“What’s up?” Sunset asked as she turned around.

“Thanks for that back there. Wanna hang out sometime with me and Tavi?” I offered as she raised an eyebrow. “V could always come with too.”

“Why?”

I flinched at her response a bit. I had expected something a bit warmer but then again, she did just get shot with a rainbow only two weeks ago.

“Well you wanna be taught about friendship right?” I asked with a smile. Internally, I did feel a bit bad taking advantage of what we were supposed to teaching her for my own gain but well, do what ya gotta do. I’m not entirely a good person myself. “And considering the four of us agreed to help you, it means now is a prime time for you to spend some quality time with us.”

“You raise a fair point,” Sunset admitted as I gave her my phone. I watched her put her number in as she handed me my phone back.

“I’ll text you whenever we meet alright?”

“Okay I guess. See ya around.”

I watched her leave as I grinned. I was so going to tell Octavia about this.

Author's Note

I think I am the first person in history and on this site to ship Sunset and Bon Bon. Behold, SunBon!

Chapter X

“So you just put your number into a strangers phone?” Rainbow asked as she tossed a fry into her mouth. I had agreed to meet her and the others at McDonald’s.

“Well yeah,” I said with a shrug. “She seems nice. I still think it was Tennis Match who put that box in my locker.”

“Nah,” Pinkie shook her head quickly. “TM has her eyes on someone else.”

“And besides, how do you get SD from TM?” Rainbow asked as Fluttershy returned from the bathroom as Applejack and Rarity were at the counter.

“I assumed nickname,” I admitted as I stirred my shake idly. “Who exactly does Tennis Match like then?”

“Oh she’s closer than you think,” Fluttershy giggled as she looked away. I followed her gaze until my eyes fell on Applejack.

“No way?”

“Yes way,” Rainbow snickered as she leaned in her seat. “I don’t think AJ knows yet but she will.”

I gave a faint smile as Applejack and Rarity sat down with their own trays as they gave us confused looks.

“What are yall talking about?” Applejack asked as she bit into an apple slice. I wonder if her eating apples would he considered cannibalism.

“Oh nothing,” Pinkie said with a large grin. “Nothing at all.”

Applejack gave a flat look as I gulped. I really hope she didn’t ask me because I have a feeling she would able to tell in a heart beat.

“So darling,” Rarity started as she looked at me. “You should come over. We can change up this outfit of yours.”

“My outfit is fine!” I retorted as Rarity rolled her eyes.

“It’s just not you. Please, I insist.”

I gave a grunt as I realized I had no way out of this. Might as well just bite the bullet and get it over with.

“Fine.”

I set my helmet on my moped as I stared up at Rarity’s house. It was pretty much exactly what I expected of her and that was sparkleyness everywhere. I inhaled as I approached the door, knocking.

The door opened to reveal a white girl with a pink and yellow dress with purple and lilac hair in pink knee high boots.

“Uh hello there,” I said as she shifted the sucker she had sticking out of her mouth to the other side. “I’m here to see Rarity?”

“Oh,” the girl grinned as she spat her sucker out. “I’m Sweetie Belle!”

“Sunset Shimmer.”

“I know who you are. Everyone does at this point in time,” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes before grabbing my hand and yanking me inside. “Typically it’s me she forces to try outfits on. Thank lord it’s not me today.”

“Oh okay.”

Two other girls were sitting on the couch. One had a red bow in her hair and the other wore a brown jacket with her legs crossed.

“That’s Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.”

“Howdy.”

“Sup?”

“Nothing I guess. Just Rarity talking about my outfit not being me or whatever,” I scoffed as I used air quotes. Scootaloo snickered as she tossed some popcorn from a nearby bowl into her mouth.

“She’s Applejacks sister, she’s Rainbows honorary sister and I’m Rarity’s sister. Trust me, I know more than anyone what you are about to go through,” Sweetie Belle said as I examined Apple Bloom closer. She did bear a striking resemblance to Applejack. “Rarity is kinda annoying at times. She’s too afraid to go out and rough it. You know, camping and shit.”

I raised an eyebrow at how casually she swore and talked about her sister.

“Aren’t you a bit young to be cussing?” I pointed out.

“Rarity cusses whenever an outfit doesn’t go well. Don’t even get me started on Fluttershy. Girl swears like a sailor behind closed doors.”

“I- really?” I asked in surprise as Scootaloo snorted. I can MAYBE see Rarity cussing, but Fluttershy? There’s not a chance in hell of that ever happening.

“Trust me, we heard all about it. We were staying at her mom and dad’s house to help with the animals and ran into the woods one night after her mom’s chicken and Fluttershy had to come look for us. She also may have had to save us from a wolf but minor details. She was not happy.”

“I can imagine. Wolves are scary.”

“Got that right,” Apple Bloom chimed in as she swung her legs. “So whaddaya gettin?”

I gave a shrug as I sat on the floor with my legs tucked under me.

“Nothing. I may have purposefully left all my money at home so I wouldn’t strongarmed into buying anything.”

“Oh trust me,” Sweetie Belle giggled as she sat down between her friends. “She would just give you something for free then. It’s how Rarity is.”

I hoped to God not. But I could potentially see her doing that. I should probably come up with a way to deny her respectfully.

Bon Bon: Hey, what’s up?

Nothing. Currently at Rarity’s because I suck at saying no to people.

Bon Bon: Can’t relate on that front. The girls and I are meeting up Saturday afternoon at the mall around two pm. I can have Octavia pick you up if necessary?

Nah, thanks though. I’ll ride there. I’ll be there I suppose

Bon Bon: Awesome! Meet me by the book store up front. We plan on getting lunch there too I think. Not entirely sure yet.

I tapped a finger against my chin as I thought about my next response. I could use some more of my more explicit books from the store.

Yeah, sounds good. I could always use more books and video games.

Bon Bon: Sounds good! I will see you then🙂.

Okay.👍

“Hello darling! Didn’t mean to keep you waiting!” Rarity exclaimed as she stepped out. “I see you’ve met my darling sister and her little friends.”

She squeezed Sweeties cheeks, giving the girl a fish face look as she turned bright red.

“Rarity! Not in front of your friends!” Sweetie Belle snapped as Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and I gave a snicker. Rarity let go and gestured me forward. I inhaled and followed her through some doors. “She seems nice.”

“Ah can agree on that.”

“Same here. Think she’s good at soccer?”

I smiled internally as I continued followed Rarity. Sibling approval was important. Let’s just hope Rarity didn’t kill me with fashion.

Author's Note

If the chapters aren't given characters names(Rainbow, Applejack etc, it's gonna be in Sunsets pov. Just to avoid confusion.)

Chapter XI

I yawned slightly as I approached the mall, staring in awe. We didn’t have really have large shopping centers like this back in Equestria to my knowledge at least.

I had only been here once. It had mainly involved me slamming into the doors and everyone laughing at me, causing me to promptly scream at everyone, causing them to run away and me get banned. I really hope that security guard still didn’t work here.

I pushed the doors open as I spotted a cream girl in a blue dress with a white bow around her waist. I waved as I stepped closer.

Bon Bon gave a surprised sound before running to me and I instinctively tensed up. She hugged me and kicked out a leg behind her as I stared in surprise.

“Uh hello?” I said awkwardly and patted her back. Lyra, Octavia and Vinyl were approaching at slower speed, grinning.

“Hey Sunset,” Bon Bon let go with a faint blush as she grinned. “How are you? Surprised Rarity didn’t kill you with clothes.”

“Fuck, me too,” I admitted as Octavia flinched slightly.

“Come on!” Lyra giggled as she grabbed mine and Bon Bons hands. “To the book store! I need to get some new figurines for my collection. Hopefully my rare one is in stock!”

“Uhm, what is she talking about?” I asked curiously as Lyra continued dragging me and Bon Bon.

“Trust me,” Octavia said as she followed us. “Don’t ask.”

Bon Bon pulled her hand away before pulling mine away. I gave her a grateful look as she turned red.

I stepped over to the romance sex books and picked up one, opening it to a random page.

Moon Rocks kissed Shadow Play as she whined into his mouth as he continued his rough fucking of the smaller women- a familiar warmness between my legs reminded me that I was so rubbing one out tonight. Fuck No Nut November.

“Whatcha reading?” Bon Bon asked curiously as I jumped and turned red before handing her the book. Her eyes scanned the page before she blushed and shut the book. “Oh uh I see. Very uh interesting.”

“Yeah,” I said with an equally hot face. “Let’s go shall buy some books and games, shall we?”

“Y-yeah.”

I sat at a small table outside the mall with my bag of books and a few new video games. Bon Bon, Lyra, Octavia and Vinyl sat with us with their own bags. Lyra was obsessed with mythological creatures and screamed when she found an allegedly rare statue.

“So where exactly are you from?” Octavia asked curiously as she bit into some of her salad. I swallowed my bit of sushi as I shrugged.

I had only told Pinkie about the truth. She was probably the only one who wouldn’t laugh. Though, Twilight might have told them the truth.

“I’ve only told Pinkie this so don’t laugh,” I warned as they all nodded. Vinyl surprisingly abandoned her headphones for once. “I’m from Equestria. I’m a uh unicorn pony back home. I came here to escape my mentor.”

Lyra gave me a maniacal smile as I shifted nervously. Bon Bon gave me a confused look as the table jumped and Lyra winced before it jumped again.

“So you’re like a horse then?” Bon Bon asked curiously and I frowned.

“Pony, not a horse. Horses are in Equestria but a completely different species. We are okay with them, we just prefer being called ponies.”

“Oh sorry. So uh you like it here?”

“No,” I admitted as they all gave each other confused looks. “Sure, it has benefits like medicine and cars. Don’t even get me started on tvs, though we may have them in Equestria by now. But it isn’t home. I miss my tail and magic along with other things.”

Vinyl held up a hand before pulling a white board out of her bag.

You ever think about dating a human? Vinyl wrote as Bon Bon glared at her.

“I wouldn’t object I guess but well, maybe in the future. Not now.”

Bon Bon smiled as I watched curiously.

“So what’s it like to be a pony? I’ve always wanted to see one in person. And now I have!” Lyra giggled maniacally as I gulped. “How do you get there? Where’s your space ship?

Now I know what Octavia meant. Lyra seemed almost obsessed with my unicorn status. Though in all honesty, if I found out a world out there existed so close to school, I’d freak out too. I just hoped it was the good kind of freaking out, not the run and tell the authorities kind.

“There is no space ship. I just walk through a portal and boom, here I was.”

“Oh lame,” Lyra scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I was hoping to prove two mysteries right in one day, not just one but oh well. I’m still right about unicorns.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

Besides, do you really want her to be from outer space? That would mean either aliens look like us or she snatched someone’s body. Both sound shitty. Vinyl held up her whiteboard as Lyra went pale.

“Oh shit. I didn’t even think of that. So where is there so called portal?” Lyra asked eagerly as she leaned forward.

“Uh,” I said as I looked around at each of the other girls faces. “School. But it’s closed. It won’t open for another two and half years. There has to be specific conditions met.”

“Like a pentagram drawn on the grass with candles?”

“Lyra!” Bon Bon snapped as I laughed.

“No nothing like that. The moon has to be in a certain position in the sky and all. It’s weird. My research didn’t really help me any back home.”

“Fascinating. So we should try to steal the moon is what you’re saying.”

“Didn’t someone already try to do that?” Octavia asked as Lyra groaned.

“Fuck, you’re right. Damn Minions movie. Always stealing my ideas. Fuck disney.”

I looked at my phone and sighed.

“Alright, I gotta go. I have homework to do. It was very enlightening experience to hang out with you all.”

I stood up as Bon Bon did suit, hugging me as I sighed before hugging her back.

“See you at school,” I said as I waved and began walking away with my trash, dumping it into a nearby trash can.

I yawned again as I walked around the mall to where I had left my moped in the alleyway for safety. Nobody really would look there.

“Hey Sunset!” A voice called from behind me. I turned around as a fist connected with my jaw and I tumbled back, slamming my head into the wall as I fell. “Oh fuck, I didn’t mean to hit you that hard!”

And then everything went dark.

Chapter XI( Bon Bon)

I stretched out on the couch as I tossed some popcorn into my mouth, idly watching tv.

The door swung open as Lyra dragged a black bag in.

“Uh what’s in the bag?” I asked cautiously as Lyra shrugged.

“Can I use your room for a bit?” Lyra asked as she continued dragging the bag into the living.

“Uh sure? What’s in the bag?” I asked again as Lyra muttered something. “I didn’t hear you, speak up.”

“Sunset.”

“What?” I shouted as she winced. “Why?”

“She can answer even more questions about Equestria now! I plan on taking samples, hair, finger nails the like. Maybe cum as well.”

“Lyra! What the fuck? You kidnapped Sunset!” I snapped as she shrugged. “Oh my God Lyra. Now you’ve gotten me involved in false imprisonment. That can be a misdemeanor or a felony!”

“Yeah?”

“And you don’t see a problem with this?”

“Not really. I can finally prove unicorns and pegasus are real!” Lyra exclaimed and giggled as I facepalmed.

“So you kidnapped her?! How did you even overpower her?”

“I hit her. She accidentally fell and hit her head on the wall. She passed out pretty quick, think she might have a concussion.”

I shot up off the couch and ripped the bag open. Sunset was snoring with her hands tied as I glared at Lyra.

“You know how homophobic my parents are! If they see us with a tied up girl, they will think we are about to do some kinky sex shit and kick me out!” I fumed as I cut Sunset’s zip ties holding her hands. “Oh my God Lyra. Do you just carry zip ties around?”

“Mhm!” Lyra said as we carried Sunset to my room and I gently laid her on my bed. “Well uh on the upside, you finally got Sunset in your bed at least?”

I increased my glare as Lyra gulped nervously.

“I’ll uh go get Sunset some water and pain meds,” Lyra jerked a thumb back and took off into the bathroom.

“I’m so sorry about this,” I said to the unconsciously Sunset. “She’s not normally like that.”

I inhaled and kissed her forehead as I blushed slightly. I was so going to kill Lyra after this.

I sat on my bed as Sunset groaned, sitting up.

“Oh my God,” I muttered as she blinked. “I thought you were dead. Just like how Lyra will be.”

“Bon Bon? You kidnapped me?” Sunset asked as she started to edge away from me.

“No! That was Lyra. She wanted to ask more about Equestria and take samples of you to compare to her own. Don’t worry, she went home though. You’re at my house for the time being.”

“So she kidnapped me?” Sunset asked as I shrugged.

“Trust me, I don’t understand her logic either. She’s a nutcase for sure but I love her like a sister. She will apologize later don’t worry.”

“She can really hit. Girl is stronger than I gave her credit,” Sunset mused as she stood up. “I’m going home if you don’t mind. Where’s my moped?”

“In Lyra’s car. We forgot to get it out before she left.”

“I’ll walk home. Thanks for uh taking care of me I guess?” Sunset said as I watched her leave my room and walk down the stairs.

I stood up and sighed, searching for my keys. This could be a decent opportunity to spend more time with Sunset.

“Finally! There you are!” I grumbled as I grabbed my keys from the dresser and ran down the stairs. “Sunset!”

“Yeah?”

“So, listen, I was wondering if I could ride you home. I mean uhm give you a ride home in my car, to your house,” I said and turned faintly red.

“Sure I guess.”

“Right this way,” I said and opened the front door. I stepped outside with Sunset behind me as she shut the door and she followed down the front steps to a rusty yellow Camaro.

“A nineteen seventy Chevy Camaro,” Sunset let out a whistle as she looked at it. “Nice racing stripes. The rust kinda ruins the look but the Z28 is a bad ass car. Didn’t take you for a muscle car type of person.”

“I have my secrets too,” I chuckled as we both opened our respective doors and sat inside.

“Uh huh,” Sunset muttered as she looked around. “How much did you pay for this?”

“Four thousand.”

Sunset gave me an incredulous look as she set her phone down in the cup holder with directions to her apartment.

“Seriously? Only four? The average cost for one of these is thirty three thousand depending on condition. Even a rusty one like this would still be expensive.”

“Damn,” I mused as we left my street.

“Must be nice to live near the beach,” Sunset sighed as she stared out the window. “All I see is gang members, drunk or high people passed out and construction.”

“That uh sucks,” I offered weakly as the engine made a sound I’ve never heard before and pulled onto a dirt road overlooking the water. “Uh what? It’s never done this before.”

”When I get that feeling, I want sexual healing-”

I slammed my hand down on the radio and it shut off as I gave Sunset a sheepish look.

“Oh. This radio is, like, you know- It’s an old radio, too, so,” I said hastily as Sunset nodded.

”Sexual healing. Sex-u-al.”

“Look, this isn’t something that I, you know- I can’t get this radio to stop. Look, I wouldn’t try this on you. You know. ‘Cause this is like a romantic, romantic thing that I’m not trying to do,” I said quickly as Sunset raised an eyebrow.

“Uh okay?”

“Not that you’re not worthy of trying something like this on,” I corrected myself as I blushed.

“Of course not,” Sunset agreed as she pulled a hair tie from her backpack and put her hair up in a pony tail.

“I’m a friend of yours. I’m not a romantic friend. Romantic friends do this. I mean, I’m not that- that friend. I mean, we- I could be. If-”

“Just pop the hood,” Sunset said as she got up. I nodded as I tried to quit blushing a pushed down on the hood latch before glaring at the radio.

“I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with but shut the fuck up please!” I hissed at the car. I stepped out of the car as Sunset opened the hood and she let out a long whistle.

I raised an eyebrow slightly as the two of us stared at a chrome and orange engine as Sunset gave an approving sound.

“Whoa, nice headers. You’ve got a high-rise double-pump carburetor. That’s pretty impressive, Bon Bon,” Sunset said as she looked closer into the engine bay.

I didn’t really know much about cars to be honest but the fact that Sunset did was a bit of a turn on not gonna lie.

“Double-pump?”

“It squirts the fuel in so you can go faster,” Sunset explained.

“Oh,” I said as my eyes drifted to her waist. “I like to go fast.” I quickly shook my head and looked away.

“And it looks like your distributor cap’s a little lose,” Sunset answered as she leaned back. Thank the lord she didn’t see me looking. “Just take it to a mechanic shop whenever you get the chance.”

“How exactly do you know all this?” I asked curiously as she shrugged.

“I work at a mechanic shop. Nothing too serious, but it pays well.” And now she is even hotter in my opinion.

“That’s cool,” I said casually as I rested my head on the hood. “Oh my god.”

“Do you want to start up the engine for me?” Sunset asked as I nodded. I sat inside the car and turned the key.

“So uh what exactly happened between you and your mentor that made you run over to this world?” I asked as I kept turning the key. Sunset exhaled and I internally hoped I didn’t hit a touchy subject.

“You know, I think I’m gonna walk home after all. I can call you a tow truck if you want.”

“I’ll be fine. Walkings healthy, right?” I said as Sunset nodded and walked away down the road. “Please work. Don’t let her leave.” I turned the key once again and the engine started. “Thank the gods. Hey wait!”

Sunset turned around as I forced the hood down before getting back in the car as she gave me a faint smile.

“Still wanna walk?” I asked with a small smile as she walked back over.

“Nah.”

“So uh there’s your apartment building,” I said as we both looked out the window. I offered to take her to the hospital but she refused. Something about hospitals being expensive which she wasn't wrong.

“Thanks for the ride. It was uh enlightening. So why exactly are you called SD but your name is Bon Bon?”

“Oh that,” I said and shrugged. She was smarter than I gave her credit. “It was a nickname Lyra gave me in middle school. Something about me being sweet and shit. I don’t know, we both were cringy in middle school.”

“Ah,” Sunset nodded. “I’m not entirely looking for a relationship right now but that can always change in the future maybe.”

“Okay.”

“So you don’t think I’m an evil bitch then?” Sunset asked as I shook my head rapidly.

“I think there’s more a lot more than meets the eye with you is all. I don’t think you’re evil so yeah.”

Sunset gave me a weak smile as I forced one back.

“So uh see you Monday. It was fun,” Sunset said as she got out of the car.

“Yeah see ya Monday,” I sighed as the door shut and I watched her walk inside. “That was such a stupid fucking line. God help me.”

I sighed once more before heading home. No real reason to stay here and have Sunset think I’m a stalker.

Chapter XII

“So how was hanging out with Lyra and her friends?” Rainbow asked as I flopped on the floor of the library. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy were sitting on the couches as they all looked to me.

“It was enlightening. Lyra kidnapped me, Bon Bon took me home and yeah.”

“She did what?” Applejack demanded as she raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Bon Bon took me home?”

“No, no Ah got that. Ah meant the part before that. About Lyra kidnapping you. Why?”

“She wanted to interrogate me further about Equestria and take some samples.”

They all stared at me as Rainbow stood up.

“I’m gonna go talk to her. That shit can’t fly,” Rainbow snapped as she placed her hands on her hips. “I mean, what if you had a concussion?”

“Just leave her alone. I mean, she technically did be a bit responsible and brought me to Bon Bon. And I didn’t have a concussion. The three of us would have known and both of them checked. It’s whatever,” I said as Rainbow gave me a stunned look. “And according to Bon Bon, Lyra did help take care of my injuries while I was out. Granted, there was yelling involved mainly from Bon Bon, but she still helped.”

“No it’s not whatever!” Rainbow shouted as Miss Cheerilee shot her a dirty look. “Oops. But I mean, it’s still a crime. No matter how responsible she really was. At least she did help bandage you up while you were unconscious like you said.”

“So how did you and Bon Bon get along?” Pinkie asked and gave me a smug grin. “Did you and her get together or get it on?”

Rainbow burst out laughing as Fluttershy and I blushed. Applejack slammed her hand into her face as Rarity gasped and glared at Pinkie.

“Pinkie Pie! We do not ask the nature of our friends sex life,” Rarity chided as Pinkie scoffed.

“Maybe you don’t!” Pinkie sang as she leaned forward to me. “Well?”

“No we did not have sex and we did not get together. I told her I wasn’t exactly ready for a relationship. I have some uh other things to do first,” I admitted as Pinkies face fell.

“Like what?” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow slightly as I shrugged.

“Nothing. Personal business,” I muttered as Applejack narrowed her eyes slightly at me.

“Ya are a bad liar,” Applejack pointed out as Rarity stared at me. Thank the lord the bell rang. Saved by the bell and all.

“Oh look at the time,” I said as I shot to my feet. “Gotta go!”

“We are gonna talk about this later!” Rainbow shouted after me as I took off.

Hopefully not.

I narrowly avoided another student as I navigated the hall to class, passing a closet as a hand shot out and dragged me inside.

“Gah!” I yelped as the door shut and the light came on. “Trixie, what the fuck?”

Trixie and her two friends or whatever they were sat on some boxes along with some other girls I’ve seen but didn’t know their names. Tennis Match smirked and waved as I smiled back.

“Trixie is spending time with her friends duh,” Trixie rolled her eyes as she yawned. “Obviously, haven’t you ever had a friend before?”

“No, not really.”

“Good god. We really have our work cut out for us,” Fuchsia scoffed and leaned back. “That’s Cloudkicker, Blueberry Cake, Baton Switch, Raindrops and Blossomforth. You already know Tennis.”

“Cloudy is my cousin,” Lavender added as Cloudkicker bounced a soccerball up and down before glaring at Trixie who glared back and I got the feeling they didn’t get entirely along. Trixie was a unique personality, she was the only one who really stood up to me whenever I bullied her.

“So why exactly am I in here?” I asked as Tennis Match shrugged.

“We always meet in here. Figured we’d grant you access. It’s like our private area,” Tennis Match explained as she gave both Trixie and Cloudkicker looks. “Well, most of us get along. I can’t say the same for all of us.”

“Mh.”

“Did you really have to drag her in here Trixie?” Raindrops demanded as the yellow girl stood up. “You couldn’t have like asked her to come in or something?”

“This was the more fun and dramatic option.”

“Worse than Rarity,” Raindrops grumbled and raised an eyebrow slightly before smirking faintly as Trixie gasped.

“Do not compare Trixie to that drama queen! She’s the worse of the worst that Canterlot High has to offer!” Trixie proclaimed as we all stared at her.

“And what’s the best that Canterlot High has to offer?” Blueberry Cake asked curiously as she folded her arms.

“Why, moi of course! Trixie is the greatest girl at Canterlot High!”

We all groaned except for Lavender and Fuchsia as they both chuckled. I watched them all started arguing as Blossomforth and Baton stood next to me. Lavender watched from her seat with a bored expression as Trixie shot to her feet and started yelling at Cloudkicker.

“Are they always like this?” I asked idly as Blueberry Cake threw her hands in the air and continued shouting at Cloudkicker.

“More or less, yeah. You get used to it,” Baton Switch commented as I stared at her. I had partially forgotten she was the band major for the school band. I don’t even think the band does anything in general. She continued twirling a baton between her hands as she watched.

“They’re a pretty decent group though,” Blossomforth admitted. “Especially Cloudkicker. I don’t really get out much. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for her?”

“In this room or alive?”

“In this room,” Blossomforth clarified after laughing. “Raindrops is nice but she has anger issues, Trixie is well Trixie, Blueberry Cake is one of the more out there girls when it comes to what she wears. Gets along with Rarity fairly well. Baton is scarily similar to Cloudkicker with how confident she can be about being right.”

“I’m right next to you.”

“I know,” Blossomforth answered and Baton grumbled incoherent curse words. “Lavender is the nicest of the group along with me and Fuchsia just says what ever is on her mind. She has no real filter and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. And you already know Tennis so you know what she is like.”

“Heard Lyra kidnapped you the other day,” Baton said casually and I gave her a stunned look. I hadn’t know it got around that fast. “Don’t worry, she did it to me once too. She wanted to ask me questions about a potential Bigfoot sighting I had that I posted about. She’s certainly a unique individual, but very nice in her own way. Definitely not the craziest Canterlot High has.”

“What’s the craziest?”

“Screw Loose.”

“You mean the girl who thinks she’s a dog and runs down the hallway barking at people?” I asked and Baton gave me a thumbs up.

“Mhm.”

“You think we should stop them?” Blossomforth asked worriedly as Lavender finally joined in on arguing.

“Nah. Let them sort it out,” Baton decided as we both looked at each other and shrugged.

The three of us stood there as Tennis Match jammed her finger into Fuchsia’s chest and continued yelling. How these girls were friends, I’ll never know.

Chapter XIV (Derpy)

I gave a faint giggle as I skipped through the lunch room with my tray up to Lyra’s table, sitting down next to her.

“Hey Derpy love,” Octavia smiled warmly as she, Bon Bon and Vinyl all waved at me. Lyra grinned and kissed my forehead as I blushed.

“Heyo.”

How’s it hanging Derpster? Vinyl held up her whiteboard.

“Hey Muffins,” Lyra smiled as I picked at my lunch.

“Hi,” I said as I unwrapped my muffin. “How are you all?”

“Good.”

Lit as fuck. Vinyl wrote with a large grin.

“Good because you’re here,” Lyra said smoothly as I blushed again and Bon Bon grinned. “You should have heard Bons story. She said her car stood up or something.”

“I’m telling you, that’s what happened!” Bon Bon snapped as I bit my muffin. “It was like a giant robot. I was stuck in a police station with a detective who thought I was on Roscos pain meds. Ridiculous. Thank the lord dad picked me up.”

“He thought Roscoe was a name of a drug?” Octavia giggled behind a hand as I sat quietly. I was still learning the groups dynamic so I didn’t really know when to speak. “That’s funny.”

“Did you get the cars name?” Lyra teased as she laughed. “That’s ridiculous, Bonnie. Cars don’t just stand up or turn into robots.”

“This is coming from the girl who believes in unicorns and pegasus and kidnapped Sunset like, six days ago,” Bon Bon pointed out flatly as Lyra gave her a hurt expression. “Okay that was kinda rude. You were right about unicorns if Sunset is being honest. Applejack said she wasn’t lying.”

“You did what to Sunset?” Octavia demanded as she narrowed her eyes.

“Kindapped Sunset,” Lyra admitted sheepishly.

“Bloody hell Lyra. Nice way to scare the poor girl away.”

“Topic change!” Lyra exclaimed as she glared at Octavia. “So did Sunset get between your legs after I left?”

Vinyl gave a laugh as I turned red as did Bon Bon.

“N-no she didn’t,” Bon Bon mumbled as Octavia giggled. “A part of me wishes she did. Mom and dad didn’t come home to hours later. Would it have killed her if she pinned me down and fuck-”

“Okay I think we got it,” Octavia cut her off with a blush.

“R-right!” Bon Bon said hastily and covered her face in her hands. “Sorry, I got caught up in uh nightmares!”

“That sounded more pleasurable than a nightmare,” Lyra pointed out as Bon Bon rolled eyes. “Ignore Octavia. Tell me, what did you do after she left?”

“You two are so weird. How the hell are you two friends?” I muttered and shook my head as Vinyl chuckled.

Shit, I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. She wrote and slid her board over to me.

“What do you think I did?” Bon Bon snapped and held up her hand. “Now Derpy, how are you? I don’t know much about you.”

“I’m good. I don’t much about you either really. Maybe we can hang out sometime? Amy and Dinks would like new people to see,” I answered as I finished off my muffin. “I should go talk to Sunset. I mean, she did technically get us together.”

“Fair enough,” Lyra shrugged. “We catch her after school.”

I gave a nod as we both looked over to Sunset. She strangely was sitting with Trixie and Tennis Match instead of her normal group. I made it my job to know everyone’s name in school. I just hope Photo Finish doesn’t catch up to her and decides to take several photos of her. She did that to me with her two assistants, Violet Burr and Pixel Pizzaz once. It had been an annoying experience.

I shrugged and went back to my lunch.

“There she is,” Lyra pointed to Sunset laying ontop of the Wondercolt statue with her legs crossed and a notepad in front of her. “She always sits on top of the statue and draws for a few hours after school.”

“How do you know this?”

“I stay after school too for the music club with Octavia and Vinyl. Rainbow sometimes hangs around along with Trixie and her two friends. Whatever their names are.”

“Lavender Lace, seventeen and member of the year book club. Fuchsia Blush, seventeen and member of the robotics club,” I said instantly as we approached Sunset and Lyra raised an eyebrow.

“How do you know that?”

“Pinkie Pie.”

“Oh,” Lyra muttered as I tapped on Sunsets boot and she gave me a startled look.

“Muffin?”

I held up the basket of muffins I had baked with Blueberry Pie and Raspberry Fluff after school in the cooking club as Sunset gave me a wary look.

“What’s in them?” She asked cautiously and sat up, jumping off the statue.

“Blueberries, nuts, banana, the like,” I listed off as Sunset shrugged. I grinned and handed her a banana muffin as she examined it. “It’s just a muffin.”

“I know it’s just I’m a bit worried still about the classmates poisoning me,” Sunset admitted as she took a bit.

“Oh don’t worry. If I was to poison you, I wouldn’t waste a good muffin for that. I’d put it in your lunch,” I said casually as Sunset froze before I laughed. “Joking.”

“Right,” Sunset muttered as she took a bit and her eyes lit up. “Wow. This is really good Muffins.”

“You can call me Derpy. You don’t have to use my nickname.”

“No.”

I raised an eyebrow slightly as she sighed.

“I mean, I bullied you ruthlessly for looking different and used your name as a insult. You cried everytime I did. I don’t really have any right to call you by your name. Not after what I’ve done to you,” Sunset sighed again and looked away. “I’m so sorry. You have every right to hate me. I was such a cruel evil bitch, especially to you.”

I inhaled, stepped closer and slapped her across the face as Lyra gasped.

“Derpy!” Lyra chided angrily.

“Don’t ever call yourself that again,” I warned quietly as Sunset rubbed her cheek with a stunned expression. “Sure, you bullied me the most out of everyone here and I spent most days after school crying in my room but you’re trying to be better. You weren’t the first person to bully me because of my eye or my voice and you certainly aren’t going to be the last. Those people can go to hell. They’re just words. It hurt more because I was your biggest fan on Twitch. I adored watching your streams. I said hi to you that day because I wanted your autograph.”

“And instead I called you a walleyed freak and told you to piss off,” Sunset muttered bitterly and I slapped her again.

“Could you stop slapping her please?” Lyra pleaded.

“I will when she stops being stupid,” I said bluntly as I hugged Sunset. “Quit being stupid damn it! It’s not healthy, especially hating yourself. Nobody hated me more than I did. But I learned to love myself, especially considering I wasn’t like this always.”

“What?” Sunset muttered as Lyra stepped forward.

“Easy, she pulled Dinky away from a car about to hit her and Derpy got hit instead. Messed her eye up but it’s beautiful. She was unconscious for a few days,” Lyra admitted.

“I didn’t know that.”

“I chose this in a way and I have to live with it. I’d do it again because I love Dinks. Simple as that. Now are you done being an idiot and will use my actual name?” I asked as Sunset nodded into my neck. “Good.”

We stayed like that as Lyra smiled faintly. Contray to what she may think, Sunset gave decent hugs.

Chapter XV

I sat on my bed and rubbed my cheek absent-mindedly as Rarity examined it.

“Who did you say slapped you, Sunset?” Rarity asked as she continued looking at my cheek.

“Derpy.”

“Derpy?” Rarity echoed in disbelief. “That sweet little thing? There’s no way. She’s tied with Fluttershy for sweetest girl in all of Canterlot High.”

“Oh it was her. Lyra was there too. Derpy said I was being stupid because I called myself an evil little bitch and she really didn’t like that. She slapped me twice in fact. On the same cheek. I’m not even mad, I’m impressed. I never once thought I’d get slapped by Derpy not once but twice. I just wish she did it when I bullied her.”

“I see. I can agree with her on that, you shouldn’t call yourself that. And why didn’t she slap you when you bullied her?”

Derpy had told me because she had faith in me that I’d better myself one day and that she would be there waiting to be my friend when I did. That surprised me out of anything. She had been waiting at least three to four years for this opportunity.

“I don’t know,” I lied and sighed. I didn’t know if Derpy wanted that to be public knowledge or not. Better to be safe than sorry.

“Mhm. Why don’t you take off your hoodie and try on one your shirts I made for you?” Rarity suggested eagerly as I hugged myself.

“Maybe later.”

“Why not know? I’m here, I can look away while you change and I can take your criticism.”

“It’s complicated.”

Rarity placed her hand on my wrist to stop me and I winced as she narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Pull up your sleeve,” Rarity demanded and I shook my head. “Do it or I will darling.”

I stayed silent as Rarity sighed, pulling up my sleeve as I yanked my hand back.

“What the hell?” Rarity said as she stared at the cut on my wrist and I shoved her off. I had never heard Rarity curse before.

“I think you should leave,” I muttered under my breath as she shook her head.

“Absolutely not. What was that about?” Rarity said and I shrugged. “I may be no Applejack, but I’m not an idiot. Be honest.”

“Fine I cut. There? Are you happy?” I sneered as she sighed.

“No I’m not. Why on earth would you think that’s a good idea?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Well, enlighten me.”

“I can’t.”

“Then just try darl-”

“You weren’t the one who turned into a demon!” I shouted as she recoiled and I glared at her. “Nor did you get shot in the face point blank with a rainbow laser!”

We stayed quiet as I breathed.

“I may not have been the one that either of that happened to but believe or not, more than one of us in our group has dealt with this. I won’t say who because it’s not my place. Now why exactly are you doing that?” Rarity asked with distaste as she flicked a hand to my wrist as I covered it up.

“I have nightmares,” I muttered.

“I’m sorry? I didn’t hear you?”

“I have nightmares,” I said louder and looked at her.

“Of?”

“A lot of things. Becoming a demon again, killing you and the others, me getting killed, either by you girls or by the demon. Taking my teenage army to Equestria and getting killed by Princess Celestia or Princess Cadence in different fashions.”

“And how long exactly has this been going on?”

“Ever since the first night. When Fluttershy and you all refused to let me build the entrance of the school by myself and spent all weekend helping me.”

“That was about a month or two ago,” Rarity mused as she glared at me. “And you said nothing?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m getting really damn tired of hearing that come out of your mouth,” Rarity snapped as I stared with wide eyes. “It is quite ridiculous. Make me understand.”

“I spent so long bullying you all. I’m not accustomed to this reaction of everyone, literally everyone befriending me. Just yesterday, Spitfire enlisted me to join the soccer team. Some days are better than others, some are just downright awful. Practically every night I wake up screaming and-”

“And what?” Rarity interrupted as I turned red.

“I uhm wet the bed from my nightmares,” I admitted as Rarity turned red herself. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“Trust me darling, I won’t. So you’re afraid is what you are saying.”

I opened my mouth and paused. I hadn’t really thought about it that way but now that I thought about it, she was right. I didn’t really admit when I was afraid. The only time I had been truly afraid was facing down Twilight when she and the others were powered up and now I guess.

“I guess you’re right,” I admitted as Rarity gave a weak smile.

“I know I am darling. Now give me that wrist,” Rarity said and gestured for it as I hesitated before complying. “Good lord darling, some of these are old. Do I need the other one as well?”

“Uhm maybe?” I offered weakly as Rarity sighed and held out her other hand as I gave her my other wrist. “Why?”

“Because I’m obviously going to have to make sure your wounds aren’t infected and properly cared for,” Rarity explained as she opened the first aid kit that she had sat between us when she first started examing my face.

“Don’t tell the others about me cutting please,” I mumbled as Rarity raised an eyebrow slightly. “I want to be the one to tell them. When I’m ready.”

“Alright,” Rarity nodded slowly as she narrowed her eyes again. “But you better tell them.”

“I will. So you’re only doing this because we are friends?”

“Of course not! I would do this for anyone. It’s the right and generous thing to do,” Rarity said as she glowed white, growing pony ears and a long pony tail as I stared in surprise. “What?”

“You should look in the mirror,” I said and pointed to the mirror hanging off my closet door. Rarity did slowly and her eyes widened as the white glow faded. I had never seen any of my friends do that before.

“What? How?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted as Rarity touched one of her ears.

“Fascinating as this is, we must worry about that later and get you fixed up first,” Rarity decided.

I gave a slow nod as Rarity turned back to my injuries.

“Some of these new so the ointment will hurt a lot,” Rarity warned.

“I can take a little pain.”

“Okay.”

Yeah, that was way more than a little pain. I should have gotten drunk first and maybe then I wouldn’t have felt it.

Chapter XVI

“So how are you?” Rainbow asked curiously as we all laid around Pinkies bed. They had invited me to a sleep over which I’ve never been to one before. Like ever. By invited, I mean Pinkie dragged me into her car. Pinkie Pie driving was the most terrifying experience of my life. I thought I was going to die.

“I’m good,” I said as Rarity gave me a disapproving look and I shuddered slightly. “You?”

“Epic as always!” Rainbow grinned as she balanced an Xbox controller on her knee. “Want a go? Applejack is in the bathroom.”

“Maybe later.”

“Look!” Pinkie shouted as she and Fluttershy showed me a cat video on Pinkies lap top.

“Awww!” I gushed as the cat fell off into the tub. “Poor cat!” Fluttershy and Pinkie gave each other slightly surprised looks before sitting on both sides of me and propped the laptop on my legs so we could all three watch. Rarity was doing her nails as Applejack returned.

“Did you wash your hands?” Rarity asked as Rainbow nodded.

“Ya, ah did. Obviously.”

“Good,” Rarity nodded as she once again gave me a disapproving frown.

“Is something going on between you and Sunset?” Applejack asked curiously as she reclaimed her spot next to Rainbow and picked up a controller.

“I think it’s best if Sunset tells you when she’s ready,” Rarity answered as I gulped nervously as they all looked at me.

“What is she talking about?” Fluttershy asked and I looked away. She could be scary intimidating at times, whether she meant to or not.

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Ooooh!” Pinkie grabbed my cheeks and pressed her nose against mine. “You have a secret pet? Or a big secret that you’re afraid will cause us all to make fun of you except Rarity because she already knows?”

“H-how do you know that?” I asked in awe as Rainbow gave a dry snicker.

“It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it, now what’s up?”

I inhaled as Rarity gave me an encouraging nod as Pinkies sister Maud stepped into the room.

“Pizza is here,” Maud said in her normal monotone voice that still surprised me that she was Pinkies sister. All the girls took off except for Rarity as she placed her hands on her hips.

“So how exactly do you plan on sleeping tonight if you don’t tell them?” Rarity asked as Maud walked away.

“I don’t know Rarity. Might sneak out and go to my place and return before you all wake up.”

“That’s out of the question darling. You can’t keep running from this, no matter how hard you try or how much you think you can,” Rarity chided as I sighed. “You’re one of us darling, we won’t kick you out for something so trivial as nightmares.”

“And wetting the bed like a five year old remember?” I grumbled as I glanced at the door.

“You can’t entirely control that. You can leave that part out don’t worry. Fluttershy might be the most respectful about that other than me.”

“Fair. And thanks Rarity.”

“No problem. Now come, let’s join the others before Rainbow starts making dirty jokes at our expense.”

I gave a dry chuckle as I followed Rarity out of the room.

Last night had surprisingly gone well. No nightmares, no waking up screaming or covered in sweat.

“Mornin Sunset,” Applejack said as I stretched out and walked into the kitchen. She was seated at the table with Pinkie and another smaller girl that I partially recognized. “How did ya sleep?”

“Good,” I answered honestly. “You?”

“Ah can’t complain. This is Marble. She ain’t much of a talker.”

I looked at her as Marble stared down.

“She has social anxiety. Ain’t much of a talker.”

I realized I was staring a bit too long and quickly looked away as Marble stood up.

“She’s a nice girl,” Pinkie mused as Marble walked past me. “She’s up there with Fluttershy and Derpy. Imagine if the three of them started a club, weaponized cuteness. They could easily take over the whole world.”

I shuddered slightly as Applejack chuckled. I could quite honestly see that happening. I don’t know if that would be the greatest thing to happen on earth or the worst thing.

“Ah’ll be right back. Gotta get Dash and the others up. Rarity gets enough beauty sleep as is,” Applejack grumbled as she stood up and disappeared through the doorway as Pinkie Pie stared at me.

“What?” I asked hesitantly as Pinkie continued staring at me. Long enough to make me uncomfortable. I don’t like people staring at me for long periods of time.

“It’s not your fault, what you’re doing. It’s just how your mind being a meanie,” Pinkie said as she continued watching me like a hawk.

“Uhm what?”

“I’m a lot of things. An airhead, often considered to be borderline stalker with how I know everything about everyone. Everyone puts everything about them on the internet. But I’m not an idiot, contrary to what people may think. I pay attention way more than what you may think. Pinkie sense tells me that whatever you’re gonna do soon is just not your fault.”

“Pinkie sense?” I echoed and raised an eyebrow in confusion. I always knew Pinkie was a bit strange but never an idiot or a stalker. Airhead, yes at one point but not now.

“Mhm! I can tell whenever something crazy or unexpected is going to happen and right now, my Pinkie Sense is going crazy! And it involves something unexpected with you. I’ll be watching you closely. Very closely.”

“Thanks I think?” I commented as Pinkie threw a donut at me and I barely caught it in time. “A warning next time would have been greatly appreciated, Pinkie.”

“You’re welcome. Now eat your donut! We have a lot planned today with Lyra, Mystery Mint, Bon Bon and a few other people.”

“Wait what?” I asked after biting into the donut. “What does that mean?”

“Oh you’ll see,” Pinkie said casually and shot me a mischievous grin.

Pretty much nothing good could ever come from a smile like that. May God have mercy on my soul.

Chapter XVII

I stared at a large abandoned amusement park as Rainbow nudged me with a grin.

“What is this place?” I finally asked as I accepted the flashlight Rainbow handed me.

“The Canterlot amusement park. Was shut down in the nineties after some disappearances of some kids,” Rainbow explained as a door slammed shut neat us. “Allegedly haunted.”

I looked over to the nearby car that had arrived as Mystery Mint, Micro Chips, Bright Idea and Scribble Dee stepped out.

“Hey,” Mystery Mint waved as she approached us. “What’s up Dash?”

“Hey Minty,” Rainbow fist bumped as Rarity gave the place a distasteful look. Fluttershy had decided not to come so it was just everyone minus her. Bon Bon, Lyra and Octavia stood nearby talking quietly. “You all ready?”

“Ready as Ah will ever be,” Applejack grumbled as we all approached the gates. “Are we even allowed here Dash?”

“Yeah,” Scribble Dee answered. “While it isn’t a working amusement park anymore, they do tours in the morning here and let people stay over night. We have permission to be here.”

Rainbow unlocked the gate and pushed it open, making a awful squeaking sound as we all cringed.

“Oops,” Rainbow shrugged as we stepped inside and she shut the gate behind us. “Have to shut it. So no one gets in and tries to mess with us.”

“Sounds good,” Rarity nodded as Pinkie shoved the flashlight in her hair as I raised an eyebrow.

“Why don’t we split up?” Bright Idea suggested as we all looked at him. “Rainbow Dash, Lyra, Bon Bon, Pinkie and Mystery go with Sunset. Scribble Dee, myself, Rarity, Applejack, Octavia and Micro make the other group?”

“For someone named Bright Idea, that was the stupidest thing I have ever heard,” Micro Chips snarked as he pushed his glasses up.

“I support it!” Rainbow cheered as she pushed us together into out groups. “Let’s go!”

I gave a sigh as we walked in opposite directions.

“Have you never seen a horror movie?” Bon Bon demanded as we approached a dark tunnel with the roof half caved in and flickering lights. “Never separate!”

“We aren’t alone,” Rainbow shot back as she shined her light down the tunnel. “We are all together. Just not all together if you get me.”

“That makes zero sense,” I muttered. “The Rainbow Factory Of Love? That is such a stupid name and so cheesy.”

“Apparently some kids went missing inside,” Lyra said as she kicked a rock into the water. “Before it was an amusement park, this area was a mental hospital. Most of the buildings were just reused for offices here for the staff.”

A loud tapping sound made us all tense up as Rainbow grinned from the controls, pulling a lever and all the lights came on.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Mystery Mint grumbled as she flipped Dash off. “You believe in ghosts Sunset?” Rainbow laughed as she shut the lights off and stepped out of the booth, closing the door with a thud behind her.

“No. They’re fake and made up to scare people. Even back home I’ve never believed in them.”

“I believe in them,” Pinkie said as Rainbow stood in front of the ride.

“Wanna know why this ride is considered the scariest?” Rainbow asked with a grin as she walked up slowly. “Because everyone who goes in never comes out!”

Red eyes appeared behind Rainbow and Pinkie gave a terrified scream.

“Rainbow Dash!” We all shouted and pointed behind her as she spun around.

“Gah!” Rainbow screamed as the red eyes got closer and Rainbow burst out laughing as she high fived Vinyl. “I can’t believe you all fell for that. Nice job Vinyl.”

“Not funny,” I grumbled and folded my arms across my chest.

“For real Dash,” Mystery scoffed as she nudged me. “Sunset and I looked like we were about to beat some ghost up for you.”

“I didn’t believe it was a ghost,” I interjected as Vinyl finished laughing. “I thought it was a giant animal or an alligator.”

“With red eyes?” Lyra pointed out with a grin.

“Shush,” I said as the machine turned on and I jumped. “Really Dash?”

“That wasn’t me,” Dash said slowly as I looked at her standing next to me before I looked back at the empty booth as a lever was pulled. “What on earth?” All the lights came on as we all raised an eyebrow.

“What the hay?” I muttered and ignored the fact I slipped back into Equestrian curse words to the confusion of the others.

“How is that happening?” Bon Bon asked hesitantly as she and Lyra hugged each other nervously.

I stepped forward and placed a hand slowly on the door handle.

“Sunset I wouldn’t-” Mystery Mint began and reached out to grab my shoulder.

I opened the booth door and stepped inside as I examined the controls. I stepped back nervously once I realized there was no way for the controls to move on their own. Hesitantly, I reached out a hand as I felt cold and shuddered, shutting the ride off as the lights shut off.

A cold breeze blew past me and I spun around as the door slammed open and shut as the others all gave me terrified looks.

“Behind you!” Pinkie screamed and pointed as I continued yanking on the door to open to no avail. I let go and spun around and my jaw dropped as I stared at the floating white specter behind me.

“Run!” Mystery Mint shouted as she ran up and started yanking on the door from the outside with Rainbow.

I inhaled and let out a scream as the door opened as the two girls yanked me out and we all three stumbled back onto the ground.

“Oh my god!” Bon Bon shouted as she, Lyra and Pinkie pulled us to our feet. For probably the first time in my life, I think I felt true fear. And based on her expression, so did Pinkie. Her face had gone white as we all stepped back.

“We should probably run now,” Lyra noted as I nodded weakly.

We all spun around and ran as I dragged Bon Bon behind me.

Chapter XVIII (Pinkie)

I ran behind the others with Sunset dragging a horrified Bon Bon behind her.

“Isn’t this awesome!?” I screamed and gave a giggle.

“No!” Sunset and Mystery Mint screamed back. In all honesty, I was terrified as heck but push the fear down and laugh will make things not seem so scary. Especially with Dashie and my other friends here made things not seem so scary.

“I think we can stop running now,” Lyra panted out as she bent over with her hands on her knees and caught her breath. “Whatever that was isn’t behind us anymore.”

“What the fuck was that?” Rainbow snapped.

“Clearly a fucking ghost!” I shot back as they all gave me stunned looks.

“Pinkie?”

“Yeah Mystery?”

“D-did you just swear?”

“Yeah! I’m shutting off my mouth filter tonight,” I answered casually.

“You have one of those?” Rainbow asked incredulously.

“Duh Dashie! Everypony has one!”

“Everypony?” Sunset asked in confusion. “How did you-”

“You accidentally said everypony once so I borrowed it!” I explained as Sunset shot a nervous glance at Lyra. The mint girl looked embarrassed as she blushed and looked away.

“Can I uh have my hand back please?” Bon Bon asked sheepishly as we all noticed her and Sunset holding hands. I shot Dashie a smirk that no body else noticed except us to as Dash returned it.

“Y-yeah sorry,” Sunset said with a red face and let go.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. How much longer do we have of this death trap?” Sunset asked as she looked around cautiously.

“It’s only about twelve am so a good few hours. We should find the others,” Rainbow said as she looked at her phone. “Ah shit, my phone died.”

“Same here,” Lyra frowned down at it.

“Samesie!” I groaned and smacked my phone against my head. “I just charged you before we left!”

“Yeah I’m dead too,” Sunset said as she tossed her phone into her backpack with a sigh.

“How are all of our phones dead at the same time?” Bon Bon demanded as she looked at us all.

“Ghosts can use phone batteries to charge themselves in a way,” I rubbed my chin and frowned slightly. “Probably when that ghost trapped Sunset in the the control room, he drained all our batteries in order to appear to us.”

“That makes me feel the opposite of reassured,” Mystery grumbled as she fumbled around her back pack and procured flashlights. “I packed some flashlights in case. Though if Pinkie is right, the batteries won’t last long.”

“Now come on, let’s find the others. We have gotta tell them what we saw,” Rainbow said as she took a flashlight and flicked it on.

Lyra screamed as the area was cast in light and inched closer to me as we all inhaled.

“Oh it’s just a cardboard cut out of a person,” Lyra said sheepishly. “Sorry, it scared me.”

“Don’t fucking do that,” Sunset grumbled and held a hand to her chest. “You honestly just took off ten years of my life.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s been at least an hour and I don’t see anyone,” Rainbow groaned as her flashlight cut through the darkness. “At least we don’t have to worry about dogs or anything like that.”

“Thank the lord,” Bon Bon muttered as a piece of metal fell over and we all froze, nervously pointing our flashlights over at it.

“Hey guys,” Bright Idea said casually as he and Scribble Dee stepped over the metal they had accidentally kicked with Applejack and the others behind them. “We heard screaming, you all okay?”

“You won’t believe what we saw!” I giggled as they all gave me confused looks.

“It was like a kid,” Mystery shuddered slightly. “Brown hair, blue eyes. Looked like he was twelve. Trapped Sunset in the control room of the Rainbow Factory ride. Kid just disappeared into thin air after we ran. Don’t know if he followed us or not.”

“Not surprising,” Scribble Dee pushed her glasses up. “This place is surrounded by ghosts. We found the old mental hospital grounds.”

“This place is terrifying,” Octavia muttered as she looked around. “I hate it here.”

“Scribble is a medium so any ghosts she can at least hear,” Bright Idea commented as Scribble nodded.

“So she’s really short then?” I asked curiously and stood next to her. She was about as tall as me. “I think you’re pretty short, not a medium.”

“No Pinkie darling. It means she can communicate with the ghosts allegedly,” Rarity answered as my eyes went wide and I nodded rapidly. Making people laugh is my thing and my goal is to make Sunset laugh tonight. I inhaled and opened my mouth.

“I speak for the ghosts and the ghosts say to shut the fuck up!” I shouted as Rarity, Scribble and Micro gave me stunned looks. Octavia gasped and made a choking sound as she glared at me.

I looked around and counted down from five as everyone else burst out laughing.

“That was the funniest thing you’ve said tonight,” Rainbow snickered as she and Lyra high fived me. Vinyl grinned and shook her head as Applejack, Sunset and Bon Bon leaned against each other as they laughed.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Sunset laugh before but I can confirm it was probably the greatest sound I’ve ever heard in my short seventeen and a half years. Great enough where I wanted to hear it more.

“Anyone want an apple?” Applejack asked suddenly as Rainbow and Sunset’s hands shot up. Applejack tossed the pair some apples and Rainbow examined hers with a mischievous grin.

“This apple is more bruised than Rihanna was after Chris Brown got done beating her.”

A new round of laughter went through the group as Octavia and Rarity gasped, glaring at Rainbow.

“Rainbow Dash! That is not okay at all!”

“Honestly,” Octavia scoffed as Bon Bon turned red.

“They thought it was funny,” Rainbow said smugly and pointed to a laughing Applejack and Sunset.

I grabbed Bon Bon and dragged her away a few feet as she gave a shocked gasp.

“What was that for?” Bon Bon demanded as I grinned.

“Sunset. Go for her,” I answered as she blushed.

“You know?” Bon Bon asked nervously as she looked around to make sure we were alone. “How?”

“Pinkie sense.”

“I-what?”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. Now was not the time for discussing my Pinkie sense.

“Takes too long to explain. You should defo go alone with her,” I said and wiggled my eye brows. “Maybe even get below her belt if you get my drift.”

Bon Bon turned bright red as she shrugged.

“Fine. No body else knows right?”

“Right! I’m not spreading that around. That’s Raritys thing.”

“I can’t tell if you mean gossip or her self.”

I burst out laughing as Bon Bon gave a faint smile. She walked back to Lyra as I watched Sunset still laughing with Applejack about the Rihanna joke and I grinned to myself.

“Pinkie Pie, you’re amazing,” I whispered to myself and pumped a fist.

My work here is done.

Chapter XIX

My eyes flicked around nervously as we all stood in an office building as Bon Bon looked around warily.

“So what exactly did this building do?” Lyra asked as her flashlight reflected off some doors.

“It was like a fucking nurses station in the asylum days but was turned into an office for the amusement park for the employees. Other than that, no clue,” Rainbow shrugged as she approached the doors. “Who wants to go first?”

“Whaddya mean?” Pinkie asked cautiously as we all eyed the door.

“Go up those stairs alone, come back down the stairs behind us and the next person goes,” Rainbow said with a grin as I frowned. “We record it on our phone too.”

“Then why don’t you go first then Dash?” Applejack challenged with a smug grin. “And our phones all dead. We can’t record it.”

“No.”

“Sounds like ya are scared,” Applejacks smug grin grew as Bright Idea let out a chuckle as we all watched. Octavia gave a faint smile as Rainbow turned angry red.

“I’m not scared!” Rainbow shot back.

“Then you go first,” Rarity chimed in with a smirk.

“Fine. I’ll go and prove to everyone in this fucking room I’m no pussy!” Rainbow shouted as she pushed the doors open and strode into the room confidently as they slammed shut behind her.

We all looked up at the ceiling at the sound of Rainbows feet echoed through the ceiling.

“Could you two quit making out and save that for your bedroom?” Lyra scoffed as Scribble Dee and Bright Idea stepped away from each other with bright red faces as we all laughed.

“S-sorry,” Scribble Dee muttered as she rubbed the back of her head. “We can go go my house after this and go sleep.”

I snickered and rolled my eyes. I hadn’t really known those two were dating until tonight. The doors behind us opened and Dash walked down the doors. A bunch of rooms lined the hall and Dash jumped as she walked past one.

“That woman surprised me!” Rainbow laughed as she approached us. “I’m not pussy!”

“Uh what woman?” Octavia asked in confusion as Vinyl gave a confused look.

“The woman in that room to my left,” Rainbow said slowly as she looked back.

“There’s no other people in this park except us,” Micro pointed out and shook his head. Applejack inhaled as she and Rainbow walked back into the room and came back out after thirty seconds.

“There’s nothing in there,” Applejack said hesitantly and for a brief second, I thought I saw a look of fear cross Dashs face but it was gone in a heartbeat.

“Who’s next?” Dash asked as I shrugged.

“I’ll go,” I volunteered as Rainbow and Lyra cheered.

“Bad ass bitch Sunset here,” Rainbow gave a cocky grin as Octavia and Rarity both shivered from the language.

“Damn right,” Lyra added in as I opened the doors and inhaled.

“I’ll come too!” Bon Bon said hastily as she stood next to me. I gave a nod as we started walking up the stairs as the doors shut with an echoing clang.

“That startled me,” I muttered as Bon Bon chuckled.

We both froze in the hallway and I looked to where I presumed her eyes were. A tapping sound echoed from my left as her blue eyes widened.

“Do you hear that?” Bon Bon asked softly and I slowly nodded. “I can’t see you well, was that a nod?”

“Yeah it was.”

We both inhaled and continued walking down the hall. I slammed against the wall and gave a strangled sound as I looked in fear.

“Uh what are you- mpfh!” I mumbled as Bon Bon pressed her lips to mine and I felt her tongue enter my mouth. Bon Bons weight pulled back and I panted as she blushed.

“Sorry about that. I uh forgot you don’t like me back. Let’s just uh keep moving,” Bon Bon mumbled with a blush as I tried and failed to get the taste of skittles out of my mouth.

“I never said that but okay. Let’s get the hell out of this God forsaken hallway,” I muttered and followed her.

We came down the stairs behind the group as they all watched expectantly. I forced myself to keep my eyes straight as I felt like I was being watched. I didn’t know why, but it was hard keeping my eyes above Bon Bons waist as her dress moved back and forth as we stopped next to the others.

“We heard you two asking about hearing something. Did anything happen?” Pinkie asked curiously as she grabbed my face.

“We heard a tapping sound,” I answered and opted to leave the time when she kissed me a secret for now. “And when I was walking to you girls and guys, we felt like we were being watched.”

“I felt that too,” Rainbow admitted. “And I heard footsteps behind me.” Rarity tapped my shoulder and pointed to my mouth and then Bon Bons.

I looked at Bon Bon nervously as I wiped some off her lip stick off my lips with a blush as Rarity gave me a large grin and winked.

“I see you two got up to some extra curricular activities up there,” Rarity purred quietly as I rolled my eyes. “Was it fun?”

“I-I don’t know. I didn’t kiss her back. She stopped within like ten seconds. I can confirm she tasted like Skittles,” I admitted quietly as the others ignored us and kept talking. Presumably about who’s next and Bon Bon kept giving me nervous looks.

“Well, go talk to her darling. She obviously went with you to tease you. Play along,” Rarity suggested as Rainbow coughed.

“Let’s all go as a group. Now quit talking and let’s move out!” Rainbow urged as I rolled my eyes and we all opened the doors. “Stay quiet so we can hear anything.”

“Funny she says that yet she was the loudest,” Octavia whispered as I gave a faint laugh.

I grabbed Bon Bons shoulder as she jumped and gave me a scared frown.

“Don’t scare me like that. Thought a ghost grabbed me,” Bon Bon huffed. “Look, I’m uh sorry about kissing you. Just don’t tell anyone.”

“I’m right here,” Octavia reminded us as she gave a mischievous smirk. “But don’t worry loves, your secret stays safe with me.”

“It’s fine. Really Bon Bon. Don’t worry about it,” I said as she gave a relieved sigh. “Just uh warn me next time. Thought a ghost was attacking me.”

“You got it Sunset. Wait, next time?” Bon Bon asked hopefully as Octavia watched out of the corner of her eyes.

“I don’t know. We will see,” I admitted as she nodded slowly.

I inhaled and walked ahead of the two girls as Mystery Mint and Rarity followed behind them.

I hated ghosts now, I just wanted to survive tonight.

Chapter XX

I stepped in the darkness, stepping over a rag and pieces of the ceiling nervously as we looked around.

I personally started to get a bad feeling about this. And I didn’t really feel like the others should follow me around like I was the leader of this group, I don’t deserve something like that.

“I don’t like this,” Derpy muttered as i faintly made out her and lyra holding hands. “Feels weird. Smells gross in here too, like rotting wood and rusty metal.”

“It does,” Rainbow agreed as we took another step and we screamed as the floor collapsed under us. “Sunset!”

Lyra slammed into me and I gave a pained groan and rolled over.

“You guys good down there?” Applejack and Bright Ideas peered over the edge down at us as I coughed.

“We’re goodish down here,” I called out with a pained gasp. “We’re in the basement. Are you guys okay?”

“Yeah!” Applejack called back after a moment. “Can you see an exit?”

“Yeah,” Lyra grunted and she sat. “Derpy? You good?”

“I’m fine,” Derpy dusted off her dress. “Just some scrapes, nothing too major. This comes out at the water side. We will meet you guys there.”

“Our flashlight is broken though. Got a spare?” Lyra said and Scribble Dee peered down with Bon Bon and the others.

“Yeah, we’re sending one down,” Bright Ideas said. “Catch.”

I listened to what sounded like Rainbow and Applejack arguing about something with Bright and Bon Bon occasionally interjecting as the three of us looked at each other. I extended a hand and caught it along, raising an eyebrow as Rainbow and Bon Bon giving each other looks before they slid down into the hole.

“We’re gonna go with them,” Rainbow called out and stood up as she dusted her hands off. “Element and loyalty and all. Let’s go. Lead the way, Sunset.”

I gave a frustrated sigh and nodded.

“You two are insane you know that?” I said finally as we continued down the hall. “You two could have literally been up there with the others safely but you’re down here with us and me. You guys are crazy.”

“If it wasn’t us, it would have been Applejack and Bright,” Bon Bon commented with a shrug. “And besides, Lyra and Derpy are my friends too. How’s the leg?”

“It’s fine,” I insisted and continued limping next to Lyra.

“It’s not fine,” Rainbow shot back and she caught my wrist and I winced. “I know I’m stubborn and all, but even I know when to call it quits. Nows that time.”

“You don’t know me,” I grumbled and yelped as she tightened her grip. “Ow!”

“Leg first,” Derpy pointed at me. “She probably hurt her wrist in the fall. She cushioned me and Lyra’s accidentally.”

“I’m fine,” I snapped and Derpy flinched. “Sorry, old me. But I’m fine, really. Thanks for worrying but I’m good.”

“Fine,” Rainbow sighed and flung my arm around her neck. “Someone get the other side. Stubborn fucking girl. You may be my friend which means I get to call you out on stupid shit. Believe me, AJ and Fluttershy do all the time.”

I could oddly believe that. I hated getting help, I liked being independent and I hung my head in shame as Lyra grunted under my arms weight.

“You’re surprisingly heavy for a thin looking girl,” Lyra grumbled as Bon Bon started leading us to another door. “Hey. Where’s Derpy?”

“She was right behind us,” I said and tried to turn look before pointing at the shadow sitting against the wall. “You guys deal with her. I’ll be fine.”

Rainbow eyed me warily before she and Lyra nodded. I leaned against the wall as the two approached Derpy and I faintly heard muffled talking.

“Are you okay?” Bon Bon asked as she stood in front of me and I inhaled.

“Yeah I’m fine,” I lied. Stupid legs calling me out. I slipped forward and faceplanted.

“Sunset!” I faintly heard Bon Bon calling out my name and presumably her hands rolling me over.

And everything went dark after.

I opened my eyes and stared in confusion at my hooves. Last time I checked, I had hands not hooves.

“What in Equestria?” I muttered before looking around, my eyes falling on a mirror and my eyes widened at the cutie markless filly staring back at me. “What. The. Fuck?”

“Oh you’re awake,” I flinched and jerked to the door, staring up at the large white pony. “Come along my Sun. We’re going to the playground in about an hour.”

“Princess Celestia?” I stared in stunned silence before looking back down at my hooves. “Er mom? What in God’s name happened to me?”

“What do you mean? You’ve been like that since the day you were born,” Celestia pointed out before resting a hoof against my head. “You don’t feel sick.”

“I don’t understand,” I stared at my reflection. It had been way too long since I saw what I looked like as a filly. I should really dig that picture I had brought with me out of the closet one day.

“Understand what?” Celestia asked and wrapped a wing around me as I leaned into the hug instinctively.

“Why I’m a pony,” I answered with a blush as she smirked and opened her mouth.

“Wake up Sunset,” Bon Bons voice came from her mouth and I jumped slightly, looking around before staring down at my hands. “Good morning.”

I rolled over in a bed, staring at Bon Bon before I inhaled and screamed.

“What the hell?” Bon Bon snapped and covered my mouth. “My parents and sister are asleep. Don’t scream at eight am.”

“Why am I in your bed?” I asked quieter once she removed her hand. “We didn’t uh you know? How the hell did I even get here?”

Bon Bon turned bright red and shook her head.

“No we uh didn’t. After you passed out in the tunnel, we all decided you and Derpy were both hurt too bad to keep going so we left early. My house was closer than yours and I figured taking you to a hospital would be a bad idea. The bed is better than a couch so....”

“Oh.”

“Do you seriously think I’m the type of person to sleep with someone while they’re asleep?” Bon Bon shot me a hurt look as I looked away.

Oh.

“No,” I answered finally and glanced back to Bon Bon. “You don’t. How bad is Derpy hurt?”

“Broken wrist but fine. She was more concerned about you. Fluttershy came and did some basic first aid on you when we got here.”

“You were talking in your sleep. Who the heck is Princess?” Bon Bon asked and stretched out under her blue and pink blanket. “You were also crying. A lot. Normally I sleep in till one on Saturdays but you accidentally woke me up.”

“It’s complicated. Sorry for waking you,” I muttered and Bon Bon squeezed my hand under the blanket. “You’re warm.”

“Yeah well I’m under a heavy blanket.”

“So how exactly did you end up here with me?” I raised an eyebrow and Bon Bon shrugged.

“This is the only spare bed. I was going to not touch you in general but you used me as a bear at one point. I had to get up to pee and it was a bit difficult to get untangled,” Bon Bon blushed again. “Do you want coffee? Also, Rarity will most definitely be asking for details.”

I had a sinking feeling she was right about that.

A part of me knows I don’t deserve a girlfriend or boyfriend or being happy but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a bit nice.

Chapter XXII (Rainbow)

"You did what?"

I winced slightly at Rarity shouting at me through the phone and I faintly made out her pacing.

"I had her and Spitfire talk, so what?" I asked dismissively and flopped back on my bed, listening to it squeak under me. "Spitfire is good at being encouraging and Sunset certainly needs some."

"And having Spitfire insult her is encouraging how?" Applejack asked and I rolled my eyes, forgetting everyone in the group call couldn't see it. "Ain't that just pouring salt on the wound?"

"Why would you ever want to do that?" Pinkie chimed in and I stifled a groan. "That sounds painful. I prefer to just put bandaids on my wounds."

"It's a phrase, Pinkie," I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Anyway, it went well. Sunset was in a way perkier mood than when we first came in."

"Well, that's good at least," Applejack commented and I listened to the sound of her opening her fridge and the sound of glass. "That girl is going through it."

Talk about an understatement of the century. Trying to get Sunset to open up was the most impossible thing I've ever imagined. And I had thought getting Applejack to talk about her feelings about well, anything was hard. Sunset and Applejack are pretty similar. The two keep everything close to their chest.

"She will be fine. She is currently going to work apparently. Did you guys know she works at a mechanic shop?" I asked curiously and I listened to the silence. "Yeah, me neither."

"That's surprising," Fluttershy commented. "I never thought about how she made money. I always thought that's why she was shaking down Micro Chips for his lunch money."

"Probably one of the reasons. She didn't outright say it, but she did hint that she has money issues," I answered and laid down in bed, crossing my legs as I kicked my boots off. "Or I could be misreading it. Not sure."

"Hard ta say. She ain't fond of talking much. From what ah've heard, girl goes go school, work and home. Ah'll talk to her, see what she says," Applejack tapped her hand against something.

"What the hell is that tapping sound?"

"Oh sorry. Ah do that when ah'm thinking. And it was me tapping the end table. Ah gotta hit the hay, ah'll see yall tomorrow."

We all each quickly exchanged goodbyes before I hung up, stretching out on my bed before tossing my shirt aside. Personally, if any of us was going to talk to Sunset, it was probably Applejack or Fluttershy. Pinkie was a bit too chaotic and Rarity might just annoy Sunset. I love that girl to death, she's my friend after all, but I'd be lying if I said Rarity didn't frustrate me some days.

I rested my head on my hands desk, idly watching the clock hands keep moving. First hour was always the worst. It took forever to start.

"Rainbow Dash?" Miss Cheerilee called out as she glanced at her computer.

"Here," I waved a hand lazily in the air and I watched her nod out of the corner of my eye.

"Sunset Shimmer?" Miss Cheerilee called out and there was no answer as we all looked around. "Sunset? Anyone see Sunset at all today?"

"Nah," Tennis Match called out as I looked at Sunset's empty seat a few rows behind me and to the left. "I didn't see her at breakfast either. Don't know where she is."

"She wasn't in the library either," Soarin added and I frowned slightly. Sunset was always either in the library or in the lunch room getting breakfast.

"I'll text her and see what's up," I offered and Cheerilee nodded.

"Please do. Sunset is never absent, so this is concerning," Cheerilee muttered and I had a feeling we weren't supposed to hear that last part as she picked up her phone.

I pulled out my phone as I do everything else: fast and started typing quickly before hitting send.

"Alright, I'll let you know if she responds," I told Miss Cheerilee and she gave a grateful nod as she continued her conversation on the phone, presumably with either Miss Inkwell, Principal Celestia or worse, Vice Principal Luna.

VP Luna was scary. But I'd never say that out loud to anyone, ever. I do have a reputation around here, after all.

"What do you think she's up to?" Flash asked and I shrugged.

"Sunset is a hard girl to read. She'd be great at poker. I can never tell with her, when she's being honest or when she's hiding how she really feels. We all saw what happened at the Fall Formal and what she became. According to the Princess, she claimed it probably hurt her more than just physically. I'm a soccer player, I know how fragile the human brain is. Enough concussions and you can die. She obviously doesn't have one, but being depressed can fuck with your mind just as bad, if not worse," I sighed and spun my pen around on my desk. "Wish I knew where the girl lived. You dated her, what's her address?"

"Don't know," Flash confessed and I shot him an confused look. "Don't look at me like that, Dash. I never went to her place. She was always at mine or we were at the mall. I guess now it makes sense why she was always so blown away by it. I never understood why she got so excited about a simple pretzel stand."

Who in the right mind gets excited about a mall? Only Rarity, the fashion weirdos and Sweetie Belle did. The only thing I liked in the mall was the sport shops, the theater and that laser tag place I went with Scootaloo once.

I frowned slightly at my phone, idly reading my past messages with Sunset. Or well, the very few I had with her. She only talked when spoken to in the group chat, preferring to watch instead of talk.

I gave a tired sigh as Cheerilee started class.

Damn this girl being so confusing.

Chapter XXIII

I laid in bed, staring sullenly at my ceiling. My clock read eight thirty nine. I was missing school, I knew but I just don’t have the energy to get up. Or do anything.

I had a few missed calls and texts from Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity and a few others but I ignored them, opting to shut my notifications off, listening to the oddly fitting rain pounding against my windows.

I glanced at my ringing phone and inhaled at the name Lightning Dust on the screen before answering with a tired noise.

“Hey girl. Whatcha up to, Sunshine?” Lightning asked as I pressed speaker and set it back down.

“Laying in bed, listening to rain and staring at my ceiling miserably. You?”

“Playing a video game. You uh, you okay?” Lightning asked and I easily picked up on her concerned tone. “You sound like shit.”

Tactful as always.

“No, I’m not okay.” Even Applejack would have been surprised by my honesty. Hell, I was. I never would have admitted that before to anyone except maybe Lightning.

“Wanna talk about it?” Lightning offered and I faintly made out some fighting sound from her game.

“Honestly, no. I don’t even know where to start.”

“The beginning is normally a pretty good place to start, you know,” Lightning commented casually and I rolled my eyes slowly. “But seriously, what’s up Sunset?”

I hesitated slightly. She only really called me by my proper name when she was being serious. Most of the time she called me Sun or Sunny or teasingly Sunshine.

“A lot,” I decided on and I heard her frustrated sigh.

“Alright, I’m on my way to come grab you and then we gonna head on out to Spring Rivers to get my daughter. Be dressed and ready to go. We can talk while I drive,” Lightning said and I listened to her Xbox shut off. “Don’t even try to argue. It’s my week to have her and you both should have some time off to relax.”

“You don’t know where I live though,” I pointed out.

“Yes I do, I helped you move in when you got on your feet to move out of my house. Indy helped too.”

Fuck. Looks like I can’t sulk alone miserably and hate my life today like I had planned.

Time for a forced road trip it looks like. When Lightning sets her mind on something, she doesn’t ever change it or anything. It’s one of the things I greatly admire about her.

I sat in a dark blue Charger, staring out the window as the trees rushed past while I listened to Lightning talking.

“Freaking hate this arrangement,” Lightning grumbled as she turned her left turn signal on to exit the highway we’ve been on for the past hour and a half. “Hate her fucking father. Love the kid though.”

I hummed in acknowledgement and pressed my face against the glass as she slowed to a stop at a red light. I always loved the engine sound her Charger made, the idle sound was so aggressive sounding I love it.

I glanced in the mirror at the white Crown Vic police car that had been behind us the entire time, the driver looking bored as all hell. I gazed at the grill where the Ford logo should be and it was weirdly absent, replaced by some a small silver logo instead.

“So how’s school been?” Lightning broke my attention away from the cop car. “I’m your friend, you can trust me with anything.”

“Believe me, there’s no way you will believe what I tell you. But one day, I hope I can tell you,” I returned to reading signs out the window. “My life is crazy, depressing and full of chaos. Things you won’t fully understand, if at all.”

“My life was too at your age,” Lightning commented as she spun the wheel to turn once the light turned green. “I went to Crystal Prep as a kid. It’s awful there. CHS and CPA are huge rivals. I personally never cared for the rivalry. I wanted to go to CHS, people seemed happier there. A lot kinder than CPA, that’s for damn sure. Kids at CPA are aggressive in getting what they want. They don’t care for anyone but themselves or how they get to the top of the chain or who’s throat they have to step on to get it. For a sixteen year old new freshman, that was a very confusing and difficult time.”

They sounded just like me. But I still think I was worse. Or at most, just like them. I once heard a classmate refer to me as a shark swimming with fish. At one point, I considered that a compliment and was proud of it. Now it’s just a depressing reminder.

“Doesn’t your daughter go to CPA?” I pointed out and Lightning inhaled before nodding. “If you hated it so much, why let her go there?”

“I gave her a choice. Canterlot High or Crystal Prep. I explained all the pros and cons of each schools. But of course, her father convinced her Canterlot was where the poor students who were trash went and CPA was not. I respect her choice to go to CPA. She will find she hates it, but that’s her consequence for her choice. Tough love.”

That reminded me of Celestia. The one back home, I mean. She was all about tough love and being super distant. Now that I think about it, she wasn’t that good of a princess or a mom really. I wonder what my life would be like if somepony else had had me instead of her.

“After this, we can hit up a hockey game. The Red Wings are playing and don’t start arguing, I already bought the three of us tickets weeks in advance,” Lightning eyed me and I nodded. “Good. Though you should grab a jacket from the trunk. It’s gonna be cold.”

“I’ll be fine,” I answered and she gave a dry laugh.

“We will see,” Lightning smirked as she put her car in park outside a large house with a white fence going around. Rich bastards are the worst. Must be nice. If there’s one thing I miss giving up to come here, that’s the seemingly endless supply of bits I had access to. “Ugh and there’s Wind Rider.”

I will admit, I’ve never meet her former husband or one stand or boyfriend or whatever the hell Wind Rider was to Lightning, but I can confirm he looks like a smug cunt just by how he was sitting on the porch and looking at us.

Lightning gave a tired sigh and opened the door, stepping out onto the sidewalk as I mimicked her actions, shutting the door softly behind me.

“Hey kid!” Lightning called out and waved at Indigo Zap leaning against the door frame of the front door. I had met her a few times and she wasn’t bad. Fairly competitive like Rainbow Dash, equally egotistical if not more so, shockingly. The two would probably be friends, in all honesty. But Indigo was always fairly nice to me. She had been surprisingly okay with me living with them for a while.

“Hey mom. Hey Sunset,” Indigo nodded at me as Lightning hugged her with one arm and rubbed her head with her other hand. “How ya two been?”

I made a hand gesture indicating so-so.

“Decent. Sunset, why don’t you help Indy here get her suitcases in her car while me and him share some words?”

I really didn’t want to be here for him to be on receiving end of an angry Lightning Dust. I’ve seen her angry at co workers and even me once or twice. It’s not a pretty sight. She can be nice and reliable, but when she gets angry she let’s everyone know.

Indigo gestured to the door and I followed her. Talk about an nice place, sheesh. Wish my apartment was half as nice as this place.

Indigo’s room was naturally just as nice as the rest of the house. Mostly just sport stuff everywhere as I picked up a suitcase.

“I’m so glad to get back to Canterlot. Freaking hate this place,” Indigo sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “It ain’t home, ya get me?”

“More than you will ever know, Indigo,” I gave a sigh and the two of us faintly made out shouting downstairs and I winced. At first, I was kinda jealous when Lightning and Indigo hugged. Now, not so much.

“We should probably hurry up. Mom gets frustrated when she’s here. She hates this town,” Indigo toyed with one of her lightning bolt ear rings. “For a Canterlot student, you’re not that bad fam. You game to hang out later when we get back to Canterlot?”

“Yeah might as well. Got nothing better to so,” I sighed as we both started dragging her luggage out, barely avoiding her father walking into another room. Such a dick.

“Car,” Lightning grumbled and pointed as the trunk popped open. She looked even angrier than before, if that was possible. I’d probably heard about it later. Or well, I most definitely would. Indigo and I both chose to ignore her wiping her eyes with her sleeves as we walked to her car. It was pretty rare to see Lightning cry.

I’ll talk to her about it when we aren’t here, of course. I’m not mean, after all.

Author's Note

I'll see if anyone can figure out anything about the cop car that followed them.

Chapter XXIV

I stretched out on Lightnings couch as I faintly listened to her talking to the pizza delivery boy. Indigo sat to my left, watching some random YouTube video on her phone with her legs crossed.

“Hawaiian pizza with sausage for Indy, Italian and black olives for Sunset, pepperoni and sausage for me,”Lightning announced as she kicked the door shut with her boots. “Got some pops too.”

“Bet,” Indigo tossed her phone onto the other couch. “Thanks. Thank the pizza gods for Domino’s.”

I agreed with that as I accepted my own box and Lightning sat between us.

“So them Red Wings,” Lightning smirked at the two of us as our eyes lit up. I’ve never seen anything like hockey till I came here. It’s easily the best sport humans have ever made. “Pretty damn good game.”

“Absolutely. The Bruins didn’t stand a chance,” Indigo grinned and I nodded along. “I wouldn’t mind being a professional player one day. That’d be cool.”

“I was the exact same,” Lightning chuckled and she glanced at me. “Do you know a Sandalwood at all, Sunny?”

I set back down my pizza slice and hummed to myself. The name did sound familiar. Probably someone from school, in all honesty.

“I think so. Did he have green hair?” I inquired and she nodded as I chewed on my lip anxiously. “Yeah, I know him. He’s an eco kid at CHS. Nice guy. Very outspoken about keeping the planet green I think is how he puts it?”

“We got a few like that at CPA,” Indigo snorted with a shrug. “Garden Grove and Ginger Owlseye. They’re weird. And then there’s Twilight Sparkle.”

I choked on my pizza and my eyes widened as Indigo slammed her fist onto my back.

“I’m sorry, who?” I coughed into my elbow. “Twilight Sparkle?”

“She’s this really shy girl who never leaves her little lab in school. She’s Cinch’s golden girl for the school and is apparently related to Dean Cadence? Heard the wedding was wild. Apparently some girl from Cadence’s middle school was always jealous of her and tried to dress up as her, hair color and all. Shining Armor allegedly saw right through it with Twilight. I don’t really know much about Twilight. You know her or something?”

I didn’t really know how to answer that. The truth is naturally unbelievable for anyone who wasn’t there. And these two don’t really deserve to have their lives fucked up because of my mistakes. Lord knows I’m good at fucking up my own.

“Somewhat. We’ve uh ran into each other a few times.”

Technically not a lie. I have ran into a Twilight. Just not that Twilight. Should be enough of the truth to not have Applejack up my ass about it.

“Huh. Small world,” Indigo shrugged and I watched her turn the TV on. “Twilight is okay, I guess. She mainly hangs out with by herself. But there’s this other geek who hangs out with her. And someone from the Astronomy club, the baking club and music club. Moondancer, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts and Minuette I think their names were?”

Wow, she was right. This is a small world. I knew those ponies from back in Equestria, but I never really was nice to them. In my defense, I was warranted in being rude to Minuette. I was going to talk to her in class and she teleported to sit next to Twinkleshine instead. Bastard. Now that I think about it, that really started everything. Me being a bitch and everything.

No. Bad Sunset. Don’t blame Minuette for your mistakes. Even though that small voice in the back of my head is urging me to. I will admit, it did kinda hurt. I don’t even want to imagine what I’d have done to the human Minuette if I knew her.

You’d have only done what she deserved, that same stupid demon me voice whispered in the back of my head.

Shut up. I didn’t ask for your damned opinion. Stupid voice.

“You okay?” Lightning asked and I jumped. “Normally you’re tearing your pizza apart. It’s getting cold.”

“Yeah sorry. Just thinking and arguing with myself,” I answered and glanced outside the living room window at a crown vic police car. “Why is a cop sitting outside? That crown vic was following us all day.”

The other two glanced outside curiously as the headlights turned on and the car started moving.

I rubbed my eyes and stared. I could have sworn there was no one driving, but now there was a tan person in the driver seat.

“Did you both see that?” I asked and they each nodded.

“It’s like a guy just appeared in the driver seat. Weird. The plate is PRWL911. I have a friend in the police department, I’ll ask around and see what’s up,” Lightning answered and sat back down. “Weird. I didn’t know they used Vics anymore.”

“Same. I only see the Taurus, Charger and Explorer. Probably just a lack of sleep. Cars don’t drive themselves, especially not police cars,” Indigo mused and tapped a finger against her thigh. “Oh well. Back to the movie. You really gotta sleep more, Sunny. Lack of sleep is unhealthy.”

“I know. Just uh lots of gaming and school work going on, you know?” I laughed nervously as they both gazed at me suspiciously. Good lord, the two had a scary good way of making you wanna tell them everything. I swear, Lightning had that facial expression ingrained into Indigo. No wonder it was hard for me to keep anything a secret from those two.

“Okay,” Indigo leaned back into a much more comfortable looking pose. “Felt that. School work for CPA is nuts. All to boost the schools reputation I guess. Swear it should be illegal to assign that much homework.”

Lightning smirked at me behind her glass and I rolled my eyes. I could relate. Exams were next month and I should be studying and doing work but it’s hard to focus.

“You care if I ride the couch tonight? Don’t feel like making you drive me home,” I commented and took a bite of my pizza. Eugh, she was right. It was getting cold.

“Of course. Mi casa su casa or whatever they say,” Lightning waved a hand lazily and I snickered.

I have no words for whatever that was.

Chapter XXV

I gave a tired yawn and stretched out on the couch in Lightnings living room, idly watching COPS on her TV.

I was unfortunately always the first up. No matter where I am, I’m always up when the sun comes up. Even back in Equestria because of Mom wanting me to witness her raising the sun. Seven year old me had been mind blown when she first did it.

I mean, who wouldn’t be? It’s one thing to hear about her being able to. It’s another to see it happen in person. Or pony would be more accurate. Whatever, minor details.

My eyes flicked over to the hallway as the other two girls stumbled into the living room, Lightning rubbing at her eyes with a yawn.

“Ugh. Seven am,” Indigo groaned as she made her way into the kitchen. “Is someone running or something?”

“Nah, drug bust,” I answered and looked at the TV, watching several bags of a white powder stacked in the trunk of a police sun. “I have to get going soon. Gotta change and shower.”

I should really prepare better. For whatever this was. Sleepover, I guess is the term? I never really did this as a kid. Or younger kid I suppose I should say. I’m still technically a kid.

“We gotta get to CPA for class. Enjoy your day off work,” Lightning told me and glanced at Indigo. “Well, she has to get to school. I have work.”

I should be at school but it was a Friday. I was supposed to meet Rainbow and the soccer team for coffee later today. Fuck, I almost forgot about that. I said my goodbyes, hugging Indigo and high fiving Lightning before slipping outside.

I should probably find that episode I was watching when I get home. But right now, my shower was calling my name. I planned on at least a hour long shower today or a bath. At least my apartment was a fifteen minute walk away or so.

I jumped slightly as a police siren went off a few times next to me and a crown vic slowed to a stop next to me and I froze as the passenger door popped open. The words to protect and serve were proudly emblazoned on the driver side doors cursive with dial nine one one on the back fenders.

“Uh what?” I muttered and stared before looking around at the empty street as the tan cop stared at me.

“Get in,” he said and I raised an eyebrow. We may not have cars in Equestria obviously, but I knew to not get in strangers cars, even if it was marked squad car.

“Hell no. I haven’t done anything wrong,” I scowled and I didn’t have time to react as a cable shot out to wrap around my waist and yanked me inside the passenger seat, the door slamming shut behind me and the car took off down the street. “Hey! Let me out!”

I started hitting the window as the car turned onto a street of people and the sirens turned on with the lights.

I yelped as my seat reclined all the way back and my seat belt was put on.

“Safety first,” the cop said and I quickly realized the voice wasn’t coming from him. Sounded like it was coming from radio or something.

I resigned my fate as the cop car drifted into a parking garage near my apartment complex and started driving to the upper floor. Well, this is a fascinating story to tell people I suppose. I got kidnapped by a cop car by a wire or some bullshit and my seatbelt put itself on. Weird world.

We stopped on the top floor and the door opened, my seat belt unclipping as I rolled onto the ground softly and I groaned quietly to myself.

I’ll never forget what happened next as long as I live.

The cop car stood up. The lights and sirens shut off as I watched in fear. The back of the car became legs as I scooted backwards slowly. The tires on the legs slowed to a stop and locked in place as two arms formed with two gold triangles on the shoulders and a black hand grabbed the edge of the concrete.

The entire front of the car became the chest as the light bar split in half, ending up on the back of the robot. The spotlights rotated into the chest of the robot and the back doors folded down into the back, the two front doors popping out the back like wings. Two missiles formed on his back, pointing up and over his shoulders.

“What the...?” I mumbled as a head popped out of the chest. The head exterior was a black coloring matching the hands and shoulders with a red crest on the forehead. The face I guess was a silver color and the eyes glowed a bright blue.

The thing in front of me made a groaning sound as the front tires disappeared under his chest into the inner workings of the car and it stood up.

“This is so a dream,” I told myself as it knelt down in front of me. It was easily the same cop car from yesterday. I pinched myself to wake up and I quickly realized this wasn’t a dream.

So naturally, I did the only thing that made sense. I screamed.

Loudly.

“Stop that infernal noise!” The robot grabbed it’s head and winced. I never knew a robot could be so expressive. “Now!” I inhaled and took a deep breath as he lowered his hands. “Good, thank Primus.”

“What are you?” I managed to ask and he shrugged.

“An Autobot, obviously? My name is Prowl. And you are?” Prowl asked and rested his hand on the ground. “I’m one of the good guys. You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

Oh, that’s reassuring. I wonder if he tells that to every human he kidnaps.

“Uhm Sunset. Sunset Shimmer.”

“That’s out of the way at least,” Prowl remarked and extended a finger. I hesitantly shook it.

This is so fucking weird. Even that demon voice in the back of my head doesn’t have anything to say, surprisingly. That’s a fucking first.

“I need your help. More precisely, I need you to get me something from your friend,” Prowl folded his arms across his chest. “Or mate. Whatever she is to you.”

What?

“I’m sorry, run that by me again? How about we talk about the fact you kidnapped me!?” I shouted and he flinched.

“Yeah well, you refused to get in so. I don’t have time for a million questions,” Prowl rolled his eyes or whatever robots call them.

“At least a few. What was with that whole standing up thing?” I waved a hand around in the air.

“Transforming,” Prowl answered. “All of us can do it.”

“There’s more of you?” I gave him a stunned look and he frowned slightly.

“Not just like me. Well, there’s more Autobots, of course. I need these glasses. Your partner, Bon Bon has them. I need you to get them or have her give them to Bee at least,” Prowl remarked and I raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“By the Matrix,” Prowl slammed his hand against his head. “Glasses, map, end of your world as you know it. This is so much bigger than you can ever imagine. You have to help me get these glasses before the Decepticons get them from her and believe, they’re not as nice as we Autobots are.”

“She’s not my- what the hell is a Decepticon?” I demanded and stood up.

“Pray to the Allspark you never meet one. Do you know where we can find your friend at?” Prowl asked and I licked my lips.

“School. But we can’t go there. I can’t just show up in a cop car,” I told him and he rested a hand on a car.

“We have no choice,” Prowl answered and I watched in awe as he transformed back into his car mode and his driver side doors popped open. “In you go.”

I hesitated and he hit the siren.

“How can I trust you?” I asked finally and I took a step.

“If I truly wanted to hurt you, you’d be injured by now. Autobots don’t harm humans. We don’t have time for this. You had to have heard about one of your airbases in the Middle East being obliterated,” Prowl spoke and I nodded slowly. It had been all the talk at school and on TV. Apparently there was no survivors, sadly. “That’s just a small sample what the Decepticons are capable of. If they get the Allspark, they will weaponize your entire planet.”

“Equestria could fall too,” I whispered to myself and clenched a fist. And naturally, that would be my fault. That can’t happen.

I inhaled and jumped inside Prowl’s driver seat, slamming the door shut as he took off with his sirens on.

Chapter XXVI

I held onto the side of the seat as Prowl continued cutting in and out of traffic. At least his lights helped clear traffic, I suppose.

I still am fucking mind blown by all this. And who wouldn’t be? But I will admit, this is so cool. I found a fellow alien on this world. It’s nice to have that in common with some one. Or something, I guess.

“Can you call her or something?” Prowl’s voice came from the radio. “With your long range communication device thing.”

“You mean my cell phone?” I asked in confusion.

“Yeah, sure.”

I pulled my phone out and started tapping away at it before I found Bon Bons name in my contacts list. I should have just gone to my recently called. Other than Lightning, Bon Bon was the last person I’ve called.

I listened to it ring a few times before listening to her voice mail message and sighed.

I started to text and I decided to make small talk. Might as well know my fellow alien a bit better.

“So, where ya from?” I asked Prowl and o kept texting.

“Petrex.”

Sheesh, talk about not much for a talker. Way to help me out there, Prowl.

“Uh huh. What did you do exactly at this Petrex?”

“I was a security officer with Orion and a few other good bots, Bluestreak, Warpath a few others. Orion saved my life. Same thing as the police here, I suppose. Though they could be a bit more shoot first, ask later in my opinion.”

“There’s law against that, you know? That’s cold.”

“Millennias of war would do that to a bot,” Prowl remarked as he turned. “Anyway, long story short. I took over evacuation of Kaon after I was transfered over to there after a jailbreak and Sentinel got ended by Megatron. Permanently, mind you. Taking ripped in half. Then four cycles later, the war started and I became third in command after Jazz became the second in command.”

I have no idea what he meant by cycles, but I’m going to assume it meant years.

“That’s a long time to be fighting a war. Most wars here I’ve noticed end in a couple years.”

“Yeah well, you haven’t seen transformers fight. Shit gets violent. We have weapons and technology that you can’t even dream of. You humans are a primitive race,” Prowl commented and I felt a bit insulted. I’m no human, technically. If he thinks humans are primitive, he should be glad he isn’t in Equestria. I miss it. It was so much simpler back then. “You’re being too quiet. I don’t like nor trust quiet.”

“Sorry, texting. Also, shut the lights and sirens off. Cops don’t drive around town twenty four seven with their emergency equipment on. You’re bringing attention to us, not away,” I frowned slightly as Prowl stayed silent and I opened my mouth to speak when the lights and sirens shut off.

“Hey,” Bon Bon whispered and I had to strain to hear her. “What’s up? You haven’t been at school almost at all this week.”

“Yeah, sorry. Look, wanna get coffee after school? I’m meeting Rainbow and the sports team for lunch today. It’s important. Really important,” I said and I listened to her pencil tapping against a desk.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Is this a date or...?” Bon Bon trailed off and I picked up on the hopeful aftertone in her voice.

“Yes,” I admitted finally and opened my eyes. “It is.”

I made out a soft squeal and I jumped. Jeez, wasn’t expecting that, what the hell.

“I’ll be looking forward to it,” Bon Bon purred and I swore she was winking at the phone. “Now I gotta go, I’ll see you there.”

“It’s the cafe on Ninth and Martin Luther King Drive. I’ll be there,” I promised and I felt my cheeks turned a faint pink. “I looked forward to it.”

Bon Bon hung up and I sighed.

This is gonna be fun.

Prowl slowed to a stop next to the cafe where I saw Rainbow and a bunch of the sports team sat, eying the cop car as I opened the passenger door and stepped out.

“Remember the glasses,” Prowl reminded me quietly as the door shut. I gave a nod his way and worked the the tables.

“Sick ride,” Fleetfoot commented and tossed a pretzel into her mouth. “Why you riding with five oh?”

“It’s complicated,” I sat down and waved a waiter over, a tall man. “One daisy sandwich with a side of lettuce and glass of wine.”

I got a confused look from everyone and I cleared my throat.

“Right. I’ll take two strawberry pastries with two coffees, hazelnut creamer fifty fifty please.”

“You got it, Miss.” He walked away and I sighed, resting my head on a open hand.

“Where ya been?” Rainbow asked and I shrugged. “That doesn’t tell me much. You’ve been ducking our calls and texts.”

I could feel Spitfires eyes burning a hole into my chest. Typical of my sisters human counterpart to know when I was hiding something.

I should probably clarify some things. Alicorns can have kids. I mean, they got the same parts that I do that work the exact same as mine. Look at Luna. All of the alleged batponies that may or may not exist are considered her offspring. But I can’t verify that. I know there’s strong evidence she at least had kids before the whole Nightmare Moon debacle.

Spitfire came before me, obviously. She’s the oldest, after all. Stormy Flare was our baby sitter along with Raven though she always loved Spitfire more than me and my half sister, Blaze. It was difficult trying to live up to Spitfire and Celestia’s name.

I mean, one being a Wonderbolt lieutenant and the other being a princess isn’t a walk in the park. Blaze and I had big horse shoes to follow. In Celestia’s case, pretty damn big ones. That was a joke, her being so tall and all. Moving on.

I don’t even think anypony back home knows the truth about Spitfire and Blaze. Publicly, I’m the only daughter she has. And I had no issue throwing that in either of their faces at any point.

I can’t even remember the last positive interaction I had with Spitfire. The last time we saw each other was before I left for here and we had fought for an hour screaming at each other.

Apparently Celestia had told her what had happened before she came to my room. All of the guards and Raven were too afraid to stop us from arguing.

“I’m doing eh,” I spoke finally and ended my musing when I noticed everyone staring at me. “Just eh. Needed some time to myself, you know? Alone without people.”

Spitfire relaxed her gaze and nodded as she wrapped her arm around Blaze sitting next to her and I pushed down my jealously. Must be nice.

“I gotcha,” Spitfire nodded along and squeezed Soarins hand. He, Misty, Fleetfoot, Surprise, Rapidfire, Wave Chill and Cloudkicker. Rainbow sat next to me along with Mystery Mint and unsurprisingly, Tennis Match. “So what’s up with the police escort? Got into something I need to know about?”

That was so like her. She always cared about protecting me, Blaze, Celestia and the ponies around her. Even in my whole evil jerk phase.

“So what’s this I’m hearing about you and a certain candy maker having a date tonight?” Wave Chill teased with a fry covered in chili and cheese hanging out of his mouth. “Bon Bon, was it?”

My jaw dropped slightly. I didn’t expect it to travel that fast. But then again, all eyes were on me recently.

“It was painful,” Tennis Match muttered and looked at me. “You asked what it was like being mind controlled. I could see and feel what I was doing. I could feel my brain screaming to stop, but I couldn’t. It was terrifying. I still have nightmares. I think about lot of people are.”

I looked away as Rainbow glared at her.

“You’re a good person now though,” Tennis hastily added once she noticed Rainbows look. “I trust you. As does everyone else around us. Or well, most of us. I’d go to hell and back for you if you asked. I’d do the same for everyone at this table. You’re family to me. All of you.”

“Awww, you care,” Rapidfire teased and we all started laughing. “You guys hear that? Tennis Match has feelings.”

“I’m gonna kick you,” Tennis threatened with a scowl. “Right between the legs if you keep that up.”

“Jokes on you, I’m into that,” Rapidfire shot back and we all laughed again.

“Fucking pain kink bastard,” Misty grumbled and stole a cookie from Surprise’s plate.

We all turned around as Bon Bon and Lyra ran up, the pink haired girl looking terrified for some reason.

“Hey-” I started as Bon Bons shoe got caught in some sidewalk and she slapped hard on her back, slamming her head into the concrete and we all gasped. “Bon Bon!”

We all stood up and ran to her side.

“I’m okay,” Bon Bon moaned as Lyra and I helped her. Bon Bon held her head and yelped.

“Hey, don’t move,” Cloudkicker rubbed her back slowly. “You could have a concussion.”

“I’m fine. Just running from my car right now, I’ll go to the hospital later,” Bon Bon shoved us off and took of limping into a parking garage with Lyra after her.

“What the hell?” Rainbow wondered aloud and I agreed with her.

“Running from her car,” I muttered and my eyes widened. “I gotta go. I’ll call later!”

I ran towards Prowl, sliding over the hood to to the parking garage entrance when a police Mustang that had it’s lights on cut me off, hitting the siren a few times as Prowl turned his engine and lights on.

“What the hell?” I shouted and raised my hands. My eyes drifted to the back fender. “To punish and enslave? That doesn’t sound very friendly.”

I inhaled as the Mustang took off into the parking garage and I followed.

I only wish I had seen Rainbow chasing after me.

Author's Note

I'm getting most of the personality for Prowl from the IDW Prowl. If you know how ruthless and cold he was in the comics, you know.

Chapter XXVII

Why do humans have so many senseless large buildings? I mean, jeez. This town has countless garages, offices. This is worse than Manehatten.

I paused and looked around at the table cans everywhere, a few homeless people crowded around them shivering and I forced myself to not join them. Just because they’re homeless doesn’t make them bad people. Most of the time.

Most just want a friendly face to talk to. That and thirty dollars but that’s a story for later.

“You run fast,” Rainbow commented and I jumped as she stood next to me. “You do realize you almost got hit by a cop car, right? Lucky he wasn’t after you. Never seen a cop in a Mustang before, that was sick!”

Yeah, sick. I just didn’t exactly know what one that was. Prowl did say there was two sides. And based on the to punish and enslave on the side of the Mustang, I had a feeling it wasn’t exactly one of the nice Transformers.

“Yeah, I know. What are you doing here, Dash?” I asked and she folded her arms across her chest.

“This way, I can force you to spend time with me. I’m fun to be around, trust me,” Rainbow smirked before nudging me. “Hey, here comes Lyra and Bon Bon running to us. Looks like your girlfriend missed you.”

I turned pink and resisted the urge to point she wasn’t my girlfriend. I doubted she would listen anyway. I did tell Bon Bon this was a date, after all.

“Go!” Lyra waved her hands and I tensed up slightly along with Rainbow. It wasn’t normal for her or Bon Bon to look genuinely terrified. “Run, damn it!”

“What?” Rainbow managed to get out as a black robot with red eyes slid around the corner, flipping a wrecked car out of his way. “The fuck?”

I took a step forward and Bon Bon tackled me. Ow. I was gonna feel that in the morning, for sure.

“This monster thing just attacked us,” Bon Bon rolled off me and Lyra jumped over me, giving us a very unwanted view up her skirt. At least humans wore underwear. “Lyra!”

“Shush, we’re running for our lives. Lecture me later!” Lyra snapped angrily and I flinched. She almost never got angry, ever. “Woah!”

We all rolled aside as a rusty yellow orange Camaro slid around the corner and knocked the red eyed robot onto the ground with a thud that made the ground shake.

Rainbow gulped slowly as the Camaro stopped next to us and the passenger door opened.

“We should really get in,” I inhaled and grabbed Bon Bons hand. “Trust me. I think this one is friendly.”

“I don’t want to,” Bon Bon shook her head as the other robot started getting up. “On second thought, let’s go.”

The four of us somehow all got in the cramped Camaro interior with Lyra and Rainbow in the back and the door slammed shut, the shifter moving to drive and the car took off.

I looked in the mirror as the other evil looking robot transformed into a police car and I cursed myself internally. Of course I was right about the Mustang car being evil.

“Seriously?” Bon Bon deadpanned as Rainbow toyed with the radio.

“We’re in a police chase. We need to have a badass rock song playing in the background,” Rainbow explained and we all rolled our eyes. “Ah, there we go. The Used is always good in situations like this.”

May the gods have mercy on my poor damned soul.

“I hate to interrupt, but the murder car is getting closer,” Lyra called out as a window started getting closer. “Uh guys?”

“Oh we’re so gonna die,” Bon Bon remarked and squeezed her eyes shut. I hated to say it, but she was right.

We all screamed as we slammed through the glass with the police car behind us.

The wheel yanked to the left and we spun around as concrete pillar, shoving us all against the windows with a cry. In all honesty, if we weren’t being chased by an evil robot, I’d have thought this was cool.

The other car mimicked what we did and white smoke rose off the back tires. Okay, that was kinda bad ass to see a police car do.

“I’m scared,” Lyra muttered as we shot back out where we had came from.

Yeah, me too.

The car stopped in a dark alley of the nearby recycling center and the head lights shut off, the doors locking as Bon Bon and Rainbow frantically tried to unlock the doors.

It was night time out, which should tell you how long we were running for. And I had seen Prowl briefly behind the Decepticon but he had been left behind fairly quickly. As much as I love the Crown Vic, there’s no way it’ll keep up with two muscle cars.

We all froze at a yelp of a siren as the Decepticon drove past with the lights flashing.

“Oh no,” Rainbow whispered as we all listened to the engine started. “Here we go.”

God, I loved that engine sound. Pure sex. Better than sex, actually. The idle was nice too. I had heard guys and girls alike at school saying cars turned them on, but I never knew how true it was.

The head lights turned on and we shot forward, the Decepticon backing up to slam into us presumably and Bon Bons car yanked the wheel to avoid it, driving over a bridge.

The car spun around and we shot out, rolling as Bon Bons car transformed.

The three girls screamed as I watched again in awe as the back half of the car formed the legs and two feet with heels slammed into the ground, the hood angling up with the lights staying on and the head came from the chest area and he took a few steps back before raising his fists.

“Sick,” Rainbow whispered as she stood up to stand next to me.

We all ducked and screamed, me included as the police car transformed and tackled the orange yellow robot, the two rolling across the ground.

The Decepticon was kicked off into a wall and stood up, a spinning silver spiked thing held in his hand. His chest split open and a scary, human sized silver robot jumped out.

“This one’s for the cause!” The Decepticon shouted and slammed the spiked weapon into the orange robot, sending him flying.

“Well, shit,” I cursed softly as the robot ran at us. “Run!”

We all took off running, Bon Bon hot on my heels. And great, so was the other Decepticon. Fuckin hell.

“Oh my Celestia!” I shouted and I jumped over a wall. “Keep going, damn it.”

“That’s what she said!” Bon Bon shouted back and I rolled my eyes as the Decepticon jumped past me, grabbing Bon Bons skirt and I kicked it.

“Ow!”

Stupid, fucking metal robot. Stupid me thinking that would hurt him at all.

"Where is it? Where is it?" The Decepticon snarled at us and we both froze in fear.

I looked back at Lyra and Rainbow running to us with some metal saw looking thing as Prowl drove over the same bridge we had and transformed with a silver rifle in his left hand that he started shooting at the taller Decepticon. About fucking time.

Prowl slammed the butt of his rifle into the other Decepticon as I turned my attention back to Lyra cutting up the silver Decepticon.

“How it’s feel to have no body, you little bitch?” Bon Bon cursed and took a running start to kick the head away before I could warn her. It went flying away and she danced around holding her foot. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

I sat down next to her and we all watched the two Autobots approaching us, Prowl folding his rifle up and setting it on his back.

“Are you alright?” Prowl knelt in front of me and the others stared.

“Hey, you’re that cop car. From the cafe. That dropped Sunset off,” Rainbow realized and everyone looked at me. “What the hell is really going on?”

“This is Prowl. He’s an Autobot. And I’m assuming the other one with him is too,” I answered and Prowl nodded.

“His name is Bumblebee,” Prowl answered and picked up the cut up pieces of the small Decepticon. “I see someone killed Frenzy. Good. Barricade is gonna be out of commission for a while.”

Fascinating names. Made sense, I suppose. Frenzy was well, in a frenzy.

“What happened the other night? With that symbol in the sky?” Bon Bon asked as she approached Bumblebee hesitantly.

“Message from Starfleet,Captain,” a voice said from inside Bumblebee. “Throughout the inanimate vastness of space and angels will rain down like visitors from Heaven! Hallelujah!”

“Sounds like a radio,” Rainbow mused and raised an eyebrow. “Do you like, talk through the radio?”

Bumblebee started clapping and pointed at her.

“Thank you, you’re beautiful! You’re wonderful, you’re wonderful,” Bumblebee lowered his hands and started transforming, popping open the doors. “Any other questions you’d like to ask?”

“I’m beautiful?” Rainbow blushed and rubbed her neck. “Heh, thanks. Anyway, we gotta get the others. I don’t keep any secrets from Applejack or the others.”

I looked and Prowl and we had a silent argument as I gestured at Rainbow and Lyra.

“Fine,” Prowl sighed and transformed, his doors opening. “Get in. We’ll rendezvous in thirty minutes at the nearby abandoned park. Don’t be late, Sunset.”

I gave a nod as I walked to Bumblebee with Bon Bon, pausing to watch Prowl take off with Lyra and Rainbow.

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Bon Bon told me sternly and she pointed at me. “In the robot. Now.”

I had a feeling that was gonna be the case.

Chapter XXVIII(Bon Bon)

I brushed aside as pink curl as Sunset finished talking. Talk about a lot to take. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen my own car transform in front of me, I’m not sure I’d have believed her. But then again, Sunset was from a magical pony world and I believed her stories about that. So this is no different in my eyes.

And hey, Bumblebee can drive, man. It’s kinda nice not having to drive myself, he can just do it for me.

“Are you sure you’re comfortable in the back seat?” I asked and looked back at Sunset.

“Meh.”

“If you want you can uh sit with me. There’s not a lot of room but we could make it work,” I suggested as Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Or not up to you.”

Sunset stared at me and I started to think she was just gonna sit there before she climbed into the passenger seat and I shifted closer to the door so we could share the seat.

“Fuck it,” Sunset sighed and shifted to sit on my lap as I turned pink. “Not a single word about this to Rarity, deal?”

“D-deal,” I cleared my throat and Sunset relaxed slowly against me. “So uh how are you?”

“Fine. You?” Sunset asked and she shifted slightly against me.

“Just confused about all this. Why are they so interested in me? Us? I mean, the evil one or Barricade I guess was asking me and Lyra about my Ebay page.”

“Weird,” Sunset muttered and rested her head on my shoulder. “So these transformers can turn into anything they want, right?”

“I guess, yeah.”

“Bumblebee could transform anything he wants like a non rusty version of the Z28, yet he picks this crappy rusty version. What gives?”

Bumblebee slammed on the breaks and Sunset slammed her head against the dashboard with a pained cry.

“Out.”

We both grudgingly got out as Bumblebee spun his tires and left us on the side of the road with some people honking behind us giving us dirty looks.

“Great going,” I rolled my eyes and gave Sunset a look. “That car is sensitive as hell. I mean, four thousand dollars just drove away. My purse is still inside there.”

Sunset hugged herself and looked away. Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh.

“I’m sorry,” Sunset said and I cleared my throat.

“It’s fine I guess,” I looked back to the road. Great, my phone was still in Bumblebee.

“Uh Bon Bon?” Sunset broke me out of my musing and pointed past me. I turned and my eyes widened as a more modern yellow Camaro with racing stripes slowed to a stop next to us.

“What the....?”

“Fuck?” Sunset and I said in unison.

“Okay, you’re forgiven because this is so much cooler than the Z28,” I told Sunset as we both opened the doors the look inside. “My purse is still here, thank the lord.”

Sunset traced a finger of the words SS in headrest before sitting down in the passenger seat.

“Okay, yeah this is fucking clean. Lucky bastard,” Sunset shot me a smirk. “Just one question. How are you going to explain to your parents how you left in a car from the seventies and came back in a modern Camaro?”

Oh shit. How was I going to explain this to them?

A gate crashed open as Bumblebee drove through it with Prowl behind us. It was honestly kinda entertaining seeing how many people they had shoved inside the cop car. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow, Lyra, Derpy for some odd reason.

The two Autobots slowed to a stop and I stepped out with Sunset as Rainbow and Lyra both stared at my car with wide eyes.

“So fucking cool,” Lyra whispered and I snickered. “Where can I get my own robot?”

“Robot?” Fluttershy echoed softly and shifted her weight anxiously. “I don’t see any ro-”

Prowl and Bumblebee cut her off by transforming, the two standing up as the others stared with dropped jaws.

“Ah don’t even believe it,” Applejack rubbed her eyes as Fluttershy hid behind her.

“Duh, it’s an Autobot. I told you my Pinkie Sense told me something big would be revealed this week,” Pinkie glared at her. “Twitchy hair, remember? Never doubt the Pinkie Sense.”

I don’t even want to know what a Pinkie Sense was.

“This is Prowl and Bumblebee,” Lyra explained as Derpy hesitantly approached Bumblebee and touched his face gently. “They’re nice ones. Way better than the evil murder ones.”

That was a fairly appropriate name for the two Decepticons.

“Prowl is friends with Sunset or whatever. Bumblebee is Bon Bons car,” Lyra continued and everyone excluding me, Lyra and Dash stared at Sunset.

“Ah see,” Applejack raised an eyebrow slowly.

“As much as we have to discuss with Sunset, what is that?” Rarity pointed to the sky and we all turned to look.

Several bright meteors were flying through the sky, breaking apart and getting fairly close. I counted at least fourteen of them.

“Woah,” Fluttershy whispered as I grabbed Sunset’s hand. “Beautiful.”

We all stood watching in awe as Bumblebee transformed back into car mode and we leaned against him.

“The other Autobots,” Prowl clarified as one shot over our heads and a bunch of dirt and earth was flung into the air as it crashed a few feet away. “Come on.”

We all tried hard to keep up with his long strides as Prowl lead us to the meteor thing. The metal was smoking and bright red, a nearby tree burning from the impact. We all crowded around and Derpy gasped.

The metal began shifting and a large robot appeared pulling itself out. It had a oddly similar head shape to Prowl with a dark gray crest on it’s head and it began running away.

“What is it doing?” Applejack wondered aloud and Prowl pointed to a parking lot with a lone car.

“Scanning a vehicle mode. It’s how we get our alt modes. And it’s how Bumblebee here was able to become a different vehicle. We all can do it. I can as well.”

The other robot approached a gray two door muscle car with a black hood and stood there for a moment before transforming into an exact copy, an Autobot symbol forming where the Dodge logo had been.

“Why do all the Autobots get the cool car modes?” Rainbow complained and kicked a rock. “I want a Challenger.”

“We can discuss that later,” Applejack poked her arm with a smirk as Prowl transformed.

“And the green girl is not coming with me. She can’t shut her processor off for five seconds,” Prowl grumbled and we all looked at Lyra.

“Her mouth?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes! She wouldn’t stop asking questions!” I burst out laughing as Lyra blushed and Derpy hugged her from behind. “It was awful. Don’t even get me started on having to stay quiet when I had to pick up the other humans. They fight like protoforms.”

That definitely sounded like the Lyra I knew since elementary school.

“Anymore questions you’d like to ask?” Prowl stared down at us. For a robot, they could be surprisingly expressive. If he could raise an eyebrow, I swear he would. “I take your silence as no.”

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of watching them transform as we watched part shifts and the hood slam shut, door popping open.

“I call riding with Sunset,” I grabbed her hand and Rarity eyed us both suspiciously before slowly grinning.

“I am so for that,” Rarity muttered before striding to the waiting police car.

I didn’t know where we were going at the time, but I wish I had a bit more time to mentally prepare for all the chaos and drama to follow after.

Chapter XXI

I really should get a bed like Bon Bons. This shit is so soft and comfy. The other half of the bed was empty and I examined the room around me.

It was spotless, no clothes laying on the floor and the floors themselves were shiny as if they had just been mopped. A blue clock was on the wall and a matching blue laptop with a sticker of three wrapped candies on the top sat on a desk near the bed alongside a fish tank with four gold fish swimming along inside.

I had always kinda figured Bon Bon was a neat freak. She always kept her area at school neat and organized, especially in art class. She always randomly brought a spare change of clothes too for art class. The amount of times I’ve heard her in the stall changing is astronomical.

“Ugh,” I stretched out and winced slightly. Fucking migraines are the worst.

“Doing okay?”

Bon Bons curly pink and blue head poked halfway through the doorway. I gave a brief nod before licking my lips. Fucking dry throat is the worst.

“Fine. Water please.”

“Yeah, you got it. I’ll bring some head ache meds for ya,” Bon Bon turned away. “It’s been nice having you here. Sorry for what happened. We all should have been more careful.”

“It could have happened to anyone. How’s Lyra?” I asked curiously and Bon Bon hesitated.

“She’s okay. More worried about you and Derpy. She hurt her leg pretty bad in the fall. Apparently decided not telling anyone was a good idea. Broken leg, but she will heal. Lyra is tough.”

I winced slightly at that. Lyra had quickly offered to carry half my weight with Rainbow down there, even after kidnapping me. That was a quick way to earn my respect.

“Come on if you can walk. I’ll get you some breakfast,” Bon Bon walked back to me and held out a hand. “We got some left over pancakes, eggs and sausage.”

I turned green at the mere mention of sausage. Bon Bon noticed pretty quick and she gave a nervous, half hearted laugh as I got out of her bed, stretching.

“Heh, right. No meat.”

“Thanks.”

I flung my backpack over my shoulder as I walked up the stairs to my school. Rainbow was leaning against the wall and extended a hand once I got to the top step.

“Hey, how’s the leg?” Rainbow asked once I accepted her outstretched hand.

“It’s fine. Where’s Lyra? I owe her a thank you at least after she helped me the other day,” I answered and Rainbow opened the door for me. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. I believe she’s at the lunch room. She gets breakfast every day there with Vinyl. Her home situation isn’t the best apparently but I didn’t say anything. And I have some words for her after she essentially kidnapped you,” Rainbow growled and slammed her fist into her open palm.

“Leave it, Dash. She made it up to me. And besides, I’d have hit me upside the head too if I were her,” I muttered bitterly and yelped as Rainbow punched me hard in the shoulder. “Ow!”

“Don’t say anything stupid like that again. I’m getting tired of your stupid, self derogatory comments. You’re gonna come with me, we’re gonna see my friend,” Rainbow grabbed my shoulders. “We will be late to first hour, but this important.”

I wanted to argue or at least fight back, but she tightened her grip as she steered me to the gym and locker rooms.

“Why the gym?” I wanted to know as Rainbow let me go finally and she pushed the doors open where a girl with fiery hair was doing push ups.

“Spitfire!” Rainbow shouted and I froze as the other girl stood up, dusting off her hands and I felt her orange eyes gazing at me. “Come do your normal motivation thing.”

If I could be anywhere except with her right now, I would be.

“What’s up, Dash?” Spitfire gave her a fist bumped and glanced at me again. “Sunset.”

“Sunset here needs your encouragement like you did with me. I’ll leave you two to it,” Rainbow started to walked away before pausing next to Spitfire. “Go easy on her. If things start going any way I don’t like, I’m stepping in to stop it, friend or not.”

Spitfire gave a curt nod as Rainbow strode over to the bleachers, sitting down and crossing her legs.

“So,” Spitfire started walking around me slowly in a circle. She reminded me more of a shark than the soccer team captain everyone knew and respected. “Care to tell me in your own words what’s been going on?”

“What?” I blinked and stumbled as Spitfire gave me a nudge with her shoulder.

“I’ve seen a lot of people in my eighteen years of life go through different things. Every person struggles or pony in your case. Everyone on my soccer team has some issue. The field is their escape,” Spitfire commented and narrowed her eyes slightly at me. “Now start talking, demon.”

I’ll admit, that got a bigger flinch out of me than I’d like to admit. I had figured someone would call me that sooner or later.

“I find it ironic you stop talking when someone is in your face and strong enough to challenge you,” Spitfire mocked as she folded her arms. “How you ran this school, I’ll never know. You’re weak.”

“I’ll have you know I systematically rooted out the problematic students who could challenge me, sorting them into groups of like-minded people so I specifically wouldn’t have an issue. You guys could have easily taken me down without Princess Twilight if someone banded all the clubs and cliques together,” I placed my hands on my hips and allowed a faint cocky smirk to form on my face. “None of you were able to put your differences aside on your own. Says a lot about humans.”

Spitfire raised an eyebrow slightly and examined me. Spitfire occasionally got labeled as just some idiot jock, but she’s far from it. She’s honestly a lot like me, just not as evil. She doesn’t really take any shit, kinda like how I was. But she is way nicer than I used to be.

“She demon,” Spitfire pushed me and I growled softly. “You’re never gonna be anything. I doubt even Twilight likes you or your- oof!”

I inhaled and slammed my fist into her jaw, watching in admittedly smug satisfaction as she stumbled and Rainbow shot up quick before Spitfire waved her down.

“It’s fine Dash,” Spitfire rolled her eyes before I went to hit her again and she caught my fist. “Easy, relax.”

“Relax?” I echoed angrily and she let go of my fist. I was a bit impressed she was fast enough to even catch my hand before it hit her. “You’re over here insulting me for no reason and you expect me to not hit you? What the hell?”

“It’s called tough love, Sunset,” Spitfire rolled her eyes and stepped aside. “If more people received it or kids got their asses spanked like I did when I was a child, the world would be a better freaking place. Kids these days are fucking out of control.”

“I’m sorry for hitting you,” I sighed and looked away. “It was fucked.”

“Nah,” Spitfire shook her head and grabbed my chin as I jumped and she forced me to look at her. “That was a damn good right hook. I antagonized you on purpose to see how you would react. This is good.”

“Good? I just attacked a person for saying what I’m thinking.”

“It proves you’re not as bad as you think you are,” Spitfire shot back and sat down on the bleachers next to Rainbow. “Old you would have hit me immediately without me even insulting you. That being said, I obviously don’t think about you like that, sorry.”

“It’s fine. So how exactly does this help me?” I asked with a raised eyebrow and Rainbow shrugged.

“Spitfire does the tough love thing. It’s how she helps people. She sure helped me out with my old problems,” Rainbow patted my back. “That’s another story for later.”

“Wanna get breakfast later this weekend?” Spitfire asked suddenly and crossed her legs. “Me, Rainbow, Rapidfire, Fleetfoot, Surprise, Soarin, Misty, High Winds and Soarin are meeting up again for our weekly breakfast.”

Rainbow gave me an encouraging nod and I inhaled.

“Yeah, sure.”