The Trauma Within

Chapter 6: Evolution’s Bottleneck

While they explored the geological wonders of the mountain, Fluttershy left the animal shelter at 3:00 PM. Her mood was slightly more upbeat than when the day began. She unlocked her car and slid into the driver's seat. Glancing at the empty passenger side, she recalled the previous night's events; despite the lingering concerns for her friend, her expression had softened. With the engine running, she drove to the bakery and milkshake shop where Pinkie Pie worked.

She arrived at the bakery about ten minutes later, where Pinkie Pie was working. She parked her car at the front entrance and then carefully exited the vehicle after performing all the necessary safety checks.

As she walked inside, Pinkie Pie spotted her and enthusiastically waved, greeting in her signature bubbly tone. "Hi, let me guess, you're here for your favorite classic milkshake?" she asked excitedly.

"Fluttershy sighed. "It's been a trying couple of days at the animal shelter, and yesterday wasn't great either. I'm feeling a bit down right now; have you noticed any signs of discomfort or anything unusual with Sunset because she has been more down lately?”

Despite Pinkie Pie's typically hyperactive and forgetful nature, she surprisingly remembered Sunset Shimmer entering that morning and ordering croissants. She also noticed some unusual red markings on her arm, between her wrist and elbow. However, she hesitated to tell her about these observations and finished making the milkshake before handing it to her.

Her usual bubbly demeanor shifted to an uncharacteristic solemnity as she spoke. "Business is slow this afternoon because the morning shift was bonkers, so your milkshake is on the house. As for Sunset Shimmer..." She paused, then continued with rare seriousness, "You should check up on her. Trust me on that."

She was alarmed by her unfamiliar, unsettling tone. It was unlike her to have spoken like that, even in their previous encounters with the Dazzlings or Sunset Shimmer's initial villainy. The entire situation felt deeply off, and she regarded her friend with concern and trepidation.

Fluttershy asked, "Did something happen to her?! Pinkie.. What are you hiding?

She spoke in a mix of a hyper yet serious tone, "At first, I thought the red around her arm was some kind of fashionable band or design. I was so busy with other orders, so I couldn’t look too closely at first. But when I looked more carefully, I realized it looked like something deep and red. I've been on a sugar rush, however, so who knows, but you might want to check on her just in case."

Her voice trembled with fear and worry. "Red markings?” she exclaimed. "Is she hiding something from us? I hope she didn't do anything horrible or is at least okay." Her breathing slowed down before getting heavy as her chest felt tight, and her hands started to quiver, causing a little bit to spill from the tall glass cup she was holding.

Pinkie Pie looked at her, who seemed distraught. Normally, she was calm, cheerful, and peaceful; her eyes looked down at the counter before she closed her eyes; she simply wanted answers so she could help. She didn't want to cry over the chance of it being an armband, but she couldn't help worrying—what if it was blood?

If she had done something wrong, it could either provoke fear or indicate that she was struggling and needed help. Pinkie knew she wouldn't directly tell Fluttershy. Moved by her friend's distress, she then came out and gave her a comforting hug.

Pinkie Pie spoke in an unusually somber tone, "She's tough and knows how to keep her emotions in check. We'll all make sure she's okay, no matter what happens."

A small tear rolled down her cheek, but she managed to compose herself. After the hug, she offered a second free milkshake in an attempt to cheer her up. Though she provided the milkshake for free again, Fluttershy remained deep in thought about the situation before she was handed another glass. Pinkie gave a small wink.

"Don't worry, she has always emerged from her dark moments with the help and friendship of others. She'll be just fine," said Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy offered a small, appreciative smile as she sipped her milkshake. "Thank you; I owe you one," she said softly.

"You don't owe me a thing! I insist it's on the house; now go on and cheer yourself up; if you need any help, just let me know, okay?" said Pinkie Pie.

After a long soccer practice with her sister, Rainbow Dash walked into the bakery. She spotted them at the front counter. Dash sat down, but Scootaloo walked over to hug Fluttershy, reciprocated the hug, and then let Scootaloo sit next to her big sister.

“Hey, what yall doing here this time of day?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“Just finishing my shift! Since no customers came in this afternoon, your order is on the house today! Would you like classic milkshakes, some baking goods, smoothies, or a combination?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Scootaloo asked excitedly, "Can I have a milkshake?"

Pinkie Pie booped Scootaloo's nose adorably. "I'll make it extra special for a hardworking little one like you!" she said.

Rainbow Dash smiled, appreciating that she remained true to herself, even when she acted a bit peculiar. Pinkie was always caring, energetic, and cheerful. As Rainbow Dash glanced over at Fluttershy, she noticed her friend was quieter than usual as she sipped her milkshake. However, she didn't inquire about it, assuming Fluttershy's subdued mood was simply due to her exhaustion from the long hours she had been working at the animal shelter; her eyes were drooped, and she covered her mouth as she yawned.

She gently got up from the pink stool and grabbed her blue purse before waving goodbye with her left hand, the glass on her right. She walked out at a slow pace before pulling her car keys out of her pocket. The car lights softly flashed on as she opened the door, sitting down in the driver’s seat before turning the keys to activate the car. She recited the rhyme that she taught Sunset, but her voice was dulcet, the small amounts of makeup wiped away from the small flow of water running down her face.

She made it home around 4:00 PM before parking the car. She walked towards the front door, grabbed her house keys before entering, putting her blue purse down, sauntered into the kitchen, grabbed the pot from the cabinet before filling it up with water, turned the stove on, and dropped two small bags with an orange label.

She grabbed two carrots from the fridge before, at a slow pace, approaching Angel Bunny, who was playing with a small red rattle. Sitting down on a carpet, pink hexagon-shaped patterns are surrounded by a sea of yellow before placing the carrots in the bowl. Angel Bunny rushed towards the bowl and munched on the first carrot.

“Thank you for the carrot! Hug?” asked Angel Bunny.

“Sorry Angel, I have to tend to the stove so I don’t ruin the tea. But later we can,” she replied before getting up and slowly walking back to the stove. After three minutes, she got a dark blue, violet flower-shaped cup and poured the tea. She sat down before checking up on her friends on the group chat labeled “The inner magical circle.” After texting on the main group chat with all of them, she was relieved that her friends seemed to be enjoying their day.

Rainbow Dash was going to practice her guitar playing skills later today, while Pinkie Pie was finishing her shift before planning parties to make local families and their children happy tomorrow. Sci-Twi, as usual, was diligently studying for an upcoming exam. However, her mind was not entirely at ease. She had been worried about her for the past 24 hours, as there had been no calls, texts, or any indication of her whereabouts since the previous Saturday when she had driven her home.

Fluttershy knew where she lived but wanted to refrain from intruding if Sunset was busy with an important matter. Still, she was deeply concerned about her and wanted to find a way to check in on her, keeping a spare key to Sunset's apartment, a lifeline in case of crisis. The thought of her potentially hiding a secret made her muscles tense up, and she desperately wanted to call or text but also wanted to respect Sunset's need for space.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, dialed her number, and called. In an amazing twist of fate, it felt like life offered her a helping hand. Sunset answered the phone.

“Hello? Are you okay? We haven’t talked in a little bit,” asked Fluttershy.

"Hey, I’m doing okay! I'm sorry I missed your calls, Fluttershy," Sunset Shimmer replied. "I was helping Rarity with her website while she spent time with Applejack. Did you need something?"

“It’s okay… Can I ask you something?” asked Fluttershy

“Sure! What’s on nature’s mind of pace today?” asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Before school tomorrow, would you like to get breakfast together and talk briefly? I know last night was a struggle, and I wanted to check in and ensure you're doing okay," asked Fluttershy.

Sunset Shimmer spoke in a nervous tone, "I don't want anyone else to know. After last night, I'm emotionally drained. If we discuss something important, I don't want the other girls to find out... Unless something truly horrible happens, of course."

“I promise that no one will be there or know about our morning out unless something horrible happens... That is a pinky promise.” Said Fluttershy.

"Alright, I'll get ready tomorrow." Sunset Shimmer agreed, pausing briefly before continuing, “I'm not sure if there's another special book that could be given to communicate with her directly. I'm wondering about that because if we need help again in the future, we'll want a reliable way to be able to reach out faster."

"That's a great idea," said Fluttershy, "but who would be responsible for keeping track of the second book? Rarity would be a logical choice, as she's skilled at organization, but she's often quite busy. Applejack is constantly occupied as well. Rainbow Dash is always off playing soccer. I suppose Sci-Twi could do it, but she's typically engrossed in her studies and equations. And Pinkie Pie would likely... well, you know how she can be." She trailed off, considering the potential challenges.

Sunset Shimmer said, "I wrote to Twilight to give you a copy of it, as I believe you would be very responsible in caring for it. That way, we'll have a backup in case something happens, since you're likely one of the only ones who pays close attention to it. I know it's a lot of responsibility, but it will be helpful to have that backup available."

Fluttershy blushed slightly as she replied, "Thank you for having so much trust in me. I didn't expect that."

"Is there anything else you need before I head out to run my errands and go to bed?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

Fluttershy hesitated, her heart playing like a drum, as she considered asking to spend some time together. However, her shyness got the better of her, and she remained silent. Pushing past her nerves, she continued, "Is Twilight visiting tonight? I need to speak with her about something important before tomorrow, and I'm hoping she'll be available."

“Oh, I wrote to her. She is visiting you tonight so she can give you the book, so don’t worry too much. She will be there soon.” Said Sunset Shimmer.

Fluttershy said with a gentle smile, "Thanks Sunset! I appreciate it. I'll let you go take care of what you need to do. See you tomorrow."

Sunset Shimmer said, "See you tomorrow, Fluttershy," before ending the phone call.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and started daydreaming about strolling through flower-filled fields with her In her eyes, Sunset wore her typical tomboy attire, while Fluttershy pictured herself in a classic blue dress. The two friends laughed and enjoyed each other's company until Fluttershy finally snapped out of her reverie. the serene nature music she played on her purple speaker as she sat down to relax.

20 minutes later, she was eager for a change; she decided to wear an outfit she had not yet tried on but thought would be nice. This outfit was a black dress with purple hearts dotted and fishnets with pink socks. She then looked in her closet and spotted a pair of blue high heels with small ruby gems on the heel.

Tomorrow felt like the perfect moment; she wanted to look good without giving too much attention. Why not create a slightly modified version of Fluttershy's outfit to give the appearance of her character while adding a small fashion twist? Rarity had created a perfect balance between the ideas. She kept some pink sneakers in case of an emergency. Wanting an interesting hairstyle, she planned to create a pattern combining pink, purple, blue, and red tones, which she would style after her talk with Twilight.

After she got the outfit ready, she got a hanger before putting it in the closet. She stepped out of the bedroom, lumbering towards Angel Bunny before sitting down on the carpet. It hopped on her lap before giving some cuddles.

“Hi Angel, did you miss me, buddy?” asked Fluttershy while petting him gently.

“Yes! Thank you for the carrot!” said Angel Bunny while snuggling on her lap.

The bunny gently munched on the carrot while she gave it small pets; about 30 minutes later, a strange sound came from outside, followed by a knock on her door. She got up and steadily moved to the door before spotting a blue, purple-haired girl with a crown made of gold and small green, red, and blue gems on the top. She opened the door.

“Hey Twilight! How are things going on back at home? You must be busy being the new leader!”

“Yeah, things have been super busy; I love the new laws I have been working on with the council! The one I want to most is equal health care for all, as some parts of the kingdom still feel some divides,” said Twilight Sparkle as she walked in.

“That’s good; everyone needs good health care. I wish Earth did the same sometimes, as human greed normally stops certain groups from getting them,” she murmured.

“Anyhow, I got the special item that you needed!” said Twilight Sparkle as she got out a brown book with the cover being a Pacific Silver fur leaf surrounded by an ocean of blue. She gently grabbed it. “Thanks, this will help if we get into trouble again with someone being stupid or greedy with any equestrian magic left over.”

“No problem, very glad Sunset puts a lot of trust in you; seriously, who would besides her be able to keep that book safe!?” Twilight responded.

“Actually. Can we talk??” She asked with a sudden shift of tone while looking at Twilight with a worried expression.

“Sure, we can sit anywhere and discuss; what’s wrong? Did something happen because if it did, I can help,” asked Twilight.

"I've been worried about Sunset ever since her mental breakdown yesterday. It's been weighing heavily on my mind, and I'm not sure how she's doing mentally now. I called her earlier, which is why I knew you were coming to see me. Could we make a backup plan?” asked Fluttershy.

“A backup plan for what? What is going on with her that I need to know? If you want me to, I can ask Sci-Twi.” said Twilight worried.

“I’ll explain while I make you a cup of tea; follow me,” said Fluttershy. At a slow pace, they entered the kitchen before Twilight sat down on a black chair with purple stripes. Fluttershy poured a cup of tea into a white cup with small green trees.

“Well, what has been going on with her? She's been doing well for some time now. I haven't noticed any signs of trouble in her writing or our occasional conversations, and no one else has mentioned anything being wrong with her. The last time I saw her cry was that incident in front of everyone. While the occasional angry outburst is understandable, even my friend has those. Was it anger or something more serious?” asked Twilight Sparkle.

“She just suddenly went from happy and excited to crying and anger; it was like she had a sudden mood switch. I had to hug and rock her like a baby; I had never seen her weak, and I’m concerned; it’s as if nature is giving me warning signs,” said Fluttershy.

“Anyway, I can help you. Is anyone else noticing the behavior change? I need to know so we can make a backup plan with the others,” explained Twilight.

Suddenly a knock came from the front door. She walked at a calm pace toward the front before seeing a yellow-haired girl and a blue with some Byzantine patterns on the side. She opened the door.

“I didn’t expect you two to arrive! How was your time last night and today?” asked Fluttershy.

“It was somewhat of a rollercoaster, but otherwise it was great, darling! Applejack even got to enjoy some nature.” cooed Rarity.

“Yeah, she helped me a lot last night after I had some “issues” but am doing better now,” said Applejack.

“I’m glad you're both doing okay. Oh, Twilight is in the kitchen if yall want to come in; I got tea on the stove,” said Fluttershy.

"Alright, sugar cube,” responded Applejack before they slowly entered the kitchen.

Twilight was waiting for her to return when they also showed up before sitting down on two more black chairs. Fluttershy, this wasn’t a “normal” gathering; she needed a plan just in case something happened. Who knows, Sunset could return to her old self, and imbalance in Equestrian magic could also lead to more strange challenges, one of them getting seriously hurt. New enemies and old alike coming back. These all haunted her train of thought, but what worried her most was that she knew something didn’t feel right, like if an apple had ignored physics.

“So Twilight, how are things going in Equestria? Haven’t heard from you in a while,” asked Rarity.

“It’s going amazing, tons of support, and being able to support them has made me very thankful and proud for the kingdom,” said Twilight.

“That is great to hear. Did you need anything from us or just visiting Fluttershy for a bit?” asked Applejack.

“She and I were just talking about the new book, so just in case Sunset is busy, we can have better communication. Anyhow, I need to take care of my garden before it gets dark; I’ll be right back,” said Fluttershy before getting up from one of the black chairs, walking at a slow pace before grabbing an orange watering can. She opened the door, strolled towards a plant with a baby green tomato, and started to water it.

“These baby plants are growing well,” thought Fluttershy while lightly smiling. She touched the water before pouring it again on the baby tomato; suddenly it got bigger and even a hint of a yellowish-green started to show.

“W…what? Wait, that grew rapidly!?” Fluttershy gasped.

She then gently examined the baby tomato. “Isn’t it supposed to take up to two weeks?” She asked herself.

She took another twenty minutes to water the rest of her plants, each time touching the water before pouring it. The plants grew a whole stage by the telling of them maturing; the potatoes went from having a small sprout to suddenly mature leaves starting to expand as if a baby tree had grown for five years; the carrots, which took fifty to one hundred days to grow, suddenly skipped between ten to thirty days in some cases as if a baby tree had grown for five years; the carrots, which took fifty to one hundred days to grow, suddenly skipped between ten to thirty days in some cases by the rapid green growth seen. When she finished watering her garden, she came back in to see the three of them having a pleasant talk by the small giggles she heard.

“Hey! How is the garden doing?” asked Applejack.

“Better than expected, but I don’t know why,” she answered as she got some pink soap, turned on the faucet, and washed her hands before drying them.

“What do you mean, darling!? You take care of it so well,” said Rarity.

“I went out to water my plants and I accidentally touched the water before pouring it, then the crops weirdly skipped time or grow stages becoming more mature, but I don’t know why,” Fluttershy responded.

“I have never seen that... Maybe Sci-Twi or Twilight can answer that with data.” Applejack said puzzled.

“Well, even that doesn’t happen around me, so that may be unique; let me get a small plant to see what you mean by that,” Twilight responded before grabbing the flower pot on the table with a baby sprout.
“Let me grab some water; I want to see what you're talking about.” said Rarity before grabbing a small glass cup, filling it up with water before putting it on the table.

Fluttershy grabbed the cup gently before putting her little finger inside the water. Suddenly a small green glow appeared on her right hand. They were stunned at the glow riding her hand towards the finger before the water, then it stopped as soon as it started. Then Rarity got the cup before gently pouring the water on the soil; suddenly the small plant grew gently, and one minute later they saw a pink petaled flower with an orange center.

"Ooooh, I grew an Aster; what was that green glow?!” Fluttershy wondered as the others had opened gaping mouths.

“That is awesome... How did you?” sputtered Rarity.

“I wonder if that glow is Equestrian magic mixing with the rules of nature; I've never really asked or seen that, but maybe Sci-Twi can give some answers.” Twilight wondered.

Suddenly she realized if she could do that! Couldn’t the other girls? What if that could explain what’s going on with Sunset? Of course, just because it was a new thing they discovered doesn’t mean it was an answer, but it could help figure out what was going on in theory.

“Hey Twilight?!?! Do you have any small needles to collect blood with? Maybe there are secrets hidden within our bodies; maybe we have more power than we ever realized.” Fluttershy questioned.

“Well, I do have some small needles in my bag just in case; I always collect stuff from nature, hospitals, and other sources to understand a lot of things, so yes, I do have them. Why?" asked Twilight.

“You think I can safely collect a small blood sample? You can trust me, as I have done it carefully with sick baby animals before,” said Fluttershy.

"Ehhhhh, I don’t know Fluttershy; what if someone... I don’t know who broke into Sci-Twi’s house and robbed the samples. Who knows what harm that could do?” Applejack cautioned.

“I wouldn’t think Sci-Twi would let that happen without a security system, so... Not a huge concern; also, I am very curious about what powers we could have! Maybe it could change, or we can fight for a better world! Look at all the potential we can have!” Rarity noted.

“Alright…. I hope this is a good choice,” Applejack responded before putting her right arm gently on the table.

Rarity did the same before Twilight got three needles; Fluttershy took a few steps before turning on the sink, washing her hands before gently taking the three needles, and grabbing a small red box with a purple plus. Twilight gently got a wipe and rubbed it before she helped Fluttershy position her arm.

She gently took the needle and slowly pierced the skin, collecting a small amount of blood before taking it out. She got a small band-aid after holding part of her arm to put pressure on the tiny opening, then placed it gently on her skin. The same occurred for them also before Twilight had a collection of three small samples.

“Imma see if the others and Sci-Twi want to give a little bit so we can study how much potential we have,” said Twilight.

“That’s great, Twilight. Are you going to be able to visit me before I go to sleep? I want to talk with you because it’s serious, but it’s a private matter,” asked Fluttershy.

“Oh course! I wouldn’t want to leave you hanging now, would I?” said Twilight.

"Well, my dear, we do need to get going now! Nice seeing you both, and Fluttershy, let me know when you are arriving at school tomorrow so we can talk alright.” asked Rarity.

“I will! Hope you two have a safe ride back,” said Fluttershy.

“We will, darling; do you need anything before we go? Wanna make sure before we leave for the night?” asked Rarity.

“No, I’m okay! Thanks though, and one more thing. Don’t go diving in the ocean now; I don’t want to be wet too quickly,” Fluttershy chuckled.

“Huh! What do you mean by that!?!?!” asked Applejack.

“Darling! What do you mean—oh?” Rarity gasped before briefly chuckling.

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight questioned.

“It’s nothing to worry about, darling!” said Rarity, trying to keep Twilight's innocence.

“Alright, let me open the door for you two,” said Fluttershy before they walked towards the door while Twilight kept quiet. She opened the door for the both of them before reaching out to hug them both. Afterward, they ran towards the motorcycle before getting on, her turning it on while Applejack held her waist. They both looked at each other with small grins and flushed cheeks before getting out of the driveway and riding back to her mansion.

Fluttershy closed the door before going at a slow pace back into the dining room and sitting down again. Suddenly, her expression went from a smile to suddenly frowning while looking at Twilight.

“Why the sad face suddenly? You were just fine a minute ago,” asked Twilight.

“Look, I know that I may be overdoing it, maybe even panicking, but something may be wrong with her. I heard Pinkie Pie see some “dry blood” that looked like an armband, but she had too much sugar, so I don’t know if she was serious, but the tone of her voice was not normal; I had never seen her so concerned,” Fluttershy explained.

“Hey, with the data we get. We will find out if something is wrong, but until then, you have to keep your cool, okay?” Twilight cautioned.

“Alright, are you going to get blood samples from the other four so we can see the potential and if something was wrong? Maybe she has a secret injury we don’t know about,” she guessed.

“Yes, I will ask the other four; you need to relax and get some sleep, and I will talk to yall tomorrow evening, okay?” reassured Twilight.

“Okay… Don’t tell anyone else, but imma check on her tomorrow,” said Fluttershy.

“I promise….. Now please relax and get some sleep; you got a busy day tomorrow. Wouldn’t want you not being your best now, would we?” Twilight encouraged.

“Your right…. One more question before you leave... Do you have special like... any medicine we can have just in case the worst happens? I know I’m asking for much, but it’s important.” asked Fluttershy.

“I do have some just in case; would tomorrow be a good time to deliver them to you? I don't know what time is good for you.” Twilight responded.

“I will write to you when I need them...” she answered before walking up a few steps, wrapping her arms around Twilight’s purple shirt before she continued. “Thank you…,”

“Hey, there is no need to worry! I’m here if y'all need me. I know things in Equestria can be busy, but I will never abandon you or the others, alright! Now relax and get some rest; I will talk to you tomorrow morning,” said Twilight.

“Alrighty, have a good night,” she responded. A blue portal with purple waves suddenly appeared with Twilight’s hand briefly glowing a darker purple; she walked into it before both suddenly disappeared.

During the next 30 minutes, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are visited by Twilight so small samples can be collected to study what effects the changes had on their bodies. At Sunset’s apartment, she was sitting down, reading a novel on past wars. Suddenly a purple portal appeared; a few seconds later, Twilight came out and waved at her.

“Hey! How is life going? I know I could just write to you, but I wanted to check on you in person, or pony, depending on how you want to explain it,” joked Twilight.

"Well, I am reading this interesting book, but otherwise it has been okay; it hasn’t been the best, but you know! Life is about ups and downs,” said Sunset Shimmer.

“Well, could I see one of your arms? All the others are donating a tiny bit so we could see how much power we have,” said Twilight excitedly.

Suddenly small amounts of water begin to run down her neck as her chest suddenly gets tight, and her breathing slowly gets heavy. “Ummm well…. Were they allowed to get the sample themselves?” asked Sunset nervously.

“You don’t have to; it would be nice for Sci-Twi and me to get some data later on. Also, Fluttershy did the sample herself if you want to do it. Do you know how to collect a small sample? I can help you if you don’t,” explained Twilight.

“I will give some data, give me the needle, go to the bathroom and get a small sample, but I would like some privacy; it makes me feel a little more comfortable,” she insisted.

“I understand,” Twilight responded before handing her a long needle with a small purple bag at the end. Sunset went into the bathroom before closing and locking the door, grabbing the needle before painfully rolling up her sleeve. She gently entered her skin before a little bit of red liquid entered the small purple bag.

Her arm suddenly felt a small jolt in pain, like if two bees had stung it. Carefully, the needle exited before, with her middle finger applied pressure, she wiped it before putting a small band-aid. Rolling her sleeve down before walking out of the bathroom, she stepped in front of her and handed the small needle.

“There you go, Twilight; there is the sample you need for data. Anything else you need because I do have to start getting ready for tomorrow.” Sunset asked.

“I need to ask, are you doing okay? Are you telling the truth because I sense that you are going through something?” She asked while putting her hand on Sunset’s shoulder and comforted.

“I am doing okay, alright? Just thinking about things, let me finish my tasks, and I will write to you tonight, alright?” Her voice sounded tense, and she felt her muscles tighten a little.

“Alright, if you need anything, let me know, okay? The girls are worried about you.” Twilight responded before briefly rubbing her left arm.

“Okay,” she groaned a little.

“Alright, see you later!” responded Twilight before her right hand glowed a dark purple, which opened up a portal before she walked through and it disappeared.

Sci-Twi was working on her computer, solving equations so she could nail the test in the next four weeks. “So let’s see what 66 x 25 divided by 20 would be,” Sci-Twi questioned before a knock at the front door interrupted her. She rose from her chair, crossed the room, and opened the door to find her equestrian counterpart smiling on the other side.

“Hey Sci-Twi. May I come in? I need help with some data tonight!” Asked Twilight Sparkle.

"Of course, Princess," Sci-Twi said as she closed and locked the door. "Come in! Come in!" She paused briefly before continuing, "I do have a question, though. As one of the smartest in magic, I wonder why an equestrian queen would need help from her human counterpart." Sci-Twi asked with a smile.

Twilight Sparkle spoke in a serious tone, "I need help with a very important task. This data is crucial because I, along with the other girls, have concerns and interests about the relationship between equestrian magic and nature's process."

Sci-Twi was listening sharply while getting her purple and black iPad, followed by a black stylus pen, and a computer with a purple-blue patterned mouse, a pink mouse pad, and a fancy blue laptop cooling system.

Sci-Twi asked, "Do you have any blood from them and magic that I can use, along with my knowledge of nature's rules? I've been trying to study this for a very long time but never had the resources to completely figure it out. I've been attempting to use math equations to solve it."

She presented her with samples from them and data/readings from a specialized device that measures the degree of equestrian magic. "I've gathered all the relevant data," Twilight said with a smile. "Do you think your human counterpart can Einstein this information, or is it beyond our current understanding?"

Sci-Twi donned her white lab coat as she said, "You know I relish the challenge of equations and research. Now, let me examine that data so we can better understand the process."

Before she began setting up her computer and connecting it to a device to gather data from her lab experiments, Twilight provided her with all the necessary items. She then put on gloves and collected samples from nature to monitor the healing process, comparing them to each other.

“This will likely take some time, as pointing out the timescales of any process can take a while. At best, I can have this research done in two weeks. Sadly, sometimes really huge questions take a while to answer.” Said Sci-Twi while setting up her lab.

Twilight Sparkle carefully retrieved a rare liquid from her bag. She warned that this should be used sparingly, as even a few drops could have significant and unpredictable consequences.

"This potion can help us see their blood pattern, from their childhood on Earth up to the current situation," Twilight explained in a serious tone. "With this, your research should only take about twelve hours, although I'd recommend doing it tomorrow night since you have school commitments during the day."

She bowed respectfully to her. "Thank you for entrusting me with this," she said. "I promise to use it sparingly, only two drops at a time. I would not want to disrupt the balance of the Earth or tarnish your reputation as the new Queen of Equestria. You have my word that I will be exceedingly careful with this gift."

"Once you have the data, please contact them," said Twilight Sparkle. "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, she opened the small portal back to Equestria, where Spike was waiting for her return.

"Take care, Princess," Sci-Twi cautioned. "You never know when someone might try to jeopardize your plans. Farewell."

Meanwhile, Sunset sat alone in her apartment, working on the computer and studying spells. Suddenly, like a truck crashing into a tree. The impact of intrusive thoughts caused her immense pain and regret, which felt like knives stabbing her stomach and chest. In a desperate attempt to distract herself, Sunset decided to clean her room and apartment.

Tears welled up as she imagined what it would feel like to simply bleed out and cut away her regrets, like a saw cutting through a tree. The pain was like a cancer she couldn't cure, growing worse over time but never quite killing her. It was as if she was choking on a constant stream of poisonous gas, her chest tight and her breathing labored, all from the weight of her emotions and mental anguish.

She had never truly learned to cope with others, but Twilight Sparkle's arrival forced her to confront her shortcomings, both in her ability to work with others and in her leadership abilities. Sunset's defeat at Twilight's hands had only compounded the pain she was already wrestling with, causing her carefully constructed facade to finally start to crumble.

She went crazy as she heard screaming, “People love leaving you, Sunset... All these girls are going to leave you... You're at fault... You don’t deserve happiness... You deserve to rot in the fires of hell, where your demons came from. You're such a cancer-parasite-like creature that deserves to be shot. Your insides are a waste; you should bleed the regrets out, so you don’t have to worry but suffer as you are supposed to. You're guilty of the mistakes you made. Everyone is going to leave you to die and bleed out. You should jump off a cliff with a jumpsuit and maybe let an object pierce your heart to take care of your regretful soul.”

“Stop…. Please just stop,” she said, trying to stay calm.

The voices continued to haunt and scream, "Come on, Sunset. You know it will never stop; you cannot kill a troubled mind without a troubled death. Come on, you know that's your only escape. When you die, you'll likely just keep burning and rotting away anyway."

Overwhelmed by the torment in her mind, she began to weep, pleading, "Stop... please."

The surroundings suddenly turned bloody, and her eyes glazed over with blindness. Loud, haunting screams and laughter erupted, and while an incredible amount of pain wracked her body, her muscles tensed to the point of spasming, causing excruciating pain throughout.

She tried to tough it out, shaking her head before the madness finally subsided. With heavy breaths, she broke down into sobs once more.

Overwhelmed by the pain, she desperately wished it would end. But when she saw the sharp object, her pupils suddenly widened, without hesitation, and she walked slowly before grabbing it and making a deep, jagged shape along her arm, exposing under layers. As liquid flooded the surface of her arm, she finally snapped out of her trance, horrified by the severity of what she saw.

Panic sets in, and she hurried to apply pressure and stem the flow from the sizeable gash on her arm. Relieved to find it had missed any important spots, she let out a shaky breath. She tended to it, cleaning carefully.

A crushing sense of regret weighed on her chest, a painful ache that paradoxically kept her clinging to life. Self-loathing gripped her, but she stubbornly tried to quiet her mind. Deciding she needed rest, she resolved to go to sleep, knowing she had school the next day and had plans to meet her for breakfast.

Despite the pain, she gathered a towel and other supplies to take a shower. The shape was spilling enough liquid; droplets fell into the running water as it drained. Yet she persisted through the discomfort, completing her shower routine before drying off and changing into pajamas.

Feeling a sharp, excruciating pain, she slowly opened the fridge door to get some ice cream. Though she whimpered from the intensity of the pain, she never vocalized her discomfort. She silently ate the ice cream, refusing to ask for help or call emergency services, as if she had simply stopped caring about her well-being. She finished her ice cream. She climbed into bed, where she sobbed while cradling her arm. She lay down, regretting her actions until she finally drifted off.

Fluttershy's house: 9:00 PM

Fluttershy stared at the ceiling as her mind wandered, her eyes not able to close their skin doors. Like an animal sensing a predator nearby, her chest tight as an asthma attack, something felt amiss. From the number of sweaters worn recently to the waterfall that appeared from the source of the pupils, the behavior seemed out of character. Despite following her routine before lying down, her eyes were as if she consumed an energy drink. Eventually, she grabbed a brown puppy plush, A pink speaker played a collection of nature's delights before the doors shut, allowing sleep to take over.

Meanwhile, after visiting her house, it took them until 5:00 pm to get back to the mansion. Once they arrived, Rarity spent the next two hours focused on her fashion business and website, getting settled in. Meanwhile, Applejack checked all her important tasks for the upcoming apple harvest before taking a break on the couch. She then went outside to the back area, facing the mountain. There, Applejack simply listened to nature and admired the majestic mountain, which evoked both awe and trepidation. A little while later, at 7:15 PM, Rarity came out and embraced her from behind, wrapping her arms around the waist.

“Are you doing okay, darling?” Asked Rarity as she gentled and happily embraced

Applejack's voice wavered, still tinged with fear, yet also tinged with awe as she gazed upon the mountain. "I'm okay, Rarity. I'm just looking at the valley."

"Rarity kissed her cheek as she reassured, 'Nothing will hurt you as long as you're with me; I'm going to make some dinner, okay?'"

Applejack responded with a small smile, "Okay."

She prepared a delicious angel hair pasta dish with sausage and spinach. She sautéed sliced Italian sausage, onion, and garlic in olive oil, then added chicken broth, broken angel hair pasta, and two packages of spinach. After simmering for 8 minutes, she stirred in whipped cream and pepper. Rarity then served the pasta, and she and Applejack enjoyed the meal at the dining table.

They both sat down, enjoying their food while talking about how business was going for the both of them. She showed her on her dark blue iPad fancy black dresses, having gems with parts sparkling blue, orange, and red; afterward, she showed her some orange-red patterned shirts with Apple logos on them.

“Those look nice for the event coming up; surprise, you didn’t go all out style. You would normally love to put a bunch of “features” and a ton of gems, like I remember your first design when we stated had a ton of red and green sparkles to them.” Applejack responded.

"Well, darling, I have to keep with the culture that y'all have. If you ever want me to make the designs a bit more "showing,” I can always do it.” explained Rarity while smirking.

She chuckled. “I know you would, very happy though that the healthy image gets to remain intact with the way we have done things for generations; if we ever want the skin revealed, I will let you know.”

"Well, considering how many you work, darling, no one would be upset if they found out that muscle work of yours does good in both categories.” She responded before playfully winking.

A flood of pink shoots through her cheeks like a flash flood dominant low-lying countryside; the two-pace beat is heard coming from her chest into the mind as she becomes heavier than a runner after jogging; she looks at it, worried that she has an allergy to one of the ingredients.

Applejack stopped her before she got up, seeing the worried expression. “I’m okay, sugar cube, just a little surprised. Don’t worry, it’s delicious. Thank you very much, but it’s missing something; maybe some apple cider,” Applejack answered before giving a small smirk.

She gave a small grin before getting up, walking a few steps to the fridge, and grabbing two orange bottles. “Do you want me to get some fancy glasses or you want to drink out of them?” she asked.

"I'll take the glass sugar," Applejack answered.

She nodded before Rarity opened one of the top cabinets, reached for two glass cups with plant figures overspreading, and poured some cider in both before walking a few steps back, handing her one of the glasses while sitting the other down.

“Thank you, sugar. Anything you need to do around here? Since I have been staying, I may as well help you around,” asked Applejack.

“Darling, it’s nice of you to want to help; the point of you staying was to make sure you were doing okay; don’t stress okay,” she insisted.

“I’m not; I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t... Well…. Wasting your time is all,” she fretted.

“Sweetheart…. You are not wasting any of my time, and I want what’s healthy for you,” said Rarity.

“If you say so, sugar cube, sorry, just struggling a little, but I’ll be fine,” she responded.

She got up and walked a few steps before putting her hands on Applejack’s shoulders; she then pressed tight, slowly massaging them. “Just relax, darling; that mind should be a nice single cute guitar solo; don’t need that negative beat in your head,” she cooed before getting close. “I can assist you later if you want, darling,” she whispered.

“Let’s finish dinner first. I wouldn’t want to waste the meal now, would I?” she responded nervously.

“Go ahead and finish your meal. I will be upstairs to do a few chores. Come upstairs after you are done, okay? We can relax and watch TV!” She suggested while her finger gently went down Applejack’s neck.

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss that,” she blushed.

After Rarity washed the dish and placed it in the cabinet after drying it with a green towel, she ran upstairs before walking at a good pace, entering her room before turning on her computer and finishing any business before relaxing for the night.

Twenty minutes later, she closed her computer before opening her closet. She looked at five bedtime outfits; one was just a light black T-shirt with gray shorts; the second was an orange T-shirt with white, orange, and brown patterned pajamas; the third one was some gray pajamas; the fourth one, which would have shown the most skin with its pink overlay, the top acting like a bra in support; a fifth outfit had a sea of black with patterns of purple and pink flowers; but she grabbed an outfit to not be too fancy but hot enough, a pajamas pink shirt with a sea of blood dots with a few red diamond shapes with shorts mirroring it.

She stepped into a small changing room with the walls, a sea of dark blue with small yellow moons dotting; two minutes later she came out and stepped outside. Applejack had finished her meal about five minutes ago, had washed the dish, and checked on her family. She gently got up from the gray chair before seeing a purple-dark blue-haired girl with a pink outfit with a sea of black dots, a few small red diamonds helping to sparkle at some angles.

“R…Rarity…. That looks very nice on you,” she responded to seeing the beauty in front of her, face flushed with dark red; her stomach felt like butterflies suddenly sprouted inside.

“Well, darling, I wouldn’t want to look bad in bed now; that’s not my taste, plus I got some good-looking pajamas for you too,” said Rarity while smirking.

“A..alright, let me get them on before we relax for the night,” she responded before nervously walking up the stairs.

Rarity gave her some orange shorts and a green light shirt with orange dotted around it. After changing, she appeared outside where Rarity was waiting. They both felt the soft, warm touch of their hands as they entered her room. They got in before she grabbed the remote and turned on the TV; suddenly she felt her hands wrap around the waist before Rarity gently put her head on her chest. All that could be heard were two things: her favorite show and the calm sounds of a drum-like beat while hearing the gentle sounds of air going in and out.

However, at times Applejack turned her eyes, staring outside the window with the mountain dominating the landscape; her body tensed up before her eyes every so often when blinking, seeing gray and black flood the skyline before it became normal again. Breathing became heavy, as if she responded with fear.

She hoped that some cuddling and TV would help her relax, but it didn't work. She felt conflicted, causing her to wonder. While the cuddling was soothing her nerves, thoughts racing through her mind kept her from relaxing, even as she almost reached a calmer state.

Rarity gently squeezed her hand, her voice laced with both romantic affection and genuine concern. "Darling, are you thinking again? I can always tell when something is troubling you, my sweet buttercup." She paused, her brow furrowed slightly, and Applejack felt her hand on the side of her face. "Is my little apple turning sour? Hmm, what's the matter?"

Applejack sighed, "That dream has left me deeply unsettled. I can't stop picturing; it’s weighing heavily on my mind."

"Darling, is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, her legs snuggling in between Applejack’s while her body inched closer, one hand on her lover’s chest.

Holding her close, he pleaded, "You don't have to do anything. Please, just stay by my side."

Her cheeks flooded with dark red as she kissed Applejack's cheek. Afterward, her lover’s hand began to tremble, as if overcome by anxiety, every time she glanced back at the mountain to ensure she wasn't caught off guard. Rarity gently guided her face towards her own, then leaned in and pressed her lips against Applejack's in a deep, passionate kiss. As their lips met, she squeezed her hand, holding it a little tighter. After a brief pause, she continued the embrace.

Rarity gave a small wink, saying, "That mountain won't do anything for a while. Don't fear the snowy devil, but look to your heavenly angel instead. You need to let go of that guard and bring in something new. No more stress or fear, baby. Your heart shouldn't be pressured, but free to share the light of love and creativity. Also, instead of fearing fire, you should have tranquility with your desires.”

Rarity initiated a series of deep, passionate kisses, her fingers gliding softly across Applejack's skin like a skater on ice. Her mind and heart calmed, the images and memories briefly erased by the intoxicating embrace. Eventually, both were lost in the moment.

Rarity asked, "Do you feel any better, darling?" as she planted her lips briefly on her neck, then smirked.

Applejack's cheeks flushed as she asked, "Yeah, I do, sugar cube. But you could plant a few more on me. Or are you nervous to taste more of the apple flavor?"

Rarity smirked and winked coyly before removing her shirt. "You'd do well to keep that mouth of yours shut; you never know when I might have to shut it for you," she purred, pressing her index finger on her lips with a mischievous yet alluring grin.

Applejack's voice wavered as she asked, "What do you mean, sugar cube?" She breathed heavily, her nerves showing.

Rarity purred, "Darling, if we were deeper in our relationship and you continued that teasing, I would be compelled to 'play’, elicit a lovely sound." She reached for her neck, planting deep, passionate kisses there before capturing her lips. Applejack smiled and returned the intense kiss. For a brief amount of time, it was as if the universe decreased into a few inches, a few images with mostly emotion in mind.

"Rarity gazed affectionately at her beloved and said, 'I love you, darling. Please don't hesitate to ask me for anything you need or any help you require. Someone as special as you deserves better.'" She then tenderly kissed her forehead.

Applejack smiled as she said, "I love you too, sugar cube. Thank you."

Rarity chuckled lightly as she said, "Enough admiring that mountain. While it may be impressive, I’m far more captivating. That mountain moves at a glacial pace compared to you; your beauty outshines it tenfold."

Her cheeks flushed crimson as Rarity leaned in and placed one final, passionate kiss on her lips; she simply couldn't get enough of her. Afterward, they snuggled together contentedly. A few minutes later, she looked at Applejack, but before she could speak, she found her peacefully sleeping, the muscles relaxed and loose. She smiled gently before falling asleep, with the only noise being the single beat.