The Trauma Within

Chapter 8: Emotional Chessboard

Chapter 8: Emotional Chessboard.

After leaving her apartment 30 minutes prior, it was 7:00 AM; rush hour traffic was pretty heavy as cars traveled up and down the main roadway, and the weather was amazing with a small breeze.

Stationed at the street corner, she observed the steady flow of commuters, their work attire ranging from colorful ties and tailored suits to black pants and leather briefcases. Amidst the sea of corporate wear, her vibrant green and orange-patterned hoodie stood out distinctly.

In the distance, Sunset noticed a small, pink car. The front seats were a bright blue, while the back end of Fluttershy's hair transitioned from purple to blue. The car's roof was pink with small, red patterns. At first, Sunset couldn't identify the driver until the car pulled into a parking spot.

As Fluttershy stepped out of the car, Sunset's eyebrows raised in interest at the sight of Fluttershy's striking ensemble: blue high heels, fishnet stockings, and a black dress adorned with purple flowers. Completing the look was a sparkling, heart-shaped necklace that caught the light with its dark blue hues.

“Well, someone is looking fancy today! I didn’t expect you to look this good for a morning out,” Sunset sputtered.

“Thanks. I did try to make it look good. Is there something wrong with my hair, my dress... any spots I missed?” Fluttershy worried.

“No! Relax. You look great. If I knew you were going to do a twist, I would have done the same, so I kind of feel like the one lacking. Plus, it’s just breakfast,” Sunset responded.

Her cheeks suddenly slightly flushed. “Do I really look good, or are you just being nice?” asked Fluttershy.

“Yes, with how you look versus everyone else, I’m worried that random creeps are going to give you attention,” she fretted.

Fluttershy felt reassured, saying, "I'm glad you're here to look out for me. We should stick together to keep me safe." As she spoke, Fluttershy brushed her hair aside with her right hand.

“I mean… Yeah, that would be a good solution, heh,” she admitted before a small amount of red appeared.

“Alright, are you ready to eat? I heard they got some good coffee here too,” said Fluttershy.

“Let’s go. Also, let me know if I got to kick someone’s ass for looking at you wrong. You know I would get in trouble for you,” she joked.

Fluttershy chuckled a little. “You won’t have to do that, but I respect you for always having my back. How has your weekend been?” she asked.

“It’s been okay. Been having some difficulties, but I’m fine,” she sighed before quickly looking at her right arm.

“We can talk more when we get inside. I want you to have a good time,” she insisted.

“What do you mean? I always have a good time hanging out with y’all,” she said before whimpering. “Besides, that one night,” added Sunset.

Sunset gently stepped aside, opening the front door. "Thank you," Fluttershy responded with a bright smile as she entered the café. As Sunset began to follow, her arm shifted position, and it began to tremble with sharp, needle-like bursts of discomfort. She paused momentarily, her eyes widening, before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling. She then followed Fluttershy into the café.

They stood on a plush red carpet, surrounded by small vases that overflowed with lush, mature roses. The two then took a seat on a cozy brown couch. Sunset glanced around the room, taking in the elegant ruby walls adorned with subtle maroon leaf patterns.

Fluttershy turned toward her, cheeks suddenly flushing pink as she admired Sunset's amazing red-gold hair and sparkling black eyes with their captivating blue flecks, features that tended to make Fluttershy lose her train of thought.

She suddenly noticed that Sunset looked a little uncomfortable and gently touched her arm. “I hope I’m not bothering you or anything... If you are worried, we can go somewhere more quiet,” she responded while rubbing her right hand.

“It’s not you. Other things are bothering me, but thanks. Sorry if I look like I’m not enjoying my time right now; I’m just all over the place,” she responded.

“Don’t worry, alright? If you want to talk, let me know. This is for you and me to relax and talk. I can try to find the quietest spot in the café if that would help,” she said while continuing to rub her hand.

“That would be great,” she nodded before a waiter appeared in front of them.

“Hello… Will it be a table for two this morning?” he asked.

“Yes, where is the quietest spot in the café? My friend is nervous about how many are here,” she asked.

“There is a spot where couples would go, but since it’s not the weekend, I don’t know if we can since we only do couple events at that time. I can ask my supervisor,” he suggested.

“That would be great,” said Fluttershy.

“Give me a moment, ladies,” he responded before walking away.

“You didn’t have to, but I do appreciate it,” she responded.

“Well, I do want you to relax and have a good time. Also, are we going to go to the park before school briefly? It’s quiet normally during the morning,” she asked.

“Yes, we can. I’m not in a rush anyway,” she answered with a brief smile.

Suddenly, the waiter appeared and rushed to them. “The back has a free spot if you two want to sit there,” he added.

"Yes, please, thank you,” she responded with joy.

“Alright, follow me to your table, please,” he responded.

They got up from the brown couch and walked slowly as they followed the waiter toward a pair of red seats that acted like a booth, the clover leaf-designed wall surrounded by an ocean of jade.

They sat down across from each other before Fluttershy put her blue purse to the left. Sunset put her backpack beside her on the seat before unzipping it, revealing a long-sleeved green T-shirt. Small amounts of sweat ran down the back of her neck.

“Hey… I'm going to go change since this sweater makes it feel hot in here... You don’t mind, do you? Got to go use the bathroom anyway!”

“I don’t mind; it’s not like I'm going to leave,” she joked.

“I will be back in a few minutes! If the waiter arrives, could you get me a cappuccino? Don’t want them to have to go back more than twice for the orders,” she clarified.

“Of course! Also, don’t worry about paying for anything, alright? Since I am the one who invited you.” She smiled.

“Thanks… I’ll be right back,” she said before getting up and walking quickly to the bathroom, locking the door before taking her sweater off. “Ow, shit,” she whispered, her eyes briefly shutting super tight as sharp feelings continued until it was off. She put the T-shirt on, causing her arm to heat up before briefly trembling again. She stepped outside before walking back to where Fluttershy was.

l be right back,” she said before getting up and walking quickly to the bathroom, locking the door before taking her sweater off. “Ow, shit,” she whispered, her eyes briefly shutting super tight as sharp feelings continued until it was off. She put the T-shirt on, causing her arm to heat up before briefly trembling again. She stepped outside before walking back to where Fluttershy was.

"Hey, are you doing okay? Your eyes are a little red. Have you been crying or lacking sleep?” she responded with worry.

“I’m fine! I just had to wake up quickly to meet with you, so I am a little tired, but it’s no big deal,” she answered.

Before she could respond to what Sunset said, another waiter came up to them, asking them what they wanted to drink before breakfast. Sunset responded with a strawberry cappuccino, while Fluttershy got a sweet tea. The waiter left before they continued.

“Sunset, is there something that you're not telling me? Since it’s you and me. If you want to talk, let me know, okay? I won’t tell the others,” ”said Fluttershy, worried.

“You seriously... won’t tell anyone... not even Rarity or Applejack... or the others?” she asked, hands trembling while her breath slowly became heavy.

“No… I won’t. Whatever is going on, I am here for you. Look, I just really want to make sure you are alright.” She looked into her black pupils with a concerned expression.

She grabbed her hand gently and felt it shaking all over, as if fear had flooded her body. “Sunset, are you okay? Did something happen to you? I need to know.”

“Well… I… Look, could we talk about it? At least at the park, or at least until after the waiter gives us the food, so they don’t see,” she insisted.

“Sure, whatever makes you comfortable.” She briefly smiled while rubbing her hand.

Sunset felt bad for having to keep hiding what was wrong. She glanced downward at the table. “Fine… I will show you, but do you promise you won’t hate me or make me feel weak?” She quavered.

Suddenly, the waiter appeared with the drinks, gently putting both of them down. “Here you go, a cappuccino and a sweet tea. Would you like to order now or continue to review our menu?” he asked.

“Do you want to order now, Sunset?” she asked.

“Um… I forgot to, well, eat last night, so I don’t know how much I can order. She shuddered.

“Sunset… Like I told you, don’t worry about how much it costs,” said Fluttershy.

“C… C…Could I get some chocolate pancakes with a ham and cheese sandwich on the side?” asked Sunset while her hand slightly trembled.

“May I get a Hawaiian omelet, please? Heard they were great here,” Fluttershy added.

“Will that be all?” asked the waiter.

“Yes, sir,” Fluttershy answered.

“I may just need to eat. My body normally doesn’t shake like this unless I don’t eat. I was just too tired last night, and I crashed,” said Sunset.

“After we eat, you still have to tell me what’s secretly going on. And yes, I promise,” she responded.

Fluttershy asked Sunset how the business with Rarity was progressing. Sunset described how the dresses were taking shape. She and Rarity had been making regular calls to ensure everything was going well. Those talks were intended to calm Sunset, as sometimes she would hear her voice go high-pitched, possibly from anxiety.

Twenty minutes later, the waiter arrived with chocolate pancakes decorated with a pattern of raspberries and blueberries resembling a flower. Alongside the pancakes was a toasted cheese sandwich with crisp, golden edges. The other plate contained a melted cheese mixture with ham, spices, small pineapple chunks, and green peppers.

“That looks delicious; thank you,” Sunset smiled as she smelled the food.

“Thank you, sir!” she smiled before looking at her.

As the waiter departed, Fluttershy's expression grew pensive. On one hand, she pondered what could be troubling her and worried she may have done something wrong. Yet, on the other hand, her flushed cheeks and fluttering stomach suggested a surge of joyful anticipation as they began to enjoy their meal.

After 20 minutes of enjoying their food, around 7:35 AM, she had a small smile on her face. She could see that her friend felt a bit better; her eyes were no longer bloodshot and puffy but went back to normal surrounding her gorgeous black pupils. The waiter came back to give them the check, which, for breakfast at a café, was pretty cheap at only $21.45. She opened her blue purse before giving the money.

“Alright, now that we paid for the food, are we ready to go?” Sunset asked.

“Well, almost; first we need to be, well... Not to be awkward, but let's go to the bathroom because, like I said, I want to see what’s secretly going on,” Fluttershy insisted.

Her gut suddenly felt tight, and her breathing sort of shivered before starting to tremble very lightly. “Okay, let’s go,” she responded.

They both got up and grabbed their belongings before walking at a medium pace towards the bathroom, stepping inside before locking the door. “Anything you need to tell me, Sunset? I don’t like you hiding. I’m here to help you, but you got to tell or show me the truth,” Fluttershy wondered while staring at her curiously.

Sunset sighed before reaching for her sleeve, her heart beginning to race, hands shaking as she slowly moved it up, an ocean of red lines with a few showing a darker shade of red. Surrounding those were dark red to even tiny purple bruises.

“These are all recent; did you have an accident? Fall? Why do you have so many??” she asked while staring into her hands, gently squeezing her left hand as more gets revealed with Sunset's right hand.

“I’m sorry for not telling you; I didn't want you to be worried,” she stuttered before nervously gulping.

Sunset felt one hand on her shoulder with the other one rubbing her left hand. “What are these? Did you hurt yourself? I need to know so I can assist you,” she asked.

“I... just,” she quivered while whimpering.

She grabbed a small box with a green cross, opening it before getting a white wipe and slowly pressing it on the red mark on her skin. "Sunset, there is no reason to hide this from me. Did you have an injury earlier?” asked Fluttershy.

“I fell on some sharp rocks the other day; I should have gone to the hospital, but you know, I am stubborn sometimes,” Sunset replied.

“Sunset, that’s not healthy. You got to take better care of yourself,” Fluttershy worried.

“It’s okay; no one would have missed me anyway if it did the wrong spot and my regrets flooded out—a nice slow drain to think about how much I fucking hate myself,” she muttered.

“What?! That’s not true at all! You are too precious to think about yourself like that,” she blurted.

“So what? I’m just another useless being, and I'm replaceable. I don’t know why y'all hold me at such a high value; all I am is just another small pixel in the data stream; if I go, then my place gets filled quickly. The rules of nature say it’s survival of the fittest, and I don’t fit that bullshit,” she responded, staring downward before sighing.

Suddenly she felt Fluttershy’s head dig into her chest before hearing small sobs, her hands wrapping around Sunset's waist before responding. “You are special, a beautiful success story; Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Sci-Twi, and even Twilight Sparkle couldn’t compare to what you dealt with in your life, even if it was your fault. Unlike most, you turned around and looked in the mirror, realizing what you could achieve. You leaving us would be like a cancer that never went away, a stab always in the mind.” Fluttershy whimpered.

“But y'all are the only ones that see that; what about the others I haunted and hurt?? No matter how much I try to repair my sins, they stab me every time face to face,” she briefly exploded.

Fluttershy suddenly let go of her, looking at her with wide tearful eyes while trembling a lot; her breath hitched as she tried to steady herself, tremors racking her body and making it difficult to focus. The intensity of her own emotions is shaking her to the core. Sunset's reaction only compounded the turmoil. Seeing her crumble to the ground, overwhelmed by her feelings, broke the last threads of her restraint.

For a moment, Fluttershy hesitated, a small voice in her head urging her to back away, to protect herself from further pain. But as she looked down at Sunset, sobbing and vulnerable. A fierce protective instinct that outweighed her hurt.

Without hesitation, Fluttershy dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms tightly around Sunset's waist, pulling her close in a desperate embrace, as if holding Sunset together might also mend her own fractured heart.

Resting her head on Sunset's shoulder, Fluttershy let the warmth between them chase away the lingering coldness in her chest. No words were needed. Her embrace conveyed a silent promise that no matter what had happened, she would not let go.

After two minutes, she spoke. “Let me help you see the brighter side of yourself. You are like a raging river; you are going to go through a bunch of evolution, having to change your looks and even sometimes commit sins, but in the end, when it continues, it eventually recycles itself into a gorgeous landscape. You are no different, no matter how many flaws. The most pretty things from the earth come from changes that are so drastic,” she said, staring at her.

She got up before staring deeply into the mirror, tears running down her cheeks. “I just don’t think I can... It haunts me when I see myself in the mirror; it’s just a reflection of me dancing with my failures... I’m sorry,” she apologized.

“Can I at least clean these? I don’t want you having any more issues with these at least,” she asked.

“If you want to, since I don’t care about being late,” she added.

“Okay,” she responded while being worried, grabbing another white cloth and gently rubbing another section of her arm.

For the next 25 minutes, Fluttershy tended to Sunset's arms in the bathroom. Fortunately, no one was around when they finally emerged. As they stepped out of the café, she offered to drive Sunset to the park before heading back to school, but Sunset declined. They said their goodbyes, and Fluttershy watched Sunset slowly walk away.

Fluttershy approached the car, pressing the button on the car keys to unlock the door. She got in and locked it. Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears. In an uncharacteristic display of emotion, she balled up her fist and punched the steering wheel. "Fuck! That could have been my chance to help her and get ahead, but I had to ruin everything!" she cried. She started the car and merged into traffic, heading to school.

Five minutes after getting on the road, her iPhone rang loudly. She parked her car to the side and glanced at her phone, seeing a picture of Sci-Twi before picking it up and answering.

“Hello? Do you need anything? I just ate, so I’m heading towards the park for a little bit before heading to the high school.”

“Hey! I’m sorry if I am bothering you, but could you pick me up in twenty minutes?” Sci-Twi asked before continuing. “I seriously don’t feel like walking today.”

"Yeah, I can pick you up in about fifteen minutes; just let me finish something, and then I'll pick you up, okay? I will be there soon,” she sighed.

“Alright! See you soon!” she responded before the call ended.

She drove into a parking lot, turned off the car, and stepped out, locking the door behind her. For a moment, she slowly walked, taking in the calm morning breeze that gently blew her hair as she gazed at the trees. Suddenly, a squirrel appeared, climbing up a tree with an acorn. Seeing this, she briefly smiled, remembering the times she and Sunset had played a game together, amused by Sunset's reaction to her struggling with the cute little pixel.

As she closed her eyes, a gentle breeze moved her hair gracefully to the left. The soothing sounds of chirping baby birds created a musical all around. She took a few deep breaths, listening to the leaves rustling and dancing like tiny ballerinas.

She grabbed her purse before getting off the bench. She dallied towards her car before getting in, turning the key before carefully moving out of the parking lot into traffic to pick up Sci-Twi. Twenty-two minutes later, she arrived at her house, parking her car on the side.

The front door slowly opened up, and two suddenly showed up at the entrance: a brown-colored boy with a red T-shirt, green hair, and gray shorts, and afterward, a purple-haired girl with glasses walked out the front door before power-walking towards the car.

She was at first surprised but remembered that Sci-Twi invited him over to study the stars over the weekend as they were trying to solve some equations about the difference when Venus enters Earth’s view. She waved at her before opening the front passenger door.

“Hey! How was your weekend? Heard you and Timber were studying the stars and planets for fun this weekend,” she said.

“Yeah, it was really fun, plus we had the chance to see Venus, but you know, my brain cells would try to solve the exact amount of distance between us and its surface; I kind of wish I did more, but being so focused on equations kind of did make me miss the messy science,” she stated before chuckling a little.

“Glad you two had an amazing time, ready to go? I don't want to be late,” she asked.

“Let’s go; we have exactly 24 minutes and 28 seconds to go before we're late!” she chuckled.

She rolled her eyes before giving a small goofy smile, turning the key before starting the drive towards the school. Still, her mind raced thinking about what she could have done better. “Did I rush? Did I force it too quickly? I saw her hand trembling, but I wondered if it was just because of her being nervous or was it because of something more troubling; maybe she was ill or something; I mean, her eyes looked a bit redder than normal tired people.” She thought in her mind.

Sci-Twi noticed Fluttershy’s mood was not normal; a lot of the time she would be talking about how her garden was going, hanging out with Rarity, or humming some tunes, but right now she was silent, her face having more of a serious, sad-like expression. Besides sometimes reminding herself what to do at a traffic light, she was silent.

“Alright, just got to make this left turn, and we will be there in about ten minutes,” she reminded herself.

“Are you okay? You are quieter than usual before you say everything is fine, your eyes are a little red, meaning you cried not long ago, and your hands look like they are trembling on the steering wheel. What occurred today? Did you see something horrible because normally you are calmer than this??” she wondered.

“I would not like to talk about it, okay? Let’s just get to class,” she said before turning the car.

“If you hold it, then it’s going to affect you over time. I wish you would tell me so that way I can help you figure it out, she replied.

She briefly yelled. “Maybe I don’t want to talk about it.” her eyes briefly stared at Sci-Twi with a very hurtful stare.

Sci-Twi’s body suddenly sprouted goosebumps from within, her purple pupils widening before realizing, questioning silently. “I remember having to go to her house to take care of Angel, but she saw that he wasn’t hurt and was taken care of well. Did something happen between her, Rarity, Sunset, and Applejack in the last 48 hours? I need to ask them because this is not like her to yell like that.”

They arrived at the school, turning right into the parking lot before she grabbed the key, shut down the engine, got out of the driver’s seat while carrying her blue purse, and suddenly slammed the car door. Sci-Twi noticed, looking carefully at her behaviors and actions before getting out of the car and gently closing the car door before following her to the entrance of the school.

The glass doors sparkled as they reflected the angled sunlight. As they entered the hallways, the loud footsteps of high schoolers putting away their belongings in the green lockers mingled with the occasional gasp of surprise.

The contrast was stark; a new, bold outfit stood out against the simple white t-shirt and green skirt with a butterfly design. Bubble gum-colored hair, pink polka-dot shoes, and softly echoing green boots completed her normal look, but this was different.

Just ahead of them were Rarity and Applejack talking while having small smiles; they turned before Rarity gasped while Applejack's eyes briefly widened. “Darling! Did you go somewhere today?!?! I didn’t know you would look this good today!” she responded.

“Yeah, I went to a café this morning with someone, but it didn't work out as planned, but that doesn’t stop me from having to go to class,” she lamented.

Sci-Twi then noticed that someone didn’t arrive. “I have a question: did Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie arrive or are they running late? Because I feel like we're missing somebody,” she wondered.

Suddenly, from the corner of the green lockers, Dash and Pinkie Pie appeared. “Hey y'all, what’s rocking??” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Any parties planned today, or is it another normal day?” Asked Pinkie Pie.

"Sadly, it’s another normal day; unlike a cowboy struggling to ride a horse, it's going to be smooth, hopefully,” Applejack answered.

“At least we don’t have to respond to another crisis again; I remember when we had to counter so many magical problems,” Sci-Twi smiled before having a chuckle.

“I have to go to class; see you at lunch!” Fluttershy said before rushing to class.

“What is she rushing for? Class doesn't start until 9:00 AM, and we still have about 10 minutes left,” Applejack asked.

“I need to ask this. Where is Sunset? I thought she was coming today,” Sci-Twi wondered.

Rarity tried to fit all the puzzle pieces from Friday afternoon to this morning, from the breakdown to Fluttershy having a change in outfit from her going out this morning to Sunset not being here and even potentially Fluttershy asking for everyone’s data with Twilight Sparkle.

“Sci-Twi, later at lunch when we are in the music room, do you have that data from the samples we all gave? Because I want to review them for reasons,” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, we can go over them privately in the music room; we always like to hang out if you want!” she answered.

“Well, I need to get to English class early because I have to practice writing this essay for a test later! See y'all!” said Rainbow Dash before rushing off.

“Wait for me, Dashie!" Pinkie Pie responds before rushing off.

“Well, we all have first and second periods together, so let’s head there. I heard that we are doing a group project for our final grade; it’s either about World War one or two. Can’t remember!” added Sci-Twi.

The students slowly filed into the classroom and sat together in the front row. The room was filled with art and pictures depicting battles, workers, strikes, and social movements. Suddenly, three new students entered.

The three students appeared to know each other, walking in together. One wore an orange dress with a pine tree-shaped necklace, black heels, and purple shorts. The student to the left had a cross necklace, brown hair, a light blue shirt with Ruby Guitar logos, black pants with a star belt, and orange Nike shoes. The student on the right had short red hair, a sparkling red unicorn necklace, a green shirt with mint logos, candy apple shorts with chocolate logos, and white tennis shoes with black patterns over green socks.

Oh! I see we have a couple of new students here, yall sisters or best friends? It seems like you know each other well! Introduce yourselves!” the teacher noticed.

Suddenly another student walked in, a white-skinned boy with a purple T-shirt with dotted blue hearts across it with a tag that said "Selbstwertgefühl," gray camo shorts with green patterns all over, and sandals. “Good morning! Glad to see I am not the first one here!” he chuckled.

“Hello! See that it’s four new students?? I’m surprised that all of you are new to this first period! What are the chances? Can you introduce yourselves?” the teacher asked while preparing the board.

“My name is Ella, my best friend to the left is Courtney, and the one to the right who loves food and annoys me sometimes is Maisie,” Ella responded.

“Hey! C'mon now!” Maisie responded before gently punching Ella’s right shoulder.

“Hello, my name is Ludwig, and I arrived here a few years ago from Germany, so I'm still learning some English!” he answered.

“Your English is very good for someone arriving from Germany; could you say something in that language if you don’t mind??” the teacher asked.

“Manchmal esse ich gerne Erdbeeren als Snack,” Ludwig responded with a small grin.

“Is that?? I love to eat strawberries for a snack sometimes.” Sci-Twi asked.

“Very good! I see you have studied the language! Wonder if you can impress me with your knowledge of it,” Ludwig responded.

“Alright, enough chatting; we got to start class!” he said while starting to write on the board.

“Understood sir! I hope we get to know each other better soon, but for now, let the barrage of information begin,” said Ludwig before walking to the back desk and putting down his camo backpack.

Ella, Courtney, Maisie, and Ludwig sat in the back. The school day seemed to continue like an average school day, with the girls doing the first three classes. At lunch, however, it started to feel odd to Sci-Twi; she noticed that the new girls talked like sisters more but ignored it mostly as she also noticed Sunset didn’t arrive. After she got her food, they were sitting with the four new students, getting to know them.

“Hey darling, have you met these wonderful four yet!? Nice to see new faces around,” said Rarity.

“I did; I hope y'all are having a good time on the first day; sometimes the number of students can overwhelm some,” Sci-Twi added.

“No, it is very nice to have some noise, as sometimes the mind can trigger in a moment of silence,” Ludwig responded.

“Well! Glad y'all decided to choose this school! Where did you four come from? Well, from? Well, besides Ludwig, tell us from Germany if I am correct!” said Rainbow Dash hyper.

“We came from a school in Oregon; you know we had to transfer here together, so it’s nice to have that done, but I did hear about all the events here plus Rarity being the fashion talk of the state from random people talking and wearing your designs,” said Courtney.

"Yes, darling, and if you need any nice fashion designs to be hooked on, I would gladly!” Rarity responded.

“She is the sugar of fashion, like a sweet apple on the tree with no errors! She will make you look like a damn queen on that stage!” said Applejack.

"Well, that is very sweet of you to say, darling, but it’s not sweeter than the cider your family has made,” she added before winking.

Everyone was having a delightful conversation at the lunch table; everything seemed to be going great, but there was one quiet person. Fluttershy hadn’t spoken the whole time, which made Sci-Twi question. After they finished lunch, both groups went their separate ways for the rest of the period before the last two classes. The girls went into the music room, where the drums and guitars were all around.

Sci-Twi made a surprising move, locking the front door so no one could enter. She also put a black pad that would mute the sound from the room, so no one could know about the data she collected. After they all sat down, Sci-Twi started discussing all the data that occurred from the samples. She managed to get everyone beside Sunset, which the computer said would take more time to get her data since it was "unique."

All the girls were excited after hearing what potential they had; however, Fluttershy was mostly quiet besides asking one or two questions about her nature.

Sci-Twi explained, “When the equestrian magic came into this world, it made the water feel younger; looking at the age, it’s basically like nature’s version of water from when Earth was very young during the period of the late-heavy bombardment, which was a bunch of impacts from comets and other space material, but the difference is that water was toxic; this is nature’s version, so it has the minerals combined with the healthy amount of oxygen!”

“That’s cool to know; is that why my garden is growing well?” she asked.

"I believe that's the case," Sci-Twi replied, "but I'll need another night's worth of data before I can confirm it."

“Alrighty then, I'm going to my 4th class early, so I will see you girls later or tomorrow, depending on if I leave early,” said Fluttershy.

“Darling? You don’t want to jam out with us? Normally you love to hang out with us,” said Rarity.

“Not today, I’m sorry, but I need to focus on my studies; see you later,” she apologized before exiting, walking at a medium pace to her next class.

“That’s weird; normally she wouldn’t care about being a tiny bit late. Assignments to finish off high school can put a lot of stress,” guessed Applejack.

“I don’t think it’s that, the fact that she went out this morning; Sunset didn’t come to school today and was never worried about her assignments. Something has to be wrong, but I can’t figure it out! She even slammed her car door this morning, which is unusual even for her,” Sci-Twi stated.

“Also, normally she would be shy, but today, it was like she went on a date or tried to,” Rarity added.

“I wonder if this has something to do with Sunset. After school, I'm going to her apartment myself to make sure she is okay,” worried Applejack.

“I need to talk to Fluttershy because I am worried about Sunset. Which class will she be in now?” Rarity asked.

“I believe she is in science class. We can both go together and talk to her,” Sci-Twi responded.

“Imma see if she texts me on my phone alright?” said Rainbow Dash while grabbing her iPhone out of her denim-colored backpack.

Sci-Twi unlocked the door before she and Rarity ran out to find Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash started texting and even called Sunset a few times but got no answer; even Pinkie Pie wondered, showing a sad expression while a small shiver suddenly shook her briefly. They continued to look until they finally found her in the cafeteria while all the other students had left; she was sitting alone while looking at her iPhone. They got closer before seeing her stare at Sunset's messages while trembling, her eyes letting loose a few tears.

Sci-Twi sat down across from her while Rarity sat next to her before gently rubbing her right shoulder. Applejack entered and saw what was going on. “There you three are; Rainbow Dash hadn’t heard from her yet, but she's trying harder than a cowboy baiting a bull in competition.”

“I… “I… It’s my fault; why did I force her to show what happened? I should have waited and been patient with her, but my nerves were so on edge that I wasn’t slow; I rushed it too quickly,” Fluttershy cried.

“Darling, what do you mean rush? Did you rush a relationship? A kiss? Maybe she wasn’t ready yet,” Rarity comforted.

“N… “N… No, it’s even worse; I told her to show me what was going on; I saw her arms before having to clean them,” Fluttershy responded, her voice soft and shaky.

“Why would you ask that, and how would that be bad? I don’t see the harm in that unless I am missing something." Applejack questioned.

Sci-Twi suddenly started to connect everything: Sunset’s quiet mood, more long sleeves and sweaters, Rarity’s mention of her mental breakdown. Saturday night, Fluttershy likely went out in the morning with Sunset before having to “clean her arms” and now being worried plus blaming herself for her not showing up to school, and potentially why the data of her “sample” never got fully 100% in the 12 hours Twilight predicted, maybe even why Fluttershy asked for it to occur.

Her eyes widened. “T…that’s why; what are the odds of this occurring?” Sci-Twi’s voice trembled.

“Is there something I’m missing, or am I just more braindead than a bull eating grass?” Applejack wondered.

“Now everything makes sense! Rarity, I need to ask something important: what did she say during the sudden mental breakdown? Was it anything important because I need to know?” Sci-Twi wondered.

“She felt like a burden, a mistake, plus we wasted our time trying to improve her. She wished she didn’t exist like a star eventually going supernova; what was the point if darkness took over something like that?” Fluttershy answered.

Sci-Twi's expression suddenly shifted as she stared at the data on her iPhone, her breath quickening. "She thinks so poorly of herself? What happened to make her change so suddenly? The Dazzlings never really did anything. In all the situations where we had to balance Equestrian magic and even the friendship games, she only got angry at me once. Otherwise, she stayed calm. Something feels off, but I can't put my finger on it!"

“After school, everybody but me and Fluttershy need to go home and chill; I got something important to do with her later,” said Applejack.

“What are you about to do, darling? I hope it’s something positive,” worried Rarity.

“All I need y'all to do is make sure Rainbow Dash keeps trying to contact her, alright? Leave the rest up to us two; c'mon Fluttershy, we need to talk,” Applejack insisted.

After Rarity and Sci-Twi departed the cafeteria, Applejack recognized the turmoil Sunset was experiencing, having endured a similar ordeal herself on a previous occasion. Turning to Fluttershy, Applejack said, "It's not your fault that Sunset has been acting differently lately. People can suddenly have mood swings or become affected by events in their lives." As she spoke, Applejack gazed into Fluttershy's eyes.

“What can I do? I’ve tried what I thought could help her, but I made things worse,” she wept softly. Her hands continued to tremble while her eyes continued to hold a river.

"For now, focus on your studies and take a deep breath. When the time comes, just follow my lead. The most important thing is to stay calm, listen, and be there for them. I can help you prepare whatever you might need. Don't worry, with a little assistance, she'll get through this," she reassured Fluttershy, gently rubbing her arm.

"Okay," she said, exhaling a shaky but steady breath that flowed from her constricted chest.

"Let's check if Dash got in touch with her," she said gently, offering a small smile. "That might help put your mind at ease."

“A..Alright,” she stuttered before grabbing her blue purse, placing it on her right shoulder before getting off the bench. During the next two minutes, they plodded back to the music room, and as they walked in, all the others were waiting patiently for Dash’s phone to connect with Sunset.

“Any word or answer from her yet? I’m getting super concerned now,” Applejack worried.

“Unfortunately not yet, but I am trying to rush Sunset’s data to see if it has anything to do with the relationship between magic and nature since we don’t know what is going on in her body; it could be a reason why she has changed something,” Sci-Twi answered.

“Sickness wouldn’t make her have mental breakdowns and regrets, though, or am I wrong?” Rainbow Dash asked.

"Studies have shown that mental illness can worsen depression, even in those who were previously happy," Sci-Twi stated. "I don't view Sunset's mood swings as normal, even for a teenager, because we've all matured over the last few years. However, I haven't personally observed any significant changes in the group's overall emotions over the past few years in terms of anything bad."

“Sometimes, maybe people just like keeping their secrets to themselves,” Applejack briefly snapped.

Rarity gently placed her hands on Applejack's shoulders, rubbing them in a soothing motion. "Darling, relax," she said reassuringly. "She's just trying to figure it out."

“Sorry, my bad,” Applejack apologized.

“It’s fine, there are so many more questions than answers; I think Twilight Sparkle and I may have to do many more tests; I wanna know what’s going on,” Sci-Twi wondered.

Rarity suggested, "Fluttershy, Applejack, and I can help keep Sunset stable while you and Twilight Sparkle conduct more tests. Pinkie Pie, could you please make some additional goods for her and consider letting her have them for free? I know she usually pays like everyone else. But she needs something to keep her content. Rainbow Dash, you could take her out on the field more on weekends or have her join you for yoga."

“I would love to! I can start the moment I get to work today; imma make my classic, so watch out, a sugar bomb is going to infect the plan!” Pinkie Pie squeezed out.

Rainbow Dash Chuckled. “That’s the spirit! Don’t worry, I can start this weekend or even tomorrow if she wants to come with me to practice. I can teach her a few things while training my sister.”

“I hope we can help her out faster than a tractor plowing a field in the afternoon sun,” stated Applejack.

As the students conversed, the bell echoed through the hallways. Suddenly, a surge of students burst from the classrooms. One student stood out, with baby blue hair, light blue skin, and a blue sweater dotted with light blue stars. Her skirt was a vibrant purple, with a blue trim along the bottom and a small star surrounded by a light blue swirl. Her socks transitioned into a mix of purple and blue shoes, with yellow stars and rough edges.

“Hello! The great and powerful Trixie asks where Sunset is; we were planning to play some guitars this week to help me practice!” She was puzzled.

“She’s not here sadly, but I can teach you today, meaning my sister would have to miss some soccer practice today,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Bet! The great gets to challenge Dash to “fingering the notes”,” said Trixie while giggling.

“You are less than great at making jokes; even Sci-Twi could make a stupid joke about the periodic table, and somehow I laugh at it,” she responded, rolling her eyes back.

“Whatever! See you after school!” Trixie smiled.

“Well, I got that, so I got to call my sister before heading into 4th grade; if I don’t see you all when school ends, see you tomorrow. Text me if you need me to check on her again,” she vowed.

“Alright dashie! Stay safe and don’t break your fingers on the strings again; sometimes too much noise can lead to distraction,” Pinkie Pie jokes.

She rolled her eyes before laughing a bit. “That’s clever, but I will be careful; see y'all later or tomorrow!” said Rainbow Dash before rushing to class.

“Same, I will start on those treats as soon as I can once I start working today; see you girls later, and remember to stay frosty,” Pinkie Pie gushed before jogging.

“See y'all later and make sure to stay Magnificent, darlings!” Rarity shouted with a joyful tone.

“Imma go; I cannot be late, plus I have the stuff to do when I get home. I hope things go well,” said Sci-Twi before she walked away from the others. A downward expression appeared as she struggled to figure out the puzzle.

“Are you going to be okay, darling? If not, you can ask the principal if you can work alone for a little bit while you relax and think,” Rarity asked.

“I’ll be fine; I'm going to class now, so see y'all later,” Fluttershy sorrowfully murmured before, at a slow pace, going to her class.

"C'mon, darling, let’s get the day done before we worry about the future,” she insisted.

"Alright, sugar cube, let’s go,” Applejack responded.

Location: Sunset’s Apartment.

Sunset lay on her back, listening intently to the soothing flow of synths through her black headphones. She was dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants with three white stripes down the sides and a small white star. Breathing calmly and slowly, she reflected on her past transgressions. Occasionally, she felt a ghostly caress along her arms, causing her to shiver. Her mind was in constant turmoil; she occasionally heard a disembodied voice as she closed her eyes.

While scrolling through her phone, Sunset came across a photo of her friends hugging at a party. Judging by the date, the gathering had taken place about a year after she had begun her transformation. She noticed several missed calls from Rainbow Dash but decided not to answer since she knew classes were about to resume; instead, she texted her friend back.

"Hey Rainbow Dash, sorry I missed your call. I had my phone on silent while I was sleeping. I'm doing okay. Also, could you please let Fluttershy know that she didn't do anything wrong today? I've just been a bit out of it, and it's not her fault."

Before scrolling through the collection of photos with her friends, Sunset sent the text. The photos captured a range of moments, from embarrassing to gorgeous. One showed her and Applejack picking apples under a tree. Another depicted her and Fluttershy, both dressed in black goth attire, hugging and playfully sticking their tongues out at a party.

Taking a deep breath, Sunset slowly got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom. Checking her arms, she noticed they were a little less red than before, which made her smile softly.

Pacing from the bathroom into the kitchen, Sunset gathered the ingredients for a simple pasta dish: some pasta, two cans of tomato sauce, and a selection of seasonings. She filled a pot with water, added the pasta, and set a timer for 13 minutes before turning on the stove. She walked a few steps before sitting on a wooden chair with a black pillow.

Sunset gazed at the photos again, listening intently as the angelic guitar tones of Porcupine Tree's "Lazarus" played through her headphones. The music enveloped her, recreating the feeling of a live concert. Tears slowly traced her cheeks as she reminisced about the years spent with her friends.

After 15 minutes, Sunset drained the pasta and combined it with the sauce in another pot. She filled a white bowl and sat down on the couch, slowly eating while staring at the photos and scrolling through them repeatedly.

Sunset closed her eyes briefly, breathing in and exhaling slowly. When she opened them, the atmosphere suddenly felt thick with terror. The bowl disappeared, swallowed by a void that seemed to defy reality. The darkness was absolute, save for the faint, chilling glow of two demonic blue eyes that flickered briefly in the abyss. Her pulse quickened, each heartbeat a thunderous drum in her ears as her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

A cold, phantom touch grazed her shoulder, sending violent shudders coursing through her. The vision blurred as she squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to block out the terror that surrounded her. Her breath came in short, frantic gasps, each one more rugged than the last, until a sudden, searing pain exploded in her chest. It was as if her very soul was being crushed, the agony so intense that it threatened to consume her.

Yet, even as her body screamed for release, she remained conscious, trapped in a waking nightmare. The world around her was nothing but darkness, pain, and the looming presence of those unholy blue eyes, watching her suffer in silence.

Her shoulders tensed, an invisible presence seeming to caress her as if to mock her vulnerability. The sensation was unsettling, compounded by the sudden and jarring absence of her other senses; sight and smell felt muted as if they had been abruptly severed from her reality.

The voice echoed with chilling clarity, its words reverberating through her mind like an unwanted prophecy: "Sunset, your time is slowly slipping away. Soon, you will either be a corpse, or I'll force your friends to kill you once I take over everything you loved." The ominous ticking that followed seemed to synchronize with her panicked heartbeat, each tick a reminder of her dwindling time.

Her composure shattered under the weight of the threat, and tears streamed down her face. With her world crumbling around her, she sought refuge in the small blanket draped over the scarlet couch, curling into a tight ball. The blanket, once a symbol of comfort, now felt like the only barrier between her and the encroaching darkness. As she sobbed, the sound of the relentless ticking and the echo of the sinister voice continued to haunt her, amplifying her despair and helplessness.

The air in the room grew thick with a chilling, oppressive energy. Each of the six figures moved in a synchronized but disjointed dance, their eerie grins never faltering. The floor, now slick with a dark, viscous liquid, mirrored the unsettling ambiance of the scene.

The voice continued, dripping with malice and mockery, "Do you think you can escape me? You can't hide from the darkness within you. You're weak, just like before. Always crying out for help but never really understanding what you need."

The girls’ expressions were a twisted parody of comfort, their eyes empty voids of despair. The sharp objects in their hands glinted ominously under the dim light. Their movements seemed both deliberate and chaotic, an unsettling blend of precision and unpredictability.

As they closed in, the room felt smaller, suffocating. The liquid on the floor sloshed around their feet, amplifying the sense of dread. It was clear the voice wasn’t just a figment of imagination but a manifestation of the deepest fears and insecurities.

"There's a solution," the voice said, its tone almost soothing now. "All you need to do is let go. Embrace the darkness. Let it consume you, and the noise in your head will be silenced. Forever."

The six figures raised their weapons slowly, their eyes locked onto her with a predatory focus. The voice's laughter echoed in the background, a cruel symphony.

She shouted, "I refuse to back down. I will endure any hardship to get rid of you."

The voice growled at her, "You're only postponing the inevitable. Everyone will soon see how weak and pathetic you are. One day, they'll abandon you to rot; Twilight won't need you anymore, just like all the others." Piercing blue eyes stared as a red arm grabbed her.

“I am not weak,” she screamed before opening her eyes. The table, TV, and bowl were back in sight. Her hands shook violently, her lungs inhaling and exhaling while tears streamed down her face. She looked downward towards her arm and saw a long red mark.

“Wait, I didn’t touch my arm during it, did I? I don’t have anything sharp around me!” She whimpered before rushing to the bathroom. She stared at the mirror before getting a first aid kit out of the top cabinet above the mirror. Opening it before grabbing a disinfectant wipe and gently rubbing it on her arm, making it feel like it was burning. She put a band-aid on it before suddenly a huge strike of pain spread across her arm before it slightly glowed orange.

“Ow, fuck that hurts. What if it was in the room with me? "Will it kill me?” she quivered as she turned back; suddenly, her eyes widened as the scene switched rapidly. Either a demon with sharp blue eyes grinning at her while six girls with organs and blood all over the floor staring at her with sharp objects pointed, she blinked again, seeing the walls and floor of the bathroom.

She hyperventilated, blinking multiple times with the two different scenes switching repeatedly. She collapsed on her knees before sobbing again. “Leave me alone, please,” she sobbed as her heart went crazy, shivers all over her body as she again felt it rub against her arm.

“Soon, Sunset, very soon,” the voice echoed in her mind before it finally went away.

“No one is going to believe that I’m being haunted by my sins. "What do I do? If I tell them, I'm going to be viewed as if I’m weak, or worse, they will think I am turning evil again,” she shuddered while staring back at the mirror.

“No… No, Sunset, you got this; you had suffered before and beaten it. Like your friends said, you're a tough, resilient girl!” she vowed before continuing. “I just have to find a way to distract myself; I can either work on Rarity’s website to help her get designs shipped out and listen to music or play some games, like Minecraft or that squirrel game,” she said.

Sunset decided to work on the website so she could distract herself; it was 1:25 PM. She logged on to her computer before going into Chrome and started to work on the website while listening to some metal music.

It was now 3:30 PM, and most students who didn’t have classes or practice started to flood out the door. Five of them decided to meet on the bench across the street from the school. Pinkie Pie said goodbye before walking to work, and Sci-Twi waved goodbye before going to the nearest bus stop, which was about two blocks away.

Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity walked toward the small parking lot before arriving at her car. They got in before she grabbed the car keys out of the blue purse, ensuring it before turning it, causing the car to turn on. The picture of a gas pump lighting up as the car was low on fuel.

They agreed to go to the gas station to refuel while getting some snacks for them and Sunset before heading to her apartment. It was now 3:40 PM when they arrived at the apartment complex. She parked the car before getting out and walking at a medium pace towards the front entrance. Fluttershy grabbed the key that Sunset gave her for visiting or emergencies, and they entered before walking up the stairs onto the third floor. They approached a door with the number 456 before Fluttershy knocked. Sunset heard it and slowly walked to the door, unlocked it, and saw them.

“Hey Sunset!” Fluttershy smiled.

“Hello, darling! How are you doing today? We came to check on you and got you a few snacks, some sour cream and onion lays, a Sprite, and a honey bun!” Rarity added.

“Hey sugar cube! I just wanted to know if you're doing okay; I've been worried about you,” concerned Applejack.

"Oh, hello, I wasn’t expecting yall to arrive at my place. Come in if you want to sit for a little and thank you for the snacks,” said Sunset.

They walked into the apartment before Sunset locked the door. “So do y'all need anything? I was just finishing work on getting a few designs shipped for stores,” Sunset stated.

“Can we sit on the couch, sugar? Me, Fluttershy, and you need to talk unless Rarity wants to join in,” Applejack requested.

“Alright,” Sunset acknowledged before sitting on the couch.

Applejack took a deep breath as Fluttershy and Rarity remained silent. She and Sunset Shimmer locked eyes. "Look, sugar," Applejack said. "I need you to tell me what's happening. Fluttershy was very upset after what happened this morning, and I know the signs you're showing. Plus, with Sci-Twi's recently panicking, we need to know what's wrong," she insisted.

Sunset’s heart started to beat out of her chest. “I...” she struggled.

"Look, I know you don’t want to tell us sugar, but if you don’t, how are we supposed to help you?” Applejack stated.

"I'm struggling a lot right now, the memories of my past actions haunting me. Even after what happened at that high school years ago, on top of the stress of everyday life. I was afraid that if you found out, you'd see me as weak or crazy and maybe even try to institutionalize me. But now that you know, I'm not sure what to do,” tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Fluttershy got up and sat next to Sunset before putting her arms around the waist and hugging tightly. “We would never do that to you; I wouldn’t even dream of thinking you were insane, but this isn’t the answer,” Fluttershy responded before tears rolled down her cheeks, hugging tighter.

“Darling, why would we want to send you to an insane asylum? You're not crazy enough for that. Fluttershy is right though; we are your friends. Why would we think you look weak crying? Just two nights ago, Applejack's eyes emptied hard,” Rarity responded.

"Applejack insisted, 'Crying can be difficult when you've had to appear mentally fine in front of others, even your friends. But you can't just bottle up all that pressure; it's not healthy to do so.'"

“I’m just scared to reveal what’s wrong; sometimes I feel like y'all already do so much for me that it’s no excuse for me to feel like this. Yet I can’t forget what I had done,” Sunset sighed.

"Reflecting on the past can inspire positive change, but dwelling on it in an unhealthy way is not advisable," Applejack said before continuing. "We're not suggesting you avoid thinking about it altogether, but if it leads to this level of distress, what if you become so overwhelmed that you make a harmful decision? Our greatest regret would be losing you. Pain is difficult, but overcoming it can make us stronger. You don't have to face this alone." Applejack insisted.

“Thanks; you know it’s going to take time for me to get used to being more vulnerable, right? So used to hiding it,” said Sunset.

“It’s going to take time, darling; we are here for you!” Rarity reassured.

Sunset gave a small smile. “Thanks; I just hope things keep being peaceful,” she sighed.

“How can we help you, darling? I know a lot of good options for you to relax and release stress. I can take you to the spa more or have more sleepovers, visit you more, and maybe even get you with a therapist in areas nearby like the Sea Collective place in downtown Puyallup,” Rarity suggested.

"Thanks, but I don’t think they would believe me. The spa is too much money, and y'all needing to check on me like I'm a child is just wasting the time you have on your lives. I don’t want to be a burden to what you want to do just because I can’t solve my own issues,” Sunset sighed.

"Sunset, I'm happy to have you over," Fluttershy said. "I usually volunteer at the animal shelter on weekends, but you're welcome to come over and hang out with Angel Bunny. We can play games and do homework together, and I'd be glad to help if you're struggling with anything."

“I think that is a great idea, darling; it would allow you to have someone that has time to check on you without having to worry about wasting their time, plus you still have us,” Rarity agreed.

Sunset stared at the table in front of her, her mind wandering into her thoughts again. Rarity and Applejack wanted to get her to pay attention, but Fluttershy noticed that her hands were shaking before seeing the rate of her breathing.

“Can I talk to both of you outside the apartment?” Fluttershy asked.

Rarity and Applejack were confused but got off the couch and slowly walked outside. Fluttershy looked at Sunset briefly, seeing her eyes widening again while continuing to tremble. They waited outside before she came out and gently closed the door.

“I need you two to do me a favor; you are rushing her to tell, and it’s scaring her. I know you two care, but let me handle this, okay? I think I understand why I messed up in the first place; I got this okay,” Fluttershy insisted.

“Are you sure, darling? She looks very scared and frightened to even tell us what is going on,” said Rarity.

“Yes, I understand what to do with her. Just let me handle this,” Fluttershy smiled.

"Alright, sugar cube! We will let you talk to her. Just keep us updated to make sure nothing horrible happens, okay?” worried Applejack.

“I understand,” said Fluttershy.

Sunset continued to stare downward at the table as the others filed back into the room. Rarity and Applejack embraced her in a tight hug before bidding their farewell. Fluttershy locked the door and retrieved Sunset's gaming controllers, setting them on the table. "Would you like to play some Minecraft together? It might help you feel more relaxed," Fluttershy gently suggested.

Sunset then looked at her and nodded, getting up off the couch to set up the console by connecting the three cords from the small black box to the big TV. She gently picked up both controllers, connecting them to it before getting the TV remote, changing it from V987 to V950, which made the console connect to the screen.

After setting up the split screen, she pressed the x button to enter Minecraft. Suddenly, the heavenly synth and piano music started playing, calming her nerves as Fluttershy softly hummed along. They joined the survival world, continuing where they had left off. Fluttershy then discovered that Sunset had constructed an enchantment table, so she used it to imbue her iron axe with a Silk Touch enchantment.

“I have a question. Since you have a silk axe enchantment! Do you want to discover something you can do with it? Because imma show you something cute and cool!” Sunset wondered.

“Of course I do; why do you think I love talking to them so much?” Fluttershy smiled in response.

Sunset then crafted five oak trapdoors and a campfire. “Follow me because I have something adorable to show you,” she smiled.

They traveled for a few minutes in the game towards an oak tree where a yellow block with black outlines on one of the green block leaves. Sunset places the campfire under it.

“Now what you need to do is wait until nighttime before using your axe to break it, before grabbing it and bringing it back home,” she insisted.

"Oh, um, alright,” Fluttershy responded.

After following Sunset's precise instructions, they returned to the in-game house at nightfall. There, they planted an oak tree sapling and used bone meal to help it grow. Once they had placed the yellow block and campfire back down, they went to sleep in-game before the next day. As they slept, Fluttershy heard a buzzing sound.

“Wait, is that coming from outside?” Fluttershy asked.
“You should check, and by the way, get two roses out of the chest before you go out!” Sunset gave a small smile.

After Fluttershy went to the chest to get two roses, she stepped out of the house and found two bees flying around. ”Aw, that’s so cute,” she squealed.

“Why not give them two flowers?” Sunset suggested while briefly giving a small smirk.

Fluttershy gave the adorable bees the two roses, and it ended up maybe a tiny baby bee.

“That is so adorable; did you read a guide or did you find out yourself? I wanna know because this is so cute,” Fluttershy wondered.

“Found out myself we can build a small open place for them to live; they also help crop growth, and when they get next to a flower they do this spin-like dance,” Sunset answered.

Fluttershy giggled. “Yes, I would love to build a cute place for them to buzz around.”

They continued to play the game for another three hours while having a good time; it was around 7:30 PM when they took a small break. Fluttershy pointed to her arm to check if she had done anything else. Sunset gently put her arm next to Fluttershy before she looked at it.

“Healing seems okay; let me know if there is any infection, okay? I don’t want this to get worse,” Fluttershy pleaded.

Sunset interrupted. “Look, I’m sorry for this morning. You didn’t fuck up at all; I was just in a very sad mood,” she apologized.

Fluttershy smiled before gently holding her hand, rubbing it softly to keep her relaxed. They stared at each other before she continued.

Sunset explained. “I've been plagued by vivid dreams, nightmares, and visions of my former evil self returning to haunt me. I'm terrified of slipping back into that darkness. Despite the immense support you all have shown me since I started reforming,”

She continued while looking into Fluttershy’s eyes. “You've all been there for me, even after the horrible things I've done in the past. I've been given so many chances to change my life. I've squandered those opportunities before. Now that I need your support the most, I'm paralyzed by the fear of making more mistakes and losing people all over again.”

"First, I understand you feel immense guilt, but dwelling on the past will not solve anything. Twilight has forgiven you. We gave you another chance because we know you are not inherently evil—the past can help you learn from your mistakes and improve the future. This remarkable turnaround is why we continue to support you because we care," Fluttershy stated.

Fluttershy continued. "Sunset, you are remarkably strong, possessing a rare ability that sets you apart from others. Your willingness to acknowledge when you are wrong demonstrates admirable self-awareness and humility. Though no one is perfect, your capacity to recognize and own your imperfections. However, this does not mean you should have to suffer.”

With a gentle smile, Sunset said, "Hey, could we do that plan you suggested? I think it would help me feel better, and if it's just the two of us, I wouldn't have to worry, would I?" she wondered.

“Yes, I would love to assist you. I want to see you in full light again.” She smiled.

Sunset nodded. “You want to continue playing for a bit unless you get to get home for Angel Bunny,”

“Sure, I already fed him this morning, so I can stay longer,” she answered before getting the controller from the table.

“Sweet, let’s keep going!” she bubbled, grabbing her controller before pressing the x button to re-enter the world.

Fluttershy looked at her smiling before gently scooting over and laying her head on Sunset’s shoulder. She was a little surprised, her eyes suddenly glancing at her briefly. “You tired, Fluttershy?” she asked.

“N…..No, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to get in your space, I...” she worried, her arms suddenly starting to tremble.

“No, it’s okay! I was asking if you were tired because normally when people do that, it just means that they're tired! You can lay on my shoulder if you want,” Sunset insisted.

Her cheeks suddenly turned light pink. “Okay, if that’s alright with you,” she spluttered before going back into her original position.

For another two hours, they continued to play the game until around 9:30 PM. Sunset turned off the console before getting off the couch. Fluttershy grabbed her blue purse and did the same.

“I can come tomorrow if you want me to. I enjoy hanging out with you, plus I want to make sure you stay healthy,” she smiled.

“Oh Fluttershy, you don’t have to come in every day, but I wouldn’t mind it either,” Sunset smiled back.

“I will see you tomorrow,” she smiled.

“Can’t wait; be safe, alright?” Sunset insisted.

“Thanks, see you later,” she hugged her before leaving out the door and walking downstairs before exiting the front of the complex.

Fluttershy glanced back at the building before walking towards her car, digging into her purse before grabbing her car keys, pressing the button to unlock the car, and getting inside before closing the door. She relaxed for a minute while blushing briefly. “I hope I didn’t make her uncomfortable.” She turned the keys, starting the car engine before slowly pulling out of the driveway and heading home.

Sunset locked the door before putting her right hand on her heart and sitting down right next to it. She started to sob a little as she realized how much telling them could have helped, but she was just too scared. “God damn it, why didn’t I say anything about needing help?” Sunset sobbed.

Sunset sighed before getting back up, her eyes red. She slowly walked into her bedroom before getting in her bed, crashing a few minutes later with a sorrowful look on her face.

Location: Cumberland: 10:00 PM

As three girls approached an abandoned house, they noticed the wood slowly rotting away, with overgrown bushes creeping across the exterior. Dust-covered windows and a partially open roof, as if damaged by a past fire, added to the dilapidated appearance.

However, upon entering, the girls were met with a stark contrast; fancy red couches and a clean, wooden table dominated the central space. In the middle of the room, a small crystal emitted a soft glow, emanating a pattern of mauve, lemon, and baby blue hues around a solitary candle, with tendrils of magic swirling nearby.

“Why are we here?” Maisie asked.

“Because someone wants to meet us, I don’t know who, so stay on guard,” Ella answered.

A dark figure emerged from the small closet, revealing long, pale-colored hair and piercing green eyes with black pupils. The figure wore a black shirt adorned with dark blue skull patterns, a long black skirt with holes at the bottom, and dark green socks paired with black boots. "I've called you three here to talk," the figure grins.

“We don’t even know you, so what the hell do you want?” Courtney responded.

“Don’t you want to take revenge on them for ruining your plans to take over with darkness?" She asked, smiling.

“We do, but who are you? We have never seen you ever,” wondered Ella.

“Just call me Crystal; I used to be the leader of my kingdom until Twilight Sparkle ruined my fun; I could have ruined them too if my team wasn’t stupid,” she replied with a growl.

“Oh, I remember now, the one who almost ruined Equestria but ended up failing twice in her history. Why would we team up with you considering how much you would want to rule alone?” Ella asked, staring.

“Think about it; we both get what we want. You want to make them pay for ruining your careful plan to take over Earth after you were banished years ago. Plus, if we make enough of a situation, we can get everyone that wronged us,” she grinned.

“Since we always move and have nowhere to go, you don’t mind if we have to work with you so that we can stay, right? We're kind of weak because of how much we have to hide,” she attested.

“Sure, if we agree to work together,” she answered.

“I don’t know about this. What if she decides to take our magic or kill us?” Maisie/Sonata wondered.

Formatting

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