The Trauma Within

by Yeetatron55

Rating: mature
Tags: Gore, Alternate Universe, Fluttershy (EqG), Romance, Applejack (EqG), Equestria Girls, Suicide / Self Harm, Tragedy, Profanity, Adventure, Violence, Twilight Sparkle (EqG), Death, Human, Sunset Shimmer, Anthro, Rarity (EqG)
Length: 69599

The Equestrian girls are about to face one of the most difficult challenges as memories, villains, new allies and the thoughts of the mind controls the fate of the Pacific Northwest

The Equestrian girls are nearing the end of high school. They have already achieved tremendous success, but some now face mental challenges that haunt them. As they navigate this new "cold war" , they must adapt alongside new allies, legends, and old villains. Their trauma stems from various causes, including injuries, memories, and the sounds of war, which have instilled new fears within them. The question remains: Can the Equestrian girls and their allies balance this complex situation, or will they ultimately fail in their overall mission?

Published 2024-07-25 06:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2025-01-11 20:23:42 UTC

Chapter 1: The Mental Unknowns

Chapter 1: The Mental Unknowns

The bell chimed at 3:15 PM, prompting a rush of students into the hallway as they retrieved their belongings from their lockers. Fifteen minutes later, as the crowd began to thin, Rarity stepped out of the classroom and glanced back, offering a wave to her teacher. She proceeded a few lockers down, retrieved a key, and opened her locker to collect her red purse before shutting it securely.

As she turned her head slightly to lock the locker, she caught sight of Applejack, the unmistakable aroma of her signature apple perfume wafting through the air. A gentle smile spread across Rarity's face as she draped her red purse over her shoulder.

She walked a few steps before standing next to Applejack. “Hey!” Rarity smiled.

“Hey, Rarity! How were your classes?” she asked while smiling.

“Besides getting ready for the final test before leaving high school, it’s the same that it has been for the last few years darling, well normal as in no problems for the last little while,” she responded.

“Same sugar, kinda wish there was some excitement. It’s been quieter than a stick sitting in empty grass,” she remarked.

Rarity’s heart beat out of its chest as she continued to glance into those wonderful eyes of hers. “Well want to head to the statue to see if the others want to hang out for the weekend?” she asked while rubbing her hands.

“Sure,” she answered.

They walked towards the front door, their boots making a soft tapping sound against the floor before stepping outside to a beautiful spring day in Orting, A light breeze and sunny sky created a serene, picturesque atmosphere, with a landmark in the background adding to the natural beauty as birds chirped among the trees, creating a tranquil, almost idyllic Pacific Northwest scene.

In front of them was the white statue where Twilight Sparkle, Sci-Twi, and Rainbow Dash were talking while Pinkie Pie was sprinting towards them. They both smiled before Fluttershy stepped out. Her dress was a sea of light blue with butterflies dotted equally, bubble gum-colored hair, and pink heel shoes with small bow ties on the top.

“Hey, how were your classes Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“They were nice, peaceful like always with maybe a baby bird or two,” she smiled.

“C'mon darlings, let’s see what the others have planned for this weekend,” Rarity chirped before power-walking to the statue.

Fluttershy chuckled a little while Applejack smiled as they both followed her to the statue. Once there all three of them gave hugs to Twilight Sparkle and asked her how stuff was going in Equestria which took about five minutes before Rarity asked.

“Hey, how were your classes, Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“They were nice, peaceful like always, with maybe a baby bird or two,” she smiled.

“What are y'all planning for the weekend?” Rarity asked curiously, waiting for the other girls to answer.

Fluttershy asked timidly, yet with a hint of excitement, “Would you like to get our nails done later? If not, I was planning to volunteer at the animal shelter."

With her last assignment complete, Sunset Shimmer emerged from the school in her usual gray hoodie, concealing her expression. She walked slowly while her eyes looked at the ground as her favorite music played on her headphones and she deliberately avoided dwelling on the thoughts that obfuscated her mind.

Fluttershy smiled at the girl, nervously fixing her hair, worried about looking foolish in front of her. To her eyes, time had slowed down as she watched Sunset’s hair fly a bit around the sides of her head. Her heart felt like it was pounding harder than a metal song’s breakdown as the drum rhythm, it focused on the type of beat of each step Sunset took. Suddenly, Fluttershy blinked back into reality.

"Hey, Sunset, do you have any plans this weekend?" asked Twilight Sparkle.

Sunset initially smiled at the suggestion but then started to frown slightly while glancing towards the road before replying. "I'm afraid I have to head back to my apartment and take care of some things, sorry."

“It’s alright. No need to go out if you can’t,” said Twilight.

Brimming with enthusiasm, Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "I'm heading out to play ball and taking my sister with me. She's been practicing for only six months, but she's already nearly beaten me a few times; she is incredibly impressive at how quickly she's learning!"

Applejack exclaimed excitedly, "That sounds great, Dash! I need to focus on getting ready for the harvest. It never ceases to amaze me that this region is one of the best places for apple growing, and late spring through early fall is the prime season, not just for apples but all sorts of apple-flavored goodies!" Applejack bubbled.

Rarity briefly glanced at Applejack, giving a small sigh before turning towards Fluttershy. "I'm free this evening," Rarity said. "We could go to the nail salon or even the spa to relax if you'd like."

Sci-Twi calmly stated, "I must go study for my test, as one can never be too thorough when it comes to knowledge."

Pinkie Pie spoke in her usual cheerful, energetic tone as she explained, "I have to work this weekend, and I also need help with decorations for one or two birthday parties."

"Alright, I suppose that's everyone then," Rainbow Dash announced. "I'm heading out. Does anyone care to join me on the walk to the field?

Chuckling, Twilight Sparkle offered, "I'll join you on the walk to the field. I've been curious to see if your sister can outplay you at your own game."

"Oh, it is on!" said Rainbow Dash. Eager for a challenge, Rainbow Dash eagerly accepted when her friends or others competed against her, especially in sports matches. She had been practicing for years and had won multiple games in the last year, making soccer her favorite
type of competition.

Rarity smiled gently as she said, "Don’t worry, Fluttershy. We're taking my motorcycle.”

Hey, Sunset, since your apartment is close to my house, would you like to join me and Twilight Sparkle on the walk there?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Sunset looked at her before tilting her head down and replying, “No, I am okay. I’m just going to walk slowly on my way home. Thank you though.”

Rainbow Dash spoke softly and tenderly, "Alright, just be careful. See you later."

Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle started slowly walking to the field where her sister would join them to practice. Meanwhile, Sci-Twi slowly walked towards the bus stop to head home.

Fluttershy and Rarity stood close to Sunset Shimmer, their eyes filled with warmth. "Take care, Sunset," Rarity said softly, her voice tinged with emotion as she leaned in to offer a delicate yet affectionate hug.

Fluttershy followed suit, wrapping her arms around Sunset, her cheeks glowing a light pink as her fingertips brushed the soft fabric of Sunset's hoodie. She pulled back slightly, her heart fluttering at the comforting sensation.

As they stepped away, Sunset gave them a grateful smile, her amber eyes shining under the afternoon sun. "I'll see you both soon," she said, her voice calm yet warm. With a final wave,

Fluttershy and Rarity began walking down the block together, the cool breeze carrying with it the faintest scent of flowers. They turned the corner, giving Sunset one last wave before they disappeared, leaving the quiet street behind.

As she watched them disappear behind the tall trees, their shadows fading into the evening light, she slipped her headphones on, drowning the world in the soaring, electrifying screams of guitar solos.

The music filled her senses, carrying her away from the quiet street she now walked along. Fifteen minutes later, the familiar creak of her apartment door greeted her as she entered. She locked it behind her with a quiet click, her footsteps light as she made her way to the kitchen, and grabbed a snack before sitting down at her desk and turning on her computer.

She stared at her arm before closing her eyes with a downward expression. "Why am I such a disappointment?" she spoke before glancing at her arms that stood the testaments of time and damage.

She got up and walked to her bedroom, her hand reaching for the closet knob before opening it. She grabbed a purple T-shirt before laying it on her bed and started taking off the gray hoodie and her yellow T-shirt. Physical scars dominated the landscape of her back as two deep long red cuts stretched to the lower end.

A sea of cuts also dominated her arms, some areas bruised like oceans covered the earth. As she put on the purple T-shirt, An electric current of sharp stabs echoed through her. A visual diary of the inner turmoil in her mind that somehow hid in plain sight. She walked back to her wooden chair, sitting then reaching for the power button before the noise of fans and humming filled part of the room.

While waiting, she looked at her iPhone before going to her gallery, seeing multiple photos of them and her smiling causing a few tears to run down her cheeks. She gently put her phone down before staring at the computer screen hoping to find solace in the routine.

Location: Downtown Orting

As the sun gradually set over the horizon, Rarity and Fluttershy spent the hour engaged in a lively discussion while patiently waiting for their manicures, laughing and talking about interests common among young women. However, Rarity suddenly stopped laughing before she looked down at her nails with a sudden concerned look.

As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, Rarity and Fluttershy emerged from the building, showcasing their freshly manicured nails. Rarity sported elegant white tips adorned with golden diamonds at the center, while Fluttershy displayed cheerful yellow tips, each nail embellished with unique flowers in orange, blue, and red. Deep in conversion, they talked about a lot of the interests that young women commonly would have.

"Darling, have you heard about the latest dress available in the market? It's blue and adorned with shimmering diamonds," Rarity inquired.

"I haven't heard anything about it. What makes it special?" Fluttershy wondered.

Rarity then took out her phone, showing her screen to Fluttershy. “Look!” She pointed to the letters R and A on the tag, the top right of the dress.

“Is that your dress Rarity? Ooooh, it looks so pretty!” Fluttershy marveled.

“Yes, Since Sunset had helped out. Production and calls haven’t been easier than ever. Did I ever tell you the story about how she helped me get my first outfits out?” she asked.

“Yes, you told me multiple times.” Fluttershy chuckled.

As they came to a stop at the traffic light, Fluttershy glanced up at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Train Street. At the same time, Rarity was engrossed in her phone, scrolling through her gallery to find a beloved picture of herself and Applejack by a tranquil lake. In the background, a stage set the mood, featuring Applejack in a bold red and black patterned jacket, tan shorts, long white socks, and fashionable cowboy boots. Rarity, on the other hand, wore a stunning T-shirt adorned with blue diamonds on a deep purple background, paired with sleek black shorts, black socks, and chic black high heels.

Fluttershy gently tapped her on the shoulder and gestured towards the green light. They made their way across the street before returning to the sidewalk. Rarity glanced at her phone once more, letting out a soft sigh.

“Hey, darling I got a question,” She glanced at her nails while seeming to have a slight frown.

“What’s wrong?” Fluttershy glanced at her.

“You’ve always been such a great support for me. Usually, I’m pretty confident in my decisions, but for some reason, I find myself worried about messing things up. Have you ever experienced something similar?” Rarity wondered.

"What do you mean by that? You're usually great at making decisions. Did something happen to make you doubt yourself?" Fluttershy inquired.
She let out a sigh before revealing a photo of herself with Applejack. "Any idea what has me feeling anxious?" she hinted.

“Well considering you and her are best friends, I can only guess but I don’t know.” She responded, right eyebrow raised.

“Yes, and that worries me.” Rarity sighed again before looking at her phone.

“Rarity, you don’t have to hide anything from me. I’ve been known what is going on between you and Applejack.” she smiled.

“How? I don’t mention anything about what is going on between her and me.” She glanced at Fluttershy, puzzled.

She stopped Fluttershy and pointed to the center of her chest. “I understand your feelings, you very much care for her like any other friend but I can tell that your heart says more but your mind is unsure.” She articulated.

“Well, yeah I do have a bunch of concerns. I remember just two weeks ago that she got nervous in front of a camera and with me being in newspapers about fashion, plus of course, helping to save the world years ago from the dazzlings with y'all. She hates being on camera so what happens if well I don’t know, I ask her then it’s gonna be on the news and everything.” Rarity paused before frowning more.

“Rarity y’all can always just hide it from the public. Even if you're famous for your fashion, it’s not like your other celebrities and tweeting about every single piece of news.” Fluttershy mentioned.

“That’s true but I have seen so many stories of couples getting rejected or ruining friendships because of telling them how they feel, what if things get weird and break us apart.” Rarity shuddered.

If you have feelings for Applejack, it's important to express them or at least create an environment where she feels at ease to do so. Your concerns reflect your genuine care, but it's essential not to let them overwhelm you. Overcoming obstacles can be difficult; for instance, consider how newborn kittens rely on their sense of hearing and must navigate their surroundings without sight for the first ten days of their lives, right? She inquired.

“Yes,” She replied.

“Well, do the kittens know they're safe and sound? Or will they fall off something?” She asked.

“No, I don’t.” Rarity answered.

“When they opened their eyes, they were met with a clear tunnel of vision that would aid in their improvement and growth. This situation mirrors your own; at present, you are like a kitten lacking the sight to recognize her affection. However, once you express your feelings or find a way to be together, a pathway will emerge.” She elaborated.

Rarity momentarily widened her mouth before replying. “I’ve never encountered a discussion about love in that manner; you seem to understand it better than I do, and yet you’re always so reserved.”
“Just because I’m reserved doesn’t mean that I don’t face the same problems as you,” she responded.

They paused at the crossroads of Washington Avenue and Bridge Street while Fluttershy retrieved her phone from her right pocket. She looked at the screen, which displayed a photo of herself and Sunset at a nature reserve. Both were smiling with their tongues out; Sunset wore a red T-shirt, gray shorts, black shoes, and orange sneakers, while Fluttershy was dressed in a white T-shirt, a green dress, green boots, and pink socks adorned with white dots.

“Trust me, I know a lot about wanting to tell something what you feel.” She smiled before putting her phone back in her pocket.

“Yeah, seeing your cheeks turn pink while hugging Sunset was a clear sign darling,” she smirked.

She noted, "In contrast to me, you are generally more confident."

“Speaking of Sunset and Applejack, I hope they're okay as they have seemed more sad and frustrated during the last few weeks. They have been quieter as I hear them less in the classes we share plus they both barely hang out with us. Today like the last few twenty times we asked even before the harvest was near they rejected going out, I don’t know what’s going on but it feels off.” Rarity wondered.

“I just can’t believe how much to this day she has achieved, it's amazing what change and healing can do to a person who used to be left behind. I had recently noticed the one time around a week ago when I visited her that she wasn’t interesting in the things we used to do. Maybe it's just us getting older?” She assumed.

“Well just because we get older doesn’t mean we don’t ever have time to hang out like we used too, I would understand if for example the harvest was early or you had to go help out at the animal shelter but recently its been every day.” She explained.

“Maybe there is a way to get them to hang out with us tomorrow?” Fluttershy wondered.

Rarity suggested, "We could go out tomorrow. I've already completed most of the work to get the shipments ready, so I'm free. Plus, I got Big Mac's number, which could be helpful. Applejack will probably say she's busy with farm work, even though the apple harvest is still two weeks away. I'll need to check with Big Mac to be sure she's available."

“What are we gonna do then?” She asked.

“It’s a secret but I need you to text Sunset to see if she’s available plus maybe at 11 am you both could go to the store than drive to my place?” She suggested.

“That’s a good idea but are you sure it’s gonna work? What if they don’t wanna hang out tomorrow?” She asked.

“I don’t think they will pass us hanging out plus it will be right before the harvest to give Applejack some rest.” She reasoned.

“I guess we could," Fluttershy replied. "Would you be able to give me a ride home on your motorcycle? It's only about a 15-minute trip, but I have some errands to run before tomorrow."

"Certainly, darling," Rarity said calmly. "Get on, and I'll take you home."

Fluttershy got on Rarity's motorcycle and waited to arrive home. As she waited, she started to remember Sunset’s old self vs now while smiling.

15 minutes later, Rarity arrived at her house. The sea of spring flowers out in front. “Thanks Rarity, I’ll text you later.”

“Alright! Take care darling!” She waved before zooming off.

Location: Rarity’s Mansion
Time: 6:00 pm

Rarity arrives at her home, parking her motorbike in the driveway. She turns off the engine, and it falls silent as she retrieves another key to unlock the front gate. After securing it, she makes her way up the driveway, taking a moment to admire the trees and the mountain, its glaciers shimmering in the light of the setting sun. She softly knocks on the door, and when it opens, she is welcomed by her sister, who is dressed in a flowing light blue gown adorned with small purple gems. Without hesitation, her sister wraps her in a warm hug, Rarity smiles.

Rarity said, "Hello, darling! You look so happy and adorable in the dress I made for you. How have you been?"

Sweetie Bell exclaimed excitedly, "I'm doing great, sis!"

Rarity spoke in a joyful tone, "Wonderful! I'll call Applejack's brother, and then I'll cook you a nice meal, alright?"

Sweetie Belle exclaimed, "Okay, sis!"

Rarity locked the front door before slowly walking up the steps, their wooden texture still shiny. Rarity stepped outside as she gracefully by the hot tubs. Her eyes briefly stared at the alluring contours of the towering mountain outside, its snow-capped peak contrasting starkly against the blue sky. She smiled before grabbing her phone out of her pocket. She places it next to her ear waiting for an answer.

“Hello?” She responded.

“Hey, how you doing Rarity?” Big Mac asks.

"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you if you're busy, darling, but is Applejack available right now?" Rarity asked.

"No, she's not busy today. She hasn't been busy for the last couple of days since finishing up her farm work on Wednesday. But the truth is, Applejack has been struggling again," Big Mac confided with a sigh.

Rarity was concerned suddenly as her eyes looked down at the lake below. “I am sorry, darling. Is there anything I can do to assist you?

"I was hoping you might be able to help with that," Big Mac said. "Applejack doesn't have work this weekend, and I was wondering if you and the others could maybe distract her and get her mind off what she's feeling. Would you be free tomorrow?"

"Two of the girls and I were planning to go somewhere nice in Elbe," Rarity replied. "If you can bring Applejack there, I can have Sweetie Belle come over to keep Applebloom company.”

"That's perfect!" Big Mac exclaimed. "I'll make sure Applejack is ready, and I'll drive her to Elbe myself. You don't need to worry about paying me back or anything—I'm just grateful you're willing to help."

"Of course, darling. Applejack is my friend, and I'm deeply concerned for her.“ Said Rarity.

“Alright, I'll see you tomorrow at 12:30 in Elbe," Big Mac assured her before hanging up.

Rarity took a deep breath and steadied herself as she slowly walked out of the fashion room before heading downstairs. "Okay, girl, you've got this. Don’t screw anything up.”

Lost in thought about her friend, she slowly descended the stairs and made her way to the kitchen. There, she opened the fridge and freezer, gathering ingredients to prepare a meal for herself and her sister. She grabbed a sharp object to start cutting when her sister entered the kitchen in excitement until she saw Rarity’s expression on her face.

Approaching her sister, Sweetie Bell asked with concern, "Sis? Are you doing okay?"

“Yes, I’m fine, darling, just a little concerned about Applejack. Nothing bad, though,” said Rarity.

Sweetie Bell reassured, "Don't worry, sis. Whatever the issue is, you'll be okay."

Rarity smiled as she started to cut some bell peppers. "Thank you," she said. "Let's make some delicious BBQ chicken and salad to solve this hunger problem."

Sweetie Bell exclaimed excitedly, "Yay!”

“Now you go ahead and have fun while I put this in the oven, okay? We can experiment with some small dresses later,” she hummed.

"Okay, sis!” she bubbled before running to the living room.

First, she pulled on some gloves from the cabinet. Then, she unwrapped the chicken and placed it on a tray. Next, she gathered a mixing bowl and combined the following ingredients: one-fourth cup of Crisco oil, three-fourths cup of ketchup, three tablespoons of vinegar, one tablespoon of brown sugar, two tablespoons of dried onion flakes, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt. She measured a one-third cup of water, added it to the bowl, and thoroughly mixed everything. Lastly, she retrieved a pan, placed it on the stove, poured in the prepared mixture, and turned on the heat.

10 minutes later, she turned the stove off, pouring and spreading it carefully on the chicken while adding a little bit more seasoning before placing it in the oven. Set the timer for an hour before washing her hands, and strode towards the living room.

Once they both got into the living room, Rarity picked out three outfits for her sister to try on. First, she gave Sweetie Belle a red dress, golden doll shoes, and some purple moon-shaped earrings before going upstairs to put them on. During the 20 minutes she waited, Rarity started to think about some new outfits for Fluttershy, Sunset Shimmer, and Applejack to lighten the mood for tomorrow; she was just finishing a new swimsuit that Fluttershy had wanted after all.

“Maybe I can create new outfits for them,” she queried.

Sweetie Belle came downstairs with the outfit. “How does it look, sis?” she asked.

“That looks magnificent, darling; you look so cute!” she said, complimenting.

“Can we try the next outfit on, or do you want to take a picture?” she wondered. Let me take a picture to save this for future designs!” she smiled.

“Okay,” she responded before sitting on the blue chair.

Rarity took her phone before taking a few good photos of Sweetie Belle in the outfit. She then gave her the second outfit, which was an ocean of red and purple flowers with a green background, small golden flower earrings, and purple open-toe sandals.

They spent the next hour trying on different outfits so Rarity could get a good look at them for her design work. As soon as they finished, the kitchen timer went off, signaling that the chicken was ready. Sweetie Belle's excitement grew as she caught the aroma of spices and barbecue wafting in from the kitchen. Rarity quickly grabbed the oven mitts and opened the oven, carefully removing the chicken and setting it on the counter.

“Let it cool down for another ten minutes, then we can eat, but I do need to talk to you about something,” she insisted.

“What is it, sis?” she asked while looking puzzled.

“You going to hang out with Applebloom tomorrow while her sister helps me with something important,” she added.

“But I thought I was staying here?” she questioned.

“Well, I realized that we will be likely out all day, so you are going to spend the weekend with her since Applejack will stay at my place until Monday,” she stated.

“Yay! Sleepover with Applebloom!” she said while jumping up and down in excitement.

“Yes, it is nice that you get to hang out for a weekend! This will be your first sleepover too!” She smiled.

She took two plates and carefully placed an equal portion of chicken and salad on each. They settled down at the dinner table, and Sweetie Belle beamed as she picked up her fork and took a delicate bite of her salad.

“Wow, you’re starting with the salad instead of the chicken? Is my cooking really that unappealing?” she laughed lightly.

After swallowing her bite, Sweetie Belle replied, “No way! You taught me the importance of eating healthy, remember?”

“Right! It’s great that you’re prioritizing the salad; getting those essential nutrients and vitamins is so important,” she encouraged, before taking a bite of her own salad.

For another 15 minutes, they enjoyed their dinner while talking and discussing the plans for tomorrow. After they finished eating, she asks Sweetie belle to get ready for tomorrow. She nods before they head upstairs. She goes into her own room to start packing while Rarity goes into another room to complete some tasks.

Location: Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack lay on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling above. She caught sight of her calendar, noting that today was a day off for her. “Why was I so afraid that day? It’s all my fault,” she thought, her mind replaying the moment. Yet another voice chimed in, reminding her, “It wasn’t your fault; you were just a kid and didn’t know how to handle it.” A sigh escaped her lips as she fought back tears.

With a deep breath, she pushed herself up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Slowly, she made her way out of her bedroom and into the bathroom. As she looked into the mirror, her eyes remained downcast. She took a moment before stepping out of her room and moving deliberately down the hallway, nearing the stairs.

Big Mac walked in before closing the door, a few chicken feathers on his shirt. “Well the flowers are watered and taken care of Applebloom.”

“Will you take care of them while im gone tomorrow?” She asked.

Big Mac sits on the wooden chair at the dining room table. “Of course, your flowers will be very healthy when you get back.”

Applebloom smiles before returning to her toys. “Rawr!” She said loudly while moving a green T-rex.

Big Mac then hears footsteps before seeing Applejack walking down the stairs. Her face frowning before turning towards her sister, she mustered a small smile upon seeing Applebloom cheerfully occupied with her toys.

“Sis, can you please come sit with me? I want to talk to you about something,” he insisted.

She nodded before sitting down in the chair beside him. “Do you need me to do a few chores?” she assumed.

"I know you've been having memories of what happened that night. Your mood has been changing over the last few weeks, and I'm worried about you. I expected you to have these moments since its close to the date it happened so I decided that I'm taking you to see Rarity tomorrow. We're picking up Sweetie Belle so you can all have some fun and she can hang out with Applebloom,” he articulated.

He continued. “I think spending time with them will help lift your spirits. I miss them too terribly, and I wish it had never happened. But the past is the past, and you can't change it. You need to let go of the guilt and anger. There's nothing wrong with feeling the way you do. Come here."

Applejack wiped away a few tears before she shared a warm, comforting hug with her brother. “Now I need you to get ready for tomorrow,” he insisted.

“Alright, let me go get some stuff ready, even though Rarity will likely have most for me anyhow,” she consoled before heading back upstairs to get ready.

Fluttershy’s house: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

The evening was peaceful, bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun. The quiet hum of nature filled the air as she walked into the house. After locking the door behind her, she set her purse by the entrance and walked into the cozy kitchen.

The sound of running water filled the room as she prepared a pot, filling it with water and placing it on the stove. She patiently waited for the water to heat, and after about seven minutes, she carefully dropped in a few orange tea packets, the soothing aroma filling the room.

Fluttershy selected a delicate white teacup, dotted with soft flower designs, and poured the fragrant tea into it. Sitting down with her cup, she began working on her homework, her thoughts occasionally wandering. For nearly an hour, she concentrated on her assignments, but every so often, her mind drifted to Sunset Shimmer. The thought of growing closer to her friend made

Fluttershy's cheeks flush with warmth, as pink as the petals of a rose. Her emotions swirled like the steam rising from her cup.

When she finished her homework, she spent another 20 minutes sipping her tea, the warmth of the drink and her musings blending seamlessly. Eventually, she stood up, stretching before moving to the front door.

Fluttershy picked up her watering can, and stepping outside into the cool evening air, she headed to her garden. The chirping of baby birds and the gentle buzz of bees created a calming backdrop as she tended to her plants.

As she watered the garden, something in the grass caught her eye. A small fawn was resting peacefully near her flower beds. Fluttershy's face lit up with a soft smile. She moved carefully, gathering some fresh clovers to offer the young deer. "Hi, little one," she cooed softly, her voice full of warmth and reassurance. "Don’t be scared; you want some food?"

The fawn hesitated for a moment before slowly walking towards her, its delicate frame cautious yet curious. It nibbled at the clovers in her hand, and Fluttershy gently stroked its soft fur. As the fawn ate, she sat down beside it, hugging it gently, the evening settling around them like a warm blanket of serenity. In that moment, with the soft breeze and the quiet companionship of the little fawn.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape. The sky was painted in soft hues of pink, orange, and purple, creating a breathtaking contrast with the white snow on the mountain. A gentle breeze rustled the branches of nearby trees as she stood there for a moment, taking in the serene beauty of nature before walking back inside.

She walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, the cool air brushing against her face as she reached for two carrots. The familiar scent of fresh produce filled the air as she grabbed a bowl and turned on the tap, letting the water run for a moment before filling it up.

As the water swirled inside the bowl, her thoughts drifted back to her once more. A quiet sigh escaped her lips, not one of sadness but of calm as if the memories brought with them a sense of calm before walking to Angel’s Bunny playpin.

Fluttershy smiled as she handed the carrot to Angel Bunny. "Yummy! Just how I like it!" he exclaimed.

She chuckled and sat down next to Angel, gently placing him on her lap. Fluttershy picked up the carrot and began feeding it to him, petting him softly. She then grabbed her iPhone and started texting Sunset Shimmer.

"Hey, Rarity, Applejack, and I were wondering if you'd like to hang out tomorrow. It's a girls' night since Rainbow Dash is helping her sister with soccer, Pinkie Pie is working, and Sci-Twi is studying as usual. Let me know if you're free!" Fluttershy finished with a smile.

After, she did her normal routine and had just finished preparing for bed when she saw the message. When she saw it, her heart skipped a beat as she sighed with relief. She climbed into bed with blue pajamas with yellow bunnies spotted all over them before getting in the covers and drifting to sleep.

Sunset’s Shimmer’s apartment: 9:00 PM-9:30 PM

After taking her shower and putting on her pink pajamas, she went to the kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing some vanilla ice cream. She sat back on the couch before picking up her phone from the table and saw a notification.

She reads the message from Fluttershy. "Hey, Rarity, Applejack, and I were wondering if you'd like to hang out tomorrow. It's a girls' night since Rainbow Dash is helping her sister with soccer, Pinkie Pie is working, and Sci-Twi is studying as usual. Let me know if you're free!"

As the Equestrian girls went to sleep, they wondered what Saturday would bring to the table as the night sky over the Pacific Northwest showed the heavenly stars in the night skies as the cosmos were watching time play out between the four.

Eventually, she texted back. "Yes, just let me know what time I have to arrive at your house.” She put her phone down on the wooden table, staring back at the computer screen. “I feel exhausted.” she groaned.

Closing her web browser, pressing the power button before getting up from the wooden chair. She stretched her arms over her head as she let out a high-pitched noise from between her lips. Gently picked up the iPhone, putting it in her right pocket before slowly walking through the narrow hallway before entering her bedroom.

She reached out with her left hand to open the knob to the closet when she glanced at a picture on top of her dresser. Seeing a picture of her and Fluttershy in the hallway, Both hugging and smiling. She smiled a little before opening the closet and grabbing her pink pajamas.

After she put them on, took a few minutes to brush her teeth, do her hair, and put a checkmark with a purple marker on her calendar. She got into bed, and gently put the light sheet on her before laying on her back.

As she stared at the ceiling. “I can’t understand how they have supported me for so long when all I do is burden them.” Blinking once before a few tears went down her cheek. She closed her eyes before eventually drifting off to sleep.

Chapter 2: Morning Thoughts

Chapter 2: Morning Thoughts

As the sun rose over the lush Pacific Northwest landscape, the majestic mountain watched like a guardian angel over the valleys below. Big Mac opened his eyes before reaching for his phone on the small table beside him. he looked at his phone before slowly getting out of bed, beginning his morning routine.

After, He walked downstairs, and when he got there his eyes grazed to the left as he noticed his little sister had forgotten to pick up her toys, small horses, and dolls on the gray carpet. But he paid little mind to it as he walked into the kitchen and set about preparing for breakfast.

Applejack slowly turned in her sleep before gently wrapping herself around her dark blue pillow, slowly her eyes blinked around four times before seeing the first light of day. She was used to it however as school combined with farm work had helped her body get used to it. She then reached for her phone, pressed messages, and found one from Rarity

“I forgot I have to go out today. Fuck man I don’t wanna get out of bed right now but I promised her, why the fuck did I do that knowing I wanted to chill today.” Said Applejack softly. Although she initially seemed reluctant as she got out of bed slower than normally, she was determined to keep her promise, no matter how foolish it may have been.

She stretched before slowly walking to the bathroom. There, she grabbed some toothpaste and began her morning routine while gazing at her reflection in the mirror. After thoroughly brushing her teeth and washing her mouth, she grabbed a towel and unclothed before stepping into the shower.

She grabbed a bottle before pouring a little bit of liquid and started massaging her hair as the liquid spread across her scalp. She grabbed a red brush before washing and brushing her hair. After this was another few minutes of just relaxing as the hot water ran like a waterfall, flowing down her skin like multiple small rivers before stepping out.

After drying off with a yellow towel, I put on a pair of blue shorts and a green shirt, completing the outfit with the usual women's attire.

She then came out of the bathroom, closing the door before slowly walking down the small hallway leading towards the stairs. As she slowly walked down the stairs, she couldn't shake the haunting images. "I still feel like I could have saved them that day," she thought if only I had been quicker." The memories had persisted -visions that reminded her of how she failed that day. She tried to remain strong. She even managed a small smile as she watched Big Mac making breakfast.

"Good morning, sis," Big Mac said before he asked. "Did you sleep well?"

Applejack spoke in a tired, dejected tone, "I've been having them, for the fifth time tonight now but my sleep wasn’t too bad"

"Big Mac chuckled, 'I certainly hope they weren't about my cooking. You know I always make a delicious breakfast.'"

Applejack chuckled in agreement, acknowledging that her brother was right. "You're correct," she said.

"It's good to see you're starting to feel a little better already," said Big Mac.

Big Mac continued. "Don't worry, I think your mood will improve even more when you visit them later today. I heard Rarity is covering the cost of your trip. plus some card games for you and the girls to enjoy. Plus, Sunset is bringing her game console, so you'll have plenty to keep you entertained. I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time.”

Applejack spoke in a nervous, sorrowful tone. "It's kind of Rarity to offer, but I'm not sure about this. I've been there with the others before, so it wouldn't be too strange. I guess I'll go, but I hope my mind can stay quiet.

"Don't worry, just relax for today," said Big Mac. "Breakfast will be ready soon.

"Since I've already showered, is there any point in doing chores on the farm, unless the chickens haven't been fed yet?" Applejack asked.

Big Mac assured, "I fed them yesterday and will feed them again today."

"Alright, I'm going to relax until it's time to leave," said Applejack. "Just let me know if there's anything you need me to do before we go."

"Rarity is seriously a true blessing for all of us," said Big Mac. "Many wealthy individuals would simply abandon us to fend for ourselves. But Rarity is different. Not only is she your devoted friend, but she has also been supporting our family business by providing additional funds to improve our Apple operations. Her genuine care and generosity have made all the difference."

Applejack spoke in a thankful tone as she expressed, "I'm very grateful that she is one of my closest friends and has been such a good support for us."

"Yup! Anyhow breakfast is ready!" Big Mac announced. "Would you like some Applejack?"

"I would love some breakfast," Applejack replied in a gentle tone.

Applebloom then came downstairs, having woken up just a few minutes earlier.

Overjoyed, she rushed to her sister and wrapped her in a big, happy hug, giggling with delight. Applejack smiled and hugged back, then gently lifted her and placed her in a chair at the dining room table. Around the same time, Granny Smith emerged from her room, looking as spry and healthy as ever.

"Good morning, apples!" Granny Smith greeted in her classic Southern drawl. "Lovely to see you all awake so early."

"Good morning, Granny!" They chimed in unison, their voices brimming with cheer.

Granny Smith asked warmly, "Good morning, how are we all doing today?"

"I'm doing okay, Granny," Applejack replied. "Just had some bad sleep, but nothing to worry about."

Big Mac offered, "I just finished making some breakfast if you'd like some, Granny."

"Oh, of course, sweetheart!" Granny Smith said gratefully as she took a seat at the dining room table.

Big Mac prepared plates for them before gently placing the plates on the table, it looked delicious, featuring smoked bacon, sausage, blueberries, and cooked apples, along with a cup of their cider for each person. Big Mac then sat down, and the family began eating. As they ate, they engaged in their typical mealtime conversation, discussing the farm and other everyday matters.

Sunset’s Shimmer Apartment: 7:29 am

That morning, Sunset Shimmer slowly started to wake as she gently grabbed her plush panda before she slowly opened her eyes. She looked at her purple iPhone, staring at the blue-white pattern screen saw that it was 7:30 am. Then she put in her passcode before seeing two notifications on her messages. One was from Rarity, the other one was from Fluttershy.

She slowly then got out of bed. She smiled a bit as all she could hear was just herself taking slow steps toward the bathroom, she hoped it might be a relatively good day. Sunset followed her usual routine before she slowly walked into the kitchen preparing to make some breakfast.

As she quickly checked her phone, her eyes spotted a photo of Fluttershy hugging her while she was wearing a light gray coat with a T-shirt and a black pair of pants. Fluttershy with her white shirt and green skirt while holding a small baby gold fish in a fish bowl. Sunset briefly smiled remembering Fluttershy's angelic like kindness.

Sunset then retrieved some sausage and eggs from the fridge to cook. Sunset's eyes glazed over before grabbing the knife before her eyes suddenly widened, and her pupils got smaller. Her hands started to tremble before reaching for the right side of her head suddenly she flinched in self-defense. Suddenly liquid started to drip on the floor. She shook her head which helped her snap out of it before her eyes looked at her arm.

She gasped. Her hands trembling in reaction to what she saw. “Shit.” before running into the bathroom, opening her bottom cabinet, and grabbing a small box with a plus label. Sunset then reached for the handle before directing it up causing water to begin to flow out. Sunset then put her arm in the warm water, then she reached for her bar soap, a bottle had a black label before starting to clean the wound. Her eyes closed tight a few times while she gave a small wincing noise. Then she applied some material on her arm before her eyes stared into the mirror.

Tears slowly trickled down as she gazed at the sink. Her eyes then looked at at the mirror and for a minute she breathed in and out to calm down the chaos running through her mind. She then walked out of the bathroom before slowly walking back into the kitchen.

She placed a pan on the stove, then cracked three eggs and added sausage to it. After five minutes, she turned off the heat, plated the cooked meal, and poured a glass of sweet tea from the fridge. Carrying her breakfast, she slowly walked to the couch, sat down, and reached for the remote to turn on the TV.

She grabbed her phone to make a alarm so that way she would remember when to leave the apartment to go meet Fluttershy so they could drive towards Rarity’s mansion then towards Elbe.

Location: Rarity's Mansion

Rarity had already woken up at 7 am. After making breakfast, she texted Fluttershy to let her know that she and Sweetie Belle would be staying at Alder Lake. There was no point in going to Orting since Rarity wouldn't be able to make it back if they had to leave early or in an emergency.

In her fashion room, Rarity was finishing the new swimsuits for the other girls. They already had old swimsuits from previous beach trips but Rarity wanted to make some new, fancy ones for this trip.

Rarity heard a yawning noise from the hallway and smiled, knowing that her sister had woken up. She got up from her chair and walked to the hallway, where she saw Sweetie Belle heading downstairs.

"Good morning, sis!" Sweetie Belle said cheerfully.

"Good morning!" Rarity replied. "How was your sleep last night?"

"It was great!" Sweetie Belle responded. "Are we going to Orting to see Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer, or are we staying here today?"

"Since I cannot leave my vehicle at Orting, Fluttershy will retrieve Sunset Shimmer, and then they will drive to my mansion before we all go to Elbe. Big Mac will meet us there and take you back to Sweet Apple Acres, so you and Applebloom can enjoy a one or two-night stay.” said Rarity.

She continued as she asked. ”Did you follow my directions and get both school supplies and clothes for your time over there and for school on Monday?"

Sweetie Bell replied in a happy, excited tone, "Yes, sis! I put everything in my backpack just like you asked me too!”

Rarity spoke in a calm tone, "Good! Then all you need to do is change your clothes. I'll make you some breakfast while we wait for her. I also need to call her to make sure she can come over."

Sweetie Belle replied enthusiastically, "Alright!" She then went to dress in preparation for them to arrive. She walked into her dressing room, She picked an outfit with small blue gems sparkling on her dress surrounded by an ocean of pink. Then she grabbed a necklace with a red heart at the front then two diamond earrings.

The other clothes were gray shorts and a violet shirt with small blue diamond shapes. She then got a pair of blue high heels with small rose shapes that were golden in color. Then she got some blue tennis shoes to finish getting ready. She put on her normal clothes before getting a dark blue fashion bag, unzipped it, and gently put the outfit in before closing it.

She wanted to have the new swimsuits ready so they could all relax comfortably this evening. This would be Applejack's and Sunset Shimmer's first time which made Rarity even more excited. Rather than calling Fluttershy right away, Rarity decided to text her first to see if she was awake before continuing to work on the swimsuits.

At 9:00 am, Rarity had finally finished sewing the swimsuits. She carefully placed them in a well-organized pink bag before gathering the rest of her supplies and heading downstairs. In the dining room, she set the handbag on a chair before going to the kitchen to make breakfast.

In the kitchen, Rarity gathered potatoes, spices like black pepper, garlic, ginger, and lime, as well as spinach and eggs. She put a bit of oil and the spices in a mixing bowl, then washed, peeled, and cut the potatoes. mixed everything well, and turned on the stove. Around Twelve minutes later, just as Rarity started cooking, a joyful Sweetie Belle arrived in the kitchen.

Sweetie Belle spoke with excitement, "I've finished packing my things for when Fluttershy comes to pick us up!"

"Breakfast will be ready in about twelve minutes, darling," Rarity said in a gentle tone, gently booping her nose. "Let me finish up, and then we can go over everything to make sure you haven't missed anything, alright?"

Sweetie Bell giggled as she said, "Okay, sis!"

Rarity finished cooking breakfast at 9:30 AM and called Sweetie Belle to join her at the dinner table. Sweetie Belle hurried to the table and sat down carefully, then picked up her fork and began eating, savoring the flavorful spices that brought the meal to life. As Rarity sat down to enjoy the breakfast she had prepared

Sweetie Belle asked with concern, "Are you okay, Rarity? You've seemed nervous ever since last night." Rarity was often anxious over her designs or arguments with Applejack about materials, but her mood seemed off-center today.

Rarity responded. "I'm just somewhat worried about Applejack. I heard she wasn’t doing well recently.”

Sweetie Belle spoke with concern, "I know Applejack has never been the most mentally stable. I remember one-time Applebloom had to go to therapy after almost witnessing something with her sister that I'm not sure how to explain."

Rarity spoke with a concerned tone, "Darling, Is there something you are hiding something important for me to know about Applejack? If there is I need to know,”

“That’s for you to ask her, all I know is that Applebloom is worried for her.” Said Sweetie Bell.

Rarity spoke with a concerned tone, "I hope whatever is troubling her dissipates when we all get together later."

Sweetie Belle said cheerfully, "I hope her mood is sure to improve quickly, faster than a speeding train, now that you're here to cheer her up. But sometimes there are things you don’t understand about what someone else is thinking.

Rarity smiled gently as she said, "Thanks, Sweetie Belle, for someone so young, you're quite smart and know just how to cheer me up."

“Well, I mean when you are around someone as smart as you! You pick up a thing or two,” said Sweetie Belle.

Both of them then move their hands and put them together in a love heart. Both winked before chuckling a bit. “I appreciate the compliment darling, you will eventually outsmart me in fashion because you have better potential, I am just a starting stone for the future. Just like Applebloom is with her sister. said Rarity.

“You think i’m going to outsmart you in fashion? You're made for fashion!” said Sweetie Belle in a surprised manner.

“I didn’t do it alone though. Sunset and the recent apple harvests have been helping people see the designs that I have created. What I am saying is that every business needs assistance to support itself on a foundation. Trust is a powerful weapon in society. So if you have people who are loyal to you, do not break them. trust and friendship are not about how differences spread us apart but about how you can make a connection and then use it to strengthen your ally.” said Rarity.

“Do you think the new generation is going to take a lead in the fashion business?.” Asked Sweetie Belle.

“It depends darling! Who knows what type of fashion designs I will be helping or doing in twenty years, but I am excited about it,” said Rarity.

“Me too! Who knows how much progress we could achieve in that time,” said Sweetie Belle.

“Don’t rush it now, it’s one day at a time. Progress is never just left, right, and center, sometimes you have to take bumpy paths to be successful,” said Rarity.

“It’s good that you have support from multiple angles of assistance right? Asked Sweetie Bell before continuing. “Having to draw your outfits before getting the resources like cloth or small pieces of diamond’s to design them for different people and cultures seems like it’s very difficult unless you have support.” said Sweetie Belle.

"Precisely, my dear," Rarity responded. "Successful design is part of a careful, balanced system. You can't simply create something random; you must study what people like and the cultural influences that drive their fashion preferences. But in order to achieve that you need multiple views, pieces of advice to help you understand the differences.”

“I see what your saying now, your basically saying that without people to help gain data, resources and help, Your chances of success are a lot lower.” said Sweetie Belle.

“Exactly! You learn very quickly for such a young lady.” said Rarity.

She finally finished her good before walking towards the sink, gently putting her plate away. “Thank you for the breakfast! After you finish eating could you look at my backpack, just in case I left anything?,” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Sure! Just give me five minutes. Make sure you put the plate in the sink so I can wash them okay?” said Rarity.

“Okay!” said Sweetie Belle while getting up from the chair before putting the plate in the sink. Afterward, she walked out of the dining room and grabbed her pink backpack. Rarity finished her breakfast before washing the two plates, walked into the living room before she and her sister checked for any supplies that she missed.

Afterward, Rarity went upstairs and walked into her fashion room before sitting down on the dark blue couch, turned on her computer before working on the website. Her sister stayed downstairs to play with some Barbie dolls.

Fluttershy’s house: 8:30 AM

She typically woke up early in the morning- around 6:00 AM, to enjoy the early morning weather while tending to her garden. However, on that particular day, she was surprised to find herself sleeping in until 8:30 AM.

She slowly opened her eyes before stretching and yawning. She steadily got out of bed before starting her usual morning routine. Showering, caring for her hair, and selecting her outfits for the day.

She chose one set of clothes for the 45-minute drive to Elbe-shirt with a baby bunny on the front and some blue shorts which she would wear when she would have to drive to Rarity's mansion”,” then to Elbe”,” and then back either to her mansion or home.

Fluttershy grabbed another outfit out of the closet that she had picked out to wear after the spa visit”,” which was a red shirt with a blue skirt”,” but she kept it as a backup. Rarity likely already made some designs for her to try.

Though Fluttershy loved fashion and being organized, she didn’t like when she stood out from the rest”,” so she tended toward more normal clothes rather than overtly sexy ensembles that Rarity loved to wear.

Fluttershy then walked gradually from her bedroom to the kitchen, retrieved two carrots before closing the fridge, and walked two steps before turning on the water and rinsing them off.

She then grabbed a small bowl, filled it up with water before turning the water off, and walked leisurely to the little house that she made for Angel Bunny”,” then bent down before giving it to the bunny. Interestingly, when Fluttershy touched the water, it became even more pristine, almost as pure as the first untainted ocean water formed billions of years ago.

“There you go, Angel! There is your breakfast,” said Fluttershy, sitting down before putting it gently.

“Thank you for the carrot!” Said Angel Bunny. It approached her then hopped on her lap, gently laying down in a fluff position, then started to munch on the carrot.

“No problem, you are so adorable!” said Fluttershy.

“I am not adorable!.” said Angel Bunny, while annoyed.

“Yes, you are! You are my favorite little bunny,” said Fluttershy.

Angel bunny's animal instincts of feeling pheromone changes, telling it about Fluttershy’s anxiety and stress along with a small tremble when her hand rotated around to pet him. In response, he cuddled her gently before asking.

“Why are you stressed? I’m not going to bite you or anything,” asked Angel Bunny.

“It’s not you. I am just scared of something you wouldn’t understand. Thank you for asking.” said Fluttershy giving a small smile.

“Whatever is wrong, don’t worry about it too much! You likely can solve it like you girls normally do,” said Angel Bunny, and then it started to munch on carrots again.

Fluttershy then gently put it down having tended to her beloved bunny, she walked at a slow pace back to the kitchen. There”,” she gently grabbed the pan and filled it up with water before putting it on the stove. She opened her cabinet and got two vanilla tea bags, turning on the stove and waiting for the water to boil.

Once the water started to boil she gently put the two vanilla tea bags into the pot and took two steps before sitting in a chair and waiting for the tea to finish. She reached for her phone and her eyes spotted a text message from Rarity.

Alert: Message from Rarity: "I won't be able to meet you at Orting. So could you please drive Sunset Shimmer and go to the store? Can you pick up some snacks, two boxes of chocolate, one large soda, and two large bottles of water? I'll ask Applejack to bring some cider for us! Thank you, darling!”

Her eyes widened and she thought her heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks flushed and her words stuttered as she said, "Oh wait, does that mean I'll be alone with Sunset for 40 minutes or more?"

Her eyes then gently closed before her cheeks started to turn red. She quickly opened her eyes again before briefly letting out a small scream. She got up and walked towards the kitchen”,” where she reached for a small cup before getting the pot handle and pouring the tea into her small cup that looked like a flower with some green stripes.

Then, she sat down, taking 20 minutes to check for any missed schoolwork while sipping her tea. She had a speaker turned on which was playing some nature music. She went outside to take care of her garden.

Sweet Apple Acres: 10:00 AM

As they waited for the green light to depart, they tended to several tasks. First, they checked on the apple trees, as the harvest season was rapidly approaching. Next, they cleaned and prepared the playhouse near the house, ensuring Sweetie Belle and Applebloom could play safely without risk of injury. Finally, Applejack gathered her necessary supplies, including vitamins, two days' worth of clothes, and her school outfit, before lying back down on her bed to patiently await the time to leave.

Applejack was pondering the recent clues., Rainbow Dash was practicing soccer with her sister. Sci-Twi was studying hard for a test. Like she understood Pinkie Pie couldn’t because of work but it seemed odd to not invite the other two, as she considered these details, she heard a knock at her door before responding, "Come in."

Applebloom slowly open the door and asked her t how long Sweetie Belle would be staying. Applejack responded, "Two days, I'm pretty sure."

Applebloom knew her sister had some issues , she hoped a visit from Rarity might lift Applejack's mood. She walked to her before giving a hug.

“Sis. I know your thinking a lot but you know it wasn’t your fault. You were too young to do anything alright?” Said Applebloom.

Applejack then got up from the bed before walking to the mirror. She glazed at it before a small tear went down her cheek as she remembered it again. Applebloom went to give her another big hug.
“Just focus on being positive. You got this.”

Applejack sighed. “Your right I just got to breathe. Imma go help him downstairs alright?”

Applebloom spoke confidently, "You've got this. Never give up!"

Applejack placed her hand on her shoulder and said, "Thanks, sugar cube. You're a big help, you know that?"

They hugged while her sister wiped the small amount of tears running down on her face, then both of them walked down the small hallway before doing downstairs. She opened the front door to help Big Mac fix the playhouse.

Sunset’s Apartment: 10:30 AM

Sunset Shimmer dressed in an uncharacteristic outfit as she prepared to meet her four close friends. Though she normally wouldn't wear such an ensemble, she felt comfortable doing so in their company.

Before leaving, she glanced around her bedroom, briefly recalling the first aid supplies she kept there from accidents, a painful reminder of how much she had once hated herself. Feeling a few tears well up, she gently packed her gaming console in her blue backpack, knowing Rarity had a large TV they could use.

Checking the weather forecast to ensure it wouldn't rain, Sunset took a deep breath, locked her apartment, Walked slow heavy steps downstairs before stepping outside. Given the short distance to Fluttershy's house, Sunset thought of driving at first until she started to stare nervously as she slowly took deep breaths. She opted to walk rather than drive her car.

Putting on a fake smile while thinking, "Who would help me anyway?" Occasionally, she wished that she didn’t exist, but she couldn't bear the thought of the girls having to witness or clean up the aftermath. Instead of going straight to Fluttershy's, she headed to the bakery where Pinkie Pie worked. Ten minutes later, Pinkie Pie noticed her enter the bakery and greeted her with a smile.

With her usual bubbly enthusiasm, Pinkie Pie greeted Sunset, "Hi, Sunset! What a surprise to see you here. Would you like one of our special items, or would you prefer something simple but delicious?"

Sunset Shimmer asked, "May I please have a few croissants?"

Pinkie Pie leaned in and whispered, "I'd love to give them to you for free, but you know the customers would be pretty upset if I did that."

Sunset Shimmer asked with a small smile, "I always pay full price because I'm not more special than anyone else. Wouldn't that be unfair?"

Pinkie Pie spoke with boundless enthusiasm, "Not at all! Give me about two minutes to get them, and don't do anything silly!"

Sunset Shimmer waited patiently, unaware that part of her arm was exposed, revealing red and pink lines that went across multiple parts of her right arm, after two minutes, Pinkie Pie handed her the croissants, and Sunset paid for them. Though she maintained a cheerful facade as she left, her expression soon shifted to one of rare sadness, goosebumps were felt throughout her body as nervousness took over.

Despite her typically upbeat demeanor, she recognized the signs that something was wrong . Eager to notify the other girls, Pinkie made a note in her phone, but the busy bakery kept her occupied. Fifteen minutes later, Sunset Shimmer took a deep breath as she arrived at Fluttershy's.

At 10:26 AM, Fluttershy opened the door and saw Sunset wearing a T-shirt with some black pants , ,her heart raced like a guitar solo as she attempted to greet her calmly and naturally. As she welcomed her inside, she couldn't help but admire the other girl's beauty.

Sunset Shimmer approached Fluttershy, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I hope you don't mind that I'm a little early. I know we need to leave at eleven, and I didn't want to be late." She was anxious about showing weakness.

Fluttershy responded warmly, "Not at all. In fact, would you like a quick cup of tea before we head out?"

"Thank you, but I'm all set," Sunset Shimmer replied. She paused, then added, "I hope my outfit is okay too."

"Fluttershy’s cheeks lightly went red as she admired Sunset's stylish outfit. 'Oh, Sunset! When did you get these good-looking clothes?' she asked in a surprised tone. 'You look even better than me, and I've been taking lessons from Rarity!'"

"Oh, it was nothing. I just thought I could use some spice today," Sunset Shimmer said.

"By the way, did you bring the console? I want to play that nature game again!" Fluttershy asked cheerfully.

"Yes, I did. Don't worry. I also found this new game called Minecraft where multiple people can play multiplayer. You can build and survive, and it's a lot of fun!" Sunset Shimmer replied.

"Ooh, we could all try that! It sounds very fun! I'm about to go to the store before we leave for Elbe. Do you want to come with me to get some snacks and stuff?" Fluttershy said, blushing slightly as she moved her hair out of her face.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind at all. If you're ready, we could go in a minute, but I do want to visit one little creature," Sunset said, pointing to Angel Bunny.

"Oh, well, sure! Let's get this little cutie pie," Fluttershy said in a gentle voice.

Fluttershy went to get Angel Bunny and bring him to Sunset Shimmer. The bunny cutely hopped into Sunset's hands and snuggled a little. “Am I adorable enough for both of you?!” asked Angel Bunny making both of them laugh before Angel Bunny hopped back onto Fluttershy's lap.

“Yes you are Angel Bunny!” said Fluttershy.

"I'm expecting Sci-Twi to come and take care of Angel Bunny this evening, so I don't have to worry about you not being taken care of you cute bunny!”. said Fluttershy

“Yay! Have a good trip and don’t forget to buy more carrots!” said Angel Bunny.

“I won’t. See you later! Said Fluttershy, putting the bunny down.

Sunset never understood what the bunny was saying or how she could take to the cute little guy, her mind wondered before Fluttershy spoke. “Now, let's drive to the Safeway in Western Orting, shall we?" Fluttershy said, her cheeks a rosy hue as she grabbed her car and house keys.

"Sure, we've got to get going soon anyway!" Sunset Shimmer said, carrying a blue backpack.

Before leaving, Fluttershy locked the door and left a note for Sci-Twi, informing her of the secret emergency keys, one under the carpet and another in a marked hole next to a weed. Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer then got into the car, with Fluttershy taking the driver's seat and Sunset sitting in the front passenger seat.

Fluttershy asked, "Do you remember the rhyme we used to get ready for driving on Sunset?"

“It’s the drive and safety run, start your trip with your seatbelt on! Nine and three is where you’ll be, Adjust your mirror to see things clearer! Check your little engine light to make sure your trip is alright!” Sang Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer before both chuckled a little bit. Fluttershy carefully started the car and slowly pulled out of the driveway.

Sunset Shimmer discreetly checked that her arms were not visible, knowing she would be deeply concerned. After a five-minute drive, they arrived at the Safeway. Mindful of recent accidents at the short entrance, Fluttershy prudently used the longer entrance to avoid any risk. She then parked the car and turned off the engine.

Fluttershy asked, "Ready to go, Sunset?"

“Sure, just nervous about the amount of people that are likely gonna stare at me because they still think I am a monster. " Sunset Shimmer replied nervously.

Fluttershy placed a gentle hand on Sunset's shoulder. "I'm right here. You can trust me, I won't leave you in there. If I have to defend you I will," she said reassuringly.

"Thanks," Sunset Shimmer said. "Let's go."

Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer exited the car. she briefly glanced at Sunset with a hint of a passionate gaze before Sunset could look back. The two then walked into the Safeway, grabbed a cart, then started walking together at a slow pace towards the first aisle where the drinks were. They only needed a few items, couple sodas and a few gallons of water.

Fluttershy went to get the sodas while Sunset grabbed two gallons of water, not wanting her to have to do everything. They gently placed the items in the cart and organized them before moving to the next aisle.

Fluttershy then grabbed four large bags of candy, two bags of chips. But not as many as expected since there would only be four people at the sleepover. Afterward, they went to get two boxes of chocolate, which Sunset guessed was to get energy, but she secretly wanted to share with Sunset as a gesture.

Having gathered Rarity's requested items for their upcoming trip, they headed to the checkout in the cramped store. As they stood nearby, she seemed unbothered, but her heart felt like a drum solo was playing within, when they reached the register, she was surprised to see Sunset retrieve her payment.

Fluttershy asked, "Sunset, why are you paying for it? You don't have to if you don't want to."

Sunset Shimmer gave Fluttershy a small smirk as she said, "Fluttershy, don't worry, I've got this. The Equestrian gods have blessed me that you're doing this for me, so let me repay you back for it."

Fluttershy asked hesitantly, "Thank you... Do I owe you any money back?"

Sunset Shimmer spoke in a gentle, thankful tone. "No, Fluttershy, you don't owe me anything. Even my demons are at ease, calmed by the kindness in your hearts. It is I who owes all of you a great debt for the chance I've been given."

Fluttershy's pulse slowed, and a bashful blush crept across her face as she said, "You know we're always here for you, Sunset. Thank you."

Sunset Shimmer nodded. "I know," she said.

After purchasing snacks and drinks, they walked to the parking lot underground and got into Fluttershy's car. She opened the trunk, placed a few items inside, and then they each got a small soda for the drive. Then closed and locked the trunk before getting into the passenger seat.

Once in the car, they put on their seatbelts and she started the vehicle. Within a minute, Fluttershy briefly parked to send a message to Applejack that they were on their way. Then Sunset took a deep breath and began the journey towards Rarity's Mansion.

During the drive, Fluttershy thought about what Sunset had said earlier, wondering if Sunset had a secret or if her mind was troubled by something. Before she could ask however she glanced at Sunset and saw her relaxed and asleep, which she found adorable. They would arrive at Rarity's in 40-45 minutes.

Sweet Apple Acres: 11:00 AM

Applejack received a text and gathered her belongings, including two cases of twelve apple cider bottles each. She carefully carried them downstairs as Big Mac prepared to unlock the door. Granny Smith, who loved telling Applebloom tales of pirates and other adventures, agreed to watch her. Big Mac opened the door, and Applejack loaded the cider into the trunk before they both got in the car. With everything ready, Applejack took a deep breath.

"Are you ready, Applejack?" Big Mac asked.

Applejack nodded. "Let's go," she said.

The group buckled up and slowly drove down Route 165 towards Orting. As they continued on the roads towards Alder Lake and the mansion , they contemplated the situation with Applejack and Sunset Shimmer, Rarity felt they needed time to slow down and enjoy life.

A concerning thought for Fluttershy but it wasn't an immediate worry, as Sunset was currently asleep. However, Rarity remained concerned. As she thought about how to best support her friends, Rarity did a final check to ensure she had enough money for all of them to enjoy a relaxing day, which she hoped would help calm their minds.

Chapter 3: A Mind's Breakdown

Chapter 3: A Mind's Breakdown

Chapter 3: A Mind's Breakdown

Following the lengthy journey, Fluttershy gently maneuvered her hand on the steering wheel as she entered the parking lot situated before the iron gates. The mansion, a testament to enduring elegance, was enveloped by a sea of Pacific silver fir trees that reigned over the landscape. In the background, the lake's waters glimmered, while above the treetops, a majestic figure of radiant beauty emerged, with glaciers reflecting the sunlight.

She extended her hand to grab her iPhone and keys positioned just beneath the gear stick, casting a quick look at Sunset. A soft smile graced her lips as her arms rested comfortably at her sides, accompanied by the gentle sound of small snores with each breath. "Adorable." Moments later, a girl with purple-dark blue hair, dressed in gray shorts and a blue diamond-patterned shirt adorned with violet, emerged from the front door. She smiled once more and waved as Rarity approached the ruby-shaped front gate.

With enthusiasm, she called out, "Hi, Rarity! How have you been? You look so cute with your hair

Rarity responded, "Hi, darling! You are looking cute as ever. How have you been since yesterday dear?”

“I have been doing okay, just a little anxious about today but I think we are gonna have a good time!” said Fluttershy.

“That’s good and don’t be so worried, today is going to be fun, I see that she fell asleep in the front passenger seat. Did she enjoy the car ride that much?" asked Rarity.

Fluttershy explained, "It seems she did, and I don’t know if I should bother her. She is so peaceful right now. Also, Applejack texted me saying she will be here in about twenty minutes, so we can wait here since her brother is coming to pick up your sister. After that, we can take my car and go to Elbe!"

Rarity asked, "Should we wake her up so we can go inside my house for a bit?

"I can wake her up. She looks so cute when she's sleeping though, especially with that little snore of hers." Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink, just like Cupid's.

“Were you also able to get the snacks and drinks from the store for later tonight?” she asked.

“Yes, there in my trunk.” She responded before reaching for her car keys and unlocking it.

“Very good darling!” Rarity's voice raised a little in excitement.

Fluttershy slowed and walked towards the other side of the car. Again, glancing at Sunset. Her cheeks flooded again with pink.

Rarity noticed then smirked, "Aww, how adorable. By the way, did you two have fun at all while you were together at the store and driving here?"

"Rarity!,” Fluttershy replied as her eyes rolled back. “Sunset fell asleep a few minutes after we started driving, so there was no opportunity,"

Rarity said, "Well, once Applejack gets here, we can head over. Let's get the stuff and wake her up, please.. I would let her nap, but you know there are bears, wolves, and other things, so I wouldn’t want her to worry about it.”

Fluttershy smiled., "I think you forgot I can talk to animals, Rarity."

"Oh, right, I did forget that. We hang out so much in town that I tend to forget sometimes," Rarity acknowledged.

Fluttershy retrieved her keys and opened the car's trunk as Rarity followed behind. Rarity then gathered the bags while Fluttershy gently roused a groggy Sunset Shimmer in the passenger seat. She slowly opened her eyes while feeling a small tap on her shoulder, initially confused before looking and realizing they had arrived, stretching briefly before grabbing her blue backpack. She stepped out of the car before her eyes turned to Rarity.

Sunset Shimmer apologized, "Hey Rarity! Sorry, I was asleep in the car. How have you been doing lately?"

Rarity replied with a smile, "It’s okay! You seemed very tired and I'm doing well, darling. Thank you for asking! Would you like to come inside? I wouldn't want you to be alone while Fluttershy and I are in the house, that wouldn't be proper."

"Yeah, got to put the console in the house anyway, would also be nice not to sleep too much! " said Sunset Shimmer, walking slowly towards the front door.

Rarity said in an excited, fancy tone, "Awesome! Let me put these drinks in the fridge, and then we can go inside briefly so we can chat a bit before she arrives. That way, you and her can get a special taste later.."

Fluttershy closed and locked the car's trunk. They walked slowly towards the mansion's front entrance and went inside.

Sunset glanced around the white walls of the mansion, the wooden floors shining as if the building never turned old. A mop with a bucket of liquid appeared as they walked through the decently wide hallway. Sunset expected a butler since she had looked at and studied books on how rich people lived normally on Earth.

“Rarity, I have looked at books about rich people who have butlers, how come you don’t have one?” Sunset wondered.

“Oh Darling, why would I have one if I’m super active with my life? Yes, sometimes I would call for one if I’m sick or there’s a day that I am super busy with stuff like my fashion business or but otherwise. Why would you pay for someone if you can do it yourself.” Rarity smiled.

Fluttershy recalled visiting her friend on numerous occasions when they were younger, often engaging in typical high school conversations about trivial matters, fashion, and teenage drama. The three walked into the kitchen, where they proceeded to neatly arrange the snacks.. Afterward, Rarity retrieved a pot filled it with water, and turned on the stove.

"Would y'all like some tea?" Rarity asked. "I have ginger, orange, black, white, herbal, peppermint, and green tea available."

"I'd love some herbal tea if that's alright," Sunset Shimmer replied.

"May I have some as well, please?" Fluttershy requested.

"Certainly, let me prepare the tea right away," Rarity said.

Fluttershy spoke excitedly, "We invited you and Applejack to join us for a sleepover because the other girls are busy. We're planning to go to the spa, then out to eat, and finish the night with a relaxing soak in the hot tubs on the back porch. We thought you two would love to be part of our girls' night!"

Sunset said jokingly, though grateful, "A sleepover doesn't sound too bad, but the spa and dinner out as well? Rarity, you didn't need to spend all that money on little old me."

“Well, darling you seemed overwhelmed and in a down mood. Plus I wouldn’t mind helping such an amazing young woman to relax for a day! Now would I?” asked Rarity.

“No you wouldn’t, I sincerely appreciate you for inviting me,” said Sunset Shimmer.

Then running came from the stairs before a young girl with purple and pink patterned hair, dark blue shorts, a white T-shirt, and a pink backpack on her back with small ruby earrings. She put the bag on the gray Tesoro Oakridge floor before running to Sunset, wrapping her arms around her waist.

“Hi, Sunset! Good to see you!” said Sweetie Belle.

She hugs back with a small smile. “Good to see that your sister has been doing an amazing job styling you up!” said Sunset Shimmer.

She laughed and giggled a little. “My big sister is the best fancy sister in the house! I don’t call her the Pacific’s design for nothing!” said Sweetie Belle.

Sunset chuckled. “Hey Rarity, I think you're becoming the superhero of fashion over here with your sister!”

Rarity laughed a little. “Well, my little fashion superhero has been doing a brilliant job.”

Rarity’s iPhone suddenly started to ring. She turned towards it before picking it up "Hello?"

"Hey!" Big Mac's voice came through the line. "Applejack and I are outside the mansion. She's getting out of the car and grabbing the apple cider from the trunk. Can one of you come out and help? I'm also waiting for Sweetie Belle."

"Alright, she will meet you outside," Rarity replied, and hung up the phone. "Sweetie Belle hurry up, darling," Rarity said as she headed for the door. "Big Mac is waiting outside.”

Sunset Shimmer chimed in, "I'll go help Applejack get those ciders inside," she got up and walked towards the front door.

Sunset Shimmer walked outside towards a red car with apple logos, where she greeted her with a smile. She then handed her a pack of 12 cider bottles. Together, they carried the pack inside and placed it in Rarity's fridge. Rarity then gave Applejack a warm hug.

Sweetie Bell exclaimed excitedly, "I'm ready, sis!"

Rarity looked at her younger sister and said, "Alright, darling, let's go. Fluttershy, could you please turn off the stove? The tea is ready." She then asked, "I'm going to go talk to Big Mac for a moment."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of the stove," Fluttershy said, getting up from the chair to go turn it off.

Rarity and Sweetie Bell stepped outside together. As they approached the car, he waved to them. Sweetie Bell then ran joyfully to the car and embraced Big Mac. Witnessing this wholesome interaction, Rarity smiled and continued walking towards them.

"Thank you for this opportunity," Rarity said. "I promise to take good care of her. Will she be staying with me just for tonight or for two nights?"

“Depends on how long she wants to stay.” Big Mac responded before he got concerned, he pleaded, "Please, I just need you to help her relax for a couple of nights. She's struggling..." He trailed off, the unspoken implication weighing heavily.

"I promise to take care of her," Rarity said firmly.

Sweetie Bell got into the backseat, closed the car door, and put on her seatbelt. She said goodbye to her sister Rarity, who then reached in and gave Sweetie a quick hug before backing up and hugging Big Mac. Rarity assured Applejack that she would be okay.

Big Mac slowly reversed out of the driveway and headed back towards Sweet Apple Acres, a trip that would take around 65 minutes. Rarity then walked back to the front entrance of her mansion, went inside, and closed the door.

“After finishing the tea and taking a few minutes to get ready. We will be able to head towards Elbe where they have a spa that we can relax in.” she smiled.

“After that, I got some new outfits for you girls to try out before going to this fancy place nearby. I have been there with my family during my childhood and it's delicious!” she praised.

“After we come back and hang out, have fun on Sunset’s amazing console. Maybe even a sleepover if we are comfortable.” Fluttershy added.

Sunset rubbed her shoulder. “Well that’s a bit interesting, I have never been in a spa.”

“Sugar cube, what are you so nervous about? I would love to get a rare treatment like this.” Applejack asked.

“Well typically, you don’t wear clothes for certain treatments they give you. I don’t know whether to start with something small, just to get comfortable with the experience.” She wondered.

“They have their changing rooms plus large towels so don’t worry about it, darling!” Rarity softly chuckled.

"This is my first time too, Sugar Cube," said Applejack. "Why don't we go in the same one, while Rarity and Fluttershy each do their own thing? If it's too much for you, you can always pick another one." Applejack responded while gently putting her hand on Sunset’s shoulder.

Sunset Shimmer replied confidently, "Sure, we can do that."

After finishing their tea, the group prepared to leave. Rarity assured them that she had covered the cost of both the food and the spa treatments.

Fluttershy asked Rarity to just join her quickly. For two minutes they talked before agreeing that she would pay for her food just to help her out, she felt it was unfair that she always paid for her trips so she wanted to help out this time, and with that settled, they left the front entrance, Rarity locking the door behind them.

“Hey Rarity, could I discuss something with you for a moment?” She wondered.

“Sure darling,” she responded

Fluttershy got close to her ear. “Is it okay if I pay for the dinner, you have done enough for us and I wanted to make it more fair since you are always helping us out.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to spend the money you earned on something I planned for all of us,” she asked.

“I am very sure.” She responded.

“Go ahead darling,” she nodded. With that settled, they walked out the front door. Rarity closed the door before locking the door, putting the keys in her pocket before walking down the small driveway.

The group walked to Fluttershy's car, with Fluttershy taking the driver's seat, Sunset in the front passenger seat, and Rarity and Applejack sitting in the back. They all buckled their seatbelts, she started the car, carefully backing up to ensure they wouldn't hit anything. She then drove for six to seven minutes to their destination in Elbe.

They arrived right outside the spa. Fluttershy pulled into the parking lot before turning off the car. Sunset felt a bit nervous as she glanced at least seven times at her arm, but Applejack was buzzing with excitement. Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged a knowing smile before quietly giggling to each other. They all stepped out of the car, closed the door, and Fluttershy made sure the windows were rolled up and the doors locked.

The group approached the front entrance and stepped inside. Sunset and Applejack were amazed by the sight before them - a large pool, numerous relaxation beds, and an array of hair and skin care supplies and equipment, all attended to by the spa's attentive staff. Fluttershy and Rarity shared another round of amused giggles, eager to experience this oasis of tranquility, which had the feel of a luxurious Hawaiian resort.

They reached the front desk, where a friendly lady greeted them and asked where they would like to go for their relaxing day, aware that Rarity had planned this the night before their arrival. The lady then escorted them to a group spa room, where two attendants were waiting to begin their pampering treatments and the relaxation process.

Rarity spoke in a gentle tone, "Girls, we've completed the check-in. Feel free to choose the one you want - it's already been paid for, so no need to worry."

Sunset Shimmer asked, "Rarity, which one are you going to choose?"

"I'm going to get a facial treatment," said Rarity. "They'll address the dry skin on my face and other issues. I'm looking forward to it."

Applejack said, "I'm going to get a nice, relaxing massage. I hope it leaves me feeling much less tense afterward."

Rarity smirked., "Applejack, you'll be surprised by how good they are at treating tense muscles."

“I'm gonna go to the sauna to relax,” Said Fluttershy in a gentle tone.

Sunset Shimmer pondered, "Hmm, I wonder where I should go. Perhaps I'll get a massage with
Applejack, that sounds like an amazing idea."

"Alright, let's head out," Applejack said. "Are you coming Sunset? Don’t be like an apple failing to fall from gravity.

Sunset Shimmer spoke eagerly, "Let's go! I can't wait any longer."

The girls entered the treatment rooms and followed their relaxation routines to prepare for their spa day. Fluttershy headed to the sauna, trying to clear her mind despite thinking. Meanwhile, Rarity savored her treatments, while an intriguing conversation unfolded between Applejack and Sunset Shimmer as they waited for their massages.

"Hey Sunset, how have you been?" asked Applejack, her voice laced with concern. "Have you been having any bad thoughts of anything?”

Sunset Shimmer sighed. "I've been okay, I guess. Just been having a hard time, in terms of my thoughts... It's been pretty dark recently." She paused, then added, "But no, I haven't thought of anything too bad.

Applejack offered a small, reassuring smile. "Well, you know I'm here for you, right? I know your past hasn't been the easiest, and you've faced a lot of challenges."

"Yeah, I understand," Sunset replied, her tone tinged with sadness. "Sometimes I just wonder if it's all worth it."

"Let me know if things go south, okay?" said Applejack. "The girls are here for you, no matter what."

"Thanks," Sunset said. "I just feel like my younger self was too broken and immature to understand the damage I was doing until it was too late."

Applejack nodded, her voice heavy with regret. "It's not just you who struggles with the mistakes of the past. I... I know what it feels like to regret your past mistakes.” She said before asking. “Is that why you've been acting strange and avoiding us? Are you going through something difficult that you haven't told us about?"

With a regretful tone, Sunset Shimmer lamented, "I've just been through a lot lately and been through a ton of pain to the point where I sometimes have to take four pills. I am hoping it ends pretty soon or I may have to go to the hospital if it keeps up.

Applejack spoke with deep concern, "I didn't realize how much pain you've been in, Sunset.
Wow, I had no idea. I know you've been dealing with issues, but has it been this bad the whole time? The other girls and Twilight Sparkle could help you, but you need to open up to them."

"It's alright... I just likely need to go to the doctor," said Sunset Shimmer.

"Sunset," Applejack said, "Alright but remember I and the others want to help you too. I don't want you to suffer through pain that you can prevent. No one deserves the difficult situation you're in right now."

"Do you think people would help me? After what I have done?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"Yes, I do believe they will," Applejack said. "Now just relax. I'm here for you, alright?"

"Thank you," Sunset Shimmer said.

"You're welcome," Applejack replied. "Now, try to relax your mind and clear it as thoroughly as a lawnmower cuts through grass."

"Alright," Sunset Shimmer agreed before closing her eyes, her muscles relaxed a bit to the point that her eyes slowly closed. her breathing became smooth and light like a calm wind.

The girls took a moment to relax and unwind. Applejack and Sunset's minds quieted as their tense muscles released like a volcano finally settling after a long period of pressure. Meanwhile, Rarity enjoyed the soothing process of applying lotions and using devices to smooth and rejuvenate her skin. Fluttershy gently relaxed in the sauna, reflecting on Sunset's well-being and admiring her beauty. After their relaxing day, the four friends regrouped in the lobby, ready to head out and show off the new outfits Rarity had procured for them.

"Rarity gazed into the mirror, delighted by her clear, radiant complexion. 'Oh my, look at that shine! Rarity, you look so cute!'"

Applejack chuckled as she savored the sensation of her relaxed, loose muscles. "That felt amazing. My muscles are so loose now, almost like they did too good a job and I feel weird without the usual tension."

Sunset Shimmer smiled gently. "My mind was clear the whole time, and it felt wonderful."

Fluttershy blushed slightly but her voice was filled with excitement. "I love saunas! They're so relaxing. Sunset, you should have tried it!"

Rarity spoke in an eager tone as she presented the outfits she had prepared. "Darlings, I've got some outfits for us to wear when we go out to eat. They're not too fancy, as I've made them to fit each of you perfectly. I got your sizes just right!"

Applejack and Fluttershy were excited about their new outfits, but Sunset was less enthused. However, since Elbe was a small town of just over 1,200 people, Sunset decided this might be a good opportunity to see if she could get comfortable wearing something a little more "cute." So the friends all changed in the building's dressing rooms before emerging.

Applejack's new outfit was similar to her normal look with a red and green pattern skirt, two green gemstone earrings, a blue shirt with small red apples all over, and sparkling small red rubies on her sleeves. Rarity squealed internally over how adorable she looked in the outfit.

Fluttershy emerged wearing an ensemble similar to her usual style, A purple skirt with some indigo earrings with a magenta tank top with a touch of skin revealed in between.

However, the real showstopper was when Sunset Shimmer stepped out, her red and yellow pattern hair, flaxen earrings with a candy apple jacket, and mulberry-colored shirt with flamingo-colored pants. Rarity had purposefully crafted a tomboyish yet alluring look for her. Fluttershy glanced at Sunset for a fleeting moment, her cheeks flushed with color. Her heart raced as if something within her was desperately trying to break free from a confined space.

Rarity asked with a small smirk, "Well, do you girls like your outfits?"

"This is super comfortable... I love it, Rarity!" Applejack said.

She said while smiling, shifting her body from side to side, "I had no idea this would suit me so well. Wow, Rarity, I need to try on more of your designs."

Fluttershy said, "This is very cute. I love it. Now, are we ready to go eat?"

The group exited the spa and headed towards the restaurant, they walked at a slow pace, listening to the melodic chirping of baby birds against the backdrop of the Pacific landscape with the mountain in the background, its glaciers reflecting the sun setting on the horizon. The early evening sun cast a pleasant, cool glow - perfect weather. Upon arrival, they were promptly seated at a four-chair table with a beautiful flower vase full of roses, then gratefully thanked the waiter.

Rarity said, "Well, girls, I hope you're having a good time! By the way, just eat what you want, okay? No shaming, we're here to have a good time!"

Sunset Shimmer replied, "Hell to the yeah! But first, let's get some drinks..."

Fluttershy asked, "Well, I'm going to get a sweet tea. Is anyone else getting tea?"

Rarity chimed in, "Well, darling, I'm most likely going to get a Sprite. I'm not the biggest fan of most sodas."

Sunset Shimmer continued, "I think I'll try the Fanta.”

Applejack said, "Well, I mostly drink cider and water, but I guess I'll get a sweet tea."

Fluttershy responded, "Great, I'll get one too then, Applejack. We can both have sweet tea."

The waiter approached their table and asked what they would like to drink. Sunset Shimmer ordered a Fanta, while Fluttershy and Applejack both got sweet tea. Rarity requested a Sprite. As they waited for their meals, something suddenly stirred in Sunset, her body started to feel a surge of pain, and suddenly her lacerations and gashes turned bright pink.

She apologized, stating, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom. I’ll return shortly." With that, she stood up and made her way to the door, which was framed by a vibrant orange wall reminiscent of a carrot. Upon entering the bathroom, she locked the door and felt her breath quicken. Taking a few steps inside, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes began to widen and fill with tears as she pressed her hands against the sides of her head. "They don't care about you and only use you to balance power. Twilight Sparkle doesn't care about how you live...she just needs you to be a spy while the other girls enjoy their lives. End the suffering...I know you want to take that knife and slowly cut your insides out."

Her mind raced like fish darting in a bowl for a fleeting moment until she found a way to calm her breath. As her body relaxed, she turned her attention to her reflection in the mirror. Her hands trembled for a little while, echoing the way tectonic plates shift after a major earthquake. Tears flowed down her cheeks, smearing the light makeup she had carefully applied earlier. She reached for a red light on a nearby box, which dispensed a piece of brown paper towel. With gentle hands, she wiped her tear-streaked face.

After that, she dug through her purse to find a small makeup kit, taking about five minutes to touch up the makeup that had been washed away. Once she was done, she stepped out, moving slowly with a smile before taking her seat again. Applejack noticed her as she settled in, observing a noticeable change in her eyes.

Applejack started to speak for a moment, but just as she was about to say something, the waiter appeared. They quickly placed their meal orders before he headed into the kitchen to inform the chefs. Meanwhile, Rarity carried on with her conversation about the latest fashion designs. Sunset paid close attention, understanding that this information would be valuable down the line.

Fifteen minutes later, the waiter arrived with their food. Fluttershy reached into her purse and handed the money while smiling. The waiter gently took it. “Thank you, Ma’am”

“And thank you,” Fluttershy responded.

He walked off before Applejack began to discuss the upcoming harvest. Ever so often Fluttershy would glance at Sunset before focusing again on Applejack’s and Rarity’s conversion. Rarity felt her heart beat out of her chest yet was able to maintain composure.

After finishing their meal, they then left the restaurant and headed back to the parking lot, where Rarity's mansion was only about six minutes away.

Once they arrived at the parking lot, she retrieved the car keys and unlocked the doors. The girls got back into the same seats they had occupied earlier. Fluttershy carefully backed the car out of the space and they set off for Rarity's mansion.

Seven minutes later, they arrived. Rarity retrieved her house keys from her purse as Fluttershy turned off the car and the group exited, She locked the car doors before they went at a slow pace to the front, Rarity retrieved the keys out of her pocket, opening the front door. She then guided them to the back of the house. As they walked, Sunset and Applejack noticed she had a dedicated fashion design room, as well as her bedroom, though the overall décor was relatively simple aside from the fashion space.

Outside, the porch overlooked the picturesque Alder Lake and the majestic Mountain. Two small hot tubs sat on the fancy porch, leaving Applejack and Sunset in awe of the stunning view. Fluttershy stared at the view while smiling and listening to the sight of nature.

Rarity then showed Sunset a large TV, so she could plug in a gaming console. She had bought four controllers, hoping they could all play together, but didn't have a game. Fortunately, Rarity had purchased a console the previous night. Though they all had Microsoft accounts, none of them had Mojang accounts.

"Rarity asked, 'Sunset before we have a fun sleepover, could you please help me set up the console? I'm new to this since I don't usually play on these systems.'"

Sunset Shimmer asked, "We can both set up the account and download the game, but the question is did you get two TVs or do you still have just one?"

Rarity apologized sheepishly, "I wasn't sure if the device could handle four people at once. You see, I'm not very familiar with this kind of technology." She realized her words made her sound foolish.

"No need to worry," Sunset Shimmer reassured them. "We can take turns using the two controllers I have. I already set up accounts for both you and Fluttershy, so we're all ready to play. I may have gotten a little carried away with that squirrel game we tried before, but that's just because I sometimes struggle with my temper. Don't worry, I'll teach you how to play, and I promise I don't bite."

Fluttershy laughed “I forgot the squirrel made you rage, how?!”

Sunset Shimmer laughed a bit as she replied, "I don't know, maybe the squirrel was breaking the laws of physics. I don't understand how that squirrel couldn't climb a tree to get its daily dose of acorns!"

Rarity giggled a bit as she asked, "Also, Sunset, isn't that what she said about four people thinking of the console?"

Sunset responded with laughter, "Oh, get out of here, Rarity!"

Before heading to the kitchen, Applejack said, "I'm going to go get the snacks and drinks so we can all enjoy playing the game. I'll be right back."

Sunset turned on the console and began setting up the split-screen controls. As she walked to the fridge to fetch snacks and drinks, she briefly paused as her eyes widened before taking a deep breath before continuing to the fridge, she gently grabbed a few ciders and the soda before walking back and returning with the refreshments, she joined them, who had completed the game setup and was now waiting for Minecraft to finish downloading so they could test it out.

Applejack settled onto the couch, taking a slow sip of her cider as the game commenced. The enchanting music of the game filled the air, prompting Fluttershy to hum along. Although new to the experience, Sunset was well-prepared, having brought along a book with a green cover labeled "Minecraft" and a golden pickaxe. She initiated a world, and they began to familiarize themselves with the gameplay.

At the same time, Rarity hurried to retrieve her fashion bag. Peeking inside, she spotted the new swimsuits and smiled. Applejack observed the game with a gentle smile, watching as the two block characters, both dressed in light blue shirts and dark blue pants, navigated through a forest. The sound of footsteps caught her attention, and she turned to see Rarity approaching her.

Rarity smiled as she said, "You seem quite relaxed, darling."

Applejack exhaled slowly, her voice calm. "I'm feeling alright, but I just need some time to unwind right now. The others are enjoying the new game, and that's great, but the farm work has been brutal on my body. That massage at the spa was heavenly, I want to keep relaxing."

"I have your new outfit ready, and I can start the hot tub so you can relax, darling," Rarity said before asking. "But don't you want to spend time with them instead?"

She spoke in a serious yet hushed tone as she leaned in and whispered to Rarity, "Let Sunset have some time to herself. She needs the chance to distract and process her thoughts. We need to discuss getting her professional help. And if you don't mind, I'd also like that outfit - I want to relax, but we do need to talk about this further."

Rarity gestured towards the bathroom as she explained, "I have a bathroom right there. I keep two, just in case."

"Thank you...I will be right back!" she said before she entered the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her to change. Meanwhile, Rarity went outside to check on the hot tub, ensuring it was clean before plugging it in and turning it on. Soon, hot water began flowing, starting up the heating process. They were laughing and enjoying a new game they had discovered. After getting her swimsuit, Rarity headed upstairs to the bathroom to change into it.

Rarity had finished changing, went downstairs, and turned the corner before seeing Applejack next to the hot tub in that Indian red swimsuit made her heart race, it wasn't just the outfit that looked good, she looked amazing. Her heart was pounding as she came out to check if the hot tub was ready for her to hop in. The outfit she had put together showed off her amazing figure but was still modest enough to keep her comfortable. She was proud of the work she had done to make the suit look good on her…

Applejack smiled and remarked, "Wow Rarity, you look mighty fine sugar cube, you are somethin' else with that swimwear on, you sure could turn a cowboy's head with that get-up."

Rarity eyed Applejack with a coy smirk. "Why, thank you, darling. You're looking quite lovely today. Have you been working out, or has all that farm labor sculpted that figure of yours so nicely?" she purred, her tone dripping with feigned innocence. "As a fashion connoisseur, I must say, your physique is truly angelic."

"Applejack said, 'I try to stay healthy, but we need to talk about something important. Fluttershy can't know, alright? First, let's relax in the hot tub. If they come, just talk about fashion to distract them.'"

They sank into the hot tub, reveling in the soothing warmth. Applejack's face broke into a small grin as the water enveloped her skin at the perfect temperature. While Rarity was accustomed to the heat, she was pleased to see Applejack's evident enjoyment, knowing it had distracted her from worries. However, she remained slightly nervous, Applejack's smile soon faded as she thought about the struggles Sunset was facing.

Rarity asked with concern, "Darling, are you okay?"

Applejack spoke with a serious and upset tone, "I'm not okay. I'm worried for Sunset Shimmer's mental well-being. She is not just the girl who is reforming well - she's like the daughter I've always wanted. She reminds me of myself. She just wanted a normal childhood, but now it’s like she's tormented by her past actions.

Applejack paused, quickly glancing back to ensure she hadn't been seen or heard, before continuing. "I'm so worried about her, I know she's unstable, but the extent of it terrifies me. I never said anything at school because I thought they were just something she had. Fluttershy has been spending time with her, who appears perfectly healthy from her perspective, But Sunset is hiding something.

Overhearing the conversation while Fluttershy was wearing pink butterfly headphones, Sunset Shimmer heard the conversation outside. Determined not to upset her friend, Sunset composed herself and slowly walked towards the hot tubs.

"I apologize if I'm interrupting your hot tub time but I need to—-," said Sunset Shimmer.

Rarity interrupted, "Darling, why don't you come relax in the hot tub? I made a lovely new suit just for you."

Sunset Shimmer replied. “Sure. Do you where you put the suit for me? I would assume you either have it in your room or a bag.”

“It’s in the pink bag next to the entrance. Are you sure Fluttershy doesn’t want to join us also?” asked Rarity.

“I can ask her but she is loving the new game I got so I don’t wanna bother her, let me ask her then get changed,” said Sunset Shimmer.

Fluttershy was enjoying the game when Sunset tapped her on the shoulder. She took off the headphones and then turned her sight on Sunset. Again her cheeks softly turned pink with her heart felt like it was pumping out of her chest like a basketball on the court, then she asked. “Hey I know you're enjoying the game but, do you wanna relax in the hot tub with me and the others?”

On the one hand, she wanted to join them, normally she wouldn’t say no and change immediately, for some reason however this time, her breathing got a little heavy, and her heart pounded to the point she could hear it in her head like a double drum beat, like little electric currents that flow through a wire, her fingers started to tingle.

“Not yet, could you give me a few minutes to finish this small wheat farm on the game and could you bring me my swimsuit?” asked Fluttershy.

“Sure, let me get it for you,” said Sunset, she took a few steps before grabbing a yellow and red patterned swimsuit and then a green swimsuit with pink and purple flowers spread out on it. She placed it gently on the side of the blue couch. She then grabs her blue backpack before entering the bathroom.

She was excited about trying on her new swimsuit until she looked at her arms, then she suddenly felt her hands trembling before thinking again, then she thought! “Just tell them you have a doctor’s appointment, yeah that will work!”

At this time the two of them were just relaxing in the hot tub until Applejack’s Samsung Galaxy S5 sounded an alert. She picked it up and then looked, a notification had appeared on messages, she looked at the message which came from, Pinkie Pie. Then she looked at it and carefully made sure that she wasn’t being extra. A rare sad mood was noticed in her texting about Sunset.

Sunset got out of the bathroom before walking without hurry and walked outside on the back porch where they were relaxing. "I have a doctor's appointment early tomorrow morning, and I know Fluttershy has to volunteer at the animal shelter. So I was hoping to spend a bit more time with her since she's been enjoying it before I have to leave," said Sunset Shimmer.

“Why didn’t you tell us that earlier darling?” Rarity asked.

“Well, I didn’t wanna make my visit short since we were all enjoying ourselves,” Sunset answered.

“Sunset, I don’t believe you one bit. Pinkie Pie just texted me about seeing something suspicious on your arms, number two is that you would have told me right before the spa treatment plus I saw what she was talking about. Another thing is that you don’t want to put on the swimsuit because you're hiding something from us.” Applejack deduced before dropping the act.

Fluttershy took off the headphones when she started to hear them. "Sunset, you can confide in us. We're not in public; we're here to support you. The fact that you're hiding your pain makes us feel like we're not doing enough, but we truly care about you. Why won't you put down your sword and let us in to heal your heart?"

"In a gentle, understanding tone, Rarity said, 'Remember what I told you, sugar cube? You can confide in us. We're here to support and assist you.'"

Sunset Shimmer sighed heavily. I can't stand who I am! I'm utterly useless, a burden on everyone. I shouldn't have reached out for help; I should have just suffered alone. I'm so sorry for wasting your time on a person as worthless as me. You all don’t understand how much I truly hate myself.

Their expressions shifted to one of bewilderment. They had been there to witness her journey of transformation since that fateful day. From their perspective, it seemed like she was thriving. But then, Sunset’s hands began to shake, and tears welled up in her eyes, turning them a deep shade of red. Rarity and Applejack gasped in unison.

“Sweetheart, did we say something to upset you? We truly apologize.” Rarity’s voice trembled, her body shaking slightly alongside Applejack’s. Fluttershy, having observed everything unfold, approached Sunset without hesitation. Ignoring the distress in Sunset’s eyes and the sound of her sobs, she wrapped her arms around her, gently running her fingers through her hair. “It’s alright, I’m here for you.”

Fluttershy then gently held Sunset by the waist and spoke soothingly, "I can take you home or to the hospital, just calm down."

Sunset Shimmer spoke in a somber tone, "I may as well go home. I'm sorry I ever asked for help reforming. Twilight should have killed me and torn my insides out more brutally than a knife slicing through meat.”

In a somber tone, Rarity asked, "Darling, why do you think you deserve that?"

"Rarity's right," Applejack said understandingly. "I know you're tough, but even I have my limits. And I know you have yours too."

In a caring tone, Fluttershy said, "You don't deserve to suffer. You're amazing, Sunset. Don't let your demons win."

Sunset Shimmer spoke in a regretful tone, "I'm amazing? How I nearly killed y'all that one time?!?!?" She continued, "I'm always in pain that I cannot escape. I am not amazing, I just feel like a dying star. No matter how much light I try to emit, the flare will eventually go out. Why am I trying to change if I'm just going to suffer the whole journey? Why can't I just disappear...like a black hole that eventually consumes the light of a star's goals." tears streamed down her face.

Rarity spoke in a somber, regretful tone, "The purpose of our meeting was not merely to enjoy ourselves, but to find ways we can assist you. We are trying to understand the difficulties you face, and we want to help. Please, let us be of service to you, darling."

“But you can't, that's the thing...I’m just like this... I'm sorry girls I'm very uncomfortable talking about it, can I keep the swimsuit, Rarity?” asked Sunset Shimmer.

“Sure… Are you gonna leave us?” asked Rarity.

“I got to go... I'm happy we got to hang out, okay? I'm just not in that mental state of comfort alright?” Sunset Shimmer spoke in a somber tone.

Fluttershy spoke gently, hoping to comfort Sunset Shimmer, "I'd be happy to help you with putting the console away since I've played on it with you."

After thoughtfully placing the console into her blue backpack, Sunset and Fluttershy said their goodbyes to Rarity and Applejack. As they left, Rarity softly shut the door behind them. She took a moment to look down, closing her eyes briefly before making her way back to the hot tub.

They walked to the car before she unlocked it, she got in the driver seat while Sunset slowly went to the front passenger seat before closing the door and turning her back to Fluttershy while slowly crying quietly.

Fluttershy felt deeply concerned upon realizing that she was struggling with intense emotions. As they both got in the car, her eyes looked at her when she realized shaking and trembling. She could hear small whimpers coming from her.

Sunset let out a soft gasp as she felt Fluttershy wrap her arms around her in a gentle yet firm embrace. Fluttershy began to sway her back and forth, much like a mother soothing her child. This gesture brought back memories for Sunset of her mother comforting her when she was just a little filly. As Fluttershy hummed a melody, Sunset felt a wave of calm wash over her.

Then, she heard Fluttershy’s gentle and reassuring voice. “You’re going to be alright. You are surrounded by love and care. Let go of that anger inside and allow peace to guide you.” For a few moments, the only sounds were the soft hum. Sunset’s breathing gradually became steadier, and her eyes began to release the tears she had been holding back. Slowly, she felt her body relax as Fluttershy sensed her muscles loosening, eventually drifting into a peaceful slumber marked by soft snores.

She then gently let go and looked with comfort as she saw Sunset asleep. She smiled before starting the car and carefully backed out, beginning the drive to Sunset's apartment and then continuing to her own home so Sunset could rest. During the car ride, Fluttershy couldn't help but reflect on the events that had just unfolded.

Meanwhile, she closed the door behind her and returned to the hot tub, where she found Applejack in a state of complete relaxation. This presented her with an opportunity she had long been hoping for.

Applejack was still staying the night, and she realized they were now alone. If there was any emotional distress, she could be there to support her and recognize the significance of this opportunity but knew she might not be able to confide in Applejack.

Normally, her muscles would feel tense and knotted after a long day's work on the farm, like a pressurized volcano ready to erupt. But now, she also looked peaceful and relaxed, as if the tension had been released.

Rarity asked her with concern, "Darling, I have a serious question, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Are you doing mentally okay?"

Although Applejack initially wanted to confide in Rarity about her inner turmoil, she hesitated and responded with a gentle smile, assuring her, "I am doing okay, I just need to relax after what happened there, I hope she will be okay." said Applejack in a regretful tone.

“I’m very glad darling that you feel relaxed right now and we are not giving up on her, she has come too far to just leave her bleeding with sorrow, I want her to be an angel and fly with her ideas and her creative mind, Don’t worry we will get her there. Also not to be off topic but I was thinking of a special outfit for you so when that harvest festival comes up, you will look great!” said Rarity.

"I'm eager to see the new design,” said Applejack.

While Rarity and Applejack relished their moments of leisure, Fluttershy enjoyed a peaceful and uneventful drive back to Orting. During the journey, she frequently glanced at Sunset, whose face was etched with a frown as she fought back tears. Fluttershy occasionally offered a brief smile in her direction. Upon arriving at their destination, she gently nudged Sunset awake.

“Hey, Sunset, it’s time to wake up,” she said with a smile.

Sunset slowly opened her eyes, taking in the sight of her familiar apartment. “Oh, I’m home. Thank you, Fluttershy.” She picked up her purse and stepped out of the car.

Sunset's smile was gentle, she could not tell if it was forced or not. Fluttershy asked herself,” Is she suffering this bad?” As Fluttershy said goodbye, she got out of the car and enveloped Sunset in a warm, comforting hug. After the embrace, she returned to the driver's seat, buckled her seatbelt, and drove off. Sunset then entered the building, climbed the stairs, and reached her apartment. She locked the door behind her, changed into pajamas, and collapsed onto her bed.

Plagued by guilt, she wrestled with whether to confess that she was suffering. She feared alarming the girls but knew she needed help. Bottling up her emotions, she felt like a ticking time bomb, her mind assaulted by a barrage of regrets and anxiety, like a freight train colliding with a semi-truck. The endless static of voices from past choices crept up on her, overwhelming her senses.

Then she started thinking about those negative thoughts, felt like going crazy, and looked at the knife multiple times wanting to slice her throat to end the struggle but knew that her friends would suffer from the loss, they didn’t know what it was like to suffer from all of these regrets and pains of past and present that kissed like a romantic couple but in a much darker fashion. She lay on her bed and slowly started to lose her strong self and finally began melting into a tearful waterfall, she was very silent about the crying, eventually falling asleep.

Fluttershy drove into the driveway and switched off the engine, ensuring that the doors were securely locked and the windows were closed. After exiting the vehicle, she pressed the button on her keys to lock it. She made her way to the front door at a leisurely pace before unlocking it. A smile spread across her face as she noticed that Sci-Twi had taken excellent care of Angel Bunny, even spotting some games they had enjoyed together.

Fluttershy noticed Angel Bunny peacefully resting on the cozy little bed she had made for him. A frown creased her brow as she thought, “I wish there was more I could do to ease Sunset's pain, aside from just being there for her.” A few tears slipped down her cheeks as she whispered, "I'm so sorry." After a quick shower and slipping into her pajamas, she headed to her room, where she lay down and reflected on the day's happenings for about twenty minutes before finally succumbing to sleep.

Rarity and Applejack found themselves enveloped in the soothing warmth of the hot tub, their laughter mingling with the gentle sounds of the night. As their conversation flowed like a sweet melody, Rarity's gaze lingered on Applejack's eyes. Every so often she would bite her lip gently while her eyes glanced at her. As the evening deepened, Applejack started to look tired and she began to yawn frequently. Her eyes struggling to stay open.

Rarity, noticing that she looked exhausted, gently urged, "Darling, I've prepared a bedroom for you. Come out of the hot tub so we can get you ready for bed."

Applejack climbed out of the hot tub, with Rarity following close behind. "Alright... then,"

She retrieved a pair of pajamas for both of them and they went upstairs to change in the bathroom, taking turns to respect each other's privacy. Applejack changed first, then Rarity a couple of minutes later.

Rarity then guided her to the bedroom, showing her the bed where she would be sleeping for the night. Rarity's room had both a queen-sized bed and two smaller beds, and she could adjust them to be together or apart using a remote control.

Applejack got into one of the beds and quickly fell into a deep, comfortable sleep, letting out small, cute snores. Rarity draped a blanket over her and turned on the air conditioning to a light setting, ensuring they would stay cool even if the blanket became too warm.

She offered a gentle smile before leaning in to kiss Applejack's forehead, whispering, “Goodnight, my dear.” Following this tender moment, she took a few steps back and climbed into her bed. A fleeting frown crossed her face as she thought, “I wish Sunset a swift recovery, and why didn’t I act when I had the opportunity? Acknowledge it, Rarity, you’re afraid.” With that, she gradually closed her eyes and succumbed to slumber.

Chapter 4: The Fires To Haunt The Strong

Chapter 4: The Fires To Haunt The Strong

She suddenly opened her eyes while feeling a gentle breeze on a hilltop overlooking a huge area of apple trees. The starry sky above revealed intricate celestial patterns, unobscured by light pollution. She was unable to move her body aside from her head, so she turned to look at the surroundings.

In the distance, she noticed a mountain with its northern face blown off that had the shape of a horseshoe; the landscape next to it was barren before small bushes would gently turn into larger trees the further from it.

She had heard stories of that mountain being called "Mount Fuji” of America before something awful had happened in that part. Close by was a large lake with the moonlight reflecting off the water, with what appeared to look like a mansion along its shore then off in the distance”,” the lights of the nearby towns.

But the most prominent feature was a majestic mountain, like a god watching ancient lands; it towered over the area. She remembered her grandma telling her stories about how the mountain got the Native American name, Tahoma”.”

She slowly walked down the hill toward her house and barn, her eyes drawn to the ripe, heavy-laden apple trees. Though she didn't realize it, the Apple family's success over the years was not solely due to their careful planning and planting but also the vital support of nature itself.

The soil was nutrient-rich, with elements replenished by a gray type of rock material, which was shown by some mixed-colored rock on small streams. The weather was a lot milder, as she felt the nice cool temperatures with the breeze continuing to blow her yellow hair to the side.

But as she walked slowly to the barn, an eerie silence descended, causing her growing unease. Despite her mounting nervousness, she forced herself to keep walking at a measured pace, unwilling to rush. Then her nose began to detect the scent of smoke but assumed it was from a nearby campfire, as the area at this time of year was a popular camping destination. However, upon closer inspection, she noticed no active campfires.

As she drew nearer to the barn and well-kept small farmhouse, the smell of smoke intensified, raising her concern about a potential fire. Suddenly, without warning, as if a time bomb went off, a massive explosion devastated the house.

Her eyes widened rapidly as her hands trembled aggressively. She tried to run back to the hill, but the confines of the dream only allowed her to move at a slow, agonizing pace towards the burning house.

As she slowly approached the house, she saw five shadowy figures trapped in the burning debris. Desperate to help, she tried to run and call for assistance, but for some reason, she couldn’t take action. Suddenly, the wall collapsed, and three familiar people emerged—a younger version of Big Mac carrying a baby, followed by a young girl, their faces etched with cuts. She felt a glimmer of relief to see them unharmed. Then, to her surprise, an older lady came out of it. Her arm had some small red lines, but it didn’t look severe, though the sadness on her face was palpable.

She pondered within her mind, "What happened to start this? Was it an accident or an attack? Was it the house burning down or the damaged barn that made her look so down? At least the apple trees seem unharmed, and everyone is safe. I believe..." The vivid dream forced her to walk slowly into the burning house, even though she did not want to. Slowly and mysteriously, she entered the horrific scene. She saw somebody was crushed under debris, and his body was slowly burning. A large wooden piece had pierced his side, as evidenced by the dry liquid on the piece.

Her eyes suddenly filled up with water as tears went down her cheeks, unable to touch or feel him as it was like she was only allowed to watch in anguish. Then she slowly walked into what looked like a living room, and then her eyes widened as an even more devastating sight lay in front.

A young female that was surrounded by red and orange colors had suffered a gruesome fate. Debris had gone through her back and caused severe bleeding from her neck. The position of the blood sticking looked like her spine was protruding due to the violent impact, which also impaled the right part of her chest, leading to a sea of dry red. Her eyes flooded with water, like the waterfalls of the Amazon, as it continued to unfold before her.

The voice in her mind taunted, "If only you and your brother had been faster and braver, they might still be alive today. You've betrayed their legacy and dishonored the Apple name. Your actions caused them to bleed, suffer, and burn."

Applejack screamed in fear, "No, that's not true!"

Two lifeless bodies, riddled with injuries, rose and began circling Applejack. Slowly, their skin peeled away, revealing skeletal frames that then faded into ghostly apparitions, haunting her mind. The two dancing bodies then circled her, berating her, "You are the biggest disappointment. You and your brother could have saved us, but you chose to be cowards and run from the flames." She squeezed her eyes shut while liquid continued to flow on her face, but their voices only grew louder, as if they were screaming. She tried to block out the sound by covering her ears, but it was no use. Her breathing quickened as she felt on the verge of losing control. Finally she let out a desperate scream.

She cried out in anguish before screaming "stop!"

Suddenly, she felt something warm—not a fire, but sunlight. The damaged floor beneath her had transformed back into grass. As she opened her eyes, she found herself back on the hill overlooking the region, bathed in sunshine. Though still trembling and crying from the distressing scene, she began to regain control of her emotions over the next few minutes. Then, two gravestones appeared, bearing two names, and a bouquet was placed in her hands as she approached the graves. She started to sob softly, though she fought to maintain her composure.

She said, voice trembling with emotion, "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you that day. I wish I could see you again." She paused, fighting back tears. "You loved and cared for me, my brother, and my younger sister with all your hearts. I'm sorry I failed you." She again broke down, shoulders shaking as she began to sob uncontrollably. The memory of them once so full of life and success now haunts her. If only she could turn back time.

For a few minutes, some baby birds started to sing. Applejack's crying stopped as she closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of nature. She could hear her heartbeat and breathing, slowly trying to make sense of her thoughts. A peaceful breeze then began, gently blowing her hair. However, Applejack's calm was suddenly disrupted by a distinct explosion. She quickly looked back at the house and barn but saw no smoke or damage. The apple trees were unharmed, but the birds and animals were fleeing.

She then turned her gaze to the mountain, where an unusual sight met her eyes. A cloud was rising from the peak, spreading like the branches of an umbrella pine. To her alarm, more explosions followed, accompanied by a light show as if the earth violently woke up. Particles fragmented and collided. The icy mountain further illuminated the terrifying display.

She watched the cloud with a mix of curiosity and trepidation as she questioned what it was and how it worked. However, the cloud soon became unstable, collapsing and moving rapidly towards Sweet Apple Acres; the flow moved slowly, allowing her to observe the trees and landscape being scorched.

The cloud lit up with flashes of thin blue streaks and orange glows within the eerie, creeping cloud, causing her heart to race and sending shivers down her spine as it approached the farm. All of this was unfolding within a fast-moving cloud heading straight for her and Sweet Apple Acres. Yet she found herself unable to move, powerless to escape the impending disaster.

The surge started to scorch the apple trees as she felt the overwhelming energy of the flow. Paralyzed with fear, she wished she could flee, but she was held in place as time slowed to a crawl. Another girl’s agonizing cries filled her head, driving her to the brink of insanity and uncontrollable weeping, though her sobs were drowned out by the rumbling surge closing in. Just as the flow seemed to target her, it surged forward, slamming into her.

She felt her body ignite with searing pain but had the presence of mind to cover her mouth, shielding her lungs from the noxious dust gases. In brief, horrific moments, she watched as the barn, house, fields, and forest were engulfed in flames. Animals were reduced to fossils. She saw some animals get impaled by pieces of debris from the cloud and the snapped trees.

As the flow subsided, a thick layer of dust rained down. She then displayed remarkable strength, rose to her feet, one eye melted away from the intense heat, her face and body bloodied, burned, and cut with her seeing parts hanging off. She staggered forward, compelling her towards a valley blanketed in boiling material and mud—and something even more terrifying awaited her there.

She spoke up, "Sunset Shimmer?"

Sunset Shimmer was severely burned, with the skin peeled off. Crimson-colored liquid ran down the side of her legs. Then her focus turned towards a lifeless girl in her arms. It appeared to look like Fluttershy by the dark green burnt look on what seemed to be the remains of a dress.

Sunset began to sob uncontrollably while looking down at the body. She reached into her pocket and retrieved a pistol before aiming it at her chin, then a loud crack was heard. Blood , gray and white pieces of brain flew out of the top of Sunset’s head with red liquid flowing rapidly before she fell over, Part of her skull wide open with cracks extending to the edge of her head.

After seeing everything with her eyes, she got on her knees before tears started to trickle down her cheeks. Then she let out a piercing scream at the top of her lungs. A loud bang was heard before she suddenly awoke, shaking and overcome with emotion.

Chapter 5: The Heights Of Sorrow

Chapter 5: The Heights of Sorrow

Her body trembling and overwhelmed with emotion, she rushed off the bed, pacing quickly into the bathroom, and stared into the mirror. Consumed by distress, she broke down with her mind in a disturbed and unsettled state. She gazed at her reflection for a moment before slowly retreating to bed, hoping to find sleep, but the haunting images of the dream continued to torment her, like a relentless spirit stabbing her repeatedly.

Fearful of waking Rarity, she tried to muffle her sobs, worried she would see her vulnerability. Yet the echoes of the voices and screams persisted, haunting her mind until she could bear it no more. Abruptly, she got up and hurried downstairs, the harmful thoughts and voices suddenly surging like a violent wave, nearly causing her to stumble in her emotional state.

Rarity, a light sleeper, woke up a minute after hearing her go downstairs. She glanced, seeing that she wasn’t in bed. She heard the sound of footsteps and a girl sobbing hard, realizing it was Applejack. She got out of bed, calling her name, but received no answer. She put on her bedroom slippers and slowly walked down the steps before hearing something terrifying.

Applejack's voice broke as she pleaded and screamed, "Please, I just want them to stop." She collapsed into uncontrollable sobs.

Applejack's cries echoed through the room as she grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer, desperate to silence the voices in her head. Rarity hurried downstairs and found her in distress, crying so intensely that part of the counter was wet as if water had spilled. Applejack was now holding a Santoku knife near her wrist.

She was deeply concerned and frightened as Applejack continued to sob uncontrollably. She knew Applejack had been struggling at least since her talk with Big Mac, but this was far more severe than expected. Rather than panicking or calling 911, which would have taken an hour for emergency services to arrive, she took a deep breath and began speaking to her in a calm, reassuring tone.

In a calm, soothing voice, Rarity pleaded, "Applejack, I know you are suffering, but darling, please, I need you to put the knife down."

Rarity then saw something heartbreaking; her usual tough and composed demeanor had given way to a heartbreaking expression of sorrow and despair. Instead of the resilient, loyal, and brave girl that she knew, was now one that questioned the very purpose of existence, devoid of hope and wracked with fear and regret. Applejack's body shook uncontrollably, as if she had never before unleashed such raw emotion. She could see that this outburst had left her feeling even worse than before, now that she had disturbed Rarity's sleep...

Rarity spoke in a gentle, trembling voice, "Darling, please put the knife down. Talk to me. We can do anything you want; I'll do anything; just please, for fuck's sake, put the knife down. If I lose you, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. Your family, me, and your friends would never have wanted this; you are an amazing friend, so important to us all. What about your sister? What about the future of your family? What about all your friends and helping Sunset Shimmer? Please don't leave us. We love you for who you are; I love you for who you are. Just calm down and put the knife down."

Rarity's eyes filled with tears as she continued, "You are one of the most beautiful people in my life. Please, darling, just put it down."

With a heavy heart, Applejack spoke in a soft, sorrowful tone, "I wish I could quiet the turmoil in my mind and think clearly. I've been a disappointment to everyone I know, and I'm truly sorry."

Rarity's voice trembled as she stared in fear, sobbing softly. "You are not a disappointment, darling. You are truly special, and I couldn't bear anything happening to you. Please..." Her heart raced, her chest tighter than an asthma attack, as she was consumed by the terror of the moment.

Applejack stared at the knife, then at her, and back again, repeating the motion about twenty times. Rarity's heart raced, and goosebumps spread across her body. At first, it seemed she might use the knife on herself, as she brought it close to her neck. But then her hand began to tremble. She briefly again heard echoes of laughter, and the knife started to press against her skin, causing small amounts of red liquid to slowly run down.

Rarity started to sob more as her eyes widened again, seeing something flowing down Applejack’s neck. She knew if it went any deeper then it would be a painful drain before lights out, like if time slowed down she saw her suddenly collapse to the ground. “DARLING!?!?!” Rarity screamed as she ran to a cabinet and grabbed a white box with a green plus, then Applejack let the tears flow freely. It was an emotional outpouring, like a literal waterfall. To the ground, the knife slipped from her hands.

Rarity got next to her and checked very fast if she needed to put pressure on to slow down any loss of blood. She released a huge breath, seeing that it didn’t cut the main artery. She pulled her into a tight hug while reaching with her right hand for pads before gently starting to clean the cut.

Her cries were so intense that Rarity had to remove her soaked shirt, unconcerned about her appearance at that moment. All that mattered was the broken soul before her, repeatedly whispering, "I'm sorry." She held her close, like a mother soothing her distraught child. Relieved to see tears rather than blood on the ground, she continued hugging and comforting while cleaning the wound. She reached for a bandage before gently putting it on her neck. She kept her close, slowly helping her up, and then gently took her hand.

Rarity, her voice trembling, said, "Darling, come with me. I've got you, okay? Nothing is going to hurt you." Her sobs were nothing compared to the anguish Applejack was feeling. She broke down again, her body shaking violently as tears streamed down her face like the rushing waters of Niagara Falls. They retreated upstairs to the bedroom, where Rarity enveloped her in a tight, comforting embrace. Rarity then reached for the remote and used it to push the beds together.

Applejack, still in tears, apologized, "I'm sorry I woke you up. I'm a mess, and I feel like I'm wasting your time. You shouldn't have to see me like this. It's my fault; everything I did was my fault. I should have done it faster to spare you the pain of seeing me this way."

Rarity's heart sank as she watched her continue to cry. Adopting a serious tone, Rarity said, "Do not be sorry. You are not a waste of my time; you are truly special to me, and I won't let you rot away like a corpse. This is not you; I want to figure out why so I can help you." Rarity continued to hug Applejack, then gently helped her onto the bed. Overcoming her nervousness to allow her to snuggle close.

She began rocking her soothingly, humming a beautiful, calming tune. Gradually, Applejack's breathing slowed, and she started to calm down. For thirty minutes, they lay quietly together, the soft melody humming the only sound.

Rarity spoke with empathy, "I'm here for you. Take all the time you need to share what happened. It's natural and human to cry when dealing with pain; don't hold back your tears. Bottling up that hurt will only make it worse in the long run. Please tell me what's on your mind. I'm listening, and I won't force you, but when you feel comfortable, you can open up to me. I'm right here, and nothing is going to hurt you. You are not weak in feeling these emotions. Don't be scared."

For the next ten minutes, a heavy silence fell between the two. Rarity remained quiet, not pushing Applejack and allowing her the time to regain her composure. Applejack then began to cry, her tears falling one by one as she clung to Rarity, before eventually opening up and starting to talk about what was troubling her.

Applejack recounted her haunting dream, her voice trembling. “S… So I woke up on a hill. It was dark out. and I was surveying my barn, Lake Alder, and the mountain. In the dream, I was walking slowly when I reached my barn. Suddenly, it exploded, and I saw my younger self, my sister as a baby, and Big Mac. Then the dream forced me to walk through the burning building, where I witnessed the lifeless bodies of two people." She broke down in sobs once more.

Rarity asked worriedly, "What happened to them... Applejack?" Did debris fall on them or were they overcome by too much smoke?"

“W…well it.” Applejack's voice trembled as she spoke through sobs. "The debris impaled them, causing them to bleed out and choke on blood and smoke." She paused, her tone scared and sorrowful. "It... it killed them both."

Rarity's voice trembled with concern and fear as she asked, "Darling, was it that bad?"

Applejack's voice trembled as she recounted the haunting dream. The nightmare had only intensified. "The echoing voices of the deceased berated me, calling me a disappointment and claiming my brother and I could have saved them. Overcome with emotion, I wept until the scene shifted, transporting me to a hillside where their graves lay. I placed flowers on the graves, but then a cloud heavy with lightning surged into the sky, ominously disrupting the somber moment."

“A cloud rising from the sky with lightning? Where did it come from?” Asked Rarity, trying to understand.

Applejack softly sobbed as she recounted the horrific scene. "The cloud came from the mountain itself. From where I was standing, I saw a dark, gray cloud surge forward, filled with debris and rock. As it hit me, I suffered burns and wounds. The mud was boiling in the aftermath. I tried to get help, but then I witnessed Fluttershy burning to death and Sunset shooting herself. I saw the bullet go through her neck and exit out of her head before I screamed painfully. Then I justt... woke up" Her voice trailed off, overcome with emotion.

Rarity wrapped her friend in a comforting embrace. "Darling, I'm so sorry you had to see that," she murmured.

Applejack sighed, "I can't seem to shake these thoughts from my mind. I feel trapped in a cycle of sadness and regret. After witnessing those things, I can't think clearly. I'm sorry for disturbing you with this; I shouldn't have burdened you when I'm struggling to cope on my own." Said Applejack.

"Darling, the human mind is never completely clear. We all have moments of self-doubt and fear. Some struggle with more severe issues like this, while others cope by staying strong, though some may collapse under the weight of it all. Ultimately, we all suffer from these challenges to some degree. I don't want you or anyone else who has these problems to feel this way. No one should have to endure such anguish."

Rarity paused, then continued, "Now, your dream did an impressive job of describing a volcanic eruption. You're right, the mountain is indeed an active volcano, and I or Sci-Twi would be happy to teach you more about it. But for now, don't worry too much about that.”

Applejack's voice trembled slightly as she asked, "What about the part with Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer?"

“Fluttershy's involvement in the dream was likely making the situation worse. However, that surge was hot enough and should have melted the gun, so the fact that she was still able to use it is very concerning. Sunset's mental breakdown today has left me deeply worried about her. This detail may be an important message. It's unclear whether the volcanic eruption itself carries any deeper meaning. For now, try not to worry about that aspect.” Rarity tried to comfort her, adding a flirtatious tone. "You are a wonderful, amazing, good-looking, sexy angel. I don't want this pain to linger within you," Rarity said in a caring yet sorrowful voice.

Applejack asked nervously, "How am I... sexy?"

Rarity spoke with a gentle tone, "Darling, you are the perfect body type. You work hard and have developed some wonderful muscles, yet your genetics allow you to maintain a beautiful, almost ethereal appearance. You are honest, loyal, and a wonderful protector. Sunset would be lost without your maternal guidance. Even when you face challenges or make mistakes, you stay focused and determined. You may not look 'tough,' but your willingness to be vulnerable and authentic only makes you more attractive, like an angel sent to help us. Never doubt your worth. You are simply perfect in my eyes."

Applejack struggled to find the right words, stammering, "I... I... Thank you, Rarity, I..."

Rarity asked with a small smirk, "You told me that being honest is what makes people connect more. Right?"

"Yes, I did,” said Applejack with a gentle smile.

"Rarity spoke softly as she held Applejack close. 'Those voices aren't telling you the truth. Sometimes you need to ignore them. I know they would be so proud of you, and I'm proud of you too. Don't let your fears take over, okay?”

Applejack's words grew drowsy as she slowly succumbed to sleepiness again. "Okay, thank you. I'm sorry for... this," she murmured.

Rarity gently played with her hair as she spoke, "There's no need to apologize. I'm here for you, darling. I care about you deeply, and I don't want you to feel this way." Her voice was soothing and reassuring.

A smile appeared on her face, and suddenly her cheeks flooded with red as her head lay gently on Rarity. She could hear the slow-paced, peaceful breathing with a single patterned heartbeat. Instead of hearing the chaos that couldn’t balance, the chaos transformed into a single predicted heavenly pattern for her mind to follow.

"Hey, Rarity... Can I ask you something?" She paused, then continued, "Have you ever thought about love or romance? I don't think about it much myself, what with all the work on the farm and at school," asked Applejack.

"I greatly enjoy spending time with a certain someone, but I'm often hesitant because they lead a very different lifestyle than I do. I worry about how people might judge me, even though I would love to build a life together with them. There's something about this person that makes my heart swell with joy and fills me with butterflies. However, I'm scared to act on those feelings, as it's a secret that only Fluttershy knows about." Said Rarity.

"I'm glad you have someone you want," said Applejack. "I've been single my whole life, but it's not the worst thing in the world."

Rarity remarked, "You're quite attractive, so I'm surprised no one has asked you out yet."

“Rarity…. Compared to me, you would be able to attract a whole damm football team; like damm, you are like one of the most attractive ever compared to me. Said Applejack

Rarity paused, realizing the implications of her previous statement. "Well, darling, that was a rather bold remark coming from someone who looks quite adorable while working," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of self-consciousness.

Applejack felt her face flush a deep crimson, like a rose in full bloom. Her heart began to race, and her breathing grew heavy with nervous anticipation. She, too, felt a blush creep across her cheeks as their eyes met, the fancy green of Applejack's irises aligning with Rarity's own captivating blue, like constellations in the night sky.

"Rarity... Why did you say it like that?" Applejack asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Rarity simply smiled, her intentions clear, and she gently grabbed her hand. She got closer before gently putting her hand on Applejack’s cheek, both of their faces covered in pink as if they had makeup. Then she leaned in, their lips slowly connecting. The stress and uncertainty in Applejack's mind melted away, replaced by a sense of calm as she returned the kiss. After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, they parted, both wearing warm, content smiles.

Applejack's face burned a deep shade of red as she stammered, "Wow. I don't know what to say."

Rarity smirked, "Ohhhh, shut up! You liked it." She then gave another deep, passionate kiss. The kiss was long, as neither of them wanted it to end. After a brief pause to catch their breath, they shared another long, deep, affectionate kiss. This final kiss felt like an eternity, though it only lasted around 30 seconds.

Applejack spoke in a nervous yet joyful tone, "Heh... Dang, you must have waited a long time."

“Darling… You do not understand how long I waited to kiss those pretty, amazing lips, have you? Now… Didn’t you see me asking for one after you opened my ears when the other girl tried to be an asshole about fashion?” Asked Rarity.

“I remember that, but I didn’t recall you wanted a kiss then... I know your cheeks turned red—oh… Now I see... Said Applejack with a nervous chuckle.

With a gentle tone and fidgeting with her hair, Rarity pleaded, "Please don't hurt yourself again. If something is bothering you, talk to me. I care deeply about you, and I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. I never want to see your name on a gravestone."

Applejack smiled as she replied, "Yes, I promise, Rarity."

Rarity asked with a gentle, loving smile, "Are you ready to go to sleep, or would you like a few more kisses to soothe your mind? I'd be happy to give you some additional affectionate messages."

“If you want to, I’m very relaxed and calm now. Thanks, I owe you one sugar cube. Said Applejack

Rarity gazed tenderly at her beloved, murmuring, "You owe me nothing. I only wish for your well-being, my darling. You are a truly special soul." She then pressed a trail of gentle kisses along their neck.

Applejack's face flushed a deep red as her heart raced and her breathing quickened. Rarity gently pulled her closer, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. She felt safe and loved as they slowly drifted back to sleep. An electric connection passed between them. Their hands intertwined, and they snuggled close, their faces slightly reddened. Contentment and comfort radiated from them. She made sure to keep her close, unwilling to let her go.

Applejack fell asleep quickly, but she remained awake for a few minutes, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat and breathing before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, darling," Rarity murmured before succumbing to sleep herself. They slept together, gentle smiles gracing their faces before the morning sunshine of the Pacific Northwest gradually filled the room.

The next morning, Rarity woke up with a small yawn. She saw her sleeping peacefully and comfortably, like a baby snuggled close to its mother. She was snuggled tight enough to allow Rarity to get out without waking her if needed. Though tough on the outside, in private, Applejack was a sweet, innocent soul who simply yearned for a peaceful life, unhindered by the demands of the world.

Rarity carefully got out of bed and began her morning routine. Downstairs, she set about preparing a delightful breakfast. First, she gathered the ingredients: 1 1/4 pounds of fresh croissants, an 8-ounce package of cubed cream cheese, 2 1/2 cups of raspberries, 12 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, a quarter cup of honey, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar. She mixed everything and popped it in the oven for an hour.

Returning upstairs, she found Applejack still sleeping peacefully, a gentle smile on her face as she saw her cuddle the pillow. Rarity couldn't help but smile, her cheeks a bright pink at the sight, before kissing her forehead and heading to the fashion room to work on a design. Fifty minutes later, she came back downstairs and prepared the second part of breakfast—eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese. She also brewed a pot of vanilla-flavored coffee, adding her favorite mix of sugar and strawberry creamer. Finally, she carefully removed the heart-shaped baked dish from the oven, pleased by the delicious aroma.

With great care, she arranged the breakfast on two plates, making it as visually appealing as possible. She then retrieved a custom tray she had purchased earlier, placed the plates on it, and carried the tray upstairs, setting it on the table beside her bed. After this, she went back downstairs to fetch two cups of coffee, returning to the bedroom, where she found Applejack slowly rousing, a sight that made her blush.

"Awwww, she is so damn cute!!!!” Said Rarity in her mind as she put the coffee cups down before going next to Applejack. Rarity gently cradled her head in her lap, tenderly running her fingers through her soft, yellow hair. Applejack let out a cute yawn and snuggled into Rarity's legs, mistaking them for a pillow. The sight brought an amused chuckle from Rarity. Moments later, Applejack slowly opened her eyes and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Rarity... What are you doing up this early morning sugar cube?" said Applejack was still very sleepy.

“Early? Darling, it’s like 10 am! Normally you wake up earlier than this for farm work.” Said Rarity as she giggled a little.

“True… That smells good... Did you make breakfast?” Asked Applejack.

Rarity spoke in a sassy, flirtatious tone as she presented her with a plate of her homemade creations. "I made this especially for you, darling. There are eggs with melted cheese, sausage, and bacon, as well as a raspberry croissant French toast in the shape of a heart. And to drink, I've prepared some vanilla coffee. I do hope you'll enjoy it, as I made it all myself just for you."

She blushed as she tried the breakfast Rarity had prepared for her. "Thank you, Rarity; I appreciate you making this for me," she said. The first bite sent a delightful flavor through her taste buds, and a gentle, happy smile spread across her face. Rarity's heart raced as she watched her joyful expression. She then tried the food herself and was shocked at how perfectly it had turned out—normally her cooking was limited to small dishes, but this was a true masterpiece. A smile lit up Rarity's face as well.

“Oh my god... I didn’t know it would come out this perfect... Oh, this tastes good..." said Rarity with a surprised and joyful voice.

"Well, this may be good, but not as perfect of a soul as your sugar cube,” said Applejack.

Rarity's cheeks flushed as she smirked, then she leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek. Applejack's face instantly reddened, and her heart raced with surprise and delight. The two continued to enjoy their breakfast, but Rarity had a plan—she was going to take her on a trip, hoping to help alleviate her lover's fear of the mountain.

Applejack stared toward her fancy necklaces and earrings on top of a gray dresser. On the walls were fancy pictures of all of the outfits she had worn over the 18-month timeframe, one of them a blue dress with pink high heels with small diamond earrings. She was amazed by how much work was put into every single design.

Applejack posed the question to Rarity; her curiosity piqued. "Do wealthy people tend to be happier? I wonder since you've found great success in the fashion industry and seem quite prosperous."

"Being wealthy does not inherently make someone bad or guarantee them a happy life. While money is important for obtaining necessities, true fulfillment comes from having meaningful relationships and contributing to society. Even when I'm financially secure, I maintain a mindset of frugality and prioritize helping others over frivolous spending," said Rarity.

She continued. "There are far more impactful ways to utilize wealth, such as funding critical services like cancer research and supporting those in need. Ultimately, excessively indulgent spending on unnecessary luxuries is pointless. Although I may be rich, I aim to use my resources responsibly and inspire others to pursue their goals rather than fueling the perception that wealth impedes achievement,” said Rarity.

Rarity paused momentarily before resuming her thought. "For example, I think you're more important to people than I am in terms of helping families enjoy their food and lives and stay healthy. Your job is harder than mine—you have to worry more about tight resource management, while I have more freedom to produce fashion designs. I wish I could help people more, but sometimes they seem to hide their true colors.

She continued. "You're a hardworking girl who helps so many families, yet you're undervalued because of the current state of United States society, while people like me who have access to rich resources can create more valuable items. I've always admired how you never complain and work three times harder than most, yet people underrate your true worth. It breaks my heart to see such an amazing, valuable person so underappreciated." Rarity said before pulling her close and nuzzling her cheek affectionately.

“I do appreciate that you pay attention to what happens in the world right now... Life is pretty hard even for my family, who has a good history of helping people.” Said Applejack.

Rarity continued, "I'm here for you, no matter how rich I am or how poor you are. I want you to be happy and stop stressing. If your family needs help, I am always there for you and your family. You shouldn't let those negative voices win. If you need anything to kill those negative thoughts, I am here for you. I may not fully understand the level of stress and pain you endure daily working on that farm, but I want to try to help in any way I can, my dear. You are a magical, hardworking angel, and I cherish you, no matter how tough you have to be." Rarity then kissed her cheek again.

Applejack's voice wavered as a few small tears rolled down her cheek. "I don't know how to thank you, Rarity," she said.

She suddenly leaned in and kissed her deeply, catching her off guard. They surrendered to the kiss, slowly sinking back onto the bed. Rarity then cuddled close, exchanging a series of passionate, lingering kisses that felt like an eternity to the two lovers. As the kisses finally ended, Rarity gently teased Applejack's neck, leaving a trail of tantalizing hickeys that made Applejack's eyes briefly roll back in a mix of shock and pleasure.

Rarity then smiled, savoring the moment before speaking. "After breakfast, I was thinking we could go to a flower field. I know we could just stay here and cuddle, but it's too nice out to be indoors," said Rarity.

"Since I don't have any farm work until Tuesday, I'd enjoy taking a trip outside to explore nature," Applejack said.

Rarity smiled gently as she said, "Let's finish breakfast first before we head out. And don't worry, if you don't have any extra clothes, I can easily make you something since I'm a fashion designer, darling."

“Well, what’s the point when it’s going to feel like spring? I think I'm going to show a little skin today because, why not? Plus, it would be very nice to clear my mind from what happened in that dream last night.” Said Applejack...

"Well, darling, I don’t think anyone would mind that, as you are such a precious gem of beauty. Anyhow, are you staying tonight or are you going back to the farm today, Applejack?” Asked Rarity.

“Another day or two couldn’t hurt, but I don’t know if I should be Snow White and trust your sweet apple or dance around you like a venomous snake.“ Asked Applejack in a teasing but gentle tone.

Rarity's face flushed as she spoke. "That's not fair, Applejack." She paused, then continued,

"But seriously, maybe we could go out to the woods today. There's a beautiful flower region near the mountain, but the scenery might help calm your fears." Rarity gently took Applejack's hand as she made the suggestion.

Applejack's voice trembled with fear as she exclaimed, "You want me to go near it? The one that nearly killed me in that dream?!"

"Darling," Rarity said, "there is a beautiful flower field on the northeastern side of the mountain near Sunrise, Washington. I know you're afraid, but nothing will happen there except for us enjoying a few snacks and taking in the breathtaking beauty created by it," said Rarity while continuing to hold Applejack’s hand.

“Fine…. We can go, but if anything happens then...” Said Applejack in a nervous tone.

Rarity said, "Then we will leave and come back here to enjoy time together...alright?" before kissing Applejack's cheek again. Rarity then went to change into some new clothes—a pair of shorts and a nice T-shirt. "It's going to be fun; I'll be right back; I'm just going to go change, okay?" Rarity asked.

Alright... go ahead and do what you need to do... I will get ready right after I finish this little bit of food and drink the rest of the coffee. By the way, thank you; this was delicious!” Said Applejack in an excited tone.

Rarity said, "No problem, darling. I'll be right back," before heading to the bathroom to change her clothes. Applejack stared at it with a curious and slightly fearful expression after witnessing Rarity's departure. She finished eating and waited for Rarity, who took around five minutes to come out, as she needed to do a bit of makeup. She then did the same, using the bathroom.

Rarity was sitting on the bed, finishing her breakfast. Applejack had already finished hers. For the next ten minutes. Once Applejack had finished eating and drinking, she double-checked her bag to ensure everything was packed. She then took the plates downstairs, washed the cups and plates in the sink, and placed them on the drying racks.

"Are you ready, darling?" Rarity asked, her hand gently caressing Applejack's cheek. "We'll be taking my motorcycle to Longmire, Washington, which is on the southern slope. Don't worry, if anything happens, we'll leave right away, okay?"

Applejack's eyes widened in surprise. "You have a motorcycle?" she exclaimed.

“Follow me, darling.” Rarity spoke in a sassy voice, giving her a cute smirk before they left the front door. After locking the door, Rarity opened the garage, which was a fancy-looking space to store a motorcycle. Her eyes landed on the Harley Davidson bike with its red color sparkling like it was brand new; she retrieved two helmets before climbing on. Applejack got on behind her.

Rarity spoke in a serious tone, "Stay balanced and hold on to me tightly, darling. Make sure your helmet is secure, just in case we encounter any issues."

Applejack asked nervously, "Wait, I have to hold onto you? Where?"

Rarity said with a small smirk, "Sit close beside me and hold my waist. Grip the handles so you can stay steady—your hands may need to be right next to mine. But don't be nervous, darling. I know I look like a goddess, but my curves aren't that intimidating. You can be a little tighter, darling. You don’t have to be scared, alright? Your hands are soft anyway.” Said Rarity before turning the motorcycle on.

She nervously followed Rarity's instructions as she carefully tested the motorcycle. Slowly pulling out of the driveway and turning right. The motorcycle's speed suddenly increased as they headed towards Longmire. Applejack's heart raced, and her nerves were on edge, as she had never ridden a motorcycle before.

However, Rarity skillfully navigated the journey, ensuring their safety. As they passed through the town of Elbe, Rarity smirked as she accelerated, making the motorcycle go faster. The increased speed caused Applejack's hair to come a little loose. Applejack's nervousness turned to excitement as she shouted, "YEEEEEE HAWWWWW!!!"

Rarity laughed, amused by her dumb but happy expression on the motorcycle. Around 10:40 am, Applejack and Rarity reached Longmire and entered the National Park, where they got off the bike. The landscape was breathtaking, with trees and flowers covering the land, leading up to the start of the rocky terrain that formed the towering mountain.

Rarity realized she had to ride the motorcycle for nearly two more hours to reach Sunrise from Longmire. She pumped up the gas tank but made sure to go slowly, prioritizing safe reaction times to avoid an accident. Meanwhile, as they traveled to the northeastern side of Mount Rainier, let's shift our focus back to Orting.

After completing her morning routine and driving over there, Fluttershy went to help at the animal shelter, which she usually enjoyed immensely. However, today felt different—she didn't experience the same level of joy, even when caring for the cute creatures. There was one girl in particular whom she felt couldn't be helped or had given up hope. Andrew, the long-time shelter director, recognized when something was troubling one of his most dedicated volunteers.

As Fluttershy tended to a baby bird with an injured wing, the creature chirped a delightful song that made her smile. Typically, she would have gently hugged and cradled the birdie, but today she simply observed it—an uncharacteristic reaction. Approaching cautiously, he watched her care for the injured animal, which had been in her charge for about a week.

“Hey…. Are you doing okay, Fluttershy? You seem to be not as happy as you normally are.“ Asked Andrew with a concerned expression.

“No…. Just be worried about someone who has been struggling... She has been trying to reform herself for the last year, and she started well... of course with a few hiccups, but I thought she was doing very well until... yesterday," said Fluttershy in a worried tone.

Andrew pulled up two chairs so he and Fluttershy could sit and talk. "I've heard a lot of mixed opinions about her. It's sad that some people still see her as a terrible person, even after she's worked so hard to earn people's trust and respect. What is it about her that concerns you?" he asked.

Fluttershy frowned as she recounted her concerns. "Last night, I noticed three troubling things. First, she nearly had a breakdown, despite normally being very calm. Just minutes earlier, she had been laughing and appeared happy. Second, I don't believe that breakdown was representative of her true self, as she has been struggling greatly. Third, the fact that she was afraid to appear vulnerable in front of us concerns me. Something is wrong."

Andrew asked, "It's like an animal that has been wounded many times. For example, imagine a puppy that had multiple bad experiences with its owners. Then a new owner came along and cared for the puppy. Do you think the puppy would immediately trust the new owner, or would it take time or refuse to trust at all?"

Fluttershy looked up at Andrew and said, "The puppy will either need more time to trust, or it may never trust again."

"She is like a wounded puppy," Andrew explained. "When too many things go wrong, the mind can lose hope, leading to depression or self-doubt in humans. Could be reforming not just because she wants to get better but also out of fear after the mental anguish she experienced last night and throughout her life. She's likely feeling terrified right now."

Fluttershy pondered, "What is troubling her? We've shown that we care for her, so what is she afraid of that we can't comprehend?"

Andrew expressed concern that she may still be struggling with deep-seated insecurities and emotional issues. He noted that after the battle at the high school, she was seen crying, suggesting she fears appearing weak in front of others. Andrew also mentioned the incident with the Dazzlings during that concert situation, where it seemed to act in a way that hinted at abandonment fears and inner turmoil.

Andrew speculated that she may still have a "raging soul" inside, leading to self-doubt, depression, or even suicidal thoughts. He wondered if, despite being friends now, they might still have unresolved issues that could resurface, especially if a situation spiraled out of control or she made a mistake.

Finally, Andrew questioned whether she had experienced any lingering injuries or weaknesses from the past events, which she may have hidden but could eventually come back to haunt her, as can happen with some animals or humans in their lives.

Fluttershy's face lit up with realization as she said, "Those are really good points. I never thought of it that way before."

Andrew suggested that the girls have an important conversation to make a backup plan in case something happens to their friend. He noted that even small actions, like checking in on someone or inviting them to get a meal or go for a walk, can improve their mental well-being. As an example, he recommended that Fluttershy ask to take her for breakfast before school tomorrow.

“That is a great idea... Thanks… Let me not waste any more time and take care of these adorable animals.” Said Fluttershy, smiling more brightly.

"Trying to help someone with difficulties improve is the right thing to do," Andrew said with a gentle smile. "It's not a waste of time, because we all face challenges, and even the strongest, smartest people need a little guidance or support now and then. No one can go through everything completely alone."

Fluttershy turned back to the adorable, injured baby bird and chuckled softly as it made a few cute noises. A warm smile spread across her face as she tended to the little creature. "Thank you," she said.

As Andrew returned to the counter to check on the animals' status, Fluttershy tended to their needs, ensuring they were healthy and had water. Meanwhile, she was planning an outfit but encountered several challenges. She worried about drawing too much attention upon their return to school, and Sunset's early schedule meant Fluttershy would have to wake up early to pick her up in time. Most importantly, Fluttershy needed to discuss her troubles and was determined to help her overcome inner turmoil. She continued to think and try to plan for tomorrow while taking care of the baby animals.

They finally reached the northeastern side of the mountain at Sunrise, Washington, where a small, picturesque meadow of flowers came into view. They parked the motorcycle and stepped into the serene floral landscape. Rarity had thoughtfully brought a picnic basket, securely attached to the front of the bike, so it wouldn't be jostled during the ride.

The two friends then discovered a grassy spot, surrounded by volcanic rocks, on the mountain's northeastern slope. Rarity laid out a blanket, and they sat down to enjoy their picnic, taking in the peaceful sounds of birds, buzzing bees, and rustling nature. Applejack was struck by the juxtaposition—how something as volatile as a volcano could also foster such tranquil, breathtaking beauty. The girls sat amidst the flowers, butterflies, and bees, marveling at the wonder of this hidden gem nestled in the rugged terrain.

“I never knew that things that destroyed nature could create some of the most amazing-looking places on this planet. I always fought; they just killed things because, well, there you know... volcanoes.” said Applejack.

"Nature and destruction are intrinsically linked. Though opposites, like water and fire, they both create the conditions for change. A wildfire may devastate a region, but it also clears the way for new forest growth. Similarly, the human mind and nature both cycle through periods of gradual, peaceful development as well as sudden, disruptive change. This cycle of destruction and renewal is the natural order of evolution—we are meant to adapt and become stronger, more advanced, and more beautiful over time, even as patterns repeat themselves." Said Rarity.

Applejack noticed a beautiful monarch butterfly land on her arm. "Awww, how pretty!" she exclaimed with a smile. Rarity, seeing the butterfly, responded, "That is such a lovely creature. Applejack, could you please stay still? I'd love to take a picture of it." As Rarity readied her camera, the butterfly fluttered a bit, making it look even more adorable.

Applejack chuckled as the butterfly did an adorable dance, tickling her. "Hey, little guy, stop that! It tickles!" Rarity took multiple cute photos of the scene as they watched the butterfly with amusement, occasionally chuckling. The small breeze and warm sun created a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere as the butterfly flew away peacefully.

Applejack asked, "Are you suggesting that without these volcanoes, most of these things may have never happened?”

In a surprising turn, Rarity responded to Applejack with an unexpected, scientific explanation. "The sun's formation of our planet and a single impact that created the moon account for only about 20% of Earth's wonders. The remaining 80% were shaped by the planet's volcanic processes. They were essential for the development of climate and weather. Even cataclysmic eruptions ultimately facilitate the amazing, diverse forms of evolution that make our planet so unique."

Applejack surveyed the picturesque landscape and asked, "But doesn't nature have to be destroyed before it can be created?”

They are feared by many due to their deadly potential, which depends on numerous unpredictable factors. A person's home could be obliterated by flows, or a farm could be inundated and destroyed by dust and mud. The safest approach is to evacuate until it subsides, then return and use the destructive power as a tool for creation. However, some people still choose to live near them, captivated by their majestic beauty and the unique, fascinating, and often breathtaking landscapes they produce.” said Rarity.

“So common sense basically.,” said Applejack.

Rarity's response was thoughtful and nuanced. "Yes, I understand your trepidation about what looms; while the devastation could undo much of your hard work, it may also present new opportunities. They can provide valuable benefits; rather than let fear blind you, I encourage you to thoughtfully assess each challenge. If it's the right one, embrace it. If not, respect your limits but look for ways to turn them to your advantage. Above all, try to appreciate each day, every creature and landmark, as new and beautiful—before any disaster strikes."

Rarity paused, realizing she was sounding a bit like Fluttershy in her appreciation of nature or Sci-Twi in her analytical approach. "What I'm telling you is important for your thinking. Unfortunately, danger is often what makes people truly value the world around them. Even though you do deeply value life, many others don't until they face mortality or a close call."

Applejack chuckled lightly as she admitted, "You're right. It was pretty foolish of me to fear something that's not likely to happen."

"Darling, everyone has fears, just like I fear that our friendships will eventually fall apart. I'm also afraid, but understanding the risks and what to do can help me develop coping strategies. And I have this silly fear that the other girl in the fashion scene, who acts like a bitch, will somehow ruin my chances," Rarity confessed.

Applejack asked Rarity, "What will happen to your beauty and fashion business now that it's been devastated by the volcanic eruption?"

Rarity spoke with a small smirk, "I've regained my financial footing, my dear. But I wonder, What are the odds this picturesque mountain will turn on me and ruin everything?"

“Like a horse going haywire over a predator, they all start as not knowing the future ahead of them; I guess I should make plans just in case it erupts in the future,” said Applejack.

Rarity held her companion's hand and said with a small smirk, "For now, darling. Forget about it, and let's simply enjoy this lovely sunny day. The weather is delightfully cool, and the views are truly amazing."

Applejack's cheeks flushed as she exchanged a lingering, romantic gaze. "Alright," she said. Suddenly, an adorable butterfly landed on Applejack's arm and then fluttered to her shoulder. Within moments, four more butterflies alighted on her arm and leg. Applejack smiled gently. "I know my face is as red as a flower, but I'm not a plant—these little creatures are just so cute and pretty!"

Rarity winked at Applejack and said, "My, someone is blossoming like a little rose in this lovely weather, isn't she?"

Applejack's cheeks flushed as she stammered, "What do you mean, Rarity?" Her heart raced, skipping a beat, before Rarity retrieved two glasses and a bottle of the famous apple cider.

Rarity gazed at Applejack adoringly. "The red in your cheeks is as vibrant as a rose, and the butterflies fluttering around you are simply divine. Not that they could ever be as adorable as you, my dear. You have a heavenly, wholesome beauty about you." Said Rarity before handing Applejack a glass of cider.

The area surrounding experienced a brief rumble followed by light tremors. While minor earthquakes were common in this region, the sudden tremors caused Applejack's heart to race as she felt a surge of worry and unease. Noticing her distress, Rarity quickly reached out and grasped her friend's hand, holding it firmly.

"Darling, it's alright," Rarity reassured. "It does this every so often; just relax."

“O..... Oh, you're right, we are okay. My bad, Rarity.“ Applejack spoke in an embarrassed tone as she calmed down.

Rarity gently squeezed her hand and said, "It will take time, but trust me, you're going to be okay." She then placed a comforting kiss on her cheek. For the next twenty minutes, they quietly took in the sounds of nature around them. Occasionally, they felt small tremors beneath the mountain. Suddenly, a little bunny rabbit hopped towards their picnic basket, making them both giggle. Rarity reached into the basket and pulled out a carrot, which she offered to the bunny. The bunny happily accepted the treat before hopping away.

Rarity jokingly remarked, "Well, that was not very nice of the bunny; it didn't even say thank you!" She then made a comment that caught Applejack's attention. "This apple cider you all made from the apples wouldn't be as delightful without you and this mountain," Rarity said with a small wink.

Applejack asked, "How did this help me make this cider?"

Rarity, blushing, asked, "If you're willing, I'd be happy to show you around for a few hours so you can better understand that question. It would just be the two of us studying the landscape."

Applejack blushed as she replied, "Sure, I'd love to."

She then grabbed the picnic basket and blanket and started walking towards the northwestern side. The hike took around four hours with no breaks. Rarity decided to take a shortcut, which she could reach more quickly on her motorcycle. She drove carefully to avoid hitting any trees or small animals. Finally, they reached their destination, and the sight that greeted them was truly breathtaking. Rarity pointed out that the area where they stood had experienced a major event around 5,000 years ago—the Osceola mudflow—as they took in the breathtaking views on this side of the mountain.

“What’s that?” Applejack asked.

"A massive lahar originated not long ago. It was triggered by a series of potential avalanches or a volcanic eruption, which caused a landslide. The lahar was further transformed by hydrothermal activity that weakened the rock, turning it into a soft, clay-like material. When this saturated, unstable layer was disturbed, the powerful lahar surged to Puget Sound. The event was both rapid and immense in scale." Explained Rarity.

Applejack looked at how big this mudflow may have been, then remembered that the view from Big Apple Acres has the part of the mudflow region within sight, and with the way the land was flat... She realized that her old family tree had built their home on the old mudflows, and it was a reason why the crops, the cider, and the farm work were so successful... destruction had turned an area from being wrecked to a place of value and beauty from old eruptions eventually helping the soil turn rich for crop growth.

“Wow... That is incredible what one mudflow can do to a landscape...” Said Applejack, taking on the sights of the passed mudflow.

"Your success may have been shaped by what happened in your backyard long ago. Without it, the stunning sunrises and the beautiful landscape shaped by its evolution may never have existed. Though volcanoes can be destructive, they ultimately honor nature and bring forth new beauty in their wake, as the earth's cycles renew and even improve the potential for life and beauty," Rarity said with a smile. Said Rarity.

Applejack asked, "Rarity, does it have a history of lahars?"

"Yes, darling... 55 Lahar’s have been confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey over the past 10,000 years... This beauty of a mountain does have very good odds with all the thermal springs and glaciers on its summit to trigger one. However, most only go out a few miles away from the volcano. But towns around the area have been trying to make plans for a future eruption that could cause the threat of towns getting buried by the mudflows.” Said Rarity.

Applejack, now curious about the history of these lahars, asked, "Could we look for a few examples of mudflows? That would help me understand them better."

“Of course, Applejack, I am willing to teach you the way...” Said Rarity

“Normally it would be Sci-Twi who would be studying this stuff, but I didn’t know that you looked at this stuff too.” Said Applejack.

Rarity spoke in an excited voice, "Anyhow, let's get down there to look for some remains of Lahar!" Rarity got on her motorcycle, and Applejack climbed on behind her, holding on nervously, though she assured her it was the right thing to do to prevent falling off. Rarity started the bike, and they began the 40-45 minute journey towards Greenwater, Washington, near road NF-7550. Upon reaching the White River, Rarity spotted the lahar deposits and pulled over in an area just outside Greenwater around 4 pm. She then showed Applejack the lahar deposit.

Rarity spoke in a serious tone, "Sci-Twi and I would venture out monthly to search for more evidence of lahars—an overlooked volcanic threat that we find fascinating to study. Our goal is to better understand, so we can take action to save lives in the event of an eruption."

"Wow, look at this ruined area...“ said Applejack while looking around.

Rarity held Applejack's hand and looked into her eyes as she spoke. "Imagine mudflows five times larger than the smaller ones we've seen. That's the scale of destruction that could be unleashed with a major slide or eruption. The girls are just 7 of the 1.4 million people who could be affected by lahars. You have every right to fear that mountain, and so do I. But we can't let that fear cloud our judgment. Stay vigilant, but try not to worry too much. When the time comes, if it comes, we'll do what we must to help people and save who we can. For now, let's appreciate the gifts that nature has given us."

Applejack spoke with a concerned look, saying, "I understand that Fluttershy doesn't worry much and just focuses on living her life. But what about Sunset Shimmer? I'm still very worried about her."

Rarity squeezed Applejack's hand tighter as she said, "Whatever happens to that girl, Fluttershy and I will be there to help her every step of the way. Fluttershy agreed earlier, before we left, to even make room for her if the situation gets really bad. I'm hoping she'll call me tonight so we can discuss it further. Don't worry, Fluttershy, and I have it under control."

Baby birds and small animals make adorable noises around as nature continues its job of life. The warm spring day helps nature become more charming as flowers start to bloom from their sleep of the winter... like a magic spell of heaven, the flowers bloomed around the trees with butterflies and honeybees all around. The trees, some hundreds to thousands of years old, had a very peaceful feeling as the girls started slowly walking down part of the forest path.

"Rarity, I want to thank you for your help," said Applejack, gazing into Rarity's beautiful blue eyes. "I know I can be stubborn, but it's so valuable when someone guides me towards the right mental path, the one that opens the gates to creative thinking and peaceful beauty."

"Darling, we all need support sometimes. There's no need to be afraid. I know you're accustomed to being a caregiver for the group, staying strong even through hardships that cloud your mind. But it's good to let your mind relax and breathe freely once in a while." Rarity said gently.

You make a fair point, Rarity, but I must start preparing for the upcoming harvest soon. As a result, my muscles will likely become tense again at some juncture," Applejack stated.

Rarity winked playfully. "You work so hard on that farm, darling. It's only fair that I help you relax those muscles when you're done." She smirked and placed a teasing kiss on his neck, her hand gently holding her hand. "After all, you sugar cubes certainly know how to 'work it.' So it's my turn to work it for my cutie pie, don't you think?"

Applejack's face flushed a deep red as Rarity reached for her hand. Rarity gazed at Applejack with a romantic expression, slowly closing the distance between them. Applejack tentatively placed her hands on Rarity's waist, her heart racing as Rarity's captivating blue eyes met hers. She then leaned in for a deep, lingering kiss, and they paused to catch their breath before giving in to another passionate embrace. After their intimate moment, she continued to hold her hand as they got back on the motorcycle, agreeing to head to Orting, Washington, to meet up with Fluttershy to discuss concerns.

Though they were smiling and happy, Applejack still felt apprehensive about the imposing, snowcapped mountain looming over the region, and to understand the captivating yet deadly nature, we must examine its origins...

The area lies within the Ring of Fire, a geologically active region that hosts 70% of the world's volcanoes and earthquakes. This area is no stranger to volcanic eruptions and one of its most formidable landmarks. An active volcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc poses a significant threat due to its potential for future dangers. Over the past 500,000 years, its eruptions have left behind extensive deposits of lava, lahar (volcanic mudflows), and pyroclastic flows. Nearby peaks indicate that its volcanic origins could date back 2.9 to 3 million years, making it one of the oldest and highest in the region, towering at about 16,000 feet (4,900 meters).

Over a million people live in areas that could be impacted by future volcanic activity, including hazards like mudflows, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows. Even without an eruption, it poses risks of lahars and landslides, which could have devastating consequences. For now, the cycles of nature continue under the watchful presence of this ominous mountain.

In a recent journey, they decided to drive from Greenwater, Washington, to Orting—a trip that would take around an hour before reaching Fluttershy’s house.

Chapter 6: Evolution’s Bottleneck

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.

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

PreviousChapters Next 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.

“If I wanted to do that, I would have done so; the many times people have been stupid or betrayed me, plus I already know who you are; by the way, yall hang out together a lot,” she stated.

Ella acknowledged the situation, saying, "Understood, we will collaborate with you. Additionally, we recently brought another individual on board," she mentioned.

"Alright, let me reach out to this person, and then we can finalize our plans," Ella replied as she picked up her phone.

"I'm curious about who it might be," she mused.

"Hello, it's me. Do you recall the agreement we made years ago when we assisted you? That favor is now due. Please arrive as soon as you can."

After a brief conversation, she ended the call, and suddenly a ring appeared on the ground, surrounded by swirling black smoke that revealed four distinct symbols. To the left stood a pony clad in golden armor, beneath which was the emblem of the goddess Venus, with Lucifer's symbol positioned to the right.

Behind these figures was an eagle adorned with a Stahlhelm helmet. As the smoke and ring faded, a figure stepped forward, dressed in a dark green uniform and long black socks tucked into jackboots. A red, circular necklace resembling two intertwined demon horns hung around his neck, and while a faint dark green mist surrounded him, his skin appeared solid.

"Have we gathered any additional information on these girls before we commence our mission against them?" he inquired.

"Wow, you were fast," she remarked.

"Wait, who is this? Is this the person you brought in to assist with the mission?" Chrysalis questioned.

"This is our new ally; meet Louis Müller, who has served in various armies throughout his career. If you are familiar with Equestrian history, which I trust you are, we are the Dazzlings, though I assume you already knew that," Adagio explained.

"Oh, the girls who were exiled to Earth. Collaborating with you will be a pleasure; you deities certainly know how to get things accomplished," Chrysalis said, bowing to them.

“I guess this is the new command center for any future planning? Since we have nowhere else to go,” Louis wondered.

"Yes, this is it, and I guess we are working with her now to succeed in it; how are we going to get revenge on them though?” Aria sat at the clear wooden table before wondering.

“Instead of rushing plans, you need time, as the girls could easily see what you could do, so I would just get information and hang low for now,” Chrysalis suggested.

“Whatever it is, it cannot be a simple killing. If we are willing to do operations, they have to be clean and precise. As someone who has fought some horrible battles and decisive operations, we first need to study who the enemy is, what the goals are, and the terrain of the area with eventual conflict,” Louis added.

Aria smiled at Louis. “I agree, but the question is, what can we do to get operations done in a popular region? Remember the areas around Seattle can be hard to keep things secret,” Aria mentioned.

“Why not at the national park? I mean, it’s mostly just a lot of wilderness besides the mountain,” Sonata explained.

Chrysalis suddenly grinned brightly. "Adagio, can you come here? I have a slow but deep plan on how to not only get revenge but maybe take over the area too.”

“Sure, let’s talk, shall we?” Adagio answered. She gets up from the wooden chair before taking a few steps into the other room.

“Alright, what’s the plan, and it better be good?” she stated.

While they talked about the slow plan, Aria and Sonata got out some Chinese food with pork fried rice, some general toast chicken with broccoli on the side, and about ten sweet teas.

"Here, Louis, I know you have been hungry all day. I saw you trying not to ask for a few snacks,” Aria mentioned.

He gently grabbed the food and smiled. “Thank you; I don’t even know if my taste buds are still working after so long not being able to eat.”

He looked at Chrysalis, his fist gently balling up as he spoke quietly to himself. “Ich traue diesem Scheißkerl nicht, sie verrät alle und ich musste sie in der Schlacht an den Bergklippen besiegen." "Ich hoffe, Adagio, Aria und Sonata vertrauen dieser Schlampe nicht,” he insulted.

Aria saw him become tense. “Hey, are you okay? Are you having memories of what happened to you again?” she worried.

“No, I just respectfully don’t trust that freak. I would rather shoot her with this rifle right now than let her potentially fuck everything up,” Louis attested.

“I would not trust her also, but even if she tries, we're gods. What can she do?” Aria smirked.

“Sie ist nicht vertrauenswürdig, diese kleine verdammte Equestrian-Arschnutte kann ihr etwas in den Arsch schieben!" he responded.

She laughed hard. "Damm, you have a bad history with her,” she assumed.

“Alright, you three listen up because we are going to be assigned roles. Aria and Louis, you are planning the big operations and commanding smaller forces when she gets her magic back. Me and Chrysalis will do most of the ideas for strategy. Sonata, we will find a spot for you soon,” Adagio declared.

"Yes, Ms. Dazzle,” Louis responded.

"Yes, sis, we will get this done. Whatever plans you and her made,” said Aria.

"Well, at least I have time to eat some more before I have to start,” Sonata responded.

Aria rolls her eyes and sighs. "Yeah, Sonata, you always have time to think about food while everyone else tries to figure out how to kick their ass.”

“Considering I haven’t eaten real food in years, the fact that she even gets to think about it is lucky, so I wouldn’t judge her for it,” Louis responded.

“I know Louis, I know,” Aria sighed.

“I have a bunch of clothes and stuff if y'all want to take some showers since you have been moving around for quite some time; you don’t stink, but I would recommend it,” Chrysalis suggested.

“Understood, I’ll take one after I eat,” said Louis.

"Well, I am going to take one since I am not that hungry. Chrysalis, can you grab me a towel and I will see you girls in 25 minutes?” said Aria before getting up from the chair.

Despite going long periods without eating, Louis maintained remarkable self-control. He ate slowly and respectfully, always ensuring his uniform and surroundings were clean. Aria noticed this, giving a soft smile, recognizing something in Louis she hadn't seen in anyone else for a very long time.

Louis preferred plans with clear targets, rules, and operational timing rather than allowing things to become disorganized. Aria had secretly read his diaries chronicling the armies of 70–110 years prior, which reinforced her understanding of his value and loyalty.

The collection included three medals. Two were crosses, one of which featured a crown at the top, a W symbol in the center, and the year 1916. The second medal, dated 1941, displayed a swastika in the middle. The final medal had a red ribbon, a Stahlhelm connected to a circular shape, an eagle in the center, and a small swastika below.

He suddenly, out of a black bag, got a book with the label “Taktiken vom Typ Militär/Mission” before starting to slowly turn the pages as he stared at it while slowly continuing to eat.

Aria got a green towel from Chrysalis before briefly glancing at Louis, gently smiling again before heading into the bathroom. Sonata just enjoyed her food while looking at her phone, watching stupid stuff like always while Adagio sat back down, relaxing before looking at Louis reviewing a book. She shrugged her shoulders before looking at her phone.

At 11:00 PM, the three were ready to go to sleep, Chrysalis not being able to since she didn’t sleep during the day; the schedule posted on the wall gave her responsibilities to do during the timeframe. Louis got a small pillow, lying on the floor. Just finished his shower a few minutes ago before putting on some army camo pajamas. Aria suddenly appeared.

“Hey, are you sure you are comfortable lying on the floor? That can hurt your back,” Aria asked.

“In the army, I never questioned where I slept because the conditions were horrible, so sleeping on the floor of a quiet place isn’t that bad when you think about it,” Louis explained.

"C'mon, Louis, you can lie with me even though to others it will look weird. You got to learn comfort sometimes instead of staying in the past,” Aria stated.

“Fine, but whatever plans you have in love, I don’t have time for,” Louis blustered.

She rolled her eyes before briefly chuckling. “Understood, sir,” she smiled before giving a small smirk.

Adagio was sleeping on the black couch. Upstairs, Sonata was resting on a small mattress. A large mattress had been prepared for both of them. Louis lay on the right side, maintaining a comfortable boundary between himself and Aria to avoid any awkwardness. She turned off her phone before lying down on the left side.

“Thank you; I owe you one Aria,” he yawned.

“After how much you have been through, it’s nice to have at least some comfort, right? I imagine laying on boards and cold grounds is not very good,” she acknowledged.

“I guess, goodnight,” he said while yawning.

“Goodnight, don’t have any dreams that haunt you, okay? I know you still have plenty of memories of what happened,” she stated.

“Easier said than done sadly,” he responded.

"I know, but you need to focus on helping us with our goals; remembering things you regret can affect you for a long time. Try to relax and rest your mind until you need it,” she sympathized.

“I wish I could, but my mind is very loud; it reminds me of vehicles I heard along with me during my service,” he added.

"Well, if you need any support, just let me know; normally I wouldn’t help people, but since we hired you, I have to,” she stated.

“Yeah, I know it’s just for me to help you and get paid,” he pointed out as he began to close his eyes.

“We’ll talk about it later, okay? Just rest your head,” she yawned.

Good then, see you in the morning to repeat the same process for weeks,” he grumbled before quickly falling asleep.

Aria glanced back at him and smiled wistfully. "Life isn't just about war; I wish my sisters understood the value of peace." She sighed. "The things I and others have been through," Aria turned to Louis, her voice soft. "Goodnight, don't let the trauma consume you." With that, she drifted off to sleep.

All of them went to sleep, leaving only Chrysalis awake. Slowly, she began to gather her energy, patiently awaiting the moment when she could rise again to pose a threat. But until that day came, she and the others would need to remain hidden, watching from the shadows, waiting for the right time to strike.

Chapter 9: The Apple Harvest

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 10: Operation Sammle Waffen

Chapter 10: Operation Sammle Waffen

Date: Sunday, May 10th
Time: 3:30 am PST
Location: Port of Seattle, Southeastern Magnolia District

A misty fog dominated the harbor, and large crates scattered the ports as cargo ships unloaded supplies. A section of 60 weapon crates was located near the coast. Police protected the crates for the night due to instructions given before military personnel picked them up later that morning. Fate, however, had other ideas for them.

The fog thickened as the night wore on, shrouding the harbor in a heavy, almost suffocating blanket. The dim glow of the streetlights barely cut through the mist, casting ghostly halos around the scattered crates and the silent silhouettes of the officers standing guard. A deep silence settled over the port, broken only by the distant hum of engines and the occasional call of a seagull, lost in the darkness.

As they crouched on the rooftop, the soft sounds of the harbor drifted up to them—waves lapping gently against the docks, the occasional clink of metal from a nearby shipyard. It was almost peaceful, but Louis and Aria knew that calm could shatter instantly. Aria watched as Louis carefully observed the area, a faint smile on her lips.

His ghostly presence muted his body heat, making him appear almost ethereal. Louis continued to survey the scene below, his eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Slung across his back was his Gewehr 98 rifle, fully loaded and ready, with a small camouflage bag containing at least 20 stripper clips. Holstered at his sides were two shotguns and a mysterious bottle full of a blue-colored liquid.

Aria carried a Ruger SR1911 9MM pistol at her side. She had dyed her naturally purple and green hair black to blend into the night. Aria wore a lightweight black shirt, allowing her freedom of movement if needed. Her black shorts and shoes, the latter outfitted with extra padding for silent steps, completed her stealthy ensemble.

“Louis, do you know where the crates are?” she asked.

According to Sonata, unloading the cargo from this large ship will likely take around another hour. So around 4:30 am, I believe we can go. We have to be patient as it will take some time to complete the process," he explained.

Aria rolled her eyes as she said, "We've been waiting for hours. These people are so slow. Why don't we just go get something to eat instead?"

“If you want to camouflage yourself again and potentially mess your style up, then you can, but we have to stay in position until we can go in,” he insisted.

She sighed and looked at him. Green smoke surrounded him, and his rifle and weapons emitted a dim, dark red glow. Deathly, haunting voices whispered nearby. Raising her right eyebrow, she asked, "Hey Louis, can I ask you how you became this ghostly soldier?" she wondered.”

“What do you mean? Like, how did I die or start as a soldier?” he asked as his eyebrows raised a little.

“How did you start becoming this soldier that you are today? Was it one event or multiple events?” she asked.

"My history has been marked by numerous traumatic events. I've witnessed horrors beyond your imagination. I've been betrayed time and again, and much of my courage has amounted to nothing. So now, I'm following a path similar to what your friends and Chrysalis have chosen. It's not what I wanted, but let's not discuss it further," he sighed.

With a forced neutrality, she responded, "Alright." However, when he did not look her way, a frown crossed her face, revealing the sorrow she felt for all he had endured through repeated mistreatment.

For the next 45 minutes, they just kept on watch while waiting for the final crates of weapons to drop onto the port. After the last ones looked like they were shipped, Louis counted around 80 of them, and the goal was 50 or 60 depending on time. Aria grabbed the small device and her small camo bag.

"We're clear for now," Louis murmured, his voice barely audible. "But it won’t stay that way for long. We need to be quick and don’t forget to dance when the enemy comes at you.” He smirked.

“Back at you,” She smirked and nodded, her fingers briefly brushing against the grips of the Ruger pistols at her hips. The weight of the guns was comforting, a reminder of the countless hours spent training for situations exactly like this. She adjusted the strap of the small backpack on her shoulder, where she'd stashed a few essential supplies—a medical kit, lockpicks, and a portable jammer.

Without another word, they moved in sync, slipping down the fire escape with practiced ease. Louis took the lead, his ghostly form seeming to melt into the shadows. Aria followed closely behind, her dark attire blending seamlessly into the night. As they reached the ground, the silence deepened, and each step was carefully measured to avoid detection. Ahead, the faint glow of a warehouse loomed, its silhouette stark against the night sky. The supplies they needed would be inside, along with whatever dangers awaited them.

They slide down the roof before moving silently in the night into the port before going behind the crates of weapons. He grabbed his two shotguns while silently watching the police lights. He grabbed the blue-colored potion and drank it quickly, causing his body heat to be muted while putting on a mask. She got the device and started to shrink the first crate.

“How long will it take?!” He asked.

“Each crate takes 30 seconds, so it takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the device speed,” she answered before putting on her mask.

Taking a deep breath, he kept a watchful eye. The coast remained clear for the next 15 minutes as she nearly completed loading the crates. Suddenly, she tripped, causing several crates to nearly topple onto her. Flinching, she shut her eyes tight, only to open them and find Louis gently lowering her to safety. Abruptly, red alert lights flashed, and the dock's spotlight shone on Louis, while Aria remained hidden behind a crate.

“How long, Aria?!?!?!” he asked while breathing quickly.

“Five minutes at most!” She shouts to him.

"With a glance, he surveyed the scene as black smoke began to swirl around him. 'I'll need to shed some blood, retrieve the crates, and ensure your pistols are loaded,' he stated matter-of-factly."

She nodded, her hand moving instinctively to the pistol holstered at her side. With a quiet breath, she slipped into the shadows, keeping low and out of sight. The device in her hand hummed faintly, and a moment later, a ring of red light shimmered beneath Louis. In a blink, he disappeared, reappearing silently atop a stack of containers, now holding the high ground.

She quietly continued to use the device while keeping silent and hiding. Flashlights cut through the darkness, beams bouncing off the steel as the police moved with a mixture of urgency and precision. Their pistols were drawn and held steady as they swept the area. She could hear their hurried footsteps and the crackle of static from their radios, their voices low but strained.

From his vantage point, Louis peered down, catching a glimpse of Aria’s position. She was still hidden, her form blending with the shadows, but the pressure was mounting. He watched her closely, ready to act if her cover was compromised. The moment to strike was approaching—he just had to wait for the right distraction, the precise instant when their attention wavered.

Quickly, he placed his shotguns in the side holders, then took out his rifle and aimed it. Suddenly, a few gunshots rang out, and the police looked around in a panic as three of them collapsed with bullet wounds to the head.

“Two minutes, four more crates,” Aria whispered to herself.

Aria is spotted by an officer, who shouts out. She responds by quickly firing her pistol and dropping the officer in a pool of blood. Louis leaps down, hastily grabbing his shotgun as flashes and loud cracks fill the air. One officer after another fell lifeless to the ground in pools of crimson. Some officers manage to take cover, firing back, but their bullets merely bounce harmlessly off of Louis. Two minutes later, Aria finishes getting all the crates in her purse with help from the device.

Suddenly, a small portal appeared, and Sonata Dusk emerged, bringing another device to speed up the process. Aria and the others each grabbed five more crates, taking 30 seconds each. Aria then shouted to Louis that they had two and a half more minutes. Suddenly, red smoke began swirling around Lucifer's symbol on the ground below him. He clutched the sides of his head as loud laughter filled the air. Out of nowhere, a hail of MG42 and shotgun bullets erupted in a 360-degree vortex, creating a tornado-like storm of projectiles.

Sonata and Aria watched in alarm as the area erupted in a barrage of red flashes, the air filled with the echoes of menacing laughter. Nearby crates lay in ruins, fires igniting around the port and cutting through the enveloping mist. Within a minute, the swirling vortex of fire and bullets dissipated, his eyes glowing crimson before returning to normal. He seized his rifle and sprinted to Sonata and Aria, pausing for a moment and a half to finish.

With a smirk, she said, "Damn, Louis, you dance pretty good."

They reach the last crate just as a few more officers appear, their shouts echoing through the narrow alley. Louis raises his rifle, inhaling deeply before squeezing the trigger. The sharp crack of the shot pierces the air, and one officer drops, clutching his chest as crimson stains his uniform.

Without hesitation, Louis charges forward, an unnerving grin spreading across his face. He slams into the nearest officer, snapping his neck with a swift, brutal twist. His bayonet gleams as he thrusts it into another officer's throat, feeling the resistance before wrenching it free. Blood sprays as he pulls the blade out, pivoting to fire his rifle at point-blank range. Another body hits the ground.

The last two officers stumble back, scrambling for their radios. As one turns to flee, Louis hurls the bayonet, the blade spinning end-over-end before burying itself in the man's back. He lines up a shot and fires at the other, the bullet finding its mark. Silence falls, broken only by the static of a fallen radio.

“It’s done, Louis; we can go now!” Aria shouted.

Sonata opened the shimmering blue portal, its swirling light casting an eerie glow on the chaos unfolding around them. Louis sprinted towards it, his breath ragged. An officer lunged into his path, but Louis reacted swiftly, driving his blade between the man’s ribs and thrusting upward, splitting his upper chest and neck in a spray of crimson. Without hesitation, he slid into the portal just as it began to close. Behind him, the officer’s body crumpled to the ground.

Firefighters and EMTs rushed onto the scene, but they were too late. The port was engulfed in a sea of flames, and not a single officer had survived the carnage.

Adagio stood across from them, smiling, as they closed the portal just before the flames reached them. "Well done, Aria. I underestimated your ability to complete a mission on time. But Louis, I didn't realize you had such a lethal skill set."

"Concerned for Aria's safety, Louis explained, 'I didn't want her to get hurt during the mission. That would have been inconsiderate of me.'"

Aria rolled her eyes and smiled. "Thank you, but I had it covered, Louis. If I had wanted to, I could have taken out the entire force."

Adagio yawned as she said, "We now have the weapons to assist any changeling divisions. We can do more with them later, but for now, you three should go rest. It's nearly 5:00 AM, and I know we all need sleep."

"Sonata bid the girls goodnight and then went upstairs to retire for the evening."

"Goodbye, Sonata; see you later,” Aria responded.

“Imma go near that hill and watch the sunrise, I guess,” Louis said before opening the door.

“Alright, be careful, and don’t give our position away,” Adagio insisted.

He nodded before closing the door. He took his time, walking towards a small hill as the sun started to rise on the horizon behind the mountain. 10 minutes later, he sat down. Picking the dahlia before he twirled it gently between his fingers, the vivid colors stood out against the dew-covered grass. His eyes traced the delicate veins in the petals, finding strange comfort in the flower's quiet beauty. It was as if the dahlia was a reminder of all that was still pure and untouched, a stark contrast to the harsh memories that had begun to resurface.

The morning air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and pine. He took another deep breath as he stared at the sun rising behind the mountain, allowing the coolness to fill his lungs and clear his mind. Yet the memories clung stubbornly—faces blurred by time, places long forgotten but etched into his bones. Each recollection bore a weighted significance, a heaviness that had taken years to comprehend and accept.

He exhaled slowly, letting the flower fall from his hand and land gently on the ground. The wind stirred, rustling the leaves and making the petals shiver as if sharing in his unspoken thoughts.

Aria glanced at her pistol, then smiled and gazed out the window. As she contemplated the recent events, Adagio moved to stand beside her.

“Are you doing okay? I know that y'all had an intense mission,” she wondered.

"I'm doing well, but I'm concerned about Louis. His mind seems unstable at times. During the mission, he described what happened and acted as if he were still in a war zone, even though they were just dealing with police officers," she explained.

“Well, a person that goes through horrible things and intense training never forgets. ,” Adagio commented.

Aria observed that Louis’s traumatic past seemed to drive him to fight with an intensity beyond normal as his actions had inflicted gruesome injuries, suggesting he was lost in his world. The port was ablaze, a situation that could take weeks to resolve and restore shipping operations to normal. As they both stared out the window, Queen Chrysalis appeared in her black and queen pajamas. Her eyes barely opened as she sat at the table.

“Good morning girls, how was the mission Aria?” Queen Chrysalis asked.

“It’s complete; the port is on fire, but that’s not our concern,” she responded before opening her red purse, and showing the 60 mini crates that were inside.

Queen Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, her sleepy demeanor shifting into one of interest as she leaned forward to get a better look at the crates inside the red purse.

“Sixty mini crates?” she echoed, her tone a blend of curiosity and suspicion. “And what exactly do these crates contain, Aria?”

Aria smirked and closed the purse with a snap. “Enough to fund our operations for the next few months... if we play our cards right.” Her voice held a hint of pride but also caution. “But we had to improvise. Things got messy.”

Queen Chrysalis nodded slowly, her gaze drifting back toward the smoke rising in the distance. “Messy is an understatement if the port's on fire. What happened with Louis? Did he... lose control?” she asked.

Aria hesitated before responding, recalling the fierce battle and Louis’s unyielding rage. “He was... more intense than usual. It’s like he wasn’t even fighting for us but for some old grudge. Whatever happened in his past, it’s driving him to extremes.

Chrysalis sighed, rubbing her temples as if the weight of their situation had just dawned on her. “We can’t afford to have loose cannons in our ranks, no matter how skilled they are. If Louis becomes a liability... we may need to reconsider his place in this organization.”

Aria met the Queen’s gaze, the air thick with unspoken tension. “I’ll talk to him. See if I can get through to him.”

Queen Chrysalis gave a slight nod. “Good. But don’t take any risks. I won’t hesitate to cut him loose if he's too far gone.”

“I have to disagree with you; I think him doing combat like that helps us a lot since we can focus on the objectives,” Adagio explained.

Aria added, "We would never have finished the crates in time if he hadn't been a fierce fighter on the battlefield."

"I'm concerned he may make reckless mistakes driven by anger or overconfidence. Typically, I wouldn't worry so much, but that wealthy, arrogant adversary has bested me before. I can't afford to repeat the errors that caused my previous plans to fail," she explained calmly.

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t do that,” Aria vowed.

Chrysalis explained that the next step in their plan was to find special crystals with the power to communicate with or even resurrect the dead. She wanted to retrieve two of these crystals, as they could assist in achieving the group's goals. However, for now, Chrysalis advised everyone to rest. Adagio had noticed that Chrysalis was more measured in her approach, unlike her previous cocky demeanor. After spending a few minutes in the Pacific environment, Louis went back inside, closed the door, and started listening to their conversation about an upcoming operation.

From his seat in the wooden chair, Louis listened intently as Adagio, her voice measured and calm, outlined the details of their next operation. Though the hushed tone conveyed a sense of urgency, the plan did not directly concern the retrieval of the special crystals. Rather, it was a preparatory step, focused on securing necessary resources and information before the actual mission.

"If you proceed, it would weaken me. Adagio and Sonata would have to sacrifice their crystal power to maintain my form, which I would not want for them. Plus, Aria has already used her equestrian magic from the red crystal,” said Louis.

"First, we'll check if the item you need is from Equestria or if one of the Equestria girls has it. If so, we can get it for you to prevent another incident like last time with your equestrian magic. I believe one of the girls has an orange crystal that can sustain you, so it's just a matter of time before we find out," Adagio insisted.

Louis noted the shift and felt a cautious sense of optimism. Perhaps this change would improve their odds of success; working as a more unified team could certainly help when dealing with forces as powerful as the ones they were up against. He looked at the others around the room: some were visibly tense, while others were lost in thought as if trying to process everything at once. He sighed before giving a small smile, he was still careful but wanted Chrysalis to help more as he understood that she knew that she was doing for once.

The room grew colder as her words sank in. Louis took a moment to consider the implications. "Then it’s not just about getting the crystals; it’s about understanding them, preparing for what they might throw at us, and how to undermine them in the future,” said Louis, pulling out a map of the area to understand the terrain.

The discussion continued, with each member voicing concerns, strategies, and potential roles. Louis found himself mentally preparing for the challenges ahead, his thoughts already formulating ways to approach the task. It wasn’t just a matter of reaching the crystals; it was about understanding their power, respecting it, and, if necessary, bending it to their will. Finally, around 8:00 AM, all of them went to sleep.

Location: Equestria: Canterlot, Queen’s Palace.

"Spike, do you have any updates on the situation on Earth? Sunset Shimmer and Fluttershy haven't reported any issues so far," she inquired.

"Our security partners say unusual equestrian magic disturbances are occurring. Sunset is losing her magic and becoming ill. There was also an accident at one of their home ports, where equestrian body heat potions were discovered," he explained.

"Sunset is sick? Why didn't she tell me? Now we have another crisis. I'll need to prepare for another trip to Earth and may require two of my partners to assist, as it could be a serious threat. I'm ordering Sakura and Starlight Glimmer to be ready within the next two days," she declared.

"I'm not familiar with Sakura. Are they new, or have they been quiet about their work?" he wondered.

"Sakura is new but very intelligent and serves as a royal bodyguard, including for me," she explained.

"Alright, do you need me to come help?" he asked.

"Of course, Spike! I appreciate it when you assist me. We'll leave in 2-4 days, so start getting ready while I open the portal again," she affirmed.

Wanting to address the issues with Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle opened her book and wrote to Fluttershy, requesting a meeting on Monday. This would allow Twilight to better understand the problems and begin working towards a solution, if needed. After 20 minutes, Twilight then wrote to Sunset Shimmer, informing her that she would visit in the next few days to discuss the matter with the group.