Anon-A-Miss Empathy

Chapters

Diverging Path
Familiar Beginnings
An Honest Talk
Hanging Out
Sunset Appreciation
That's What Friends Do
Family
Cracks
One Step Forward Two Steps Back
Just Friends
Friends
Hopelessness
Quality Time With Your Ex
Mother and Child
Epilogue

Diverging Path

Sunset returned to her friends and saw Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy using combs as pretend microphones as they started singing the song that rallied the students against Sunset. Sunset smiled as unlike the last time she heard it she was enjoying the music; she took out her phone and started recording them.

“Are you recording them?” Rarity questioned as she noticed what Sunset was doing.

“To preserve the memories,” Sunset said with a smile as she continued recording.

“Stage dive!” Pinkie suddenly shouted as she climbed on top of Rarity’s bed before jumping at Rainbow and Fluttershy, both ducking as Pinkie flew over them and crashed through Rarity’s closet.

“Are you alright, Pinkie?” Fluttershy said in concern as she and the rest of the girls rushed to Pinkie’s side.

“Sure am!” Pinkie said as she pulled herself out of the hole she had just made, brushing off the articles of clothing on her.

“What’s this?” Rainbow Dash asked as she picked up one of the pieces of clothing.

“Oh, that,” Rarity cringed upon seeing what Rainbow Dash had discovered. “That’s one of the outfits I created or bought that I thought looked good at the time.”

“These are pretty cool,” Rainbow commented as she and the others took out more clothing from the closet.

“I stowed those away in my closet of shame until I had the chance to donate them,” Rarity explained as her friends started trying on her outfits.

“These are just perfect for outrageous selfies!” Pinkie cheered as she was dressed in a tuxedo with suspenders and a top hat.

“These outfits are awesome!” Rainbow Dash said as she was wearing a vampire-looking outfit.

“I suppose we could try them on,” Rarity said with a bit of hesitation.

For the rest of the night, the girls tried on Rarity’s outfits and took pictures with Sunset’s phone. Everyone was enjoying themselves and Rarity was eager to try on the next outfit, soon the fun had to end, and the girls went to sleep. Sunset was still up and writing in her journal, she is writing to Twilight about the fun she had with the girls and how she’s never felt so accepted and loved. The last message she wrote was that she loved them all before putting her journal away and falling asleep. An hour later, the door to Rarity’s room opened and Sweetie Belle stuck her head inside to check if everyone was asleep, she then sneakily entered and carefully maneuvered around the sleeping girls until she stopped in front of Sunset. She picked up the former unicorn’s phone and used her thumbprint to unlock it before checking her photos and finding what she was looking for. She planned to post the pictures on the Anon-A-Miss blog to get back at Rarity. She glanced at the sleeping Sunset and felt her resolve starts to weaken, if she posted the pictures then the blame will fall on Sunset Shimmer. Sunset cared about her enough to ask what was troubling her and offered to make it right, and she was going to repay her kindness by framing her. She recalled what she said to Applebloom and realized that she was doing the same thing, she turned to look at Rarity sleeping peacefully and slowly shook her head before placing the phone back where it was. As upset as she was at Rarity, humiliating her by posting her embarrassing photos would be going too far, she would also be dragging her sister’s friends and especially Sunset down with her. She glanced at Sunset before quietly leaving the room.

Applebloom rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she walked downstairs.

“Morning Sugarcube,” Applejack greets her younger sister.

“Morning, sis” Applebloom greeted before yawing. “How was the sleepover?”

“Great!” Applejack replied happily. “The girls and ah had a great time, especially Sunset.”

At the mention of Sunset’s name, Applebloom frowned.

“Ah swear ah never seen that girl look so happy since we became friends,” Applejack said with a smile, her sleepover idea is working out perfectly.

“Glad to hear it,” Applebloom said halfhearted, despite her talk with Sunset Applebloom is still on the fence about her, she was supposed to come over today to help out as she promised but she still wasn’t here.

The doorbell suddenly rang, and Applejack went to see who it was, she was surprised to find Sunset Shimmer on the other side.

“Sunset?”

“Hey AJ,” Sunset greeted her best friend.

“What are yah doing here?” Applejack asked in confusion.

“She’s here to help out around the farm,” Granny Smith answers as she walks by. “Ah got a plate already set up fer yah, yer gonna need all the energy.”

“Thank you,” Sunset thanked Granny Smith as Applejack let her in.

Sunset entered the kitchen and said hello to Applebloom who was shocked to see her.

“Sunset?”

“Good morning, Applebloom,” Sunset greeted the youngest Apple.

“Yah actually came,” Applebloom said, still shocked to see her.

“Of course, I said I would help to make sure you and your family get to do your traditions right?” Sunset winked at Applebloom.

Big Mac and Applejack walked in, the oldest Apple sibling giving a nod to Sunset who smiled and waved hello.

“Sunset, can ah ask why yah are helping out today?” Applejack asked as she took a seat beside her.

“Think of it as my way of saying thanks for the sleepover last night,” Sunset answered, not revealing the actual reason.

“Yah don’t need to thank me, Sunset. Ah’m happy to do this fer any of mah friends,” Applejack told her honestly.

“And I’m happy to do this for my friend,” Sunset replied, smiling cheekily.

The two friends chatted for a bit until Granny Smith arrived with breakfast, Sunset stood up and offered to help her, but Granny declined as she was a guest in their home. As they all ate breakfast, Sunset commented on how good it was. She couldn’t quite place her finger on it but there was something about eating together with the Apples that made the food more delicious, she glanced around to see the family engaging in conversations about the farm. She smiled sadly as she watched them all laugh at a joke Applebloom had said, she still felt guilty for unknowingly getting between them, but she was going to make up for it today. Once breakfast was done, Applejack took Sunset to help her with the first chore which was feeding the horses. With Sunset’s help, Applejack was able to quickly finish, and she learned that Sunset could talk to her horses. She caught them laughing about a joke Sunset told them and Sunset told her that the horses wanted her to tell her that they are very happy with how the Apple family is taking care of them.

Next, they worked on bringing barrels full of apples to the shed where they will make apple cider, Applejack was a little worried that Sunset might not be able to carry them but to her surprise, Sunset could easily carry a barrel. Through all of her chores, Sunset never once complained. Unlike Rainbow Dash, who would complain every minute, Sunset actually likes the hard work. Sunset explained to Applejack how she always prefers to get her hooves/hands dirty, and not rely on anyone else. Applejack learned that Sunset had no one to rely on and always had to do things herself, she couldn’t trust anyone as they always wanted something from her.

“And we’re done!” Applejack proclaimed as she and Sunset finished shoveling the snow from her driveway.

“A job well done if I do say so myself,” Sunset said proudly as she looked over the cleared driveway.

“Applejack!”

Both girls turned to see Applebloom running up to them.

“It’s time to decorate the tree!” Applebloom reminded her.

Applejack checked her watched and noticed that they were done a lot earlier than before.

“I’ll put away the shovels,’ Sunset said as she took Applejack’s shovel and started walking away. “Enjoy decorating.” Sunset winked at Applebloom as she passed her.

“Sunset sure is somethin’ isn’t she?” Applejack commented.

“Yeah,” Applebloom whispered as she watched Sunset’s retreating back. “She sure is.”

“Come one, let's go decorate that tree,” Applejack said as she laid a hand on her sister’s shoulder.

Applebloom looked up at her sister and nodded happily.

Sunset had returned to the house when she heard laughter coming from the living room, she peeked inside and saw Applejack, Applebloom, and Big Mac laughing happily as they decorated the tree. Sunset smiled at seeing them, she decided to make her leave and give the family space.

“Leaving so soon?” Granny Smith asked as she watched Sunset put on her coat.

“Yeah, the chores are done, and I have to get home to get ready for the sleepover at Fluttershy’s house,” Sunset answered as she put on her scarf.

“Yah can stay fer a little bit, maybe have a cookie?” Granny Smith asked.

“No thank you, I’ve imposed enough on your family already,” Sunset whispered the last part, once she finished getting ready, she reached for the door but felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Yer not imposing Sunset,” Granny Smith stated kindly. “Yer always welcome here.”

Sunset smiled as she turned her head to look at Granny Smith, hearing Granny Smith say that made her happy for some reason.

“Thank you,” Sunset thanked the eldest Apple as she opened the door and left, she looked up at the night sky and let out a content sigh before making her way to her motorcycle.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter, Sweetie Belle's action has not only saved Sunset and her friends but hers as well. I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to your comments. ^^

Familiar Beginnings

“Ah just love winter,” Applejack said to Sunset as she and the former Equestrian walked towards the school. “The taste of hot cocoa, the smell of new snow.”

Applejack listed as she and Sunset entered the school.

“But mah, my favorite part is spending the holidays with mah family.” Applejack turned to Sunset with a big smile. “Don’t Yah agree?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Sunset said as she looked away from Applejack so she wouldn’t see the sad look on her face. “I haven’t been home for the holidays in a long time.”

“Oh,” Applejack deflated at that and her smile faltered, she decided to change the subject quickly. “Do Yah have the same holidays where Yah come from?”

“We don’t have the same holidays but everypony-I mean everybody does get together with their families in the winter,” Sunset explained as she and Applejack reached their lockers and started putting their backpacks and coats away. “Not like it matters since I never spent any of the holidays with my family, and even after I came here I always spent the holidays alone.”

“So….you’ve been alone for the holidays all this time?” Applejack asked, looking at Sunset with wide eyes.

“Pretty much,” Sunset replied, looking away from Applejack.

“That’s awful!” Applejack said stunned, she couldn’t imagine someone being all alone for the holidays, especially one of her best friends.

“Yeah,” Sunset agreed before smiling at Applejack and hugging her. “But that was before I met you girls, and I’m not as alone as I used to be.”

Applejack returned the hug, squeezing Sunset tighter than usual before letting go.

“Gotta go to class, I’ll see you later Applejack,” Sunset waved goodbye as she walked away.

“Yeah…later Sunset,” Applejack said sadly as she watched Sunset leave, what she had said sounded so wrong. She couldn’t imagine spending the holidays all alone, so she took out her phone and sent a group text to her friends, minus Sunset.

Hey girls! Friendship emergency! Secret meeting in the library after school! DON’T TELL SUNSET.

Applejack then put her phone away and quickly headed off to class.

“So what’s this meeting about, AJ?” Rainbow Dash asked once everyone in their group minus Sunset arrived at the library.

“And why couldn’t we tell Sunset?” Fluttershy asked worriedly.

“Ah was talking to Sunset this morning and she told me that she 'd always spent the holidays alone,” Applejack explained.

“That sounds awful!” Fluttershy gasped.

“ Ah think she gets lonely around the holidays which is why I want to give Sunset the best holiday she has ever had!” Applejack told them, a big smile on her lips.

“That sounds wonderful, darling!” Rarity voiced her agreement.

“I’m game,” Rainbow Dash said. She was more than happy to help make Sunset’s holiday awesome.

“What do you have in mind?” Fluttershy asked.

“Two words, slumber parties. Ah was thinking that we each host a slumber party at our houses which leads to a holiday party at mah house,’ Applejack explained her plan.

“Ooh, ooh, let me go first!” Pikie Pie offered, bouncing in excitement.

“Okay, Pinkie just calm down,” Applejack agreed, smiling at her enthusiastic friend.

“I’ll go tell Sunset!” Pinkie said before running out of the library.

The rest of the girls soon left as they went to their lockers to pick up their stuff, as Applejack was headed to the lockers she saw Applebloom running towards her.

“Hi, Applejack,” Applebloom greeted her big sister with a smile. “Are yah ready to bake some holiday cookies?”

“Ah’m sorry Applebloom but ah can’t today,” Applejack said dejectedly, it was one of the Apple family traditions to bake cookies together around the holidays.

“What?!” Applebloom was shocked her sister never turned down a family tradition.

“Me and mah friends are having a sleepover at Pinkie Pie’s for Sunset,” Applejack explained as she placed a hand on Applebloom’s shoulder. “Ah promise to make it to yah later.”

Applebloom didn’t answer, instead, she just looked at the floor. Applejack was crestfallen to see her sister like this.

“Make sure yah and Mac get home safe, ah already told Granny that ah won’t be home,” Applejack instructed which Applebloom only nodded, Applejack hugged Applebloom before she left.

Applebloom stared at her sister’s back with a frown.

“Welcome to Party Central!” Pinkie announced as she led the girls inside her room.

“Yah sure went all out,” Applejack commented as she looked at the party balloons, popcorn, and candy on her nightstand, and a video game console setup with several games.

“Nothing but the best for my girls,” Pinkie said with pride.

The girls had a blast at Pinkie’s slumber party, Rarity braided Sunset’s hair, while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy played video games, and Pinke was telling Applejack some jokes when Maud came in carrying 10 boxes of Pizza.

“This is nice,” Sunset commented as she lay on top of Pinkie’s bed. Rarity is painting Applejack’s nails, Fluttershy is brushing Rainbow Dash’s hair and Pinkie is playing some games. “Thank you for this girls, I’ve never experienced these kinds of things before especially with friends.”

“Having friends is awesome!” Rainbow Dash agreed.

“That’s what friends do,” Rarity said as she finished painting Applejack’s nails. “Now don’t touch anything until they dry.”

“Friends are always there for each other,” Applejack began as she lay back on Pinkie’s bed. “Yah girls mean the world to me and-”

Applejack was interrupted when her phone started ringing in her backpack.

“Can someone get that for me?” Applejack asked.

“I got it,” Sunset said as she reached inside Appleajck’s backpack to pull out her phone, she put it on speaker before placing it next to Applejack’s head.

“Hello?” Applejack asked.

“Hey Applejack,” Applebloom’s voice can be heard on the other end. “Granny wanted me to check how yah were doing.”

“Tell granny that I’m doing just fine,” Applejack answered, rolling her eyes.” And to quit worrying.”

“Yeah, she’s getting her nails done!” Sunset teased.

“Okay, okay, don’t shoot the messenger!” Applebloom said, a little annoyed. “Goodnight, Piggly Wiggly.”

“Piggly Wiggly?” Sunset questioned as the rest of the girls minus Applejack stared laughing.

“It’s a nickname my Granny Smith gave me,” Applejack explained with a sigh. “When ah was little ah snuck into the pick pen when Granny Smith was feeding the pigs, she said I was there for hours playing with the pigs. It’s become a family nickname and Applebloom likes to call me that when she thinks I’m starting to get too big for my britches.” Applejack smiled. “But that’s family, yah gotta take in the good with the bad.”

“Hopefully more good than bad,” Sunset commented.

“Don’t yah worry, there’s way more good than bad,” Applejack assured her, she cast a glance around her and noticed that the rest of the girls had fallen asleep. “Ah guess it’s time to get some shut-eye.”

Sunset nodded in agreement and the two got ready for bed, but despite some time passing Sunset was still awake. It still felt surreal for her to not only have friends but participate in a sleepover, her second one too. She thought back to those lonely nights, how the only thing that kept her going was her goal to become a princess. She closed her eyes as she remembered what happened after the Fall Formal, the crushing reality of how alone she was finally got to her and she would cry herself to sleep for a couple of nights. If it weren’t for the girls' friendship then she wouldn’t have a reason to get out of bed and tackle the day with a smile.

Sunset smiled as she opened her eyes and glanced at her friends, they helped her out of a dark place despite what she did to them. Sunset couldn’t help but feel a little guilty at how they planned these slumber parties to give her the best holiday she had ever had. She reached inside her satchel and pulled out her journal, she hoped Twilight was still up.

Applebloom was annoyed, it was bad enough that her sister bailed on their holiday tradition but she got annoyed at her for telling her Granny’s message. She smiled when she heard her sister’s friends laugh when she called her Piggly Wiggly, she didn’t have to use her nickname if Applejack wasn’t such a jerk. She didn’t even need to be a jerk if it wasn’t for the stupid slumber party for Sunset, why couldn’t the slumber party be on another date?

“This is all Sunset’s fault,” Applebloom bitterly muttered. “If it weren’t for her, Applejack would be spending time with her family. Why is Applejack even doing this for her after what she did?” Applebloom didn’t understand.

“Maybe ah should remind Applejack who Sunset really is.”

Applebloom took her phone from the nightstand, went to Mystable and clicked new profile.

“Anon-A-Miss,” Applebloom typed out.

The Rainbooms entered the school looking exhausted, they overdid it at the slumber party.

“Are yah tired Pinkie?” Applejack asked, giving the party girl a teasing smile.

“What?! No way!” Pinkie instantly perked up, all traces of exhaustion vanishing from her face. “I’m a party machine!”

Applejack chuckled at her friend.

“Hey Piggly Wiggly!”

Applejack’s eyes widen as she hears her nickname behind her, she quickly turns around to see who had said it but just saw random students walking to their destination. She scratched her head in confusion.

“Did someone just-“

“Applejack! Applejack!”

Applejack turned to see her little sister running towards her in a panic.

“Look!” Applebloom showed Applejack her phone.

Applejack took her sister's phone which was on Mystable, her eyes widened when she read one of the posts.

Did you guys know when AJ was a kid she loved playing with her pigs? OMG! She sat in the mud for hours! Her whole family calls her “Piggly Wiggly” cause she loves them so much! What a pig!

“How in the….” Applejack was stunned, how the hell did her nickname got posted for all to see?

“Anon-A-Miss?” Sunset read as she looked over Applejack’s shoulder.

“Ah have no idea but their profile was created the same day as the post,” Applebloom lied. “She posted on everyone's pages so the whole school probably knows about yer nickname.”

Piggly Wiggly

Oink Oink

Applejack heard the mocking from the crowd but couldn’t identify who it was.

“Who said that?!” Sunset demanded, furious that someone would make fun of her friends. “I dare you to say it to my face!”

“Easy there Sunset,” Applejack calmed her friend as she lay a hand on her shoulder. “I can handle a little teasing.”

“How does this Anon-A-Miss know about your nickname?” Rarity questioned.

“And what right do they have to post it online?” Rainbow Dash asked, annoyed at the situation.

The school bell rang and students started rushing to their classes.

‘We’ll just have to find that out later,” Applejack said dejectedly as she started walking to her next class.

“Applejack,” Sunset called her friend as she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.”

“Thanks, Sunset,” Applejack thanked her friend as they parted ways.

“Sis, are yah sure yah didn’t tell anyone else about yer nickname?” Applebloom questioned as she walked beside her sister.

“Positive,” Applejack answered, raising an eyebrow at her little sister. “What are yah getting at?”

“Well, the only people who know about yer nickname is us and yer friends,” Applebloom began, eyeing her sister’s reaction. “Don’t yah find it odd that Sunset heard about your nickname last night and now Aono-A-Miss shows up posting yer nickname the very next day?”

“Applebloom!” Applejack was shocked to hear her sister suggest that Sunset could be the one behind Anon-A-Miss. “How could yah even suggest that Sunset would do this?! She’s mah, friend!”

“It was just a thought!” Applebloom held her hands in front of her.”Yah gotta admit that this can’t be a coincidence. Even the colors of their profile match Sunset’s hair color.”

“Ah don’t ant to discuss this anymore,” Applejack said as she started walking off to class.

Applebloom looked at her sister’s back sadly, it hurt to see Applejack so down but a little teasing is small price to pay for her plan to succeed.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy the first chapter of my new Anon-A-Miss story! I look forward to your comments! :twilightsmile:

An Honest Talk

Sunset walked down the halls as she made her way to the lunchroom, she heard the passing students giggling and whispering Piggly Wiggly. Sunset frowned as she had seen students laughing at the post by Anon-A-Miss throughout her morning classes. She hoped Applejack was doing okay, the poor farm girl looked distraught no matter how much she tried to hide it. She spotted Applebloom down the hall looking upset and decided to see what was wrong.

“Hey, Applebloom!” Sunset called out, Applebloom looked in her direction and she looked more upset. Sunset ignored it and closed the distance. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t ah be?” Applebloom said dismissively and rudely, Sunset was the last person she wanted to talk to.

“It’s just that you look upset,” Sunset voiced her concern, she wanted to see if she could help Applebloom. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Ah don’t want to talk to you about anything,” Applebloom bitterly said as she began to walk away.

“Hold on!” Sunset went around Applebloom to block her path. “You’re obviously bothered by something and it has something to do with me by how you’re reacting.”

When Applebloom looked away it confirmed Subset’s suspicions.

“Do you have time to meet me after school?” Sunset asked.

“Don’t yah have a sleepover to attend?” Applebloom questioned rudely.

“Not right away, so we got time to talk about your problems,” Sunset assured her, crossing her arms.

“Why should ah meet with yah?” Applebloom demanded.

“You don’t have to but if you want to deal with whatever issues you have with me then it would be in your best interest,” Sunset challenged, narrowing her eyes at Applebloom.

The two stared each other down before Applebloom looked away.

“Fine,” Applebloom mumbled as she stormed off.

Sunset’s expression softened as she watched Applebloom leave, whatever issue she has with her must be pretty bad if she reacts that way to her. She can’t recall doing anything particularly bad to her but she’ll just have to ask her later.

“You’re what?!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shouted in unison.

The Crusaders are in their clubroom and Applebloom has just told them that she is Anon-A-Miss.

“Applebloom, how could you do this to your sister?!” Sweetie Belle shouted, she couldn’t believe that her best friend would expose her big sister’s secret to the whole school.

“It’s all because of Sunset,” Applebloom answered.

“Sunset?” Sweetie Belle questioned. “What did she do?”

“She’s stealing Applejack from me,” Applebloom answered.

“Stealing Applejack?” Scootaloo asked.

“It’s because of her that Applejack had to miss out on our tradition of baking Christmas cookies yesterday,” Applebloom clarified. “And now she’s going to miss making hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies.”

“How is that Sunset’s fault again?” Scootaloo inquired.

“None of the sleepovers would be happening if it wasn’t fer her and now she wants to meet me after school,” Applebloom said in an annoyed tone.

“Applebloom, I think you need to calm down,” Sweetie Belle stated, approaching her friend and placing her hands on her shoulders. “I think you might be overreacting.”

“Overreacting?!” Applebloom felt insulted.

“See? I’m sure your sister didn’t mean to bail on you. She just wanted to hang out with her friends,” Sweetie Belle reasoned.

“Yeah, we don’t always hang out with ours,” Scootaloo added.

“Y’all won’t be saying that when they ditch yah fer Sunset,” Applebloom said, crossing her arms

“Like that will ever happen,” Sweetie Belle said as she rolled her eyes.

The final bell rang and the students flooded the hallways eager to leave school and start their weekend, Applebloom was in a sour mood, and after her confrontation with Sunset as well as the talk with her friends, she was even more upset. Her visible frown deepened when she saw Sunset waiting by her locker, Sunset didn’t say a word and motioned for Applebloom to follow her. The two walked down the halls and to the Rainbooms clubroom.

“My friends have already left for the sleepover at Rarity's so no one will be bothering us here,” Sunset explained as she opened the door and held it for Applebloom.

The youngest Apple entered the room and Sunset closed the door behind them, Sunset stared at Applebloom’s back as she refused to turn around and face her.

“So are you going to tell me what your problem with me is?” Sunset asked as she folded her arms.

“Just who do yah think yah are?” Applebloom asked, still not turning around.

“Excuse me?” Sunset raised an eyebrow.

Applebloom finally turned around and gave Sunset the most brutal glare she had ever seen on a person as tears pooled in her eyes.

“Yah got some nerve acting like yah wanna help after yah stole my sister!” Applebloom angrily said.

“Stole your sister?” Sunset questioned, confused as to what Applebloom was talking about.

“She was supposed to come home yesterday and we were supposed to make Christmas cookies like we do every year!” Applebloom continued to shout. “It’s been our family tradition since our parents were still alive and ever since they passed away we do it to honor them! But instead, yah convinced mah sister to have a sleepover!”

Tears started sliding down Applebloom’s face as she continued her rant.

“Ah don’t even know why she is doing this fer yah after you broke up her and her friends and made her out to be a liar! How can she even be friends with a demon like you!”

Applebloom lowered her head and started sobbing as she finished her rant, Sunset looked at the youngest Apple with guilt and shame. She didn’t realize that she was taking up Applejack’s valuable time away from her family, or how it affected them.

“I’m sorry,” Sunset apologized. “I honestly had no idea about your family traditions when Applejack suggested this sleepover, if I had known then I would’ve tried to convince Applejack to do something else for me instead.”

She waited for Applebloom to respond and when she didn’t she continued.

“Do you know why Applejack suggested the sleepovers?” Sunset asked and Applebloom shook her head. “It’s because she wanted me to experience what the holidays are like with friends since I always spent them alone.”

Applebloom raised her head at this and looked at Sunset with bloodshot eyes, the former unicorn grabbed her left arm and focused her gaze on the floor.

“Your sister is an amazing person, a far better person than I’ll ever be,” Sunset commented. “I admire her honesty and wished that I was as honest to her as she is to me, but I couldn’t even bring myself to tell her that I never had a family.”

Applebloom’s eyes widened at this confession.

“Yah don’t have a family?”

“No, the closest thing to a family I had was my former teacher and I betrayed her,” Sunset’s body shuddered at the memory of Princess Celestia’s expression of disappointment. “You are right that I was a demon but I’m not that person anymore and I’m making up for my mistakes.”

Sunset raised her head and looked at Applebloom.

“Applebloom, I promise to make this up to you,” Sunset said before she had an idea. “Does your family do anything special tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow we decorate the Christmas tree,” Applebloom answered.

“Tomorrow we have a sleepover at Fluttershy’s house,” Sunset cringed as she watched Applebloom frown. “Do you think you can decorate the tree early so your sister doesn’t miss it?”

“No, she has a lot of chores to do on the weekends,” Applebloom answered in dismay.

“What if I did her chores for her?” Sunset offered. “That way she has free time to spend with you and your family.”

“That does sound like a good idea but yah gotta ask Granny first,” Applebloom said.

“Great, I’ll go ask her right now,” Sunset said as she left the room leaving a confused Applebloom behind.

“Thanks fer the ride Rarity,” Applejack thanked her fashionista friend as she and Rarity were in the backseat of Rarity’s mom’s car.

“Any time darling,” Rarity said with a smile.

“It’ll be nice to relax after the day Ah had,” Applejack said with a sigh.

“Have people been making fun of you?” Rarity asked with worry.

“Ah’ve been oinked at in every class,” Applejack explained but then smiled. “Of course, no one dared to do it while Sunset was around.”

“She has made it very clear what will happen if they do,” Rarity giggled as she recalled how every student cowered under Sunset’s intense glare.

“And ah’ll show my appreciation with another great slumber party,” Applejack said with a smile.

“She’s going to have a blast!” Pinkie declared from the driver’s seat.

“Rarity, remind me why Pinkie is driving?” Applejack questioned, looking at the pink-haired girl who was dressed as a chauffeur.

“Because she’s my chauffeur, darling,” Rarity answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Right,” Applejack said uneasily.

They remained silent the rest of the way until they got to Rarity’s home, when they entered the home they noticed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s coats by the coat rack. They walked up the stairs to Rarity’s room where Sweetie Belle is lying on her bed and talking to Fluttershy and Rainbow.

“Hello darlings,” Rarity greeted.

“Hey,” Rainbow Dash greeted simply.

“Hello, Rarity. We were just listening to Sweetie Belle tell us about what she and her friends have been up to,” Fluttershy explained.

“Really?” Rarity said with a knowing grin and a raised eyebrow at her sister, who shrunk under her gaze. Sweetie Belle has been told numerous times that Rarity’s bedroom is off-limits when she isn't there. “Thank you for keeping my friends entertained, Sweetie Belle but it’s past your bedtime.”

“No, it’s not!” Sweetie Belle argued as Rarity pushed her out of her room.

“Now, now. It’s time for your big sister to hang out with her friends,” Rarity reminded her little sister.

“I can be cool!” Sweetie Belle continued to argue but it was no use as she was pushed out of Rarity’s room.

She was annoyed at being bossed around by her big sister and marched to her room, passing Sunset Shimmer as she reached up the stairs. Sunset turned to watch Sweetie Belle march into her room and angrily closed her door, she had a worried look on her face as she continued to Rarity’s room.

“Hurray, Sunset’s here!” Pinkie cheered as Sunset entered the room.

“Sorry I’m late, I had some business to take care of,” Sunset explained.

“No worries darling,” Rarity said as she waved dismissively.

“Now that Sunset’s here, it's time to tell spooky stories,” Pinkie said as she wrapped a blanket over herself and shined a light under her face to make her look scary.

“Oh no,” Fluttershy whimpered as she cowered before Pinkie.

“How about instead of spooky stories I can tell you about the crazy things in Equestria,” Sunset suggested. “I’ve brought my journal, and Twilight says high by the way.”

“I don’t believe we know much about you and Twilight’s world, darling,” Rarity brought up.

“I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about my world,” Sunset said as she took a seat on Rarity’s bed, she regaled them with tales of the lore of each of the pony tribes, and she answered Rarity's fashion questions which disturbed the young fashionista as ponies don’t wear clothes except for formal events. She told Fluttershy about the many animals that inhabit her world, from the cutest to the scariest. She told Pinkie about the amazing parties she and the Princess would attend in the towns they visited, she explained to Applejack about her world’s agriculture and how vital it was for their society which made the farm girl smile proudly. Rainbow Dash was fascinated with the amazing heroes and legends. It was like a real-life Daring Doo adventure.

Soon it was dark outside and the girls changed into their pajamas.

“I’ll be right back,” Sunset excused herself as she left Rarity’s room, she passed Sweetie Belle’s room which was opened partially. She couldn’t help but peek inside and saw Sweetie Bell texting angrily, Sunset knocked on her door to get her attention.

Sweetie Belle’s head quickly turned to the door and when she saw Sunset, she quickly turned off her phone.

“Sorry for bothering you,” Sunset apologized. “But are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle answered dismissively. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You look upset about something,” Sunset pointed out as she stepped inside Sweetie Belle’s room. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

Sweetie Belle looked at Sunset’s smiling face and her frown softened a little.

“It’s Rarity,” Sweetie Belle started. “I was having a good time with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash but she has to go and push me out!” she threw her hands up. “She’s always hogging all the attention.”

“Rarity does like being the center of attention,” Sunset agreed with her. “But I don’t think she’s doing it for that reason today.”

“What makes you say that?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

“Because this slumber party is for me,” Sunset answered. “My friends are hosting slumber parties in their homes so that I can truly experience the holidays since I’ve always spent them alone.”

This caught Sweetie Belle’s attention.

“You were always alone for the holidays?”

“Yes,” Sunset nodded. “So don’t be too hard on your sister, she’s being a generous friend. More than I could ever deserve.” Sunset’s smile faltered as she remembered what she did to Rarity at the Spring Fling, and all Rarity ever asked of her to earn her forgiveness was an apology. Sunset’s eyes widened as she got an idea. “Say, Sweetie Belle, are you busy this Sunday?”

“No, why?” Sweetie Belle questioned.

“I know Rarity will be busy at work and if you want to…do you want to hang out?” Sunset asked a bit sheepishly.

Sweetie Belle was surprised by Sunset’s offer, she is a cool person and the most popular girl in school next to Rarity. Her friends will be busy so she’ll be bored at home.

“Okay.”

“Great!” Sunset cheered. “I promise, you won’t regret it. I better get back to the others, goodnight Sweetie Belle.”

“Goodnight,” Sweetie Belle said as she watched Sunset leave her room, her anger at Rarity momentarily forgotten.

Author's Note

Here’s the second chapter, events are staring to change. I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to your comments!

Hanging Out

“Hi Sunset,” Fluttershy greeted her friend as she opened her front door.

“Hey, Fluttershy,” Sunset returned the greeting as she entered the house. “Thanks for having me over.”

“I’m happy to have you over at my home, Sunset,” Fluttershy said with a happy smile, as she led Sunset to her room where the rest of the girls were.

“Sunset’s here!” Pinkie cheered as she stood up from Fluttershy’s bed to hug the former Equestrian. “Now this party can get started.”

“I made sure my brother won’t be bothering us,” Fluttershy assured them with a bit of shame.

The girls spent the next few hours laughing and playing video games, it was another enjoyable night for Sunset. When Pinkie jumped off Fluttershy’s bed, she knocked over Sunset’s open bag which caused its contents to spill on the floor.

“Oops, Sorry Sunset!” Pinkie quickly apologized as she picked up some of the papers.

“It’s alright, Pinkie,” Sunset assured her friend as she bent down to pick up her journal.

The rest of the girls helped out and Rarity gasped as she looked at one of the papers.

“What’s wrong?” Sunset asked as she looked at Rarity with worry.

“Darling, this is beautiful!” Rarity gushed as she showed Sunset a drawing of herself. “I didn’t know you could draw.”

“Oh, um. I used to draw a lot in back Equestria and drawing helps with finger dexterity when I first came here,” Sunset explained, a bit embarrassed that Rarity found her drawing of her.

“These are really good,” Applejack complimented as she looked through more sketches.

“I found mine!” Rainbow Dash announced as she showed everyone her sketch of her in a dynamic pose. “You captured my awesomeness perfectly!”

“Are these from memory?” Applejack asked as she had found hers.

“Kind of, I felt a sudden surge of inspiration and drew you girls,” Sunset shrugged. “You’re not too creeped out, are you?”

“Heavens no!” Rarity said aghast. “I have several drawings of our friends wearing some of my finest work!”

“You captured us perfectly!” Pinkie complimented as she showed her drawing of herself nodding.

“I really like this one Sunset,” Fluttershy spoke as she showed everyone a sketch of an Alicorn looking majestic.

“She looks, divine!” Rarity gasped at how gorgeous the sketch looked. “Am I right to presume she’s a she?”

Rarity turned to look at Sunset and saw her stare at the drawing with longing and sadness.

“Darling, are you alright?” Rarity asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

“Huh?” Sunset snapped out of her sadness and flashed Rarity an assuring smile. “Sure am!”

“Are yah sure?” Applejack inquired.

Sunset was about to assure her but she stopped herself, looking at Applejack’s worried face and remembering how she put her family traditions aside to give her a wonderful Christmas experience filled her with guilt.

“Her name is Princess Celestia,” Sunset admitted as her smile fell. “She’s the pony counterpart of our Principal….and my teacher.”

The girls looked at the sketch and then back to Sunset who was looking down while holding her left arm, a look of shame on her face.

“Darling, did something happen between you two?” Rarity carefully asked.

Sunset closed her eyes, recalling their fight before she left for this world, she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Applejack.

“Yah don’t have to say anything, sugarcube,” Applejack said with a gentle smile.

Sunset returned the smile as she placed her hand over Applejack’s hand.

“Thanks, Applejack.”

A few hours later as the girls are fast asleep, Sunset is writing in her journal about the sleepover. She wrote about how amazing it was and how amazing her friends are, she felt their bond growing even more substantial and even opened up to them a little. If things keep going the way they are then maybe she can open up to them about her past, Sunset stopped writing as she thought of her former mentor. She has never stopped missing her and during her terrible days, there was always this nagging feeling that she was making a mistake after she was taken down at the Fall Formal and returned to her apartment the nagging feeling hit her like a truck. She broke down as she realized what a terrible mistake she made and that she betrayed and thrown away the only pony that ever truly cared about her.

Sunset closed her eyes as she clutched her heart, she fought back tears as the pain tried to surface. She opened her eyes and looked at her friends which brought her joy, she managed to push down the pain and the ache in her heart stopped. Being around her friends always helped keep the pain away, she thought about telling them but that would just make them worry and she didn’t want to trouble them. This belief is further reassured when she learns how the sleepovers that are supposed to give her the best Christmas ever are putting a strain on the holiday festivities of her friends with their families.

“It’s what friends do,” Sunset whispered a small smile on her lips. Her friends made her feel welcomed and loved; it was about time she returned the favor. She closed her journal and went to sleep; she had a big day tomorrow.

Sweetie Belle ate her cereal while watching Rarity get ready for work.

“Alright, I’m heading off now.” Rarity told Sweetie Belle as she headed towards the door.

“Bye,” Sweetie Belle mumbled in a monotone voice.

As soon as Rarity opened the door she was surprised to find Sunset Shimmer who was about to knock.

“Sunset?”

“Hi, Rarity,” Sunset waved hello and gave Rarity a friendly smile.

“Darling, what are you doing here?” Rarity asked, confused.

“I Just came to hang out with Sweetie Belle if that’s okay with you?” Sunset asked, in hindsight, she should’ve asked Rarity first before promising Sweetie Belle.

“I wasn’t aware that you two are friends,” Rarity said as he raised an eyebrow.

“We aren’t yet but I wanted to keep her company while you are at work,” Sunset explained. “I know you worry about her when she’s left alone, and I’m paying forward your generosity for the sleepover at your house.”

“That’s very kind of you, darling. Thank you,” Rarity thanked Sunset, she was touched that her best friend would do something so generous for her. “And it was my pleasure to host the sleepover for a wonderful friend, where are you and Sweetie going?”

“I’m thinking of taking her to the arcade and then getting some lunch,” Sunset explained her plan.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, I hope you two have a wonderful time,” Rarity said as she started heading towards her car.

“Have a wonderful day at work,” Sunset waved goodbye to Rarity as she entered her home. She spotted Sweetie Belle in the kitchen and waved hello. “Good morning, Sweetie Belle.”

“Good morning, Sunset,” Sweetie Belle returned the greeting. “I heard you talking to Rarity and are you really taking me to the arcade?”

“Only if you want to,” Sunset said with a smile.

“Then let’s go!” Sweetie Belle said excitedly as she finished the cereal and grabbed her coat before dragging Sunset out of her home and towards the mall.

When they arrived, Sunset glanced around the games to see which one Sweetie Belle would like to play. She looked down to where Sweetie Belle was but she was gone.

“Sweetie Belle!” Sunset frantically looked around for Sweetie Belle, she was afraid that she had lost her when she saw her waving her over to a game. Sunset jogged towards her.

“Sweetie Belle, please don’t sneak off like that. You almost gave me a heart attack,” Sunset chastised the young girl.

“Sorry, Sunset. But I found a game I want to try,” Sweetie Belle apologized before motioning towards the game, it was a fighting game.

“Alright,” was all Sunset said as she took out some coins to put in the machine, as she did a gold coin slipped out and rolled towards Sweetie Belle.

“What’s this?” Sweetie Belle asked as she picked up the gold coin.

“It's the currency from my homeland,” Sunset answered, smiling slightly as she took the coin from Sweetie Belle.

“Do you miss your homeland?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking at Sunset curiously.

“Yes,” Sunset answered simply.

“Do you ever visit your home?” Sweetie Belle inquired.

Sunset didn’t answer, she stared at the coin sadly before pocketing it.

“Let's get back to your game, shall we,” Sunset said as she forced a smile.

Sweetie Belle merely nodded, she was a little worried about Sunset and wondered what the reason was that she never visited her homeland. The two girls played several rounds of the fighting game with Sunset coming out on top, the former Equestrian gave Sweetie Belle a few pointers which helped her improve. For the rest of the morning, they tried all kinds of games, shooting games, dance games, and racing games. Sweetie Belle had an amazing time with Sunset, she couldn’t remember the last time she had fun with someone other than her friends.

“Wanna get some lunch?” Sunset asked Sweetie Belle. “My treat.”

Sweetie Belle nodded eagerly and the two made their way to the food court, after buying their food, the two started looking for some seats.

“Sunset!”

Sunset turned in the direction she heard her name called and saw Flash Sentry waving at her from a table.

“Flash?” Sunset questioned as she and Sweetie Belle moved towards his table.

“How’s it going you two?” Flash asked as he looked at Sweetie Belle with a smile before looking at Sunset.

“Hi, Flash,” Sweetie Belle greeted him with a smile.

“Hey, we were just looking for some seats to enjoy our meal,” Sunset answered as she glanced around for any available seats.

“You two are welcome to join me,” Flash offered, pointing to the two available seats at his table. “If you want to, that is.”

Sunset glanced at Sweetie Belle, silently asking if she’s okay with this. Sweetie Belle nodded.

“We’d be happy to join you,” Sunset said with a smile.

Flash gets up to pull back their seats.

“Such a gentleman,” Sunset grinned as she took her seat. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome,” Flash winked at Sunset.

Sweetie Belle looked at Sunset and Flash suspiciously, something about their interaction seemed different than how friends act.

“So what have you two been doing if you don’t mind me asking?” Flash inquired as he ate his hamburger.

“We were just playing games at the arcade,” Sunset answered as she took a bite from her sandwich.

“Sounds fun,” Flash said as he glanced at Sweetie Belle.

“It was, Sunset is awesome!” Sweetie Belle gushed.

Flash glanced at Sunset and saw her blushing as she looked away and scratched her head in embarrassment, a small smile on her lips.

“So what about you Flash?” Sunset asked, changing the subject.

“I had a gig with my band this morning,” Flash said with a shrug.

“That’s great!” Sunset said, smiling brightly at Flash. “I know you and your band have been working hard lately, no doubt you wowed the crowd.”

“I don’t like to brag but we left them wanting more,” Flash said with a cheeky smile.

Both teenagers laughed as Sweetie Bell looked on in curiosity.

“Anyway, after the gig my friends had plans and I decided to hang out in the mall for a bit,” Flash said as he took a sip of his soda.

“Do you wanna hang out with us?” Sweetie Belle asked, Flash was one of the cool kids at school and she always wanted to hang out with the cool crowd like Rarity.

“I don’t want to be a bother,” Flash said.

“You won’t be a bother,” Sunset assured him. “Unless you're bothered hanging out with your evil ex.”

“Not in the slightest,” Flash said with a cocky grin.

The three resumed eating and talking about their week, Sweetie Belle talked about what she and her friends were up to and was happy to see Flash and Sunset take an interest in what they were doing. She felt like one of the cool kids. When they finished their lunch they headed back to the arcade where Sweetie Belle guided them to a dance game that required a group of three people.

“Are you up for this, Flash?” Sunset asked as she did some stretches.

“I’m ready when you are,” Flash responded, doing a few stretches of his own.

“Let’s do this!” Sweetie Belle proclaimed, wanting to say something cool.

The three started playing the game and immediately failed, they tried again but it ended the same. They weren’t in sync with one another so they kept on failing but they kept on trying, a crowd started gathering around them as they kept failing. With each failed attempt they got a little better, by the time it was 4 in the afternoon they were in perfect sync. A look of determination on their faces as they matched the steps, and followed the beat of the music until they finally beat the game. The crowd erupted in cheer.

“We did it!” Sweetie Belle shouted happily.

“Sweet Celestia, that was exhausting!” Sunset said as she wiped some sweat from her brow.

“Principal Celestia?” Sweetie Belle questioned as she looked around. “I don’t see her.”

“I didn’t mean that I saw her, you see where I come from…” Sunset tried to come up with a good excuse but couldn’t think of one. “Never mind, you got some pretty sweet moves, Sweetie Belle.”

“Yeah, where’d you learn to dance like that?” Flash asked.

“Thanks, you two were pretty amazing yourselves,” Sweetie Belle complimented back, she felt proud of herself that Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry, two of the most popular kids at CHS praised her dancing. “I used to play this game with Rarity whenever she wasn’t busy.”

“Sunset? Sweetie Belle?”

The group turned to see Rarity approaching them.

“Rarity?” Sweetie Belle was surprised to see her sister. “What are you doing here?”

“My shift ended and I decided to make a stop here to see if you were still here when I saw the crowd,” Rarity explained. “I managed to catch the last bit of your performance and you were all brilliant!”

Sunset checked her phone and was shocked at the time.

“Wow, I didn’t realize how late it was,” Sunset said. “I take it you’ll be taking Sweetie Belle home?”

“Of course,” Rarity nodded.

“I’m happy to give you girls a lift,” Flash offered.

“Thank you, darling. We very much appreciate it,” Rarity thanked Flash.

The group made their way out of the mall and into Flash’s car, as he drove them to Rarity’s house, Sweetie Belle started telling Rarity about what they did. Flash looked in his rearview mirror and smiled at seeing Sweetie Belle excited tell Rarity how amazing Sunset is at the games. Stopping at a red light he cast a glance at Sunset and noticed her also looking in the rearview mirror but she had a sad and guilty look. Flashed looked concerned as he wondered what could be troubling Sunset.

When they arrived at Rarity’s home, Flash stepped out to open the door for them and held out his hand for Rarity

“Thank you very much, darling,” Rarity politely thanked Flash as she took his offered hand and exited his car.

“Thanks, Flash,” Sweetie Belle thanked the rocker as she got out of his car.

“Thank you so much for keeping Sweetie Belle occupied while I was at work Sunset,” Rarity thanked Sunset.

“Thank you for the slumber party,” Sunset winked playfully at Rarity.

“It was my pleasure,” Rarity said as she and Sweetie waved goodbye as Flash drove off.

“Sunset is a great person, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle commented as they entered their home.

“She truly is, she’s come a long way since…the spring fling,” Rarity said with a shutter as she recalled what Sunset did to her. “It’s hard to believe she was ever that person.”

“But she’s not that person anymore,” Sweetie Belle said as she hugged Rarity.

“No, no she isn’t,” Rarity said with a smile as she hugged her sister back.

Sweetie Belle’s expression changed to a guilty one as she recalled what she almost did on Friday, she needed to have a serious talk with Applebloom tomorrow.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter, I hope you like it, and I look forward to reading your comments. :twilightsmile:

Sunset Appreciation

Sunset stared out the car window as Flash drove her home, she hadn’t said a word since they left Rarity’s home.

“Alright, spill. What’s bothering you, Sunset?” Flash suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Sunset turned her head towards Flash, with a confused look.

“I saw how you looked at Rarity and Sweetie Belle earlier,” Flash said, not taking his eyes off the road. “You looked guilty about something.”

“What? No, it must be the holidays getting to me,” Sunset tried to excuse her earlier behavior.

“Sunset, we used to date. I know when something is bothering you and when you’re lying,” Flash pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

Sunset sighed as she realized that she wouldn’t be fooling Flash.

“Three days ago as I was walking to school with Applejack, we were talking about the holidays and I told her that I always spent the holidays alone.”

“Sounds awful,” Flash commented.

“She said that too, so she told the rest of our friends and they decided to host slumber parties at their houses to give me the best Christmas experience. As well as making sure I’m not alone for the holidays,” Sunset explained, a small smile forming.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Flash said, the Rainbooms are a fantastic group of friends.

“Yeah,” Sunset agreed as her smile dropped. “But as a consequence, Applejack had to miss out on one of her family traditions. I found out the next day when I confronted Applebloom after I noticed her looking a little down. I wanted to help her with her problem but it turns out I was the problem.”

“But how can you be the problem?” Flash asked, confused at how Applejack missing out on one of her family’s traditions is Sunset’s fault.

“Because I stole her sister,” Sunset answered simply.

“Stole her sister?” Flash questioned as he raised an eyebrow.

“Applebloom blames me for Applejack missing out on their tradition because the sleepovers were for me,” Sunset said. “She explained that the tradition Applejack missed they used to do with their parents and they continue to honor them. I felt awful for ruining their traditions so I told Applebloom that I would help out around the farm so that Applejack can have enough time to do their tradition and later attend the next sleepover.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Flash complimented. “I take it the plan was a success?”

“Thanks, and it was!” Sunset said with a smile. “Applejack finished her chores early and she and her family decorated their Christmas tree. But during the sleepover at Rarity’s, Sweetie Belle was upset with her sister for kicking her out of Rarity’s room while talking with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. I found her upset in her room and after talking I asked if she wanted to hang out with me to make her feel better.”

“No doubt that one went smoothly,” Flash said with a grin as he saw it for himself. “It seems like you managed to solve the problems so why did you look so guilty.”

“Because it wouldn’t have been a problem if it wasn’t for the sleepovers,” Sunset said sadly. “I know Applejack had the best intentions and I’m thrilled that the girls did this for me but I don’t want it to be at the expense of their relationship with their family. Even after I reformed I’m still causing problems.”

Sunset felt the car turn and was surprised to see them parked nowhere near where she lives, she turned to Flash to see a serious look on his face.

“Flash?”

“This isn’t your fault, Sunset,” Flash stated. “There was no way you could’ve known that the sleepovers would upset the girls’ sisters but despite that, you went out of your way to help them through their problem. The old you wouldn’t care about their problems much less solve them without getting anything in return, that says a lot about the person you are now.”

Sunset was speechless, everything Flash said was true. The old her would even make the rift between the sisters worse.

“You’re right Flash,” Sunset said as a big smile spread on her lips. “Thanks for reminding me.”

“That’s what friends do,” Flash winked at Sunset.

“Since when did we become friends?” Sunset questioned, a sly smirk replacing her smile.

“Just now,” Flash grinned as he drove back onto the road.

There was a comfortable silence the rest of the ride home, Flash dropped off Sunset, and the two bid each other farewell. Sunset walked inside her apartment with an extra bounce in her step.

Sunset walked into school with a smile on her face, she waved hello to her fellow students as she made her way to her locker. Her smile widened when she saw her friends hanging around her locker.

“Hey, girls!” Sunset waved enthusiastically as she approached her friends.

“Hey there, Sunset,” the farm girl greeted.

“Why are all of you gathered around my locker?” Sunset asked, only Applejack’s locker was close to hers.

“Just wanted to give yah something fer helping me on the farm,” Applejack said as she handed Sunset a steel container.

Sunset took the container which had an image of apples on the lid, she opened it to find several apple-related sweets.

“It's from the first batch of our famous holiday Apple sweets,” Applejack explained.

“Wow! Thanks, Applejack!” Sunset thanked her best friend before hugging her.

“I made you a little something too,” Rarity spoke up as she handed Sunset a box.

Sunset handed the container to Applejack as she took the box, she opened it to find a purple beanie with matching gloves and scarf.

“I noticed you lacked any form of winter protection from the winter cold for your head and hands so I made you these,” Rarity said a little bashfully. “Thank you for keeping Sweetie Belle company while I was at work, you don’t know how much I appreciate you doing that.”

“I’m happy to do it, Sweetie Belle is an amazing kid,” Sunset complimented as she hugged Rarity.

The school bell rang and the girls broke the hug before going to their separate classes. Sunset had a huge smile on her face. Her best friend's gifts made her feel very appreciated and filled her with joy, she can’t wait to share the apple treats with them at lunch and wear Rarity’s gift.

“Why did you call this emergency meeting?” Scootaloo asked Appleboom as the three of them were sitting in their clubroom.

“Ah’m shutting Anon-A-Miss down,” Applebloom stated, which shocked her friends.

“Why?” Scootaloo questioned.

“Because yah girls were right, ah was overreacting,” Applebloom shamefully admitted. “It wasn’t Sunset’s fault that Applejack missed out on one of our traditions, mah sister wanted to make sure her friend experienced a wonderful holiday.”

Flashback

“Now that is one fine-looking tree,” Applejack stated as she and her siblings finished decorating their Christmas tree.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.

“It looks better than it did last year!” Applebloom said happily.

“It just needs one thing,” Applejack said as she opened a box to reveal a crystal star. “Applebloom, would yah do the honors?”

Applebloom nodded excitedly as she carefully took the star out of its box, Big Mac hoisted Applebloom onto his shoulders and placed the star on top of the tree. Big Mac set Applebloom down and all three Apples took in the sight of their tree.

“No doubt yer parents are smiling down proudly,” Granny Smith commented as she came into the room.

“Where’s Sunset?” Applejack asked as she walked to the window to see what was taking her so long and saw that Sunset’s motorcycle was gone. “Her bike’s gone!”

“Calm down, Applejack,” Granny Smith tried to calm her eldest Granddaughter. “Sunset left a while ago.”

“She left?!” Applejack was shocked to hear this. “But she didn’t even say goodbye!”

“She didn’t want to interrupt y’all as yah were decorating the tree,” Granny Smith explained. “Ah told her she could stay but she felt like she imposed on us enough.”

“Impose?” Applejack questioned. “Why would Sunset feel like she would be imposing?”

Applebloom bit her lip, she recalled what she had said to Sunset yesterday and felt a little guilty.

“Ah dunno, but that girl seems bothered by something,” Granny Smith said, looking worried.

“Don’t yah worry Granny,” Applejack assured her with confidence. “We’ll be there fer Sunset, the point of the sleepovers is so that she doesn’t have to be alone.”

“Ah reckon yer right,” Granny Smith said with a smile. “Does she have a sweet tooth?”

“Yeah!” Applejack answered, knowing what Granny Smith was planning.

Flashback End

“Ah was so caught up in mah own anger that ah stupidly blamed Sunset,” Applebloom said with regret, she felt so disgusted with herself.

“It’s easy to get blinded by anger,” Sweetie Belle said. “When Rarity kicked me out of her room while I was talking to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash I felt so angry that I wanted to get back at her, if it wasn’t for Sunset talking to me earlier I would’ve done something I would greatly regret.”

“Sunset talked to yah?” Applebloom asked.

“Yep,” Sweetie Belle nodded. “She offered to hang out with me the following day while Rarity was at work.”

“She offered to help out on the farm so AJ can have time to decorate our Christmas tree like we always do,” Applebloom shared, a smile forming on her lips.

“That’s pretty awesome what Sunset did,” Scootaloo commented.

“Yeah,” Applebloom whispered. “Ah finally understand what Applejack sees in her.”

Applebloom pulled out her phone, logged on to the Anon-A-Miss account, and proceeded to delete it.

Sunset made her way to the lunchroom, waving hello to the passing students. She was in very high spirits.

“The Anon-A-Miss account is gone!”

Sunset’s ears perked up at hearing the name of the blog that posted Applejack’s nickname.

“I wanted to check if she posted anything but I couldn’t find the account anymore,” a male student said to his friend.

Sunset pulled out her smartphone and checked MyStable, and sure enough, the Anon-A-Miss account was gone.

“I have to tell the girls,” Sunset said as she hurried to the lunchroom, once she arrived she looked around for her friends and spotted them all sitting together. She quickly moved towards them.

“Girls, you won’t believe-“

“Anon -A-Miss is gone!” Pinkie interrupted, smiling happily.

“Good riddance,” Rainbow Dash huffed as she crossed her arms.

“I second that,” Rarity nodded in agreement with Rainbow Dash.

“Why do you think she deleted the blog?” Fluttershy questions. “D-don't get me wrong, I’m glad she’s gone!”

“Maybe she heard about Sunset shutting down anyone who dares to make fun of AJ and decided to run away in fear,” Rainbow Dash grinned as she winked at Sunset.

“I would have done a lot more than that,” Sunset growled. “No one makes fun of my friends and gets away with it.”

“The matter appears to be settled for now,” Rarity said, trying to steer the conversation to something else. “Sunset, Sweetie Belle told me that you and Flash seemed pretty friendly with each other yesterday.”

“Yeah, given that I’m his ex I was surprised with how friendly he was towards me,” Sunset said with a shameful look on her face. “Especially given our messy breakup. But he considers us friends now.”

“Oh?” Rarity raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on her lips. “You two are just friends?”

Sunset recognized the look Rarity was giving her, it was the look of a hopeless romantic.

“Nothing is going on between us,” Sunset said with a frown. “Besides, he has a crush on Twilight.”

Sunset cast her gaze down and her frown deepened, for some reason, this bothered her. Rarity gently placed her pointer finger under Sunset’s chin and gently lifted her head to look at her smiling face.

“I have a hunch that Flash is still into you,” Rarity said before winking at Sunset. “And I believe the feeling is mutual.”

Sunset’s cheeks turned red before looking away from embarrassment, causing her friends to laugh.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter, I hope you like it, and I look forward to your comments. ^^

That's What Friends Do

It was the end of the school day and Sunset Shimmer closed her locker and was on her way out of the school when she heard her name being called.

“Sunset!”

Sunset turned to see Scootaloo approaching her.

“Hey, Scootaloo,” Sunset greeted.

“Do you think you can help me with my homework?” Scootaloo asked. “I’d normally ask Rainbow Dash but she had to work unless you’re busy of course.”

“I would be happy to help you, Scototaloo,” Sunset happily agreed, figuring Rainbow would appreciate her helping out her sister.

“Thanks, do you wanna come over to my house?” Scootaloo asked.

“I would be happy to come over,” Sunset answered politely.

“Great!” Scootaloo said excitedly as the two made their way out of the school and to her house.

Once they were at her house, Sunset said hello to Scootaloo's aunts as she was guided to Scootaloo’s room.

“Welcome to my room,” Scootaloo said with a smile as she motioned for Sunset to enter her room.

“Thank you for having me,” Sunset responded, she surveyed the room, noting the Wondercolts flags on her wall, pictures of her and her friends, and the pictures of her and Rainbow Dash. “So what do you need help with?”

“Just these subjects,” Scootaloo said as she emptied her backpack on the bed.

Sunset glanced at the books before looking back at Scootaloo.

“Which one do you want to start with first?” Sunset asked.

“You’re not upset?” Scootaloo inquired in surprise.

“Why would I be?” Sunset questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Because there’s a lot,” Scootaloo answered, a bit embarrassed. “Sorry that I’m dumb.”

“Hey, don’t ever call yourself that,” Sunset chastised, walking towards Scootaloo and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Everyone learns at their own pace.”

Scootaloo smiled at hearing that, the two started working on Scootaloo’s math homework. Scootaloo pointed out what she was having problems with and Sunset did her best to explain it in a way that Scootaloo could easily understand.

“I think I’m starting to get it,” Scootaloo said as she wrote down the answers to the problems.

“See? What did I tell you?” Sunset smirked as she checked Scootaloo’s answers. “You forgot to carry the 1 here but other than that you got them correct.”

“Really?!” Scootaloo was surprised and happy to hear that.

Sunset helped Scootaloo with the rest of her homework, the former Equestrian listened to what Scootaloo was having trouble with and offered easy-to-understand solutions. Scootaloo normally hated doing her homework but with Sunset’s help, she enjoyed it and was a little disappointed when they finished.

“Thanks for the help, Sunset,” Scootaloo thanked the former unicorn as she put away her books.

“I’m happy to help,” Sunset said with a smile.

There was a knock on the door.

“Hey, squirt. It’s me, Can I come in?” Rainbow Dash asked from the other side of the door.

“Sure!” Scootaloo said excitedly.

Sunset smiled at seeing Scootaloo so excited, that she greatly admired Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash opened the door and was surprised to see Sunset.

“Sunset? What are you doing here?”

“Hey, Rainbow. Scootaloo asked if I could help her with her homework,” Sunset explained.

“Shouldn’t you be at work, Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked as she looked at the clock on her nightstand. “You’re normally still working at this time.”

“My boss let us out early because he had something important to do with his family,” Rainbow Dash explained. “So I figured I’d stop by and see if you needed help with your homework.”

“Awww, how sweet!” Sunset teased.

“Hey! She’s my little sister,” Rainbow Dash said with a grin.

“Since my homework is all done, do you wanna hang out?” Scootaloo asked excitedly.

“Hell yeah!” Rainbow Dash said before turning to Sunset. “You wanna tag along?”

Sunset smiled and was about to accept but she remembered how Applebloom and Sweetie Belle got upset at their sisters because of her.

“Thanks for the offer but I’ll pass.”

“You sure?” Rainbow Dash asked, a look of concern on her face.

“Positive,” Sunset simply said, it was for the best.

“Please hang out with us, Sunset!” Scootaloo pleaded. with how awesome Sweetie Belle made Sunset sound, and with Rainbow Dash, she knew they were going to have an awesome time.

“I don’t want to get in the way of your special time with Scootaloo,” Sunset voiced her concern.

“Nonsense,” Rainbow casually dismissed as she put her arm over Sunset’s shoulder. “You won’t be getting in the way, right Scoots?”

“Right!” Scootaloo agreed.

Sunset looked between the two, her resolve crumbling before Scootaloo’s innocent eyes.

“Okay,” Sunset relented, she smiled when Scootaloo cheered.

“Then let’s go!” Rainbow Dash said as she led the two out of Scootaloo’s home.

It was still light out as Rainbow Dash guided them toward the playground, Scootaloo grinned excitedly as she rushed ahead.

“What are we doing here?” Sunset asked.

“You’ll see,” Rainbow Dash said with a grin.

As they entered the playground, Sunset saw Scootaloo talking with several kids who looked very excited.

“Scootaloo and I always come here to play, we had so much fun that the other kids joined us,” Rainbow Dash explained, smiling smugly. “I’m just that awesome.”

Sunset rolled her eyes playfully, as Scootaloo and the rest of the kids rushed to greet them.

“So what are we going to play today?” one of the kids asked.

“We’re going to have a snowball fight,” Rainbow Dash grinned, and the children cheered.

“Are you sure it’s going to be fair?” A little girl asked. “Whoever has you on their teams is going to have the advantage.”

“Not to worry,” Rainbow Dash said as she placed her hand on Sunset. “Sunset will join the opposite team of me to make it fair.”

“Is she as awesome as you?” a little boy asked.

“She’s 20% cooler,” Rainbow Dash winked at Sunset.

Sunset is shocked at this admission, Rainbow would never admit that anyone was more awesome than her, especially in front of other people. The kids seemed very excited about this and they quickly formed teams, both teams picked a spot to build their forts. Sunset analyzed Rainbow’s fort, searching for any weaknesses. She talked to her teammates and formulated a strategy when Rainbow Dash spoke.

“We’re just having fun, Sunset! Don’t take this too seriously!”

“Shouldn’t I be telling you that!” Sunset shouted back.

Rainbow Dash just laughed before throwing a snowball at Sunset who dodged it, this signaled the start of the game as the kids started throwing snowballs at each other. Some used the fort as cover while others used the playground equipment as they attempted to get near Rainbow’s fort. Sunset managed to hit two kids before dodging behind a slide. She peeked to see if she could locate Rainbow Dash, and she spotted her on the jungle gym throwing snowballs from a big pile next to her. She also spotted Scootaloo making snowballs for her to throw. For her team to have a chance she needed to take out Rainbow Dash. Her eyes widened when Rainbow Dash spotted her and quickly ducked behind the slide just as several snowballs hit it.

“I see you, Sunset!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she threw more snowballs in that direction.

Sunset needed to think fast, she looked around and saw two of her teammates, and she signaled them to start throwing snowballs at Rainbow and Scootaloo. They had to stop throwing snowballs to retreat into cover, Sunset took this opportunity to climb onto the jungle gym. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were caught off guard but quickly grabbed some snowballs and started throwing them at Sunset, who ducked behind one of the pillars that supported the roof of the jungle gym. She scooped up some snow, formed a snowball, and threw it at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow raised her arms to block the snowball but suddenly felt another snowball hit her back, she turned her head to see that the two kids from Sunset’s team throwing more snowballs at her, she needed to reposition quickly. She attempted to hide behind a pillar but slipped on the snow.

“Whoa!” Rainbow Dash flailed her arms as she stumbled toward the edge.

Sunset saw that Rainbow Dash was about to fall and quickly rushed to her aid.

“Rainbow!” Sunset reached out to grab her friend but lost her footing due to the snow, thinking fast, she wrapped her arms around Rainbow Dash and turned her body so that she would take the impact.

“Sunset!” Rainbow Dash shouted, shocked at what Sunset had done. Before she knew it, they hit the snow. Rainbow Dash quickly got up and checked on Sunset. “Are you okay?!”

“I’m okay,” Sunset said as she smiled up at Rainbow Dash. “Luckily for us, the snow softened the landing.”

“Why’d you do something crazy like that?” Rainbow Dash asked as she helped Sunset up.

“I wasn’t about to let you get hurt,” Sunset answered. “You could’ve had an injury that would not only ruin your holiday but have you benched from your sports teams.”

“Then what about you?” Rainbow Dash questioned as she crossed her arms and gave Sunset a disapproving look. “You could have gotten hurt as well, maybe even more with me making the impact worse.”

“I’ve gone through worse,” Sunset casually dismissed. “Back in Equestria, as I was studying under Princess Celestia I had more than a few spells blow up in my face, and launch me halfway across Equestria!” Sunset laughed.

“Wow, you sure lived dangerously,” Rainbow Dash commented, she got into some pretty daring antics but Sunset’s misadventures put hers to shame.

“It’s the life you live as a bad girl,” Sunset shrugged.

“Does that include turning into a raging she-demon?” Rainbow Dash asked, grinning as she nudged Sunset. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Sunset rolled her eyes playfully before nudging Rainbow back.

They continued their snowball fight until the kids had to go home, they took Scootaloo home before making their way home.

“Thanks for letting me tag along,” Sunset thanked Rainbow. “I had fun.”

“Don’t mention it,” Rainbow Dash said. “I would have to be a lousy friend to leave you out of the fun.”

The two laughed before going silent, after a few minutes of walking, Rainbow Dash noticed the serious look on Sunset’s face.

“Why the long face?” Rainbow Dash asked with a teasing grin.

Sunset snorted before lightly punching Rainbow’s arm.

“If you must know, I’m thinking about Anon-A-Miss.”

“What about them?” Rainbow inquired.

“I’m trying to wrap my head around why they made the post about Applejack’s nickname or even how they even know it in the first place!” Sunset raised her voice, her anger rising. “And more importantly, why Applejack?! She is the most friendly, honest girl in the entire school who wouldn’t talk about you behind your back. If she has a problem with you she’ll say it to your face!”

“Easy there, Sunset,” Rainbow Dash placed her hands on Sunset’s shoulders and tried to calm the redhead. “Dial it back a little.”

Sunset closed her eyes and took steady breaths, once she felt herself calm she opened her eyes.

“Better?” Rainbow asked with a smile.

“Thanks,” Sunset thanked her rainbow-haired friend. “Sorry about that, I tend to have anger issues.” Sunset felt a little guilty admitting this.

“Don’t worry, you should see AJ when she’s mad!” Rainbow Dash assured Sunset, grinning widely.

Sunset smiled at Rainbow before her expression became more serious.

“Rainbow, I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?” Rainbow Dash asked, not liking how serious Sunset got.

“In the past, I lost myself when I got really mad and…” Sunset but her lip, why was it so hard to ask her this? Is it because she’s afraid to open up to them? To reveal another awful thing about herself? To burden them with another one of her problems when she’s already caused enough. No. Her friends would never judge her, they would want to support and help her. “No, this is something I need to tell everyone as well.”

“What do you need to tell us?” Rainbow Dash questioned, she was getting anxious as to what Sunset was trying to say.

Sunset looked at Rainbow’s worried face and her guilt worsened, she was doing it again. She gently placed her hand on Rainbow Dash’s arms.

“Rainbow Dash, you and the girls have been amazing to me the last couple of days. You’ve given me the strength to say what I have always been afraid to ask anyone,” Sunset confessed.

“Sunset?” Rainbow Dash looked into Sunset’s eyes and saw something she never thought she would see, she saw Sunset vulnerable.

“I….I need your help.”

Author's Note

Anon-A-Miss may be gone but the consequences of her first post are still felt very strongly in Sunset, here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to reading your comments! :twilightsmile:

Family

The Rainbooms are all gathered by the Wondercolt statue, they had all received a text message from Sunset, asking them to meet her and Rainbow Dash by the school for she had something vital to talk to them about.

“What’s this important thing yah wanted to talk to us about?” Applejack asked, getting straight to the point.

Sunset looked at her friends who looked at her with worry, she started to have second thoughts about this.

“Darling? Is everything alright?” Rarity asked with concern, her keen eye recognizing the body movements of someone doubting themselves.

“Honestly? No,” Sunset started. “I’m afraid I’m starting to slip into my old self.”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked, looking confused.

“Ever since Anon-A-Miss posted Applejack’s nickname and everyone at school started making fun of her, I wanted to find out who they might be and stop them. But with no leads, there wasn’t much I could do,” Sunset confessed. “And after they deleted their blog, I can’t get over the fact that they got away with humiliating Applejack!” Sunset felt her anger rising. “I keep going over in my mind a list of potential suspects and their possible motives against Applejack, but then I realized that other than the old me, no one had anything bad against Applejack! Heck, the students only started calling her a liar behind her back because of what I did!”

Sunset paced back and forth, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. Rainbow Dash and Applejack reached out to stop Sunset.

“Easy there sugarcube,” Applejack said in a calming tone.

“You’re starting to sound obsessed,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Exactly! My obsession led me down a path here,” Sunset suddenly confessed.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Rarity said.

“Back when I was Princess Celestia’s student, she showed me a mirror that was the portal to this world. She asked me to tell her what I see, and I saw myself as an Alicorn princess that ruled over Equestria,” Sunset explained. “After that, I became obsessed with the mirror and wanted to learn more about it. I repeatedly asked Princess Celestia but when she refused to tell me I took it upon myself to find out. I broke into the library's restricted section and found my answers.” Sunset had a look of regret as she told the next part. “Princess Celestia caught me, and we argued. I accused her of holding me back and demanded she give me what I wanted. She refused and removed me from being her pupil, then had her guards escort me out of her castle. But I had other plans, I knew that the mirror portal would be open, so I overpowered the guards and escaped here. After seeing this world, I started to formulate a plan to become a princess and when the portal door opened again, I would show Princess Celestia that she was wrong about me, that I did deserve to be made a princess.”

Sunse’s body started shaking as she let out a sob.

“But I was wrong! My stupid, selfish actions cost me my old life and I betrayed the closest thing I had to a mother!” Sunset cried, wrapping her arms around herself. “I’m afraid that my obsessions with Anon-A-Miss will cause me to ruin our friendship, that’s why I asked you all to meet me. Girls, If I ever start to turn back to my old self, I want you to end your friendship with me.”

“What?!” the girls are stunned to hear this.

“Why do you want us to end our friendship with you?!” Rainbow Dash questioned.

“Couldn’t we stop you instead?” Fluttershy asked, hopeful that Sunset would accept her proposal, she didn’t want to end her friendship with Sunset.

“It wouldn’t do any good,” Sunset shook her head, turning away from her friends.

“Why not?!” Applejack demanded.

“Because I will never change,” Sunset answered. “I may have turned over a new leaf and been given a second chance, but the ambitious, arrogant, mean girl is still there.” Sunset placed her hand over her heart. “It's a part of who I am.”

“Sunset, what do we mean to yah?” Applejack asked.

“You girls are my best friends,” Sunset answered as she turned to face them. “You befriended me when I needed a friend despite what I did to you all, you showed me kindness when everyone else hated me, you helped me be more honest with myself, and you stuck by me even after I tried to kill you all. You were there for me at my lowest and made me feel more welcomed and loved. You girls are….” Sunset struggled to say the next word as the last pony she thought of this way didn’t end up working out.

“Family?” Applejack finished for Sunset, smiling as the former unicorn nodded. “Ah consider yah family too, we all consider yah family. And family always sticks together through thick and thin.”

“Yeah, you’re stuck with us no matter what!” Rainbow Dash said smiling cheekily.

“I understand personally how ambition can be a double-edged sword,” Rarity said as she walked up to Sunset and took hold of her hands. “But when it’s tempered with discipline, self-control, and the support of your loved ones, then it becomes something positive.”

“None of us are perfect,” Fluttershy spoke gently as she approached Sunset. “What you did showed us that we still have much to learn as friends and I would like it if you learned with us.”

“It’s our differences that make us the best of friends!” Pinkie Pie shouted excitedly.

“Each of us has something the others are missing and it’s our friendship that makes us whole,” Rarity pointed out, as she stepped away from Sunset. “You’re nothing like the person you used to be.”

“For starters, you asked us for help. The old you would never do that,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Yer obsession with Anon-A-Miss is because yah care about me so much that yah couldn’t stand to let that varmint get away with hurting me,” Applejack said, smiling as she tilted her hat up.

“It’s like you said, you learned from us, but we have yet to learn from you,” Rarity said as she shared looks with her friends as they extended their hands out to Sunset. “Twilight asked us to guide you and that’s what we’ll continue to do but we want to ask if you would honor us by being a part of our family.”

Sunset’s eyes widened as she covered her mouth in shock, her best friends had just asked her to be their family. After years of being alone in this world and ruining what she had with Princess Celestia, Sunset has another chance to have the family she desperately craved.

“Do you….do you really mean it?” Sunset asked as tears started pooling in her eyes.

“Yes!” they all said in unison.

Sunset closed her eyes, her tears falling freely as she rushed towards her friends. They enveloped her in a group hug as she cried, their tears joining Sunset’s as they welcomed a new member of their family.

Sunset flopped forward onto her bed, today’s events left her exhausted both physically and emotionally. She raised her head and smiled at the photo of her and her friends…her family. She finally had a family. She quickly sat up and grabbed her backpack, she needed to tell Twilight about what had happened. As she pulled out her journal, her smile slowly faded as she stared at it. Remembering the mare, she thought of as a mother figure filled her with sadness.

“Princess Celestia,” Sunset whispered as a stray tear slid down the right side of her face. “I’m so sorry.”

Sunset wiped away her tears as she opened up her journal and started writing, she really hoped that it would be different this time.

Princess Celestia walked down the darkened halls of her castle, her sister had begun her night shift, and she was heading towards her room to get some well-deserved rest. During the holiday season, she’s more busy than usual but with her sister helping her it wasn’t too bad. Celestia smiled as Luna was always excited about the holidays, she couldn’t wait to take part in the holiday activities that Canterlot held. Celestia’s smile fell as she approached a nearby bedroom that belonged to her former student, Sunset Shimmer. She opened the door to check inside and everything was how it had always been since Sunset left, she made sure to keep it that way.

She saw great potential in Sunset and took her as her personal student, they naturally became close and without her realizing it she began to see Sunset as a daughter. But like any parent, she started seeing herself in Sunset unfortunately it was the arrogant part of herself. She tried to set Sunset down the right path but in doing so she only made it worse. She often played back the events of that day in her mind, trying to see what she could’ve done differently to change the outcome. It didn’t matter, nothing would change what has happened. After Sunset had abandoned her, she kept the mirror portal close by in case Sunset returned.

Unfortunately, Sunset’s return was not what she had hoped. She stole the element of magic and fled, and instead of going to confront Sunset and get the element of magic back, she sent Twilight instead. It was a good decision on her part as not only was Twilight able to get her element back but was able to get through to Sunset and let her in capable hands as she put it to learn about friendship. Celestia believed that Sunset’s rehabilitation should be left to Twilight, and she sent her the journal she used to communicate with Sunset so long ago, it was a good thing she did as Twilight later told her that Sunset had asked for help in regard to an ancient Equestrian threat, the Sirens.

This proved to her that Twilight had once again succeeded where she had failed, she smiled sadly as she realized that Sunset no longer needed her guidance and would probably never return to Equestria.

“Maybe it’s for the best,” Celestia softly spoke. “Twilight did say she was happy when she visited the last time.”

A single tear slid down her face.

“And that’s all a mother needs to hear,” Celestia took one last look at the room before closing the door. “Goodnight, my Sunset.”

Author's Note

New family gained while lamenting the family they have lost; I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I look forward to your comments.

Cracks

“And that’s what happened today,” Sunset finishes writing about today’s events to Twilight.

“That’s fantastic news!” Twilight wrote excitedly. “I’m so happy for you, Sunset!”

“Thanks,” was Sunset’s simple reply.

“Is something wrong?” Twilight asked worriedly, noticing that her reply didn’t seem exciting. “You don’t sound too happy about this.”

“I am happy!” Sunset quickly replied. “I was crying when they asked me to be a part of their family.” Sunset bit her lip, contemplating whether to tell Twilight about what was bothering her. Ultimate she decided to tell Twilight as she was her friend. “But I’m afraid I’ll mess this up.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, not fully understanding what Sunset was implying.

Sunset sighed as she explained what happened with Princess Celestia, she then told her about Anon-A-Miss and how she started reverting to old habits as she tried to figure out their identity.

“I can see why you would be concerned,” Twilight wrote. “But it’s different this time.”

“How so?” Sunset asked.

“Because you’re not the same pony you were before,” Twilight wrote. “You desired power and did whatever it took to get it but now you want to protect your friends, and you’re using your unique skills for them.”

“The girls said something similar,” Sunset wrote, smiling slightly.

“Then you know you’re hearing sound advice,” Twilight responded, smiling cheekily on the other side. “Take it from me, if all you do is worry about what ifs then you’re bound to make them happen.”

Sunset chuckled, she felt her worries going away.

“Thanks, Twilight. I feel silly worrying about nothing,” Sunset wrote.

“There’s nothing silly about what you are feeling, ” Twilight assured her. “I and the girls are always here for you when you need us. ”

“And I’m always here for all of you when you need me, ” Sunset responded, she and Twilight wrote to each other for a bit before Sunset closed her journal and went to sleep.

Rainbow Dash snickered as she peeked through the school’s window into the clubroom where the Rainbow Dash Fan Club held their meeting, Scootaloo was leading the meeting as she always did. It boosted her ego to see everyone talk about how cool and amazing she was.

“And that concludes today’s meeting,” Scootaloo said.

The cub members stood and recited their club anthem which caused Rainbow Dash to snicker, she always enjoyed hearing the anthem. She watched as all the club members left until only Scootaloo remained, she thought she was going to leave but was shocked to see her take down the posters of herself and replace them with posters of Sunset.

“How did she even get those?” Rainbow thought as she continued to watch Scootaloo.

There was a knock on the door and when Scootaloo went to answer it was Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Rainbow watched them take a seat and Scootaloo stood in front of them.

“With everyone here, I now decree that the first official meeting of the Sunset Shimmer appreciation club can now begin!” Scootaloo announced as she put on a hat with Sunset’s cutie mark on it.

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom also put on their Sunset merch and they all started talking about how amazing Sunset is.

Rainbow stood there in shock, she even blushed a little when Scootaloo told them about how Sunset had saved her from a fall, but she dramatically told them. Rainbow Dash quietly stepped away from the window before running off.

“Wait till Sunset hears about this.”

Sunset sat next to her friends at their usual lunch table, she noticed Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash looking very excited.

“Did something good happen?” Sunset asked.

“I already told Pinkie since we shared a class before lunch but guess who has a fan club?” Rainbow Dash asked excitedly.

“I thought you already had a fan club,” Sunset assumed, ever since Rainbow Dash found out about her fan club, she would constantly bring it up.

“Unfortunately, this one isn’t about me,” Rainbow Dash said with a playful smirk. “It’s your fan club.”

“Mine?!” Sunset was shocked to hear this. “Why would I have a fan club?”

“Because you’re awesome, Sunset!” Pinkie proclaimed cheerfully.

“And its members are Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom,” Rainbow Dash said, smiling at Sunset’s double take.

“They’re the members?!” Sunset couldn’t believe it. “B-but why?”

“You must have made quite the impression on them,” Rarity said, she recalled how Sweetie Belle wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing it was hanging out with Sunset.

“I agree with Pinkie Pie, you are an amazing person Sunset. It’s not hard to see why they would make a fanclub about you,” Fluttershy chimed in, she felt very happy for her best friend. She was getting the recognition she deserved.

Sunset didn’t know how to react, she never had a fan club before, much less one created by the sisters of her best friends. Should she be honored? humbled? Will she let it go to her head? Will this drive a wedge between the girls and their sisters?!

“Yah alright, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, noticing Sunset’s concerned look.

“Uh, yeah! Just surprised that anyone would make a fan club of me,” Sunset said, holding onto her arm. “I’m at a loss on what to do?”

“I would be happy to show you,” Rainbow Dash offered, smiling proudly.

“No offense, Dash. But yer the last person Sunset should be getting help from,” Applejack spoke, arching an eyebrow.

“You don’t have to do anything, darling,” Rarity said as she placed a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Take it from me, a fan club is just there for individuals who are big fans of yours. As long as they’re not doing anything illegal then you don’t need to get involved….unless they want to invite you as a guest but that decision is still up to you.”

“Thanks, girls,” Sunset thanked her friends. “Are you three alright with your sisters being my fans?” Sunset asked as she looked at Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash with worry.

“Of course!” Rarity answered dismissively. “If anything I’m happy that Sweetie Belle looks up to you.”

“Really?” Sunset asked, surprised by Rarity’s answer.

“Yeah, yer a good person Sunset,” Applejack complimented. “The more good influences Applebloom has, the better she’ll turn out.”

“I’m not too much of a glory hound to share the spotlight with you,” Rainbow Dash winked at Sunset.

Everyone had a good laugh before they started talking about something else, Sunset’s worries were gone as her friends assured her that nothing would come between them.

Sunset closed her locker as she prepared to head home, her friends would be busy today so there wasn’t going to be a sleepover. This saddened Sunset as she enjoyed the sleepovers so far.

“Maybe I should host one,” Sunset thought aloud, it would be fair and with how she’s been slowly opening up to the girls, she hoped hosting the sleepover at her apartment would encourage her to open up even more.

“Sunset!”

Sunset turned around to see Applebloom and her friends running towards her.

“Hey, girls,” Sunset greeted them as they stopped in front of her. “Can I help you with something?”

“Are yah doing anything after school?” Applebloom asked.

“Not anything in particular, why do you ask?” Sunset answered.

“Do you think you can help us with our group project?” Scootaloo asked.

“We’re supposed to be doing an essay on someone who’s managed to turn their life around,” Sweetie Belle explained.

“And we figured who better to ask than yah,” Applebloom added.

Sunset was taken aback by this but quickly recovered.

“I would be happy to help you girls,” Sunset said with a smile.

“Granny, we’re back!” Applejack called out as she and Big Mac entered the house.

“How did it go?” Granny Smith asked as she walked up to greet them.

“It went well, everyone got their order of Sweet Apple Cider. We finished just in time to take our annual family photo in front of the Christmas tree, ” Applejack told her as she and Big Mac hung up their coats. “Applebloom always looked forward to that.”

“Ah’m afraid Applebloom won’t be joining us,” Granny said.

“What?!” Applejack was shocked to hear this. “But this is a really important family tradition, Applebloom wouldn’t miss this!”

“She called earlier to tell me she won’t be home till late as she’s doing an important school project with Sunset,” Granny Smith explained.

“With Sunset?” Applejack asked, confused. As far as she knew, Sunset had no school project to work on. And what kind of project required her sister’s help?

“Ah told her it was okay and to work hard on her project,” Granny Smith explained. “We’ll still do the family photo when she comes back.”

“Ah guess,” Applejack said, she was still disappointed that her sister wasn’t here to do their family tradition. She hoped that her sister would finish her project quickly so she could get home to take the photo.

Rarity was humming to herself, she prepared some hot chocolate for her and Sweetie Belle, and she set the two mugs on a tray that contained some marshmallows, and popcorn. Today they were going to watch a marathon of Christmas movies as they sat comfortably on the sofa. It was their little tradition since they were little and Rarity had always enjoyed spending this time with her little sister. She was taking out a batch of chocolate chip cookies when her phone received a text message, she checked it and it was from Sweetie Belle. When she read the message, her smile dropped.

“Doing a school project with Sunset, I’ll be home late,” Rarity read, her good mood faded as she placed the tray of cookies on the kitchen table. “It can’t be helped.”

Rarity walked over to the living room and picked up her mug of hot chocolate before sitting down on the couch. She took a sip and her mind started to wander to Sunset, her smile returned as she thought of the slumber parties they had. Sunset looked so happy and she felt closer to her than ever before, she came through for her in an emergency and her sister really liked hanging out with her. Rarity suddenly shot up from the couch as she was hit with inspiration. She quickly put the food away and took the hot chocolates with her to her room, she took her sketchbook and started drawing an outfit design.

“Sunset is going to love this,” Rarity said to herself as she finished the design. She then got to work on making a new outfit for Sunset.

Rainbow Dash was on her way to the playground to play with the kids, when she received a text from Scootaloo that she wouldn’t be joining her as she was doing a group project with Sunset’s help. Rainbow Dash was a little disappointed but knew that it couldn’t be helped, it was for the best that Scootaloo did her project now rather than at the last minute like she does for a lot of her assignments.

“With Sunset’s help, Scoots will no doubt get an A,” Rainbow Dash grinned, Sunset is crazy smart.

She arrived at the playground and a couple of kids asked where Sunset was, she told them she was busy which caused them to look disappointed. Rainbow Dash cheered them up by saying that they were going to be making snow forts, the kids cheered and everyone got to work making the best snow fort. As Rainbow Dash was working on her side of the fort, her ears picked up a conversation a couple of feet from her.

“Sunset Shimmer is so cool!” A kid with a red beanie spoke.

“Yeah, did you see how she saved Rainbow Dash?” A kid with a red scarf asked excitedly.

“Yeah! She was like a superhero!”

Rainbow Dash smirked as she heard the kids talk about how amazing Sunset is and how she saved her, it was a welcome change from the insults she heard her classmates call Sunset.

“She might be cooler than Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow Dash froze but quickly recovered before anyone noticed.

“Rainbow Dash is so lucky to be friends with her!”

“I wish I was friends with Sunset!”

“Me too!”

As the kids continued their praises of Sunset, Rainbow Dash continued to build the fort in silence. Pressing the snow just a bit harder than before.

Author's Note

The shoe is on the other foot as it is now the older sisters that are starting to become jealous of Sunset, how will they deal with this growing resentment? I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I look forward to your comments! :twilightsmile:

One Step Forward Two Steps Back

Rainbow Dash wasn’t in a good mood, it had been several days since she built that fort with the playground kids and it appeared that word of Sunset’s heroism had spread to CHS. She didn’t mind it at first as students talked about how Rainbow Dash was lucky to have a friend like Sunset but it quickly changed when they started to compare her with Sunset, like Sunset’s adaptability to any situation she faces. How she doesn’t rush head first into a problem, how much smarter she is than Rainbow Dash, and how cool it is that she’s from another world. Even comments about how prettier Sunset is than her are getting to her, and the worst one is that Scootaloo is starting to idolize Sunset more than herself.

“Is everything alright, darling?” Rarity asked as she set her lunch tray on the table and sat next to Rainbow Dash. It was just her and Rainbow as the others hadn't arrived for lunch.

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash lied as she ate her sandwich.

“Your bad mood wouldn’t have anything to do with what our classmates are saying about you, would it?” Rarity asked as she raised an eyebrow. She always had an ear for gossip and knew the unfair comparisons the students made about Rainbow and Sunset.

“What do they know anyway?” Rainbow Dash questioned as she crossed her arms. “It was only yesterday that they were insulting Sunset behind her back and now they’re singing her praises? Bunch of hypocrites.”

“Have you talked to Sunset about this?” Rarity proposed.

“What’s there to talk about?” Rainbow stubbornly said. “I can handle it.”

“I can clearly see how much it bothers you,” Rarity voiced as she arched an eyebrow. “And so will Sunset.”

Rainbow Dash didn’t reply which caused Rarity to sigh.

“Rainbow Dash, have you forgotten the promise we made after Twilight reunited us?” Rarity asked. “We promised to be more open to each other and talk about our problems.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said softly but Rarity still managed to hear her. “I’ll talk to Sunset later.”

Rarity smiled just as Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy arrived.

“Is Sunset not here yet?” Fluttershy asked, not seeing Sunset with Rarity and Rainbow.

“There she is!” Pinkie said as she pointed to Sunset who just entered the lunchroom.

Sunset waved to her friends before jogging to their table.

“Sorry I’m late,” Sunset apologized as she took a seat beside Applejack. “Applebloom needed to talk to me.”

“What did she want to talk to yah about?” Applejack asked curiously as she took a sip of her Apple juice.

“She wanted dating advice,” Sunset answered which caused Applejack to spit out her juice.

“She what?!” Applejack raised her voice. “Why would she-“ Applejack’s eyes widened in realization. “Is she dating someone?!”

“She didn’t say, she just wanted to know how to ask someone out and what are good places to go on a date,” Sunset explained. “But considering my past failed relationships I told her that she’s better off asking Rarity, the best advice I can give is how not to act in a relationship.”

“I wonder who she’s going to ask out?” Fluttershy asked out loud.

“I have a strong hunch it’s Diamond Tiara,” Rarity voiced, a sly grin on her lips.

“What makes yah so sure?” Applejack questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“A lady has her ways,” Rarity said slyly, giving Applejack a wink.

“Yah was eavesdropping when she was at yer house weren’t yah,” Applejack stated with a deadpan face.

“Do not worry, Applejack. I will make sure Applebloom knows everything she needs to know when courting a lady,” Rarity assured her farmer friend.

“Just don’t give her any weird advice,” Applejack wanted before smiling. “Ah can’t believe mah little sister is going to ask someone out!”

“Speaking of relationships,” Rarity said as she looked at Sunset, a mischievous grin on her lips. “I noticed you and Flash are spending a lot of time together.”

The rest of the girls turned to look at Sunset whose face turned beat red at the attention.

“W-what of it?” Sunset stammered nervously.

“Do you think he wants to rekindle the relationship you two once had?” Rarity asked, her grin widening.

“I seriously doubt he wants to get back together with his evil ex,” Sunset stated, looking down in shame. “I wouldn’t.”

“Darling, that’s not who you are anymore,” Rarity spoke as she laid her hand on top of Sunset. “Give it a chance, I guarantee you won’t regret it.”

“We’re just friends, Rarity,” Sunset pointed out, she couldn’t help but smile at her friend. She was a hopeless romantic.

“Sunset!”

The Rainbooms turned around to see the CMC approaching.

“What is it, girls?” Sunset asked.

“Do you think you can help us with our homework again?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah, we’re having a hard time understanding what we need to do,” Scootaloo explained, scratching the back of her head.

“Oh! Sure!” Sunset as she rose from her seat and turned to look at her friends. “Sorry girls.”

“It’s quite alright,” Rarity said dismissively, she felt slightly annoyed for some reason.

Sunset and the Crusaders moved to a nearby empty table where the Crusaders explained to Sunset what they were having problems with.

“Sunset has been spending a lot of time with the girls, hasn’t she?” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Yeah, too much time if yah ask me,” Applejack stated, sounding annoyed. Applebloom had missed out on some of their family traditions in favor of hanging out with Sunset.

“Our sisters have really taken a liking to Sunset,” Rarity muttered a hint of bitterness in her tone. She felt jealous of how much time Sweetie Belle was spending with Sunset.

“I guess I’m not the only one who needs to talk to Sunset,” Rainbow Dash said, raising an eyebrow at her two friends.

Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Applejack looked at Rainbow with confusion while Rarity sighed.

“You’re right,” Rarity spoke up, staring at her food. “It would be hypocritical of me not to follow my advice.”

“What are yah talking about?” Applejack asked, not understanding what was going on.

Rarity told her about her earlier conversation with Rainbow, Applejack’s eyes widened as she realized what they meant before returning her gaze to Sunset.

“Guess ah need to have a word with Sunset too.”

The group ate their lunch in silence, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash occasionally glancing at Sunset who was smiling as she helped their sisters. This is going to be an awkward conversation.

Sunset closed her locker and turned to walk out towards the school entrance when she almost bumped into Applejack.

“Whoa there!” Applejack held her hands up in front of her.

“Sorry, AJ. Didn’t see you,” Sunset apologized.

“No worries?” Applejack assured her as she rubbed the back of her head nervously.

“Is something wrong?” Sunset questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Well...do yah think yah can meet me at Sweet Apple Acres?” Applejack asked. “There’s something ah want to talk to yah about.”

“Oh! Uh…sure,” Sunset answered, she was a little confused as to what Applejack was up to.

“Thanks,” Applejack said simply, the two stood there awkwardly for a minute before she spoke again. “See yah later.”

Applejack turned around and quickly made her out of the school, leaving Sunset to stare at her retreating form in confusion.

“What was that all about?” Sunset asked no one, she started walking when she spotted Rainbow Dash running up to her.

“Hey, Sunset! You got a minute?” Rainbow asked as she stopped in front of Sunset. “I really need to talk to you.”

Sunset detected the seriousness in Rainbow Dash’s voice and knew that this was important.

“Okay,” Sunset simply said.

Rainbow Dash led Sunset to their band room, once inside the two stood there awkwardly before Rainbow Dash finally spoke.

“Look, I don’t know if you noticed but people are talking about you around school,” Rainbow Dash started.

“Yeah, I noticed,” Sunset sighed, she knew full well that even after saving the school from the Sirens, not everyone had given her a second chance.

“They’re not insulting you, Sunset. They’re praising you,” Rainbow Dash corrected.

“Wait, what?” Sunset looked at Rainbow with wide eyes.

“Word got out around the school about what happened in the playground and now everyone is talking about how cool you are,” Rainbow informed Sunset.

Sunset smiled at this, she couldn’t believe that she was being talked about so positively. She noticed Rainbow’s sad look and her smile faltered.

“There’s more to this, isn’t there?”

“As they started praising you, they also started comparing you to me,” Rainbow Dash admitted, grabbing her left arm. “They talked about how much smarter you are than me, how level-headed you are….how much prettier you are.”

“Oh, Rainbow,” Sunset quickly wrapped her arms around the athlete and brought her into a hug. She felt Rainbow’s arms wrap around her waist to return the hug. “You shouldn’t let what they say bother you.”

“I know,” Rainbow mutters against Sunset. “But I can't help but feel like it’s true.”

“It isn’t,” Sunset firmly stated. “You are a much better person than I’ll ever be.”

“Then why does Scoots hang out with you more than me?” Rainbow Dash asked, she felt Sunset stiffen at this.

“I don’t know,” Sunset spoke truthfully. “But it has nothing to do with what everyone is saying.” She hugged Rainbow tighter. “I can never be better than you.”

“You’re just saying that,” Rainbow Dash said, a sly smile on her lips. “But keep talking.”

Sunset smiled as she pulled away but didn’t let go of Rainbow Dash.

“Dash, Scootaloo idolizes you,” Sunset said. “She chose you to be her big sister, and she made a great choice. Your loyalty to your friends is something to be greatly admired.” Sunset’s smile faltered as she spoke her next words. “I’m just a backstabbing traitor.”

“The old you was a backstabbing traitor!” Rainbow Dash said without hesitation. “That’s not who you are anymore.”

Silence briefly fell between them, before Sunset continued.

“Scootaloo’s a smart kid, she knows the difference between someone awesome and someone who is awesome,” Sunset pointed out. “Awesome enough to want to be their sister.”

Sunset smiled at Rainbow Dash.

“Dash, you’re Scootaloo’s role model.”

Rainbow Dash was taken aback by this, the thought of being a role model never crossed her mind.

“When we hang out, Scootaloo always talks about how cool and awesome you are,” Sunset began. “But not just because you do cool and awesome things but because of your awesome character. She talks about how you always help out a friend in need, and how kind you are to others. How welcoming you are. How you are always there for your friends.”

There was a small pause before Sunset chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Rainbow asked, smirking slightly.

“Just that, because of you she was able to give friendship with Diamond Tiara a chance,” Sunset told her.”

“Really?” Rainbow’s eyes widened in surprise.

“She told me that she saw how you were willing to give me a chance despite what I did to you and everyone else at school, how our friendship inspired her to reach out a hand to Diamond Tiara,” Sunset explained, her smile widening. “There’s no reason for you to worry about anything, Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo will never replace you in her heart.”

Rainbow Dash felt tears in the corner of her eyes and quickly wiped them away. Sunset brought her in for another hug which Rainbow greatly appreciated.

“Thank you,” Rainbow said against Sunset’s shoulder.

“You’re welcome,” Sunset said with a smile, as Rainbow continued to cry softly on her shoulder. “Besides, Scootaloo isn’t the only one who looks up to you. You inspire me too, Dash.”

Sunset felt Dash squeeze her a little harder, letting her know that she appreciated it. Her smile soon fell as she realized that it was her fault Rainbow Dash was feeling this way. Despite herself, it seems she can’t stop hurting the ones she cares about.

Sunset arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, she knocked on the front door and Applejack answered it.

“Thanks fer coming,” Applejack thanked Sunset as she stepped aside to let her in.

“So what did you want to tell me?” Sunset asked as she turned to face Applejack.

“Let's go to mah room first,” Applejack said as she led Sunset to her room.

Sunset found Applejack’s behavior quite odd, she wondered if what she had to tell her had something to do with it, and if it did then it must be serious. They entered the farm girl’s room and Sunset stood at the other end of Applejack’s bed before turning to face her friend.

“Alright, what’s going on Applejack?” Sunset questioned, crossing her arms. “You’ve been acting strange since you asked me to come.”

Applejack fidgeted nervously, how was she supposed to tell one of her best friends that she was jealous of how much time her little sister was spending with her? She decided to just bite the bullet.

“Ah don’t like how yer spending so much time with mah sister!” Applejack blurted out.

Sunset was taken aback by Applejack’s outburst, she wasn’t expecting that.

“Ah didn’t mind yah hanging out with mah sister at first but when she started missing out on our family traditions ah got a little annoyed. She never misses a family tradition and is always reminding us about them,” Applejack removed her hat as she prepared to say more. “Ah started to get jealous and having bad thoughts about yah, like what makes yah so special that she would ditch her family?”

As soon as those words left her mouth, Applejack saw the look of pain in Sunset’s eyes and felt so ashamed of herself for hurting her.

“Ah’m sorry Sunset,” Applejack apologized as she stared at the floor, feeling ashamed of herself. “Ah know this isn’t yer fault, and ah’m just projecting my insecurities on yah. Ah don’t even know why ah feel this way, but the thought of mah little sister no longer needing me just…”

Applejack trailed off, shutting her eyes as she held back her tears. She heard movement before feeling Sunset’s arms around her.

“It’s okay, Applejack,” Sunset assured her, rubbing her back.

“It’s not okay,” Applejack responded as she hugged Sunset back. “Ah said such an awful thing to yah and blamed yah fer mah problems.”

The two held each other in silence, Applejack thinking of what else to say before Sunset spoke.

“You wanna know something?” Sunset asked.

“W-what?” Applejack inquired.

“For the longest time, I was jealous of you.”

Applejack pulled back to look at Sunset who didn’t meet her gaze and had a sad smile.

“You had the one thing I always wanted, a family,” Sunset continued. “You Apples are always there for each other, work together, love each other. Seeing you all so happy reminded me of how empty and lonely my life had been.” Sunset looked at Applejack, tears beginning to form as she spoke her next words. “I lied about my family Applejack, the truth is I never had a family.”

Applejack gasped.

“So…yah have been all alone for a long time, not just the holidays?”

Sunset nodded.

“Why didn’t yah tell me?” Applejack asked, she felt so awful for Sunset. She couldn’t imagine not having a family like hers.

“I didn’t want you to know how truly alone I was,” Sunset answered. “I know you would go above and beyond to make sure I never felt alone again.”

“Yer darn right ah would!” Applejack raised her voice. “Ah would have had yah spend all of the winter holiday at mah house!”

Sunset smiled, it made her happy to hear Applejack say that.

“What about yer mom?” Applejack asked. “Yah mentioned someone yah consider a mother back home.”

“I burned that bridge when I fled here,” Sunset stated sadly, her smile instantly falling.

“Can’t yah patch things up?” Applejack inquired. “Ah can help yah if yah want?”

“Too much time has passed,” Sunset bitterly answered.

“What do yah mean?” Applejack questioned, surely it couldn’t have been that long.

“I came to this world about three years ago,” Sunset started to explain.

“That doesn’t seem like-“

“But in Equestria, I’ve been gone for twenty years,” Sunset revealed.

“Twenty years?!” Applejack was shocked.

“Time goes by faster in Equestria,” Sunset spoke dejectedly. “I only found out myself when the portal opened again and I returned to a place that wasn’t there before, turns out that a lot has happened in my absence. To further understand this new place I went to the library and not only did I learn that I was gone for twenty years but I had been replaced.” Tears started falling down the sides of Sunset’s face. “The fact that Princess Celestia has moved on and replaced me so quickly made me angry, so I vowed to get her back.”

“Princess Celestia?” Applejack said in confusion.

“She’s the counterpart to Principal Celestia,” Sunset answered as she wiped her eyes. “I had a good thing going with being her personal student, we were close, and I hoped that she saw me as a daughter like how I saw her as my mother. But that was just a filly’s dream.”

“What was she like?” Applejack asked in a soft tone, she wondered if both Celestia’s were the same or different.

“She’s kind, caring, compassionate,” Sunset listed, as her smile returned. “It may surprise some ponies to know that she’s what you humans call an adrenaline junkie.”

“Seriously?” Applejack was surprised at this.

“Yep, she’s very adventurous and loves a good thrill,” Sunset laughed. “One time she and I launched ourselves from a high waterfall into a lake!”

“Ah just can’t picture Principal Celestia doing that,” Applejack chuckled, their principal looking too dignified to act like that.

“Who knows, maybe she’s secretly like that too,” Sunset said before her smile faltered. “We had a lot of fun.”

“Have yah ever thought of reaching out?” Applejack asked.

“There’s no point,” Sunset stated. “Besides, she’s better off without me.”

“No,” Applejack firmly disagreed, her gaze hardening at Sunset. “Ah don’t believe fer a second she’s moved on.”

“What makes you so sure?” Sunset scoffed.

“My Grandfather fought with mah Ma when she and my Pa got married, mah Ma’s family are pear farmers and they and us Apples had a feud,” Applejack started explaining. “Grand Pear made Ma choose which family she would rather be with, Ma chose us Apples, and Grand Pear left town.”

“I’m so sorry,” Sunset apologized as she laid a comforting hand on Applejack’s shoulder. “Your mom must’ve been devastated.”

“Ah reckon anyone would be if their family disowned them,” Applejack said sadly. “Luckily Granny welcomed Ma into the family, she was moved by Ma’s dedication to family.”

“What happened to Grand Pear?” Sunset inquired.

“He came back into town and met Applebloom at the market,” Applejack said with a smile. “She brought home pear jam which got us to question the feud, which led us to learn about our parents. Grand Pear told us how much he missed Ma every day, he had friends here and would ask about her when they visited him. When he heard about Ma and Pa passing away, he was devastated. He realized too late what a fool he was and never got to tell Ma he was sorry; he felt too ashamed to visit us. Said that we were better off without him.”

“What changed his mind?” Sunset asked. “He must’ve been out of your lives for years.”

“Almost as much as yah,” Applejack said. “He grew tired of being away from us and being alone, he wanted to be with his family.” Applejack lifted her hands and rested them on Sunset’s shoulders. “Grand Pear never stopped loving Ma, he was always proud of her, especially for standing firm in her choice to be with her family. Ah, have no doubt yer mom is proud of yah, especially after how far yah have come.”

“How can you be so sure?” Sunset asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Because ah’m proud of yah,” Applejack said with a smile.

Sunset’s eyes widened at those words, no one other than Princess Celestia had ever told her how proud she was of her. Sunset couldn’t hold back her tears anymore as she started crying. Applejack brought Sunset in for a hug, the redhead wailing against her shoulder as she clung tightly to the farm girl. Applejack’s heart ached at Sunset’s cries, how she must have longed to hear those words. Applejack could feel her tears beginning to form but fought them back, she had to be strong for Sunset. The poor girl had been alone for so long.

I was jealous of you.

Applejack thought over Sunset’s words, looking back she did catch Sunset staring at her when she was with her family. The look of longing and regret in Sunset’s eyes was the same one Grand Pear had when he met her and her siblings.

“Ah meant what ah said,” Applejack said. “Ah, consider yah family, Sunset.”

“Family?” Sunset questioned as she pulled back but didn’t let go of Applejack.

“That’s right, yah are an Apple family member,” Applejack said proudly.

“An Apple,” Sunset whispered, almost not believing what she had just heard. But Applejack wasn’t someone to lie about something this important. “This…this is a lot to take in.”

“It’s okay,” Applejack assured her. “Just sit on it for a bit, yah’ll realize that yer an Apple to the core.”

Sunset saw Applejack grinning widely, she couldn’t help but smile back.

Sunset turned the corner as she arrived at her apartment, she had a lot to think about during the ride here. Despite Applejack’s declaration that she is a member of the Apple family and Granny Smith agreeing wholeheartedly as she gave her some apple pie as she left, Sunset felt undeserved. First, the CMC and now Rainbow Dash and Applejack, what Sunset feared would happen has happened. She was ruining her friends' bonds with their families, just like she ruined her bond with Celestia.

“Sunset?”

Sunset snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Rarity.

“Rarity?” Sunset questioned as she parked her bike, shut off the engine, and took off her helmet. “What are you doing here?”

“Darling, there’s something I have to talk to you about,” Rarity said, looking down shamefully.

Sunset felt her heart sink, she knew what this was about.

Author's Note

A step forward to healing the pain, friendships grow stronger, but doubts begin to set in. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and I look forward to your comments. :twilightsmile:

Just Friends

“Sorry to come on such short notice,” Rarity apologized, as she was sitting next to Sunset on her couch in the living room.

“Don’t worry about it,” Sunset said dismissively. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

Rarity bit her lower lip, just how was she going to explain her jealousy?

“Sunset, there’s no easy way to tell you this. But…” Rarity hesitated, she steeled herself for what she was going to say. “I don’t like that Sweetie Belle is spending a lot of her time with you instead of me!”

As soon as those words left Rarity’s lips, she immediately regretted them as she saw the look of pain on Sunset’s face.

“Darling, I’m so sorry! I just-“

“It’s okay,” Sunset cut Rarity off, putting on a neutral mask like the one Princess Celestia usually wears. “You don’t need to apologize for anything.”

There was an awkward silence between them. Rarity quickly tried to think of something to say that would alleviate the situation.

“Sweetie Belle and I always do these little traditions around the holidays,” “Rarity began. “It was a way for us to count down the days until Christmas, it was especially needed after you broke up our friend group.”

“Sorry about that,” Sunset apologized as she scratched the back of her head nervously, her neutral mask slipping off.

“Sweetie Belle was the only real friend I had left, so those moments together really meant to world to me.” Rarity said as she stared at her hands, she smiled slightly as she recalled those times. “When she started missing our special times together, I was sad and started to believe that those moments didn’t mean much to her as it did me.”

“You’re wrong,” Sunset said as she placed her hands over Rarity’s hands. “Those moments meant a lot to her too.”

“Really?” Rarity asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Of course, she and her friends talk about how amazing their sisters are all the time and even compete who’s big sister is the best,” Sunset giggled, it was heartwarming to see how much the CMC loved their sisters.

“Those girls,” Rarity sighed but she smiled at hearing that.

“But they all agree that you are very beautiful Rarity,” Sunset said with a grin, watching as the fashionista blushed at the compliment. “And not just the outside, you are very beautiful on the inside too. Everyone at school can see that.” Sunset’s smile dropped as she spoke the next words. “Which is why I felt threatened when you entered to be Princess of the Spring Fling.”

Rarity watched as Sunset’s hands pulled back and were held close to her in a guarded way.

“I knew that if I were to have any chance of winning the crown I needed to change everyone’s perception of you, so I did a smear campaign to make you look like a snobbish bitch,” Sunset grit her teeth as she recalled how she photoshopped certain pictures of Rarity to make her look like she was looking down on others, she spread rumors that Rarity wasn’t the pure lady she likes everyone to believe she is. Sunset’s hands started trembling as she once again realized what a monster she was. “But I knew that our friends would always stand by you so I had to break you girls up…then to further break you I destroyed your dress that you worked so hard to make.”

Sunset looked at Rarity, tears running down the sides of her face.

“Rarity, I’m so sorry for everything I did to you. You didn’t deserve any of it, I should’ve been the one to be humiliated in front of everyone.” Sunset cried. “I truly am a monster.”

“No!” Rarity raised her voice and pulled Sunset into a hug, her own tears stinging your eyes. “Sunset Shimmer, don’t you dare call yourself a monster!”

“But it’s true!” Sunset objected. “You saw what I became at the Fall Formal, what I tried to do to you and the girls!”

“That was because you were corrupted by dark magic!” Rarity argued.

“Yeah, my dark magic!” Sunset pointed out. “The element of Magic brings out and amplifies what you are deep down, my heart was always filled with darkness but I always hid it well from others. The crown made sure that everyone, including myself, got to see who I truly am.”

“But that was then, you aren’t that person anymore,” Rarity pointed out.

“But that is still me,” Sunset said. “It’s like I told you girls before, the darkness in my heart is a part of me. I can’t get rid of it no matter how hard I try.”

“Have you forgotten what I told you?” Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow at Sunset. “Ambition can be a double-edged sword but if it’s tempered with discipline and the guiding hand of wonderful friends, then it becomes a powerful tool.”

Rarity took Sunset’s hands and looked into her eyes.

“Darling, the girls and I made a promise to each other that if anything was bothering us we would talk to each other about it.”

Immediately, her talk with Rainbow Dash and Applejack came to mind.

“So that’s what that was,” Sunset whispered. “I met with Rainbow and Applejack, who wanted to talk about what was bothering them.”

“You see?” Rarity said smiling, thinking that she was getting through to Sunset. “We learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them, you are not the person who you were before. For one thing, you were all alone but now you have us.”

“That’s true,” Sunset admitted, a small smile forming on her lips.

“Sunset, whatever issues we have between us can be worked out if we work together,” Rarity said. “That’s what friends do.”

“Friends,” Sunset whispered, her smile growing. “You’re right, I’m not alone anymore and we can work on our issues together.”

“That’s the spirit!” Rarity said happily. “You’ve already been doing a lot to make up for your past transgressions, you even gave Suri quite the tongue-lashing.”

“She had it coming,” Sunset grinned. “Someone should have told her off sooner.”

Both girls giggled.

“Now isn’t this much better?” Rarity asked, smiling kindly at Sunset.

“Yeah,” Sunset simply replied. “Thanks, Rarity.”

“You’re very welcome, darling,” Rarity said. “That’s what friends are for.”

“Best friends?” Sunset asked.

“Best friends.” Rarity responded.

Both girls hugged each other tightly, they talked for a bit more before Rarity had to leave. Sunset offered her a ride home but Rarity politely declined, she did promise to text Sunset when she made it home safely. The two friends bid each other goodbye, Sunset watched Rarity walk down the street for a bit before closing her door. Sunset rested her forehead against the door and sighed. Despite her talk with Rarity, Sunset still felt guilty for what she had inadvertently done. She had caused a rift between the CMC and their sisters, she may have avoided a potential fallout between them but she may not be as lucky next time.

“This has to stop,” Sunset whispered as she closed her eyes. She knew what she had to do.

Rainbow Dash opened her locker to place her belongings when she heard two students near her locker talking about Sunset.

“Dude, Sunset is so smart. Do you think she’ll tutor me?” A boy wearing a red cap asked his friend.

“Of course!” Rainbow Dash answered as she closed her locker. “Sunset would be happy to help you, she’s awesome that way.”

“Did you see her play basketball during gym? She’s got some moves!” A boy with a blue hoodie said, sounding very excited.

“Oh yeah, she’s a natural,” Rainbow Dash added, feeling proud of Sunset

“You’re so lucky Rainbow Dash,” the boy with the red cap said. “I wish I was Sunset’s best friend.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash whispered, a small smile on her lips as she recalled her and Sunset’s talk. “I am.”

Meanwhile, Applejack was finishing putting her stuff away when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Sunset Shimmer.

“Howdy Sunset! How are-“ Applejack stopped when she noticed the serious look in Sunset’s eyes. “Is something the matter?”

“Applejack, there’s something I have to tell you and the girls,” Sunset said regretfully.

“What is it?” Applejack asked, a pit forming in her stomach as she watched Sunset’s regretful look.

“It’s best if everyone is here before I tell you,” Sunset said. “I’ll text everyone to meet at the clubroom at lunch.”

“Okay,” Applejack simply said, as she watched Sunset turn around and leave. She had a feeling that whatever Sunset had to tell them wasn’t good.

Applejack made her way towards the clubroom, the whole morning she had an uneasy feeling and couldn’t concentrate on her classwork. She made it to the clubroom and when she opened the door, she saw that everyone was already there.

“Hey AJ,” Rainbow Dash greeted.

“Hey,” Applejack weakly replied.

“Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked, concerned after hearing Applejack’s less-than-enthusiastic reply.

“Ah don’t know,” Applejack said honestly, she didn’t know if something was even wrong yet.

“Girls,” Sunset gathered the girls' attention. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

The room was silent as all eyes were on Sunset.

“I think it would be best if we just remained best friends,” Sunset said.

The girls had looks of confusion.

“Oookay?” Rainbow Dash had no idea what Sunset was talking about.

Sunset looked at Applejack.

“I’m sorry, Applejack. But I can’t be part of the Apple family,” Sunset finally confessed, struggling to keep her voice from breaking.

Applejack was silent for a moment before finally speaking.

“What?!”

Sunset saw the hurt look on Applejack’s face and felt awful. She never wanted to hurt her friend but she had to do this or else risk hurting her even worse.

“I’m very grateful to you…to all of you for seeing me as family. But,” Sunset closed her eyes to fight back the tears, she had to be strong. “I can’t risk hurting you or your families.”

“What are-“ Rarity couldn’t finish as her eyes widened in realization, she looked to Applejack and Rainbow Dash to see that they had come to the same realization as well. “Is this about what happened with Sweetie Belle?”

“That’s part of the reason,” Sunset said.

“But we fixed that problem, didn't we?!” Rainbow Dash raised her voice, she didn’t understand what Sunset was doing.

“We did but not the real problem,” Sunset told her, as she held her right arm.

“What real problem?” Pinkie Pie asked, she looked very worried.

“Me,” Sunset said simply.

“I don’t understand,” Fluttershy said, confused. “How are you the real problem?”

“Fluttershy’s right, darling. You can’t be the problem.” Rarity said.

“It’s my issues with my former mentor, Princess Celestia,” Sunset admitted with a sigh. “Even after our heart-to-heart, I can’t bring myself to move on from how we parted, I said such awful things to her that I feel like it will continue to haunt me. At least, not until I talk to her again.”

“Why don’t you?” Rainbow Dash questioned. “Just go through that portal and talk to her.”

“It’s not that easy Dash,” Applejack said, remembering what she and Sunset talked about yesterday.

“Applejack is right, a lot of time has passed since I left,” Sunset said as she wrapped her arms around herself. “Besides, I’m not ready to face her.”

There was a long silence before Applejack started walking up to Sunset and placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Sunset, no matter what, yah are still family to me,” Applejack said with a smile. “And if yah can’t bring yerself to see us the same yet then we’ll wait.”

“But what if you’re waiting a long time?” Sunset asked. “I can’t lead you girls on for that long.”

“Yah ain’t leading us on,” Applejack assured her. “Ah told yah how much mah grandfather missed out on his family’s lives, ah don’t want the same for yah Sunset.”

Sunset looked around to see all her friends' smiling faces as they gathered around her.

“We’re here for you darling,” Rarity said softly.

That was enough for Sunset to start crying, the girls enveloping her in a comforting hug.

“I’m sorry,” Sunset apologized. “I’m such a wreck, you girls deserve better.”

“What can possibly be better than you, darling?” Rarity questioned as she hugged Sunset.

“Yeah, you’re awesome!” Rainbow Dash said.

“No family is perfect, Sunset,” Applejack said as she held tightly onto Sunset.

As Sunset continued to cry, her friends looked at each other with concern. Sunset needed their help but they didn’t know how they could help her.

Author's Note

Despite rejecting the offer of being a part of a family, Sunset's friends still consider her family and will welcome her with open arms once she is ready. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and I look forward to your comments. :twilightsmile:

Friends

“YOU DID WHAT?!”

Sunset recoiled as she read Twilight's message. She had just written to her about what had happened that day, and her response was not happy. She was about to write a response when more words appeared.

“Sunset, I don’t understand why you would not accept being part of our Canterlot friends' family. I know there have been a few hiccups with Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity but you all talked it over and resolved it.”

“It's more than a few hiccups Twi,” Sunset responded. “The same issue popped up with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, a little confused.

“Applebloom was upset with me for stealing her sister’s time away from her family and Sweetie Belle was angry at Rarity for excluding her from the slumber party,” Sunset explained. “Despite my reformation, I seem to cause relationship rifts without even meaning to. Which is why being best friends with the girls is as close as I should be with them.”

Sunset watched the journal for Twilight’s response, it took a minute before the princess finally responded.

“Hmm, this is a tricky problem. I can’t say that I have encountered a situation like this before so my help is very limited. I'm sorry, Sunset,” Twilight apologized. “But this doesn’t mean that I’m giving up on you!” She quickly added.

“Don’t worry, Twilight. I know what you meant,” Sunset chuckled as she wrote back.

“Still, I hate not being able to offer much help,” Twilight wrote, she felt awful for not having the right answer to Sunset’s situation.

“Twilight, you’ve helped plenty,” Sunset assured her. “If anything you’ve been a great pony to talk about my problems with.”

“What are friends for?” was Twilight’s quick response.

“See? Being friends isn’t bad at all, we still care about each other as if we are family.” Sunset pointed out, she was feeling better about her decision.

“But it still isn’t the same as being called family,” Twilight retorted. “Whatever happens, don't push the girls away.”

“Not gonna happen,” Sunset confidently replied. “After experiencing the magic of friendship, there’s no way I’m giving it up.”

“Glad to hear it,” was Twilight’s simple reply.

The two wrote to each other for a bit longer, mostly Twilight talking about what she was doing for Hearths Warming. The two wrote their goodbyes and Sunset closed her journal, she let out a content sigh as she stared at her journal with a smile.

“It sure is good to have friends,” Sunset whispered, her smile faltering as she thought of Princess Celestia. Her mind kept going over their fight, and given recent events she couldn’t help but feel that she was being punished for the way she and her former mentor parted. “I guess it’s just something I have to live with.”

Sunset placed her journal on her nightstand and got ready for bed. She glanced at a picture of her and her friends by her nightstand causing her to smile, she closed her eyes and was soon asleep.

Sunset walked down the hallway of the school, she smiled as she saw her friends and quickened her pace.

“Hey girls, what’s…” Sunset trailed off as she saw the crestfallen looks on her friends faces. “What’s wrong?”

“Sunset,” Applejack began, she looked uneasy and could barely look Sunset in the eye. “Have yah lost yer phone recently?”

“No,” Sunset answered as she reached inside her pocket and pulled out her phone. “I have it right here.”

The girls looked at each other nervously, making Sunset feel uneasy.

“Then explain this,” Applejack said as she handed Sunset her phone.

As soon as Sunset looked at the phone, her eyes widened in shock. The Anon-A-Miss blog had returned and they posted the photos and videos of the slumber party at Pinkie Pie’s place.

“How did she get our pictures?!” Sunset shouted, she felt her anger rising as she read the comments. Her friends were being ridiculed and laughed at.

“They’re not ours, Sunset. They’re yours,” Applejack corrected, and she looked on the brink of tears.

“No,” Sunset looked at her friends, their looks of shame told her what they thought. “You think I did this?”

“Mah nickname, the pictures, yer strange behavior,” Applejack listed, her voice cracking. “Who else could it be but yah?”

Sunset took a step back feeling like she had just been punched in the gut.

“No, I couldn’t do this!” Sunset looked at her friends in tears. “I could never hurt any of you!”

“Darling, if this is a cry for help we’re here for you,” Rarity said as she wiped away a stray tear.

“Ah don’t know what’s causing yah to do this but ah know yah wouldn’t do it willingly,” Applejack said, she gave Sunset a serious look. “We’ll figure this out together, cause family sticks together.”

“I’ll always have your back Sunset,” Rainbow vowed, she looked like she was about to cry.

Sunset watched as all her friends were standing by her, willing to shoulder the humiliation…for her. She couldn’t let them do this.

“How could you keep this from me?!”

Sunset’s eyes widen upon hearing her angry voice. Her friends rush past her as her surroundings change from the school hallway to the royal library. She slowly turns around to see her friends standing between her and herself arguing with Princess Celestia. They are trying to shield her from what is happening.

“You knew I was destined for greatness but held me back!” Unicorn Sunset shouted angrily at Princess Celestia. “You were afraid that I would be better than you, right?! You wanted to keep me in line!”

“Sunset Shimmer, do not speak to me in such a tone,” Princess Celestia said calmly but with a firm tone as she glared down at her pupil.

“Why can’t you share the spotlight?! Are you that afraid of letting someone stand by your side?!” Pony Sunset accused as she threw a book at her former mentor but it harmlessly bounced off a golden barrier.

“I would like nothing more than to see you shining beside me,” Celestia said, her gaze hardening. “But you are not ready.”

“Not ready?!” Pony Sunset shrieked. “I am more than ready!”

“No,” Sunset whispered with dread, she knew what was coming.

“I demand you make me an Alicorn!” Pony Sunset demanded, stomping her hoof.

“You do not demand anything from me,” Celestia said, in a calm collected voice. Though she looked angry at Sunset. “I thought I asked you to learn humility but I can see that it was too much to ask. Sunset Shimmer, you are no longer my student.”

A strong gust of wind blew but the girls managed to shield Sunset, who clutched at her heart. She felt this incredible pain but she didn’t recall ever feeling this when the Princess first said those words. She looked towards Princess Celestia and her eyes widened when she recognized the look of pain in her eyes. She is feeling the Princess’s pain.

“This isn’t over,” Pony Sunset said defiantly, as the royal guards surrounded her.

“My guards will escort you to your room, you will pack your belongings and be escorted out of the castle,” Celestia spoke with finality, Sunset felt her heart ache with every word.

Pony Sunset looked at Celestia, her eyes burning with hatred, fire surrounded her and the princess before she spoke.

“I hate you.”

The flames burst forth, the girls hugged Sunset to protect her from her hateful words.

“Girls stop!” Sunset pleaded as she watched in horror as they caught fire.

“Yer not that pony anymore!” Applejack reminded her.

“You were angry, you never meant to say that!” Rarity said as she was engulfed in flames.

“You are a kind person Sunset!” Fluttershy said in tears.

Suddenly, Sunset realized that the fire was no longer coming from her pony self, it was coming from her.

“Girls, let go!” Sunset begged as she tried to pry her friends off from her burning body.

“No!” Pinkie shouted, refusing to let go.

“You’ll be burned to ashes!” Sunset shouted, crying profusely as her friends were suffering because of her.

“We’re never going to leave you!” Rainbow Dash stubbornly said.

Sunset watched her friends burn, unable to do anything to convince them to let her go. She could only scream.

“No!” Sunset screamed as she sat up from her bed, her body covered in sweat and her heart pounding against her chest. She looked around and noticed she was in her room. “A nightmare?” She whispered she hadn’t had a nightmare this intense since after the Fall Formal. She recalled her friends burning because of her causing her to cover her face with her hands and start sobbing.

Sunset yawned as she entered the school, she couldn’t fall back asleep because of the nightmare.

“Too bad Anon-A-Miss deleted her blog.”

Sunset stopped and turned to see two students talking by their lockers.

“Yeah, the post about Piggly Wiggly was hilarious!”

Both students laughed which made Sunset angry, she was about to march over there and give them a piece of her mind when someone beat her to it.

“You wouldn’t like it if they posted something embarrassing about you, right?” Flash said as he crossed his arms, giving both students a disapproving look. “Or perhaps you’d like to say that to my friend’s face?”

Both students looked behind Flash to see an angry Sunset Shimmer, they immediately fled in terror.

“Thanks for that, Flash,” Sunset thanked Flash as she calmed down.

“Don’t mention it,” Flash smiled at Sunset. “Besides, they’re my friends too.”

Sunset smiled at those words, but her smile faltered when she saw the concerned look on Flash’s face.

“Are you okay, Sunset?” Flash asked. “You look like you didn’t sleep well.”

“I didn’t,” Sunset sighed. “I’ll tell you later.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Flash said as he winked at Sunset, causing her to smile.

The two parted ways as Sunset made her way to her locker. As she was putting away her things she noticed Applejack and Applebloom walking towards her.

“Morning Sunset,” Applejack greeted her friend as she opened her locker.

“Good morning Applejack,” Sunset greeted her friend before addressing Applebloom. “And good morning to you too, Applebloom.”

“Morning, Sunset!” Applebloom greeted Sunset, smiling brightly. “Do yah think yah can help me and mah friends with our homework?”

Sunset briefly glances at Applejack who is smiling as she gives Sunset a nod.

“Sure, what time should we meet?” Sunset asked.

“How about during lunch if that’s alright?” Applebloom suggested.

“It’s fine with me,” Sunset agreed.

“Thanks a lot, Sunset!” Applebloom thanked the former Equestrian before running off.

“Are you okay with this?” Sunset asked Applejack as she turned to face her.

“Of course,” Applejack said with a smile. “Nothing wrong with helping out my sister and her friends.”

Sunset opened her mouth to clarify what she meant but Applejack continued speaking.

“Ah know what you meant and ah am okay with it,” Applejack assured her. “Our talk yesterday made me realize how silly Ah’ve been for thinking yah were stealing Bloom from me, Ah’m sorry again fer what I said to yah.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Sunset shrugged dismissively. “I know what it’s like to lash out at somepony.”

“That still doesn't make what ah said right,” Applejack said with remorse. “Don’t yah worry, ah’ll make it right.”

“Applejack, you don’t need to make anything right,” Sunset assured her best friend.

“Ah do,” Applejack insisted. “Yah helped out around the farm as a way to make up for what yah did to me remember?”

“I remember you being reluctant when I asked to help you out on your farm,” Sunset said as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “You were really stubborn about not wanting any help.”

“Then yah should know that my stubbornness won’t stop until Ah make things right with yah,” Applejack smiled cheekily.

Sunset rolled her eyes but smiled at Applejack’s words.

“Alright, alright, just don’t do anything crazy,” Sunset finally relented.

“Ah promise ah won’t,” Applejack promised Sunset just as the bell rang. The two parted ways as they made their way to their classes.

Sunset sat down at the lunch table that had the CMC.

“Alright girls, ready to get started?” Sunset asked.

“I sure am,” Rainbow Dash said as she sat down next to Scootaloo.

“Rainbow? What are you doing?” Sunset asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Scoots told me you were helping her and her friends with their schoolwork and I thought maybe you could help me with mine,” Rainbow Dash answered, looking at Sunset with a smile.

“How bad did you fail your test?” Sunset questioned, knowing that Rainbow only comes to her for help when she’s in desperate need.

Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head in embarrassment as she handed Sunset her physics test paper. Sunset flinched as she saw how badly she failed her physics test, the misspelling of buoyancy, and the “see me after class” written at the top left-hand corner told her plenty before she looked over her test.

“So….can you help me?” Rainbow asked hopefully.

“I hope you’re ready to work hard?” Sunset questioned as she handed Rainbow back her test.

“You know I am!” Rainbow Dash said confidently as she saluted.

Sunset smiled as she went over what they needed help with, she gave more attention to Rainbow Dash as she needed a lot of help understanding the subject.

“Geez, you make it look so easy,” Rainbow commented as Sunset instructed her.

“It’s easy once you get the hang of it,” Sunset said as she looked over Rainbow’s work. “Studying also helps.”

“That’s the problem right there,” Rainbow groans. “I hate studying.”

“You just haven’t found a studying method you like yet,” Sunset said as she pointed out something that Rainbow missed.

“What’s yours?” Rainbow asked as she erased something before writing the correct answer.

“It’s nothing special, I just study normally,” Sunset shrugged as she looked over the CMC to see them doing their homework without any problems.

“Probably cause you’re an egghead,” Rainbow Dash chuckled.

“Well this egghead did get the better of you,” Sunset reminded her, she grimaced before adding. “I got the better of the whole school.”

“And now you’re using your eggheadedness for good,” Rainbow Dash said grinning.

“Right,” Sunset agreed, her smile returning.

The final bell rang and the CHS students quickly exited their classrooms, eager to get started on their winter break. Sunset took her time getting to her locker, tomorrow is the Christmas party at Sweet Apple Acres for the Apple family as well as those they consider family. Sunset wasn’t going to go but if she tried telling that to Applejack, the farmer would do her best to convince her to attend and succeed. She needed to come up with a way to let them know that she wasn’t going to go. She reached her locker and as she opened it to retrieve her coat, she heard her name being called.

“Sunset?”

Sunset turned around to see a nervous-looking Applebloom.

“What’s the matter, Applebloom?” Sunset asked.

“C-can ah talk to yah for a minute?” Applebloom nervously spoke. “There’s something ah have to tell yah.”

Sunset knew that it must be serious if Applebloom’s nervousness was anything to go by, she hoped that whatever it was, wasn’t because of her.

“Okay,” Sunset said as Applebloom led her to an empty classroom.

“Remember how ah said Ah was mad at yah for making Applejack miss our family traditions?” Applebloom asked, her heart racing.

“Yeah,” Sunset said, a little confused.

“Ah was very mad at both of yah, especially yah so ah….” Applebloom hesitated, she closed her eyes tight before speaking. “Ah made the Anon-A-Miss account!”

The room was quiet, Applebloom waited for Sunset to say something but when she didn’t, she risked opening her eyes and almost flinched when she saw Sunset’s blank expression. Sunset’s eyes looked like they were gazing deep into her soul.

“Is it just because you were mad at us?” Sunset suddenly spoke, startling Applebloom.

“Y-yeah,” Applebloom shamefully admitted. “Ah was mad that Applejack missed out on our family tradition and ah blamed yah for it. So ah set up the account, posted AJ’s nickname, and made it look like it was yah who did it. Sunset, Ah’m really sorry. Ah was stupid for doing it but ah let mah anger get the better of me, ah promise to make it up to yah.”

Sunset didn’t say anything, she continued to look at Applebloom before speaking again.

“Is that all?”

Applebloom nodded, and there was more silence before Sunset turned around and started to walk away. Applebloom lowered her head, she felt crushed, Sunset no doubt hated her now.

“Applebloom?”

Applebloom snapped her head up to look at Sunset’s back.

“Y-yes?”

“Thank you for telling me,” Sunset thanked the youngest Apple as she opened the classroom door. “Please get home safe.”

Sunset left, leaving Applebloom alone.

Sunset closed the door to her apartment, she walked towards her room and sat on her bed. Applebloom’s confession weighed heavily on her mind, but it wasn’t just that she was Anon-A-Miss that shocked her. It was the fact that she was the reason this happened, if she didn’t tell Applejack how alone she always was on the holidays, then she wouldn’t have suggested the sleepovers and missed her family’s holiday traditions.

“It’s all my fault,” Sunset said sadly. “Why did I open my big mouth?”

Sunset covered her face with her hands.

“The sun provides warmth to everyone but burns everything close to it.”

Sunset lowered her hands, her eyes widening as she recalled Princess Celestia’s words. She assumed she was talking about the actual sun but maybe she was also talking about herself. Sunset pulled out her journal and stared at her cutie mark on the cover.

“I burn those closest to me,” Sunset said in a soft tone, realizing that the same thing now applies to her. Sunset fell back on her bed; she stared at the ceiling before laughing. She laughed for a good minute before she sat up, she looked at the framed photo on her nightstand of her and her friends. She picked it up and smiled as she remembered fondly about the day it was taken. It was just after they defeated the Dazzlings and she and the girls truly became friends. “I guess that’s how it’s always meant to be.”

Sunset placed the picture frame back down and got up, she let out a sigh before going to her kitchen to prepare something to eat. She already made up her mind for tomorrow, she hopes that her friends will understand her decision.

Author's Note

Things just keep getting worse for Sunset. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and I look forward to your comments.

Hopelessness

Applejack and Big Mac have finished delivering the last crate of Apple cider to Filthy Rich’s store, Barnyard Bargains is full of shoppers getting the last things they need for their holiday celebrations.

“That’s the last of 'em,” Applejack said as she closed the tailgate of the family truck.

“Mighty thanks for the delivery, Applejack,” Filthy Rich thanked Applejack. “I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.”

“Thanks, Filthy Rich. Ah hope yer holiday goes great,” Applejack bid farewell to Filthy Rich as she and Big Mac got in their truck and drove off. “That’s all the deliveries for today, Big Mac?”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said.

“Then let’s head home. Granny and Applebloom should be almost done with the food for the party,” Applejack remarked. She is very excited about the Apple Family Christmas party. She’s probably even more excited since this will be Sunset’s very first Christmas with the people who care about her. “This year's Apple Family Christmas party will be the best one yet!”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed with a smile.

Applebloom exited the supermarket with a bag in hand. Granny Smith had sent her to get something last minute. Normally, she would be excited that it was Christmas Eve, but she felt awful. After confessing to Sunset and watching her walk away without even looking at her, Applebloom assumed that Sunset hated her.

“Ah don’t blame her,” Applebloom muttered as she made her way across the street, after hanging out with Sunset a lot and asking her to help her and her friends with their school work, this is a huge betrayal. She hadn’t even told her friends about confessing to being Anon-A-Miss.

“Applebloom!”

Applebloom was slightly startled and looked around to who called her name, she spotted Sunset Shimmer hurrying towards her.

“Sunset?”

“I’m glad I ran into you,” Sunset said as she stood in front of Apppebloom.

“Yah are?” Applebloom questioned. “Aren’t yah mad at me?”

“I was more shocked than mad but after thinking it over I realized that it wasn’t all your fault,” Sunset admitted.

“Huh?” Applebloom was confused.

“If I hadn’t told Applejack that I spent my holidays alone then she wouldn’t have missed out on your family traditions,” Sunset pointed out. “But I am angry that you humiliated your sister by posting her embarrassing nickname.”

Applebloom flinched at that.

“Have you told Applejack?” Sunset asked.

“No,” Applebloom shamefully admitted.

“You should,” Sunset encouraged. “Otherwise the guilt will eat away at you.”

“But what if she hates me?” Applebloom voiced her concern. “What if she never wants anything to do with me?”

“She won’t,” Sunset assured Applebloom as she placed her hands on her shoulders. “You’re her little sister and she loves you.”

Applebloom’s lower lip quivered before she slammed into Sunset, wrapping her arms tight around her as she cried. Sunset wrapped her arms around Applebloom as she let her cry.

“I’m sorry Sunset!” Applebloom cried. “Ah’m so sorry for trying to frame yah! All yah wanted was a family and ah didn’t understand yah at all!”

“It’s okay,” Sunset assured her. “I’ve got great friends like you so I don’t need a family.”

“What are yah saying?” Applebloom pulled back to look at Sunset. “Everyone deserves a family!”

“Not everyone,” Sunset said sadly. “And I’m okay with that.”

Applebloom’s eyes widen, why would Sunset say she is undeserving of a family?

“Applebloom, can you do me a favor?” Sunset asked.

“What is it?” Applebloom asked as she rubbed her tears away.

“Can you let everyone know that I won’t be coming to the Christmas party,” Sunset conveyed.

“What?!” Applebloom raised her voice. “Why not?!”

“Because it’s for members of the Apple family and I’m not family,” Sunset said with a hint of regret.

“But yah are!” Applebloom insisted.

“I know Applejack thinks of me as family but given my history along with personal issues, I can’t truly be a part of her family,” Sunset explained.

“Ah don’t understand,” Applebloom said. “Why can’t yah be a part of our family?”

Sunset stared at Applebloom, her conviction faltering slightly but she reminded herself why she had to do this.

“Because I’m afraid.”

“Yer afraid?” Applebloom questioned. “What are yah afraid of?”

“I’m afraid that I’ll mess this up like I did with my former mentor,” Sunset confessed as she pulled away from Applebloom and hugged herself. “I’m already messing it up.”

“Why do yah say that?” Applebloom asked.

“Anon-A-Miss,” Sunset answered.

“But that wasn’t you!” Applebloom reminded her.

“But I was the cause of it,” Sunset pointed out. “You created the account to get back at me and your sister, you wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t drive a wedge between you two.”

Applebloom was about to protest but Sunset held up her hand.

“There’s more,” Sunset began. “After I started hanging out with you and your friends, Applejack started getting jealous. She didn’t like that you were ditching your family for me.”

Applebloom was shocked to hear this, Applejack was jealous that Sunset was hanging out with her like how she was jealous of Sunset hanging out with her sister. Talk about irony.

“It didn’t stop there,” Sunset continued. “Rarity and Rainbow Dash also grew resentful that I was hanging out with their sisters.”

“D-did yah try talking to them?” Applebloom asked. “Maybe yah can work things out like how yah did with me.”

“We did talk and we resolved the issue,” Sunset said.

“Then ah don’t see what the problem is,” Applebloom stated. “If yah fixed the problem then everything should be okay.”

“But what’s to stop something like this from happening again?” Sunset questioned, She turned away and hugged herself tighter. “Anon-A-Miss showed me that I am causing rifts in the relationships of everyone around me. What if I cause more rifts between you and your family? What if….what if I cause a rift between my friends?”

Applebloom recalled how Sunset separated her big sister and her friends, Sunset was making a lot of sense. But there was one thing bugging her.

“How come yah only want to stay friends and not be family?”

“Because being friends didn’t cause these problems,” Sunset answered as she glanced back at Applebloom. “When the girls and I started getting closer because of the sleepovers, that’s when the problems started.

“But won’t yah be alone?” Applebloom asked in a soft tone, looking at Sunset with worried eyes.

“As long as I have my friends, I’m never truly alone,” Sunset answered with a smile as she turned away. “Even when I’m spending the holidays alone.”

Sunset walked away, leaving Applebloom to stare at her retreating back before she had to go home. Neither noticed that someone was watching their exchange.

“Thanks for inviting me, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle thanked her big sister as they were driven to sweet Apple acres.

“Think nothing of it, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said as she smiled at her little sister. “The party is to celebrate together with family, so of course you were always going to be invited.

Sweetie Belle felt a bit of shame at that, she was almost going to humiliate her sister if not for Sunset. The car ride was silent until they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack greeted them at the door.

“Come on in!” Applejack said excitedly as she motioned for them to enter. “Applebloom and Scootaloo are in the kitchen Sweetie Belle.”

“Thanks, Applejack,” Sweetie Belle thanked Applejack as she hurried to where her friends were.

“Thank you, darling,” Rarity thanked Applejack as she stepped inside the Apple home.

“Hi, Rarity!” Pinkie waved enthusiastically from the living room.

“Sup, Rarity,” Rainbow Dash greeted her fashionista friend, raising her mug of cider from her seat on the sofa.

“Hello, Rarity,” Fluttershy greeted with a smile as she was sitting next to Rainbow Dash.

“Hello, darlings,” Rarity greeted her friends. “Has Sunset arrived yet?”

“Not yet,” Applejack answered. “But ah hope she gets here soon.”

“Applejack?”

Applejack turns to see a sad-looking Applebloom.

“What’s the matter Applebloom?” Applejack asked, looking a little concerned.

“Sunset isn’t coming,” Applebloom confessed.

“What?!” Everyone said in shock.

“W-what do yah mean she’s not coming!” Applejack demanded.

“Ah ran into Sunset when ah went to get something fer Granny,” Applebloom started, looking guilty. “She wanted me to tell yah that she wasn’t going to attend the party because she’s not family.”

“Not family?!” Applejack raised her voice, she was starting to get annoyed at Sunset’s stubbornness. “Fer lands sake!”

Applejack pulled out her phone, searched for Sunset's contact, and pressed call. It rang two times before Sunset picked up.

“Hey, Applejack,” Sunset answered in a monotone tone, she was anticipating Applejack’s call.

“Sunset, Applebloom informed me that you aren’t coming to the Christmas party,” Applejack started. “Something about yah not being family.” She heard Sunset sigh.

“Listen, Applejack-“

“No! You listen, Sunset Shimmer!” Applejack cut off Sunset. “Ah know yah have unresolved issues with yer mom, but yah can’t let that get in the way of yer happiness.” Applejack’s tone softened. “We're all here to give yah the best holiday experience yah ever had with yer family.”

Applejack heard a sob on the other end, she smiled knowing that she managed to convince Sunset.

“Applejack, I-“

The line suddenly went dead.

“Sunset?” Applejack questioned as she looked at her phone, the call had ended.

“Did she hang up?” Fluttershy asked, worried about the situation.

“No, ah think the line got disconnected,” Applejack theorized as she tried calling Sunset again but there was no answer. “She’s not responding.”

“I don’t get it, why does Sunset keep wanting to be alone?” Pinkie Pie asked out loud.

“Ah know why,” Applebloom spoke up, all eyes were suddenly on her. “Ah’ve got something to tell you all.”

“Applejack?” Sunset questioned as she looked at her phone to see a black screen, she checked it and realized that the battery was dead. Sunset started laughing. “There’s no denying it, this is more proof that I’m not meant to have a family.”

Sunset fell back on her bed, she stared at her ceiling with a smile.

“This is how it’s supposed to be,” Sunset whispered. “How it’s always meant to be.”

The color faded from Sunset’s body as she finally accepted that she would be alone on Christmas, a part of her really hoped that it would be different this time. But she was only fooling herself. She imagined her friends having a wonderful holiday with their families, laughing and having fun. She imagined Princess Celestia celebrating Hearths Warming with Twilight and Spike, there was no room for her. There never was.

The ringing of her doorbell caught her by surprise, and she sat up quickly. She wondered who that could be, it couldn’t be Applejack as the call only ended recently. The doorbell rang again, prompting Sunset to get off her bed and go to her door. She peeked through the eyehole and was shocked at who it was. She quickly unlocked her door and swung it open.

“Flash?!”

Author's Note

Just when all hope seemed lost, we're nearing the last chapters. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and I look forward to your comments.

Quality Time With Your Ex

“Hi, Sunset!” Flash greeted Sunset, flashing her a bright smile.

“W-what are you doing here?! " Sunset asked, at a loss. She didn’t expect to see her ex, of all people.

“Making sure you don’t spend the holidays alone,” Flash answered, his smile softening as he looked at Sunset.

That got Sunset’s attention, her gaze shifted down.

“Flash, you-“

“I was there when Applebloom confessed that she was Anon-A-Miss,” Flash cut her off. “I was on my way back from my part-time job when I noticed you two, I was going to say something when Applebloom confessed. I stayed quiet and listened to your whole conversation.” Flash crossed his arms. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself, and sabotaging your happiness.”

“It’s not sabotage, it’s prevention,” Sunset corrected, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at Flash.

“Preventing your growing happiness that is,” Flash countered.

The two stared each other down before Sunset rolled her eyes.

“I’m gonna go back inside,” Sunset said as she turned around to enter her apartment.

“I’m serious, Sunset,” Flash spoke up. “I won’t let you spend the holidays alone.”

Sunset stopped but didn’t turn around.

“I’ll wait outside if I have to,” Flash said, grinning mischievously. “I’ll sing some Christmas carols too.”

Sunset turned around and glared at Flash.

“Shouldn’t you be spending Christmas Eve with your family?”

“I got plenty of time for that later,” Flash winked at Sunset as he noticed her lack of color. “You look like you need someone to brighten your day.”

Sunset groaned at Flash’s joke, he was always like this even when they were dating.

“Fine,” Sunset finally relented. “Just let me get ready.”

Flash grinned as Sunset went back inside her apartment. A few minutes later, she came out wearing her jacket.

“Let’s get this over with,” Sunset sighed.

“Don’t be like that Sunset,” Flash said. “You got to learn not to be such a downer.”

“It’s hard not to be when bad stuff keeps happening because of me,” Sunset stated as she gazed sadly at the ground.

“After tonight, you’re going to think differently,” Flash said confidently.

Sunset was skeptical but followed him out of her apartment building and into his car.

“So where are you taking me?” Sunset questioned as she fastened her seatbelt.

“To the mall,” Flash answered, as he started his car. “There’s something I think you might enjoy.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, she simply stared out the window as Flash drove them to the mall.

Applejack couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Her little sister was the one behind Anon-A-Miss and tried to frame Sunset. Everyone else was equally shocked, and no one could find the proper words to respond. Applebloom looked down in shame. Her friends stood beside her, a supporting hand on her shoulders.

“Why?” Applejack suddenly spoke up. “Why did yah do this?”

“Because ah was jealous,” Applebloom answered shamefully, raising her head to look her sister in the eye. “Yah ditched time with yer family in favor of Sunset.”

Applejack opened her mouth to reply but froze, her eyes widened in realization. Applebloom had been jealous of Sunset like she was. Her words were almost exactly what she told Sunset but less hurtful.

“Ah was really mad at not only Sunset but yah as well,” Applebloom continued. “Ah wanted to get back at both of yah so ah made the blog.”

Applejack’s mind was racing as she was starting to connect the dots, Sunset’s increasing insistence on not being part of her family, her fear of hurting them. Applejack stumbled back, and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie quickly helped her sit down.

“It wasn’t just her,” Sweetie Belle spoke, gathering her courage to look at her big sister before continuing. “I was mad at Rarity for kicking me out of her room, I wanted to get back at her by posting the photos of you girls wearing her outfits from her closet of shame on Anon-A-Miss but because of the talk I had with Sunset earlier that day I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“Oh Sweetie Belle,” Rarity sighed sadly.

“It all makes sense now,” Applejack spoke. “Why Sunset refuses to consider herself our family, she believes that she’s responsible for all these problems.” Applejack looks to her friends. “Girls, we gotta go get Sunset.”

The rest of the Rainbooms nodded and headed towards the door.

“Applejack, can we come too?” Applebloom asked as she and the Crusaders approached the Rainbooms as they put their coats on.

“We want to help convince Sunset that it’s not her fault and she deserves to be happy,” Sweetie Belle pleaded.

Applejack looked at her friends, their smiling faces gave her their answer.

“Of course, yah can come,” Applejack said with a smile, the Crusaders were very happy, and they put on their coats before getting into the Apple family truck.

Sunset and Flash walked around the mall, the former unicorn observed the last-minute shoppers and families. She briefly glanced at Flash to see him smiling as he watched the families like she was.

“He probably wishes he was with his family right now,” Sunset thought guiltily, she was ruining someone else’s holidays with their family.

“What did I tell you earlier?” Flash playfully chastised Sunset, he recognized the guilty look Sunset had and knew what she was thinking. “I have plenty of time later with my family, right now I want to make sure you enjoy yourself.”

Sunset opened her mouth to reply but already guessing what she was going to say, Flash beat her to it.

“I’m not wasting my time with you, you may have been bad in the past but that’s not who you are anymore.”

“It’s really annoying that you know what I’m going to say,” Sunset said.

“One of the good things about dating you,” Flash said with a shrug.

“Oh yeah?” Sunset questioned with a smirk. “What are the other good things?”

“Well, you’re smart, funny, easy to talk to,” Flash listed. “You can totally shred a guitar and look hot doing it.” He smirked when he saw Sunset’s face darken which he believed was her blushing but he wasn’t so sure with her having no color. “But I got to tell you Sunset? I’m not a fan of your new look?”

“What’s wrong with my look?” Sunset questioned, raising an eyebrow, she felt offended by Flash’s comment.

“It doesn’t suit you,” Flash answered. “You were always so bright and vibrant but now you look like you….I don’t know, lost hope.”

“You would be too if….” Sunset cut herself off, she didn’t want to reveal too much of her past to Flash.

“Well, I’m going to help fix that,” Flash said, suddenly stopping.

Sunset looked to Flash who was looking at something next to her, she turned and saw the arcade. She turned back to him with a raised eyebrow but he motioned for her to look at the sign by the door.

“Karaoke contest?” Sunset questioned.

“You see, every Christmas Eve, the owner hosts a karaoke contest and the winner gets a full day of free games at the arcade,” Flash explained.

“So you want me to be your singing partner?” Sunset questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Not exactly, I figured we had a better chance of winning if we entered individually,” Flash said. “It’ll be fun, trust me.”

Sunset looked back at the sign, she crossed her arms as she thought it over. She glanced back at Flash to see him smiling, and she shrugged. What did she have to lose?

“Alright,” was Sunset’s simple answer.

“Thanks, Sunset,” Flash thanked Sunset. “You won’t regret it.”

“I better not,” she turned to face him before pointing at him. “Just be prepared to lose.”

“You’re not gonna let me win?!” Flash feigned shock.

“Nope,” Sunset grinned. “That prize is all mine!”

The two laughed before heading inside, Sunset’s mood was slightly lifted.

“Sunset!” Applejack called as she knocked on her apartment door.

“Do you think she went out?” Fluttershy asked as she and the rest of her friends were in the hallway of Sunset’s apartment.

“That is a possibility,” Rarity said, thinking it over.

“Then we’ll just have to wait for her until she gets back,” Rainbow Dash said as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall next to Sunset’s door.

“Not necessarily,” Rarity said as she reached into her hair and pulled out a Bobby pin.

“Rarity, what are yah doing?” Applejack questioned as she watched Rarity insert the Bobby Pin inside the lock of the door handle.

“Watch and see, darling,” Rarity said in a sing-song tone.

The group watched Rarity work on the lock before she pushed open the door.

“Voila!” Rarity declared as she gestured to the open door.

“Have yah done this before?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow at Rarity.

“A lady doesn’t kiss and tell,” Rarity answered with a wink.

“She locked herself outside the house and forgot her keys,” Sweetie Belle suddenly said, earning a glare from Rarity.

The group entered Sunset’s apartment but couldn’t find any trace of her.

“I guess she’s not here,” Rainbow Dash said as she and the girls were in Sunset’s room.

“She left her phone,” Pinkie Pie pointed at the charging smartphone by the nightstand.

“That makes it harder to track her down,” Applejack sighed. “Guess we gotta wait fer her after all.”

Rainbow Dash sat on Sunset’s bed before laying back, she felt something off when her head hit Sunset’s pillow.

“What the?” Rainbow Dash reached her hand underneath Sunset’s pillow and pulled out her journal. “I found her journal!” She declared as she opened the book and started browsing through its pages.

“I don’t think you should be looking through it,” Fluttershy said timidly.

“Maybe we can get a clue as to what’s been bothering Sunset,” Rainbow Dash explained before she stopped flipping through the pages. “Here’s an entry from the day of Pinkie’s slumber party.”

The girls gathered around Rainbow Dash as they read the entry, the room was silent except for the turning of the pages as the group read entry after entry. When they were finally finished, tears were already spilling down the sides of their faces.

“Wow,” was all Rainbow said as she took a shuddering breath. “Heavy stuff.”

“Sunset loves us so much!” Pinkie cried as she and Fluttershy hugged each other.

“Oh, Sunset!” Fluttershy cried as she held tightly to Pinkie Pie.

“We mean the world to her!” Rarity ugly cried, her mascara leaving ugly lines down her face.

Applejack closed her eyes and took a deep breath before releasing it, she opened her eyes and stared at the journal. She reached for a pen by Sunset’s desk, she knew what needed to be done.

“What are you doing?” Rainbow Dash asked Applejack as she started writing in Sunset’s journal.

“Gettin’ help from the one person that can get through to Sunset,” Applejack answered.

“Thanks for coming to our Hearths Warming party Princess Celestia,” Twilight thanked the princess who was walking beside her, Spike happily eating a cookie on Twilight’s back.

“I should be thanking you for inviting Luna and me,” Celestia said, smiling gently at Twilight.

The two walked down the halls of Twilight's castle chatting about their holiday plans, as they walked past the open door to Twilight’s Library, Spike noticed something.

“Wait a minute Twilight,” Spike said as he hopped off Twilight’s back.

Twilight stopped and turned in time to watch him enter her library.

“Spike?” Twilight questioned, as she and Celestia followed after him.

“Sunset’s sending a message!” Spike pointed out as he pointed to the glowing and vibrating journal sitting on a pedestal.

Twilight used her magic to bring the journal to her, she flipped through to the newest entry and started reading.

Dear Twilight,
It’s me Applejack, we need yah to bring Princess Celestia over here quickly! Ah believe she’s the only one who can help Sunset!

“Is something wrong, Twilight?” Princess Celestia asked worriedly, she noticed Twilight’s demeanor change as she read the message. “Is Sunset in danger?”

“I’m not sure but Applejack is the one who sent the message,” Twilight said, looking very worried. “She wanted me to bring you to help Sunset.”

“Then we haven’t a moment to lose,” Princess Celestia said with conviction.

“Spike, you let the others know what’s going on. Stay by the portal and wait for me, okay?” Twilight instructed her young assistant before writing a reply to Applejack’s message.

“Will do!” Spike saluted, he would have much rather gone with Twilight but she needed him to do this important task.

“Are you ready Princess?” Twilight asked as she placed the journal on the pedestal and activated the portal.

“Of course,” Princess Celestia confirmed, as she and Twilight took up a running stance.

“I’ll go first and you come after,” Twilight instructed as she galloped into the portal, Celestia following soon after.

XXX

“I can’t believe we tied!” Sunset complained, laughing as she and Flash left the Canterlot Mall.

Sunset’s amazing voice won over and amazed the crowds, it also helped that some of the audience recognized her from her gaming channel. Sunset’s performance put her on top but she never gloated about her victory, she stayed humble and congratulated her opponents. She had an amazing time, especially when she went up against Flash. The two did their best to outsing the other but to the audience, it sounded like they were singing a duet. Their voices harmonized with one another, it also didn’t help that they chose to sing the same song to prove they could sing it better.

“I know, I should’ve won!” Flash laughed as Sunset playfully punched his arm.

The two walked in comfortable silence, Sunset was still smiling as she truly enjoyed her time with Flash. She felt comfortable being herself around him, like her friends, Flash saw Sunset at her worst, knew about what she really was and after her fall from grace still treated her like he treated everyone else. Her smile fell a little as she recalled how she treated him when they dated, she manipulated him, gaslighted him, she tried to put him down but it didn’t work. She snickered as she remembered how humiliated she felt that he broke up with her at lunch in front of everyone.

“What’s so funny?” Flash asked, a sly smirk on his lips.

“Just remembering when you broke up with me,” Sunset answered, turning to him with a big smile. “I was so humiliated.”

“Hey, I wanted to do it in private but you were adamant that I tell you in front of everyone!” Flash quickly said to defend himself.

“I know,” Sunset understood. “I’m not blaming you for that, I had it coming.” Sunset smile fell. “I’m sorry for how I treated you when we were dating and not apologizing for it after I was reformed.”

“No biggie,” Flash shrugged. “I honestly didn’t expect you to.”

“But I should have!” Sunset quickly said.” I wanted to apologize but I felt so ashamed for what I did that it would be better if I never bothered you again.”

“Is it that same shame that’s keeping you away from your friends?” Flash asked, already knowing the answer.

“More or less,” Sunset vaguely responded.

“Sunset, I think it’s about time you told me what was bothering you before,” Flash brought up as he crossed his arms.

Sunset sighed as she turned to face him, giving him her full attention as she told him about her nightmare.

The portal at the base of the Wondercolt statue started rippling before Twilight Sparkle stumbled out, she managed to regain her balance before shivering as she felt a cold breeze.

“I wish I brought something warm to wear,” Twilight mumbled as she hugged herself for warmth.

The portal rippled again as Princess Celestia stepped out, she took a few wobbly steps before Twilight grabbed a hold of her left arm to help steady her.

“Thank you, Twilight,” Celestia thanked Twilight as she tried to adjust herself to her new body.

“You’re welcome Princess,” Twilight responded before her eyes widened in shock.

“Is something the matter, Twilight?” Celestia asked with a hint of concern, as she noticed Twilight’s expression.

“Princess! You’re ponied up!” Twilight said, gesturing to the princess form.

Princess Celestia looked herself over, she was wearing a form-fitting white dress that showed off her impressive figure. Her golden hoof shoes have now become golden bracelets and golden high heels, she looked behind her to see her majestic wings on full display.

“Is that a problem?” Celestia asked.

“No, it’s just that when I usually come over, I’m normally like this,” Twilight gestured to herself, who wasn't ponied up. “Me and my Canterlot friends only pony up when we sing.”

“I wonder why that’s the case?” Celestia questioned.

“Twilight!”

Both Equestrians turned to see Applejack waving at her as she and the rest of their friends hurried toward them.

“Girls!” Twilight called out as she hugged Applejack, followed by the rest of her friends.

“It’s good to see yah again, Twilight,” Applejack said with relief.

“Where is Sunset?” Celestia asked as she stepped beside Twilight.

The Rainbooms and the CMC were taken aback by Princess Celestia’s divine radiance.

“Y-your Majesty,” Rarity quickly recovered and curtsied before the princess. “We do not know where Sunset is but I’m sure if we wait by her apartment she’ll show up for sure.”

Rarity’s answer did not ease Celestia’s worry, she closed her eyes and started to concentrate.

“Princess?” Twilight looked at Celestia in confusion. “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to locate Sunset,” Celestia responded, her eyes still closed.

“Princess, I don’t think-“

“I found her!” Celestia cut off Twilight as her eyes snapped open. “She’s in that direction but something feels off about her magic.” She said with worry as she motioned in front of her before she flapped her wings and took to the sky.

“Princess Celestia! Wait!” Twilight tried to stop the princess but she already flew off.

“Let’s follow her before we lose her!” Applejack ordered as she ushered the girls to her Family’s truck and drove after the princess.

“… And then I woke up screaming,” Sunset said, as she wrapped her arms around herself.

She and Flash are sitting on a park bench in front of a water fountain.

“That’s when I realized how much I’m hurting my friends by being in their lives,” Sunset continued. “I have no doubt my past actions will come back to bite me, and my friends will do everything in their power to try and protect me so I have to distance myself from them.” She rationalized. “It’s the only way to keep them safe.”

She turned to look at Flash who remained silent as he listened to Sunset.

“Sorry to tell you this Sunset, but that’s not going to work,” Flash told her honestly. “I doubt your friends will just sit by and let you get hurt.”

“I know,” Sunset sighed as she looked away.

“Then why go through with this if you know that putting distance between them won’t work?” Flash inquired. “Why hurt them to save them?”

Sunset’s eyes widened in horror as she quickly turned to face Flash.

“I-I didn’t mean to hurt them!”

“Whether you meant to or not, you’re hurting your friends by not only pushing them away but not letting them help you when you’re hurting,” Flash pointed out, his gaze softening as he laid a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Sunset, if your friends were hurting you would do anything in your power to help them. So please, Let me help you.”

Tears welled up in Sunset’s eyes at Flash’s words, she was such an awful girlfriend to him and yet here he is reaching out a helping hand.

“Why?” Sunset questioned, her voice breaking. “I was so awful to you, why bother helping me?”

“Easy, you’re not the person you were before,” Flash said before smiling widely. “You’re my friend and like you, I would do everything I can to help my friends when their down.”

Sunset’s tears finally fell as she wrapped her arms around Flash and sobbed against his chest, Flash wrapped his arms around Sunset as she continued sobbing.

“She must be somewhere here,” Twilight said as she and the girls were in Canterlot Park.

“There she is!” Rainbow Dash pointed to Princess Celestia who was just standing in place.

The girls quickly made their way to her side.

“Princess, wha-” Twilight stopped herself when she saw Princess Celestia gesturing her to remain quiet.

“What’s that sound?” Scootaloo asked.

“It sounds like crying,” Sweetie Belle said.

The Rainbooms' eyes widened as they realized that it was Sunset’s crying, they were hearing, they looked in the direction that Celestia was looking, and they saw Sunset crying in Flash’s arms. They immediately rush towards Sunset but are stopped by Celestia.

“What are you-” Rainbow was about to protest but was silenced by the princess.

“Please give them a moment,” Celestia insisted.

“But…but…” Pinkie tried to protest, her lip quivering as she was on the brink of tears.

“I know you want to be there for her Pinkie Pie,” Celestia said, Sunset’s cries were like daggers in her heart, she wanted nothing more than to go over there and take her in her arms. “Just give them a little more time.”

The Rainbooms' hearts ached as they continued to hear Sunset cry.

“Girls, you can trust the Princess,” Twilight told them with a smile. “She wants us to wait for the proper moment.”

“Thank you, Twilight,” Celestia thanked her former student.

“Okay,” Rainbow Dash relented. “But if she doesn’t stop crying in the next five minutes, I’m going over there no matter what you say.”

“Same here,” Applejack firmly nodded in agreement followed by the rest of the girls.

“I know,” Celestia smiled kindly at them before continuing to watch Flash and Sunset. “Girls?”

The Rainbooms turned to look at Celestia.

“Thank you for being there for Sunset,” Celestia thanked them.

The Rainbooms didn’t say anything as they looked back to Sunset and Flash.

Flash continued to hold the sobbing Sunset in his arms, they stayed that way for a few minutes before Sunset pulled back.

“I’m sorry!” Sunset quickly apologized as she noticed that Flash’s coat was covered in snot and tears.

“Don’t worry about it,” Flash said dismissively. “Feeling better?”

“A little,” Sunset answered unsurely.

The two were quiet for a moment before Flash spoke up.

“Sunset, can you tell me more about the person you were arguing with in your nightmare?”

“Okay,” Sunset sighed. “Her name is Princess Celestia.”

Princess Celestia’s ears perked up at hearing her name.

“She was my former mentor,” Sunset began. “While I was studying in her school for gifted unicorns, she took notice of me and made me her personal student. I was over the moon that someone as important and powerful as Princess Celestia would ever notice a nobody like me.”

“What do you mean?” Flashed asked.

“I’m an orphan,” Sunset said as she looked away and towards the fountain. “I never knew my parents, I lived in an orphanage since I was a little filly. It was an okay place; they cared for us well, and I had fond memories of that place. But I was never content with my current life, I wanted more. I studied magic day and night using whatever books I could find, after I got my cutie mark I applied to Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I knew they had the resources I needed to be somepony great. After I got accepted and became Princess Celestia’s student, I threw myself into my studies, I put all my effort into mastering all kinds of spells. To prove myself to everyone that I was worthy to be the Princess’ student.”

Princess Celestia listened sadly as she recalled how Sunset would spend hours in the royal library studying, isolating herself from other ponies.

“She kept trying to get me to make friends but I never saw the need to,” Sunset continued. “She was all that I needed.”

“You two must have been close,” Flash said.

“Yeah,” Sunset said softly as she looked at Flash. “We had a lot of fun times together, she would clear out a whole day's schedule just so we could do something fun for the whole day. The more time we spent together, the more I saw her less as a mentor and more as…a mother.”

Princess Celestia felt a lump in her throat at those words, she fought back the tears that tried to pool in her eyes. Sunset felt the same way she did.

“But then I screwed it all up.” Sunset bitterly said, gritting her teeth.

“What do you mean?” Flash asked.

“One day she showed me a mirror that when I looked into it I saw myself as an all mighty Alicorn that will rule Equestria,” Sunset explained. “I became obsessed with what the mirror showed me and would constantly ask her for more information about it, but she refused. I refused to take no for an answer and if she wasn’t going to tell me about the mirror then I would find the answers myself.” Sunset clenched her fists as she told Flash what happened next. “I broke into the forbidden section of the Canterlot library and found the information I was looking for but I was caught by the princess. I was angry at her and accused her of holding me back, I had the nerve to demand that she make me a princess.”

Sunset started to tremble.

“She tried to warn me that I wasn’t ready, but I refused to listen.”

Celestia closed her eyes and recalled that fateful day, she could still see the look of hatred and betrayal on Sunset’s face.

“I wanted to prove to her that she was wrong and that I was worthy to rule Equestria!” Sunset started sobbing. “I even stole Twilight’s crown but I was wrong! I was so wrong! Instead of turning into an Alicorn, the crown showed me the darkness that was in my heart! That I was a monster!”

“That’s not who you are anymore!” Flash interrupted.

“Don’t you see that I’m still that monster?!” Sunset argued back. “I’m still hurting my friends, I’m still refusing to let go of the past, I’m still refusing to move on!”

“Sunset!” Flash raised his voice as he grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to yourself, this isn’t you! You can’t keep beating yourself over what happened in the past! Who you were before is not who you are now! If Princess Celestia was here she would tell you the same thing.

“No, Princess Celestia hates me,” Sunset said in a soft voice. “Why else would she give her journal to Twilight?”

“I don’t know the answer to that,” Flash started. “But If she’s anything like our Principal then she would be very proud of the person you are now.”

Sunset’s eyes widened at that.

“You helped save the school and the world from the Sirens, you tried your hardest to make it up to everyone that you wronged,” Flash said as he smiled. “The Sunset Shimmer that I know and admire would always get back on her feet no matter how many times she’s knocked down.”

A spark of hope ignited within Sunset as her eyes flashed and regained their color.

“Your eyes have their beautiful spark back,” Flash complimented.

The two gazed into each other’s eyes before their faces slowly inched closer. The Rainbooms looked on with wide eyes, Rarity covered her mouth to stop herself from gasping. Sunset and Flash’s eyes slowly closed as their lips finally met. Sunset felt her heart hammer against her chest as she felt a warmth spread throughout her body, she brought her hands up and wrapped them around Flash’s neck while he wrapped his arms around her waist. Sunset and Flashed had kissed when they were still dating but this one felt a lot better. But all good things must come to an end as they pull away.

“Wow,” was all Flash could say, a big smile on his lips.

“Yeah,” was Sunset’s simple reply, her face growing dark but she had a small smile on her lips.

“Well, this is certainly something.”

Flash and Sunset’s eyes widened as they turned to see a smiling Princess Celestia.

“Princess Celestia?!”

Author's Note

A spark of hope and the long-awaited reunion, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I look forward to your comments! :twilightsmile:

Mother and Child

Sunset stared in disbelief at her former mentor who was smiling cheekily.

“You seem to be doing well, Sunset,” Celestia said.

Sunset opened her mouth, but no words came out. She was still in shock at seeing her former mentor here.

“But you seem to have lost some color since the last time I saw you,” Celestia noted, her tone worried.

Sunset swallowed a large lump in her throat as she attempted to speak.

“W-what a-are you doing h-here?”

Celestia detected the nervousness in Sunset’s voice which saddened her.

“Ah messaged Twilight to bring her here.”

Sunset and Flashed turned around to see the Rainbooms, CMC, and Princess Twilight.

“Girls? Twilight?” Sunset said in confusion.

“Sunset?”

Sunset turned to look at Princess Celestia.

“Is it alright if we talk in private?”

Sunset merely nodded and ushered Celestia to follow her.

“So?” Rainbow Dash started as she crossed her arms and looked at Flash with a sly smirk. “Are you and Sunset out on a date?”

“Something like that,” Flash said, looking at Applebloom. “I overheard her conversation with Applebloom, so I asked her to hang out so she didn’t spend Christmas Eve alone. Sunset can be very hard on herself.”

“And that kiss at the end was part of your plan?” Twilight teased.

“Wha-uh, that just sort of happened!” Flash quickly defended, his cheeks turning red which caused Twilight to giggle.

“It’s alright Flash,” Twilight assured him. “If I were in your shoes I would probably get caught up in the moment and kiss Sunset too.”

“You’re not mad?” Flash asked.

“Why would I be mad?” Twilight asked, looking confused.

“It’s…never mind,” Flash sighed.

“Oh! If you’re wondering if I have feelings for Sunset don't worry, I just consider her a friend,” Twilight assured him, completely misunderstanding what Flash was trying to say.

“I agree with Twilight,” Rarity spoke up. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, darling. It’s pretty obvious you two still have feelings for each other, and now that Sunset isn’t the queen bee she used to be, you two can freely pursue your romantic feelings.” Rarity sighed dreamily.

“Yer hopeless fer a good love story,” Applejack said, crossing her arms and smirking at Rarity.

Flash turned to the direction Sunset went with Princess Celestia and hoped that everything would go well.

Sunset led Princess Celestia a little ways away from the others just around a corner to the garden area that was decorated for Christmas, they stopped in front of a Christmas tree and Sunset stared at the tree as she tried to think of what to say.

“Sunset?”

Sunset quickly snapped her neck to look at the Princess who was now very close to her and looking very worried.

“Y-yes?” Sunset nervously said.

“Are you aware that you have lost your color?” Celestia asked.

Sunset looked at her in confusion before looking at herself.

“Flash mentioned it too but I guess I never really paid it any mind.”

“Sunset,” Celestia gently takes Sunset’s hands in her own. “I’ve heard from your friends about the situation but I would like you to explain to me what has been happening to you?”

Sunset looked into Celestia’s purple eyes filled with concern, she breathed out a sigh as she started to explain. Celestia listened patiently as Sunset recounted her conversation with Applejack, Anon-A-Miss's first post, the conversation with Sweetie Belle, talking with Applebloom, trying to mend the CMC’s relationship with their sisters, making her friends feel jealous, the realization that she keeps hurting her friends if they get too close to her; her ultimate decision to reject their offer to be her family and spend Christmas alone like she always has. She didn’t leave anything out, not even her nightmare.

“Oh Sunset,” Celestia whispered Sunset’s name, tears pooling in her eyes. “You’ve been through so much.”

“It’s what I deserve for being such an awful pony in the past,” Sunset said, lowering her head in shame.

“No,” Celestia spoke firmly, gently squeezing Sunset's hands. “You don’t deserve what has happened to you.”

“But I do,” Sunset argued, pulling her hands free and turning away from Celestia. “I deserve to be alone.”

Celestia walked around Sunset and placed her hand underneath her chin to gently raise her head to look her in the eyes.

“You never deserved to be alone.”

“Even after what I said to you?” Sunset asked, her eyes brimming with tears. “I yelled at you, demanded things from you, accused you of holding me back….I said I hated you.” The tears started to slide down the sides of her face.

“I know,” Celestia admitted, recalling that bitter memory pained her heart. “You were right to hate me.”

“No!” Sunset shook her head. “I don’t hate you, I don’t want to hate you! I was just angry and bitter that you didn’t get me what I wanted and….and I wanted to hurt you.” That confession hurt Sunset, it was more proof to her how terrible of a pony she was. “Princess Celestia, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything!”

Princess Celestia wrapped her arms around Sunset and held her tight as she cried, she felt the former unicorn wrap her arms around her waist and hold on to her for dear life. When Sunset’s sobs started to die down, Celestia pulled back without letting go to look at Sunset’s tear-stricken face.

“Sunset, not a day went by after you left that I didn’t think of you,” Celestia spoke in the gentle tone she is always known for. “I repeated our argument over and over in my mind, wondering what I could have done differently.” Her expression turns somber. “I’ve realized that I could have answered some of your questions about the mirror to satisfy your curiosity without giving too much away, if I was a little more patient with you then I could have prevented you from seeking answers somewhere else.”

Celestia remained quiet, looking into Sunset’s eyes before speaking again.

“I have failed you, Sunset.”

Sunset’s eyes widened at the admission, she wanted to say something but Celestia placed her closed fist over Sunset’s lips.

“As your teacher, it was my duty to keep you on the right path, to reach the full potential I knew you could achieve. But something changed. The more time we spent together, the closer we became. I started to see you not as my student but as my daughter.”

Sunset froze, her mouth agape. Did she hear the princess right? Did she really think of her as a daughter?

“We were inseparable when you were a foal and being my personal student added to that, I loved you with all my heart,” Celestia explained as tears welled up in her eyes. “But when you got older I started to notice how arrogant and prideful you have become, it reminded me of myself when I was learning under Starswirl The Bearded with my sister. Luna wasn’t as quick to pick up on magic as I was, she wasn’t as strong as me and I looked down on her because of it. I didn’t want that for you so I showed you the mirror in the hopes that what it shows you can help you learn humility. I was wrong.”

“Instead of helping you, I only accelerated the problem. And as I explained earlier, my impatience led you to seek answers in the forbidden section of the Canterlot Library. When you demanded I make you a princess, I no longer saw my sweet daughter but the arrogant and prideful princess I once was. I made the fateful decision to terminate your role as my student and banish you from the castle. I justified it in my mind as maybe some time apart will be good for us. But I should have known you wouldn’t take this lying down, I know I wouldn’t if I were in your place.”

Princess Celestia was openly crying now, Sunset had never seen Princess Celestia cry, and it broke her heart to see it.

“I took it pretty hard,” Celestia sobbed. “I have lost my sister and now I lost my daughter as well. I was able to put on a brave face for everypony but I was a shell of myself. I started to wonder if I was cursed and if I was doomed to witness my family fall because of me. I thought that I was being punished for how I never helped my sister, for never noticing how unloved she felt by our ponies. I began to think that maybe I deserve to be alone.”

“I know the feeling,” Sunset interrupted.

“I kept the mirror close by in the throne room in hopes that you would return,” Celestia said as she wiped away her tears. “When Luna was returned to me thanks to Twilight and her friends, it made me even more hopeful that you would come back. But when you did come back, you stole Twilight’s crown.”

Sunset lowered her head in shame but Celestia lifted her head.

“When Twilight returned from the other side of the mirror, the first thing I asked was if you were alright,” Celestia said. “She smiled as she told me that you were in good hands.”

Sunset chuckled at that which made Celestia smile, but it quickly disappeared when Sunset looked at her with a serious expression.

“If you were worried about me, why didn’t you write to me in our journals after Twilight came back?” Sunset questioned. “Why did Twilight answer the journal when I wrote to you?”

“Because I sent the journal to Twilight,” Celestia confessed. “Twilight succeeded in getting through to you and saving you, I believed she would do a better job at guiding you than I ever could. And I was right.”

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to talk to you,” Sunset said, taking hold of Celestia’s hands. “I missed you so much, but I was too ashamed to face you after what I did.”

Celestia leaned her head down until her forehead was touching Sunset’s.

“I’ve missed you too, Sunset Shimmer.”

Upon hearing those words, Sunset smiled brightly, her heart filled with joy. Both of them nuzzled each other as they would in their pony forms, Sunset’s hair shined as it regained its color, followed by the rest of her body. A heavy burden had finally been lifted from their hearts. Sunset was the first to pull away, she looked at Celestia with a smile that the sun princess had not seen in years.

“You look brighter than you did before,” Celestia noted, looking at Sunset’s form. Red and gold hair, shining like the sun. Her bright cyan eyes which reminded her of her sister shone with life. Her skin looked as if she was glowing.

“I feel brighter,” Sunset responded, before fidgeting. “So um, what does this make us? We just admitted to thinking of the other as a mother/child.”

“Exactly that, you are my daughter and I am your mother,” Celestia responded with a warm smile.

Sunset smiled as she hugged her mother, Celestia returning the hug.

“What do you say we return to your friends?” Celestia asked. “I’m sure they would want to hear the good news.”

“Pinkie Pie will throw us a mother/daughter party,” Sunset chuckled, knowing her party planner friend would totally do it.

“It’s long overdue,” Celestia said before nuzzling Sunset.

The two pulled away and made their way back to the others, upon seeing them, the group of students rushed towards them.

“Sunset!” Pinkie shouted as she enveloped Sunset in a bone-crushing hug.

“Hey Pinkie,” Sunset grunted as she felt the air being squeezed out of her.

“We’re so sorry Sunset!” Sweetie Belle said as she tackled Sunset in a hug, she was soon joined by Applebloom and Scootaloo.

“How are you feeling, darling?” Rarity asked.

“A lot better,” Sunset responded as Pinkie and the Crusaders let her go, she glanced at her mother. “I finally worked things out with my mom.”

“Darling, that is wonderful to hear!” Rarity said with excitement.

“Listen um, I’m sorry for being so distant and missing the party,” Sunset apologized, rubbing her arm in shame. “You girls went out of your way to treat me like family and I pushed you all away.”

“It’s alright sugarcube,” Applejack said. “Yah had issues yah were still dealing with and weren’t ready.”

“That’s still not a good excuse,” Sunset said, looking at Applejack. “But thank you for understanding.”

“It’s like ah keep telling yah, that’s what family does. They look after one another and stick together through thick and thin,” Applejack said proudly.

“Family,” Sunset whispered as she glanced at Celestia before looking back at Applejack. “I would like to accept your offer of being an honorary Apple and being a part of your family if you still want me,” Sunset said timidly.

Applejack’s smile got even wider and she let out a triumphant cheer.

“Darn tootin yer an Apple!”

“Yay! We're cousins now!” Pinkie Pie cheered as she hugged Sunset again.

The rest of the group joined in on the hug, Sunset felt elated. Once more she is surrounded by those who love her but this time she is able to accept it wholeheartedly, she tries to wrap her arms around everyone and hug them as tight as she can.

“What do yah say we get back to Sweet Apple Acres and enjoy spending Christmas Eve with yer family!” Applejack said cheerfully.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Sunset said before looking at Celestia. “Do you think you can come?”

“Of course, but I’ll have to inform Luna first. Wouldn’t want her to miss meeting her niece,” Celestia said as she winked at Sunset.

Sunset nodded happily, as the group started making their way towards Applejack’s truck and Flash’s car. Sunset was smiling the whole drive there, and it only got bigger once she started celebrating with her new family and meeting her aunt. With the Magic of Friendship and her new family by her side, Sunset never felt alone again.

Author's Note

Hope has been restored, a family rift has been mended and Sunset has finally accepted herself as an Apple. Thank you all for sticking with the story this far, I enjoyed reading your comments. There's one more chapter to go before this story ends, I look forward to reading your comments. :twilightsmile:

Epilogue

The surface of the base of the Wondercolt statue started glowing before Sunset Shimmer stumbled out.

“Whoa!” Sunset wobbled a bit before she regained her balance on two legs. She checked the bags she was holding to ensure everything transferred over okay. Once she was sure everything was fine, she made her way to The Sweet Shoppe where she knew all her friends would be around this time.

After the Christmas party at Sweet Apple Acres, Sunset decided to spend the holiday break in Equestria to spend time with her mother and aunt and make up for the time they had been apart. It had been a wonderful week full of merriment, laughter, magic, and parties. Sunset was surprised at how lively her aunt was, she assumed she would be like Celestia as they both have lived for centuries. She learned that her aunt was very into art and enjoyed going to art exhibits, Luna was thrilled to learn that Sunset could draw and paint and Sunset had even painted a special portrait of Luna raising the moon which Luna loved. She also learned how eerily similar their fall to darkness was, and how Twilight and her friends were instrumental in their reformation. Another reason to thank Twilight and their friends. When Sunset spent time with her mother, she expected things to be like they were. But now that they fully acknowledge each other as mother and daughter, Celestia was more open to Sunset and did not shy away from calling her daughter. She even made it official and hosted a grand party to announce Sunset as her daughter and officially make her a princess.

Sunset still couldn’t believe that she was now a Princess, the vision she saw in the mirror all those years ago came true. Sunset arrived at the Sweet Shoppe, she entered and immediately spotted her friends sitting at their usual table. Pinkie was the first to see her and her eyes lit up in excitement.

“Sunset!”

“Hi, Pinkie-”

Sunset never got to finish as she was being hugged tight by Pinkie Pie.

“I’m so happy to see you!” Pinkie said excitedly.

“I’m…happy to see you too,” Sunset struggled to say as she felt the air being squeezed out of her.

“Easy there, Pinkie Pie,” Applejack said as she tried to calm the party girl.

Pinkie released her hold on Sunset and she gasped for breath.

“It's good to see yah Sunset,” Applejack said as she hugged Sunset.

“It’s good to see you too,” Sunset said as she returned the hug, she felt more arms wrap around her as the rest of her friends joined the hug.

“So how was your visit to your home world?” Rarity asked as she broke the hug.

“It was amazing!” Sunset said happily. “I spend a lot of time getting to know my aunt and my mom has been treating me like a daughter more openly, in fact, she officially proclaimed that I am her daughter, making me an official princess!”

“Darling, that’s wonderful!” Rarity said with glee. “I can’t believe I’m best friends with two princesses!”

“Being A Princess is more than just a title, Rarity,” Sunset said as she smiled at her fashionista friend. “A princess must be generous.” she looked to the rest of her friends. “Kind, loyal, honest, and have a great sense of humor.”

Pinkie Pie giggled at that.

“You all would have made great Princesses,” Sunset told her friends honestly. They may have trouble with the political side, but their hearts are in the right place.

“You forgot one thing, darling,” Rarity said as she cupped Sunset’s face. “A princess also needs an empathetic heart.”

Sunset smiled softly as she placed her hands over Rarity’s.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Sunset said as she grabbed her bags and placed them on a nearby table. “I’ve brought you gifts.”

“Oh! Oh! What’d you get me?!” Pinkie asked as she bounced excitedly.

“Well, I know how much you love sweets so I got you some Equestrian homemade cakes and candy,” Sunset said as she presented Pinkie with a bag of Candy and delicious-looking cakes.

Pinkie Pie smiled widely as she took the bag from Sunset and shoved it in her mouth before swallowing it. Sunset started in shock before shaking her head, Pinkie will be Pinkie.

“Applejack, I know how handy you are, so I got you a new toolset,” Sunset said as she pulled out a briefcase and handed it to Applejack. They’re made with high-quality, strong materials to last a long time.”

“Thanks so much, Sunset!” Applejack thanked the fiery-haired girl as she opened the briefcase, her eyes shined as she looked at the amazing tools. She ran her hand over them and could tell they weren’t just made of high-quality materials but with passion and love.

“I also got you an Apple family product that can’t be made here,” Sunset said as she pulled out a jar filled with a rainbow-colored substance, “Your counterpart calls it Zap Apple jam.”

“Wow, thanks a lot Sunset,” Applejack thanked Sunset as she took the jar from her.

“Rainbow Dash, I’ve got you a custom skateboard that’s made to handle even your most extreme tricks,” Sunset said as she handed the skateboard to Rainbow Dash.

“Thanks, Sunset!” Rainbow Dash thanked her best friend as she took the skateboard from her. She looked at the blue underside that had her logo on it. “So awesome!”

“I also got you this book on Equestrian legends,” Sunset handed Rainbow Dash a leather book. “I figured you would like to know how awesome my world is.”

Rainbow Dash excitedly took the book from Sunset and opened it, she was happy to see illustrations to go with the words.

“Fluttershy, I got you a book about all the cute animals you can find in Equestria,” Sunset explained as she handed Fluttershy the book.

“Thank you very much Sunset,” Fluttershy thanked her dear friend as she took the book from her.

“I also got you something else,” Sunset said as she reached inside her bag.

“Oh Sunset, you didn’t-” Fluttershy stopped as she looked at the pony pegasi plushie in Sunset’s hand.

“I asked Rarity’s counterpart if she could make something like this and she said that she could,” Sunset explained, smiling at the look of amazement in Fluttershy’s eyes.

“Oh Sunset, She’s adorable!” Fluttershy squealed with joy as she took the plushie from Sunset and hugged it tight.

“That wasn’t the only favor I asked of Rarity’s counterpart,” Sunset said as she pulled out two long tubes wrapped in festive wrapping paper and a box wrapped in gift wrap that had a diamond pattern. “Rarity, I got you some fabric from Equestria. Your counterpart helped me pick out the best ones that you would like.”

“Thank you, Sunset,” Rarity thanked her friend.

“As for this one,” Sunset presented the wrapped box to Rarity. “It's better to see for yourself.”

Rarity took the gift box from Sunset and carefully removed the wrapping paper, she could feel the quality of the wrapper and didn’t want to ruin it. She removed the lid and she gasped at what she saw, she placed her left hand over her mouth as tears began to form in her eyes.

“The old me destroyed something very beautiful and tried to ruin you, “ Sunset spoke, her guilt surfacing as she recalled the Spring Fling and how she humiliated Rarity but she pushed it down. She wasn’t that person anymore. “The new me wants to correct that mistake and show you that I’m here for you as much as you’re here for me.”

Rarity pulled out the dress that Sunset had destroyed at the Spring Fling, it shone with beauty as it did when she first made it.

“H-how did you do this?”

“After the Fall Formal, I was making amends to you girls and helping you with modeling your dresses. You showed me a binder of your designs and I recognized one of them as the dress you made. I have a very good memory and was able to draw a detailed design for your counterpart to make.”

Sunset jumped a little as she felt Rarity hug her tight.

“Thank you, darling,” Rarity muttered.

Sunset smiled before hugging her back.

“I’ve also made something for you too darling,” Rarity said as she broke the hug. “It's back at my home though.”

“I’ll get it!” Pinkie cheerfully said before reaching out of frame and pulling out a beautifully wrapped present. “Here you go Rarity!”

“Pinkie, how did you do that?” Rarity questioned as she took the gift looking at the pink-haired girl in shock.

“Easy, I just reached for it!” Pinkie answered with a smile.

The rest of her friends looked at her oddly before rationalizing that it was just Pinkie being Pinkie, Rarity handed Sunset her gift and she started tearing off the wrapping. When she opened the box, she gasped at seeing a new outfit, complete with a new leather jacket and heeled shoes.

“Rarity,” Sunset softly said her friend's name as she felt her new leather jacket. “I love it.”

“I’m happy you like it, darling,” Rarity said, smiling kindly at Sunset as she looked at her new outfit with pure joy. Rarity always loves seeing this reaction.

Sunset hugged Rarity tightly as she thanked her repeatedly.

“I’ve also got gifts for your sisters,” Sunset said, breaking the hug and wiping away the stray tears. “Do you know where they are?”

“They’re hanging out at mah house,” Applejack answered. “Ah can take yah to them.”

“Thanks, Applejack,” Sunset thanked the farm girl. “Do you think we can make a quick stop along the way?”

“Sure, where to?”

Applejack’s truck pulled up to a house that they were all familiar with, she and the girls couldn’t stop grinning the whole drive there.

“Here we are,” Applejack announced. “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Sunset said, her cheeks flushed as she exited the car. Her friends watched her as she walked up to the front door, she took a deep breath and exhaled before knocking on the door. She waited a bit before the door opened. “H-hi, Flash.”

“Hi, Sunset,” Flash greeted Sunset. “When did you get back from Equestria?”

“I just got back a while ago and I thought I’d stop by and give you your gift,” Sunset said as she held a back out to Flash.

“Aww, you didn’t have to get me anything,” Flash said with a smile as he took the bag from Sunset. “Thank you, Sunset. I’m sorry I don’t have a gift for you.”

“It’s okay,” Sunset assured him as she rubbed her arm nervously. “Listen Flash, about what happened between us at the park.”

Flash’s eyes widened as his cheeks turned rosy.

“I’ve been thinking and….” Sunset’s heart hammered against her chest, it was now or never. “Do you want to go out with me and give us another shot?”

Flash was taken by surprise, Sunset’s friends watched expectantly.

“Are you sure?” Flash asked.

Sunset nodded.

“Sunset, I would love to go out with you,” Flash said with a smile.

Sunset smiled widely as her friends cheered, she wrapped her arms around Flash in a tight hug.

“Thank you, Flash. I promise you won’t regret it,” Sunset promised, their relationship will be genuine this time.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Flash said.

Sunset’s friends got out of the truck to congratulate the new couple, Pinkie proclaiming to throw them a getting back together party. Sunset and her friends laughed, this was without a doubt the best Christmas Sunset had ever had.

Author's Note

And that's it! Thank you all for following this story till the end, I loved reading your comments and I hope you enjoy the final chapter. I look forward to reading your comments. :twilightsmile: