Talking To My Friends.

Twilight lay beside Fluttershy in bed. She knew not returning home before the portal closed would worry her family. She had meant to write to her sister-in-law before the portal closed. She had meant for a lot of things to happen differently.

In her magic journal, the princess wrote, "I am close to getting my crown back. I need an extra day. I will see you tomorrow night. If you open the portal for me Sunset will murder us all. Good night."

Cadance immediately responded, "Celestia is freaking out. She keeps saying you are the only pony who can protect Sunset. She thinks it is a good sign you have not returned. What is going on?"

"Celestia cares about Sunset?"

"Of course we do! What are you not telling me?"

"I can't tell you."

"Twilight, she is my sister. If something bad was going to happen to Shining Armor I would tell you."

"Nothing bad will happen. I promise come helmets of darkness or pie warfare I will protect her."

Cadance didn't respond.

On the day of the Fall Formal none of the students Sunset was supposed to tutor focused on their lessons. Even if they wanted to (they did not) they couldn't. All day students told Sunset why they thought she should stay in the human world. They cut class to be with her. A few cried. Some made going away presents. No one was happy about Sunset's departure. Even the people she bullied the most were sad to see her go. Over one hundred people assured her they would be at her going away party.

Sunset was exhausted before the dance started. She dropped into a seat in Rarity's limousine without noticing Princess Twilight.

Trixie sat at the end of the limousine and showed Sweety Bell, Applebloom and Scootaloo magic tricks.

AJ smiled at Sunset. Her eyes were red. She had cried recently.

Rarity was staring out the window and biting her nail extensions in half.

"Coward," Sunset accused no one in particular.

Rarity sniffled and fought back tears.

Princess Twilight wanted to know what was going on between Rarity and AJ so she could try to fix it, but she had more pressing matters. "Sunset, will you be attending your going away party?"

If Sunset was surprised she didn't show it. Her gaze showed more annoyance than confusion. "What are you doing here? The portal closed yesterday."

"I know. As much as I wanted to go home I can not turn my back on people who need me. Cranky unicorns either."

"I wish you would have left. This is going to make things more complicated. I don't like complicated." Sunset glared at Rarity to let her know she was talking to her just as much Twilight.

"Are you going to your going away party? Pinkie Pie put a lot of effort into it."

"Did you plant a trap at the party?"

Twilight considered lying. She decided there was no point. "Yes. I am not letting you leave this world."

Sunset sighed. "You tied my hands. When I come back, everyone will be mad at me if I don't go to the party."

"Sunset, there is no coming back. You are a wanted criminal."

Sunset pursed her lips. "Twilight, I know what I am doing."

Rarity's limousine stopped in front of a party supplies store. Pinkie dropped a giant shopping bad into her small purse. She bounded into the car.

Pinkie Pie saw a whoopee cushion beside Sunset. She immediately sat on it. She giggled and pulled the flab of pink rubber out from under her butt. She saw a small yellow note taped to the cushion. The note read 'To: Your It. From: Sunset Shimmer. With love and warm wishes.' Pinkie smiled ear to ear. Her smile slowly crumbled.

"Please don't go."

"I have to. I promise to be back in a few days."

"Cross you heart and hope to fly?"

"I- I will come back as soon as possible. Cross my heart and hope to fly."

Pinkie moved to the seat beside Twilight.

"How are you enjoying your time in the human world?" asked Pinkie.

"I am not," said Twilight sourly. "Yesterday I saw a family of four living out of a hatchback. Two kids and their mother were sitting in the back of the car. The mother was reading to the kids. The father was cooking on a portable grill a few feet from the car. People walked past and said hello. No one thought this was a strange sight. Just another day in the human world."

"I know it sounds bad, but life is what you make of it."

"No it is not. I spoke to them. They did not choose to live in the car."

"That is not what I meant. They can both live in a car and be happy."

Twilight nodded toward AJ. "You can love the person you are with and be miserable because of them. I understand your argument. I maintain families should not be living in cars."

Pinkie snapped, "I am sorry the fact not everyone is lucky enough to be born into your world offends you!" She moved to the back of the limousine to the children.

No one said a word until Rainbow got into the limousine. She held a steady conversation with herself about herself. Everyone jumped out of limousine the moment it reached its destination.

The east end of the school gym had tables and chairs. Against the far wall was Wallflower Blush. She was looking at her shoes and wondering why no one wanted to hangout with a party pooper at a dance. Food and drinks were next to Wallflower.

The middle of the room was the dance floor. There were people dancing under multi-colored lights, paper streamers and biodegradable non helium balloons.

Flash Drive (Flash Sentry's band.) was on a stage on the west side of the room. The stage lights were not multi-colored. There were streamers but no balloons.

The moment everyone was inside Twilight pulled Fluttershy aside. "What is wrong with Rarity?"

"She looks down on Sunset for taking antidepressants," said Fluttershy coldly. "I know you are the princess of friendship. Rarity is not worth trying to help. Enjoy the party then go home."

Pinkie Pie practically handcuffed herself to Sunset.

Rainbow yelled at Pinkie every five minutes.

After one dance Rarity and AJ disappeared into Rarity's limousine. They returned twenty minutes later. Rarity looked exactly as she had before she left. AJ was disheveled, flustered and smiling ear to ear. Rarity spent the rest of the dance gossiping, causing fights, dancing with Sunset and ignoring AJ.

Fluttershy Introduced Princess Twilight some people she didn't hate. They had fun.

Near the end of the night (Seven P.M) Sunset stepped onto the stage.

"Why is Sunset wearing a cape?" whispered Twilight. "She wins every year. You think she would dress up for the occasion."

"She is dressed up; that is why she is wearing a cloak," explained Rarity. "When she feels uncomfortable she covers herself with the cloak. That was the only way I could get her to agree to wear a dress to the dance. She wanted to wear jeans and a hoodie." Rarity proceeded to explain the differences in capes and cloaks.

The entire room hushed as Sunset took center stage. She smiled and waved at goodbye to her friends. Her world. Her life.

The crowd burst into applause.

Sunset closed her cloak. She waited to be crowned. She curtsied after she was crowned. She gave a short speech about how honored she was to be chosen. How she felt she belonged even though she was a unicorn from another would. She cried for a few moments. She curtsied a second time. The Living Tombstone played Sunburn as Sunset walked off stage.

Everyone spent the last hour of the dance talking about Sunset's party. Failing to enjoy the party they were at in anticipation of the next party.

Rainbow gave up on getting Sunset's attention and started doing backflips in the middle of the dance floor.

Princess Twilight sat against the Wonder Colt statue and read.

AJ went home the moment Sunset got her crown.

Rarity gossiped in the hall where the music was quiet.

Fluttershy sat in the Limousine with Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweety Bell. She stroked their heads and assured them their ears would stop ringing soon.

Pinkie lay on the grassy soccer field beside Sunset. They looked up at the stars. Few were visible in the city.

"Princess Twilight got Mic The Microphone and SlyphStorm to play your going away party," said Pinkie.

"Wow. How did she manage that in three days?" asked Sunset.

"A better question is why. Twilight is a lot of things. Weak is not one of them. She is prepared for a fight."