I stood there with Sunset in the mess that used to be the grand entrance of Canterlot High School. The air was thick with an uncomfortable silence, and Sunset’s awkwardness was palpable. She shuffled her feet, her eyes darting everywhere except toward me. Magic arleady fled from my body long ago, leaving me with my broken suit and a lot of bruises. Then It suddenly hit me—everything I’d said, everything I’d done tonight. The gravity of it all made me feel a little awkward, too.

Uhhh its so cringe i was talking about leading her, and everything but here i am doing nothing, i should try to talk to her

But as always i couldn't think of anything so i said the first thing that came to my mind “Soo you have a lot of cleaning to do right?.” Sunset gazed at me, her expresion was a mix of confusonand mild displeasure.

Okey that wasn't smooth, nice job idiot.

Desperate to save the moment, I looked toward the school door and saw another broom resting on the wall. Without saying anything, I approached, took it, and returned to her side. “I'm here anyway, and i told you i will help you, sooo let's clean this together” I said holding up the broom with a small smile.

Sunset looked at me, surprised. “No, no, you don't have, to it's my jo—”

“I know” I interrupted, cutting her off gently. “Dont worry it's nothing, and i need to stretch my bones”.

For a minute, she simply stared at me, her barriers melting slightly.Then, with a slight nod, she returned to the rubble and began sweeping. We worked side by side, the sound of brooms scratching against the concrete breaking the silence. Occasionally, our hands would brush against each other as we grabbed for the same piece of debris, and we'd both awkwardly pull back with murmured apology.

It wasn’t much, but as the minutes passed, the weight in the air began to lift.

“Okey, i get it you want to help, but why what made you forgive me so quickly?” Sunset finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft and hesitating, as if she wasn't sure she wanted the response.

I paused, leaning on my broom. “Hmm, even if i tell you the truth, you wont belive it, let's just say, that when i was half-dead, somebody made me understand that's there good, in you, and you deserve second chance and now we are her ”

She looked at me, her eyes shimmering with something I couldn’t quite place. “Even me? Even after everything I've done?”.

"Even you.”

Her lips trembled as she tried to hold back her emotions. “Wow, that is big even for someone as you, just.. thanks..”

“Don’t mention it,” I said, resuming my sweeping. “And seriously dont worry about my reputation, i dont care what they think, i did what i did because, i wanted to do it.”

She gave a faint, reluctant chuckle. But then her gaze turned to my arms, where the scars on my wrists were visible, which I tried to hide. Her eyes lingered on the larger scar on my belly, the one from when I'd been stabbed and cut, the recollection still vivid in my mind.

She didn’t say anything, but I could feel her looking at me. The concern was there, so evident in her eyes. The kind of concern that made me feel exposed, like she could see every part of me I’d kept buried. I shuffled uneasily and looked aside, wondering how to handle it. "Don't worry the wrist are old, and the abdomen one healed pretty quickly, its nothing " I muttered, not sure if I was trying to convince her, or myself.

But she did not fall for it. Slowly, she reached out, her hand hanging near my arm, wondering if she could touch it. "What happen? Did you did this to yourself?" She said gently, her voice cautious, as if she knew she shouldn't ask but couldn't help herself. The words hung in the air, thick and oppressive. I took a breath, attempting to stabilize myself, but it did not help.

"Things haven't always been easy for me." I answered gently, looking at the ground. The weight of it all seemed too much to tell, too raw to reveal. But I didn't pull away this time. There was something about the way she looked at me that suggested she wasn't asking out of sympathy or curiosity. She wanted to understand me.

Even when it hurt, even when memories threatened to overwhelm me, I stayed. I couldn't turn away when she needed someone to lean on, even if it meant breaking down the barriers I'd constructed around myself.

She remained quiet, allowing me room, but her presence was steady and grounding. For a moment, it felt like we were both standing on the brink of something, two broken pieces attempting to figure out where they belonged. I leaned back slightly, perched on the edge of the marble wall, the cold stone cutting through my ripped suit. With a slight motion, I invited Sunset to sit next to me. She hesitated, her anxiety visible on her face, but after a moment, she sat down, maintaining a fair distance between us.

Why am I doing this? Why do I feel the urge to talk to her about this? I didn't tell the girls about my past, my self-harm, or the asshole who stabbed me, but now I'm thinking of sharing my darkest memories with a girl who was nothing more than a bully until hours ago...

Sunset fidgeted uneasily, her hands clutched tightly in her lap. She whispered something under her nose, an attempt to break the stillness. I didn't answer right away since my head was filled with reluctance and worry. But then instinct took over. Then I placed my hands on my abdomen, fingers caressing the big, jagged scar that ran across the muscle. It visible through the shredded remnants of my outfit. “You know I’m from Cloudsdale, right?” my voice low and rough. Sunset tilted her head, surprised by the suddenness of my words.

Her stare remained steady and curious as I continued. "Back then, I had friends. I assumed, they were my friends. They were laughing at me, not with. The words came out sour, and the memory slashed through me like a dull knife. "They were trouble , but I had no idea how much. One night, they got high—drunk, reckless—and decided it would be 'fun' to play a game with me. They knocked me to the ground, and then tied me with an rope, as if it were a terrible joke. They pushed, kicked, punched me until I was near passing out." I paused, feeling the weight of the memories tighten my throat. Sunset's eyes widened, and her expression changed from shock to dread. “And then,” my voice cracking slightly, “One of them... one of them said, ‘Let’s see what you’ve got in you, sweetie.’” My fingers dug into the fabric of my ruined shirt as I looked down at the scar again. “That’s what they left behind,” motioning to the jagged line across my abdomen. “Their idea of a joke.Their idea of fun.”

Sunset's palm shot to her lips, and her face turned pale. She didn't say anything at first—perhaps she couldn't—but her eyes were brimming with unshed tears.

"I was just a target for them. "A toy," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I trusted them, and they left me with this—this is an reminder that I was nothing to them."

The silence between us was deafening. Sunset looked like she wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. I didn’t blame her. What could she even say to something like that?

“And the worst part,” I added, my voice shaking, “Is that i never told anyone about this, not the police, not even to my own father, i just said that i got into argument with my friends, and when going back home i got ambushed, y-you are the first one to know the truth sunset...”

Sunset's lips quiver as her hands fidgeted in her lap. She looked down, unwilling to meet my gaze. "Why... why are you telling me this?" she finally said, her tone gentle and timid.

I let out a hollow laugh, more bitter than anything. “I don’t know to be honest” I admitted. “Maybe i need to get this out my chest? I really don't know.” Her eyes eventually lifted to face me. And in her eyes, I detected something unexpected empathy. She stretched out, her hand hovering near my arm, but then paused, unsure whether she should.

“I’m... I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. “I don’t even know what to say.If i knew the truth earlier, i wouldn't be so mean to you...”

Her words shattered something within of me, and for the first time, I felt a weight begin to lift—not completely, but enough to breathe. The weight of the discourse was nearly too great to take, and I could feel my own emotions fraying. But that was my limit. I couldn't express certain things because I wasn't prepared to discuss them. I thought about the kid, and my mother.

But I pushed it down, burying the anguish where it normally remained. I returned my glance to Sunset, who was still seated a little apart from me, her eyes filled with guilt and empathy. She appeared to be carrying her own weight and silent story. I looked at her, a little interested but not wanting to concentrate on it too much. "I have one question for you," gazing at Her. "How did you know what happened to my mom? I’m just... curious. No hard feelings or anything, just wondering."

Sunset paused for a moment before responding. "Well, when you first came to Canterlot High, I did some research on you," she said softly. "I saw police records on their site with your name on them. I wanted to have something on you." She gave me an apologetic face, as if she expected me to be unhappy.

"Okay, don't let that sink in. I was just wondering, no hard feelings okey?" I felt a shiver run down my spine, men, she can be rather frightening, or she was, but it doesn't matter anymore she regrets it, and I'm willing to believe her. "What about you?" I inquired, my voice gentler now. "What is your story, Sunset?" What made you who you are... or, I suppose, were?"

I gave her a small smirk, trying to lighten the mood just a little. It didn't workm but it was a good try.

Evidently taken off surprise by the question. She paused, her hands wringing in her lap. "I... I don't even know where to start," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Maybe from the start, that's always good begining, I’m not going anywhere.”

She stared at me for a long time, as if looking for something in my expression. Then she groaned, her shoulders sagging from the invisible weight she was bearing. "It's not an excuse," she said, her voice quivering slightly, "but I wasn't always... like this." She made a vague gesture to herself, her eyes filled with humiliation. "Back in Equestria, the world from i came, I had ambition. Too much of ambition. I desired power, respect, and admiration. I thought I deserved everything."

Her palms curled into fists, and her knuckles turned white. "When I didn't get it—when Princess Celestia told, me i wasn't ready to be a alicorn—I became angry. No, not just angry—i got bitter. I assumed she was holding me back, that she did not recognize my ability. So I left. I fled, came here, and... well, you know the rest."

I didn’t say anything, letting her continue. She needed to let it out.

“At first, i wanted to prove her wrong...” her voice growing quieter. “Show her that i dont need her, that i can get power on my own. But somewhere along the line, it stopped being about that. It became about control. I wanted everyone to fear me because... because I thought that’s how I could finally feel... worthy.”

Her voice broke on the last word, and she quickly looked away, as if ashamed of her own vulnerability. “But it didn’t work,” she whispered. “No matter how much people i hurt, no matter how much control I had... I still felt empty. Alone. And now im here talking to you about my life, wondering if i can get better.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and raw. I could see the tears glistening in her eyes, the way her hands trembled as she tried to hold herself together. “You start by trying,” I said after a long pause. My voice was soft, but there was an edge of determination in it. “It's not going to be easy but we can take it slowly. But you’ve already taken the first step thru your redemption.”

She looked at me, her eyes searching mine. “And what was that first step?”

“Being here, simply facing it. Trusting me enaugh to tell me your story, old sunset wouldn't even though about it and you shared it with me.”

For the first time, a little, tentative smile appeared on her lips. It was flimsy, like if it may break at any time, but it was there.“You’re... you’re really something else you know that?” she said softly.

“Well yeah.. Get used to this i'm going to be with you for a while.”

She let out a small laugh, the sound lighter than I’d expected.

"How about Equestria? What’s it like there?" my curiosity getting the better of me. "I didn’t get a chance to ask Twilight. She only told me that somekind of ponies leave there, instead of us humans. Also it was so weird, i woke up the girls are looking like they came from pony fashion show, also the horn, and wings i had, i felt like magic was pulsing from me.

I paused, a bit embarrassed, ' Well the horn’s was just for decoration, though. I don’t really know how to use it, but... well, it was there, i could feel it".

Sunset's giggle faded into a soft grin, and her eyes brightened somewhat, as she appeared to enjoy the change in topic. "Equestria," she said, almost longingly. "It's... wonderful. In every way possible, this is not like here. The skies feel larger, the air feels cleaner, and magic... it's everywhere. It is part of everypony, earth, pegasus or unicorn everypony has his own kind of magic. She paused, looking at me with wonder. "Wait, wings and a horn?" Are you certain? I couldn't see anything, but your body resting there. I could get myself to look closer.

I nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I didn't get a good look at myself I didn't have a mirror or anything, but I could feel them. It was bizarre. Like, I instantly knew and felt things that I didn't understand before.It was overwhelming, but also incredible."

Sunset leaned back slightly, looking at me with a mixture of astonishment and thinking. "That's... unusual," she admitted. "In Equestria, having both wings and a horn, usually indicates that you are an alicorn. Alicorns are quite rare, and i mean, very rare. They're a hybrid of all three species of ponies: earth ponies, who are strong and grounded, pegasi, who can fly and control the weather, and unicorns, who wield magic."

I raised an eyebrow, attempting to understand that. "So, what? I accidentally joined an exclusive club?"

She chuckled quietly. "It's not really a club. Alicorns are typically rulers or leaders. Celestia, Luna, and now Twilight. They symbolize balance and harmony. It's somewhat of a significant deal."

That made me pause. I remembered the rush of magic I'd felt, how it had flowed through, me like an uncontrollable fire. "Why me?" I mean, I am just a dude. I do not belong in a world of magic and princesses."

Sunset tilted her head, her face thoughtful. "Magic never follow the rules especially when it entered this realm. Perhaps the magic recognized something in you—a potential or need—and responded to it. You did something brave, right? You put yourself in harm's way to save others. "That's not nothing."

I looked away, feeling the weight of her words. “It didn’t feel brave. It felt just like a thing i needed to do..”

“Sometimes that’s what bravery looks like,” she said softly. “Doing the right thing, even when it’s terrifying. Even when you’re not sure you’ll make it out.”

I let what she said time to sink in, trying to sort out idea of myself with the person she was descring. The thought of being connected to something as great as equestrian magic seems... strange. However, there was a peculiar sensation of belonging in it, as if it answered something I hadn't realized I was missing.

“So... this magic,” I said slowly. “Is it still in me? I felt it fading ,but i can't sense it now, is it still in me??”

Sunset shakes her head. "It's difficult to say. The portal, the crown, and the Element of Harmony— had an impact on this realm. Things might return to normal, or they might not. If you ever need assistance, I will do everything I can, to return the favor for what you did today for me. Her comment stayed in the air between us, genuine and grounded. I looked down at my hands, recalling the glow, power, wings, and horn I'd experienced. It wasn't something I fully understood.

“Thanks,” meeting her gaze. “I mean it.”

Sunset smiled, a warm and full of gratitude. “You’re welcome. And again... thanks for giving me a chance, even after everything."

"No problem Sunset" I responded to her with a smile."You know what, im have no regrets, your not as bad as i thought, it's actually pretty cool to talk to you when you are not mean"

Sunset's eyes widened slightly, and her face flushed a deep red, almost matching her hair. She hastily glanced away, fumbling with a stray thread in her jacket. The air between us became excruciatingly unpleasant, and the weight of my own words struck me like a ton of bricks.

“Oh shit,” the realization sinking in. Why did I say that out loud, for fuck sake?

I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my head, trying to ease the tension. “Uuuuh, yeah you know what I mean, you’re alright, decent. Definitely better when you’re not, you know, plotting anything about magic or turning into a demon.”

Her eyes returned to mine, a mixture of laughter and embarrassment lighting them up. "Wow," she murmured, rolling her eyes, yet her voice had a hint of laughter. "That's a way to bring it up. ”

I shrugged, grinning sheepishly. “Hey, just saying. Progress tadaaa”

She shook her head, but I could see the corners of her mouth twitching upward despite herself. “Yeah, I guess so.” But the akwardness remained, quieter and almost manageable. I looked at her again, and for a minute, I noted how different she looked—not only in her posture or face, but also in the way she held herself. She was not the same girl who had terrified the school not long before. She was human. And maybe, just maybe, we weren’t so different after all.

Clearing my throat, I decided to break the silence. “Sooo uh what's the plan, are you gonna become friends with everyone, or save the word?”

Sunset laughed, a real, genuine laugh that lit up her face. “Something like that. Though I think I’ll start small.. something like cleaning this mess.”

“Eyy that's good beginning ” I said, smiling the kind that felt rare these days. For a minute, I wanted to ask her what had happened while I was away, how they defeated her but then I knew that would simply return us to the heaviness, we had just managed to escape. Instead, I rose up and brushed away the dust from my damaged suit. I grabbed the broom and began sweeping the remaining debris into the big pile we had created together. The repetitive sound of bristles hitting the stone was somehow calming, a bizarre form of collaboration in the midst of everything that had happened.

When we completed sweeping and piling the larger rocks, I turned to gaze at the gaping hole in front of the school door, which was now more visible with the surrounding rubble cleaned. I tilted my head and let out a low whistle. "Oh its.. bigger than i thought."

Sunset took a look at the hole as she ran a hand through her matted hair. "Yeah... that's going to take more than a broom to fix."

I chuckled, leaning the broom against the wall. “Okey ill go grab a shovel from the janitor’s closet. No offense, but that’s going to be a pain for you to deal with on your own.”

She looked at me, her expression halfway between astonishment and amusement. "You're seriously going to help me fix that?"

"What can I say?" I'm already here, and i've done half the job" I said, winking, "consider it my good deed for the day."

Her lips curled into a faint, almost bashful smile, and, for the first time, she appeared relaxed. "Another one of your good deeds, thanks again" she murmured gently, her voice surprisingly warm.

"No problem," I said, already walking to the school to find what we needed. "Come back in a minute. Don't let that pile of rubble be lonely while I'm away."

My thoughts drifted as I walked back from the janitor's closet, shovel in hand. Why did Mom tell me to help Sunset? The question circled in my mind, with the answer just out of reach. And suddenly, with a jolt, I remembered the dream—the one I had not long ago. The one when I was holding a girls hand in the cafeteria. Then i realized it. The girl with purple hair was Twilight and the other was... Sunset?" Is it some type of vision? To be honest, I'm not surprised everything has changed"

The memory caused my face to flush, with a deep heat creeping across my cheeks. Wasn't that ridiculous? I shook my head, hoping to clear it. How could the dream have foreseen all of this? And if we were talking about things that didn't make sense, how had I seen Mom? And him...

My thoughts vanished when I heard it—a low, quiet sound. Sobbing.

There she was, Sunset, resting against the wall close to the debris pile that we had been clearing. She tried to stifle the sound of her sobs, her shoulders quivering slightly and her head bent. She was confused, shattered, and lost.

Not knowing what to do, I stood there hesitantly like a fool. After a few seconds, she became aware of me. Her movements were hurried and awkward, as she wiped her eyes, as if she believed she could remove the traces of her tears. Then she forced a smile that stopped short of her eyes and looked up.

“oh hey ” her voice trying to be steady. “You’re back arleady huh.”

I walked closer, setting the shovel down against the wall. “Sunset…” I began, my voice gentle. “Did something happend when i was gone?”

“No. Everything is the same as before... im fine.” She shook her head, trying her best to smile but her shaking hands betrayed her.

I stepped closer, my movements slow, careful not to overwhelm her. “Sunset you don’t have to pretend near me.”

Her lip quivered, and she sighed, her resolve crumbling. “I just…” she started, her voice cracking. “I just don’t understand, why you’re even here. Shouldn’t you be inside, dancing with everyone else in the gym? Why did you… Why did you give me your hand?”

Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw.

I did not respond right away. I motioned for her to come closer as i sat on the ground . After some hesitation, she finally sat next to me. This time, she sat directly next to me. I took a moment to collect my thoughts while I stared at the ground.

“Why did I give you my hand you ask?” I repeated, more to myself than her, her tear-streaked face catching the faint glow of the gym lights in the distance. “Because I’ve been there, Sunset. I’ve been at rock bottom, where you’re so deep in the dark that you think there’s no way out. And when you’re in that place, you really need is for someone to reach out and pull you back.”

Her shoulders shook, and a small sob escaped her lips. She quickly tried to stifle it, but I placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.

“It’s okay to feel this way,” I said. “It’s okay to cry. You’ve been carrying so much Sunset, i know you didnt showed it but you were hurting deep inside.”

Tears streamed down her face now, and she didn’t bother to hide them. “I don’t know how to fix it,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You don’t have to fix everything all at once,” I told her. “It’s not about being perfect, or making everything right overnight. It’s about taking one step at a time, and tonight was your first step.”

She looked at me, her expression a mix of disbelief and gratitude. “How are you so sure, I can change?”

“Because I can see it in you. The way you’ve been tonight, standing there and taking responsibility—you’re already changing, Sunset. You’ve got me remember? I will be helping you.”

Her breath hitched at my words, and for a moment, she looked like she might break all over again. But then she nodded, a flicker of hope shining in her tear-filled eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling but sincere. “For everything.”

I nodded back, “You’re welcome, Sunset. Just remember, it’s never too late to be the person you want to be.” I gently patted Sunset on the head a few times, allowing my palm to rest on her hair long enough to feel its smooth texture. She froze for a second, and her eyes were wide when I gazed into them. Her cheeks flushed deeply, and she looked away hastily while saying something to herself.

I couldn’t help but smirk at her reaction. “You just need to try, i dont expect you to change on your first day” I said softly, trying to offer her the same encouragement, she probably hadn’t heard much of in her life.

Her head jerked a little, and her face changed from one of embarrassment to one of astonishment and tenderness. She averted her gaze once more while holding onto the ground she was resting on. "T-Thanks," she said in a scarcely audible whisper. “Anyway, let’s get back to filling this hole,before Celestia thinks we’re slacking off.”

When I started filling the hole, we began talking about the most random things, at first to pass the time and eventually to get to know each other better. "What color is your favorite?" I threw another shovelful of soil into the pit and asked.

“Orange,” she responded almost too quickly, like i should have know that from beggining.

I snorted. “Yeah my bad I could’ve guessed that it fits you.”

“What about you?”

“Gray, like the color of storm clouds. Calm but kind of intense at the same time, you know what i mean”

She paused for a moment, studying me with a curious expression. “That... actually suits you,”

“Thanks? I think?”

That made us both giggle, and the topic of conversation shifted. I found out that she owned a motorcycle, which somehow didn't surprise me in the least. I could see her riding one, her hair blowing in the wind, her self-assured grin fixed firmly.

Sweat was streaming down my cheeks and my arms hurt by the time the hole was filled. I took a moment to collect my breath and rested on the shovel. I believed she had needed a break because sunset had vanished somewhere.

She returned with two bottles of water in her hands. She gave me one without saying anything and took a seat near me.

“Thanks,”

She nodded, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, her gaze fixed on the ground, then the doors of the school opened.

As the fall formal came to a end, students started to flow out, their voices filling the air. The mayhem that had occurred earlier that evening, laughter and conversation reverberated all about us. Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at Sunset. She had a gentle, even sad look on her face as she observed the students .I turned my attention back to the crowd and sighed slightly. “I guess its time to get out of here"

A slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked at me. . “Yeah... I guess so.”

The sound of footsteps brought our attention. The girls came out, their cheeks gleaming with the type of happiness that only comes from night's well spent, despite their fatigue. It makes sense why they were so exhausted. A full night of dancing, laughter, and, oh yeah, defeating a magical she-demon with the power of friendship? That could exhaust anyone.

They came over to us, their faces changing as they saw Sunset and I seated together. Pinkie Pie appeared to bounce despite her obvious exhaustion, while Applejack gave me a small gesture of encouragement by tilting her hat a little. Fluttershy and Rarity trailed along, both flashing hesitant little smiles. Naturally, Rainbow Dash had her arms folded, her face inscrutable but not hostile.

There was a different story behind them. Other students had begun to gather close to the entrance, their gazes intent and heavy. While Lyra—i think that was her name—and another girl I didn't recognize stood close by, their eyes nearly burning into us, I caught a glimpse of Flash Sentry, his stare impenetrable and keen.

“We are like main attraction to them haha” I muttered under my breath.

Sunset’s gaze flickered to the crowd, and I could see the fear creeping back into her eyes.I stood up, brushing the dirt off my ruined suit, and took a step closer to the crowd . “Alright dicks” I said loudly, drawing the attention of the students. “You’ve had your fun staring. Show’s over. Go home.” A few muttered something under their breath and began to scatter, while others paused. Flash stayed a little longer, staring at me, but then he turned and left, taking the other girl and Lyra with him.

I turned to the girls, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Well that's something i need to get used to, i think.”

Sunset gave me a quick glance, and our eyes briefly locked. Something, something silent but strong, was in her eyes. Perhaps gratitude? or comprehension? It felt, whatever it was, important.

It was weird night that's for sure with a lot of thing happening, twilight was gone for 30 moons, sunset is reforming, i saw my mom..

"okey girls its time to head home, i can feel that i will colapse if i will stay awake more than 10 minutes, you all should go too and be ready for tommorow, we will have a lot on our minds..."

Author's Note

Woooah 3 chapters today (2 mentioning that i cut one but shhh) i wanted to, you know end this better way, now is the real ending of season 1, Sunset and our main character got little closer to understanding each other, some thing were sorted. Have fun reading and be ready for another adventures !