'Okay, okay, right, I, ugh, fuck. I- I don't know what I'm doing, Twi. Gods, I miss you. I miss all of you, but you're safer this way. Safer without me. So, right, yeah. You're probably wondering where I am. By the time you see this video, I'll be long gone. Please don't try looking for me. I haven't gone back to Equestria, either, so Princess Twilight can't help you. To be frank, I don't know where I am. I don't know if you know why I'm even doing this?'

Twilight Sparkle sat silently in the chair as the video form of Sunset Shimmer barked out a laugh, but it held no humour. The girl's hair was a mess, and the bags under her eyes combined with a few scratches or cuts that still had dried blood around them had almost been enough to make Twilight faint. It had been enough for Rarity, but then she was afraid of blood. Behind her, she could feel Applejack shifting to clutch at Rainbow Dash, who was gripping Twilight's chair with a force that half surprised Twilight hadn't broken the back off of it yet.

'Let me recap for you. Two, no, maybe three nights ago, I don't know how long it's been, someone came to my house in the middle of the night. I don't know who it was. But they threatened you, Twi. Threatened you all. I wanted to believe it was nothing, but, fuck, Twi. Maybe it's on the news as a kidnapping or something by now, and that would be accurate. They-'

Sunset's eyes narrowed and she looked up from the camera with a soft growl. Twilight spared a glance around the room, and Fluttershy looked set to cry while Pinkie Pie's normally vibrant, bouncy pink curls had deflated. Sunset's voice dropped to a whisper through the video.

'They shot me. My leg - I can walk, I can run, but it's not easy. I know you think I should just come back so you can help, but I can't risk you getting hurt. I can't come back until they're gone, be that dead or in prison. This video, I'm seriously hoping you get this, I need you to tell the police, or something. I don't know where I am, but I'm not sure how much longer I can last out here on my own. I need help, but I won't let you come. You need to stay safe.'

Sunset's eyes shot up from the camera again, and she reached out, picking up the device that was recording.

'I seriously hope I can find somewhere to send this to you. Just please, look-'

A crashing sound, and Sunset flinched.

'Look east. I don't know where, but east, near the coast, swampy, fuck-'

Something cracked, and Sunset scrambled to her feet, grabbing the camera and jogging onwards.

'Just, whatever happens, don't come after me.'

The video ended.

Author's Note

hey hey!
unique note for you for once, but I'm just reiterating what I said there.
No idea what this was but I am seriously tired so just take it.
ALSO 15 MINUTES BEFORE MIDNIGHT IS STILL BEFORE MIDNIGHT OKAY LOVE YOU ALL GOODNIGHT
man I better sleep well tonight I am shattered