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- >"-set?"
- >"Sunset, dear?"
- >A warm, pressure grabs a hold of her arm.
- >She snaps out of her daydream with a jolt.
- >"Yesyes, I'm here what's the issue?"
- >Sunset shakes her head back and forth, aware of her surroundings again.
- >Her eyes fall onto the girl with royal purple curls, Rarity, who is beside her.
- >"The issue is you Sunset, darling."
- >Rarity drew her hand back slowly and a look of concern appeared
- >Her eyebrows slightly curved downward and her smile went crooked.
- >"This is about the fifth time I've had to break you out of your own little world."
- >Sunset look downwards slightly and recalled four other times where the world just seemed to drown itself out.
- >Everything looked blurred and mixed together. Faces became unrecognizable and colors just drained out of the environments as Sunset's thoughts continued.
- >The only thing left in this void of nothingness was what appeared to be a purple dot.
- >"What does it mean...?" Sunset's thoughts thought.
- >The void suddenly begins to quake as her eyes refocus.
- >The girl with the purple curls has her hands on Sunset's cheeks and is wearing a panicked expression.
- >"Sunset?"
- >"Sunset please, you're really scaring me"
- >Her eyes darted around, but she realized she was back in CHS and out of her head.
- >Grabbing the girl's hand from her cheek she tries to calm her down.
- >"Rarity, I"m fine."
- >With both of her hands she calmly set's Rarity's back to her.
- >"I've just had a lot on my mind" Sunset chuckled nervously
- >Turning around she see one of Sunset's best friends, Twilight Sparkle walking down the hall.
- >Sunset lowers her her voice and grabs the side of her arm with her hand.
- >"...A lot on my mind"
- >Rarity glances over to where Sunset's gaze stopped.
- >It was their universe's Twilight Sparkle.
- >"Just like the last four times" Rarity said to herself
- >Awkwardly they stood while minutes ticked by which seemed like hours.
- >Rarity reached out and rested her hand on Sunset's slightly trembling shoulder.
- >"Darling" she began
- >"You know you can talk to me about anything right?" her hand starting to gently rub Sunset's shoulder in a circular motion.
- >"I worry when you get like this" she softly said.
- >This only made Sunset retreat back behind her emotional wall even more
- >She still can't believe the very person she blackmailed and whose life she made a living hell for years was honestly caring about her wellbeing.
- >Without looking at Rarity, Sunset replies "Yeah, I know, I'm fine really"
- >This answer is disappointing to hear.
- >Rarity sighs to herself.
- >"Alright dear, if you say s-" Her words trailed off as she looked at the clock.
- >"Oh my goodness, I'm going to be late for my Geography test!"
- >Gathering up her things she bolts down the hallway
- >"LaterSunsetSeeyouInABit!"
- >After she is gone your mind drifts back to that purple dot.
- >It felt...right to imagine it.
- >Sunset's heart thumped in her chest.
- >The dot sprouted arms and legs.
- >Skinny, smooth, and slender.
- >A head popped up from out of it.
- >Her hair tied back in a ponytail and her glasses slightly crooked
- >It was her dear friend Twilight Sparkle.
- >"Sunset?" she spoke.
- >The world dissolved back into reality slowly as Twilight tried her best to get Sunset's attention.
- >"Sunset, hello?"
- >"You're going to be tardy"
- >Was Sunset dreaming?
- >"C'mon, if you get another tardy Mr. Doodle is going to kick you off the fencing team for sure!"
- >Without thinking she grabbed Sunset's wrist and unknowingly set off an unseen chemical reaction.
- >Sunset.exe has stopped working.
- >"What the hell is going on with me?" Sunset tried to understand, but...
- >Sunset had never noticed how soft Twilight's hand were...
- >"Nope, stay focused Sunset. You can't space out now." through clenched teeth and a forced smile she tried to keep up with Twilight.
- >Awkwardly stumbling over herself a few times
- >Sunset had never noticed how soft and bouncy Twilight's hair looked...
- >"Goddammit Sunset, pull yourself together" Sunset snapped at herself.
- >Finally they reach their destination and Twilight lets go of Sunset's wrist.
- >"I know you might be nervous about today's lesson Sunset, but don't worry we can have a study session tonight with the girls"
- >Twilight smiled warmly.
- >Sunset's cheeks felt red hot.
- >"Y-Yeah, that sounds..." Sunset cleared her throat.
- >"Sounds like a blast Twilight."
- >Sunset's hand gripped the side of her pants and only then did she realize how sweaty they felt.
- >This in turn only caused her body to shiver like someone had just walked over her grave.
- >Sunset ducks into the classroom shielding her face from all her classmates.
- >Twilight walks in slightly confused, but figures it can wait until after school today to talk about.
- >Today was going to be a weird day.
- >Her head slumps against the cold desktop.
- >"Smooth Sunset"
- >A full body sigh escapes her chest.
- >"Smooth."
- >Students start to pile into the classroom.
- >Twilight approaches the seat right next to Sunset wearing a worried expression.
- >Sunset forgot about that.
- >Nervously, she averted her eyes down to her notebook.
- >She wasn't even sure if she grabbed the right one, but it wasn't like she was going to pay attention to much else anyway
- >Opening the pages the familiar letters and numbers of pre-calculus filled Sunset's vision.
- >Alongside the numbers were doodles.
- >Usually a crude sketch of one of Sunset friends or dragons.
- >Mr. Doodle's lesson about whatever the hell droned on and on.
- >Twilight was very studious about her note taking and was keeping track of multiple notebooks.
- >Sunset swears she's part octopus.
- >Taking a glance at her sketch, Sunset sees it's starting to take on a sight she knows all too well.
- >Wavy bangs up front with a simple ponytail in the back
- >Sunset's neck and forehead begin to sweat.
- >"Just stop thinking about this"
- >"Just stop thinking about this and just...just..."
- >It was at that point Sunset noticed things had become eerily silent.
- >Looking up from her notebook she sees pure white.
- >Every direction, no matter where her head turns, is white
- >An uneasy feeling crept into Shimmer's stomach as she tried to figure what the hell was happening.
- >The hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge.
- >Someone was there with her, watching, and waiting.
- >Slowly, she cocks her head to the right.
- >What she sees causes her heart to pound in her ears.
- >That same purple dot except this time it's already taken shape.
- >"Twi-Twilight?" sweat dripped from Sunset's face as she grimaced.
- >Twilight looked...normal.
- >Same hair, same clothes, but for some odd reason the reflection off her glasses hid her eyes.
- >Then without warning, she slowly started to make her way towards you.
- >Each step was soundless, but it was like they were marching along to the beat of Sunset's heart.
- >A million of things came to Sunset's mind, but not a single one made it out of her mouth.
- >Twilight was closing in.
- >She stopped right in front of Sunset just an arm's length away.
- >Sunset's teeth clenched and she tried to look for a way out of here.
- >She felt a warmth wrap around her back.
- >Stunned she turned her gaze back in front.
- >Twilight had her arms wrapped around Sunset's back and her cheek was nuzzling her jacket's leather shoulder.
- >"...She's hugging you" Sunset's thoughts stated
- >"...She's hugging you and it actually feels...nice."
- >Sunset's guard began to lower. Her hands no longer trembled.
- >She instead wrapped them around Twilight in a similar fashion.
- >Everything about Twilight is so soft.
- >Sunset embraces Twilight in a firm hug and to feel her softness all over.
- >The butterflies in Sunset's stomach were doing aero-ballet, but she didn't care.
- >Her gut told her this was the right thing.
- >And her heart felt the same way.
- >"Slosh"
- >Drawn out of her thoughts by something she touched.
- >Sunset brought her hand close to her face while still around Twilight.
- >Her was covered in what looked like purple paint
- >Confused she was about to ask Twilight what was going on.
- >Grabbing her shoulders she breaks the hug gently and faces Twilight.
- >"Twili-" she couldn't even get her name out before the words were stolen from her lips.
- >Twilight's face looked like it was rippling.
- >Cascading waves just traveling downwards.
- >Still wearing that same warm smile.
- >"What the fu-" Sunset said as she tried to turn and run, but found she couldn't lift her leg up.
- >Come to think of it she couldn't feel her legs anymore either.
- >She looked down and nearly had a panic attack at what she saw.
- >Her leather boots looked exactly like Twilight's face, they were oozing and cascading downwards into a puddle on the floor.
- >Defying what she saw, Sunset tried to lift her legs to run, but it was no use.
- >She tried to pry her legs up with both her arms, but it was useless.
- >For her arms had begun to drip and fade from sight.
- >Pretty soon she felt both her arms fade and combine with the mess that was once her legs.
- >Sunset was in panic mode.
- >She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
- >"Mmmm!?" tilting her head downwards she saw the goopy remains of her mouth sliding off her body.
- >"Mmmmph!"
- >"Mmm-Mmmph!?!" soon she was nothing but a head floating on a puddle that was once her body.
- >All hope was lost for Sunset.
- >She opened her eyes one last time, but she wished she didn't
- >Twilight's almost full melted face was just staring at you.
- >Still, Sunset couldn't see her eyes. They were hidden behind those glasses.
- >This sight haunted Sunset more than the whole melting thing.
- >Sunset tried to scream, but no sound came out.
- >The last thing she saw before fading into the puddle was the warm smile of Twilight.
- >"Please no, Twilight help me!"
- >"Twilight, please don't let me go!
- >"Twilight!"
- >A sharp object pokes Sunset in the side.
- >She erratically comes to.
- >Her eyes refocus on the light from above and the blurriness of everything shortly wears off.
- >She's back in Pre-Calc.
- >"Ms. Shimmer!" Mr. Doodle barked.
- >"I know Pre-Calculus isn't the most exciting subject, but that doesn't give you the excuse to cause such a disturbance in class!"
- >"What is all the commotion about?"
- >All eyes were on Sunset.
- >And her eyes were on everyone.
- >Just darting around while sweat falls from her brow
- >All the prying eyes was making Sunset extremely uncomfortable.
- >She felt her chest heave in and out as she tried to catch her breath.
- >Her hands clenched and fidgeting with themselves.
- >She bit her bottom lip.
- >"Well?" Mr. Doodle prodded.
- >No matter what she thought the words would just not come out.
- >Her eyes drifted over to Twilight.
- >Worry doesn't even describe it.
- >If it were any other context Sunset was sure Twilight would show off that big heart of hers.
- >Twilight's the sweetest girl Sunset knows
- >"Oh god, I need to get out of here" invasive thoughts entered Sunset's head
- >With a sudden movement she wiped all her school stuff into her backpack.
- >"I-I don't, uhh feel well"
- >Sunset nearly galloped out the door
- >"Ms. Shimmer!" Mr. Doodle called after her
- >Sunset didn't look back.
- >She ran because that's what her brain told her to do.
- >Thinking on her feet she tries to find a place to hide out until the end of the day at least.
- >That's when she notices the girl's restroom
- >"No one really uses the one down this way anyway" Sunset thought.
- >Running through the door, Sunset checks underneath each stall before her adrenaline wears off.
- >No one in sight.
- >Sunset gets in and locks the stall door as she sits on the toilet lid.
- >She brings her knees up to her chest as her instincts are finally wearing down.
- >A sob gets caught in her chest.
- >Every time she closes her eyes all she can see is Twilight's smile melting away.
- >Today was going to be a very long day.
- >Tears were welling up in Sunset's eyes as her mind replayed her nightmare.
- >Nearly beat for beat.
- >A tightness grabbed a hold of her chest as she felt her throat close up.
- >"What is happening to you Sunset?" was the only thought to come to her mind.
- >More images flashed in her mind.
- >As if her own brain was answering her plea.
- >Important moments in Sunset and Twilight's life.
- >Saving her from Midnight Sparkle (Herself)
- >How she grasped Twilight's hand.
- >How that sent a tingle through Sunset's palm and down the base of her back.
- >Sunset remembers afterwards how Twilight looked at Sunset like she was this amazing hero.
- >Some shining beacon of friendship and hope.
- >That warm smile...
- >Sure, she was already in well with the girls and the rest of the school.
- >But this was different.
- >Twilight was pure.
- >Well, she wasn't biased against Sunset anyway.
- >At least not that she knew of.
- >All she did to this Twilight was kinda sorta yell at her, a lot.
- >But, Sunset made up for it with friendship and care.
- >The sound of footsteps approaching the bathroom door drew Sunset's attention.
- >She didn't want anyone to find her like this.
- >Hugging her knees tighter she ducked her head between them.
- >Trying to minimize her presence.
- >Sunset hears the door turn and open
- >"...is great. So, so gre-eat!"
- >That shrill, but girly voice.
- >And that smug tone.
- >It could only be one person.
- >Sunset leaned over as much as she could on the toilet lid.
- >Through a small crack in the stall door she saw a bit of grey-ish blue.
- >This confirmed Sunset's suspicions
- >It was Trixie, former bitch just like Sunset.
- >Well, not as much as she used to be.
- >Slowly she approached Sunset's hiding stall and tried to open it.
- >No dice.
- >"Stupid, cheap bathroom door" Sunset heard Trixie mumble.
- >Her fist knocked on the door.
- >"Hey, is someone in there?" Sunset saw Trixie's shadow darken as she crouched to peek under the stall.
- >She started to tightly hug her knees to her chest in hopes of maybe making herself unnoticable.
- >Her breathing stopped.
- >She was going to get caught she just knew it.
- >A few seconds go by and Sunset hears Trixie get to her feet.
- >"You may have bested Trixie this time stall door, but she will have her revenge!" Trixie says as Sunset hears her stumble.
- >"Stupid trash can!"
- >"Getting in Trixie's way like that!" Sunset hears another loud thump and hears Trixie yelp in pain.
- >"Goddamn she's as dense as a pile of bricks" Sunset rolled her eyes.
- >Without warning, you hear footsteps away from the stall and out the door.
- >"Is...she gone?"
- >Sunset's hands jittered slightly as she knelt down and took a peek from under the stall.
- >No sign of Trixie.
- >"Phew" Sunset let out a sigh of relief.
- >"I am really not in the mood to deal with her right no-" she stops in her tracks as she hears rapid footsteps heading back towards her.
- >The door swings wide open before she can react.
- >Trixie walks inside with a furrowed brow
- >"Where did Trixie leave her-"
- >"Oh, there it is" she calmly said as she grabbed a small bag off the sink
- >Her face relaxed as she put the bag to her side.
- >Sunset was frozen in place.
- >Eyes were wider than dinner plates.
- >Maybe by some sheer dumb luck Trixie wouldn't notice her.
- >"Sunset?" she cocked an eyebrow.
- >Luck wasn't on Sunset's side apparently.
- >Trixie looked from her to the bathroom stall she was trying to open earlier.
- >She opened her mouth to say something.
- >"Were you..."
- >Trixie's purple eyes were trained on Sunset's face.
- >Tears were still shimmering in Sunset's eyes.
- >Her legs felt like stone.
- >They wouldn't move.
- >Just like in her nightmare.
- >Suddenly the room felt like it was shrinking.
- >Sunset's heart pounded in her ears.
- >"Sunset?"
- >Trixie's voice was slightly smug, but her growing concern was new.
- >Sunset looked to her hands and saw they were shivering.
- >Shivering and trembling.
- >She felt a chill go up her spine.
- >A cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
- >She looked back over at Trixie, but she wished she hadn't.
- >Instead of Trixie's overzealous grin.
- >She was met by a horrific sight.
- >What appeared to be an amalgamation of Trixie and Twilight looked back at her.
- >Trixie's smokey grey hair tied back into Twilight's bun.
- >The same kind of baby blue top Twilight wears.
- >The pinkish-purple sparkle emblem that adorns her skirt was on the bag Trixie had grabbed.
- >Even down to her favorite pair of Mary Janes.
- >Sunset felt the vice around her heart tighten.
- >Her body shook violently.
- >She hugged herself in some desperate attempt to stop it.
- >"Sunset?" what sounded like Twilight's voice over top of Trixie's drew your attention.
- >Nervously, Sunset's eyes traveled up to Trixie's face.
- >A scream filled her lungs, but her mouth refused to let it out.
- >There on Trixie's face were Twilight's glasses.
- >Obscuring her eyes.
- >Sunset felt like she was close to a mental break.
- >However, she felt her legs finally give.
- >As she collapsed to the floor.
- >With quick speed Trixielite stepped forward to hopefully help.
- >Her hands tried to wrap onto her shoulder.
- >But Sunset wasn't having it.
- >"Don't touch me!" she yelled and pulled her arm away.
- >Trixie flinched back slightly.
- >Sunset's face was glued to the floor.
- >She was too frightened to look back up.
- >Trixie shifted around as her eyes looked from Sunset to the bathroom door.
- >"Uhh, Trixie can clearly see you're having a...moment"
- >"So she'll just walk the other way and pretend this didn't happen" the great and uncomfortable Trixie said.
- >Before she could take her second step however.
- >Sunset heard Trixie's voice.
- >Just Trixie's annoying voice.
- >Her eyes unglued from the floor and traveled upwards to see Trixie's normal everything walking away from her.
- >"Wait!"
- >Trixie stopped cold in her retreat.
- >"I...I have a...-" Sunset's throughts were barreling through themselves at a mile a minute.
- >Trixie turned around and saw the unsure look on Sunset's face.
- >Her face looked ghostly white, and pale.
- >"...a quest-question to ask.." Sunset finally found the nerve to get her voice heard.
- >Trixie rubbed the back of her head nervously.
- >"Uhh, sure go ahead" her voice not faltering in confidence, but her expression would lead Sunset believe otherwise.
- >Sunset wasn't prepared for Trixie to say yes so quickly.
- >The right words just wouldn't come to mind.
- >Her hand held the side of her arm as she felt her cheeks flush red-hot from embarrassment.
- >"...Trixie doesn't know if she wants to hear this question anymore" her slightly shrill voice rang in Sunset's head.
- >Her arms were folded on top of each other as she gazed with concern at Sunset.
- >Sunset closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
- >This time she started off calmer than she began.
- >"How would you...
- >"Let me put it like this actually" Sunset's face felt like it was boiling lava hot at this point.
- >"If...someone had a...cr-cr-cr...
- >The only way to get it out is to treat it like a band-aid.
- >Rip it off like a bra at Mardi Gras.
- >"If someone loved you...how would you want them to...tell you?"
- >Looking up, Sunset saw Trixie's pupils shrink as a look of raw surprise came over her face.
- >But, as quickly as it came it vanished back into that "Couldn't care less" attitude.
- >"Look Sunset, the Great and Powerful Trixie is flattered and all, but she's not interested"
- >"She's perfectly fine being a solo act at the moment"
- >Sunset's face somehow grew redder
- >"I-It's not you" she sputtered out.
- >Trixie's eyes lit up again.
- >She just stares at Sunset with a comprehensive look.
- >As if she was trying to see if Sunset was lying.
- >"It's not that one guy you used to date is it?"
- >"Brash or whatever?"
- >"Because honestly Sunset you could do way, wayyyyyy better than him."
- >Sunset's brow furrowed as the tears pooling in her eyes started to turn bitter.
- >"It's not him either..." her tone harsh.
- >Trixie cocked her head askew at Sunset.
- >"...Then Trixie has no idea who you are talking about"
- >"But, she totally gets it if you want keep it underwraps for now" she yawned.
- >"As for some advice."
- >Sunset looked up at Trixie's determined but tired face.
- >"Be bold, and don't fear rejection!" Trixie practically shouted.
- >"Because the worst thing that can happen is that they'll say no" she shrugged.
- >"Just remember that"
- >And although Sunset was still feeling a pit of pressure in her stomach.
- >Trixie's advice somewhat helped make it not so terrible.
- >Sunset rubbed the palms of her hands on her cheeks and sighed.
- >"Thanks Trixie"
- >Carefully Sunset pushed herself up off the cold bathroom tile.
- >It took a minute for her legs to readjust, and uncramp, but other than that she was feeling fine.
- >Physically anyway.
- >Sunset walked past Trixie and out the bathroom door
- >Sunset was feeling up to going to her next class.
- > A slight surge of confidence traveled throughout her body from her encounter with Trixie.
- >And all she had to do was hold onto that until the study session with Twilight and the girls later.
- >Casually she headed inside Ms. Cheerilee's room and sat down in her usual desk.
- >Everyone else piled in all murmuring to each other.
- >Sunset pulled out her lime-green notebook and opened it up to the middle.
- >The bell rang and Ms. Cheerilee shut the classroom door.
- >With her usual overly-chipper voice.
- >"Alrighty class, let's pick up where we left off yesterday with the Roman empire!"
- >This is where Sunset stopped listening.
- >History was another class where she didn't really need to pay attention much to get an A.
- >It just came naturally to her.
- >But the study sessions with Twilight and the girls always helped too.
- >Especially with Twilight's help.
- >Her and Sunset were practically queens of the school when it came to grade point averages at least.
- >Sunset looked through some of her recent doodles.
- >Trixie's advice echoed in her mind when she saw the drawing of Twilight's sparkle emblem she drew all over a page.
- >"The worst thing they'll say is no"
- >"Be bold!"
- >That pit in her stomach felt like it was swirling around itself.
- >She grabbed a pencil and started to shade the sparkly pretty star.
- >Sunset found herself thinking of Twilight's skirt.
- >How well it adorned her form.
- >How the color brought out the beauty in her...eyes.
- >Sunset blinked and looked around.
- >Students were looking towards the front at Ms. Cheerilee.
- >Who was still teaching a class.
- >Shaking her head her eyes drifted back down to her notebook.
- >Her breathing came to a halt.
- >Under what seemed like a haze Sunset had drawn an almost photorealistic portrayal of Twilight's eyes.
- >Plum-colored orbs that just seem to draw you in
- >A familiarity was present in them.
- >They felt like they belonged to someone warm and inviting.
- >A hissing silence brought Sunset's thoughts back to focus.
- >She again looked around, but was stunned to see nothing or no one.
- >Just an empty white void.
- >"Like earlier" Sunset's heart beat quickened.
- >Her gaze returned back down to her notebook and saw her entire desk had vanished.
- >She was standing in the middle of nowhere.
- >Scared, terrified, and on the verge of unease.
- >Her mind raced as she was preparing for anything at this point.
- >A chill traveled down her head and rode along her spine.
- >The instincts in Sunset's gut were telling her to turn around.
- >And she did, while her heart thumped loudly.
- >Each beat seemed to make the space vibrate.
- >Sunset's eyes met with a sight she remembered from the last time.
- >Twilight Sparkle.
- >Wearing that offputting, but warm grin.
- >Flashes of what happened to Sunset the last time caused her throat to constrict.
- >She slowly began to hyperventilate.
- >She rubbed her eyes vigorously with the palms of her hands.
- >Hoping to wake up from this nightmare.
- >The low hiss returned traveling on the coat tails of silence.
- >Sunset's body froze as she did something she probably shouldn't.
- >She began to lower her hands from her eyes.
- >Purple was all she saw.
- >Twilight had somehow teleported right in front of Sunset.
- >Sunset gasped and practically jumped out of her skin
- >Twilight didn't budge or react one bit.
- >She just kept smiling.
- >Sunset still couldn't see behind Twilight's glasses.
- >A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek.
- >Twilight's hand carefully rested on the side of Sunset's face and wiped the sweat off.
- >Sunset was still frozen in place.
- >Twilight's hand caressed the side of Sunset's face.
- >Inside of Sunset the pit began to stop whirling slowly but surely.
- >Her hand comforting Sunset like the best safety blanket.
- >Sunset found her hand moving up to rest on the side of Twilight's face.
- >Comforting her just as Twilight was.
- >Words escape Sunset, but she feels the sides of her mouth curve into a smile.
- >Why was she afraid of Twilight's smile?
- >She's fought magical creatures with the magic of friendship just to see her smile.
- >Seeing Twilight happy was what gave Sunset meaning.
- >And that thought warms her insides.
- >Twilight's hand moved down Sunset's face, to her shoulder, and landed palm first on her chest.
- >Sunset looked to Twilight still with joy in her eyes.
- >A pressure built up in Sunset's chest.
- >It felt like someone was grabbing for something.
- >Sunset's eyes looked down from Twilight as she saw her hand push past her chest and inside herself.
- >She screamed, or she tried to anyway.
- >Just as soon as Twilight pushed her hand in she pulled it back out.
- >Sunset's eyes widened from panic as she saw her still beating heart in Twilight's hand.
- >Without warning, Sunset crumpled to the floor.
- >It was like everything on her just completely failed all at once.
- >Legs wouldn't move, arms couldn't work, mouth wouldn't open, nothing.
- >Only her eyes could move and they just focused on Twilight standing over Sunset.
- >Her heart in hand.
- >All of a sudden, Twilight crumpled right beside her.
- >In a similar manner.
- >Sunset's eyes nearly bulged out of her head.
- >Her throat hurt as if she were screaming bloody murder, but still no sound came out.
- >-Squish-
- >A wetness appeared in Sunset's hand.
- >She strained her eyes downwards.
- >Numbness went throughout her body.
- >In her hand was a heart still beating.
- >Sunset's eyes looked back to Twilight.
- >There was a black empty hole in her chest
- >But Twilight's grin appeared wider.
- >The two hearts were still beating.
- >However the one in Twilight's hand was beating erratically.
- >Faster and faster, each thump shaking the foundation of this void.
- >Each beat making the hiss louder and louder until it was all Sunset could hear.
- >"N-No, please Twilight"
- >"Mmph"
- >"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
- >But her mouth refused to form the words.
- >The shine off of Twilight's glasses the only thing Sunset could focus on.
- >She felt a poke on her shoulder.
- >"Please don't go Twilight!"
- >The poke turned into a shake.
- >The void disappeared.
- >But the world that came into view was blurry.
- >As Sunset's vision readjusted she realized that all eyes were on her, again.
- >Ms Cheerilee looked at her concerned.
- >"Is everything okay Sunset?"
- >Sunset looked down at her notebook and saw Twilight's eyes.
- >With a sudden movement she held her hand up to her chest and felt her heart beating.
- >She let out a sigh.
- >"Uhh, y-yeah just...had the wrong notebook out...is all" she flashed Cheerilee a big, fake smile.
- >Cheerilee didn't look convinced.
- >"Alrighty then, just keep the noise to a minimum please."
- >"Others are trying to work"
- >Sunset slumped down in her seat.
- >"Heh...right...sorry" she squeaked.
- >She rested her head on her desk.
- >Eyes half closed she felt exhausted.
- >And all she's been doing today is sleep it seems like.
- >Sunset looked up at the clock on the wall.
- >A half hour until the group study session would meet.
- >She was beginning to half second thoughts about the whole bold and confidence thing.
- >The ringing of final bell got everyone's attention.
- >"And remember class, your papers on ancient roman architecture is due next week!" Cheerilee reminded the students shuffling out the door.
- >A few groaners, but most just kept on walking and talking.
- >Cheerliee turned her head when she heard a noise.
- >It was Sunset Shimmer, still putting her stuff away into her bag.
- >Her expression read emotionally wrought like a used sponge.
- >She stood up from her desk.
- >She felt like a weight was dropped on her shoulders.
- >Her head leaned forward as she shut her eyes and slightly frowned.
- >"...Sunset?" came Cheerilee's concerned voice.
- >Sunset turned to look in Cheerilee's direction, but she couldn't look her in the eye.
- >"Is...everything alright?"
- >It took every ounce of energy she had left to push another fake smile on her face.
- >The bags under eyes were still noticable however.
- >"N-Never better." a false tone of cheeriness coated Sunset's words.
- >Cheerilee's expression remained.
- >Her eyebrows were taut together, and her mouth stayed neutral.
- >"It's just, this is fourth time this month where you've nodded off during one of my lectures"
- >Sunset's left eye twitched.
- >"Not to mention how..."alarming" your sleep talking has become"
- >Sunset felt like she was facing down a speeding bullet train.
- >"...I guess what I'm trying to say is, do you need to talk to someone?"
- >Biting her lip, Sunset's anxiety pooled in her stomach as she thought of a way out of this situation.
- >"N-No, Ms. Cheerilee." stammered out Sunset.
- >She began to inch herself towards the door.
- >Her palms becoming moist and clammy.
- >"I'll just...I'll just try to get more sleep"
- >Sunset spun around facing the exit of the door.
- >But before she could leave she felt a warm pressure wrap on her shoulder.
- >Her head moved to see Cheerilee still looking distressed from not being able to help.
- >"Sunset" her voice calm, but anxious.
- >"You know you can talk to me about whatever is bothering you right?"
- >"Nothing you say will leave this room" she tried to reassure Sunset.
- >But all Sunset could feel was the stringing pangs of guilt stabbing her insides.
- >Memories of how she blackmailed Cheerilee to do the dumbest stuff just because could could.
- >Treating her like she was beneath Sunset.
- >All for the stupidest reason.
- >She didn't feel like she deserved her sympathy.
- >Her head hung low and she let out a sigh.
- >"Thank you, but...like I said I just need to sleep more"
- >Sunset wasn't even convinced by her own lie.
- >Cheerilee, disraught with not getting through to Sunset, bows her head and sighs as well.
- >"I understand Sunset"
- >"Go home, and get a good night's sleep then" she smiled at Sunset.
- >It warmed up Sunset's mood just a little, but not by much.
- >She waved and ran off towards the library.
- >It was time to face her fears.
- >Every Friday after school the girls all meet up in the library to catch up, study, do homework, and generally have a fun time.
- >This time it was to study for a big pre-calc exam.
- >But Sunset had more things on her mind than numbers and tests.
- >She was wondering how she was going to deal with being close to Twilight for a long period of time.
- >For the last month she's become an expert at keeping those feelings inside.
- >But lately they seem to be slipping out.
- >So she'll have to be on her guard.
- >Pushing open the door to the library, Sunset looks around at all the different tables.
- >A student reading, and a few friends meeting for an after school club.
- >But no sign of her friends.
- >"Pssst, Sunnnnset." she heard her name whisper yelled.
- >Turning her head back and forth she saw Twilight's overly enthusiastic waving hand, and beaming face.
- >She was sitting at a table.
- >All by herself.
- >A bad feeling sprung up from the bottom of Sunset's gut.
- >But she swallowed that doubt and pushed forward.
- >She walked to the table Twilight was at, and sat her stuff in a chair across from her.
- >Twilight was still flashing a small, dorky smile at Sunset as she had books, notebooks, and other accessories laid out before her.
- "Sooooo...where is everyone?" Sunset finally asked.
- >Twilight's eyes went wide for a second and then she lightly bumped her forehead.
- >"Oh right, I forgot to text you earlier"
- >"Turns out the soccer team decided to have emergency practice tonight so Dash couldn't come."
- >"Then Big Mac threw his shoulder out of whack trying to fix Applejack's tractor so she's at the hospital with him"
- >"Pinkie wanted to go support Maud at the local comedy club"
- >"Zephyr accidentally burnt a hole in Fluttershy's favorite dress so she's having that taken care of"
- >"And Rarity is how she's taking care of that so that's why she isn't here"
- >Sunset paused and took in everything Twilight just said.
- >It seemed like the universe was trying to make something happen.
- >Coincidences upon coincidences.
- >But she shook those thoughts away.
- >"Oh, well that's too bad"
- >Sunset's disappointed expression didn't cause Twilight's grin to waver.
- >"I like it when we all get together and just, you know, hang out."
- >Twilight nodded
- >"But, they all said they would make it up to us tenfold tomorrow." she expressed with glee.
- >"And besides, just because it's just the two of us doesn't mean we can't have any fun"
- >Sunset felt her cheeks flush red slightly at Twilight's last sentence.
- >The universe was a cruel mistress.
- >The universe was a cruel mistress.
- >"R-Right!" Sunset let out a nervous giggle.
- >Sunset drummed her fingers on the table.
- >"To be honest Sunset, I was surprised to see you here"
- >Sunset felt her eyes widen.
- >"I didn't see you at all after pre-calc, and..." her gaze turned downwards.
- >"Anyway, I"m just glad to see you're okay" she looked back up at Sunset with a comforting smile.
- >A little voice in the back of Sunset's head was screaming like a banshee.
- >Her heart felt like it was being smothered by thick wooly pillows and fire.
- >Twilight was genuninely caring about Sunset's wellbeing and as sad as it sounds that felt foreign to Sunset still.
- >"I-I-uhh, am glad I'm okay too!" Sunset forced a grin on her face.
- >Twilight raised an eyebrow at Sunset's answer.
- >Sunset's teeth clenched harder than an aligator eating its prey.
- >Her eyes darted around the table looking for something to change the conversation to.
- >A twinkle in her eyes occurred when she saw Twilight's study guide.
- >"So!"
- >"That looks like a hard problem on that there!" Sunset's voice was a little louder than normal.
- >She pointed over to Twilight's notebook and study guide.
- Twilight looked down at the paper to the one Sunset was pointing to.
- >"This one?" she asked.
- >Sunset vigorously nodded her head.
- >Twilight adjusted her glasses and focused on the problem.
- >"Hmmm, I'm sure if we both work on it we'll get it solved in no time!" Twilight triumphantly declared.
- >Sunset let out an internal sigh.
- >Her distraction had worked.
- >"I'd like that very much"
- >So Sunset pulled out a notebook and her and Twilight went hard into the world of math.
- >Nothing but the sound of scribbling, and calculator button pushing for a good five minutes.
- >"So if you subtract both sides by thirteen..." Sunset began.
- >"Then you multiply the numerator by its inverse..." returned Twilight.
- >"That would leave you with the square of x to the second power" Sunset was getting a bit excited.
- >"With that you would just plug it in to the original equation and it would result innnnn..." Twilight was getting a bit more excited.
- >"22!" Sunset practically shouted.
- >"45!" Twilight shouted at the same time as Sunset.
- >Twilight's expression grew worried.
- >"Wait, what?" Twilight sounded dumbstruck.
- >She chewed on her pencil as she made anxious wimpering noises through her hastening breaths.
- >"...That's right" her tone was cold.
- >"Easy Twilig-" before Sunset could finish Twilight practically jolted from her seat and came over to Sunset's side of the table.
- >She was getting really, really close into Sunset's personal bubble.
- >Twilight's ponytail was nearly resting in Sunset's face.
- >Her back was to Sunset.
- >Sunset felt like she should avert her eyes, move her chair further back, or something.
- >But she felt something inside of her that wanted to stay put.
- >Her thoughts were soon overtaken by a lovely aroma.
- >It reminded her of the smell of the royal kitchen in Canterlot.
- >Nearly every time she walked by there on her way to class the chefs were always baking something delicious.
- >Well, they smelled delicious anyway.
- >Sunset's heart was pounding in her chest as her eyes went half-lidded.
- >It was intoxicating.
- >So much so she found herself leaning forward until her face made contact with Twilight's ponytail.
- >The silkiness was indescribable.
- >What Sunset would give to run her fingers through it night after night.
- >"Did you hear me Sunset?" Twilight's restless voice fell on deaf ears.
- >"Sunse- Ah!" whipping her head over to Sunset she accidentally launched her glasses over on the library floor.
- >Hearing Twilight's scream, Sunset snapped out of her scent stupor.
- >"Twilight, what's wrong?" Sunset's motherly tone seeping through.
- >"My glasses flew off somewhere" Twilight squinted at Sunset.
- >"I think I saw them fly near your feet " she pointed to the left of Sunset.
- >"I think..." her answer didn't sound confident as she tried to sit back down without falling down.
- >Sunset carefully kneeled down and scanned the underside of the table.
- >She found her target right underneathe her chair.
- >"Found em!" Sunset happyily declared.
- >Picking them up before she gave them back to Twilight she held them up to lights in the library.
- >"Jeez Twilight, how can you see out of these things?" Sunset gave them an inspection.
- >Twilight's glasses were dusty and had light smudges on the lens.
- >For an overly organized girl Twilight was lacking in the "Care for your eyewear department"
- >"Hehe, I can usually see out of them just fine...sometimes." this time she nervously chuckled.
- >Sunset stifled a laugh.
- >"Probably because you're so used to them looking like this I bet."
- >"Here" Sunset lightly breathed on each lense letting them fog up.
- >She then rubbed each lens using her top as a cloth.
- >"Sunsettttttttt, that's just going to make them streak" Twilight whined.
- >"Trust me, they're going to be 200% better than what they used to look like" Sunset's determined expression not winning over Twilight.
- >She held them up to the light again and tried them on.
- >"Woah!"
- >"I can actually see stuff with these now" Twilight rolled her eyes and smirked a little at Sunset's joke.
- >Sunset gently placed them back on Twilight's face.
- >She blinked a few times and looked around as if she was seeing the world for the first time.
- >"...Wow" was all Twilight could say.
- >"You never thought to clean your glasses Twilight?" Sunset asked.
- >"Well...not like how you did it" Twilight shrank with embarrasmment.
- >It was Sunset's turn to smirk now.
- >"Aren't you glad you have me around?" Sunset did a fake courtesy at Twilight.
- >With a giggle, Twilight replied with:
- >"Of course Sunset, you're like the big sister I never had" Twilight expressed with the utmost glee
- >Twilight's sentence echoed in Sunset's mind like a haunting melody
- >Constantly on repeat.
- >Each time through just causing the light inside of Sunset to grow dimmer and dimmer.
- >"...Thanks Twilight" Sunset felt her heart beginning to dip inside the whirling miasma of anxiety and fear.
- >An involuntary tremble went up her body.
- >Twilight's concerned face returned.
- >"Sunset...?"
- >A buzzing sound grabbed Twilight's attention.
- >She reached into her backpack on the floor and got her phone.
- >She looked down at the screen.
- >"Oh my gosh, the girls are all having a slumber party at Pinkie's tonight!" Twilight's enthusiasm beginning to return.
- >Her beaming face looked over to Sunset.
- >"Do you want to come?" she politely asked.
- >Sunset was feeling like her night was over anyway.
- >"...No thanks Twi."
- >Twilight's bombastic mood deflated slightly.
- >"Maybe next time" sighed Sunset.
- >Twilight's eyes drifted down to her stuff.
- >"Oh, alright, that's okay"
- >"You look tired anyway why don't you go home and get some sleep" Twilight suggested.
- >"Yeah...I'll go do that" Sunset said in a deadpan tone.
- >Sunset grabbed all her stuff and shoved it in her backpack haphazardly.
- >"See ya later Twi" Sunset waved.
- >"...Sunset?" she turned around towards Twilight.
- >In a flash, Twilight was wrapped around Sunset.
- >Giving her a soft, light hug.
- >Sunset's hands were afraid to touch Twilight anywhere.
- >They were each shivering and shaking.
- >From the warm, and brightening Twilight making her body feel like it was melting.
- >The burn in her cheeks returned.
- >She just patted Twilight on the back and clenched her eyes shut until she stopped.
- >When she opened them Twilight was standing before her, hands behind her back, and wearing that innocent smile like a badge of honor.
- >Sunset smiled back at her.
- >Twilight was too much for her own good sometimes.
- >The ceiling of Sunset's room was an average looking white tile.
- >Each had their own divots, creases, bumps, and general wear n tear from exposure to the elements.
- >Sunset would know because she's done nothing but lose herself in them ever since returning home.
- >"You're like the big sister I never had!" Twilight's words felt like they circled around Sunset's neck.
- >Her stomach was stuck doing a never ending backflip it seems.
- >She rolled over on her side.
- >The sight of her alarm clock filled her vision.
- >10:44PM
- >Exhaustion hit Sunset like a burning truck running her over.
- >But sleep still eluded her grasp.
- >For countless more minutes all she did was toss and turn in her bed.
- >Her body just feeling uncomfortable in any position.
- >She brought her hands up over her eyes and groaned.
- >Sunset let her arms limply fall over to her sides.
- >So she did the only thing she knew how to do well.
- >She tried to force herself to sleep.
- >Her eyes were clenched down firmly.
- >Sunset turned over a few more times as she flipped over her pillow.
- >Soon her thoughts were drifting.
- >Images of Twilight's embrace played in Sunset's head.
- >How her body enveloped Sunset in a loving glow.
- >She found she didn't need to clench her eyes that tight now.
- >Her eyelids just drooped naturally.
- >Sunset finally felt like she could sleep.
- >However, a hissing sound in the silence made her heart skip a beat.
- >Opening her eyes to see what the noise was she found herself in an unbelievable situation.
- >She was back in the CHS library.
- >Sitting in the same seat.
- >Which was sitting across from the same Twilight Sparkle as before
- >Sunset should have been in full-blown panic mode, but a familiar smell calmed her nerves.
- >The fresh scent of the finest bakeries filled her nose.
- >It smelled just like when Twilight was...really close to her.
- >As soon as she thought that the hiss noise sounded again.
- >She looked up from her blurry notebook and saw Twilight had vanished.
- >Something then grabbed a hold of Sunset's hand.
- >Her head slowly moved to the side and saw the loving smile of Twilight Sparkle.
- >She was absolutely beaming.
- >Sunset looked down and saw that Twilights' hand was wrapped in a tender hold around her own.
- >Blood pumped quickly into Sunset's face as she felt her entire body turn into mush.
- >Her thoughts focused on Twilight.
- >Why was she afraid of feeling cared for and loved by her?
- >Why did she avoid how she really felt?
- >Questions like those became silly the more Twilight's hand held onto Sunset's.
- >All her cares seemed to melt away.
- >Their hearts were beating as one.
- >The air hissed again.
- >A little louder this time.
- >It went through Sunset like an arrow through a balloon.
- >A panicked gasp caused her head to turn in a hurry.
- >Twilight looked like she had just seen a ghost.
- >She fell backwards out of her chair as she scooted too far back.
- >"Twilight!?" Sunset hurried to Twilight's side and offered her a hand up.
- >Twilight looked to her hand as if it were a loaded gun.
- >Her eyes went wide as she started to hyperventilate.
- >"G-Get away from me!" she yelled through bated breath
- >A cold warmth spread throughout Sunset's heart.
- >"What?"
- >"Twilight, it's me, Sunset" Sunset stretched out her hand again to help her up.
- >However, Twilight just pushed herself backwards through clenched teeth and a frightened expression.
- >Her back hit a nearby bookcase.
- >"I-Is this some kind of cruel joke?"
- >Twilight hugged her knees tightly.
- >"Twilight...I don't understand..." Sunset felt her hope slowly drain.
- >Twilight let out a small growl.
- >As if she was sick of some game the two of you were playing.
- >"You're not Sunset" her brow furrowed
- >"I don't know who you are, and I don't know what you did with the real Sunset Shimmer" Twilight looked downwards at her necklace.
- >"But I won't have some monster going around trying to claim to be half the person she is" her conviction sounded strong.
- >Sunset felt her eye twitch and her mouth quiver.
- >"...A monster?"
- >"I'm...I'm not a monster Twilight"
- >"I'm...me" Sunset's eyelids drooped as she held her hands to her chest.
- >Trying to keep her heart from stopping.
- >Twilight picked herself up off the floor.
- >Her stance was aggressive, but Sunset knew Twilight would never hit her.
- >"Quit acting like you care about me!"
- >"Quit calling me Twilight!"
- >"and quit acting like...her." a sob was caught in Twilight's throat.
- >But her conviction stood firm.
- >"The real Sunset Shimmer cares about me, she cares about all of her friends"
- >"What do you care about?" she pointed accusingly at Sunset.
- >Sunset felt a balloon swell inside her chest.
- >Liquid desperation was flowing through her.
- >"You Twilight..."
- >"And my friends" she sniffled.
- >Twilight's glare only thickened with each word Sunset spoke.
- >"No you don't!" she stomped down hard.
- >"All you care about is yourself."
- >"N-no" Sunset was baffled.
- >"Your lust for power is the only thing you've ever truly cared about" Twilight shook her head solemly.
- >"You would use and step on anyone to get what you really desire."
- >Sunset couldn't believe the words coming out of Twilight's mouth.
- >Words were of no use to her right now.
- >Each one of Twilight's new points carving out more and more pieces of her insides.
- >Sunset looked to Twilight.
- >She stood with her arms crossed against her chest.
- >Her glare ice cold.
- >Each second fueling Sunset's panic even further.
- >She held the sides of her head with her hands and shut her eyes.
- >"See, even you're starting to see that's the truth." Twilight callously stated.
- >"Now...tell me where the real Sunset Shimmer is."
- >Sunset stood there dumbfounded and on the verge of a breakdown.
- >"Tw-Twilight...please" she stretched her trembling arm out towards Twilight.
- >"I...I lo-love you" and the feeling of an 400lb weight lifted off of Sunset's shoulders.
- >However, Twilight's expression didn't change a bit.
- >"You don't love me"
- >"All you can do is lust, and all you can do is let it consume you"
- >"You can never truly love anyone"
- >Twilight wasn't budging an inch.
- >Sunset found herself slowly inching herself forward.
- >Twilight was standing as still as a statue.
- >Waiting for Sunset's approach.
- >Each step was beating alongside the beat of Sunset's heart.
- >She suddenly met with some resistence.
- >Her body pushed up against a large, rectangular surface.
- >"...What?" Sunset said confused.
- >In the background a small hiss could be heard this time it was like static.
- >Sunset quickly looked around to see the source, but instead saw her surroundings had changed.
- >Nothing but the pitch black void.
- >Blackness.
- >She looked back towards Twilight, but instead is met by something much more alarming.
- >Wide, midnight black colored, bat-like wings.
- >Pale red skin all over.
- >Wearing clothes that looked like they were made of pure fire.
- >The hair was done up in the same way.
- >It looked like Sunset did when she was corrupted by the element of magic.
- >Sunset gasped and flinched back.
- >As did the monster.
- >Sunset tilted her head to the left with a quizzical look.
- >The monster tilted her head to the left with a quizzical look.
- >What sounded like the drums of war played to the beat of Sunset's heart inside her head.
- >"N-No"
- >"I'm not..."
- >"That's not me"
- >Every word, and facial action were copied perfectly by the beast across from her.
- >Sunset was getting past the point of no return.
- >She felt a small spark light up in her stomach.
- >All the anxiety, fear, lust, anger, everything.
- >It all felt like it was moving up Sunset's stomach and moving towards her hands.
- >Her fists clenched until the whites of her knuckles were showing.
- >In a fit of rage she swiped her hand at the demon before her.
- >"Grragh!" a ball of magical energy broke the monster in front of Sunset into shards of glass.
- >Sunset was breathing heavily and still red hot to the touch.
- >The noise of heavy static returned.
- >Piercing her ears.
- >She fell to her knees.
- >The inside of her ears felt like they were going to rupture.
- >Then the static stopped.
- >As quick as it began.
- >Sunset was panting now.
- >She noticed a piece of glass before her.
- >Feeling curious she picked it up and looked into it to see her reflection.
- >She really wished she hadn't.
- >On her reflected demonic face her eyes were missing.
- >Triangular slits with nothing but blackness residing.
- >And so, Sunset screamed.
- >Her head jolted upwards as her lungs felt like they were on fire.
- >Her screaming stopped when she looked around and saw she was in her room.
- >She hunched over and drooped her head.
- >A full body shudder traveled throughout her body.
- >Her pillow was coated in sweat.
- >She knew because she was beating the living hell out of it.
- >Each punch just aggravating the extreme feelings Sunset was experiencing.
- >Her vision nearly turned red.
- >She just wanted the nightmares to end.
- >It wasn't fair to her or anyone else who had to deal with her.
- >Why her?
- >Taking several deep breaths she glanced over at her alarm clock.
- >1:40AM
- >She let out a heavy sigh.
- >Another sleepness night.
- >Beep, beep, beep.
- >Sunset's alarm was blaring at her to wake up.
- >But all Sunset did was barely open her eyes.
- >Her bed was a mess.
- >The muscles in her back felt stiff.
- >And her back was still soaked in sweat from the nightmare.
- >All of this however didn't phase Sunset one bit.
- >She had a heart beat, and she was breathing.
- >But other than that it was like the lights were on but no one was home.
- >Still staring at the ceiling tiles while her alarm still beeps.
- >She tried to find a reason to get out of bed and try today.
- >Curling up into a ball on her bed a million things flowed into her thoughts.
- >None were giving her the courage to face the day though.
- >Her mind stopped on Twilight, and the rest of her friends.
- >She rolled over on her other side.
- >Sunset's heart was already pumping hard and it wasn't even 7AM yet.
- >A combination of guilt, and not wanting to worry Twilight anymore than she already was caused her to slump out of bed.
- >The bags under her eyes were heavier and darker.
- >A haze clouded her mind.
- >So she was relying on auto-pilot to get herself to school.
- >The noises of the school all blended together and became an indistinguishable drone.
- >And this was only from Sunset opening the front door.
- >A nagging sensation in her head was already telling her to turn back.
- >But she made it this far.
- >As long as she didn't run into Twilight she could handle the day.
- >Sunset tried to be the master of her thoughts as she walked down the hall to her locker.
- >She felt vulnerable.
- >Like all eyes could see past her.
- >They could see how fragile and dark her heart felt.
- >"Maybe I should just head ho-" her thought train was derailed by a pressure pulling on her arm.
- >Sunset found herself practically dragged into an empty classroom.
- >All the chairs were still placed on top of desks.
- >Even the curtains on the windows were closed.
- >Confused, Sunset looked behind her when she heard the sound of a door shutting.
- >Surprise capture her as she looked to see Rarity who looked extremely unamused.
- >Dressed to the nines as always.
- >Rarity always turned heads wherever she was.
- >Not always due to how she dressed though.
- >"You. Me. Talk. Now" she puncuated each word with precise emphasis.
- >A harsh exhale came from her nose.
- >Almost sounding like a "Hurumph"
- >Sunset was taken aback by the sudden harsh words
- >"What's going on Rarit-"
- >"You know very much as I do why we're having this discussion, Sunset" Rarity scolded Sunset like a child.
- >The room felt like it was spinning to Sunset.
- >She was feeling like a cornered animal.
- >"If this is about the sleepover..." Sunset rubbed her arm and averted her eyes to a nearby table.
- >"I was just...tired"
- >Rarity raised her eyebrow and gave Sunset a decisive stare.
- >"Darling, you've been tired for months" Rarity's voice grew worried.
- >She let out a sigh.
- >"Look, Twilight told me about what happened in pre-calc yesterday."
- >Sunset felt her pupils shrink.
- >Her heartbeat was thudding against her ribs.
- >Rarity began to step closer to Sunset.
- >"I know..." Rarity carefully placed her hand on Sunset's arm.
- >Sunset's body froze to her touch.
- >"Wh-What do you know?" sweat was beginning to drip down Sunset's neck.
- >Rarity frowned.
- >"I've seen how you look at her dear"
- >Sunset shifted herself away from Rarity's sad look.
- >"I-I don't know what you're talking about..."
- >Rarity closed her eyes and sighed again.
- >"You love her Sunset"
- >Rarity saying the l-word caused Sunset to slowly start to hyperventilate.
- >"And you know the "her" I'm talking about"
- >"You've been avoiding her, and us for a while now."
- >"Not well mind you."
- >"I know how much you enjoy our company so it would be foolish to completely isolate yourself" Rarity rambled a bit.
- >"Nevertheless, a lady notices things when around people for long periods of time"
- >Sunset was slightly shivering as she felt conflicting emotions battling inside herself.
- >"Stares in particular"
- >This felt like another nightmare to Sunset.
- >She was waiting to her the hissing noise as she gently pinched her bare skin.
- >But the only sound was the sound of Rarity talking and Sunset's anxiety-ridden breaths.
- >"You love Twilight, Sunset"
- >The words chilled Sunset's soul.
- >"Don't you?"
- >Sunset turned her head and met Rarity's eyes.
- >Concern filled Rarity's eyes to the point they shimmered under the light..
- >Sunset's limbs felt like they were floating.
- >She was cornered and saw no way of escape.
- >So, she accepted her fate.
- >Sunset gently nodded her head and stared to the floor.
- >Rarity's bone white hand gently cupped Sunset's chin
- >She lifted it up so Sunset's gaze was level with hers.
- >"That's perfectly fine darling" Rarity's words were soothing, and her touch was comforting.
- >She removed her hand from Sunset's chin.
- >"What isn't fine is bottling these feelings inside yourself dear"
- >"That is why I think it is imperative you talk to Twilight as soon as possible" Rarity's motherly tone came back.
- >"She looks up to you Sunset, and right now she thinks you don't like being around her"
- >"But if you two would just talk then things will be okay"
- >Each word Rarity spoke made another brick around Sunset's heart.
- >Every word causing her to block her feelings off more and more.
- >Sunset's body felt numb.
- >"...You make it sound so easy Rarity
- >Sunset wrapped her arms around herself in a hug.
- >Even though she wasn't shivering.
- >Sunset felt the bitter tears starting to pool in the bottom of her exhausted eyes
- >"What if...she hates me?" Sunset glumly asked.
- >"For loving her?" Rarity responded nervously.
- >Sunset swallowed a great sob.
- >And sniffled.
- >"For getting to know the real me"
- >Sunset's heart was on full display to Rarity.
- >She closed her eyes and tried to think of nothing.
- >Anything but how she was feeling.
- >An affectionate glow blanketed around Sunset.
- >Opening her eyes suddenly she recognized the familiar royal purple curls inches from her face.
- >"The real you is amazing dear"
- >Rarity firmly hugged Sunset.
- >"It doesn't take someone with a keen eye to see that"
- >Dumbstruck, Sunset stood there in Rarity's embrace for what seemed like ages.
- >The tears still welling in her eyes.
- >With trembling hands she moved them around Rarity's back.
- >And returned the hug.
- >Her heart feeling that cold warmth again.
- >Gradually, Rarity broke off the hug and looked at Sunset.
- >A small smile was on her face.
- >It was a slight comfort to Sunset's plight.
- >"I know you two will be so happy together" Rarity cupped Sunset's hand and gently squeezed.
- >Rarity looked up at the clock on the wall.
- >She turned and walked to the door.
- >Turning the handle and opening it she took one quick look back at Sunset.
- >Rarity nodded to her, and Sunset nodded back.
- >And with that she made her way to her own class.
- >Leaving Sunset behind with just her thoughts.
- >But more assured of herself.
- >At least she hoped she was.
- >Surprisingly, Sunset's first half of the day went off without any major issues.
- >Fluttershy meekly waved at her before history.
- >Rainbow Dash gave her a quick thumbs up in between passing periods after science.
- >But no sign of Twilight.
- >Sunset spent all her classes barely paying attention to anything.
- >She put all her focus into what she would say to Twilight.
- >How she was going to profess her love.
- >Every method she thought of just didn't rub her the right way.
- >Each idea causing more frustration than the last.
- >Before she knew it, it was time for lunch.
- >A less than ideal time to talk to Twilight.
- >Noisy environments
- >Not much room for one-on-one conversation.
- >Plus Sunset was still not feeling 100%.
- >She didn't even feel up to sit by her friends.
- >Sunset decided to spend her lunch by herself at an empty table.
- >Heading down to the cafeteria she sneakily ducked in line.
- >Grabbed a light snack and something to drink.
- >Then she scanned the area for any sign of her friends.
- >Not a rainbow or stetson in sight.
- >She let out a sigh of relief.
- >And found a lone table where she could eat in peace.
- >Carefully sitting down and taking a bit of her apple.
- >She finds her eyes wandering the cafeteria.
- >A recognizable hue of pinkish-purple caught her eye.
- >A few tables across from her there sat her friends.
- >Laughing, talking, enjoying each other's company.
- >Sunset's stomach felt queasy as she quickly averted her eyes down to the red tabletop.
- >She hoped they wouldn't notice her.
- >Taking another bite of her apple she heard the sound of someone approaching her.
- >A tray landed on the table with a slight thud.
- >And the person who put that tray there was none other than the Great and Uninvited Trixie.
- >Sunset failed to hide the annoyed look on her face.
- >"You are not mistaken."
- >"The Great and Powerful Trixie has chosen you, Sunset Shimmer, to be her new lunch time sitting buddy"
- >Trixie pointed her finger at Sunset and gave a smug grin.
- >"Feel free to feel honored if you want, I know it must be a welcomed surprise"
- >Sunset was still chewing her apple.
- >Giving Trixie no reply or response whatsoever.
- >Trixie's smile deflated.
- >"Don't get too excited now" she stabbed at her jello with a bored expression.
- >Swallowing her apple, Sunset took in a deep breath.
- >"Trixie, I kind of just want to sit by myself today."
- >"No offense to you, but I'm just not feeling up to dealing with people right now" Sunset looked across to the table with her friends.
- >Her mood dampened slightly.
- >"Well, Trixie really has no where else to go at the moment." Trixie sighed.
- >"Honestly, Trixie's friends kicked her out of the table."
- >"You accidentally cause someone's eyebrows to combust one too many times suddenly they turn on you" Trixie was exasperated.
- >"Can you believe that?!" angrily she crossed her arms and let out a small "Hmph."
- >Her eyelids dropped slightly.
- >"And...Trixie saw you sitting all by yourself and she thought...you were kicked out of your table too."
- >Concern was still so weird to hear come out of Trixie's arrogant mouth.
- >But in a weird way it was actually sweet to hear her say that.
- >A small smirk appeared on Sunset's face.
- >"Are you amused by Trixie's woes?" an unamused look formed on her face.
- >"No just...thinking about a funny joke" Sunset lied with a smile.
- >Trixie cocked an eyebrow at Sunset.
- >"If you say so" Trixie went back to absentmindly stabbing at her food.
- >"So, what did you do?"
- >Sunset looked over at Trixie mouth agape slightly.
- >"To get kicked out to loner island over here I mean"
- >Sunsets hands gripped the edge of the table tight.
- >"I wasn't kicked out." Sunset spoke softly.
- >"I just..." Sunset trailed off.
- >Trixie looked up from her tray with a curious expression.
- >"I just needed some space to think"
- >Sunset's heart felt heavy again.
- >Her thoughts were still disorganized.
- >And still no plan on what to say to Twilight.
- >Trixie looked over to the table with all Sunset's friends.
- >...Is this still about your whole crush problem or whatever?"
- >A cold chill took Sunset's whole body by force.
- >"N-No!" Sunset unintentionally yelled at Trixie.
- >Sunset swore she saw a glint in Trixie's eye as she went deep into thought.
- >"Is...is your crush on one of your fri-" before Trixie could point Sunset interjected.
- >"Wh-Why would I..." Sunset shook her head.
- >"No, just no Trixie" her tone was curt.
- >In response Trixie just shrugged.
- >"I'm just asking"
- >"No need to get all defensive on me"
- >Sunset held her hands up and let out a calm breath.
- >She took her drink and took a sip.
- >"...Is it Rainbow Dash?"
- >Trixie's question almost made Sunset choke on her water.
- >She coughed and sputtered as her face grew red from a combination of embarrassment and from almost dying.
- >Trixie recoiled from the debris coming from Sunset.
- >"Alright, not Rainbow." she rubbed her chin and looked back over at the table.
- >"Hmmm, is it Rarity?" Trixie's smug smile returned.
- >Sunset looked extremely unamused.
- >"I thought you didn't care about this?"
- >"Trixie said she knew you wanted to keep it underwraps, but Trixie never said she wouldn't try to guess who it is"
- >She shut her eyes with a self-assured expression.
- >"Especially when I have a good feeling I know who it is..."
- >Sunset's face was growing hotter, and redder.
- >Like lava.
- >Her hands were becoming slick and fidgety.
- >"W-Well it's not Rarity..." Sunset's heart thumped into her throat.
- >Trixie snapped her fingers.
- >"Shoot, I thought for sure it was her."
- >Trixie's eyebrows furrowed greatly as she concentrated.
- >Sunset was sweating bullets at this point.
- >Her hand was shaking terribly as she grabbed for her water again.
- >"Eh, Trixie doesn't know then" she shrugged
- >Sunset's insides untangled slightly from what Trixie said.
- >She decided to just forget about what just happened and to just work on studying for whatever test she had coming up.
- >With her hands still shaking she reached into her bag and grabbed her lime-green notebook.
- >She began to open it, but it slipped out of her hands and landed in front of Trixie.
- >Drawings of Twilight and various things associated with Twilight filled her vision.
- >Sparkles, her eyes, her hair, rough sketches of Twilight embracing what appeared to be Sunset.
- >"What?"
- >Sunset was in full-blown panic mode.
- >Trixie's eyes darted back and forth between the pages and Sunset.
- >She found herself beginning to stand up.
- >Her body hunched over the table taking in everything on the candid notebook pages.
- >"YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON TWILIGHT?!"
- >Trixie's voice rang out with enough volume to cause nearly every head in the cafeteria to turn towards Sunset's table.
- >Silence swept through like a whisper through the night.
- >All eyes were practically looking to Sunset to see what was going on.
- >Including Trixie's nearly bulging eyeballs.
- >Sunset felt her soul beginning to exit her body.
- >She felt like she was having an out of body experience.
- >Or she just very much wished something would come along and whisk her away from all the prying eyes.
- >Sunset saw Trixie look past her with a frightened expression.
- >Why Sunset would turn is something she would kick herself later for.
- >For she came face to face with a very confused, and very concerned Twilight Sparkle
- >A wave of nausea punched Sunset's gut rapid fire.
- >Her face went full on scarlet.
- >She felt the stinging pain of tears welling up in her eyes.
- >...Sunset?" Twilight said in a way that made a tear roll down Sunset's cheek.
- >Everyone was gawking at her it seemed like.
- >She couldn't breathe.
- >Every breath she tried to take just felt like she was trying to swallow cactus needles.
- >Her legs wobbled like a newborn calf.
- >Flight or Fight mode was trying to activate in her head.
- >With tears pouring down her face Sunset launched herself off her seat and ran.
- >She ran and ran and when she felt like stopping.
- >She ran some more.
- >She kept on running until her legs refused to move another step.
- >Sunset panted and sobbed.
- >Salty tears dripped down from her chin.
- >Her hair was windswept and messy.
- >Sunset didn't care.
- >She collapsed against a locker.
- >A complete joke.
- >There were no inhumane tortures, or indescribable agony to accurately express the war inside Sunset's body.
- >She was broken.
- >And inside herself she was continuing to break.
- >The eyes of Twilight Sparkle the only thing her troubled mind could focus on.
- >Her eyes surrounded by the sea of judgemental stares did nothing but strengthen the anxiety circling Sunset's heart.
- >The cold steel of the locker only serving to remind Sunset how dead she felt inside.
- >She waited and waited to her any kind of hissing noise.
- >But the truth was all too real to Sunset.
- >This wasn't a nightmare, this was real life.
- >Everyone knows her secret and there is nothing she can do to change that except listen to her heart.
- >But her gut was screaming over her heart and telling her to run.
- >"Sunset?" a voice echoed down the hall.
- >Resisting the urge to vomit then and there, Sunset looked in the direction the voice came.
- >"Sunset?" came the voice again.
- >It sounded dorky, but distressed.
- >Like the sound of a teacher giving a lecture.
- >Or a concerned mother searching for their lost child.
- >All Sunset knew was she had to hide.
- >Panicking, her eyes wandered around the hallway looking for an ideal spot to lay low.
- >Footsteps were inching closer to Sunset.
- >The clock was ticking.
- >A saving grace appeared before Sunset however in the form of the girl's bathroom.
- >Without hesitation she charged through the door and pushed herself up against the wall.
- >She wrapped her hands around her mouth to quiet her restless breathing.
- >The footsteps came closer.
- >Each one louder than the last.
- >Sunset curled up on the slightly damp bathroom floor and clenched her eyes shut.
- >Hoping that maybe she would just disappear from existence if she tried hard enough.
- >They sounded like they were right outside the bathroom door.
- >An involuntary whimper came out of Sunset's shivering form.
- >This felt like the end.
- >Like all of reality would just crumble when those footsteps crossed the threshold of no return.
- >But, they didn't.
- >A minute passed by.
- >Then without warning the footsteps marched off away.
- >Becoming quieter, and quieter until Sunset could barely feel the vibration through the floor.
- >Then nothing.
- >The sound of running water the only thing left to listen to.
- >Sunset laid on the floor for quite some time.
- >Her arm getting tired from lying on her side.
- >But, it didn't matter.
- >It hurt to care right now.
- >The thought of going through a routine like this for the rest of Sunset's life caused a rough sob to escape her throat.
- >It felt like sandpaper scraping her throat.
- >She just wanted things to go back to how they used to be.
- >Her, Twilight, and her friends all being friendly and kind to one another.
- >No nightmares, no stress, and no...feelings.
- >Just obliviousness.
- >"Oh wow, I knew things were bad, but I didn't know they were this bad." a voice caused Sunset's eyes to open.
- >With great unease she clumsily picked herself off the floor.
- >She leaned against a nearby wall for support.
- >The strange thing being was no one else was in the bathroom with her.
- >The door was still shut and all the stalls were empty.
- >"Over here" the familiar voice said.
- >It came from over by the bathroom sink.
- >Nervously, Sunset stepped over by the sink and looked into it.
- >Not sure what she expected to find.
- >"In the mirror you dumbass" sighed the voice.
- >Her heart stopped for what seemed like the hundredth time today.
- >Swallowing her stomach's attempt to evacuate its contents out of Sunset's mouth again.
- >Sunset followed the sound of the voice upwards.
- >Into the mirror it said it was occupying.
- >And there looking back at Sunset instead of her reflection, was herself.
- >"Did you miss me?" the mirrored Sunset smugly asked.
- >Same red and yellow hair but slightly brighter.
- >Oily black leather jacket with a purple top with her sun cutie mark as a logo.
- >But what was different was the glint in her eye.
- >The aura of passion radiating from her very form.
- >It made the real Sunset sick just looking at her.
- >"Oh great, now I'm going crazy" Sunset brought her hands up to the sides of her head and massaged her temples.
- >MirrorSet's expression didn't change.
- >"I'd say this is more of a wake-up call"
- >The way she spoke was giving Sunset a throbbing headache.
- >"I'm really not interested tell it to a me who cares." Sunset slowly began to turn from the mirror.
- >"Something tells me you are interested or why would I be here?" MirrorSet asked.
- >"Don't know, don't care" Sunset's expression hardened as she went neutral.
- >As her hand reached for the bathroom door handle she heard the sickening sounds of herself cackling.
- >"Oh-Oh my god, you're being serious right now?" Sunset's hand was frozen on the handle.
- >"This is who you've become?"
- >"Some angsty little child running away from everything?
- >Sunset's grip on the door tightened as she felt a small little fire light up inside her.
- >"Sweet Celestia, do you even remember being me at all anymore?"
- >Sunset's head drooped forward.
- >"You had everything in the palm of your hands"
- >"Money, power, and the adoration of countless followers"
- >Mirrorset sighed.
- >"Now look at you."
- >"Everyone sees you as a joke."
- >"No one fears the name "Sunset Shimmer" anymore"
- >Both Sunsets went silence.
- >"And no one respects it either" the mirrored Sunset finished.
- >Sunset took her hand off the bathroom handle.
- >She turned her palms towards herself.
- >Petite, slender fingers, but calloused from dedication.
- >"You're wrong" Sunset whispered.
- >"What?" Mirrorset sounded surprised.
- >Sunset paced back over to the mirror to meet her reflection.
- >"Those "countless followers" didn't adore us...me." Sunset pulled her fists towards her heart.
- >"They feared me..."
- >Sunset met Mirrorset's gaze and saw the smug expression beginning to turn sour.
- >"I was consumed by that lust for power, but I was more consumed by my lust to be loved"
- >"I forced people and ponies to like me by being a monster" the fire in Sunset's belly was growing brighter.
- >"After my time here and actually forging real bonds and connections I realized I was wrong for nearly all my life"
- >Sunset's sullen expression returned as her head dipped.
- >"And I've helped others see what I saw"
- >"Feel what I felt"
- >"But..." Sunset sighed.
- >"Deep down I guess I'll never be able to be free of my desires"
- >Mirrorset crossed her arms and slightly smirked.
- >"I'll still have you as a reminder for that time in my life" Sunset gestured to her reflection.
- >If mirrors could ooze smug then this one would be coated twice over.
- >"Well look who finally found her backbone" she sarcastically clapped.
- >"What are you going to do now that you have achieved this level of introspection oh enlightened one?" Mirrorset made big puppy dog eyes at Sunset.
- >Another brick wall presented itself.
- >Another hurdle to climb over.
- >Before Sunset could answer she heard the frantic sounds of footsteps outside the bathroom.
- >"Aww, what's the matter dweeb?"
- >"Your dyke girlfriend hiding from you?"
- >The fire burning inside Sunset grew hotter as she instinctively clenched her fists.
- >She knew that conceited, anger filled voice anywhere.
- >Gilda.
- >Sunset carefully pushed the door open justa little bit so she could see who she was talking to.
- >Through a crack in the door she saw the backside of the heavy brown coat Gilda wore.
- >Sunset knew she wore it to look larger than she actually was.
- >"P-Please, I just want to find her" came an anxious mousey voice.
- >"I'll help you find the flaming dyke, for a price" Gilda's words were as sleazy as she looked.
- >Sunset felt the start of adrenaline circulating through her bloodstream.
- >"Sounds like she's talking about you" Sunset's mirror self joked.
- >And with that crack, the pieces began to fall into place.
- >The voice, Gilda's comments, and finally Mirrorset made Sunset realize that Gilda was threatening Twilight
- >"But I already gave you all the money I had this week..."
- >"I d-don't have anything else" Twilight pleaded desperately.
- >"You look like you got stuff to me" Sunset saw Gilda point to her backpack.
- >Gilda took another step closer, intimidating Twilight.
- >Twilight looked behind her as she hugged her backpack tight.
- >"Don't even think about running or I'll be taking more than just a backpack"
- >Sunset found herself looking onwards at the scene before her.
- >The words Gilda hissed circling her brain.
- >Before they settled inside her stomach stroking the flames.
- >"Well?" came a voice from behind Sunset.
- >"Do you know who you are?" she asked?
- >Determination put Sunset into overdrive.
- >Her righteous fury was the wheel and the gas.
- >Sunset stood up straight and confidentally strutted out the door.
- >"Hmph...go get her then"
- >Before she left she could have swore she heard her mirrored self say something.
- >But all sounds were blocked out as she focused on Gilda and Twilight.
- >Twilight was still backing away slowly as Gilda looked ready to pounce.
- >"C'mon dork, you really don't want to make me mad"
- >"I'll make that clam-slamming girlfriend of yours seem like a pussy compared to what I can do"
- >And with that, Twilight quickly tried to turn and run, but Gilda was prepared for that.
- >She sadly was faster than Twilight.
- >Gilda held Twilight in a headlock.
- >Her arm squeezing on Twilight's brittle neck.
- >Twilight tried to scream her lungs out, but Gilda clamped her mouth shut with her hand.
- >She thrashed and struggled against Gilda's body, but Twilight was out of her weight class.
- >"Now you've really gone and pissed me off you stupid carpet munching dyke." She angrily spat in Twilight's face.
- >Sunset's vision went a shade darker than red.
- >Gilda pulled her hand back and balled it into a fist.
- >Ready to let loose on Twilight.
- >Twilight closed her eyes as she prepared for the blow.
- >"HEY!"
- >Gilda and Twilight both turned towards the booming shout of Sunset Shimmer.
- >She felt the fire still burning in her stomach as it began to burn everywhere else.
- >Gilda looked surprised for a moment, but her cocky grin soon replaced it.
- >"Well, look who finally decided to show herself."
- >"Are you here to save your little girlfriend?" she noogied Twilight's hair viciously.
- >Sunset remained stone faced.
- >She took a step forward and didn't say a word.
- >Her expression said everything.
- >Sunset could see beads of sweat falling down Gilda's brow.
- >Panicking, she tightened her grip around Twilight.
- >A pained, muffled scream only fueled Sunset even more.
- >"Stay back or I'll-
- >"I'll..."
- >"I'll ruin her pretty face!"
- >Gilda's threats didn't stop Sunset.
- >She kept marching forward.
- >Taking her time to draw each step out as much as she could.
- >"I-I'm warning you dyke!"
- >Gilda reached in her back pocket and pulled out a small switchblade.
- >Sunset stopped mid-step.
- >Her expression unyielding to Gilda's cowardly ways.
- >She held the blade up to Twilight's face who was trying to do anything to avoid it.
- >Lightly running the tip of blade down Twilight's cheek.
- >Twilight whimpered in response.
- >A drop of blood dripped out of the fresh cut.
- >On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the angriest it was safe to say Sunset's readings were off the scale.
- >The veins in her neck pulsed and throbbed.
- >Her fists were shaking with pure rage.
- >Her glare could turn Medusa to a burning stone..
- >"I warned you" Gilda's voice feeling like ice cubes down her back to Sunset.
- >"Now, if you want her so badly then you gotta have something to trade dontcha?"
- >Without breaking eye contact with Gilda, Sunset reached into the pocket of her jeans.
- >And slowly pulled out her wallet.
- >Gilda's cruel, sadastic grin just made Sunset even more pissed.
- >"Let her go." Sunset spoke with an almost silent furor.
- >In response Gilda pressed the tip of the blade against Twilight's cheek again.
- >"How about you give me what I want first?
- >Or else" she put great emphasis on the "else"
- >Sunset looked from Gilda to Twilight.
- >She didn't see another option that didn't involve Twilight getting hurt.
- >And that wasn't a risk she was willing to take.
- >Slowly, she began to kneel down.
- >Keeping eye contact with Gilda so she doesn't pull any funny business.
- >"Good, glad to see you've learned your place you dumb dyke"
- >Sunset's calm, but furious scowl was all Gilda got back from her.
- >She set her wallet on the floor and placed her hand on top of it.
- >On the count of three in her head she was going to slide it over
- >One.
- >Two.
- >Thr-
- >"OW, SHIT YOU CRAZY BITCH!" Gilda screamed as Sunset swears she hears the sound of bones breaking.
- >Sunset glances over at the Twilight in her grasp and sees she's biting down hard on Gilda's finger.
- >Her eyes were shut hard as she held on for dear life.
- >Gilda was punching Twilight in the side trying to loosen her grip.
- >But Twilight stuck firmly on Gilda.
- >In that moment Sunset witnessed time slowing down.
- >Her breathing became calm as she took hold of the opportunity fate had just delivered her.
- >Like a track star, Sunset sprinted towards Gilda.
- >Almost in a horselike gallop.
- >Gilda shook Twilight off and flung her into a nearby locker face first.
- >She spat towards her.
- >"Fucking psych-"
- >Gilda's sentence was interrupted by the pure, unbridled rage that was Sunset Shimmer.
- >Gritting her teeth, Sunset drew her hand back into a fist.
- >And let she let it fly towards Gilda's shocked face.
- >With the speed she gathered, Sunset's punch collided square into Gilda's jaw.
- >Sending her spiraling back onto the slick hallway floor.
- >Groaning in pain.
- >Sunset's fist was still raised in front of her.
- >Her eyes still focused and combat ready.
- >But surprisingly Gilda stayed floored.
- >She let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.
- >"Twilight!"
- >But she wasn't out of the woods yet.
- >She rushed over by Twilight's side she had collapsed against the locker Gilda threw her against.
- >To Sunset's dismay it looked like she was out cold.
- >Throwing caution to the wind she put her ear up against her chest.
- >The light thumping of a heartbeat put Sunset's nerves at ease.
- >She grabbed a hold of Twilight's shoulders and shook her gently.
- >"Twilight?"
- >Sunset lifted her head off the hard locker door and rested it against her hand.
- >She could feel Twilight's breath wash against her face, but she still wouldn't come to.
- >"Twilight please..." she hugged Twilight tight and rocked her gently.
- >"What is all the commotion out her-"
- >Sunset's head slowly tilted up and saw someone she wasn't prepared to see.
- >Ms. Cheerilee, her eyes moving back and forth between Sunset and Gilda with an expression of awe.
- >Sunset looked up into her comforting green eyes to find worry, and doubt.
- >Her adrenaline was wearing off.
- >Tears were glistening in her eyes under the pale hallway lights.
- >All she could say without bursting into a crying mess was
- >"Help, please" Sunset held back a sniffle as Cheerilee power jogged over to the other side of Twilight.
- >She checked Twilight's pulse and felt her breathing.
- >"C'mon" she ordered as she carefully wrapped Twilight's body up in her jacket.
- >Sunset took in what Ms. Cheerliee was doing and nodded as she cleared her eyes of tears.
- >And they both proceeded to Nurse Redheart's office determined to save a life.
- >Even though Sunset knew Twilight was alive and kicking she was still stuck in guilt's close grasp.
- >Maybe if she had acted sooner Twilight wouldn't have been hurt.
- >But it was no time to play the blame game.
- >Keeping up with Cheerilee's distressed pace, Sunset finally recognized the hallway they were in.
- >Nurse Redheart's office was just up a little further right by Principal Celestia's office.
- >Cheerilee elbowed open the door with enough force to scare Nurse Redheart out of her skin.
- >She was standing in the middle of the average sized room.
- >Clipboard in hand.
- >Standard medical professional outfit.
- >The works.
- >She was good for being a high school nurse.
- >"What's the ma-" Redheart looked in Cheerilee's arms and saw the still passed out Twilight.
- >Her eyes widened as she moved over to one of the empty cots.
- >She cleared it off and laid a fresh layer of what looked like wax paper on top as a cover.
- >She pointed to it.
- >"Right here" now she was the one ordering Cheerilee around.
- >Without hesitation, Cheerilee carried Twilight over to the cot and then eased her onto it as best she could.
- >"Easy...eeasy" Nurse Redheart spoke as they both put Twilight, back first, on the cot.
- >"There we go" she wiped her forehead and walked over to a nearby drawer.
- >Sunset just stood off to the side watching Nurse Redheart do her thing.
- >She dabbed a bit of liquid on a cloth and carefully began to apply it to the cut on Twilight's cheek.
- >"...Can I ask what happened?" Sunset was broken from her trance by Nurse Redheart's question.
- >Sunset was afraid this might happen.
- >Before she could speak up though Cheerilee began talking.
- >"Well, I heard some loud noises out in the hall as I was trying to give a lecture"
- >"And I find her on the floor with an unconcious student, and nearby was another student moaning in pain"
- >Sunset felt like she was being stared at.
- >And she looked up to find her assumption was true.
- >Both Nurse Redheart and Cheerilee were looking to her for answers.
- >Sunset let out a heavy sigh.
- >"Alright, here's what happened." Sunset began as Redheart placed a bandage on Twilight's cheek.
- >And so, Sunset recounted all the events beginning in the hallway.
- >From Gilda threatening Twilight to Sunset knocking her lights out.
- >Cheerilee put her hand in front of her mouth.
- >Shocked to even hear such a thing happening at this school.
- >But they both seemed to believe it.
- >Nurse Redheart was doing some last minute inspections on Twilight.
- >"Well...sounds like you've both been through quite the ordeal."
- >"But, luckily it looks like only some minor bruises and scratches are what you're walking away with"
- >"Well, her anyway" Nurse Redheart rambled a bit.
- >Sunset stood at the foot of the cot Twilight was still passed out in.
- >"She should wake up any time now." Nurse Redheart placed her hand on Sunset's back and gently patted.
- >Moving to where Nurse Redheart was sitting, Sunset's eyes traveled up and down Twilight's still form.
- >A weight was still resting on her heart.
- >But Sunset didn't understand why.
- >Twilight was okay, and she was going to wake up soon and everything will be fine.
- >Sunset saw Twilight's lone hand off to her side.
- >A tugging sensation in her stomach was telling her to hold it.
- >So she did.
- >Ms. Cheerilee had gotten up and was over talking to Nurse Redheart.
- >Sunset's fingers were wrapped around Twilight's.
- >Her hands were soft, kinda sweaty, but soft.
- >It felt right holding her hand.
- >Sunset's mind raced through the entire last few months in a blur.
- >All leading up to here.
- >Being in love with her best friend.
- >And you know what?
- >That was perfectly okay.
- >Sunset leaned forward, hand still locked in Twilight's, and wrapped her arms around her in a hug.
- >She nuzzled Twilight's shoulder with her cheek and smiled.
- >Feeling perfectly content, Sunset let out a calm breath.
- >"I love y-"
- >"Sunset Shimmer" before she could finish her thought a voice grabbed her attention.
- >Looking over to where the voice came from she saw the stern expression of Principal Celestia.
- >She was standing in the doorway in her traditional tan jacket and purple bellbottoms.
- >"Come with me please" her tone was slightly dismal.
- >It gave Sunset a sinking feeling in her stomach.
- >Sunset caressed the side of Twilight's face and looked at her sleeping peacefully.
- >"I'll be back Twilight don't worry." and with one more squeeze Sunset let go of Twilight's hand.
- >She walked over to the door and stopped for a second.
- >She glanced at Twilight, and then back out into the hallway.
- >And with that, she walked through the door.
- >Principal Celestia was waiting just right outside the door near a set of lockers.
- >"Please follow me, Ms. Shimmer"
- >She began down the hall to her office.
- >Sunset matched her pace and tagged along behind her.
- >The creeping feeling that something was terribly wrong became stronger.
- >Celestia walked into her office and had a seat at the desk with her name plaque sitting on top of it.
- >"Have a seat." she gestured to the chair in front of her desk.
- >Sunset swallowed her fear and obliged.
- >Nervously, she sat before Principal Celestia.
- >She tried to keep cool, but felt her authortative presence all around her.
- >Celestia placed her hands together in front of her.
- >Hand wrapped in hand.
- >Sunset saw her shoulders raise up and down lower.
- >As if what she was about to say was burdening her in some way.
- >"Can you explain to me what happened between you, Twilight Sparkle, and Gilda?"
- >Sunset grabbed the side of her arm as she looked away from Celestia's eyes.
- >"Y-Yeah, I...I can"
- >"Proceed" Celestia sat waiting to hear the full story.
- >For the second time, Sunset recalled the events that had transpired nearly an hour ago.
- >Not leaving any of the details out.
- >Principal Celestia's reaction was more tame than Ms. Cheerilee's and Nurse Redheart's.
- >But Sunset could feel a tinge of worry in those eyes.
- >Celestia stood up from her desk and looked out the window behind her.
- >It was a view into the hallway
- >"...And you are positive on all that, Sunset Shimmer?"
- >A lump formed in Sunset's throat.
- >"Y-Yes, m'am" she nervously squeaked out.
- >Principal Celestia turned back around to face Sunset.
- >"Good, because your story matches closer to the security footage than Gilda's did"
- >"She tried to say you assaulted her and Twilight" she did a small eye roll.
- >Sunset felt a strange tingle in her heart.
- >It felt like hope.
- >A small smile formed on her face.
- >"Between you and me" Celestia leaned in close to Sunset and whispered.
- >"I didn't believe her for a second"
- >The light at the end of the tunnel was approaching.
- >Sunset felt it.
- >She was in the clear.
- >Principal Celestia's face frowned slightly.
- >"But"
- >"You know, as well as I, CHS has a no-tolerance policy when it comes to physical violence"
- >The light was getting dimmer.
- >The path was veering away into the dark abyss.
- >"...So I'm getting suspended?" Sunset's tone didn't hide her disappointment.
- >Principal Celestia let out a wistful sigh as she pulled out a folder from in her desk.
- >"Actually, you're not."
- >Sunset cocked an eyebrow at Celestia, but what she saw didn't instill hope in her.
- >Her frown was deepening.
- >"The school board recently passed a new rule stating any student involved in three or more physical altercations..."
- >Sunset was on the edge of her seat.
- >Her heart was beating so fast she could feel it throughout her body.
- >The vice around her lungs was tightening as she could hardly breathe.
- >Principal Celestia looked to Sunset with somber eyes
- >"...they be recommended for expulsion.
- >Sunset felt more tears beginning to form in her eyes.
- >She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
- >It wasn't fair.
- >"And...sadly, this is your third one Sunset Shimmer"
- >"The other two happened during your freshmen year" Principal Celestia explained as she looked through the folder in front of her.
- >This triggered a flashback to when Sunset first arrived in this world.
- >She remembered getting into it with the posh, preppy jerks pretty bad.
- >But it only ended in fighting just the two times.
- >The first was some pompous, fashion model wannabe and the other was her meat-head jerk boyfriend.
- >Sunset leaned forward and held her hands by the sides of her head.
- >Clenching them as she had to resist the urge to completely lose it then and there.
- >"I'm being punished for saving Twilight's life?" was the only thing to come to her mind.
- >It lacked the raw anger, but it was still bitter to hear.
- >She looked up to Principal Celestia with tears nearly pouring down her face.
- >Celestia averted her eyes away from Sunset.
- >She looked crestfallen and nodded.
- >"If it were up to me Sunset..."
- >"You'd get a slap on the wrist, and nothing more."
- >She crossed her arms against her chest.
- >"But, the school board would have my head as well as my sister's if I just..looked the other way on this one."
- >Sunset felt like her life was over.
- >There were times when she felt at the end of her rope, but none of them compared to this.
- >She'd rather take on all the magical nonsense this world had to offer single-handedly than to be punished for caring.
- >Punished for showing her love, and punished for being a good friend.
- >Thats how it felt to Sunset.
- >"The hearing for it will probably be held in a week or so..."
- >"I'll let you know more as new information is passed along to me."
- >Sunset's hands were trembling as she just stared at the floor of Celestia's office.
- >Still reeling in from the horrible news Principal Celestia had just given her.
- >She heard the sound of a chair scooting in..
- >Then footsteps over to her.
- >Yellow heels appeared off to the side in her vision.
- >Sunset felt Principal Celestia gently place her hand on her back.
- >She lifted her heavy, bagged eyes off the floor to meet Principal Celestia's
- >And Celestia encased her in a comforting embrace.
- >"Can I at least say goodbye to Twilight?" Sunset sobbed into Principal Celestia's jacket
- >In a sympathetic voice, Celestia replied
- >"Of course" she smiled.
- >Sunset at least had that
- >"Things will be okay, I promise" Celestia soothingly whispered to Sunset.
- >Sunset broke off the hug and wiped her eyes on her own jacket sleeve.
- >She bowed her head forward slightly.
- >"...Thanks"
- >And with that, she walked out of her office with a great weight upon her shoulders.
- >She thought she saw Celestia drying her eyes on her jacket as well, but Sunset really didn't care at this point.
- >Her life here at Canterlot High.
- >Her friends.
- >Everything.
- >It was over.
- >The door was slowly, but surely closing on any hope she had left.
- >She made the short trip back down to Nurse Redheart's, but it felt like she was walking to her death.
- >She wanted to run away.
- >Just go back through the portal and just go live in some far off land where no one and no pony could find her.
- >But
- >As much as this whole situation wasn't fair to Sunset.
- >Leaving now without so much as a goodbye wouldn't be fair to Twilight or any of her friends.
- >So she had to put on a brave face, for their sakes.
- >Stopping just outside the door.
- >Sunset took a deep breath and put on the biggest grin she could muster up.
- >And headed into the room.
- >The first thing she noticed was Twilight was awake.
- >Her eyes were half-lidded and she looked exhausted.
- >But as soon as she caught sight of Sunset she raised her head up towards her.
- >A relieved smile soon appeared on her face.
- >"I'm so glad you're okay" Twilight sheepishly said.
- >This caused Sunset to smirk.
- >"I should be saying that to you"
- >Sunset took her seat by the side of Twilight's cot.
- >In the corner Ms.Cheerilee and Nurse Redheart were still talking, but Sunset saw Ms. Cheerilee steal a glance over at Sunset walking back in.
- >"How are you feeling?" Twilight's still weak voice drew Sunset's focus.
- >She was feeling hollow.
- >"Oh, you know."
- >"Really happy you're okay" Sunset had a hard time keeping eye contact with Twilight.
- >She knew she was lying, but she had to.
- >"H-How are you feeling?"
- >Twilight remained silent for a second as she looked at Sunset with a light bit of concern.
- >"Sore, and exhausted"
- >"Mainly sore" she sighed as she rubbed her side.
- >It was so good just to hear Twilight speak.
- >It made Sunset feel like everything would be okay.
- >"I woke up and didn't see you."
- >Sunset realized that as soon as she went down to Principal Celestia's office Twilight must have came to.
- >"You-You didn't happen to hear anything before waking up...did you?" Sunset's nerves were getting fired up.
- >Twilight closed her eyes and concentrated.
- >"I...thought I heard something, but I think it was in a dream I was having"
- >Sunset let out an internal sigh of relief
- >"Why did you want to know?" Sunset felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
- >"Hehe, no reason just...didn't want anything to wake you up.
- >Without warning Twilight placed her hand on Sunset's leg.
- >Fireworks were going off in Sunset's head.
- >She looked from Twilight's hand to Twilight's bright and shining face.
- >"...What?" Sunset was beyond dumbfounded.
- >"I was trying to find you earlier...after the whole thing at lunch"
- >The memory of Trixie blurting out her biggest secret caused a bubble of anger to form in her chest.
- >"Because...well, I was touched honestly."
- >"Ever since those games you've made me feel so cared for."
- >"You looked out for me like...like I was your family."
- >Sunset's face was blushing lightly.
- >"Then I come to find that your feelings go even deeper than that."
- >Twilight looked towards Sunset.
- >Their eyes met.
- >A spark exchanged between their gazes.
- >They stared deep into each other's eyes for what seemed like enternity.
- >As if to note each little, small, gorgeous detail in them.
- >Twilight's face was flushed as red as the red cross on Nurse Redheart's heart.
- >Before she could open her mouth however.
- >They were disrupted by Ms.Cheerilee butting into their conversation.
- >"How's everything holding up girls?" she said in her usual cheery tone
- >Twilight beamed up at her.
- >"Good."
- >"Oh, and thanks for helping Sunset bring me here Ms. Cheerilee you're a livesaver"
- >Now it was Ms. Cheerilee's turn to blush.
- She waved her hand away from Twilight.
- >"Not a problem!"
- >As if she just recalled something extremely important her expression changed.
- >"Oh!"
- >"Sunset, can I ask how your meeting with Principal Celestia went?"
- >And just like that, the room became twenty degrees colder.
- >Sweat began to drip down Sunset's face.
- >"Ummm..."
- >It went...alright" Sunset started to pinch the side of her jacket.
- >Neither one was convinced by Sunset's fib.
- >"Alright?"
- >"What did she say to you? Ms. Cheerilee sounded concerned.
- >Sunset's eyes drifted over to Twilight.
- >She looked twice as concerned.
- >Sunset felt so weak not being able to keep a brave face.
- >But, better hear it from her than from Principal Celestia.
- >Her eyebrows drooped, and her mouth curved downwards.
- >"...There's a possibility I will be expelled" a sentence that even Sunset was saying with disbelief.
- >"What?" both Twilight and Ms. Cheerilee said in unison.
- >Sunset nodded towards them both.
- >"It's some new rule the school board added this year..."
- >"Get into three fights and you're out of here" Sunset felt the tears in her eyes, but she had grown sick of crying.
- >"The three strike rule" Ms. Cheerilee said.
- >Sunset looked up at her and saw her shake her head in amazement.
- >Her eyes drifted back to the floor.
- >The sound of someone quickly getting off the cot caught Sunset's attention.
- >She turned her head and saw to her surprise Twilight marching with her hand on her side out of the room.
- >Sunset jumped out of her seat.
- >"Twilight, what are you doing?"
- >But Twilight kept walking and headed right out of the room.
- >Full-blown panic alarms went off in Sunset's head.
- >Running after her, she exits the room and sees Twilight heading down the hall in that limping strut.
- >"Twilight, please!" she hollered down the hall.
- >But still no response.
- >She was starting to scare Sunset.
- >A chill went up her spine.
- >"Twilight!" she kept yelling at her as she headed for Principal Celestia's office.
- >Heads were turning Sunset's way, but she had more important things to worry about.
- >Sunset was still exhausted from earlier so she couldn't keep up with Twilight.
- >She turned and headed into Principal Celestia's office.
- >"Twilight!" her hand outstretched as she ran to her.
- >She looked down a nearby hallway and saw her group of friends stopping and staring at Sunset.
- >Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.
- >All with confused expressions on their face.
- >But Sunset's heart was tugging her attention back to the front.
- >Without saying a word she left her friends behind.
- >But she had to make sure Twilight was okay.
- >"Hey!" came what Sunset was pretty sure was Dash's brash voice.
- >That didn't stop her though.
- >She slowed down and carefully walked through the door of Principal Celestia's office, again.
- >To find Twilight Sparkle standing before a surprised Principal.
- >"Twilig-"
- >"You're expelling her?!" Twilight didn't let her even get a confused greeting out.
- >Sunset flinched back from Twilight's outburst.
- >She had never seen Twilight this upset.
- >Her hair was still messy and her clothes were still full of dirt and scuffs.
- >But Twilight had her eyes on what really mattered.
- >Principal Celestia's eyes widened for a second.
- >"She saved my life and you're expelling her?!"
- >"Twilight please, calm down" Sunset tried to put her hand on Twilight's shoulder.
- >But without even turning her head she pulled her arm away with almost violent resentment.
- >"I'll calm down when when you get treated like the hero you are!" she practically screamed.
- >Out of the corner of Sunset's eye she saw that outside the office there were her friends crowded around the door.
- >Looking at the scene before them deeply concerned.
- >"What's going on?" Sunset had no doubts that was Rarity's posh accent.
- >Sunset opened her mouth to reply, but was beaten by Twilight's outburst.
- >"Sunset is going to be expelled!"
- >A collective gasp goes throughout the girls.
- >"What?" Rainbow Dash was getting as fired up as Twilight.
- >"Why?!"
- >Principal Celestia was taking everything on the chin.
- >Her professional demeanor didn't falter a second.
- >"Yes it is true that Sunset will be appearing before the school board."
- >"And yes there will be a discussion on whether or not Sunset be expelled at this meeting"
- >She took a quick breath.
- >"Things are not set in stone on this."
- >"It's just a possibility"
- >Sunset looked at all the girls.
- >Applejack and Rainbow Dash were still fuming.
- >Fluttershy was holding Pinkie they both looked like they were trying not to cry.
- >Rarity was looking to Principal Celestia with a deep, worried look.
- >Twilight's fists were clenched.
- >Her stare was still serious.
- >"There shouldn't even need to be a meeting!"
- >Principal Celestia's frown returned.
- >"I'm so so sorry Twilight, but...this is out of my hands."
- >Twilight's body was shaking and shivering.
- >Her face was red with fury.
- >Sunset never knew Twilight's anger could get this far.
- >The most upset she's remembered seeing Twilight was when a teacher incorrectly handed her back the wrong paper.
- >So she thought she had earned her first F ever and promptly threw a fit the likes of which even Sunset was afraid of.
- >All the teachers afterwards triple check names so such an event never happens again.
- >But this was different.
- >This wasn't complaining about a low grade.
- >No, Twilight's voice was that of someone who had enough.
- >Why couldn't real life have happy endings?
- >Why does the knight get the girl and live happily ever after in all those dumb fairytales Princess Celestia used to tell her?
- >When in real life the dragon seems to always find a way to win.
- >Sunset and Twilight were finding things out the hard way.
- >"Then I should be expelled with her"
- >You could hear the tinest pin drop in that room with how quiet it became.
- >Everyone was flabberghasted at Twilight's remark.
- >Sunset looked to her expecting to see any ounce of guilt or fear.
- >But instead she was met with a fierce stare chock full of conviction.
- >She was serious.
- >"I was as much as involved as in that fight as Sunset."
- >"If she goes, I go" Twilight said in a cold whisper-like voice.
- >Here was the girl whose whole life revolved around learning who was willing to throw that all away just for someone she cared about..
- >Sunset didn't know what to even say.
- >Her heart felt warm and fuzzy.
- >"Twilight...that's...you..." the right words escaped Sunset.
- >She looked down towards the floor and rubbed her shoulder slowly.
- >"Think about your future"
- >"None of those prestigous schools you always talk about attending would even look in your direction if you were expelled!"
- >Sunset didn't mean to shout, but she thought what Twilight was saying was just too much.
- >She looked up into Twilight's eyes.
- >A tinge of worry was present.
- >"Don't throw away your life for me Twilight"
- >Sunset held her hands close to her heart.
- >"I'm not worth it" she said with a bitter half-smile.
- >Twilight's eyes stayed stern as she looked deep in thought.
- >Sunset could see Twilight's eyes dimly shimmer under the lighting in the office.
- >Maybe she was starting to understand what was important to her.
- >And Sunset hoped she would make the right decision.
- >Looking around with a heavy heart Sunset began to think about what she was going to do.
- >Thinking about how she could stay in contact with everyone if she did get expelled.
- >About whether or not she'd stay over in this world or home.
- >It was too much to think about.
- >Sunset looked down at the floor.
- >A pair of pretty, purple Mary Janes came into view.
- >Surprised, Sunset quickly brought her head up.
- >"Twilig-"
- >But was cut off by Twilight's lips giving her a loving kiss.
- >It felt like the wind was knocked out of Sunset.
- >Twilight's lips met hers in a tender seal.
- >Her arms were draped around Sunset in a soft hug.
- >The feeling of pure magic traveling throughout her body caused Sunset's heart to tingle.
- >And just as soon as the kiss began.
- >Twilight broke it off.
- >Each girl just passionately stared into each other's eyes.
- >Sunset's heart was threatening to beat straight out of her chest.
- >The sparkle in Twilight's eyes and her shining smile made Sunset's legs wobble.
- >"You're worth it to me" Twilight's tone was as soft as her hands.
- >Sunset pulled Twilight closer.
- >Her cheek resting against the shoulder of Sunset's jacket.
- >Sunset looked around the room.
- >Everyone was in shock.
- >Rarity's hands were brought up to her cheeks as she smooshed them together.
- >With an expression of pure girlish glee.
- >The rest of the girls were stunned.
- >Then again, so was Sunset.
- >Butterflies were swarming her stomach.
- >The sound of a drawer opening caught her off guard.
- >She looked over at Principal Celestia who was in the middle of grabbing what appeared to be tissues.
- >Drying her eyes before she began to speak again.
- >"As touching as that was Twilight" Celestia sniffled.
- >"I couldn't expel you even if I wanted to"
- >Twilight's euphoric state drifted and was replaced with meleancholy.
- >Still in Sunset's arms she let out a bitter sigh.
- >"Being that this would have been your first strike it would have just resulted in out of school suspension" Celestia continued.
- >"Wait, what do y'all mean by "would have"?" Applejack spoke up from the side.
- >Principal Celestia nodded to her.
- >"Correct, with how the situation is currently Twilight will not be punished."
- >"From the security footage we have anyway"
- >Celestia shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
- >"It's just...it's how the rules are written"
- >The slight bit of joyous news turned the butterflies in Sunset's stomach sour.
- >She should be happy Twilight won't be punished too.
- >But, it feels like a hollow victory.
- >Twilight scraped by and only won because they rules said she did.
- >Meanwhile those same rules painted Sunset with the same brush as Gilda.
- >"So...there's nothing any of us can do?" Fluttershy's meek voice spoke up.
- >Sunset felt Twilight's body shiver lightly.
- >She hugged her a little tighter.
- >"No...I'm afraid there isn't."
- >"The most we can do right now is prepare for anything to happen"
- >Slowly, the girls began to surround Sunset and Twilight.
- >They all joined in on the hug adding in their warmth.
- >Adding in their love.
- >"...And be there for one another" Principal Celestia murmured as she wiped the side of her eyes again.
- >Maybe Sunset's life wasn't over quite yet.
- >The girls all gave their hugs and kind words to Sunset and Twilight.
- >But sadly they had to be off for it was getting late.
- >Rarity gave Sunset a proud smile and patted her on the shoulder.
- >The group left Principal Celestia's office.
- >Applejack and Dash waved and left.
- >Then next was Pinkie and Fluttershy.
- >Lastly, Rarity gave Twilight one last hug and gave Sunset one last warm smile before saying farewell.
- >Leaving the two in the hallway, alone.
- >Sunset took a seat on a nearby bench.
- >She leaned forward with her head facing her knees.
- >Just sitting there and taking in everything.
- >Sunset heard the sound of someone sitting down beside her.
- >Her eyes peeked to her left.
- >There was Twilight, the girl who Sunset had shared a truly passionate kiss with earlier.
- >Trying to comfort her.
- >She scooted over until she was a breath away from Sunset.
- >"...How was I?"
- >Sunset's face went bright red.
- >She wasn't prepared for such a question.
- >"Could you tell it was my first time?"
- >Sunset's cheeks felt like they were burning.
- >Twilight held her hand in front of her mouth as she giggled.
- >A small smile formed on her face.
- >She nuzzled Sunset's shoulder closely.
- >As Sunset was still reeling in from all the new experiences and sensations in her body.
- >"...You're amazing Twilight" Sunset's wide eyes stared at the lockers in front of them.
- >Twilight snuggled in closer.
- >Without thinking twice, Sunset manuvered her arm around Twilight's shoulder.
- >Life seemed easy when Sunset had someone to hold onto.
- >"Sunset?"
- >"Can I ask you a question?"
- >Sunset looked down at the comfy looking Twilight resting against her.
- >"Of course, Twilight."
- >Pausing for a moment, Twilight took a breath and started to speak again.
- >"How long have you felt this way about me?" Twilight's innocent voice sweeter than candy to Sunset's ears.
- >Thinking back to after the Friendship Games, Sunset remembered how Twilight looked to her.
- >With a warm glow in her eyes.
- >It planted the seeds that have begun to sprout.
- >"Since the end of the Friendship Games I suppose." Sunset was caressing Twilight's shoulder.
- >Silence passed between them.
- >They both just lost themselves in the nearby lockers.
- >Twilight took Sunset's arm and placed it back to her side.
- >She sat right straight up and looked into Sunset's eyes.
- >And she started in on something that Sunset had been dreading in the back of her head for ages now.
- >"Sunset...you held that in for that long?" Twilight spoke with a worried tone.
- >Like how a doctor would scold a patient for poor health..
- >With a dejected nod, Sunset confirmed Twilight's nagging suspicions.
- >Her heart felt like it was constricting around itself.
- >She felt the gentle touch of Twilight's hand on her knee
- >Sunset's throat went dry as she tried to think of the right thing to say.
- >"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Twilight's hand rubbing Sunset's knee.
- >Twilight's way of saying how she wasn't mad, just concerned.
- >With half-lidded eyes and a stomach full of knots, Sunset decided now would be the best time for the truth.
- >"Because, I...I was scared." a solemness grabbed hold of her heart.
- >Sunset grimaced as she swallowed the vitrol pooling in her stomach.
- >Twilight was swinging in a cradle of uneasiness.
- >She moved her hand over Sunset's and grasped it tenderly.
- >"...Scared?" Twilight knew that was not a smart question to ask.
- >Sunset's heart trembled as she nodded back.
- >She knew this day would come.
- >It was inveitable.
- >"Twilight...how much did you about me before you transferred here?"
- >Sunset's eyes were stuck on the hallway floor.
- >Her question lingered in the air and in Twilight's thoughts.
- >Twilight shook her head slowly.
- >"Not a whole lot"
- >"Mainly just rumors the other Crystal Prep girls were spreading"
- >She shuffled her feet against the floor.
- >"And well...you were at the games too"
- >"I at least knew you cared about your friends an awful lot."
- >Twilight's tone turned slightly sorrowful on that last sentence.
- >The scene where Sunset verbally assaulted Twilight at the Friendship Games popped into Sunset's head
- >Her eyes were still somberly staring away from Twilight.
- >"...I wasn't always like that.
- >Twilight's almost appalled stare was visible out of the corner of Sunset's eye.
- >"I didn't care about anything except being number one"
- >"And not like Rainbow Dash either."
- >"Whoever I had to use or step on to get what I wanted..." Sunset sighed as her voice trailed off
- >Her voice was showing signs of a sob trying to break through.
- >"I just...I just wanted to be loved" she swallowed down another sob but a sniffle fell through.
- >"My teacher, and my close mentor, made me think...she didn't see me as her equal"
- >"Like I was just some commoner drifting in from off the street way out of her league"
- >Sunset's tone was becoming more bitter as her rant continued.
- >"I thought, "I'll show her!" and so I threw myself into that mindset"
- >"Ambition was my heart's desire for the longest time." Sunset placed her hands over her eyes.
- >"All because I wanted her to show me one, little shred of respect, but..." she sighed.
- >"My mind was too clouded by anger and jealously to see she did, she always did"
- >Sunset closed her eyes tight and choked back a heavy sob once more.
- >"She always loved me, but I just...never loved myself" Sunset's shoulders were heaving from her more shallow sounding breaths.
- >She shut her eyes as a lone tear dripped down her cheek.
- >"I thought my desire was love and I thought my desire would finally fill that aching hole in my heart"
- >"Instead, I was consumed by it."
- >"It turned me into someone I didn't even recognize."
- >Sunset glanced over to Twilight.
- >She looked to be on the verge of tears as well.
- >Her mouth was quivering as she stifled back sobs.
- >"That's why I was terrified to tell you Twilight"
- >"You're too...amazing to drag through something like that" anxiety bubbles were gathering in Sunset's heart.
- >"I didn't want to hurt you or our friendship"
- >Sunset was lightly pushed to the side as Twilight swiftly wrapped Sunset in a bittersweet hug
- >Her arms locking behind Sunset's back
- >Quiet sobs were all that came out of her mouth.
- >She nuzzled the shoulder of Sunset's jacket once more and moved in close.
- >Sunset returned the embrace as she leaned in to give Twilight a small, comforting kiss on her cheek.
- >Feeling sad, but light as a feather.
- >Sunset's thoughts drifted.
- >It seemed like all lately she's been doing is crying.
- >Crying, and feeling sorry for herself.
- >Just wanting to hide from the rest of the world.
- >She hated feeling vulnerable and opening herself up.
- >But it's what good friends would do.
- >Twilight was one of Sunset's best friends.
- >So to get that all off her chest without the burning urge to run as far as she could away.
- >It was something special that's for sure.
- >She was something special.
- >Twilight turned her head so she was looking into Sunset's eyes.
- >In them Sunset felt not anger, betrayal, or judgement.
- >But love, sympathy, and understanding.
- >Something she had only truly felt when she finally stopped trying to be someone she wasn't.
- >For the first time in what seemed like years.
- >Sunset finally felt the same about herself as her friends felt about her.
- >Closing her eyes she leaned forward and locked lips with Twilight.
- >Finally feeling home.
- >Despite everything still hanging over them.
- >They had each other.
- >Pulling away from Twilight, Sunset beamed a heartfelt grin to her.
- >"Sunset Shimmer?" a voice to her side caught Sunset off guard.
- >Without hesistation, she jerked her head to the side and came face to face with the, equally as stern as her sister, Vice Principal Luna.
- >Sunset saw her eyes go from herself and then over to Twilight who was blushing beet red.
- >"Is this a bad time?" her voice still commanded respect even in a casual tone.
- >Sunset's mind went blank as she stuttered out
- >"O-Oh, n-no this is a good time for whatever you wanted to talk about"
- >She was mentally hitting herself.
- >It wasn't that she disliked Vice Principal Luna.
- >They just never really got along that well.
- >"Alright" Vice Principal Luna began.
- >For a moment, Sunset saw a brief glimpse of uncertainity on her face.
- >"Sunset" her voice softened.
- >"When you first came to CHS, I'm going to be quite frank" Luna's head dipped downwards slightly as she sighed.
- >"I didn't like you"
- >Sunset's heart began to lower into her stomach.
- >"You were an arrogant, and manipulative coward who made countless lives, including mine and my sister's, a waking nightmare.
- >Sunset's head sank lower as Luna's harsh comments were making her re-live all those bad memories.
- >A small silence passed between them.
- >Twilight was holding Sunset's hand tight.
- >"But...in these last few months" a spark of hope was in Luna's voice.
- >"I've seen you transform into one the finest students I've had the pleasure to know at CHS in years"
- >Stunned, Sunset instinctively raised her head and looked towards Vice Principal Luna.
- >Her face was brimming with pride.
- >"Rest assured Sunset Shimmer, that as long as me and my sister are around."
- >"We will fight tooth and nail to keep you here at CHS" Luna kneeled down after saying that.
- >She stretched out her hand and placed it on Sunset's shoulder.
- >Sunset tensed somewhat, but the combination of Luna's warm words, and Twilight's comforting hand, she almost instantly relaxed.
- >Vice Principal Luna stood straight back up after a few minutes.
- >She waved goodbye to the two girls on the bench and started to walk away.
- >But before she could get two steps in she stopped and turned back around.
- >Nervously rubbing the back of her head.
- >"Oh, umm, also congratulations on...you two" she gestured to Sunset and Twilight.
- >"But, uhh, just remember to keep it hands only okay?"
- >She wore a big nervous grin.
- >Sunset could tell she never had to give a heartwarming pep talk and then turn around to tell them to keep their mouths to each other.
- >It was enough to make her and Twilight giggle.
- >She gave a thumbs up to the increasingly awkward feeling Vice Principal.
- >And she gave one in return as she smirked at the absurdity..
- >Shaking her head she turned back around and stepped down the hall.
- >With a slight skip in her gait.
- >Twilight huddled closer to Sunset's side.
- >And with that.
- >Both girls sighed and relaxed.
- >"Hey Twilight?"
- >Twilight perked her head up from Sunset's shoulder.
- >"Wanna go back to my place and watch a movie or something?"
- >Sunset gently stroked Twilight's hair.
- >She let out cute sigh of contentment.
- >"I'd love to"
- >She nuzzled back against Sunset.
- >"Five more minutes though" she said with a smile
- >Sunset's heart tingled again.
- >Causing a light giggle to escape her lips.
- >She hugged Twilight closer and rested her head on top of hers.
- >"Five more minutes"
- >Sunset kissed the top of Twilight's head.
- >Hope burned bright in her heart that these five minutes will last forever.
- >Even if they didn't.
- >They will always have them close.
- >Despite everything.
- >Despite the future being murky.
- >Despite the hardships in the past.
- >They will always remember these five minutes.
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