//------------------------------// // Prologue: // Story: The Pony Guard: Friendship Games // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Prologue Sometime after the whole drama in the Pride Lands went down, Sunset felt emotionally well enough to finally return to Canterlot High. She had just gathered her belongings and was making her way to the portal in the castle library where Twilight and Kion were there to see her off. “Are you sure you are ready for this?” Kion asked. Sunset confidently assured the prince she is. “Yes, I’m sure.” She held onto the package that her Christmas and apology gift inside. “It might seem difficult at first, but it should be doable. That is assuming it isn’t bait to lure me into a trap.” “I’m sure it isn’t.” Twilight said feeling very certain about that. “At this point considering that the anonymous leaks and content continued to go on even after you left, they had to have realized that they were wrong to accuse you like that.” “No kidding.” “But…” She chimed in and added with. “...I would hold off on displaying any sort of grudge against them even if justified because doing so will only further make yourself unhappy. And for someone who’s done that herself I can tell you that doing so nearly lead to me committing the same mistakes enemies who’ve been in your shoes have done.” She then imparted this last bit of advice for her. “And what you can do instead can make a difference for the better. Sometimes all you can do is stay strong. Remember who you are. And find your family.” “I will.” She promised before hugging her friends especially Twilight. “Thanks. I’ll write back when this is all over.” “Look forward to it!” “Take care!” With a new resolve she turned and walked up straight through the portal. With a bright flash of light, Sunset then once again found herself on her own two feet wearing the same clothes she wore when she first came here after stepping foot right back towards the entrance towards Canterlot High. One look at her surroundings gave her the indication that enough time has passed since the holidays but not enough for what was told was coming to pass by. Upon arriving she is greeted by friends who at this point heard what happened to her by now. “Sunset!” Bunga happily greeted first with a hug. “So glad you’re back!” “Yeah, we really missed you!” Beshte added feeling very relieved while holding back tears himself. “Yeah! We were really starting to get worried if you would come back or not!” Ono added feeling relieved himself. “I was beginning to wonder if I had to find a new study buddy for the upcoming semester exams.” “Semester exams?” Sunset returned with a blank glance and arched eyebrow. “Yeah, but it wouldn’t be fun studying without you, not because I need your intelligence…” Ono nervously laughed upon realizing what he is saying. “...you know what I mean.” Sunset very understanding, was quick to take his word for it. Fuli then approached Sunset feeling very apologetic of what happened to her. “We heard what happened and to think this had to occur just after our families wanted us to come visit them a week before the whole holiday break happened. I only wish we were around to help you out before it all started.” “You couldn’t have known.” Sunset assured to dissuade Fuli from feeling guility about all of this. “And even if you were there it wouldn’t have made a difference. At least in regards to those who doubted me.” “Well we can tell you right now that we don’t.” Bunga firmly assured while patting her on the back. “And we’re here to help you get through this.” “Would you all happen to know where the other girls are?” Sunset asked. “At their usual get together whenever school isn’t in session.” Fuli answered. “The most common diner for high school students to catch up with one another.” “Then that’s where I’m headed.” Sunset then said as she made her way over there with the others following after her to make sure nothing else bad happens to her. Once she arrived at the place, she took a moment to take a deep breath and process Twilight’s advice at the front door before opening it. There inside is all the girls sitting on a table waiting for her. Before laying eyes on her they were looking on despondent and guilty as they drank their drinks where not even a root beer float was enough to bring a happy smile to Pinkie’s face. “Sunset…” Rainbow Dash began feeling the most guilty of the group. “...you’re back.” “Yes I am.” “Don’t suppose you’re here to forgive us?” Applejack asked hoping that’s why she is here. “That depends…” Hearing that worried the girls as she pulled out something from her bag. Her journal. “...if you truly are my friends, then look at this and answer this question. I’ve been telling Twilight and Kion everything that’s happened, and they reminded me. You’re more than friends, you’re my family. Ask yourself, would the Sunset Shimmer you know...the real Sunset Shimmer, the person I am now...would she do this?” The girls read the journal and since they had time to dwell on the consequences of their rash behavior towards Sunset gave her the expected answer from a true friend. “No.” Fluttershy answered on behalf of the group. “She wouldn’t.” “You wouldn’t, darling.” Rarity clarified. “And we’re really sorry we ever doubted you along with making you feel alone like that.” “It was wrong what we did, and we can’t take it back. We know.” Applejack added as she took off her head in shame. “We’re all ashamed after learning that you weren’t Anon-a-Miss. You didn’t deserve all of that and we regret what we said that day.” “And we’ll all understand if you don’t want to be friends with us anymore.” Rainbow added as she voiced her guilt being one of the quickest to judge against her. “That is of course if this is the way it’s going to be.” “And if it is, we’ll be fine with it, because we know we deserved it for hurting you so badly and we were horrible friends back there.” Pinkie added while on the verge of tears herself. Sunset after pondering and taking their apologetic words to heart and remembering Twilight’s advice and past situation, moved to voice what she thinks of what they said to her. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary…” The girls look on in worry until she added. “...because I’m ready to put all of this Anon-a-Miss drama behind us.” “Really?!” “Really.” “Aww!” Pinkie was the first to hug Sunset like a bawling child after being forgiven by her parents with the rest of the girls following suit. Beshte himself upon watching nearly cried himself. “Aw. I love a happy ending.” “Me too!” Sunset returned as she too agreed with that this is indeed a happy ending. “And since there is still time left in the winter season…” Pinkie then said next. “...there is time for us to get together to celebrate this occasion. And what better way to do it than a “Welcome Back! We’re sorry! Christmas party with the Apple Family along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo!” “Nothing better.” Sunset replied which endeared Pinkie feeling like she arranged everything just right. “And believe us, we talked it over and after the girls took responsibility for their actions that led up to this, we made sure that they plan to give you a personal apology when we get there.” “Sounds good, and I’ll try to make sure that I won’t be too hard on the girls. After all, who am I to hold onto grudges and make someone else feel the same way?” “Not you!” “Not anymore!” Both Rainbow Dash and Applejack answered feeling greatly relieved and better now that they talked things out and all is forgiven… ...all while a pair of red eyes wearing a black sweater looks on with disdain and contempt, particularly and the red and yellow haired girl receiving much needed forgiveness before disappearing into the cover of darkness.