Greetings. I am Vultarian01. You are most likely aware by now that I am enrolled in college, so you can make the assumption that college was the reason this chapter is late. Not completely. It took me a while to write this particular chapter because I had to get everything right. And that is because this is a dialogue heavy chapter. So if you don't like reading people talk...then what the hell are you doing on this site? Anyway this chapter is not as long as the last one, but I hope you'll like it. Danke.

Disclaimer: I do not own MLP or any of it's respective characters. I also do not own any sense empathy, but that's just me. (JK)

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Chapter 38

Monday, October 20, 7:47am

Today was a horrible day to be alive. At least, it was for Sunset Shimmer. After Rainbow Dash had jumped her last Saturday, she got quite a few scratches and bruises on her face, and a swollen bleeding lip as a bonus. She and Fluttershy were checking in on Twilight while Rainbow Dash finished changing and bolted from the building. The others went to try and flag her down, but not before giving Sunset Shimmer a nasty look. While they were gone Sunset Shimmer told Fluttershy that she was going to leave early, and to call her when Twilight woke up. She went back to her apartment that evening, treating her wounds and eventually crying herself to sleep on her sofa. The next morning, Fluttershy and Twilight suggested that she seek a little help. Sunset wasn't too happy with their suggestion but the two managed to talk her into it.

And now here she is squeezed in between Fluttershy and Camershy on their way to the Canterlot Community Center. Along the way there Sunset Shimmer sat silently and watched Fluttershy stare out the window. She was watching the storm clouds pass through the sky and seemed to be anticipating the arrival of a few raindrops. Meanwhile, Camershy was focusing on the road in front of him. He hasn't been in a very cheery mood ever since Fluttershy asked him to drive them across town, and whenever she tried to talk to Camershy he gave her a very stern look that said 'I don't want to speak with you'. Sunset couldn't blame him for it though. After what she did to his daughter, he had every right to not like her.

They soon entered a large parking lot that was made in front of a large, pale white two story building. The perimeter of the building had a lot of tall bushes and artificial chunks of wood around the bases. The windows looked pretty fancy in design, but they were also unbreakable, as to keep people from breaking in. Or breaking out. The automatic opening doors were also wired with alarms. If you hadn't known that, you'd think that this place was simple and mundane.

Camershy: "That the place?" Camershy inquired.

Sunset Shimmer nodded her head.

Camershy: "Okay, then get out."

As soon as they parked, Fluttershy opened her door and hopped out so Sunset Shimmer could exit the truck. Fluttershy wished Sunset Shimmer good luck before getting back in the vehicle. She asked if Sunset was going to be able to make it home before the storm arrived, and Sunset set her mind at ease. She waved to Fluttershy as the truck pulled out of the parking spot and drove out of the parking lot, on their way to Canterlot High. Sunset Shimmer stopped waving after a chilling wind removed all warmth from her body. She wasn't expecting a storm today, so she didn't bring any protective clothes for the situation. The only thing she could do was hug herself and shiver until the doors let her in. She went to the receptionist.

Sunset: "Excuse me, but I have an appointment at eight o' clock with Dr. Daroque."

Receptionist: "Yes ma'am, he'll be with you momentarily. Just wait outside his office."

Sunset Shimmer thanked the receptionist and made her way out of the lobby and into one of the narrow hallways. She eventually made it down to the three-way hallway intersection where her therapist was. The door was an oak wood with the words 'Dr. Daroque' written on the one-way glass window. Next to the door was a red chair which she took a seat on. There she waited for several minutes until eight o' clock came, and still nothing from the other side of the door. However, after a few minutes a hand opened the door and returned to the room.

?: "Please come in Sunset."

Sunset: "Yes sir."

Sunset Shimmer stood from her seat and walked into the room. The room was small, but it was actually bigger than it looked. It would have appeared much larger if there were not so many books and antiques stuffed into the room. The shelves that supported them all covered two whole walls, as well as another halfway down the wall against the outside building. After the shelves ended, there was a large window the rest of the way. The curtains were opened, so she could see the howling winds outside. Against the empty wall was a red psychiatry couch where patients would typically lay down and/or sit. On the wall above the couch was a frame with a Doctorate's degree inside it with the name 'Phineus Thorndike Sanden Daroque' written on the line. There was also a frame beside it with a picture of a couple of men in pale green outfits and helmets.

?: "It's been a while since you've been here, Sunset Shimmer. Is everything alright?"

In the middle of the room sat Dr. Phineus Daroque in his black rolling chair. He was rather short for a thirty year old man; about three inches shorter than Sunset's height. Despite his age, he looked surprisingly young, as if he was in his early twenties. His face, for example, kind of looked like a child's, with his smooth face, near perfect emerald green eyes behind his brown reading glasses, and his healthy looking lime green hair, which was slicked back except for the little puff on the front. But a few things about him said otherwise. One thing that gave his age away was the sound of his voice. He was very soft-spoken, but his voice just had this odd way of sounding like that wise guru person you see that shows you the secrets of the universe. His wardrobe also gives you a hint. He wears a lime green sweater vest over a pale blue, collared, long-sleeved dress shirt with a lime green bow-tie. His shirt was tucked into his light brown, pleated pants and light brown slip-on shoes. His fashion sense was sort of a dead giveaway that he was a professional.

Sunset always thought of him as some sort of a miracle worker. After almost causing a suicide, her expulsion, and her parents leaving her, she felt completely and utterly broken. She was forced to go to therapy, otherwise she would be put in a mental institution, and that would've ended her. Which made her even more grateful that she had such a nice and level headed person like Dr. Daroque to help her realize the error of her ways. It was rough, but he helped her though. And maybe he'll help her again this time.

Sunset Shimmer frowned and shook her head.

Dr. Daroque frowned. "Oh my. Well let's talk about it then, shall we?"

Sunset Shimmer nodded and made her way to the couch. She then laid back and rested herself on it with her hands folded over her stomach. "Thanks, doc."

Dr. Daroque: "Now then, before we continue I would like to ask how you've been."

Sunset: "I've … been alright. My living arrangements and finances have been stable … I've been exercising a lot more … oh, and I've even been hanging out with a group of girls."

Dr. Daroque smiled and nodded his head. "Well I'm glad to hear that. I know it must've been difficult to come out and start communicating with other people again, but I'm glad you've taken the initiative and started working towards making meaningful relationships with others. Who are these girls you hang out with, if you don't mind me asking?"

Sunset Shimmer wanted to tell him about CCPW, but she didn't know how he was going to react to her being in professional wrestling matches and all. She had to be a little more inconspicuous of that information. "Well … they are a part of this … club."

Dr. Daroque: "What kind of club?"

Sunset Shimmer took a moment to rack her brain. "The ISIS Club."

Dr. Daroque: "ISIS?"

Sunset went along with it. "Y-Yeah. The Individual Services for International Students Club. We, uh, discuss problems involving foreign exchange students and their problems with cultural differences. Then we come up with creative ways to help them communicate with and adapt to the community."

Dr. Daroque arched his eyebrows. "Well, that's a terrific Idea! It's good to see you're involving yourself in such a constructive way."

Sunset felt a little sick lying to him, but it was for the best. "Thanks."

Dr. Daroque adjusted his glasses. "You're welcome, but eh…I think I may have been a little vague with my questioning. What I meant to ask was who exactly these girls are."

Sunset's eyes turned away from the doctor. "Twilight and her friends."

Dr, Daroque frowned. "Oh? That's odd. From what you've told me before you have had a particularly unpleasant effect on them. Even more so with … Fluttershy, was it?"

Sunset nodded. "Yeah, but … it's complicated."

Dr. Daroque: "Please do not worry Miss Sunset, you are in a safe and welcoming environment. You can trust me, can't you?"

Sunset sighed. "Yes."

Dr. Daroque took out a pen and a note pad. "Then please tell me what's going on. And take all the time you need. There's no rush."

Sunset nodded before continuing, staring up at the ceiling. "Well … It started when two girls were harassing me about ... you know …"

Dr. Daroque nodded. "Okay, Okay. That's good. What else?"

Sunset: "Well, Twilight was there and for some reason she stuck up for me. We talked and then she accepted me. She thought that I needed some friends so she invited me to join her club she just recently made."

Dr. Daroque: "The ISIS Club?"

Sunset: "Yeah. Anyway, her friends were there, along with a few others, and they … weren't that optimistic about me joining. They started bombarding me with insults and I started begging and pleading for them to believe that I changed. Because I thought I could convince them and, maybe, we could all get along. They let me in, but after that everything started going downhill. Most of them started to verbally assault me, both in my face and behind my back. Hell, they even make fun of me indirectly—right in front of me!"

Dr. Daroque: "I see. Tell me, how do you respond to this kind of behavior?"

Sunset stirred uncomfortably. "Well … I kind of take it-BUT! BUT, when they go too far I … *sigh* … I also tell them what I've experienced and that I have dealt with enough stuff. I tell them how I've experienced some troubles with my parents, and that I went to therapy for two months straight, and how I feel like … like SHIT for doing what I did in High School and how sorry I was about it! Pardon my French. And they STILL kept leaping at me! They would call me a bitch, a slut, a cunt you name it! They think I'm a horrible person, and at first I kinda felt like I deserved it. Like I didn't have any position to argue. But then they just take it further, and further and—and GAH it's so frustrating!"

Dr. Daroque gave Sunset a few minutes to calm down before continuing. "Oh my. That sounds very stressful indeed. Having other people harass you after you mentally and physically abused them sounds inevitable. Everyone will most likely have some kind of grudge towards you, and the unfortunate truth is that sometimes they will never forgive you. But I am impressed that you went to face those people and give them a chance to know you. It takes real courage to come back, face your peers, and try to own up to your mistakes. I'm quite proud of you."

Sunset smiled. "Thanks-

Dr. Daroque: "How-ever…"

Sunset's smile disappeared. "Oh boy…" she thought with a sigh.

Dr. Daroque: "… putting yourself in a verbally abusive environment isn't a healthy or effective way to atone for past transgressions. Many people often take the phrase 'sticks and stones' in too much of a perspective that makes it seem solid and logical. However, people who are often bullied or tormented can tell you otherwise."

Sunset Shimmer's frown deepened as she listened to the rain hitting the windows.

Dr. Daroque: "I hope you realize that I am not chastising you, but I am telling you that you have witnessed these kinds of things before. People often don't realize how damaging words can be to a person, and when the phrase 'sticks and stones' is used as a mental stabilizer it will sometimes lead to suppression of emotion and self-doubt. It's a method that helps a few, but not so many, especially the ones with a history of depression. But I'm getting off on a tangent. The point I'm trying to make here is that, even if you feel that you deserve this kind of punishment, placing yourself in a radical environment like this won't allow you to make up for your mistakes. I'm afraid that if your fellow club members keep on increasing their harassment towards you, you'll start seeing yourself as a person not worthy of forgiveness, and will eventually start pushing others away. What you have done in the past was out of line, yes, but how you once acted in the past doesn't necessarily have to define your character and worth right now. It is difficult for people to accept you after you have done something wrong, but if they are to the point where they will start harassing you constantly without listening to what you have to say … then they're not worth convincing. Do you understand where I am coming from Sunset Shimme-

*BOOM!*

Dr. Daroque: "AAAH!"

The sound of a loud crack of thunder suddenly resonated outside and rippled into the room. Dr. Daroque jumped in place and started hyperventilating.

Sunset Shimmer shot up. "Are you okay Dr. Daroque?!"

Dr. Daroque eventually steadied his breath and cleared his throat. "I'm f-fine. Continuing on, do you understand what I'm saying?"

Sunset Shimmer sighed and laid herself back down on the couch. "Yes I do, but that isn't all that happened."

Dr. Daroque raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Sunset Shimmer was about to continue, but she felt some sense of fear keeping her from doing so. However, she knew couldn't let that hold in. "You see … the other reason I came here to talk to you about this because of a recent event that happened."

Dr. Daroque: "And this was?"

Sunset turned her head away from the doctor in shame. "I got into a fight."

Now the other eyebrow came up to join in the surprise. "A fight? With who?"

Sunset: "Rainbow Dash."

Dr. Daroque pondered this for a moment, and eventually leaned forward and rested his chin on his fist. "I see. Tell me about that."

Sunset turned her head back at the ceiling. "Well … did you remember what I did to Fluttershy, and that Rainbow Dash and her are close friends?"

Dr. Daroque: "Yes, I do recall that."

Sunset: "She hates me. I mean SERIOUSLY hates me! Not that I blame her for it, I mean she has every right to be mad at me for what I did to Fluttershy. But I swear it feels like she's out to kill me! Out of all of them she has been treating me the worst! She just kept firing at me, and there were a few times where I would emotionally snap and try to tell her, and everyone else, off. But no matter what I do she still keeps pushing me. Eventually we got into a physical fight where we each got a few cuts and bruises. A little blood too. I mean you can't tell by looking at me right now, but I was scratched up pretty good," Sunset said, feeling her cheek.

Dr. Daroque didn't react in any visible way that could be deduced. "Who struck who first?"

Sunset's expression saddened. "I did…"

Dr. Daroque sighed and took off his reading glasses, prompting Sunset Shimmer to interject what he was about to say.

Sunset: "But she was in my face, and she was shooting her mouth off at me! She even told me to go kill myself!" Sunset said defensively.

Dr. Daroque: "Really?"

Sunset bit her lip. "Well, she was about to. She was about halfway done before I…"

Dr. Daroque: "Before you what?"

Sunset: "Before I … *sigh* … before I slapped her and told her that she was a cunt, a loser, and a pathetic weakling…" Sunset Shimmer said with a sickening knot in her stomach.

Dr. Daroque still appeared stoic. "So, you hit her first."

Sunset: "Yeah, but she was being a jerk!"

Dr. Daroque: "But you still hit her first, didn't you?"

Sunset Shimmer looked out the window and watched the raindrops slide down the glass window. "Yeah…"

Dr. Daroque: "Now, I'm not the one to condone violence. I would normally say that striking Rainbow Dash like that wasn't the best route of action. However, if looking from your perspective I think you would have reacted in a similar way that most do. I understand that emotional stress and a person shouting profanity in your face can be incredibly frustrating. Just to clarify, I'm not saying what you did was right. I'm simply saying that you chose to do that, and the conditions you were placed under makes it relatable. However…"

Sunset: "I knew he was going to say that."

Dr. Daroque: "That situation still could have been better handled rather than hitting someone. You also made the unfortunate choice of countering Rainbow Dash's slandering with your own. This is also relatable, but it is also an unwise decision. If your plan was to convince everyone that you've reformed then this kind of behavior would make yourself look bad. Not being upset, but verbally attacking your club members and starting fights with the first punch. Not to say that they don't deserve it because I wasn't there to witness what they did and cannot judge. However, I'm not sure if they will react kindly to you calling Rainbow Dash a loser and a weakling."

Sunset: "WHY?! They have been calling ME names before!"

Dr. Daroque: "And you're right. It is unfair. But once a certain group makes up their mind it's hard to sway them, and they often convince themselves that what they are doing is justice. But they might have seen that as a reason not to believe you have changed."

Sunset: "But it isn't justice! It's mistreatment! Ever since I joined that club I TRIED. I really did try to make them see that, but NOOOO! They have to put me though all of this drama just because they can't grow a back bone and get over it! It SHOULDN'T have to be this hard! WHY DO THEY ALL HAVE TO BE SO DAMN BITCHY?!" Sunset Shimmer shouted, her face twisted in anger.

A low sound of thunder rolled just after her yell, and she began her heavy breathing aftermath. She looked up at Dr. Daroque's concerned expression and started calming down. But as her anger subsided, she felt her lower lip quivering and her eyes watering. She put her face in her hands … and started to sob silently. Dr. Daroque stood from his chair, and went over to sit next to the weeping Sunset. He took a few tissues out of his pocket, and offered her a few. Sunset whimpered as she took a few and started to wipe her tears. Her therapist put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

Dr. Daroque: "Look, Sunset, I know how much you want to prove yourself to your peers, and that you wish to help them forget the past and forge a meaningful relationship with them. I would want that for you too, but if they are physically assaulting you on top of fussing you out … then they aren't the best people to be associated with. It is very dangerous situation to be in after something like this happens within a collective; especially when they have such a negative opinion about you. I know you have Twilight on your side, but I'm sure you two can still be friends."

Sunset Shimmer hiccupped a little before responding. "But … I can't give up now. I mean Twilight's not my only friend. I also have Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy."

Dr. Daroque lowered his voice. "Fluttershy?"

Sunset nodded slowly. "Y-Yeah. We made up. Rainbow Dash hates me for that, and probably Fluttershy as well. But I still think I can get through to her and everyone else if I hold out just a little longer."

Dr. Daroque's expression also saddened. "Sunset, I don't think-

Sunset snapped her head to the doctor with tears in her eyes that covered her despair. "PLEASE!"

Dr. Daroque contemplated the situation for a moment, and with a sigh he conceded. "I don't suppose I can stop you. Tell you what, how about tackling this from a different angle? You only seem to be defending yourself by preaching to them about your reformation, and when you're not doing that you're just taking the abuse. Try taking a more direct approach by telling them how you feel and calling them out for it in a respectable manner. This way you will be standing up for yourself without being rude. You think you can try that?"

Sunset Shimmer looked down at her hands, and wiped her salty tears on her skirt. Dr. Daroque's suggestion wasn't her favorite option, but it made the most sense. Besides it's not like she had anything else to lose.

Sunset: "Okay, I'll give it a shot. Thank you Dr. Daroque."

Dr. Daroque smiled warmly. "Anytime."

Sunset Shimmer and Dr. Daroque shared a long hug as the storm was already at a constant state. They used the rest of their time discussing other mundane things before her time was up. She bid her doctor good day, and he told her to make another appointment anytime. She exited the door and re-entered the hallway. However, a concern suddenly emerged from the back of her mind.

Sunset: "How am I going to get home?"

Sunset Shimmer got to the lobby and her soul filled with dread. It was pouring outside, and she had forgotten to get an umbrella. She didn't want to bother Fluttershy's father again, so it looked like she was walking home. She entered the storm and let the raindrops pelt her as she hugged herself and started making her way down the sidewalk. She shivered from the cold rain with each step, praying she wouldn't get a cold by the time she got to her apartment.

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Disclaimer: For those of you readers who keep up with current events and are offended by that ISIS joke...get a sense of humor. Just kidding, but still it's a joke so I hope you don't take it too seriously. I'm just putting this here for insurance.

Anyway, please leave me a review if you like and I'll see you...whenever i'm not busy. Until next chapter. Arevoir.