.

My Little Pony: Sunset's Shimmer

Chapter 3: Friendship

It's Wednesday's lunch break. We're all hanging around the Wondercolt statue, doing whatever we can to pass the time. Rarity's doing Fluttershy's nails, Pinkie and Applejack are playing cards, and Rainbow's tossing her soccer ball from one hand to the other, a blank expression on her face. Blank as in boredom, not blank as in "I'm under a mind control spell from a trio of she-demons." And, yeah, they're on our mind, even if none of us are saying it. It's part of why we're out here, in a bid to escape the toxic atmosphere that's taken hold of the school. But the main reason is that the statue contains the portal from Equestria to this world, and if Twilight manages to find a way through, this is where she'll meet us.

Part of me is glad to be out here. Even if the girls hadn't cast their magic over the school, the atmosphere would still be nearly as toxic towards me. But that's no reason to forestall solving this problem, even if waiting is all we can do. Wait, and find our own ways to amuse ourselves. The girls are doing it, and I am as well. Because I've still got my book on hand, the one that Celestia gave me all those years ago. I look over the message I wrote to her yesterday – not that I've forgotten it, but hey, got to do something to pass the time, right?

Dear Princess Celestia,

I'm writing from the world on the other side of the portal. We need help. The school here has come under the effects of dark magic. The perpetrators are three girls who've not only ensnared the school's leaders, but also its students. They've become more aggressive and belligerent, though for some reason, my fellows and I have so far been immune to their effects. The girls' means of control is by singing – some kind of voice-based magic.

I write in the hope that this note will reach you in your companion book. I know that the portal between our worlds will be closed for many moons, but if there's any way to send help, it would be much appreciated.

Sunset Shimmer.

Short, to the point, and avoiding any explicit requests for aid. I sigh, and glance back at Canterlot High, wondering if I'll ever see its Equestrian counterpart again. If I'll see my former teacher again. Probably not, as was pointed out to me yesterday in the music room, but still…I close my eyes, leaning against the statue, feeling its stone against my head, and a bitter autumn breeze in my hair. I wonder if the message is too formal, but then, I'm not really in the mood to open myself up right now. Not when so many wounds in two worlds remain open already. Where'd I go so wrong, I wonder? How'd I get from being Princess Celestia's prized pupil to the most hated girl in school?

I know the answer. I know when it all changed, and when I changed. I wonder if I even realized it at the time. I flip back to the last entry I made before leaving Equestria, and I smile sadly as I read the text. I remember what happened that day:

Celestia,

Well, that's mid-term passed. Did you see the vines spring up from the keep? Yes, it's a growth spell that netted me top marks, thanks for asking. Jumper Berry failed, as usual – no idea why he's even still trying. Well, maybe he'll get better in time, but I'm not looking back. Study is the path to success after all, and I think we both know by now that 'success' has become my middle name.

Well, whatever. See you tomorrow – hopefully you'll have something exciting for me. Goodness knows the other students are as boring as ever.

Sunset.

I frown, as I read over the text a second time. I remember that day – poor Jumper Berry's growth spell had turned his pot plant carnivorous, while my growth spell turned my plant into a mess of vines that sprung out of every window in the tower I'd taken the exam in. It never even occurred to me to offer him any help or advice, any more than it occurred to me that the other students weren't trying to mooch off me when they offered to take me out to lunch. But the text by itself wouldn't tell someone why I did what I did. Why this was the last entry in the book. An outsider wouldn't know that the very next day, Celestia showed me the mirror – when what was festering within me for years began to surface.

Maybe I'm inherently a terrible person, I ponder. Maybe I wouldn't have needed that mirror to show me my true self. But…I bite my lip and flip to the start of the book. Was I always that bad? I look at the first entry I made, when Celestia first took me under her wing as her personal student. The day I received the book as a gift:

Dear Princess Celestia,

So…I write in this book, and it'll appear in the one you keep in your library, right? Please write back to let me know that it worked I mean, if I'm going to be a good student, I want to at least be able to know how to use a book after all. Certainly read a lot of them, but writing to you like this…well, that's a bit new to me.

Listen, I know that yesterday I didn't say much when you took me in as your student – tongue-tied, I guess, and did I thank you for this book? I don't know – I mean, you're the ruler of Equestria, and you've taken me in? I…even writing this is hard, but I want to say…thank you. Thank you a thousand times. Getting into the School for Gifted Unicorns was hard enough, but this is a gift I can scarcely explain how much it means to me. Well, not yet – who knows, maybe my writing will get better along with my magic. But ink lasts forever, so as I write this here and now, I promise that I won't disappoint you. You've given me the greatest gift, the greatest opportunity a pony could ever receive. And I promise I won't ever forget that. I promise that I'll make you proud.

Your faithful student,

Sunset Shimmer.

I smile, even as I recall how the promise on the first page has long been broken. I remember that day as clearly as the day that Celestia showed me the mirror. The smile begins to fade though, as I read through all the other entries I made, how over the years, the person writing them begins to change. The entries become shorter, more curt. The writer more arrogant. At some point, I stop being her "faithful student." At some point, I cease to address Celestia by her honorific. At some point, I just become "Sunset." One point after another, all in a path that takes me to the unrecorded moment. The dirty secret the book will never tell. The secret that I'll never forget.

I close the book – that was an interesting read. Or "enlightening," or "heart-wrenching," or any number of terms to describe the trail of tears that led to this moment. A moment that's broken by a sigh from Rainbow, and a comment that "I'm starting to think that she's not coming."

Celestia? No, of course not, she means Twilight. I've been so wrapped up in my memories that I'd temporarily forgotten about the here and now. But, I think, she may have a point. It's been twenty-four hours, and if Twilight hasn't arrived yet…we…wait…is that a portal forming in the statue?

Yes, it is, and we all see it, as the solid marble becomes akin to a swirling liquid. There's a flash of light, and something comes flying out across the yard. Well, not something, someone. And by flying, I mean being hurtled, hitting the ground hard. And by someone, I mean-

"Twilight!" we all exclaim.

I run over to help her – much to my surprise, I'm glad to see her. She's not Celestia, and we didn't part on the best of terms last time, what with the whole "demon who tried to conquer Equestria, only to be thwarted by a magic rainbow" thing. But still…

Is it friendship you want? Or forgiveness?

I ignore her voice, and keep my eyes on Twilight. I see her rub her head while kneeling on the ground, and hear her let out a groggy "I'm back." She gives the Rainbooms a smile. It fades, however, as she looks up at me, and the hand I'm offering her. She frowns, and looks away, clearly not sure whether she can trust me. But still, I keep the hand out there. Slowly, cautiously, she takes it, and I help her up. I smile, and for a moment, she returns it. Heck, she's even brought Spike with her, and he's in good cheer as well, given our…interesting history together. Maybe we can sort this out.

"Maybe" is the key word though, as the rest of the girls come round and hug their friend. Their friend, I remind myself. I don't know if I can call Twilight a friend. I'd like to, but our history isn't exactly rosy. But Twilight and the Rainbooms? They're friends, no questions asked. I envy her for that.

"It's great to see you all," Twilight says, as the hub-bub dies down. "But I've got some bad news about those new girls."

I wonder if "all" includes me?

Guess I'll find out soon enough.

---

When in doubt, go to Sweet Shoppe.

That's what Pinkie says. Well, not so much says, but "said." And not so much "said," but…y'know what? I've got no idea how to describe what Pinkie does half the time. But I can describe the Sweet Shoppe as a small café that Canterlot students frequently visit after school, and it's here that we all find ourselves around a table as Twilight gives us the rundown on Adagio and her cronies. With milkshakes, or in Rarity's case, tea. Because milkshakes can solve anything, according to Pinkie. Another one of those life lessons I guess.

And, as I sip my own, I've got to admit, she's kind of right. I mean, it hasn't solved anything per se, but just being here with the Rainbooms, with Twilight, with my friends, if I can call them that (and I hope I can), it feels…nice. Normal. For the first time in a long time, I'm completely at ease. It's odd how Twilight's arrival in a time of crisis has allowed me to experience that feeling, how her voice is nowhere to be heard, but whatever the reason, I can sip at my milkshake, and not have a care in the world.

"So," Twilight begins, "based on what Sunset told me, I think those three girls are the sirens."

"Not the sirens!" Pinkie exclaims, a look of horror on her face. One that slowly fades, followed by the words "um, what's a siren?"

Twilight gives the bullet points, but it's for their benefit more than mine. Or maybe it's for my benefit as well, but regardless, I know all about the sirens. They were a trio of creatures that plagued Equestria in ages past, who had the power to charm ponies with their magical voices. But in order to maintain their power, they had to feed off the negativity and distrust of others. The more negative energy they consumed, the stronger their voices became. If not for Star Swirl the Bearded banishing them from the world, they might have divided and conquered all of Equestria. Rumour was that he banished them to a world where he believed their magic would be lost. But, as Twilight surmises, apparently that wasn't the case.

I can't disagree with any of her conclusions, and I feel like kicking myself for not reaching them myself. I mean, it all makes sense – a trio of girls with magical voices that turn people into arseholes, it fits perfectly. Well, almost – there's the question of why the sirens only just surfaced now, but aside from that, I can't fault the assessment. Some student I turned out to be. I…I shake my head and take a sip of my milkshake, its creamy vanilla pouring down my throat and into my heart. Much better, even as the Rainbooms sit there in silence, taking in Twilight's words.

"Oh I do hate that you had to return at a time of crisis," Rarity says, breaking said silence. "We have so much catching up to do."

And planning, I think. But I let them have this.

"For starters, a certain blue-haired guitar player was just askin' about you," Applejack adds.

"Flash Sentry was asking about me?!" Twilight exclaims, blushing, and doing something with her hair before returning her focus to her milkshake. "Isn't that nice?"

I smirk, and I'm not the only one to do so. I only saw Flash a day ago, and, yeah, sooner or later I'm going to have to deal with the consequences of a relationship gone south, mind control, and the whole "boyfriend only for popularity" thing. Still, that can wait. If Twilight and Flash have a thing for each other…well, good for them.

I mean it. I think. I guess there's envy somewhere inside me, but, well, yeah. Feelings are complicated. Twilight's a case in point, as she really seems to like her milkshake in a bid to avoid the subject.

"Perhaps you would give us just the slightest bit of gossip from your world?" Rarity asks, coming to her rescue.

Spike, who's been held by Fluttershy up until now, chimes in. "She's got an official title now," he says. He imitates playing a horn, ignoring that dogs aren't meant to play horns, let alone speak, in this world. "The Princess of Friendship!"

"Wow," I say, "that's really impressive." I rub my arm awkwardly. "Guess you really were Princess Celestia's prized pupil."

"She's even got her own castle," Spike adds.

"A castle?!" Rarity exclaims, grabbing Twilight and accidently spilling her milkshake onto her shirt. "You have your own castle?!" She notices her "boo boo." "Eh, how lovely," she says, and begins to clean it with a napkin.

I go to sip at my own milkshake, but there's nothing left in the glass. Nothing to placate the feeling of unease within me. A feeling that…okay, fine, let's call it what it is – envy. Twilight is the Princess of Friendship, and unlike this world, princess is a title that you have to earn. A title that few have ever received. A title that I once craved and…I swallow, remembering what happened with Celestia. Of the final act that drove us apart. Twilight got what I wanted, received what I didn't have the patience or wisdom to see was a title earned, not given. So yes, I am glad for her, I tell myself. And yet, that feeling of unease remains. Am I selfish, I ask myself? Or just mortal?

Both.

I ignore her voice as the conversation moves on. "So," Twilight asks. "What's new here? I mean, besides your school becoming the target of dangerous magical creatures from Equestria?"

Rainbow exchanges a worried look with the girls – they all give her a nod. "Yeah," she says. So that isn't exactly the only strange thing that's happened since you left." She draws out her phone and plays a video recording of her playing guitar and "ponying up" – tail, wings, the lot of it. Twilight stares at the recording, perplexed.

"Pretty sweet huh? Happens to all of us when we play."

I can tell by the look on Twilight's face that she doesn't consider this "pretty sweet," but that she also sees this as a mystery to be solved. She has my respect there – I've seen it as a mystery to be solved for months, only with the caveat that it wasn't my place to question it, considering the events of the Fall Formal. But with Twilight here, maybe it can be solved. Even if I'm not the one finding the answers, I could still receive them.

"Hmm," Twilight says. "My crown was returned to Equestria, but some of its magic must have remained here at Canterlot High."

That makes sense, I think. Probably should have thought of that myself.

"But now that we're all back together," she continues, "we can use that magic on the sirens. Just like when we were able to use it on Sunset Shimmer when she turned into that horrifyingly awful winged monster." She pauses, and looks at me awkwardly. "No offence."

"Heh, none taken," I say. "I'm used to it."

It's not a lie, but just because I'm used to it, it doesn't mean I like it. I feel something squirming within me, and this time, it isn't envy. It's simple unease. The sense of still being apart. Even here, at the Sweet Shoppe, drinking milkshakes and discussing castles, I'm still an outsider. The observer. The one who…who…

The one who isn't a friend.

I try to ignore her, but I can't help but feel that she's right. Twilight and the girls are friends, not doubt about it. But what can I call myself?

"Sooner we do this, the better," Twilight says. "Any idea where the Dazzlings might be?"

Pinkie makes a slurping sound as she drinks her milkshake, finishing it all in one go. She then says, "there's a big party tonight at the gym for all the bands who signed up to be in the showcase. That would include the Dazzlings."

Twilight smiles, and cleans some chocolate off Pinkie's cheek. "Looks like we've got a party to crash."

Pinkie smiles, and so do I. Soon, this will all be over. The spell will be lifted, the Dazzlings put in their place, and things will go back to normal. And-

Normal. I sigh. "Normal" isn't a good thing for me these days.

---

The fruit punch tastes terrible.

Yes, I know that punch is the least of our worries, but by Star Swirl's beard, it tastes awful. Whoever made it used way too much grape juice. In more ideal circumstances, I'd be able to blame it for the hostile atmosphere within the gym. But, these aren't ideal circumstances, no matter how many cookies or other snacks are available at the buffet. The Rainbooms, Twilight, and I are in one corner, and every one of the other bands is in their own clique. Staring, whispering, shooting each other dirty stares. It's competition taken to the extreme, one of contempt and bubbling aggression. It's everything that this school isn't meant to be. And, for their dark reasons, everything the Dazzlings want.

Not that it'll last, I tell myself. All we have to do is wait for the Dazzlings to show up. Then Twilight and her friends will work their magic, and however iffy "normal" might be for me, I'll be able to get some catharsis in seeing their plans fall apart. Is that selfish? Maybe. But the sooner it's done, the sooner the school returns to normal, and the sooner I can find some water to wash the taste of punch out of my mouth.

Thankfully, we don't have to wait long. It's Rainbow who sees them – Adagio, Aria, and Sonata, at the entrance to the gym, looking around as if they own the place. They walk towards the centre of the room, sauntering between the students with an arrogant swagger. The seven of us move to intercept them, though soon only six – no-one says anything when I stay in place, as Twilight and the girls keep on moving forward. They have the magic of friendship, the same magic that was used to defeat me months ago. There's nothing I can do right now but watch.

Probably mess it up anyway.

Oh be quiet.

Is the fruit punch that bad?

Yes, it is, I reflect, but no matter. I try to remain inconspicuous as the girls move in for the kill – not that I need to try, as all the bands in the gym are so busy hurling snide remarks at each other that they don't even notice I'm here. It's pleasing, in a sort of twisted way. But not nearly as twisted as the sirens. I can see them talking, and I try to pick up their conversation through the din:

"This is just the kick-off party girls," Adagio says to her cronies. "Imagine what a tizzy they'll be in by the time the Battle of the Bands starts."

"There isn't going to be a Battle of the Bands!" Twilight shouts. "We're going to make sure of it!"

The room falls silent, and I smirk – it's not pleasant, being blasted by a rainbow, even if it transforms you back into your human self from a demon. But to see it used on the Dazzlings is a sight I'm salivating for. So I continue to smile as the girls join hands. As Twilight says, "alright girls, let's do this. Friendship is magic!"

Hand in hand, eyes closed, the elements of harmony joined together. Silence continues to fill the gym. Silence, silence, and more silence. And no rainbows. Or magic. Or anything. My smile fades, and I get a sense of déjà vu from yesterday, when the whole gym glared at me. Seeing the gym stare at the girls…it isn't any less unpleasant.

Um, Twilight? Rainbows? Magic? Wings? Anything?

More silence. Someone coughs, echoing throughout the gym.

It's the punch, isn't it?

No, it really isn't. But I have no idea why it isn't working. And from the looks of things, neither does Twilight.

"Talk about throwing down the gauntlet!" Adagio exclaims, speaking in a smug, self-satisfied tone that I know all too well from experience. "This group is obviously serious about winning. A little cocky though, aren't they? Claiming there won't really be a battle. Seems they think they've already got this thing all locked up."

"Not if the Great and Powerful Trrrrrixie has anything to do with it!" Trixie exclaims.

"Whatever Trixie," Flash snaps back. "We're the best band at CHS!"

"No, the Crusaders are gonna win!" Applebloom declares.

The entire gym erupts in furore. Before, the tension was below the surface. Now, it's all out in the open. Everyone's arguing, making declarations of their band being the best, and throwing out derogatory remarks about their competitors in the process. Twilight and the Rainbooms remain there in the centre, an island of sanity in a sea of madness. And me, the atoll, separate from the island, yet still linked. I feel for them, but that's not what truly catches my attention. Rather, it's the green mist that spreads across the room. The same mist that was in the cafeteria yesterday, the mist that no-one apart from the Rainbooms and I can see. I watch as it's drawn into the pendants of the Dazzlings. How they smile, while they drink in the haze. Intoxicated. Adagio most of all

I hate her. I hate seeing her do this to the school. I hate how she reminds me of myself. I hate her so much that I feel my fists clench – hands aren't as strong as hooves, but I've learnt how to throw a punch over the years, and not the kind I was drinking five minutes ago. I take a step toward them, but then pause. What good would it do, I ask? And as I see Twilight gesture to the girls, I can see that as far as she's concerned, now's the time for flight, not fight. So silently, they head for the gym door, weaving their way in and out through the chaos that's enveloped the gym. Silently, I join them, but not without a final glance at Adagio and her fellows. Grinning at us, as if she's already won. As if she's succeeded where I failed.

This isn't over.

---

It's sunset, as we sit on the steps outside the entrance to Canterlot High. Is that irony, I wonder? Sunset…Sunset Shimmer…setting sun? I dunno. Irony's not really on my mind though. It's more occupied with what just happened in the gym, and just as importantly, what didn't happen. There's a bitter taste in my mouth, and no, it's not from the punch. The only thing we were able to salvage is the cookies Pinkie snuck out with her. But while chocolate contains serotonin, a type of chemical that can act as an anti-depressant, it isn't doing me much good now. Or any of us, by the looks of it.

Maybe that's the key, I think to myself glumly. Eat chocolate, get happy, get everything back to normal…

And get fat.

I ignore her voice, and finish off the cookie. I watch as Twilight paces around in front of us.

"It doesn't make any sense," she says. "I should have been able to create the spark that would help us break their spell. That's how it worked before."

I can't disagree with that – it should have worked, and I can't think of any good reason why it didn't. Except…

"But to defeat me, you drew magic from the crown I was wearing," I say, letting out the first thought that entered my head. "The sirens' magic comes from their music. So maybe you have to use the same kind of magic to defeat them."

Twilight stops pacing and looks at me, perplexed. "Or, maybe not," I say, wishing I hadn't spoken. It's a silly idea - I mean, if Twilight couldn't crack it, what makes me think that I could do any better?

"No," Twilight says. "I think you're onto something."

"Really?" I ask brightly.

Twilight looks at all of us. "It's when you play music that you transform now, right? When the magic inside you comes out?"

"Yep," says Applejack. "Ears. Tails. The whole shebang."

"So maybe the way to use that magic to defeat the sirens is by playing a musical counter-spell," Twilight says.

"You mean like a song?" Fluttershy asks, clearly warming to the idea.

Twilight nods. "And in order to free everyone who's been exposed to the sirens' spell, we'll need them all to hear it."

That's a snag, but it doesn't take long for Rarity to find the solution – "the band competition," she exclaims. "That's the next time we can be certain everyone will be in the same place at the same time."

"Guess the Rainbooms are the band to beat," Applejack says.

The girls are in good spirits. So's Spike for that matter, and for what it's worth, myself as well. Maybe we can win against the sirens. Beat them in magic, and in music as well. I smile, and-

"And I believe you, Twilight, just became the Rainbooms' newest member," Rarity says.

…and the smile fades. The girls cheer, and rush towards Twilight Sparkle. Princess of Friendship, embodiment of the element of magic, saviour of Equestria and this world. Twilight Sparkle, the newest member of the Rainbooms. Twilight Sparkle, who…who…

…who's the logical choice, I tell myself, even as I look at the ground, struggling to keep my throat steady, and my eyes clear. I mean, what, did the fact that there's a battle of the bands suddenly mean I'd be made a band member? I'm a terrible singer, and an even worse guitar player – if I wasn't going to perform in a musical showcase, what in this world or any other could make me think that I'd perform in a competition with the fate of Canterlot High at stake? I get up and walk over – Twilight looks…off, I notice. No idea why – she's the perfect candidate for the band, what could be bothering her?

"So," Pinkie says, "what do you wanna play? Triangle? Sousaphone? Theremin?"

What the heck is a theremin?

Twilight laughs, and there's an awkwardness in it that makes me raise an eyebrow, but only for a moment. "It might take a little too long to learn how to play something with these," she says, wiggling her fingers. "I'll just sing."

No, seriously, what's a theremin?

"Like, as in, lead singer?" Rainbow asks. "Cuz that's usually my gig. This being my band and all."

"It's our band," Applejack says. "And of course, as lead singer. She's the one with the magical know-how to help us pull this thing off."

Isn't anyone going to tell me what a theremin is?

Guess not. But I keep asking myself what a theremin is, because it's a far better distraction from the storm of emotions brewing within me. Emotions of joy, that we can beat the sirens, dismay, that I can't do anything to help, and unease. Unease from Twilight's muted reaction, unease from Rainbow's continued insistence that this is her band, and…well, a lot of other things.

"Okay, yeah, that's cool," Rainbow says, her forced voice adding to my unease even further. "I'll just use this as a chance to hone my already insanely good guitar skills."

Applejack rolls her eyes. I open my mouth, but my words die in my throat. I want to say that yes, Rainbow is an excellent guitar player, and that yes, the band was her idea. But I've been watching the other girls play, and their talents are nothing to sneer at. I want to say that we should clear the air about that before entering a music competition, sirens or no sirens.

But I don't. It's not my place to - there's no "we" as far as the band goes, and besides, Twilight comes to the rescue anyway.

"It's only temporary," she says. "And we don't have to win the Battle of the Bands. We just have to perform during the first round of the competition."

"So let's get to learning that musical counter-spell," Rainbow says, apparently back on board as a team player.

"Well, that's just it," Twilight murmurs. "I don't know any."

With a groan, the Rainbooms' team spirit plummets. But Twilight quickly says, "but I'm sure I could learn how to write one?"

Heh, hope your handwriting's gotten better.

Is that mean? Well, maybe, and I don't say it out loud. But I like this idea more and more, if only because it means the Dazzlings will be defeated. And Twilight's looking a bit more upbeat, which is a good sign.

"Totally," Spike chimes in. "Twilight can write a spell like it's nobody's business. That's pretty much how she got to become a princess in Equestria."

"Technically, I helped finish a spell. And there was a little more to it than that, Spike."

"Yeah, whatever."

"But anyway, I've got this," Twilight says. She picks up Spike, and starts walking back towards the school.

"Where you going?" Applejack asks.

Twilight looks back at us. "Last time we were here, Spike and I slept in the library."

"Are you crazy?" Pinkie exclaims, running up and hugging her. "We're besties now." She looks out at the Rainbooms. "Slumber party at my house!"

The girls erupt in cheering. I almost join them, but fall short. They begin heading out towards the carpark, but I stay in place. I'm not a member of the Rainbooms, and I'm not sure if I can call them friends. I mean, I'd like to, but only friends go to slumber parties (I think), and I turned down slumber parties in Equestria, and it's gratifying to know that slumber parties are a thing in this world, and-

"Sunset, are you coming?"

I blink, and see the girls staring at me. "Huh?"

"Come on," Pinkie says. "Slumber party? Hello?"

"Huh? But I…I mean…" I smile. "Sure."

Is this real? Am I invited? I mean, don't look a gift horse in the mouth (which is a weird saying, I mean, if you consider the…). I shake it off. Slumber party. Friends. Now. I run forward, and stop short. I smile, embarrassed.

"Can you guys wait up a bit?" I ask. "I gotta pee."

---

Damn fruit punch. Not only did it taste terrible, but it's the reason I've made a detour to the girls' bathrooms before heading to Pinkie's house. My bladder's shrunk to the size of a walnut. But while that fruit punch enters the sewers where it belongs, my mind is on other things.

A slumber party. I'm going to a slumber party!

I mean, that's a thing, isn't it? Something that girls do? Pretty sure it's something that ponies do as well, though I don't ever recall being asked to attend one, and if I did, I'd have said no. But, I mean – slumber party. Friends get together, fun and games, music, pizza, more fun and games, staying up late. Granted, I've plenty of experience in staying up late, but, well…slumber party!

And yes, I tell myself, it's silly. The sirens have the school in their thrall, and we're having a slumber party. But right now, I don't care. Being invited to any of the Rainbooms' houses would have never happened months ago. Probably not even a week ago, since I've been a fifth wheel up to this point. But now, I think to myself as I exit the cubicle, maybe that's changed. Pinkie reached out for me specifically. No-one in the Rainbooms objected. It's like…like I can possibly start calling them friends.

Can you really?

I keep my head down, focusing on the water circling the drain.

Back in the bathroom again? Certainly got a habit there.

I turn the tap off.

Be serious, can you really call them your friends? Do you think you're really in a state where you can claim actual friendship?

Like before, I meet her gaze. This time however, it's in defiance.

Friendship isn't magic, you silly girl. It's not a science you can dissect. You can't quantify any of this. You can't be sure of anything!

"I can try," I murmur.

Try, and fail. You're not even in the band yet.

"Maybe." I walk over to the paper towels, pulling some out with far more force than is needed. "But you won't be there to see it."

She doesn't say anything. So I dry my hands, and wash myself clean of her presence as best I'm able. I throw them in the bin and head for the door, eager to get to my friends as soon as possible.

I'm always with you, she whispers. I always will be.

I hurry out. I don't run, but I move as quickly as possible otherwise. And despite myself, I can't help but smile.

Slumber party time.