The Last strains of The Rainbooms new song; "Shine Like Rainbows" drifted out of the arena as Luna and Sonata looked on from a distance. Today was the day. Sonata didn't know what to think. She really wanted to stay with Luna. Despite being over a millennia older than the human; she had begun to see her as a mother figure. Maybe "mother" was too strong a word; but she still had very deep feelings for the human and had bonded completely with her.

And while listening to The Rainbooms practice; she was filled with a mixture of fear and hate. Hate because these were the ones responsible for her current situation. If it wasn't for them she would still be immortal and have the power to control others. Being able to force others to do your bidding AND love you for it was a drug more seductive and harder to quit than any other. Also eternal youth wasn't anything to sneeze at either. In fact; she really couldn't tell which she missed more. Well maybe the eternal youth thing.

Fear was from actually having to confront them. In all her years; she had never had to experience the consequences of her actions. The banishment, maybe that counted, but to see the effect she had had on others; to see the damage done, was one she never had to experience. But not only that, she was actually dependent on these girls LIKING her and taking her in. It was one thing to face your demons; another to face them and try to get them to give you free room and board.

"You ready?" Luna asked. She was standing to Sonata's right, looking down at her. She could see the anxiety and apprehension on the girl's face and her heart broke for her. She, too, would prefer to have Sonata stay with her, but that might raise too many eyebrows. She reached out and took Sonata's hand. "Don't worry; I'm with you."

Sonata looked back at Luna and smiled. She nodded yes and the two proceeded down the steps to where the girls were practicing.

Rarity was the first to see the two walking down to the stage. At first she only saw Luna and was about to wave when she then saw Sonata and gasped. "Girls! - Look there. It's vice principle Luna with one of the Sirens."

The others looked around in shock and horror as the two kept coming closer. What was Luna doing with Sonata? Was she still under some sort of spell? Didn't they destroy the Sirens' magic? If not, what could they do? Sunset Shimmer could write Twilight and try to get her back; but would she arrive in time? Would they be able to handle this on their own? Reflexively; the girls assumed a defense posture.

"Hello there girls. I really like that new song of yours," Luna called out; waving. "I'm sure you remember Sonata here."

"How could we forget?" retorted Applejack. Apple's fists were already clenched. She might not have magic herself; but she still had a lifetime of down on the farm made muscle to unleash on Sonata if need be.

Luna got to the stage and walked on. Sonata stayed down by the front row seats. "Not very likely is it?" Luna said. "But that was in the past."

"Uhhh, it was Friday," said Rainbow Dash. Like Applejack, she was ready to throw down. She had had enough of magic and extra-dimensional beings. She was ready for a good, old fashioned butt whoppin'.

"And as I recall Ms. Dash, you all had forgiven Sunset here the exact same night she tried to take over the school." Luna was annoyed. One, she honestly didn't care much for Rainbow Dash; who she considered to be brash, egotistical, and a show off. But having had the last few days to bond with Sonata; she felt really protective of her.

"So what do you want from us; vice principle Luna?" Sunset asked. She looked down at Sonata with her mixture of feelings.

Luna took a deep breath and said, "I need one of you to take her in."

The others collectively gasped.

"Huh-uh!" said Applejack

"No way!" replied Rainbow Dash

"I can't," said Sunset

"Absolutely not!" responded Rarity

Fluttershy simply shrank back as not to be seen and Pinkie Pie said nothing but looked down at Sonata.

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Sonata just stood there, looking down at the ground. She had been a fool. She should have stayed with the others. Look at her! - even more humiliated than ever; alone with little to no prospects. Adagio was right; she belonged with them. She always had. They had been the only ones who had ever taken her in. They gave her power, magic, and eternal youth and she had betrayed them. More than that, she was alone.

"Hi. I'm Pinkie Pie."

A voice, almost as impossibly squeaky as hers' (maybe even squeakier), snapped Sonata out of her self loathing. She looked up and saw the pink girl standing in front of her. She had big, happy eyes, a wide grin, and hair that rivaled Adagio's. She was the drummer for The Rainbooms, Sonata remembered. So Pinkie Pie was her name. And now she was standing here; in front of her.

"Oh, hi. I'm Sonata Dusk," she shyly responded.

"Nice to meet you Sonata." Pinkie stuck out her hand.

Sonata took it. "Thank you. Sorry about the whole trying to turn you into our slaves." Lame Sonata, she thought to herself. You're being stupid again! Can't you ever do or say anything right?

"That's ok; Sunset Shimmer did the same thing," Pinkie leaned in and whispered, "and she even caused property damage."

Sonata's eyes widened and she looked at Pinkie. "I know right? Like that is totally what I said to Adagio!"

"Oh yeah; where are the other two?"

"I left them. I wanted to stay and try to make a new start. But they wanted to go. So I came back here with Luna."

"Well good choice then! All good things start with one good choice." Pinkie beamed a huge grin. Then her face got super serious. "Do you like cupcakes?"

Sonata's jaw dropped open. "Are you really asking if I like cupcakes? I . . . love . . . cupcakes! Who doesn't love cupcakes? I mean not liking cupcakes is like not liking tacos."

"Who doesn't like tacos?" Pinkie asked flabbergasted.

"Luna! I couldn't believe it!"

"WHAT! How? - wait, she does like cupcakes though, right?"

"I don't know. I didn't ask. She's a," Sonata looked around and whispered in Pinkie's ear, "healthy eater."

Pinkie gasped. "Ahh. Have you had any sugar or fat since you been with her?"

"Only one chocolate milk!"

"You poor thing!"

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"Girl's, she has no one and she wants to make amends. Doesn't she deserve that chance?" Luna argued.

"Yes, fine; everyone should be forgiven their boo-boos," Rarity said," but why can't she stay with you?"

"Because I'm an unmarried, forty-five year old woman, who is also the v. p. of the school she is attending. People assume things, people talk, I do not need that, Sonata does not need that, the school does not need that." She looked at the girls standing there, feeling disappointed with them. How could they turn their backs on one who needed their help now. Where was this "magic of friendship"?

"Sunset; you above anyone should know what she's going through. Can't you at least help?" Luna pleaded.

Sunset looked down. "I do vice principle Luna; which is why I can't." She then turned around and ran off.

The others looked on in surprise. "I'll go get her," Applejack said and ran after her.

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"Sunset, Sunset!" Applejack called, running after Sunset Shimmer. Eventually she caught up to her and grabbed her by the shoulder and spun her around. "What in tarnation is going with you girl?"

Sunset panted for a moment before speaking. "It's like I said; I do know what she's going through which is EXACTLY why I can't take her in."

"'splain yourself girl." Applejack was frustrated and wanted a straight forward answer.

"I am new to this whole 'good girl' thing. There were so many times I felt like giving up and going back to my old ways. And that was before they showed up. In the cafeteria, when they sang that song; you know what I thought? 'Girl please, I had you beat on my worse day.' I felt like getting up and showing them who the queen bee really was. Having them around reawakened something in me. At the battle, I honestly didn't know who I was going to side with at first. Why do you think it took me so long to start singing? I'm afraid if I'm around her, I might relapse. And I've come too far, fought too hard to do that." Tears started forming in Sunset's eyes.

Applejack smiled and gave her friend a hug. "You won't because you did and you have. You did side with us and have fought too long and hard to ever turn back. You're Sunset Shimmer two point o girl! You got this and we got you."

Sunset smiled and wiped her eyes. "Thanks A. J. . That means a lot."

"Good. Now let's go back."

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Sunset and Applejack got back to the stage. Apple had her arm around Sunset's shoulder. The rest just looked at them.

"Everything ok Sunset?" Luna asked.

Sunset shook her head yes. "Miss Luna I was thinking . . . "

"Sonata's staying with me," Pinkie Pie called up.

Thank Celestia, Sunset thought to herself.