Sonata was getting the last of her things together. There wasn't much to really pack up. All she had were her clothes, some make-up, and various toiletries that Luna had gotten her the day before (soap, shampoo, deodorant, and such). The last thing she had to pack was her stage costume from the battle. It laid, stretched out on the guest bed she had been using. She had been looking at it for five minutes and still couldn't decide whether she wanted to take it or not. On one hand it was a link to her prime; when she was magical, powerful, and immortal. But it was also a reminder that she was not any of those things anymore. Like old photos of long dead friends and relatives; it brought her both smiles and sadness.

Luna came into the bedroom and saw Sonata just looking at her old costume and could read all the emotions that were flashing across her face. She understood. She had a necklace she used to wear back in her rebellious days. After she cleaned up and turned her life around; she had gone to a bridge and just stood for what must have been a hour before chucking the necklace into the stream. Luna knew that Sonata was having the same internal debate she had that day on the bridge.

Luna gently knocked on the door and said, "You ready?"

Sonata was a startled. She had been so lost in thought; she hadn't noticed Luna come in. "Almost. I got most of it packed away. I guess all of it; all of it except that." She pointed to the costume.

"That's your past. For good and ill. Do you want to carry that with you?" Luna walked over to Sonata and put her arm around her shoulder.

"I carry my past with me everywhere I go." She raised her finger and pointed to her head. "In here. This is just an outfit."

"'Just outfits' do not take serious thought as to take them with you or not." She spoke in a manner so soft and kind; that one might think she was talking to a tired infant she was trying to put to sleep.

"No, they don't. It's an artifact." Sonata grew quiet again and just looked at costume again. "And artifacts belong in a museum." She reached down and picked it up and handed it to Luna.

"I doubt any museum would take this," Luna said with a small laugh. She felt like adding, maybe one of bad taste, but decided Sonata might take it the wrong way. She was in a fragile state right now and needed to be handled with kid gloves.

"Maybe not; but Goodwill will." Sonata just looked at Luna with those big, magenta eyes seeming to plead with her to take it away before she changed her mind.

"Will do." She took the costume and set on a small chest of drawers. "Ready?"

"No, not really. I wish I could stay here with you. I understand why I can't, but I still wish."

Luna gave Sonata a hug and said, "So do I darling; so do I." She then gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Let's go."

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Pinkie lived with her older sister Maud in a nice, upper-middle class neighborhood. Their parents were wealthy mine owners. Maud was in college; studying geology. When she had moved out, Pinkie went with her. Her parents were ultra conservative Mennonites; something which clashed with Pinkie's naturally flamboyant nature. So instead of having fight after fight with her parents, Pinkie decided to go with Maud. And quite frankly, her parents didn't put up much resistance to it either. They knew she would never change, and they were tired of the fighting as well. Plus they had great faith in Maud to keep her younger sister in line.

Pinkie loved her big sister more than anything. Surprising on the surface since Maud and Pinkie couldn't be further apart in demeanor. While Pinkie was all sunshine and rainbows wrapped in a bubble made of joy; Maud was a funeral made flesh. But Maud loved Pinkie just as much. While growing up in a super restrictive home ground all the joy and life out of her, she made a vow to herself to never let Diane (Pinkie's real first name), suffer the same fate. So she gladly (or as close to gladly as she was capable of getting) let Pinkie come with her.

While Pinkie made friends with everybody; she had never met anyone so much like herself until she met Sonata. Which was strange considering they had just been battling a few days before for the fate of the school, possibly the world. But when she actually talked to Sonata; she realized they were kindred spirits. The rapid fire nature of their dialog yesterday, they way they just kept talking back and forth, almost knowing what the other would say before they said it, was something Pinkie never experienced before. So there was no question she would be the one to take Sonata in.

After Luna and Sonata left yesterday, she had gone home to tell Maud what was going on. Maud had gotten uncharacteristically mad at Pinkie for saying Sonata could stay with them. This was their home and she didn't want anyone else coming into it; at least not to live. In fact she had gotten irritated when Pinkie had her friends over for that slumber party. Their father only gave them so much to live on and they had to make that last. Another person would be a drain on their finances. That and Maud actually really didn't like other people. But Pinkie convinced her older sister it would be ok and the right thing to do. And that dad might see it as the "Christian" thing to do. So Maud reluctantly agreed. So now Pinkie stood by the front window; looking out for the arrival of Luna and Sonata.

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"Here it is," Luna said as they pulled in front of Pinkie's house.

"It's nice." Sonata was depressed. The car ride over seemed to have taken place in warp drive. She was already missing Luna and wanted every second she had left with her to last as long as possible.

Luna patted Sonata on the knee. "It's going to be ok. You'll do well here. And even though you might not be staying with me; I'm always here for you." The two hugged and got out.

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"MAUD, MAUD; THEY'RE HERE, THEY'RE HERE!" Pinkie Shouted in sheer joy and excitement. Before her sister could even come into the front room; Pinkie was running out the door. "Sonata! Sonata! Welcome home!"

This didn't feel like home for Sonata. In fact this entire dimension never felt like home. She had always hated it here. She had started to feel at home with Luna; but now that was gone. She had no home. Even if she were to go back to Equestria, it had been so long since she had last set foot there, she doubted even that would feel like home to her anymore. This was shelter, not home.

But there was one bright side; the big, pink ball of kinetic energy called Pinkie Pie that was now barreling down on her. Had she known someone like Pinkie back in Equestria, she never would have hung out with Adagio and Aria. Pinkie was a mirror image of herself. At times during their conversation yesterday; it almost felt like she was talking to herself. A much younger and innocent version; but herself none the less.

"Pinkie!" she called out and had just enough time to brace herself as Pinkie slammed into her and gave her a huge hug.

"C'mon; you gotta meet my sister Maud. She's amazing! You'll love her easily."

Before Sonata could say anything; a dark grey human in sweat pants and baggy white t-shirt walked up to her and said, "I'm Maud. I'd like to help but it's time for me to give Boulder a walk," in a voice and with an expression so devoid of any emotion it would make a Vulcan look hysterical in comparison.

Sonata looked on, her eyes bulging out of her face, as Maud walked off. She slowly turned to Pinkie and said, "Your . . . sister . . . is . . . AWSOME!" Sonata started giggling and bouncing up and down.

"I know!" Pinkie said giggling and bouncing as well. "We're gonna have so much fun."

"Ah, girls; how about we unpack first?" Luna felt a deep sense of relief at seeing Sonata hit it off so well with Pinkie. She would miss her, but she knew she was in good hands and would be ok.

Sonata turned to look at Luna. Whatever momentary happiness she had felt was gone now. It was time to unload, unpack, and say good-bye. She liked Pinkie, even felt a strange connection with the girl, but Luna had grown to be human momma; and Sonata would miss her deeply. Sonata didn't say a word, only nodded.

"Here; let me show you to your bedroom, roomie," Pinkie said with that big smile of hers'.

"Sure," Sonata said half-heartedly and shrugged. And just like that; Sonata started moving in.

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Sonata walked back to Luna's car with her after the had gotten everything unpacked. Luna hugged Sonata one last time and said, "Call me if you need anything; ok?"

"Never doubt it," Sonata said with a fake smile and a tear in her eye.

"And never doubt you. You'll be ok." Luna wiped Sonata's eyes, kissed her on the forehead, got in her car, drove until she was just out of sight, pulled over, and broke down crying herself.

Sonata walked back up to the house where Pinkie was waiting for her in the doorway. She didn't say anything; she just gave Sonata a hug. No doubt about it, this girl could read Sonata's mind.