Sunset couldn't believe it, she never would've expected to see Aria Blaze of all people. Especially right here at her school.

"What are you doing here?" Sunset demanded.

"Is that anyway to say hello?" Aria asked, a sly grin on her face.

"Fine, hello Aria. what are you doing here?" Sunset asked in a slight mocking tone.

"So glad you asked, you see we haven't seen you in a couple days and I just wanted to check to see if you were still alive." Aria answered before coughing. "Lucky for us you aint dead."

"Look, I'm sorry I haven't contacted you three. But I just had a lot on my plate recently." Sunset explains as she lets out a sigh.

"I bet." Aria scoffed as she approaches Sunset. "So how goes the whole Anon-A-Miss thing? was adagio right? was it really those little brats?"

Sunset didn't respond which caused Aria to smile. "Boy that must've really shook those so called friends of yours huh? hahahha, man I wish I could've been there to see the looks on their faces!" Aria laughs before she suffers another coughing fit.

"Seriously though, we fulfilled our end of the deal. we helped you find Anon-A-Miss and cleared your name, now you gotta help us get new heart stones."

Aria once again started coughing, but this time a bit more violently as she was forced to bend down. Sunset rushed towards her and knelt down beside the siren, Aria covered her mouth with her hand as she continued to cough, when the coughing stopped, Aria removed her hand from her mouth and found blood on her palm.

"As you can see, we're getting worse. Adagio can't even get out of bed now."

Sunset felt bad for the sirens, with everything that has been happening with the school, the Crusaders, the Rainbooms, her gaining a family, it completely slipped her mind about the Sirens situation. "I'm sorry, I promise to get you three your heart stones as soon as I can."

"You better, otherwise you'll get more famous than you already are." Aria threatened as Sunset helped her to her feet, she attempted to walk to the bus stop but found it difficult as her legs felt really weak and she was swaying from side to side. But Sunset helped steady her and guide her towards the bus stop.

Sunset knew what Aria was talking about as she helped her towards the bus stop, she helped Aria take a seat on one of the benches while she took the spot next to her and then proceed to wait for the bus. Sunset glanced at Aria who was taking in labored breaths. She must've pushed herself too hard just to get here. Sunset thought before looking down the road for any sign of the bus. The two equestrians remained silent for about five minutes before Aria spoke up again.

"So, any reason why you're on the front page on the newspaper?"

"It's a misunderstanding." Was Sunset's simple reply.

"I bet." Aria snickered. "And why are you being so friendly with the brat? I thought you would be furious at her and her little friends for ruining your life?"

"I was at first, but she proved to me how genuinely sorry she was and how committed she was to make it up to me and everyone else she's hurt." Sunset answers as she turns to look back at the road.

"Tch, you're too soft Shimmer, if it was me I'd have made those three pay dearly." Aria stated as she envisioned all the different ways she can get back at the Crusaders.

"Well you aren't me." Sunset stated firmly, her eyes narrowed as she continues to look down the road.

Aria smiles slyly. "Yeah, you're better than that. too bad your so called friends didn't see that."

Sunset felt a stabbing pain in her heart at Aria's words, she tried not to let her hurt show as Aria continued.

"Are you planning to make up with them too? even after what they did to you?"

"What I did to them was worse." Sunset mutters but Aria still hears her.

" Which explains why they never truly trusted you." Aria comments and she notices Sunset's body stiffen. "Face facts Shimmer, they never trusted you and even I know that you need trust in friendship."

"Hell I bet they were just itching to get rid of you until they realized how useful you were."

Sunset closes her eyes as she recalls everything that led up to the slumber parties, could Aria be right? Could all this time the Rainbooms have been tolerating her. Sunset smirked, she already knew the answer to that, it was obvious from the first couple of times she started hanging out with Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash that they wanted to get back at her. Even Fluttershy was putting up a brave front as she tried to include her in her volunteer work at the animal shelter, but the shy girls was probably terrified of even being next o her. Pinkie Pike on the other hand was very determined to make Sunset feel welcomed in their group. She even threw her a party and after the battle of the bands, Pinkie Pie had asked Twilight about what ponies eat in Equestria. All in an effort to make Sunset feel more at home by making her some of her world's delicacies.

I would.

Sunset remembered that Pinkie Pie was the only one to honestly say she would befriend her and her actions did certainly prove it.

"But what do I know, if you like being betrayed over and over again then that's on you." Aria shrugged before she placed her hand on Sunset's shoulder. "But do it after you give us our new heart stones, as entertaining as it would be to watch you suffer because of your foolish belief in your friends. it would be fucking pointless if we're on the verge of dying."

"Maybe I want to take you three with me." Sunset joked before she was spun around to face an annoyed Aria.

"Don't even joke like that Shimmer, just because I'm in a weakened state doesn't mean I won't throttle you." Aria threatened.

Sunset smirked as she lays a hand on top of Aria's. "Relax, Like I said I won't let you three die."

Aria felt a jolt of electricity run up her arm from where Sunset had laid her hand on, just then the bus arrives and Aria pulls her hand away as she stood up from her seat as the doors swing open. Aria boards the bus and takes a seat, she sees Sunset waving goodbye with a happy smile. Aria rolls her eyes as the bus starts moving away, she looks at her hand and still feels that electricity from earlier.

What was that? Aria thought as she flexed her fingers. It didn't feel too bad...was it because of Shimmer?.

Aria suddenly started coughing, but it wasn't as bad as it usual is.

I'll worry about that later, right now getting our heart stones back is more important.

Sunset is running down the park walkway as she makes her way towards the soccer fields to meet with Lightning Dust, the encounter with Aria has made her late and she hopes Lightning wouldn't be too upset. just as she reaches a corner, Sunset hears a familiar voice.

"Ah really messed up this time huh Grand Pear?"

Sunset stops in her tracks as she hears Applebloom talking to someone, she peeks around the corner of a tree and sees Applebloom sitting on a bench with an old man.

"Now don't you worry Applebloom, I'm sure yer granny will have all this sorted out." Applebloom's grandfather Grand Pear spoke kindly to his granddaughter.

"But what if she doesn't? What if we loose our farm? we'll lose our home!" Applebloom panicked, Granny Smith was meeting with their lawyer who is also a member of their family to discuss about the lawsuit. Applebloom felt all the color drain from her face as her Grandmother told her that.

Grand Pear wrapped his arm around his granddaughter in an attempt to calm her down." There, there little seed. Everything will turn out okay."

"But Grand Pear-Pear, the farm has been in our family since the founding of our town. it's one of the first buildings ever build here!" Applebloom reminded him, their farm and their family has a history with the town and loosing it meant they would not just loose a home but a part of their family history.

"Believe me I know, yer Granny wouldn't stop telling me when we were younger." Grand Pear joked in an effort to lighten the mood.

Applebloom smiled slightly as she envisioned her grandmother brag to her grandfather about the Apples proud history.

"Now there's a smile that could light up a room." Grand Pear stated as he looked at his granddaughter with eyes filled with love and compassion.

"Thanks Grand Pear-Pear." Applebloom thanked her grandfather as she hugged him.

"Any time sweetheart." Grand Pear says as she hugs Applebloom back.

Sunset stood against the tree, her bangs shielding her eyes as she took in what she just heard. She pushed herself away from the tree and walked away from the area, she would take another path to the soccer field.

"There you are!" Lightning Dust shouted as she waved towards the approaching Sunset.

"Sorry I'm late, Something came up and I had to deal with it for a few minutes." Sunset explains as she stand in front of Lightning Dust.

"Hope it wasn't anything serious?" Lightning Dust asks in a worried tone.

"Sort of." Sunset stats, she debated whether she should tell Lightning Dust about her encounter Aria and about what she overheard from Applebloom.

"Hey, if you wanna talk about it I'd listen." Lightning Dust offer as she scratches the back of her head awkwardly. "Can't promise I'll give the best advice though."

Sunset watches as Lightning Dust shifts nervously on her feet before smiling. "Thanks Lightning."

"No problem, what are friends for?" Lightning Dust says with a shrug.

Sunset's eyes widen at this. "Friends." Sunset mutters as she realizes that Lightning Dust is right. they are friends.

"You okay there Sunset?" Lightning Dust asks as she leans closer to Sunset.

"Yeah, I am now." Sunset says as she begins to tell Lightning Dust about what happened to her after detention was over.

"So one of the sirens came to our school to see whether you were still alive and to remind you about your deal with them." Lightning says as she bounces the ball without letting it touch the ground. "Then there's the whole thing with the Apples loosing their farm...wow, I don't know what to say."

"It's okay, I just wanted you to know." Sunset says with a smile as she moves her right leg to snatch the ball away from Lightning Dust and bounces it on her knees. "Shall we get started?"

"First to score ten goals wins!" Lightning Dust declares as Sunset immediately races towards the goal with her right behind.

The two teens tried their hardest to score and prevent the other from Scoring, but after a long struggle, Sunset emerged victorious. with a score of 10 to 8 Lightning Dust and Sunset decided to do a few drills before starting up again but this time they had to score 5 goals. But like earlier, Sunset manages to win with a score of 5 to 3.

"Seriously, I still lost?!" Lightning Dust groaned as she lay on the snow.

"Sorry Lightning, but I managed to familiarize myself with your moves so I knew what you were going to do." Sunset apologized as she had her hands on her knees while she attempted to catch her breath. "If it makes you feel any better you still didn't make it any easier."

"I can't believe you managed to memorize my moves in only two practices." Lightning Dust says in amazement.

"To be honest your movements were similar to Rainbow Dash, she likes to show off her skills by doing complicated maneuvers and she tries to use misdirection tactics." Sunset explains, recalling how impressed Dash was at her for being able to read her movements.

"I guess I can kind of see it." Lightning Dust muses as she stares up at the sky.

Sunset walks over to her and extends a hand out which Lightning Dust gratefully accepts, Sunset pulls Lightning up as the two pick up their backpacks and begin walking towards the walkway.

"I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow?" Lightning Dust says she needs to walk in the other direction from Sunset.

"Yeah, So beat you again tomorrow?" Sunset asks as she smiles slyly.

"We'll see about that." Lightning Dust says as she and Sunset fist bump before walking away. "Later Sunset!"

"Later!" Sunset bids Lightning Goodbye as both girls head home, both unaware that they had someone watching them play.

Sunset's apartment door closes behind her as she makes her way towards her room before crashing on top of the bed. She lays there for a minute before she lifts up her head and looks at her backpack that's lying next to her.

"Better tell Twilight that we need the heart stones soon." Sunset mutters to herself as she gets up and takes a sitting position on her bed as she pulls out her journal from her backpack and begins writing to Twilight.

Hello, Twilight.

One of the sirens came to school today and told me that her and the others condition is getting worse, we need those heart stones as soon as possible or else they will die."

Sunset closed the book and got out of bed before heading into the kitchen, she placed the book on a table as she makes herself something to eat. A few minutes later she heard the book vibrate against the table and immediately picked it up before opening it.

Dear, Sunset Shimmer.

This is terrible news, I'm already working on creating new heart stones for them but as I was in the middle of it, I suddenly realized something crucial.

what is it?

What's to stop the Sirens from using these new heart stones to take over your world?

Can't you design a failsafe to ensure that doesn't happen? It should be easy enough to do.

I have considered that, but what's to stop them from simply changing them once they get their magic back? I'm sure they would've made new ones if they were back in equestria, but because they are trapped in a world without magic, it's impossible.

Then what do we do?

I'm not sure but we need to think carefully before we give back one of equestria's deadliest threats their magic.

Sunset thought for a moment going over what she knew about the sirens and their heart stones, a lightbulb went off in her head and she quickly wrote to Twilight.

The sirens power promotes disharmony an their heart stones absorb the negative energy of everyone and use to not only strengthen themselves but as a food source as well. And without a means to feed off of negative energy, they are basically starving to death.

What are you getting at?

Can't we just change their diet?

There was a pause that lasted two minutes before Twilight responded.

I never considered that, but to what?

Why not instead of negative energy, they absorb positive instead?

That sounds plausible, but will their bodies accept the new energy?

We'll slowly introduce it to them so that their bodies don't get overwhelmed by taking in too much at once.

Okay, but the same problem still applies, what's stopping them from just changing the heart stones once they get their magic back to feed on negative energy again?

Sunset ponders for a moment before responding to Twilight.

What if we limit the source of the magic? What if we make it so that they can only feed on one person and the heart stones can only activate if the person themselves activates it? that way they only have access to magic during the feeding sessions and can't change the design of the heart stones whenever they want.

That's brilliant! but who's going to...oh no. your not suggesting we use your magic?!

Sunset's pen hovered over the pages before she replied.

Yes.

Sunset are you out of your mind?! that's way to risky.

What other choice do we have Twilight? they're running out of time.

There was a long pause and Sunset was about to write if Twilight was still there when she wrote back.

Alright, I don't like it but I suppose there's no other choice.

Thank you Twilight.

However I insist that I be with you during their sessions to make sure they don't try anything.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

They wrote to each other a bit more before calling it a night, Sunset finished preparing her dinner and went to the living room to enjoy it. She kept thinking back to what she heard from Applebloom, how her family was going to loose their home.

"Home." Sunset mutters as she recalls how she was basically homeless when she came to this world, living off the streets and struggling to survive until she managed to take refuge in the school after it closes for the night. She was fortunate that the few gems and bits she brought with her were very valuable here, after getting more familiar with this world and it's currency, Sunset managed to rent an apartment with some fake papers. Through the years that she has lived here, Sunset has made this place her home and base of operations for when she use to plan out how to take over CHS.

Sunset understood how Applebloom felt about loosing her home, for the longest time she feared that her deception would be discovered and that she would be kicked out of her apartment... or worse. Sunset finished her meal just as the doorbell rang, she checked to see who it was and to her relief it was her mother and aunt. Sunset let them inside where they talked for a bit before they began moving more of Sunset's things to Celestia's car. the family then sat in Sunset living room enjoying a coup of coffee.

"So how as your day Sunset?" Celestia asks her daughter as she takes a sip of her coffee.

"It was the usual, although I did help out Scootaloo with the jealousy she's been feeling because of the paper comparing me to her parents." Sunset explains before smiling. "I told her to come to me if she had more problems with the article."

"That is very thoughtful of you Sunset, I'm very pleased to hear that." Celestia praised Sunset, proud of her daughter's actions to help a fellow student despite what she did to her.

"With this whole situation of the media claiming you to be Spitfire and Soarin's daughter, I imagine it must be harder for Scootaloo." Luna commented.

"Sunset, what do you feel about all of this?" Celestia asks.

"I'm not too bothered by it, but It could be a real problem later down the line." Sunset states as she takes a long sip from her mug.

"We can't do anything about the article now, but we can make sure that no further information about you is known to the public." Celestia promises.

Sunset stares at the rising steam from her mug before looking towards her mother and aunt. "Mom, is the Apple family really going to loose their farm?"

Celestia places her mug on Sunset's coffee table before answering. "I don't know all the details, but the families that filled a suit against the girls families want a large sum of money which the Apples can't afford to pay."

"So it's all about money huh?" Sunset mutters which earned a raised eyebrow from her aunt and mother.

"Sunset, what are you getting at?" Luna asks her niece.

Sunset smiles as she tells them what she has in mind.

Sunser groans as the ringing of her phone once again woke her up, she reaches for it and checks the caller i.d to discover that it's Lightning Dust.

"Hello?" Sunset answers as she rubs the sleep from her eyes.

Sunset, we have a huge problem!! Lightning Dust yells on the other line.

Sunset recoiled at the volume of Lighting Dust's voice. "Lighting calm down, What's the problem?"

"Our match yesterday is all over todays paper!

Sunset's eyes widen at this and all remnants of sleep are instantly wiped away. "What?!"

"What's even worse is that the new article mentions you by name, they know your name Sunset!" Lightning Dust continues to shout, panic evident in her tone

Sunset runs her hand through her hair as she thinks over the situation, it was bad enough that her face is now plastered all over the paper but now they had a name to go with it. She could feel a headache beginning to form.

Someone must've been watching us in secret and took the pictures.....oh my god. It was me. Lightning Dust spoke with a voice filled with shock realization.

"Lightning Dust, are you okay?" Sunset asks in a worried tone.

I yelled out your name as we said goodbye yesterday...I'm the one that gave you away. shit, Sunset I'm so sorry. Lightning Dust apologized, feeling terrible at being the one responsible for this mess.

"It's alright Lightning, you couldn't have possibly known that we were being watched." Sunset assures her friend.

But still...

"Listen we'll talk more about this at school, okay?"

Okay. Lightning Dust replied simply, still sounding guilty.

"It wasn't your fault Lightning. I'll see you at school." Sunset assures Lighting Dust one last time before hanging up. She then flops bac on her bed, staring up at her ceiling before letting out a tired sigh.

"This is going to be another tiresome day."

A harmonious tune came from Sunset's phone, indicating that someone has sent her a text, she brings her phone to her face and is surprised to see that the message is from Fluttershy.

Sunset, I just read todays paper and I wanted to know if you were okay? also is there anything that I can do to help?

Sunset read the text and couldn't help but smirk, as she typed her reply.

I'm fine Fluttershy, and there isn't anything you can do currently to help. Even I haven't figured that out yet.

As soon as Sunset finished her reply, she received another text, this one from Pinkie Pie.

Ohmygosh Sunset are you okay?! this is super bad, is there anything I can do to help?!

Before Sunset could reply, she received more texts from the Rainbooms and even some from her new group of friends.

Darling this is absolutely terrible! how are you holding up and is there anything I can do to help? Rarity's text read.

Ah just saw todays paper and ah wanted to know how yah are feeling? am here if yah need me sugar cube. Applejack texted

Sunset are you okay? this is very bad. Gilda texted.

Boss this is bad, everyone knows who you are now. Snips texted.

They say that any publicity is good publicity, but they are clearly mistaken. hope you're feeling alright.
-Trixie.

Sunset are okay? this mess just keeps getting worse huh? texted Dumbbell.

Sunset was touched by all these texts of concern for her, but she noted that there is one missing from the Rainbooms. just then her phone started ringing.

Speak of the devil. Sunset thought as the call is from Rainbow Dash, she pressed the talk button and brought her phone to her ear. "Hello?"

Hey Sunset. Rainbow greeted timidly from the other line. "G-good morning."

"Good morning, Rainbow Dash." Sunset greeted back.

"I read todays paper and um, I called to check how you were feeling about this? Rainbow asks, her tone filled with concern and compassion.

"I'm feeling really annoyed by all this, but that's about it." Sunset responds, happy and surprised to hear Rainbow sounding so sympathetic and showing vulnerability to her.

O-oh, okay. um well like I said before, if you need anything I'll be there for you. I promise. Rainbow Dash vowed, not just to Sunset, but to herself as well.

"Sure thing."

I'll see you at school then, be safe.

"I will and you too...also Rainbow."

Yeah?

"Thank you." Sunset thanked her as she smiled slightly.

Anytime.

Rainbow soon hung up as Sunset pulled her phone away from her ear and stare at the screen. her smile still in place. it didn't last long as her phone rang again and the caller is Flash.

"Hey Flash."

Hey Sunset, I'm guessing you heard the news?

"Yep."

This situation is getting worse by the day, are you feeling okay? Flash asks with concern.

"Yeah, I receive texts and calls from all our friends and the Rainbooms asking me the same thing." Sunset chuckled. "I'm really touched by all their concern."

And why wouldn't we be, you're our friend Sunset. Flash spoke honestly.

"Thanks Flash." Sunset thanked him sincerely.

Listen I'm on my way over to your place, I'd figure that it would be better if you stayed away from public transportation for a while with your name and face all over the news paper. Flash stated.

"That does sound like a good idea, thanks flash."

No problem, I'll be there in fifteen.

"See you in a bit." Sunset says as she hangs up the phone, despite this annoyance, Sunset felt like she can deal with it as long as she had the support of her friends and the Rainbooms.

But where was that support before?

Sunset shook of those dark thoughts, she responded to the texts she receive before getting ready for school.