Night fell once the girls finally finished. Sunset noticed there was a small pond not that far away, where the owner and her girlfriend no doubt went skinny dipping on occasion, and decided this would be a perfect opportunity. "We should all go for a dip. It'll be fun! Speaking of which..."

She looked for a suitable set of buns and smirked wide, slapping Rarity's wet ass with an audible smack which made her cry out, her shapely derriere the perfect target with how white it was. A red hand print was left behind.

Rarity smiled back and rubbed her bottom. "Why does everyone always choose to treat my behind like a fleshy paddle? Well, I'll take that as a compliment!" Not that she didn't like it.

"You'll all love it," said Tree Hugger who'd broken out a bong and took a long drag, her eyes a bit red with how baked she was from smoking joints earlier. "I promise. Flutters and I do it all the time."

Fluttershy blushed and stared at her painted toes that she dug into the dirt, knowing she meant 'do it' in all senses of the word. Well, the cat was out of the bag now. They were a couple.

Pinkie Pie ran with her arms upraised. "Whoo! Cannonball!" She curled up into a ball and threw herself into the shallow waters with a splash. She shook her wet curls like a dog that had just escaped from the rain.

"Last one in's a wet fart," called Rainbow Dash who charged in behind her, pretending to fly when she skillfully dove in. Since she liked to swim in her free time, particularly back at Canterlot Academy, this came quite naturally to her. She and Pinkie scooped up handfuls of water, splashing waves at one-another.

"Whoa nelly." Applejack tossed her lasso, looped it around a tree branch, and swung into the waters with a laugh. “Just like bein' back on the farm as a tyke, without a care in the whole world!”

"Girls, please." Rarity waded into the pond with well-practiced grace. She brushed down her wet mane, jutting her breast forward. “A lady must strive to act dignified at all times.”

After them came Tree Hugger and Fluttershy who held hands. "Hey babes, is it okay if Flash Sentry takes a dip, too? Have to admit I'm a little curious what he's hiding under those trousers."

He reddened a little and brightened even more when they all agreed. "Well, okay. But I warn you, a certain part of my anatomy might not be able to behave." He'd tried to keep his dick down, which had been incredibly difficult when they started stripping, and pretty much hopeless when they moved onto the heavy petting. They whistled and cheered when he started to remove his clothes. He knew they were teasing him, but posed anyhow, reminded of the approval he'd received when modeling for all those women's magazines.

"I'll catch up with the rest of you in a minute. Need to check my messages first." Sunset sneaked back into the hut, picked through the discarded clothes draped about the floor, and found the geodes they had tucked away. She hated to fish through their stuff, let-alone steal from them, but was convinced it was for their own good.

She'd dreamed about the geodes spiraling out-of-control, overwhelming her friends, and either corrupting or outright killing them. Her hands were shaking when she scooped the necklaces up. She felt like such a shitty friend, deceiving and stealing from them, but was convinced it was for their own good. They'd never hand these over willingly. She had to act.

She sent another text to inform her contact was ready. Not bothering to redress, she took a look around, then slipped away to a marked tree where her partner in crime waited for her.

Trixie folded her arms when she stepped out of the shadows. She'd been waiting for quite some time, and stifled a yawn, before turning more serious. "You sure about this?"

"Not really. I could be making one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I...want you to hold onto them for now, until I've decided what to do." Maybe smashing her own had been rather hasty. Of course she had no idea she'd been absorbing and altering its potential which shifted to suit who she used to be.

"You're weird sometimes, Sunset. I mean, more than me. I'm just a tad...eccentric." She tossed her mane theatrically. "But hey, I like helping you out. Especially when you've agreed to give me your share of the prize pot." She flashed her teeth with a smirk, imagining all the props that sort of dough could buy.

Even teaming up with Fuschia and Lavender it was unlikely Trixie could take first place, maybe not even second or third with all the contestants. So she'd settle for a consolation prize.

Trixie had written a rather elaborate ransom note which she covered in perfume and gold star stickers, and decided to leave her hat behind as well, hoping some evidence would make the theft more plausible. She'd take the fall as they had agreed. Sunset could always clear her name later once this all settled down.

It was just like the old days when she'd schemed her way into petty power in order to seize the real prize. She shoved a wad of cash into Trixie's hand, a down payment for the deed, and once she was certain it was all in order, she returned to the pond, her heart still racing even while she tried to play it cool.

Flash tried to hide himself in the waters as the moon shimmered over the sloshing waters, afraid they'd noticed his soldier was fully at attention. He winced when a pair of humongous breasts slapped onto his muscular back, rubbing up-and-down his skin. "Excited, are we?" Pinkie traced his musculature downwards while he seized up, not stopping, even once she reached his erect cock.

"You're not currently with anybody, are you?" He shook his head. "Then it's okay!" She started to stroke him under the waters. She whispered in his ear, “I know you'd prefer Sunset or Twilight, but I don't mind. I like making other people happy...”

Maybe he should stop her. Cute as she plainly was, she wasn't really his type, anyhow. A little Pinkie went a long way sometimes. But it sure was a nice relief after a busy day...

"Free love man," said Tree Hugger. "Just lay back and enjoy it." She exchanged some more kisses with Fluttershy, arms wrapped about each other as the moonlight framed their wet physiques.

Applejack and Rarity traded awkward sidelong glances at how far they'd went during the photoshoot, both hoping this wouldn't affect their friendship too much. Even so they couldn't help but nervously smile and pinken at how naturally it had come to them. They told themselves it was just a bit of harmless fun.

Feeling left out as everyone paired up, Rainbow decided to tackle Sunset, laughing as she wrestled with her. Of course Sunset was no slouch when it came to physical activities either, and while she wasn't as active and limber as Dash, she definitely had a size advantage which allowed her to gain the upper hand several times. Not that she took a little fun competition too seriously!

Flash went wide-eyed when Pinkie dove under the water, sticking nothing but her ass up for a moment and shaking it in his direction, before she knelt down and took his dick in her mouth. He hissed and hoped no on noticed. “P-Pinkie?!” She took his entire member into her mouth, happily sucking away, and he froze, trying to pretend like nothing was happening. Luckily her friends all seemed immersed in their own little games.

She worked him over quickly, somehow able to hold her breath for an extraordinary amount of time, and when the heat started to build he barely resisted the urge to grab her head and bury her deeper, biting his lip to swallow a grunt once his cock throbbed. He burst inside her mouth, feeling her tongue continue to roll around his length, slurping up his splooge until he'd twitched out the last salty drop he'd been holding back all day.

She popped up with a bounce of her heavy breasts, opening her mouth wide so he could see his cum filling her mouth, the sticky white strands sticking even between her teeth, before she swallowed it down with a loud slurp. “Creamy, creamy frosting...” Her eyes rolled into her head and her tongue lolled out cartoonishly.

“Thanks, Pinkie. That really did make me happier,” he admitted.

“Any time.” She winked with a sultry look. “Stop by my dorm room sometime and I'll give you the full-service treatment. Hey, I might even be able to talk Rainbow Dash into a threesome.”

His imagination went wild at the possibilities. He didn't like to think of himself as a manwhore but it was hard to turn down all the women who offered themselves to him. “Maybe I'll take you up on that.”

Once they finished their swim they all laid on blankets Rarity, Tree Hugger, and Fluttershy placed on the riverbank, soaking in the moonlight that fell over their wet skin. They let the cool night air dry their bodies, skin peppered with goosebumps, breasts and in Flash's case muscles rising and falling in rhythm.

This was almost a perfect day. Only the absence of Twilight spoiled it a little. However Sunset couldn't complain. She'd already told her the truth. Midnight was about to pass. Pretty soon she'd have to confess and hope her friends wouldn't turn their backs on her. Of course, that could make it even harder.

They scooped up their clothes but didn't bother redressing, heading back to the hut, which was lit up by a few candles placed about the room. “I'll break out the sleeping bags,” said Tree Hugger. “There's also a couple of hammocks out back if someone wants to try them. Should be pretty safe out here, so why don't you all stay the night? You too, Flash. You don't seem like the type to try any funny business, you know?”

He smiled nervously. “I wouldn't want to impose...”

“Quit with the false humility act,” said AJ with a nudge to his ribs. “You don't haf'ta impress us!”

“Okay. I'll stick around.” He nodded to Tree Hugger's guitar tucked away in one corner. “Hey, you play, too?” She nodded. “Maybe we could belt out a tune together. My instrument's tucked in my car.”

“Shame I didn't bring mine,” mumbled Sunset. Yet when she watched them sit cross-legged next to each other, plucking away and singing, she couldn't help but smile. Fluttershy took her tambourine which she often left at the hut, started to shake and rattle it, closing her eyes as she lost herself dancing to their music.

Eventually the others broke into a dance too, lost in the moment. After a few songs Tree Hugger eventually put her guitar down and approached Sunset. “You okay, babe? You've been standing in the corner by yourself for a while, kinda like the unpopular kid at the prom. It's about Twi, isn't it?”

“That's part of it.” She looked away.

Tree Hugger took her hands. “Hey, can I read your aura? Trust me, I can help you relax. I'm kinda an expert at this sort of thing, you know?” She led her down to the floor, both sitting cross-legged. “Just close your eyes and relax, chickadee. Gorgeous babe like you shouldn't carry around such a heavy burden all the time.”

“I...I don't.” She didn't really believe in all this new age stuff but the idea of someone peering into her still frightened her. Tree Hugger could be pretty perceptive despite how air-headed she often seemed. Would she realize the truth before she was ready to share it? No, that was ridiculous. She wasn't a mind-reader!

“Hmmm...” She closed her eyes and pressed her fingers into Sunset's palms. “I sense...a woman divided. Almost like you're two people fighting over one body. That sort of turmoil's, like, poisonous to one's soul. You're your own worst enemy right now, but it doesn't have to be that way. We're here for you.”

Salty tears rolled down Sunset's face while she listened. She hated to ruin everyone's night but she couldn't put it off forever. “H-hey,” she called weakly over the music. “What's this?” She scooped up the ransom note tacked to one of the backgrounds none of the others had noticed due to all the props cluttered about. She'd decided to let it pass for a while but knew that was jut an excuse to avoid her confession.

“Lemme see,” said AJ who studied the tattered note. “Ugh, Trixie wears way too much perfume, and...hold on just a darn minute. That little tramp slipped in here and stole our geodes!”

Dash was instantly at her side. “What?!” She read it too. “And she plans to disappear until the contest is over with them?! She's probably hoping we'll turn the prize money over to her own we all win!”

“Relax dears. Trixie is small-time,” reminded Rarity. “We shall deal with her handily when the time comes. I'm not even certain the geodes will react to her. The magic is seemingly attuned to us, so unless she discovers some way to unlock their powers, well, they're little more than pretty stones to her, at best.”

“Things are rather peaceful these days so hopefully we won't need them,” said Fluttershy. “At least Twilight should still have hers? We, um, may have to depend on her if some threat happens to arise.”

“Let's not tempt fate now,” remarked AJ who like Dash was spoiling for a fight. They hated any challenge that couldn't be tackled head-on with persistence, making them feel helpless and useless as a result.

“What a way to end the day,” mused Pinkie. “Guess nowhere's safe these days!”

Flash hesitated to stick his nose in their business unless he was clearly wanted, but he said, “Hey...if there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'll be around.” He held up his phone. “Sunset's got my number.”

“Well, there's nothing we can do about it now, so we may as well relax.” Tree Hugger lazed on her side.

With a deep inhale, Sunset steadied herself, clearing her throat. “Can I have everyone's attention? There's something I need to tell you. Something important.” She steeled herself while they formed a circle before her, ready to listened. She steeled herself. Felt her heart pound. This was the moment of truth...

Trixie hummed when she strolled across the remote little area back toward civilization. A fanny pack which housed the geodes bounced and slapped at her hip. She counted the stars, considering all the possibilities, once her employer handed over the rest of the money. She would've done the favor for free, but if a friend wanted to offer a bonus, why turn them down? She deserved special treatment, after all.

Eventually she came upon her moped scooter which she'd hidden by a bunch of thick bushes. Once she approached Aria suddenly stepped out, planted a boot on it, and kicked it over with a sneer. She started to open her mouth in protest, remembered her violent reputation, and decided discretion was the better part of valor. Yet the moment she turned to run Sonata blocked the other way, Adagio closing in nearby.

“Wh-what do you want?” She fumbled abut her hoodie's pockets for a smoke bomb only for Aria to flick out her switchblade. She backed up, tripped, and landed on her bottom with a plop. The knife sailed at her and she parted to legs reflexively to avoid it with a scream, its tip embedded in the earth before her crotch.

“Nice panties,” said Adagio who licked her lips as she studied the blue garments dotted in yellow stars. “Unfortunately, you have something we want. Now be a good girl and hand it over.”

“H-here.” Trixie pulled out the wad of cash held by a rubberband.

Aria kicked it out of her hand. “Not that you idiot! You're pissing me off already! Sonata!” Her little sister nodded enthusiastically, wrenching Trixie's arms behind her as she held her in place.

“Look, I really don't know-”

Aria retrieved her instrument, studied its gleaming surface for a moment, and hatefully met her eyes. She pulled the hoodie's zipper all the way down, stared at her ample breasts for a moment, then cut into her shirt, ripping it apart until a bra that matched her underwear was visible. “How cute. Too bad I hate cute.”

Now this is really getting excited,” said Sonata who whipped out her cellphone, one hand still holding Trixie's arms behind her while she filmed the whole assault. You always wanted to be famous, right Trixie?”

Trixie gulped. “This is all a misunderstanding! Just let me be on my way and-” She tensed when the knife slipped under the front band of her bra, cutting it open, which made her mounds bounce free. Her stomach tightened as she heaved, staring at the sliver of metal dancing wildly before her.

“I could do all kinds of things to you. Slice off those pretty nipples...” Aria traced her areolas with the blade's flat, cool sides, until her pink nipples went erect under the touch. Trixie's eyes started to water, sniffling as warm urine soaked her crotch and ran down her loins. “How pathetic! Dumb bitch is pissing herself!”

Adagio shrugged it off, removing the fanny pack, and scattering the contents in her palm until she located her prizes. “We've got what we came for. Do whatever you like with her. She's not important anymore. Not that she ever truly was, whatever she'd like to believe.” Her eyes glittered at the collected geodes.

Aria smirked. “Sonata, pull down her panties.”

“Ewww! They're all soaked in smelly pee-pee!” But with the dark look she shot her Sonata hurried to obey, wrapping her fingers in Trixie's panty band, and drawing them down all the way to her ankles.

Aria planted the blade's flat on her prey's tight snatch. “I should cut that slit all the way up to your throat!” She sniffled and rapidly shook her head, sniffling and sniveling. “But your so pathetic that would be a mercy. You're like a bad joke. Think I'll take your ride for a spin." She slapped her cheek a couple of times. "Sonata, you can have the rest of her stuff.”

“Yay!” Sonata peeled off the rest of her clothes and collected them in a pile. She followed after Adagio and Aria, the latter taking the key to the scooter, firing it up, and riding off into the night.

Trixie couldn't stop shaking. She simply sat there for a while in the now chilly air, curling up in a fetal position and sobbing her eyes out. They'd made her feel like a victim. Worse than that, they'd introduced her to level of violence she'd never experienced firsthand. She wobbled to her feet, stumbling about without direction...

Warning them beforehand not to interrupt until she finished, Sunset slowly relayed her initial visit to this world, how she'd ambushed her counterpart in her home, used a baseball bat she'd found discarded in a trash can to crack her in the back of the skull, and even laughed and mocked the girl, stripping her completely and stealing her identification as she left her there bleeding on the floor without a second thought.

Sometimes there were horrified gasps, sympathetic looks, or even anger, while others simply looked on impassive, trying not to judge her. She lost track in the sea of faces, her eyes blurring when she choked back tears of self-pity. She also told them about her little visit to the grave to confirm the body was real.

“And that's my story. I'm a murderer. And I've been a real shitty friend, pushing you all into this.” She stared down at herself, trembling. “But I...I wanted one last good day with all of you before I faced the music. Sorry to be selfish again. I knew my past would always catch up with me. I've just...pretended to be a nice person.”

She studied each of them. Rarity looked even whiter than usual, mouth open but words unable to come. Fluttershy hid under her thick mane, but she appeared to be crying, being held by Tree Hugger who held her and told her it would be okay. Pinkie Pie sat there confused like she was in complete denial. Flash Sentry met her eyes with an awkward frown. Worst of all, Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared her down with faces twisted in disgust. Well, she couldn't blame any of them. She deserved far, far worse, after all.

Soon she was bombarded with a series of questions, accusations, and in some cases questioning her sanity, or even leaping to her defense, but she almost tuned them out, her world seemingly crashing down around her.

“It...it was in the past,” said Rarity. “Does she not deserve a second chance?”

“Not without payin' the piper,” demanded Applejack. “We don't give anyone a free pass just 'cause they're our friends! Imagine if she'd killed someone close to us? Would you be so forgiving then?”

Rainbow cried, “Yeah! She said it herself! She's just been faking this whole time!”

Rarity shook her head. “I don't think that's what she meant-”

“It's a joke, right?” Pinkie looked at her innocently. “A bit of dark humor?”

AJ glared. “Murder is no laughing matter!”

“Stop it,” whispered Fluttershy who raised her voice. “Don't fight!” She wanted to pretend this hadn't happened, that it could all go back to normal, but knew that was impossible.

“Why not?” Dash slammed a fist into the floorboard so hard it shook. “She's been lying to us and hiding this the whole time! That doesn't sound like a real friend to me!”

Rarity cast her a sympathetic look, remembering how she'd broke down in the restroom. “She made a mistake. But we can work through this. I'm not saying we let her simply walk away from this unscathed, but-”

It was happening just as Sunset feared. Her mistakes were tearing them apart. But she didn't raise a word in her own defense, feeling she'd only be justifying her poor behavior, or trying to evade responsibility. She went numb as the heated debate continued, disassociating from a situation to painful to bear.

They froze when a knock sounded outside the hut. “I'll look into it,” called Flash who wrapped a towel around his lower half, picking up his guitar, the only weapon on hand, in case he needed it. “Who's there?”

Twilight's eyes were red and her lips were pursed, and likewise Trixie was a sobbing wreck, Moondancer's lips pursed as she strolled behind them. None of them particular seemed to care that they were all naked when they entered the hut. Twi immediately stormed up to Sunset, slapping her so hard across the face she was thrown to the floor. A few of the onlookers gasped but she simply laid there taking it. “How could you?!”

“T-Twilight, I-”

“No! I'm not going to stand here and listen to excuses! I thought we were an item! That what we had was special! But you just pretended to care so you could sleep with me, didn't you?!” She removed a wad of photos from her purse, throwing them on Sunset which made them scatter and drift in the air.

“Holy crap,” said Tree Hugger without thinking, seeing pictures that ranged from heavy petting to explicit sex between Adagio and Sunset. “Um, I mean, that's like, wow. You move fast, babe.”

Rarity shook her head. “Why? You know how bad the Dazzlings are! And cheating on poor Twilight...”

“Yes. It's all true. I'm a jerk. I'm not a good girl.” She started weeping and covered her face like she was a child. “All I ever do is mess stuff up! The Dazzlings invited me out to see what their lifestyle's like, and I...fell into what they offered. Adagio came onto me, and it...just kind of happened.” It sounded so weaksauce out loud. But somehow it felt so natural when she was with Adagio; like they had a certain spark which drove her wild.

Twilight coldly stared her down. “That's your reason?”

Sunset nodded lamely. “I...I never meant to hurt you, Twi. I thought maybe what we had was just a fling. A one-night stand brought on by how close to death we came. I should've realized.”

AJ stared down the witch. “I see you caught our little burglar, too! Now where's our geodes?”

“I...don't have them. The Dazzling's ambushed me and stole them!” She wrapped up in the windbreaker Twi had provided, shivering. “I didn't want to turn them over, but Aria came at me with a knife-”

Rainbow scoffed. “You think we'll buy those crocodile tears?”

“I don't think she's faking,” admitted Tree Hugger. “I know pain when I see it. Come, sit down.” She patted the floor beside her. “I'll find you something to wear if you like, make you something to eat and drink.” Trixie nodded, stumbled over barely aware anymore, and plopped down next to her.

Sunset looked to Trixie who kept her head down. “About the geodes, I-”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie stole your geodes because she was...jealous of you! She wanted powers like that of her own and hoped you'd be forced to divulge their secrets! Yes, I could have asked Fuschia and Lavender to aid me, but my pride was at stake, and so I acted entirely by my lonesome!”

While she was theatrically overselling the role, it seemed clear Trixie was taking full responsibility upon herself, doing what she could to salvage Sunset's reputation. Why was she so loyal to her? Sunset speculated maybe she was used to playing the villain, knowing they would write her off easily for whatever misdeeds she did. But her antics were comedic mischief; nothing compared to the horrible sins Sunset had committed.

Sunset opened her mouth to confess, and Trixie shot her a warning look, ready to go down for one of the few friends she had, but she ignored her and said, “I put Trixie up to it! I've had this horrible premonition the geodes were going to cause our downfall and thought it was best to keep them away for a while, maybe get rid of them completely. For all I know, it's been a self-fulfilling prophecy! Don't blame her! Blame me!”

“Oh Sunset...” Trixie was crestfallen at her admission.

“You have a lot to answer for.” AJ crossed her freckly arms. “I think you should sleep outside tonight. We'll decide what to do with you tomorrow. I'm so disappointed in you.” She coldly turned her back on her. Rainbow did much the same, only her anger was a little more red-hot. Rarity sadly turned away.

“I can't simply throw her to the wolves,” said Tree Hugger. “She's my guest, you know?”

“I'll look after her,” volunteered Flash who grabbed his clothes and Sunset's. “Let's go.” He took her limp hand, guiding his ex-girlfriend out of the hut and into the open where they settled in an area the others were unlikely to pass whenever they took a restroom break. She remained slack, going through the motions as he helped her redress, before he slipped back into his own clothes.

A couple hours passed while Sunset ruminated over what had happened. Bitterness ate away at her heart with every second that passed. Yes, she'd screwed up terribly, but it hadn't taken much time for most of her friends to turn their backs on her. She was certain the rest of them would soon, rather than be ostracized from the group. The sirens were right. They had to be united even if it meant making one of them a pariah.

She recalled the demonic figure she'd transformed into so long ago; perhaps that Satanic beast was what she truly was deep down. They had unwittingly tried to cleanse her true nature from her. Only the intervention of the Dazzlings had made her aware of the painfully horrific truth.

He squeezed her arm. “You...okay, Sunset? Stupid question.”

“It's...not fine. It's what I deserve. The Sunset I tried to become is almost dead.” She sat with knees pressed up to her bosom, arms wrapped around them as she stared blankly ahead. “I'm almost back to the real me.”

He squeezed her shoulders. “You're scaring me, Sunset. It's not like you to give in! Yeah, you did some pretty messed up stuff, but...not to the level you can't bounce back from it. Eventually. I'll be there for you, every step of the way. They'll come around, too. Trust me. They're just...confused. Torn between loyalty to you and Twi.”

Sunset stood and hardened her features. “They should be loyal to her. Because they're not my friends anymore. I know who I am now. I'm a monster, just like the Dazzlings said. Time to own it.”

“Don't say that.” He rose and grabbed her wrist, only to be swatted away.

“Just...forget about me. I used you back in highschool. You were just a shy, awkward guy, trying to mold yourself into somebody cool so the girls would like you. And I took advantage of that. See? I've always been scum. They merely fooled me into believing I could somehow be something different.”

“Don't do this. Otherwise, it really might be too late to turn back.”

She turned to him with a smile, drew out one final kiss, then stalked away, thankful he couldn't see her cry. If she couldn't bury the past she'd embrace it. The Sunset of this world was dead. She accepted that. Nothing she could say or do would bring her back, nor would it do her any good to rot in prison for the rest of her life. Neither would she run back to Equestria and hide there having to face everyone there as a failure.

At least with the Dazzlings she could be content.

Author's Notes:

The pieces fall into place as Sunset falls to pieces.