Feeling much better and still holding the bag she had intended to give to Sunset in her hands Fluttershy stood up. Having dried her tears and having fully tucked her wings behind her back making sure to hide them from nurse Blue Shield she smiled taking her father's hand into her own. Getting up himself the two headed for the parks entrance stopping just before the entrance.

“Hang on dad” She softly said remembering the little squirrel, “there is something that I need to do before we leave”.

Quickly turning around feeling the need to help the little creature out she let go of her father’s hand she headed for a patch of nearby trees. Kneeling she picked up the acorn looking up into the trees she saw the small brown squirrel that had cheered her up earlier smiling warmly to it she held up her hand in her palm sat the acorn.

“Go on little guy” she softly whispered, watching the small timid squirrel come out of the trees tentatively sniffing the air, it’s little whiskers flexed back and forth with each sniff from its nose, it’s tiny black eyes were full of fear. “Shh” Fluttershy very softly spoke, “It’s alright I won’t hurt you”. Remaining perfectly still she let the squirrel come to her, “Here you go the acorn is all yours you helped me to feel better now I will help you”. Slowly the squirrel came to Fluttershy’s palm taking the acorn from her. “It’s alright now, everything is going to be alright I promise you’ll see”. Being ever so very gentle she slowly raised her hand towards a single branch setting the squirrel with it’s precious treasure on the branch. “There you go, you head home now to your family while I go to help someone that needs a friend”.

Headed back to her father he gently took her under his arm pressing his lips to the top of her head lightly kissing her. Ending the kiss he smiled, “that’s my little angel” he said, adding “come on let’s go find Sunset and help her”.

“Dad what's the current time” she asked, “and is it alright if I have Sunset come over tonight for dinner” looking down she continued, “I know it is rather short---”

"It's four o'clock honey" interrupting her he replied, pulling out his cellphone Mr. McPherson began to press buttons on it cutting his daughters words short. Pressing the phone to his ear he waited turning to Fluttershy he smiled to her stopping her in her tracks. “Honey” he began “please have Zephyr help you with rearranging the table so Fluttershy can have a friend over for dinner tonight” looking into his daughter's eyes he cupped the phone with his hand adding, “psst, what else sweetheart”.

“Ok honey we’ll be all set by the time you three get home” Mrs. McPherson replied.

“Oh, uh sh-she needs a place t-to sleep and to sh-shower” Fluttershy replied grimacing “Ooh I can’t believe I just told dad that about Sunset” she thought, out loud she finished, “thank you dad”

“Sunset will also need a place to sleep tonight so I was thinking we could have Fluttershy and Sunset sleep in the old guest room upstairs. It still has the old bunk beds from when Zephyr and Fluttershy were kids and I am sure I can get a couple fresh new mattress before seven tonight”.

“That’s a wonderful idea honey in fact it's been far too long since Fluttershy has had anyone over let alone over for a sleepover” Mr. McPherson heard his wife say.

Hanging up his phone he gave Fluttershy a nod smiling she raced back to the car finding nurse Blue Shield in the passenger front seat reading a map. Knocking on the passenger side window she watched Blue Shield roll down the window. Setting the map down she turned her attention to Fluttershy, “have you found Sunset yet Fluttershy” she asked.

“Not yet” she replied, looking over the map she continued, “Mrs. Blue Shield can I ask you something” hearing her father coming up behind her she finished, “if you felt you were alone and lost in this city where would you go to collect your thoughts”.

“That’s simple I would go to Canterlot Square” she replied, tapping her chin she waited for Mr. McPherson to get in adding, “though you should know dear that place is currently condemned so come to think of it I wouldn’t actually go there”.

“Condemned, huh?” Fluttershy asked getting in and buckling up “doesn’t that mean that no one else would be there at all” Remembering Sunsets words to her ‘So just leave me here where I belong in the slums and dirt with all the other trash you humans throw away’. Looking out the passenger window she finished, “That area is a slum and lots of people throw their trash away there I am sure that is where Sunset has gone because she feels like trash”.

Starting up the car Mr. McPherson buckled up pressing his foot to the gas pedal driving down the street entering Canterlot Square a half hour later. The place was in utter ruins everywhere the three looked there were old broken down buildings many with their windows smashed. Trash littered the streets, broken piles of wood lined the sidewalks, graffiti could be seen on most of the rundown buildings. Several junkies sat in the doorways of several of the buildings. A run down gazebo with a badly broken frame and split roof stood lopsided in the center of the square the only thing holding it up was the paint.

“Great this is where Sunset is supposed to be” He muttered irritably to himself, looking around he shook his head, “I can’t believe anyone would be foolish enough to come here” reaching into the car’s center council he took out a flask of pepper spray and a handheld taser getting out he looked at Fluttershy finishing, “What does Sunset look like honey”

“Oh, she is about five feet six inches tall, she weighs about ninety pounds has red and yellow hair.” Getting out herself she added, “she was wearing a black leather coat the last time I saw here, with a pink t-shirt and orange mini skirt with black and purple knee high boots”.

Looking around as well Blue Shield saw someone matching Sunset's description sitting alone in the gazebo. Gesturing towards the gazebo she tried hard not to bring any unwanted attention to either themselves or the person she saw. Walking towards the gazebo Blue Shield whispered, “Is that her Fluttershy”?

“Yes that’s her” she replied.

“Alright,” turning her attention to Mr. McPherson she finished, “Mr. McPherson do you have a first aid kit in your car by any chance?”

Getting out of the car he opened the trunk taking out a small red and white first aid kit handing it to nurse Blue Shield. Taking the kit she, Fluttershy and her father began to walk up to Sunset all three noticed Sunset was facing the back of the gazebo entering the gazebo Fluttershy reached out gently laying a hand on Sunsets shoulder. Looking up she sniffed gently pushing Fluttershy's hand off her shoulder getting up Sunset walked over to the right side of the gazebo looking out to the city square.

“Sunset” she heard Fluttershy begin, “why would you come to this place? it's really scary here.”

“I just wanted to find someplace that I thought you wouldn’t follow me I guess I was wrong so I’ll leave” Stepping in front of her Mrs. Blue Shield frowned giving Sunset a cold stare, “if you are from CHS then you should know I don’t plan on going back there” Sunset added, looking down she finished, “I will be leaving this city tonight I know now that I am not wanted here”.

“Yes I work at CHS I am nurse Blue Shield and I take it you are planning on running away Sunset” Mrs. Blue Shield replied, “Sunset though you and I don’t really know each other, I can tell you that running away won’t solve your problems”. Leading Sunset back to the bench and taking a seat with Sunset standing in front of her, she finished, “I came to make sure you are alright Garble told me about the fight you had with Rainbow Dash before coming here I asked Principal Celestia to look into it”.

“What good will that do?” Sunset protested, “All Celestia will do is side with Rainbow besides Principal Celestia hates me as does Rainbow”.

“I think you---” Mrs. Blue Shield tried being cut off by Sunset.

“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE” she screamed looking down her jaw trembled, “please” she whispered, adding “I-I” feeling her jaw trembling she finished, “I’m sorry”.

“It’s quite alright Sunset there is nothing to be sorry about” She replied, while not all surprised by Sunset’s reaction Blue Shield took a step towards her, “you should at least know that I can’t leave you alone Sunset I am after all a nurse and I would be negligent in my duties if I walked away from someone that clearly needed my help.” sitting down on the bench she further added, “I at least need to make sure you don’t have a broken nose from your fight with Rainbow”. Giving her an expectant look she finished, “please Sunset I know you are hurt and scared all I want to do is help”.

“Fine if it gets you to leave me alone then ... a-alright” taking a seat next to her Sunset swallowed hard trying to hide her anger, fear and discomfort. “Is this going to you know hurt?”

“No, Sunset it shouldn’t hurt at all” Setting the first aid kit down next to her Blue Shield opened it taking out a pad of clean wipes she began to check Sunset over. “Well I don’t think your nose is broken I’ll give you some aspirin for the pain and a pack of clean wipes so you can clean the blood off your lips and chin” handing the items over to her, she stood up, adding, “I’ll be in the car if you need any further assistance”.

Heading back to the car she gave Fluttershy’s father a worried glance as his daughter took a step further inside the gazebo. Watching both her father and nurse Blue Shield head back to the car she turned her attention to Sunset. Sunset had stood up walking to the back of the gazebo placing her arms on the railing burying her face in her arms she sniffed trying hard to hold back her tears.

“This is where I belong,” Fluttershy heard Sunset muter “with all the trash that the humans threw away”

Wanting to find something, anything to cheer Sunset up she gently tapped Sunsets shoulder gesturing to another bench located only a few feet from the gazebo. Looking up and taking a breath Sunset looked in the direction of the other bench. Sighing she slowly straightened up looking into her eyes Fluttershy saw only sad, hurt, confused eyes staring back at her own.

“Coming with me” she said softly, carrying the paper bag in her arms, she added, “I brought you that shirt that I was trying to give to you earlier today” setting it down next the bench she sat down patting the seat next to her “please come sit down” she finished.

“Thank you for the shirt Fluttershy but aren’t you at all worried that your friend Rainbow won’t approve of this?” she heard Sunset reply, watching Sunset turn around and kick a small pebble towards the gazebo Fluttershy quirked an eyebrow watching the small stone hit the gazebo and bounce off. Much to both the girls surprise the gazebo collapsed, looking down Sunset finished, “I can’t do anything right even when I kick something as small as that stupid stone I cause nothing but trouble!"

“You didn’t knock down that gazebo Sunset it was already falling apart and it would have come down during the next big storm so don’t feel bad about it” watching Sunset turn away she added, “I don’t really care whether Rainbow will approve or not about me giving you this shirt Sunset it isn’t her concern but my own” placing her chin into her hands she stared at Sunset’s back for a long time realizing she was enjoying the view a little too much she shook her head. “Come on Fluttershy” she thought, “get it together your supposed to be helping her not falling for her” she continued to think to herself.

“I don’t know what it is like to have a real friend” she whispered catching Fluttershy’s attention. Sunset thought, “I have already had my heart broken once before, I can’t go through that again I need to find a way to get her to leave”

Unfortunately for Fluttershy she got a rather nice view of the back of Sunset’s boots, and the back of Sunset’s bare legs that weren’t covered by her boots. Gulping she watched Sunset bend over though Sunsets rear was fully covered by her mini skirt that didn't stop Fluttershy from getting a really nice look at Sunsets rear end. “Damn” Fluttershy whispered fully hoping that Sunset didn’t hear her, “she’s has a nice rear”.

“But you shouldn’t be bothering yourself with things such as this besides” Sunsets words caught Fluttershy off guard breaking her out of her trance. Turning around Sunset folded her arms over her chest rubbing her thumb over her left bicep feeling the soft leather of her coat. “I-well, that is it’s not really---” she glanced down trying to find the right words, “I don’t want you to run off crying so I am not sure how to put this Fluttershy”.

“Please just say what you have to say and I’ll react however I feel like it” she replied.

“Alright here it goes” taking a breath she silently prayed to herself that Fluttershy wouldn’t run off crying, “please don’t run off crying” she said out loud, “it’s not really your place to give me clothing, food, bits, or whatever it is that you think I should get or need therefore I don’t think I can accept your, um shirt”

Getting up Fluttershy left the bag next to the bench walking up to Sunset she stood on her tiptoes looking into Sunsets clearly bloodshot cried out eyes. Smiling much to Sunsets surprise Fluttershy hugged her laying her head over Sunsets soft chest listening to her heart beating.

“Fluttershy I, um thanks for the hug… I think” She heard Sunset begin “uh, um w-what now”.

“Now you come sit down” Letting her go Fluttershy returned to the bench patting the seat once more hoping that Sunset would this time get the message and sit down. “I fully intend to do right by you Sunset Shimmer and that entails doing what I promised Twilight” Leaning back into the hardwood of the bench she flatly finished “Sunset will you please come sit down you're driving me nuts standing there with your back facing me”.

Though Fluttershy couldn’t see it Sunset rolled her eyes in annoyance turning around she took a seat next to her. “Look Fluttershy I...really don’t know how to act right now” Looking at the bag she gave Fluttershy a passing glance watching Fluttershy gently nudge the bag closer to her. “I take it you want me to open this bag and take out the shirt huh?”

“Yep”

Getting the message Sunset picked up the bag opening it, looking inside she saw a medium sized green shirt with a white bunny on the front of it. Taking out the shirt she looked it over holding it out in front of herself, “What do you think Fluttershy?” she asked pressing the shirt to her coat with one hand while holding the shirt up with the other, “Do you think grey suits me?”

“Grey?” Fluttershy asked in reply, curious and a bit confused by Sunsets question she pointed to her own skirt adding, “Sunset can you tell me what color my skirt is?”

“Uh, su-sure” she replied a bit confused herself by Fluttershy’s odd question looking at Fluttershy's skirt she finished, “Your wearing a grey skirt … r-right”.

“Uh, y-yes I ... a-am” she answered, taking the shirt from Sunset she placed it back into the bag she didn’t have the heart to tell Sunset the truth. Looking down Fluttershy moved her right foot in a half circle sighing. “So um, my father’s car is parked just before the entrance to this” looking around and seeing only junkies, and drug dealers around the dis-shambled place she finished, “creepy place and I was kinda hoping we could um, you know … leave”.

“Sure thing you go I’ll stay here I am sure I can find some place to---”

“Sunset Shimmer” Fluttershy irritably snapped, “I meant ‘we’ as in the two of us I want you to come home with me tonight” getting up for the last time she stared at Sunset watching her look away placing a hand under Sunsets chin she gently turned Sunsets head so their eyes locked. “I will not take ‘no’ for an answer you are coming home with me even if I have to pick you up and carry you all the way to the car” pointing in the direction of her father's car she finished, “now get moving”.

Knowing she was completely defeated Sunset began to follow Fluttershy towards her father's car stopping when a cell phone's ringtone caught her attention, “Oh, right I forgot Garble gave me a cellphone a few days ago” reaching into her coat pocket Sunset took out the phone Garble had given her a few days earlier flipping it open she held it to her ear, “Hello”.

“Hey shimmer it’s me Garble I just want to make sure your alright I kinda lost track of you after your fight with that idiot Rainbow Dash”.

“Yeah I’m fine though my nose does hurt a bit nurse Blue Shield checked me out she says I’ll be fine. I’ll more than likely have another bruise in the morning”. Noticing Fluttershy was getting a little antsy she quickly added, “look I have to go I’ll talk to you later goodbye”. Hanging up she turned her attention to Fluttershy finishing, “so what’s got you so upset”?

“Oh, uh well do you promise not to freak out if I tell you?” she asked in reply.

“That depends on what it is that has you so upset,” she began, walking with Fluttershy next to her towards the car she stopped giving Fluttershy a passing glance. “Come on Fluttershy I know you and I aren’t exactly ...friends, but if you are willing to trust that I won’t freak out then I am willing to start trusting you” looking down she finished, “please just tell me what is wrong”.

Taking a breath Fluttershy swallowing hard, “Well when I went looking for you, my father came to school when he didn’t find me at school he and Mrs. Blue Shield drove around for a bit till they found me at the city park located a few blocks away from school” she added, “I maybe, kinda, sorta, told him that I would bring you back to school”.

“I see, and what else did you promise your father if I may ask”?

“That if you didn’t want nurse Blue Shield to check you over and make sure you didn’t have a broken nose I would take you to the local hospital.” pressing her hand to her own bicep Fluttershy looked away adding, “once i actually got you there you would have gotten a full clean bill of health but since you allowed nurse Blue Shield to check you over that kinda negates that idea completely”. Taking the clean wipes from Sunsets hand she opened them handing one to her while Sunset cleaned herself up she finished, “Sunset can I ask you something”?

“Sure” she replied, taking another clean wipe from Fluttershy, finishing what she was doing, she added, “what do you want to know”?

“What was that language you spoke earlier when you ran away from Principal Celestia I know it's not Latin or Strussian so what other languages do you speak other than English”?

“Oh, I’m fluent in three languages,” she replied, “I'm not trying to boast or anything like that but I can speak Griffin, Dragnic, and my own country's native language as well.''

Thinking it was time to go Fluttershy took Sunset's hand into her own offering her a soft genuine smile. Walking with Fluttershy still holding her hand towards the car Sunset sighed “I’m sorry I am such a loser Fluttershy”

“Okay that is more than enough of that Sunset Shimmer” she heard Fluttershy snap, stopping in her tracks she finished, “you will from this day forward not ever put yourself down like that again and Sunset”

“Ye-yes Fluttershy” she replied clearly unsure of herself.

“I won’t take ‘no’ or ‘I deserve to be treated like this’ or ‘i’m a loser’ from you any longer you are none of those things do you fully understand me?” laying her hands on Sunsets shoulders she continued, “now my mother is expecting us for a nice hot homemade dinner and your coming home with me this very instant. You are going to have dinner with my family, so let's get going” Looking into Fluttershy’s soft ocean blue eyes much to Fluttershy’s delight Sunset smiled. Seeing Sunset smile a real genuine smile for the first time Fluttershy found herself very secretly hoping this would be one of many genuine smiles to come from Sunset. “I like your smile” she finished, “I think you have a nice smile Sunset”.

Hearing her words Sunset gulped, “Tha-thank you” realizing she needed to accept Fluttershy’s invitation to dinner, she added, “and Fluttershy I would love to come to your house for dinner” looking down she finished, “though there is one condition that I am afraid I must insist upon”.

“Oh what’s that”? Fluttershy replied curious she finished, “Sunset”

“I can’t eat anything with nuts or peanuts in it” she heard Sunset reply “as I am allergic to that type of food”.

“Deal” hearing thunder boom over head as thick rain started to fall Fluttershy added, “S-Sunset I-I really don’t like---” Fluttershy’s words were cut short by a loud thunderous boom “thu-thunder”

“I know its not the greatest thing in the world Fluttershy but it can't hurt you.” she replied, taking her coat off she gently wrapped it around Fluttershy’s body. Sunsets fingers stopped just above Fluttershy’s shoulders giving Fluttershy a confused look she thought, “why do I feel extra bone in Fluttershy’s shoulder blades it doesn't---” Her train of thought was interrupted by the sounds of laughter. “Great” she muttered, turning her attention towards three boys coming towards them. “That’s all we need now” as it started to downpour she finished, “the dragon gang we’re in trouble”.

“Well, well looks like we got ourselves some trespassers boys” of the three cooed, he wore a short waist coat over a red shirt with black jeans and steel toe brown leather boots taking a step towards Fluttershy he added, “I’m Fume little girl and your in Dragon territory so how about you pay us and we’ll” sickly licking his lips he finished, “let you go about your business otherwise the boys and I will make your day real miserable".

“Leave her alone” Sunset snarled stepping between the two of them to Fluttershy’s shock she watched Sunset foolishly turn her back on Fume “Come on Flu---”

Feeling anger after being told to leave Fluttershy alone Fume balled his hand into a tight fist slamming his fist into the back of Sunsets head. The sudden blow knocked Sunset to the ground trying to shake off the pain she felt she tried to stand quickly taking a boot to her sternum. Her eyes widened, her iris’s shrank to pinpricks from the sheer pain she felt. Doubling over she held herself unable to move or fight back unaware that Fluttershy took a sudden step forward.

“Leave her alone we just to go home” Fluttershy pleaded with Fume feeling a sense of coldness come over her body her eyes began to narrow, her hand balled into a tight trembling fist, “please I’ll give you anything you---”

“Oh, it’s too late for that girl” Fume snarled interrupting her bending down he grabbed Sunset by her jacket lapel, “I’ll take what I want and the two of you will enjoy every minute of it” raising his fist to strike her again he finished, “I bet you both will---”

His words were painfully cut short by the sound of electricity watching him drop to the ground Fluttershy stared coldly at him. His screams of pain and mercy echoed in her ears turning off his taser Fluttershy’s father turned his attention to the other two glaring at both.

“Either leave or you both will be tazed as well, it’s your choice boys” he said, turning his attention to Fluttershy he added, “Are you alright sweetheart”?

“Yes dad but Sunset needs help”, Fluttershy replied.

Kneeling next to Sunset he looked her over with Fluttershy keeping a close on Fume’s two friends watching them pick him up and carry him towards a nearby building. Looking up Mr. McPherson saw Fluttershy was about to follow the gang not wanting her to get hurt he called out to her.

“Fluttershy I need you stay here” getting her attention he added, “I doubt those three will do anything else but in case they do I want you by my side”.

“Alright” she replied, “how is Sunset”

“I’ll” Sunset coughed, “be alright I just had the wind knocked out of me” feeling herself being picked up and carried out of the area she looked into Mr. McPherson's navy blue eyes adding, “hey I can walk on my own you know”.

“No, I’m taking you to our car from there I’ll bring you to our home were you’ll enjoy a proper meal and a good night's rest” getting to the car a few minutes later much to Sunset's irritation nurse Blue Shield opened the door for him, “I’ll call Principal Celestia in the morning to excuse you both from school I think you both could use some time away from school to rest from this incident”.

“Uh, dad that isn’t going to work” Fluttershy chimed in, “you see I kinda, sort of got ... detention”

His right eyebrow quirked slightly at the news of his daughter receiving detention setting Sunset into the car and making sure to buckle her up he chuckled as she groaned in anger. Offering her a pleasant smile he turned his attention to Fluttershy while Mrs. Blue Shield got into the car next to Sunset.

“I will definitely be calling Principal Celestia about this in the morning now get in sweetheart”

Checking Sunset over Mrs. Blue Shield gave her a nod, “Don’t worry Sunset these are good people you can trust them and I know Mr. McPherson will look after you”.

“I suppose I could use a shower or bath” Looking herself over she noticed she had some dirt on her knees and her coat was ripped in the front, “I am a bit of a mess” swallowing hard she finished, “Mr. McPherson I just want to say thank you, you know for um, doing this”.

“It’s not a problem Sunset besides it's not everyday that both my wife and I get to meet someone that Fluttershy is helping” Though she couldn’t see it Mr. McPherson smiled, “and who in turn is also helping Fluttershy out as well”.

Turning her attention to Fluttershy Sunset gave her a questionable look getting only a smile in return Sunset turned her attention to nurse Blue Shield who sat beside her. Hearing her sigh Sunset looked out her own passenger window watching all the cars and houses go by as Mr. McPherson drove her thoughts began to dwell on her time with Princess Celestia.

Not fully realizing what she was doing Sunset began to rub her forearm lifting up her coat sleeve. Noticing a bell with a horn on the left and right side of it branded into her arm nurse Blue Shield took out her phone. Wordlessly she set her phone to ‘silent’ holding the phone up she snapped a shot of Sunsets right forearm hoping Sunset wouldn't notice. Putting her phone back into her coat pocket nurse Blue Shield also turned her attention to all the cars, houses, and people being passed by as Mr. McPherson drove towards his home.

“Mr. McPherson can you stop by CHS please before you bring Sunset to your home”? She asked, adding, “I’d like to get---” noticing they were pulling into the parking lot of CHS she cut her words short finishing, “never mind”.

Parking the car Mr. McPherson got out opening the door for nurse Blue Shield. Getting out herself Mrs. Blue Shield headed for her car waving her goodbyes to both Fluttershy and Sunset. Getting got out as well Fluttershy much to her father's surprise and Sunset's switched seats deciding to sit next to Sunset in the back of the car.

Taking Sunsets left arm into her own she laid her head on Sunsets shoulder much to Sunset's irritation. Getting back in Mr. McPherson started up the car heading for home. Deciding there was little point in arguing with Fluttershy about her personal space Sunset leaned into the soft cushions of the back seat letting her thoughts dwell on Princess Celestia and her time spent in Equestria once again.

“I wish I could just tell Fluttershy the real reason I am in this world” Sunset thought looking at the brand on her forearm, “but if I told Fluttershy or anyone for that matter the real reason I am here she or they would hate me for it so I better keep it to” out loud she softly whispered, “myself”. Turning her head to the left a single tear trickled down Sunsets cheek dripping off her chin falling to Fluttershy’s hand, “I’m sorry Fluttershy” she whispered watching Fluttershy move her head while Fluttershy fell further into a deep relaxing sleep, “I am so sorry for how I treated you”.

Next Chapter: August 3rd Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.Part Seventeen Starknight's chapter Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 19 Minutes