The clouds moved slowly outside in the night sky creating shadows and shapes along the walls and floor of Fluttershy’s room. Angel Bunny lay snuggled in Sunset Shimmer's arms, his ears ever listening to the sounds around him flexed and twitched back and forth, alerting him to any danger that might be present. Feeling Sunset moving around under his fury body Angel Bunny hopped off of her landing a few feet from her. Turning around he watched her intently for a few minutes, his little nose twitched, his soft black beady eyes searched the room for anything that was causing Sunset to feel afraid. Not finding anything that could cause Sunset harm, Angel Bunny slowly took a tentative step towards her.

“No,” She moaned, “not again please not again”.

Sunset, tossed and turned sweat slowly trickled down her forehead dripping to her pillow. Her face scrunched up, her eyebrows pursed together tightly, she gripped the sheets tightly in her hands. Rolling to her side she sat up almost screaming, her vision blurred for a few seconds placing a hand to her chest, her heart thumped rapidly as she gasped for breath. Feeling Angel Bunny’s soft, fury body touching her left forearm she glanced down moving her right hand from her chest to her forehead.

“It was just a nightmare” she whispered, gently she petted Angel Bunny trying to calm down, “just a bad memory nothing more”.

Picking him up Sunset placed Angel Bunny in her lap wiggling around a bit he snuggled into her stomach turning over to his back. Realizing Angel Bunny wanted a belly rub Sunset obliged him, closing her eyes, a single tear trickled down her cheek splashing on Angel’s soft, fury head. Looking to her right she saw Fluttershy was still asleep, ending the belly rub Sunset gently placed Angel Bunny on the floor standing up she tip-toed to the door stopping as Angel Bunny followed her.

“No, no you need to stay here”. She whispered, kneeling, she scooped him up, placing him in Fluttershy’s bed next to the shy sleeping teen, “Take care of her”. Stepping back from Fluttershy’s bed she added, “keep her warm and safe”. Watching Fluttershy roll over with Angel Bunny lying down next to her Sunset smiled before tip-toeing back to the door, “now to leave before I wind up waking her and this entire household up”. Looking at the clock on Fluttershy’s dresser she finished, “I can’t believe it’s four in the morning Sunset you idiot you stayed far too late”.

Opening the door Sunset froze in place to her surprise Mrs. McPherson stood in the doorway holding in her hands two mugs of tea. Offering one of the mugs to Sunset who silently took it without question Mrs. McPherson wordlessly gestured for Sunset to follow her downstairs. Being as quiet as she could, Sunset crept out into the hallway closing the door behind her. A few minutes later Sunset found herself sitting at the kitchen table with the mug of tea in front of her.

“I uh---”

“Sunset” Mrs. McPherson interrupted, holding up her hand, “whatever is bothering you” she gestured towards the mug of tea in front of her; finishing, “I am sure it can wait for two minutes for you to take a sip of tea”.

Slightly irritated from being interrupted Sunset pulled the mug in closer, inhaling deeply the soothing, warm scent filled her nostrils. The tea smelt like Chamomile, and Passionflower two of Sunset’s favorite teas, taking a sip she set the mug down letting the warm liquid calm her mind and relax her body. Looking down Sunset closed her eyes placing a hand over her left bicep rubbing her own arm tenderly. Becoming a bit worried Mrs. McPherson got up taking a seat next to the distraught teenager gently laying a hand on Sunset's shoulder.

“H-how did you know I needed the tea?”

“A mother knows these things dear” picking up her own mug Mrs. McPherson sipped her tea adding, “I want you to know I am here for you if you want to talk?”

“I-I had a bad dream”.

Looking down Sunset silently wondered to herself if she should tell Fluttershy’s mother the truth or let it go, feeling soft hands on her arm and shoulder she looked up into Mrs. McPherson's eyes. Fluttershy’s mother pulled the distraught teenager into a hug running her fingers through Sunset’s hair. Burying her face into Mrs. McPherson's shoulder Sunset began to cry her tears trickled down her cheeks onto Mrs. McPherson's robe wrapping her own arms around Mrs. McPherson's body Sunset returned the hug.

“There, there honey it's alright I’m here for you” Fluttershy’s mother whispered, “no matter what is bothering you dear I won’t get mad and I absolutely won’t judge you”. Sunset cried in Mrs. McPherson's arms for a few minutes listening to Fluttershy’s mother add, “Shh, honey, it’s OK you can tell me anything you want I’m here now honey you just let it all out”.

Calming down a bit, Sunset sniffed letting go of Mrs. McPherson gently Fluttershy’s mother wiped away Sunset’s tears laying a soft, gentle hand on Sunset’s right forearm. Sunset sighed, not wanting to upset Fluttershy’s mother, she looked down, gulping trying to choose her words carefully; Sunset closed her eyes with a lump catching in her throat. Clearing her throat Sunset unsure if Fluttershy’s mother would keep her word glanced up seeing only love, patience and kindness lovingly staring back at her. Feeling safe and secure Sunset decided there was only way to be sure if Mrs. McPherson was telling the truth.

“I was dreaming that I was at the Fall Formal”.

“Go on honey, I’m listening” placing her hands over Sunset’s Mrs. McPherson continued, “you take as much time as you need dear we have all night there is absolutely no rush”.

“F-Fluttershy was t-there” looking away she added, “I was standing over her laughing as she stared up at me in fear”. Holding herself she finished, “I-I hate what I did to her, to everyone”.

“It’ll be alright sweetheart trust me”. Getting up Mrs. McPherson hugged the very distraught teen running her fingers through Sunset’s hair, “I fully forgive you for what you did to Fluttershy and I know she forgives you too”.

Returning the hug Sunset buried her face into Mrs. McPherson's chest, the sound of the older woman’s heartbeat was soothing. Picking her up Mrs. McPherson carried Sunset upstairs into the guest room. The room was covered wall to wall with basketballs and star stickers, a dresser stood in the far left corner of the room with a way-fair lamp on top of it. A bunk bed stood against the left wall with only the bottom bunk being covered in a mattress, blanket and pillows. An electric clock sat on an end table next to the bed gently Fluttershy’s mother carried Sunset over to the bed. Kneeling she laid Sunset into bed pulling the covers over her, Sunset laid her head into the soft fluffy pillows yawning soon falling back asleep. Getting up, Mrs. McPherson tiptoed out into the hallway closing the door behind her, finding Fluttershy and Angel Bunny both in the hallway. Fluttershy looked around, putting a finger to her lower lip kissing her daughter's forehead. Mrs. McPherson smiled.

“Mom, where is Sunset? I woke up and didn’t see her sleeping in my room”.

“She’s fast asleep in the guestroom honey she had a nightmare so I gave her some tea” she replied ending the kiss, turning around Mrs. McPherson cracked the door open adding, “See honey Sunset is safe and is sleeping; which you should be doing right now”. Turning to her daughter she finished, “but before you go back to bed sweetheart you need to put Angel back into his cage or least take him back into your room”.

“I’ll go back to bed in a few minutes but first Angel Bunny and I want to make sure Sunset is alright”.

“Alright honey, I’m going to go back to bed please don’t stay up to late”.

Nodding her reply Fluttershy tiptoed into the guest room with Angel Bunny following her Sunset lay completely out cold gently laying a hand on Sunset’s forehead Fluttershy sighed. Angel Bunny hopped about the room stopping only when Fluttershy began to tiptoe back to the hallway following her out he twitched his little nose and blinked a few times. Fluttershy headed down stairs into the kitchen Angel Bunny followed her, he watched from the entrance to the kitchen as she took out a fresh bowl from the kitchen cabinet, placed it under the sink and filled it with water. Carrying the bowl back upstairs she headed back into her bedroom placing it on the floor next to her bed Angel Bunny following her in hopped about the floor before stopping to take a drink from the bowl. Fluttershy knelt petting him as he drank some of the water getting up a few minutes later she opened her dresser taking out a pink pajama shirt. The shirt had two medium sized holes in the back of it just right for her wings. Taking her current shirt off she placed it on her vanity chair stretching out her wings.

“I wish I could Show Sunset my wings” putting the pink shirt on she continued to mutter, “Oh, I hope Sunset doesn’t have another nightmare”. Turning to leave her room she gave Angel Bunny a kiss before opening her door, “you stay here Angel” stepping into the hallway she closed her door leaving Angel Bunny to fall asleep on her bed, “there is something I need to do”.

Being as quiet as she could be Fluttershy opened the guest bedroom door tiptoeing over to Sunset she watched her sleep for a few minutes before tucking a lock hair behind Sunsets right ear. Sunset rolled over causing Fluttershy’s hand to recoil and a gasp to escape her lips watching Sunset for a few more minutes Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief when Sunset didn’t wake up. Slowly, carefully Fluttershy pulled back the covers climbing into the bed next to Sunset. Trying to be just as careful Fluttershy didn’t want to risk waking up the sleeping teenager placing her hands around Sunset’s torso she gently turned her over placing her wings around Sunset’s shoulder and waist. Gently Fluttershy laid Sunsets head on her chest.

“M-Master” Fluttershy listened to Sunset cry in her sleep being held in Fluttershy’s arms, “where’s mommy?”

“Shh, Sunset” Fluttershy whispered, feeling Sunset tremble in her arms, she softly added, “I’m here now”.

Feeling a tear splash on her chest Fluttershy reached out taking a hold of the blanket pulling it up and over herself and Sunset’s body. Feeling something very warm soft wrapped around her own body Sunset’s eyes slowly fluttered open. Slowly she raised her head in a bit of a confused state of mind she looked at Fluttershy who lay awake just underneath her.

“I am so sorry Fluttershy” Sunset whispered, “for everything that I ever said or did to you”. Another tear trickled down Sunset’s cheek dripping offer the tip of her chin splashing on Fluttershy’s chest, “I don’t want to be a burden to you or your family”.

“Sunset”

“Y-yes Fluttershy”

Wrapping her arms a little more around Sunset’s body, Fluttershy pulled her in a little closer. Sunset tried to get up only to find herself completely held fast by the timid girl. Slowly Fluttershy caressed Sunset’s back feeling ridges and bumps as if multiple scars were etched into Sunset’s skin just under Sunset’s shirt she gave Sunset a concerned look. Opening her mouth to say something she received a sad look from the distraught teenager deciding it was best not to upset her any further Fluttershy chose not to convey her growing concerns. Smiling warmly to Sunset she closed her eyes hoping and praying that Sunset would someday tell her about what she felt along Sunsets back.

“I want you to know Sunset” she whispered, “I forgive you for all that you did or said to me”.

“Are you going to let me get up?” Sunset asked clearly wanting to get up “I don’t think your parents will like it if we are in the same bed together.” looking away she continued, “after all I am just taking advantage of your family or least that is I am sure how everyone else will see it I am just a burden to you” feeling a soft hand on her cheek she turned back finishing, “so please let me up so I can leave”.

“I can’t let you leave Sunset and my parents will be fine you’ll see” she replied adding, “I know you feel like a burden but you are not as such” gently laying Sunset’s head into her chest, Sunset listened to Fluttershy’s heartbeat the sound was positively soothing. “You are a good person Sunset” pulling the blanket up a little closer she finished, “I’m going to help you even if you don’t want me to so get some sleep Sunset”.

“I-I-er, mm--well, that is” closing her eyes Sunset breathed in Fluttershy’s scent snuggling further into the timid girl's body and arms, realizing she was all but defeated she sighed finishing, “Th-thank you Fluttershy”.

“Your very welcome Sunset” yawning Fluttershy finished, “now get some sleep”.

“Alright you win” Sunset yawed becoming too tired to struggle anymore she finished, “but in the morning we need to talk about a few things”.

“Sunset go to sleep” Fluttershy tiredly replied, “I promise you that we’ll talk some more in the morning”. Gently rolling over with Sunset moving with her Fluttershy laid Sunsets head in her arms whispering, “no matter what I won’t let anyone hurt you Sunset I promise”.

Fluttershy’s mother, wanting to check up on the girls, got out of bed tiptoeing into the hallway not hearing anything from her daughter's room. She opened her daughters bedroom door taking a step back as Angel Bunny hopped out of the room into the hallway stopping in front of the guest bedroom door. Shaking her head Mrs. McPherson cracked the door open peering into the room she found both girls out cold. Both girls had fallen fast asleep in each other’s arms with Fluttershy keeping her wings protectively wrapped around Sunsets body. Stepping into the room Mrs. McPherson smiled as Angel Bunny followed her in gently picking him she placed him on top of the sleeping teens patting his head.

“Keep them both safe our little fury Angel” she whispered, yawning herself she stood up as Angel Bunny curled up on top of Sunset’s right side “and may the sun, moon and stars guide you both to happy dreams”. Turning to leave she stopped for a brief moment and leaned in kissing Fluttershy’s and Sunset’s cheeks, “sleep well children and dream of sunny days and starry nights filled with excitement and wonder”. Getting to the door she looked over her shoulder finishing, “especially you Sunset may you dream of happier times”.

Returning to her own bedroom a few minutes later she climbed into bed next to her husband receiving a questionable concerning look from him she added, “Both Sunset and Fluttershy are asleep honey don’t worry everything will be just fine”. Turning out the light she laid down “a mother knows these things”.

“Alright honey” he replied, laying down next to her, “we’ll take care of everything tomorrow right after I call Celestia to excuse both girls from school”. Turning out the light he finished, “sleep well honey”.

Next Chapter: August, 4th, Thursday 7:00 A.M. Part Two Estimated time remaining: 44 Minutes