Feeling the warm sun on her face Fluttershy rolled over in bed slowly opening her eyes a soft smile etched over her angelic face. Getting up and stretching she heard her mother's voice in the hallway. “That’s right Lightning Dust I want to know if you can help her”. Getting out of bed she quickly got dressed and opened her door surprising her mother “Oh, honey I am so sorry I didn’t mean to wake you” smiling warmly to her Mrs. Shy added quickly while still on the phone, “Oh, I see so then Lightning Dust is not in the city any longer alright then thank you for your help.”

“Good morning mom” Fluttershy said offering her mother a pleasant smile adding quickly “Is everything alright”?

“Yes dear everything is fine now it is time for breakfast so please join me in the kitchen”.

Hanging up the phone her mother gestured towards the downstairs following her daughter down into the kitchen. Getting to the kitchen a few seconds later Fluttershy watched her mother begin to make coffee and tea. Wanting to help she quickly got out three cups from the kitchen cupboards and set them on the kitchen table letting out a soft sigh catching her mother's attention.

“Fluttershy sweetheart what's wrong you seem to be a bit upset this morning”? Placing the kettle to the stove and turning it on she added, “As for Lightning Dust I called a few friends from Canterlot Child Protective Services and was told that Lighting is no longer in this city. She has moved to Prance with her mother and shall remain there until her senior year”.

“I see” She replied looking down adding, “as for what is wrong with me mom I am worried that I might not be able to help Sunset Shimmer as I thought I would be able to. I tried to offer her friendship but she turned me down, now I don’t know what to do”.

Opening the refrigerator her mother took out a carton of eggs and pack of bacon setting them next to the stove. Getting two frying pans out from under the stove Mrs. Shy proceeded to make the eggs and bacon “How would you like your eggs this morning honey” she asked cracking two of them open over one of the hot pans “I can do sunny side up if you like”?

Taking a seat at the kitchen table Fluttershy looked down replying just above a whisper, “Oh, uh sunny side up is fine that is if you want to make them sunny side up you don’t have to I mean you can if you want too”.

“Let me ask you this” Her mother asked placing a plate of two sunny side up eggs and two strips of bacon in front of her daughter a few minutes later. “What do you have in common with Sunset Shimmer dear.”

“I don’t understand” she replied taking up her fork she began to eat her breakfast as her father came into the kitchen covered in oil and dirt. Giving his wife a kiss she laughed playfully pushing him away turning his attention to his daughter she looked at him adding, “Dad can I ask you something”?

“Sure sweetheart what is it”? He replied.

“How can I become friends with Sunset I tried to offer her friendship yesterday but she turned me down now as I have already told mom I don’t know what to do.”

“Hmm” taking one of the three cups from the kitchen table he poured himself a cup of coffee setting it down in front of him while Fluttershy continued to eat her breakfast. “That sounds like it might a tough one to answer honey.”

Finishing her breakfast she got up cleaned her dishes and placed them into the dishwasher. Looking around she noticed her little brother was not yet out of bed shaking her head she thought to herself, “Great mom and dad are going to be late due to Zephyr’s laziness” out loud she said, “Mom has suggested that I find something in common with Sunset but I don’t understand this perhaps you can help that is if you want to”.

Smiling to her he got saying softly, “Honey finding something in common with someone else means that you both share the same interest and thus are able to build up your friendship.” noticing his wife gesture towards the upstairs bathroom he nodded to her finishing, “Now I am sure you’ll be able to find something that both and you Sunset like use that to help build your friendship alright honey”?

“Sure thing dad” She replied.

Hearing the doorbell ring she watched her mother head into the foyer opening the front door she smiled seeing Rarity standing on the front step. Gesturing for her to enter Mrs. Shy closed the door smiled to Rarity saying, “Good morning Rarity what brings you here today”?

“Good morning Mrs. Shy I am here to walk Fluttershy to school” she replied with a soft warm smile adding, “Is Fluttershy ready to head to out yet”?

Hearing footsteps approach the door both watched Fluttershy grab her coat from the foyer closet. “I’ll be ready in a second Rarity” giving her mother a kiss on the cheek she added, “I love you mom see you after school”.

“Alright honey I want you home before dark if you however are going to be late please call me right away so I can come pick you up”.

“Sure thing mom”. Turning her attention to Rarity she added “So shall we huh, head to school”?

Nodding Rarity walked down the path leading towards the sidewalk as Fluttershy closed the front door locking it and tucked the key into her front pocket. Walking up to Rarity the two began to head to school Rarity noticed the coming fall colors cooing to herself while Fluttershy kept her head down looking back at Fluttershy she gently bumped her.

“So uh, darling can you tell me why you seem so glum today I mean look around you.” she began adding, “There are all sorts of colors and beautiful things to be found today look at that tree” she finished pointing to a nearby maple tree its leaves had already begun to turn bright yellow. “See how the yellow in the bottom leaves compliments the greens ones? Why if I could I would make that tree into a coat for our Fall Fashion line”.

“I’m not ‘glum’ Rarity I am just trying to figure out how best to help someone so this person can change their ways and thus the two of us can become friends”.

Walking further down the street Rarity glanced at her watch noticing it was seven forty-five in the morning. Quickly turning to face Fluttershy she grabbed her by the hand pulling her down the sidewalk much to Fluttershy’s annoyance. Franticly Rarity began to look around for a city bus spotting one heading in the direction of CHS letting go of Fluttershy’s hand Rarity placed two fingers to her own lips letting out loud whistle.

“Hold that bus”! She screamed turning to grab Fluttershy once more “come on we’re going to be late for school we need to hurry if we want to catch that bus before it pulls away”.

“Eeep” the timid girl squeaked out being pulled towards the city bus “Rarity” she began getting to the bus a few minutes later she added as the driver opened the door allowing both girls to step onto the bus. “I don’t have the means to pay for this bus ride”.

“Nonsense darling you take a seat and I’ll pay for the ride” gesturing towards the back of the bus “Your mom can pay me back whenever she gets the chance to do so darling now go on take your seat dear”.

Quickly heading to the back of the bus she took a seat waiting for Rarity to join her a few second later Rarity took a seat next to her. Watching the houses, apartments and buildings pass by as the bus drove down the street Fluttershy thought to herself, “I know there has to be something that I do that Sunset Shimmer would also like to do with me but what”?

“Fluttershy I need someone to” She heard Rarity begin snapping her back to reality “help me model for a dress I am trying to put together and was wondering if you darling would like to do this after we get our homework done”? Noticing she wasn’t paying attention Rarity gently nudged Fluttershy’s side catching her attention. “Is everything alright dear? You’ve been rather...well distracted ever since I came to walk you to school today”.

“What? Oh, yes everything is alright I was just thinking is all” recalling Rainbows words to her as she locked eyes with Rarity, ‘Sunset Shimmer is a monster nothing more and nothing less’ feeling it best to change the subject she quickly added, “So um, how i-is drama class going? Do you enjoy the class Rarity”?

“Why yes I do enjoy the class very much my dear Fluttershy I’ll be playing Katharny from the greatest plays of all time ‘King Sombra the Fifth’ which was written in the late fifteenth century by Shakespeara.” Getting a slightly confused look from her friend she twirled her hair adding dramatically “he was and shall always be the great-no-the greatest of all playwrights it is an honor-nay-a absolute privilege to study that play let alone to act one of the most important scenes in the entire play”.

“Umm if you say so Rarity I just like the costumes” she replied looking down adding “uh, I was wondering if I can take a rain check on helping you with your modeling for that dress”?

“Sure thing darling” taking out her pocket calendar she added, “so how about we put you down for three after school next Thursday? I can pick you up and bring you to my home”.

“I’ll have to check with my mom first but I am sure she’ll say I will be able to go” she replied adding, “would you mind if I bring a friend with me Rarity”?

Hearing the bus brakes squeal Fluttershy saw their stop was coming up reaching up to pull the cord she thought to herself, “I hope Sunset will want to join me next Thursday after school” pulling the cord she waited for a few minutes for the bus to come to a complete stop before opening the back door and stepping off the bus. Heading towards the school's main entrance she looked around saying out loud, “Looks like the construction crew working hard to repair the damage from Sunset’s fight with Twilight”.

Looking around herself Rarity saw the crater from Sunset’s battle with Twilight had two crewmen inside of it a long rope attached to large crane was unloading several large pipes to the men below. Each crewmen could be seen taking a hold of the pipes as they guided them into position.

“Wow” Fluttershy muttered to herself watching all the work being done, “What a mess”?

Other crewmen could be seen measuring the hole in the main entrance. A police officer stood guard near the entrance while students and faculty filed past him on their way to their class’s trucks moved back and forth dropping off wood, brick, wires, drywall sheets and large glass panes. Getting a little closer she heard Rarity blurt out “I can’t believe all this was due to our fight with that uncouth Sunset Shimmer”.

Heading inside the school both girls headed to their lockers glancing at her watch Fluttershy saw it was 7:55 in the morning. Hurrying to her locker she froze in her tracks her eyes fell to Sunsets locker raising a hand to her mouth she let out soft gasp.

“Who could have done this to her locker” she thought to herself. “Why would anyone do such a mean thing to her locker” looking back at the front entrance she blurted out loud, “Why didn’t that officer do something to prevent Sunset’s locker from be vandalized”?

Hearing laughter around the corner she followed the sound finding Garble with his friends gulping fearfully she walked up to them keeping her eyes fixed to the title floor. Noticing she was a few feet from them Crackle pointed to her sneering “Hey Klutzershy do something foolish for us”.

“Hey!” she heard Garble begin “don’t you dare talk about her like that Crackle!” she heard him demand glancing up she watched Garble grab Crackle by his lapel forcibly shoving him into a row of nearby lockers finishing, “I won’t put up with that from anyone you got that mush for brains”?

“O-oh okay I-I understand” he stuttered in reply adding “I won’t do it again”.

Letting him go Garble turned his attention to Fluttershy nodding to her seeing she wasn’t looking at him he gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “Fluttershy” he began, “please allow me to ask your forgiveness in this matter had I have known this” turning his attention back to Crackle his eyes narrowed. “craven idiot would act like that” he quickly turned his attention back to her finishing. “I never would have allowed him to be within ten feet of you for his behavior I am truly sorry. Can you forgive me for this careless mistake”?

“Uh, s-sure” she replied adding, “But it's not you that needs to apologize and I don’t really have time to argue who is at fault here”. Hearing the bell ring signaling the start of class she quickly added, “Do any of you know where I can find Sunset Shimmer”?

“No I have no idea where Sunset is” she heard Crackle say, “but I am sure she has to be around here somewhere”.

“I have no clue where she might be” she heard Backdraft begin “if she has come to school today then she more than likely already saw her locker and ran out crying” sneering he finished, “not that I blame her she is a looser after all”

Turning his attention to Backdraft she watched Garble crack his knuckles giving the young teen a dirty look not wanting a fight to break out she quickly got between the two. Feeling her hands resting on his chest Garble glanced down shaking his head with a role of his eyes he gently pushed Fluttershy off of him.

“Fluttershy none of us know where you’ll find her” Garble began giving his two friends a hard cold angry stare adding, “Look we all need to get to class why not look for her after class during lunch hour? I even help you to find her” he finished with a sly grin.

Giving him a nod she turned to leave bumping into Vice Principal Luna receiving a cold hard stare from her Fluttershy gulped her eyes momentarily locked with Luna’s. Noticing what was carved into Sunsets locker Luna pushed past Fluttershy letting out a noticeable forced sigh turning her attention to Fluttershy she frowned causing the timid girl to take a step back.

“Miss Macpherson” she heard Luna begin “do you know who did this to Sunset’s locker”?

“N-no ma’am I don’t” Fluttershy replied adding “but if you like I can find---”

“Go to class now” Luna interrupted her quickly turning her attention to Garble and his friends “do either of you three know who did this to Sunset’s locker”?

“No ma’am” all three replied in unison.

Sighing she stared intently at all three hearing a second bell ring singling the final call for classes to start Luna frowned stepping to the right she allowed all four to head to class. Watching them leave she took out her radio pressing the button her eyes locked with Sunsets locker her thoughts began to drift to her own days of being bullied at high school. Closing her eyes she said into the radio, “Celestia what is your current location”?

“I am in the library with Cheerilee do you need some help with something”?

“Yes I do.” She replied sighing in irritation she added, “should I meet you in the library or in your office”?

“Meet me in my office Luna I’ll be there in a few minutes”. she heard Celestia reply adding, “I need to walk Sunset to class then I can join you and we can talk about whatever it is you want to discus”.

Putting away her radio she took one last look at Sunset’s locker before heading down the hallway towards Celestia’s office getting there a few minutes later. Opening the office door she took a seat in front of her sisters desk waiting for Celestia to show looking around her sisters small but quaint office she couldn’t help but smile to herself. The walls were covered with many photographs of all the students that Celestia had helped over the years remembering each one in turn Luna’s eyes fell to one picture directly.

The photograph showed Luna in a green and white plaid skirt wearing a white long sleeve button down shirt and blue vest. Her hair was tied in a ponytail her eyes were warm and soft thick glasses could be seen adorning Luna’s face. Getting up she picked up the photograph running her fingers over it tracing a girls face that stood next to her. The girl had on a plaid green and white skirt and blue vest her oil black skin looked almost grey in the worn out photograph. The girls long flowing sparkling dark blue hair was tied in a ponytail her deep purple eyes stared intently at the person behind the camera.

“Why would Celestia bother to keep this?” Luna thought to herself tracing the girls face with her finger not hearing her sister coming into the office. “I asked her to get rid of this photograph”.

“I’m sorry Lu” her sisters voice snapped Luna back to reality “I know you are upset with me for keeping that photo but she was my friend too and I kept it to remind myself of how I hurt you.” noticing Celestia had a very distraught look etched on her face Luna set the photo down hearing her sister add, “I miss her as much as you---”

“We need to talk about Sunset this photo is immaterial as are my feelings on this subject” She flatly interrupted Celestia pulling out a chair and taking a seat she finished “someone has vandalized Miss Shimmers locker Celestia we need to find this person and make sure this doesn’t happen again”.

Next Chapter: August 3rd Wednesday Eight A.M. Part Four Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 29 Minutes