Sunset dumped the bags with her gifts from her friends into the trunk next to everything she'd bought and shut it with a firm pull. “I know I complained a lot, but thanks for helping me, Rarity...I really needed new clothes, but I don’t have an eye for...well anything that flatters human standards of beauty.” She chuckled. “Ask me what looks good on a mare, I can manage to not embarrass myself, but even after so many years here...”

“I can understand, darling. Completely different standards for beauty are not unknown to me. After all, fashion changes quickly, and every culture is different.” The white skinned girl slid into the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition.

Only to be met with silence as the engine failed to turn over. She tried again, with the same results. Sunset frowned, already heading to the front of the vehicle. “Pop the hood?”

Rarity obliged, and Sunset leaned forward to take a look. She didn't know as much about cars as she did about motorcycles, but the basic principles of an engine were the same. “Did you leave your lights on? Try turning the key again?”

“No...I turned them off.” Still nothing, and Sunset frowned.

“I think it might—“ a vehicle pulling into the space next to them cut her off.

“Hey, Rarity. Something wrong with your car?” Flash Sentry hopped out of his own sleek black car.

“Oh! Flash! Yes, I’m afraid I’m having a bit of engine trouble. Sunset was taking a look at it...”

Sunset cringed from her hiding spot bent over the engine block. The last thing she really wanted was to be the awkward party in a conversation with her ex-boyfriend. It seemed her hopes were to be dashed, as he came around to join her looking under the hood. “Any idea?” he asked.

“I...think it's the battery. It might need a jump, or it might need a new battery.” She leaned around to mostly address Rarity, who, instead of answering her pleading look by actually helping her, got out of the car.

“I’m going to just pop inside and get us all some hot drinks. Thank you for helping Sunset give it a look, Flash.” Rarity turned to go, giving Sunset a pointed look.

For a long minute, there was only silence...the kind that grows more uncomfortable every second until someone has to say something to break it. Sunset resolved to say nothing, because it was a can of worms she wasn't sure she was ready to open.

Fate had other ideas: Flash cleared his throat as he fetched jumper cables from his trunk. “You know...I really did care about you. For a long time, I thought you were really a nice person under a rough outside. When we started dating, I thought it was even more true...that maybe you were just lonely. I fell pretty hard for you. Breaking up with you after I saw you in action? It was the hardest thing I’d ever done...but you know what hurt worse?”

She flinched, but forced herself to meet his eyes. He deserved the right to say his piece, get his closure. Flash continued once he had her focus. “The worst pain was your reaction. You weren’t hurt, or upset, or even angry that I was dumping you. You didn't care at all, like I was boring you. My heart, my feelings...they never mattered...and that...that made me feel like my heart had been ripped out.”

“That's why I ignored you, why I didn’t do anything to stop what people were doing to you. I didn’t have the heart to join in, but I never made to interfere. And then...with the Battle of the Bands...I guess I figured you were playing the Rainbooms for fools like you did me...but I don’t know what came over me. I took it too far.”

Sunset felt each word like a punch to her gut, and the now familiar duo of guilt and shame burned her. “You...don’t have to apologize. The Battle of the Bands was magic, and no one other than my friends was really in their right mind. As for the rest...it’s not like I didn’t deserve far worse from you after everything I did to you.”

He shook his head. “Deserving or not, doing nothing was wrong, and I’m ashamed of myself for not doing the right thing and at least reporting to the principals what I knew. That one’s on me; a bad breakup shouldn't have mattered.”

Stupid smile or not, this was exactly the reason their paths had crossed the way they had, and she sighed. “I know it probably won't mean much, but you’re a really nice guy, Flash. You’re kind and caring, and you do the right thing...” she rubbed her neck, before taking the time to attach the jumper cables. “You are far too good a human for what I did to you—and it’s exactly why I picked you.”

It was hard to admit, because it reminded her just how awful she had been. “When I was...building my reputation...there were guys who saw the way I dressed and made assumptions about what I was willing to do. It’s...one of the reasons I started looking for someone I could use to boost my popularity...”

Flash cut her off. “Made assumpt—oh. Oh! Ugh. Yeah...I can see where a lot of guys would think that. There are always rumors, and they did ask me in the locker room, more than once.”

“Exactly. It didn’t help that humans seem to tie popularity and power to a perceived romance as well, so I thought I’d deal with two problems at once...” She gripped one elbow. “And you were perfect for the role I needed. You were popular and well liked, but you were someone I knew wouldn’t push for more than I was willing to offer. You were...safe to be around.” She looked away, unable to meet his eyes. “I used you, and you didn't deserve it. I’m sorry.”

She could hear the sharp intake of breath, could practically feel the old pain being torn open, and it made her stomach twist unpleasantly.

“Did...did you ever have any feelings for me at all? Or was every last bit of it really just...just a long term game in your plans?” The young man sounded so wounded, so truly hurt, that she could feel self hate starting to form inside her all over again.

“...I’m sorry, Flash...” she rasped around a lump in her throat. “There are so many reasons why I didn’t, why I couldn’t, but none of it had anything to do with you and everything to do with me.”

They fell into silence for a few minutes, working on getting the car started. It was only after the engine had roared to life from the jumpstart and sat there idling in the cold, that Sunset tried to offer something, anything to make it...perhaps not right, but better. “Maybe... maybe if I was human...if I wasn’t who and what I am, I could have. You’re a really great person, Flash, and someday, someone will be lucky to have you. It just was never going to be me.”

This time she did look at him, only to find him staring at her intently, frowning. “What do you mean ‘if you were human?’” His eyes widened. “Don’t tell me that this is some sort of disguise and that...succubus thing you turned into at the formal is like...your real form or something?”

It was just such a ridiculous accusation that she couldn't help it. Sunset laughed, harder than she thought possible, soon wiping tears of mirth off her cheeks. When she sobered up, she shook her head. “Princess Twilight didn't tell you?”

He had looked a bit put out at her laughter, but the mention of the princess got his attention. “Tell me what?”

“About the world we’re from.”

Flash shook his head. “I...I caught on that she was from another world, but...”

Sunset winced, trying to decide how to rip that bandaid off. She settled on simple and fairly quick. “It’s not just her. I came through the portal several years ago from Equestria. I was born a unicorn, Flash, and so was Princess Twilight. We’re human here because crossing worlds changes us into these bodies.”

“A...unicorn. We’re talking about the ‘horses with a horn glued to their skulls and decorating my little sister’s bedroom’ unicorns? You're trying to tell me that you're some kind of mythical creature and that so is Twilight?” Disbelief colored his tone.

“If you're imagining one of the ugly equines from this world, no, that's not what we look like,” she said with a sense of deja vu. “We’re smaller and cuter, with shorter muzzles and less stupid, wall-eyed faces. But...yeah, that's what I’m saying. If it’s any consolation, I can understand how you’re feeling. In my world, humans are the myth: scary, towering bipeds who bring about change, who can be either the most benevolent entity in the universe, or worse than any demon ever conceived of by anypony, so imagine how I felt, falling into a world filled with furless, flat faced primates with a species predilection towards violence.”

He leaned against the car after disconnecting his cables and shutting the hood. “That’s ...just...wow.” Flash blinked at her. “A unicorn?”

She nodded. “A unicorn. I just...I don’t see humans that way at all. I can...understand...in a sort of scientific or clinical way what humans view as ‘attractive features,’ but it’s not something I normally feel...even with adolescent monkey hormones in this body being what they are.” Somewhere inside she could practically hear Stupid Little Voice mocking her about her Twilight and how badly just thinking the lavender skinned girl had been driving her to the brink of madness lately. “Truth is, Flash, most humans scare me. Your species is like some kind of nightmare for a pony. I’ve learned to cope with it over the years, but I’m not sure you can really understand just how different the two worlds are.”

The young man offered her a genuine smile, one that didn’t look as stupid as the one he used for flirting. “If you want to try to explain, I’m...willing to listen.” He offered an awkward laugh. “If nothing else, it might keep me from making an ass out of myself the next time Twilight comes to visit.”

The former unicorn sat down on the car hood, trying to figure out how best to explain it without being there for hours in the cold. “Alright...well, basic crash course. Three important things about Equestria and ponies I suspect influenced some important social differences. First...we have almost a three to one ratio gender split—mares outnumber stallions by a large margin. This, paired with a lack of noticeable difference in the abilities of both sexes means we didn't evolve in a gender striated culture dominated by aggressive males. Third, we didn't descend from predators and hunters the way humans did. Violence and that kind of anger...just isn’t a common trait for us. We fight to defend ourselves if we have to, but most ponies see it as a last resort after all other avenues have been exhausted.” She made a face. “I’m even a poor example because by pony standards, I’m incredibly violent.”

Shaking her head, she continued, “So imagine how it was for me to come here, surrounded by creatures from storybooks, who possess a higher murder rate in one month in one city than my world has had in a century.”

Flash winced. “Oh man, I can see how that would look.”

“Yes. Now imagine how I felt when I learned what rape was.”

Silence reigned once more, and he stared at her with sudden comprehension. One hand rubbed his neck. “Shit. Yeah. I think I’m starting to get the picture.”

Sunset exhaled slowly, and put a hand on his arm. “It was one of the things even Bitch-me was terrified of, more than just about anything else. It’s why I took those courses in self defense, and... it was why I picked you for my plan. Of all the guys in school...I knew I could trust you to always respect me saying ‘No,’ without pushing, no matter what those monkey hormones and instincts were saying. I knew I was safe being alone with you.”

Flash took in her words, mulling them over. “That makes...a lot of sense...and I guess I should take it as a compliment that you didnt lump me in with the rest of the ‘terrifying murder monkeys.’”

That made her chuckle. “Yeah...I’m finding that there are a handful of humans who aren’t...horrifying and disgusting. Consider yourself the first one ever to make the list...” she pushed her hair back from her face. “I do mean it though. You are a wonderful person, who will make someone very happy one day.”

He bumped her shoulder with a fist lightly. “It means a lot that you think that, Sunset. If I can impress a unicorn, eventually I’ll be able to impress someone enough to date me for real.” Then he winked at her. “And if you ever find any of us monkeys attractive, you’ll have to tell me.”

Her face went pale and then red, images of her girlfriend springing to mind. That was not a conversation she wanted to have. ‘Gee, Flash, thing is, I’m dating the human version of the pony you've been crushing on for months,’ was not the best ice breaker in what felt like the beginnings of a new friendship.

The reaction had already given her away, and he smirked. “It’s already happened, hasn't it? So tell me, what kind of crazy monkey is enough to catch the eye of Sunset Shimmer?”

Leaning back on her hands, she looked skyward, cursing inwardly. Still…the idea of getting a little of it off her chest, being able to mention her feelings aloud to someone else was really appealing, and just like she had known he wouldn’t push her physically, Sunset knew on an instinctive level that he would keep her secret. “It’s...complicated,” she confessed, “…and I’d appreciate it if you didn't mention it to anyone. The girls dont even know, and I’m not ready to tell them either.”

It was an olive branch, in a way, and she could tell he recognized it for what it was: a measure of trust extended to him and him alone. Flash raised two fingers skyward as if making a solemn oath. “I won’t tell anyone else, Sunset. It’s safe with me.”

She could see purple eyes in her mind, feel the soft lips against her own. “…there’s this girl…Meeting her was…it was an accident. It was after the formal. I was headed home, through the park, and…” Her brows scrunched. “I heard screaming and I found her on the ground, and with those slime-balls that hang around that part of town and make trouble...they were going to…” she swallowed, hard, not wanting to say it out loud. It was an ugly thought and had been bad enough at the time, but now, now that the girl in question was her Sparky, her Twilight, the girl that meant so much to her, it was an agonizing thought that filled her with fury and grief. “…I couldn’t let them…I might’ve been a monster, but I wasn’t going to let them hurt someone like that…”

Sunset was shaking, and Flash, in an echo of her earlier gesture, rested a hand on her arm. “I get it. I would’ve done the same thing if it had been me.”

It calmed her enough to keep on. “…I ran them off, but she was so upset…I couldn’t just…leave her like that. I ended up taking care of her that night…” Upset melted into wonder. “…we talked, and she told me she wanted to be my friend…just like that. Even when I told her what a bully I was, she didn’t care…and she’s just…she’s smart and funny, and she’s there when I need her…and just this adorable mix of shy and outgoing…even just thinking about her makes my day better, and when she smiles it's like watching the sun rise.” Sunset cut herself off, realizing she’d started to babble and was in danger of spilling more than she really wanted to.

“She sounds pretty special.”

Blushing even more, Sunset glanced over. “…She is. It’s why I don’t want anyone else to know. I’m afraid they’d try to take her away from me…I can’t lose her, Flash. I can’t.” Even she was surprised by the level of vulnerability in her own voice.

Flash, slowly and carefully, as if he was concerned about her reaction, gripped her hand warmly. “Hey. I get it. I won’t say anything. And, for what it’s worth…you really have changed, Sunset. I wasn’t sure I believed it, before, but you have…and I kinda like this new Sunset Shimmer a lot better than I liked the old one. She’s the kind of person I could see being friends with.” The stupid goofy smile was sent her way, but it didn’t bother her the way it always had.

“…you mean that? You want to be friends, even after everything?”

“Yeah. I think I do. Whaddya say, pony-girl? Friends?”

Instead of words, she took a page from her girlfriend’s book, pulling her hand free to wrap her arms around him in a hug.

Rarity returned from her trip inside a few minutes later, carrying a holder with three steaming cups from the mall’s coffee shop. “Here you are, darlings. My apologies. There was a line.” She handed out the hot beverages and discarded the tray in a nearby trash can. “Thank you so much, both of you for getting the car started, I hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all, Rarity. I was happy to help give you a jump. Might want to have your parents get someone to check the battery though. If it's on its way out, it would be better to replace it now instead of getting stuck somewhere.” Flash accepted the drink, sipping slowly.

“I will, Flash, thank you. I’m terribly sorry if we held you up.”

“No worries. I need to head home, but it was my pleasure. See you at school!”

Once he was gone and the two of them had settled back into Rarity’s car, Sunset gave her a long look. “….A line, huh? You know I’m not dumb enough to believe that.”

“Sunset, you needed time to sort things out with him, and from all things, it looked like you did. If I needed to tell a bit of a fib to make that happen, then well, I’ll take that hit to my integrity. So?”

“…We talked. There were apologies. We’re starting fresh, as friends.”

“We really need to have a discussion someday on how you’re just as ruinous for my want of gossip as Applejack.”

Sunset couldn’t help but laugh at Rarity’s mock pout as they left the mall.

So yeah. That happened.

This is actually a chapter I've been looking forward to. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I feel like Flash has the potential to be an amazingly good character, when he isnt used for some weird sort of forced romantic subplot. I really like this idea that he and Sunset eventually bury the hatchet and become friends. (I cant see them as more than that, just because it doesnt...jive with some of their interactions and body language.)

I've plans in the works for "Nice Guy Flash", and for this new friendship with him and Sunset (which I've jokingly referred to as "you know, that kind of friendship that can only seem to exist between a lesbian and a straight guy.")

I'll also be doing a couple of blog posts soon--one on a rough "timeline" and another on Pony Culture.

Side note, probably going to end up throwing another one shot up soon, and the plan is for it to be a Rarijack one. I'll let yall know when it goes up.