Sunset sat in Principal Celestia’s car, the older woman had kept her promise about driving Sunset to school until this matter with Anon-A-Miss was over and done with. Celestia hadn’t probed Sunset about why she didn’t want to come back, but she chalked it up to the trauma of being attacked, again, by a monster.

At this point, she was glad that Sunset came out at all. Suffering through one event like that after another would be enough to make any person want to lock themselves up in their room and never come out. But Celestia knew better, she knew Sunset was a stronger girl than that, which made her happy when she received the call to come and pick her up.

“Are you sure you’re up for coming to school today, Sunset?” Celestia asked.

Sunset glanced to Celestia as she smiled a little, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“Okay…but if for any reason you don’t feel safe, don’t hesitate to come to my office, or go to Vice Principal Luna, understand?”

Sunset smirked, it sounded less like a request, and more like an order. “Yes, Ma’am.”

They eventually arrived at CHS, and just like before, Sunset felt the oppressive aura from the school. Although, now knowing about the Wendigos, the aura seemed to take on a different meaning. How many other students at the school were potentially possessed by those demonic spirits? How many were ticking time bombs waiting to go off? With a sigh, Sunset walked towards the school. Since she arrived with Principal Celestia, she arrived earlier than most of the students, which was fine, Sunset didn’t really want to have to go through dealing with them this early in the morning.

However, since the teachers were in a meeting this morning, Sunset couldn’t exactly wait in her first period class, so she was stuck waiting in the library for school to start up. After an hour, the students started funneling in, and of course, there were whispers and glares whenever they looked at her.

The day went by as per the usual, or at least what the usual was now. Meeting up with Pinkie Pie helped Sunset get through most of the day, her cheerful smile and perky attitude was like a breath of fresh air in this otherwise confined social space. It was close to the end of the day when Sunset received a text message, at first she thought it was Pinkie Pie, but then she paused when she read the name.

Rarity:[Sunset. I realize that this is incredibly awkward, and you have no reason to hear me out, but I must confess I am in a bind and I require your assistance. If you are willing, please meet me in the fashion design room 103 after school.]

On the one hand, Sunset was kind of happy to be receiving any kind of communication from Rarity, the fashionista had grown to become one of her confidants over Sunset’s time of reformation, but on the other, Sunset was worried that this might be a trick of some kind. A quick glance to her right wrist reassured her that even if it was a trick, she had the means to escape it.

With that in mind, Sunset waited for the last bell. Once it rang, she waited for the rest of the classroom to file out, and a bit longer for the hallways to clear as well. After about ten minutes, Sunset began her walk towards the design rooms. It never ceased to amaze her how many specialized rooms CHS had for its various activities, Sunset had even considered joining the Fencing Club, seeing as she seemed to possess a knack for the use of bladed weapons.

Sunset arrived at the door to room 103, and knocked on the door. No sooner had she done that did the door swing open, Sunset then found herself swiftly being pulled into the room with the door closing shut behind her. Now inside the room, Sunset laid eyes on Rarity. The fashion designer looked frazzled, and tense, something was up.

“Rarity…are you okay?” Sunset asked.

“Well, yes, and no…it’s complicated…” Rarity straightened herself up before continuing. “First off, I would like to thank you for coming, Sunset. I know that our…relationship is a bit on the rocky side, but I’m honestly between a rock and a hard place and I don’t know who else to turn to.”

Sunset dropped her backpack and crossed her arms. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

“Do you remember that fashion show I had…ahem…uninvited you to?” Rarity asked sheepishly.

Sunset frowned a little at the memory, yes, she did remember. When Anon-A-Miss struck, she was officially uninvited to any events and activities that involved her friends, one of those being the fashion show that Rarity would routinely compete in every winter. “Yes, I do.”

“Well…it turns out that the model I’ve been working with these past couple of years…well…she…she cancelled on me,” said Rarity with tears in her eyes.

Sunset looked shocked upon hearing this news. “Wait, Silva Evergreen, she cancelled on you?! Why?!”

Rarity rubbed her eyes, her mascara began to run so she grabbed a tissue from her skirt pocket and dabbed her eyes. “She says she had gotten a contract to work with some fashion label in Manelan! I…I could hardly blame her, but…to up and cancel on me so close to the day of the competition!”

Sunset didn’t understand, from what Rarity told her of Silva, she wasn’t the kind of woman to do this Rarity without a reason. “I-I’m sorry to hear that Rarity…are there any other models you can use?”

“NO! At this point it’s near impossible to get someone else! Especially since I have the dresses tailored to Silva’s measurements!”

Sunset rubbed the back of her head, she was feeling bad that Rarity was in this situation. “I’m sorry that this is happening, Rarity.”

Rarity took a moment to compose herself as she readied herself for the hardest part of this conversation. “Well, truthfully there is a way to salvage this situation. I was going over some old measurements lists and I found that there were at least two people who could fit into my dresses without much need to modify them too much. One of them is Fluttershy, and the other……”

Rarity let that hang in the air, hoping that Sunset would catch on. Fortunately or unfortunately, Sunset did catch on. “Wait, you mean me?!”

“Sunset, I know you have no reason to do this for me and you have every right to refuse –!”

“You’re damn right I have every right to refuse!” Sunset sniped. “All of you pegged me as Anon-A-Miss after I came to you and told you I wasn’t! You’ve shunned me, and practically made me Persona Non Grata! Why in the hell would you think that I’d help you?!”

Rarity, at this point willing to throw her dignity to the wind, fell to her knees and looked up at Sunset. “Sunset, I know, I know the girls and I have done something terrible to you! Something that we can never take back or begin to make up for! But, please, I’m begging you, I need your help! I’ll do anything! I-I’m even willing to sell my BODY if that’s what it takes!”

Sunset blushed at the declaration. Again, it was no secret, she found her friends attractive, and the offer was very tempting, but still. “Tell me something, what will happen after the competition?”

“W-What?”

“If I agree to this, will you just go back to shunning me again, suspecting me? Do you even think I’m innocent, AT ALL?!”

Rarity paused at this question, she had to admit, she was struggling with the notion of Sunset’s guilt or innocence. The question of how the pictures from her phone had gotten posted was still unclear, Sunset was the only one who took them, and they were on her phone. With the events that have occurred thus far, Rarity didn’t know anymore if Sunset was Anon-A-Miss or not. But right now she was willing to gamble on Sunset not being Anon-A-Miss, this competition was too important to let something like guilt or innocence get in the way.

“Sunset, I don’t want to make this a condition, the last thing I want is to force you into thinking that your participation in my competition in the only way for me to forgive you. But, if you promise to do this one thing for me……I’ll do anything, without question, without hesitation. I’ll prostrate myself before you if that’s what it takes!”

Sunset looked down at Rarity her frown still present. “Alright, do it then.”

“Pardon?” Rarity asked.

“You said you’d ‘prostrate’ yourself. So do it, but I want you to get on all fours, raise your ass in the air, and say, ‘Sunset, please forgive me’.”

Rarity’s eyes widened at the request, she was trembling, she didn’t know Sunset hated them this much for their treatment of her. But, then again, there was no choice, she didn’t have anyone else to ask other than Fluttershy, and she knew how that would turn out. Rarity scooted back and prepared to do as Sunset asked. That is until Sunset knelt in front of Rarity and placed her hand on the fashionista’s shoulder.

“Stop, you don’t have to do that.”

“B-But you just said…?”

“I know what I said…seeing that you were willing to go that far was enough.” Sunset smiled at Rarity. “I don’t expect you to believe me when I say I’m not Anon-A-Miss, that’s a decision that you need to come on your own. I’ll do this for the sake of the friendship we had. You won’t owe me anything.”

Rarity had admit, she was moved by Sunset’s words. After everything that has happened, Sunset was willing to do this for her, with no conditions whatsoever. “Sunset…I don’t know what to say…just, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. But, quick question, why didn’t you ask Fluttershy?” Sunset asked.

“Well, let’s not kid ourselves, between the six of us, you, me, and Fluttershy have the best modelling figures, but I can’t do it because I’m making the dresses, and Fluttershy…well…I think we can both agree that being in front of a crowd isn’t exactly her strong suit.”

Sunset had no argument with that, Fluttershy had a rockin’ body, but flaunting it in front of a large crowd down a runway was not going to go well. “Point taken.”

Shining Armor was still trying to wrap his head around everything he learned two days ago. Demonic spirits were gathering in his city, possessing people and turning them into monsters. Shining wasn’t exactly sure how to bring this up to his superiors, it was hard enough for them to accept that the perpetrators of these crimes were people who turned into monsters, now he had to tell them that not only were these monsters people possessed, but that some may not be in control of their actions.

“Dammit, the law was not set up for this kind of crap,” Shining muttered.

“Yo, Shining, you alright man?” Spearhead asked.

Shining Armor looked up from his paperwork to see Spearhead heading his way. “Not entirely, still working on this Wind Rider stuff.”

“What a douchebag, to think I thought that guy was the best driver on the circuit, makes me sick that he did that to his own kid,” said Spearhead.

“Yeah, but right now his daughter is sitting in juvie, it wasn’t like I could just lie and say that it wasn’t her, I saw the whole thing from beginning to end. But, from what I heard from the judge, she may just spend a couple of months where she’s at, along with some psyche help.”

“That’s good…still…don’t know how well that’s going to go over the families of the victims.”

Shining Armor put down his pen and sighed. “Yeah, which is why the brass is keeping this hush-hush. The official story is that the monster attacked Wind Rider and his daughter, but was then killed by SWAT.”

Spearhead smirked. “So they’re not mentioning that babe in the bikini armor? Shame, even though she was the one that killed both those things, how are they framing that?”

Shining Armor rolled his eyes, after knowing that Sunset Shimmer was the one in that armor, hearing his partner talk about her the way he was made him cringe. “They’re not sure yet, her appearance doesn’t exactly scream ‘kid friendly hero’, but neither has she attacked anyone. The brass isn’t exactly willing to say that we’re working with some half naked warrior woman, PR and all that shit.”

“Spearhead, Shining Armor!”

Both men glanced to the office on the other side, there stood their captain, Broadside. The man was big, and muscular, with black hair that was graying a little, his bronze skin and piercing blue eyes were intimidating to most. “We got word on a possible 303, I need you guys uptown, now!”

“Yes sir!”

Shining and Spearhead hurried out of the police station and headed for uptown Canterlot. This part of town was where most of the more well-off people lived, some who were professional models and others who were either business owners or something that involved making a lot of money. They pulled up to a building that held many apartment lofts, there were already a couple of squad cars there, and some unies standing outside waiting for them.

Once they were spotted, the two uniformed cops led them upstairs, after ascending a couple of floors, they arrived to see a man waiting outside one of the apartment doors with a couple a more officers standing with him. He was tall and lanky, wearing a purple suit with a red tie. He had similarly colored skin, but a shade darker, and green hair. And for some reason he was wearing sunglasses despite the sky being overcast with snow filled clouds.

“Well it’s about time you got here!” he stated.

“And, who are you sir?” Spearhead asked.

“My name is Glitz Showman, but you can call me Glitz, I’m Silva Evergreen’s agent,” he said.

Shining and Spearhead glanced to each other and the back to Glitz.

“Okay, Glitz, why did you request that we come here?” Shining Armor asked.

“Because I got a call earlier today and heard from one of our best clients that Silva has up and quit on her!” Glitz stated. “She adores this client and would never just up and cancel on her without good reason!”

Spearhead crossed his arms. “Maybe she got a better gig?”

Glitz scoffed. “If she ‘got a better gig’ I would know about it! Despite what you may think, Silva isn’t some conniving girl, she’s definitely a lot better than some of my other girls.”

At this point they were wondering if this guy was an agent or a pimp. Shining Armor sighed and asked, “Have you tried calling her?”

“Yes, several times! But she hasn’t returned my calls! And I know she’s in there because I hear it ringing just outside this door! So, here I am, but the landlord won’t open it up just because I’m her agent!” Glitz stated. He then dialed the number again, and not long after, the sound of a cellphone going off came from the other side of the door. “See?!”

Spearhead and Shining weren’t sure if this was an emergency, but decided to take the initiative and check this out.

“Did you guys manage to get a spare key?” Spearhead asked.

“Yes,” said one of the uniformed cops as she handed it to Spearhead.

“And no one’s entered or exited this room since you got here?” Shining Armor inquired.

“No, Sir, no one,” said another.

With a heavy sigh, both Spearhead and Shining Armor walked up to the door. Shining Armor knocked on the door and said, “Ms. Silva Evergreen, this is Detective Shining Armor and Detective Spearhead Thrust of the Canterlot City Police Department. Your agent’s here and he’s worried about you. Are you there?”

They waited a couple of minutes, but there was no response.

“Ma’am, we have a key to the apartment, we ask that if you’re not descent, to please do so as we will be entering,” said Spearhead.

Once again, no response. With that established, Spearhead used the key to open the door. When they did, both detectives already on edge. A few feet from the door was were some red splotches on the hardwood floor, across from that was the cellphone. Both men had seen enough crime scenes to know that those weren’t some wine stains, that was blood. Shining Armor and Spearhead drew their weapons, causing Glitz to tense up.

“Stay out here, Glitz. One comes in with us, and I want one of you to back us up,” said Shining.

The female officer volunteered, drawing her weapon as she followed both detectives inside while her partner and the other officers watched the front door. There wasn’t any sign of a struggle, so far as they could tell. Spearhead got down on one knee to inspect the splotches, confirming that it was indeed dried up blood.

“This is all dried up, Shine. Couldn’t be more than a few hours,” said Spearhead.

“Let’s move to the bedroom,” said Shining.

The three officers checked the living room and kitchen, confirming that there was no one inside. They made their way to the closed bedroom door, Shining and Spearhead hugged the walls on either side of the door, the officer took up position a foot away, her gun pointed at the door.

Spearhead knocked at the door. “Ma’am, this is the police, are you in need of medical help?!” No response. “Ma’am, were coming in!”

Spearhead nodded to Shining, who then nodded to the officer across from him. All three readied themselves as Shining Armor opened the door, it was dark in the room, the uniformed cop tossed them her flashlight, Shining grabbed it and turned it on, illuminating the inside, all three officer’s stood with their mouths wide open at what they saw.

There was a large…cocoon, sitting on the bed. Shining Armor went in first with Spearhead right behind him, his partner turned on the lights, allowing them to see the entire room. The cocoon was webbed up against the wall, bed, and floor, fastening it atop the bed itself.

“What…the hell…is that?” Spearhead asked.

“More weird shit that the law was not made to handle.” Shining Armor took out his radio. “This is Officer Shining Armor, I need CSI to my location, we have a code 303.”

After some convincing, Sunset was able to get Celestia to let her go with Rarity back to her place. Memories both good and bad were coming up as they approached Rarity’s home. It was after their slumber party at Rarity’s that this Anon-A-Miss nightmare truly kicked off. Even now, Sunset had some anxiety about this whole thing. Part of her was worried that this was just a trick to get Sunset alone. But Sunset didn’t want to think like that, she didn’t want to see the worst in her friends, if she lost that, then there was truly no hope in rebuilding what was lost. Hopefully, this would prove to be the first step.

Once Rarity pulled into the garage, Sunset took up her backpack and followed the fashionista into her house.

“You’re parents aren’t home yet?” Sunset asked.

“Oh no, my mother will be late coming in, same with my father, for now it will just be me, you, and Sweetie Belle.” Rarity opened the garage door and entered through the laundry room, which then led into the kitchen. Upon entering, Rarity spotted her little sister pouring herself a glass of milk. “Hi, Sweetie~”

The young teen turned towards the sound of her big sister’s voice and smiled. “Hey, Rarity, what’s uh…uh…w-w-what is she doing here?!” Sweetie Belle demanded as she pointed towards Sunset.

Sunset had to admit that stung a little. Rarity figured that this was the sort of reaction that her little sister would have, but nevertheless, this needed to be addressed. “Sweetie, Sunset’s here because I asked her to.”

Sweetie Belle looked at her sister with great confusion. “B-But why?! She posted all those embarrassing photos! Why would you invite Anon-A-Miss to our house?!”

Rarity narrowed her gaze. “Sweetie Belle, that’s enough! Whom I invite to our house is my business! For now, Sunset and I are putting this whole Anon-A-Miss business on pause, I need her help with my fashion competition this weekend since my model up and cancelled on me! So, for now, we have…an understanding if you will.”

Sweetie Belle looked panicked, but still managed to give Sunset a scrutinizing glare. “And how do you know she won’t try and sabotage you?! Or post some more embarrassing stuff about you on MyStable?!”

“If that is the risk I take, then so be it. Now, I don’t want to hear another word about this subject while Sunset’s here. She’s our guest, and will be treated as such, understand.” Rarity’s question was more of a command.

Sunset could see the power struggle between the two sisters, and it was obvious that Rarity held more authority over Sweetie Belle than Sweetie herself was comfortable showing. Reluctantly, it seemed that Sweetie Belle would bow to Rarity’s word on this.

“Fine…but don’t come crying to me when she does something,” Sweetie warned as she stormed off upstairs, which was swiftly followed up with a door slam.

Rarity sighed heavily. “I’m sorry about that, Sunset.”

“It’s…okay, I just hope you don’t start fighting over this,” said Sunset.

Rarity scoffed and waved off the notion. “Puh-lease, darling, Sweetie Belle and I have had our fair share of fights, it comes with being sisters. We always make up in the end. Now, let’s head up to my room, unless you want something to eat first?”

Sunset shook her head, and with that the two of them headed upstairs. When they arrived, Sunset smiled, it was just as she remembered it. The lavish bed spread, the numerous sowing items strewn on one side of her room in a sort of organized chaos setup. Sunset spotted one of the dresses that Rarity had created, it was white as snow, with diamonds – Sunset doubted that they were fake – studded onto it in the form of snowflakes. Each snowflake was in a unique design, Rarity was a stickler for detail, and she knew that no two snowflakes are ever alike, and she carried that fact into her design.

The body had accents of icy blue, with a white fur shawl connected to the body and would loop around the neck. The shoulders, arms, and just a smidge of the chest were left exposed.

“So…where do we start?” Sunset asked.

Rarity placed her things in their designated spot and then moved to her desk. She then picked something up and turned around, showing Sunset the measuring tape. “First, I’ll need to get some measurements. I want to be as accurate as possible so I’ll know where I need to make adjustments. My previous numbers show that you and Silva were a good match, but I need to be absolutely sure.”

“Well, okay.” Sunset put her backpack down next to Rarity’s bed and then took off her jacket. “Let’s do it.”

Rarity cleared her throat. “Ahem, well, actually, I…I need you to strip down, Sunset. Completely…Everything off…”

Sunset blushed. “Um…well, that’s new. You never asked me that before, or any of us.”

“Yes, well, those times I wasn’t under the gun for a competition that could elevate my status as a fashion designer,” said Rarity. “I promise, Sunset, I will remain professional.”

Sunset wasn’t too keen on exposing herself in front of her friend like this. In a locker room was one thing, but having her be that close in her personal space, nude, was another thing. Well, that and there was another fear that she had, and it seemed Rarity caught on.

“You’re worried that I have some hidden camera somewhere to record you, aren’t you?” Rarity asked.

“What?! No, that’s not…” Sunset sighed. “Okay, yeah, I kinda am worried that that’s what’s going on. I’m sorry, but with all this Anon-A-Miss stuff going on, you can’t blame me for being paranoid, I did just get nearly strangled to death.”

Rarity nodded. “I understand.” The fashionista took out her cellphone and turned it off in front of Sunset. She then placed that cellphone in the drawer of her nightstand. “A bit of good faith both ways?”

Sunset agreed, taking out her cellphone, turning it off, and placing it next to Rarity’s in the drawer.

“If you wish, you may search my room to make sure there are no hidden cameras.”

“I don’t…want to be rude,” said Sunset.

Rarity placed her hand on Sunset’s shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. “Sunset, you have every right to suspect me, up until now, you didn’t have many people to trust. Aside from Pinkie Pie, you’ve been surrounded by potential enemies, and I don’t blame you for thinking that I am one of them. I will sit down at any spot you wish while you take a look around.”

Sunset felt bad for not having more trust in one of her friends, but right now she was still on edge. “Okay, just uh…sit on the floor right here, I guess.”

Rarity nodded and sat down, cross legged, on floor. With that, Sunset began her search of the room, she checked the closet, bookshelves, pillows, bedding, every nook and cranny that Sunset could think of that would be able to house a camera, for this she had to tap into her previous devious mind, thinking how Sunset herself would capture such images. After about a minute and a half of thorough searching, Sunset concluded that there were no hidden cameras.

“Sorry, again,” said Sunset.

“And again, it’s alright.” Rarity stood back up and dusted off her skirt. “Now, are you more comfortable with what I asked?”

Sunset did feel more assured that there was no devious intentions here. So, Sunset slowly nodded and set to strip. She stopped once she reached her underwear, not exactly sure if she wanted to go further.

“Sunset, if you’re not comfortable going further than this, that’s fine, the way you are will work,” said Rarity.

“But it won’t be as accurate as you want, right?” Sunset asked.

“Well…I will have to do some extra deductions, but–”

“Then no, I’m fine.” Sunset reached back unhooked her black lace bra, letting it fall to the floor, she then moved down and removed her matching panties. Sunset turned around and let Rarity see all of her for the first time. “So, here I am.”

Rarity paused for a moment, as an artist, Rarity admired the human figure, both male and female, in all its intricate shapes and contours. So Rarity could appreciate the attractive figure of Sunset Shimmer. Her hips were wide, showing of lean muscle, not enough to make her look bulky, but not too much as to make her lose her feminine appeal. Sunset’s chest was still impressive as always, and the way her flaming hair cascaded down her shoulders and back made her quite the picturesque beauty.

“My…goodness,” gasped Rarity.

“W-What? Do I look weird or something?” Sunset asked.

“Oh no, sorry! I just realized that this is the first time I’ve taken in how you look, you’re quite stunning, Sunset,” said Rarity.

Sunset blushed a little and muttered, “Thank you. So, can we start this before it becomes more awkward?”

“Very well, arms out, legs spread.” Rarity went to work, taking careful measures of Sunset’s bust, hips, waist, moving on to her arms, shoulders, stomach, legs, and in seams. The last part she took special care not to come too close to her womanhood. Rarity would repeat this process a couple of more times, writing down her numbers as soon as she was done with each measured body part. Once she was done, Rarity smiled and said, “All done, darling, thank you very much.”

Sunset smiled. “No problem.” As Sunset began to put her clothes back on, she asked, “So, what’s the verdict, can you make the adjustments work?”

“Hmm, well, it’s not as bad as I thought. But at the same time, it’s going to take a minute…you’re, ahem, bust is larger than that of Silva’s, as well as your hip and waist, but thankfully it’s not too much that it’s not something I can fix. However, and I hate to ask this given what happened last time, but would you be willing to stay over tonight?”

Sunset cocked an eyebrow at that. “You want me to stay over?”

“It’s the only way to make sure that all these adjustments work out, I can have you try on the dress at different intervals to make sure that it’s perfect.” Rarity sat down at her desk chair as she looked at Sunset. “I know the previous time you were here did not leave you with a good memory, but please, will you trust me? As I am trusting you?”

Sunset debated this in her mind, and with another. What do you think?

}}} I sense no ill well in her intentions. But the decision is yours. {{{

Sunset understood. “Okay, let’s do it. I made sure to give Ray a good enough supply of food in case I came home late or not at all, depending.”

Rarity jumped out of her seat and globbed onto Sunset, doing a good Pinkie Pie tackle hug as the both of them were now on the bed. “Oh thank you, thank you, Sunset!”

*knock, knock*

“Rarity, Mom and Dad said they’ll be home late, do you wanna order pizza or…” Sweetie Belle’s eyes bulged as she looked upon the scene before her. In Rarity’s excitement, she tackle hugged Sunset before she could finish dressing, leaving her with only her panties on and her chest exposed, and of course, Rarity lying on top of her. “……uh…w-w-what are you doing…?”

Rarity glanced to Sweetie Belle and then looked down at Sunset who was blushing. The fashionista took in more of the scene and then began to babble incoherently as the situation finally dawned on her. “S-S-Sweetie Belle this isn’t what it looks like!”

“You and Sunset…I…when…I don’t…WHY?! She’s not a good person Rarity!” Sweetie stated.

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity exclaimed, forgetting the embarrassing situation and focusing on the rude comment her sister had made. “If Sunset and I were like that, you have no right to question my choice in romantic partners, and I would think you’d trust my judgement in who I decide to be with! Secondly, Sunset has made some mistakes…” She glanced to her friend who was covering her chest with her arms. “But…But…” Rarity felt a sense of realization hit her. “That’s no reason to blame her for every bad thing that happens…Sweetie Belle, apologize to Sunset!”

Sweetie Belle stared defiantly at her big sister. “It’s not like I’m not saying something that isn’t true!”

“Apologize to Sunset!” Rarity ordered.

“Forget this!” Sweetie Belle shouted as she left the room, slamming her door shut.

Rarity shook with contained rage, but it wasn’t just due to Sweetie Belle’s actions, no, this embarrassing moment had offered her some clarity when she spoke about Sunset. “I really am a terrible person…”

“Rares?”

“I – we – made a promise to Princess Twilight to look after you, and help you along your path to redemption. Then, we found out that we were doing this less for the promise and more because we were growing more fond of you with each passing day…” Rarity turned around, and to Sunset’s surprise, she was crying. “We grew close, you and I. We used to talk a lot, gossip, go to the mall, confide in one another…and I threw that all away…over some embarrassing photos…”

Sunset watched as Rarity fell to her knees and began to sob, taking in shaky breathes as she hugged herself. “I left you alone…we left you alone…we never gave you a chance…we just assumed…Pinkie Pie was right to believe in you…when this is over, I wouldn’t blame for never speaking to us again…”

Sunset, forgetting her modesty, knelt before Rarity, and brought the girl into an embrace, surprising the fashionista. “Rarity…that’s the last thing I want. Not having you girls in my life is the worst thing that’s happened out of all of this. I can take the abuse, the glares, and the words, but not having you five hurts worse than all of that. Honestly, if I could have you all with me again, I could give two shits about Anon-A-Miss! I just…I just don’t want to be alone anymore…”

Rarity could feel tears coming down on her shoulder, the teen wrapped her arms around Sunset and the two hugged each other tight, both sobbing in a strange combination of relief and sadness for the entire situation they were both put through. It took a few minutes before either one of them had calmed down enough to stop, and a few more before they released their embrace.

“Rarity, can we…can we be friends again?” Sunset asked.

“Darling, nothing would make me happier. And I promise, I’ll do all I can to earn back your trust,” said Rarity.

The two separated and smiled at each other. Rarity looked down and realized that Sunset was still half naked. “Oh my, well, you may want to – ahem – put the rest of your clothes on. Or, if you wish, I can pick out some pajamas for you to wear.”

A smirk started to form on Sunset’s face, she then placed her hands behind her head and thrust her chest out. “Oh, c’mon Rares, you know you want to bury you face in them.”

Rarity blushed as her cheeks puffed up. “I don’t wish to do anything of the sort!”

Sunset then feigned hurt as she said, “What…are you saying I’m not attractive enough to do lewd things with?”

“That is not what I’m saying, I just – I – ugh!”

Sunset began to laugh, and not soon after, Rarity joined in. It felt good to laugh with a friend again.