“Hellooooooo!” I cry out desperately. “Is anyone there? Can anybody hear me?”

I know it's a distant shot in the dark but I have no choice but to try. I have to find someone! I can't stand being alone!

But, no matter how much I want to deny it, there is clearly nobody else around. The scattered objects, crashed cars, and broken windows all around me are clear evidence that some kind of epic apocalypse has wiped out every member of my species except for me.

No. Worse! I can't even find any animals.

An ominous crimson sky hangs over me like the color of blood. This isn't like the orange flare of the sky during morning or sundown. No. This is far more unusual. I have never seen the sky quite like that. It is a clear indication that something is wrong. It might even have something to do with why I am alone.

I bend down and scoop up a discarded teddy bear. One of its eyes is missing and the stuffing on its belly is leaking out as if its guts are spilling out. Despite its damaged condition, I can feel the sentimental value this object once had to someone. Only something epic and wholly unnatural could have forced this child to part with something this special.

I hug the dejected treasure to my chest. Doing so makes me feel slightly closer to human contact.

I know exactly how this object feels. To be abandoned and alone in the world.

Tears rush to my eyes. Pain squeezes in my chest.

I can't accept this! I just can't! There has to be somebody out there! Anybody will do!

Please! I don't wish to be alone!

I search my house. It is a destination I arrive within quite suddenly, but I am in no mood to contemplate that.

I roam the hallways, the living room, the bedroom, the kitchen, the backyard . . . it all reports the same story. Broken, scattered objects. Paint peeling off the walls as if this house has been abandoned for centuries.

In the hallway, I bend down to pick up a framed picture that once hung on the wall. This picture shows a very faded image of my mother hugging me from the side as we both look towards the camera within a photo booth at a fair. Within the picture, I am holding a stuffed unicorn with sparkly, silver mane that glistens with glitter. My other hand is holding half-eaten cotton candy. That same arm is looped around my mother's neck. Both of us are looking at the camera with goofy-looking faces.

The glass in front of the picture is badly cracked.

I touch the damaged glass as tears drip from my cheeks.

Is it worth holding on to better memories when I know they'll never come again? All the joy I once felt on that day is now twisted into sorrow.

Despondently, I continue to roam my house and several others. I don't really feel any hope in my soul of finding someone else, but the pain I feel in my chest is too strong to allow me to give up completely. My fate is just too horrible to permit that.

Then, in someone else's garden area, I encountered the statue that once was in Canterlot Garden. The three stoned figures are still frozen together as one. I barely notice the other two, to the point where I have forgotten what they look like. Instead, my eye is inevitably drawn to the frozen image of my pony counterpart.

Now I know how she feels to be all alone in this place. In a way, I feel even worse for her. I may be the last human on earth but at least I get to die someday. Pony Cozy, however, will go on existing in this abandoned, lifeless world, potentially forever.

“I wish you could talk to me,” I say sadly as I touch one of her elbows. Her hooves are resting against her cheeks, her expression frozen in horror. “If you could, I suppose it would be like talking to myself, but I'd settle for that. I just need to hear another voice!”

I hear an ominous thunderstorm in the distance. It draws my attention because I haven't heard anything like it in a long time. It feels like several years at least.

I make my way out of the mysterious home I was in. Looking above me at the dark crimson sky, I see a black cloud billow its way into existence. Clearly, it is not a normal-looking cloud. I have never seen anything like it except for one time. The closest thing it resembles is The Nothing in “The NeverEnding Story.”

My shoulders sag as I realize I am quite likely beholding the very reason I am alone in this world. Whatever this thing is, this force . . . it probably caused the others to disappear.

Is that what's about to happen to me? Am I about to die? Will it hurt? What is going to happen to me afterward?

Whatever the afterlife is like, I hope there are others there who will give me attention. I am willing to accept a quick, painful death if it means my soul won't slowly decay in this lonely world.

The black cloud spills a long tendril from it. It twists and billows, but not as much as the black cloud it is stretching from. When it touches down on the earth about seventeen feet ahead of me, the ominous black cloud far into the background shrinks as if the tendril in front of me were a straw that is sucking up the black cloud in the sky.

And yet the smaller black cloud ahead of me does not grow much bigger.

Instead, glowing eyes pop open within them. The same crimson slits with green background and purple wisp that I saw in one of my nightmares many years ago.

Or, at least, I thought it was a nightmare. If only I had known, back then, that I was carrying within me the force that would one day destroy the world.

A gaping maw opens up from this dark entity.

Then, at last, I hear the first words spoken to me in so many years.

“Hello, poppet!” the sinister being greets me. “Remember me?”

“Yes,” I respond despondently. “I remember you, and I'm no longer afraid of you. There is nothing you can do to me that I haven't already suffered, or worse. So, if you are going to finish me off, just get it over with!”

His eyes narrow at me. His lips seem to twist into a sinful smirk in amusement.

“Now why would I go ahead and destroy you?” he asks me. “You who are to be my next vessel.”

“Do you mean it?” I ask with rising hope. I don't care what he'll make me do anymore. If he joins inside me and takes over my body, at least that means I won't be alone. More to the contrary. It means I'll be especially close to someone.

Someone who will give me attention!

Whoever this is, it may be an evil entity that wiped out all other life on this planet, but that means he truly is the last being in the whole world who can judge me, talk to me, and be with me. If he really is the last sentient being on this planet other than myself, then I need to make sure to please him at all costs! I'll please him and serve him just to make sure I am not alone anymore!

“Yesssss! That's it!” the entity agrees as if responding to my thoughts. “You are on the right track, my little one!

“Now, kneel before your KING!”

I kneel down immediately. I have no choice. I can't afford to displease this entity. Not while he has the power to abandon me. I must please him as much as I can to avoid that unbearable fate.

“Goooood!” the dark entity seems to purr in pleasure as he floats closer to me. “You know your place, little one.”

I just stare up at him. I mostly feel empty inside, but I feel just a sliver of hope and fulfillment. As long as he is paying attention to me, I'll avoid a far worse fate.

“Let us test your recognition of your status,” the dark entity declares. “Now tell me, little poppet, what are you?”

“I am a slave,” I answer with no hesitation.

“That's right!” he agrees a bit cheerfully. He looms over me. His black shadow is cast over me. “And whom do you serve? To whom do you belong?”

“To you, Master,” I answer just as quickly. “Every part of me. My body, my mind, my soul . . . it is all yours to command, Master.”

“Very good!” my master tells me gleefully. “Your master is proud of you. Never forget this, my little poppet!”

“I will not, Master,” I promise him while smiling a bit.

My master approves of me! YAY! That means he is that much more unlikely to abandon me!

“Let's test your resolve in this relationship,” the dark entity decides. “If you are going to be my slave, then you'll need commands to obey.” He brushes a wispy, smokey tendril against my face. It feels icy cold to the touch, and yet my heart melts with pleasure.

Attention! More attention! I must have more!

“Of course, Master,” I reply matter-of-factly. “I am yours to command. I cannot resist you. I am your slave.”

“Good! As long as you remember that, we're going to get along famously!”

I soak up the attention. Glee fills my heart at the thought that master approves of me.

“Now, my little poppet . . . spread your legs!” my master commands me.

I obey but it’s a bit difficult. Since I'm sitting on my bent legs with my light, petite weight against the solid concrete, I struggle a little bit to obey his command but I ultimately do it, for I am determined.

I have to do it! I must obey that command and every other because this isn't my body anymore. It's his. Only he can command it.

“Yesssss! That's it!” my master says with approval when I spread my legs.

I smile slightly as I stare into his eyes until he sinks so far below my sight that I can't see him anymore. Instead of that, he maneuvers his face beneath my skirt.

A chill races down my spine as I linger in fear, anticipation and perhaps some excitement because I don't know what he's going to do to me next, or what he'll command me to do. Whatever it is, I'll have no choice but to accept that fate. I can't control my body anymore. It's his property, after all.

I feel a cool wisp blow against my inner thighs. Somehow that chill seeps right through my panties. I feel the chill sink within me as if I'm penetrated by pure ice. Electric shock rises up my spine.

I've never had this sensation before, yet oddly it feels strangely familiar. This helplessness, this surrender, this physical sensation . . . was it in a dream I had many years ago?

I can't remember.

But, whether it is true or not, it no longer matters to me. This is my reality now. Whatever came before no longer matters. A slave's past no longer matters. Only the moment the ownership began and onward bears any relevance anymore.

“Hmm. Well,” the entity rises in front of me to peer back at my face, “it's not a pony pussy, but it will have to do. I can't expect much better from this world.”

Panic explodes within me!

Oh no! Does he disapprove of my pussy? But I can't help it! I was born human! It's not my fault!

NO! What if he disproves so much that he'll abandon me? How can I possibly make this up to him? How?!

“Oh, fear not, my little poppet,” my master coos to soothe my fears while brushing another shadowy tendril across my face then neck. “I wouldn't let something like that stop me from relishing my new possession. Besides, there are some ways to remold you into a more fitting vessel for my majesty!”

I smile at him slightly, feeling a little reassured, but my confidence is still a bit shot. Since my master already found a flaw in me so early in our relationship, I feel on edge as if one more disappointment on his part will cause him to abandon me.

I cannot let that happen! I must be perfect! A perfect slave for him!

He looks down at my spread bent knees, then says to me, “I see your legs are still spread,” he notes in approval.

“Of course, Master,” I tell him eagerly. “You told me to spread them, so I did!”

“Can you close your legs again without my permission?” the entity checks as he looks back at my eyes.

I vigorously shake my head no as I say, “No, Master! Never! I can never do something unless you order me too! This is your body I'm wearing, not mine! I can't command it! I am stuck this way for all eternity unless you order otherwise.”

He smiles at me in approval. I feel like I passed another test. My heart leaps in joy to notice his approval of me.

“Cup your breasts!” my master commands me.

I immediately obey. While I do so, a brief moment of panic flashes through my mind.

By cupping my breasts with my hands, I am reminded how small they are. They are only a B cup, and just barely at that. What if he doesn't approve of that either? What if it reinforces his desire to abandon me?

Once again, that's not fair! I can't help that!

Besides, it will keep growing! I'm sure of it! I'm still just a growing girl! He'll see!

I hope.

“Squeeze your breasts,” my master commands.

I do so while a small flood of relief flows through me.

So far, so good. He hasn't complained about my breast size yet. I can't tell for sure if he disapproves of it or not. All I know is he considers me still worthy of commanding. For the moment, my obedience itself seems to be the only thing he's carefully measuring right now. I even suspect that the orders themselves are superfluous and superficial. All of it is just a test. A test that I could pass or fail.

I must not fail!

“Now, rotate the squeeze on your chest into a slow circle,” he commands.

I obey.

I feel my hands rotate mechanically on my squashed breasts. It feels odd to notice the sensation from both of my hands and breasts and yet be unable to stop it, as if someone else is doing this to me.

He leans forward at me in appraisal as he commands, “Now then . . . open your mouth.”

I obey.

This latest command feels familiar. When did this happen before?

He leans in close to inspect the insides of my mouth.

“Hmm. You have flat, pristine teeth,” my master notes in approval. Maybe also surprise. “I didn't expect that from my newest property. I thought your species would have more jagged teeth. You are meat eaters, are you not?

“Oh, and you can close your mouth now.”

“Partially,” I answer him honestly. “My species are actually omnivorous. We can eat both vegetables and meat.”

He regards me in pleasant surprise as he asks, “Really?”

“Yes, Master,” I confirm, then I look at him with worry. “I hope that's okay with you.”

“Okay? This is fantastic!” my master cheers. “That means I can feed you whatever I want.”

“Yes Master,” I tell him.

The second after I tell him, I think of a whole bunch of things that I can't eat and expect to continue to live.

For now, however, I'll let him relish his discovery. I don't want to risk disappointing him. Not until I have to.

“Um . . . may a slave ask you a question?” I ask him in a timid little voice which is full of worry that he'll disapprove.

In response, he merely nods at me to go ahead. I notice how he's watching me sharply, judging my every word and action. It makes me feel very nervous.

“I, ah . . . notice that you have fangs,” I observe in a tiny voice. “Does this mean that your species are meat eaters?” I close my eyes and shrivel in fear. “Please forgive your slave's curiosity, Master!” I beg him with a little more volume in my voice.

He looks off to his side. For the first time, I notice a bit of an empty and sad look to him.

“Not normally, no,” he answers me. “My species is normally a herbivore.”

“Herbivore?” I echo questioningly, then I widen my eyes in astonishment when I recall something.

The first day I met him (or at least that I think I met him), he smashed my computer screen from the other side. Back then it kind of looked like a hoof print.

Also, he once made mention of Horse-Land magic. Could he be . . .?

“Oh golly!” I exclaim in astonishment. “Sweet cheese and crackers! Are you a pony, my master?”

“I used to be,” he answers as he looks back at me.

I cock my head to the side as I ask, “Used to be? Forgive a slave's curiosity, Master, but if you are not a pony anymore . . . what are you, exactly?”

He gives me a sinister smile as he answers somewhat enigmatically, “I am darkness incarnate!”

Well . . . based on what I can tell about him . . . I can't argue with that.

Besides, even if it is a lie, he can tell me anything he damn well pleases. I'm his slave for crying out loud! He can make me believe whatever he wants me to believe.

If I take his statement literally for a moment, I guess I have to conclude that other ponies are normally not darkness incarnate. Based on what I have personally observed, that adds up. Ponies seem to have a lot of darkness within themselves while outwardly pretending to be cute and innocent. It's such a clever deception.

I approve!

I sigh.

I wonder what he'll make me do next? I am eager to find out.

“I ask you again,” my master speaks as he leans in close, “what are you?”

I am confused for a moment. “Ah . . . human?” I answer with uncertainty because I'm not sure if that is the answer he's looking for.

He shook his head. “No. I mean more fundamentally, although I do understand you are correct on a technical level.”

Oh! I get it! I know what he wants to hear!

“I am a slave, Master!” I remind him cheerfully.

“Are you?” he checks.

“Yes, Master!”

“For how long will you remain one?”

“For as long as my master wishes.”

“Do you approve of being a slave? Do you accept it?”

“Um . . .” I hesitate, then answer, “I don't think it really matters if I approve or not. A girl's will,” I shrug carelessly, “means nothing. I am your slave whether I approve or not. I can't help it. It is an intrinsic factor.” I look down with a bit of depression. “Just like I can't change the fact that I'm female or human. Those things are beyond my control as well.”

“Not beyond MINE!” my master assures me.

“You mean it?” I ask him with rising hope. “Can you transform me into a form more pleasing to you now, Master?”

He chuckles at me darkly, then answers while a black cloud sweeps through my hair. I feel a chill sinking into my skull as he does so, and yet I can't help like I'm swimming in pleasure!

“In due time,” my master answers. “Certain things must be in alignment first. Magic is a science of its own. It has its own set of rules that all who trot it must follow. Even me.”

“Is there some way I can help?” I ask him hopefully.

“You are doing it right now!” my master assures me. “By surrendering your body and will to me, you make yourself more mine. That is part of what is required for the spell.”

“But I've already done that!” I argue. “I've completely surrendered myself to you! What more do you require?”

He shakes his head as he tells me, “You've only surrendered to me on the surface of your consciousness. For the spell to work, I must go deeper into your being. I must own you completely on every level of your being. Only then can I take you over.”

“Um . . . how do I help in the meantime, Master?”

“Just obey me. Give me instant obedience to every command. Feel fulfillment and happiness with every command you obey.”

“Yes Master!” I cry ecstatically. “I will! I always will! I'm your girl! Your property! I'm your toy! Command me, and I will be helpless to obey!”

“NOOOOOO!” an unexpected scream from a woman cries out. I look to my right. I simply see a burst of light explode and wash over me.

For some reason that light pushes my master about twenty feet away. When I recover, I also notice he appears a bit injured . . . maybe? Since he is apparently black smoke with glowing eyes, it's hard to tell when he's injured.

There is just something about him that seems a bit smaller and weaker after that light blast. It's hard to put my finger as to why I feel that way.

I look back to my right to identify who caused that light. While I do so, my heart flutters with amazed disbelief.

Really? There is another person here who can pay attention to me?

But . . . how? I thought this entity destroyed all the others!

And I do mean all the others.

My eyes are so adjusted to the darkness that, at first, it is hard to tell who this newcomer is until she gets closer. When she does, I realize I recognize her, except there are a few differences.

“Sunny?!” I ask in amazed astonishment. “But . . . how? You died many years ago!”

I can't believe it! This is Sunny, except somehow more than she ever was before.

To begin with, she is wearing a gold and ruby outfit that shines in the light. Possibly even causing some of the light. A golden aura also hovers around her. It's especially bright on her wings and horn that is made of pure, radiant light.

Meanwhile, my master hisses at her in hatred. He tries to advance forward but the radiant light around Sunny seems to burn him the moment he crosses the threshold. He backs off then growls at her in even greater hatred.

“No, Cozy Glow. I did not die!” Sunny assures me as she bends down and pats me on the shoulder, followed by a comforting squeeze. “I am your friend and that means I can never die as long as you need me. I promised that I would be there for you whenever you needed me, and I meant it!”

I think back to that time when Sunny made that promise. I recall how she put her hand on my chest and made that declaration with such passion in her eyes. I knew she meant every word but I did not expect her to break the impossible to keep her word.

“Stay back!” my master hisses then blasts the golden barrier with a popping purple/black hornbeam from a red crimson horn (much like the sky is right now) that grew up from above his eyes. The hornbeam had no effect other than to further illustrate where the barrier is.

“She is MINE!” my master cries out possessively. “My property! My slave! You have no right to interfere!”

“I dispute every single word you said!” Sunny spits in disgust as she whips her head back to glare at him through narrow eyes. “You don't own jack shit, you miserable pile of forgotten lore! Disappear back into the nether realm where you belong! Nobody owns Cozy Glow except for herself!

“And, ah, Cozy . . .” Sunny looks back at me while her face turns crimson with a bit of embarrassment, “you can stop squeezing and stroking your breasts now if you want, Honey. There is no reason to listen to anything he tells you to do.”

Oh! I didn't realize I was still doing it!

I look down at my own chest as my hands slow to a stop, then I gently release my chest.

“NO! I didn't give you permission to stop!” the dark entity roars at me in disapproval.

“As I said, you don't need to listen to him anymore if you don't want to.”

Sunny lunges forward and embraces me in a warm hug. Until she did that, I didn't realize how much I needed that.

“I know things feel confusing to you right now, but trust me . . . things will get better!” Sunny promises me over my shoulder. “I used to be just like you! I used to be lost in darkness as well, but then some amazing friends reached down and scooped me up! They drew me out of my previous pit of despair.

“And now, Cozy, it's your turn to shine! I am extending my hand to you! If you take it, I promise you that I will lift you up into the light! The light of friendship!”

“Friendship?” I ask her skeptically. “There is no such thing.”

“Yes there IS!” Sunny pulls back and gazes at me with a stare that strongly communicates her desperation for me to understand her. “Friendship is magic, Cozy! You may be tempted to put the word 'friendship' in quotes all the time when you say or even think it but, I'm telling you, you are ignoring the greatest source of your power! A power that he,” she nods back to the dark entity with disgust, “wants you to forget and ignore. He wants this so he can enslave you, but Honey . . . nobody can make you do anything against your will.

“This,” she places a very warm hand upon my chest. As the touch continues, I feel warmth flooding into my icy cold soul. It melts my heart with pleasure.

She goes on.

“is your life, Cozy! You choose how you wish to live it and whom you share it with. Please don't think that you must be doomed to live in the shadow of your pony counterpart's fate. You are in charge of your own life and destiny. That's what cutie marks are there to prove!

“You visited my original world once, Cozy. You saw a mark on your flank while you were there. Well, that's your proof! That is your verification that you are in charge of your life and destiny.”

I look at her in confusion. “Wait! How did you know that? You weren't there with me!”

“Cozy,” Sunny presses her hand deeper into my chest as she says, “I never left your side! Not ever since I made that promise to you.”

“Why?” I ask her while squinting my left eye.

“Because, all this time, you needed me, and I promised I'd be there for you if you needed me!” Sunny tells me earnestly.

The dark entity laughs and scoffs, then says, “Sentimental tripe! Your words mean nothing to my property! She thinks in reason and logic, and you offer her nothing she can sink her mind into! You LOSE, Sunset Shimmer! Cozy Glow is MINE once and for all!”

Sunny glances at him for a second, then she looks back at me with a worried look in her eyes as she asks me, “Is that true, Cozy? Are you willingly giving yourself to him as a slave?”

“You ask that as if she has a choice. Well, she does not! It is I who has decided her fate for her!”

I feel stunned and speechless.

“I thought you wanted to rule the world yourself,” Sunny reminds me. “Why bow to him to accomplish that? Are you a Queen, or are you a slave?”

I am quiet. I don't know what to say. I feel so scared and confused.

“Well, I'll tell you what I see,” Sunny put in. “I see a girl who is lost and scared. A girl who is still growing up and figuring out things for herself. I know you still have a long way to go. We were all like that at that age, but trust me . . . you are still an amazing person, Cozy! You are so talented and strong. Nothing can stop you when you set your mind to something.”

I look down sadly, reminded of how my “set mind” put her in jail.

“Cozy, please look at me, Honey,” Sunny begs me.

I do so.

“I know you have wronged me,” Sunny informs me emphatically, “but I made mistakes too when I was your age. I'm going to share with you now what was once shared with me, even though I didn't deserve it.

“Cozy,” she scoops up my right hand and squeezes it between both of her very warm and soothing hands, “I forgive you. I will always forgive you! I forgive you because I love you, Sweetie! You are precious to me! You are my friend. Because of that, I will never abandon or betray you, because that is what friendship is! We forgive each other because we care for each other.

“No matter how much you think you don't deserve this, you cannot shake that fact. You cannot control me just like he can't control you against your will. I have my own will as well, and I will always use it to cherish you as my friend.”

Sunset Shimmer does not get up so much as she floats back to a standing position. From above me, she reaches down a red gloved hand to me.

“Take my hand, Cozy! Please!” Sunny begs me. “Take it and I will show you another world. A better world than this! You no longer have to be trapped in darkness. Not if you don't want to be.”

“She lies!” the dark entity spat. “There is no other world than this! I destroyed it. I destroyed them all!”

Sunny glances back at him for a second, then looks back at me.

“Cozy, you have a choice right now, Honey,” she tells me. “I know it's scary and confusing, but you're going to have to choose which one of us you prefer to listen to. Which one of our two realities do you want to embrace?

“I beg you, look within your own heart for once instead of your head, and ask yourself . . . do you want to wallow in darkness alone, or do you wish to join me as I guide you to all the others that are eagerly awaiting to embrace you in friendship?”

“There are others out there?” I ask her in rising hope.

That's what I want! I want attention! I don't want to be alone anymore!

“YES!” Sunny confirms excitedly. “They are all waiting out there for you to meet them!”

Sunny put a hand at the back of her mouth as she leans towards me and whispers conspiratorially, “Don't tell anyone else I said this, but there may or may not be a surprise party in your future prepared by a certain peppy friend of mine if you choose to join me.” Sunny follows that statement with a happy wink at me.

“ENOUGH of this charade!” the dark entity barks out in irritation. He then looks straight at me as he commands, “Slave, I ORDER you to tell her that you belong to me! That you will always belong to me!” He gives me a sinister grin. “You know who and what you are! You know what fate you deserve! You are just like me! HATRED is your strength!”

I gaze at him blankly. As I do so, emptiness starts to fill inside me again. I realize that he does have a point. I am his slave. As such, I must obey him if he commands me.

“Cozy . . .” Sunny says sadly as the hand that extended to me slowly lowers in crushing disappointment.

“As I have said,” the dark entity says to Sunny as he gloats in victory, “Cozy Glow is MINE! I have claimed her, and you can't take her back from me!”

“I am sorry, Sunny,” I say as tears rise to my eyes. I do love her, and I feel like I owe her a world of favors, but I cannot deny the truth. “He is right,” I tell her with regret. “He is my master, and I cannot disobey him.”

“Cozy,” Sunny closes her eyes and starts to cry. Her fists shake to her sides. After that her whole body shakes, and she screeches out “NOOOOO!”

Another brilliant flare of light bursts from her body. It burns and pushes my master even further back, eventually doubling the distance he had before.

“I will NOT give up on you, Cozy!” Sunny cries out. “I can't give up! I'll NEVER give up, because that is what friends do!”

“Screech and holler all you wish!None of that is going to change the facts!” my master brags then laughs maniacally.

Sunny brings a quaking, red gloved fist near her face. Her eyes wince tightly, then she quietly utters, “No!”

Then, without warning, a brilliant golden column of light bursts from her and pierces the heavens. I shade my eyes with a hand as I look up at this in awe. There does not seem to be a limit to that column of light at all! It's as if it stretches to infinity and beyond!

The light widens and pushes my master back even further.

During this time, Sunset Shimmer floats up about eighteen feet off the ground as the light continues to intensify. Even her hair floats up and waves as if it is a flickering flame.

I feel as if the light should be pushing me back. After all, every other random object in the area is being scattered away from a powerful blast of . . . something . . . in the area. However, despite all that pressure, I don't budge an inch.

Unlike my master, who is struggling to resist the blowback. The mere attempt to do so makes him disintegrate little by little.

Looking up, I see tiny specks of light shoot into Sunny over and over again. They look like colorful little symbols, and I think I recognize them. There is a rainbow pattern shaped like lightning, a pink butterfly symbol, an orange apple, three balloon-shaped symbols with three different colors, a blue diamond, and a purple star which I am especially confident represents the cutie mark of my mother's counterpart.

But it does not stop there. Other symbols I don't recognize at all also flow into Sunset.

Actually, I take it back. They are vaguely familiar. I've seen them somewhere before. I just can't put my finger on it.

I think one of them is the symbol of a Diamond Tiara.

Whatever those symbols are, it seems to be why Sunny's power is building up non-stop. For every five seconds that goes by, the intensity of the light's strength seems to double.

There isn't an end to this rise of awe-inspiring power! I am amazed!

Apparently, my master is similarly impressed.

“What . . . what are you?!” he asks in dumbfounded awe.

Still floating in the air, Sunny turns to face my master. She lifts up her left hand in front of her. In front of her hand, a massive energy ball grows and it doubles every second. Before he could lose sight of her face behind the white ball, she screams, “NO!” then blasts him with the energy ball.

* * *

I wake up with a start. Sweat pours down my brow.

Oh man! What a dream! That felt . . . intense!

I cover my face with both hands for a moment. That causes me to realize how sweaty I am. Disgusted about this, I decide to do something about it.

I go to the bathroom and splash water on my face several times to wipe away all the grimy sweat. I even use some soap in this process. If I'm going to do this, I might as well do this right.

After that, I proceed to the kitchen where I pour myself a cup of jasmine tea. Right now I feel like I desperately need it.

On my way back to my room, I pause when I hear an unfamiliar sound in the living room. The area is dark, but I hear a light snoring sound somewhere within our living room.

I am confused and scared by this. A stranger is sleeping in our home!

But then I recall that I invited Diamond Tiara into my home, and my mother approved. Further arrangements might have to be made later on a legal front, but my mother eagerly, and I would even go so far as to say desperately invited Diamond to stay with us.

Huh. It's just like my mother to invite broken strays into her home.

Well, whatever! I'll deal with these thoughts and feelings later.

I return to my room and flick on the light, albeit a soft bluish light. More like a night light.

I set the cup of tea on my desk. I stir it a little then bring it up to my lips to sip the drink. I set it back down after that.

I realize that was just a dream a moment ago, but I can't help but feel like there was a powerful symbolic meaning to it, not to mention that I feel really different ever since I woke up. Whether that is a good thing or bad thing is yet to be determined.

One thing is for sure, though. I certainly haven't recovered from my guilt about Sunny. That dream served to remind me of that fact all the more.

During the dream, I felt so relieved that she was present beside me. Ever since I woke up, however, the dream felt like a slap in the face. It felt like the dream was taunting me by saying, “HA-HA! Fooled you! You thought Sunny was beside you for a moment and had forgiven you, but nooooooooo! She's still in jail where you sent her, most likely hating your guts with a passion!”

“Sunny!” I whimper as I pull my knees up to my chest and hug them from behind. “I'm so . . . so very sorry! I wish it was true! I wish you could forgive me, but-”

I am interrupted from that train of thought by a pat and squeeze on my right shoulder.

Feeling startled, I gaze forward at the reflection of my computer screen. It's hard to tell because the screen is black, but the reflection I see on the screen does indeed appear to be Sunny!

“SUNNY!” I cry excitedly as I whirl around on my computer chair. I don't know how she managed to pull it off, but it is her! I felt her! I saw her on my computer screen!

However, behind me, nobody is there. I am alone in my room.

I blink at this, feeling stunned.

I look at my shoulder. I still feel a touch there but it's fading. It is much like a phantom sensation.

Tears of anguish return to my eyes. I don't know how many times fantasy and reality are going to slap me hard in the face tonight.

Maybe I really am going nuts.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirty One: Existential Crisis Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 47 Minutes