As Marcus approached the fallen person, the only thing on his mind was wondering why no one else seemed to be helping her. Once he was close enough, he noticed the fallen person was a girl around his age. A light green skinned girl with darker green hair, wearing a brown striped sweater. On her feet were brown slip on shoes with no socks. Once he heard the girl let out a groan, he immediately held out his hand towards her.

“Are you ok?”

The girl let out another groan, before she noticed Marcus staring at her with concern and could only blink in pure shock. No one has ever noticed her before, let alone give her the time of day. Usually people were content to act like she didn't exist and only rarely, if ever, notice her. Come to think of it, she had never seen her before. Is he new in town?

“I… You noticed me?” The girl stuttered, completely stunned.

“Uh, yeah. I noticed you tripped and that no one else seemed to have noticed, so I decided to help you out.”

The girl only stared at him, still completely stunned.

“Uh… Would you like me to help you up?” He asked awkwardly after a few moments of silence.

“Oh? Oh… Yeah, sure,” The girl stuttered sheepishly while blushing hotly, before grabbing onto his hand.

He pulled her up and helped her back to her feet.

“Are you ok?”

“Oh, yes. Just a little sore, but I should be ok,” She answered nervously while picking up her bags.

“Glad to hear it,” He began with a charming smile, making her blush lightly, “My name is Marcus and you are?”

“Oh, Wallflower Blush. Nice to meet you,” She responded nervously with a sheepish smile, “Thank you for the help. Usually no one does,” She added sadly, before looking down.

“What!? That’s terrible!” He said in pure disgust.

“It’s ok. I am used to it and….”

“That doesn't make it right!” He interrupted sternly.

Wallflower was flattered to hear someone say that, especially a handsome boy like him. It has been happening for so long that she doesn't even bat an eye about it anymore, but it was still nice to hear someone else complain about how terrible it is. Though, not like he could do anything about it.

“I know,” She mumbled bitterly, “But that is the way it has always been.”

“That doesn’t mean it has to stay that way!”

Wallflower could only flinched from his statement. While it was incredibly flattering to receive help from this kind and handsome boy, sadly there was nothing he could do to make a difference and besides, he will just forget about her anyway, especially when.... No, she doesn't feel like using it on him, the only guy to help her out and say those things, despite how embarrassing this is, though he might forget about her anyway. As great as this is she knows it won't last and she will go back to being invisible and miserable.

“I… Thank you again, but I should be going,” She managed to respond after a huge pause, before she went on her way.

Marcus could only awkwardly watch Wallflower leave, completely confused and sad about his short interaction with her. What was that? First, no one seemed to have noticed her fall and according to her it was the norm. Why? How? He shook his head and forced himself to get back to what he originally went there to do. Maybe he will meet her again and perhaps get some answers. Maybe he will even be able to help her out.

---

As Marcus got deeper and deeper into the mall, he quickly looked around the place and mapped it out as best he could. Eventually, he stumbled upon a large crowd around a small group of three magicians. He was curious and wondering why there was a crowd here, but he simply decided to shrug it off and to do what he came here for.

“Well, Trixie, we did a great job at putting Shimmer in her place as usual,” Lavender spoke up.

“Yes, and Trixie, is only disappointed she couldn’t get her annual foot massage out of it, but hopefully that will still happen.”

“Indeed, though, it’s great to see her hit rock bottom like she deserves,” Fuchsia added with a smile.

As Marcus made his way through the crowd and heard the magicians’ comments, a feeling of aggravation flared inside him. Were they talking about Sunset? If so, why? He managed to calm himself down as he didn't want to let it make him cause a scene. Once he was in the center of the crowd and before he could move on, he was noticed by them. The three girls couldn't help but stare at him, a little stunned at seeing this handsome boy in front of them.

“Trixie, hasn’t seen you around here before,” Trixie began with a faint blush on her face.

“Must be the new student we heard about, Trixie,” Lavender added with a faint blush of her own.

The other girl simply nodded sheepishly, blushing lightly like the other two.

“Well, Trixie, is happy to see someone new,” Trixie told him with a smile on her face, “Especially a handsome guy like yourself,” She added with a flirty wink.

This caused Marcus to blush lightly and the other girls to give Trixie dirty looks. There were mixed reactions in the crowd. Many girls also felt an urge of jealousy from the magician flirting with him while the guys simply watched either amused or uncaringly.

“Oh, thank you. My name is Marcus,” Marcus began nervously while sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, “I have to say it’s great to meet a few beautiful girls as well,” He added with a charming smile that made all three girls’ blushes darkened.

“Tri… I appreciate the compliment,” Trixie managed to say as the other two lightly gasped.

Both Fuchsia and Lavender couldn’t believe what was happening. They had never seen Trixie this nervous around someone before, let alone a handsome guy. Not only did she stutter but she ended up abandoning talking in third person and instead finished her response in first person which was unheard of before. They could also feel a spark of jealousy inside them that was rapidly growing and burning rapidly as she continued to flirt with him.

“You three are magicians I see?”

“Y-Yes and you are lucky to be in the presence of the great and powerful Trixie,” Trixie tried to brag in her usual way but sounded much more nervous, making her usual pose even more adorable.

“Well, you are adorable, but how great are you?”

Trixie could only blush hotly with a nervous smile on her face, before she took a relaxing deep breath. The other two girls gave her death glares.

“Tr- I happen to be the best magician in town,” She managed to brag sheepishly, before handing him her last flier.

The flier showed an image of her pulling multiple rabbits, each a different color of the rainbow, with the words, “See the great and powerful Trixie take magic to the next level”.

“Looks interesting. When is the next show?”

“Oh, it’s in about a week and I hope you decide to come by,” Trixie responded sheepishly while rubbing the back of her head.

“Sure, I have a free schedule.”

“Great!”

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Trixie, but I better get back to my shopping.”

“Oh?” She began, sounding disappointed, before managing to sound more neutral, “Same here, Marcus. I hope to see you sooner rather than later.”

Marcus simply nodded, before going on his way. Trixie took another relaxing deep breath and placed a hand on her rapidly beating heart. Trixie had never met a boy that has made her feel like this before. Not only is he handsome, but he is quite charming and nice. He also has an impressive muscular physique that she can't wait to admire. She seems to have finally found the only one worthy to be her boyfriend, her equal.

“Trixie, what was that?” Fuchsia asked both confused and annoyed.

“Trixie thinks she found the one,” Was all she could say dreamily.

---

After getting his shopping done, Marcus stumbled upon the mall’s arcade and decided to check it out. Inside was a sizable area with all kinds of arcade games. Some of them being classics he recognized and haven't played in a long time like Pacman, Street Fighter, and Space invaders. There were a few people that he didn’t recognize at all and assumed they didn’t go to the same school as him. It wasn’t long until he spotted a familiar flamed haired girl that was currently focusing intensely on the game she was playing. Despite only seeing her from behind, she looked more beautiful with her hair in a nice long flame style ponytail and she was wearing a matching flame style shirt and pants. He couldn’t help but lightly blush as he gazed at her. By peeking past her shoulder, he was able to see her playing another kind of fighting game. Looking more closely he could see a little bit of sweat on the side of her face as her character took nasty damage from a combo, causing their health to enter the red.

“Lucky shot!” Sunset groaned out bitterly, “I have to give this game credit for actually having a difficult A.I. on the hardest difficulty, but it’s still no match for the queen!”

Sunset quickly wiped the side of her face with a free hand as she narrowed her eyes and countered with her own killer combo, almost defeating her opponent. Due to a few expertly timed dodges and blocks from both her and the computer opponent, they both managed to avoid further damage until the timer ran out and she managed to win by having slightly more health.

“Yes! In your face, the hardest difficulty!” Sunset bragged with a cocky smile and raised her fist in the air, “I told you that you weren’t a match for the queen. She is undefeatable!”

“Really? I seem to recall otherwise,” Marcus teased with a chuckle.

Sunset froze for a brief moment, before slowly and nervously turning around while blushing hotly.

“O-Oh, Marcus? Hi…. What a surprise to see you here,” She managed to greet while sheepishly rubbing her ponytail.

“I needed to go shopping for food and decided why not see a little of the town while out. Pinkie, told me about this place, so here I am,” He responded back

“I decided to go and have some fun on my own,” Sunset told him with a forced smile, making him raise an eyebrow.

“I see. Were the others busy?” He questioned.

“As you know Pinkie is working and Fluttershy is out preparing for something that she and I usually do together.”

“What about the rest of the group?”

“Oh? I… They…. Uh…. Yes, they are busy with their own things too,” She stuttered nervously with awkward pauses, before giving her answer.

Marcus was now even more suspicious of her behavior, but decided to just let it slide and move on to something more pleasant for her emotional well being.

“Ok? I… Uh, saw the ending of your match.”

“Yes, I was playing on the highest difficulty and have to say it was a fun and wonderful challenge, but still no match for the unbeatable gaming queen!” She bragged with a cocky smile that was completely genuine.

“Unbeatable?” He teased with a raised eyebrow, “I seem to recall otherwise yesterday,” He added with a chuckle, making her blush hotly.

“I… Well, that was a lucky fluke,” She countered sheepishly while once again rubbing her ponytail.

“You are adorable when you try to be cocky,” He simply teased again with a charming smile that made her blush darkened.

“I…. I will prove it!” She finally managed to exclaim, narrowing her eyes in determination, “How about another match right here and right now!”

Marcus mentally chuckled. Despite trying to look more serious, her still bright red face ruined any effect her narrowed eyes would normally have. It seems her being fiery was more than simply an appearance of hers, though it seems more adorable and fun to see for him than scary.

“Sounds good to me. Hope you are ready to lose again.”

“We’ll see!” She scoffed.

Marcus only smiled in response while Sunset managed to shrug off her blush and even cracked her knuckles, more than determined to beat him and make up for her defeats from yesterday!

---

“Here are your nachos and large soda,” Sunset told him somewhat bitterly as she placed the items onto the table.

“Why are you so bitter about having to pay for lunch?” He asked playfully with a teasing grin as he grabbed a nacho chip and placed it in his mouth, “You were the one who made that little wager in the first place.”

“I know, but it’s still annoying to me,” She sighed as she moved back to her spot at the table, before placing her own plate of nachos and soda on top of it, “I have a bit of a problem with losing.”

“I mean your little fits of anger were adorable and funny to see,” He teased with a chuckle, before taking a sip of his soda.

“Adorable?” She froze, blushing hotly.

“Yes, not only do you look beautiful with that fitting fiery outfit, but your adorable fits of amusing anger only adds to it and make it even more adorably fitting,” He admitted while sheepishly rubbing the back of his head with a light blush.

A nervous, yet warm feeling flared up inside her and she found herself placing a hand where her heart is. She could feel her heartbeat was higher than usual and she took a relaxing quick breath. Ever since she has arrived to this world her fiery temper and behavior has scared and cowed almost everyone else and it was an incredibly pleasant surprise to meet someone that found it adorable and wasn’t turned off by it, especially a handsome and kind boy she has taken a liking to!

“I… Y-You t-think I’m hot?” She stuttered nervously while sheepishly rubbing her ponytail.

“Yes, I supposed you could say that and pun intended too I guess,” He responded with a shrug.

“Uh… Thank you,” She managed to respond after a few moments of silence, before she finally grabbed a nacho chip and placed it in her mouth.

“No problem.”

Sunset could only sheepishly nod with a nervous, yet genuine smile, as she removed her hand from her chest and even took off her flip flops to relax a little on their lunch break.

“So, you said you wanted to see the town a little bit, right?” She asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Yes.”

“Well, once we are done eating, I could show you around a little bit,” She offered.

“Sure, just let me stop back home to drop off the groceries, and knowing Sissy, I might need to refill her bowl for her lunch.”

Sunset simply nodded, more than happy to show him around, and that she ended up not having to try and enjoy today alone.

---

After enjoying their lunch, going on a quick trip back to his house to drop off his groceries, and making sure Sissy has plenty of food for the rest of the day, Sunset began showing him around town. The first thing she showed him was the outside of the local animal shelter.

“This is the animal shelter where Fluttershy and I help take care of poor stray animals, before they hopefully find a new better home,” Sunset spoke up with a small genuine smile as she stared blankly at the building.

For Sunset, spending time with Fluttershy has not only been a wonderful peaceful time but without that she doubt she would be able to handle her negative reputation as well as she could. Fluttershy was too kind for this world and Sunset really appreciates her for being so willing to be a friend to her, despite how horribly she treated her in the past. She more than regrets how much she used to torment her on a daily basis, especially after splitting her close friends apart. Helping her take care of adorable little animals has become a favorite past time, not only to spend time with her as a friend but because she has genuinely begun to enjoy doing it which is another thing she is grateful that Fluttershy has done for her, making her enjoy being kind and doing a good thing just because it feels good to do so!

“Are you alright?” He asked awkwardly in concern, after a few moments of silence.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Sunset assured him sheepishly while rubbing her ponytail, “I was just thinking deeply about something,” She added with an awkward smile, “Oh, don’t worry about it,” She chuckled nervously when he opened his mouth to respond.

He raised an eyebrow in confusion but simply nodded.

“Come on, and let me show you some other places,” Sunset suggested, before they went on their way.

Sunset then showed him a fancy looking building and after peaking through the windows, he saw a few mannequins wearing fancy clothing.

“This is where Rarity works to make in her own words ‘the most fabulous clothing imaginable’.” Sunset told him with a forced smile, before making a small sigh.

Sunset could recall how she ruined Rarity's chances at the previous fall formal. That and her splitting her friends up are likely the two big reasons for her being so hesitant to give her a second chance. Not that she could blame her. At least she isn't too hostile like Rainbow and Applejack are, so there's hope and more of a chance for her to come around. At least Sunset hopes that is the case.

Marcus heard the sigh and raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything in response, before she once again led him away.

The next location was in a smaller more country-like area of the town with plenty of dirt and trees around them. Sunset led him to a building with the words “Sweet Apple Family” on a neon sign that also was flashing a bright red apple.

“This… This is the family business Applejack told you about yesterday. I won’t show you inside, since I am sure she wants to do that herself and I already took some of that from her just by taking you here,” Sunset explained with a sheepish smile, “I wouldn’t want to make her too mad,” She added with an awkward chuckle, before mumbling, “Well, another reason to be angry with me, anyway.”

Figures, both Applejack and Rainbow are going to be the hardest to convince to give her a second chance and they are basically in the same boat as everyone else. She knows how stubborn the two can be when their mind is set and she did use it to her advantage to split them up. Even she was stunned at how stubborn they could be to the point that despite being close friends for years, when they think the other wronged them with something minor they refused to talk for a long time and only did so due to an outside force. You would think at some point they would get over it and talk it out, but not them with how stubborn they can be apparently. Then again the others were like that as well in that case, so who knows. Despite that, Sunset can't blame them due to how terrible she was and knows she deserves having to go through the hoops to convince them, assuming that it's actually possible of course.

Marcus heard that and once again raised an eyebrow, but he still decided not to pry and ask her what she meant.

“In the distance I am sure you can see their farm surrounded by all the trees,” Sunset told him as she glanced out in the distance.

He turned and sure enough in the far distance he could make out a farm surrounded by a bunch of trees.

“Let’s just say Applejack’s family has a monopoly on Apples here and is actually influential because of that. Not that they flaunt it or their great amount of wealth.”

“So, they are incredibly down to earth despite that and hold to the values of the average hard working person?”

“Yes, though she could tell you all about her family values herself,” Sunset answered, “Now let me show you around the rest of the town.”

---

After a tour through the rest of the town, it started to get pretty late. Sunset decided to show him one of her new favorite spots, before it got too late. They both could feel the cool autumn air as Sunset led him into the town park. They both took a seat at a bench in the center of the park. From there they could see a bunch of kids playing on the swings, jungle gym, and seesaws. There were a bunch of adults relaxing and chatting on the other benches. Sunset took a relaxing breath and took off her flip-flops, before hanging her head back on the bench.

“Nothing beats relaxing in this nice cool weather after a long day,” She began sheepishly as she rubbed her ponytail, before removing her scrunchy and letting her hair fall freely past her shoulders, “After walking all day and showing you around, my feet are killing me,” She added with an awkward chuckle as she gently rubbed her bare feet together and began rubbing her hair with a free hand while holding her scrunchy in the other.

“Right. Thanks for the tour.”

“No problem. I know what’s it like to be lost in a new area and figured I would help you out,” She responded as she quickly set her hair back into a ponytail and even scooted to the other side of the long bench, before moving her body and placing her feet on it, in order to lie down on it, “I always like to come here after a long day and just relax in the nice cool autumn air,” She added with a small smile as she raised her feet up, “I have always enjoyed cold weather.”

“What about the others?”

“Oh, Fluttershy, sometimes likes to relax with me and we usually help feed some of the ducks in the small pools of water here,” Sunset began as they glanced at a nearby area where a few kids were feeding a few ducks in the distance, “Pinkie, isn’t really one to sit down and relax, but still likes my company when she has time.”

“As for the others?” He found the urge to ask, only to regret it, as he saw Sunset cringed so much she seemed to have almost fallen off the bench.

“Oh? I… I don’t know….” She stammered nervously with a sheepish smile as she rubbed her ponytail so much and so hard it immediately became undone and her scrunchy fell off, “It just never came up….”

As much as Marcus was confused and suspicious of her answer and a few other things when it came to her and the others, he didn’t feel he had a right to ask something that was likely personal when he had only known her for a few days now. Despite growing somewhat close in this short time, he felt that was still a boundary he wasn't ready to cross just yet. Sunset took a relaxing deep breath and sat right back up.

“Hey, may I ask you something?” She finally worked up the courage to ask after a few moments of silence.

As much as he wanted to tease her and say she already did, he could tell it was serious, so he simply nodded.

“I was just wondering… Let’s say….” She tried to ask, only to stop as she pondered the best way to say it, “Let’s just say hypothetically you learned I was a terrible person and I decided to start a new leaf. Would you be willing to let that go and still…”

“Sunset, I have only known you for a few days and so far I think you are a kind girl,” He began with a smile that made her freeze with a light blush, “I admit I have my suspicions due to you acting a bit strangely,” He added making her blush darkened and her to look nervously at the floor for a brief moment, before he gently raised her face and make her look at him, “But I am going to let it slide since it's likely something personal and it’s none of my business, unless you and only if you decide to tell me. I feel you should relax a little and not worry about it too much, ok?”

“I… I’ll…. I’ll try,” She finally managed to promise with a nervous, yet genuine smile, before she found the courage to lightly embrace him, “T-Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“No problem.” He responded somewhat sheepishly as he returned the light hug.

---

As the sun started to completely set, the two finally decided it was time to go on their separate ways.

“Thank you again. Not only did you help me have fun when I thought it would just be me alone for the day, but you helped ease my mind a little,” Sunset told him with a small grateful smile.

“No problem. Glad I could help." He responded with a charming smile that made her lightly blush.

Sunset found herself incredibly grateful to have met him a few days ago. Fluttershy and Pinkie were great and all, despite their faults, but they were sometimes busy and it was still hard that the others were at least hesitant about befriending her. Being able to meet someone who didn’t have to put up with the old her was a god send, especially, when they are a kind and handsome boy who likes video games and is… admittedly better at them then her. She is incredibly grateful that he not only helped make her day more fun, but he even helped ease her mind a little. He surely deserves a reward for doing so, but the only thing that comes to mind is… Sunset took a relaxing deep breath, before giving him another grateful smile.

“Still, thank you and I think you deserve a reward for such a thing to show my gratitude,” She managed to speak.

“Reward? What?”

He was interrupted when Sunset managed to find the courage to move her face closer to his and plant a small kiss on his cheek, making his eyes widened a little. The two lightly blushed and could only look at each other with sheepish smiles for a few moments.

“Well, thanks again and I will see you later,” Sunset only told him sheepishly, before going on her way.

Marcus could only watch her leave as he gently rubbed his cheek, before taking a relaxing breath and after finally snapping out of it, continued on his way. He didn’t expect to receive a kiss on a cheek from her, though, it felt nice and rewarding. Perhaps, moving here was a good idea to improve his social skills.

---

Back at her apartment, Sunset quickly kicked off her flip-flops and tossed them near her closet, before jumping onto her couch. She let out a relaxing sigh as she laid her head on a couch cushion and gently rubbed her bare feet together. She then quickly took off her scrunchy, letting her hair down for the night, before grabbing the remote and turning on the television. She was happy to say the day turned out better than she thought. Despite that terrible encounter with Trixie, the day still got better when she ended up meeting up with Marcus and the two had fun. She lightly blushed when she recalled how she ended their day together. She couldn't believe she kissed him on the cheek. Despite only meeting him a few days ago, she has become attracted to him and dare she say developed a crush on him. She had never felt that way before. She shook her head and decided to tackle this one step at a time. She will start by simply being friends and if they grow closer, good. If not, then hopefully they will stay as good friends. Like he told her, she shouldn't worry too much about it and try to enjoy herself.

---

Trixie giggled as she glanced at her personal copy of her flier and imagined how her next show would go down. She couldn’t wait for it and hopes Marcus shows up, so she will impress him with her skills and the two could get to know each other, before they eventually get together. She giggled again as she imagined them holding hands, going on dates, and eventually getting married. She could practically see and name their future children already and she can’t wait for it to become set in motion.

---

Wallflower sighed bitterly as she found herself pondering what to do. She knew she already decided not to use the stone on Marcus, but could she really follow through? Despite, how great it felt for someone to not only notice and help her but to even call out the injustice of her being unnoticed, it was still a little embarrassing for her. Well, he likely won't remember her anyway, so might as well. Then again if it happens then she doesn't have to either. She groaned and shook her head as she continued struggling to decide, before sighing in defeat. There is still the small chance he remembers her and while he might not be able to change things, it might still be nice to have one person notice her, especially when it's a handsome guy. She sighed once again, before deciding to just leave it be. At best she might make a friend who notices and remembers her and at worst he forgets her anyway, making her situation not change one iota.

Next Chapter: Episode 5: Training with Rainbow Estimated time remaining: 46 Minutes