Sunset stepped out of the plane, and quickly left the airport. She pushed open the doors, and breathed in the air of her home. A smile spread out on her face.

She ran to where her friends were standing. "Home!"

Rainbow pulled her into a hug. "You're home. Safe and alive."
"It's not home without them," she whispered.

"We know," Rarity told her. She took Sunset's hand. "Let's get to my new house."

After Rarity came home, her parents and Sweetie Belle had moved back to Canterlot. They got a new house, of course, since their old one was where H had lived, for Celestia knows how long.

It was only two months into the school year. Sunset spent one month at law school, then the next at CHS. It had just worked out that way. When she was in law school, she would Skype with her friends about what work she had to do. Same when she was in CHS.

It was hard for them to fit in after being arrested, and almost murdered. They got sympathetic looks, people told them how "sorry they were" for their losses.

But they were "H free", and could finally be happy again.

They still hadn't met with the Dazzlings. None of them knew if they wanted to hear what Adagio, Sonata, and Aria had to say. The last time they were around each other, they were having a musical battle.

It was still nerve wracking. None of them went to horror movies again. They had dreams of their friends being slaughtered in front of them.

They all gave each other the same look: I hope this phone never rings again.

Then they got in the two cars, and drove to Rarity's house.

"My parents are painting," Rarity said. She unlocked the door, and pushed it open. "Oh, but don't go in the dining-"

Too late.
Sunset stared at the red walls. Blood. "WHAT IS this?" Her hand flew over her mouth. Oh my gosh. She breathed slowly. "Why red? It this blood?"

Mera wrapped her arm around Sunset's shoulders. "No, it's just paint. No one died. No one was killed. Everything's fine. Nothing's wrong."

"Actually...something is wrong," River sighed. "The police want us to come to the station today to answer more questions."

"Didn't we already tell them about everything? Why we lied, that she was stalking us, everything she threatened us with." Sunset muttered.

"I guess they just want to understand why she did it," Fluttershy suggested. "The Shadowbolts won't be meeting us there."

Rarity sighed. "I'm going to be asked a lot of questions. Great."

-

Sunset folded her hands on her leg. "We already told you everything. I can't think about those months anymore. We almost died. If it was your daughter who was the victim, I'm sure you would understand her silence."

She wasn't sure who she was talking to. Just any officer within earshot. A few of them gave her weird or "understanding" looks.
Rarity was called back. Sunset followed.

"Um, miss? You need to stay here," an officer told her.

"I'm just going with my friend to make sure she doesn't have a mental breakdown. She was forced top live with that bitch for months."

He grabbed her arm. "Sit!"
She pulled away. "Get off me! And don't ever touch me again, without telling me first!" She glared at him. "Now let me go make sure my friend is okay."

"Let her go!" another officer called.

She ran back to the questioning room.

Rarity was already crying. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't remember anything! H-"

"Applejack," the officer corrected.

"Different name, same person," Sunset said.

"-wiped my memory. The only thing I remember is seeing all of my friends, laying dead in a pool on blood, on a freezing cold floor." She wiped her hand over her cheek. "I can't do this. Stop asking me about her."

The officer sighed heavily. "The I only way we can help you, is if you-"

Sunset laughed. "You think this helps us? No sweetie, this makes it worse. Applejack was H. And she's dead. There's nothing else you need to know. We're done here." She pulled Rarity up. "No more questions. We already told you everything, the day she died. Leave us alone."

-

Next day

"I still don't know how you're in college when we're Juniors," Mera said. "You're very smart."

Sunset smiled. "Thank you."

The first bell rang.

Homeroom.

Sunset walked into the class room, and was met with stares. Oh great. Some people were pointing to the scars she had, others were whispering. This is just great. Celestia, help me. I hate this. She felt like she had just turned into a demon again. But this time the stares were different. They didn't hate her. They were sorry for her. I hate this feeling. I don't need pity, or want it.

Tears sprang to her eyes as she slid into her chair.

The girl behind her tapped her arm.

"What?"

"Are you-?"

Sunset turned. "Yes! Okay? Yes! I'm that girl who was almost killed with her friends."

She pressed her lips together. "-okay? I was going to ask if you were okay?"

"Oh..." She rubbed her neck. "Yeah, I guess so."

"My name's Lilac. And you're the infamous Sunset Shimmer," she said.

She closed her eyes. "So you know both of my stories then?"

Lilac nodded. "The students here also told me that you saved them. At least now I know I have a hero here if I need one."

"I'm no hero."

"You helped save people you care about. I think you are one."

"Well I was also a villain in this world. And that's something that no one can forget. Even if they say they forgive you."

Lilac smiled. "I like you, Sunset. Let's hand out sometime. You know, when you're not in Massachusetts. I would like to be friends with you."

Sunset smirked. "Yeah, me too. Just make sure you bring 'raging she-demon repellent' in case I find a magical crown."

"Come to the bathroom with me," she said.

They went to the bathroom together, and Lilac leaned on the wall. "You know, Shimmer? I heard you were lesbian."

"I am."

"Well guess what?"

"What?"

She pulled Sunset close. "So am I."

Lilac pursed her lips, and shot up. Sunset melted into the kiss for a minute. Then they both moved back.

"So you'll call me?"

Sunset nodded. She didn't know any words to say.

After Lilac left, she turned to the mirror. Then she realized she had done.

My girlfriend was just murdered. And I just kissed another girl. I'm an idiot.

-

Rainbow moved in her seat. She could feel the stares on her back. I guess being framed for murder makes you a celebrity now.
It was hard to do her work. She asked to go to the bathroom.
After making sure no one else was in there, and leaned over the sink, and let her tears fall free. Her chest heaved as she breathed in. Tears dripped into the sink.

The door opened. A hand gently touched her back. "It's okay. I won't hurt you."

Rainbow turned. "Sonata?"

"Dash, Dusk. Same classes together. I knew you we're upset, so I followed you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine, thank you."

Sonata nodded. "Good." She wiped away the tears under Rainbow's eyes. "Now come back to class. Let them know that you're not scared of them. You know you did nothing wrong, and their stares can't hurt you."

They walked back to class together.

I thought I loved Sunset. She looked at Sonata. But perhaps I was wrong. What of I'm in love with Sonata?

She smiled. Sonata put her arm around Rainbow's shoulder.

-

Fluttershy sat in Discord's class. Why did I have to be placed in here? I really just don't want to see him ever again.

He was watching her most of the class.

The lunch bell rang.

"Fluttershy, can you stay for a moment, please?"

"Sure." Not like I have a choice. She waited for everyone to leave. "I don't want to talk to you."

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She glared at him. "The last thing I want is your sympathy, or any sympathy at all. You have no idea what happened, and you made it worse. I meant what I said that day. I hate you."

He sighed. "I'm sorry I left the baby for you. I really wish I could have met her. She was my daughter."

"You didn't want her."

"I know. But I still want you. Fluttershy-" he reached for her hair. "I love you."

She pushed him away. "It's too late for that. I don't want you in my life anymore. I don't need you. You broke me. You got me pregnant. If someone found out, you would be arrested."

Discord slapped her face. "And how would they find out?"

Fluttershy quickly kneed him in the stomach. "You're a jerk. I hate you."

She left his room, and went to meet her friends.

-

Lunch was worse.

People kept saying "I'm sorry" or "I understand" or "You're safe now".

No one understood. And they didn't feel safe.

But of course, they didn't know how bad it could get.

So what do you think of Lilac?
-Sara