Chapter Text
[ Trigger warning: Drowning ]
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Sunset opened her eyes slowly, the first moments of consciousness draped in a heavy veil of confusion. As her vision began to adjust to the blackness, she found herself lying on a vast expanse of water, its surface smooth and eerily still, reflecting the deep, inky blackness that enveloped her. The place was thick with an unsettling silence, each breath she took feeling heavy and laden with an unshakable sense of unease.
"Where... where am I?" she wondered aloud, the words echoed softly, swallowed almost immediately by the gloom that surrounded her. She sat up, the cold water lapping gently at her sides, sending ripples across the otherwise tranquil surface.
"H-hello?" she called out tentatively, her heart racing in her chest as she strained to see anything beyond her immediate vicinity, "Is someone else out there?" the hope in her tone flickered like a candle in the wind and she wished desperately for an answer, for another presence in the desolate abyss, "What is this place...?" she murmured, looking around frantically, trying to discern any details that might offer her a clue about her surroundings.
The sensation of isolation washed over her, as if the darkness itself were a living entity, wrapping her and pulling her deeper into its depths. She felt a strange mixture of fear and curiosity, her mind racing with questions, unanswered. As she scanned the horizon, the absence of light made it nearly impossible to gauge the distance or the boundaries of this mysterious realm. The stillness was oppressive, even the gentle sound of water under her feet felt like an intrusion upon the quiet.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence, laced with disappointment and accusation, "You really thought you could do it, didn't you?" the familiar tone startled Sunset, causing her breath to hitch in her throat.
"Twilight?" she called out and instinctively turned, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl who had been her confidante and ally through their many trials. But there was nothing. She was utterly alone.
As the stillness returned, a new one erupted from the shadows, sharp and filled with rage, "This is all your fault!" cried Pinkie Pie through the void. Sunset whirled around again, squinting into the depths, but there was no sign of her friends.
"Why did you do this to us?" questioned Fluttershy with sorrow and bewilderment.
"We shouldn't have trusted ya." Applejack chimed in, resolute and firm, laden with disappointment.
"Guys...? What are you talking about?!" Sunset cried out, her desperation rising like a tidal wave.
"Can't believe we fell for your tricks!" Rainbow Dash followed.
"Because of you... now everyone is in danger!" Rarity added. The unyielding dusk around the confused girl felt alive, vibrating with the ghostly echoes of her friends' accusations.
"I don't understand! What's going on?!" the water beneath her swayed rhythmically, each gentle wave mocking her helplessness. The overwhelming sense of isolation began to seep into her, a realization dawning that perhaps this was more than just a dream or nightmare.
Unexpectedly, the sound of footsteps gliding over liquid approached her, piercing through the hazy silence and catching her off guard. A chill of unease ran down her spine, causing her body to tense up instinctively. She turned, only to see the imposing silhouette of the legendary leader of the Autobots and her guardian, Optimus Prime. His towering form stood motionless in the murky distance, shrouded in shadows, his back turned to her as if he were a statue carved from anguish. Each second that passed felt like an eternity and the stillness of his figure began to claw at her insides, heightening her unease to the point where she could feel the tension in the atmosphere thickening.
Nervously, she took a few hesitant steps closer, her body trembling as she broke the silence, "Optimus...?" the name felt fragile on her tongue, laden with the weight of uncertainty.
"It seems I was wrong..." the immense form of the Prime began to shift slowly and the teenager abruptly halted in her tracks, dread pooling in her stomach. She watched in a mix of fear and disbelief as he turned his helm to face her.
When their gazes finally met, she froze in place. His expression was shadowed by disappointment and something deeperโ something that chilled her to her core. As he glared down at her, she instinctively took several fearful steps back, "You have failed us all, Sunset." he intoned, each word carefully measured and heavy with meaning. Her pulse quickened as she stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling the weight of his displeasure bearing down upon her.
"I'm very disappointed in you..." he continued and those words sliced through her like ice.
Confusion washed over her, "W-what..?" she felt as if she had been plunged into a cold, dark abyss, unable to comprehend the gravity of his accusation. His form began to ripple and fade into the encroaching shadows.
"W-Where are you going?! Optimus!" she cried out, desperate to reach him, "Come back!" she sprinted forward, her strides fueled by alarm and a desperate need for closure. But just as she neared him, he vanished entirely from her sight, as if he had been nothing but a cruel mirage. Stumbling, she fell to her knees, the water splashing around her and soaking her with both chill and despair.
The reality of her situation crashed over her like a tidal wave, leaving her breathless. Her hands trembled as she braced herself on the liquid surface and rapid breaths escaped her lips, each inhalation more frantic than the last. Her thoughts turned chaotic, racing from one fearful possibility to another, "Someone tell me what's happening!" she pleaded desperately into the empty void, her yell echoing back to her in mocking whispers.
"Guys?!" she called out, her shout rising in pitch, filled with desperation as she searched for familiar facesโ anyone who could provide an explanation, who could pull her back from the brink of this surreal nightmare. The weight of uncertainty settled heavily upon her, entwining her in a web of fear as she continued scanning the area, praying for a sign, a glimmer of hope or a friendly face to reassure her that this was all just a bad dream.
Out of nowhere, an invisible force gripped her, rendering her immobile as she stood frozen in a state of confusion and fear. Time seemed to slow as she glanced down at the horrifying sight before her. The water swirling around her legs was creeping upward, lapping against her skin like a restless creature intent on consuming her whole. Anxiety clawed at her throat as she felt the embrace of the cold liquid, its sinister pull dragging her further into its depths.
She struggled and wriggled with all her might, her body thrashing against the invisible bond that held her captive. Each movement felt futile as she sank deeper into the abyss, the water enveloping her like a shroud. Every desperate twist and turn brought with it a drowning sensation, the dimness mercilessly tugging at her as though its depths were determined to claim her.
As distress washed over her, she let out a series of panicked cries for help, hoping that someone would hear her pleas and come to her rescue. Yet the only response was the oppressive silence, thick and suffocating.
Before she could succumb entirely to the chilly clutches of the water, a horrifying sight was above the girlโ two pairs of bright red eyes staring down at her, glimmering like malevolent stars in the dark. They were filled with a predatory hunger that sent a shiver down her spine. Out of nowhere, a strange yet eerily familiar female voice was heard, it sent a jolt of recognition and dread that coursed through her veins.
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"All of this happened, no thanks to you.
Sunset Shimmer. "
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The words dripped with venom, each syllable twisting the knife of horror that had lodged itself in her chest. An ominous, mocking laugh rose from the depths, wrapping her like a choking vine. It was a sound laden with malice, a haunting reminder of past failures.
"No... No!" Sunset clawed at the flat, swirling surface of the water, desperately trying to grab onto somethingโanythingโthat could pull her back to safety. Yet, every attempt only reinforced the hopelessness of her situation, the liquid rushing around her, threatening to engulf her entirely.
As she felt her head begin to slip below the surface, the weight of her fears pressed down on her, blocking out all rational thought. Her vision blurred and darkened, the frantic gasps turning into a mere whisper as silence began to descend upon her world. The haunting glow of those red eyes grew dimmer, eclipsed by the all-consuming dullness that awaited her. It felt as though time itself had stilled, and the last vestiges of her breaths mingled with the oppressive water that sought to claim her.
In that final moment, just before everything faded away, a wave of overwhelming terror surged through her. The cold liquid closed in, swallowing her whole, as she squeezed her eyes shut, her last thoughts consumed by fear and regret.
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"NO!"
In an instant, her eyes flew open and her head shot up, instinctively clutching the fabric over her heart, which thundered violently against her ribcage like a frantic drum. Each rapid, shallow breath she took felt like a gulp of cool air in a suffocating room, desperate and uneven.
Panic clung to her like a second skin as she surveyed her surroundings. The familiarity of her room, with its posters of her favorite bands plastered on the walls and the clutter of various school supplies strewn across her desk, provided a sharp contrast to the chaos of her dreams. Light from her desk lamp casted long shadows that danced ominously across her bedroom. The cozy environment provided little comfort now, instead, it felt like a fragile bubble, teetering on the edge of a reality she desperately wanted to escape.
Her heart gradually began to slow as her gaze fell upon the alarm clock nestled amid the chaos on her nightstand. The unmistakable glow of red numbers confirmed it was the dead of night.
2:47 AM.
The stillness of the hour only reinforced the notionโ she had just endured a nightmare, another unwelcome visit from the depths of her subconscious.
With a weary sigh, she glanced at her journal sprawled open on the desk, filled with sketches and half-finished narratives that had been her escape in daylight hours. Pages were scattered wildly around, a testament to her frantic attempts to exorcise her thoughts, to capture her swirling emotions in ink before they consumed her. She leaned heavily against the edge of her chair, her palm pressing against her forehead, seeking relief from the dull ache that throbbed there.
During that moment, a series of soft, rhythmic taps broke through the heavy silence of the room, drawing her attention. Confusion flickered across her face as she turned instinctively toward the sound. It took her a second to gather herself and rise from the seat, heading to the window. With trembling fingers, she raised the blinds and was met with an unexpected sight that sent a rush of warmth through her.
On the other side of the glass stood her guardian, Optimus, crouched low, his towering frame gracefully bending to meet her gaze. His bright neon blue optics, typically filled with wisdom and authority, now shimmered with a palpable worry. His digit was poised near the glass, as if he had just tapped lightly, signaling she should open the window.
The moment she appeared, however, he withdrew slightly, maintaining a respectful distance as if he understood her need for space. His presence was a beacon of comfort and strength in her tumultuous world, "Optimus...?" she called out as she opened the windows.
Slowly, the Autobot lowered his massive frame onto one knee, his optics narrowing ever so slightly as he studied her, searching the depths of her expression for signs of distress, "Sunset, are you alright?"
The girl hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground as if searching for the right words among the scattered debris of her thoughts, "I..." she faltered, "Yeah, I'm okay." but the uncertainty in her tone betrayed her brave facade. She couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was troubling her.
"Are you certain?" the Prime probed gently, sensing the unease that lingered beneath her words, "I heard a scream. Were you harmed in any way?" as he uttered the question, he noticed a slight tremor ripple through her small body and his gaze softened in sympathy, "Little one..." he whispered, the term of endearment flowing from him like a protective shield.
The young girl, overwhelmed, could no longer contain herself. Silent sobs began to escape her lips, each one a reflection of the turmoil swirling within her. Her tears glistened as they streamed down her cheeks, creating a poignant contrast against her youthful skin. In an instinctive gesture of comfort, the Cybertronian placed his sturdy servos around her tiny, trembling form, lifting her gently in a protective embrace.
"It was so real..." she finally admitted, her voice quivering with vulnerability and fear. The admission hung heavy in the air, each word weighty with the emotional burden she bore. All Optimus could do was hold her close, his spark aching for her distress. He felt an urgent need to reassure her but was at a loss for the right words.
Instead, he chose silence, letting his presence speak volumes. With care, he began to caress her back with his enormous servos, creating a rhythmic, soothing motion meant to calm her storm of emotions. She leaned into his embrace, the warmth and strength of the warrior seemed to envelop her.
He wished he could take away her pain, to shield her from whatever demons haunted her dreams.