>Everything's blurry. Eyes burn from the dust and ash.
>Breathing hurts. Our hero, Anon, is fairly certain that some ribs are broken.
>Once more, Canterlot High is under attack.
>But it was different in one way, this time.
>This time, Anon loved the one responsible. Now, he loved Sunset Shimmer.
>There had been so few hints, over the last few months. She had been kind to Anon, and he, in turn, kind to her.
>It began not long after her initial meltdown, ironically. It started simply, with the exchange of a few words of kindness
and encouragement from Anon to Sunset.
>After a few of these casual encounters, the two engaged in regular conversation. Discussions about upcoming tests,  
favorite books, things of that sort.
>About a week later, Anon had worked up the courage to ask Sunset out, and to both his suprise and delight, she accepted.
He treated her to an almost nice Italian dinner, some family run place where the spahgetti was too salty, the meatballs
were slightly overcooked.
>It wouldn't have been Anon's first choice, but it was the only place he could afford to pay for two meals.
>And it would have been a poor date, if not for the view.
>The restaurant was situated right by a river.And the owners were smart enough to take advantage of that, having most of
the seating outdoors, small square tables on the wooden platform, a thin clear plastic awning the only thing between diners
and the sky. The full moon illuminated more than the lightbulbs did, and reflected off the calm rivers waters.
>It was in this light that Anon saw Sunset Shimmer blush for the first time. Her cheeks almost matched the color of her
hair. He couldn't remember exactly what he said to illicit that response, but he did remember the smile that was coupled
with her burning cheeks.
>And so, Anon told her, "You should smile more often. It really suits you."
>He could remember the way Sunset nibbled on her lower lip before saying, "Thanks, I haven't had much reason to smile,
recently."
>This was just the first of many times that Anon would see that smile. Either out at dinner, or first thing in the morning
as the relationship got more serious.
>Sunset eventually grew comfortable enough around Anon that she introduced Anon to her friends, the five most popular girls
in school, the five girls who first showed Sunset, and I quote, the power of Friendship.
>Anon would have made some snarky comment about that, had he not taken Sunset out to an Italian dive pulled straight out of
a Disney movie.
>It was nice to see her making friends, and Anon felt great about the many nights watching B list movies and chick flicks
with Sunset.He had had a few friends growing up, but high school was, well, high school, and he lost touch with his old
friends. So, making this green eyed, singing vixen his girl was, for lack of a better word, heavenly.
>Admittedly, he also loved the sex. It was passion, pure and simple.
>Anon's neighbors hated it of course, because Sunset was quite easily the loudest screamer in the apartments.
>And every morning, Anon felt that his life finally meant something, seeing Sunset's fiery red and golden hair cascading
down her back as she rested her head on Anon's chest.
>But every now and then, there would be this brief flash of barely contained rage in her eyes.
>As if all of hells fury was being held back through sheer force of will.
>And honestly, he never thought much of it, having no real prior experience with women.
>As far as he knew, it was just a monthly thing.
>But when the walls at the entry way of Canterlot High came crashing down, again, and fire erupted in the courtyard, Anon
was fairly certain that wasn't the case.
 
>Anon raised a hand and wiped his eyes clear of ash. He coughed, and a few specks of blood decorated his hand.
>The other students were clammoring to reach one of the ajoining halls, leaving Anon alone with Sunset Shimmer.
>The smile that Anon had grown to love was twisted, more of a snarl, really.
"So kind of you, Anon, to help me regain my power! I dare say, you actually may have made me even more powerful!"
>Anon wasn't much of a thinker to begin with, but the concussive blast that threw him against the wall didn't exactly help,
in that regard. "Stronger? Power? Sunny, what are you..."
"Don't call me that! It sickens me that I had to put up with it for this long!" Sunset kneeled down, placed her hand under
Anon's chin, and raised his head, making sure to look him dead in the eyes. "And as for power, I'll tell you. Love. It's
the one thing stronger than friendship, and you were so eager to give me all I needed and then some!"
>Anon's brow wrinkled in confusion. "So, you're saying these last six months, you've just been using me?"
"Ah, now he gets it! Yes, darling, I was just using you. But you did help me, even though it was unknowingly, so I promise
to end you painlessly."Sunset released Anon's head. The rage in her eyes was tinted by a madness that Anon could barely
imagine.
>Had that been there all along?
 
>He forced a smile, and tried to laugh but, instead, only succeeded in coughing up more blood. "Well, that's nice of you,
at least." Anon groaned, and raised his hand to his chest. The ash thickened as a brief gust of wind blew some dying embers
into the ruined entry way. "Could you do me one last favor? Before the whole... ending, thing?"
>Sunset merely shrugged, her red leathery wings providing ample backdrop for the shadows cast about by the many dying
flames. "I suppose. Can't exactly turn down a man's last wish, can I?"
>Anon shook his head. he could feel his eyelids becoming heavy. "Smile."
>"I'm sorry?"
>"Be happy. If this is what you wanted, then be happy and smile. And I can't think of a better last sight."
>"Are you serious? After I used you, you just want me to be happy?"
>"Well, not dying would be nice, but I'd prefer to be at least a little realistic. And besides, Sunny..."
>Sunset kneeled down once more, and held Anon's head between her hands. She was nibbling on her lower lip again. The
madness in her eyes was still there, along with the rage, but there was something else there now as well."Besides what?"
>Anon's lips curled up in a pained smile, and he leaned forward, just barely pressing his lips against Sunset's. "I love
you, regardless."
>The last thing Anon saw before losing consciousness was a thin trail of tears rushing down Sunset's cheeks.
>And when he awoke in the hospital a week later, he would swear that the last thing he heard before-hand was Sunset Shimmer
saying, "I love you too, Nonny."
>And the first thing Anon saw when he woke?
>Was Sunset Shimmer, resting her head on his crappy hospital mattress.