The ponies started out, very simply, by putting on some music and dancing to them - it was basic, but also extremely fun. They each put one, each after the other, going from pop songs to one that were more alternative. They did this for a good half hour and enjoyed themselves a lot... Still, Emoshy started to worry when the sun started to set down.

- Hey everypony, quickly go grab your things downstairs, we will assign the rooms. 'Bot suddenly said with a mischievous smile, almost pushing the other ponies out of the room.

The friends complied and went to get their bags, accompanied by Dream - apparently the magenta-eyed unicorn expected them to have forgotten where they were left. When they returned, the shutters to both bedrooms were closed - even Dream's curtains were - and 'Bot told them where they would be sleeping. The plan was that Stardust and Emoshy would go to 'Bot's room while Ruby and Apple Wolf would stay in Dream's room.
Emo' understood why the robotic pony wanted her in her room, so that it would be easier to hide her secret and to protect her... But had her friend really asked that the mauve pegasus be specifically in her room just because she loved her more than she loved Ruby or Apple Wolf ? The little pegasus smiles; if so, it was funny and rather cute.
They put their things in their respective rooms and then took the time to prepare their beds, even if they still remained dressed. After they were done, they all met in the kitchen to eat all the good things that Dream and 'Bot had bought and cooked for them.

The kitchen wasn't very big, but the ponies weren't cramped in there - like the rest of the house, it was quite simply cozy. The walls were pastel green and the floor was made of black stone tiles, which gave the room a deeply peaceful atmosphere. In one corner of the room was a glass cupboard filled with vintage mugs, matching saucers, and multicolored glasses. And, above this cupboard, there was a simple black clock.

On the central wooden table, there were bowls and plates for all the different kinds of foods. Some salad, paprika chips, cheese and mushroom pizzas, small sandwiches, homemade cupcakes, also homemade milkshakes and candies of all kinds; there really was something there for everypony, it was almost a buffet made for princesses.
They were all having a great time; this evening was quite simply perfect and everything was fine... However, while she was eating a second slice of pizza, Emoshy couldn't help but worry, even though she knew that there was no reason for her to be.

- Are you alright, Emoshy ? Ruby asked, worried at seeing her staring out into nothing.
- Uhm... Uh... Yes. Emoshy said without fully knowing which of her friends she was talking with, disassociating slightly.
- Somethin' buggin' ya Emo' ? Apple Wolf questioned, standing next to Ruby, just as worried.
- Uh... muttered the little pegasus, while the world around her became a little less murky. N-no, don't worry Ruru and Wolfy, I'm fine...

Emoshy attempted to pull herself together : she was with her friends and everything was fine, she didn't need to be afraid for absolutely no reason. She really hated these kinds of situations, when she was so close to a panic attack without even understanding what the trigger could possibly be. She just wanted to be normal like her friends... She bit bitterly into a cupcake as she finished her thought; or else to just disappear.

***

- Hey everypony, if all of us are well satiated with our meal, let us go back to the bedroom to have fun. Dream offered with a soft smile. What do you all think, do you all agree ?

All of the ponies nodded and went up to Dream's room. Although, since the next game was hide-and-seek, they left it pretty quickly. Emoshy was the seeker for the first round - she asked for it since she hadn't quite recovered from her dissociation yet - and Dream was the winner. When the magenta-eyed unicorn became the seeker, the little pegasus was the one to win, even though Stardust was close to beating her.
Once they had all spent most of their energy, they decided to do something calmer to rest a little bit. The choice was thus to just chat about everything and nothing at the same time... Which quickly became a battle of whoever had heard the best gossip out of all of them.

- You will never guess what I have heard about ! Ruby exclaimed, striking a dramatic pose. Apparently, there was a marriage of two mares in the former village of Princess Twilight's first pupil.
- Equestria accepts this kind of marriage ? Stardust asked, feigning astonishment - she wasn't doing it well, it was obvious she knew more than the black unicorn did.
- That's a pretty good thing, isn't it ? 'Bot said with a mischievous little smile and a wink, making all the ponies laugh​​; was she implying that...?

Emoshy was trying to participate in her friends' conversations at first, but the advancing night was stressing her too much to make out her friends' words; so she was listening distractedly and completely lost track after wondering what the robotic pony had meant. And, honestly, if her friends hadn't started this new topic, she would surely still have stayed lost in her thoughts.

- I've discovered somethin' incredible while I was flyin' over Everfree, a few weeks ago, you are going to hallucinate !Stardust exclaimed for the attention of all her friends.

Everypony became silent to be able to listen to the mauve pegasus, flies could have been heard flying if there had been any. Still, unlike her friends, Emoshy was only half-listening at first, not thinking she would be interested in it... But she quickly began to take an interest in that conversation when the topic of it finally came to light.

- I heard some vampires talk 'bout their certain missing princess they needed to track down. the mauve pegasus said, to see what effect it would have. You understand what I mean ?
- Queen Nightmare Moon had a filly ?! all the other ponies exclaimed in unison, which made the little pegasus suddenly understand the real stakes of the conversation.

Emoshy didn't like this kind of conversation because everyone always made their nasty little comments and she imagined it would be the same with her friends, even if they had never had this kind of conversation before... But she was sure that this would be even worse to listen to; with a hypothetical filly of the most hated villain of Equestria as the center of conversation, the discussion risked being very tendentious.
She decided immediately that she wasn't going to say anything at all, although she probably would have something to say; it was like her DID, she never dared to tell her friends about it because she was terrified of being abandoned and being all alone again.

- Oh my god, with a mother as mean, ugly, and stupid as the vampire queen, even with a lot of effort she would be as wicked as Nightmare Moon. Ruby said with a chuckle.
- I think you don't even know the definition of subjective. Emoshy thought, saying to herself what she dreamed of saying to her friend, crossing her hooves. A pony doesn't necessarily become the same as its parents...
- Only wicked ? Ya forget pitiful 'nd petty, like all those retarded vampires ! Apple Wolf exclaimed before everyone in the room except Emoshy and Pinkie 'Bot started laughing.

Emoshy was now staring at the ground, not wanting to look her friends in their eyes anymore; it was increasingly difficult for her to hide how much this conversation annoyed her. She really didn't want to go against the grain, having insensitive friends was always better than nothing and they could change in the future; they had never met a vampire before after all.

- There's a problem Emo' ? Don't you find this funny ? Apple Wolf asked, gradually giving way to a flashback from the pony who had once said those words to her.
- No, you can't act like that and find it funny when it's very mean and offensive. the little pegasus said, closing her eyes in fear; if Flare hadn't been strong enough to protect herself, she never would be able to herself.
- Poor little one, you are still young and naive, you will understand when you are older. she said without showing any emotion, before a hit.
- No, I refuse ! Emoshy exclaimed, holding back a burst of rage to face her - she was afraid it would only make it worse. You might be assholes but I'm above that !
- You'll see, to live in this world it's k-... she began before an alter became co-conscious.
- Emo' is in the past, it's a flashback in your head. Glow said, trying to reassure the little pegasus with her motherly tone. You are with your friends, you are safe, I am with you.

The flashback wore off and Emoshy now saw that she was in Dream's room, although the physical pain from said flashback hadn't stopped. But the pain was the least of her problems; she was with her friends in this room, so they had heard everything without any context. The latter were looking very unkindly at her - no wonder considering the violent words the little pegasus had just said were meant to be for the abusers of the body - except 'Bot, who looked at her pityingly as if she knew what had just happened.

- Well then Emo', thus you do not want to calm down. Dream snapped, before pointing to her bedroom door. So, in that case, I think it is best for you to be alone until you are done.

Emoshy didn't even try to justify herself, she knew she wasn't able to; in her current condition, she would only be able to make sobs that would only vaguely sound like words. Defeated, she stormed out of the room - but was still trembling - trying in vain to hold back her tears.
She decided to go to the small living room, because it was the most reassuring place she could think of. There was a light brown sofa with pretty pink star shaped pillows on it, very cute and soothing. There was also a black carpet on the floor, which was soft and comfortable to the touch. Something that was less reassuring, there were a few paintings on the walls, keepsakes of her big family that Pinkie 'Bot had received from her older sister as an "apology gift" - but again, given the situation, that really wasn't something important.
To help pass her hurricane of emotions, Emoshy punched the sofa cushions several times, crying her heart out. She felt empty when she was done, which made her feel bad - she felt dissociated from her body, as if she was currently dissociating - but she imagined that this was always better than pain, whether it was physical or mental.
She really didn't know what she was going to do, what she needed to tell her friends... It wasn't the first time she had had a flashback in the presence of her friends, but usually it was less severe. Everything still felt like she was back there, she could feel all the sensations and pains, but she had never had a hallucination before.
She had always been aware that she was in the middle of having a flashback usually, heard and saw what was around her at the same time as the flashback was going on, so she managed to hide it from others without even having to think about it... But this time, because of the hallucination, she had spoken aloud and her friends had believed that there was an argument... What was she going to do, how could she explain that...?

- Why did it have to happen during now instead of at Fluttershy's...? Emoshy breathed softly into the cushion. Why can't anypony understand our suffering instead of judging us for our scars...?
- My poor thing, it's unfair that this happened to you. an unknown voice said. They can't understand your pain.
- W-who are you ? Emoshy thought, unsure if she was going to meet a "new" alter.
- I'm here to help you, of course, like the others. the voice simply replied. My name is Shadow.
- Well, that isn't exactly how it works, we all help each other, but you'll understand in time, so don't worry.Emoshy thought, smiling. Welcome to the system Shadow.
- Your so-called friends hurt you, am I wrong ? Shadow asked, voice filled with incomprehension. So why stay ?

Emoshy bit her lip; it was true that it didn't appear to be logical, it was maybe true that she shouldn't stay there. The little pegasus therefore went to 'Bot's room and took her things. After that, she put on the cape that was in it and left the house to go back to her cousin's cottage as fast as possible. She went there trotting for two reasons: even if it had only been a flashback without real blows, she was afraid of having real injuries to her wings anyway, and then she would get there almost just as quickly anyway.

- Emoshy, weren't you supposed to be at your friends' sleepover and not return until tomorrow ? Fluttershy asked, surprised to see her cousin come in. Was there a problem, angel ?
- No, I just prefer to stay here in the end. the little pegasus said simply, taking off her cape. Alright, I'm going to my room.

Once in her personal space, Emoshy felt much better; finally, she felt a little bit peaceful instead of completely empty. She almost immediately went to bed - having only eaten her small portion of "food", which she had taken for the slumber party, beforehand - and fell asleep fairly quickly.

***

Emoshy was again in this room which was bathed in only dim light. She immediately realized that, unlike the last two times, she could move her head and therefore find out a bit more about where she was. The floor and the walls were cracked and there were brambles; was this the old castle of the two sisters in Everfree...? Before she could think about it, the familiar voice rang out for the third time.

- Aren't you happy with yourself, that was what you wanted, was it not ? the voice asked so angry, as if the person she was talking to had really done something horrible. None of this matters to you, you only think of yourself, you are a monster.

***

When Emoshy woke up, she was only half-surprised that she was in her inner world bedroom rather than her real bedroom : after all, Glow had been triggered by the nightmare last time, so she was probably the one that was now fronting. She got out of the room and went to the common dining room, hoping there were other alters there she could talk to; she didn't know why but, ever since she had woken up, she had an intrusive thought that she couldn't get rid of... And so she wanted to distract herself with a conversation so that her brain could move on to something else - maybe it would work.
Luckily, there was Flare Spark and a dark magenta-eyed pegasus she didn't know - presumably Shadow - who were having lunch together. Flare was eating pancakes while Shadow had a raspberry pie, so the little pegasus went to get her berries before joining them.

- Hey, what are you thinking about Emoshy ? Shadow asked, immediately ending her conversation with the crimson red pegasus.
- I can't get an intrusive thought out of my head, yes I know, not very productive. Emoshy sighed, her voice shaking even in the inner world. It makes me really uncomfortable, because it's about...
- About getting revenge ? Shadow finished, opening her wings to go sit next to Emoshy.
- W-what...? asked the little pegasus, surprised that she had managed to guess it so easily. I... Yes.
- Well, of course you have to show them your anger instead of letting it rot inside you... Flare began, biting her lip. But nothing extreme, of course, right Emo'...?
- Do you really think she would be able to do anything that you would consider extreme ? Shadow asked, laughing. Of course not.

Emoshy pouted; sure, her intrusive thought was not something violent, but it did not seem less extreme to her however. This thought was about replacing her friends, a crazy reaction since it had only been a simple misunderstanding - no one was really at fault in the story, it was something complex... Not only was her own morality against it, but in addition her cousin had always told her to forgive without thinking about the past.

- Emo', you've been going through this for too long alone, it's time to express your hatred ! Shadow exclaimed, an ill smirk lighting up her face. They will see that you are a strong pegasus who isn't afraid of anything.

Emoshy finished her food without taking her eyes off of Shadow, feeling dubious; was that really necessary just for that...? Still, the words of the magenta-eyed pegasus were somewhat tempting, if only so that she would be able to appear strong once in her life... Besides, maybe it wasn't as extreme as she thought originally, she could for example just be a little less close to the group instead of cutting them off completely.
She heard Flare get up - probably to go listen to some punk music in her room - but she was too busy watching Shadow, who was smiling at her as if waiting for an answer. The little pegasus smiled shyly at her; the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea - despite the great guilt it caused.

- And I have the perfect idea, trust me. Shadow said, with an evil laugh. I'll take care of everything, don't worry.

In the inner world, Shadow's eyes glowed a dark magenta that was warm yet unsettling nonetheless. A sinister grin graced her face, filled with confidence and power, a grin that Emoshy mimicked to perfection; it was okay, she would let Shadow help her show that she was strong now.