Zak, a gang leader and Sunset Shimmer’s new boyfriend. She started seeing him sometime after New Year’s. At first, the idea of Sunset having a new boyfriend was exciting, but that changed completely after meeting him in person. This guy proved to be an incredibly disrespectful and cruel son of a bitch. He has no compassion for his poor suffering girlfriend and if she displeases him in anyway, he has no hesitation to brutally threaten or abuse her. So many of the students and teachers of CHS had come to despise him because of this. Unfortunately, their attempts to do something about it were all met with failure, mostly because Sunset refuses to leave him no matter how badly he treated her. Sunset’s five friends were the ones mostly affected by all this, they couldn’t stand seeing their friend put through so much torment and were determined to breakup this toxic relationship. After Flash Sentry, Sunset’s ex-boyfriend, failed in his attempt, the Five now had another plan to fix the problem. The five friends had just finished their last classes for the day and were just about to head out the front doors of the school.

“Okay, y’all remember the plan?” Applejack asked the group.

“Yep,” Pinkie Pie replied. “Thanks for explaining the whole thing to us during lunch.”

“I still think it sounds too risky,” Fluttershy said doubtfully.

“Fluttershy’s right, darling,” Rarity agreed. “The chances of this working are very, and I can’t stress this ‘very’ enough, slim.”

“Well, we’ve tried most everything else,” Rainbow Dash stated. “Besides, we can’t just give up. We’ve fought an evil she-demon and three manipulative sirens, a regular dirt bag human shouldn’t be too hard to handle.”

“The fact that he’s human is what scares me the most,” Fluttershy said catching everyone’s attention. “When confronting Demon Sunset and the Dazzlings we knew how to face them. But Zak is a human from our world, and each human is different and unique making us unpredictable and perhaps even more dangerous than the foes we’ve faced.”

“Wow, that’s pretty deep,” an astonished Pinkie Pie commented.

“Doesn’t matter now,” Rainbow dismissed. “What matters now is that bastard is making Sunset’s life a living hell and he has to be stopped.”

“Whatever you’re all planning, I recommend you don’t go through with it,” Flash Sentry suddenly confronted them. He was looking much better today now that his injuries were healing. “I assure you if you try to confront Zak you’ll only make things worse.”

“We appreciate your concerns, but Sunset’s our responsibility,” Rarity assured.

“More than you think,” Flash quietly said under his breath.

“She’s also our best friend, and best friends look out for each other,” Pinkie said. “Don’t they?”

“Yes, yes they do,” Flash bitterly agreed.

“Then that’s what we have to do.”

“Applejack’s got a new idea that should free Sunset from Zak’s grip,” Fluttershy explained.

“It’s a risky one, but it’s the last one we’ve got,” Rarity added.

“We gotta go now,” AJ said. “Remember, have faith in the power of Friendship.”

With that, the five confident girls were on their way to who knows where to enact their mysterious plan. However, Flash did not share their great confidence in this ending well for anyone.

“It’s hard to have faith in something you don’t see anymore,” Flash doubtfully said to himself.

At the Nightmare Moon Bar, Zak was sitting at a table and having a few drinks with his two top cronies, Scratch and Chunk. The gang leader was in a pretty bad mood and it was making his goons uncomfortable.

“Dumb bitch!” Zak bitterly mumbled. “Why is the process taking so long?!”

“Well boss,” Scratch tried to explain. “She’s tougher than she seems. Even with the ‘stuff’, it’s going to take some time for that mind of hers to completely break.”

“But we’re a little behind schedule,” Chunk added.

“Well, we wouldn’t be if those annoying bitches and that high school would just fuck off!” Zak angrily said.

Suddenly, the doors of the bar flew open to reveal the five angry aforementioned girls.

“Hey, Zak!” Rainbow called to him.

“Speak of the devil,” Scratch commented.

The five girls approached the table the three punks were sitting at. All five teens glared at them defiantly and without a shred of fear.

“What the hell do you want now?” Zak angrily demanded.

“We want you to leave our friend, Sunset Shimmer, alone,” Rarity declared.

“God damn it! Not this shit again,” Zak voiced his annoyance and frustration. “Don’t you sluts get it?! Sunset’s mine! She’d rather hangout with me than you. End of story. Besides, she’s not hear right now. She’s having another session with her therapist. So piss off!”

“We don’t believe that,” Applejack denied.

“Well, I don’t give a damn about the opinions of ‘your type’,” Zak retorted.

“What, ya got somethin’ against country folk now?”

“Oh no, it’s not that,” Zak said putting on mockingly fake exterior of politeness. “I have nothing against country people. But I don’t care much for orphans.”

Applejack’s defiant expression suddenly turned to one of complete shock and utter offense as the three gang members chuckled at her. Tormenting Sunset was one thing, but insulting her deceased parents was crossing a line. The only thing that kept her from unleashing her full fury on them was the importance of the plan she and the girls had.

“We didn’t come here to start any trouble,” Rarity said noticing the AJ was too offended to speak. “We came here to make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?” Zak asked confused and curious. He knew these girls didn’t have a very good opinion of him, but what deal could they possibly make with him?

“You probably know now that many of us have tried numerous ways to try and convince our friend to breakup with you,” Rarity explained.

“And not a single one of them have worked,” Rainbow added.

“But then we decided: if we can’t convince Sunset to leave, then perhaps we can try to convince you to leave,” Pinkie finished.

“Mm-hmm,” Fluttershy confidently added.

Zak and his goons stared at the girls in complete surprise for a moment or two. They never thought it would come to something like this. They couldn’t tell if they were really stupid or up to something.

“You. Want me. To breakup. With Sunset?” Zak asked confused. “And how do you intend to convince me to do that? Will you beat me up? Because I warn you that would be a very shitty idea.”

“What do you want?” Applejack bitterly asked. She hated having to stoop this low.

“Excuse me?” Zak mockingly said pretending not to hear her.

“What do we need to give you?” Rarity asked.

“What do we need to do?” Pinkie asked.

“To get you to leave Sunset Shimmer alone?” Rainbow finished.

Zak gave an arrogant chuckle. “So it’s come to this. What makes you think any of you are even worthy enough to makes deals with a guy like me?”

“You’re garbage who treats others like lesser trash,” Rarity retorted.

“Don’t act like you’re some gorgeous, high and mighty, self-righteous angel of justice or some shit because you’re not. Even if you’d like to be.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised at all the amazing things we’ve done,” a confident Rainbow boasted.

This caused Zak and his two cronies to burst into hysterical laughter. “Look who thinks she’s hot shit!”

“There really isn’t anything funnier than watching morons dig their own graves. Right boss?” Chunk chuckled.

“Especially when those morons are a group of high school bimbos who are too stupid to see what they’re doing,” Scratch said making the Five angrier.

“Or even what they’ve already done!” Zak added with a smug sinister grin which made the girls’ blood boil even more.

“Shut up!” AJ yelled unable to take it anymore.

“Stop acting like you know us,” Rarity demanded.

“You don’t know a damn thing about any of us!” Rainbow angrily said.

“Oh, but I do,” Zak smugly replied unintimidated. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Sunset. I’ve heard about your ‘heroic’ deeds in the past. No, I hear you’re overconfident and your performance sucks!”

“Let Sunset Shimmer go or I’ll kick your head off and use it for a FOOTBALL!” Rainbow furiously threatened as AJ and Fluttershy struggled to hold the tough athlete back and keep her from starting a brawl.

Zak put on a serious face for a moment. He appeared to be thinking about the deal the girls were trying to make with him. After half a minute, he returned to his detestable smiling visage. “Tell you what. If you all want me gone that bad, I’ll do it for free.”

“What?!” a confused Pinkie exclaimed. The others shared her confused expression. It seemed their plan had worked, but way too easily. They thought they would have had to do something to convince him to take the deal.

“See, I can be a generous guy,” Zak said proudly. “I’m supposed to meet Sunset Shimmer in the school parking lot tomorrow afternoon. I’ll breakup with her right on the spot. You’re all welcome to be there and watch if you don’t trust me. But I warn you, you may not like the outcome.”

“Trust us, Sunset’ll be a whole lot better without scum like you in her life,” AJ defiantly and confidently replied. But Zak only chuckled as he and his cohorts got up and began to leave the bar.

“Hey Rainbow,” Scratch stopped to say something to Dash. “I’m still single if you wanna hang out.”

“I don’t date assholes or pussies,” the disgusted athlete shot the gangster down.

“That’s okay. I’m sure your mom will wanna hang out,” Scratch replied as he continued to follow his partners while giving a mocking and lecherous chuckle.

The five friends were left alone with their thoughts. It looked like they finally succeeded in breaking up Sunset and Zak. But it was easy. Too easy. Zak gave into their demands almost without problem and he didn’t seem at all bothered. He was up to something. But what?

The following day, the Five had gathered in the parking lot that afternoon. Zak and his two lackeys had also arrived like they said they would and now they were all waiting for a certain red and yellow haired girl to show up. Zak was smoking a cigarette while waiting. Soon enough, Sunset Shimmer emerged from the school doors leading to the parking lot. Behind her were a lot of other students, including Flash Sentry, Trixie Lulamoon, and the Crusaders. Before this scheduled event, the Five had spread the news of Zak finally agreeing to leave Sunset alone as well as the place and time it would happen. A lot of students had gathered and were eager to witness this disturbing relationship finally put to an end. The only ones that didn’t seem very enthusiastic were Flash and the Crusaders who looked nervous that something terrible was actually about to happen.

As Sunset crossed the parking lot carrying her backpack, she noticed her friends watching her with great anticipation. This made her feel uncomfortable. Everyone hated Zak, that was no secret. But they didn’t seem too bothered by his presence today. Something was off.

“I’m ready, Zak,” Sunset said arriving to leave with him. Her boyfriend seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood today. Usually he looked annoyed and would yell at her for being late by just a few seconds, but this time he seemed disturbingly calm. Sunset’s nervousness increased as a sinister grin formed on Zak’s face as he eyed her. “Is something wrong?”

“Sunset, do you remember what the worst thing in the world is?” he asked her.

“L-loneliness,” Sunset answered with anxiety written all over her face. “W-why do you ask?”

“Sunset, I don’t think it’s going to work out between us,” Zak said.

Sunset’s eyes went wide with horror at hearing these words. “W-what?!”

“You’re too much trouble to take care of so I’m cutting my losses,” Zak coldly explained. “Let’s be honest, you’re garbage. A pile of hopeless garbage.”

“Douchebag,” Dash bitterly muttered under her breath.

“I’m done with this so goodbye,” Zak finally finished before signaling to his goons that it was time to leave.

The moment he said those words, almost everyone watching formed big smiles on their faces. It was finally over. Zak and Sunset were no longer an ‘item’. They wouldn’t have to pay witness to his cruelty to Sunset again. The Five were the most relieved because they felt Sunset would be truly happy again in their company and not have to endure this toxic relationship anymore. This felt like a time to celebrate.

“Good riddance!” Applejack said.

“Who needs that kind of trash?!” Rainbow rhetorically asked.

“Mm-hmm,” Fluttershy agreed.

“Don’t worry, darling, you still have us,” Rarity said comfortingly to Sunset.

“Yeah, you still have your friends,” Pinkie happily agreed.

Time seemed to slow down and the world seemed to fall apart around Sunset as she watched Zak and his henchmen walk away leaving her in total darkness. Immediately, memories of what happened last holiday season began flooding her mind. The secrets being posted, the fights and arguments erupting around school, all fingers pointed at her, and worse the heartbreaking moment when her five so-called friends gave into the belief that she was the culprit and turned their backs on her. She felt it again, the cold and painful feeling on loneliness consume her. Sunset began to take rapid heavy breathes of anxiety. None of the things her friends were saying to her seemed to get through. Then suddenly, she bolted toward Zak, fell to her knees, and grabbed the left sleeve of his leather jacket.

“NO! PLEASE ZAK!” Sunset begged with great anxiety and desperation in her voice. Rivers of tears were rapidly streaming from her eyes down her cheeks. All the students, especially the Five, were shocked and confused by this unexpected reaction from Sunset. After the horrible way he’s treated her, they thought for sure she’d be happy to finally be rid of him. “What did I do wrong? What do I need to do?” The gang leader pulled his arm out of her grasp and continued to stare down at her with cold unsympathetic eyes. “Why are you doing this? You promised you wouldn’t turn your back on me!”

“Not my choice,” Zak responded. “Your little 'friends' put me up to this.”

“WHAT?!” Sunset exclaimed completely shocked and turned her attention toward the Five.

“It would seem your 'friends' don’t approve of our relationship,” Zak said. “They don’t seem to like me very well. Can’t understand why.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this. Just wait here,” Sunset told him with a surprisingly composed tone. Usually she was very nervous when she spoke to him. Sunset then walked over to the Five and faced them with a very clearly disappointed look. “I know I’ve done a lot of terrible things in the past, and I’m sorry for that. But is there something about me that you all still hate?” The tone of her voice was beginning to grow angrier and it made the Five nervous. “Are all of you determined to make my life miserable when I’m desperately trying to turn it around?!”

“It’s not like that,” Rainbow nervously tried to explain. “We were just trying to help.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t!” Sunset furiously replied.

Those words hit Rainbow Dash a lot harder than anyone expected. Upon hearing those very words, the memory of when she said something similar to Sunset when she tried to help during the Battle of the Bands. Only this time, the roles were reversed.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to help.” – Sunset Shimmer.

“Yeah, well, you didn’t.” – Rainbow Dash.

While Rainbow was experiencing some regretful memories, the rest of the Five stepped forward to try and reason with Sunset.

“Sunset, why are you so willing to be that snake’s pet?” AJ asked. None of the Five could comprehend why Sunset would devote everything to someone like Zak. It didn’t make any sense.

“He’s hurting you both physically and emotionally, and he doesn’t even care,” Fluttershy added.

“You don’t understand anything. Do you?” the red and yellow haired girl replied with disappointment. “For the last time, there are no issues between me and Zak.”

“Then why are you having therapy sessions with Dr. Shrink?” Pinkie asked accusingly.

“We heard about that,” Rarity added.

“I’ve was seeing Dr. Shrink way before I ever met Zak,” Sunset answered.

This was a big confusing surprise to everyone. Their belief that Zak was the reason for Sunset Shimmer’s therapy sessions was now completely debunked. If that scumbag of a person wasn’t the reason for these therapy sessions, then what was it? What could have driven Sunset to this?

“If you had some serious issues, then why would you keep us in the dark?” Rarity asked.

“Why would you not trust us with this?” AJ also asked.

“Aren’t friends supposed to trust each other?” Fluttershy asked after AJ.

“My ‘friends’ wouldn’t had abandoned me the moment they got the chance,” Sunset responded in a cold and very pain-filled voice that caused everyone’s jaws to drop in shock and confusion.

“Oh no!” Apple Bloom muttered as she realized the truth of everything in an instant.

“All of this dates back to last year’s holiday season,” Sunset explained. “The worst time of my entire life, bar none. Do you all remember that? After I worked so hard to earn everyone’s respect and trust, after I helped you all win the Battle of the Bands, after I shared my deepest and most personal feelings with you, after you all made feel like I mattered and was more than just a friend to you all, WHAT did you say to me?!” The terrible memory of when the Five gave into the belief that Sunset was the secret-posting blogger, Anon-a-Miss, and mercilessly cast her out of their group without even hearing her side suddenly flashed in their minds.

“We trusted you, Sunset! We thought you were our friend!” – Rainbow Dash.

“How could you do this? After all we’ve been through together?” – Rarity.

“You—you secret-stealer!” – Pinkie Pie.

“No you’re not! You’re not the person we thought you were! You’re not our friend!” – Fluttershy.

“This is it, Sunset. You’re not going to take advantage of us anymore. I’m sorry, but you did this to us. Tell whatever secrets you want. But we don’t have to listen.” – Applejack.
“Every single word tore me apart!” Sunset tearfully explained. “Even after the true culprits were revealed those wounds still never healed. For a season that was supposed to be about ‘peace on earth and good will towards men’ it was filled with nothing but hate, torment, false accusation, and betrayal! And I suffered the worst of it! But where were you five when I was left in the cold and cruel world all alone? Where were you when I was sleeping in the library pouring out my broken heart telling Twilight what I was going through? Where were all of you when I was ruthlessly harassed by mobs of angry students falsely blaming me for the crap that Anon-a-Miss was causing them?! Nowhere! You didn’t even care how much I was suffering. How miserable I was. You didn’t even give me a chance to prove my innocence, you just decided that I was the culprit and that was that. You made me think I was like family to you all. Well, if this is how you treat your friends and family, then I’d hate to see how you treat your enemies!” Unable to hold it in any longer, Sunset stopped ranting and burst into hysterical sobbing. Everyone bared witness to this gut-wrenching and heart-breaking sight.

As Sunset sobbed, the Five had come to a horrific realization. They thought they knew what the situation was but they were completely wrong, AGAIN! The memories of all those terrible things they said to Sunset Shimmer when they accused her of being Anon-a-Miss and cast her out played like a big projector in their minds. Remembering that moment, and combined with the fact that Sunset was innocent all along, they now realized just how unnecessarily cruel they truly were to her. They thought Sunset had betrayed them, but in reality, they were the ones who betrayed her. Taking into account that she was left practically homeless and hated schoolwide, it was no wonder she sought therapy after New Year’s. Then things they heard from others in the past suddenly made sense.

“Well for starters, he understands and trusts me.” – Sunset Shimmer.

“I’m sorry, I can’t discuss my patient’s therapy sessions with anyone.” – Dr. Shrink.

“You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?!” – Zak.

“When you really hurt someone, don’t ever forget them or what you did to them.” – Sweetie Belle.

“Because we promise you they’ll never forget it.” – Scootaloo.

“You don’t know the true reason behind Sunset Shimmer’s pain.” – Flash Sentry.

“But Zak,” Sunset spoke after she finally calmed down and stopped crying. “Zak isn’t like you.”

“Sunset, Zak is–” Applejack tried to talk some sense into the emotional girl but was interrupted.

“I know some of the things he’s done to me do look pretty awful. But they are NOTHING compared to what I endured during the Anon-a-Miss fiasco!” Sunset yelled. “Let me tell the day when Zak and I first met. One day when I was sitting by myself outside the Sugarcube Café lamenting over what happened to me last holiday season, he noticed how miserable I looked and asked me what was the matter. And I told him everything.”
Flashback:

Sunset Shimmer was sitting at a table outside the Sugarcube Café crying. Zak was sitting at the same table with her. She had just finished telling him about Anon-a-Miss, how her friends abandoned her, and everything she went through before New Year’s.

“You poor little thing,” Zak said in a tender tone as he gently stroked Sunset’s red and yellow hair. “You’ve been through so much. Too much in fact. You deserve much better than those sluts who call themselves your ‘friends’.” Then he put his hand on hers causing Sunset to stop crying and look up at him. He gave her the most friendly and angelic smile she’d ever seen. “If it’s okay? I’d very much like to be your friend, and I promise you that I’ll never turn my back on you no matter what, Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset’s teary eyes filled with hope and her frown turned into warm smile. She felt that she’d finally where she truly belonged, and the person she belonged with.
End of Flashback.

Sunset then reached into her shirt revealed a hidden golden necklace that was around her neck. Hanging from the necklace was a colorful piece of jewelry that was shaped just like her cutie mark.

“See this?” she asked showing the necklace to the Five. “He gave me this the very next day. This is proof that he trusts, understands, and cares about me. Unlike you.” Tears suddenly started pouring from her eyes again. “I trusted you! I thought you were all my friends! How could you do this to me?! After all we’ve been through together?!”

“But Sunset, we are your friends!” Fluttershy desperately pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes as well.

“You gotta believe us!” Pinkie tearfully pleaded too.

“No you’re NOT!” Sunset angrily denied. “You’re NOT the people I thought you were! You’re NOT my friends!”

Zak, Scratch, and Chunk had been watching this tear-jerking scene unfold with satisfied grins on their faces. Then Zak decided it was time to put an end to this.

“Alright Sunset, I think you’ve made your point,” the gang leader told his girlfriend. “The truth is I never planned to go back on my word. But I’m afraid there isn’t enough of you for the both of us, so I give you a choice: it’s either me or them. What will it be?”

The tension suddenly quadrupled. Zak was giving Sunset a serious choice: either stay with her ‘friends’ or leave them and stick with him and his gang. Either decision would have consequences. For moment, Sunset looked to be thinking it over. Then she came to a decision. She turned around to face the girls. Her face was devoid of emotion. No happiness, no sadness, no anger, nothing.

“Sunset, what are you doing?” Rainbow nervously asked uncomfortable with the look Sunset was give them. She didn’t answer.

“No. No, don’t do it!” Rarity desperately pleaded realizing what decision Sunset had made.

“I don’t have a choice,” Sunset emotionlessly replied. Suddenly, Applejack grabbed her arm.

“If we weren’t friends, would we be able to do this?” the cowgirl said joining hands with Rarity, who joined hands with Pinkie, who joined hands with Fluttershy, who joined hands with Rainbow, who took Sunset’s other hand.

“Friendship Is Magic!” the Five chanted and prepared to unleash a spectacle of light and colors. But nothing happened.

“Come on friendship lasers,” Pinkie nervously pleaded. “Make with the sparks!”

A confused Zak, Scratch, and Chunk shook their heads in disappointment and disgust. Whatever this was supposed to be, it was absolutely pathetic.

Having had enough, Sunset freed herself from AJ and Dash’s grips. “This is it.”

“We can fix this!” Pinkie pleaded with rivers of tears flowing down her cheeks. “Just tell us what we need to do!”

“You’re not going to take advantage of me anymore.”

“You don’t want to do this!” Fluttershy tearfully begged.

“I’m sorry, but you all did this to me.”

“Please, just give us a chance to explain!” Rarity pleaded, tears messing up her mascara.

“Tell whatever excuses you want.”

“You’re more than just our friend, you’re fam–” a tearful Applejack desperately tried to reason with her.

“But I don’t have to listen.” All of the Five felt like that last line blew a hole in each of them. However, Sunset had one last thing to say. She reached into her backpack and pulled out her magical journal. “Let’s face it, Twilight’s the one everyone really loves. She’s your friend, not me. I’m just the one who contacts her when you need her. Well, I’ve decided to make things easier for all of you by cutting out the middleman.” Then she dropped the journal on the asphalt at the Five’s feet. “It’s yours now. I have nothing left to write in it.” With that, she left her five former friends with their thoughts and walked over to join with Zak’s group. “I’m so sorry about that,” she apologized to her boyfriend. “I’m sure they won’t try to bother us again.”

“I’m proud of you, Sunny,” Zak said in an uncharacteristically kind tone and gently patted her head. “You’ve finally found the courage to stand up for yourself. Now wait over here by the car. I need to ‘take care’ of a ‘few things’.” He then walked over to the Five accompanied by his two thugs.

Time seemed to slow down and reality seemed to become distorted from the perspective of the Five. All of this had to be a dream. A very very bad dream. But it wasn’t. Sunset Shimmer had dumped all of them for a creep like Zak, and it was all because of a terrible mistake they made about a little over a month ago. They should’ve known. They all should’ve known better than to think all that damage could never had been fixed so easily. And now because of their ignorance, they had lost one of their closest friends. All things must come around, and the Five’s unfaithfulness was paid back tenfold. The five girls finally turned their attention to Zak. All of their faces plastered with misery, remorse, and despair.

“It’s crazy how a piece of jewelry and a few flowery words can make someone think you’re their friend,” Zak mocked them. “But it’s even crazier how a few stupid photos can turn people against each other. Am I right?” But none of the girls responded. They just stared at him with the same pained expressions on their faces. “What’s the matter? Oh my god, are you all speechless?! That’s a first. I still can’t believe you all just turned on her just like that. Now that’s cold, even for a guy like me.”

“Stop it!” Applejack demanded in a weak and quiet voice.

“But I don’t want to,” Zak retorted.

“Why?” a tearful Fluttershy spoke. “What did Sunset ever do to you? Why are you so cruel to her?”

“I think the real question is ‘why not?’,” Zak answered sporting a very sadistic and proud grin.

“You sick twisted sadist!” Rarity shouted at him.

“Sadist?!” Zak said seemingly insulted, but then chuckled. “Take a good look in the mirror! You five cast your friend out like garbage, never once thought of the possibility that she was being setup, and you didn’t even care that others were making her miserable. I bet you actually enjoyed it too. You can’t honestly think any of you are better than me.”

“SHUT UP!” Rainbow Dash suddenly screamed and punched Zak’s left cheek as hard as she could. The blow knocked the gang leader on his back, as well as knocked his sunglasses off and his cigarette out of his mouth. Scratch and Chunk tried to help their boss back on his feet, but he refused their assistance and got up himself. A little blood dripped from Zak’s mouth but he ignored it and shot a very mocking and sinister smile at his assailant.

“Hell, you even forgave the real culprits so easily,” the sadistic gang leader continued to slander them. “I guess you all prefer anything over Sunset Shimmer.” That comment was met with another slug in the face from the athlete that knocked him on his back again, but the cruel gang leader still wasn't finished. "And it turned out the real culprits were just a bunch of stupid, selfish, lonely little brats crying for their sisters' attention. Pathetic, isn't it?!" Then Rainbow grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and lifted him off the ground.

“You’re wrong,” the athlete growled. “They're. We're. Not. Like. THAT!” She started repeatedly punching him in the face. “I’M NOT! I’M NOT! I’M NOT! I’M NOT! I’M NOT!” Tears fell from Dash’s face with each punch.

“Rainbow Dash!” everyone heard Sunset yell. They turned and saw Sunset glaring at the rainbow-haired athlete and holding up her phone. “Put him down or I will call the police on you for assault!”

After a moment of staring at Sunset in disbelief, Rainbow finally complied. She couldn’t believe Sunset actually threatened to call the police on her. Had their relationship really gotten that bad? Sunset ran over to Zak to see if he wasn’t hurt too bad. Now he had a black eye, a bruised cheek, and blood dripping from his nose.

“Are you alright, Zak?” Sunset asked concerned.

“Of course I’m alright,” he replied. “Actually, I’ve never felt better.” He then gave them the biggest, cruelest, mocking triumphant smile he could muster. He had won.

All anyone could do now was watch helplessly as Sunset Shimmer left with Zak and his thugs.

“This is all your fault!” Trixie accused the Crusaders. “You and your stupid Anon-a-Miss stunt.” Then she and most of the other students left.

The Crusaders all hung their heads in sorrow for their sisters and their friends. Flash gave the Five one last sympathetic look before leaving, he knew this would happen and cursed himself for being unable to warn them.

The Five watched with tearful heavy hearts as their former enemy and best friend disappeared abandoning them just like they did to her. Their plan had failed. Sunset was no longer their friend and they were all to blame for it. They couldn’t even summon the Magic of Friendship.

“AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!” Rainbow Dash loudly cried in shame over her own ignorance and powerlessness.

Author's Note

Well, now we know the truth. It wasn't Zak who was the reason for Sunset Shimmer's therapy sessions, it was everyone's actions during the Anon-a-Miss fiasco. But it did give Zak the means to emotionally manipulate Sunset. How will the Five fix this one?