The sun rose over Sweet Apple Acres causing the rooster to crow and signaling the start of the day for the Apple Family. Applejack’s eyes fluttered open as they slowly adjusted to her surroundings, She sits up on her bed and stretches her arms out. Unlike her usual mornings, Applejack wasn’t as energetic or excited to start her day, the heavy bags under her eyes gave away her lack of sleep. The events of yesterday as well as the fallout still weighed heavily on her mind. True to the student’s word, they had received calls from the lawyers of various students affected by Anon-A-Miss, demanding reparations for the emotional and psychological damage they suffered because of Applebloom.

And speaking of which, Applebloom was punished by first having all her electronics confiscated and she was only allowed to have her phone when she went to school, but from what she told her, Principal Celestia was going to deliver her punishment today. Aside from the six months of detention that all three Crusaders received, Granny smith also gave Applebloom extra chores to do around the house and she wasn’t allowed to help her in making the Apple family’s famous Zap Apple Jam this year.

Applejack recalled the stern talking Applebloom received from granny Smith.

Flashback.

“yes, I understand…..mmhmm...I’m sorry for what happened to your youngin and let me assure you that my granddaughter is going to get puni-…...yes...I know….okay then…..Goodbye,” Granny Smith hangs up the phone before leaning back in her chair and letting out a tired sigh. That was the eighth call today from a lawyer representing the family of a student who was victimized by Anon-A-Miss.

Granny Smith looks at her three grandchildren sitting on a sofa in front of her, Big Macintosh sitting on the left side, Applejack on the right and Applebloom in the middle. The youngest Apple has her head cast down, not bearing to look at her grandmother.

“Tell me little seed, what went through your head when you decided to create that account, humiliate yer sister and her friends then let Sunset take the fall?” Granny Smith asks as she looks at her youngest granddaughter.

Applebloom twiddled her thumbs before raising her head to look at her grandmother’s tired eyes, eyes that look at her with disappointment and sadness, “It’s because I was jealous of Sunset spending more time with Applejack, time that she use to spend with me,”

“Jealousy? Is that all it took you to do this?” Granny smith narrows her eyes at Applebloom, making her shift in her spot uncomfortably.

“No...I also wanted to get back at Sunset for all the bad stuff she did to everyone and especially Applejack,” Applebloom continues, the pit in her stomach growing as she watched her grandmother close her eyes before pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Oh Applebloom, doncha know that two wrongs don’t make a right?” Granny Smith opens her eyes to look at Applebloom, “And besides Sunset was punished for what she did at the fall formal, or did yah think that wasn’t enough?”

“No..it wasn’t.” Applebloom replied solemnly.

“Wait a minute granny,” Applejack spoke up, gaining her grandmother’s attention,”Principal Celestia and Princess Twilight mentioned that the whole demon thing with Sunset was all planed and that the teachers and staff were in on it,”

“Yes, Principal Celestia told us about Sunset’s plan to expose Anon-A-Miss. But she didn’t mention anything about Sunset turning into a demon again,” Granny Smith told them as she was indeed surprised to see that monster again, “heaven knows what that girl was thinking turning herself into that, as if she needed even more troubles on her shoulders,”

“What do ya mean Granny?” Applebloom asks curiously,

“That girl did a good job of hiding it, but I manage to see behind that mask she put up and I reckon Principal Celestia did as well. She may look like she was feeling okay on the outside, but that poor girl was hating every minute of it,” Granny smith tells her grnadchildren, “I saw the pain in her eyes every time she even spoke in that form, which is why she didn’t stay in it for long when she told them students to back off of Applebloom and her friends.”

Applejack’s eyes widen at hearing this, she had no idea that Sunset was suffering while in that form, she suffered to prove her innocence…..she suffered because of her.

“Besides, if yer intent was to separate Sunset from her friends,” Granny cast a sideways glance at Applejack who withered under her gaze,”Why didn’t ya stop when they cut ties with her?”

“I….I don’t know,” Applebloom says honestly, tears welling up in her eyes, “I didn’t want for it get as bad as it did, but people kept sending us secrets and we just posted the ones we thought would help us get back at Sunset,”

“Now listen up Little seed, ah know what it’s like to hold a grudge and so does yer grandpapi. He told ya’ll how much he regrets leavin yer Ma, his family behind ‘an’ how he wishes he could’ve been here for yer births ‘an’ especially tell yer Ma how sorry he is,” Granny smith closes her eyes as she fought back tears, “But he can’t, yer Ma ‘an’ Pa have passed from this world ‘an’ are no doubt looking down on us right now, probably ashamed and sadden by what ya did,”

Tears spilled from Applabloom’s eyes at hearing that, “Am’ sorry, am’ so sorry,”

Big Macintosh wrapped an arm around his crying sister, he always hated seeing his sisters cry.

“’An’ as for you young lady,” Granny Smith addresses Applejack, “You lied to that girl, told her she was family and then dropped her at the first sign of trouble. Is that how ya treat family AJ?”

“No,” Applejack answers, her voice filled with shame and regret,

“Tell me somethin Applejack, how do ya think Sunset felt when ya told her she was family only for ya to literally disown her the next day?” Granny smith asks seriously,

Applejack recalls Sunset crying on her knees, in the hallway as she and her friends severed all ties with her. She rests her face in her hands as she is being consumed with gilt and utter loathing towards herself.

“That also brings up another point,” Granny Smith started, “Yer web page riled up a lot of youngins, some of which wanted to forcefully make Sunset stop posting secrets. I reckon Ya’ll got a glimpse as to what that would have been like,”

Applebloom and Applejack shivered at the memory of the photos of Sunset all bruised up, they even saw her beating first hand, Sunset’s agonizing screams as Gilda repeatedly struck her, the cracking of her bones, and then there was the end result. Sunset’s body was completely smashed and she was no doubt in constant agony.

“It would appear that we have avoided that outcome, but never forget that yer actions have consequences,” Granny Smith warns, “An they affect more than just ya,”

Right on cue the phone begins to ring and Granny Smith picks it up, “Hello…..yes, this is Granny Smith speaking…….hmhmm…...Ah understand…..ya’ll wanna sue us to huh, well ah can’t blame ya…..mmhmm…..right…...we’ll see ya’ll in court then…..bye bye,”

Granny Smith hangs up the phone before rubbing her face with her hand, the Apple siblings have never seen their grandmother look so tired.

“Ever since coming home, we’ve received calls from lawyers claiming to represent the families of those who’s secrets ya posted, they are rightfully mighty upset over what ya did and filin’ lawsuits against us, which means we could loose Sweet Apple Acres.” Granny Smith tells them.

All the color immediately drains from the siblings faces, the thought of loosing their home which has been around since the founding of their town terrified them.

“No, not our home,” Applebloom says tearfully,

“Because of yer actions an yer Sister, folks now think the Apples are are nothin but dishonest, backstabbing traitors,” Granny Smith tells them.

“Horse Apples!” Applejack abruptly speaks up, “They got no right sayin that seein as they eagerly cast blame on Sunset!”

“That don’t matter Applejack, they can use yer treatment of Sunset who was the greatest victim in all this to discredit anythin we say or do to appease the families that avoids the lawsuits,” Granny informs them, “Ah Already tried,”

Applebloom couldn’t possibly feel any worse than she is right now, because of her, her family is about to loose everything, Applebloom cries even harder, Big Macintosh brings his sister close as she buries her face against his chest.

“Applebloom,” Granny Smith calls her granddaughter’s attention as she gets up from her chair and walks over to her and kneels down to look her in the eyes, “Ah know yer feeling terrible fer what yah did an even more so after hearin what ah just told yall,”

Granny Smith then wraps her arms around Applebloom and gives her a hug, “But don’t ya go thinking that I hate ya, I love yah Applebloom, I always will,”

Applebloom was shocked to hear this, but nonetheless it is something she needed to hear, especially now. She wrapped her arms tightly around her grandmother and sobbed on her shoulder, muttering apology after apology.

Granny Smith lets Applebloom cry her little heart out, she looks to her eldest granddaughter and smile, “That goes for you too Applejack,” she motions for Applejack to join them which she obliges.

“You too Big Mac,”

“Yep,” Big Mac happily wraps his arms around his family as they share a tender moment.

Flashback end.

Applejack gets out of bed, makes it and then proceeds to heat towards the bathroom, after taking a shower and brushing her teeth, Applejack gets started on her morning chores. Since Applebloom is taking care of feeding the chickens and pigs, that left her to feed the horses and cows. After doing that, Applejack picked up a basket and went to her family’s Apple orchard to pick up some apples and then went to the cellar to pick up a crate of apple cider. But as she approaches the cellar she sees Applebloom exit it and struggling to carry four crates of apple cider stacked on top of each other. Just when it looks like she’s about to drop the crats, Applebloom felt the crates become lighter and she realizes that three of them are missing.

“Don’t carry more than yer able to Sugar cube,” Applejack tells her little sister.

“Applejack!” Applebloom is surprised to see her sister.

“Why are you carrying the cider? You know that’s my job,” Applejack asks curiously.

“I just wanted to help make it easier for yah by taking some into the house,” Applebloom explains, “Guess ah couldn’t even do that right,”

Applejack looks at her dejected sister and sighs, “listen sugar cube, ya don’t need to be doing things for me, just focus on the chores Granny wants ya to do. Okay?”

“Okay,” Applebloom says in a low voice but Applejack manages to hear her.

The two stood in silenceuntil Applebloom speaks up.

“Applejack, do you hate me?”

Applejack was a little taken aback by the question but she understood why Applebloom asked, she sets down the crates of Apple cider and bends down to meet Applebloom at eye level and places her hands on her shoulders.

“Listen Applebloom, I am mighty upset and disappointed at yah for what yah did, but like Granny Smith said, I won’t ever stop loving yah and we will get through this,” Applejack spoke with sincerity and love.

A stray tear slides down Applebloom’s cheek as Applejack pulls her into a hug.

“I’m more upset with myself than anything,” Applejack whispers,

“But why?” Applebloom asks as she pulls away from the hug to look st her sister, “We were the ones who posted yer secrets, we were the ones who framed Sunset,”

“But we are the ones who were stupid enough to fall for it,” Applejack says bitterly, she still couldn’t believe that all it took was two post to get her to betray Sunset.

Applebloom wanted to argue more but Applejack silence her, “Best we hurry and not keep Granny waiting,”

Applebloom nodded and they headed back to the house, but as they entered the kitchen they heard Granny Smith arguing with someone on the phone.

“Now listen here missy, my granddaughter may have done your youngin wrong but I’ll be damn if ah let yah insult her in front of me!” Granny Smith yelled in at the phone.

Applebloom leaned closer to her sister, looking very unsure and even afraid at what’s unfolding in front of her. Applejack also felt sister press against her, like she usually did whenever she was afraid of something. but unlike the previous times, Applejack is not sure she can protect Applebloom from this.

Xoxoxoxo

Rarity sighs as she stares into her cereal bowl, she didn’t feel up to preparing her usual elegant breakfast this morning so she settled for...this. She cast her gaze towards Sweetie Belle who is sitting in front of her and taking small bites from her own cereal bowl, Sweetie Belle’s mood reflected her own.

“What did Mother and Father say to you last night?” Rarity asks.

“Just that I’m grounded and for you to take away my phone, laptop and every other electronics I own,” Sweetie Belle explains, “Didn’t they tell you that too?”

“Yes, they did,” Rarity answered, she recalled how her mother instructed her that Sweetie Belle is to be confined in the house with no means of contacting her friends, or anyone and that she should take away her phone and only give it back during school.

“But did they say anything else Darling?”

“Only how disappointed and upset they are with me,” Sweetie Belle answers softly, “They also said that I am to do extra chores and anything else you say,”

“Yes, well you won’t have to do anything else other than the chores they told me to have you do,” Rarity says which surprises Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle is surprised at hearing this, she expected Rarity to use her as a manakin for her clothes line “Rarity why-”

“Please don’t misunderstand my intentions Sweetie Belle,” Rarity cuts off Sweetie as she narrows her eyes at her, “I am still very upset about your part in making me a laughing stock and humiliating me and my friends in a successful attempt to get us to abandon Sunset,”

Sweetie Belle withered under her sister’s intense gaze but then Rarity’s look soften as she spoke her next words.

“But you are not the only guilty one here,” Rarity rests her head against her palm, “It would be hypocritical of me to administer your punishment when I have wronged Sunset myself,”

“But-”

“I understand that it was your goal to get is to disown Sunset, but we are the ones who foolishly fell for your ruse. It would seem that we have learned nothing from before,” Rarity whispers the last part.

Another silence descends over the sisters, but it doesn’t last long as Sweetie Belle speaks up.

“Rarity?”

“Mm?” Rarity lifts her head to look at Sweetie Belle.

“Do you….hate me?” Sweetie Belle nervously asks, unable to look her sister in the eye.

“No,” Rarity answers instantly, “I’m disappointed and angry at you, but I can never hate you Darling,”

Sweetie Belle’s body starts trembling, she wraps her arms around herself as she starts crying. Seeing this, Rarity stands up from her seat and heads towards Sweetie Belle, wrapping her arms around her and bringing her close. Sweetie Belle sobs against her sisters chest, her hands clinging tightly on her blouse.

“Shhhhhh it’s alright, everything will be alright,” Rarity assures her sister.

“Will it!’ Sweetie Belle mumbles against Rarity’s blouse, “We messed up really bad Rarity, everyone at school hates us and someone even tried to attack us in front of everyone!”

“That’s true, but Sunset protected you and I’m confident that she will keep you safe,” Rarity reminded her, she had faith in Sunset. Faith that should have been there in the first place.

“But she’s become a demon Rarity!” Sweetie Belle raised her voice as she lifted her head to look at Rarity,

“Sweetie Belle, don’t say that about Sunset, “Rarity tells her with a tinge of anger in her voice, she couldn’t believe her sister is still-

“But it’s true Rarity!” Sweetie Belle shouts with wide eyes, “She turned into a demon in front of everyone in the auditorium and she’s going to stay that way!”

Rarity was confused, she only saw Sunset transform briefly to that demon before changing back, “Darling, what are you-”

The sound of the phone ringing echoes from the living room and interrupts Rarity, she casts a glance at Sweetie Belle before she goes into the living room to answer it.

“Hello?…..yes this is the residence...mmhmm…..I understand, I’ll be sure to let them know…..Goodbye darling,” Rarity bids farewell as she hangs up the phone before letting out a sigh.

“Is it from them again?” Sweetie Belle asks nervously.

Rarity looks to Sweetie Belle with a tired smile, “Yes darling, it’s from them.”

The them Rarity is referring to are the attorneys of the families that want the Crusaders to pay for the damages inflicted upon their children that have been affected by Anon-A-Miss. Rarity saw a flash of fear and regret upon Sweetie Belle’s eyes before they were filed with tears and she began to cry.

“What have I done Rarity? Because of me our family is in big trouble,” Sweetie cries,

Rarity went over to comfort her sister, “Like I said earlier darling, everything will be alright.”

“Why do you say that?” Sweetie Belle asks, she couldn’t understand why her sister insisted on being optimistic.

“Because it’s the holidays, and you never know, we might get a Christmas miracle,” Rarity says with a bright smile.

“Do you really think so?” Sweetie Belle asks hopefully.

“I know so,” Rarity brings Sweetie close for a hug, but her smile falters as she realized that they needed a miracle to get through this scandal.

Xoxoxoxo

Bow Hothoof took a sip from his coffee as he, his wife Windy Whistles and their daughter Rainbow Dash and sitting at the kitchen table, but instead of the usual routine of Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles gushing over Rainbow, the family instead ate in silence. Bow and Windy looked at their daughter with concern, as Rainbow just used her fork to move her food around, staring blankly at her plate.

“Rainbow sweetie, are you feeling alright?” Windy Whistles asks with concern, she had never seen her daughter look so defeated.

“Is that Sunset girl giving you trouble again?” Bow Hothoof asks as he narrows his eyes dangerously, he had heard about Sunset from Rainbow and how she manipulated her and her friends to turn on each other. And despite Rainbow telling him she had changed, it seemed that Sunset was back to her old tricks.

At the mention of Sunset’s name, Rainbow stopped her stirring and without looking at her parents she spoke in a soft voice.

“Sunset didn’t do it,”

“what was that?” Windy Whistle asks, not fully hearing what her daughter had just said.

“Sunset wasn’t the traitor, I was.” Rainbow says in a monotone voice before getting up from her seat, “I’ll see you guys later,”

Before either of them could say anything, Rainbow left the kitchen and soon after they heard the sound of their door opening and closing. Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles didn’t know what to make of what their daughter had just said, but whatever was bothering Rainbow, Sunset was definitely involved.

Xoxoxoxoxo

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie waited by the wondercolt statue for the rest of their friends, both girls are still reeling from what happened yesterday as Pinkie Pie’s hair is strait instead of its usual puffiness and her color is a little dulled.Fluttershy had bloodshot eyes from crying, since coming home she went straight to her room and sought the comfort of her animals. But she kept thinking of how alone Sunset must’ve felt, how she needed someone to comfort her, to be there for her. Fluttershy broke down instantly.

Fluttershy was broken from her thoughts when she spotted Rainbow Dash approaching.

“Hey Dashie,” Pinkie Pie greeted in a less cheerful way than she usually greeted her athletic friend.

“Hey,” Was Dash’s only reply.

“Um, where’s Scootaloo? She usually comes to school with you,” Fluttershy asks,

Rainbow Dash scowls at hearing Scootaloo’s name which doesn’t go unnoticed by her friends, she opens her mouth to answer Fluttershy’s question but a new voice speaks up.

“Good Morning Darlings!”

They all turn in the direction of the voice to see Rarity waving at them with Sweetie Belle by her side, a truck pulls up behind her and the doors open to reveal the Apple family.

“I’ll be going on ahead of yall, stay safe little seed,” Granny Smith tells Applebloom,

“Yes granny,” Applebloom replies as her grandmother walks towards the school, she sees Sweetie Belle with Rarity and turns to Applejack.

“Go on sugarcube,” Applejack says with a smile,

Applebloom smiles as she hurries to Sweetie Belle, “Morning Sweetie Belle, Morning Rarity,”

“Good morning Applebloom,” Sweetie Belle greeted, happy to still be able to see her friend,

“Good morning Applebloom and you too Applejack,” Rarity greeted the Apple siblings,

“Mornin Rarity,” Applejack greeted the fashionista, “And good mornin to you too Sweetie Belle,”

“Morning Applejack,” Sweetie Belle greets with a smile,

The four girls join the rest of their group and Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked around for their missing friend.

“Hey where’s Scoots?” Applebloom asks as she looks around for her friend,

“Shouldn’t she be here by now?” Sweetie Belle asks as everyone turns to Rainbow Dash,

“Scoots texted me to tell me to go on without her, that her grandma will give her a ride to school” Rainbow explains.

Just then a navy blue car pulls up and an older woman with vivid orange hair steps out of the drivers side, the passenger door opens and its Scootaloo that steps out. She waits for the older woman to walk around the car and together they walk towards the School.

“You don’t have to walk me to the entrance Grandma,” Scootaloo insisted as they approached the Wondercolts statue,

“Now Scootaloo, after what you told me what happened yesterday, I want to make sure my granddaughter arrives safely at school,” Scootaloo’s grandmother, Stormy Flare reminded her, “Your parents will arrive by the time you get back and they have plenty to say to you,”

Scootaloo visibly gulped, she remembered how angry her mother sounded on the phone and how disappointed her father was, she broke down while talking to them and that they will discuss the matter further, especially regarding the lawsuits.

“Scootaloo!”

Scootaloo and Stormy Flare looked up to see Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, both looking very nervous in the presence of Stormy Flare.

‘Um good mornin Ma’am,” Applebloom greeted the older woman nervously, she didn’t know how she felt about them after finding out what she made her granddaughter take part in.

“Good morning girls,” Stormy Flare addressed the two young girls with a smile, putting them both at ease, “I heard from Scootaloo about all of your involvement in a smear campaign against a fellow student,”

Both girls uneasiness returned, but Applebloom managed to speak up, “Yes ma’am, it was mah idea and I dragged Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle into it,”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were about to protest but Stormy Flare spoke first.

“It’s very admirable of you to take full responsibility sweetie but from what Scootaloo tells me, all of you willingly took part in it,”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle says quietly but Stormy Flare still heard her,

“listen girls, it won’t be easy to fix your mistake,” Stormy Flare says as she casts a glance around her to see the students glaring at the crusaders with contempt and anger in their eyes, “But you owe it to yourselves and everyone you hurt,”

The girls knew she was right, Sunset Shimmer endured heavy scrutiny from everyone worked very hard to earn everyone’s trust and forgiveness, but with how easy it was to turn everyone against Sunset with Anon-A-Miss, the girls wondered if they will ever be forgiven at all.

Gasping is heard around them causing the girls to look around and see the terrified looks of the students, when they turn to see what they were looking at their eyes widen in fear at seeing demon Sunset approaching them, a sinister smirk on her lips.

“What’s the matter girls?” Stormy Flare asks in confusion as she looks at what they were looking at, but only sees a normal teenage girl approaching them,

“Hey, Principal Celestia called me this morning and told me to take you three to her office,” Sunset told them, her voice sounding monotone,

The frightened Crusaders nodded slowly and followed Sunset to the School, as Sunset past the Rainbooms, she didn’t even spare them a glance. But they couldn’t take their eyes away from Sunset. Rarity saw Sunset with her bat like wings and a sinister and deceiving smile on her lips. Fluttershy saw the demon staring right back at her, her demonic eyes boring deep into her eyes, Pinkie Pike saw a girl, completely devoid of happiness, heavy bags under her eyes, with tear stains underneath them, Applejack saw a normal Sunset with the exception of the knife stabbed in her back, causing a black substance to leak out and spread across Sunset’s back; Rainbow saw a beaten and bloody Sunset, her clothes are ripped and her left leg and arms are bent in odd angles, her eyes eventually fell to her empty eye socket.

Stormy Flare didn’t under stand the reaction everyone is having around this girl, “Well then….I guess I’ll see you girls later,”

Stormy Flare bids the girls farewell, which the girls managed to reply before looking back towards the school,

“C’mon, we’ll be late,” Rainbow spoke up in a low and somber voice as she walked towards the school, the rest of her friends following suit.

Xoxoxoxoxo

Principal Celestia sat in her office looking over the list of students she will be calling into her office when her intercom came to life.

“Principal Celestia, Sunset Shimmer along with Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo are here to see you,”

“Thank you Raven, please send them in,” Principal Celestia thanks her secretary and soon the door to her office opens to reveal Sunset and the Crusaders,

“Thank you for coming girls, I hope the students didn’t try anything to hurt you,” Principal says as she remembers what happened yesterday,

“N-no ma’am,” Applebloom responds nervously,

Principal Celestia raises an eyebrow as she notices the Crusaders shift nervously while casting subtle glances at Sunset,

“Is everything alright girls?” Celestia asks with concern,

“Yes, everything is alright!” Applebloom answered hastily,

“Yep, nothing wrong!” Sweetie Belle added,

“Girls.” Principal Celestia narrows her eyes at them,

“Well...it’s just...” Applebloom tries to say as she looks at Sunset,

“They’re probably just a little traumatized when I turned into a demon yesterday,” Sunset answers for Applebloom, “So they probably see me as a demon,”

“That’s...that’s terrible!” Principal Celestia was appalled to hear this,

“Meh, it’s no big deal. I’m use to it,” Sunset shrugs.

Principal Celestia did not like how Sunset just accepted this, she’ll need to have a talk with her later, “Back to why I called you all here, Scootaloo Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, in regards to your punishment for Anon-A-Miss,”

The three girls stood attention when Principal Celestia called their names.

“You will all receive six months of detention, you are forbidden to use the school computers unless you are using them for a school assignment and even then your activities will be monitored by Sunset, You are also to hand your cellphones and any electronic devises to Sunset who will return them to you at the end of the day,” Principal Celestia began, “Later on today I will call the school to the auditorium to see an anti-cyberbullying video to drill in the dangers and consequences of actively participating in cyberbullying,”

The three girls nodded, compared to the lawsuits, they were getting off easy, Sunset cast a glance at the Crusaders, it wasn’t too long ago that she was in their position and she hoped that they will learn from this experience. But even so, she was still upset at them for what they did to her.

“You may return to your classes now,” Principal Celestia dismissed them and they headed towards the door, “Sunset can you please stay for a moment?”

“Sure,” Sunset agreed, a little curious as to what the Principal wanted from her,

“Thank you, it’ll only take a moment so you girls can wait outside for Sunset,” Principal Celestia instructed the Crusaders who simply nodded.

When the Crusaders left, Sunset spoke, “So what do you need me for?”

“You have a way to stay in touch with Princess Twilight correct?” Principal Celestia asks,

“Yes, why do you ask?” Sunset asks curiously,

“Do you mind setting up a meeting with her, there is something I would like to ask of her,” Celestia says with a smile,

“What do you want to ask her?” Sunset asks while raising an eyebrow,

“I’m sorry Sunset but I can’t tell,” Principal Celestia tells the young woman which causes Sunset to sigh, “But I will tell soon, I promise!”

“It’s okay, if you want a private meeting with Twilight it’s not a big deal,” Sunset assures her, “I’ll send her a message as soon as I can and tell you her response,”

“Thank you, Sunset,” Principal Celestia smiles a gentle smile, one that reminded Sunset of her old mentor.

“No problem,” Sunset bid the Principal farewell as she exited her office,

Principal Celestia opens a drawer and pulls out her handbag, she opens it and pulls out a file folder, “I’m sorry Sunset, please be patient a little longer,”

Meanwhile back in Equestria, Princess Twilight is in her library reading a book about the adventures of Daring Doo, but she couldn’t seem to focus much on it as her thoughts kept going back to what happened yesterday and with the alternate versions of her friends.

Flashback

Twilight glares at the Rainbooms causing them to wither under her glare, “I can’t even begin to tell you girls how extremely disappointed and angry I am in all of you! I trusted you all to take care of Sunset, to show her how wonderful the magic of friendship is, but instead of being there for her like true friends, you abandoned her and threw her to the wolves!”

The Rainbooms visibly flinched as Twilight yells out them, they could do nothing but stand there and take it.

“Sunset trusted all of you, she wrote to me how happy she felt to be celebrating Hearths Warming with the po-people she considers her family and in tern thought of her the same way, But I guess she was wrong, we both were wrong,” Twilight mutters the last part, “Did it even occur to any of you as to why Sunset would do something like this?”

The girls remained silent, afraid to speak up. Rarity was brave enough to risk it.

“We thought that she wanted to hurt us again,” Rarity began, “She is very good at doing that,”

“But she’s also good at hiding her involvement too,” Twilight countered,

“Y-yes,” Rarity agreed dejectedly,

“I understand why you all thought it was Sunset and from what you told her a minute ago, you all still held scars of what she did to each of you, but it sounded like all of you were healing together, becoming stronger. But then you abandoned her without a second thought.” Twilight sighs as she pinches the bridge of her nose, “Everything you all did together, everything you all went through, the friendships that were strengthened as a result...amounted to nothing in the end,”

Tears welled up In Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy’s eyes before spilling over the sides of their faces.

“We are horrible friends!” Fluttershy sobbed,

“Sunset is right, we haven’t learned anything from when she separated us!” Rarity cried, her tears ruining her mascara,

“Some friends we turned out to be,” Applejack says as she stares at the floor in shame, she felt like the worst kind of scum there was, “We turned on Sunset after only two posts and cut her out of our lives so easily,”

Rainbow just wrapped her arms around herself and cried, her body shaking with each sob. Twilight watches her friends with sadness.

“You all aren’t the only ones at fault in all this,” Twilight suddenly speaks up,

“W-what do you mean darling?” Rarity asks curiously,

“Because you all are just like my friends, I assumed that you would be exactly like them and take care of Sunset. I was wrong and Sunset paid for my mistake,” Twilight explains sadly, focusing her gaze on Rainbow,

“We were never worthy of the elements,” Rainbow spoke up, gaining everyone’s attention,

“Maybe at first, but your actions as of late definitely made you all unworthy of their power,” Twilight says matter of fact, “The elements of harmony cannot be fooled, If Sunset was really faking her friendship with you all, then they would never have granted her their power,”

“I’m so sorry Twilight,” Fluttershy apologized through her tears,

“I know you are,” Twilight smiled gently but it quickly fell, “But I’m not the one you should be apologizing too,”

“But Sunset wont hear us out, how do we prove to her how sorry we are for fucking up so bad?!” Rainbow Dash shouts, tears of frustration and anger towards herself running down the sides of her face,

Twilight looks at the Rainbooms, she can clearly see how sorry they are and how deeply they regret what they did to Sunset, “I’m sorry girls, but that’s something you have to figure out for yourselves,”

With that said Twilight turns around and walks towards the door, she opens it and turns around to look at the Rainbooms, she gives them a sad smile before exiting the room, leaving the them to dwell on her words.

Flashback end.

Twilight sighs as she closes her book, there was no point in continuing. She then feels something wrap around her left foreleg and looks down to see Spike.

“Spike? What are-”

“You look like you really need a hug,” Spike interrupted as he smiles up at Twilight,

A smile spreads on Twilight’s lips as brings Spike close, wrapping her hooves around him and nuzzling his head, “Thanks Spike, you’re the best,”

“You know it!” Spike agrees, a tinge of red on his cheeks, he always loves it when Twilight hugs him, feeling the softness of her coat and the sound of her heartbeat always puts him at ease.

“Twilight!”

Both occupants of the library are startled when something flies through the door and crashes into a pile of books.

“What in Equestria?!” Twilight is shocked at the sudden crash, She instinctively uses her wings to shield Spike,

A head pops out of the pile of books and it’s none other than Rainbow Dash, “Hi Twilight, Hi Spike!”

“Rainbow Dash?!” Both Twilight and Spike are surprised to see their rainbow maned friend,

“It’s time for our weekly flight challenge!” Rainbow Dash says excitedly, “You’ll be racing against me, so you better give it your all!”

Twilight looks at how excited Rainbow is and couldn’t help but giggle, she lets go of Spike and walks towards Rainbow.

Rainbow Dash still has a smile on her lips as Twilight approaches her and is surprised when Twilight throws her hooves around her and hugs her tight.

“Twi is everything alright?” Rainbow Dash asks with a hint of concern,

“No, but everything will be,” Twilight responds, she remembers how hard Rainbow Dash worked to make up for not believing her during Shining Armor and Cadance’s wedding, always being there for her, making sure she has room in her schedule for Twilight, with the amount of time they spent together it was only natural that they grew even closer, but she wasn’t the only one.

“Hey Twilight, yah in here?” Applejack asks as she peers inside the library,

“Hi Applejack,” Spike greeted the farmer as he waved to her,

Applejack waved back at Spike before spotting Twilight and Rainbow, “Howdy there Twilight, hey there Rainbow,”

“Hi Applejack, what brings you by?” Twilight asks as she lets go of Rainbow to trot over to Applejack,

“I was hopping to catch you before you left with Rainbow,” Applejack answers as she reaches into her custom saddle bags designed to hold the contents inside which is an Apple pie.

“Ooh pie!” Spike says enthusiastically as he races towards Applejack but is stopped when he is lifted into the air by Twilight’s magic,

“Not so fast Spike, we just had breakfast and I seem to recall you saying how stuffed you are,” Twilight tells the young dragon as she sets him on her back,

“Oh c’mon Twilight, Just one little slice won’t hurt,” Spike pleaded as he looked at Twilight,

“Hmmm okay, but just one,” Twilight relented and smiled when Spike cheered, she levitated the pie and Spike to a nearby table, she summons a plate and fork and places them before Spike. She then uses her magic to cut a piece of the pie and give it to Spike.

“Thank you Twilight!” Spike thanked her as he was about to dig in but Twilight stopped him again,

“Isn’t there someone else you should be thanking?” Twilight pointed as she motioned to Applejack,

“Oh right, sorry, thank you Applejack,” Spike apologized as he thanked Applejack,

“You’re very welcome Spike,” Applejack tells the young dragons as she rubs his head,

“So why weren’t you okay before I got here Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asks as she walks to stand next to Twilight,

“Wait what?” Applejack snaps her head towards Twilight, “What’s she talking about Twilight?”

Twilight sighs before explaining to them what’s been happening on the other side of the portal.

“Are you kidding me?!” Rainbow Dash shouted in disbelief,

“Ah can’t believe it,” Applejack’s eyes are wide in shock before going back to normal, “Actually, maybe ah can,”

“What do you-oh….yeah,” Rainbow Dash realized that Applejack was referring to how they treated Twilight during the Canterlot wedding,

“It’s not the same,” Twilight speaks up,

“What do you mean Twi?” Applejack asks, it did sounded the same to her,

“For one thing my own behavior at the wedding didn’t help my case into convincing you all that Cadance was actually a changeling, and then there’s your counterparts,” Twilight closes her eyes as she recalls what Rainbow Dash tried to do to Sunset,

Twilight feels something wrap around her and opens her eyes to see Rainbow Dash’s concern filled eyes, Rainbow is never one to display physical affection but ever since Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding; she has been working hard to be more open to her, both physically and emotionally. Twilight nuzzles Rainbow, drawing strength from her as she returns the nuzzle. She then feels something else nuzzle her and shifts her eyes to see Applajack.

“Tell us what they did Twilight,” Rainbow Dash says firmly, bracing herself for what Twilight might say,

“Rainbow….your counterpart tried to have Sunset assaulted,” Twilight finally tells Rainbow,

Rainbow’s ears drop and the color drains from her face, her body tensed up which Twilight felt. She opens her mouth a few times trying to say something, but her mind is in total shock at what her human counterpart tried to do.

“From what Sunset told me and your counterpart admitting to it herself, a photo of her got posted of her kissing another girl and-”

“Wait what?!” Rainbow Dash found her voice as she could not believe what Twilight has just told her,” She tried to have somepony assaulted over a stupid picture of her kissing another girl?!”

“That’s another difference between you two, she’s not into mares or women in her case,” Twilight explained, she can understand Rainbow’s anger, it is a very stupid reason to physically hurt someone over.

“I get that I can be a little hot heated but…..to actually even consider hurting another pony is just…...and especially me...” Rainbow Dash grits her teeth in anger, she removes her wing from Twilight and flies out of the library.

“Rainbow?” Twilight is confused at Rainbow’s sudden action as she and Applejack follow after her.

They spot Rainbow heading into a room and Twilight immediately understood what she was going to do, “Rainbow wait!”

Both mares enter the room to see Rainbow looking around the mirror portal.

“Pony feathers, how does this thing work?” Rainbow asks in frustration as she tries to figure out how the portal works.

“Rainbow Dash, you can’t go to the other world!” Twilight states firmly as she stomps her hoof,

“Why not?!” Rainbow turns to Twilight, “The other me did something really stupid and I want to make sure she doesn’t do anything like this ever again!”

“You won’t have to worry about that,” Twilight tells her,

“What do you mean?” Rainbow asks as she raises an eyebrow,

“She’s already extremely remorseful for what she did and she’ll probably be hating herself to,” Twilight explains, if there was one thing she was sure about both Rainbows is that whenever they let somepony down they would wallow in a pit of their own misery and as much as Twilight hated seeing her Rainbow go through that, she didn’t mind the human Rainbow Dash going through it.

“That’s still not good enough, she wanted to hurt a friend Twilight,” Rainbow Dash pointed out,

“She was never truly Sunset’s friend,” Twilight told her bluntly, causing both Applejack and Rainbow Dash to be taken aback by the tone in which she said it,

“She still tried to hurt somepony Twi, a prank I understand but to even think about physically hurting somepony is crossing the line. Now are you going to help me or do I have to go through every book in this entire castle?” Rainbow threatened with a sly smile,

Twilight shuttered at that, picturing all her books thrown on the floor, the pages folded in odd angles, “Rainbow, if you even so much as touch any of my books without my permission, so help me I’ll-”

“Twilight!”

All three mares turn to the direction of the voice and see Spike running towards them with a glowing vibrating book in his claws.

“Sunset sent a message!” Spike shouted as he stopped in front of Twilight,

“Thanks Spike,” Twilight thanked her number one assistant as she lifted the journal with her magic and flipped through the pages until she found the new entry,

“What’s it say, what’s it say?” Rainbow Dash asks eagerly,

“She says that Principal Celestia wants to meet with me?” Twilight informs Rainbow as she is a little surprised and curious as to why the Principal would want to meet with her,

“Is it somethin serious?” Applejack ask worriedly,

“I don’t believe so, but I’ll find out for sure when I see her,” Twilight tells her as she levitates a quill to write a response,

Back in Canterlot High, Sunset Shimmer is dropping off the Crusaders to their classroom when she feels her backpack vibrate.

“I’ll see you girls after class to escort you to your next one,” Sunset told them as she bid them farewell, she rounded a corner and pulled out her journal from her backpack, flipped the pages until she found the new entry and began reading.

Sunset, I would be happy to meet with Principal Celestia. I just need to know the time and place.

Sunset reached into her backpack and pulled out a pen to write her response.

Okay, I’ll go tell her you agreed and I’ll write to you later to tell you the time and place,

Sunset waited a bit before the words of Twilight’s response appeared on the page.

Okay,

Sunset closed her journal and placed it safely in her backpack before heading towards her first period class, when she arrived and entered the classroom, every student gasped upon seeing demon Sunset enter. All eyes are on Sunset as she took her seat, her neighbors scooted their seats a little bit away from Sunset. The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly becoming very tense. Sunset paid them no mind as she took out her notebook and got ready to take notes.

The rest of the morning Sunset took the Crusaders to their classrooms, earning frightened looks from the students as they passed by. The lunch bell finally rang and Sunset guided the Crusaders to the Principal’s office to tell Principal Celestia about Twilight’s answer.

“I won’t be long so wait here,” Sunset instructed them as she told Raven she was here to see Celestia and was soon let into her office.

“Hello again Sunset, you have good timing I was just about to head out for lunch,” Principal Celestia greeted her student,

“Twilight wrote that she would be happy to meet with you and wants to know the time and place,” Sunset relayed the message,

“Wonderful, Tell her to meet me after school in my office. What I need to discuss with her won’t take too much of her time,” Principal Celestia tells Sunset with a smile,

“Sure, I’ll bring her myself,” Sunset offers as she bids the Principal farewell,

Sunset and the Crusaders made it to the Lunchroom and immediately all chatter stopped as everyone glares at the Crusaders, but their glares quickly turn to looks of horror upon seeing Demon Sunset behind them. They all went to the lunch line to retrieve their lunches, Granny Smith greeted the Crusaders as she placed the food they wanted on their trays, but when it was Sunset’s turn Granny Smith’s expression fell.

“Hey Granny Smith,” Sunset greeted with a smile,

“H-hey there Sunset, what would you like for lunch?” Granny Smith asks, stuttering a bit, Sunset’s smile unnerved her a bit.

“Just the usual,” Sunset says nonchalant,

Granny Smith nodded as she placed Sunset’s usual food on her tray, Sunset thanked Granny Smith and as she turns to walk away Granny Smith speaks up.

“Sunset wait,”

Sunset stops and turns her head around, “Do you need something Granny Smith?”

“I’m sorry fer what mah granddaughter’s did to yah and I mighty appreciate you looking after Applebloom and her friends at school, who knows what would’ve happened to them once they set foot in this school with all them angry students,” Granny Smith thanked Sunset as she wipes away a stray tear,

Sunset watched the elder Apple, she looked very tired, “Don’t mention it and you shouldn’t apologize for their actions,” Sunset turns her head around, “They knew exactly what they were doing and must now deal with the consequences,”

Granny Smith watches Sunset’s retreating back, despite what Sunset had told her, she still felt responsible for what her granddaughters did to Sunset, Applebloom was the one who created the account to frame Sunset and Applejack abandoned her even after telling Sunset she was family a couple of days ago. The consequences of their had a ripple effect, one that could cost them the farm.

Sunset watched as the Crusaders headed towards their table,she saw someone trying to be sneaky and stick their foot out from under their backpack to trip Applebloom, just like how she was knocked on to the floor. Acting quickly, Sunset ponied up as her eyes flashed, the students who are sitting at the table where the foot came from are shocked when Applebloom approached their table, the foot quickly retreated back in the table.

Applebloom was a little confused at the fearful looks sent her way but thought it must be because of Sunset, she didn’t know that Sunset had cast an illusion spell on her to make her look like her demon self.

As Sunset neared the table she stopped and glared at its occupants, “Don’t think I didn’t see what you tried to do,” Sunset placed her hand on the table and leaned close, the students pulled back as they stared fearfully into Sunset’s fiery demonic eyes, “Next time I catch you doing that, I’m ripping your leg off,”

The student who’s leg she threatened swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded furiously. Sunset smiled devilishly as she left the table, the students eyes are drawn to a burnt hand print on the table. A print that everyone can see, all except…

“Hey Sunset over here!”

Sunset saw Dumbbell waving at her, Sunset smiles as she heads towards the table that Dumbbell is sitting in. The table that the Crusaders are occupying is in perfect view from that table, she also spots Lightning Dust, Gilda, Snip, Snails and even Trixie.

“Why hello there Sunset Shimmer,” Trixie greeted in her usual manner,

“Hey Trixie,” Sunset greeted her as she took a seat between her and Gilda,

“So how was your morning?” Gilda asks before taking a bite of her sandwich,

“Nobody tried to mess with you right? Because I’ve got something to say to them if they did,” Dumbbell threatened,

“That won’t be necessary since everyone is to terrified of me, but other than that my morning has been uneventful,” Sunset tells them as she picks up her apple,” Though I have ti stay after school in detention,”

“Detention?!” Lightning Dust is surprised to hear this, “what for?”

“To keep an eye on ‘Anon-A-Miss’” Sunset explained as she took a bite of her Apple,

“That sucks,” Lightning says before taking a sip of her soda,

“Not really,” Sunset took a couple of bites from her salad before speaking, “I have plenty of free time since this whole mess started,”

Gilda and the rest of the tables occupants didn’t like the sound of that.

“Well since you have all that free time, how about you help me out with my amazing magic performances as my lovely assistant!” Trixie declared,

“Lovely assistant eh?” Sunset says as she raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on her lips,

Hearing Trixie say that gave the others an idea.

Applebloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo ate their lunch in silence, no one dared to say anything or risk bringing the attention of the students. However one student wasn’t having it.

“Geez did somebody die, you’re all super quiet,”

The Crusaders looked up from their meal to see none other than Diamond Tiara,

“Oh, it’s just you Diamond Tiara,” Applebloom says dejectedly,

“Seriously? Is that anyway to say hello to a friend,” Diamond Tiara asks as she takes her usual seat next to Applebloom,

“You still want to be our friend,” Applebloom asks, she thought that Diamond Tiara would sever their friendship over Anon-A-Miss,

“Even after we ruined your friendship with Silver Spoon?” Scootaloo points out,

“Yeah, about that,” Diamond Tiara pinches Applebloom’s arm painfully before kicking Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo, “All is forgiven now,”

“Thanks a lot, “Applebloom says sarcastically as she rubs her arm,

“Not that I’m complaining, but I thought you’d be really mad,” Sweetie Bell says as she rubs her leg,

“Who says I’m not?” Diamond Tiara narrows her eyes at Sweetie Bell, “We’re suppose to be friends now but you went behind my back and posted that picture of Silver Spoon wearing my necklace instead of telling me,”

The Crusaders bowed their heads in shame.

“But considering how I’ve been bullying you for years and all you did was post something that was to my benefit, you can probably guess which one is worse,” Diamond Tiara pointed out, “Besides my time in the lime light in Anon-A-Miss is nowhere near as bad as everyone else,”

The girls looked around them as the students glared at one another, once friends have now become enemies.

“Me and Silver Spoon made up though, she’s not here since she has a Doctor’s appointment,” Diamond Tiara informed them,

“That’s good I guess,” Applebloom said, she felt guilty enough that she ruined everyone’s friendships, especially the one her sister and her friends had with Sunset, she didn’t want to ruin the friendship she has with Diamond Tiara,

“She was mad at you though, but I told her she was the one who took my necklace without asking,” Diamond Tiara told them as she begins eating her lunch,

The Crusaders resumed eating their lunch, happy that at east there is still someone else in the school that doesn’t hate them. On the table containing Sunset Shimmer and her friends, Sunset watched the whole exchange and smirked before she resumed eating her lunch and listening to Trixie talk about how great she is.

The rest of the school day went on as usual, students fearing Sunset, taking notes in class, except that she had classes with the Rainbooms. Sunset felt their gazes on her throughout class, they looked at her with fear, sadness, guilt and terrible regret. Especially Rainbow Dash. No doubt seeing what her actions caused and the sheer weight of her betrayal would greatly affect her, especially since she was proven to be in the wrong, Sunset figured she would be the one to hate herself the most. When classes were over Sunset was thankful that the Rainbooms didn’t attempt to talk to her, she wasn’t ready to deal with them yet.

As the final bell rang, Sunset made her way towards the Wondercolt Statue, it’s surface began to ripple as Princess Twilight stepped through it.

“Glad to see you remembered to dress properly this time,” Sunset says with a sly smile as she notices that Twilight has on winter clothing,

“What can I say, I don’t like being an ice cube,” Twilight responds before they both start laughing and then embrace in a hug,

“It’s good to see you Twilight,” Sunset tells her fellow equestrian as she hugs Twilight tightly,

“Likewise,” Twilight responds as the two break the hug and begin heading inside the school, “So any idea what Principal Celestia wants to talk to me about?”

“I have no idea,” Sunset responds simply, “I guess she’s more alike to Princess Celestia in the keeping secrets department,”

“Sunset?” Twilight looks at her friend with worry, her tone suddenly became sad when mentioning their shared mentor,

Sunset glances over at Twilight and realizes how she must have sounded, “it’s nothing, just forget I said anything, anyway I hope you don’t mind going the rest of the way alone since I have to report to detention to keep an eye out for the Crusaders,”

“Sounds tough,” Twilight says sympathetically, she couldn’t imagine what Sunset must be feeling looking after the very girls who ruined her reputation at school,

“It helps that everyone is too afraid of you to even dare make a move or risk some horrible consequences,” Sunset shrugs, it was better to have everyone afraid of her than hate her,

The two made their way inside the school but had the part ways as Sunset headed towards the detention room while Twilight went towards the Principal’s office, She saw Raven who alerted Principal Celestia to her arrival. She gave Twilight the go ahead and she entered the Principal’s office.

“Princess Twilight, thank you for coming.” Principal Celestia greeted Twilight, “I’m sorry to have to pull you away from your duties as a princess but I didn’t want to alert Sunset to what I am doing,”

“It’s no problem at-” Twilight cuts herself off as her mind registered what the Principal had just said, “Why don’t you want Sunset to know, what are you hiding from her?”

“Calm yourself Twilight, I am not planing anything malicious against Sunset, I just wanted to get in touch with my counterpart from your world,” Principal Celestia explains as she assures the Princess,

“Why do you want to talk to Princess Celestia? Why keep it from Sunset?” Twilight questions, not understanding why the Principal would go around Sunset for a meeting with her mentor,

Principal Celestia reaches into her bag and pulls out a file folder before handing it to Twilight, “This is why,”

Twilight takes the folder from her hand and opens it, upon reading what it is, her eyes widen in shock, “This is...”

“If my counterpart is anything like me then she must feel the same way about Sunset as I do,” Principal Ceslestia confesses as Twilight stares at her, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile,

“This….this is wonderful!” Twilight squealed excitedly, “Now I can see why you didn’t tell Sunset, you’re planing to surprise her huh?”

“Yep,” Was Principal Celestia’s simple reply as she smiled at Twilight,

“I’ll go back right away and tell Princess Celestia,” Twilight gives back the folder to the Principal as she heads out the door.

In the detention room, the Crusaders are doing their homework as they wait out the time. Sunset is sitting in the back absentmindedly drawing something on her notebook, she wasn’t too surprised seeing a lot of students since they were probably here for sending secrets to Anon-A-Miss. They all cast nervous glances at her, waiting to see what she’ll do. Sunset ignored them for the most part, her mind began wondering what Principal Celestia wanted to talk about with Twilight and why she couldn’t tell her,

But I will tell you soon, I promise!

It was always later, she was always cryptic with what she really wanted Sunset to learn except for when she wanted her to learn humility. She remembered that mischievous smile of hers whenever she had something ‘fun’ planed, how she missed that smile. Despite being angry at Princess Celestia for denying what Sunset thought was her destiny, she never stopped missing her. She missed their magic lessons, stargazing at night, sneaking out of the castle to explore canterlot in disguise and any other crazy idea the princess had.

Sunset couldn’t help but smile as she recalled better times, she felt a warmth in her heart that spread through her body.

“S-Sunset?”

Sunset snapped out of her trip down memory lane to look up and was surprised to see everyone backed away from her, “What’s with all of you?”

Everyone backs away even more, fear is evident in their eyes as they saw flames spread out from the ground beneath demon Sunset who is on fire. Applebloom swallows the lump in her throat as she speaks up again.

“D-do you think you can tone down the flames a bit...please?”

Sunset raised an eyebrow at Applebloom’s odd request, but then it dawned on her what she meant, “Okay,”

Sunset replied simply as the warm feeling slowly disappeared, she watched the others relax a bit before they cautiously returned to their seats. The remaining time passed by without further incident and soon Sunset is making her way outside with the Crusaders where their family is waiting for them.

Rarity and Applejack kept their eyes locked on their sisters, their shame and the way they saw Sunset kept them from looking at Sunset directly.

“I guess I’ll see you girls tomorrow,” Sunset bids farewell to the Crusaders as she makes her way past their sisters and Stormy Flare,

“Sunset wait!”

Sunset stops in her tracks upon hearing Applejack’s voice, but she doesn’t turn around.

“Ah know yah don’t want to listen to me write now and ah know yah said yah don’t want to hear me say sorry but I just-”

“Then why are we having this conversation?” Sunset cuts Applejack off, “Why should I listen to you when you refuse to listen to me about Anon-A-Miss?”

You know what? I’m glad ah still had my doubts about yah because yah ended up proving me right,

Remember those words Applejack, you’ll soon regret them,

Applejack felt like she had been punched in the gut as she recalled what she said to Sunset, Sunset was right, she did regret her words.

“Darling we’re so very sorry-”

“As I’ve said to all of you yesterday, I don’t want to hear any of your halfhearted apologies,” Sunset cuts off Rarity as she reminds them of what she told them yesterday,

“It’s not halfhearted!” Rarity raises her voice in frustration, “I’m trying to tell you that I am genuinely sorry for what I did to hurt you!”

“No you’re not,” Was Sunset’s simple and calm reply.

“How can you say that?!” Rarity is aghast that Sunset actually believes she wouldn’t be sorry for her actions during the Anon-A-Miss fiasco,

“Because you told me yourself how you truly felt,” Again Sunset replied simply,

Rarity’s eyes widen as her mind recollected what she had told Sunset yesterday, she told Sunset how she resented her after the fall formal and how it never truly went away. Suddenly the Sunset she saw transformed into something completely different, her hair grew longer, multicolored and somewhat etherealized, star like glitters can be seen within her hair. When she turned around, Rarity saw that her eyes are a pale cold blue, with vertical pupils with diamond-like glimmers seen within. Her skin is a dark purple and she gave Rarity a devious yet elegant smile. Rarity felt that there was something very familiar about her but then it finally dawned on her who she is, a twisted nightmare version of herself.

Sunset watches Rarity’s stunned expression and for a brief moment wonders what she is seeing now, she pushes that thought aside as she turns back around and walks away.

As Sunset makes her way home she decides to take a detour through the park to clear her thoughts about her encounter with Rarity and Applejack. She spots a bench that is free of snow and takes a seat before letting out a shuttering breath.

“Is this going to happen with the others as well?” Sunset thinks aloud as she rest her elbows on her knees and runs her right hand through her hair,

“Hey Sunset!”

Sunset looks up to see Lightning Dust jogging towards her, “Oh hey Lightning Dust, shouldn’t you be at soccer practice?”

“Practice has been canceled due to the Anon-A-Miss thing and won’t resume till after the new year,” Lightning Dust explained as stood in front of Sunset, holding a soccer ball in her right hand,

“Oh, sorry to hear that,” Sunset felt bad for her friend, she was suspended for several games due to her reckless behavior that got two students injured and her suspension only ended a month ago,

“Don’t be, the team has been on edge lately because of Anon-A-Miss and after finding out that several of out teammates sent secrets to her, it only got worse. So coach Iron Will canceled practice until after the new year when everybody is a little cooled off,” Lightning Dust explains as she spins the soccer ball on her finger, “So how was detention?”

“It was nothing, but I can’t say the same for after,” Sunset sighs as she looks at the floor,

“What happened?” Lightning Dust asks with concern as she takes a seat beside Sunset,

Sunset looks at Lightning and debated whether or not she should tell her, but after seeing the genuine concern in her eyes and how she stuck by her during Anon-A-Miss, Sunset told her what happened,

“So they tried to apologize but you told them off,” Lightning Dust says simply as she leans back on the bench,

“That’s one way of putting it,” Sunset sighs as stares at the ground,

Lightning watches Sunset before an idea comes to mind, “Come with me,”

Sunset looks up to see Lightning Dust stand up and walk away, Lightning Dust turns around looks at Sunset expectantly. Deciding to hummer her, Sunset gets up and follows Lightning Dust along the cleared walkway. Lighting Dust leads them towards a soccer field that is covered in snow, she opens the gate and leads Sunset to one of the soccer nets

“You go over to the goal net and stop me from getting a goal,” Lighting Dust instructed her as she sets her backpack down on the snow,

“You want me to what?” Sunset looks at Lightning like she grew a second head,

“You heard me,” Lightning Dust smirks at Sunset, “I know you use to help Rainbow practice, meaning you’re familiar with playing in the snow,”

Sunset didn’t like that smirk and being reminded of Rainbow Dash certainly is helping with her mood, with a bit of reluctance Sunset did as she was told and went to the goal.

Lighting Dust bounced the ball on her knees, doing several tricks before kicking the ball at Sunset, Sunset readied herself but relaxed as the ball hit the top of the post. Lightning smirked as she mad a mad dash towards Sunset, she did a forward back-flip and hit the returning soccer ball, sending it towards the net. But she was surprised to see Sunset already in its path and intercepting it.

“So you saw through that huh?” Lighting was a little impressed that Sunset managed to block that,

“You said so yourself, I use to practice with Dash so I know what to expect from someone with your great skills,” Sunset complimented,

“Thanks for the compliment, I guess I don’t need to hold back after all,” Lightning smirked as she bounced the ball on her left foot,

“Bring it,” Sunset smirks as she prepares herself for Lightning’s next move,

Lightning Dust runs towards Sunset, going from side to side and passing the ball between her feet to confuse Sunset. Sunset watches her carefully, her footwork is almost the same as Rainbow’s but then again they are on the same soccer team, Lightning Dust quickly approaches the net and she swings her left foot in an attempt to kick the ball but she passes over the ball and kicks with her right leg, Sunset rushes forward to intercept her, but this is exactly what Lightning wanted as she grabbed the ball between her legs as Sunset got close enough and tossed it forward from behind, However instead of looking at the ball, Sunset’s eyes are on Lightning.

“Nice try, but I’m not going to let you distract me,” Sunset tells Lightning as the ball hits the snow covered ground,

“Can’t fool you huh?” Lighting crosses her arms as she looks at the ball still ball behind Sunset, “You know Rainbow Dash fell for that,”

“I’m not surprised,” Sunset says as she frowns,

Lightning realized her mistake and tried to salvage the situation, “You should have seen the look on her face when I first pulled it off on her, she was completely dumbstruck,”

Sunset frown was still in place, but then the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile, “You should’ve seen her face when I accidentally kicked the ball straight into her face,”

Both teens broke out in laughter, Lightning Dust was thankful that she brought Sunset’s mood up. Both girls continued to play against each other for the next hour before Lighting Dust had enough.

“Okay, you’re not as bad as I thought,” Lightning Dust complimented as she caught her breath, Sunset really made it difficult to score but she still managed to get in a goal or two,

“How bad did you think I’d be?” Sunset asks as she sat on the cold snow,

“So and so,” Lightning motioned with her hand, she walked up to Sunset and offered her a hand,

Sunset smiled as she took the offered hand and Lighting Dust helped her to her feet, “Thanks,”

“No problem, hey want to go to the mall, there’s a food stand that sells a unique treat and I happen to know the owner so we’ll get a good discount,” Lightning Dust suggest as she looks at Sunset expectantly,

Sunset simple smiles before voicing her answer, “Lead the way”

Lightning Dust smiles cheekily as she and Sunset head towards the mall, the two engaged in small talk as Sunset’s mood has drastically improved. Lightning couldn’t wait to see the look on Sunset’s face when she sees who they are going to meet.

Author's Note

So sorry for the delay, I got stuck writing certain parts for this chapter. Hopefully you all enjoy this extra long chapter, I got the description for Nightmare Rarity from the villains wiki.