Sunset waited by the Wondercolts statue. Her day had not been a good one. Yesterday, her friends had turned their backs on her, accusing her of being Anon-A-Miss. They refused to give her a chance to explain, claiming she was never their friend. And then, after that, the whole school turned on her, thinking she had gone back to her old ways.
And now Anon-A-Miss was not just satisfied with posting stuff about her friends, but about other students too, and everyone was pointing their fingers at Sunset. Sunset retreated into the library so she could be alone and wrote to Twilight who wrote back that she might have an idea on how to solve Sunset’s problem.
Sunset also managed to figure out who Anon-A-Miss was but she would need to have them confess.
The surface of the portal rippled and Twilight Sparkle stepped out with a box in her hand. It was a bluish-green box with lighter blue lines covering it like a circuit board.
“Here you go, Sunset,” Twilight Sparkle said as she handed the box to her friend.
“Thanks, Twilight,” Sunset smiled sadly as she accepted it. “I really wished I didn’t have to use this.”
“Believe me, I wouldn’t have suggested using this if things did not seem dire. Do you want me to speak to the girls?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this. You should go back to Equestria. If things turn out alright, I’ll call you.”
Twilight Sparkle looked uncertain, but she trusted Sunset to do the right thing. They shared a brief hug before the princess went back into the portal, returning to Equestria.
Sunset looked at the box and sighed. Then, her face was set in determination.
“Alright, Anon-A-Miss. Time for everyone to know the truth.”
Sunset entered the cafeteria and immediately all chatter stopped as everyone looked at her. Some glared at her, but she paid them no mind. She walked past the Rainbooms’ table, which surprised them. Rainbow thought she might try to convince them she was not Anon-A-Miss again. But they knew the truth. They knew she was never their friend.
They continued to watch as she walked through the cafeteria and she was headed for the CMC’s table.
“What’s she doing at Apple Bloom’s table?” Applejack asked worriedly.
“I don’t know, but we gotta stop her from trying anything,” said Rainbow Dash.
The Rainbooms shared a consensus and got up to head on to the table.
Meanwhile, Sunset set the box on the table, much to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo’s surprise.
“Hello, girls,” Sunset smiled sweetly. “Want to play a game?”
“Sunset Shimmer,” Apple Bloom said slowly. “What’s that?”
“Just a new game I picked up and I was thinking we could play it together,” said Sunset.
“Hey, Sunset!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “Get away from them!”
Sunset Shimmer turned to the Rainbooms, arms crossed. She would not show fear. She was very close to getting the truth.
“Good of you all to join us,” Sunset smirked. “You’re just in time for a game.”
“What kind of game?” Pinkie Pie asked curiously.
“Well, our sisters are not interested in playing any sort of game with you,” Rarity frowned.
“Oh, actually, they won’t have a choice,” Sunset retorted.
“Don’t you dare, Sunset,” Applejack warned.
“Don’t I dare what?”
“I won’t let you hurt my family.”
Sunset frowned at that word, ‘family’. Applejack claimed she was family, but then turned her back on her, abandoning her because of some posts on MyStable.
“Even if family hurts you first?” Sunset muttered. She put her hand on the box and turned to look at the Crusaders. “OK, time to start! My question is: Are you Anon-A-Miss?”
The Rainbooms looked outraged while the CMC looked shocked. How dare Sunset Shimmer suggest the CMC was behind Anon-A-Miss. All she was doing was trying to divert flame.
“No, of course not,” Apple Bloom answered.
“That’s right. We’re not Anon-A-Miss,” Sweetie Belle agreed.
“Yeah, what makes you think it’s us?” Scootaloo asked.
Sunset sighed sadly as she removed her hand from the box. The light blue circuitry lines stuck out and glowed as the box hovered into the air. It rotated around and an eye opened, shining a light on the CMC.
“YOU ARE LYING!” the box boomed and a bright light engulfed the Rainbooms, Sunset, and the CMC. They screamed, except for Sunset, as they found themselves inside of a room with no doors or windows, with walls covered in the same circuitry pattern as the box. Then, the walls began to move and cave in, freaking them out.
“Sunset!” Rainbow Dash gripped Sunset’s jacket. “What is this!? Stop it now!”
“I can’t do that, Rainbow,” Sunset answered.
“Why not!?”
“It’s called the Box of Truth or Punishment,” Sunset answered. “If anyone lies in its presence, they get punished, along with everyone else involved.”
The walls continued to cave in and the ceiling began to descend. It was becoming a tight squeeze. The CMC huddled together, sweating profusely, scared out of their minds.
“For God’s sake, Sunset! Stop this!” Applejack shouted.
“Please!” Rarity begged. “Please, you must stop this! You’ll kill us all!”
“We’re going to be crushed!” Fluttershy screamed.
“Not until the truth is revealed,” Sunset deadpanned, casting a glare on the CMC. She dared them to keep quiet.
“ONLY THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!” the box said.
The pressure was beginning to get to them, and it was not just because of the tight space shrinking around them. Sooner or later, one of them was going to crack. It would not be very long now. They could maintain the lie and pay with their lives, or tell the truth and live.
Fortunately, for everyone's sake, one of them made the right choice.
“I’M SORRY, SUNSET!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “WE’RE ANON-A-MISS!”
“TRUTH!” the box boomed and then the room vanished and everyone was back in the cafeteria. Sunset Shimmer picked up the box, a look of satisfaction on her face.
The Rainbooms were speechless. They had heard Sweetie Belle’s confession.
“Sweetie!” Apple Bloom cried.
“I’m sorry, Apple Bloom! I didn’t want to die!” Sweetie Belle wept. That had been scary.
“Is this true?” Applejack asked.
Apple Bloom first wanted to deny, but after what happened, lying would be a bad idea. With a look of shame, she nodded.
“Well, guess my work here is done,” said Sunset as she started to leave.
“Sunset, wait,” Rainbow Dash started.
“What is it, Rainbow Dash?” Sunset asked icily, causing Rainbow Dash to flinch.
“I’m...we’re sorry...” Rainbow Dash apologized.
“I want to forgive you girls, I really do, but not right now,” Sunset said. Fluttershy was on the verge of tears. “An apology won’t be enough. You’re going to need to make it up to me and you’re going to make sure these three get punished for what they did.”
“We will,” Applejack promised. She needed to do this. She was wrong and it was time to make up for it.
Sunset Shimmer tucked the Box of Truth under her arm and confidently walked out of the cafeteria.
THE END
Author's Note
Well, this was just a quick oneshot that came to me. So, it's not really perfect but it gets the job done. Hopefully, this might become something that can inspire others. Imagine if Equestria did have the Box of Truth or Punishment.
