“Temper us in fire, and we grow stronger. When we suffer, we survive.” — Cassandra Clare, City of Heavenly Fire

Sunset walked the halls once again, trying to avoid being shoved and bumped to the best of her ability, (not that it was easy, mind you). She finally made it to her locker with yet more graffiti scribbled on the metal door- a crude drawing of a female hangman with hair, and an arrow pointing to it with Sunset’s name written by it. Okay, that was a bit ominous. Sunset tried to ignore it. Any attempt to scrub it off could be seen as weakness. She would have to leave it for the janitor to clean up. Sunset stared at the drawing once more, dread growing in low in her gut. She hoped it was an empty threat. Sunset turned from her locker and headed straight for class.

Sunset sat down at her desk getting everything out and ready, watching out the corner of her eye as the rest of the students filed in. Soon after they were seated the speaker over head came on.

“Due to numerous reports of cyberbullying, cell phones are now prohibited on school grounds. Computers are also not allowed to be used by students. This will stay intact until the anon-a-miss Mystable account is permanently shut down. “

Sunset could feel the students’ angry glares at her back. If she didn't have a target on her back, there was no doubt in her mind that she had one now. Sunset was definitely going to have to pack her own lunch in order to avoid as many people as possible. She was just one person after all. She could defend herself but not against the entire school. Sunset stuck her her chin up, her head held high. She still couldn't afford to let her grade down. She would take as many people down with her as possible.

Sunset made it to the sanctity of the library, sighing with relief that she was only one person. A place of peace while the whole school had it out for her. She quickly got set up, grabing what books she would need, her practice sheet, a pencil, her lunch, and a notebook. If things went well, she would take the test tomorrow around lunch or after school. Either one would work for her. She couldn’t wait to get out of this hell-hole. Sunset could care less if Anon-a-miss continued on after.

The library was peaceful and silent throughout lunch and her free period. A few students flitted about but left her alone. Probably because Sunset was buried under a pile of books. She had to be certain that she would pass and graduate early. She should perhaps have a backup plan just in case. The student made a mental note to look up online classes just in case she doesn't pass. Once this last week was over, you would have to drag her back. Come hell or high water, Sunset would leave even if she had to light up in blazing inferno.

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“Well, we got what we wanted. Sunset is no longer friends with our sisters and the whole school is getting their revenge on her.” Sweetie Belle whispered to her friends.
“So I say the plan was a success, but should we continue? I mean, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna are trying to figure out who we are.”

“Ah reckon we stop for Christmas. And if Sunset tries ta reconnect, we start it up again.” Apple Bloom put her thoughts to words.

“But what should we do about all the people who sent us secrets? Should we just ignore them? What if they make their own page?” Scootaloo worried.

“Then it's not our problem is it. We don't want to get caught and punished. “ Sweetie Belle reasoned.

And with that, they all agreed to end anon-a-miss while they still could and use it another day if needed.

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Sunset had one last class, art with Pinkie Pie. That would be such a great time, she rolled her eyes to no one in particular. She missed sarcasm while hanging out with the girls. Sunset tried to be on her best behavior, letting them walk all over her, hell, letting the whole school do it. None of them mattered anymore. Sunset took out her drawing pad, leafing through it until she found a black page. Ms. Pascal was rather lenient when it came to art, rarely was there an assignment and the few times there were, it was very open to interpretation.

“Paint what makes you happy” she would tell them or, “make a pot representing your soul”, and other such things. All very vague and open to interpretation as long as you got close or bluffed your way through.

Sunset tried to concentrate on her drawing but her mind kept wandering to her studies, to the college applications she still needed to fill out. What she would do if she only got accepted to a school far from the portal? Was it possible to transfer the magic from the statue into another object? Perhaps another large mirror, one that would be easier to transport to other locations. Sunset began to work on a potential spell to do such a thing. She become obsessed in her work to the point she failed to notice her fellow classmates sneaking up behind her until it was far too late. She shrieked from the shock as cold paint was dumped on top on her, soaking her to the bone. Blue and white liquid dripped to the floor.

“What's going on here?” Ms. Pascal asked with a glare that did little to intimidate any of the students.

“We were just turing Sunset Shimmer into a walking work of art.” Sandalwood replied, holding an empty bucket of paint by his side.

“Trixie thinks it improves Sunsets looks tenfold.” Trixie also said, swinging her own empty bucket.

“Why, that may be an interesting idea. Next time, ask for permission first. Sunset, you may go to the gym and shower. We can leave the mess for the janitor to clean up.” Ms. Pascal said with a smirk.

Sunset couldn't help but to roll her eyes. It was common knowledge that Ms. Pascal and Prickle Breeze had ended in disaster. Ms. Pascal despised him now and went out of her way to leave a mess for him to clean up. And he would leave her room a mess for a couple of days. It was all very annoying and passive aggressive. Sunset longed to do something to get back at Trixie and Sandalwood, but seeing as how the teacher had already handled it, she would be the one in trouble. Sunset grabbed her sketchpad. Her locker was on the way to the showers, and went to put it away.

Sunset stripped out her dirty clothes. The paint had started to dry in some places and was a bit crusty, but she still wiped them off the best she could. Perhaps one of her neighbors knew a way to get paint out of clothes. She really was loathing to lose her jacket, it held sentimental value to her. Sunset turned the shower on as hot as it would go, which wasn't hot enough to satisfy her. The walls of the shower were tall and closed in with doors instead of curtains. Sunset thought she heard sounds and giggles. She felt dread worm its way up her belly. Sunset turned the shower off and went to open the door.

“Shit! Shit, shit, shit!” The door wouldn’t budge. “No! Fuck no, no. “

Sunset slammed her good shoulder against door. It failed to move,but she kept trying anyway.

“Help! Please anybody help!”

At this point, Sunset would even take the creepy janitor. Her mind rushed to the scene of no one hearing her cries and being locked in here all night long. She shivered. Her wet body was ill-equipped to stand here in the chilly locker room. She missed her fur something fierce, not as much as her horn, though.

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Flash stared at the trail of paint, curious where it lead. There had been some strange things happening at this school lately and he wanted to make sure this wasn't yet another one. He followed the colors all the way to the girls’ locker rooms when he heard a hoarse voice as if they had been screaming for awhile, and a banging sound.

“Help! Help, please! Anybody help me!”

The voice was very familiar. The words, however, were not. Sunset had always been proud and confident. He had only seen her break down once after the fall formal.

“Anybody in here?” He questioned.

“Flash? Flash it's me, Sunset, please help me!“ Flash could hear the plea in her shaking and strained voice.

“Anyone else in here?” He waited a few seconds, not wanting to risk walking in on someone changing. “I'm coming in, Sunset!”

He stepped inside and saw that a bench had been unscrewed. If it ever had been in the first place. The male locker rooms benches were not bolted to the floor, and propped against the door wedged in. He rolled up his sleeves and got to moving. It slowly inched across the floor. With one last pull, there was room for the door to open. More than one girl must have worked together to move it since it wasn't easy to lift.

“Do you want me to get your clothes first?” Flash asked. “They might have hid them.” Flash grabbed a towel and knocking on the door. “I have a towel for you.”

The door popped open slightly and her arm poked out, grabbing the towel. “Yes please. Thank you, Flash. “

“It's no problem, Sunset. “ He told her reassuringly.

Flash quickly got to work searching for her clothes. He saw a scrap of cloth dangling from the side of the trash. He pulled out Sunset’s clothes, now nothing more then painted rags. Her leather jacket was nowhere to be seen.

“Sunset, I’m sorry, but your clothes are in shreds. Don't worry, I can grab my gym clothes. I just did laundry last night, so they're fairly clean. I'll be right back.“

He dashed to the other locker room, grabbing his clothes. He knew they would be big on her, but this would be better than nothing at all. After Flash headed back and knocked on the door once again, Sunset grabbed the offered clothes.

“Thank you.” Sunset responded softley.

“Its okay, Sunset. No one deserves this. I should apologize as well.” He stared at the ground in shame.

The door opened and Sunset stepped out, holding the shorts up with one hand.

Sunset stared at the student, puzzled. “What for?”

“I should have stood up for you over the anon-a-miss thing. “

“You believe me!? “ Her voice sound surprised, hopeful yet slightly suspicious.

“Yeah, it's too obvious to be you. In the old days, you would never give up your blackmail material so easily. Besides, none of my secrets have been posted. You're clever and anon-a-miss isn't. “ He shrugged. It was clear to him. It saddened the boy how easily the rest of his classmates fell for it.

Surprise and relief was written across Sunset’s face. “Thank you, Flash, for believing me. “

Flash nodded once. “Come on,” He said, motioning to the door. “Let's get you home. I'll drive you. It's too cold to be out in shorts. Don’t even think about protesting. Nothing will change not waiting to risk walking in on someone changing. “

Author's Note

Lol sorry it took so long, i keep changing my mind on what was gonna happen but i decided to hold off till next chapter for it instead. It turns out my bestie/editor ships flash and sunset. But sunset has to much shit going on in her life to be dealing with romance.