The Setting of the Peaceful Sunby NyhllChaptersThe Breaking of SunsetRealizationIce FisherThe GatheringHouse ArrestPowerfully Pissed Purple Pony PrincessThe Breaking of Sunset“You’re kidding me, right? You can’t seriously think this is me!?” Sunset looked around with a bemused look at the other five members of the Rainbooms. Tuesday was ending up to be even worse than Monday, and classes hadn’t even started yet. Somehow word had spread of Applejack’s childhood nickname, the students around the school whispering “Piggly-Wiggly.” or making soft oinking sounds. The group had been unsure, and while she was embarrassed by it, Applejack had told everyone to ignore it. That night the girls had gathered at Rarity’s house to relax, and an impromptu costume show occurred, all six of them having a fun time and taking pictures. And now those pictures had ended up online. But only the pictures that Sunset had taken, and they were all live on a new MyStable account calling itself Anon-A-Miss. And to make matters worse it was trying to frame Sunset, using a vague outline of her and using banners of her trademark crimson and gold streaks. And it was working it seemed, if her friends were anything to go by. She had entered school happy and excited to hang out with five of the most important people in her life, but as soon as she had entered school grounds she noticed her fellow Wondercolts were staring darkly at her, grimacing or scowling as they ignored her morning greetings. They now seemed tame compared to how the Rainbooms were acting. “How else would those pictures end up online, Sunset?” Rainbow jabbed a finger into Sunset, her magenta eyes ablaze with fury. “They were taken with yer phone, so unless ya fer some reason shared these private photos with someone else, which’s just as bad, yer tha only one who coulda gone’n posted em!” Applejack crossed her arms as she glowered at the girl standing across from the Rainbooms. “But why would I post these?” The five grew quiet as they watched Sunset swing her arms out in disbelief. “What could I possibly gain from doing this!? You five are my friends!” “...Are we really though?” Sunset felt all the blood, plasma, and bile in her body coagulate as a bone numbing chill ran through her body, which only grew as Rarity continued. “I mean, maybe all of this was you just getting close to us for revenge?” “Maybe you’re just a big secret-stealer!” Pinkie Pie added, a multitude of bags appearing under her eyes as she pointed an accusatory finger at Sunset. “Fluttershy…?” Sunset slowly turned to look at the girl standing behind the rest. “You’re not our friend, Sunset…” the meek girl’s delicate whisper threatened to topple Sunset, her eardrums nearly rupturing from the intensity of the sound wave slowly passing by her. She stumbled back a step, then a second as her shoulders slumped, her face falling to the ground as confusion and dread rushed through her, leaving her a discoherant, bumbling mess. “N-No… Nonono, this- This is all a bad dream. Yes, a nightmare! I’ll wak-wake up and-” “No, Sunset. You’re our nightmare now.” Sunset felt her whole body retracting as she looked up at the suddenly towering forms of the other Rainbooms. They swayed around in her vision, matching the unsteady quaking of the ground beneath her as they slowly marched off, leaving Sunset alone to finally start taking in the crowd that had gathered around the six of them. “Bitch…” “Freak!” “You monster.” Sunset looked around at the looming masks of the Wondercolts that were slowly encasing her, blocking the light as- “Enough! I’m not Anon-A-Miss!” Sunset screamed as she bolted to her feet and bulldozed through the crowd and down the hall. She wouldn’t cry! She wouldn’t… ~ “You aren’t even going to let me try and defend myself?” Sunset stood in shock as she watched the Rainbooms all glared at her in excessive disgust. Anon-A-Miss had posted again just after the students had started making their way to the cafeteria, at the same time as Sunset had been on her phone. She had been in a panic defending herself from the students around her after a younger voice called out that she had posted again. “Why should we? You keep posting after all!” Rainbow said between mouthfuls of sandwich. “That’s not me, damnit! I’m innocent! Why won’t you believe me!?” Sunset stamped a foot down as she felt anger slowly bubbling up her tall frame. “Howabout you apologize for being Anon-A-Miss to the entire school, stop posting shit, and maybe we’ll talk. Otherwise, just fuck off and die, Shimmer.” “You know what!? Fine! Fuck you girls too! I don’t fucking deserve this!” Sunset screamed as she hurled her tray filled with meat based foods at the table that she usually sat at before storming off, ignoring the distressed scream coming from Rarity. “Hey! Where do you think-” one of the linebacker’s for the schools stood up, trying to block Sunset’s way before she set him and his stupid whirlwind logo shirt back down in his chair with a firm arm. Fine! If they won’t listen to me, then they will have to listen to Princess Twilight! Sunset thought as she almost removed the cafeteria doors from their hinges as she burst out of the room. ~ Dear Princess Twilight, Hi, Twilight, I hope you are doing well, because I currently am not. You see, somebody has started impersonating me and spreading secrets around the school, and no one is listening to me that I’m innocent! Even the other girl’s think I’m guilty! I don’t know what else I can do right now and I was desperately hoping you could come over here and help me with a Friendship crisis of the largest magnitude! I’ll be eagerly waiting to hear from you, since I’m now gonna be stuck at home after school. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer~* ~ Dear Princess Twilight, Hi Twilight, me again. I haven't heard back from you, so I’m thinking that you got caught up in something. Just wanted to buzz you again before I head back to school. I’m really not looking forward to it- I even had to turn off my phone because of all the angry messages I’ve been getting thanks to Anon-A-Miss. I’m going to leave it at home, hopefully it will help me plead my case. Anyways, I’ll have your journal with me at all times now, so get back to me as soon as you can, please. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer~* ~ Dear Twilight, Are you there? I really need your help! The entire school is coming after me at this point! Anon-A-Miss is getting worse and worse with each passing hour, and the students are following suit! It’s gone from them just verbally assaulting me to shoving and pushing. Sarah, (That’s my jacket, the one Rarity fixed after the fall formal.) has a tear in her now thanks to one of the students. I really hope you are just stuck saving Equestria, but please get back to me as soon as you can! I don’t have anyone else to turn to at this point. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer ~ Sunset wiped away a tear as she opened up her journal, the only link she had to the Princess. Twilight still hadn’t responded to her pleas for help, and now she was stuck hiding in the girls washroom as class let out. She flipped through to the last message that she had wrote before clicking her pen and starting to write. Twilight? I guess you really were just ignoring me. Just like everyone else. I don’t know if I’m going to make it through the rest of the day. The Principals asked to meet me after classes, but I don’t know if I can go. Please. Help me. Your fr Sunset Sunset shut the journal with a quiet sniff before depositing it into her backpack and exiting the stall, pausing to take a look at herself in the mirror. She was a mess, her long hair, her pride and joy was a mass of curls and tangles as a result of not showering for the last two days. She couldn’t count the number of dark bags under her eyes, and her left cheek was a dark bruise. She quickly looked away and made her way out of the dingy room, pausing to peek around the corners to make sure it was safe before starting to scurry towards the Principal's office. ~ “You want to send me away!?” the chair Sunset had previously been seated on landed on the floor with a loud thud as the girl exploded to her feet in outrage. “We believe it would be for the best of everyone if you were not at Canterlot High School come the new year.” Vice Principal Luna said slowly and calmly, an apologetic glint in her eyes as she looked up at the standing girl. “Oh- I get it! Both of you think I’m Anon-A-Miss, huh!?” Sunset swung her arms around in a mix of disbelief and anger. “You want me gone so that way when I’m arrested I’m a former member of CHS, huh!” Principal Celestia stood up, her hands on her desk as she slowly shook her head. “No. Sunset, please calm down. We’re trying to help you.” “Help me!? You think sending me away is gonna fucking help me!?” Sunset couldn’t believe the drivel coming from the mouths of the two women now standing opposite of her. “Helping me would be finding Anon-A-Miss and proving my god damn innocence!” “It’s not that easy-” “You know what- No! You want me gone? Fine! I’ll fucking leave!” Sunset shouted as she reached down and hoisted up her backpack before storming towards the exit. “Sunset, wait!” one of the women called out. Sunset didn’t care which one of them it was as she kicked open the door after turning the handle, scaring the poor secretary as she thundered past. ~ Sunset gave an annoyed hiss as she gently pushed at the fresh bruise on her arm before looking down at the crumpled forms of Gilda and her small troop of cronies. “Why don’t I go and post a picture of this?” Sunset spat as she limped over to the huffing form of the aggressive Wondercolt. Gilda and her group had run into Sunset at one of the liquor stores in the shadier part of town, Gilda and co on the way out as Sunset was on her way in. Needless to say that “diplomacy” went awry and Sunset soon found herself fighting off the various goons. “You… Bitch…” the white hair teen grunted as Sunset hoisted the girl’s face up off the half frozen concrete, before adjusting it so Sunset could snap a picture of the two of them, as well as the other goons in the background. “You’re dead meat…” “You can’t kill what’s already dead, idiot.” Sunset growled as she roughly let go of the girl’s head before stumbling back to lean against the wall, groaning in time with her bodies various aches as she tapped away at her phone. She ignored the messages that continued to flood in as she finished her post on MyStable, her first post all week. It was a collection of pictures that showed a heavily bruised and slightly bleeding Sunset kneeling and grinning with an equally beaten Gilda who was scowling, as well as a few shots of her other assailants. “Thanks for the booze, Gilda.” Sunset snarked a she retrieved both her backpack and the other groups bag of various alcoholic beverages and awkwardly walking out of the alley and onto the streets, thick heavy snowflakes falling rapidly from the fat, grey clouds up above. Sunset paused and reached down into the bag, rummaging around until she withdrew a large, familiar brown bottle. “Not bad…” Sunset gave an impressed hum as she slowly twisted the seal off and returning to her steady pace of walking down the street. ~ An intoxicated hiccup escaped from Sunset as she finished depositing her journal into her backpack and leaned back unsteadily, her hand grasped around the neck of the now empty bottle before shifting her weight forward and throwing the bottle into the slow moving river beneath the bridge she now stood on. She paused, watching and listening as intently as her slowly wobbling form could, but nothing happened. She brought her hand up to her face. Nope, she wasn’t still holding the bottle. So where was it? She started to look around, only to pause when she noticed it sitting on the crumpled up mass of her backpack and almost empty booze bag. “Oh…” Sunset gave a slurred response as she slid down against the railing until she was sitting firmly on the ground, her back bending awkwardly because of the backpack she wore, only to give a startled cry as something started buzzing against her leg. She scrambled to save herself, only to realize it was in her pocket, so she slowly retrieved the buzzing item. The screen of her phone was lit up, a strangely familiar number flashing in time with the buzzing and catchy tune playing from the device until it went silent. Sunset gave another hiccup as she sloppily slid her finger across the little button thingee on the bottom of the device. It was time, or at least the small, somehow still sober bit of her mind told her as she found herself slowly rising to her feet. She prodded at the small icon, a bluish square with white picnic… prick? Picket! That was the word! Picket fencing. She giggled at just how smart she was as she slowly turned around and took a picture of the icy river. She continued to giggle as she tapped away at the small little letters on the screen, having to pause as she started hitting even more wrong keys, before deleting all of them and starting again. Sunset paused as her fat thumb hovered over the post button. The wind was carrying the sound of voices and… Quacking? No, cats don’t quack… Sunset chuckled as she shook her head, pausing when the sounds grew closer and giving a half gurgled “Wuh…?” “She’s got something! This way!” the voice grew closer, along with the barking and a… blinking light? It was really hard to see through all the damn snowflakes! “Aww, shut up ya stupid mutt!” Sunset attempted to say, but the cold running through her mixed with all the alcohol left her speaking in a chattering slur. “Wait, is that…?” a second voice said, the violent wind carrying it into Sunset’s number ears. “Sunset! Oh, thank heavens you’re fine!” “Sunset!” Sunset slowly blinked her frosty eyes as she studied the five girls staring at her in a mixture of shock and relief, a dog barking happily at one of the girl’s heels. “Fuck. OFF.” the now sober Sunset snarled as the bubbly, happy, joyful, and buzz of her alcoholic blitz subsided, replaced by anger, fury, and rage as she addressed the Rainbooms. “S-Sunset, I-I-I know you are quite upset with us right now, but-” “You fucking think, Rarity!?” Sunset yelled, cutting off the fashionista and sending her scuttling back in fear. “I am beyond fucking upset with you traitors, so just fuck off already!” “Please, Sunset! We know you aren’t Anon-A-Miss!” Fluttershy begged, her worry filled tears freezing in place on her cheeks, just like everyone standing on the bridge. A single, harsh bark of noise escaped from Sunset, breaking the still silence, followed by a second and a third, and soon enough the air echoed with grating, empty laughter as Sunset stumbled back against the railing to the bridge, her whole body quaking as she started to gasp for air. The Rainbooms remained frozen in spot, the air around them sweltering in comparison to the cold, bitter laugh emanating from Sunset, locking them in place. Winona gave a scared whimper as she moved behind Applejack, hiding herself from Sunset as she slowly caught her breath. “I’ll tell you all again.” Sunset growled as she tapped her phone, her eyes passing over the five girls. “Fuck. OFF.” “You gotta listen to us, Sunset! We-” “Let you defend yourself!? Prove that you- You didn’t give me the time of day, you fucking bastards!” Sunset’s lungs burned as she shouted herself horse, this time interrupting Rainbow Dash. “No way in Tartarus am I giving you the chance! No, I’m gonna do exactly what you told me to do, Dash.” The athlete’s face furrowed in confusion as she pondered Sunset’s comment, her gaze, along with the other band members watching Sunset intently. Silence grew over the crowd as they watched Sunset motion to them. “You gonna check that? Might be Anon-A-Miss posting something again.” “Sunset, we know it’s not you!” Pinkie Pie started, only to give a small scream as Sunset fluidly reached down and grabbed, then hurled, an empty beer can at the the ground between the two parties. “Fucking do it!” Sunset let out a banshee scream, causing Rarity to weakly fiddle around with her jacket pocket before pulling out her phone. Even from this distance Sunset could see the girl’s marshmallow hued face, her cheeks rosy from the biting chill of the wind whipping around them, pale. “N-No… Please…” Rarity looked up, her head shaking back and forth. “Please, Sunset! Someone stop her!” “So you say you know who Anon-A-Miss is, huh?” Sunset gave a dark chuckle as she stepped against the railing of the bridge. “I guess that’s not the only thing you’re going to have to deal with.” “Rarity? What are yo-” “She’s going to jump!” the fashionista yelled as she started to desperately run towards Sunset. “Congratu-FUCKING-lations.” Sunset gave a disturbingly happy looking smile as she sat up on the railing before throwing herself off and towards the icy river flowing beneath them. “Oh my god, no!” “Sunset!” “Nooo!” Sunset chuckled as she plummeted down, the air racing around her as a cold smile spread across her face, almost as cold as the large chunk of ice drawing disturbingly close to- Realization“Oh my god, no!” “Sunset!” “Nooo!” All five of the girls rushed to the edge of the railing, crying out for their friend. They reached the edge, the railing stopping them from flying off as a crash, snap, crunch, and a splash simultaneously echoed from the river below, the thick snow preventing them from seeing anything. “O-Oh… Oh my g-god… Sh-She…” Rarity could be heard muttering to herself in disbelief as she stumbled back away from the edge, shaking her head before she gave a soft cry and crumbled to the pavement, thankfully passing out before she landed. “Dash! What tha fuck are ya thinkin’!?” Applejack shouted as she grabbed hold of the flailing athlete who was now trying to jump over the railings herself. The farmer could hear Fluttershy dash away, only for the sound of violent retching and a wet, thick splattering to be heard from her direction. “I’m going after her, idiot!” Rainbow yelled back, struggling her hardest to get free of the farmgirl’s strong hold. “And do what? You’d only risk killing yourself by jumping down there!” “At this point I’d rather be dead, AJ! She jumped because of us! Because… Because of me…” the shortest girl of the group slowly relented her struggling, going limp as she slid to the ground before starting to bawl loudly as she slammed her fist into the frozen concrete, before starting to yell at herself. “Idiot! You’re a fucking idiot, Rainbow Dash! You never tell someone to kill themselves!” she relented on the concrete, only to start delivering blows to her own mostly frozen face instead. “Raaaaaaaaugh-hagh-haaaaaa…” “Pinkie? How ya holdin’ up?” Applejack asked as she looked around at the rest of the group quickly. She finally noticed Rarity was passed out, concern running down her spine as she reached out tentatively. “I… We…” Applejack’s eyes passed over the still, thankfully weakly, vomiting form of Fluttershy, only to be greeted with the strangely still form of her distant cousin. “Hey. Come on, Pinkie. I need your help here, okay?” Applejack grabbed the girl by the shoulders, the dull light flowing through the clouds casting a greyish pallor over the party planner as Applejack firmly shook the girl. “Come on, Pinkie.” “What… What are we gonna do?” the blank eyes of Pinkie locked with AJ’s, the girl freezing as she was caught in the void swirling in the empty sockets, dragging her deeper and deeper into- “Check on Flutters, help get her cleaned up. Ah’ll check on Rarity.” the girl shook her head as she laid out her instructions, pointing Pinkie Pie in the direction of their now wailing friend before looking down at the self flagellating Rainbow. “Come on, girl. We need ya on yer feet.” Applejack bent down and gently hoisted the girl to her feet, grunting with the effort. “Come on now… Slowly… There we go. Come this way, okay?” Applejack slowly dragged Rainbow behind herself, their hands firmly clenched around one another as they made their way over to the thankfully still breathing Rarity. “Okay now, Dash, help me with Rarity here, alright? We need to get her sitting up.” “Wh-Why… Why didn’t we believe her?” Fluttershy’s soft whisper carried all the emotions raging through the group as a result of their actions. “We caused her to… to do this…” “Fluttershy, can you call Big Mac and-” “Are you just going to ignore the fact that one of our friends just jumped off a fucking bridge, Applejack!?” the farmer reached up and slowly rubbed at her aching chin as she picked herself up off the snowy ground, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy still crying in shock as Rainbow Dash stood fuming in front of the downed farmer. “No, Ah’m not, but us runnin’ around like a chicken with’er head cut off ain’t gonna help nobody.” the girl growled as she slowly got her feet, looming over the shorter girl. “So help me get Rarity up so we can get her in Big Mac’s van, alright?” “Not until you-” “AH’M NOT GONNA FUCKIN’ FIGHT YOU OVER THIS RIGHT NOW DASH!” The farmer shouted as she grabbed hold of approaching athlete, the girl start to quiver in fear at the tears and fury flying from the normally level headed leader of the group. “AH ALREADY LOST ONE FRIEND OVER US BICKERIN’, AN’ AH DON’T PLAN ON LOSIN’ ANOTHER! SO CHILL THA FUCK OUT AND HELP ME WITH RARITY ALREADY!” “O-O-O-Okay…” the athlete backed up, her hands up and palms facing the ragin farmer in an attempt to placate the girl. “Good. Fluttershy, call Big Mac. Tell him we’re on tha…” ~ “Sunset!” Rarity screamed as she bolted up, her eyes wide and unseeing as she desperately reached around herself, trying to find proper purchase to help push her up. “Applejack we have to save her! She’s… She’s going to… jump…” Rarity finally calmed down as she realized that she was no longer at the bridge, instead her friends now stood around her in an extremely rustic house, a thick blanket resting on top of her as a fire crackled away in the nearby hearth. “Where…” “We’re at tha farm.” Applejack explained as she held out a small glass of water. “Ya fainted at tha bridge, so we called Big Mac and rushed ya here after makin’ sure it was nothin’ life threatenin’.” “Did she…?” Rarity’s face fell as she looked up at her closest friend, tears welling in her eyes as she felt her chest start to collapse in on itself, her heart shattering as Applejack’s lips grew thin, the farmer looking away with an unreadable look. “She jumped… And we carry part of the blame.” Rainbow Dash said from the foot of the sofa, the girl sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees, her face trying to force its way through her limbs. “Call the police! Get a search party! They have to find Sunset!” Rarity tried to get up off of the sofa, flailing around haphazardly until Applejack walked over and rested a firm hand on the girl’s shoulder. Applejack slowly shook her head, tears streaming steadily from her shut eyes. “I’m sorry, Rarity… She probably… She probably died on impact…” The sheer sadness of the wail that erupted from Rarity shook the house to its foundations, every member of the group finding themselves unable to stop their own tears as they started to moan over their actions, of their treatment of their friend. “And to think… They were the ones behind it…” Rainbow managed to get out between heavy, choke filled sobs, the skin around her eyes puffy and of a purplish hue from her continued crying. “I’m gonna kill her! I’ll- I’ll take her to that bridge myself, and-” “Dash, please don’t say that.” Applejack begged as she looked down at her heavily grieving friend. “They didn’t think this would happen.” “Well what did they think would happen!? Why would they even do this!?” Rainbow yelled as she slowly got to her feet, sniffling and vainly attempting to wipe away the bitter, salty tears running down her face in large rivers. “Look, why don’t we all just go ta bed fer tha night?” Applejack gave as fake and uneasy smile as she could muster, but the corners of her lips barely budged as she looked down at the girl. “Bull. Shit!” Rainbow responded by jabbing a finger into the normally rigid core of the farmer, Applejack finding herself staggering back slightly in response to the action of the irate athlete. “Why don’t we ask them ourselves, huh?” “Dash, please!” Rarity begged, reaching out towards the girl. “Not tonight! They’ve been through enough!” “Have they? Are you being serious Rarity!? They helped lead to Sunset killing herself in front of us! If anything the three of them should be brought to that bridge and-” “We didn’t want this ta happen!” came the cracking, exasperated voice from one of the three small figures that had been cowering in the corner, quaking as they tried their best to try and hide from everything. “We didn’t think she’d go an’ jump off a bridge!” “Applebloom’s right, Dash!” Scootaloo added, nodding to her friend, only to pause when she saw the fiery gaze being leveled at her from across the room. “You. Don’t. Get. To. SPEAK UNLESS I TELL YOU TO, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!” Dash bellowed, struggling to break free from the tight, restraining hold of Applejack as Scootaloo burst into fear filled hiccups as she started to quake on the spot. “Dash! If ya don’t calm down Ah’m lockin’ ya in with tha pigs!” Applejack grunted as she hoisted the pixie like girl off of the ground. “Let. Me. AT HER!” Dash screamed, spittle flying from her mouth as she raged helplessly. “It’s the least that she deserves!” “Okay, that’s it.” the farmer sighed as she dropped Rainbow Dash just long enough to let go and replace her arms strongly around the girl’s neck, slowly pressing further and further. “Come on, Dash. Ah’ll choke ya out if Ah have ta, but Ah’m not lettin’ ya make an even bigger mistake than ya already have.” With that comment, and the burning in her lungs from her rapidly depleting oxygen supply, Rainbow Dash finally relented and stopped struggling, grunting in annoyance as she was unceremoniously fell to the ground. “Fine.” she said between harsh coughs as she gently rubbed her throat. “But we aren’t ignoring this.” “Ah promise. But we all need ta sleep… You… three go an help Granny Smith with makin’ up tha sleepin’ arrangements. Ah’ll go’n call all y'all's families…” Applejack gave a tired sigh as she watched the three younger, panic ridden girls run out of the room, her mind taking a moment to go over the last few hours… ~ “Hmm… That’s weird.” Rainbow Dash commented, and smirk of half annoyance, half dark humour spreading across her lips as she pulled out her phone. “I thought I blocked Anon-A-Bitch on MyStable already.” “Ah thought ya did that at tha start o’ tha week, Dash?” Applejack looked over at her friend in confusion as she set down her mug of hot chocolate. Her and the rest of the Rainbooms, as well as their respective sisters, or role model in Scootaloo’s case, had all retreated to Sugar Cube Corner after school to celebrate the end of school until the New Year. “I blocked Anon-A-Miss, but not her main account I guess.” Rainbow responded flippantly as she stashed her phone back into her pocket. “Oh well, why should I fucking care if she’s back on her main account, am I right?” Nods and noises of confirmation came from the rest of the gathering, save for three strangely quiet girls. “Uhm…” all five Rainbooms looked down as Sweetie Belle shifted uneasily in her seat, her squeaky voice crackling as she looked up at them. “Wha-What did she post?” “Darling, please. It’s best if we all forget about that sordid girl.” Rarity chided her sister as she delicately wiped away a smear at the corner of her mouth. “After everything that she’s done, I doubt it’s of any importance to us.” “...” A shocked, silent gasp escaped from Scootaloo’s lips as eyes shrunk to pinpoints. Her hand trembled as she held onto her phone before turning it to show her friends, all three giving equally shock gasps. “Oh don’t tell me that she posted something about you on her personal account! Now that’s just fucking low of-” “No, look!” Scootaloo cut off her idol, shoving her phone towards the face of the athlete. Rainbow rolled her eyes and shook her head as she took the device, before pausing as she looked at the screen, her whole body shifting back in a jerky method. “Rainbow? What’s wrong? What is it?” Rarity tried to peek around the girl’s shoulder to get a look see of what was on Scootaloo’s phone, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy getting up and walking over behind the girl. Everyone grew silent as Rainbow laid the phone down, the image of a heavily bruised and slightly bleeding Sunset Shimmer grinning as she held up Gilda by her hair, the girl scowling through her own equal injuries. “Okay, posting secrets is one thing, but physically attacking someone!? I think we need to call the police on her. Now!” Rainbow’s hand shot into her own pocket, the other Rainbooms nodding uneasily. This was too far for Sunset to- “It was us!” “Bloom!? Shut up!” “Sunset was innocent!” Rainbow paused and joined in looking at the suddenly standing sister of Applejack, Scootaloo looking uneasily at them as she tried to force her friend to sit back down. “Look, Bloom. Ya can’t have known if’n Sunset started that fight or not, but-” “No, not that fight! Anon-A-Miss! She wasn’t Anon-A-Miss!” Apple Bloom yelled at her sister, tears building in the corners of her eyes. “Oh don’t tell me you’re sorry for her cause she got beat up trying to attack someone.” Dash groaned and connected her face with her palm. “We’re Anon-A-Miss! It was us!” Dash quickly looked up, staring in bemusement at Sweetie Belle. “You? You want us to believe that it was you behind Anon-A-Miss?” amused laughter exploded out of her as she regarded the girl’s comment, not noticing as the girl’s hand shot into her pocket. “Oh man, that’s rich I tell ya! You!? Anon-A-Mi-” “See!” Sweetie Belle could barely manage to get out as tears started streaming down her face as she shoved her smart phone directly into the view of everyone. Sure enough, there was the Anon-A-Miss account page that everyone at CHS had grown accustomed to, but this time there was a little bar, requesting to be filled with the user’s new status update. “We’re Anon-A-Miss… Not… Not Sunset…” Sweetie hiccuped as she wiped at her face with her other hand, Scootaloo giving a tired sigh as she slid down in her chair, crossing her arms in defeat. “Bloom? You…?” Applejack couldn’t stop blinking as she looked at her younger sister, shocked at the revelations that were occurring. The younger Apple swallowed hard before nodding slowly. “But… Why…?” “We didn’t think that she’d changed. We thought that she just tricking everybody…” Sweetie Belle looked down at the ground in disgrace. “We thought she was takin’ ya away from us. Ya gotta understand, we didn’t want ta hurt her. We just wanted all ya’ll to stop bein’ friends with her…” Apple Bloom explained slowly. “Piggly Wiggly…” Applejack muttered, the entire weeks slowly crashing down on her. “Sunset was right… It wasn’t her. She didn’t know about that until you mentioned it over tha phone, Bloom.” “But that doesn’t explain how those pictures got posted.” Rainbow looked around in disbelief at her friends. “Surely you don’t-” “I stole her phone. A-A-After you all fell asleep.” Sweetie Belle looked up again. “I connected it to my laptop and download all of the photos.” “Sweetie Belle!” Rarity gasped as she cover her mouth with her hands. “And I took a picture of Rainbow’s test scores…” Scootaloo said after getting harsh looks from her friends. “Look, I think we all agree that-” “Rainbow!” “What in sam hell!” “You traitor!” the athlete yelled as she tossed her frosty, milkshake filled mug at the girl’s head, Scootaloo crouching and covering her face as the mug flew and landed on the floor, shattering loudly. “You…! I don’t- Where’s my phone! I gotta call Gilda! She’ll know where Sunset went!” “What’s going on out here!?” Mrs. Cake shrieked as she walked out of the kitchen, gasping as she noticed the ruckus occurring and the shattered mug on her cafe floor. “Rainbow Dash! What did you-” “We’ll replace, Mrs. Cake. But right now we need to find Sunset before she does something really, really, reallyreallyreallyreallyreally bad!” Pinkie explained as she literally poofed into existence beside the plump older woman. “Ah’ll call Mac to pick up these three and ta bring Winowna. Come on ya’ll! Inta Fluttershy’s van!” Applejack explained as she struggled to get an arm through her coat sleeve. “Mrs. Cake! Those three are NOT ta leave until Big Mac gets here! They’ve got some ‘splainin’ ta do!” ~ “I can’t see a fucking thing!” Rainbow complained between gentle panting for air. “Good thing you aren’t leading then!” Applejack called back, her hand firmly on Winona’s leash as the dog sniffed repeatedly at the ground. “Winowna, Ah know yer more about herdin’ than sniffin’ but Ah’ll have a full turkey dinner with yer name on it if’n ya help us find Sunset!” The dog suddenly perked and gave a loud howl before trying to break off of her leash, Applejack letting go and watching the blinking light on the harness quickly dash off. “What was that!?” Fluttershy cried in a panic as the rest of the group caught up to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Winona!” Applejack shouted back. “She’s got something! This way!” “Aww, shut up ya stupid mutt!” a faint, heavily slurred voice said in response to the barking Winona as she approached. “Wait, is that…?” Pinkie said loudly, the chill wind whipping around them. “Sunset! Oh, thank heavens you’re fine!” Rarity cried out as they could finally make out the form of their friend standing on the bridge. “Sunset!” Fluttershy sounded like she melted in joy as she brought up the rear, the five all panting slightly as smiles spread across their faces. They had found her, she was safe! Surely things were looking up as the girl slowly blinked, Winona barking happily as she sat down besides Applejack. “Fuck. OFF.” the five girls froze, shocked at just how much raw hate flowed off of the girl as her eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of them. The noticed the empty beer cans and other glass bottles, some whole, some shattered as they littered the ground around her. “S-Sunset, I-I-I know you are quite upset with us right now, but-” Rarity stammered uneasily, her smile faltering as she tried to explain what was going on, before she was cut off bu Sunset, sending Rarity scuttling back in fear. “You fucking think, Rarity!? “I am beyond fucking upset with you traitors, so just fuck off already!” “Please, Sunset! We know you aren’t Anon-A-Miss!” Fluttershy begged, her worry filled tears freezing in place on her cheeks, just like everyone standing on the bridge. A single, harsh bark of noise escaped from Sunset, breaking the still silence, followed by a second and a third, and soon enough the air echoed with grating, empty laughter as Sunset stumbled back against the railing to the bridge, her whole body quaking as she started to gasp for air. The Rainbooms remained frozen in spot, the air around them sweltering in comparison to the cold, bitter laugh emanating from Sunset, locking them in place. Winona gave a scared whimper as she moved behind Applejack, hiding herself from Sunset as she slowly caught her breath. “I’ll tell you all again.” Sunset growled as she moved her arm, something in her hand as her eyes passing over the five girls. “Fuck. OFF.” “You gotta listen to us, Sunset!” Rainbow Dash strode forward, trying to plead with her friend. “We-” “Let you defend yourself!? Prove that you- You didn’t give me the time of day, you fucking bastards!” the five girl’s backpedaled as Sunset attacked them, pointing out their failings earlier in the week. Earlier that day even... “No way in Tartarus am I giving you the chance! No, I’m gonna do exactly what you told me to do, Dash.” The athlete’s face furrowed in confusion as she pondered Sunset’s comment, her gaze, along with the other band members watching Sunset intently. Silence grew over the crowd as they watched Sunset motion to them. “You gonna check that? Might be Anon-A-Miss posting something again.” “Sunset, we know it’s not you!” Pinkie Pie started, only to give a small scream as Sunset fluidly reached down and grabbed, then hurled, an empty beer can at the the ground between the two parties. “Fucking do it!” Sunset let out a banshee scream, causing Rarity to weakly fiddle around with her jacket pocket before pulling out her phone. Even from this distance Sunset could see the girl’s marshmallow hued face, her cheeks rosy from the biting chill of the wind whipping around them, pale. “N-No… Please…” Rarity looked up, her head shaking back and forth. She was shaken by what she had just seen. What she had read. “Please, Sunset! Someone stop her!” “So you say you know who Anon-A-Miss is, huh?” Sunset gave a dark chuckle as she stepped against the railing of the bridge. “I guess that’s not the only thing you’re going to have to deal with.” “Rarity? What are yo-” Rainbow looked at the girl in confusion. What was she going on about? “She’s going to jump!” the fashionista yelled as she started to desperately run towards Sunset, everybody giving shocked gasps before doing the same. “Congratu-FUCKING-lations.” Sunset gave a disturbingly happy looking smile as she sat up on the railing before throwing herself off and towards the icy river flowing beneath them. “Oh my god, no!” “Sunset!” “Nooo!” ~ Applejack bolted up off her back with a loud gasp, panting heavily as she brought her hands up to her sweat drenched face. “You too, huh…?” Applejack looked to her side, eyes slowly adjusting to the low level of light peeking through her window and illuminating the sitting forms of her friends, all of them with their faces shrouded, though the farmer could tell they were each having the same nightmare as her. “Yeah…” Applejack said as she returned her face to her hands, grimacing as she tried not to cry too loudly. Ice Fisher“It’s a nice evening. You made the right choice.” Sonata looked up from the perfectly cut hole in the ice that her fishing line dipped into, and towards Aria as she approached as her sister approached. “For realzies!” she chimed happily as she adjusted her toque before patting the small fluff ball sitting on top of it. “When I saw how clear the skies were I just knew we had to go out and enjoy the night! And how better than get some fresh fish!” “For the fish tacos tonight?” Adagio asked from her plush chair, pausing to look up from her book. “Mmmm! Of course!” Sonata sat still, her mouth gaping as she dreams about just one of the variations of the single best food in this entire world. “We’re gonna make so many fish tacos!” Aria chuckled stood beside Sonata, reaching down and patting her on the shoulder. “Want me to watch the line for a minute? You should probably go warm up by the heater.” “Nah, I’m good!” Sonata beamed after wiping away the drool running down her chin. “Besides! How else am I gonna catch a fish if you do it first?” “I guess.” Aria shrugged and smirked. “Alright then, I’ll leave ya be. Hey, Adagio, got any room under that blanket?” Sonata drifted back to her pleasant humming as she held firmly onto the fishing rod, swaying happily back and forth to the music only she could hear, only to pause when she felt the rod start to wiggle in her grasp. “Oh! Ohohohoh! I got something! I got something!” she cried out as she bolted to her feet and spread her feet out to help steady her stance before she started to reel in her catch. It felt like it took ages as Sonata rapidly spun the handle on her fishing rod, but slowly and surely the line retracted more and more until a wet popping noise filled the air. “Ah ha!” Sonata bounced from foot to foot as she grabbed hold of the line, her catch dangling on the end of the line. “I did it!” “Wow, nice catch!” Aria cheered as she watched Sonata from beside Adagio, the pair snuggled close under the covers. “That should make a lot of fish tacos.” Adagio started to gently clap as she set down her book. “Silly Dagi! Narwhal’s aren’t for eating!” Sonata laughed as she held out the small, round ball of blubber towards her sisters. “They’re the most majestic creatures to ever exist!” “You are the expert here after all.” Sonata chuckled as she dropped the spherical creature into a large, round fish bowl where it landed with a fat splash, before wriggling around with its fellow narwhals as Sonata returned to her seat and sent her line back down the hole. “Okay! Next time I’m catching a mermaid!” As soon as she sat down, however, a bright, glowing light started to pulse gently beneath the ice, and her rod began shuddering uncontrollably. “Oh my…” Adagio sounded awestruck as she slipped out from under the covers and started to slowly walk towards the hole in the ice. “What’s with the light?” echoed Aria. “I don’t know, but…” Sonata paused as the light slowly grew brighter and brighter, the Siren slowly removing her rod from the hole. “I think it’s getting closer…” All three Equestrians shielded their eyes as the light threatened to blind them, the air echoing with their stunned gasps as it sounded like something exited the water, a delicate splattering noise following shortly after. “My child…” came a soft, delicate voice as the light slowly died down, the Sirens giving shocked cries as they were finally able to see what had been blinding them. “I thank you for rescuing so many of my subjects…” Hovering in the air before them was exactly what Sonata said she was going a catch. A mermaid, her top half a striking amber hue before melting away into glistening patterns of red and yellow leading down to her tail. Large seashells covered her ample breasts, her physic powerful and built as she reached out with her arms. “For bringing justice to the captive, I shall grant each of you three wishes…” she said, a warm smile coming to her face as water slowly streamed down her crimson and gold streaked hair, her eyes remaining shut even as she seemed to study the trio. “Sonata…” Aria’s voice echoed from behind the girl. “Oh! Ohohohoh! I want a fish taco! No, two! Er, five?” Sonata started stumbling over herself as she tried to think of just how many of the delicious delicacies she would be able to eat. Aria’s voice grew more firm as she called the Siren’s name a second time. “Sonata.” “I got it! Forty two fish tacos!” Sonata pointed a finger at the narwhal mermaid goddess as she hovered gracefully in the air. “Sonata!” the Siren jumped and spun back towards Aria, her and Adagio both fuming as they crossed their arms. “Oh, right. Er… What are your two’s wishes?” Sonata giggled uneasily as she tapped her fingers against one another. “This isn’t what happened and you know it, Sonata!” Aria growled, walking up to the bubbly Siren and grabbing her by her coat collar. “But-But… Fish tacos…!” Sonata whined as the scene around her seemed to melt away, the fancy fishing hut melting away to dark, barren walls, her and her sisters winter clothing reverting back to mere normal clothes as Aria dropped her back onto her chair. “Would you fucking shut up about tacos already!” the gruff Siren groaned, face palming as she walked away. “That’s all you try to get us to eat!” “Well if you could stop setting water on fire, then maybe I’d let you into the kitchen for once.” Adagio gave a tired sigh as she rested her hands on her hips. “Look, stop weaving fanciful lies for our guest, Sonata. It’s time for bed anyways.” “Awww…” Sonata whined as she got up to her feet and slowly dragged them across the floor towards the stairwell. “Fiiiine…” The head Siren watched patiently as Aria and Sonata slowly left her sight, their footsteps echoing down the stairs until she was left alone. “Well we really should be going to bed, it is quite late after all.” Adagio smirked as she looked over her shoulder. “We’ll see you in the morning, perhaps. Nighty night…” “Shimmer.” The GatheringNeedless to say, no one at the Apple family farm slept well that night, each Wondercolt waking up crying at least once, as well as waking up to comfort one of their sobbing compatriots. At one point Fluttershy begged to not go to sleep again, wailing that she didn’t want to see Sunset’s face again as she described the empty, joyless smile that was on the girl’s face as she slid backwards off the railing. “Ah havta take Mac in fer his appointment…” Granny Smith drawled solemnly as she finished sliding on her winter coat. “We shouldn’t be gone too long. Ya’ll make yerselves at home, ya hear?” “Don’t you worry, Gran. I’ll make sure Dash doesn’t empty your cookie jar.” the bags under Applejack’s eyes seemed to both bleed into one, and be separately countable with their numbers as the girl tiredly waved farewell to her kin. “What about her booze? Is that off limits?” the farm girl’s whole body seemed to slump as she turned around to regard the form of Rainbow Dash, the girl laying spread eagle on the floor. “I just wanna drink till I don’t remember anything anymore.” “Look, yer not the only one grievin’ her. Did ya forget how Rarity had ta literally rock ya ta sleep when ya woke screaming fer tha fourth time last night?” “We all messed up, and we all want to forget yesterday, darling…” Rarity looked up from her sister, Sweetie Belle locking her arms around her older sister as she cried into the side of the older girl’s borrowed nightgown. “But it doesn’t changed that it happened!” the athlete half yelled from the floor, her arms shooting up and flailing around. “And they started it!” “How many more times do they have to apologize, Rainbow? No one thought that Sunset was gonna do that! Not them, not us- nobody! And we’re partially to blame for not listening to her in the first place!” everybody in the room was shocked silent at the sudden outburst from Fluttershy, the normally quiet girl being amazingly vocal as she tried to look at her childhood friend through tear filled eyes. “Maybe if we had actually been her friends! Maybe… Maybe she…” Pinkie Pie grabbed a fresh handful of tissues and handed them to Fluttershy as the girl burst back into tears, her own eyes following suit shortly after. “What are we going to tell Princess Twilight…?” she asked after blowing her nose. “She asked us to take care of her… And look at what’s happened…” Everyone’s look shifted to shameful dismay as they realized just how much trouble they were going to be in. “Now I wish the cops had been dispatched to the bridge…” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Well maybe ya shouldn’t o’ mentioned magic, Dash.” Applejack facepalmed as she remembered the furious look Dash had when she had said that she had been chewed out by the emergency dispatcher for wasting their time before they hung up on her. “No one else knows that magic is real.” “At least I didn’t mention how she was from another world… That would have gotten a whole different kind of spook to show up…” “Or that she jumped because o’ us…” Applejack quietly added onto the athlete’s statement. “Do you…” some of the groups’ eyes focused on Scootaloo, the girl literally banished to the corner of the room so as to prevent Dash from doing something incredibly reckless. “Do you think her body drifted far down-” The scooter enthusiast was drowned out at wails of dismay, Rainbow Dash’s louder than everyone else's as she chastised the younger girl. “Seriously!? Are you really gonna say that right now Scoots!? I know you three saw her as the fucking devil, but-” “Look, I’m sorry, alright!?” the girl said as she cowered further in her seat. “It’s just… What if she survived the fall…?” “There’s no way she survived tha fall, let alone tha freezin’ water…” Applejack said firmly, calming the crowd. “As much as we all want her ta be alive, there’s just no way she could be…” “So what are we supposed to do now?” Apple Bloom asked, looking to her older sister for guidance. “Should we call tha cops again?” “Is it gonna make a difference at this point?” Rainbow Dash groaned as she fell back onto the floor roughly. “I mean… Sunset’s… dead…” “We should at least make sure her body is found… I have no doubt that Princess Twilight will want ta hold a proper burial.” Applejack sighed as she slowly got up to her feet. “We should all probably be lookin’ fer our caskets…” “What are we going to tell her…?” Sweetie Belle sniffled as she pulled away from Rarity for a moment. “What are we going to tell our parents…?” “Look, I don’t wanna go to jail, okay?” Scootaloo stood up, only to freeze in spot at the glares she received. “My aunt’s are gonna freak when they hear about this!” “Granny Smith said she was gonna break out her old belt tonight…” Apple Bloom preemptively started rubbing her backside, grimacing as she looked over her shoulder. “Ya, and what about the fact that Sunset is dead because of the three of you!” Dash yelled as she sat back up again, pointing towards the three girls. “She jumped because everyone turned on her thanks to you three spreading everyone’s secrets around!” “Ya, and you five abandoned her! Some friends you are, huh!?” Scootaloo screamed back as she flew to her feet, her blood boiling, ignoring the choice words the athlete shot back with. “We didn’t think she’d freaking kill herself over all this! She’s Sunset-freaking-Shimmer! The baddest bitch to ever walk the earth!” “But that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t feel hurt when everybody turned on her.” Fluttershy said as she joined the standing party. “She lost everyone here! I even overheard her say that Princess Twilight wasn’t responding…” “What? Why wasn’t Twilight responding?” Rarity asked, Fluttershy shaking her head in response. “I mean… that would mean she was completely alone here! The students all turned on her again, acting just like before the Battle of the Bands… No wonder she…” “What are we gonna do…?” the dead, monotone voice belonging to Pinkie Pie asked. “I… I just wish Sunset was here still… So I could… So I could apologize for being such a… a meany pants…” Applejack coughed, breaking the choir of gentle sobbing and soft crying. “We gotta call the cops, gettem ta search fer her body. After that, we explain the situation to our family members.” “No…” a soft, defeated whine escaped from Scootaloo’s lips as she slumped into her chair. “Then we contact Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. They need to know as well.” the farmer finished slowly. “And what about revealing Sunset’s innocence regarding Anon-A-Miss?” Fluttershy asked, holding her hands delicately. “I doubt anyone would believe them right now.” Dash scowled as she continued to glare daggers at Scootaloo. “Those three did a right proper job of running Sunset’s name through the mud.” “Oh, that’s rich!” the younger girl scoffed, throwing her hands in the airs. “Coming from you, and how you five treated her after the Fall Formal!? Twilight would be more mad you five most likely, considering Sunset tried so desperately to be your friend! I bet she lied every time that Twilight asked how you girl’s were treating her!” Rainbow Dash could only clench her fist in defeat and look away, the other members of the Rainbooms sharing their own knowing looks of self disappointment. “We forgave her…” “Not until the Battle of the Bands!” Scootaloo continued her assault, taking another step forward. “At least we forgave her!” Rainbow yelled, her face growing purple. “Obviously you three didn’t, because otherwise you wouldn’t have thrown such childish fits about us spending time with our friend!” “Do ya…” Apple Bloom’s voice was incredibly quiet as she looked down at the floor. “Do ya even deserve ta call her your friend?” “After what we did… We deserve the same punishments as you three… Maybe even worse…” Pinkie Pie’s voice absorbed all emotion from the girls in the room, leaving only bitter regret to start festering. “Ah’ll go call tha police…” Applejack muttered before making her way out of the room, leaving everyone else to sit silently. ~ “Yes, ma’am. No, it’s okay, our friend was overreacting. Thank ya ma’am, please call me back if tha team finds anything…” a soft click echoed through the empty air as Applejack set the receiver for the rotary phone back into its holder and bringing her hand back up to her face. “You didn’t tell them the truth…” Applejack’s shoulders slumped even further at the sound of Rarity’s voice. “Ah’ve been doin’ that alot o’ late…” the farm girl gave an exhausted sigh as she felt Rarity’s delicate hands press down on her firm shoulders, slowly massaging them. “Besides, tha less people that know about why that happened, tha better…” “I worry about the girls… I dread to think about what Mother and Father are going to do to poor Sweetie Belle…” Rarity whispered as she paused her massaging ro lean in close to Applejack and wrap her arms around the girl. “Tha belt is tha least of Bloom’s concerns… The least o’ all o’ our concerns…” Applejack shrugged free of Rarity’s embrace to turn around and face the girl. “All of us… We’re all murderer’s, Rares… When word o’ that spreads…” “Then we’ll just have to deal with it…” Rarity leaned forward and pressed her lips gently against Applejacks. “It’s the least we can do for what we did.” “Ah guess…” “We’ll have to do our best to clear Sunset’s name as well. It’s what she deserves, at the very least.” Rarity gave a sad smile as she ran a hand down her girlfriend’s cheek. “And we’ll probably have to defend our sisters…” “If’n their not expelled over this…” Applejack's larger hand encompassed Rarity’s. “We should call the families…” ~ “Thank ya fer coming, Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna.” Applejack smiled as she hung up the coats of the two women. “We have… Some difficult things ta discuss.” “When we heard that you had news about Sunset… Well, we should join everyone else. It seems like we were the last two to arrive.” the snow white woman gave an uneasy smile as she and her sister followed behind Applejack. “Okay, everyone is here.” the farm girl announced as she led the two Principals into the large family room of the farmhouse. “Please feel free ta find some space somewhere, we’re a mite bit crowed Ah’m afraid.” Applejack walked up to the impromptu “front” of the room before clearing her throat and getting everyone’s attention. “Thank ya’ll fer comin’ on such short notice. We have some things that’re needin’ ta be discussed. Now just ta make sure we’re all on tha same page, does everyone knows about Anon-A-Miss and tha recent happenings at CHS?” “We don’t.” everyone in the room looked over towards Scootaloo’s aunts as one raised her hand, the other nodding in agreement. “Do ya know what cyberbullying is?” Applejack asked, both women nodding in response. “Anon-A-Miss was behind a vicious attack of cyber bullying at CHS last week. And not only that, they were impersonating one o’ our fellow students, Sunset Shimmer.” “Sunset Shimmer?” asked one of the aunts. “Wasn’t she a massive bully at the school?” inquired the other. “In the past, yes.” Rarity started before Applejack. “But she had reformed, and even helped the school out of a dangerous situation.” “The reason we mention Anon-A-Miss first is to help set the groundwork. Ya see, Sunset was destroyed by all this happenin’, what with the school turning on her again after seeming to have finally forgiven her and-” “Sunset jumped off of a bridge last night. Right in front of the five of us.” Rainbow said as she strode forward, shocked gasps escaping from the crowd of parents, guardians, and principals, while the younger girls all glared at her. “She killed herself because of Anon-A-Miss.” “Could ya’ll calm down please? We have more ta say.” Applejack held her hands out as she pleaded for the adults in the room to be quiet. “Thank ya’ll. Now all the students believed Sunset ta be Anon-A-Miss.” “Even us…” Fluttershy muttered softly. “Yes. Even us. We all threw her away, without givin’ her a chance ta prove her innocence. We were her closest friends.” Applejack’s lips grew thin as she gazed down to the floor. “We killed her…” “Ya’ll didn’t know she’d jump.” Granny Smith said, the other adults all agreeing. “Ya, but we coulda stopped her!” Rainbow yelled angrily. “If we were really her friends- If we were there for her like we kept on promising, then maybe she wouldn’t have fucking killed herself!” “May I add something?” Principal Celestia said loudly, holding up her hand as if she were a student, only standing once Applejack nodded. “Thank you. As most of you know, Sunset is from another world, where magic is real and the land is populated by talking horses. No, I am not on drugs.” There were sad, self knowing chuckles through the room as everyone looked at Scootaloo’s aunts, the two women looking utterly baffled. “Sunset had been the worst thing to ever happen to our school, and during that time Luna and myself did very little to prevent her actions. Just like now…” Celestia swallowed as she shifted around uneasily. “We also did nothing to help her during this event, foolishly believing that maybe it was nothing. Obviously we were wrong, and now a student is dead because of our inaction.” “We are just as guilty as you are then, Miss Applejack.” Luna said as she stood up beside her sister. “But we must not let our guilt consume us yet. We must find whoever is behind Anon-A-Miss, and-” “We found Anon-A-Miss.” Applejack’s statement silenced the crowd of adults that had slowly gained in volume in support of Vice Principal Luna. “Or rather they revealed themselves ta us.” “W-What…?” “Who is it?” “Have you called the police on them?” Applejack felt her sister start quivering beside her, the girl looking down with a sad, yet supportive smile before returning to the crowd that Rarity had silenced. “Anon-A-Miss destroyed everything Princess Twilight had created at tha school… All tha bonds o’ friendship, and camaraderie, gone. Anon-A-Miss also went’n destroyed everything Sunset Shimmer had done ta prove herself a better person…” Applejack paused as she looked over the room. The adults were listening silently. The Rainbooms all stood together, Rarity and herself holding onto their younger sisters, while Scootaloo stood off to the side, as far away from Rainbow Dash as possible. “Would Anon-A-Miss introduce them self.” There were soft noises of disbelief as the three younger girls walked forward, each looking back to their sister uneasily, save for Scootaloo, who didn’t bother to look back at Rainbow Dash as the athlete looked away. “We-We’re Anon-A-Miss.” they announced awkwardly, each of them trying to say it in unison. The cries of shock, horror, and disappointed radiated from the adults, rocking the room as the three girls stood at the forefront, their eyes locked on the floor as they held hands with one another. “We didn’t think she’d kill herself!” Sweetie cried out between quiet sobs, tears streaming down her voice as her squeaky voice cracked repeatedly. “We didn’t want her to! We just wanted to protect our sisters!” “But why?” Celestia asked, her barely calm voice silencing the other clamouring voices. “Why would you do this? Had Sunset not changed? Had she not paid for her crimes? Why did you think your sisters needed protection?” “Did you forget that she tutored the three of you, and countless other students? Or any of the other punishments she underwent?” added Luna as she shook her head, her arms crossed. “...” was the shared, silent response from the three girls. “I’m disappointed with the three of you…” Celestia said after a long sigh. “Disappointed!? Is that all!?” one of Scootaloo’s aunties rose to her feet as she yelled at the woman. “A girl is dead because of them! And you’re just disappointed!?” “Considering that I’m also to blame her?” Celestia raised a brow as she turned towards the woman. “Considering that you knew nothing about this? Anger is what lead to this point. They know what they’ve done, and I can see by the bags under each of their eyes that they didn’t sleep well last night. “So yes. I’m not going to be let myself be angry about this situation. I will just be extremely disappointed in them… in myself.” “Don’t you think that you’re not going to go free for this, Scootaloo.” the girl quaked as she listened to her aunt. “You are going to have some serious explaining to do when we get home, Sweetie Belle.” Cookie Crumbles shook her head as she looked at her daughter. “Come along now you two, we’re going home.” “Principal Celestia, can we talk ta you? This will only take a moment, Mrs. Crumbles.” Applejack interjected as Rarity and Sweetie Belle started to leave. “What do you need, Applejack?” “What are we going to do about this at the school?” Applejack asked softly. “The school needs to know that Sunset was innocent, but if they hear that our sister’s were Anon-A-Miss…” Rarity looked down and watched as Sweetie continued to wipe away at her streaming tears. “...We will discuss this more amongst ourselves and get back to you.” Luna said after a moment. “I think everyone needs some time to themselves.” “Alright. Thank you again for coming. Ya really helped us keep things calm.” Applejack gave a small smile. “Nonsense. You did quite well keeping things in order. Both of you.” Celestia smiled warmly as she rested her hands on the shoulders of Applejack and Rarity. “Thank you…” Rarity gave a small smile as the older woman removed her hands. “We, er, should get going. Please keep in touch with Applejack, and she’ll get in touch with us.” “I promise.” House Arrest“Well someone’s rather feisty this morning.” Aria smirked as she flipped on the lights in the basement. “I, er, brought breakfast?” Sonata’s forced smile was overly wide as she held up a tray with plates of food and a tall, sweating glass of water resting upon it. “Still growling like a beast, I see…” Adagio’s smirk contained a mere fraction of the self confidence that exuded from her body as she made her way across the floor. “My my, whatever shall we do?” “Um, wh-where should I leave the tray?” Sonata looked around the room, more for an exit than a play to deposit the item she held onto. “Why don’t we ask her ourselves?” a soft clicking sound followed Adagio’s gentle purr as she walked around the back of the chair. “Is that better?” “Fuck. You.” spat Sunset Shimmer as she continued to struggle, bound helplessly in the chair as her body groaned in agony. “Now is that any way to thank the people that saved your life?” a condescending smile worked its way across Aria’s face as she peered down at their prisoner. “Fuck. You.” Sunset repeated. “What were you doing in that river anyways?” Sonata asked, a look of confusion spreading across her face. “You know it's the middle of the winter right?” “Fuck-” The air radiated with the echoes of the sound of Aria’s fist connecting with the amber girl’s jaw. “You, yeah yeah, whatever ya want to say, Shimmer.” “Aria! Would you be careful with her?” Adagio’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she slowly ran a finger across the girl’s body. “We don’t want to lose her too quickly after just finding her…” “Are you serious? You three whores already ruined my life with Anon-A-Miss!” Sunset spat at the trio, blood mixing with the spit that hit the floor. “Anonymous? What are talking about?” Adagio chuckled as she tilted her head. “Aw, go get bent ya-” Sunset’s head ricocheted off the back of the chair as Aria’s fist connected with her stomach, leaving Sunset a coughing, gagging mess. “I assure you, darling, that we know nothing about this… Anonymous, was it?” Adagio paused again in front of Sunset. “Sonata? Would you get us a mirror?” “Um… Okies.” the blue Siren nodded as she started walking off. “Fuck you…” Sunset managed out between dry heaves, the burning agony in her body increasing. “I appreciate the interest, dear, but you should find someone more… your level.” the corner of Adagio’s mouth picked up slightly as Aria started cackling. “I would, but it’s pretty hard to find other gods in this world, ya know?” Sunset smirked as she watched Adagio fail to hold back a bark of laughter. “Besides, I doubt even dung beetles would try to court you.” Sunset felt her cheek explode with heat, her vision being replaced by stars as her neck swiveled to the side rapidly. “And here I thought you actually had a brain in that empty head…” Sunset swore she heard the air sizzle from the venom coming from Adagio. “Are you trying to die or something, Shimmer?” Aria asked between laughs, the sound of her slapping her leg bouncing off the walls. “Are you really that stupid, Siren?” Sunset chuckled as she watched as Adagio stopped the purple Siren from charging her with an outstretched arm. “Why do you think I jumped off of a bridge in the middle of the goddamn winter?” “...We didn’t know that you had jumped.” Adagio said slowly as she studied Sunset now scowling in the chair. “As if.” the girl rolled her aquamarine eyes as she looked away from the Sirens. “Well it’s up to you if you choose to believe us or not.” Adagio said as she turned around towards the footsteps pattering down the stairway. “Ah, Sonata.” “Took ya long enough.” Aria crossed her arms as she growled in annoyance at the Siren handing the mirror to Adagio. “Well if you would ever put the mirror back where it was supposed to-” “Sonata? Shut up.” Adagio commanded simply as she turned back to Sunset, holding a large hand mirror out for the girl to look at. Sunset remained quiet as she studied herself in the mirror. She stared defiantly back at herself as she took in her bruised, battered, and bandage ridden form. Her clothes had been replaced, a simple white shirt and grey sweatpants adorned her frame, but she could feel all the bandages wrapped around various parts of her body. “Where’s my clothes?” Sunset asked coldly. “Why don’t you tell us about what happened.” Sunset erupted into laughter after hearing Adagio’s question, her torso burning as it tried to break free from its bindings. “You fucking what!? Even if you three aren’t Anon-A-Miss, what makes you think I’d tell you chucklefucks a damn thing!?” “...Sonata. Feed her and then head back upstairs. Leave the ball gag out.” Adagio turned on her heel before heading back up the stairs, before pausing on the bottom step. “Be careful how much you try to move. You were pretty banged up when we fished you up.” “Are you seriously gonna- Adagio!” Aria snarled as she charged after the lead Siren, leaving Sunset and Sonata alone in the basement. “Um…” Sonata shifted around uneasily before grabbing the tray and holding it towards Sunset. “Would you like some food?” “Is it poisoned?” Sunset asked in annoyance, to which the blue Siren shook her head. “Then no. Do you really think I’m gonna prolong my life so you three monsters could torture me more?” “...What happened to you?” Sunset started to chuckle, her face tilting up as Sonata sat in place. “I already told you…” Sunset glared at the Siren, fire pouring from her eyes as hatred dripped from her whispers. “I’m not telling any of you a damn thing.” “C-Cross my h-heart, and hope to… to fly?” Sonata started as she stood up, obviously searching for the words. “Shut. Up.” came the bestial growl from Sunset. “Stick a… a cupcake in my eye?” Sonata paused as she finished the motion, watching carefully as Sunset started to try to break free from her bindings. “You shut the fuck up right this instant!!!” she screamed as she rattled the chair and her manacles. “You shut the fuck up before I tear your fucking throat out!!!” “I promise not to tell them, so-” Sonata started, only to be once again interrupted by Sunset. “No! I’m not telling you a damn thing!” Sunset raged helplessly against her bindings, her motions slowing down as her fury was replaced by sorrow. “You three ruined my life! I’d rather choke on my tongue than give you the pleasure…!” “Wo-Would you like some water? I-i-I brought you a straw!” Sunset grabbed the tall glass of water as Sunset started coughing loudly, holding out a long, plastic straw that had no less than thirty seven small circles and bends. “Unless you want to kill me quickly, I don’t want any of your supposed help…” Sunset muttered as tears started to build at the corners of her eyes. Sonata’s lips drew thin as she slowly stood up with the tray of food, the Siren looking down at the amber girl with a sad glimmer in her eyes as she turned to depart. “Yeah, that’s right! Run back to your masters!” Sunset yelled at the back of the retreating girl. “You always seemed like the hanger on! Were you even a real Siren?” Sonata seemed to freeze on the bottom step before quickly scurrying up the stairs after flicking off the light switch, leaving Sunset alone and in the dark. Alone to ruminate over how her already ruined life could get even worse… ~ “Would you hurry the fuck up!?” Aria shouted halfway up the stairs from the basement. “A fucking newborn moves faster than you!” “Well I doubt many newborns get slapped in manacles!” shot back Sunset as she hopped up another stair. “These things don’t give me any room to properly step up the stairs in case you’re blind.” “Not my problem, bitch. Now hurry up!” Aria grumbled as she left Sunset at the bottom of the stairs. Sunset wasn’t sure how much time had passed since the Sirens had left her in the basement, nor how much had passed since she had jumped at the bridge. She would have been fine stewing in the basement, but then she got that familiar feeling in her bladder, and while she would have loved to leave the mess for the Sirens to clean up, she was also too proud to soil herself. As a result she started making a racket until Aria eventually made her way down the stairs, swinging around a set of keys. Now Sunset had been somewhat freed of her bindings, enough that she could shuffle along as she made her way to the stairs. Those were a completely different hurdle, as the manacles around her feet didn’t have enough chain to let her properly step up the stairs, so she was left to hop up them, step by step. “Washroom’s this way…” Aria grumbled as Sunset finally reached the top floor, the girl freezing as closing her eyes as the brightness of natural light flooded her poot, deprived eyes. “Woah…” Sunset was honestly shocked at just how immaculate everything around her was. “This place is huge…” “Right here.” Aria said as she opened the door to the washroom, pushing Sunset in before standing and crossing her arms in the doorway. “Aren’t you gonna close the door?” Sunset asked as she turned around. “You think I’m gonna enjoy watching this?” the Siren growled in return. “You? Most likely.” Sunset chuckled as she started to fiddle with her sweatpants. ~ Was it five days that had passed, or only four? Sunset couldn’t concentrate enough to think about it, the agonizing hunger in her stomach reminding her of her early childhood. Thirst had gotten the better of her, and she emptied the entire glass that Sonata had brought the other day in a mad frenzied, the Equestrian leaving with a happy smile. But her desire for food had yet to break. Yet. Last night, maybe morning, it nearly did when Sonata brought down a salad, the aroma of fresh fruits wafting through the air. She almost broke then. Almost. “Oof…” Adagio grunted as she dropped the rather large looking wooden table onto the ground in front of Sunset, before pulling up her own seat and sitting down, resting her arms on the table’s surface. “Merry Christmas, Sunset.” Sunset gave as angry of a groan as she could muster as she attempted to glare at the Siren through half shut eyes. “I have some presents for you.” the Siren’s face was unreadable as she moved down to the red sack that sat beside the table, Aria scowling and Sonata trying to smile as they stood behind their leader. “Here.” Adagio dropped Sunset’s journal onto the table, opening to the last entries. “The Equestrian Magic in it kept it safe from the water, though it seems like Princess Twilight never answered.” Sunset had started to get more active when Adagio pulled out her journal, she started to rattle at her chains for the first time in days, only to die down when the Siren flipped to the last entries from Sunset, the page still blank of the Princess’ responses. Sunset seemed to wither before the Sirens as she slumped in her chair, silently admitting a final defeat, the loss of the last bit of hope that she didn’t know she had. “...” Adagio flipped the journal shut, stashing it on the ground before withdrawing a laptop from the confines of the bag, powering it on and facing it towards the bound girl as it booted up, loading up from its sleep and loading a familiar blue and white screen. “We know what you meant now by Anon-A-Miss.” Adagio explained as she scrolled through the comments on the page before shifting to another page. Sunset’s own. “It seems like your… former friends were eager to comment on the matter on your own page…” Adagio frowned as she watched Sunset remain silent. “We have an offer for you Sunset, one that we hope you would enjoy.” Sunset’s brow twitched, ever so slightly, but it twitched, downwards as her eyes slowly rolled towards the now standing Adagio Dazzle, and the other Sirens standing with her. “Help us in our plans for revenge on the students of Canterlot High School, and we’ll help you get revenge on the Rainbooms.” Powerfully Pissed Purple Pony Princess Mrs. Cake gave a tired sigh as she retreated from the front door to Sugar Cube Corner, the sign having been flipped from Open to Close. The day had been quiet, it was New Years Eve after all, let alone the small blizzard that had started raging outside! They should be spending the night together at home soon, relaxing near a roaring fireplace. However life had other plans it seemed, as furious knocking radiated from behind her, the glass windows of the door audibly clacking in their frame. She paused for a moment, contemplating her response. She should ignore it, whoever was at the door could surely read the sign, right? The continued frenzy of knocking seemed to tell her otherwise, and so with a tired sigh she turned towards the door, an equally tired look on her face as she attempted to point to the small red sign that hung in the doorway. “Excuse, but we’re closed… Twilight…?” the plump woman’s brow furrowed as she rushed to the door, opening it an allowing the girl from a different world collapse in, her clothing woefully inadequate for dealing with the blustering winds and snow whipping around outside. “Why are you wearing those clothes, dear? It’s the middle of winter!” “Th-Th-The Mirror…” the girl’s teeth were chattering as she ran her hands up and down her arms in a weak attempt to warm herself up. “Do-do-doesn’t understand the idea of se-seasonal clothing, it appears.” “I’ll say! Come with me, I have a blanket in the back and we’ll whip you up some hot cocoa! That’ll warm you up!” The woman wrapped an arm protectively around Twilight as she started to shepherd her towards the back. “There’s no time!” Twilight bolted up, ignoring the numbing freeze that had taken hold of her body as she rushed to the sweet shoppe from CHS. “Do you know where Sunset is!? I need to find her!” “Sunset…? You haven’t… Oh no…” Mrs. Cake froze, dread washing over her. She did not want to be the one to break the news to the girl. “Why don’t you stay here and warm up? I’ll get a hold of Pinkie, and she’ll get the other girls. I think they were all having a little get together at Rarity’s house if I-” “Rarity’s? Thank you Mrs. Cake!” Twilight nodded before she bolted towards the entry, and into the small blizzard raging outside. “Twilight, wait, you…!” Mrs. Cake tried her best to follow the younger girl, but she was out the door before the blue skinned woman had taken two steps, and was completely out of sight by the time she reached the door. ~ “It’s just not the same, you know…” Pinkie Pie muttered halfheartedly as she looked over at the empty place setting on the table, the rest of the Rainbooms following suit. A small, golden filigree frame sat alone on the colourful plate, facing out towards the girls, a small photograph of Sunset Shimmer resting carefully inside it. The photo showed the girl on stage following the Battle of the Bands, an enormous smile on her face as she proudly played her guitar and stared at the camera. The memories of how happy the girl had been after the event with the Sirens, and how the entire school had finally forgiven her for her past actions. Or so she had thought. “Well it’s the least we could do, darling.” Rarity’s voice threatened to crack as she wiped away at her eyes. “Though I doubt that she would join us if she were still with us…” “You can say that again…” Dash groaned as she shifted her forehead off of the table so she could look at the other girls. “Is Sweetie Belle gonna get all upset again that she wasn’t invited?” “Rainbow!” Applejack slammed the table fiercely as yelled at the athlete in disgust. “Why would ya ever bring that up!?” “...Sorry.” the girl apologized lamely, her shoulders slumping. “I just… I’m never gonna forgive them, ya know?” “They’re family, Rainbow. Family forgives one another.” Fluttershy said quietly before her face fell. “That’s what friends are supposed to do…” Rainbow Dash chuckled darkly as she looked over at her childhood friend. “I’m glad that parents were able to get a group rate. Your brother finally did something worthwhile.” “Ah’m just glad that tha psychologist is willin’ ta see tha lot o’ us…” Applejack drawled, rubbing her face in her hands. “And durin’ tha holidays.” “He’s well used to Zephyr, so-” Fluttershy’s voice matched the uncharacteristic snarl on her face, only to vanish when the elegant chiming of the house’s doorbell started to echo peacefully through the air. “I say, this better not be a prank.” Rarity grumbled as she stood up, looking down at her phone. “It’s not even five past eleven on New Year’s Eve!” “Wait up! I wanna deck the jerk who’s interrupting Sunset’s wake!” Rainbow Dash jumped to her feet and raced after the girl, causing the remaining three Rainbooms to shrug and follow close behind. “I… I don’t think you’re going to want to keep that promise, Rainbow…” Rarity whispered as she dropped down from her tippy toes, the doorbell was continuously rung as the fashionista fiddled with the door locks. “And why is that?” Rainbow asked as the door was opened, winter rushing in to snuff out the warmth of the house, along with the person at the door. “Princess Twilight!” was the shared shriek as the girl collapsed to the floor, her lavender skin pale from the cold outside. Applejack sprung into action, hoisting the girl up into her arms as she rushed to the living room. “Come on, girl! We’ll get ya ta tha fireplace!” “I’ll get some blankets!” Rarity said as she started to hyperventilate, before rushing off with Fluttershy following behind. “What the hell is she doing here? She coulda freezed to death outside dressed like that!” Rainbow chimed in as she and Pinkie Pie followed behind Applejack. “She must have become worried and came looking for…” Pinkie Pie’s voice trailed off. Ever since the day when everyone gathered at Applejack’s farm house, Pinkie had not uttered the amber girl’s name, making a Pinkie Promise to do so, as she said she felt like she didn’t deserve to talk about their lost friend by name. Applejack slowly set the bone numbing girl down in a chair before pulling the chair next to the fire and shaking her head. “If’n she did, than Ah reckon we’re in fer a long night…” “We have blankets! Please tell me she’s still alive!” Rarity and Fluttershy rushed around the corner, Rarity-designed blankets overflowing from their arms. Rainbow Dash gently pushed Applejack out of the way before leaning over top of the still form of Twilight, listening as she rested two fingers against the girl’s thin neck. “She’s breathing, and she’s got a pulse.” “I’ll go make her some tea.” Rarity gave an uneasy chuckle as she finished depositing blankets onto Twilight. “Are you sure that’s smart? Giving an angry person something to throw at you?” Rainbow Dash commented before hissing and rubbing at her arm as Applejack retracted her fist. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to me of late…” the pale white girl responded quietly as she fiddled with the long sleeve of her shirt before departing. ~ “Sunset!!!” came the desperate cry from Twilight Sparkle as consciousness rushed back to her, her eyes shooting open as she her head darted side to side. “Easy, Princess. Calm down.” a familiar voice commanded as a larger hand came to rest on her shoulder. “Yer alright.” “Applejack? Why did you follow me through the portal?” Twilight asked in confusion, before blinking a few times as she realized where she was. “Wait, no… Your… S-Sorry… I guess the cold got to me.” “I’d be more amazed if nothing happened to you cause of it.” a knowing chuckle came from Rainbow Dash as the girl gruffly grabbed her hands, pressing down gently on each finger tip. “Any pain or numbness? I’m not seeing any frostbite, somehow, but you never know.” “N-No, I feel that just fine. Well, a little numb I guess but I think that’s just the cold.” “Good, and what about your toes?” Rainbow asked in response of the all clear on the Princess’ fingers, repeated the process on the sock encased lower digits, receiving a similar answer. “Yes, they’re fine. Thank Celestia that I made it! The portal doesn’t differentiate seasons I guess.” Twilight gave an uneasy chuckle, rubbing the back of her head as she looked around the room as her brain finished defrosting. “Okay, so where’s Sunset? I know she said that you five thought she might have been guilty of being this… Anon-A-Miss, was it? Well certainly that was just a joke, right?” A large, hope filled smile spread across the face of the Equestrian royalty as she looked around the room, each of her Gaian friends shying away from looking at her as if her slowly fading smile was physically causing them pain. Twilight’s facade started to crumble as silence continued to be the response from her allies on this side of the mirror. “R-Right?” “Sunset…” Applejack coughed and cleared her throat, trying to distract from the rough cracking of her voice. “Sunset’s dead, Twilight. A little over a week ago she… jumped off o’ the bridge crossin’-” “She was telling the truth… You… All of you really did turn your backs on her.” the emptiness of Twilight’s voice hit the Rainbooms harder than if the girl was “only disappointed” in them, each of the five recoiling in shame as Twilight continued. “What could have possibly have led you five to doing that?” “We thought she was behind o’ all o’ tha secret spredin’ Anon-A-Miss was doin’.” the farm girl explained as she removed her stetson, holding it in front of herself. “Secrets? That’s what cause all of this? Surely you jest! When the other You’s did this back in Equestria to me, at least it was because I was seeming to be trying to ruin a royal wedding!” Twilight had started to slowly grow more and more aggressive as she lambasted the girls. “Ah’m tellin’ tha truth, Princess… Ah mean, Ah am supposed ta be Honesty…” Applejack struggled with the last word of her lame defence, not even looking Twilight in the eye. “Oh, so were you lying after the Battle of the Bands when you called her your friend?” “Twilight, please! We-” Twilight turned on Rainbow Dash, silencing the girl with an outstretched finger. “What about Loyalty? Did you at least give her a chance?” No response. “Generosity? Kindness?” Nothing from either of them, and as soon as Twilight looked over at Pinkie Pie the party planner shook her head. “Are you serious right now!? After everything she did after the Fall Formal, all the charity work and- She sung praises of the five you every day, you know. Yeah! She couldn’t stop talking about how great the five of you were treating her. Really showing her the Magic of Friendship!” The Rainbooms kept their heads collectively hung in shame as they shuffled their feet. Rarity broke the line when she took a small step forward and stated to whisper in a soft voice. “Sunset, erm… She was lying, darling.” Rarity braced herself as she waited for the Princess to respond. “Oh, this is gonna be rich.” Twilight gave a surprisingly dark chuckle as she crossed her arms and studied the girls. “Tell me. What could Sunset possibly lie to me about, huh?” “We didn’t know that she was saying good things about us…” Pinkie Pie said. Fluttershy paused her quiet sobbing. “She tried so hard to make amends after that night.” she added sorrowfully. “We didn’t act like her friends during that time.” Rainbow Dash clenched her fists, her body shaking as she kept her eyes shut. “We often ignored her.” “We kept on making jokes at her expense…” Rarity reached up and wiped away the tear running down her cheek. “Half the time we ignored her… Sent her away. “It wasn’t till after tha Battle of the Bands that we called her our friend.” Applejack looked up, her eyes trying to look past the lavender girl recuperating in the chair. “She lied about us being her friends…” “...” Twilight’s lips spread thin, her raging heart beat almost audible to the girl’s as fire started to drip from her eyes. The group reacted in silent terror as the girl slammed a hand on the arm of her chair, some strange sounds erupting from her mouth. “You're all lucky that we aren't in Equestria, or I’d personally banish you all to Tartarus and make sure you were stripped of you’re status as bearers of the Elements of Harmony!” Twilight shifted erratically between shouting and whispering, but every word dripped with as much rage, disappointment, and betrayal that the girl could muster. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about stripping us of that status…” Rainbow muttered as her pocket buzzed loudly. “We haven’t been able to pony up all break…” “Good.” was the Equestrian’s bitingly bitter response, only for her brow to furrow. “What’s with all that buzzing.” “Oh, um… that’s just our alarm for the new… yea…” Rarity paused as she brought out her phone, here eyes widening as she looked at the screen. “Oh my god…” “What? I know that look, Rarity. What’s going on?” Twilight tore the blankets off of her as she started to hurriedly walk to Rarity’s side, the other girl’s gathering close and giving their own cries of shock. “She… She’s…” Rarity held the phone towards Twilight, the screen bright as a picture of Sunset Shimmer flashed across it. A picture of the old Sunset Shimmer, with simple text saying “Happy New Year” surrounding her, as well as a small, right facing triangle in the bottom right corner. “It’s a video… Why is someone posting on her account?” Rainbow Dash asked, the girl obviously struggling to keep her anger in check. “Video? Like that thing from the Fall Formal?” Twilight asked as Rarity brought her phone back to herself, nodding in response. “Play it then.” Rarity looked up, worry etched on her face as she ran a delicate finger across the small pad at the bottom of the phone. “Did you miss me?” came the simple, smug, yet incredibly robotic voice as the text glittered around Sunset’s image. “Did you miss me?” “It’s just on repeat…” Applejack said, scowling as the video kept repeating the line over and over again. “Why would someone-” “Because I sure as fuck didn’t miss any of you!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, suddenly appearing on the screen, looking more alive than she had during that week at school, before retreating away with a dark laugh. “I thought you said she was dead!?” Twilight yelled, her arms shooting out behind her as she stared at the girls in disbelief. “B-B-But the cops…! They said they couldn’t find her body!” Rainbow said as numerous emotions crashed against her. “You gotta believe us, Twilight!!” “What, like you believed Sunset when she tried to prove her innocence!?” a second loud buzz echoed from all the girls pockets or phones. “Now what!?” Hello all, I hope you had an awesome Christmas, cause I sure as fuck didn’t! Actually, no, I hope you all had a shitty holiday season! Though I doubt it’s going to hold a candle to how bad it’s about to become! >;’3 You all accused me of being Anon-A-Miss, of spreading secrets even after everything I did to try and redeem myself! I’m almost embarrassed that I even tried, given how easily you all fell into infighting again, just like before Twilight saved all of your asses at the Fall Formal. xD Seeing as all you traitors want to see me as is a villain, I guess I’ll grant your wishes. I’ll become the villain you all so badly want me to be again. You all thought it was bad when I manipulated things behind the shadows? Well I still have all that information, and this time… ;’3 This time I’m not gonna play nice. This time I’m not gonna hold back! And the best part is, I’m gone! None of you are ever gonna find me! So prepare for me to truly become Anon-A-Miss! :’) Prepare for me to make your lives the hell that I had to deal with for an entire week! >:’[ The girl that saved your fucking asses from the goddamn Sirens, Sunset Shimmer Everyone grew silent. Sunset was dead, they knew Sunset was dead! She jumped off of the bridge right in front of them, and the police never found her body! But this… “I’m going to find her…” Twilight uttered as she started to back away. “I’m going to find her and bring her home…” “Twilight!” one of the Rainbooms cried out as the Princess dashed towards the door, storming through it and back into the thankfully subsiding blizzard, her guilt powering her forward. While she had been spending the holidays with family and friends, enjoying herself, Sunset had been suffering. She had been turned into a scapegoat by those who she had thought were her friends. No… Twilight Sparkle was not going to abandon her friend again! She was going to find Sunset Shimmer, and fix this.
The Breaking of Sunset“You’re kidding me, right? You can’t seriously think this is me!?” Sunset looked around with a bemused look at the other five members of the Rainbooms. Tuesday was ending up to be even worse than Monday, and classes hadn’t even started yet. Somehow word had spread of Applejack’s childhood nickname, the students around the school whispering “Piggly-Wiggly.” or making soft oinking sounds. The group had been unsure, and while she was embarrassed by it, Applejack had told everyone to ignore it. That night the girls had gathered at Rarity’s house to relax, and an impromptu costume show occurred, all six of them having a fun time and taking pictures. And now those pictures had ended up online. But only the pictures that Sunset had taken, and they were all live on a new MyStable account calling itself Anon-A-Miss. And to make matters worse it was trying to frame Sunset, using a vague outline of her and using banners of her trademark crimson and gold streaks. And it was working it seemed, if her friends were anything to go by. She had entered school happy and excited to hang out with five of the most important people in her life, but as soon as she had entered school grounds she noticed her fellow Wondercolts were staring darkly at her, grimacing or scowling as they ignored her morning greetings. They now seemed tame compared to how the Rainbooms were acting. “How else would those pictures end up online, Sunset?” Rainbow jabbed a finger into Sunset, her magenta eyes ablaze with fury. “They were taken with yer phone, so unless ya fer some reason shared these private photos with someone else, which’s just as bad, yer tha only one who coulda gone’n posted em!” Applejack crossed her arms as she glowered at the girl standing across from the Rainbooms. “But why would I post these?” The five grew quiet as they watched Sunset swing her arms out in disbelief. “What could I possibly gain from doing this!? You five are my friends!” “...Are we really though?” Sunset felt all the blood, plasma, and bile in her body coagulate as a bone numbing chill ran through her body, which only grew as Rarity continued. “I mean, maybe all of this was you just getting close to us for revenge?” “Maybe you’re just a big secret-stealer!” Pinkie Pie added, a multitude of bags appearing under her eyes as she pointed an accusatory finger at Sunset. “Fluttershy…?” Sunset slowly turned to look at the girl standing behind the rest. “You’re not our friend, Sunset…” the meek girl’s delicate whisper threatened to topple Sunset, her eardrums nearly rupturing from the intensity of the sound wave slowly passing by her. She stumbled back a step, then a second as her shoulders slumped, her face falling to the ground as confusion and dread rushed through her, leaving her a discoherant, bumbling mess. “N-No… Nonono, this- This is all a bad dream. Yes, a nightmare! I’ll wak-wake up and-” “No, Sunset. You’re our nightmare now.” Sunset felt her whole body retracting as she looked up at the suddenly towering forms of the other Rainbooms. They swayed around in her vision, matching the unsteady quaking of the ground beneath her as they slowly marched off, leaving Sunset alone to finally start taking in the crowd that had gathered around the six of them. “Bitch…” “Freak!” “You monster.” Sunset looked around at the looming masks of the Wondercolts that were slowly encasing her, blocking the light as- “Enough! I’m not Anon-A-Miss!” Sunset screamed as she bolted to her feet and bulldozed through the crowd and down the hall. She wouldn’t cry! She wouldn’t… ~ “You aren’t even going to let me try and defend myself?” Sunset stood in shock as she watched the Rainbooms all glared at her in excessive disgust. Anon-A-Miss had posted again just after the students had started making their way to the cafeteria, at the same time as Sunset had been on her phone. She had been in a panic defending herself from the students around her after a younger voice called out that she had posted again. “Why should we? You keep posting after all!” Rainbow said between mouthfuls of sandwich. “That’s not me, damnit! I’m innocent! Why won’t you believe me!?” Sunset stamped a foot down as she felt anger slowly bubbling up her tall frame. “Howabout you apologize for being Anon-A-Miss to the entire school, stop posting shit, and maybe we’ll talk. Otherwise, just fuck off and die, Shimmer.” “You know what!? Fine! Fuck you girls too! I don’t fucking deserve this!” Sunset screamed as she hurled her tray filled with meat based foods at the table that she usually sat at before storming off, ignoring the distressed scream coming from Rarity. “Hey! Where do you think-” one of the linebacker’s for the schools stood up, trying to block Sunset’s way before she set him and his stupid whirlwind logo shirt back down in his chair with a firm arm. Fine! If they won’t listen to me, then they will have to listen to Princess Twilight! Sunset thought as she almost removed the cafeteria doors from their hinges as she burst out of the room. ~ Dear Princess Twilight, Hi, Twilight, I hope you are doing well, because I currently am not. You see, somebody has started impersonating me and spreading secrets around the school, and no one is listening to me that I’m innocent! Even the other girl’s think I’m guilty! I don’t know what else I can do right now and I was desperately hoping you could come over here and help me with a Friendship crisis of the largest magnitude! I’ll be eagerly waiting to hear from you, since I’m now gonna be stuck at home after school. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer~* ~ Dear Princess Twilight, Hi Twilight, me again. I haven't heard back from you, so I’m thinking that you got caught up in something. Just wanted to buzz you again before I head back to school. I’m really not looking forward to it- I even had to turn off my phone because of all the angry messages I’ve been getting thanks to Anon-A-Miss. I’m going to leave it at home, hopefully it will help me plead my case. Anyways, I’ll have your journal with me at all times now, so get back to me as soon as you can, please. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer~* ~ Dear Twilight, Are you there? I really need your help! The entire school is coming after me at this point! Anon-A-Miss is getting worse and worse with each passing hour, and the students are following suit! It’s gone from them just verbally assaulting me to shoving and pushing. Sarah, (That’s my jacket, the one Rarity fixed after the fall formal.) has a tear in her now thanks to one of the students. I really hope you are just stuck saving Equestria, but please get back to me as soon as you can! I don’t have anyone else to turn to at this point. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer ~ Sunset wiped away a tear as she opened up her journal, the only link she had to the Princess. Twilight still hadn’t responded to her pleas for help, and now she was stuck hiding in the girls washroom as class let out. She flipped through to the last message that she had wrote before clicking her pen and starting to write. Twilight? I guess you really were just ignoring me. Just like everyone else. I don’t know if I’m going to make it through the rest of the day. The Principals asked to meet me after classes, but I don’t know if I can go. Please. Help me. Your fr Sunset Sunset shut the journal with a quiet sniff before depositing it into her backpack and exiting the stall, pausing to take a look at herself in the mirror. She was a mess, her long hair, her pride and joy was a mass of curls and tangles as a result of not showering for the last two days. She couldn’t count the number of dark bags under her eyes, and her left cheek was a dark bruise. She quickly looked away and made her way out of the dingy room, pausing to peek around the corners to make sure it was safe before starting to scurry towards the Principal's office. ~ “You want to send me away!?” the chair Sunset had previously been seated on landed on the floor with a loud thud as the girl exploded to her feet in outrage. “We believe it would be for the best of everyone if you were not at Canterlot High School come the new year.” Vice Principal Luna said slowly and calmly, an apologetic glint in her eyes as she looked up at the standing girl. “Oh- I get it! Both of you think I’m Anon-A-Miss, huh!?” Sunset swung her arms around in a mix of disbelief and anger. “You want me gone so that way when I’m arrested I’m a former member of CHS, huh!” Principal Celestia stood up, her hands on her desk as she slowly shook her head. “No. Sunset, please calm down. We’re trying to help you.” “Help me!? You think sending me away is gonna fucking help me!?” Sunset couldn’t believe the drivel coming from the mouths of the two women now standing opposite of her. “Helping me would be finding Anon-A-Miss and proving my god damn innocence!” “It’s not that easy-” “You know what- No! You want me gone? Fine! I’ll fucking leave!” Sunset shouted as she reached down and hoisted up her backpack before storming towards the exit. “Sunset, wait!” one of the women called out. Sunset didn’t care which one of them it was as she kicked open the door after turning the handle, scaring the poor secretary as she thundered past. ~ Sunset gave an annoyed hiss as she gently pushed at the fresh bruise on her arm before looking down at the crumpled forms of Gilda and her small troop of cronies. “Why don’t I go and post a picture of this?” Sunset spat as she limped over to the huffing form of the aggressive Wondercolt. Gilda and her group had run into Sunset at one of the liquor stores in the shadier part of town, Gilda and co on the way out as Sunset was on her way in. Needless to say that “diplomacy” went awry and Sunset soon found herself fighting off the various goons. “You… Bitch…” the white hair teen grunted as Sunset hoisted the girl’s face up off the half frozen concrete, before adjusting it so Sunset could snap a picture of the two of them, as well as the other goons in the background. “You’re dead meat…” “You can’t kill what’s already dead, idiot.” Sunset growled as she roughly let go of the girl’s head before stumbling back to lean against the wall, groaning in time with her bodies various aches as she tapped away at her phone. She ignored the messages that continued to flood in as she finished her post on MyStable, her first post all week. It was a collection of pictures that showed a heavily bruised and slightly bleeding Sunset kneeling and grinning with an equally beaten Gilda who was scowling, as well as a few shots of her other assailants. “Thanks for the booze, Gilda.” Sunset snarked a she retrieved both her backpack and the other groups bag of various alcoholic beverages and awkwardly walking out of the alley and onto the streets, thick heavy snowflakes falling rapidly from the fat, grey clouds up above. Sunset paused and reached down into the bag, rummaging around until she withdrew a large, familiar brown bottle. “Not bad…” Sunset gave an impressed hum as she slowly twisted the seal off and returning to her steady pace of walking down the street. ~ An intoxicated hiccup escaped from Sunset as she finished depositing her journal into her backpack and leaned back unsteadily, her hand grasped around the neck of the now empty bottle before shifting her weight forward and throwing the bottle into the slow moving river beneath the bridge she now stood on. She paused, watching and listening as intently as her slowly wobbling form could, but nothing happened. She brought her hand up to her face. Nope, she wasn’t still holding the bottle. So where was it? She started to look around, only to pause when she noticed it sitting on the crumpled up mass of her backpack and almost empty booze bag. “Oh…” Sunset gave a slurred response as she slid down against the railing until she was sitting firmly on the ground, her back bending awkwardly because of the backpack she wore, only to give a startled cry as something started buzzing against her leg. She scrambled to save herself, only to realize it was in her pocket, so she slowly retrieved the buzzing item. The screen of her phone was lit up, a strangely familiar number flashing in time with the buzzing and catchy tune playing from the device until it went silent. Sunset gave another hiccup as she sloppily slid her finger across the little button thingee on the bottom of the device. It was time, or at least the small, somehow still sober bit of her mind told her as she found herself slowly rising to her feet. She prodded at the small icon, a bluish square with white picnic… prick? Picket! That was the word! Picket fencing. She giggled at just how smart she was as she slowly turned around and took a picture of the icy river. She continued to giggle as she tapped away at the small little letters on the screen, having to pause as she started hitting even more wrong keys, before deleting all of them and starting again. Sunset paused as her fat thumb hovered over the post button. The wind was carrying the sound of voices and… Quacking? No, cats don’t quack… Sunset chuckled as she shook her head, pausing when the sounds grew closer and giving a half gurgled “Wuh…?” “She’s got something! This way!” the voice grew closer, along with the barking and a… blinking light? It was really hard to see through all the damn snowflakes! “Aww, shut up ya stupid mutt!” Sunset attempted to say, but the cold running through her mixed with all the alcohol left her speaking in a chattering slur. “Wait, is that…?” a second voice said, the violent wind carrying it into Sunset’s number ears. “Sunset! Oh, thank heavens you’re fine!” “Sunset!” Sunset slowly blinked her frosty eyes as she studied the five girls staring at her in a mixture of shock and relief, a dog barking happily at one of the girl’s heels. “Fuck. OFF.” the now sober Sunset snarled as the bubbly, happy, joyful, and buzz of her alcoholic blitz subsided, replaced by anger, fury, and rage as she addressed the Rainbooms. “S-Sunset, I-I-I know you are quite upset with us right now, but-” “You fucking think, Rarity!?” Sunset yelled, cutting off the fashionista and sending her scuttling back in fear. “I am beyond fucking upset with you traitors, so just fuck off already!” “Please, Sunset! We know you aren’t Anon-A-Miss!” Fluttershy begged, her worry filled tears freezing in place on her cheeks, just like everyone standing on the bridge. A single, harsh bark of noise escaped from Sunset, breaking the still silence, followed by a second and a third, and soon enough the air echoed with grating, empty laughter as Sunset stumbled back against the railing to the bridge, her whole body quaking as she started to gasp for air. The Rainbooms remained frozen in spot, the air around them sweltering in comparison to the cold, bitter laugh emanating from Sunset, locking them in place. Winona gave a scared whimper as she moved behind Applejack, hiding herself from Sunset as she slowly caught her breath. “I’ll tell you all again.” Sunset growled as she tapped her phone, her eyes passing over the five girls. “Fuck. OFF.” “You gotta listen to us, Sunset! We-” “Let you defend yourself!? Prove that you- You didn’t give me the time of day, you fucking bastards!” Sunset’s lungs burned as she shouted herself horse, this time interrupting Rainbow Dash. “No way in Tartarus am I giving you the chance! No, I’m gonna do exactly what you told me to do, Dash.” The athlete’s face furrowed in confusion as she pondered Sunset’s comment, her gaze, along with the other band members watching Sunset intently. Silence grew over the crowd as they watched Sunset motion to them. “You gonna check that? Might be Anon-A-Miss posting something again.” “Sunset, we know it’s not you!” Pinkie Pie started, only to give a small scream as Sunset fluidly reached down and grabbed, then hurled, an empty beer can at the the ground between the two parties. “Fucking do it!” Sunset let out a banshee scream, causing Rarity to weakly fiddle around with her jacket pocket before pulling out her phone. Even from this distance Sunset could see the girl’s marshmallow hued face, her cheeks rosy from the biting chill of the wind whipping around them, pale. “N-No… Please…” Rarity looked up, her head shaking back and forth. “Please, Sunset! Someone stop her!” “So you say you know who Anon-A-Miss is, huh?” Sunset gave a dark chuckle as she stepped against the railing of the bridge. “I guess that’s not the only thing you’re going to have to deal with.” “Rarity? What are yo-” “She’s going to jump!” the fashionista yelled as she started to desperately run towards Sunset. “Congratu-FUCKING-lations.” Sunset gave a disturbingly happy looking smile as she sat up on the railing before throwing herself off and towards the icy river flowing beneath them. “Oh my god, no!” “Sunset!” “Nooo!” Sunset chuckled as she plummeted down, the air racing around her as a cold smile spread across her face, almost as cold as the large chunk of ice drawing disturbingly close to-
Realization“Oh my god, no!” “Sunset!” “Nooo!” All five of the girls rushed to the edge of the railing, crying out for their friend. They reached the edge, the railing stopping them from flying off as a crash, snap, crunch, and a splash simultaneously echoed from the river below, the thick snow preventing them from seeing anything. “O-Oh… Oh my g-god… Sh-She…” Rarity could be heard muttering to herself in disbelief as she stumbled back away from the edge, shaking her head before she gave a soft cry and crumbled to the pavement, thankfully passing out before she landed. “Dash! What tha fuck are ya thinkin’!?” Applejack shouted as she grabbed hold of the flailing athlete who was now trying to jump over the railings herself. The farmer could hear Fluttershy dash away, only for the sound of violent retching and a wet, thick splattering to be heard from her direction. “I’m going after her, idiot!” Rainbow yelled back, struggling her hardest to get free of the farmgirl’s strong hold. “And do what? You’d only risk killing yourself by jumping down there!” “At this point I’d rather be dead, AJ! She jumped because of us! Because… Because of me…” the shortest girl of the group slowly relented her struggling, going limp as she slid to the ground before starting to bawl loudly as she slammed her fist into the frozen concrete, before starting to yell at herself. “Idiot! You’re a fucking idiot, Rainbow Dash! You never tell someone to kill themselves!” she relented on the concrete, only to start delivering blows to her own mostly frozen face instead. “Raaaaaaaaugh-hagh-haaaaaa…” “Pinkie? How ya holdin’ up?” Applejack asked as she looked around at the rest of the group quickly. She finally noticed Rarity was passed out, concern running down her spine as she reached out tentatively. “I… We…” Applejack’s eyes passed over the still, thankfully weakly, vomiting form of Fluttershy, only to be greeted with the strangely still form of her distant cousin. “Hey. Come on, Pinkie. I need your help here, okay?” Applejack grabbed the girl by the shoulders, the dull light flowing through the clouds casting a greyish pallor over the party planner as Applejack firmly shook the girl. “Come on, Pinkie.” “What… What are we gonna do?” the blank eyes of Pinkie locked with AJ’s, the girl freezing as she was caught in the void swirling in the empty sockets, dragging her deeper and deeper into- “Check on Flutters, help get her cleaned up. Ah’ll check on Rarity.” the girl shook her head as she laid out her instructions, pointing Pinkie Pie in the direction of their now wailing friend before looking down at the self flagellating Rainbow. “Come on, girl. We need ya on yer feet.” Applejack bent down and gently hoisted the girl to her feet, grunting with the effort. “Come on now… Slowly… There we go. Come this way, okay?” Applejack slowly dragged Rainbow behind herself, their hands firmly clenched around one another as they made their way over to the thankfully still breathing Rarity. “Okay now, Dash, help me with Rarity here, alright? We need to get her sitting up.” “Wh-Why… Why didn’t we believe her?” Fluttershy’s soft whisper carried all the emotions raging through the group as a result of their actions. “We caused her to… to do this…” “Fluttershy, can you call Big Mac and-” “Are you just going to ignore the fact that one of our friends just jumped off a fucking bridge, Applejack!?” the farmer reached up and slowly rubbed at her aching chin as she picked herself up off the snowy ground, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy still crying in shock as Rainbow Dash stood fuming in front of the downed farmer. “No, Ah’m not, but us runnin’ around like a chicken with’er head cut off ain’t gonna help nobody.” the girl growled as she slowly got her feet, looming over the shorter girl. “So help me get Rarity up so we can get her in Big Mac’s van, alright?” “Not until you-” “AH’M NOT GONNA FUCKIN’ FIGHT YOU OVER THIS RIGHT NOW DASH!” The farmer shouted as she grabbed hold of approaching athlete, the girl start to quiver in fear at the tears and fury flying from the normally level headed leader of the group. “AH ALREADY LOST ONE FRIEND OVER US BICKERIN’, AN’ AH DON’T PLAN ON LOSIN’ ANOTHER! SO CHILL THA FUCK OUT AND HELP ME WITH RARITY ALREADY!” “O-O-O-Okay…” the athlete backed up, her hands up and palms facing the ragin farmer in an attempt to placate the girl. “Good. Fluttershy, call Big Mac. Tell him we’re on tha…” ~ “Sunset!” Rarity screamed as she bolted up, her eyes wide and unseeing as she desperately reached around herself, trying to find proper purchase to help push her up. “Applejack we have to save her! She’s… She’s going to… jump…” Rarity finally calmed down as she realized that she was no longer at the bridge, instead her friends now stood around her in an extremely rustic house, a thick blanket resting on top of her as a fire crackled away in the nearby hearth. “Where…” “We’re at tha farm.” Applejack explained as she held out a small glass of water. “Ya fainted at tha bridge, so we called Big Mac and rushed ya here after makin’ sure it was nothin’ life threatenin’.” “Did she…?” Rarity’s face fell as she looked up at her closest friend, tears welling in her eyes as she felt her chest start to collapse in on itself, her heart shattering as Applejack’s lips grew thin, the farmer looking away with an unreadable look. “She jumped… And we carry part of the blame.” Rainbow Dash said from the foot of the sofa, the girl sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees, her face trying to force its way through her limbs. “Call the police! Get a search party! They have to find Sunset!” Rarity tried to get up off of the sofa, flailing around haphazardly until Applejack walked over and rested a firm hand on the girl’s shoulder. Applejack slowly shook her head, tears streaming steadily from her shut eyes. “I’m sorry, Rarity… She probably… She probably died on impact…” The sheer sadness of the wail that erupted from Rarity shook the house to its foundations, every member of the group finding themselves unable to stop their own tears as they started to moan over their actions, of their treatment of their friend. “And to think… They were the ones behind it…” Rainbow managed to get out between heavy, choke filled sobs, the skin around her eyes puffy and of a purplish hue from her continued crying. “I’m gonna kill her! I’ll- I’ll take her to that bridge myself, and-” “Dash, please don’t say that.” Applejack begged as she looked down at her heavily grieving friend. “They didn’t think this would happen.” “Well what did they think would happen!? Why would they even do this!?” Rainbow yelled as she slowly got to her feet, sniffling and vainly attempting to wipe away the bitter, salty tears running down her face in large rivers. “Look, why don’t we all just go ta bed fer tha night?” Applejack gave as fake and uneasy smile as she could muster, but the corners of her lips barely budged as she looked down at the girl. “Bull. Shit!” Rainbow responded by jabbing a finger into the normally rigid core of the farmer, Applejack finding herself staggering back slightly in response to the action of the irate athlete. “Why don’t we ask them ourselves, huh?” “Dash, please!” Rarity begged, reaching out towards the girl. “Not tonight! They’ve been through enough!” “Have they? Are you being serious Rarity!? They helped lead to Sunset killing herself in front of us! If anything the three of them should be brought to that bridge and-” “We didn’t want this ta happen!” came the cracking, exasperated voice from one of the three small figures that had been cowering in the corner, quaking as they tried their best to try and hide from everything. “We didn’t think she’d go an’ jump off a bridge!” “Applebloom’s right, Dash!” Scootaloo added, nodding to her friend, only to pause when she saw the fiery gaze being leveled at her from across the room. “You. Don’t. Get. To. SPEAK UNLESS I TELL YOU TO, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!” Dash bellowed, struggling to break free from the tight, restraining hold of Applejack as Scootaloo burst into fear filled hiccups as she started to quake on the spot. “Dash! If ya don’t calm down Ah’m lockin’ ya in with tha pigs!” Applejack grunted as she hoisted the pixie like girl off of the ground. “Let. Me. AT HER!” Dash screamed, spittle flying from her mouth as she raged helplessly. “It’s the least that she deserves!” “Okay, that’s it.” the farmer sighed as she dropped Rainbow Dash just long enough to let go and replace her arms strongly around the girl’s neck, slowly pressing further and further. “Come on, Dash. Ah’ll choke ya out if Ah have ta, but Ah’m not lettin’ ya make an even bigger mistake than ya already have.” With that comment, and the burning in her lungs from her rapidly depleting oxygen supply, Rainbow Dash finally relented and stopped struggling, grunting in annoyance as she was unceremoniously fell to the ground. “Fine.” she said between harsh coughs as she gently rubbed her throat. “But we aren’t ignoring this.” “Ah promise. But we all need ta sleep… You… three go an help Granny Smith with makin’ up tha sleepin’ arrangements. Ah’ll go’n call all y'all's families…” Applejack gave a tired sigh as she watched the three younger, panic ridden girls run out of the room, her mind taking a moment to go over the last few hours… ~ “Hmm… That’s weird.” Rainbow Dash commented, and smirk of half annoyance, half dark humour spreading across her lips as she pulled out her phone. “I thought I blocked Anon-A-Bitch on MyStable already.” “Ah thought ya did that at tha start o’ tha week, Dash?” Applejack looked over at her friend in confusion as she set down her mug of hot chocolate. Her and the rest of the Rainbooms, as well as their respective sisters, or role model in Scootaloo’s case, had all retreated to Sugar Cube Corner after school to celebrate the end of school until the New Year. “I blocked Anon-A-Miss, but not her main account I guess.” Rainbow responded flippantly as she stashed her phone back into her pocket. “Oh well, why should I fucking care if she’s back on her main account, am I right?” Nods and noises of confirmation came from the rest of the gathering, save for three strangely quiet girls. “Uhm…” all five Rainbooms looked down as Sweetie Belle shifted uneasily in her seat, her squeaky voice crackling as she looked up at them. “Wha-What did she post?” “Darling, please. It’s best if we all forget about that sordid girl.” Rarity chided her sister as she delicately wiped away a smear at the corner of her mouth. “After everything that she’s done, I doubt it’s of any importance to us.” “...” A shocked, silent gasp escaped from Scootaloo’s lips as eyes shrunk to pinpoints. Her hand trembled as she held onto her phone before turning it to show her friends, all three giving equally shock gasps. “Oh don’t tell me that she posted something about you on her personal account! Now that’s just fucking low of-” “No, look!” Scootaloo cut off her idol, shoving her phone towards the face of the athlete. Rainbow rolled her eyes and shook her head as she took the device, before pausing as she looked at the screen, her whole body shifting back in a jerky method. “Rainbow? What’s wrong? What is it?” Rarity tried to peek around the girl’s shoulder to get a look see of what was on Scootaloo’s phone, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy getting up and walking over behind the girl. Everyone grew silent as Rainbow laid the phone down, the image of a heavily bruised and slightly bleeding Sunset Shimmer grinning as she held up Gilda by her hair, the girl scowling through her own equal injuries. “Okay, posting secrets is one thing, but physically attacking someone!? I think we need to call the police on her. Now!” Rainbow’s hand shot into her own pocket, the other Rainbooms nodding uneasily. This was too far for Sunset to- “It was us!” “Bloom!? Shut up!” “Sunset was innocent!” Rainbow paused and joined in looking at the suddenly standing sister of Applejack, Scootaloo looking uneasily at them as she tried to force her friend to sit back down. “Look, Bloom. Ya can’t have known if’n Sunset started that fight or not, but-” “No, not that fight! Anon-A-Miss! She wasn’t Anon-A-Miss!” Apple Bloom yelled at her sister, tears building in the corners of her eyes. “Oh don’t tell me you’re sorry for her cause she got beat up trying to attack someone.” Dash groaned and connected her face with her palm. “We’re Anon-A-Miss! It was us!” Dash quickly looked up, staring in bemusement at Sweetie Belle. “You? You want us to believe that it was you behind Anon-A-Miss?” amused laughter exploded out of her as she regarded the girl’s comment, not noticing as the girl’s hand shot into her pocket. “Oh man, that’s rich I tell ya! You!? Anon-A-Mi-” “See!” Sweetie Belle could barely manage to get out as tears started streaming down her face as she shoved her smart phone directly into the view of everyone. Sure enough, there was the Anon-A-Miss account page that everyone at CHS had grown accustomed to, but this time there was a little bar, requesting to be filled with the user’s new status update. “We’re Anon-A-Miss… Not… Not Sunset…” Sweetie hiccuped as she wiped at her face with her other hand, Scootaloo giving a tired sigh as she slid down in her chair, crossing her arms in defeat. “Bloom? You…?” Applejack couldn’t stop blinking as she looked at her younger sister, shocked at the revelations that were occurring. The younger Apple swallowed hard before nodding slowly. “But… Why…?” “We didn’t think that she’d changed. We thought that she just tricking everybody…” Sweetie Belle looked down at the ground in disgrace. “We thought she was takin’ ya away from us. Ya gotta understand, we didn’t want ta hurt her. We just wanted all ya’ll to stop bein’ friends with her…” Apple Bloom explained slowly. “Piggly Wiggly…” Applejack muttered, the entire weeks slowly crashing down on her. “Sunset was right… It wasn’t her. She didn’t know about that until you mentioned it over tha phone, Bloom.” “But that doesn’t explain how those pictures got posted.” Rainbow looked around in disbelief at her friends. “Surely you don’t-” “I stole her phone. A-A-After you all fell asleep.” Sweetie Belle looked up again. “I connected it to my laptop and download all of the photos.” “Sweetie Belle!” Rarity gasped as she cover her mouth with her hands. “And I took a picture of Rainbow’s test scores…” Scootaloo said after getting harsh looks from her friends. “Look, I think we all agree that-” “Rainbow!” “What in sam hell!” “You traitor!” the athlete yelled as she tossed her frosty, milkshake filled mug at the girl’s head, Scootaloo crouching and covering her face as the mug flew and landed on the floor, shattering loudly. “You…! I don’t- Where’s my phone! I gotta call Gilda! She’ll know where Sunset went!” “What’s going on out here!?” Mrs. Cake shrieked as she walked out of the kitchen, gasping as she noticed the ruckus occurring and the shattered mug on her cafe floor. “Rainbow Dash! What did you-” “We’ll replace, Mrs. Cake. But right now we need to find Sunset before she does something really, really, reallyreallyreallyreallyreally bad!” Pinkie explained as she literally poofed into existence beside the plump older woman. “Ah’ll call Mac to pick up these three and ta bring Winowna. Come on ya’ll! Inta Fluttershy’s van!” Applejack explained as she struggled to get an arm through her coat sleeve. “Mrs. Cake! Those three are NOT ta leave until Big Mac gets here! They’ve got some ‘splainin’ ta do!” ~ “I can’t see a fucking thing!” Rainbow complained between gentle panting for air. “Good thing you aren’t leading then!” Applejack called back, her hand firmly on Winona’s leash as the dog sniffed repeatedly at the ground. “Winowna, Ah know yer more about herdin’ than sniffin’ but Ah’ll have a full turkey dinner with yer name on it if’n ya help us find Sunset!” The dog suddenly perked and gave a loud howl before trying to break off of her leash, Applejack letting go and watching the blinking light on the harness quickly dash off. “What was that!?” Fluttershy cried in a panic as the rest of the group caught up to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Winona!” Applejack shouted back. “She’s got something! This way!” “Aww, shut up ya stupid mutt!” a faint, heavily slurred voice said in response to the barking Winona as she approached. “Wait, is that…?” Pinkie said loudly, the chill wind whipping around them. “Sunset! Oh, thank heavens you’re fine!” Rarity cried out as they could finally make out the form of their friend standing on the bridge. “Sunset!” Fluttershy sounded like she melted in joy as she brought up the rear, the five all panting slightly as smiles spread across their faces. They had found her, she was safe! Surely things were looking up as the girl slowly blinked, Winona barking happily as she sat down besides Applejack. “Fuck. OFF.” the five girls froze, shocked at just how much raw hate flowed off of the girl as her eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of them. The noticed the empty beer cans and other glass bottles, some whole, some shattered as they littered the ground around her. “S-Sunset, I-I-I know you are quite upset with us right now, but-” Rarity stammered uneasily, her smile faltering as she tried to explain what was going on, before she was cut off bu Sunset, sending Rarity scuttling back in fear. “You fucking think, Rarity!? “I am beyond fucking upset with you traitors, so just fuck off already!” “Please, Sunset! We know you aren’t Anon-A-Miss!” Fluttershy begged, her worry filled tears freezing in place on her cheeks, just like everyone standing on the bridge. A single, harsh bark of noise escaped from Sunset, breaking the still silence, followed by a second and a third, and soon enough the air echoed with grating, empty laughter as Sunset stumbled back against the railing to the bridge, her whole body quaking as she started to gasp for air. The Rainbooms remained frozen in spot, the air around them sweltering in comparison to the cold, bitter laugh emanating from Sunset, locking them in place. Winona gave a scared whimper as she moved behind Applejack, hiding herself from Sunset as she slowly caught her breath. “I’ll tell you all again.” Sunset growled as she moved her arm, something in her hand as her eyes passing over the five girls. “Fuck. OFF.” “You gotta listen to us, Sunset!” Rainbow Dash strode forward, trying to plead with her friend. “We-” “Let you defend yourself!? Prove that you- You didn’t give me the time of day, you fucking bastards!” the five girl’s backpedaled as Sunset attacked them, pointing out their failings earlier in the week. Earlier that day even... “No way in Tartarus am I giving you the chance! No, I’m gonna do exactly what you told me to do, Dash.” The athlete’s face furrowed in confusion as she pondered Sunset’s comment, her gaze, along with the other band members watching Sunset intently. Silence grew over the crowd as they watched Sunset motion to them. “You gonna check that? Might be Anon-A-Miss posting something again.” “Sunset, we know it’s not you!” Pinkie Pie started, only to give a small scream as Sunset fluidly reached down and grabbed, then hurled, an empty beer can at the the ground between the two parties. “Fucking do it!” Sunset let out a banshee scream, causing Rarity to weakly fiddle around with her jacket pocket before pulling out her phone. Even from this distance Sunset could see the girl’s marshmallow hued face, her cheeks rosy from the biting chill of the wind whipping around them, pale. “N-No… Please…” Rarity looked up, her head shaking back and forth. She was shaken by what she had just seen. What she had read. “Please, Sunset! Someone stop her!” “So you say you know who Anon-A-Miss is, huh?” Sunset gave a dark chuckle as she stepped against the railing of the bridge. “I guess that’s not the only thing you’re going to have to deal with.” “Rarity? What are yo-” Rainbow looked at the girl in confusion. What was she going on about? “She’s going to jump!” the fashionista yelled as she started to desperately run towards Sunset, everybody giving shocked gasps before doing the same. “Congratu-FUCKING-lations.” Sunset gave a disturbingly happy looking smile as she sat up on the railing before throwing herself off and towards the icy river flowing beneath them. “Oh my god, no!” “Sunset!” “Nooo!” ~ Applejack bolted up off her back with a loud gasp, panting heavily as she brought her hands up to her sweat drenched face. “You too, huh…?” Applejack looked to her side, eyes slowly adjusting to the low level of light peeking through her window and illuminating the sitting forms of her friends, all of them with their faces shrouded, though the farmer could tell they were each having the same nightmare as her. “Yeah…” Applejack said as she returned her face to her hands, grimacing as she tried not to cry too loudly.
Ice Fisher“It’s a nice evening. You made the right choice.” Sonata looked up from the perfectly cut hole in the ice that her fishing line dipped into, and towards Aria as she approached as her sister approached. “For realzies!” she chimed happily as she adjusted her toque before patting the small fluff ball sitting on top of it. “When I saw how clear the skies were I just knew we had to go out and enjoy the night! And how better than get some fresh fish!” “For the fish tacos tonight?” Adagio asked from her plush chair, pausing to look up from her book. “Mmmm! Of course!” Sonata sat still, her mouth gaping as she dreams about just one of the variations of the single best food in this entire world. “We’re gonna make so many fish tacos!” Aria chuckled stood beside Sonata, reaching down and patting her on the shoulder. “Want me to watch the line for a minute? You should probably go warm up by the heater.” “Nah, I’m good!” Sonata beamed after wiping away the drool running down her chin. “Besides! How else am I gonna catch a fish if you do it first?” “I guess.” Aria shrugged and smirked. “Alright then, I’ll leave ya be. Hey, Adagio, got any room under that blanket?” Sonata drifted back to her pleasant humming as she held firmly onto the fishing rod, swaying happily back and forth to the music only she could hear, only to pause when she felt the rod start to wiggle in her grasp. “Oh! Ohohohoh! I got something! I got something!” she cried out as she bolted to her feet and spread her feet out to help steady her stance before she started to reel in her catch. It felt like it took ages as Sonata rapidly spun the handle on her fishing rod, but slowly and surely the line retracted more and more until a wet popping noise filled the air. “Ah ha!” Sonata bounced from foot to foot as she grabbed hold of the line, her catch dangling on the end of the line. “I did it!” “Wow, nice catch!” Aria cheered as she watched Sonata from beside Adagio, the pair snuggled close under the covers. “That should make a lot of fish tacos.” Adagio started to gently clap as she set down her book. “Silly Dagi! Narwhal’s aren’t for eating!” Sonata laughed as she held out the small, round ball of blubber towards her sisters. “They’re the most majestic creatures to ever exist!” “You are the expert here after all.” Sonata chuckled as she dropped the spherical creature into a large, round fish bowl where it landed with a fat splash, before wriggling around with its fellow narwhals as Sonata returned to her seat and sent her line back down the hole. “Okay! Next time I’m catching a mermaid!” As soon as she sat down, however, a bright, glowing light started to pulse gently beneath the ice, and her rod began shuddering uncontrollably. “Oh my…” Adagio sounded awestruck as she slipped out from under the covers and started to slowly walk towards the hole in the ice. “What’s with the light?” echoed Aria. “I don’t know, but…” Sonata paused as the light slowly grew brighter and brighter, the Siren slowly removing her rod from the hole. “I think it’s getting closer…” All three Equestrians shielded their eyes as the light threatened to blind them, the air echoing with their stunned gasps as it sounded like something exited the water, a delicate splattering noise following shortly after. “My child…” came a soft, delicate voice as the light slowly died down, the Sirens giving shocked cries as they were finally able to see what had been blinding them. “I thank you for rescuing so many of my subjects…” Hovering in the air before them was exactly what Sonata said she was going a catch. A mermaid, her top half a striking amber hue before melting away into glistening patterns of red and yellow leading down to her tail. Large seashells covered her ample breasts, her physic powerful and built as she reached out with her arms. “For bringing justice to the captive, I shall grant each of you three wishes…” she said, a warm smile coming to her face as water slowly streamed down her crimson and gold streaked hair, her eyes remaining shut even as she seemed to study the trio. “Sonata…” Aria’s voice echoed from behind the girl. “Oh! Ohohohoh! I want a fish taco! No, two! Er, five?” Sonata started stumbling over herself as she tried to think of just how many of the delicious delicacies she would be able to eat. Aria’s voice grew more firm as she called the Siren’s name a second time. “Sonata.” “I got it! Forty two fish tacos!” Sonata pointed a finger at the narwhal mermaid goddess as she hovered gracefully in the air. “Sonata!” the Siren jumped and spun back towards Aria, her and Adagio both fuming as they crossed their arms. “Oh, right. Er… What are your two’s wishes?” Sonata giggled uneasily as she tapped her fingers against one another. “This isn’t what happened and you know it, Sonata!” Aria growled, walking up to the bubbly Siren and grabbing her by her coat collar. “But-But… Fish tacos…!” Sonata whined as the scene around her seemed to melt away, the fancy fishing hut melting away to dark, barren walls, her and her sisters winter clothing reverting back to mere normal clothes as Aria dropped her back onto her chair. “Would you fucking shut up about tacos already!” the gruff Siren groaned, face palming as she walked away. “That’s all you try to get us to eat!” “Well if you could stop setting water on fire, then maybe I’d let you into the kitchen for once.” Adagio gave a tired sigh as she rested her hands on her hips. “Look, stop weaving fanciful lies for our guest, Sonata. It’s time for bed anyways.” “Awww…” Sonata whined as she got up to her feet and slowly dragged them across the floor towards the stairwell. “Fiiiine…” The head Siren watched patiently as Aria and Sonata slowly left her sight, their footsteps echoing down the stairs until she was left alone. “Well we really should be going to bed, it is quite late after all.” Adagio smirked as she looked over her shoulder. “We’ll see you in the morning, perhaps. Nighty night…” “Shimmer.”
The GatheringNeedless to say, no one at the Apple family farm slept well that night, each Wondercolt waking up crying at least once, as well as waking up to comfort one of their sobbing compatriots. At one point Fluttershy begged to not go to sleep again, wailing that she didn’t want to see Sunset’s face again as she described the empty, joyless smile that was on the girl’s face as she slid backwards off the railing. “Ah havta take Mac in fer his appointment…” Granny Smith drawled solemnly as she finished sliding on her winter coat. “We shouldn’t be gone too long. Ya’ll make yerselves at home, ya hear?” “Don’t you worry, Gran. I’ll make sure Dash doesn’t empty your cookie jar.” the bags under Applejack’s eyes seemed to both bleed into one, and be separately countable with their numbers as the girl tiredly waved farewell to her kin. “What about her booze? Is that off limits?” the farm girl’s whole body seemed to slump as she turned around to regard the form of Rainbow Dash, the girl laying spread eagle on the floor. “I just wanna drink till I don’t remember anything anymore.” “Look, yer not the only one grievin’ her. Did ya forget how Rarity had ta literally rock ya ta sleep when ya woke screaming fer tha fourth time last night?” “We all messed up, and we all want to forget yesterday, darling…” Rarity looked up from her sister, Sweetie Belle locking her arms around her older sister as she cried into the side of the older girl’s borrowed nightgown. “But it doesn’t changed that it happened!” the athlete half yelled from the floor, her arms shooting up and flailing around. “And they started it!” “How many more times do they have to apologize, Rainbow? No one thought that Sunset was gonna do that! Not them, not us- nobody! And we’re partially to blame for not listening to her in the first place!” everybody in the room was shocked silent at the sudden outburst from Fluttershy, the normally quiet girl being amazingly vocal as she tried to look at her childhood friend through tear filled eyes. “Maybe if we had actually been her friends! Maybe… Maybe she…” Pinkie Pie grabbed a fresh handful of tissues and handed them to Fluttershy as the girl burst back into tears, her own eyes following suit shortly after. “What are we going to tell Princess Twilight…?” she asked after blowing her nose. “She asked us to take care of her… And look at what’s happened…” Everyone’s look shifted to shameful dismay as they realized just how much trouble they were going to be in. “Now I wish the cops had been dispatched to the bridge…” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Well maybe ya shouldn’t o’ mentioned magic, Dash.” Applejack facepalmed as she remembered the furious look Dash had when she had said that she had been chewed out by the emergency dispatcher for wasting their time before they hung up on her. “No one else knows that magic is real.” “At least I didn’t mention how she was from another world… That would have gotten a whole different kind of spook to show up…” “Or that she jumped because o’ us…” Applejack quietly added onto the athlete’s statement. “Do you…” some of the groups’ eyes focused on Scootaloo, the girl literally banished to the corner of the room so as to prevent Dash from doing something incredibly reckless. “Do you think her body drifted far down-” The scooter enthusiast was drowned out at wails of dismay, Rainbow Dash’s louder than everyone else's as she chastised the younger girl. “Seriously!? Are you really gonna say that right now Scoots!? I know you three saw her as the fucking devil, but-” “Look, I’m sorry, alright!?” the girl said as she cowered further in her seat. “It’s just… What if she survived the fall…?” “There’s no way she survived tha fall, let alone tha freezin’ water…” Applejack said firmly, calming the crowd. “As much as we all want her ta be alive, there’s just no way she could be…” “So what are we supposed to do now?” Apple Bloom asked, looking to her older sister for guidance. “Should we call tha cops again?” “Is it gonna make a difference at this point?” Rainbow Dash groaned as she fell back onto the floor roughly. “I mean… Sunset’s… dead…” “We should at least make sure her body is found… I have no doubt that Princess Twilight will want ta hold a proper burial.” Applejack sighed as she slowly got up to her feet. “We should all probably be lookin’ fer our caskets…” “What are we going to tell her…?” Sweetie Belle sniffled as she pulled away from Rarity for a moment. “What are we going to tell our parents…?” “Look, I don’t wanna go to jail, okay?” Scootaloo stood up, only to freeze in spot at the glares she received. “My aunt’s are gonna freak when they hear about this!” “Granny Smith said she was gonna break out her old belt tonight…” Apple Bloom preemptively started rubbing her backside, grimacing as she looked over her shoulder. “Ya, and what about the fact that Sunset is dead because of the three of you!” Dash yelled as she sat back up again, pointing towards the three girls. “She jumped because everyone turned on her thanks to you three spreading everyone’s secrets around!” “Ya, and you five abandoned her! Some friends you are, huh!?” Scootaloo screamed back as she flew to her feet, her blood boiling, ignoring the choice words the athlete shot back with. “We didn’t think she’d freaking kill herself over all this! She’s Sunset-freaking-Shimmer! The baddest bitch to ever walk the earth!” “But that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t feel hurt when everybody turned on her.” Fluttershy said as she joined the standing party. “She lost everyone here! I even overheard her say that Princess Twilight wasn’t responding…” “What? Why wasn’t Twilight responding?” Rarity asked, Fluttershy shaking her head in response. “I mean… that would mean she was completely alone here! The students all turned on her again, acting just like before the Battle of the Bands… No wonder she…” “What are we gonna do…?” the dead, monotone voice belonging to Pinkie Pie asked. “I… I just wish Sunset was here still… So I could… So I could apologize for being such a… a meany pants…” Applejack coughed, breaking the choir of gentle sobbing and soft crying. “We gotta call the cops, gettem ta search fer her body. After that, we explain the situation to our family members.” “No…” a soft, defeated whine escaped from Scootaloo’s lips as she slumped into her chair. “Then we contact Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. They need to know as well.” the farmer finished slowly. “And what about revealing Sunset’s innocence regarding Anon-A-Miss?” Fluttershy asked, holding her hands delicately. “I doubt anyone would believe them right now.” Dash scowled as she continued to glare daggers at Scootaloo. “Those three did a right proper job of running Sunset’s name through the mud.” “Oh, that’s rich!” the younger girl scoffed, throwing her hands in the airs. “Coming from you, and how you five treated her after the Fall Formal!? Twilight would be more mad you five most likely, considering Sunset tried so desperately to be your friend! I bet she lied every time that Twilight asked how you girl’s were treating her!” Rainbow Dash could only clench her fist in defeat and look away, the other members of the Rainbooms sharing their own knowing looks of self disappointment. “We forgave her…” “Not until the Battle of the Bands!” Scootaloo continued her assault, taking another step forward. “At least we forgave her!” Rainbow yelled, her face growing purple. “Obviously you three didn’t, because otherwise you wouldn’t have thrown such childish fits about us spending time with our friend!” “Do ya…” Apple Bloom’s voice was incredibly quiet as she looked down at the floor. “Do ya even deserve ta call her your friend?” “After what we did… We deserve the same punishments as you three… Maybe even worse…” Pinkie Pie’s voice absorbed all emotion from the girls in the room, leaving only bitter regret to start festering. “Ah’ll go call tha police…” Applejack muttered before making her way out of the room, leaving everyone else to sit silently. ~ “Yes, ma’am. No, it’s okay, our friend was overreacting. Thank ya ma’am, please call me back if tha team finds anything…” a soft click echoed through the empty air as Applejack set the receiver for the rotary phone back into its holder and bringing her hand back up to her face. “You didn’t tell them the truth…” Applejack’s shoulders slumped even further at the sound of Rarity’s voice. “Ah’ve been doin’ that alot o’ late…” the farm girl gave an exhausted sigh as she felt Rarity’s delicate hands press down on her firm shoulders, slowly massaging them. “Besides, tha less people that know about why that happened, tha better…” “I worry about the girls… I dread to think about what Mother and Father are going to do to poor Sweetie Belle…” Rarity whispered as she paused her massaging ro lean in close to Applejack and wrap her arms around the girl. “Tha belt is tha least of Bloom’s concerns… The least o’ all o’ our concerns…” Applejack shrugged free of Rarity’s embrace to turn around and face the girl. “All of us… We’re all murderer’s, Rares… When word o’ that spreads…” “Then we’ll just have to deal with it…” Rarity leaned forward and pressed her lips gently against Applejacks. “It’s the least we can do for what we did.” “Ah guess…” “We’ll have to do our best to clear Sunset’s name as well. It’s what she deserves, at the very least.” Rarity gave a sad smile as she ran a hand down her girlfriend’s cheek. “And we’ll probably have to defend our sisters…” “If’n their not expelled over this…” Applejack's larger hand encompassed Rarity’s. “We should call the families…” ~ “Thank ya fer coming, Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna.” Applejack smiled as she hung up the coats of the two women. “We have… Some difficult things ta discuss.” “When we heard that you had news about Sunset… Well, we should join everyone else. It seems like we were the last two to arrive.” the snow white woman gave an uneasy smile as she and her sister followed behind Applejack. “Okay, everyone is here.” the farm girl announced as she led the two Principals into the large family room of the farmhouse. “Please feel free ta find some space somewhere, we’re a mite bit crowed Ah’m afraid.” Applejack walked up to the impromptu “front” of the room before clearing her throat and getting everyone’s attention. “Thank ya’ll fer comin’ on such short notice. We have some things that’re needin’ ta be discussed. Now just ta make sure we’re all on tha same page, does everyone knows about Anon-A-Miss and tha recent happenings at CHS?” “We don’t.” everyone in the room looked over towards Scootaloo’s aunts as one raised her hand, the other nodding in agreement. “Do ya know what cyberbullying is?” Applejack asked, both women nodding in response. “Anon-A-Miss was behind a vicious attack of cyber bullying at CHS last week. And not only that, they were impersonating one o’ our fellow students, Sunset Shimmer.” “Sunset Shimmer?” asked one of the aunts. “Wasn’t she a massive bully at the school?” inquired the other. “In the past, yes.” Rarity started before Applejack. “But she had reformed, and even helped the school out of a dangerous situation.” “The reason we mention Anon-A-Miss first is to help set the groundwork. Ya see, Sunset was destroyed by all this happenin’, what with the school turning on her again after seeming to have finally forgiven her and-” “Sunset jumped off of a bridge last night. Right in front of the five of us.” Rainbow said as she strode forward, shocked gasps escaping from the crowd of parents, guardians, and principals, while the younger girls all glared at her. “She killed herself because of Anon-A-Miss.” “Could ya’ll calm down please? We have more ta say.” Applejack held her hands out as she pleaded for the adults in the room to be quiet. “Thank ya’ll. Now all the students believed Sunset ta be Anon-A-Miss.” “Even us…” Fluttershy muttered softly. “Yes. Even us. We all threw her away, without givin’ her a chance ta prove her innocence. We were her closest friends.” Applejack’s lips grew thin as she gazed down to the floor. “We killed her…” “Ya’ll didn’t know she’d jump.” Granny Smith said, the other adults all agreeing. “Ya, but we coulda stopped her!” Rainbow yelled angrily. “If we were really her friends- If we were there for her like we kept on promising, then maybe she wouldn’t have fucking killed herself!” “May I add something?” Principal Celestia said loudly, holding up her hand as if she were a student, only standing once Applejack nodded. “Thank you. As most of you know, Sunset is from another world, where magic is real and the land is populated by talking horses. No, I am not on drugs.” There were sad, self knowing chuckles through the room as everyone looked at Scootaloo’s aunts, the two women looking utterly baffled. “Sunset had been the worst thing to ever happen to our school, and during that time Luna and myself did very little to prevent her actions. Just like now…” Celestia swallowed as she shifted around uneasily. “We also did nothing to help her during this event, foolishly believing that maybe it was nothing. Obviously we were wrong, and now a student is dead because of our inaction.” “We are just as guilty as you are then, Miss Applejack.” Luna said as she stood up beside her sister. “But we must not let our guilt consume us yet. We must find whoever is behind Anon-A-Miss, and-” “We found Anon-A-Miss.” Applejack’s statement silenced the crowd of adults that had slowly gained in volume in support of Vice Principal Luna. “Or rather they revealed themselves ta us.” “W-What…?” “Who is it?” “Have you called the police on them?” Applejack felt her sister start quivering beside her, the girl looking down with a sad, yet supportive smile before returning to the crowd that Rarity had silenced. “Anon-A-Miss destroyed everything Princess Twilight had created at tha school… All tha bonds o’ friendship, and camaraderie, gone. Anon-A-Miss also went’n destroyed everything Sunset Shimmer had done ta prove herself a better person…” Applejack paused as she looked over the room. The adults were listening silently. The Rainbooms all stood together, Rarity and herself holding onto their younger sisters, while Scootaloo stood off to the side, as far away from Rainbow Dash as possible. “Would Anon-A-Miss introduce them self.” There were soft noises of disbelief as the three younger girls walked forward, each looking back to their sister uneasily, save for Scootaloo, who didn’t bother to look back at Rainbow Dash as the athlete looked away. “We-We’re Anon-A-Miss.” they announced awkwardly, each of them trying to say it in unison. The cries of shock, horror, and disappointed radiated from the adults, rocking the room as the three girls stood at the forefront, their eyes locked on the floor as they held hands with one another. “We didn’t think she’d kill herself!” Sweetie cried out between quiet sobs, tears streaming down her voice as her squeaky voice cracked repeatedly. “We didn’t want her to! We just wanted to protect our sisters!” “But why?” Celestia asked, her barely calm voice silencing the other clamouring voices. “Why would you do this? Had Sunset not changed? Had she not paid for her crimes? Why did you think your sisters needed protection?” “Did you forget that she tutored the three of you, and countless other students? Or any of the other punishments she underwent?” added Luna as she shook her head, her arms crossed. “...” was the shared, silent response from the three girls. “I’m disappointed with the three of you…” Celestia said after a long sigh. “Disappointed!? Is that all!?” one of Scootaloo’s aunties rose to her feet as she yelled at the woman. “A girl is dead because of them! And you’re just disappointed!?” “Considering that I’m also to blame her?” Celestia raised a brow as she turned towards the woman. “Considering that you knew nothing about this? Anger is what lead to this point. They know what they’ve done, and I can see by the bags under each of their eyes that they didn’t sleep well last night. “So yes. I’m not going to be let myself be angry about this situation. I will just be extremely disappointed in them… in myself.” “Don’t you think that you’re not going to go free for this, Scootaloo.” the girl quaked as she listened to her aunt. “You are going to have some serious explaining to do when we get home, Sweetie Belle.” Cookie Crumbles shook her head as she looked at her daughter. “Come along now you two, we’re going home.” “Principal Celestia, can we talk ta you? This will only take a moment, Mrs. Crumbles.” Applejack interjected as Rarity and Sweetie Belle started to leave. “What do you need, Applejack?” “What are we going to do about this at the school?” Applejack asked softly. “The school needs to know that Sunset was innocent, but if they hear that our sister’s were Anon-A-Miss…” Rarity looked down and watched as Sweetie continued to wipe away at her streaming tears. “...We will discuss this more amongst ourselves and get back to you.” Luna said after a moment. “I think everyone needs some time to themselves.” “Alright. Thank you again for coming. Ya really helped us keep things calm.” Applejack gave a small smile. “Nonsense. You did quite well keeping things in order. Both of you.” Celestia smiled warmly as she rested her hands on the shoulders of Applejack and Rarity. “Thank you…” Rarity gave a small smile as the older woman removed her hands. “We, er, should get going. Please keep in touch with Applejack, and she’ll get in touch with us.” “I promise.”
House Arrest“Well someone’s rather feisty this morning.” Aria smirked as she flipped on the lights in the basement. “I, er, brought breakfast?” Sonata’s forced smile was overly wide as she held up a tray with plates of food and a tall, sweating glass of water resting upon it. “Still growling like a beast, I see…” Adagio’s smirk contained a mere fraction of the self confidence that exuded from her body as she made her way across the floor. “My my, whatever shall we do?” “Um, wh-where should I leave the tray?” Sonata looked around the room, more for an exit than a play to deposit the item she held onto. “Why don’t we ask her ourselves?” a soft clicking sound followed Adagio’s gentle purr as she walked around the back of the chair. “Is that better?” “Fuck. You.” spat Sunset Shimmer as she continued to struggle, bound helplessly in the chair as her body groaned in agony. “Now is that any way to thank the people that saved your life?” a condescending smile worked its way across Aria’s face as she peered down at their prisoner. “Fuck. You.” Sunset repeated. “What were you doing in that river anyways?” Sonata asked, a look of confusion spreading across her face. “You know it's the middle of the winter right?” “Fuck-” The air radiated with the echoes of the sound of Aria’s fist connecting with the amber girl’s jaw. “You, yeah yeah, whatever ya want to say, Shimmer.” “Aria! Would you be careful with her?” Adagio’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she slowly ran a finger across the girl’s body. “We don’t want to lose her too quickly after just finding her…” “Are you serious? You three whores already ruined my life with Anon-A-Miss!” Sunset spat at the trio, blood mixing with the spit that hit the floor. “Anonymous? What are talking about?” Adagio chuckled as she tilted her head. “Aw, go get bent ya-” Sunset’s head ricocheted off the back of the chair as Aria’s fist connected with her stomach, leaving Sunset a coughing, gagging mess. “I assure you, darling, that we know nothing about this… Anonymous, was it?” Adagio paused again in front of Sunset. “Sonata? Would you get us a mirror?” “Um… Okies.” the blue Siren nodded as she started walking off. “Fuck you…” Sunset managed out between dry heaves, the burning agony in her body increasing. “I appreciate the interest, dear, but you should find someone more… your level.” the corner of Adagio’s mouth picked up slightly as Aria started cackling. “I would, but it’s pretty hard to find other gods in this world, ya know?” Sunset smirked as she watched Adagio fail to hold back a bark of laughter. “Besides, I doubt even dung beetles would try to court you.” Sunset felt her cheek explode with heat, her vision being replaced by stars as her neck swiveled to the side rapidly. “And here I thought you actually had a brain in that empty head…” Sunset swore she heard the air sizzle from the venom coming from Adagio. “Are you trying to die or something, Shimmer?” Aria asked between laughs, the sound of her slapping her leg bouncing off the walls. “Are you really that stupid, Siren?” Sunset chuckled as she watched as Adagio stopped the purple Siren from charging her with an outstretched arm. “Why do you think I jumped off of a bridge in the middle of the goddamn winter?” “...We didn’t know that you had jumped.” Adagio said slowly as she studied Sunset now scowling in the chair. “As if.” the girl rolled her aquamarine eyes as she looked away from the Sirens. “Well it’s up to you if you choose to believe us or not.” Adagio said as she turned around towards the footsteps pattering down the stairway. “Ah, Sonata.” “Took ya long enough.” Aria crossed her arms as she growled in annoyance at the Siren handing the mirror to Adagio. “Well if you would ever put the mirror back where it was supposed to-” “Sonata? Shut up.” Adagio commanded simply as she turned back to Sunset, holding a large hand mirror out for the girl to look at. Sunset remained quiet as she studied herself in the mirror. She stared defiantly back at herself as she took in her bruised, battered, and bandage ridden form. Her clothes had been replaced, a simple white shirt and grey sweatpants adorned her frame, but she could feel all the bandages wrapped around various parts of her body. “Where’s my clothes?” Sunset asked coldly. “Why don’t you tell us about what happened.” Sunset erupted into laughter after hearing Adagio’s question, her torso burning as it tried to break free from its bindings. “You fucking what!? Even if you three aren’t Anon-A-Miss, what makes you think I’d tell you chucklefucks a damn thing!?” “...Sonata. Feed her and then head back upstairs. Leave the ball gag out.” Adagio turned on her heel before heading back up the stairs, before pausing on the bottom step. “Be careful how much you try to move. You were pretty banged up when we fished you up.” “Are you seriously gonna- Adagio!” Aria snarled as she charged after the lead Siren, leaving Sunset and Sonata alone in the basement. “Um…” Sonata shifted around uneasily before grabbing the tray and holding it towards Sunset. “Would you like some food?” “Is it poisoned?” Sunset asked in annoyance, to which the blue Siren shook her head. “Then no. Do you really think I’m gonna prolong my life so you three monsters could torture me more?” “...What happened to you?” Sunset started to chuckle, her face tilting up as Sonata sat in place. “I already told you…” Sunset glared at the Siren, fire pouring from her eyes as hatred dripped from her whispers. “I’m not telling any of you a damn thing.” “C-Cross my h-heart, and hope to… to fly?” Sonata started as she stood up, obviously searching for the words. “Shut. Up.” came the bestial growl from Sunset. “Stick a… a cupcake in my eye?” Sonata paused as she finished the motion, watching carefully as Sunset started to try to break free from her bindings. “You shut the fuck up right this instant!!!” she screamed as she rattled the chair and her manacles. “You shut the fuck up before I tear your fucking throat out!!!” “I promise not to tell them, so-” Sonata started, only to be once again interrupted by Sunset. “No! I’m not telling you a damn thing!” Sunset raged helplessly against her bindings, her motions slowing down as her fury was replaced by sorrow. “You three ruined my life! I’d rather choke on my tongue than give you the pleasure…!” “Wo-Would you like some water? I-i-I brought you a straw!” Sunset grabbed the tall glass of water as Sunset started coughing loudly, holding out a long, plastic straw that had no less than thirty seven small circles and bends. “Unless you want to kill me quickly, I don’t want any of your supposed help…” Sunset muttered as tears started to build at the corners of her eyes. Sonata’s lips drew thin as she slowly stood up with the tray of food, the Siren looking down at the amber girl with a sad glimmer in her eyes as she turned to depart. “Yeah, that’s right! Run back to your masters!” Sunset yelled at the back of the retreating girl. “You always seemed like the hanger on! Were you even a real Siren?” Sonata seemed to freeze on the bottom step before quickly scurrying up the stairs after flicking off the light switch, leaving Sunset alone and in the dark. Alone to ruminate over how her already ruined life could get even worse… ~ “Would you hurry the fuck up!?” Aria shouted halfway up the stairs from the basement. “A fucking newborn moves faster than you!” “Well I doubt many newborns get slapped in manacles!” shot back Sunset as she hopped up another stair. “These things don’t give me any room to properly step up the stairs in case you’re blind.” “Not my problem, bitch. Now hurry up!” Aria grumbled as she left Sunset at the bottom of the stairs. Sunset wasn’t sure how much time had passed since the Sirens had left her in the basement, nor how much had passed since she had jumped at the bridge. She would have been fine stewing in the basement, but then she got that familiar feeling in her bladder, and while she would have loved to leave the mess for the Sirens to clean up, she was also too proud to soil herself. As a result she started making a racket until Aria eventually made her way down the stairs, swinging around a set of keys. Now Sunset had been somewhat freed of her bindings, enough that she could shuffle along as she made her way to the stairs. Those were a completely different hurdle, as the manacles around her feet didn’t have enough chain to let her properly step up the stairs, so she was left to hop up them, step by step. “Washroom’s this way…” Aria grumbled as Sunset finally reached the top floor, the girl freezing as closing her eyes as the brightness of natural light flooded her poot, deprived eyes. “Woah…” Sunset was honestly shocked at just how immaculate everything around her was. “This place is huge…” “Right here.” Aria said as she opened the door to the washroom, pushing Sunset in before standing and crossing her arms in the doorway. “Aren’t you gonna close the door?” Sunset asked as she turned around. “You think I’m gonna enjoy watching this?” the Siren growled in return. “You? Most likely.” Sunset chuckled as she started to fiddle with her sweatpants. ~ Was it five days that had passed, or only four? Sunset couldn’t concentrate enough to think about it, the agonizing hunger in her stomach reminding her of her early childhood. Thirst had gotten the better of her, and she emptied the entire glass that Sonata had brought the other day in a mad frenzied, the Equestrian leaving with a happy smile. But her desire for food had yet to break. Yet. Last night, maybe morning, it nearly did when Sonata brought down a salad, the aroma of fresh fruits wafting through the air. She almost broke then. Almost. “Oof…” Adagio grunted as she dropped the rather large looking wooden table onto the ground in front of Sunset, before pulling up her own seat and sitting down, resting her arms on the table’s surface. “Merry Christmas, Sunset.” Sunset gave as angry of a groan as she could muster as she attempted to glare at the Siren through half shut eyes. “I have some presents for you.” the Siren’s face was unreadable as she moved down to the red sack that sat beside the table, Aria scowling and Sonata trying to smile as they stood behind their leader. “Here.” Adagio dropped Sunset’s journal onto the table, opening to the last entries. “The Equestrian Magic in it kept it safe from the water, though it seems like Princess Twilight never answered.” Sunset had started to get more active when Adagio pulled out her journal, she started to rattle at her chains for the first time in days, only to die down when the Siren flipped to the last entries from Sunset, the page still blank of the Princess’ responses. Sunset seemed to wither before the Sirens as she slumped in her chair, silently admitting a final defeat, the loss of the last bit of hope that she didn’t know she had. “...” Adagio flipped the journal shut, stashing it on the ground before withdrawing a laptop from the confines of the bag, powering it on and facing it towards the bound girl as it booted up, loading up from its sleep and loading a familiar blue and white screen. “We know what you meant now by Anon-A-Miss.” Adagio explained as she scrolled through the comments on the page before shifting to another page. Sunset’s own. “It seems like your… former friends were eager to comment on the matter on your own page…” Adagio frowned as she watched Sunset remain silent. “We have an offer for you Sunset, one that we hope you would enjoy.” Sunset’s brow twitched, ever so slightly, but it twitched, downwards as her eyes slowly rolled towards the now standing Adagio Dazzle, and the other Sirens standing with her. “Help us in our plans for revenge on the students of Canterlot High School, and we’ll help you get revenge on the Rainbooms.”
Powerfully Pissed Purple Pony Princess Mrs. Cake gave a tired sigh as she retreated from the front door to Sugar Cube Corner, the sign having been flipped from Open to Close. The day had been quiet, it was New Years Eve after all, let alone the small blizzard that had started raging outside! They should be spending the night together at home soon, relaxing near a roaring fireplace. However life had other plans it seemed, as furious knocking radiated from behind her, the glass windows of the door audibly clacking in their frame. She paused for a moment, contemplating her response. She should ignore it, whoever was at the door could surely read the sign, right? The continued frenzy of knocking seemed to tell her otherwise, and so with a tired sigh she turned towards the door, an equally tired look on her face as she attempted to point to the small red sign that hung in the doorway. “Excuse, but we’re closed… Twilight…?” the plump woman’s brow furrowed as she rushed to the door, opening it an allowing the girl from a different world collapse in, her clothing woefully inadequate for dealing with the blustering winds and snow whipping around outside. “Why are you wearing those clothes, dear? It’s the middle of winter!” “Th-Th-The Mirror…” the girl’s teeth were chattering as she ran her hands up and down her arms in a weak attempt to warm herself up. “Do-do-doesn’t understand the idea of se-seasonal clothing, it appears.” “I’ll say! Come with me, I have a blanket in the back and we’ll whip you up some hot cocoa! That’ll warm you up!” The woman wrapped an arm protectively around Twilight as she started to shepherd her towards the back. “There’s no time!” Twilight bolted up, ignoring the numbing freeze that had taken hold of her body as she rushed to the sweet shoppe from CHS. “Do you know where Sunset is!? I need to find her!” “Sunset…? You haven’t… Oh no…” Mrs. Cake froze, dread washing over her. She did not want to be the one to break the news to the girl. “Why don’t you stay here and warm up? I’ll get a hold of Pinkie, and she’ll get the other girls. I think they were all having a little get together at Rarity’s house if I-” “Rarity’s? Thank you Mrs. Cake!” Twilight nodded before she bolted towards the entry, and into the small blizzard raging outside. “Twilight, wait, you…!” Mrs. Cake tried her best to follow the younger girl, but she was out the door before the blue skinned woman had taken two steps, and was completely out of sight by the time she reached the door. ~ “It’s just not the same, you know…” Pinkie Pie muttered halfheartedly as she looked over at the empty place setting on the table, the rest of the Rainbooms following suit. A small, golden filigree frame sat alone on the colourful plate, facing out towards the girls, a small photograph of Sunset Shimmer resting carefully inside it. The photo showed the girl on stage following the Battle of the Bands, an enormous smile on her face as she proudly played her guitar and stared at the camera. The memories of how happy the girl had been after the event with the Sirens, and how the entire school had finally forgiven her for her past actions. Or so she had thought. “Well it’s the least we could do, darling.” Rarity’s voice threatened to crack as she wiped away at her eyes. “Though I doubt that she would join us if she were still with us…” “You can say that again…” Dash groaned as she shifted her forehead off of the table so she could look at the other girls. “Is Sweetie Belle gonna get all upset again that she wasn’t invited?” “Rainbow!” Applejack slammed the table fiercely as yelled at the athlete in disgust. “Why would ya ever bring that up!?” “...Sorry.” the girl apologized lamely, her shoulders slumping. “I just… I’m never gonna forgive them, ya know?” “They’re family, Rainbow. Family forgives one another.” Fluttershy said quietly before her face fell. “That’s what friends are supposed to do…” Rainbow Dash chuckled darkly as she looked over at her childhood friend. “I’m glad that parents were able to get a group rate. Your brother finally did something worthwhile.” “Ah’m just glad that tha psychologist is willin’ ta see tha lot o’ us…” Applejack drawled, rubbing her face in her hands. “And durin’ tha holidays.” “He’s well used to Zephyr, so-” Fluttershy’s voice matched the uncharacteristic snarl on her face, only to vanish when the elegant chiming of the house’s doorbell started to echo peacefully through the air. “I say, this better not be a prank.” Rarity grumbled as she stood up, looking down at her phone. “It’s not even five past eleven on New Year’s Eve!” “Wait up! I wanna deck the jerk who’s interrupting Sunset’s wake!” Rainbow Dash jumped to her feet and raced after the girl, causing the remaining three Rainbooms to shrug and follow close behind. “I… I don’t think you’re going to want to keep that promise, Rainbow…” Rarity whispered as she dropped down from her tippy toes, the doorbell was continuously rung as the fashionista fiddled with the door locks. “And why is that?” Rainbow asked as the door was opened, winter rushing in to snuff out the warmth of the house, along with the person at the door. “Princess Twilight!” was the shared shriek as the girl collapsed to the floor, her lavender skin pale from the cold outside. Applejack sprung into action, hoisting the girl up into her arms as she rushed to the living room. “Come on, girl! We’ll get ya ta tha fireplace!” “I’ll get some blankets!” Rarity said as she started to hyperventilate, before rushing off with Fluttershy following behind. “What the hell is she doing here? She coulda freezed to death outside dressed like that!” Rainbow chimed in as she and Pinkie Pie followed behind Applejack. “She must have become worried and came looking for…” Pinkie Pie’s voice trailed off. Ever since the day when everyone gathered at Applejack’s farm house, Pinkie had not uttered the amber girl’s name, making a Pinkie Promise to do so, as she said she felt like she didn’t deserve to talk about their lost friend by name. Applejack slowly set the bone numbing girl down in a chair before pulling the chair next to the fire and shaking her head. “If’n she did, than Ah reckon we’re in fer a long night…” “We have blankets! Please tell me she’s still alive!” Rarity and Fluttershy rushed around the corner, Rarity-designed blankets overflowing from their arms. Rainbow Dash gently pushed Applejack out of the way before leaning over top of the still form of Twilight, listening as she rested two fingers against the girl’s thin neck. “She’s breathing, and she’s got a pulse.” “I’ll go make her some tea.” Rarity gave an uneasy chuckle as she finished depositing blankets onto Twilight. “Are you sure that’s smart? Giving an angry person something to throw at you?” Rainbow Dash commented before hissing and rubbing at her arm as Applejack retracted her fist. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to me of late…” the pale white girl responded quietly as she fiddled with the long sleeve of her shirt before departing. ~ “Sunset!!!” came the desperate cry from Twilight Sparkle as consciousness rushed back to her, her eyes shooting open as she her head darted side to side. “Easy, Princess. Calm down.” a familiar voice commanded as a larger hand came to rest on her shoulder. “Yer alright.” “Applejack? Why did you follow me through the portal?” Twilight asked in confusion, before blinking a few times as she realized where she was. “Wait, no… Your… S-Sorry… I guess the cold got to me.” “I’d be more amazed if nothing happened to you cause of it.” a knowing chuckle came from Rainbow Dash as the girl gruffly grabbed her hands, pressing down gently on each finger tip. “Any pain or numbness? I’m not seeing any frostbite, somehow, but you never know.” “N-No, I feel that just fine. Well, a little numb I guess but I think that’s just the cold.” “Good, and what about your toes?” Rainbow asked in response of the all clear on the Princess’ fingers, repeated the process on the sock encased lower digits, receiving a similar answer. “Yes, they’re fine. Thank Celestia that I made it! The portal doesn’t differentiate seasons I guess.” Twilight gave an uneasy chuckle, rubbing the back of her head as she looked around the room as her brain finished defrosting. “Okay, so where’s Sunset? I know she said that you five thought she might have been guilty of being this… Anon-A-Miss, was it? Well certainly that was just a joke, right?” A large, hope filled smile spread across the face of the Equestrian royalty as she looked around the room, each of her Gaian friends shying away from looking at her as if her slowly fading smile was physically causing them pain. Twilight’s facade started to crumble as silence continued to be the response from her allies on this side of the mirror. “R-Right?” “Sunset…” Applejack coughed and cleared her throat, trying to distract from the rough cracking of her voice. “Sunset’s dead, Twilight. A little over a week ago she… jumped off o’ the bridge crossin’-” “She was telling the truth… You… All of you really did turn your backs on her.” the emptiness of Twilight’s voice hit the Rainbooms harder than if the girl was “only disappointed” in them, each of the five recoiling in shame as Twilight continued. “What could have possibly have led you five to doing that?” “We thought she was behind o’ all o’ tha secret spredin’ Anon-A-Miss was doin’.” the farm girl explained as she removed her stetson, holding it in front of herself. “Secrets? That’s what cause all of this? Surely you jest! When the other You’s did this back in Equestria to me, at least it was because I was seeming to be trying to ruin a royal wedding!” Twilight had started to slowly grow more and more aggressive as she lambasted the girls. “Ah’m tellin’ tha truth, Princess… Ah mean, Ah am supposed ta be Honesty…” Applejack struggled with the last word of her lame defence, not even looking Twilight in the eye. “Oh, so were you lying after the Battle of the Bands when you called her your friend?” “Twilight, please! We-” Twilight turned on Rainbow Dash, silencing the girl with an outstretched finger. “What about Loyalty? Did you at least give her a chance?” No response. “Generosity? Kindness?” Nothing from either of them, and as soon as Twilight looked over at Pinkie Pie the party planner shook her head. “Are you serious right now!? After everything she did after the Fall Formal, all the charity work and- She sung praises of the five you every day, you know. Yeah! She couldn’t stop talking about how great the five of you were treating her. Really showing her the Magic of Friendship!” The Rainbooms kept their heads collectively hung in shame as they shuffled their feet. Rarity broke the line when she took a small step forward and stated to whisper in a soft voice. “Sunset, erm… She was lying, darling.” Rarity braced herself as she waited for the Princess to respond. “Oh, this is gonna be rich.” Twilight gave a surprisingly dark chuckle as she crossed her arms and studied the girls. “Tell me. What could Sunset possibly lie to me about, huh?” “We didn’t know that she was saying good things about us…” Pinkie Pie said. Fluttershy paused her quiet sobbing. “She tried so hard to make amends after that night.” she added sorrowfully. “We didn’t act like her friends during that time.” Rainbow Dash clenched her fists, her body shaking as she kept her eyes shut. “We often ignored her.” “We kept on making jokes at her expense…” Rarity reached up and wiped away the tear running down her cheek. “Half the time we ignored her… Sent her away. “It wasn’t till after tha Battle of the Bands that we called her our friend.” Applejack looked up, her eyes trying to look past the lavender girl recuperating in the chair. “She lied about us being her friends…” “...” Twilight’s lips spread thin, her raging heart beat almost audible to the girl’s as fire started to drip from her eyes. The group reacted in silent terror as the girl slammed a hand on the arm of her chair, some strange sounds erupting from her mouth. “You're all lucky that we aren't in Equestria, or I’d personally banish you all to Tartarus and make sure you were stripped of you’re status as bearers of the Elements of Harmony!” Twilight shifted erratically between shouting and whispering, but every word dripped with as much rage, disappointment, and betrayal that the girl could muster. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about stripping us of that status…” Rainbow muttered as her pocket buzzed loudly. “We haven’t been able to pony up all break…” “Good.” was the Equestrian’s bitingly bitter response, only for her brow to furrow. “What’s with all that buzzing.” “Oh, um… that’s just our alarm for the new… yea…” Rarity paused as she brought out her phone, here eyes widening as she looked at the screen. “Oh my god…” “What? I know that look, Rarity. What’s going on?” Twilight tore the blankets off of her as she started to hurriedly walk to Rarity’s side, the other girl’s gathering close and giving their own cries of shock. “She… She’s…” Rarity held the phone towards Twilight, the screen bright as a picture of Sunset Shimmer flashed across it. A picture of the old Sunset Shimmer, with simple text saying “Happy New Year” surrounding her, as well as a small, right facing triangle in the bottom right corner. “It’s a video… Why is someone posting on her account?” Rainbow Dash asked, the girl obviously struggling to keep her anger in check. “Video? Like that thing from the Fall Formal?” Twilight asked as Rarity brought her phone back to herself, nodding in response. “Play it then.” Rarity looked up, worry etched on her face as she ran a delicate finger across the small pad at the bottom of the phone. “Did you miss me?” came the simple, smug, yet incredibly robotic voice as the text glittered around Sunset’s image. “Did you miss me?” “It’s just on repeat…” Applejack said, scowling as the video kept repeating the line over and over again. “Why would someone-” “Because I sure as fuck didn’t miss any of you!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, suddenly appearing on the screen, looking more alive than she had during that week at school, before retreating away with a dark laugh. “I thought you said she was dead!?” Twilight yelled, her arms shooting out behind her as she stared at the girls in disbelief. “B-B-But the cops…! They said they couldn’t find her body!” Rainbow said as numerous emotions crashed against her. “You gotta believe us, Twilight!!” “What, like you believed Sunset when she tried to prove her innocence!?” a second loud buzz echoed from all the girls pockets or phones. “Now what!?” Hello all, I hope you had an awesome Christmas, cause I sure as fuck didn’t! Actually, no, I hope you all had a shitty holiday season! Though I doubt it’s going to hold a candle to how bad it’s about to become! >;’3 You all accused me of being Anon-A-Miss, of spreading secrets even after everything I did to try and redeem myself! I’m almost embarrassed that I even tried, given how easily you all fell into infighting again, just like before Twilight saved all of your asses at the Fall Formal. xD Seeing as all you traitors want to see me as is a villain, I guess I’ll grant your wishes. I’ll become the villain you all so badly want me to be again. You all thought it was bad when I manipulated things behind the shadows? Well I still have all that information, and this time… ;’3 This time I’m not gonna play nice. This time I’m not gonna hold back! And the best part is, I’m gone! None of you are ever gonna find me! So prepare for me to truly become Anon-A-Miss! :’) Prepare for me to make your lives the hell that I had to deal with for an entire week! >:’[ The girl that saved your fucking asses from the goddamn Sirens, Sunset Shimmer Everyone grew silent. Sunset was dead, they knew Sunset was dead! She jumped off of the bridge right in front of them, and the police never found her body! But this… “I’m going to find her…” Twilight uttered as she started to back away. “I’m going to find her and bring her home…” “Twilight!” one of the Rainbooms cried out as the Princess dashed towards the door, storming through it and back into the thankfully subsiding blizzard, her guilt powering her forward. While she had been spending the holidays with family and friends, enjoying herself, Sunset had been suffering. She had been turned into a scapegoat by those who she had thought were her friends. No… Twilight Sparkle was not going to abandon her friend again! She was going to find Sunset Shimmer, and fix this.
