The Shadow Knows!

Chapters

Act I
Act II
Act III

Act I

Author's Note

I understand that it seems to be a kind of tradition for fanfic writers to create Anon-a-Miss stories. At first, I told myself I'd never stoop to that level, but eventually I realized I wasn't so above it all and really wanted to join in on the bandwagon. The problem was, I wasn't sure how to approach it. But then I realized something. . . the Anon-a-Miss story is, at its heart, a mystery. That's how the writers should have set it up as in the first place. This led me to think of one of the most awesome detectives of all time: The Shadow.

The Shadow Radio Program has got to be one of the greatest radio dramas ever made. Thanks to internet radios, and YouTube I suppose, the people of today can still enjoy the adventures of the invisible detective that struck fear into the hearts of evil doers. Having him crossover into the Anon-a-Miss story is the coolest idea ever, if I do say so myself.

Also, if you're wondering about the names I created, I simply looked up the meanings of Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane to get Lawful Crane and Pearl Lane respectively. That way their names fit in better with the Equestria Girls universe.

And so, without further ado, I give you . . . The Shadow.

Act I

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of people?"

". . . The Shadow knows! Heheheheheheh!"

"The Shadow", the mysterious character who aids those in distress and helps the forces of law and order, is in reality Lawful Crane; a man of wealth, a student of science, and a master of other people's minds. Crane devotes his life to righting wrongs, protecting the innocent, and punishing the guilty. Using advanced methods that may ultimately become available to all law enforcement agencies, Crane is known to the underworld as "The Shadow". Never seen, only heard, due to a mysterious hypnotic power he learned during his time in the far East. As haunting to superstitious minds as a ghost. As inevitable as a guilty conscience. The identity of The Shadow is known only to his intimate friend and aide, Pearl Lane.

Today's story, "Anon-a-Miss".

Pearl Lane and Lawful Crane sat across form each other in a café, with two steaming cups of fine coffee before each of them. Pearl was a fair skinned young woman with dark red hair. She wore a fine shawl and a dress, as well as a string of her namesake around her neck. She took a sip of her coffee before bringing her attention to her male companion.

Lawful Crane had a slightly darker, tanner skin tone. The black hat he wore rested on the table next to his cup of coffee. He wore a black coat and a crimson red scarf. At the moment, he was staring at his smartphone with a troubled look on his face.

"Lawful?" Pearl asked loudly.

Lawful Crane blinked suddenly and looked up at his companion and said, "Oh, Pearl, please excuse me. I was lost in thought."

Pearl pursed her lips in annoyance and said, "Indeed, you were. What exactly has you so troubled?"

Lawful frowned and said, "You might not have noticed, Pearl, but during our time here, I've been looking around, keeping my ears open, checking out the latest gossip. And it turns out that there is a serious problem going on in Canterlot Highschool."

Pearl suddenly became alert and interested, and she asked, "What short of trouble?"

"Someone has created a MyStable account named 'Anon-a-Miss' and has been posting embarrassing secrets about other students for everyone to see," Lawful explained, "And while they it may seem like just a few harmless little facts now, this could very well escalate into something that can ruins the futures, careers, and lives of so many innocent teens."

"Oh dear," Pearl said as the gravity of the situation washed over her.

"And it gets worse," Lawful continued, "It seems as if the entire student body is convinced that the culprit is a former bully named Sunset Shimmer, and are treating her more and more harshly as days go by. This I cannot allow."

Confused, Pearl asked, "Well, what makes you think that it wasn't her?"

Lawful handed Pearl his phone and said, "I checked out the MyStable page in question. What do you notice about it?"

Pearl studied the page and said, "There's a lot of yellow and orange on it. . . and the profile picture is a very clear colorized silhouette of some girl with red hair and a black jacket."

Lawful nodded and said, "Precisely. Yellow and orange are Sunset's colors, and the profile picture was drawn to look like Sunset. Clearly, whoever designed this page wanted others to come to the conclusion that it was Sunset."

Pearl nodded as she handed him back his phone, "You're right. If it was her, she would never have made it look so obvious. It's practically suicide. Someone must be framing her. But why?"

Lawful put his phone away and replied, "Perhaps someone is still bitter about her past bullying. Or maybe one of her past accomplices wants her to go back to her old cruel ways. Either way, this whole situation is getting worse by the minute. Not only could a potentially life altering secret get posted, but someone might decide to physically harm Sunset Shimmer to silence her."

"So, are you going to go out and find the real Anon-A-Miss?" Pearl asked.

Lawful shook his head and said, "Not me, Pearl. There is nothing Lawful Crane can do about this. This is a job for The Shadow."

Sunset Shimmer exited the school alone, as usual. It was just another day of abuse, name calling, scorn, and bitter venom. Her eyes were still red from the tears, and her heart continued to ache. With every day that went by, things simply got worse and worse. The other students seemed to get exponentially angrier every time Anon-a-Miss would post a secret. While often the secret would result in other students turning on each other, eventually all the anger and hate would find its way back to her.

And worst of all was that Sunset no longer had any friends for support.

Sunset had been walking for a while when she heard a voice call out to her, saying scornfully, "Hey! Anon-a-Miss!"

Sunset turned around to see Lightning Dust approaching her.

Sunset sighed and said, "Look, I'm not in the mood for it now. So just let me-."

"Shut-up!" Lightning demanded, hatred burning in her eyes, "We've all had enough of you! All of us! It's bad enough that you think you can turn the whole school against itself, but if you think you can get away with spilling secrets about me, then you're just asking for a beating!"

Sunset's heart pounded, and she realized that Lightning Dust meant business. Part of her expected something like this to happen, but it didn't mean she was prepared for it, or wanted it. So she turned to run, hoping that she could lose the furious teen. However, that plan was dashed when she saw Gilda standing in her way, looking just as angry as Lightning Dust.

Sunset's eyes widened in horror, and she turned back to Lightning and pleaded, "Please! I'm not Anon-a-Miss! You have to-."

Gilda suddenly grabbed both of Sunset's arms in a vice-like grip, smirking as she said, "Save it, witch! You've had this coming to you for a loooooong time!"

Lightning smiled maliciously as she smacked her right fist into her left palm. "Heh-heh-heh. I'm gonna enjoy pounding you, Sunset. How about five. . . no, ten for every secret you spilled."

Sunset shook with panic, trying desperately to escape Gilda's grip. "No! Please! I didn't do it!" she pleaded.

Lightning brought her right fist back and brought it forwards towards Sunset's face, only for it to stop short by a few inches.

Lightning's eyes went wide as she stammered out, "Wha-wha-what!?"

Gilda stared owlishly at Lightning and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Something's got me by the wrist!" Lightning shouted fearfully.

"What?!" Gilda asked in disbelief.

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

The eyes of the three teens all went wide as shivers ran up their spines.

"Who the heck is that!?" Gilda demanded fiercely, although her voice quivered ever so slightly.

"I am called. . . The Shadow," said a voice that was thin and reedy, yet commanding and haunting

"The Shadow?" Lightning Dust echoed.

"Yes. . . I have clouded your minds so that you cannot see me. But I assure you, I am very real."

"Let me go!" Lightning Dust demanded, her nerve slowly returning to her.

Gilda scowled at where she thought The Shadow was and said, "What are you trying to do here, anyway?"

"I am stopping you from assaulting this innocent."

Gilda let out a hollow laugh and said, "Innocent?! Her!? Listen Shadow, you clearly have no idea what's going on here."

"I assure you, I do. Sunset Shimmer has been framed from the creation of the MyStable account known as Anon-a-Miss."

"Framed?" Lightning Dust said incredulously, "Are you serious? Of course she's guilty!"

"You dare set yourself up as judge, jury, and executioner?! Here you are, ambushing this person when they are vulnerable and defenseless just so you can take sick pleasure in exacting revenge on someone who has repented of their crimes and has worked hard to make amends."

Sunset's eyes widened. She was amazed that this invisible stranger was coming to her defense. Then she cried out in pain as Gilda tightened her grip on her arms.

"Talk all you want, Shadow guy!" Gilda said, "Sunset's the only one who could have done it, and everyone in Canterlot High knows it."

"On the contrary. Perhaps, in your wickedness, either of you, or both of you, created Anon-a-Miss so that you'd have an excuse to attack Sunset over her past mistakes to satisfy the sick thirst for revenge you never had a chance to quench."

Lightning Dust gritted her teeth and said, "Oh, now you're trying to pin all of this on us?" She made a fist with her left hand a prepared to swing at the space where she figured The Shadow was standing, "Well, I'm gonna- AHHHH!"

Lighting Dust's right wrist suddenly twisted at an unnatural angle, causing her knees to buckle from the pain.

"Release Sunset Shimmer or I swear I will break her wrist!"

"Do it!" Lightning Dust pleaded.

Freaked out by the turn of events, Gilda obeyed, letting go of Sunset's arms. Sunset quickly backed away from the scene, unable to keep herself from watching.

"Now, do you two promise to leave Sunset Shimmer alone?"

"YES! YES! YES!" Lightning Dust shouted as she shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the pain.

Gilda hesitated at first, staring at how Lightning Dust's wrist seemed to be suspended in mid air at a weird angle.

"Uh," Gilda said awkwardly.

"We're no match for this guy!" Lightning Dust shouted in pure terror, "You can't stop something you can't see! Just say yes or he'll get us both!"

Gilda swallowed a lump in her throat, and she said, "Okay. Yeah, we'll leave her alone. We promise."

Lightning Dust fell to the ground, gently nursing her freed wrist.

"Very good. Now remember this: As you sow evil, so shall you reap evil! Crime does not pay. . . The Shadow knows! Heheheheheheh!'

Gilda and Lightning Dust quickly took off in different directions to flee the sound of The Shadow's creepy laughter. This left Sunset Shimmer all alone.

". . . Thank you, Shadow," Sunset said softly.

"There is a more specific way in which you can thank me, Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset jumped when she heard the voice. It seemed she wasn't quite alone after all. She was surprised that The Shadow hadn't left let, now that the danger had passed.

"H-how?" Sunset asked.

"Tell me, do you have enemies?"

Sunset was relaxed enough to snort and say, "Huh. Try pretty much everyone!"

"What about before Anon-a-Miss appeared?"

Sunset thought about this for a moment, then she said, "Well. . . there's Trixie Lulamoon. Really arrogant. Constantly butts head with me and my frie- former friends. She constantly kept bringing up all the bad stuff I did in the past."

"Good, good. Now, did you have any accomplices when you were a bully?"

Sunset was slightly caught off guard by this, but she nodded and said, "Yes. Snips and Snails. Although they were more like minions than accomplices."

"One more thing. Are there any other bullies in Canterlot High?"

"Just Diamond Tiara and her friend Silver Spoon," Sunset replied, "Although Diamond Tiara is the actual bully. Silver Spoon just follows her every whim for some reason. They're in Elementary School though, and mostly focus their bullying on kids who aren't as rich as they are."

"Very well. Now, I suggest you avoid going to school for a few days."

"What?" Sunset said in surprise.

"It isn't safe for you. But don't worry. I am sure that I will find the real Anon-a-Miss in a few days. You won't miss that many classes. I strongly suggest hiding out someplace safe. In fact, I'm sure my friend Pearl Lane will be glad to take you in for a while. Just tell her The Shadow sent you to her and she'll agree to it. Now, get out your phone and take note of this address. . ."

Within the Rich family mansion, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were playing with a very expensive doll house set in the bedroom of Diamond Tiara. Although technically, only Silver Spoon was playing, as Diamond Tiara seemed to be more interested in her smart phone.

Eventually, Silver Spoon got fed up enough to say, "C'mon, Di! I thought you said we were gonna have a high society tea party?"

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and said, "In a minute! I just need to take care of something here!"

As Diamond Tiara's fingers typed and tapped away, Silver Spoon huffed and said, "I'm beginning to wish social media never existed. Between you right now and Anon-a-Miss tearing up the school. This stinks!"

"Yeah, yeah, Anon-a-Miss. Whatever," Diamond Tiara said without a care.

"Are you even listening to me?" Silver Spoon said impatiently.

Diamond Tiara smiled and gave the screen one final tap, "There! All done!"

Silver Spoon got close to try and see what was on the screen of Diamond Tiara's phone. "What are you even doing on there, anyway?"

Diamond Tiara pulled the phone away, closing the screen and powering it down quickly as she said harshly, "None of you business!"

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

Both young girls shrieked and hugged each other for protection.

"Who's that?! Who's there!?" Diamond Tiara said in wide eyed fear.

"I am the one that bullies and cowards like you fear the most. . . I am The Shadow."

"Where are you!?" Diamond Tiara shouted, "Show yourself or I'll call my butler! Or my daddy!"

"And what good would that do you? No one can see The Shadow, for I wield hypnotic powers that prevent the mind from seeing me. Anyone who you call in here will find no one but the two of you, and thus you will be named either a liar or insane."

Silver Spoon had tears in her eyes as she said, "Please don't hurt me!"

"I have not come here to harm you. I have simply come here to ask you a question. Are either of you Anon-a-Miss?"

Diamond Tiara huffed, clearly offended by The Shadow's question, and she pushed Silver Spoon away and said to the room at large, "Of course not! How dare you!? Everyone knows it's Sunset Shimmer! How could you possibly accuse us of doing that."

"Because, as I have already stated, you are both bullies and cowards. Although most of the blame falls on you, Diamond Tiara. You lead your accomplice on your sick, twisted missions to tear others down just because you believe them to be inferior to you. Surely the creation of the Anon-a-Miss account, and the framing of Sunset Shimmer, would only feed your lust for the domination of others for your own sick amusement."

Diamond Tiara was seething with rage at this moment, and she said, "So what!? So what if I capitalize on everyone else's flaws! It's not my fault others are so pathetic that they just beg to be torn down. But that's completely different from what Anon-a-Miss is doing. All she does is post random, stupid secrets! Besides, if I was Anon-a-Miss, I wouldn't have started with Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. I would have gone after their annoying little sisters first! That hick farm girl Applebloom! That airheaded Sweetie Belle! That dumb tomboy Scootaloo! I've been waiting forever for Anon-a-Miss to post something about those three losers! I even sent her some embarrassing photos of them I bribed Featherweight into secretly taking, and still nothing!"

"So others have been sending in things to Anon-a-Miss?"

Diamond Tiara shrugged, "Yeah, sure. Isn't it obvious? There's no way Sunset could know all of these secrets herself. Anyway, this isn't the kind of thing I'd do. Too much work. If anything, I'd just blackmail someone else to create something like this."

"You may not be Anon-a-Miss, Diamond Tiara, but your actions will have consequences one day. Perhaps Silver Spoon will grow tired of your behavior and leave you all alone. Perhaps in that moment, you will realize that the path your mother has forced you to walk will only lead to ruin. Goodbye."

Diamond Tiara's eyes widened at this, and she stood in silence for a while. Then shook her head and said, "Oh, what does he know?"

Silver Spoon sat in silence, staring at the floor.

"Silver?!" Diamond Tiara said as she turned her head sharply to look at he bespectacled friend.

Silver Spoon blinked her eyes, then nodded and said miserably, "Yeah. Sure. What does he know. . ."

In the Canterlot Mall's arcade, Snips was leaning against the side of the basketball game as Snail proceeded to make perfect shot after perfect shot, all with a zen-like expression on his face.

Snips shook his head and said, "Seriously, how do you do it?"

Snails just shrugged and said, "I just stop thinking. Seriously, I don't think."

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

Snails froze solid, and Snips looked around with wide eyes.

"Uh, okay, who's doing all the laughing?" Snips asked nervously.

"I am The Shadow. I am completely invisible to you."

"Ooooookay. . ." Snips said slowly.

Snails relaxed and said, "Eh, stranger things have happened to us. Remember the Fall Formal? Yeah, a scary voice is nothing compared to that."

"Tell me, do you truly believe that Sunset Shimmer is Anon-a-Miss?"

Snips sighed and said, "Well, who else could it be? I mean, I don't wanna believe it. I kinda liked New-Sunset better than Old-Sunset."

Snails nodded his head sadly, "Yeah. . . I kinda wish she was innocent."

"Oh, but she is. And I will tell you how we can prove it. But first, during your time as Sunset's accomplices, did you discover any secrets about her, perhaps by accident or without her realizing it? Think hard. Sunset's future depends on it. . ."

Later on, in the food court of the Canterlot Mall, Trixie was muttering to herself rather darkly as she sat down at one of the tables all by herself.

"Stupid Sunset Shimmer. Stupid, stupid, stupid," Trixie muttered as she stared down at her phone, "Making Trixie miserable, ruining Trixie's career with her stupid talents." Then a smile spread across her face and she said, "Well, she certainly got what she deserved, didn't she?"

Trixie let out a good laugh after that, then she began typing something onto her phone. She took a good look at what she had written and said, "Plus, Trixie being able to let everyone see stuff like this without fear of getting caught is quite a nice bonus."

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

Trixie sat up straight in her chair and her eyes darted back and forth, "Who is laughing at Trixie!?"

"It is The Shadow, and you cannot see me. I am entirely invisible to you."

Trixie visibly relaxed and said with a look of annoyance on her face, "Oh, really? Well, The Great and Powerful Trixie doubts that The Shadow could possibly achieve such a feat, when not even I could accomplish something so utterly impossible."

"My invisibility is not at all supernatural. Like the illusions you perform, it is a trick of a mind. Through hypnosis, I can cloud the minds of others so that they cannot see me."

Trixie's look of annoyance became one of intrigue, and she said with an eager smile, "Ooh, it seems The Great and Powerful Trixie has found a kindred spirit! Tell me, how is this trick performed?"

"What have you typed on your phone?"

Trixie's emotional roller coaster continued as the bottom seemed to drop out of her stomach. "Errrrr," she said, and she moved her thumbs with the intention of sending what she's typed and then swiftly closing the window.

A hand suddenly clamped onto Trixie's right shoulder, and her blood cold as The Shadow said in a harsh voice, "Do not touch that screen!"

"What do you want from Trixie?" she squeaked out.

"Are you Anon-a-Miss?"

"You've got the wrong girl! Sunset Shimmer is Anon-a-Miss! Not Trixie!" she said quickly.

"And yet here you have an embarrassing secret ready to be posted."

"Trixie was just sending it to Anon-a-Miss! Lots of students have been doing it! Just for fun!"

"It sickens me to see so many of you condemn Sunset Shimmer for doing something that you all are doing with impunity! How dare you treat her with such cruelty when you are doing the very thing you claim is so wicked!"

"But she started it!" Trixie argued, still very much aware of the hand on her shoulder.

"Or did you, consumed by your hatred and jealousy of Sunset Shimmer, create Anon-a-Miss yourself so you could frame her while also making all of Canterlot High bow to your slightest whim like the grand magician you have deluded yourself into thinking you are!"

"If Trixie were Anon-a-Miss, Trixie would have posted this secret directly on Anon-a-Miss' account instead of sending it through Trixie's own account," Trixie argued desperately, her palms starting to sweat as she stared at the screen in front of her.

"Perhaps. But if I were to take this phone from you, which shows a message containing yet another embarrassing secret to be sent from Trixie's account to Anon-a-Miss' account, and show it to the Principal of Canterlot High, you would be undoubtedly linked to Anon-a-Miss, and thus face all of the abuse Sunset has faced."

Trixie's pupils shrank in complete and utter terror at the thought. "What?" she said in a soft and quiet voice, a complete contract to her normally bold and arrogant personality.

"It would be so easy for me to snatch this phone right out of your hands. . ."

"NO! DON'T! I'LL DO ANYTHING!" Trixie shrieked, her eyes begging to well up with tears.

"So you want mercy for doing something you believe Sunset has done, even though you never gave her any mercy for it? Do you not see your own hypocrisy, oh spiller of secrets!"

"I'm sorry!" Trixie sobbed as she silently wished that the hand on her shoulder would just go away.

"Then help me prove Sunset's innocence."

Trixie nodded vigorously and said desperately, "Oh yes, yes! I'll do it, I'll help her!"

"Good. Now, backspace all that you have typed. Then you will type every single word I say and then send it off. Then I will release you. Don't try anything, because while you can't see me, I can clearly see you. Now, here is what you will write. . ."

Act II

After hearing about the vile actions of a MyStable user known as Anon-a-Miss, and the plight of high school student Sunset Shimmer, who was being wrongfully accused of being Anon-a-Miss, wealthy man-about-town Lawful Crane took up his alter ego of The Shadow and proceeded to expose the real culprit. After saving Sunset from a pair of would be attackers, The Shadow put Sunset under the care of his personal friend Pearl Lane. He then interrogated the possible suspects Sunset had suggested to him in search for clues. Eventually, he came up with a cunning plan to further prove that Sunset was not Anon-a-Miss.

That evening, Sweetie Belle sat in her room with her two best friends, Applebloom and Scootaloo. On Sweetie Belle's desk was a laptop computer, and on screen was a very familiar MyStable page.

Applebloom was smiling confidently as she said, "At this rate, no one in the entire world will want to be around Sunset Shimmer! Ha! That demon shoulda known she'd never get away with what she did!"

Scootaloo nodded and said, "Plus, we're the proud owners of the most popular MyStable page in history! Internet famous!" She held up her right palm and said excitedly, "High five!"

Sweetie Belle did not share her friends' enthusiasm as she watched as them victoriously gave each other five. She had a nervous look about her, and she said, "You know, I've been thinking. . . Maybe it's gone on long enough. Maybe we should end it now."

Applebloom and Scootaloo turned to stare at Sweetie Belle as if she'd just grown a second head.

Sweetie Belle gave a nervous smile in return and continued, "I mean, we've beaten Sunset Shimmer, haven't we? We won. She won't be stealing our sisters away from us anymore, so do we really need Anon-a-Miss anymore?"

Applebloom frowned in frustration and said, "Sweetie Belle, Sunset Shimmer is super mean and cruel and doesn't show mercy. If Anon-a-Miss just fades away, if it just stops with no grand finale, then people might start thinking that Sunset isn't her after all because that's not how the old Sunset would have done things. We have to keep going!"

"And HELLO!" Scootaloo said loudly, "Most popular MyStable page in history! We got the whole school dying to see what we post next! We get so many messages every day! We'd be crazy to let go of all of that fame!"

"Yeah. . .but. . ." Sweetie Belle said slowly.

Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle suspiciously and said, "You aren't wussing out on us, are you? You aren't gonna tattle on us, are you?"

Sweetie Belle's eyes went wide and she shook her head. "No! No! I'd never do that! You girls are my best friends, I'd never turn on either of you!"

"Of course she wouldn't," Applebloom said as she shot a disapproving glare at Scootaloo, who looked back apologetically. Applebloom then gave Sweetie Belle a gentler gaze and said, "Ah know it seems wrong, but the ends justify the means. We need to get rid of Sunset Shimmer if we want our sisters back. It's as simple as that."

"That's right," Scootaloo said with a nod, "Now, what secrets did we get this time?"

Sweetie Belle turned back to her computer and scrolled through the inbox. She paused and said, "Huh. . . what? Trixie just posted a secret about Sunset Shimmer!"

Applebloom and Scootaloo both ran up to the computer in a rush.

"Sunset Shimmer eats flowers?" Applebloom read in disbelief.

"Look, there's a link to a private document," Scootaloo pointed out.

Sweetie Belle clicked on the link, and the trio was greeted with a photo of Sunset nibbling on a daisy with a forlorn expression on her face, almost as if she was feeling a wave of nostalgia and longing for something she'd left behind. The angle from which the photo was taken revealed that Sunset was not aware of the photographer's presence and probably didn't even realize she was being photographed.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both snickered while Scootaloo simply stood with a look of pure delight on her face.

"Woah. . ." Scootaloo finally said, a big grin on her face.

"This really is an embarrassing picture!" Sweetie Belle said.

Scootaloo rubbed her palms together deviously and said, "This is so good! Oh man, when we post this, Sunset is gonna be-!"

Applebloom gasped and shook her head. "No. We can't post it," she interrupted.

"Huh? Why not?" Scootaloo asked, surprised at her friend's words.

Applebloom face palmed and said, "Ugh! Think, Scootaloo. The whole point is to frame Sunset. Why would Sunset post a secret about herself?"

Scootaloo deflated a little and said, "Oh yeah. You're right."

Sweetie Belle was confused and asked, "But why did Trixie send this? When did she even take this? It's not winter in the picture, so. . ."

Applebloom shrugged and said, "Ah don't know when or how, but Ah'm pretty sure Trixie still thinks Anon-a-Miss is Sunset just like everyone else, so she probably sent it in just to spite her."

"So, we're not posting it," Sweetie Belle said.

"Right," Applebloom said with a nod.

"Aww," Scootaloo said in disappointment, but then she perked up a bit and said with a sly grin, "But we're keeping the link, right?"

The next morning, Sunset Shimmer sat at the counter of the kitchenette in Lawful Crane and Pearl Lane's apartment. As Lawful sat to Sunset's left sipping a cup of coffee, Pearl set a slice of buttered toast and cup of hot tea in front of her.

"Thank you. . ." Sunset said softly.

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," Pearl said pleasantly.

Sunset shook her head and said, "No. . .I mean, thank you for everything. I mean. . ." Sunset sighed and said, "I don't think I showed my gratitude enough last night."

Pearl smiled understandingly and said, "You were clearly emotionally drained and in a state of shock from your experience with your attackers. You did go to sleep on that couch quite quickly."

"But still," Sunset continued, "I really can't put into words how grateful I am for all this. I mean. . . why help me of all people?"

Lawful shrugged and said, "That's just how The Shadow is. He helps the innocent and brings the guilty to justice. You've been framed by someone who takes pleasure out of turning people against each other. The Shadow won't rest until this situation is resolved, and Anon-a-Miss is brought to justice. And we agree wholehearted with him. We aren't going to allow you to suffer while the real culprit gets away with everything. The innocent deserve protection. We're just doing what we feel is right."

Sunset thought on this for a moment before asking, "You both must have known The Shadow for a while, right?"

"Indeed," Lawful said with a smile, "And I must say that he has never failed in carrying out justice."

"But how is he able to turn invisible?" Sunset asked, captivated by what her mysterious rescuer represented, "Is it some kind of magic?"

Pearl shook her head and said, "The Shadow has power over the minds of others; we can say no more. It is a secret we have sworn to keep."

Sunset nodded with understanding, "I get it. I suppose everyone has their secrets. . ." She then started on the toast in front of her.

"Tell me, Sunset," Lawful began, "What has the principal of Canterlot High done to alleviate the Anon-a-Miss situation?"

Sunset took a sip of tea, and then she said sadly, "Nothing, if I'm honest."

Lawful appeared surprised by this, and he said, "Nothing?"

Sunset shrugged and said, "Principal Celestia has never really gotten directly involved in stuff like this. For instance, there's these two bullies that I told The Shadow about, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They basically do whatever they want, but then again they do both come from wealthy families. And back when I was a. . . power hungry fool, I rarely got caught or in trouble or anything. It's like, Celestia has this weird hands-off approach to things, and it tends to blow up in her face a lot from what I've seen so far."

"I see. . ." Lawful said thoughtfully.

"Vice Principal Luna is a little better," Sunset added, "But she's kinda easy to fool and jumps to conclusions and flies off the handle and stuff like that. Like, this one time, when I vandalized the gym, I was able to convince her that someone else had done just by cut and pasting some photos together. It would've worked perfectly If the photo scraps hadn't been found and shown to Luna."

Lawful nodded and said, "Well, don't you worry, Sunset. While they may not be of much help to you, I can guarantee that The Shadow will get to the bottom of this."

Sunset nodded, "I sure hope he does. My friends. . ." Sunset paused for a moment, her eyes tearing up slightly, ". . . They. . . they're more than friends to me. There my family. I just wish they'd realize that the Sunset Shimmer they've shared so many good times with, the Sunset Shimmer they helped change, would never do something like this to them."

Pearl put a gentle hand on Sunset's shoulder and said, "They will. Don't you worry, Sunset. They will."

Vice Principal Luna burst into Principal Celestia's office in a furious huff.

Celestia, calmly sitting behind her desk, looked up from her paperwork and said, "Luna. I take it you have an issue you wish to discuss with me."

"SISTER!" the Vice Principal shouted irately, "Don't you feel that this Anon-a-Miss business has gone on long enough!"

Celestia shook her head and said, "Oh, Luna. You have to understand. All of these things will sort themselves out-."

"THIS WILL NOT SORT ITSELF OUT!" Luna shouted as she slammed both of her hands on Celestia's desk for emphasis, "Anon-a-Miss is tearing the very foundation of this school asunder, and you are content to sit here and do nothing!"

Celestia sighed and looked downwards, looking nearly ashamed, "Luna, of course I would not allow this school to collapse. I honestly thought the goodness in the hearts of our students' would prevail. Naturally, if things got too far, I would step in and do something. But now that the moment has arrived, I have realized that I have no way to stop a faceless anarchist on social media."

"There is always a way," Luna said unwaveringly as she removed her hands from the desk and stood up straight.

"You cannot stop people from using social media," Celestia said as she continued to stare downwards, "And we do not know who Anon-a-Miss is, so we cannot stop her or him. But what truly worries me is the fact that so many students have accused Sunset Shimmer of being the culprit, combined with the fact that she hasn't come to school today."

"Perhaps she is hiding from justice," Luna muttered bitterly.

Celestia's head snapped up and she said in shock, "Luna! You don't truly believe Sunset to be guilty!?"

Luna folded her arms and said, "Old habits die hard."

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

Both sisters looked around the office nervously at the sound of the laughter.

"Who was laughing?!" Luna demanded furiously, and she turned towards the door and opened it.

"Step away from that door, Luna. I'm here in the room with you."

Luna turned around fast. Her eyes searched the room while Celestia merely sat in silence, carefully looking to the left and right.

"Where are you?" Luna asked slowly, her suspicious eyes still sweeping the room.

"I am right here, but you cannot see me. I have willed you to not see me, for I am The Shadow."

Celestia nodded slowly, and said calmly, "It seems Canterlot High has become a magnet for very strange things. Why are you here, Shadow?"

"I have come to inform you that I will be handling the Anon-a-Miss situation because you have clearly failed at doing so, as expected of the both of you."

"What do you mean by 'as expected'!?" Luna shouted angrily.

"You both have grievously failed at your jobs in keeping order in this school. Bullies like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon run rampant, and you allowed Sunset Shimmer to become far too powerful back before she had transitioned to the path of the straight and narrow. Celestia, your passiveness has allowed the wicked to grow bold and lose their fear of consequences. While your faith in the goodness in others is admirable, it has grown to the point where those with evil in their hearts can carry out their deeds freely. And Luna, you are a great fool."

"WHAT!?" Luna shouted.

"You are a great fool to be so easily tricked into believing that Sunset Shimmer is Anon-a-Miss."

"She has clearly fled!" Luna argued.

"Yes indeed. She has fled the accusations, abuse, sneers, hate, and threats of violence that have constantly been aimed at her. She has fled those that had tried to assault her the previous day."

Celestia sat up straight and took notice of this. "What!? She was attacked?!" she asked with great concern.

"She very well might have sustained grave injuries had I not intervened. As for the identity of the attackers, you will find an ID card which I secretly relieved from Lightning Dust on your desk. Upon apprehending her, she will undoubtedly confirm that the other attacker was Gilda, as all criminals and thugs desire to take down as many people as they can with them when they are finally caught and brought to justice."

Indeed, Celestia immediately spotted the ID card on her desk, which she knew had not been there a few seconds earlier.

"I see. For this, I thank you Shadow," Celestia said, "But I must ask, do you know where Sunset is?"

"She is under my care and protection, and I cannot in good confidence disclose her location to either of you when your utter failure to care for your students is taken into account."

"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Luna shouted again, her rage at The Shadow growing bigger by the second, "YOU TELL US WHERE OUR STUDENT IS!"

"Are either of you aware that members of the student body have been providing Anon-a-Miss with the secrets she has been posting?"

Celestia's eyes widened in disbelief, "What?"

"Preposterous!" Luna scoffed.

"You truly are a great fool, Luna. How else would Anon-a-Miss know so many secrets about so many people? The sheer amount of sensitive information being revealed must have come from a large number of sources. I will tell you who is responsible for giving Anon-a-Miss so much power: It was the students who viewed it as a harmless joke at the start. It was the students who were peer pressured into joining into this cruel activity. It was students that were so deeply hurt by the revelation of other secrets that they decided to lash out and reveal the secrets they knew to drown out their own pain."

Celestia could only bury her face in the palms of her hands.

Luna found herself unable to combat The Shadow's reasoning, so she simply asked, "But who started all of this?"

"That is what I intend to find out, but I need to work without any inference. All I ask of you is to give me two more days, and I will have the answer. If I cannot produce the true Anon-a-Miss by then, you are free to use whatever method you have planned. Do we have an understanding?"

Luna was deeply frustrated by pretty much everything, and yet she knew that there was not much she could do against an unseen presence.

Celestia uncovered here face and said somberly, "Luna. . . I believe we have no choice. Just as Twilight Sparkle came to our aid during the Fall Formal and the Battle of the Bands, it seems as if we must allow The Shadow to clear up the Anon-a-Miss crisis, no matter how much of a blow to our pride it may be. Perhaps we can both learn something from this experience and become better at our jobs."

Luna turned away from her older sister and nodded impatiently, "Yes, yes, very well. It seems we only have one choice. We will allow you to work your will, Shadow. We hope for a speedy resolution to this mess."

"As do I, Luna. As do I. I will eventually return here once I have discovered Anon-a-Miss' true identity. At that point, I will need to make use of the school PA system. Until then, do not expect to hear from me."

The door suddenly slammed shut, and both sisters stared at in silence for the most tense few minutes of their lives.

After school that very day, Sunset's five former friends were gathered together at the Sweet Shoppe, discussion current events.

Rainbow Dash drummed her fingers on the table and said furiously, "It's bad enough that Sunset posted a bunch more secrets today, but she even has the nerve to not even show up to school? Huh! What a coward!"

Applejack nodded and said, "Darn tootin', she is. But Ah suppose a rat like that is bound to be a coward at heart."

"Uh-huh!" Pinkie Pie chimed in, an uncharacteristically sour look on her face, "She's just a meanie cowardly secret spilling. . . meanie!"

"Hear! Hear!" Rarity added.

Fluttershy, however, simply stared at her feet in silence, with a distressed look on her face that hinted at a turbulent inner conflict within her.

Suddenly, the door to the Sweet Shoppe swung open, and a familiar voice said, "Trixie knew she would find you five here."

The group looked to see Trixie approaching them, with Snips and Snails following close behind her.

Rarity fixed the other girl with an icy glare and said, "What is it you want? Have you come to gloat about knowing our secrets so you can feel better about yourself?"

Trixie appeared unaffected by Rarity's words. Rather, she looked at the five girls in disgust and said, "Trixie has proof that Sunset Shimmer is not Anon-a-Miss."

"WHAT!?" shouted everyone but Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and said, "Heh. Yeah right. Stop wasting our time, Trixie."

Snips suddenly stepped forward and said, "No, really. We do! You see, back when Sunset was all mean and we were doing whatever she told us to do, we secretly took an embarrassing photo of her."

Snails stepped forward as well and nodded, "Yeah. It was just in case Sunset decided to ditch us or target us. It was kinda like a secret weapon."

"And so," Trixie cut in, "We sent that photo to Anon-a-Miss yesterday, and it was never posted."

"Duh!" Rainbow Dash said in annoyance, "Why would Sunset Shimmer post an embarrassing photo about herself? Of course she wouldn't post it."

"Ugh!" Trixie groaned, "You simpleton! She totally would have posted it! With all the torture the whole school has been unloading on her, she would do anything to get everyone to believe she's innocent! Even if it meant slightly embarrassing herself! She would have posted the photo and said 'There! See! Anon-a-Miss posted a secret about me! This proves I'm innocent! Stop treating me like dirt!'The fact that the photo wasn't posted proves that the whole thing is a plot to frame her!"

Applejack got out of her chair and said angrily, "Like hay it does! Sunset was the only untrustworthy person who knew about mah nickname! Not only that, all of those photos and videos from Rarity's slumber party were taken by Sunset with her phone, and they all showed up on Anon-a-Miss! Sunset is guilty! She's gotta be! There's no one else it could've been!"

"Sunset is not stupid!" Trixie argued, "Trixie didn't get this at first, but now she realizes that Sunset would've realized that she'd be named the culprit so fast- Ugh! She just wouldn't have done this! Why would anyone ruin their own life on purpose! Sunset doesn't even gain anything from this!"

Rarity humphed and said, "How about the sick satisfaction of seeing others suffer for her own amusement."

Snails shook his head wildly and said, "That ain't who she is anymore!"

"Yeah!" Snips said defiantly, "And besides, that ain't worth all the bad stuff that's been happening to her ever since Anon-a-Miss has been going crazy!"

Trixie rounded on the pair and shouted, "Forget it! It's hopeless! These five fools can't see reason." She then walked towards the door, shrugging her shoulders and saying, "Oh well. The Great and Powerful Trixie has tried! Maybe-."

"WAIT!"

Everyone stared in shock at the normally quiet girl who had unexpectedly raised her voice.

Fluttershy stared wide eyes at the people staring at her, and then focused her attention on Trixie, who had turned around in response to her shout.

"Well?" Trixie said impatiently.

Fluttershy bit her lip nervously, then with an assertive nod, she said, "You're right, Trixie. Anon-a-Miss being Sunset doesn't make any sense."

"Fluttershy?!" Rainbow Dash said in shock.

"Sugarcube, please," Applejack said gently, "Don't let Trixie mess with yer head. Sunset didn't post the photo 'cause she couldn't handle the taste of her own medicine."

Fluttershy shook her head sadly and said, "I would much rather be humiliated than lose all of my friends."

"She deserved to lose all her friends!" Rainbow Dash shouted furiously, "How could you possibly defend her?"

"Because she's suffering!" Fluttershy shot back, although not quite as loud as Rainbow Dash. Then tears filled the gentle girls eyes as she continued, "I can't imagine how that must feel. To lose everyone who ever cared about you. To be hated by everyone. I've seen how the school has been treating her. It was just terrible, seeing her being insulted and pushed around while she kept saying she was innocent. And after how far Sunset has come. . . I just can't see her doing something like this."

"Me neither, to be honest," Applejack said grimly, "Ah mean, Applebloom was the first one to suggest that it was her. Ah refused to believe it at the time. But now. . . well. . . the evidence don't lie."

"Well, maybe we're missing something?" Fluttershy said, "Maybe some clue or detail or-."

"I'm sick of this!" Rainbow Dash interrupted, pounding the table with her fist and scaring Fluttershy into silence, "I can't believe you're letting those three idiots over there turn you against us like this!"

"Hey. . ." Snips said weakly, while Trixie and Snails just watched the events unfold.

Rainbow Dash glared at Fluttershy and said, "So, how about I make this easy for you, Fluttershy. You're either with us or against us. Pick one!"

Fluttershy stared into Rainbow Dash's angry filled eyes. Fluttershy felt sick to her stomach, and she shut her eyes tightly as tears began to leak out. "I. . . I. . ." she whispered softly, then she shouted, "I'M WITH SUNSET!"

Fluttershy then jumped out of her chair, grabbing her coat as she moved, and ran right out the front door.

The room was eerily silent for a moment, then Trixie smiled and began to slowly clap her hands.

"Well done, Rainbooms," Trixie said, "Now you've lost two members of your little friendship club. How sad."

Trixie then turned and exited the Sweet Shoppe. Snips and Snails followed close behind her, each giving the four girls sympathizing looks.

When the group left, Pinkie Pie rounded on Rainbow Dash and shouted, "Rainbow Dash! How could you!?"

"What do you mean 'how could I'?" Rainbow Dash shot back, "Don't you mean 'how could Fluttershy'?" Then Rainbow Dash looked away from everyone and said, "Alright, I get it. I was kinda loud and harsh with her just then. But it just made me so angry. I mean, I couldn't believe one of my oldest friends was taking the side of someone who earned our trust, pretended to be our friend, and then betrayed us in the worst way possible. I didn't really think Fluttershy would stick up for someone like that."

Rarity held up her right index finger and said, "Ah, but you mighthave been a little too hard on the dear. Don't you think."

Rainbow Dash frowned and said bluntly, "I don't think so. There's no worse person in the world than a traitor, and that's what Sunset is. She's scum. And if Fluttershy is willing to take sides with her, than she's a traitor too. Good riddance to both of them, I say. She's gotta learn that loyalty is a two way street."

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

Everyone sat up straight at the sound of the eerie laughter.

Pinkie Pie's entire body trembled violently, and she said, "Um. . . I've never heard laughter like that before."

"I find it amusing how easily you disown your friends, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash jumped to her feet and shouted, "Who are you? Where are you? Where are you hiding? Show your face, you coward!"

"Oh, but you cannot see my face, Rainbow Dash. I am The Shadow, and although I stand in your presence, I posses the power to will your minds into not seeing me."

Pinkie Pie looked quite impressed by this, and she said, "Ooooh! So you're an invisible man? Cool!"

Rarity looked from side to side fearfully and said in a hushed tone, "What do you want from us?"

"You have all had quite the impact on Sunset Shimmer, and she has had quite the impact on all of you. And yet despite how completely out of character the actions of Anon-a-Miss are to Sunset, you were all quick to assume that they were one in the same?"

"That's why you're here?" Rainbow Dash said incredulously, "To defend Sunset Shimmer?! Isn't obvious that she just went back to her old ways?"

"Tell me, Rainbow Dash, is someone who is quick to cast aside their friends truly loyal?"

"Yes, if those friends are backstabbers!" Rainbow Dash argued.

"How did Fluttershy stab you in the back by showing sympathy and compassion?"

"Anon-a-Miss doesn't deserve that!" Rainbow Dash shot back.

"Trixie provided you with evidence supporting Sunset's innocence."

Applejack shook her head and said, "It ain't enough. Besides, what about the videos and photos from Rarity's slumber party? They had to have come from Sunset's phone."

"Would you be so kind as to take out your own phone, Applejack?"

Applejack frowned and said as she reached for her phone, "Alright, but what does-?" She froze, and then began searching her pockets frantically. "What the-? Where's my phone?"

"On the table on the far side of the room."

Everyone turned to see that the phone was where The Shadow said it was.

"A small object like a phone can be easily stolen."

Rarity looked slightly impressed by this, and she said, "Hmmm. . . So what you are saying is that someone stole Sunset' phone, copied the files, and then put it back. Well, I must say, that as a fan of The Adventures of Shadow Spade detective novels, I'm quite impressed Mr. Shadow. However, as I am a fan of that series, I must use my own detective skills, which I have gleaned from those books, to poke holes in your theory. You see, Sunset never lost her phone, nor did she ever notice that it was missing. The act of stealing those files would have taken some time, and would have required Sunset to remain in one location for said time. There was never any such time and place where anyone with a strong motive to do such a thing could've done such a thing."

"On the contrary. There was, in fact, a time and place for such a thing to happen. Clearly your detective skills, while impressive, are no match for The Shadow."

Rarity's eyebrows rose, and she started to ask, "What do you-?"

"One last thing. I was told that the first three victims of Anon-a-Miss were Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. Is that correct?"

"Well, yeah. But-," Applejack said.

"Then all I need is a bit more evidence, and the true Anon-a-Miss will face justice at last. As for the rest of you, I strongly suggest you take the time to really think about this, and ask yourselves if the Sunset Shimmer that you know, the one that views you as her family, would really do this to you."

The Sweet Shoppe then fell into complete silence.

". . . . Uh, creepy Shadow voice? Hellooooooooooo? . . . Is he gone?"

"Pinkie!"

"Sorry."

When Rarity arrived home, Sweetie Belle was waiting for her. The younger girl had a big smile, and he face held nothing but adoration and love for her older sister.

"Hi, Rarity! You wanna do something fun?" she asked eagerly.

Rarity shook her head and said, "Not today, Sweetie. I'm really not in the mood."

Sweetie Belle looked up at her big sister in concern and asked, "Why? What's wrong?"

Rarity sighed and said, "Well, if you must know, Trixie claimed to have proof that Sunset isn't Anon-a-Miss."

Sweetie Belle looked quite alarmed for a moment, but then she just laughed and said, "Aw, what does Trixie know? Everyone-."

"She claimed to have sent in an embarrassing photo of Sunset to Anon-a-Miss, and it was never posted," Rarity continued on, staring blankly into space as conflicting thoughts and emotions bounced around in her mind, "She said that if Sunset were Anon-a-Miss, she would have posted it to try and throw suspicion off herself. The fact that it wasn't posted suggests that Anon-a-Miss was created for the sole reason of framing Sunset."

If Rarity hadn't been staring into space, she would have noticed the look of utter horror on Sweetie Belle's jaw-dropped face.

Rarity shook her head sadly and continued, "The whole thing got me thinking about Sunset. How much she had changed. How much we had all grown to like her. I know the evidence points to her. . . but I just don't know if I can truly believe she's guilty anymore."

Rarity walked further into the house, leaving Sweetie Belle standing near the front door in a state of shock. Eventually, she snapped out of it and whipped out her phone. She then sent a group text to Applebloom and Scootaloo."

Sweetie Belle: Emergency meeting at Scootaloo's. Now. ☠❗❗

She waited a moment, watching the screen anxiously, and then got two replies.

Applebloom: What's wrong?😨

Scootaloo: OK. But why?

Sweetie Belle swiftly replied.

Sweetie Belle: Tell you when I get there.

Scootaloo: OK. . .😕

Applebloom: Fine. I'll be there🍎

Sweetie Belle then quickly threw on her coat and put her hand on doorknob to open the front door.

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

Sweetie Belle gasped and froze in place at the sound of the laughter. "Who's there?" she asked in a trembling voice.

"Since you have refused to listen to the voice of your conscience, you now have no choice but to listen to the voice of The Shadow!"

"W-w-what do you want?" Sweetie Belle asked nervously, her eyes darting around to find the source of the voice.

"Are you aware that Applebloom was the very first to accuse Sunset Shimmer of being Anon-a-Miss?"

Sweetie Belle nodded slowly and said, "Yeah. . . so?"

"Are you also aware of the fact that the first three victims of Anon-a-Miss were the sisters of Applebloom, you, and Scootaloo?"

"Well, yeah, so-."

"Are you also aware that Diamond Tiara sent in some embarrassing photographs of you and your two friends, yet Anon-a-Miss did not post them?"

"Well, yea- What? I mean, no! I mean, what are you doing?!" Sweetie Belle said in a panic, now beginning to sweat.

"If Sunset Shimmer is not Anon-a-Miss, that would mean someone would have had to steal her phone in order to access the photos and videos of Rarity's slumber party. Tell me, Sweetie Belle, were you present in the house during that sleepover?"

Sweetie Belle pulled open the door and ran out as fast as she could.

Author's Note

WOW! This story got a spot in the Featured Box! OH MY GOSH! I can't believe I finally made it! Thank you all so much for your support! It makes me so happy to see so many fans of The Shadow being brought together by my fanfiction! Thank you all, and I hope I continue to impress you with this!

Act III

In order to convince Sunset Shimmer's five friends that she is not Anon-a-Miss, The Shadow had Trixie, Snips, and Snails to send an embarrassing photo of Sunset to the vile MyStable user. When Anon-a-Miss did not post the photo, and this fact was revealed to Sunset's friends, Fluttershy was convinced of Sunset's innocence. However, the other four were not convinced. After questioning the remaining four, The Shadow was able to cause Rarity to question Sunset's guilt. The Shadow then proceeded to question Rarity's younger sister, Sweetie Belle. However, Sweetie Belle fled from The Shadow to warn her friends of the new development.

The three young girls were gathered together in Scootaloo's room, and the there was an air of tension that lay thick upon them.

Scootaloo was very frustrated by the situation, and she folded her arms and cut her eyes as she said irately, "I can't believe not posting that photo of Sunset backfired like this!" Scootaloo then tossed her arms up into the air to express her growing frustration and said, "Why is Trixie even doing this anyway? I thought Trixie didn't like Sunset. Why is she trying to clear her name?"

Applebloom shrugged and said, "Ah don't know. Maybe Snips and Snails convinced her. . . somehow? Anyway, this is a problem for us. Fluttershy thinks Sunset's innocent, and Rarity is having doubts. This just ain't good."

Sweetie Belle shook her head nervously and said, "Oh, we never should have done this! We never should have started this stupid thing!"

"Well it's too late for that!" Scootaloo asserted, "We just need to get things back on track. Like, maybe if we posted the photo now-?"

"No, that won't help," Applebloom argued, "How would it look if right after our sisters hear about that evidence, the photo gets posted the next day. They're gonna wonder why the photo was delayed a day, and why Anon-a-Miss waited until after Trixie started talking about it. Ya know Trixie's gonna talk about it and spread it all over the school."

Scootaloo hmphed and said, "Well, maybe this isn't such a big deal. I mean, so what? Anon-a-Miss doesn't post one photo of Sunset. So what!? There's still tons of evidence against her, and none against us!"

"No," Sweetie Belle whined, trembling slightly.

Confused by Sweetie Belle's attitude, Applebloom asked, "No? What do you mean 'no'?"

Sweetie Belle looked up at Applebloom and said, "Before I left. . . after I sent you those text messages. . . I heard a voice."

Further confused, Applebloom pressed on further, "A voice?"

Sweetie Belle nodded and said shakily, "Y-yeah. And it knows. . . It knows everything. It knows that you were the first to accuse Sunset. It knows that our sisters were the first victims. It knows that Diamond Tiara sent those embarrassing photos of us to Anon-a-Miss. It even knows that I'm the one who stole Sunset's phone!"

Scootaloo rolled her eyes and said, "Oh great! Sweetie Belle's going crazy!"

Sweetie Belle turned towards Scootaloo and said forcefully, "I am not crazy! I know what I heard!"

Applebloom sighed and said, "Sweetie Belle, Ah know you're getting stressed by all this, but it's like Ah said yesterday: the ends justify the means! We need to get rid of Sunset Shimmer if we want our sisters back."

"But-," Sweetie Belle said.

"No buts!" Applebloom said, "Ah created the account and posted Applejack's nickname, and when Ah told you and Scootaloo about it, you were on board with it, right? You stole those photos and videos from Sunset's phone, and Scootaloo snapped that photo of Rainbow's failed research paper, right? We're all in this together."

Scootaloo nodded and said with great certainty, "Yeah! We went through all that trouble to frame Sunset, and we got tons of internet fame from it too! We gotta keep Anon-a-Miss going!"

"But for how long?!" Sweetie Belle said in distress.

Applebloom stood up and said, "Until no one wants anything to do with Sunset Shimmer. She hurt our sisters and broke up their friendships, and now all of a sudden she's their best friend? Taking up all that time that they could have- should have spent with us? She can't get away with that!"

"I'm with Applebloom," Scootaloo said, with a frown, "I've always wanted Rainbow Dash to be my sister, and my wish finally came true! But then Sunset Shimmer came took her away from me! We need to keep this up, Sweetie Belle. So just try to ignore the voices in your head and stick with us a little longer. Aren't you supposed to be our friend?"

"Of course I am!" Sweetie Belle said as she nodded with wide eyes, "This is just getting so . . . dangerous."

Applebloom got closer to Sweetie Belle and said, "Listen to me. We won't get thought. Once the school runs out of secrets, we'll just post a message on Anon-a-Miss saying that the well of secrets has run dry and then close the account. Everyone will still blame Sunset, she will have gotten her just deserts, and we can get on with our lives. That'll be fine, okay?"

Sweetie Belle looked Applebloom in the eye. The farmgirl had a nearly pleading look in her eyes. Sweetie Belle then took a glance at Scootaloo, who was giving her a stink eye.

Sweetie Belle took a deep breath, the mysterious voice still present in her memory. However, now that she was in the presence of her two best friends, she realized that there was only one thing to do.

"Okay," she said, "Let's keep it going for a little longer."

In Lawful Crane and Pearl Lane's hotel room, Sunset Shimmer sat with a smile on her face as she replied to the text message Fluttershy had sent her.

The door then opened up, and Pearl entered the hotel room and said, "Well, how are you holding up, Sunset?"

Sunset looked up at the older woman and smiled, "It's wonderful! Fluttershy believes that I'm not Anon-a-Miss! I got a text message from her a few minutes ago!"

Pearl smiled back and nodded, "Oh my, that is good news!"

"M-hm!" Sunset said, "Hopefully it's only a matter of time before the rest of my friends are convinced."

"Indeed, Sunset Shimmer. Anon-a-Miss' reign of terror is nearly over."

Sunset's eyes widened as she looked about the room, "Shadow! Have you found out who Anon-a-Miss is yet?"

"It would be best if I did not disclose that information at this time. However, if you do this one final task for me, then I can assure you that Anon-a-Miss will surely face justice tomorrow."

Pearl appeared impressed, and she remarked, "Tomorrow, you say? Well then, it seems your ordeal is almost over, Sunset."

Hope burned brightly within Sunset's heart, and she said, "Okay. What do you want me to do, Shadow?"

"I require you to send a text message to Fluttershy. I have a specific series of directions that she needs to follow, and I am certain that she will follow them if it means putting an end to Anon-a-Miss. Now, listen carefully, Sunset. Here is what you must tell Fluttershy to do. . ."

The next morning, Applebloom was waiting outside the front entrance of the school. She was fidgeting, and looked quite nervous. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle approached her, and they noticed how uneasy she was. The moment Applebloom saw her friends, she ran forward and grabbed their arms, dragging them away from the doors to spot further away from the foot traffic into the building.

"Hey! What's the big idea!?" Scootaloo protested.

"SHHHH!" Applebloom shushed urgently.

Sweetie Belle immediately panicked and said, "Oh no! Did someone figure it out?!"

"Not yet, Ah hope," Applebloom said in a low voice, and a cold Winter wind blew by, causing her and her friends to shiver in spite of their winter clothing. Applebloom swallowed hard and continued, "Last night, Fluttershy sent me a text saying that she had this new undeniable proof that Sunset isn't Anon-a-Miss."

"Huh?" Scootaloo said in disbelief.

"What proof?" Sweetie Belle asked nervously.

"She didn't say," Applebloom replied, "But she did say that since our sisters were the first victims, that she'd feel more comfortable showing us first, since Rainbow Dash got angry at her just for thinking that Sunset was innocent. Anyway, she told us to meet her in the library during lunch."

Scootaloo groaned and said, "Aw man, what are we gonna do now?"

Applebloom gave a curt nod and said, "Don't worry. Ah've thought of everything. It all depends on how good this proof really is. First, we'll try to explain it away. Ya know, make it seem like it don't mean nothin'. If we can't do that, then it's Operation: Buck This."

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened with fear and she exclaimed, "Oh no! Not that! Anything but that!" Then her eyes gained a look of confusion, and she asked, "What's Operation: Buck This?"

Applebloom frowned determinedly and said, "It means 'Buck This! No more foolin' around!' We take whatever proof Fluttershy has found and get rid of it. If it's a photo or something written down, we'll tear it up. If it's on her phone, we'll snatch it and delete whatever it is."

"WHAT!?" Sweetie Belle shrieked, "Are you crazy! Then Fluttershy will know we're-."

Scootaloo slapped her hand over Sweetie Belle's mouth. "Be quiet! Someone might hear you!" Scootaloo hissed.

Sweetie Belle removed Scootaloo's hand and said, "But if we-."

"Come on, Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo said with a roll of her eyes, "You know how afraid Fluttershy is of everything. Sure, she might be brave enough to admit that she thinks Sunset is innocent, but do you really think she'd have the courage to accuse us right in front of our sisters? Without proof?" Scootaloo then started laughing and said, "Oh man! Fluttershy would be waaaaay too afraid of getting smacked down by Rainbow and Applejack, not to mention Kung-Fu'd by Rarity!"

Applebloom smiled as well and said, "You got it, Scootaloo! Fluttershy won't be able to prove anythin', and we'll let her know that for sure! That'll keep her quiet. She wouldn't dare accuse us of anythin', 'cause she wouldn't be able to prove anythin'! Then we can keep it up for a few more days, then post a goodbye message, and it'll all be water under the bridge."

Sweetie Belle looked down at her feet and said, "I sure hope it doesn't come down to that. . ."

Fluttershy sat nervously in the library, occasionally looking up to glance at the clock. She twiddled her thumbs as her eyes darted back and forth, completely unsure of what she was doing. However, it was her faith in Sunset Shimmer that gave her the strength to go through with this plan.

Fluttershy then heard approaching footsteps, and she looked up to see the three young girls approaching.

"Alright, Fluttershy," Applebloom said, "Show us the proof."

Fluttershy looked around nervously, her mind seemingly preoccupied with something else, and she said, "Um. . . well. . ."

"Come on, already!" Scootaloo said impatiently, "We don't got all day!"

Sweetie Belle put a hand on Scootaloo's arm and said, "Give her time, please." Interestingly enough, Sweetie Belle seemed nearly as nervous as Fluttershy.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, and she put on a clearly fake smiled, "Okay. . . the proof. . . well. . . you see. . ."

"Fluttershy!" came the voice of Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy visibly relaxed and gave a sigh of relief as Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack approached the group.

Rainbow Dash was smiling and in good spirits as she put an arm around Fluttershy's shoulder. "I'm sorry for the way I acted, pal," Rainbow said, "But I just get a little crazy when someone I care about betrays me. I mean, come on! Betraying a trust? That's just sick! Well, anyway, I'm sure glad you sent me that text saying that you didn't think Sunset was innocent anymore."

"HUH!?" said the three young girls all at once.

"Well, we're all here like ya asked, Fluttershy," Applejack said, "What was it you wanted to tell us?"

Fluttershy looked more sorrowful than ever as she sighed and hung her head, "I'm sorry. To all of you. But those texts I sent. . . They were both lies."

Rainbow's smile fell, and it was replaced by a look of confusion. "Huh?" was all she could say.

"Texts?" Applebloom echoed, "As in, more than one?"

Scootaloo glared angrily at Fluttershy and said, "You don't have any proof?"

"Hang on a minute!" Applejack said impatiently, "Proof of what?"

Rainbow Dash took her arm off of Fluttershy's shoulder and looked her straight in the eye. "What's going on here, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy shrank away from Rainbow Dash and said, "Well, you see, Sunset told me to send-."

"You're helping her pull pranks on us?" Rainbow Dash said angrily, "You've got a lot of nerve, Fluttershy! If we weren't old friends, I'd punch you right in the mouth so hard that your friend Sunset would feel it!"

"Hmhmhmhehhehhehhehhehheh!"

"EEP!" Fluttershy cried out in terror, her eyes wide like an owls as she searched for the source of the creepy laugh.

"Grr! It's that Shadow guy!" Rainbow Dash, clearly displeased by the voice's presence.

"Scary voice!" Sweetie Belle squeaked out as she began to shake with unholy terror.

"He's real?" Scootaloo said softly as Applebloom stood frozen is disbelief.

"You have a violent streak within you, Rainbow Dash. I suggest you curb those tendencies, lest you end up like Lightning Dust and Gilda."

"Will you stop playing games with us?" Rainbow Dash demanded, "Can't you see Sunset has turned Fluttershy against us?"

"No, Rainbow Dash. It was I who orchestrated this meeting, for in a matter of minutes, the true Anon-a-Miss will confess, and Sunset's name will be cleared."

Rarity nodded calmly and said, "Very well, Shadow. It appears that this mystery is about to come to its end. Now, how do you intend on making the culprit confess?"

"Be still. . . Listen. . . An announcement will soon be heard."

In a show of impeccable timing, Principal Celestia's voice could be heard over the PA system.

"Attention, students. In five minutes, an important announcement will be made that will be of great personal interest to every single student in Canterlot High. Please make sure you a prepared to listen to the announcement in five minutes time. That is all."

Pinkie Pie couldn't help but smile. "Wow! Great timing, Shadow! It was just like magic!"

Rarity folded her arms and said, "I trust you have something to do with this mysterious announcement, Shadow."

"Indeed, Rarity. For you see, using my power to walk unseen, I was able to spy on the true Anon-a-Miss and record an incriminating conversation."

Terror struck the hearts of Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.

"I see," Rarity said with a nod, "And you gave the recording to Principal Celestia to play for all the school to hear. Neatly done. Although I fail to see how a confession would be necessary when the undeniable proof if played for all to hear."

"It is not necessary, but it would be the wisest choice for the true culprit. For you see, when that recording is played, the entire student body will rise up in a terrible rage. Both the victims of Anon-a-Miss and the hypocrites who sent in secrets will seek revenge for being roped into this whole stressful affair that was surely not worth it for anyone involved. Like a tidal wave of vengeance, the students will descend upon the true Anon-a-Miss, blinded by rage and hate, and physically tear the guilty ones to pieces! Their only salvation from this horror is to race to the Principal's Office in the allotted time, where they can seek shelter until the rage of the people they have preyed upon has died down. This is their last chance. This is their last choice. Stay silent and be torn asunder, or confess and face proper justice. Either way, they shall pay for their crimes, but only one of these two choices will ensure their safety."

During The Shadow's speech, the three young girls were shaking with fear. When The Shadow had finished, Sweetie Belle screamed in terror and tore out the library as fast as her legs could take her.

"What?" Rarity gasped as she stared off in the direction her younger sister had fled, completely dazed by what had just happened.

Everyone in the room was staring after Sweetie Belle in shock. However, Applebloom and Scootaloo slowly turned to look at each other.

"What now?" Scootaloo asked nervously.

Applebloom closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists. Then, she turned to run after Sweetie Belle and yelled out, "Ah'm sorry Applejack!"

Applejack's jaw dropped at this, and she felt as though she had be punched straight in the gut.

Rainbow Dash then turned to Scootaloo and treated her to a long, cold, level stare. "Scoots?" she said emotionlessly.

Tears ran down Scootaloo's face, and she took off after her friends.

Rainbow Dash stared off into space, her eyes glazed over as she said softly to herself, "No. It can't be. She wouldn't. Not my sister. Not my Squirt. No."

At that moment, a recorded message was played over the PA system.

"Sweetie Belle, Ah know you're getting stressed by all this, but it's like Ah said yesterday: the ends justify the means! We need to get rid of Sunset Shimmer if we want our sisters back."

"But-,"

"No buts! Ah created the account and posted Applejack's nickname, and when Ah told you and Scootaloo about it, you were on board with it, right? You stole those photos and videos from Sunset's phone, and Scootaloo snapped that photo of Rainbow's failed research paper, right? We're all in this together."

"Yeah! We went-"

The recording was then cut off by the sound of a door being slammed open, not to mention the sound of Sweetie Belle running in and shouting, "We confess! It was us! We're Anon-a-Miss! Not Sunset! We're sorry! Please! Just pleeeaaaaaaase!"

Sweetie Belle's crying as all that could be heard for a moment. Then Applebloom and Scootaloo's voices could be heard as well, resulting in an unintelligible miss moss of sorrowful voices that was finally silenced when the PA system was finally shut off.

The five friends remained in the library in silence, their minds reeling from this shocking revelation. They looked around at each other, only to look away and stare at the ground in shame. This shame was either of themselves for their abandonment of Sunset, or of their sisters who had not only betrayed them, but had done it to harm another person.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash raised her head, pure rage in her eyes as she ground her teeth and said, "That little piece of. . ."

Rainbow Dash didn't finish her sentence. She simply turned around and ran out of the library on a literal warpath.

Frightened, Pinkie Pie called out, "Rainbow Dash! Wait!"

The three culprits stood before Principal Celestia's desk. Both Celestia and Luna were standing there, giving the three girls very stern looks.

"Do you three realize what you've done to this school?" Celestia said sternly, "You've exposed the personal information of so many students and turned nearly everyone against each other. You've turned this school into a den of disharmony and hate. And for what? Because you didn't like that Sunset Shimmer was friends with your sisters? Don't you see how petty you three have been acting?"

Applebloom hung her head in shame and said, "We know. It all seems so dumb now. But at the time, we were afraid that Sunset would take up all their time, and that we wouldn't be able to spend as much time with-."

Applebloom was interrupted by the door being kicked open with rage fueled strength. The three young girls turned to see an enraged Rainbow Dash standing in the doorway, breathing heavily and glaring at Scootaloo with a look of pure loathing.

"I took you in as my little sister," Rainbow Dash said quietly, then her voice exploded as she roared, "AND THEN YOU DO THIS TO ME!?"

Scootaloo screamed in terror as Rainbow Dash ran right towards her with her arms outstretched. However, before the wrathful teenager could reach her, something grabbed onto Rainbow Dash and held her back. She struggled with all her might in an attempt to get free, but The Shadow's grip on her was too tight.

"Stop now, Rainbow Dash! I warn you!"

"Let me go, Shadow! The little traitor needs to pay!" Rainbow shouted.

"She will pay, Rainbow Dash. She will pay according the rules and laws of society."

"The heck with that! She's getting a beatdown!"

"The line between cruel revenge and lawful justice is thin. Do not cross it."

"I'll do what I want! Let me at her!"

"Is that your final word, Rainbow Dash!"

"SHUT UP AND LET ME PULVERIZE HER!"

"Very well!"

There was a loud thwack, and Rainbow Dash fell to the ground, knocked out cold.

Principal Celestia breathed out slowly and said, "Oh, good heavens. . ."

Vice Principal Luna huffed and said, "Had The Shadow not been here, I would have intervened myself. No one was in any danger as long as I was here."

Scootaloo caught her breath, and then said to the room at large, "Shadow. . . you saved me."

"Yes. I have saved you from the claws of revenge. However, there is another from whom I shall NOT save you nor your two friends from. Over her eyes, she wears a blindfold. In one hand, she holds a set of balance scales. In the other hand, she holds a sword. And her name is . . . Justice."

The next day, Pearl Lane and Lawful Crane sat in their hotel room, discussing the events.

"You see, Pearl," Lawful began, "When Diamond Tiara mentioned that Anon-a-Miss didn't post the embarrassing photos of Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle that she sent in, that's when I began to suspect them. Then when I learned that Anon-a-Miss had posted photos and videos from Rarity's slumber party taken by Sunset's phone, I realized that a member of Rarity's household must have copied them from Sunset's phone during the night, making Sweetie Belle a prime suspect. So, I bought a digital recorder and confronted Sweetie Belle, and she led me straight to a little Anon-a-Miss meeting. So, while in the shadows, I recorded them admitting that they were Anon-a-Miss, and then gave it to Celestia and Luna the next day. And with a little help from Sunset and Fluttershy, I had everyone in one place so I could not only get the three of them to admit their guilt right in front of Sunset's friends, but also prevent any unnecessary violence and injury from revenge seekers. I even decided to follow them into the Principals Office just in case Rainbow Dash's habit of paying back perceived disloyalty with violence came into effect, which it did. Although I am inclined to believe Vice Principal Luna really would have protected Scootaloo had I not been there."

There was a knock at the hotel room door, and Pearl got up to answer it. She opened it to reveal a cheerful looking Sunset Shimmer.

"Hello, dear! Come right in," Pearl said pleasantly.

"Thank you," Sunset said as she entered the room.

Lawful Crane got up from where he was sitting and approached the girl. "Ah, Sunset. It's good to see you in such high spirits," he said amiably, "I take it everything has worked out now that Anon-a-Miss is no more?"

Sunset nodded and said, "Oh yes. I've finally regained my friends' trust, and now we're closer than ever. Although, it's kinda of funny how hard they're all trying to show how sorry they all are, even though I told them that I've already forgiven them all. I mean, why should I be angry at them? What good would it do? Even right after they disowned me, I just couldn't find it in myself to hate them. Sure, it hurt to have my friends abandon me, but when you look at it from their point of view, what else could they do? The evidence all clearly pointed to me, and they would have never dreamed of suspecting their own sisters. Add in my checkered past, and I can't really blame them for thinking I was guilty."

Pearl nodded in understanding and said, "Very true. It truly was a perfect storm of misfortune on you, Sunset."

Sunset gave another nod, but then chuckled a bit and continued, "You know, Pinkie Pie is probably gonna make me overweight with all the cakes and pies and cookies she said she'd send me during the next few months, but I'm sure I could always just share them with the other students until she realizes that she doesn't have to go to all that trouble. I managed to talk Rarity down from making a whole year's worth of fashion for me to just a single dress for the Spring. Applejack swore that I'm gonna get the first batches of cider and jam and whatever other specialties Sweet Apple Acres produces 'from now 'till doomsday'. Fluttershy will probably be hugging me and apologizing over and over again for a few weeks."

Sunset paused, and she let out a sigh, "You know, Rainbow Dash actually begged me to punch her in the face. Of course I refused, and I kept on refusing until she changed her tune and said that she'd do anything I asked her to do so she could make up for 'betraying' me. So, I told her to keep an eye on Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom; to protect them from anyone that tried to get revenge on them."

Pearl's eyebrows raised and she remarked, "Really?"

Sunset nodded, "Yeah. After I nearly got assaulted by Lightning Dust and Gilda, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Even after everything those girls did to me, I don't think they deserve to get beaten up. The punishment they got was enough. First they got detention for the rest of the school year, separate from the 2 months detention Lighting Dust and Gilda are serving, of course. I'm sure those two would like to get their hands on them. Next the three of them all got banned from sports, afterschool activities, and field trips for the rest of the school year. And finally, one-thousand hours of community service. Snow shoveling, litter patrol, stuff like that."

Lawful Crane nodded silently in approval.

"How are things between the girls and their older sisters?" Pearl asked.

Sunset had a somber look about her as she explained, "Well, family is super important to the Apples, so Applejack's already forgiven Applebloom. However, she's made it crystal clear that she doesn't trust Applebloom as far as she could throw her. She won't be sharing any family secrets with her for a long time. She also made a point to mention that her older brother, Big Macintosh, broke Applebloom's phone with his bare hands when he found out what she did. Can't say I blame him for getting mad."

Lawful cracked a smile and said, "I trust he really lives up to his name?"

Sunset nodded gravely and said, "Oh, yes. I'd hate to see him when he's angry, especially if I were the one he's angry at. Anyway, Rarity can't bear to even look at Sweetie Belle. She's deeply ashamed, of both Sweetie Belle and herself. She seems to blame herself for not being a good enough sister. Hopefully, after some time has passed, they'll be able to reconnect and start over. I know they love each other a lot. Sweetie Belle seems to really look up to Rarity. I'm pretty sure Rarity won't be able to avoid Sweetie Belle for long."

"What about Rainbow Dash?" Lawful asked in interest.

Sunset shook her head and said, "Well, The Shadow had to knock her out to keep her from attacking Scootaloo. I'm pretty sure that tells you plenty. Since their relationship was a honorary kind of thing, Rainbow had no trouble simply renouncing their sisterhood and declaring that Scootaloo was dead to her. That's part of the reason why I asked her to protect the girls. As horrible as Anon-a-Miss was, I don't want Rainbow's bond with Scootaloo to die. Scootaloo idolized her, and I'm positive that Rainbow sees herself in that girl. It may take longer for things to get better between Rainbow and Scootaloo than with the others, but I'm sure that Rainbow can find it in her heart to forgive her."

Lawful then posed a suggestion, "Perhaps when Rainbow Dash has forgiven herself for betraying you, she will be able to more easily forgive Scootaloo for betraying her."

Sunset though about this, then she nodded thoughtfully and said, "You're right, Mr. Crane. That really is a very good point. You know, I can't help but feel that you are a very wise and intelligent person."

Pearl gave a chuckle and said, "Oh, Sunset. You have no idea exactly how right you are about that."

"Heheheheheheh!"

"The weed of crime bears a bitter fruit. . ."

". . .Crime does not pay. . ."

". . . The Shadow knows! Heheheheheheh!"

The End