I can see in the dark

December, possibly the worst time of the year to be alone, it’s supposed to be the month of celebration, peace, joy, and laughter, things that Sunset Shimmer should feel right now, but instead she felt the exact opposite. Loneliness, cold and isolation, the only things Sunset felt for the past couple of weeks.

You might be wondering why. An anonymous myStable account was created during the first week of November, its only purpose was spread embarrassing secrets of students, even teachers and staff members alike. It started with an embarrassing secret of Applejack, the Piggly Wiggly, at first, they did not mind it much, thinking that it will just go away but the account started posting other students secrets. And as time passed by, the account, also started posting secrets of teachers and staff. Sunsets days started going from bad to worst.

Everyone believed it was Sunset going back to her old tricks once again and having the infernal account that goes by the name Anon-a-miss, posing as her and seems to be dead set in making her life a living hell, did not helped her case.

For the last couple of weeks, Sunset was bullied, mentally and physically by the student, and the teachers turning a blind eye and deaf ears to what was happening. There were even times when she was assaulted by the students inside the campus and the teacher would just watch and do nothing. Even Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna believed Sunset is the culprit, calling her into their office and gave her an earful of angry words of their own.

“Sunset Shimmer! We've been through this many times already, take down the account or there will be consequences, do you understand?” Principal Celestia said angrily.

“P-Please! Believe me, I am n-not anon-a-miss.” Sunset stuttered, barely holding it together.

“stop pretending that you’re not guilty miss Shimmer, and stop wasting your crocodile tears, it will not help you, we cannot expel you without concrete proof Sunset but the moment we do, you’re not gonna like it” Luna said.

“P-please! Believe me.” Sunset begged her mascara already ruined by river of tears pouring out of her eyes.

“Get out of my office miss Shimmer.” Principal Celestia ordered.

“P-please listen to me.”

“I said get out,” Celestia barked, starting to get impatient as Sunset stand and followed the order in defeat “I’m very disappointed in you Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset didn't reply, knowing it's already pointless to answer.

“Can you believe her? Believing she can fool us again, sister.” Luna said.

“I don’t know Luna, I am disappointed though, I really thought she changed.”

“So, did I sister, so did I.”

Sunset heard the exchanged of words after she closed the door behind. It hurts to hear those words, it's like hearing Princess Celestia all over again also surprised to see her friends or her ex-friends waiting outside the principal’s office.

“So ready to admit that you’re anon-a-miss?” Rainbow asked.

“I am not anon-a-miss, please, you have to believe me.” Sunset replied.

“Hah! We ain't that easy ta fool again Sunset, so stop lyin.” Applejack getting impatient.

Sunset look at Fluttershy and begged her to listened, asking Fluttershy to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“I don’t know, Sunset, you’ve lied to us before and I am done being on the receiving end of your lies.” Fluttershy said as tears already forming in her eyes. Fluttershy had started to believe that Sunset did changed, and even developed feelings for the girl. The two became very close after Sunset began her reformation. Fluttershy’s parents even took Sunset into their care as her guardians, as her family, but after anon-a-miss, Fluttershy and her parents gave Sunset the cold shoulders.

“Please Fluttershy, you have t-”

“Hey! Leave her alone, we will not let you hurt her ever again, you big meanie!” Pinkie suddenly intervened cutting off Sunset.

“I believe, Pinkie is right darling, we will not let you hurt our dear Fluttershy ever again, and if you do, you’ll have us to deal with, do you understand?” Rarity threatened.

“Yeah! You secret stealer.”

“You can tell everyone whatever you want Sunset but were done with you.” Applejack said, one by one, the Rainbooms turned their backs on her and left her on her own.

“P-please believe me,” Sunset whispered long after the group left, as if praying to someone to hear her.

“Hey! Anon-a-bitch, I think you have something on your face.” Gilda a very gangly girl and leader of the Griffins, a small gang suddenly came in to view and punched Sunset in the face.

The other student seeing the fight unfold started to shouting encouragements to Gilda, chanting and laughing as she assaulted Sunset.

“Yeah! Beat her Gilda.” One shouted.

“Make her pay.” Another followed.

“GILDA, GILDA, GILDA, GILDA.” Students started chanting Gildas name encouraging her more. And as Gilda thrown punches after punches the encouragements became more and more audible, emboldened Gilda grabbed Sunset by the neck ready to give the K.O. Then as she’s about to give the blow the bell ranged, signifying that break time was over, time to go back to their respective classes. A chorus of disappointment emanated from them all.

“Next time Sunset, next time, hehe,” Gilda laughed before leaving behind a bruised Sunset Shimmer, as did the other students. As fun as it was to see Sunset getting beat up, it's not worth getting late for class.

Sunset on the other hand, was still sitting on the floor, her back to the wall for support and crying for what was happening to her. Suddenly Sunsets thoughts was stolen by someone clearing their throat, so with a great effort raised her head to look who it was. Miss Cheerelie, one of the teachers at CHS and the school librarian, came into view.

“The bell rung already Miss Shimmer, class is about to start. I don’t want you going somewhere and posting some nasty secrets again." Sunset just obliged and stand up with her still shaking legs.

“You know miss Shimmer, you were starting to become my favourite student, but now?... how disappointing,” Cheerelie said as she walked away from a bruised and sobbing Sunset.

This is just one of the many bad days Sunset Shimmer accumulated over the past couple of weeks. Ever since the start of the anon-a-miss fiasco, she’s no longer welcome anywhere. Even in the cafeteria, Granny Smith the lunch lady gave her a smaller amount of the supposedly correct amount to be served per Student, not only that but the students sometimes purposely spilled Sunsets ordered food on the floor or “accidentally” spilled their drinks on her head. Sunset already stopped going into the cafeteria, reduced to just bringing her own launch and finding some secluded area to avoid the other students that may assault her.
After that day, Sunset started to actively avoid the other students but still trying to prove her innocence to her friends.

***

Now Sunset is currently walking towards Sugar Cube Corner, one of the favourite hangouts of the Rainbooms. She´ll try her luck this time, maybe this time around they’ll give her a chance to prove her innocence and maybe help her find the true culprit. Also hoping for Fluttershy to give her a chance, a chance to give their relationship a stronger bond, believing this is just a challenge they can overcome.

She’s also very cold, after she was kicked out of the Shy’s home, Sunset struggled to find a new one with all the happenings no one’s crazy enough to accept her so she went back to the old factory, her old residence when she first came to the human world three years ago, already leaving there for days.

The Shys action pained Sunset greatly after seeing them as her new family in which they too started to feel the same way about Sunset, and hearing Mrs Shy’s painful words the night she was kicked out, stung Sunset to the core.

“I will not let you hurt my baby girl again Sunset, we had started to see you as another daughter but you betrayed our trust and you have caused my daughter great pain. No longer, GET OUT OF OUR HOUSE, YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME HERE, and YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME IN THIS FAMILY!” Remembering Mrs Shy’s angered screams to Sunset while throwing her things outside the snowy fields and cold, dark night of December, five days before Christmas.

“PLEASE, I BEG YOU, Please! Listen to m.m.me…he…” Sunset said as she cried on her knees begging them to listen.

“Please Mrs Shy, I love… you, I love your daughter…. I love all of you, you’re the closest to a family I ever had…...please…”
For a moment Mrs Shys anger, cracked, hesitant but became angrier, slapping Sunset across the face.

“Never speak those words in front me again, you don’t know what love is, you have never known what love is, you’re just a sad little girl who only caused suffering to others.”

“Just go Sunset, and don’t you dare come back.” Mr Shy said.

Slowly, Sunset left, crying hard as she do so while Fluttershy still in her room, cried listening to what was happening downstairs. Even though she’s angry with Sunsets betrayal, try hard as she might she still have feelings for the girl.

That night Sunset returned to the old factory defeated.

What she didn’t know was that during the winter starts the snowfall was strong that the factories roof had collapsed due to heavy snow formation. Sunset wanted that night but persevered, hoping to god this will just passed by.

***

Sunset arrived at Sugar Cube Corners front door, clearly seeing the people inside through the foggy transparent glass. Outside Sunset braved herself.
‘This is it, you can do this Sunset-you can do this.’ Sunset thought and with great determination, grabbed the doors handle and went inside.

***

A few blocks away from Sugar Cube Corner, An ongoing construction just timed out its workers earlier than usual, letting them go home earlier for the holyday. The sound of machines turning off and the excited workers chatter preparing to leave filled the site.

“Hey! Let’s go, I want to go home early tonight. Want some quality time with my family.” A man with a muscled build wearing protective gears motioned for his workmate for them to leave.

“Yeah! Sure, let me just put the chemicals back its place.” The other man replied wearing similar gears to the first, busy tidying up.

“Naaa… just leave it there, no one’s stupid enough to come here.” The first man answered giving a reasonable argument to the second.

“You sure?” The second man doubtfully asked hesitant to leave some dangerous material lying around dangerously.

“Yeah man I do it all the time, we´ll come back for them tomorrow anyways.” The first replied.

“Ok... If you say so.”

“Common let's go!” the eagerly told his colleague.

“Alright, hold your horses I’m coming.” As the two excitedly left the premises chatting about their family plans for the night, leaving behind dangerous chemicals lying around unattended at a top of a podium.

***

“There they are, you can do this Sunset, you can do this.” Sunset said as she slowly opened the front door, the sudden ringing of the bell caused everyone inside to look who just came in. Seeing Sunset slowly entering Sugar Cube Corner, caused everyone’s merry chatter and laughter to suddenly halt, their conversations turning into hush tones.

“What the hell are you doing here Sunset?” Rainbow angrily asked.

“I’m just here to talk to you guys.” Sunset meekly replied.

“You’re not welcome here Sunset,” Fluttershy said

“Please listen to me…. I’m no…”

“If that’s the only thing you’re gonna say Sunset, lyin ta us, you bettah just leave now or we will make you leave.” Applejack warned.

“Please just listen to me.” Sunset begged once again her determination slowly dwindled as more of the patrons noticed her presence.

“Leave she-demon we don’t need you here.” one of the patrons suddenly said.

“Yeah! We don’t want you ruining our hangout place. So why don’t you just go back to the hell hole you crawled out from.” another said.

“Yeah! Leave! Anon-a-bitch.”
As more and more people inside started to get aggressive, Sunset determination dwindled more and starting to get nervous.

“Please everyone, you have to believe me.” Sunset begged.

”You better leave Sunset or everyone’s gonna get you~” Pinkie said in a sing-song tone, happy at the thought of people actually going after Sunset.

“Hey! Let’s get her.” one of the people suddenly shouts, making the others follow.

Sunset hurriedly ran out towards the door, going outside to find escape, the mob followed Sunset out into the snowy nights and Sunset being high of the adrenaline rush didn’t care where she was or where she was heading, she was running and just kept running. Hearts pumping, her vision blurred with frozen steam coming out from her mouth, trying to suck in more air as the chase continued.

The Rainbooms also joined the chase, hell-bent on scaring away Sunset, thinking that maybe this will make her confess her guilt.

Sunset kept running and running, never caring and never looking, in doing so, failed to notice the warning sign that contains a few words but with great importance.

WARNING! Danger ahead, falling debris.

A fatal mistake.

As she continued running, dodging right and left, up and down, trying to steer away from obstacles.
But the biggest wrong turn she made was when she veered sharply to the left to avoid another obstacle, a pile of breaks a jarring sign of where she is and where she shouldn’t be in, causing her to crash into a podium, with it the fatal mistake and as the podium shook by the impact, improperly closed and improperly placed chemical container tilted sideways, spilling down its content, going straight for a certain red-head.

Sunset, hearing the sound of a spilling container, instinctively looked up to find the one making the noise, only for her to feel a sudden excruciating pain coursing through her eyes, eye nerves slowly being burned and slowly blinding her.

But at the same time, at that little moment of fatal mistake a different and unforeseen reaction occurred. As the chemical surged inside, every nerve, every bones, muscles and the four other senses in Sunsets body was changed, being hacked and being dialled to eleven, specially her sense of hearing, at first it caused temporary deafness, as her ears slowly adapting to the sudden change in its sound sensitivity.

At the same time her body at its desperation to stay alive, adapted, evolved and creating a new kind of sense. A sense that will keep her alive by any means necessary.

But as the pain intensified and her ears still adapting to its new sensitivity, she heard heartbeats, how many? She didn't know nor does she cared, she was still screaming in pain from her eye nerves being fried.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGG…...HUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHH…...AAAAAAAAA…” Sunset screamed as the pain in her eyes started to become more painful as time passed by.
Everyone suddenly stopped the chase, seeing Sunset violently brandishing on the ground, screaming while her hands covered her eyes. Her screams chilled the bones of everyone who heard it, it was like hearing a banshee scream. Nobody knows what to do.

“Hey! Should we do something? Like should we call for an ambulance?” one in the mob suddenly asked.

“I don’t know about you all but I’m out of here.” Another said running away from the scene to avoid interrogations if the cops arrived.

As that one started to run away others followed, also afraid to pay the consequence of their actions.
The only one remained were the Rainbooms, Flash and a few other students trying to do something to help, either by contacting medical support or helping Sunset. As if waking from a nightmare they started, realizing what they have done.

The Rainbooms trying to assist a still violently tossing around Sunset Shimmer, still screaming from the pain.

“Sunset! Sunset! Can you hear me, talk to me Sunset.” Rainbow screamed, desperately trying to help.

“IS THE AMBULANCE STILL NOT COMING?” Applejack screamed while trying to calm down Sunset.

“It’s not getting through!” Rarity complained still trying to reach 911 for medical support.
While Pinkie Pie tried calming down a crying Fluttershy. “Shhhhh…. There there Fluttershy it's gonna be ok…. Sunnys gonna be ok.”

“Sunset…...Sunset p... pleease talk to me…” Fluttershy cried desperately trying to get Sunsets attention.

“RARITY! Are they still not answering yet?” Rainbow demanded.

“NO! They’re still not answering…..oh!-Oh! Wait! Wait! They’re answering... YES! Yes! Hello. We need medical assistance…it’s about a friend, some kind of a chemical was spilled directly into her eyes….Yes! She’s in a lot of pain…yes… we’re near Canterlot High School, close to Sugar Cube Corner Street, we’re at the new construction site… yes... that’s right…thank you, Please hurry!”

“What did they say?” Applejack asks.

“They’re coming, h-how is she?” Rarity replied after going near Sunset looking for anything she can help provide.

“MY EYES! MY EYES! IT HUUUURSTS….AaaaaAAAaaaAggg” Sunset screamed after a few more minutes of tossing around Sunset finally passed out due to the pain overloading her senses.

“Sunset? Sunset? - Oh my god, Sunset don’t you dare die on us now.” Rainbow said, starting too panicked, as did the others.

At that same instant they heard the sound of sirens heading their way, with it a little relief, knowing help is on the way.

The other students who stayed, helped by catching the ambulance attention in order for them to find their location.

A few more minutes and Sunset was already loaded into the ambulance heading for the nearest hospital.

***

Sunset was in intensive care for hours, doctors trying hard to save Sunset as much as they can finding out if some of the chemicals found its way inside Sunsets circulatory system. And also trying to fix the nerve damage in her eyes hoping she may have the possibility of getting her vision back in the future, even if her eyes were already unusable.
While Sunset was fighting for her life, the Rainbooms waited patiently for the procedure and its success, silently praying it will succeed, they’ve already contacted their parents explaining the situation, and their plans on waiting until the end. Fluttershys parents on the other hand after hearing the bad news hastily went on their way to the hospital as did Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna.

“Sooo..! What should we do now?” asked Pinkie Pie, feeling a bit downed at the moment, her hair lacked its distinctive bushy character and falling straight at the moment. All five patiently waited in the empty hallway others seated, others standing and Rainbow Dashs case walking back and forth.

“I don’t know bout yall but I’m waiten….ma friend is in there, and am waiten.” Applejack replied also feeling down at the moment.

“OUR friend Applejack…gosh, it’s been a weeks since I thought of Sunset as a friend and not someone who I hate so much… I miss those times.” Rarity replied her mascara ruined after so much crying.

“You think this’s divine retribution for everything Sunset did? All the secrets she spread?” Rainbow asks.

“I don’t know Rainbow… I don’t know.” Applejack answered solemnly.

Fluttershy was in the corner rethink everything they had done to Sunset over weeks, still having the occasional hiccups after crying so much, both before and after they arrived.

They then heard people heading towards them. Fluttershy's parents had finally arrived as did the Principal and Vice-principal after calling them to go to the hospital an hour ago. They were only able to explain the situation but not the details.

“What happened!?” Mrs Shy hastily asked as tears formed in the corner of her eyes ready to bust in any moment after hearing Sunsets accident. She and her husband Mr Shy had rushed to the hospital, wanted to be there for the girl they had started to consider as a second daughter.

Fluttershy voluntarily explained the details to her parents and the others would occasionally helped explaining the other minute details from Sugar Cube Corner up to the factory accident.

“W-Why?... why would you do that to her?” Mrs Shy asked.

“We just wanted to scare her a little, to make her confess her guilt… We just wanted her to realize her mistake, to permanently make her good and to have her as part of the group once again… we miss our friend so much.” Rainbow said.

“As do I.” Applejack said.

“Me too.” Pinkie Pie said also.

“I think it's safe to say that we all felt the same way, Sunset was a wonderful friend to have and to see her turning back to her old ways…it hurts to see her became that person again.” Rarity said.

“I understand what you’re feeling girls, it also pained me to see her becoming that person again. That is why we kept making her report to our office. To make her confess but she kept denying her guilt.” Celestia said.

“I also share my sister's feelings, I was also dead set on making her confess so that maybe we can help her with her problems. The reasons why she went back to her old ways.” Luna said.

“Do you think she will be ok?” Mrs Shy asked.

“Sunset is a strong girl…. She will be ok.” Celestia replied. Without knowing that statement was true in more ways than one now.

Suddenly everyone who owns a myStable account received a notification of a new gossip from Anon-a-miss. And hearing that sound myStable makes every time they receive a new notification made their blood ran ice cold and their faces became pale as the dead.

“Anon-a-miss, Sunset…h- How?” Luna asked, her hands shaking while holding her phone.

“She was telling the truth this whole time.” Fluttershy whispered, slowly realizing their mistake that they’re the ones who were in the wrong.

“She’s not anon-a-miss.” Pinkie said, shocked and shaken to the core by the revelation.

“This whole f..freakin t.time, s-she’s been telling us t- the truth.” Applejack said in a shaky voice.

“What. Have. we done!” Celestia said as in a shock, as did Luna who was too shocked to even utter a single word.

“Sunset, my daughter was telling the truth and I didn’t believed her.” Mrs Shy said crying once again.

“No, no one believed her dear.” Mr Shy said, angry and confused on what to do.

The door to the intensive care unit suddenly opened and out came the doctor handling the Sunsets operation.

“How is she?” Mr Shy asked.

“We have good news and bad news… the good news is that she’s stable and safe from chemical poisoning,” the doctor replied.

“And the bad news?” Fluttershy asked, eager to know the condition of the girl she fell in love with.

“The bad news is that we weren’t able to save her eyes nerves due her optical nerves direct contact to the chemicals. The damage caused by the chemicals were already to severe and irreversible. I’m sorry.” the doctor replied.

“She’s blind forever…. Is that what you mean doctor?” Mr Shy asked still can’t believe what he heard.

“Yes I’m sorry, there’s nothing left for us to do, we will be keeping an eye on her conditions. You can visit her now if you wish: We hooked her up to an oxygen machine to help her breathing, she was having a hard time when she arrived. She’s still sleeping and it will probably last for a few days. But don't worry, she’s already past the life-threatening part. God knows how lucky she is to be alive with that kind of accident. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ll be taking my leave.” The doctor said as he turned his back on them to take care of other things.

“She could have died.” Fluttershy whispered barely audible to anyone as more dread came to her, realizing the possibility of losing the girl she loved because of their stupidity.

“She’s safe now honey lets go see her.” Fluttershys mother said, trying to comfort her daughter and fooling herself with foolish hope, believing that everything’s going to be okay.

As they entered Sunsets room they saw for the first time the result of their arrogance. A long tube connected on her mouth for breathing support, eyes covered by bandage going around her head, obscuring her eyes, heavy laboured breaths and prone weakened state, a huge contrast to the Sunset they remembered.

“Ohhh…Sunset, I’m so sorry, I failed you” Fluttershy cried unable to hold her tears of such horrifying State of Sunset as the others also followed even Rainbow, the one who acts tough all the time, cried.

“No! Fluttershy, we failed her and the only thing we can do for her now is to be there for her. Especially now that she needs us more than ever.” Celestia said with reddened eyes and tears already flowing down her cheeks.

“We’ll find the true culprit of the anon-a-miss account and we will make sure to give out the proper punishment to whoever is responsible for all of this insanity,” Luna said.

And with great determination everyone who’s able promised to find the one who’s responsible for all of this and make them pay.

‘For Sunset.’ They all thought.