The Hidden Truth

by King_Again

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony Comic, Romance, Equestria Girls, Flash Sentry, Suicide / Self Harm, Sunset Shimmer, Main 7 (EqG), Sugarcoat, Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 8198

Sunset is cruel, a secret - stealer, and most importantly, Anon - A - Miss. Sunset is sad, broken, and innocent. Which is the real Sunset? Will anyone find out before it becomes too late?

Sunset is cruel, a secret - stealer, and most importantly, Anon - A - Miss. Sunset is sad, broken, and innocent. Which is the real Sunset? Will anyone find out before it becomes too late?

Just weeks before Christmas Break, an online Mystable user by the name of Anon - A - Miss began posting people's deepest secrets. The main target and victim; Sunset Shimmer.

Students began making her life hell and made her began wishing for death. Anything to escape the pain of having to deal with the burden of being the main suspect. Only a few people believe she's innocent.

Meaning by few people? Two. Literally two aside from her; Flash Sentry, her ex who surprisingly believes her, and Sugarcoat, a student of Crystal Prep Academy. But is it going to be enough to keep Sunset around before she successfully ends it all?

Rewrite of Anon - A - Miss: Another Way

Published 2020-01-30 02:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2020-02-21 22:46:02 UTC

Chapter 2 : Those Aren't Friends

"So that's what happened." Sunset finished as she looked out at the water.

Sugarcoat didn't say anything as she processed what she was told. A bit stupid if you asked her. Canterlot High was so quick to jump at the first chance they got in saying Sunset hadn't changed to whatever her old ways were back then. She scoffed when she had heard how they didn't listen to Sunset's side of the story.

The Crystal Prep student slowly moved her eyes to Sunset. "A bit stupid to think its you."

Sunset sighed as she leaned on the railing and ran a hand through her hair as her old friends' words rang throughout her mind once more. "Yeah, but I can understand why they think its me due to my history, but they should ask for my side."

Sugarcoat groaned as she rolled her eyes. "They don't sound like friends to me if they didn't."

The older girl's eyes moved her and arched an eyebrow as she watched Sugarcoat look out onto the rushing waters below. Had this girl not stopped her, then Sunset would be dead by now. But yet, here she was, speaking with the very one who saved her life. Her heart warmed as she realized Sugarcoat believed her; someone believed her!

Sunset shifted nervously as she felt the cold catching on. "To be honest, they were only my friends because they were told to show me the 'magic of friendship' and I know for a fact if they weren't, they wouldn't be friends with me."

Sugarcoat folded her arms. "They were never to being with." she stated and Sunset gave her a look.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Sunset as she turned to face the girl.

The younger girl shrugged as she looked away. "You say they bringing up your past mistakes, adding 'no offense' to the end, that doesn't sound like friends. If they were, then they wouldn't bring up your mistakes. They would move past that. Plus, how quick they were to jump on the chance to accuse you."

Sunset rubbed her arm. "They were the only ones I had..."

Sugarcoat groaned as she rolled her eyes. It seemed like Sunset wouldn't understand at all. Friends didn't bring up the past mistakes, friends didn't turn on each other so suddenly; they would need proof to turn on each other. The way Sunset had told her how they became friends in the first place...

No.

They weren't friends at all.

"Let's go to Sugarcube Corner." Sugarcoat stated as she grabbed Sunset's cold hand. The older girl flushed as she realized how warm Sugarcoat's hand was. "You need to warm up. I'll buy you some hot chocolate."

"Thanks." Sunset whispered as she was tugged along to the store. She prayed to any God that would listen that the Rainbooms wouldn't turn up.

The Hidden Truth

Sunset visibly paled when she saw the Rainbooms in their usual seats, drinking away as they entered the shop. She had tried to hide by staying close to Sugarcoat's side as she went up to the counter, but it seemed like even that couldn't be done peacefully when Rainbow Dash saw them.

Rainbow growled as she slammed her hands down on the table. "Do you have to be everywhere?" she hissed. "I thought we made it clear that you're not welcome!"

Sugarcoat snapped her head around, ignoring Mrs. Cake as she held her hand over the cash resister. Sunset winced and shrank back, failing to see the look of sadness from one of the owners.

"Last time I checked, this was a public place." Sugarcoat replied, deadpan, as she turned to hid Sunset. "You're making a scene by making a fool out of yourself."

Rainbow's jaw dropped as she saw the younger girl. "Oh, so now you're with a Shadowbolt?" she growled.

Applejack interrupted before Rainbow could go any further with any insults. "Pardon me, sugar cube." she said, placing a hand on Rainbow's shoulder. "Yer just gonna waste yer time with this secret-stealer. She ain't nothing but trouble."

Sugarcoat took their words and knew she was right. They weren't friends. They wouldn't be going left and right accusing without hearing Sunset's side. The way they tried to make her see how Sunset would ruin her life, it was plain idiotic and frankly wouldn't work. Had they seen what she had seen, they wouldn't be doing this. They'd be begging for forgiveness from Sunset.

"You labeled her that." Sugarcoat replied with an emotionless tone. "Just because you label her that, doesn't mean she truly is. Have any of you actually took the time to see if she truly was what you say? Or are you just the type to assume without evidence?"

Rarity took a deep breath before continuing her friends' side. "We're trying to save you!"

Sugarcoat frowned. "From what?" she questioned. "Answer; nothing. There's nothing to save me from. I'm saving someone who's been pushed aside from so called 'friends' that wouldn't even be her friends if you weren't told to show her some stupid 'magic of friendship' because of her past mistakes. Which you repeatedly kept bringing up. I may not know the old her, but the one I know... she's broken. And its all because of you."

Without another word, Sugarcoat moved to take Sunset's hand but a cough from Mrs. Cake stopped her and the two smiled softly as Mrs. Cake placed two cups of hot chocolate on the counter. A small smile said it was on the house. They took the cups with a grateful smile, and left without another word.

Mrs. Cake turned to the Rainbooms. "Now, I don't know what happened, but if I see another fight here, then all of you will no longer be welcomed back until you learn to forgive and forget! Those words were uncalled for."

"But... but... but...!" Rainbow tried but a glare made her shrink back.

"Uncalled for!" snapped Mrs. Cake.

The group shrank back as they nodded and Mrs. Cake sighed heavily before turning and taking the next order. She hoped Sunset would be okay, and she hoped Sugarcoat would look after her. It would be nice to see Sunset smile once more, and maybe come in with new friends at her side.

Chapter 3 : Flash Sentry and Horrible Witch

About to be in tears, Sunset didn't do anything to tug her hand free of Sugarcoat's grasp as they walked. Both were holding their cups of hot chocolate in their free hands, while the others were tightly holding onto one and other, and by 'holding' she meant Sugarcoat wouldn't let go of her hand.

When they suddenly stopped, Sunset noticed how they stopped at a park.

The older girl sat down on an beach, and watched as Sugarcoat sat beside her. "Why did you defend me? We don't know each other. We're supposed to be enemies if you're at Crystal Prep."

Sugarcoat arched an eyebrow. "Just because we're rivals doesn't mean I can't be nice."

The Wondercolt gulped as she looked away before taking a sip of her drink. There was something about Sugarcoat that made her uneasy but that could because of this whole Anon-A-Miss thing going on that made it so hard for her to trust anyone she came across.

"Is there anyone you can go to at Canterlot High?"

Sunset sighed as she shook her head. "No, they all hate me."

Sugarcoat frowned. "You should have my number then." she replied and Sunset's eyes widened.

As she placed her cup to the side, Sugarcoat took out her phone from her bag and held her hand out for Sunset's phone. The older girl stayed still until she snapped out of her trance and took out her phone, making sure to unlock it and watched as Sugarcoat typed in her number before adding Sunset's number to her own phone.

Then suddenly, Sunset's phone went off with the chime of a notification. Sunset groaned as she realized Anon-A-Miss had posted and Sugarcoat's eyes widened as she read the notification and looked at the Wondercolt, who paled when she realized the Shadowbolt had seen it and quickly took her phone back.

"How long?"

Sunset couldn't look her newfound ally in the eyes as she answered. "For a few weeks now."

Sugarcoat's eyes darkened with anger. "And when I saw you at the bridge? That was the result of a few weeks? You told me the story of this cruel online account, you told me you were suspected, but you never told me how bad it was or how long it was going."

Sunset gazed down at her lap as she tightly closed her eyes. Tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.

"What else have you not told me?"

The Hidden Truth

Flash sighed as he walked through the park. The newest post had been the final straw to him. The group he was hanging around with had growled as the post came up and began talking shit about Sunset, began posting comments about how they'd kill her when they found her.

"What else have you not told me?" Flash's eyes snapped upwards to see a stranger with the center of attention of Anon-A-Miss.

He could see Sunset reopen her eyes as saw how much sadness they held and his heart ached. His ex, whom he still had feelings for, was crying and pouring her heart out to someone. It was sad to think she couldn't pour her thoughts out to them, but he understood; they were terrible to her, he didn't stand up for her, they didn't deserve to hear her sad thoughts.

They didn't deserve to be trusted in.

"Sunset?" he called out, stopping Sunset mid-sentence. "Can... can we talk?"

Sunset sucked in a sharp breath. "Oh, um." she didn't realize how quick she was to grab Sugarcoat's hand. "I guess... do... do you want to speak in private?"

Flash shook his head with a sad smile as he tucked his hands in his pockets. "No, uh, it's fine. We speak in front of your friend."

Sunset nodded slowly. "Well, what did you need?"

He took a huge breath before pouring his heart out; how stupid he was for just standing by as he watched her get beat up by every student around. How he watched as her friends left her alone and didn't go straight to her to give a shoulder for her to cry on. Every little thing he had been thinking about during these weeks of hell, and when he finished, all he could see was a blank expression on his ex's face.

"What?" Sunset echoed, deadpan.

Flash shrank back. "I'm sorry for everything I did and didn't do."

Sunset stood up, not caring how Sugarcoat was watching them. All her anger that had been blocked by sadness had suddenly slipped out a little.

"So, after all this time...! When I was getting my life kicked out of me, how my happiness slipped through my fingers, how the very ones who considered me family had suddenly thrown me away, and every little ounce of me that begged not to return to that hellhole; you didn't think to step up and be on my side?" Sunset scowled. "To reassure me I had someone to go to?"

Flash winced and nodded. "Yes. Sunset, I'm ashamed. You have every right to be upset with me, hate me! Anything you want! But... just know, you have me. Whenever you need someone, I'm there!"

Sugarcoat couldn't help but feel bad for the Wondercolt. It was obvious he cared for her. "Sunset, he seems honest about what he's saying. Why not give him a chance?"

Sunset stiffened as she looked at Sugarcoat before gazing back at Flash.

The Hidden Truth

Rainbow growled as she gazed down at her phone, the urge to throw it at a wall was strong, but they were already on thin ice as Mrs. Cake kept her eyes on them as she took customers orders. They couldn't be thrown out, this was Pinkie's workplace and they couldn't have her losing her job.

"I can't believe she's still at it." Rainbow mumbled as she placed down her phone and took a sip of her milkshake.

Applejack huffed as she dropped her phone down onto the table, gazing out the window, watching the falling snow.

"How is she still finding secrets?" Pinkie asked as she folded her arms. "Who would even give that secret-stealer information?"

Rarity rolled her eyes. "I don't know, Pinkie." she replied as she closed her eyes. "But whoever it is, they shouldn't be helping that horrible witch."

Fluttershy shrank back in her chair as she nervously played with her hair. "I know she isn't our friend, but should you really be calling her a witch?"

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. "She has magic, Fluttershy! She's a witch, like it or not!"

"So do we."

The Rainbooms tensed at Fluttershy's words and flushed a little. The only reason why they had magic was because of Sunset coming to this world, bringing magic with her. When Twilight appeared, she had brought more magic with her. It was because of those two, they had their magic.

Didn't that mean they were witches too?

"Forget the witch." snapped Rainbow.

Pinkie sighed. "We're trying but someone keeps bringing it up!"

Applejack slammed her hands down. "Enough!" she snapped. "Now, we ain't gonna get anythin' done by talkin' about her, are we? 'nough talkin' about her. About Anon-A-Miss. Let's just have us a nice evenin'."

"Agreed." Rarity nodded. "I have to get to Sweetie soon anyways."

Rainbow leaned back in her seat. "Now, let's talk about what we're going to watch on Christmas Eve!"

Pinkie jumped up. "Oooh! We should watch Gladiator!"

The group just laughed as they continued on their conversation about Christmas Eve.

Chapter 4 : Another Horrid School Day

The next day at school was another horrible one, like always. Sunset had taken every turn and duck to avoid all those faces that she didn't want to face. She thought back to yesterday, where she gave Flash one final chance to prove to her he thought she was innocent, unlike the rest of their school thought.

Flash had thanked her, hugged her, said he wouldn't let her down before saying how he would leave them alone. Sugarcoat had smiled and mumbled how she now had someone to be with at school. But Sunset still felt like she had no one in these walls of hell.

"Hey, Sunset!" Sunset's eyes moved to see Flash running towards her with a wide smile on his face. His former friends standing on the sidelines with scowls. "How are you?"

Sunset winced as she saw Flash's friends crack their knuckles and started to pick up her pace, but Flash matched it perfectly as he continued on talking to her like they never broke up, like they were friends.

Eventually, she stopped in her tracks and gave him a worried look. "Flash, you need to leave me alone or else you'll suffer what I am. I doubt these guys would think twice before kicking your ass along with mine."

Flash snickered as he shrugged, Sunset's eyes widened. It was like he didn't care for his well-being! Was this what he meant by how he wouldn't let her down? Her heart twisted as she realized that maybe she could have an actual friendship with someone in these walls, and Sugarcoat from Crystal Prep was a huge bonus.

The guitar player put his hands behind his neck as they walked on, ignoring all the looks from everyone who passed. "I was thinking that maybe, we could do something after school?" he asked.

Sunset stopped right as they got to her locker and her jaw dropped. She knew Flash wasn't asking her out, but he was asking her if she wanted to do something as friends. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, what if your friends see you with Anon-A-Miss? What would you do then?"

Flash scowled as he shook his head. Sunset gulped as she saw the scowl appear and quickly moved her attention to her lock and began fiddling with it, her urge to grab her phone and text Sugarcoat was strong. But the urge to get her knife and start slicing at her wrists was bigger.

Then he grabbed her wrist, stopping her from opening the locker that contained with who-knows-what. His expression was stern but she could see a friendly hopefulness in his eyes.

"I couldn't careless on what they could think." he stated seriously. "I want you to be able to find comfort in me, just like you can with that girl. I'm here for you, like she is. Okay? We're friends. And friends stick by each other through and through."

Sunset smiled kindly at him. "Thank you, Flash. I wouldn't mind doing something. Oh, and her name is Sugarcoat."

Flash nodded. "Noted. I was thinking... maybe a movie? Or we could head to mine and play some video games?"

Sunset smirked as she took in the offer. "Video games without a doubt." she replied and Flash grinned. "Get ready to have your ass beat by the Video Game Queen!"

A cough interrupted them and the two flushed when they saw Vice-Principal Luna standing there. Both knew she wouldn't like the language they were using and muttered a soft apologize, but the Vice-Principal just laughed and rolled her eyes as she moved towards Principal Celestia's office.

"You're not the Video Game Queen, miss Shimmer." Luna smirked as she walked. "I am."

Flash and Sunset's jaws dropped before they looked at each other before gazing in the direction Luna had walked off. Who knew that Vice-Principal Luna played video games?

The Hidden Truth

"This is what you get for posting my Math grade, you snake!"

Sunset winced as she was roughly slammed in a locker by two student she didn't know. All she knew was they thought she was Anon-A-Miss, and that was enough reasoning for them to push her around.

If she tried getting up, which she did, then they kick her roughly in the stomach, which they did.

The only upside to it was a teacher had just left their classroom when it happened, the students hurried off as the teacher glared as they moved to follow, ignoring Sunset on the ground when she didn't look up at them. She didn't want their help, she didn't need the help.

A clearing of the throat caused the girl to jump.

"Sorry!"

Sunset managed to quickly calm her heart down before looking up to see Flash standing there with a smile, his hand stretched outwards. She took it without thinking about it, and then proceeded to glare at him. "Kind of you to help with those assholes."

Flash winced. "I'm sorry, but the teacher was talking to me. I would've been out sooner but, you know... kinda failing math at the moment..."

Sunset laughed weakly as she rubbed her neck. "Sorry, should've figured." she mumbled.

"It's fine. Anyways, we should head to lunch."

Sunset's eyes widened before she shook her head. "I'll meet you there. I need to do something first."

Flash arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I can always come with you." when Sunset shook her head, his shoulders slumped but he nodded. "Alright then, I'll see you there."

As soon as Flash left her line of sight, Sunset rushed to the bathroom and reached into her bag, pulling out the knife she always carried, and ducked into a stall as the door opened. She could hear familiar voices, she knew who it was; Rarity and Applejack. She didn't care as she pulled back her sleeves and unleashed the knife.

"Did you see who Flash was with?"

Applejack sighed heavily as she rolled her eyes. "How could ah not?"

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Poor thing will be back-stabbed."

Sunset didn't care as she closed her eyes, listening to their words. The knife was cool against her skin, against her wrists. Dozen of little crisscross scars danced along the thin skin, eager and begging to be reopened. She couldn't cut her stomach, thighs, or upper arms. She had to settle with the wrists.

With a deep breath, Sunset sliced.

Chapter 5 : Slice Upon Slice

Sunset held her wince back and a quiet 'ow' due to her old friends right there. It was bad enough having to suffer classes with them. She couldn't handle it if they found her cutting herself, and they wouldn't probably care enough to stop her. Why would they even care about her if she was?

When she heard the door open and close, the girl sighed as she pulled out some tissue that she kept on her and held it over the wounds. Three new cuts, adding to the collection. It wasn't like she was going to go too far with this. Just a few cuts, nothing more, nothing less.

As she left the stall, Sunset made quick note to put the knife away, stuffing the bloody tissue into her pocket and sighed heavily as she allowed some water to run over her cuts. She dried them off before pulling her sleeves back down. Flash was waiting for her, and she couldn't keep him waiting.

Flash was the first to greet her when she entered the Cafeteria. A smile on his features. "There you are! I was just about to go looking for you. Did you do what you needed to do?"

Sunset felt bad for keeping it from him, but he couldn't know about it.

The two of them made their way to their table and sat down. She was surprised to see Flash had gotten her some food, making sure it was veteran. He smiled happily before digging into his own meal and she gave a weak smile back before gazing down, her cuts feeling itchy all of a sudden.

Then she realized she hadn't answered his question. "Yeah, I did what I needed to do."

Flash nodded as he swallowed some food down. "I was thinking, maybe we should invite your friend over too?"

Sunset blinked, taken aback. "You'd be okay with Sugarcoat, a Shadowbolt, coming to your house? Are you sure about that? It's bad enough you're with me, but having a Shadowbolt over?"

Flash shrugged as he leaned back in his chair, quickly casting a glance over to where the Rainbooms were glaring. "I couldn't care less. She's your friend, and any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Especially if they think you're innocent."

Sunset smiled as she began eating quietly, hoping no one would bug them. It was hard enough having Flash by her side without feeling terrible, knowing the entire school would soon turn on him for merely hanging out with her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see the Rainbooms glaring away; Rainbow scowling, Fluttershy looking down at her plate, Pinkie trying to ignore her with a frown, Applejack frowning heavily, and Rarity who was also scowling.

The teenage boy could see them as well, and sighed heavily as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, ignore them. They don't deserve your friendship. They aren't important."

Sunset's eyes slide down to the table. "They're my friends." she whimpered as she held herself. "How could they have just dropped me like that?"

Flash ran a hand through his hair. "Because they want someone to blame. We all know your past. They blame you, because they know your history with bullying, they won't believe you or blame anyone else."

Sunset shrank back down in her chair to escape everyone else's glares. "Why did we come here anyways?"

Flash gave a sheepish smile. "Uh, is there somewhere you'd rather go for lunch?"

Sunset thought about it, and her first thought was the bathroom to cut. But that wouldn't help her out from hiding from everyone when it came to heading to class. Yet if they went somewhere else for lunch, then she could escape the hurt for an hour or two.

With a small smile, she moved to answer.

The Hidden Truth

When school finally ended, Sunset had gone to the bathroom to make six new cuts throughout the day. Three during lunch, and three during the last period. She had managed to get a hold of Sugarcoat, and she agreed to meet her and Flash at the park so they could walk to his house.

As they entered the park, Sunset smiled as she saw Sugarcoat sitting on a bench.

"Sugarcoat!" Sunset called out and the Shadowbolt looked up from her phone and smiled softly.

Sugarcoat got up to greet them. "Hello."

"Are you ready?" Flash asked kindly and the girls gave him a nod in return. "Come on, my house isn't too far from here."

Sunset blinked. "I thought you drove?"

Flash shrugged as he placed his hand into his pockets. "I kinda... well, uh..."

Sugarcoat placed a hand on her bag and arched an eyebrow. "You crashed it, didn't you?"

The male chuckled nervously as he nodded, feeling a bit bad. Sunset smiled sheepishly as she realized why he hadn't been seen with his cars in the last few days, why he got a ride to school instead. His car was getting fixed in the shop, and who knew how long it would take thanks to the lazy owner and his workers.

As the trio left the park, Sunset stayed close to Sugarcoat instead of being near Flash as he lead the way. There was something about being near Sugarcoat that made her feel at ease, like she could be happy with her. Have the one thing she had lost not so long ago; a real friendship. But what were the chances of a Crystal Prep girl being friends with a Canterlot High girl?

None. That's what!

When they finally reached Flash's house, he unlocked the door and stepped inside, holding the door open for the girls. They left their shoes at the doorway before heading up the stairs, where Flash's mother could be seen in the kitchen.

"Hey mom!" Flash called out. "I brought some friends with me."

Mrs. Sentry looked up from her baking and her jaw nearly dropped when she saw her son's ex. It almost dropped when he saw a new girl with them as well. "Sunset! It's good to see you again, dear!"

Sunset smiled as she waved. "Hello, Candy. What are you baking?" Candy smiled as she held up the recipe for her famous cookies.

Candy's blue eyes slide over to Sugarcoat and she gave a friendly warm smile. "Hello there, I haven't met you before! What's your name, dear?" she asked kindly.

Sugarcoat gave her a polite nod. "My name is Sugarcoat. I'm a new friend of your son."

Flash smiled. "We're going to my room, mom. Is dad here?"

Candy shook her head. "No, afraid not. He's still working his ass off like always." she smiled at the thought of her husband and chuckled. "You know him, always working for money to save up for some big vacation. More so now that Winter Break is coming up."

"Figures."

After ending the conversation, the trio headed into Flash's room, placing their bags on the ground while Flash got out his Netflix on his TV and began searching. They all agreed on a simple movie, The Grinch. However, not even half way through the movie, and Sunset suddenly stood up, saying she needed to go to the bathroom.

The other two nodded wordlessly before turning back to the movie.

What they didn't know was Sunset was really heading to the bathroom to cut. She needed relief and it was the only way possible that wouldn't have her breaking down. It ended a little more and more pain with each slice.

Chapter 6 : Words That Haunt

Flash was surprised when he was approached by the Rainbooms the next day. He didn't want to even be near them considering how they were treating Sunset, and how they seemed to think they were doing the right thing. They didn't even bother for Sunset's side of the tale.

And they were appointed by Princess Twilight to teach Sunset about Friendship?

The guitarist groaned as he slammed his locker when he saw Rainbow's colorful hair. "What do you want from me?"

Rainbow scowled as she crossed her arms. "You're going to get hurt."

Flash arched an eyebrow at her and mirrored her by crossing his arms. "Pray tell, how will I get hurt?"

Applejack snorted as Rarity rolled her eyes. Pinkie was frowning, and Fluttershy was hiding behind her hair, not looking so brave like she did when throwing Sunset away, he noticed. Was this a joke to them? Was throwing Sunset away like yesterday's meal so easy and rewarding to them?

"You know how Flash!" snapped Rainbow. "Sunset! She's going to post your secrets and you're going to regret being with her! You'll see. She'll betray you like she did us."

Flash sighed heavily. "Did you ever care for her?"

The looks of confusion spread across their faces before Rarity regained her composure first. "Whatever do you mean by that? Of course we did!"

"Then you would've believed her." Flash replied with a soft smile. "That's what friends do! Stick beside each other until the end. But, no. You throw her away the second you got. What would Princess Twilight say about this? To think, she trusted you with Sunset."

Pinkie looked him over before gasping. "You sound like you're still in love with Sunset!"

Flash shifted nervously on his feet as he looked away from them. "And if I am?"

Applejack coughed. "She used ya." she reminded him and Flash sighed heavily.

He couldn't exactly counter that when it was painfully clear. But, yet, despite all that, Sunset still apologized and said she wanted to retry their friendship. That meant a lot. "You never fully stop loving someone."

Fluttershy finally pushed her hair out of her face, looking braver. "She'll use you again."

Flash stood tall as he clinched his hands tightly. "I never said I'd tell her about my feelings! She needs to know I'm not looking for something like that! We're friends. End of story. Besides, she can love whoever."

Rainbow scoffed as she looked him over, trying to spot for a joke but failed to see one. "You'll get your ass kicked by your friends if you keep this stupid game up."

The guitarist turned away from them. "At least I didn't abandoned a friend in their time of need like you did."

As soon as he left, Fluttershy looked at her equally confused friends. "What do you suppose he meant?"

The Hidden Truth

Sunset groaned as she sliced once more before cleaning up her pocket knife, placing it back in its hiding spot before cleaning her cut. She couldn't keep cutting in school or she would be caught soon enough.

But in reality, was that such a bad thing? A part of her wanted to be caught, told it was wrong, told she had a lot of people caring about her. But no one ever came into the bathroom at the right moment, they all didn't come. If they saw her in the halls, she'd get beaten up, yelled at, threatened.

The usual type of deal.

"Sunset, you're late today."

The student looked up to meet her English teacher's eyes and sighed heavily as she made her way to her desk. "I'm sorry, sir. But I was caught up in something."

The teacher frowned as everyone else snickered at the weak excuse.

"Is there something going on, Miss Shimmer?"

Everyone was taken aback by the gentleness of the usually strict teacher and Sunset fought back tears as she shook her head in reply. "No sir, nothing is going on. I was just helping Granny Smith out is all. Y'know, as well as others."

He knew it was lie, but didn't press. "I'm glad you could make it." he smiled at her.

Sunset was quick to look away.

As everyone else went back to their work they were assigned, Applejack leaned over and began whispering. "Hey, Rares. Didn't ya notice how gentle he's bein'?"

Rarity nodded as she narrowed her eyes at Sunset. "I do, darling." she scowled deeply as she watched the teacher help Sunset out on what she missed. "A bit odd considering how he's helping Anon-A-Miss."

"Yeah." Applejack nodded. She couldn't believe how the teachers thought Sunset was innocent. "Ah just can't get what Flash said outta ma head."

Rarity arched an eyebrow. "What? Him saying how we abandoned a friend in their time of need?"

Applejack sighed as she nodded with a glare at Sunset. There was an odd feeling when she looked at the bullied girl, especially when she said how nothing was going on. "Ah wonder why that's stuck in ma head."

Rarity waved her off. "Who cares, darling? We need to focus now."

The farmer groaned as she shrugged it off. "Yer right."

The Hidden Truth

Sugarcoat looked up from her book as she watched Flash and Sunset fight over a movie. She rolled her eyes with annoyance. "You two are so much like my little brothers when it comes to fighting."

Sunset looked over to her with a smirk. "What, threatening an all out war?"

Flash scoffed as he smugly smirked at her with a clear look that said he could win any day.

The Shadowbolt of the trio gave her own look of annoyance. "No, being children to the end."

Flash pouted as he puffed out his cheeks. "Aw, but Sugarcoat!"

Sugarcoat pointed to him with her pointer finger. "You even look like a child too."

Sunset laughed as she sat down on Sugarcoat's bed. "I mean, she isn't wrong, Flash! You do look like a child!"

Flash flushed at Sunset's laugh before looking away from the girls, feeling attacked. "That just hurt my pride."

"What pride?" Sugarcoat bluntly asked and Sunset barely could keep herself from laughing out loud at that. "Someone who acts like a child doesn't have any pride."

"Ouch." Flash faked his hurt as he placed a heart on his hand. "That hurt!"

"You big baby."

Flash sat down next to them as he took a movie from the bed. "Alright, so what about this one? Pirates of the Caribbean?"

The girls nodded and Flash moved to place the movie into the player. They had all agreed to go to Sugarcoat's house this time, meeting up at the Park once more. They had the whole house to themselves since Sugarcoat's twin brothers were at their friends and her parents had to work late; a perfect chance to have her new friends over without her family asking too much questions.

Sugarcoat could admit she didn't tell her parents about Flash and Sunset since they never asked. But she also knew her parents would make a huge deal out of her being friends ( could she say that? ) with Flash since he was a boy. Always assuming things if you were friends with the opposite gender.

A pain in her side.

"I like Jack Sparrow."

Sugarcoat looked over at Sunset with an arched eyebrow. "Why? He's always on the run."

Sunset nodded as she looked down. "Exactly. I feel like we're both always on the run."

Flash glanced over with a soft smile on his face as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You aren't when your with us! We'll always be with you."

The oldest girl smiled back at her two friends. "Thanks guys."

Chapter 7 : Another Day, A Little Death

Whenever it came to being at school, Sunset always dreaded it, always fearing what would come. She happened to ignore everyone she came across unless it was Flash. He was the only one she ever had in this hellhole, she could only wish Sugarcoat attended Canterlot High as well, that way she could have two people for her.

Today, everyone seemed calmer minus the glaring. Sunset was still on edge considering how it all could go to hell, and it usually would when Anon-A-Miss posted another stupid little secret that everyone got worked up about. Now, Sunset could understand the anger when it came to grades being posted (failed grades), maybe even a few little embarrassing facts about someone, but just straight up attacking her over the littlest things?

Now that was stupid and she couldn't believe it would happen.

"You!"

Sunset sighed heavily as she recognized the voice and she slowly turned. "Applejack."

The farmer cracked her knuckles as her eyes blazed with fire. "Ya think it's funny to reveal what happened ta us!?"

Now that put Sunset off into a spin. What exactly happened? She couldn't ask as Applejack sent a fist into her face, and Sunset's hand flew up to hold her aching cheek. She winced. Her eyes was hurting more than her cheek, no doubt would she have a black eye. "Now what did I do? Explain more."

Applejack snarled as she went off on a rant about the barn falling. Sunset's eyes widened as she realized what had happened and felt horrible for her former friend. Now, she didn't know about the barn falling, but apparently it had and when Anon-A-Miss posted it, the summary said;

What a joke! They're farmers but they can't keep a simple barn up?

"Ah cannot believe ya! Ah haven't been spendin' one minute with ya and ya still know about that!"

Sunset stood her ground as she kept tears from falling from the pain in her face. "I didn't know about that, Applejack. When will you grow up and believe I'm not Anon-A-Miss?"

The cowgirl growled as she threw another punch, and this time, she hit Sunset in the other side of her face but it wasn't strong enough to blacken her other eye. "All evidence points ta ya! Why shouldn't ah believe it ain't ya?"

The sudden urge to slice came back to her and she knew this because her cuts began to ich. Sunset held back on running off towards the bathroom, knowing Applejack would follow to finish their conversation with another punch or two. She had to put up with it until she left.

"At least I don't abandon my friends."

Applejack's eye twitched. "Again with those words!"

Sunset blinked, confused. But before she could ask what was being meant, Applejack landed a punch in her stomach, making her stumble back with surprise as her other arm flew over to hold her stomach.

"First, yer little boy toy stands up for ya, next he's tellin' us we've abandoned a friend in their time of need. Ah just don't get what y'all are trying to get done with those words! We're tired of hearing that! Now, delete that stupid fucking account of yers!"

The older girl took the time to take a few deep breaths to cool down the pain before closing her eyes as tears began coming up and fighting their way out. It wasn't long until she felt hot tears running down her cheeks.

Sunset opened her greenish-blue eyes, and hissed through the pain. "You can only have one fucking account, dumbass."

Fire flared back up in Applejack's eyes and she held back from another punch, knowing she couldn't risk it anymore just in case a teacher walked by at the wrong time. "Knowing ya, ya probably figured out on how to have more than one."

Sunset didn't reply as she watched Applejack walk away towards her first class, and instead of going to the Nurse's office, she headed straight towards the bathroom to reopen the cuts and make new ones.

Christ, she really needed help.

The Hidden Truth

For the remaining part of the school day, Sunset took it upon herself to ignore everyone she could, skipping classes that she had. Flash tried looking for her in lunch, going as far as to text Sugarcoat about Sunset being missing, and of course, the Shadowbolt texted Sunset to make sure she was okay.

Next thing Sunset knew, she was on a call with the Shadowbolt. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

Sugarcoat sighed heavily. "I'm acing that class, like always. There's no work for me."

Sunset rolled as she rubbed her bruising cheek. "Here I thought Crystal Prep would never run out of work for their students."

The Shadowbolt was silent for a moment. "Look Sunset-" there was a slight pause from the other end. "Are you sure you want to stay in Canterlot High?"

The older girl was taken aback by that question. "What do you ask?"

In truth, Sunset knew why Sugarcoat asked her that. There was enough sadness from her for the Shadowbolt to figure it out easily. Plus, you could see Sugarcoat's worry in her eyes whenever she looked at Sunset.

"You know why, Sunset. I ask again; are you sure you want to stay in Canterlot High?"

Sunset ran a hand through her hair as she leaned against the bathroom's walls. "There's no where else for me to go, Sugarcoat. No other school would accept me."

A short paused follow before she replied. "You could always attend Crystal Prep."

Sunset blinked. "I doubt Principal Cinch would accept me."

Everyone knew about Principal Cinch and her ways. The woman ruled Canterlot's rival school with an iron fist and wouldn't let go for anything, always making sure Crystal Prep won the Friendship Games ( and no one knew why it was even called that considering there was no friendship between the two schools ), and always made sure Canterlot High was one step closer to being torn down.

Principal Cinch was a vicious woman who always knew how to get her way.

What chance was there for Cinch to accept Sunset into Crystal Prep with open arms?

"I could always ask her." replied Sugarcoat after a minute of silence. "I can put in a good word for you."

Sunset's eyes widened as she thought it over before smiling softly. "I doubt she'd do it, even with your good word."

Sugarcoat sighed. "I can tell her it would help boost Crystal Prep's reputation."

Sunset chuckled. "A hidden ace card, huh?"

There was no doubt that Cinch would accept Sunset if she knew it would help Crystal Prep. By saving a student from Canterlot High, where it wasn't safe for her, then the School Board would take notice and be pleased with Cinch's actions once more.

Sunset took a deep breath as she thought it over. "You're sure you'd be willing to help?"

Sugarcoat flushed, even though Sunset couldn't see it. "I... I'd always be willing to help you, Sunset."

"Thank you, Sugarcoat. I'll let you know when I decide, okay?" Sunset replied.

When the call ended, Sunset couldn't help but think more about transferring.

Chapter 1 : The Failed Attempt

The Hidden Truth
An Anon - A - Miss Story, rewrite of Anon - A - Miss: Another way

"I'll be back before 7, mother."

Sugarcoat groaned heavily as she hung up the phone, placing it in her bag before continuing walking towards the mall. Winter Break was coming up and she still didn't have a gift for her twin brothers, and she knew how disappointed they would be if their favorite older, and only, sister didn't get them something. It was usually a present both would share, to save money of course, and they didn't mind sharing gifts from her.

"I can't believe her!" Sugarcoat arched an eyebrow as a group walked past. "We fucking trusted her, and then she does that!"

Now there was something she didn't even want to get involved with; gossip. She could clearly tell those girls were from Canterlot High due to the fact from previous years of the Friendship Games. Beforehand, Sugarcoat hadn't been in any events, only watching, but she had seen those girls before.

With them talking about someone else betraying them, something had to be going on.

But Sugarcoat couldn't care less about CHS and what they did. It was their business at failure, not hers. When she reached the bridge where she'd always cross for the shortcut to the mall, a sight stopped her. A girl with red and yellow hair stood there, looking out at the rushing waters that could kill with the coldness it contained, it didn't take long for her brain to connect the dots.

"Hey!" Sugarcoat yelled out as she approached the girl.

The girl jumped and turned towards her, blueish green eyes going wide. "Me?"

Sugarcoat rolled her eyes at the comment as the girl pointed to herself. Who else could she have meant? No one else was here!

"Yes, I mean you." replied Sugarcoat with an annoyed tone. The girl winced. "Who else could I have meant?"

The girl shifted as her head dropped and that's when Sugarcoat realized, the girl was probably used to being harshly spoken to, though she didn't mean it. "Look if you're going to beat me, can you make it quick? My plans are being put on halt because of this conversation anyways."

Sugarcoat's eyes went wide as she realized she was right; the girl was about to commit suicide. Why else would she be out here, in the cold without much warmth, staring out into the rushing waters below? In that moment, Sugarcoat threw her original plans out the window and made her speak about what was going on.

The Hidden Truth

Sunset wasn't going to be around much longer with the way Canterlot High was treating her unfairly. They hadn't even bothered with listening to her side of the tale. With the other students, she understood them with their accusations; but her own group of friends?

That had came at a shock for her. One minute, they're saying she's apart of their family, and the next they're throwing her out the window like she has some sort of disease that could kill them. She didn't know what was worse; the fact that they didn't listen to her or the fact they hadn't bothered to even ask her about her side. Now, of course, she had dealt with these kinds of things before in Equestria. No filly or colt was a stranger to bullying, same went with humans, but not asking for their side of the tale?

It alone was the most heartbreaking and hardest punch to the gut ever to exist.

No one bothered to listen, no one thought she was innocent, so what was the point in staying alive anymore?

When her friends first left her, Sunset had broken down hard. She didn't bother attending her classes as she walked out the doors, and walked right home to her apartment. Instead, she dropped everything and took up a razor, intending to have a shower. That's what she told herself. But it didn't work like that, at all.

In came the cutting once more.

The first time Sunset cut, it was shortly after the Fall Formal. The guilt she felt was so powerful, she couldn't help it. She deserved the scars, deserved the pain the razor brought. In one night alone, Sunset had made five cuts. The cuts were on her thighs where no one could see. The second time had been shortly before the Battle of the Bands. She could see those looks, and broke.

She had made four more. This time, they were located on her stomach. The skin there was so thin and could break so easily, allowing blood to drip down within a second, maybe less. But she deserved it. Just like she had deserved the last few cuts on her thighs.

This little incident that was ongoing, had given the collection three more.

In total, the collection had 12 cuts. Five on the thighs, four on the stomach, and now finally, three on the upper arms hidden by her jacket and shirts. The pain still wouldn't go away, so Sunset kept at it until the collection of cuts became 16. Anymore, and she would go too deep into the ocean.

She didn't want that until she realized, she was already too deep in.

The day after new cuts were added, Sunset had planned it being her last day on this hellish Earth. She had went through the torture, listening to students saying she should kill herself, how she was Anon - A - Miss. Her friends saying they trusted her, how she was a secret stealer, and how she wasn't welcomed here.

If they wanted her gone, that's what they would get.

Everything had been going so smoothly too. No one thought to follow her, who would? She went to the bridge where the water was coldest, and gazed down. It would surely kill her. Painless and quick. This would be her final rest place forever, where her spirit would always be.

It was going to plan until she heard a voice calling out to her, "Hey!"

Then everything was ruined.