Epilogue

For the first time since that first Summer Sun Celebration, Twilight was not looking forward to meeting her friends today. It wasn't that she didn't want to see them. Far from it. But she had a feeling that it would not be pretty.

As she flipped another page of her current read, she couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Principal Celestia's office, and why she'd been told that her being there would only make things more complicated.

But if the quick glance of the police officer she had seen coming into Canterlot High had been any indication, maybe it was for the better. Twilight giggled at the thought.

There was no way she could explain her being here to her BBBFF.

***

"... And that's when Miss Cheerilee found us," Sweetie Belle finished, looking as if she was about to cry.

Vice Principal Luna, however, had no sympathy for the trio. "Do you three realize how much trouble you are in? This has already been reported to the School Board. They are considering expelling all three of you."

"Expulsion?!" Applebloom said, almost falling out of her seat in shock. "They can't do that to us!"

Principal Celestia frowned. "As a matter of fact, they can." She looked at the only man in the room. "And there is more. Correct, officer?"

Lieutenant Shining Armor nodded, his own expression no happier. "If this had gone as far as you wanted it to, then the three of you would be facing possible jail time." He looked over at Sunset, who was livid. "And if anything had happened to Miss. Shimmer, then Cyberbullying would be the least of your crimes. As it is, that is the only mark on your records for now."

The CMC flinched at the mere idea that they now had criminal records. "So what happens to us now?" Scootaloo asked, trying to keep a brave face on, but it was a losing effort.

Luna's frown deepened. "The three of you are on out-of-school suspension until the School Board decides if you are allowed to come back to Canterlot High. Your families will decide what your punishments at home will be. The Canterlot Movie Club will not meet again until either my sister or I decide to let you."

Sunset's frown had morphed into a predatory grin. One that reminded most of her time before the Fall Formal. "And I have it on good authority from Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, that you girls are forbidden from having any electronic devices until you're eighteen. That's if you don't do anything stupid like this again."

The CMC wilted at the idea. "Whatever happened to forgive people?" Applebloom asked hopefully.

Sunset snorted, rolling her eyes. "That's funny coming from you, Applebloom. This whole piss-brained scheme was your idea. And all because you three were too lazy to talk to your sisters about how you really felt." She shook her head. "As much as I love hanging out with my friends, I would never take them away from their families."

Shining could feel there was something else to that statement, but he kept it to himself. "Your families will be by in a little while to pick you up. You can stay here until they do."

Celestia nodded. "I have given Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, the rest of the school day off. So they will be joining you as well. From what I understand, they are not happy in the slightest."

The CMC looked horrified at the thought, but there wasn't much more they could do than sulk. Celestia's smile grew as she looked at Sunset. "Thank you for your time, Sunset. I believe there is someone in the Library that would be interested in hearing what has happened here."

Sunset nodded, as she stood and left for the door, giving the CMC one last heated glare before she left the room with a huff.

***

Outside, Sunset was ready to punch something or scream. Or both. She couldn't understand why AB, Sweetie, and Scootaloo had done what they had. Weren't they all past what she had done in the past?

"I mean really," she seethed. "What did they think was going to happen? Canterlot High turns on me? Everyone isn't that stupid."

So mad was she, that Sunset didn't know she wasn't alone until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking back, she found Shining Armor giving her a worried look. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Sunset cooled off slightly, but her anger was still there. "No. I'm not. I don't understand how anyone could be this stupid. Or even think they could get away with it."

Shining's face fell. "You won't do anything to them. Will you?"

Sunset could hear the warning in that response. She shook her head. Knowing that the room could still hear her, she raised her voice. "That's what those little brats want me to do. It'll only prove they were right. But I won't sink to their level. I will be a better person. Maybe one day, they'll figure that out."

"Will, you ever forgive them?" Shining asked.

Sunset hesitated for a moment, before sighing. "Not for a long time. One thing that I've learned about friendship is that forgiveness is the first step on the right road. But they have to earn that back. Not just give it out freely."

Shining chuckled, as he let her go. "You sound like you know what you're talking about. I just wish Twily knew that."

Sunset's brows rose. "Twily?"

Shining rolled his eyes. "My little sister, Twilight Sparkle. She's just about the same age as you are, actually."

Sunset hid her shock at hearing that name well. "I don't know anyone with that name at Canterlot High."

Shining shook his head. "Twilight goes to Crystal Prep Academy. Mom and dad wanted her to go here. But Crystal Prep is closer to where we live, and it's also where I went to school. So it's kind of family tradition."

Sunset chuckled. "Well with the Friendship Games coming up, I might meet her. If she goes to Crystal Prep, she has to be pretty smart."

Shining chuckled as he turned away. "Maybe. She seems more interested in Canterlot High for some reason. She just won't say. But as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I've got to get back to my rounds."

Sunset chuckled as she turned and began to make her way to the School Library. Wait until the princess heard about this! And despite everything that had happened recently, Sunset knew one thing for sure.

She was looking forward to Christmas this year more than she had before.

Author's Note

Thanks to Griff_Bladefeather for helping with the CMC's punishment. Better than anything I had in mind.

And yes. I did bring Shining Armor into this. He just works so well as a police officer. It fits well with his time in the Royal Guard in Equestria. Just not as Captain. Not yet anyway.

Edit: Changed the electronic ban back to 18. Danger Noodle and Garfan had points in that till the CMC were 21 would never work. So I went back to 18 instead.