On the Sidelines

by Revanius

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Equestria Girls, Octavia, Bon-Bon, Suicide / Self Harm, Bulk Biceps, Slice of Life, DJ P0N-3, Alternate Universe, Human, Lyra, Drama
Length: 2545

When Anon-A-Miss struck many were effected, some worse than others

When it started Anon-A-Miss was just another gossip channel, albeit one that focused more on humiliation, but it seemed like nothing major. Then it grew more hateful, the secrets being spread were personal and potentially ruining. Canterlot High School was torn apart and many were effected by the hurtful gossip of Anon-A-Miss.

This story is not really a prequel or sequel and more of a tag-along of Back to Normal, No and will start out before it but comes to match it in the timeline. Recommend checking it out before reading this, some parts will connect to the main story.

On Hiatus till further notice due to being released earlier than intended.

Published 2020-12-27 07:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-12-27 07:30:00 UTC

When It Started

It was just another day at Canterlot High School, winter break would be starting in two weeks and everyone was looking forward to Christmas. It was shaping up to be the best end of semester the school had seen ever since Sunset Shimmer had started at the school. Said bully had been dethroned and reformed, the school was united, and another magical threat to the school had ended before it could do any real damage. While certainly a crazy first semester it was still the best anyone had seen in a long time.

Lyra Heartstrings and Bon-Bon arrived at school, arms linked together as they enjoyed each other's warmth blocking out the cold, smiling as they thought of their plans for the coming break. When they entered the school they could just feel the warm atmosphere of the school, a feeling of acceptance and unity that had grown ever since Princess Twilight had first saved the school. The two 'Best Friends' loved that feeling and loved their school.

"I'm so excited Bon-Bon," Lyra said giving Bon-Bon a quick nuzzle on the neck. "Just two weeks then we have my house all to ourselves."

Lyra's parents would be visiting her older brother out of state and, after much begging and negotiating on Lyra's part, had agreed to let her stay home for the vacation. Having the house to only herself and Bon-Bon for the whole break was perhaps the best gift either girl could have ever asked for.

Bon-Bon gave a slight shudder at the nuzzle. "Lyra! Not in public." Bon-Bon complained blushing. "Look I can't wait either, but please, no nuzzling at school."

As they walked down the hall Bon-Bon noticed several students staring at their phones laughing at something on it. "Wonder what's got everyone laughing?"

"Huh?"

"Look around," Bon-Bon said waving an arm around the hall. "Half the school seems to be laughing at something on their phones."

"Maybe it's just a funny cat video or a meme," Lyra said with a shrug. "It's probably nothing."

"Yeah, nothing," Bon-Bon said though she had a feeling that wasn't right. Lyra pulled her in a bit closer and Bon-Bon put the thought aside for the time being, at the moment all she wanted was a little more time with Lyra before school started.

When they arrived at their lockers, which were of course right next to each other, there was another group of students laughing at something on their phones. One of the students was Bon-Bon's friend Berry Punch, a nice girl but one with some loose lips. Growing more curious at what everyone found so funny Bon-Bon decided to investigate.

"Hey Berry!" Bon-Bon called, waving the mulberry skinned girl over.

"Hey Bonnie," Berry said, a slight slur in her voice. "You excited for your time alone with the wife?" She asked with a sly smile.

Bon-Bon blushed at the statement. "That's personal Berry, plus we are not married, and not why I wanted to talk. I had a question."

"Okay, shoot."

"What is everyone laughing at this morning, everywhere I look I see someone laughing at their phones."

Berry laughed pulling out her phone. "Some new MyStable account came up this morning, posted some funny gossip. Check it out." She said handing Bon-Bon the phone.

Bon-Bon looked at the account, Anon-A-Miss, not the most original name Bon-Bon thought, the file photo being a red background with a yellow outline of a figure that looked a lot like Sunset Shimmer. On the account, there was a single post about Applejack.

'Did you guys know when AJ was a kid she loved playing with her pigs? OMG! She sat in the mud for hours! Her whole family calls her "Piggly Wiggly" cause she loves them so much! What a PIG!' It currently had 69 likes and comments from Silver Spoon and Hoops.

"Pretty funny huh?" Berry Punch asked.

"I guess it is a little funny, but also a little mean to post this," Bon-Bon said passing the phone back.

"It's just a silly nickname, we all had them as kids. Sure it's a little embarrassing but it'll blow over in a few days so why not get a little laugh out of it." Berry said with a shrug.

"Well it's not too bad, though I would not want to be Applejack right now," Bon-Bon said looking around the halls to see if she could find the farmer.

"I have to get to class Bonnie, good luck surviving till lunch without your precious Lyra." She teased. Bon-Bon rolled her eyes walking away, Berry used that line almost every day.

"So it turns out they're all laughing at a childhood nickname Applejack has," Bon-Bon said when she returned to Lyra.

"Huh, well they shouldn't laugh, we all had those embarrassing nicknames growing up. Right, Sweetie Drops." Lyra smirked.

"Lyra!" Bon-Bon smacked Lyra gently on the arm. "We agreed you would never call me that in public"

"Sorry but it's so much fun to make you blush."

Bon-Bon huffed indignantly, grabbing her books. "I'll see you at lunch."

"See you then." She gave Bon-Bon a quick hug before getting her own books. "I love you." She whispered.

"Love you too," Bon-Bon responded in the same tone.

***

Bon-Bon shared a class with Applejack in first period, though the two had rarely talked they were on friendly terms, she waved hello when Applejack stormed into the classroom, several other students snickered at the farmer. As Bon-Bon got her books ready she heard someone mutter 'Piggly Wiggly' and a few 'Oinks' in Applejack's direction. Applejack blushed but said nothing, focussing on her textbook.

Feeling bad for the friendly farm girl getting taunted over a childhood nickname Bon-Bon moved over a few seats till she was sitting next to her. "Hey Applejack."

"Oh, hi Bon-Bon." Applejack said glumly.

"I heard about the nickname thing, sorry people are giving you a hard time over it."

"It's nothin' really, Ah can take a little teasin'. Ah just wish Ah knew how this Anon-A-Miss found out 'bout it." Applejack said glancing around the classroom.

"I don't know, maybe one of your family let it slip to someone. It's just a silly nickname, not the most secure secret in the world." Bon-Bon reasoned. "Though I do hope they stop soon."

"Yeah, but mah family never says it to anyone." Applejack said, "And the only others dat knew were mah friends and they'd never spill something that embarrassing."

Bon-Bon shrugged. "Well, I don't know what to tell you except this. It's just a silly nickname, even if the students seem to be enjoying it a bit more than it calls for. It'll pass in a few days."

"Yer probably right. Dat doesn't make it any easier though." Applejack glared at a couple of snickering girls. Mrs. Harshwhinny came into the room and the students opened up their textbooks, winter break might be coming up but that would not stop Mrs. Harshwhinny from giving them another quiz before the break.

***

Lyra always considered herself lucky to have her favorite class right before lunch, music class, and having it with a friend only made it better. She and Octavia played different instruments, Octavia with her cello and Lyra with her lyre, but the two had bonded over their shared love of music. So the two tended to sit next to each other whenever possible, when Lyra took her seat next to Octavia she noticed the refined musician leering at a few drummers giggling at their phone, Lyra could make out the word Anon-A-Miss on the phone and guessed they were looking at the post.

"It really is despicable," Octavia said without looking at Lyra, "to post personal information for all to see without someone's permission. I can not believe so many Canterlot students are enjoying this."

"It's nothing too major, though I don't get why so many people think a childhood nickname is so hilarious," Lyra said reading her lyre.

"It does not matter if it is a simple nickname, it was not right for whoever this Anon-A-Miss is to be posting it without Applejack's permission."

"I guess your right," Lyra shifting in her seat. "You and Vinyl have any plans for the break?"

"Vinyl and her family are going to Manehatten, they'll be back in time for New Years, we plan on hanging out then," Octavia said tunning her cello. "I was invited by the family to visit Roam to soak in the local culture and see the sights."

"Wow, sounds like you both have some pretty exciting vacations ahead of you," Lyra said eyes widening. "Though a little lonely without your best friend, even if you're with your family."

"I guess you would say that considering you are staying home with Bon-Bon instead of going with your family. Not that I blame you."

The two sat in silence as they finished prepping their instruments, Lyra had just finished getting her beloved lyre ready when she heard whispering nearby.

"So yeah, I heard a rumor that Anon-A-Miss is Sunset Shimmer, the Demon Queen is making a comeback." The first voice said.

"Really? I thought she had changed, I mean she saved us all from the Sirens and is practically attached to her friends, why would she turn on them?" The second voice questioned.

"I don't know that's just what I heard, not sure if I believe it."

The two continued their muttered conversation, Lyra tuned it out, she had a class to do, and demonstrate her amazing lyre skills.

***

Lyra and Octavia walked together to lunch as they usually did, after collecting their lunch they went to their usual table, already at the table was Bon-Bon, Vinyl Scratch, and Bulk Biceps. Their group was not as close-knit as the Rainboom but they hung out often enough and looked out for each other when times were tough. Lyra immediately picked up the pace to get to Bon-Bon giving her a one-armed hug when she sat down, Vinyl gave a wave and a nod as Octavia sat.

"So I heard a rumor that Sunset might be Anon-A-Miss," Lyra said as they ate.

"I don't think Sunset would do that." Bulk said. "She's changed."

"Yeah Lyra, it doesn't seem like the new Sunset."

"True, she's most likely innocent." Lyra shrugged. "So Bulk, any plans this break?"

"Not really, staying in town, get some work at the movers done, nothing special." Bulk said. "I heard Vinyl and Octavia are traveling."

Vinyl nodded tapping the table a couple of times throwing a glance at Octavia. "Yes Vinyl, I'll miss you too," Octavia said. Vinyl raised an eye. "And I'll write." Vinyl smiled tapping the table a few more times. Octavia turned to Bulk. "Yes, we are traveling."

The group ate the rest of their lunch in silence, enjoying each other's company. Good friends, good food, and an exciting winter break on the horizon, everything was going well.

***

The next day when Lyra and Bon-Bon arrived at school they noticed an ever greater number of students looking at their phones laughing. "What are they laughing at now?" Bon-Bon wondered aloud.

"I don't know but I don't like it," Lyra said looking around the school. "And I have a feeling it has something to do with the Rainbooms."

"Let's find Vinyl and Octavia, see if they know what's going on," Bon-Bon suggested. They found the two standing by one of the hallways, Octavia talking while Vinyl gave the occasional tap in response.

"Hey guys, do you know what got everyone laughing now?" Lyra asked as they came up.

"That what we were just discussing," Octavia said opening her phone, handing it to the two. "Seems Anon-A-Miss is not a one-trick pony."

On the phone were two new posts, the first was a simple 'I know a secret' the second had pictures. 'OMG... what a bunch of dorks! Hahaha' with five photos of the Rainbooms, except Sunset Shimmer, in rather ridiculous costumes. The likes had grown to over 100 and the account's friends list now held over eleven times the entire school. Another change was the file photo, now a blatant drawing of Sunset Shimmer.

"Whoa it grew fast," Lyra said passing it back to Octavia.

"Yes and I fear it will not stop with this, and I doubt the Rainbooms will remain her only target," Octavia said sadly heading to class. Vinyl patter her shoulder as she passed, she gave the two a nod, walking away.

"I wonder who will be next?" Lyra wondered.

"It was you all along! You're Anon-A-Miss!" Applejack's voice cut through the hall. Lyra and Bon-Bon turned to see the Rainbooms shouting at Sunset Shimmer.

"We trusted you, Sunset! We thought you were our friend!" Rainbow shouted glaring at the stunned teen.

"How could you do this? After all we've been through together?" Rarity asked.

"No, wait, you guys- I didn't do this!" Sunset protested. "I could never hurt any of you!"

"But you did! You must've just been pretending to be our friend, when all along you were just after out secrets!" Pinkie shouted getting in Sunset's face. Lyra winced at the volume. "You-You SECRET-STEALER!"

"They could have at least done this somewhere less public," Bon-Bon muttered to Lyra looking at the students passing by glancing at the scene.

"No! No! I don't know how she got this stuff, but it-it wasn't me!" Sunset continued to protest her innocence. "I'm not this person!"

"No, you're not! You're not the person we thought you were! You're not our friend!" Fluttershy shouted, surprising both the watching teens.

"No, I... I am. I promise." Sunset protest weakly tears flowing from her eyes.

"This is it, Sunset. You're not going to take advantedge of us anymore." Applejack declared. "Ah'm sorry, but you did this to us. Tell whatever secrets you want. But we don't have to listen."

Lyra and Bon-Bon watched in stunned silence as the premier friend group of the school openly accused and cut ties with one of their own, leaving said member in a puddle of her own tears. Lyra instinctively gripped Bon-Bon at the sight.

"Lyra," Bon-Bon said eyes never leaving Sunset Shimmer.

"Yeah?"

"I have a feeling things are about to get a whole lot worse," Bon-Bon said pulling Lyra into a hug, breaking both their gazes from the crying teen.

Author's Note

You know I realized I see so little of those who were harmed by Anon-A-Miss in these stories and in the aftermath of it all, and then I realized my own story was involving the reactions of some of those minor characters but I couldn't go into too much detail without deviating from the story so I created this. And yep in this story Vinyl is silent, thinking of ways to have her communicate with others.

And also I hated writing the scene from the comic. Not just for how much pain it puts Sunset through, but also because the style of writing is not how I write. At least it will be the only time. Also, did anyone else notice on the comic Anon-A-Miss had over 6,000 friends, and the average high school has less than 600 students, so it spread well beyond the school grounds.