Sunset shivered from her position next to the Wondercolt statue. Although one could say it was thanks to the winter weather, in reality it was for the hateful stares of passing students.
The red head sighed. It was bad enough was that the whole student body believed that she was back into her old ways by revealing embarrassing secrets online using the name “Anon-A-Miss” making her a person no grata again. However worse was that her friends, or whom she thought were her friends, also believed that and soon they kick her out of her circle without even a chance to defend herself.
However the former bad girl wasn’t totally alone. And precisely it was a thanks to that was that she was waiting for someone.
In that moment the base of the statue glowed and shivered like water before a figure came stumbling out of it.
“Whoa!!!!” before she could fall the new girl managed to keep her balance “uff ok I think I’m getting better on this”
“Twilight!!!” Sunset cried in happiness at seeing the equestrian princess.
“Sunset Shimmer” Twilight called back before hugging the girl. “Its so nice to see you”
“Same here” said Sunset really happy to have a true friendly face around “I’m really happy you are here”
“Sorry it took me this long” Said Twilight finishing the hug “preparations for Hearts warming eve took more than I anticipated and just managed to find a space to come over”
“It doesn’t matter” said Sunset “I’m just glad to have a friendly face around”
Twilight flinched at the other girl´s sad expression.
“I can understand that” she said putting a hand on Sunset´s shoulder “for what you have told me this Anon-A-Miss situation has become really serious” the princess gazed on the school her face gaining an angry look “and our friends?”
Sunset looked down.
“Right ok then no time to lose” the purple girl declared, making Sunset look at her with growing hope “time to end this”
“So what’s the plan?” asked Sunset “you only told me that you have an idea of who really is behind all this”
“I do yeah” answered the Alicorn-turned human “and I have all I need here” she said pointing to the backpack she had “but we will need help to do this” she turned to the red head “do you know someone who could give us a hand?”
Sunset thought hard.
“All the school thing I’m behind this but...” she looked up “I think I know two people that will give me the benefit of doubt at least to explain things”
“Then lets do it” both girls began walking to the school “someone I know?”
This made the red head chuckled.
“Oh I think you do” she said in a conspiracy tone.
“...Come on Bon Bon I said I was sorry!!!”
Apple Bloom turned from her locker to see Lyra basically on her knees trying to get some reaction from her scowling friend.
“And I said I don’t want to hear it” Bon Bon said back “you know how much it take to do those cakes? A lot!! And all for what?” she turned with an angry look “to only learn you think they are the...how Anon put it? Oh yeah like you had to bite through a solid brick filled with tar!!!”
Oh yeah that was one of the latest secrets she and the rest found up. Turned out that even when her name meant something sweet, Bon Bon wasn’t that good at cooking and Lyra had been throwing away any cake or dessert she was given and put up a smiling front. That’s it, until Scootaloo managed to take a good picture and “Anon-A-Miss” post it online.
Part of her felt bad for Lyra (who seems about to fall on tears) but it was a small sacrifice to keep Sunset away from her sister.
“Hey guys!! Why the long faces?” the joyful voice of Ditzy (Derpy) Doo called the three girls attention, as the blonde cross-eyed girl approached the fighting duo with a smile on her face.
“I don’t know, why don’t you ask her?” said Bon Bon pointing at Lyra “although I wouldn’t offer her one of your muffins unless you want to be lied to your face”
“Bon Bon please!!!!” called the mint haired girl in desperation.
“Come on girls cheer up” called Derpy “haven’t you heard the good news?”
“What good news?” asked Bon Bon.
Apple bloom began putting some books back into her locker as she kept an eye in case there was something she could use later.
“Anon-A-Miss is done for and finish” declared the blonde girl with a smile.
Apple Bloom almost lost hold of her books and turned in shook towards the trio. At the same time Lyra (finally standing up) and Bon Bon looked at her friend in confusion.
“What do you mean by that?” asked Lyra “did Sunset finally confess?”
“Sunset? Oh nononono” said Derpy “turns out we ALL were wrong, Sunset was innocent all along”
Apple Bloom looked at the blonde not believing her ears. What did she mean with that? She and her friends had made sure to put all the guilt on her. Fortunately for the little Apple Bon Bon asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well yeah, if she wasn’t innocent then calling princess Twilight to investigate would had been quite a silly move on her part” Derpy said
“Princess Twilight?!!!!” Lyra and Bon Bon cried in surprise.
Apple Bloom felt herself paling at the mention of the inter-dimensional princess. What was she doing here? How did she know about all this?
“Yeah turns out Sunset had a way to communicate with her all this time and she told her about what was going on” Apple Bloom leaned in their direction to not miss anything “just listen. Turns out something like this...like exactly THIS happened on her home too”
“Whoa really?” Lyra asked. “But what that has to do with what its happening now here?”
“Princess Twilight suspects that the same person that was Anon-A-Miss in her world is Anon-A-Miss in ours” explained the blonde “since we all have doppledangers or something like that”
“Doppelgangers” corrected Bon Bon “and must say, it would make things easier to solve but, isn’t it a bit far fetched to believe that what happen in her world is happening exactly the same here?”
Apple Bloom sighed in relief. That was quite a good point. However…
“Umm true, but apparently she brought something that will help with that” said Derpy “something magical from her world for what I heard”
Magic?!!! Why does it have to be magic?!!! Apple Bloom cried in her mind. Ok calm down there is no way Twilight could connected her to Anon-A-Miss right?
“Although” Derpy´s voice pulled her out of her worry thoughts “cant help but feel bad for Rarity” the two friends (and the ears dropping Apple Bloom) looked at her in confusion “I mean just imagine that your own sister revealed your secrets like that, I would feel awful”
Apple Bloom suddenly felt panic and dread traveling through her body.
“Wait Sweetie Belle is Anon-A-Miss?!!!” cried Lyra both in shock and anger.
“That’s what princess Twilight suspects” said Derpy “at this moment she and Sunset are looking for her to interrogate her”
That was all the young Apple could take and quickly ran away leaving behind a duo processing what hey just learn; and a smiling Derpy who was looking in her direction.
Apple Bloom ran as fast as she could, trying to find her friend. She needed to warn her, both her and Scootaloo. They all needed to get out school, they needed to lay low for a while, the account would we need to be put on a hold but they couldn’t risk the princess finding something thru it.
At the same time she couldn’t help but scold herself.
How is that they forgot about princess Twilight?...of coarse Sunset would had a way to communicate with her (if not how would she have come during the Siren incident?) if someone could ruin their plan that was her. After all they didn’t know any secret about her that they could use to make her distrusts Sunset.
She was cut out her thoughts when she noticed a bunch of students standing in the hallway all looking towards one point. Form where she could hear Twilight´s voice followed by Sweetie Belle´s.
Oh no!!!
Moments before Sweetie Belle was hanging with her sister as she talked with Applejack. However the peaceful moment was soon cut off.
“There you are!!!” a loud and quite familiar voice called with a memorable frightening tone that cause any student in the hallway to part away like the red sea allowing the trio to see an angry Sunset Shimmer walking towards them. The fact that the red head looked like her evil angry (past) self was more enough to paralyze everyone as the girl stopped just some steps from the fashionista and the country girl.
“What do you want Sunset Shimmer?” asked Rarity putting herself in front of her sister.
The girl in question took a deep breath. Her posture seems to relax and his “evil aura” dispelled.
“I want to talk” she finally said.
Applejack was the first to recover.
“We don’t have anything to talk with a traitorous snake like you” the country girl stepping forwards.
Everyone noticed Sunset flinching before trying to recover a calm expression.
“Please Applejack” she said in soft tone, her posture changing to a tired one “I know you are angry but you must listen please”
“Listen to what?” said Rarity entering the talk (much to the delight of Sweetie Belle) “on how you play us for fools only to stab us in the back?”
“I DIDN’T do anything!!!” screamed Sunset “please guys you need to listen, I’m innocent”
“Likely story” yelled Applejack “all the evidence points to you”
“What evidence?!!!” yelled Sunset back.
“How about the pictures YOU took and that appeared on a post with YOUR face” yelled Rarity.
“Have you even thought WHY I would do that in the first place?” asked Sunset “after all this time trying to be a better person, after the Sirens, after all this months of been FRIENDS...why would I try to throw away like this and THEN trying to proof I didnt do anything?!!!” she ended up making some people look at each other like they were actually wondering that for the first place
“A leopard can't change its spots” said Applejack in a final tone
“Ok now you are just being ridiculous Applejack” said Sunset with anger. “That’s dumb and you know it”
“Now I’m being dumb?!!!” she said also on angry tone seemingly ready to punch Sunset.
At that point Sweetie Belle pulled her sister´s sleeve making movements with her head about leaving. The last thing she needed was for any of them to give time to Sunset and a fight certainly would attract unwanted attention.
Rarity looked at her and nodded and put a hand on Applejack´s shoulder to calm her down.
“Come on Applejack,” she said before giving a final look at Sunset “we have much more important things to do than hearing anything coming from you” said the fashionista turning around ready to take her sister away from this toxic presence.
“And we don’t WANT to hear anything coming from you” added Applejack ready to leave too.
“And what about listening to what I have to say?”
Everyone was so focused on Sunset that no one noticed Twilight walking down the hallway until she talked, which was received with a great gasp at seeing the “school princess”
“Twilight?!!!” Applejack and Rarity cried in surprise at seeing their friends.
Sweetie Belle paled at seeing the girl wondering why she was there. And got quite worry when she walked to put herself next to Sunset (giving the girl a smile) before fulminating Applejack and Rarity with her gaze.
“Twilight…what…what are you doing here?” asked Applejack.
“Sunset called me” she answered on a cold tone that showed her displeasure “she told me what was going on and asked me to help her find the truth”
“The truth?” asked Applejack quite confused by that “Twilight I don’t know what she has been telling you but its probably not the full story, if you let me explain…” she started only to be cut.
“Like you are letting Sunset explain?” she called them narrowing her eyes in anger “as for the whole story I already know how it goes and also how it ENDS”
“Wait what?”
“ Lets see” Twilight continued “a mysterious writer publishes a lot of secrets about you and our friends, people find it funny at the beginning but then its their secrets the ones being revealed which in turn caused a lot of anger and people fighting against each other trying to find out who the writer is” she finished.
“Well… yes that’s what is happening now” said Rarity “but if you know that then you know the one behind this….”
“Its NOT Sunset Shimmer” interrupted Twilight making everyone gasp. “You see, this whole situation already happened in my world, and outside the different author name I cant tell any differences” her gaze fell on Sweetie Belle who gulped “which means the responsible must be also the same person”
Both girls (and everyone else) followed Twilight´s gaze and gasped.
“Twilight!!!” cried Rarity in indignation “you cant possible believe my Sweetie Belle would do something as low as this!!!”
“Cant I?” the princess raised an eyebrow “the Sweetie Bell of my world was quite capable” she added as she began pacing with everyone´s eyes and ears focus on her “after landing a place on the local newspaper she thought that becoming a gossip writer would give her more popularity, and being the sister of my Rarity actually helped her on doing research as she was close enough to the source of juicy info and secrets” she looked at Rarity “from what Sunset told me one of your first secrets revealed were pictures of a nasty line of clothing right?”
“Y-yes” said Rarity looking then at Sunset.
But before she could accuse her of anything Twilight spoke again.
“And the ones who were there in that moment where only our friends right?” she asked again.
“Well yes!!!” Rarity said, “We were the only ones there”
“Are you sure of that?” asked Twilight “think carefully. Were you, Sunset and the rest the ONLY ones at your home that night?”
“What do you mean? Of coarse we….” But wait Twilight was right there, they WERENT the only ones at her home that night, there was also…she shook her head “no that’s not possible” she looked at her sister (noticing she was quite nervous) “you couldn’t have…”
“N-no…NO” cried Sweetie Belle “I could never…” she turned to Twilight who looked at her clearly not believing her “you cant blame me for something that happen in pony land!!!”
“Equestria, but you’re right” said twilight surprising everyone “there are differences between both incidents, and not to mention the name Anon-A-Miss it’s quite different to Gabby Gums” Sweetie Belle wont say it but that name actually sounded better “however the coincidences are to many to simply ignore them” Twilight declared “that’s why I brought something special that will, WITHOUT A DOUBT, help us find the truth”
Murmurs sounded around them.
“What do you mean with that?” asked Applejack with caution as Twilight set her backpack on the floor.
“I might not have magic on this side of the portal” she said as she searched for something inside her bag “but if my crown and the Siren´s gems are an indication objects fused with magic can keep their properties even when crossing worlds” she finally took what she was looking for and stood up “for that motive I think THIS will work”
The object in question was a glass jar filled with a fizzling liquid.
“What is that?” asked Applejack gazing on the jar “it looks like cider”
Twilight smiled.
“That´s because it IS cider” she said confusing everyone “a special batch of cider the Applejack of my world made herself out of a special fruit know as the Golden apple of truth” she announced in dramatic tone “it’s a magical fruit of Equestria that have quite a sweet flavor and its quite demanded” explained the princess “however, if eaten or drinken in this case, it force the pony, or person in this case, to talk only with the truth” the finished making everyone to murmur again as everyone came to the same conclusion “tell the truth for a while is a small price for its sweet flavor, but in this case it will help us to find the truth about Anon-A-Miss” she let people talk at the info she just gave. Meanwhile both Applejack and Rarity were quite impressed about this, however they also couldn’t help but worry. If what Twilight said was true, then why is Sunset risking herself to be fully discovered? It didn’t make any sense.
Like them Sweetie Belle also was worrying but for another thing.
“Of coarse I haven’t test if it has kept its magical properties after crossing the portal” said Twilight “so we will need a volunteer to test it”
“I will do it” a male voice called from the crowd making Twilight blush as a familiar blue haired boy approached her.
“Oh! Ehh h-hey Flash…how are you?” she asked with a nervous tone as her fingers play with the jar and a blush appeared on her face.
Even when the situation was serious, Applejack, Rarity and Sunset couldn’t help but giggle at her friend´s reaction.
“Happy to see you but wish it is on better circumstances” the boy said back also showing a small blush on his face “but I heard everything and if I can help Sunset prove her innocence and finish this whole thing then I’m up” he finished sending a reassuring smile at Sunset.
“Thank you Flash” the red head told him with a sincere relief.
“So...I have to just drink this?” he asked while Twilight hang him the jar.
“Yes...only a few sips should be enough for it to work” answered the princess.
“Ok then” without doubting the rocker open the jar and put it on his mouth before taking a few gulps out of it “umm ok you were right this is really sweet” he said as Sunset grabbed the jar. “Now what?”
“Now we need to ask a question” said Twilight “and I’m sorry but will need to be something really personal to be complete sure it worked”
“I have this Twilight” said Sunset trying to hide a smile while turning to the boy “ok Flash, is it true or not that you have a picture of Twilight on your locker that you use to practice everyday to ask her out?”
“Yes but its not everyday I only use it on Fridays in case she drops by for a weekend with you girls” Immediately he slap his hands on his mouth as a full face blush extended on his skin.
At the same time Twilight also had a full blush on her face and looked seconds to faint.
Everyone gasped (some chuckled).
“Well darn” said Applejack “its that´s not proof that thing works I don’t know what it could be”
“Well maybe he just simple man up to ask Twilight out?” said Rarity also in shock.
“No guy is THAT brave Rares” said back the country girl.
“ehem well...yeah...ummm” Twilight try to make words come out her mouth “I think we can..ehem…say this test was successful.” Both her and Flash look away from each other (the rocker´s hands still over his mouth) “I think we can pass to the actual issue at hoof” she nodded to Sunset who open the jar and drank.
Everyone held their breath…this was it...the big one…the moment of truth.
Sunset actually empty half the jar before giving it back to Twilight.
“Alright then…Sunset Shimmer, are you Anon-A-Miss?” Twilight asked.
Nobody move or dared to breathe. Sunset remained there, standing still with close eyes.
“No I’m not” she finally said. A defying silence fell on the hallway but she simply seems to be in her own word as she opened her eyes looking at Applejack straight in the eyes.
The country girl felt ice in her gut.
“Honestly I’m not surprised I was suspected” she said in a soft tone that echoed around “I know I wasn’t the best girl to be around. I admit it I was the worse” she said as her eyes water up “I did a lot of bad things I know I deserve to be hated and pushed around for all the I did” some tears fell “but one thing I thought I had was the your support and trust” Rarity and Applejack felt like someone had punch them “I thought that after what we have face and live together, after you guys allowed me to show remorse and try to be better, after you treated me like one of yours. I thought we were truly friends” tears fell freely from her eyes “but it seems I was wrong”
Twilight and Flash put a hand on each of Sunset´s shoulders in comfort.
Both Rarity and Applejack didn’t know what to think. Sunset was innocent? She really didn’t betray them?
“Sunset...I…I” Applejack tried to said something, only for Twilight´s glare to freeze her in place.
“Ok...with that cleared” the purple girl advanced. Her eyes locked on Sweetie Belle “I think its time to see if you are really innocent of this too”
With that all the attention fell on the little girl who looked around nervous trying to find a way out.
“M-me?” she asked trying to look innocent “come on is this necessary?”
“Oh? And why is that? If you innocent you shouldn’t worry about this” said Twilight getting closer to her.
“Sweetie Belle?” Rarity looked at her, not liking how nervous she looked.
“Come on Rarity you know I never would do anything!!!” she cried her back against the lockers.
“Then drink and there wont be absolute no doubt” said Twilight.
“But...but…” the girl looked around but everyone were stating to see at her with suspicion and Rarity felt dread growing inside her. “How do we know this wasn’t a trick?!!!” she cried making Twilight pause and rise an eyebrow “how do we know you and her didn’t plan this to incriminate me?!!!”
“Are you saying I would do anything to harm my friends?” asked Twilight with a clam tone “that IF Sunset was guilty I would side with her against the others?”
“Well...I…I…” Sweetie Belle was sweating at this point. Everyone’s eyes were on her. Her sister looked ready to cry as her refusal to take the jar was basically declaring her guilty. Twilight pushed the jar closer almost on her face.
“STOP!!!!”
In that moment Apple Bloom managed to pas through the crowd and ran against Twilight taking the jar away from her.
“Apple Bloom?” Applejack was confused “what are you…?”
However Apple Bloom opened the jar and drank up all it’s content in one go.
“It was me!!!!” she cried “all of it...I started Anon-A-Miss!!!!”
*GASPS*
“WHA-WHAT?!!!!” Applejack cried in shock.
“I was the one that told everyone your childhood nickname, I was the one that published Rarity´s photos and I was the one that made the profile!!! Me and only me!!!”
“Apple Bloom that’s not true!” cried Sweetie Belle not wanting her friend to put all the blame on her. “I also help, I was the one that gave you the photos and I also help bring rumors for the page”
“That’s not true” said Sweetie Belle. Suddenly she realized something “you know that’s not the truth...I did help you with everything” she said.
“No you are only lying to help me” Apple Bloom looked at her friend almost begging for her to just follow the story.
However this only proved something to Sweetie Belle.
“That’s a lie and you know it” she said “you are lying...but you shouldn’t be able to”
“But its true that BOTH of you had a hand creating this whole mess” called Twilight.
“I…I…” Apple Bloom suddenly realized that she has been tricked. “The potion…”
“There are a lot of magical fruits in Equestria that’s truth” said Twilight “but there isn’t anything like a golden apple of truth” the princess smiled at then.
“But...but you said…” Sweetie Belle tried to understand.
“After what Sunset told me I did suspected something like the Gaby Gums incident was happening here. However like that I knew magic wouldn’t be able to solve this incident” Twilight crossed her arms “you needed to confess what you did in order for everyone to see without a doubt how wrong they were about Sunset” some students did felt bad about accusing Sunset.
“You trick us!!!” cried Apple Bloom in anger “how could you that?!!! Why did you do it?!!!”
“I prefer seeing this as forcing the truth out of you” said the princess back “as for the how, I wasn’t the only one that thought Sunset was innocent” Derpy walked in and stood alongside Flash “once we had their help all that was needed was for you to hear that we were onto your little scheme and from there lay a trap” Apple Bloom´s eyes widen...Derpy´s conversation with Lyra and Bon Bon “as for the why, well I’m not the one that must answer that”
“What do you mean by…”
“APPLE BLOOM/SWEETIE BELLE!!!”
Both girls froze as their respective sisters face them with angry looks on their faces.
“What the hay Apple Bloom?!!! How could you do something like this?!!!” Applejack called her sister who simply crossed her arms and looked away.
“I can’t believe you would do something as low as this Sweetie Belle” called Rarity to her sister, who looked ready to cry “you posted all those secrets and started those horrible rumors about me and the others. And what is worst you lied in my face about it”
Around them more, angry voices began calling them for all the troubles they caused. Sweetie Belle looked down in shame and sadness. However Apple Bloom didn’t feel anything more than anger that her plan had been ruined. The way her sister was talking to her only make things worse…it simply wasn’t fair!!!
“Just what were you thinking?!!” Applejack called her sister who couldn’t take any more
“I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOU!!!!” the young Apple finally exploded.
Everyone (Twilight and Sunset included) froze and looked at her in confusion.
“W-what? Saving me?” Applejack asked in confusion “I don’t understand?”
“Oh please” Apple bloom said with disdain “just three months ago you were talking about how Sunset was the worst, a poisonous snake that you wished nothing more but put in her place and that you hoped will go away” Sunset looked at Applejack before looking down as a cold feeling of sadness emerged from her chest “and then suddenly every time I try to spend time with you all you can think of is sunset, sunset, sunset!!!, SUNSET!!!!” she pulled her hair in frustration “it was more than obvious you are under some sort of spell because why else you would want to pass time with HER over your own sister?!!!”
“And when you began acting the same” said Sweetie Belle to Rarity “I thought Apple Bloom was right”
“So we decided to help you by reminding you how bad Sunset was” continue Apple Bloom “and it was working, you finally were pushing her away and returning to pass time with us like good sisters”
“What?!! Apple Bloom that’s ridiculous!!!” cried Applejack.
“Is it?” asked Apple Bloom. Frustrated that her sister wasn’t getting it.
“Yes!!!” cried Applejack “I know that’s what I thought about her but…” dread filled her whole body “but…but she proved that she was worthy of our trust, that she wanted to change” her body tremble “she help us save the school and…and did everything to show she was a better person and that…She was…she was” horror filled Applejack´s face as she turned to see a sad Sunset “she was our friend” suddenly the weight of her actions fell like a rock on her chest.
However her sister wasn’t done yet.
“THEN WHY WERE YOU SO EASY TO TURN AGAINST HER?!!!!” Apple Bloom yelled “it didn’t take more than a couple of rumors to turn your back on her with no second thoughts” those words were like a punch in the gut to the country girl “admit it, you still don’t like her and only wanted an excuse to get rid of her!!!”
Sunset´s eyes widen as she looked at Applejack. The words of the little red head bounced in her head…could it be?
“I think that’s enough”
The crowd parted again to show principal Celesta and Vice-principal Luna, both with disappointed/angry faces.
“We will take it from here” said the principal as she fulminated the two freshman girls.
“My office…now” said Luna with a gelid tone.
Apple Bloom huffed and began walking followed by a downcast sweetie Belle.
“And you better call your friend Scootaloo” continue the vice principal as she walked after the two girls “because I bet she also had something to do with this”
“Miss Applejack and miss Rarity” talked the principal “when you can please join us in vice-principal Luna´s office too”
“Yes Principal Celestia” both girls said in sad tone.
“Ok everyone show´s over please move” the principal called making the students disperse. Some already contacting their friends to tell them about what had happen. Others give Sunset passing apologies to which she simply smiled at. “Thanks again for your help princess Twilight” said the principal in thankful tone “the situation was really getting out of control”
“Twilight is fine” the Alicorn-turned human said back “and it was nothing. I couldn’t let Sunset face this alone” she sent a smile at the other girl. However this fell at seeing the red head´s sad expression. “Sunset?”
“Sunset!!!”
They turned to see both Applejack and Rarity approaching. Both with faces fill with regret.
“I…I’m sorry Sunset” started the country girl “I…I shouldn’t have blame you like that”
“It was really uncivilized on our part to do so” said Rarity with a sad tone.
“Then why did you do it?” asked Sunset in sad voice.
Both girls looked down in shame.
“I...we…i…I don’t know” Applejack said rubbing her arm.
“Could it be that what your sister said is also true?”
“WHAT? NO!!!” both girls cried.
“You sure?” Sunset sighed “I get it really…I was the worse, that’s a fact me and the rest of the school accepted” the calm and softness of her voice actually made the two girls shiver “I accepted any punishment that principal Celestia gave me cause I knew I deserved it, I also knew that it wont be easy for me to win the trust of everyone after so many time of being a horrible person” she looked up and both girls felt their heart stop at the sadness the girl´s eyes showed “but…I honestly thought I had won yours” some tears fell “that we were actually friends, that you just didn’t accepted me because Twilight ask you to”
“Sunset” Applejack tried to approach but the red head simply turned around.
“But it seems I was wrong”
“Darling that’s not true” cried Rarity.
“Isn’t it?” she called “so you don’t hold any resentment, any bad feeling towards me? Something you want to get out your chest towards me?”
Neither Applejack nor Rarity said anything. Instead they just looked down in shame.
“Sigh…that’s what I thought” Sunset began walking away.
“Sunset wait let us explain” cried Applejack.
“Please don’t!!!” called Sunset “right now I need to be alone...like they wanted”
“But…”
Twilight put a hand on Applejack´s shoulder making her fall in silence.
“Let her have this…you need to talk to the others and you owe Sunset at least a moment of peace” said the princess.
Both girls sighed and nodded.
“Thank you Twilight” called Sunset “for all your help”
“That’s what friends are for” called the princess making Applejack and Rarity feel even worse.
Sunset wiggled in place in nervousness, as she wanted to say something else.
“If…if isn’t much to ask…can you stick around?” she finally said with a soft tone of resignation “I…I think I need to talk to you later once I clear my head”
Twilight nodded. She had an idea of what she wanted to talk about.
Sunset gave her a sad smile and walked away.
“I hope she doesn’t do anything harsh” said Principal Celestia.
“Me too” said Twilight “believe me there is no worse feeling that being abandoned by those you trust”
“At least she has you” said the woman to the princess “and that already made a difference” she turned and walked away “you two better look for your friends and explain things…although with the rumor mill we have they probably already know”
“Yes principal Celestia” Applejack turned to Twilight “even with all this was nice to see you again” both walked away.
Twilight made sure she was alone in the hallway before letting a tired sigh.
“You ok?” a male voice made her jump in surprise.
“ahhh…Oh Flash…. hey!” she blushed.
“Hey to you again” he said with a smile as both blushed trying to look away from each other.
“Ehem...thanks for helping us out here” said Twilight “and sorry if you had to say something embarrassing.
“I think I owned that to Sunset anyways” said Flash “plus it wasn’t really a secret, well at least not for those that know me”
At this Twilight blushed as she moved closer to him.
“Oh? So you really have a picture of me on your locked you use to practice?” she said playing with a strand of hair.
The Rocker blushed too and let out a nervous laugh.
“Would be weird if I said yes?” he asked as he moved closer too.
“Not really… I believe that practice is always necessary to master a skill” she said with a playful look.
Both giggle before the boy scratched his head.
“sooooooo…if I were to use that practice and ask you if you would…I don’t know, go to the ice ring that just open at the mall would you said yes?” he said with hopeful tone.
Twilight blushed harder. She just took a pause from Hearth's Warming Eve preparations back home to help Sunset with her problem. Now that that was…mostly fixed...
…Yet looking up to Flash´s hopeful expression…preparations back home were practically ready, and honestly she was quite curious about this whole Christmas holiday they have on this side…so she could go with Flash to learn more about this human tradition and see how different it was to her own.
If she had fun while doing it, it was a nice bonus right?
But before she could give an answer her eyes fell on the retreating form of Sunset Shimmer.
Although the guilty parties were being dealt with things weren’t fully ok with her. Not when she and her friends were on such bad terms. Apple Bloom´s words had a tint of truth; one that if not addressed could be harmful on the long run.
“I…actually will love to” she finally said to him as a new plan crossed her mind “but first there is one last thing I need to do before that”
Author's Note
Am i the only one that wanted to facepalm about Twilight suspecting the Windigos as responsibles for the whole "Anon-A-Miss" thing?
I mean, did she forgot she had this exact situation in "Ponyville confidential"? so why didn´t the human CMC crossed her mind as possible suspects?
Principal Celestia was right. The rumor mill of the school was quite fast and it didnt took too long for all CHS to know what had happened alongside the true identity of Anon-A-Miss.
Students whispered and pointed as they passed by the empty hallways where the confrontation had taken place. The news of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's betrayal spread like wildfire, and the atmosphere in the school shifted from fear of Anon-A-Miss to a mix of shock and pity for Sunset.
"I mean...who could have not suspected Sunset" Microchips said to his friend Sandalwood. "I mean she has done stuff like this before"
"Yeah but not after she had changed so much" said Sandalwood, "It just seems so out of character"
"Rarity and Applejack´s sisters...I cant believe it" Rose told Lily and Daisy.
"It's...it's just unbelievable," Lily agreed, shaking her head.
Daisy nodded in agreement.
“It’s like a soap opera around here lately,” she commented with a sigh.
"Well who would have thought those two had it" said Diamond Tiara to Silver Spoon as they walked by "It's like they couldn't handle not being their sister´s center of attention" she mocked
"Three actually" said Silver Spoon "Scootaloo was also called to the office so bet she also helped them"
"Guess Sunset's friends aren't that good after all" smirked Diamond Tiara with a smile "Or maybe its true and they also wanted to get rid of Sunset" she added with a snicker.
Meanwhile, Applejack and Rarity went to find their friends to explain the truth of the mess they all were in.
Needless to say...none was happy about what they learned.
Rainbow Dash slammed the door of her locker with frustration as she and the rest simply looked down in various degrees of shame, sadness and regret.
"How could we be so blind?" asked Fluttershy with a small voice. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of all the times she had doubted Sunset.
"It's not your fault, Fluttershy," Rarity assured her. "Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are the ones who did this to us all."
"And Scootaloo" added Rainbow feeling betrayed.
Applejack sighed as she lent on the lockers.
"Is it?" she asked "True, they made Anon-A-Miss and humiliated us and the rest of the school" she said "But blaming Sunset? bashing her like we did? calling her names and treating her like a criminal? that was all on us" she said with a sad look.
The hallway remained silent for a moment as the reality of their actions sunk in.
"I feel awful," said Pinkie Pie, her normally cheerful voice filled with genuine sadness as she leaned against the locker next to her friends. "I can't believe we acted so...so...mean to Sunset"
"Yeah, we really messed up," agreed Rarity, her voice barely a whisper.
"We should talk to her," said Pinkie, breaking the silence. "We need to apologize, explain everything, and tell her we believe in her."
"Bit late for that Pinkie" said Rainbow Dash. Loyalty was something that defined her, yet the moment one friend needed her was the moment she drop all and decided she was guilty no questions asked. "Just what were we thinking?!" she yelled in frustration "We were so eager to believe the worst of her that we didn't even gave her a chance to defend herself"
Everyone flinched.
"Its...its not like with her history..." began Rarity.
"Even at her worst she wouldnt have made it so obvious!" Rainbow interrupted her "all the evidence pointed at her yet that should have been the first clue someone was trying to frame her!!"
The group remained silent, the weight of their hasty judgement heavy on their shoulders. Because yes Sunset have done things like this, but that was in the past! before she redeemed herself and became a friend.
By helping saving the school from mind controlling sirens! After all the school were against her she still saved them!
To go from that to become a bully again was just too much of a stretch, yet they all just needed a couple of pictures to start believing it was true.
Fluttershy looked at the ground.
"Could...could it be..." she started "we...we wanted to truly believe that?" she asked with some fear "That...deep down...we still hold some grudges against her?"
Rainbow Dash face was one of anger at the mere thought.
"No" she said firmly "We know her better than that, she isn’t that person anymore!" she stated "And I refuse to let her think that!" she added. She wont lose another friend because her own stupidity, ego and lack of communication "Im going to go find her! and doesnt matter if she hits me or curse me for the rest of my life, Im going to tell her how sorry I am" she declared with determination.
The others looked at each other before nodded.
"You right" said Applejack "we cant let her think we still see her as the monster she was. We need to show her we are better than that" she took a deep breath "and maybe, just maybe, we need to be honest with ourselves too" she said looking at her friends "because if we hold on to the past, we can't truly move forward"
"You right darling" said Rarity "I've always known that a friendship isn't perfect, especially with someone that has had such a...troubled past like Sunset" she said with a sigh "but she has proven time and time again she is not that person anymore" she took a deep breath "and we owe her the same trust she gave us" she said with a nod.
"Yes!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, bouncing with excitement "We all need to apologize and show her we're here for her, no matter what!" she will plan the biggest more amazing apology party for Sunset Shimmer that Canterlot High School has ever seen!
Fluttershy smiled and nodded too, wiping away a tear.
"Yes, you're right. We've all learned and grown together. We can't just throw that away over something like this."
The group nodded in agreement and began to walk out of the hallway, ready to face Sunset and ask for her forgiveness. They knew it was going to be a tough conversation, but it was one they needed to have.
Now the only question was...where was she?
No one have seen her since the confrontation, and the tension in the air was palpable as they searched the school.
They split up to cover more ground, each feeling a sense of urgency to find their friend and set things right. Rainbow Dash dashed through the hallways, checking the usual hangouts while Applejack took the more secluded places where Sunset might be seeking solace. Meanwhile, Rarity and Fluttershy checked the library, a place they knew Sunset had grown quite fond of, and Pinkie Pie bounced from classroom to classroom with her usual enthusiasm, hoping to bring a smile back to her friend's face with some party supplies.
However their efforts came empty as they couldnt find her anywhere. Not in the library, not in the cafeteria, not even in the school's garden. Sunset had disappeared.
And curiously, Twilight was also absent.
Finally they decided to go to the principal´s office as she was the last one to talk with them.
Knock-Knock
"Principal Celestia?" asked Applejack nervously as they all stepped into the office.
The principal wasnt alone as Vice-principal Luna was with her.
"Girls, what brings you here?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow as she noticed the serious look on their faces.
Rarity took a deep breath.
"We need to apologize to Sunset. We were wrong to doubt her."
Principal Celestia nodded solemnly.
"I understand your feelings, but Sunset isn't here right now."
"And I dont think she want to talk with you after what you make her past" said Luna in gelid tone glaring at the group.
The girls flinched.
"Luna, please" called Celestia in soft tone "they are kids, they made a mistake and are trying to fix it"
"A mistake that could had been prevented if they had actually talked with her first" the Vice-principal retorted "Plus I dont think they will be able to apology anytime soon" she added making the girls look at her in confusion.
"What do you mean?" asked Applejack with a hint of worry.
Principal Celestia gained a resigned look and sighed.
"Sunset asked princess Twilight to return to Equestria" said the Principal with a sad look.
The group of friends gasped.
"What?!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, her eyes wide with shock. "But why?!"
"It appears she felt that she had no place here anymore," said Principal Celestia sadly. "After everything that's happened, she thought it best to leave."
The room was filled with a heavy silence as the reality of their actions hit the group of friends. They had pushed Sunset away, so much so that she felt the need to leave her home and the life she had worked hard to rebuild.
"But we can't just let her go like this!" exclaimed Rarity, her voice shaking with emotion. "We have to find her and tell her we're sorry, that we believe in her!"
Applejack frowned. She also didnt like it but...
"Maybe...we should" said the country girl "After all we did, maybe a time away from us is the best for her" she said "give her time to rest and recover...maybe when classes resume after the holidays we can talk with her"
The room remained silent. The idea of not being able to talk with Sunset was quite daunting for them all, but the look of regret in Applejack's eyes spoke volumes of her sincerity.
Pinkie Pie was the first to break the silence with a defeated sigh.
"Okay, okay," she said, slumping into a chair. "Maybe you're right, Applejack. Maybe she does need some space."
The others nodded slowly, each feeling a mix of sadness and regret. They had hurt someone they cared about deeply, and now they had to deal with the consequences.
"Maybe...we could use this time to plan how not only fix things but also show her how much she means to us" suggested Fluttershy with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Her friends looked at each other before nodded. That was a good point.
"Alright," said Rainbow Dash, "We'll give her some space and in the meantime, we can think of the best way to apologize and show her we're here for her."
Everyone smiled at that...only for Vice-principal Luna to wash their hopes away.
"That is..if she even return" said Luna with a hint of sadness and anger in her voice. "Dont know whats more mess up, the fact she will spend Christmas behind bars or that she might be locked up after"
The girls looked up at her in shock and horror.
"What do you mean, 'behind bars'?" gasped Applejack.
Celestia was the one to explain.
"You see girls, on this side Sunset might have been a bully...however what she did on the other side of the portal..."
"Steal a precious artifact, attack one of the princesses, plan to conquer the realm" Luna listed.
"These are serious crimes" said Celestia "Sunset ordered to remain on this side wasnt just so she could amend for her mistakes here...it was also her punishment...exile from Equestria" she added with a sad tone.
"And she returning there..." added Luna "means she will be arrested and jailed for her crimes there"
The room was silent, the words of the Vice-Principal echoing through their minds like a dark omen.
"But...but she's changed!" Pinkie protested, her voice filled with desperation. "Surely they can see that!"
Principal Celestia's expression remained solemn.
"Pinkie, I understand your concern, but the laws of Equestria are quite clear on this matter. Sunset has to face the consequences of her actions, regardless of the progress she's made here."
"But Twilight certainly..." Rarity started only to be interrupted.
"I'm sorry, girls," said Principal Celestia, her voice firm but understanding. "But as a princess, Twilight has a duty to uphold the laws of Equestria. She may not have the power to overturn them, especially not for someone with Sunset's history."
The friends looked at each other, the weight of the situation settling in. Rainbow Dash clenched her fists.
"At this time" Luna continued "Twilight must be guiding Sunset to the portal" she added with a hint of sadness "It's not something she wishes to do, but it's necessary"
The friends looked at each other with a mix of shock and fear. They had to act fast, they couldn’t just let her go like this. They had to talk to her, explain everything and make things right.
"We can't just let her go through with this!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, her eyes wide with determination. She bolted out of the office without another word, her friends quickly following after her.
However once they were away Luna and Celestia shared a smile and a conspiracy look and high-five.
"You think they will be in time?" asked Luna.
"I believe in their friendship," Celestia replied with a knowing smile. "The bonds they've formed here are stronger than any barrier we could have placed between them."
Out in the hallway, the friends rushed to catch up with Rainbow Dash. They had to stop Sunset before it was too late.
"Rainbow wait up!" Applejack called after her.
The rainbow haired girl pushed the front doors open. As the cold winter wind hit her face she was able to see the figures of Twilight and Sunset walking towards the Wondercolt statue.
"There they are!" yelled Rainbow pointing at them.
And with that she rushed in pushing Twilight away from Sunset, almost making her stumble. The alicorn looked surprised by the sudden aggression and had to make an effort to not end up falling on a puddle of mud.
“Rainbow what are you doing?!” she exclaimed.
"You cant take her!" Rainbow yelled, standing in front of Sunset with a fiery determination in her eyes. Twilight stumbled back, surprised by the sudden aggression. "we wont let you! I dont care what laws you have to follow but we wont let you!"
Sunset looked confused and slightly scared at the scene unfolding before her. More as the others rushed and form a wall in front of her.
"Rainbow Dash, what's going on?" she asked, her eyes wide in shock at her friend's behavior.
But none seems to listen as they began talking at the same time towards the princess.
"You cant do this to her!" Applejack said with a firm voice.
"We made a mistake but she doesnt need to pay for it!" Rarity declared.
"We are her friends!" Pinkie added with anger instead of her usual enthusiasm "And we stick together no matter what!"
Fluttershy nodded furiously.
"Yes exactly!" Rainbow called "If..If you want to take her you will need to take us in too!" she added with a fierce look.
Twilight was taken aback by the sudden confrontation. She looked at Sunset, who seemed equally confused by the scene.
"In fact..." Rainbow continued eying the mud puddle behind Twilight "Attacking the princess is a crime right?" and before anyone could blink she pushed her into the puddle.
The group gasped as Twilight got up with a splurt and a face full of mud, her eyes wide with shock and surprise.
But she didnt had much time to think as Applejack and Pinkie Pie began bombarding her with snowballs.
"What the...?" Twilight began to sputter as she was pelted with the cold projectiles.
Fluttershy also tried to throw one (but as she closed her eyes and she was..well..Fluttershy...the ball simply fell some inches from her).
For a moment Twilight just looked at them in shock as the snowballs continued to hit her without. But soon the shock was replaced by a look of...understanding?
Rarity stepped forward, a look of regret in her eyes.
"Twilight, I'm sorry," she began, her voice quivering slightly. "but...your hair is horrible! " she declared "And those...those clothes you're wearing!" she gestured to the mud-splattered garments with a look of feigned disgust. "They're so...so last season!"
The princess's expression went from shock to bewilderment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she took a moment to brush off the clumps of mud from her clothes, looking down at the soggy mess she had become.
"Well, I can't say I expected this," she murmured, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Sunset seems to have had enough.
"STOP!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, and the flurry of snowballs halted immediately. Her friends looked at her with surprise, their hands mid-air, snowballs frozen in their grasp.
The sudden confrontation had left Sunset bewildered and a bit scared, she hadn't seen her friends so worked up since the Siren incident. But before she could ask Rainbow began apologizing.
"I'm sorry Sunset," Rainbow said, her voice shaking with emotion. "We all are. We shouldn't have doubted you, we should have talked to you first. We're your friends, we should have had your back!"
Sunset's eyes grew wide with shock as the other girls caught up to them, each one looking at her with a mix of regret and sadness. Before she could even begin to process what was happening, they all started talking at once, their words tumbling out in a rush of apologies.
"We're sorry, Sunset!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. "We had no right to believe those rumors without hearing you out first!"
Fluttershy looked down at her feet, her voice barely a whisper. "
We know you're not that person anymore, and we're so sorry for making you feel like we didn't trust you."
Rarity stepped forward, her usual poise replaced by a tremble in her voice. "
You've become such an important part of our lives, Sunset," she said, "and we were wrong to doubt you. We should have come to you first, we should have been there for you."
Applejack was next.
"Im sorry Sunset. I really am!" Applejack's voice was desperate yet sincere "You were right, I acted silly, no I acted stupid! I jumped into conclusion and instead of seeing the person you became I still judge you as the one you were and that wasnt fair!"
Sunset felt a knot in her throat loosening as she saw the regret in Applejack's eyes.
"We were being stupid!" Rainbow Dash yelled "we let our old grudges and fears cloud our judgment!"
"We should have listen to you instead of acting so mean!" Pinkie Pie cried.
"Please Sunset dont go!" begged Fluttershy.
"Even if you dont talk to us ever again you dont deserve to be locked away!" Rarity declared with a sob.
The red haired girl was touched by their words. But then that last part...
"Wait...locked away?" she asked "what are you talking about?"
The girls exchanged glances before Applejack spoke up. "It's about what we heard from Principal Celestia," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "that you planned go back to Equestria, and that when you do you will be arrested for your past crimes."
Sunset blinked confused. she do was planning to return to Equestria (maybe for a LONG time) but the whole arrested part?
"That...would have be more my fault" Twilight said with a smile as Flash Sentry helped her to stand from the puddle. "I asked Principal Celestia and Vice-principal Luna to...lie a bit" she added looking at the two teachers who walked out the school with with a mix of guilt and a smug look.
"What?!" the group of friends looked at each other in confusion.
"A bit extreme...and certainly wasnt expecting the mud bath" added Twilight as she brushed some mud off her "but it worked" she said with a grin "you all came to stop me"
The group of friends looked at each other, their expressions a mix of relief and confusion.
"Sunset, you were ready to walk away when you thought you really werent wanted here" said Twilight "And dont try to denied it, you asking me if it was possible for you to get back to Equestria was a big clue for me" she added with a knowing look. "You thought you didnt had any friend left yet here they are" she pointed at the group of girls "willing to fight for you, even if it meant throwing snowballs at me"
The red haired girl looked down with a blush forming on her cheeks. That was true, she had felt like she had no one and that was why she had reached out to Twilight, hoping for a way out. Yet she didnt expected those she thought no longer cared about her to come to her rescue.
"And you girls" continued Twilight looking at the group "I could tell you do felt terrible about what you did, but also you had doubts about your own feelings..you needed a little push" she added "can you now tell me...tell us...do you think of Sunset as a real friend?"
The group of friends looked at each other before nodded, tears of happiness running down their faces.
"Yes Twilight," said Rarity "We do consider Sunset a real friend, even if we messed up really badly."
"We should have try talk things up instead of letting those old grudges to come between us," Applejack admitted, her voice crackling with emotion. "We're family and families stick together."
"We shouldnt even had those grudges anymore" added Rainbow Dash "after all she has done to proof she had change" she looked at the ground in regret "We should have know better than to doubt her"
"Old wounds are hard to heal" said Twilight "If not treated correctly they can come open again" she told the girls "you guys accepted Sunset yet you still felt those old fears of her" she looked at each of them "Friendship can be hard to hold when its build in shaking feelings, but a true one knows to address those issues by not letting silence make things worst"
Sunset felt a mix of emotions. It was true she had been feeling lonely and unwanted, but she had no idea how much her friends had been hurt by her past actions, and even though she had changed she had never really talked about it.
At the same time the girls also decided to keep silence of their own past feelings, thinking that if ignoring them they would simply disappear. But as the situation grew worse, they realized that the only way to truly move forward was by addressing them.
“I’m sorry Sunset, for not trusting you from the start," Rarity spoke up with a tremble in her voice, "but I guess we all have our fears from the past."
Sunset took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at her friends, their eyes filled with remorse and understanding. It was time to lay her own cards on the table.
"I'm sorry," she began, her voice cracking. "I'm so, so sorry for everything I put you through." The words spilled out like a dam had broken, a torrent of emotion behind them. "For the way I treated you, for the pain I caused, for the doubt I made you feel about me now... I never wanted you to think I was still that person."
Her friends exchanged glances, each one feeling a mix of guilt and understanding. They had all been through so much together, but Sunset's past had always loomed like a shadow, a specter they couldn't quite shake. But here she was, standing before them with raw, exposed vulnerability, and suddenly their anger and doubt melted away.
"You are not that person...not anymore" Applejack said with a firm voice that left no room for doubt "We might had let our fears guide us for a bit but we know the truth now" she added giving Sunset a comforting smile "You are our friend and we stand by you" she declared making the red haired girl's heart flutter.
Sunset felt a tear roll down her cheek as she looked at them all, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. And before she could even try to say anything else, she was engulfed in a group hug. Applejack’s strong arms were the first to wrap around her, followed by Rarity's gentle embrace, Rainbow Dash's tight squeeze, Pinkie's energetic bounce, and Fluttershy's tender touch.
Twilight saw this with a smile and stepped back, giving her friend the space she needed. The group held each other tight, the warmth of their embrace contrasting sharply with the cold winter air. They had come so far, and it was clear that their bond was stronger than any misunderstanding or fear from the past.
"You did great Twilight" Flash told her with a proud smile at seeing his friend reunited with her friends again.
"Indeed you did" Principal Celestia added as she and Vice Principal Luna approached the group with a knowing smile "You've shown that the bonds of friendship can overcome even the most stubborn doubts"
"Hehehe well...Im the princess of friendship, its kinda what I do" Twilight replied with a cheeky smile to Flash.
However a quick breeze made her shiver making her remember her actual state of dress.
"Brr...although think I need a long wam bath to clean up" she added looking down at herself covered in mud.
"Ummm..so...our plan to go skate are..." Flash scratched his neck in some worry it would be postpone.
"Plans?" asked Sunset as she and the others broke the hug and tuned to the princess.
"Flash invited me to ice skate at the mall..but..." Twilight pointed at herself. Part of her worried that if went back to Equestria to get clean something on that side will need her attention.
"Oh! umm we...sorry about that Twilight" said Dash feeling quite bad for having shove her friend into mud.
"We...well we didnt thought about this..." Pinkie Pie added awkwardly, looking at Twilight's mud covered form.
"And sorry for the..snowballs" added Applejack, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
"And for insulting you" said Rarity "your hair is quite pretty and soft and your outfit its just...fitting of you" she said trying to fix the mess they made.
Fluttershy nodded also feeling bad.
Twilight just chuckled and waved it off.
"Its ok dont worry, but yes, a warm bath would be heavenly right now" she added with a smile.
"Well since you came all the way here, why dont take a bath at my home" offered Sunset with a genuine smile "Think will be quicker than going back to Equestria"
"And I have a winter outfit that will look divine on you" Rarity exclaimed, already envisioning the transformation.
"And the time could be use by someone to get some flowers" Applejack said with a teasing shove at Flash.
The group laughed, the tension dissipating into the chilly air.
"I think an afternoon of fun is what you all need after the last days you had so go on" said the principal "I'll handle the school stuff" she added with a smile.
The group of friends nodded in unison, their spirits lifted. They turned to leave, with Pinkie and Fluttershy each taking one of Sunset's arms and leading her away with cheerful chatter about the skating rink and the fun they were going to have. The others fell into step behind them saying goodbye to Flash sho promise meet Twilight at the mall.
"Hehehe excited darling?" asked Rarity with a smile.
"I am...this will be a nice experience for sure" said the princes.
"Hehehe because you date?" Applejack teased.
Twilight blushed.
"I..ehem..yes? that and well....I will be able to learn more about this Christmas tradition of yours!" Twilight said, trying to keep her cool. "I mean, I have so many questions...starting with what kind of magic this Santa Claus person use to fly and deliver all those gifts in one night" she said with a smirk.
They all chuckled at Twilight's curiosity.
The group continued their way to the bus station, the cold air a stark contrast to the warmth they felt towards each other. Sunset felt a weight lift off her shoulders with each step she took away from the school, smiling as Applejack and Rarity took places on her side, eagerly discussing their skating outfits. Pinkie Pie chattered with Twilight as the pink haired girl tied to explain all she knew about Santa Claus while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash talked about their plans for the holidays.
All and all, Sunset felt a strange mix of emotions, as if she was floating on a cloud of relief and warmth amidst the chilly winter day. The way her friends had come to her defense, their willingness to fight for her even when they believed she had betrayed them, it was a powerful reminder of just how much they had all grown since she had first arrived in this world.
But she sweared she will treasure this and never EVER betray their trust.
Still...as she turned to the school one last time, she couldnt help but feel there was one last thing she needed to do.
And that was talking with the three responsible of the whole mess.
