An Anon-a-Miss Carol

Chapters

Chapter 2 - A Spiritual Visit
Chapter 3 - Past Regrets
Chapter 5 - The Dark Things Yet To Come
Chapter 6 - Making Things Right
Epilogue - Christmas Party at Applejack’s
Chapter 1 - All According to Plan
Chapter 4 - Present Issues

Chapter 2 - A Spiritual Visit

It has been some time after their little "disagreement", the CMCs were sleeping through the night, all except for one. Apple Bloom couldn't get a wink of sleep as she just lied in her bed, fuming at Sweetie Belle from earlier due to the topic of a certain flaming-haired girl.

They were supposed to be having fun with their sleepover; playing video games, drinking hot cocoa, and of course, posting more stuff on their MyStable page. But their plans of having a fun time were ruined and Apple Bloom blamed it all on that former bully.

"Sunset Shimmer!" Apple Bloom spat quietly like it was poison.

She always knew Sunset as a bully and a meanie to everyone, including her sister for years. Why Applejack and her friends decided to forgive her almost immediately and allowed her to join the group was beyond her. What infuriated Apple Bloom was that her sister spends all of her free time with her ever since they became friends like she's a member of the family as if all those years of bullying never happened. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom, her actual family member, wanted to spend time with her sister, but she was "too busy" every single time.

Apple Bloom was hoping that by the time Christmas is around the corner, she'll finally have her sister to herself. Her hopes were in flames the moment her sister announced that she and her friends are planning to have many sleepovers in each other's houses until Christmas Day.

And Sunset Shimmer will be the center of it all.

It's like mah sister has forgotten about me! Apple Bloom thought bitterly. Even after we separated her from mah sister… Sunset still plagued mah life!

Her eyes then narrowed. I'll make sure to get Sunset completely out of mah life once and fer all!

Determined to fulfill her self mission, Apple Bloom quietly grabbed her laptop from her side dresser and turned it on. She then eventually logged into MyStable as "Anon-a-Miss" and using the info about Gilda as a reference, she began to type the message on her keyboard. When she was finished, Apple Bloom briefly admired her handiwork from her laptop screen:

Did you all know that Gilda, the ruthless member of the Griffon Gang was actually a lesbian? She was seen hanging around near the women's locker room multiple times to "admire" the ladies, especially her longtime crush, Rainbow Dash!

Apple Bloom let out a chuckle as she cracked her knuckles. "Heh. Mah best work yet!" She muttered quietly.

This post, not only this will finally convince her sister and her friends that Sunset returned to her "old ways", this will guarantee to make Gilda angry to the point that she'll come after Sunset while everyone believes that Sunset is Anon-a-Miss. Apple Bloom doesn't care what Gilda is going to do to Sunset, as long as she scares Sunset away, Sunset will never set her foot back into CHS ever again.

With only one last step to do, Apple Bloom moved her cursor over to the “Submit” button so she can post her message. However, she stopped herself when Sweetie’s words were echoing her mind.

“Apple Bloom, Scootaloo… don't you think that maybe we've come too far?”

“Before we even started this… I have thought that maybe Sunset deserved whatever comes at her. But after seeing her in that state… I don’t think she deserved that at all!”

“I can't believe I'm saying this, but for once, I'm afraid of her wellbeing. If this keeps up… something bad is going to happen to her. Which is why… I think you should not post anything about Gilda on MyStable."

“It's bad enough that Sunset is ridiculed and hated at school now, I don't want people to come after her and get hurt because of us!"

"But what about her crying in the school hallway after weeks of bullying and no one by her side? Do you truly think she can handle all the bullying by herself because of us? Do you truly think she can handle being all alone without our sisters? Doesn't all of that mean anything to you?"

Apple Bloom frowned in annoyance with each of Sweetie’s heedful words was hammering into her skull.

We have gone too far? Apple Bloom thought with a scoff. Yeah right! Sunset has it coming! I don’t see why I should feel bad for a bully like her! Besides, mah sister says that she was an apprentice to some Princess from another world! I don’t see how she had a rough life! This post will finally take down a peg or two from her!

Apple Bloom’s eyes narrowed in determination. “This is mah gift to you, Sunset Shimmer! Merry Christmas!” she muttered.

And then she clicked the button.

Suddenly, her bedroom windows slammed open, startling Apple Bloom and waking up the other two girls in the process. The wind howled and blew some snow into the room, chilling the whole room up due to the cold winter air. The wind then quickly changed into a whirlwind and then swirled around the room at a rapid pace. The lights flashed on and off and the whole room began to shake as it felt like an earthquake.

"W-what's going on!" Sweetie Belle squeaked in fright.

"Why are we losing power? Are we having a storm tonight?" Scootaloo inquired loudly.

"Ah- ah don't think so!" Apple Bloom shouted as she wrapped herself with her blanket. "T-there's supposed to be some flurries tonight!"

"Oh… I wished our sisters are with us tonight!" Sweetie Belle moaned.

Apple Bloom!

The girls froze and their faces were as white as sheets when they suddenly heard a voice from within the wind.

"W-what was that?" Scootaloo asked nervously.

Apple Bloom!

Shaking in fear, Sweetie Belle turned to Apple Bloom. "S-someone's calling you Apple Bloom!"

"W-was there anyone else in the house tonight?" Scootaloo added with a stammer.

Apple Bloom shook her head. "N-no! Applejack is with our sisters and Granny and Big Mac are still out! There’s no one else here!"

Apple Bloom!

Now scared out of their minds and ignoring the cold wind, both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo rushed over to Apple Bloom and buried themselves into the blankets with her. All three girls’ bodies began to shake, but more in fright than from the cold. The voices grew louder as they continue to call Apple Bloom by her name, making the young farmer girl more terrified by the second.

"A-applejack… B-big Mac?” Apple Bloom spoke up nervously. “A-are y’all there? If you are… this ain't funny!"

Apple Bloom!

The lights suddenly stopped flickering, leaving the girls into darkness, and the whirlwind slowly began to shrink. As the whirlwind was shrinking, the cold air slowly glowed into a bright blue color and formed into two solid shapes. The whirlwinds eventually died down and the two faceless ghostly figures stood in their place in the middle of the room. Despite not having any faceful details, their blue “eyes” began to glow brightly as they stared at the CMCs, scaring the girls a lot further.

"G-g-g-girls," Apple Bloom croaked, too terrified to speak. "A-a-are ya… s-s-seeing...w-w-wat Ah'm s-s-seeing?"

"I-I-I think I d-d-did, b-b-but I wish I d-d-didn't!" Sweetie Belle responded who was just as terrified as her teeth were clattering.

Scootaloo gulped in fear. "Oh… I k-k-knew I s-s-should've brought some g-g-garlic over to our s-s-sleepover!"

"T-t-that only works against vampires, not g-g-ghosts Scoots!" said Apple Bloom.

"Y-you don't know that!" Scootaloo retorted.

The two ghostly figures then slowly made their way over to them, much to the girls’ horror.

Apple Bloom!

Apple Blooooooooooom!

As Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were cowering from the ghosts, Apple Bloom was the only one who was the only one who had a once of “courage” to talk back.

"N-n-no! S-s-stay back!” Apple Bloom screamed.

But the two ghosts did not stop and they were almost within reach of Apple Bloom’s bed.

Apple Bloom began to teared up and shut her eyes. “Please… don’t hurt us ghosts! Applejack, help us!"

"Apple Bloom… it's us, sweetie."

"Yeah, we're not gonna hurt ya my little apple seed."

Apple Bloom’s eyes flew open and felt her breath hitch. She recognized those two voices so dearly that it was impossible to forget. And no one has ever called her “Little Apple Seed” as her nickname except for one person but didn’t think it was possible. With a slight hesitation, Apple Bloom slowly lifted her head towards the ghost, and then her eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

The two ghosts were now fully formed to the point that Apple Bloom could make out features between the two despite appearing to be blue and see-through. The first ghost appeared to be a man, wearing a cowboy hat, orange collar shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. He also had freckles on his face and long hair that barely reached his shoulders. The second ghost was a woman, wearing a long blue dress with a white apron in front of it and working shoes. She also had long, curly hair with a flower on the side of her head and a hairband on one side of her hair.

Apple Bloom immediately recognized the two ghosts and she pinched herself a few times to see if she was hallucinating. When she realized that she wasn’t, there were no doubts about it.

The two ghosts she’s seeing in front of her were none other than her parents, Bright Mac and Pear Butter.

"M-mom… D-dad…" Apple Bloom whispered as her eyes were tearing up.

Bright Mac and Pear Butter smiled warmly.

"Hello, Apple Bloom!" They greeted.

Apple Bloom smiled, despite tears were flowing out of her eyes now. "Mom! Dad! It really is you!"

She tried to throw her arms around her parents, but she almost fell through them. But that didn’t stop Bright Mac and Pear Butter to wrap their ghostly arms around their daughter. While their bodies weren't solid, Apple Bloom felt the love and warmth from her parents’ hug. She couldn't remember the last time they hugged her like this, but she wished that this moment would last forever.

"Ah… ah don’t believe it!” Apple Bloom wept. “Ah must be dreaming!"

Bright Mac chuckle. "You're not dreaming my little Apple Seed. It’s us."

Confused, but also glad that they’re no longer in danger, both Sweetie and Scootaloo poked their heads out of the blanket.

“Um, A-Apple Bloom… w-what’s going on?” said Scootaloo.

“And who are they?” Sweetie Belle added.

Apple Bloom broke her hug from her parents and turned towards her friends. “Girls, this is mah ma and pa, Bright Mac and Pear Butter!”

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo’s eyes widened in shock as they stared at Apple Bloom’s parents in awe.

“But… how!? How was this possible?” Scootaloo exclaimed.

Sweetie Belle nodded with an uncomfortable look. “Yeah. Weren’t your parents supposed to be… um…”

“Living in the great open apple farm in the sky?” Bright Mac finished in amusement.

Sweetie Belle blinked. “Um, yeah… we’ll go with that!”

Scootaloo shoved Sweetie Belle aside and moved closer towards Bright Mac with an excited grin. “Oh my gosh! I have sooo many questions! Is there an afterlife? What’s it like? Can you possess people? If yes, can we see it in action right now?”

Bright Mac chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. “Ah must say, Apple Bloom, your friends are an interesting bunch!”

Apple Bloom grinned. “Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ain’t just mah friends, they’re mah best friends!”

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo beamed in response.

"Oh look how much you've grown!” Pear Butter gushed as she pinched her daughter’s cheeks. “You turned out to be such a beautiful young lady!"

Apple Bloom giggled from her mother’s touch. "Aw, thanks. It was thanks to Granny, Big Mac, and Applejack who helped guide me."

Pear Butter grinned. "We know sweetie. We've been watching you grow, and we are very proud of what you all have become."

"...until recently."

All of the sudden, both Bright Mac and Pear Butter dropped their smiles as soon as Bright Mac said those words, which caught Apple Bloom and her friends off guard. Apple Bloom was also taken aback by the expressions that her parents were giving her as if they were disappointed in her for something.

"W–wat? Wat do ya mean, pa?" Apple Bloom asked with a confused expression.

Bright Mac sighed. "Apple Bloom… we didn't come here just for a visit, we came here… to warn you."

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. "Warn me? Warn me fer wat?"

"Apple Bloom, you committed a great sin for the past couple of weeks, and you have caused harm to everyone around you because of your actions!" Pear Butter stated.

"And if you don’t stop following this path, the pain and suffering will only get worse for everyone you know… including you!" Bright Mac finished.

"Ah… ah've been hurting everyone?" Apple Bloom inquired quietly with a shocked expression.

Bright Mac nodded solemnly. "Ah'm afraid so, my little apple seed."

Apple Bloom couldn't believe what she was hearing. She saw herself as a good girl, very friendly and considerate of other people's feelings. To hear that she had done something bad and people suffered because of her, really upsets her. Worse of all, she had no idea what she had done that even her parents were mad at her.

"Ah… ah didn't mean to!" Apple Bloom stammered. "I have no idea what dat is, but Ah never meant to hurt anyone!"

"Unfortunately, you did Apple Bloom… especially to your sister," Pear Butter said bluntly, much to Apple Bloom’s horror. "And things will get worse for her if you don’t change your ways!"

"N-no! Not Applejack!" Apple Bloom cried. She then sat on her knees and looked up at her parents with her pleading expression. "Ah don’t know wat Ah did, but I'll fix it, whatever dat may be! Just please tell me what Ah did wrong!"

"Apple Bloom, you have been posting many mean and embarrassing things about other people online… as Anon-a-Miss!" Bright Mac revealed, which caused Apple Bloom’s eyes to go wide in realization.

"Not only that… you're pinning the blame on an innocent girl who doesn't deserve all the pain and suffering that you've caused!" Pear Butter added in a disappointed tone.

Apple Bloom felt her stomach dropped, knowing where this conversation was going. "Y-you don't mean…"

"Yes, Apple Bloom… we were talking about Sunset Shimmer," said Bright Mac as he gave his daughter a look of disapproval. "You've been hurting everyone, including your sister as this cruel online persona… all so you could hurt that girl for a petty reason!"

"But… b-but she's a bully!" Apple Bloom exclaimed angrily. "You know that she had hurt Applejack and my friends' sisters in the past! And now she's taking Applejack away from me! If you ask me, she's getting exactly what she deserves!"

"Apple Bloom!" Pear Butter thundered, causing Apple Bloom to cease her ranting in fear. "I'm extremely disappointed in you! We didn't raise you to act this way! And Sunset Shimmer was already punished and earned her forgiveness from others, including your sister!"

"And even if Sunset is still a bully, you don't get back at them and stoop to their level! Two wrongs don't make a right!" Bright Mac added sternly. "And even without the excuse of her past behavior, going after her just because you're jealous isn't a good reason to be doing this!"

Apple Bloom couldn't believe what she was hearing. The whole reason why her parents came to visit her was not only because they were calling her out on her actions as Anon-a-Miss, they were also strongly disapproved of her actions against Sunset Shimmer. And worse of all, they were also defending Sunset Shimmer, the former bully, as if they were taking her side over their own daughter.

"Ah ain't jealous!" Apple Bloom denied.

"Yes, you are," Bright Mac responded firmly, not buying his daughter's words. "And it was a foolish move at that! Why couldn't you just talk to your sister?"

With a pout, Apple Bloom looked away. "Ah… ah didn't think Applejack would listen to me. Heck, she never has the time for me lately! Anon-a-Miss is the only way for me to get mah sister back to me!"

Bright Mac shook his head. "No Apple Bloom, there is another and much better way! There's always a better alternative without the need to harm everyone. All you're really doing is pushing your sister away!"

"And you knew Applejack loves you with all her heart," Pear Butter added. "She'll always have the time for you and to hear what you say if you just talk to her! But if you continue down this path, it will be too late and your relationship with your sister will be beyond repair."

"Y-yer lying!" Apple Bloom stammered. "T-there's no way Ah’ll lose mah sister! Ah actually getting her back!"

Bright Mac’s eyes narrowed. "Wake up, Apple Bloom! You may have her back now, but that's only temporary! But once she learns the truth, you'll lose her forever!"

"She won't know!"

"She will!"

As both Apple Bloom and Bright Mac were giving each other the staredown, they suddenly heard an awkward cough from the sideline.

"Um… excuse me?" Sweetie Belle spoke up for the first time from the whole conversation.

Bright Mac turned his attention to Sweetie Belle. "Yes? Sweetie Belle, right?"

Sweetie Belle nodded. "You said that things will get worse for everyone around us if we continue as Anon-a-Miss." She then had a worried frown. "Does… that include my sister?"

"And Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo added, who also bared a worried look.

Bright Mac nodded. "Yes. Both of them, along with the rest of the Rainbooms will be deeply affected by your actions as well, including Sunset!"

"But there is still time," Pear Butter cuts in. "You three can still make things right by putting a stop to this madness and then confess to everyone what you have done. Only then, everyone will be spared from any more suffering."

Sweetie Belle frowned. It was bad enough that Sunset suffered and her sister became a laughingstock because of Sweetie’s actions, but to hear that her sister is going to suffer even worse in the long run if they continue their scheme only increased her guilt.

Sweetie swallowed. "Well… if that's the only way to spare my sister, then we'll–"

"Absolutely not!"

Surprised by that outburst, Sweetie Belle turned towards Apple Bloom with a stunned expression. "Apple Bloom!?"

“We worked so hard to separate Sunset from our sisters, we ain’t quitting now!” Apple Bloom yelled. “Besides, many students wanted Anon-a-Miss' head! If we confess, they'll come after us!"

"So you rather have an innocent girl take the fall for your heinous deeds?" Pear Butter remarked in a disappointed tone.

Apple Bloom huffed. "What difference does that make? She has done some bad things! It's only fair that she gets everything she deserves!"

"Apple Michelle Bloom!" Bright Mac boomed. "For the last time, Sunset Shimmer was already punished and it's not your call to make. Besides, the poor girl had a hard life as it is, she doesn’t need to be dragged in the mud further from your half-baked scheme."

"Hard life mah foot!" Apple Bloom retorted. "Sunset is nothing but an entitled brat who used to live with a princess from another world until she threw a huge tantrum one day when she didn't get what she wanted. And we all suffered from her as a result!"

Bright Mac glared at her daughter for a moment before he closed his eyes and sighed through his nose.

"Ah understand your anger, my little apple seed," he said in a calm tone. "What she did to everyone including you and your sister wasn't right." He then flew open his eyes. "But she is clearly sorry for her past actions and tries to make up with everyone since then."

"And while it is true that she used to live with a princess from another world, that doesn’t mean that her life is easy," Pear Butter added gently. "You'll understand her better if you just give her a–"

"No!" Apple Bloom shouted. "I refuse to know anything about her, nor that I believe she had a 'hard life'! But she will get a taste of hard life as we continue our work!"

Bright Mac frowned. "But your sister–"

"Will have to deal with it!" Apple Bloom snapped. "If embarrassing mah sister is the only way to get her away from Sunset, then so be it!"

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened in shock. "Apple Bloom!” she cried. “What about my–”

But Apple Bloom cuts her off. “No! I’m done with this nonsense!” Apple Bloom yelled stubbornly at her friend before turning back towards her parents.

“Ah don’t care what Sunset’s life was like or how everyone else felt! We will continue with this as planned. And I won't stop until Sunset Shimmer is gone! So that she won't be around in our school, or heck, even in our world ever again and out of our lives!"

Everyone in the room stared at Apple Bloom in shock, couldn’t believe how cruel and stubborn Apple Bloom was acting. Even Scootaloo was shocked at her friend’s behavior, including her hatred against Sunset.

"Apple Bloom… you don’t really mean that!" Pear Butter stammer in her pleading tone.

"I meant it!" Apple Bloom shouted angrily. "Every. Single. Word! And there's nothing you can do to change mah mind!"

Taken aback by their daughter’s outburst, Bright Mac and Pear Butter turned and look at each other. Despite neither of them spoke a word, they appeared to be having a silent conversation just by staring at each other. Whether it was because it was one of their ghostly powers or it was simply because they were married for so long, neither of the girls was certain. After a moment of a silent “conversation” between the two of them, both Bright Mac and Pear Butter turned back towards Apple Bloom, each with a deep frown on their faces.

"Apple Bloom,” Bright Mac stated with a deep sigh. “Words cannot describe how disappointed we are to hear you say that."

Apple Bloom was taken aback by her father’s words. "W-wat?"

Before she had a chance to question him, Bright Mac wasn’t done.

"Your mother and I had hoped that our presence alone would be enough to convince you to change your ways and confess. But since you're too stubborn to listen to reason, we have no choice… but to go for the alternative."

Apple Bloom gulped, not liking the sound of it. "A-alternative? W-wat do ya mean?"

With a stern look, Bright Mac raised three fingers. "Apple Bloom, tonight… you and your friends will be visited by three ghosts!"

"G-g-ghosts!" Sweetie Belle shrieked in fright. "More ghosts are visiting us!?"

"Hold on!" Scootaloo spoke up. "I can understand Apple Bloom, but why me and Sweetie Belle!? Why are we involved in this?"

"Because you two are involved in this heinous act as well!" Bright Mac answered harshly, causing the two girls to flinch back from his tone. "You both are just as much in the wrong as Apple Bloom! Therefore, you two will also be involved with Apple Bloom as soon as these ghosts arrive!"

"Pa, please tell me yer joking!" Apple Bloom pleaded.

"The first ghost will arrive at a struck of eight," Bright Mac stated, ignoring Apple Bloom’s plea. "The second ghost will arrive at a struck of nine. And the third and final ghost will arrive as soon as the second ghost departed from this world."

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Apple…sir?" Scootaloo interrupted. "Can't ya just send them all at once and get this over with? We all had a long day, so maybe we should speed along and get this done as soon as–"

Scootaloo froze in place as soon as Bright Mac was glaring at her as if he was staring into her soul.

Scootaloo gulped in fear. "Or… we can do exactly as you planned. T-that's fine too! Hehehe…"

As Bright Mac lingered his glare at the tomboy, Sweetie Belle spoke up.

“Um, if you don’t mind me asking, why eight?” Sweetie asked. “From what I known from books and video games, weren’t ghosts usually showed up at midnight?”

Pear Butter nodded. “It’s true that most ghosts usually like to come out later at night, however, because of how serious this whole… situation is right now, we’re making this an exception.” Pear Butter’s expression became serious. "When these ghosts arrive, please be open-minded. Listen to them, heed their advice… and for all your sakes, please make the right decision."

The girls were surprised by the last part of Pear Butter's warning.

"Our sakes? Wat do y'all mean?" Apple Bloom pressed, feeling apprehensive. "Wat's gonna happen to us!?"

Suddenly, the wind began to pick up again, nearly blinding everyone due to cold air and snow. As the wind was picking up, both Bright Mac and Pear Butter were fading away almost rapidly.

"Ah'm afraid our time has come," Bright Mac informed solemnly.

He turned his attention to Sweetie and Scootaloo. "Goodbye girls." He then set his eyes on his daughter. "Goodbye Apple Bloom… while we're still disappointed in your actions… we still love you. But when these ghosts arrive, please be open-minded and hear them out before you judge."

"And when that time comes, I trust that you'll make the right decision… and make things right," Pear Butter finished.

They stared at their daughter in yearning one last time before they closed their eyes and then their ghostly bodies dissolved and became one with the wind. Before Apple Bloom could reach out to them, the spiritual wind blew around the room a moment longer before it flew out the window, and then the window closed by itself.

The three girls stood in silence, still processing everything they just witnessed and what Apple Bloom’s parents just said to them moments ago. Neither one of them said a word, not knowing what to say until Scootaloo finally breaks the ice.

"Well that was… something," Scootaloo stated awkwardly. "Pretty cool exit though."

Sweetie Belle gave Scootaloo a look of disbelief. "Seriously Scoots!? That's the only thing you take away from this? The ghosts of Apple Bloom’s parents were just here to warn us about our futures! And not only that, we're expecting more ghosts to show up tonight! All because of our actions as Anon-a-Miss!"

Sweetie began to panic as she gripped both sides of her face with her hands. "I don't like this! I don't like this at all! If that wasn't a sign for us to stop and confess, I don't know what was!"

"We ain't confessing to nobody!" Apple Bloom spoke up, much to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo’s shock. "We'll just continue as normal, posting anythang we can get our hands on until Ah say we're done!"

Sweetie Belle shook her head. "But Apple Bloom, didn't you hear what your parents are say–"

"Forget what they say!" Apple Bloom snapped. "Ah bet my pa was just jokin' about us being visited by spirits! They were just tryin' to scare us away from our mission and nothing more!"

Sweetie Belle stared at Apple Bloom in disbelief, couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "Joke!? You think your dad was joking!?" She shrieked. "I've heard many jokes in my lifetime from my dad and especially from Pinkie Pie. Your dad's warning about what we did to others and more ghosts showing up… doesn't sound like a joke to me!"

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Whether my pa was joking or not doesn't matter! If we stop now and confess what we all did, all of our efforts to get Sunset away from our sisters will be fer nothing! And not only our sisters will be mad at us, the whole school will be after us as well! We can’t just quit now!"

But Sweetie Belle didn't back down. "Apple Bloom, I'm already questioning if what we did was right! But after their… spiritual visit… I'm more convinced that we should back off more than ever!"

"Ah don’t believe this!" Apple Bloom retorted with a huff before turning to her other friend. "Help me out, Scoots!"

Scootaloo rubbed the side of her arm with a conflicted expression. "I… I don't know Apple Bloom," Scootaloo spoke quietly. "What if your folks were right? Do you think maybe we have gone too far?"

"Wat? You too Scoots!?" Apple Bloom screeched before throwing her hands up. "C'mon girls! Don't forget the reason why we're doing this! Not only to get our sisters back, but to also punish Sunset for everything she had done!"

Apple Bloom pointed at Scootaloo. "Scoots, you remembered how she broke up Rainbow Dash and mah sister's friendship by changing the bake sale date and sabotaging her big game last year?"

Scootaloo frowned deeply as she remembered those events. While she wasn't there when it happened, she remembered seeing how upset and depressed Rainbow Dash was about losing Applejack when she thought no one else was looking.

Apple Bloom then pointed at Sweetie Belle. "And Sweetie Belle, you remember what she did to your sister at the Spring Fling months ago? And do I need to remind you that your sister kicked you out of her room for visiting as soon as Sunset arrived?"

Sweetie Belle furrowed her brows as she recalled that very night in question. She remembered her sister had an emotional breakdown after Sunset humiliated her during the Spring Fling. Sweetie Belle couldn’t forgive Sunset for what she had done to her sister even after Rarity and Sunset made up and became friends. It didn’t really help that her sister was hanging out with Sunset more than her, including that one time when Sweetie was forced to kick out of her sister’s room because of Sunset.

Not only she had a grudge against Sunset for her past deeds, but she was also mad at Rarity for ignoring her and leaving her out, which was why she joined in on Apple Bloom’s plan in the first place. But after seeing the fruits of their labors at school, Sweetie immediately regretted hurting both Rarity and Sunset Shimmer and didn’t want to hurt them anymore. Unfortunately for her, Apple Bloom was far too stubborn to listen to reason from anyone, including from her own parents. The fact that Apple Bloom’s parents flat out warned them that bad things will happen if they don’t change their ways really frighten Sweetie Belle.

And something tells her that things were about to get worse.

“While I’m still mad at Sunset for hurting Rarity and upset at my sister for throwing me out… what we have done to them and everyone else wasn’t any better,” Sweetie responded with a frown. “I think we should listen to your folks and put an end to this before things get worse.”

Apple Bloom angrily shook her head. “No! We are not stopping this because of their ‘warning’! And even if they weren’t joking, they can send us as many ghosts as they want because we're not changing our plans!” Apple Bloom growled stubbornly. “We ain’t gonna stop until Sunset Shimmer is out of our lives fer good! End of discussion!"

"But Apple Bloom–"

"End. Of. Discussion!"

Sweetie Belle was taken aback by Apple Bloom’s cruel response. She has never seen her friend acted this way before. She didn’t want to say it out loud, but Apple Bloom reminded her of how Diamond Tiara used to treat her in the past, but ten times worse. And that scared her. Even Scootaloo, who was witnessing the exchange was shocked by Apple Bloom’s behavior. Apple Bloom seemed to realize what she just said, but instead of apologizing, she just breathed through her nose with a sigh.

"Ah'm going to bed!” Apple Bloom declared as she slowly made her way over to her bed without another word.

Both Sweetie Belle and Scoootaloo stared at each other with concerned expressions, before the two of them slowly went back to their sleeping bags. As the Sweetie and Scootaloo were settling into their bags again, Apple Bloom climbed back into her bed with a bitter frown.

"Sunset having a tough life," Apple Bloom scoffed quietly before pulling the covers over her head.

"Bah, humbug!"

Author's Note

Hope you all enjoy the first two chapters in one day!

From then on, it's one chapter per day! On the bright side, you can expect future chapters to be longer than the first two! :raritywink:

Quick note: Apple Bloom's middle name, "Michelle" was a reference to Apple Bloom's and Sweetie Belle's singing voice actress, Michelle Creber.

Anyway, after that reunion with Bright Mac and Pear Butter, who will be visiting the CMCs first? That's for me to know and for you to find out! :raritywink:

Stay tuned tomorrow! :pinkiesmile:

Chapter 3 - Past Regrets

Some time has passed since Bright Mac and Pear Butter visited the CMCs with a warning about their futures and they will be visited by three more ghosts. Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were already asleep in their sleeping bags, but Apple Bloom was still wide awake, staring at her dark ceiling above her.

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but think back to the conversation she had with her parents some time ago. She felt bad for talking back and acting like a brat to her parents when they were trying to look out for her, but at the same time, she was still very annoyed that she was told that she was being unfair with Sunset and that her actions were wrong. Even before her “redemption”, it was hard for Apple Bloom to picture Sunset acting anything but a meanie before the Fall Formal. What could Sunset's excuse be that led her to become the meanest girl in school?

Apple Bloom then glanced at her digital clock on her bedside table which read, "seven fifty-eight" in red bright numbers. She groaned inwardly for not getting any sleep for so long. She paused however when her father’s words echoed in her mind.

“The first ghost will arrive at a struck of eight.”

Apple Bloom furrowed her brows and shook her head. Naw. My father was joking. No ghost is coming to visit us… right?

Apple Bloom glanced at her clock again just as the time changed to "seven fifty-nine". She realized that she had less than a minute left for this supposed ghost to arrive. Apple Bloom silently watched the clock in anticipation, sweat trailing down from her forehead. After what felt like an eternity, her clock changed to "eight". Apple Bloom immediately looked around her room, trying to spot the ghost visitor that her father mentioned.

There were none in sight.

Apple Bloom let out a quiet scoff, both annoyed and relieved that her supposed visitor didn't show up.

“I knew it!" she muttered. "I knew he was jokin'!”

Apple Bloom then lay down on her bed and closed her eyes so that she can finally get some sleep.

Suddenly, a bright white light filled up her room, causing Apple Bloom to jolt up from her bed with a loud gasp. Her gasp has also woken up her friends and they are too shocked by the sudden bright light in the room.

"W-what the heck was that!?" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"I can’t see!" Sweetie shouted as she covered her eyes due to the brightness of the light.

Apple Bloom also struggled to keep her eyes open due to the light. She turned towards one of her windows with squinted eyes and noticed something from the corner of her room.

“Girls, look!” she cried as she was pointing at something.

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned towards where Apple Bloom was pointing at and they were shocked to see an outline of a grown person, despite having a hard time seeing due to the brightness of the light. The bright light only lasted a moment longer before it suddenly died out, making things easier for the CMCs to finally see their new “visitor”.

The visitor appeared to be a young woman, no older than a teenager. She has violet eyes with blue eyeliner around her eyes and semi-long blue and green hair which was covered by a white head cloth and a golden headpiece. She was also wearing a white toga that reached her knees with a white translucent garb over her body, including her shoulders. She also wore a gold neckpiece with a string of glowpaz necklace over it. She also wore a golden waistband around her waist and a golden ankle piece over her left ankle. While her form is more solid than Apple Bloom’s parents, she has that while light glowing around her body.

Despite the woman giving them her friendly smile, the CMCs were frightened by her sudden appearance. Seeing that none of her friends are willing to speak up, it was Apple Bloom who finally broke the silence.

"Who… who are you?" Apple Bloom asked with a gulp.

"Do not be frightened, my child,” The ghostly woman said kindly. “I'm not here to hurt you."

Apple Bloom furrowed her brows. "Then… why are you here?"

The woman grinned and her eyes were twinkling with mirth. "Well, I'm the first of the three ghosts who will be visiting you tonight, just as your father instructed."

Sweetie turned towards Apple Bloom with a deadpan expression. "Still think your dad was joking, Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom simply grumbled in response.

"Anyway, I am the ghost of Christmas Past," the woman introduced. "But my friends in my past life used to call me, Somnambula."

Scootaloo grinned. "Well, it's nice to meet ya Somnaba–" She paused, furrowing her brows. "Uh, Somnaboo… Somna-na…"

She then gave the ghost her sheepish grin. "Um, you know what, I'll just call you Somna… if that's okay?"

Somna gave Scootaloo an amused grin. "If it's easier for you, then I have no objections."

"Cool!" Scootaloo said with a grin before her expression became curious. "So Somna, what is it that you're going to tell us?"

"Actually, I'm here to take you all out for a trip," said Somna.

Sweetie Belle blinked. "A trip? A trip to where?"

Somna shook her head. "Not where. When! Specifically, to the past."

The CMCs' eyes widened in shock, neither of them was expecting to take a trip, let alone time travel from the visit of the ghost.

“But… how?” Scootaloo exclaimed. “How is that possible?”

Somna chuckled at their reactions. “Being a ghost has its perks. We can go and visit any point of time, just to observe of course.” Her expression became serious. “But tonight, we are going to a specific point in time so that I can show you and give you a new perspective about your own actions.”

“Um… right now?” Apple Bloom inquired nervously.

Somna nodded. “Yes, right now while the night is still young.”

Apple Bloom cocked an eyebrow. "How could we possibly be wastin' time if we're travelin' back in time?"

"That is a very good question," Somna replied before waving Apple Bloom off. "But we have no time for that!"

She ignored Apple Bloom’s annoyed expression as she waved her hand towards one of the windows, causing it to open on its own.

“Come," Somna instructed. "I shall take you three to your destination.”

"Uh… through a window?" Sweetie asked with a worried expression.

Somna nodded. "Yes. Through the window."

"Oh wait, Ah just remembered!" Apple Bloom spoke up suddenly with a fake gasp. "The three of us are alive and us humans can't fly." She then snapped her fingers while acting like she's disappointed. "Oh darn! Ah guess we can't go and you'll have to call the whole thing–"

Before Apple Bloom could walk back towards her bed, she was suddenly frozen in place by some ghostly aura. She was then floated off of the floor and yanked back away from her bed and then she was forced to be eye level in front of Somna, who the ladder was not amused from Apple Bloom’s weak attempt to back out.

"Nice try, little one!" Somna deadpanned. "With my ghostly abilities, you will come along for a ride, whether you want to or not."

Apple Bloom simply grumbled in response.

Somna then shifted her attention to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who each had a petrified expression. "Does anyone else want to try me?"

The two CMCs shook their heads rapidly.

Somna then smiled. "Good! Now hold on tight!"

With a snap of her fingers, both Sweetie and Scootaloo were also covered in a ghostly aura and then floated up in the air.

"W-w-wait! Are you sure this is safe?" Apple Bloom asked nervously. "A-A-Ah'm not great at travelin' by flight because I usually get–"

Apple Bloom was then abruptly tossed out of the window by Somna.

"Airsiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!" Apple Bloom screamed as she was thrown into the sky.

Before either of the girls called out to their friend, they were also shot out the window by Somna. The girls screamed as they were launched into the night sky, spinning around uncontrollably in the process. A bright white light suddenly came out of nowhere and slowly blinded their vision. By the time they were completely engulfed in the light, the girls passed out.

Apple Bloom let out a low groan as she slowly regained her consciousness.

"Where… where am Ah?" She mumbled, feeling a little dizzy.

She was currently lying in the snow somewhere in the middle of town. While she was aching, her whole body felt mostly... strange, but she couldn’t put a finger on it. And despite that she was lying in the snow, she wasn't cold at all.

"Apple Bloom?"

“Is… that really you?”

Apple Bloom slowly opened her eyes but her vision was blurry. "Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo? Where are you?"

“Over here, Apple Bloom!”

Apple Bloom tried to turn her head towards Sweetie’s voice until she spotted what appeared to be two blurry figures, assumed to be her friends. She couldn’t make out any details because her vision was still a little blurry.

“Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo? Is dat you?” She asked with caution.

"We should be asking you that?" said one figure who sounded like Scootaloo.

“From the look of it, she transformed just like us!” said another blurry figure who sounded like Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom blinked. Transformed? What is she talkin’ about?

Before she could ask Sweetie to elaborate her words, Apple Bloom’s vision finally became clear. Her eyes blinked a few times and then widened in shock. The two figures in front of her were indeed her best friends, except they don’t look like themselves at all.

Heck, they are no longer humans.

Instead, they appeared to be smaller, have furs coats, manes, and standing on fours. And most importantly, they have snouts, which reminded Apple Bloom of a certain animal her family owns back at her farm. The only minor difference between the two was Sweetie has a small horn on her forehead and Scootaloo has wings.

“Yer… yer ponies!” Apple Bloom exclaimed with a look of shock.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, now fillies, looked at each other and then turned back to Apple Bloom with a look of confusion.

“So?” Scootaloo questioned. “You’re a pony too!”

Apple Bloom blinked at her friend’s statement. Now that she thought about it, she hasn’t felt her fingers since she woke up, but she assumed it was because of the cold. Apple Bloom slowly lifted her arm to see her hand, only her pupils shrink in shock when she sees that she has no fingers. In fact, she wasn’t looking at her hand at all.

It was actually her hoof.

Feeling a bit of a panic, Apple Bloom quickly sat up and looked around until she spotted a frozen puddle next to her next to a streetlamp. She took a good look at the puddle and she froze when she saw her reflection.

Instead of seeing her human self, she was only seeing a pony version of herself. She had a snout, her mane instead of hair, and her whole body is furry. The only thing that remotely resembled her was her orange eyes and her pink bow. Apple Bloom could only do one thing that any sane person who just turned into a pony could react.

She screamed.

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Pony face!"

As Apple Bloom was having a meltdown, her two friends tried to comfort her.

“Apple Bloom! Apple Bloom, it’s okay!” said Sweetie Belle as she was patting her friend’s back.

“Yeah, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo added. “Everything is going to be okay!”

Apple Bloom gave her friends a look of bewilderment. “Okay? How is everythin’ goin’ to be ‘okay’!?” She yelled as she pointed to herself. “All my things are horse things!”

"Technically, the term here are pony things."

They all turned towards the new source, and they were shocked to see not only another pony but a talking pony too. The pony appeared to be a mare and is bigger than they are. Like Scootaloo, she also has wings, but much bigger. Despite that she is another pony, she was also very familiar.

Her coat is light scarlet, has a blue and green mane and tail, and has violet eyes with blue eyeliner. The only type of clothing she wore was a white head cloth, translucent white cloth over her shoulders and waist, gold bands around her waist and tail, a golden headpiece on her head, and a glowpaz necklace around her neck.

After studying the mare for a moment, it all finally clicked for the CMCs.

“Somna?” Sweetie Belle exclaims with an awe expression.

Somna chuckled. “In the flesh, young one.”

While the young girls were comforted about seeing their guide, they still had questions for the newly transformed ghost.

“W-what’s going on?” Scootaloo inquired as she looked around. “What is this place, and why are we ponies?”

Somna smirked. “Well, my little ponies, that's because we are no longer on Earth. We're in Equestria!"

Scootaloo blinked. "Equestria?"

Somna nodded. “Yes. Specifically, we’re in Canterlot, their royal city.”

"Wait!" Sweetie gasped with a look of realization. "You mean We're in Princess Twilight and Sunset’s homeworld?"

"Indeed we are,” Somna confirmed. “For you see, the very first stop for your very first lesson took place in this world where you will soon that there were more than meets the eyes about a certain someone you know.”

Before either Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo could ask what Somna means, Apple Bloom spoke up.

“Sorry, I wasn’t listening,” Apple Bloom said calmly before screaming, “Because we’re ponies!”

Suddenly, they all heard giggles and laughter nearby. They turned to see a group of fillies and colts running and playing down the street through the snow without a care to the world. Sweetie noticed them and smiled.

“Aww! They all looked so cute!” She gushed before waving. “Hi! Hi everyone!”

Instead of responding to Sweetie, the kids just walked right past her like she wasn’t there, causing Sweetie to frown.

“Hey, why didn’t they respond to me?”

Scootaloo frowned. “Yeah, that was rude of them!”

“That’s because they can’t see or hear you,” Somna explained, getting the CMCs' attention. "These are the shadows of things that have been. In other words, they are merely projections of things around you that have already happened. Which is why no one can see us."

"You mean like watching a rerun episode of a TV show… but in person?" Sweetie offered.

Somna cocked an eyebrow. "I'm not sure what this 'tee-vee' you're speaking of, but we'll go with that!" She then trotted down the street. "Come girls, there's somewhere we need to be."

The girls looked at each other for a moment before they followed Somna, but not without some difficulty. The CMCs, especially Apple Bloom, were trying to get used to walking all fours as ponies. Unfortunately, they kept stumbling and nearly fell on their faces a few times as they followed Somna. Somna could only shake her head in amusement at their antics before coming to a stop in front of their destination.

“We’re here!” she announced.

“Oh thank Faust!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed before lying down on her belly.

“Man! How the heck do these ponies used to walk like this!?” Scootaloo moaned before lying on her side.

Apple Bloom carefully sat on her hunches and then turned to Somna expectedly. “So where are we now?”

“Why not take a look for yourself,” said Somna as she gestured towards a specific spot with her head.

Apple Bloom and the rest of the CMCs faced towards the direction where Somna was pointing. In front of them was an old building, which was made of stone and thick hay. They wouldn’t be able to see that building if it weren't for the street lamp in front of it. From what the girls could make out of the place, it was fairly in condition, but it still needed repairs like the cracked porch or the sign on the door which was slightly askew. Speaking of which, the CMCs were slightly taken aback after reading the sign on the door.

“The Canterlot Orphanage?” Apple Bloom read. “Why are we here?”

Somna didn’t answer Apple Bloom’s question as she stood in silence as if she was waiting for something. Before Apple Bloom could question her again, she and her friends immediately spotted something from the darkness from the corner of their eyes.

Emerging from the darkness was some pony dressed in a black cloak, quietly trotting towards them. The girls were about to scream in fear, but then they remembered that no one would see them since they are seeing what already happened. What also brought their fear down somewhat was a basket that was held by the pony’s mouth. They were wondering about what was inside of the basket until they heard a soft coo. Their eyes widened when they realized that the pony was carrying a baby. They didn’t get a good look at the child as the pony in the cloak walked past them and headed to the porch of the orphanage.

The CMCs already had a bad feeling, knowing where this is all heading. Their theories have been confirmed as the pony placed the basket in front of the door of the orphanage. The pony raised their hoof but paused for a moment as the pony looked down at the basket again, seeing the baby one last time.

"...I'm so sorry," the pony, who sounded like a mare, spoke quietly in sorrow.

The pony knocked on the front door and then she took off and disappeared into the night, ignoring her baby crying to her mother.

Needless to say, the CMCs were shocked at what they saw in front of them. Sweetie Belle herself was in tears as the baby continued to wail out towards the fleeing pony.

"That poor thing!" Sweetie cried, feeling helpless for the child.

"She just left her child on the porch… as a baby!" Scootaloo shouted, upset at the mother for abandoning her child.

But no one was more upset than Apple Bloom; both out of sadness for the crying child and angry at the so-called mother.

"Why…" Apple Bloom whispered before shouting in anger. "Why did she do that!? Why would she leave her own flesh and blood out in the cold all alone?"

Somna let out a sigh. "While we don't know her reasons, judging from her expression of pain and sorrow, she loves her child with all of her heart."

Apple Bloom turned towards Somna with a look of disbelief. "Well if she loves her child, she shouldn't have ditched her baby like that!"

Despite receiving Apple Bloom’s anger, Somna had a calm expression. "While I don't condone her actions, nor her reasoning to leave her child, this poor mare obviously had a hard life to the point that she couldn't take care of her child, let alone herself."

She let out a sad sigh. "Unfortunately, there are other ponies like her who also had the misfortune of living out on the streets with no food, money, or even a place to live. Despite the fact that this city is filled with rich ponies, not everyone cares for those who are poor. They instead only look down on them and let them suffer while acting superior to them."

"That's horrible!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"But I thought Equestria was a better world to live in!" Sweetie Belle squeaked in a shocked tone.

"Just because this world is full of magic, ponies, and other creatures, that doesn’t mean that this world has problems of its own," Somna said gravely. "After all, this world was nearly taken over by many evil dictators many times before. No world is perfect."

"Even so, that poor kid doesn't deserve to be abandoned like that!" Apple Bloom retorted.

Somna shook her head. "No, she doesn't… but not for long."

Just as Somna stated, the front door opened, revealing to be another mare who is a unicorn, had a light blue coat, a mole on her left cheek, three-pearl earrings, and had a haggard purple mane. The mare herself looked like she had just been rudely interrupted from her sleep.

"What's all the ruckus out here?" said the mare with an irritated expression.

The mare then looked down and was surprised to see a crying baby on her doorstep.

"A baby?"

As the baby stopped crying, the mare also noticed a letter attached to its basket. Curious, the mare took the note from the basket and then read it out loud.

"To whoever finds my daughter, I can no longer take care of my child. Please look after her and give Sunset Shimmer her happy life."

The mare then looked down at the foal again. "Sunset Shimmer, eh?" She then shrugged. "Well, we already have a bunch of orphaned kids in this house, might as well take one more."

The mare picked up the basket with the baby in her mouth before bringing it inside and closed the door behind her. While that was happening, the CMCs watched the scene unfold with jaws hanging open. For the second time within five minutes, the girls were shocked beyond belief with what they saw and heard in front of them.

"No way!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"The baby that we saw right now was Sunset Shimmer?" Sweetie Belle shouted.

Somna nodded with a look of pity and sorrow. "Indeed. Almost immediately after her birth, she became an orphan… and on Hearth's Warming of all days, the poor little thing."

Before either Sweetie or Scootaloo commented, it was Apple Bloom who spoke up.

"Why?" Apple Bloom said quietly before glaring daggers at Somna. "Why are ya showing us this?"

"I told you, as a ghost of Christmas past, I'm showing the things that happened in the past," Somna explained as if the answer was obvious.

"But why are you showing me Sunset’s past?" Apple Bloom demanded, angrier than she was a moment ago. "Ah thought the whole point of this trip was showing us our past?"

"Normally, you are right," Somna conceded. "We usually show the person we are taking their own pasts to reflect on their lives. But in your case, you three assumed what Sunset’s life was like as a means to justify your actions. So we all made an exception to show you her life so that you understand her better and put things in her perspective."

“But she’s Sunset Shimmer!” Apple Bloom argued, nearly yelling. “She is an evil bully who does bad things and steals our sisters! What’s more to understand her?”

Somna cocked an eyebrow, not amused with the way Apple Bloom was behaving. “Just a moment ago, you actually felt bad for that baby, who turned out to be Sunset Shimmer herself. Are you saying that she’s always evil, even as soon as she was born?”

Apple Bloom tried to counter Somna’s argument, but she couldn’t.

“No person, or in this case, a pony is ever born evil or good for that matter. However, a pony can be both ways depending on how they are raised and experienced growing up. Yes, Sunset had made bad decisions and not always a good reason, but circumstances led her to become the mean person she was until she became friends with your sister. And I will personally show you what those circumstances are.”

Apple Bloom scowled angrily. "If dats wat yer gonna do then forget it! Ah don't want to learn anything about–"

"This is not a negotiation!" Somna asserted, had enough of Apple Bloom’s attitude. "Your parents tried to explain to you about her life in a calm manner, but you refused to listen and did not give them a chance! Now that you're under my care, you have lost your privilege to back out while remaining ignorant to your actions! You will see and listen to what I and my other two colleagues have to say, even if I have to drag you around kicking and screaming!"

With a glare, Somna leaned so close to Apple Bloom’s face that their nuzzles nearly touched, making the latter nervous and uncomfortable.

"Now… will you stop acting like some brat and behave or should I drag you with my spiritual power again?"

Before Apple Bloom could respond, Sweetie Belle spoke up.

"C'mon, Apple Bloom! We're in this mess because of your attitude!" she said with a glare. "The least you can do is listen to what she has to say!"

"For once, I agree with Sweetie Belle," said Scootaloo. "We've been told that there's more to Sunset Shimmer than meets the eye. We… should hear her out."

Apple Bloom furrowed her brow. As much as she didn't want to go through Sunset’s childhood, it was practically her fault that she and her friends were dragged into this. And by the look on Somna's face, there was no way they could get out of it. If witnessing Sunset’s life is the only way to get through this, then she'll have to suck it up and hope that this will be over and done with.

She'll take that then being dragged around in that ghostly aura by force on any day.

"Fine… we'll listen," Apple Bloom conceded with a grumble. "But dat doesn't mean that Ah'll change mah mind about her!"

"We shall see," Somna said with a shrug. "Now, let's all jump ahead a few years into the future, shall we?"

With a glow from her necklace, everyone immediately was engulfed by the light, blinding them once again.

A moment later, the bright light dimmed down, giving everyone the ability to see again. Unfortunately, that brief moment of the bright light caused the CMCs to feel disorientated. The only one who wasn't affected by the light was Somna, who just stood as nothing happened.

"What the heck was that!?" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"Yeah, it was making me sick," Sweetie added.

"My apologies," said Somna. "My necklace is the only way for us to travel to another point in time. Don't worry, you'll get used to it pretty quick."

"Well, give us a bit of a warning next time!" Apple Bloom scolded with an annoyed look before looking around. "Where are we?"

Unlike last time, instead of the cold streets of Canterlot, they were in a beige room. The walls had cracks in some places and the windows were dirty with green dusty curtains. Even all the furniture looked worn out like it was something that was usually found in the junkyard. What got the CMCs the most attention was the line of fillies and colts in the middle of the room while the elder mare, the same one who found Sunset earlier, stood in front of them, now wearing a blue suit and red glasses.

"Alright, children!" the elder mare announced with an authoritative tone. "We got a lot of ponies visiting us today thanks to the advertisements of our Hearth's Warming’s Adopting Event." Her eyes narrowed. "Now I want you all to behave yourselves and to show these ponies your best abilities you can offer as their child. We have a reputation to uphold in this orphanage. Understood?"

“Yes, Miss Cinch,” the kids chorused obediently.

Cinch nodded. "Good! At least you all remembered. After all, no parent ever wanted some second-rate child as their children, now do they?"

As Cinch left the room to bring in the guests, Somna and the CMCs frowned at the sight, appalled at what they saw.

"Jeez, this feels more like boot camp than an orphanage," Scootaloo remarked.

“And what’s up with that lady?” Sweetie added with a frown. “She’s treating them like they are pets than children.”

Somna sighed. “Unfortunately, while this orphanage offered the best children to adopt, it also has the reputation that these kids are living under a strict and unfriendly environment, especially by that mare. And these kids suffered for it.”

Scootaloo frowned, disliking the older mare in charge. “Sheesh! If that’s how she treats them as their caretaker, I hate to see what she is like as a teacher!”

“Or worse, the principal!” Sweetie Belle added with a shiver.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes at her friends’ comments. “Speaking of which, where’s Sunset?”

Sweetie surveyed the line of kids until she spotted the girl in question. “There she is!”

Everyone looked in the direction where Sweetie was pointing. Sure enough, they spotted the unicorn filly with a familiar flaming mane and teal eyes. She looked to be the same age and size as they are. She was also wearing a red dress, a black hairband to make her mane into a ponytail, and a purple flower on the left side of her head. While she appeared to be very confident, her eyes tell a different story, almost as if she went through this process many times before.

As Filly Sunset was waiting for the older ponies to arrive, she heard a low “psst” sound, which was coming from a colt next to her.

“You really think some pony is going to adopt you?” the colt gibed with a smirk. “You went through this for the past seven years in this cruddy place, what makes you so sure that this year will be any different?”

Sunset narrowed her eyes at him before she faced forward again. “Laugh it up you little brat! This time, I will be adopted before the night is over. You’ll see!”

The colt scoffed before he went back to position. “We shall see!”

Shortly after that moment, a flood of ponies entered the room, which was led by Cinch.

For the next hour, the CMCs watched as the children were being inspected by high-class ponies while Cinch was giving them a sales pitch to each kid as if they were cars. One by one, each filly and colt was selected by different couples until it was just Sunset and the colt left, the same colt who mocked her earlier. As the last couple was inspecting them, Sunset tried her attempt to persuade them to adopt her.

“Please sir and madam,” said Sunset, trying to act all cute. “Having me as your daughter will be your worthwhile! I’m good with numbers, highly educated, and super talented with my magic!”

To demonstrate, Sunset activated her horn and created a mini light show above her which includes fireworks, creating outlines of Princess Celestia, and ending it with words simply stated “To My Awesome Parents” just to add brownie points.

The couple looked at each other for a moment before facing the two children.

“Yes, I think we both know who exactly we will pick as our child,” said the stallion with glasses and a neat hairstyle while his wife nodded. “Our child will be…”

Sunset swelled up her chest with a smirk, believing she got them around her hoof thanks to her presentation.

“...him!” the stallion announced as he pointed at the colt.

Sunset widened her eyes in shock as she turned towards the colt in question, who gave her a subtle smirk.

"A fine choice! Congratulations!" Said Cinch as she shook the Stallion’s hoof. “Now why don’t you and your new child wait out in the hall to get yourselves better acquainted and I’ll join you with your paperwork at the moment.”

The couple nodded as they and the colt headed out the door, but not before the colt gave Sunset one last taunt.

“Better luck next time… assuming if there is a next time!”

As the colt and his new parents left the room, Sunset turned to Cinch.

“Please tell me there are more adults in this building!” Sunset begged. “That can’t be the last couple!”

“I’m afraid that’s the last pair of ponies for the night,” Cinch said bluntly with an unsympathetic tone. “And you’re the only one left who is not adopted.”

“N-no! I can’t be the only one left again!” Sunset cried, who was on a verge of tears. “Is there anything you can do? I… I don’t want to be alone!”

Despite standing in front of a crying child, Cinch had a stone-faced expression. "You know the rules Sunset Shimmer. If you don't get picked, then that means you're not good enough.” Ignoring Sunset’s devastated look, Cinch trotted towards the door. “Now head back to your dorm. It wouldn’t be good for our reputation if that couple sees a crying child in this building."

As Cinch left the room, Sunset just stood there, letting tears flow down her cheeks.

"Why… why no one wants me?" Sunset said quietly with a sniff. "Am I… not good enough?"

The CMCs watched as Sunset slowly trotted out the door with her head hung low, feeling sympathy for the sad filly.

“Oh, poor Sunset…” Sweetie uttered sadly with tears at the corner of her eyes. "I have no idea how lonely she was."

"Was she always this lonely?" Scootaloo asked with a frown. "She has to be adopted at some point, right?"

"...she never did," Somna answered, much to the CMCs shock. "Despite her efforts, no pony is ever interested in taking her as part of the family. While there were a few who were interested in her, they were easily persuaded to adopt a different child by her 'caretaker'."

The CMCs eyes widened from this revelation.

"What!? Why would she do that to Sunset?" Sweetie shouted angrily.

"Because with how brilliant Sunset was at her young age, Cinch thought Sunset is too valuable to be let go from her grasp," Somna answered, who was also not pleased with the caretaker.

Scootaloo frowned in disgust. "That's horrible! Sunset is a person, er… pony, not some trophy!"

Somna nodded. "I agree, young one. Luckily, Sunset eventually wised up from Cinch's schemes. And since no pony really wanted her, she decided to run away from the orphanage and lived on her own for a few years."

"Well, that's good," said Scootaloo, relieved for Sunset. "At least she is no longer in that caretaker's grasp. Right, Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom hardly paid attention to anyone as she was busy staring at the door where filly Sunset had left with furrowed brows, appearing to be in deep thought.

"Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo called again.

Apple Bloom heard Scootaloo call her that time as she turned to face her. “Oh! Um… wat were ya sayin’, Scoots?”

Scootaloo gestured towards the room in front of her. “I’m saying what were your thoughts from this with Sunset?”

Apple Bloom blinked. “Oh. It’s… interesting.”

Sweetie Belle frowned. “Interesting!? That’s your big takeaway from what you just saw?”

Apple Bloom raised her palms in defense. “Hey! What do you want me to say? That Ah ‘feel bad fer her’ because she was an orphan? Don’t get me wrong, it stinks what happened to her, but she is still a bully! And Ah’m supposed to feel bad fer her?”

Before either Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were about to retort, Somna spoke up.

"You know, Apple Bloom, you also became an orphan at a young age," Somna pointed out, causing Apple Bloom to cringe. "I'm sure you know what it's like to be parentless while watching those who do with envy."

"She and Ah are nothin' alike!" Apple Bloom retorted. "Sure, Ah lost mah folks at a young age, but dat don't mean her life is harder than mine!"

Somna cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really? Perhaps it's time to show you three another point in Sunset’s past."

With a blink in her eye, she once again activated her necklace and a bright light blinds them all.

As soon as the light faded, the CMCs felt disoriented due to the sudden transportation. After a moment of recovery, Apple Bloom glared at Somna, who had that same calm expression on her face.

"Ah thought Ah told ya to warn us next time!" Apple Bloom retorted with an annoyed expression.

"I did," Somna insisted calmly. "I said I'm 'showing you another point in Sunset’s past', didn't I?"

Apple Bloom opened her mouth to argue, but stopped herself when she realized that Somna was technically correct. Despite that, Apple Bloom was still very annoyed with the way Somna warned them before being dragged across time on such short notice.

"Whatever! Just… be clearer next time!" Apple Bloom scolded before glancing around the room.

Instead of a small, dirty room from the orphanage, this time, they were in a much bigger and well-organized room. There was some kind of a stage in front of them with a podium on the side. There were some banners, bulletin boards and even a map of the world. As she glanced downwards, it was then that she and her friends realized that they were sitting on one of many rows of chairs from the upper part of the room.

"Where are we now?" Apple Bloom inquired.

"We're now in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns," Somna replied. "Or more specifically, this school's auditorium."

Sweetie Belle surveyed the room in awe. "Why are we here?"

"We are about to witness one of Sunset’s most important moments of her life," Somna answered as she was faced towards the stage.

Before either of the CMCs commented, they heard someone talking from the stage.

"Are you sure that this performance will guarantee to get me to pass the entrance exam for this school?"

The CMCs turned towards the direction of the stage and spotted two young ponies standing on the stage. One pony that they know already at this point was Sunset Shimmer, but slightly older than from her previous memory from the orphanage. The other pony, however, was a different pony they're not familiar with. This pony was yellow with a long violet and white mane, had violet eyes, wore pink earrings, a blue necklace, a white dress shirt with a pink scarf, and she even had three blue dollar signs on the side of her flank.

"Sure as sure!" The pony replied with a smirk. "Just do exactly as I said and those judges will practically beg for you to join this school in no time?"

Sunset gave the other pony her meek look. "If… if you say so, Upper Crust."

Sweetie Belle suddenly let out a loud gasp. "Wait, that's Upper Crust!?"

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle with curious expressions.

"You know her Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well, not the pony version, but I do know Upper Crust from our world! She's Rarity’s rival!" Sweetie Belle revealed.

Apple Bloom tilted her head. "What's so bad about her?"

Sweetie Belle furrowed her brow. "Well, Upper Crust used to be an acquaintance to my sister and also into fashion design like my sister. But unlike Rarity, Upper Crust treats others like dirt! And when it comes to being on top of the fashion world, she'll do anything to get on top!" She then frowned. "Even if it means sabotaging her competition! And worse of all, she is also a Crystal Prep student!"

"...I don't like this pony already!" Scootaloo remarked.

As soon as Scootaloo said her words, three older ponies entered the room through the main doors above them and they're all unicorns. The first unicorn is a male. He is gray, has a short black mane, and has violet eyes. The second unicorn is a mare. She has yellow, has a flat light purple mane, and dark purple eyes. And the third unicorn is also a mare. She is tan, has a brown mane with a short ponytail, light blue eyes, and wears glasses. Out of the three unicorns, she is the leader of the group. And judging from their demeanors, the three unicorns were represented for the school.

The three unicorn ponies made their way towards their seats, which was a row below the CMCs and Somna.

"Morning ladies," said the tan mare with glasses as she and her colleagues took their seats. "As you both know, we're looking for the best of the best to join our school, so you two better show off the best skill you could offer for this entrance exam." She then glanced at her clipboard. "First one up is… Sunset Shimmer!"

Hearing her name, Sunset slowly walked over to the center of the stage where the covered box was before facing the judges. Despite feeling nervous before the big ponies, Sunset gave them her confident grin.

"Greetings mares and stallions!" she announced. "My name is Sunset Shimmer, and today, I will be performing a spell on these cats for your entertainment which I call, the Synchronized Dancing Cats!"

Sunset then turned towards the huge box, which was covered in a huge cloth. She then pulled the cover off with her magic from her horn, revealing a cage with at least a dozen cats.

The CMCs were taken aback by the number of cats Sunset had for her performance.

“Wow… so many cats,” Sweetie Belle mumbled.

“I wonder what she’s going to do to them,” Scootaloo wondered loudly.

Sunset then used her magic again. This time, she teleported all the cats from the cage to the stage, making them stand on their hind legs. While still using her magic, the cats began to dance in various moves. First, the cats simply turned their heads back and forth. Then they all do the paw stand before they flip themselves upright again while stretching their paws up in the air. Then they failed their arms around while moving from one side of the stage to another. The cats were then stood side by side and did some synchronized kicks.

As the cats danced, the cats themselves grew fussier by the second. By the time they started the kick dance, the cats finally had enough and started failing and clawing at each other. Sunset noticed this and tried to calm them down.

“Stop! Please, stop! We almost have this!” Sunset grunted, trying to hold on to her magic.

Unfortunately, Sunset wasn’t able to contain the cats anymore as they broke free and scampered everywhere all around the room, including the seats where the judges were located, much to Sunset’s horror.

“Oh no!” Sunset exclaimed.

The judges were then ambushed by many cats as they jumped and clawed them. No matter what the judges have done to get the cats off of them, the cats just keep coming back. Even the CMCs were nervous as the cats were heading over to them.

“Incoming!” shouted Apple Bloom as she and her friends braced for impact.

Only for the cats to jump through them like they were never there, much to the CMCs confusion.

“Relax,” Somna soothed. “Nothing will harm us since we’re just observing everything that just happened from Sunset’s memory. Remember?”

Apple Bloom, along with her friends, had sheepish expressions. “Right… forgot about dat.”

“I’ll stop these pests!” Upper Crust suddenly announced.

They all watched as Upper Crust lit up her horn, causing all the cats to freeze in place. Then, with a flick of her horn, the cats teleported back to the center of the stage, piled into a pyramid. As an added flare, Upper Crust even added different outfits for each cat. Sunset and the CMCs watched in disbelief, while the judges applauded Upper Crust’s performance.

“Well done Upper Crust!” the tan mare with glasses praised. “Not only was that quick thinking, but you also ended with an amazing presentation! I think it goes without saying that you've passed the entrance exam."

Her two colleagues nodded in agreement as they clapped their hooves eagerly.

"Thank you, thank you all so much!" said Upper Crust, while trying to act all humble. "You're all too kind!"

The three judges then set their eyes on Sunset, but their expressions became less pleased.

"As for you, Sunset Shimmer! Your performance with the cats just now was a disaster… and that's just putting it lightly!" The tan pony with glasses scolded. "Poor planning, sloppy magic casting, animal cruelty, the list goes on! If you're the type of pony who doesn't even know how to control their magic, then… this school is not for you."

Sunset looked like she'd been slapped in the face. "But… but–"

"And when you learn to get your act together, you can try again the next semester… but I doubt you will at this rate," the tan pony with glasses concluded as she and her colleagues stood up from their chairs. "That will be all!"

Sunset pointed at Upper Crust. "You don't understand! She–"

"That will be all!" The tan pony with glasses repeated coolly with a warning look. She then glanced at Upper Crust. "Anyway, Miss Polomare, please follow me to my office and we'll finalize your paperwork."

Upper Crust smiled. "Sure, but please give me one minute to clean this up."

The tan mare with glasses smiled back. "No problem. Take all the time you need."

As the tan mare with glasses and her colleagues left the room, Sunset turned to Upper Crust with an enraged look, causing Upper Crust to chuckle at the sight.

"Aw, what's wrong Sunny? Failed your entrance exam?" Upper Crust mocked. "It's okay, not everypony succeeds on their first try."

"You tricked me!" Sunset screamed accusingly as she pointed at Upper Crust. "It's because of your so-called advice that I didn't get in!"

Upper Crust then dropped her smirk and her expression changed to a bored expression. “You’re so naive Sunny! You didn’t really think I was helping you, did you? When it comes to competition, you must always be on top whatever means necessary! It’s everypony for themselves, that's just how things go in this world!”

Upper Crust turned around and climbed up the stairs, without any sign of remorse in her features. As she opened the door, she glanced back at the Sunset one last time, who still had an angry expression.

“You'll understand once you become the number one, m'kay?" She smirked again. "But I doubt you ever will!"

And with that, Upper Crust left the room and closed the door behind her, leaving Sunset, the CMCs, and Somna alone in the room.

“Wow!” Sweetie Belle muttered with a deep frown on her face. “Even the pony version of Upper Crust is such a piece of work!”

“Is the Upper Crust back in our world is as bad as this one?” Apple Bloom asked.

Sweetie Belle scoffed. “You don’t want to know!”

Before Apple Bloom could ask for clarification, the CMCs turned back towards the flaming-maned mare when they all heard a loud sniff. Sunset was no longer angry from before. Instead, Sunset just stood there with a gloomy expression.

“What was I thinking?” Sunset scolded herself sadly, stomping her hoof on the stage in anger. “I can’t believe I trusted her! I knew my ‘Synchronized Dancing Cats’ piece wasn’t a good idea and now I missed my chance!”

Sunset sniffed again as she bowed her head, tears leaking from her eyes. This display made most of the CMCs feel sorry for the poor unicorn while Apple Bloom only stared at Sunset with a blank expression, still conflicted at the former bully. Despite that, one thing the girls all silently agreed on was that no one deserved to be betrayed and hurt by some pony who only took advantage of.

Even somepony like Sunset Shimmer.

“Why?” Sunset whispered. “Why am I such a failure?”

“I don’t think it was a complete failure.”

Sunset and the CMCs gasped from a sudden new voice. They all turned towards the backstage to see a new pony, who somehow hid until now. Unlike the previous ponies like Sunset’s caregiver and the judges, this new pony was the tallest pony the CMCs have ever seen by far. Her fur is all white, has huge wings, a long horn, has violet eyes, and has a sun tattoo on her flank. She was also wearing a golden crown, necklace, and shoes, which the CMCs assumed that she came from royalty. But what stood out the most was the pony’s mane and tail. They’re long, mixed with blues, greens, and pink, and they just flowed gracefully with sparkles in the air.

Sunset gasped. “Oh my goodness! P-princess Celestia!” Sunset then quickly bowed. "M-my apologies! I–I didn't know you were here!"

“At ease my little pony,” Princess Celestia said kindly with a chuckle. “I'm just visiting, that's all."

Meanwhile, from the sidelines, the CMCs watched the scene with jaws hanging from their mouths.

“Did… did she just say, Princess Celestia!?” Sweetie Belle shrieked in shock.

“Wait, wait! Hold up!” Scootaloo spoke up, eyes widened. “Principal Celestia in our world… is a princess in this world!?”

"Funny how universes work, isn't it?" Somna mused. "I'm sure your sisters have mentioned to you before that there are pony counterparts of the people you know in this world, right?"

"Yeah I know that, but our principal's counterpart is a princess?" Scootaloo remarked in disbelief.

Somna shrugged. “While we are similar to our own counterparts, at the same time, we are also very different depending on the words themselves. Both Celestias are authoritative figures, yet love to teach others. Which is why your Celestia is the principal of your school, while the pony Celestia is the princess of this land.”

“I… guess that makes sense,” Apple Bloom conceded while tapping her chin in thought. “I wonder what our counterparts are like?”

“Probably something awesome!” Scootaloo crowed. “Maybe we formed some kind of club as Crusaders!”

Sweetie’s eyes brightened in excitement. “Ooh! I like the sound of that!”

“I hate to interrupt,” Somna interjected. “But I need you three must focus on this!”

The CMCs ceased their conversation and focused back on Sunset and Princess Celestia as they began talking again.

"I've seen your little performance with those cats earlier," said Princess Celestia.

Sunset Shimmer cringed from that statement, felt even more embarrassed for performing that disaster in front of the Princess.

"Yeah… not my best work," Sunset mumbled with her ears drooped to her skull. "I'm so sorry you have to see that. I bet it was the most disgraceful performance you've ever seen in your school."

"Not at all," Princess Celestia assured. "In fact, that's the funniest thing I've ever seen in this school all day!" Celestia then rubbed her chin with an amused expression. "Actually, that's probably the funniest thing I've seen in this school since… ever!"

Sunset blinked. "Huh!?"

"Huh!?" The CMCs chorused, neither expected this kind of response from the princess.

Celestia chuckled. "I swear, this school has gotten more and more serious over the past many moons! They need to lighten up once in a while." Her expression became serious. “That aside, your performance could have gone better…”

Sunset winced at that.

“...but I think the judges were a little too harsh on you,” she concluded with a gentle smile. “Your magic is so strong and I do see potential in you. You just need some guidance."

“R-really? Y-you’re serious?” Sunset stuttered with widened eyes, not expected to be praised by the princess.

Princess Celestia nodded. “I do!” She then looked around the room. “By the way, where are your parents? Shouldn’t they be here with you for your entrance exam?”

Sunset winced again, feeling uncomfortable all of the sudden.

“I, uh… have no parents,” Sunset admitted quietly while avoiding Princess Celestia’s gaze. “I lived alone my entire life.”

Celestia frowned. “Not even at a foster home?”

Sunset scoffed. “They don’t care! After constantly being rejected by 'potential' parents, I decided to live out on my own.”

"...I see,” Princess Celestia responded. “Tell me, what is your name?"

Sunset blinked. "Oh, it's Sunset. Sunset Shimmer."

Celestia smiled. "Well, Sunset Shimmer, you certainly have talent with your magic. How would you like to study under me, as my apprentice?"

As Princess Celestia stretched her hoof out towards her new apprentice, Sunset’s eyes widened in shock. In her wildest dreams, she never expected to be anypony's appearance after the disaster of her performance, let alone from the Princess herself. She resisted not pinching herself with her magic in case this was all a dream.

Sunset slowly smiled up to the Princess with shimmering eyes, while desperately trying not to cry.

"P-princess Celestia, it… it would be an honor!" Sunset said happily as she shook the Princess' hoof.

As the two began to discuss Sunset’s new apprenticeship, the CMCs talked among themselves.

“So that’s how Sunset became Princess Celestia’s apprentice,” said Scootaloo with interest.

“It would seem that way,” Apple Bloom simply stated, still having mixed feelings about the flaming-maned mare.

“Well, at least things are better for Sunset after she was taken in by the Princess," said Sweetie before giving Somna her unsure look. "...right?”

“Perhaps we should jump ahead further and see for ourselves,” Somna suggested before activating her powers from her necklace once again.

As soon as the light faded out, the CMCs felt slightly disoriented again but didn't last as long as those other times. Apple Bloom, who first recovered quickly, immediately turned to Somna with a glare.

Somna cocked an eyebrow. "What? I warned you that time."

Apple Bloom let out a snort in annoyance before she surveyed the area.

Instead of a classroom, this time they were in some kind of castle. The walls and floors were made of shiny marble stones. There were multiple tall stone pillars on each side of the room. Many glass stain windows were displayed everywhere along the walls. The throne was golden and red which sat on top of the golden stairs. And a long red carpet was laid on the floor from where the throne was to all the way to those huge double doors, which were located on the other side of the room.

"Where are we now?" Apple Bloom inquired.

"We are now in the throne room of Princess Celestia’s castle within Canterlot a few years later," Somna replied.

Scootaloo whistled loudly, impressed with the decor. "Okay, I'll admit… this is pretty cool! Probably the best location by far!"

Sweetie nodded. "I agree. This Princess has great taste… for a pony."

Apple Bloom frowned. "And Ah assumed this is where Sunset lives?"

"Well, technically Sunset lives in a dorm near the school," Somna corrected. "But she was seen with Princess Celestia almost every day ever since she was taken in as the Princess' apprentice–"

"Didn't she at one point… wanted to be a Princess?" Apple Bloom pressed, cutting Somna off.

Somna said nothing for a moment, not appreciating the way Apple Bloom pressed her like that until she let out a soft sigh.

"...yes," Somna admitted. "Sunset always wanted to be a Princess ever since Princess Celestia took her under her wing. And after she saw that magic mirror, which is a few months after this timeline, it resolved her ambition even further."

Apple Bloom scoffed. "Then it proves mah point!"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were taken aback by their friend's angry remark.

"What do you mean Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Apple Bloom huffed as she gestured around the room.

"Sunset had all of this and got it good… and yet, she still had the nerve to come to our world, bullied everyone, and then turned us all into mindless zombies just to take over this world! How the heck should Ah feel any sympathy towards her!"

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were baffled by the harshness and lack of sympathy coming from their friend.

“But what about everything we’ve seen so far from her past?” Sweetie questioned. “When she got backstabbed from another pony when she was abused at the orphanage… when she was ditched by her mother as a baby?”

Apple Bloom glanced away from her Sweetie Belle. “Ah’ll admit, I felt bad for Sunset to see those things that happened to her…” Apple Bloom turned her head back to her friend with a hardened expression. “But this still changes nothing! At the end of the day… she still became a meanie we all know today!”

“How can you say that!” Sweetie Belle argued. “How can you be so cruel!”

“Ah’m not being cruel, Ah’m only speaking the truth!” Apple Bloom retorted.

“Is it?” Scootaloo asked, cutting into the conversation. “What if there was a reason for her to become a bully on top of everything we’ve seen so far?”

Apple Bloom glared at her tomboy friend in disbelief. “Reason!? What could there be any other reason for her to ditch her home other than wanting to be as powerful as a Princess?”

“Maybe if you three should stop your bickering for one moment,” Somna stated calmly which gained the attention of the three fillies in question. “Then I think you all will get your answers right. About… now.”

As soon as Somna said the word “now”, the huge double doors opened, revealing Sunset, who was now a few years older, and Princess Celestia, who was having a heated conversation.

“Oh c'mon, Princess Celestia," Sunset complained, as she and Princess Celestia walked into the room. "Upper Crust is a snake and she had it coming!"

Celestia frowned. "Sunset, there's no reason to humiliate her by having her dressed up in a snake onesie and then hanging her up on a flag pole with your magic for all to see."

"Upper Crust had it out for me for years!" Sunset argued with a scowl. "She always tries to cheat and humiliate me throughout my years in school! Then she has the nerve to try to butter me up to get on my good side… only because she heard that I'm your apprentice. She was only using me just to get connections to you! She doesn't care about me! So it was only fair I gave her exactly what she deserves!"

Princess Celestia frowned deeply. "I'm sorry to hear about how you were treated by this pony. But even so, that's no reason to stoop to her level. The whole purpose of you studying in my school is to make friends."

"Friends?" Sunset scoffed. "None of these ponies wanted to be my friend! The only reason they stick close to me is that they know I'm your apprentice! They were hoping to gain favors or gain social status from you through me! They were no better than Upper Crust!" Sunset’s expression darkened. "And frankly… I'd rather be the best than be friends with any of these losers! If there is one thing I will agree with Upper Crust, it's everypony for themselves!"

"Sunset Shimmer!" Princess Celestia thundered with an appalled expression, causing Sunset to end her tirade and the CMCs to jump in fright.

"Oh, man… I'm not sure which version of Celestia is scarier: our Principal or the Princess?" Scootaloo stammered nervously.

Apple Bloom gulped. "Ah'm not sure, but Ah bet both Celestias are scary in their own way!"

Sweetie simply nodded in agreement.

After a moment of long, tense silence, Princess Celestia breathed softly through her nose before she spoke again in a much calmer tone.

"I understand the struggle of dealing with ponies like that… and I also understand what it was like to be alone. It was one of the few things why I took you in as my apprentice. You have the potential to do great things, but to do that, you need to have some humility and be open to other ponies so that you will eventually find friends who care for you. Not every pony is like that."

Sunset rolled her eyes. "Wanna bet?"

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" Sunset said quickly before changing the subject. "By the way… you know that Hearth's Warming is tomorrow, right?"

Princess Celestia raised her brow. "Yeah, I'm aware of it. Why'd you ask?"

Feeling nervous all of the sudden, Sunset awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. “Well… since the school is closed for the holidays and you also don’t have any important royal duties around that time, I was wondering… if I could spend Hearth’s Warming… with you?”

“With me?” Princess Celestia asked in a surprised tone.

Sunset nodded with a small smile. “Y-yeah! I thought that… maybe we could spend time together and have some fun?”

Princess Celestia was quiet for a moment before she glanced away from Sunset. "I'm… flattered that you spend the holiday with me Sunset, but… I’m afraid I’ll have to decline."

Princess Celestia’s answer not only shocked Sunset but the CMCs too. Neither pony, except for Somna expected a kind-hearted Princess could turn down Sunset like that, on Hearth’s Warming no less.

Sunset shook her head in disbelief. “B-b-but why!? Why won’t you spend time with me?”

Princess Celestia sighed. “I already have plans for Hearth’s Warming this year and it’s very important.”

“You… already have plans with some other pony?” Sunset exclaimed. “Who? Don’t tell me you’re spending the holidays with your worst excuse of your nephew!”

Princess Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “While my nephew isn’t… perfect, I don’t appreciate you insulting him like that.”

Sunset rolled her eyes at that.

“And to answer your question,” Princess Celestia continued. “I’m actually spending the Hearth’s Warming with my niece.”

Sunset stared at Princess Celestia with a mixed expression of shock and anger. “You mean, Cadance!? That so-called Pegasus from some small village who turned into an Alicorn? You gotta be kidding me?”

“Yes, that Cadance,” Princess Celestia replied calmly, not once flinched by Sunset’s outburst. “This will be her first Hearth’s Warming in Canterlot and I’m going to show her around the city and then we’ll both have a private celebration within the castle.”

“But what about me?” Sunset retorted. “Why can’t I celebrate Hearth’s Warming with you?”

Princess Celestia shook her head. “I’m sorry Sunset, but I’m afraid that my celebration with my niece is a family event. You should go off and celebrate with your–”

“I thought I was your family!” Sunset screamed angrily, tears leaking from her eyes. “And that so-called new Alicorn isn’t your real niece! It’s because I’m not an Alicorn! Is that it!?”

Princess Celestia immediately was taken aback by Sunset’s anger and looked at Sunset with concern. “Sunset… that’s not tru–”

“Make me an Alicorn then!” Sunset demanded. “Make me an Alicorn so that I can be a part of it!”

“Sunset that’s enough!” Princess Celestia shouted, ending Sunset’s ranting.

With a heartbroken expression, Sunset bowed her head.

“I thought when you took me in and I became your apprentice after all these years, I thought I finally found the place where I belong and be with somepony I cared about… but I was wrong! Ever since she came into our lives, you spend more time with her and she is all you talked about! You don’t care about me… no one does!”

Apple Bloom blinked at the scene and her eyes were as wide as dinner plates. For a brief moment, instead of seeing Sunset yelling at the Princess, she was seeing herself yelling at her sister over the same topic. Apple Bloom couldn’t believe just how close to home she was after seeing Sunset dealing with someone she cared about was spending time with a different pony who she didn’t really like.

Apple Bloom let out a small groan, realizing just how ironic this scenario was.

“But I do care!” Princess Celestia cried, snapping Apple Bloom out of her thoughts.

Sunset looked up. “Then why can’t I be an Alicorn?”

“Sunset,” Princess Celestia sighed. “The reason Cadance became an Alicorn was because she earned them. You do not. You could potentially become one, but you’re not ready.”

When Sunset didn’t respond, Princess Celestia sighed again with a guilty expression.

“I’m so sorry Sunset… I never meant to hurt you,” she said gently. “I want to make it up to you. How about… we’ll go to a picnic together in my private garden once Hearth’s Warming is over?”

Sunset frowned. “By the time you return, my classes will resume and you’ll be back to your royal duties.”

Princess Celestia flinched from Sunset’s cold tone, as well as knowing what Sunset said was the truth.

“Don’t worry… I’m sure we’ll come up with something,” she assured.

Sunset simply looked away from the Princess with a scoff, not believing her words.

Before Princess Celestia could speak, the main door opened, revealing to be one of her guards.

“Parden me, your highness, but your niece is in the hallway waiting for you.”

“Oh, yes… thank you,” Princess Celestia responded. “Tell her that I’ll be there momentarily.”

The guard bowed before he left the room, leaving the two ponies and four other “guests” alone again.

“We’ll… talk more about this some other time,” Princess Celestia said awkwardly as was heading to the door, walking past a very upset Sunset.

Just as Princess Celestia reached the door, Princess Celestia looked back at her student again with a guilty expression.

“Um… Happy Hearth’s Warming, Sunset,” she said quietly before she left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Everything was quiet for a moment. The girls were starting to feel concerned for the flaming maned pony until Sunset let out a humorless chuckle.

“She left me,” Sunset croaked before she looked up with rage-fueled eyes. “I can’t believe she left me! All because I’m not an Alicorn!”

The CMCs stepped back in fright as Sunset growled. She then took out what it looks like some kind of card out of her tail with her magic.

“To think I got her this stupid card!”

While still using her magic, Sunset tore up her card in two before tossing the pieces to the floor.

“I’ll just work harder until Princess Celestia deems me worthy enough to be an Alicorn, then I’ll bet I can become part of her family then, and wipe that smirk off of that so-called wannabe Alcorn’s face!”

Sunset glanced at her ruined cards with a glare, tears pouring from her eyes and down her cheeks.

"Friends and family… who needs ‘em!"

With her head low, Sunset galloped out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

The CMCs stared at the door for what felt like an eternity before they set their eyes on a torn card. Curious about what was on the card, Sweetie Belle moved closer to the card while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo followed behind. With her hoof, Sweetie Belle moved the two pieces of cards together, completing an image of two ponies of a mare and filly, hugging each other in the snow with words above them which said:

Happy Hearth’s Warming,

To my great mentor,

To my dear friend,

And to my caring mother.

Sweetie Belle felt tears forming in her eyes. “Oh, Sunset…”

"Now do you understand?"

The CMCs turned to face Somna, who had a serious expression on her face as she continued to explain to the human turned ponies.

"All her life, even when she started off in a loveless environment, she had no one to guide her or to teach her from right to wrong. And even after the Princess had taken her in as her mentor… it wasn't enough for her. She wanted the one thing she needed desperately that not even her Princess wasn't able to give her."

"What was it?" Scootaloo whispered.

"Family," Somna answered.

She then bore her eyes at Apple Bloom, who made the latter feel a bit uneasily.

"You mentioned earlier that you two aren’t alike and that Sunset has it good? …I disagree,” Somna said calmly. “You may have lost your parents at a young age, you at least still have your siblings and your Grandmother to support and love you. Sunset Shimmer, however… has no one. Even after she was taken in from her mentor, she couldn’t give her the family love she so desperately needed. She lost her love for a brief time and lost hope that she’ll ever find someone who cared for her.”

“Until Princess Twilight came!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in realization. She then slumped miserably. “And then our sisters became her friend.”

“They became more than just friends, they have become her family," Somna stressed. “The night that your sisters started this whole sleepover event, Sunset never felt so happy in her entire life and has finally found the place she had thought she belonged.” Her eyes narrowed in disapproval. “That is… until you three interfered… all because of your jealousy!”

Apple Bloom scowled. "We're not–"

"Yes. You. Are!" Somna said sternly. "I can sense your true feelings throughout our trip. You can't deny that from me!"

Apple Bloom let out an annoyed huff. "Okay, fine! So Ah am jealous of Shimmer, but that still doesn't excuse her actions. She became a real meanie ever since she was denied to be a Princess."

Somna frowned. "While it's true that her obsession to become a Princess went into overdrive after Princess Celestia showed her the mirror months later and then decided to go on her own to your world. And I also conceded that Sunset’s actions don't excuse what she did after she came to your school.

"However, while part of her reason for wanting to be an Alicorn was so she can gain power and respect, her original reason was just so that Princess Celestia could finally view her as her daughter… just how the Princess viewed this Cadance character as her niece. Unfortunately, after the mirror incident, she had forgotten her main reason to become an Alicorn in the first place as she became more misguided to gain that power… until the Fall Formal night that is."

"But she still came to our world to do bad things after she was denied to become an Alicorn!" Apple Bloom argued.

Somna cocked an eyebrow. "Just like how you ended up doing bad things when you didn't get what you wanted?"

Apple Bloom growled, but she couldn't deny Somna's rebuttal.

"I still can't believe that the Princess rejected her like that!" Sweetie exclaimed, angry at the Princess' actions. "I thought that being a Princess is that you always make a good decision!"

“Just because she’s a Princess, doesn’t mean that she’s perfect,” said Somna, shaking her head. “Princess Celestia herself was dealing with her own issues after banishing her sister to the moon.”

Apple Bloom's eyes widened. “She banished her sister to da moon!? Wat fer!?”

“...let’s just say those two had a disagreement,” Somna said vaguely. “But rest assured, those two eventually made up. But at the time, Princess Celestia blamed herself for losing her sister and didn’t want to get close to anyone in fear of hurting another pony again, even her adopted niece. Yet ironically, her actions have hurt Sunset, and those two have fallen out since then.”

Scootaloo looked up at Somna sadly. “So… they both hated each other now?”

Somna shook her head. “No. Quite frankly… they missed each other.”

The CMCs blinked with confused expressions.

“What do you mean? Sweetie Belle asked.

“After the Fall Formal, Sunset Shimmer felt great remorse for what she had done, including letting her mentor down,” Somna explained. “And after Princess Celestia took Twilight under her wing and got her sister back, she too felt guilty for not being there for Sunset when she needed her most.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Well if Sunset felt guilty for the way she treated the Princess, why can she go back home so that the two of them could reconcile?”

“Because Sunset felt unworthy and too ashamed to see her mentor after she left for her own selfish gain,” Somna answered. “And it’s also because she wanted to make things right to the people she wronged before she could face her mentor again.”

“Well, what about the Princess?” Apple Bloom inquired. “Why can she come to our world and talk to Sunset?”

“Same with the Princess,” Somna replied. “She too felt ashamed of herself for how she turned her down and failed her as her mentor. She believed that after everything that happened, Sunset would never forgive her. And even if she wanted to, her royal duties kept her from visiting Sunset herself.”

“Jeez, talk about some serious complications!” Scootaloo remarked.

Sweetie frowned. “Will the two of them ever talk to each other again?”

“...only time will tell,” Somna responded vaguely before turning her attention to Apple Bloom. “You seemed awful quiet Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom nearly jolted as soon as Somna called her out.

"I can sense that you are beginning to second guess your justification of framing Sunset. Even you cannot ignore that she is not only an ordinary girl like you, she was also a lonely girl who was on her own until she was reached out by your sister."

Somna then leaned in close to Apple Bloom’s face, making the ladder feel uncomfortable.

“What do you think after walking down through Sunset’s memories? Do you still think she was born evil?” Somna pressed, her voice sounded harsher in every question. “Do you still believe that Sunset was having an easy life? Do you still think that she deserved a taste of a hard life, despite that she’d been dealing with it her entire life? Do you still think that she deserves all the pain and suffering right now in your world by your hand because you weren’t satisfied that she was hanging out with her sister and was happy for once? Do you still think that!?”

"Stop!" Apple Bloom shouted.

Apple Bloom crouched down and then placed her hooves over her ears. Seeing her friend in distress, they ran over to comfort Apple Bloom. Both Sweetie and Scootaloo looked up and felt chills go down their spins as they saw Somna’s cold and unsympathetic expression. They turned towards Apple Bloom again as they heard her let out a small sniff.

"Please… just take me and mah friends back home!” Apple Bloom pleaded. “Ah… Ah don’t want to be here anymore!"

Somna just stood over them silently with that same unsympathetic expression for eternity, until she closed her eyes and sighed.

"Very well… so be it!"

Suddenly, the glowpaz around her neck glowed bright green, engulfing Somna in a green aura. The CMCs were terrified the moment Somna opened her eyes, which were now filled in green. Before either of the girls realized what was happening, they were suddenly wrapped up in green smoke, freezing them in place. They barely had time to scream when Somna began to speak in an echoey voice.

“My time has come anyway,” Somna boomed. “But before I go, let me offer you my final advice to you three!”

The CMCs were then lifted into the air, struggling as their lives depended on it while the green smoke continued to engulf them, slowly blocking out their vision.

“Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes… remember that!”

As soon as Somna finished her words, the CMCs vision went black.

Author's Note

Man... talk about a heavy first visit! :ajsleepy:

I bet none of you were expecting Somnambula as the first ghost, weren't you? :raritywink:

Fun fact: My original choices for the role of Christmas Past, aside from Somnambula, were Mage Meadowbrook, and Mistmane. While Mage Meadowbrook and Mistmane are good choices for the role, but in the end, I picked Somnambula because I felt she was not only best suited for the role but also a fan-favorite out of all the characters from the Pillars (myself included).

In case you're wondering, the description of the human Somnambula was based on this image below:

Artist Unknown

I couldn't find the original artist for this image. If anyone knows who created this, please let me know.

Some quick notes here. Some of Apple Bloom's dialogue about turning into a pony was based on a scene with Sci-Twi and Sunset in Equestria Girls Spring Breakdown special.

Sunset performing the Synchronized Dancing Cats as her entrance exam was based on this scene from The Fall of Sunset Shimmer from My Little Pony Annual 2013 comic

And the reason why I didn't include the fallout scene between Sunset and Princess Celestia from The Fall of Sunset Shimmer was that:

A) All the visions Somnambula showed the CMCs took place during Christmas/Hearth's Warming.

B) I wanted to write a scene as an origin to what causes a rift between the two which eventually leads to that major fallout scene in the comic.

Anyway, while this is an emotional chapter (even for me), I barely scratched the surface! So next time, it's Christmas Present's turn! Stay tuned for tomorrow! :pinkiesmile:

Chapter 5 - The Dark Things Yet To Come

Warning: This chapter has some scary and serious scenes.
It might be scary for some readers.

The CMCs were downright horrified.

They don’t know how long they’ve been standing there, but the girls felt like they’ve been staring at the new ghost in fear for like an eternity. Unlike the first two ghosts, who were very warm and welcoming, this ghost, however, was very ominous and gloomy. They felt paralyzed just by being under the ghost’s gaze, despite not seeing his eyes at all from underneath his hood. Neither of these girls has ever experienced this kind of terror in their entire lives.

For Apple Bloom, out of all the ghosts they’ve encountered, the ghost that she was facing right now is what she was fearing the most. Apple Bloom could barely breathe, her body was shaking violently, and her heart was beating against her chest like a drum. Even though he was here as their "guide", she can't help but believe that he was out here to punish her for what she had done in the past two weeks.

She really wished she had listened to her parents instead of acting like a stubborn mule.

Apple Bloom glanced back at her friends, who continued to stare at the third ghost with terrified expressions, neither wasn’t able to utter a single word. Realizing that she was the only one who was capable of talking to him, Apple Bloom slowly faced the ghost again. She gulped a huge lump down her throat like she was swallowing a softball as she tried to look directly at the ghost’s face.

The key word being, “tried”.

“A-are… are you our... t-t-third visitor… sent by mah p-p-parents, t-the g-g-ghost of… C-C-Christmas Future?” Apple Bloom stammered nervously.

Christmas Future simply nodded.

Apple Bloom gulped again. “A-a-and… are you… g-g-going to show us w-what may… or will happen… if we continue our roles as Anon-a-Miss?”

Again, Christmas Future simply nodded.

Apple Bloom frowned. “C-can… you speak at all?”

Christmas Future simply stood there like a statue, not answering Apple Bloom’s question.

Meanwhile, Scootaloo leaned over to Sweetie Belle’s ear.

"How is he going to show us… if he can't talk?” she whispered.

"Beats me," Sweetie Belle whispered back. "Out of all the ghosts we’ve seen, this one gives me the creeps!"

The two girls jolted their spines in fear when Christmas Future suddenly turned his head towards them as if he had heard them.

"Er, I mean– um… I really like your… robe?" Sweetie Belle fibbed nervously.

Scootaloo inwardly groaned at Sweetie’s pathetic attempt to cover up her earlier remark.

Christmas Future lingered his gaze at Sweetie Belle for a moment before he faced the brick wall, causing Sweetie Belle to silently sigh in relief. With a wave of his skeletal hand, dark energy was formed from within the wall. It grew until it was as big as him, creating a large portal that was an entrance to some kind of dark realm. Christmas Future then turned towards the girls, waiting expectedly.

Apple Bloom glanced at the portal and then back at Christmas Future.

"You… want us to follow ya… through dat?" she asked nervously.

Christmas Future nodded.

"...is it too late for us to be backing out of this?" Apple Bloom asked in a slightly hopeful tone.

Christmas Future simply pointed at the portal, wordlessly demanding them to not waste time.

"R-right," Apple Bloom drooped with a resigned look. "L-lead the way then."

Christmas Future then headed into the portal, gesturing the girls to follow him with his long boney finger. The girls were hesitant for a moment before Apple Bloom was the first to enter the portal. Shortly after that, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo followed after Apple Bloom before the portal itself shrunk behind them, preventing any chance for them to escape.

The inside of the portal was dark and unpleasant as if they felt their souls were suffocating. The long dark hallway they were traveling through felt like it was never-ending. Even though they were under guidance from the third ghost, they looked around nervously as if they were waiting for something sinister to jump out and grab them.

As they continued to follow Christmas Future, Sweetie whispered to her tomboy friend.

"S-Scoots?” Sweetie Belle stammered quietly.

Scootaloo glanced at Sweetie. “Y-yes, Sweetie Belle?”

“...I'm scared."

"...me too."

"Ah don’t think he's going to hurt us," Apple Bloom said quietly, overhearing her friends. "But it's probably best to keep our guard up and just go along with this."

Sweetie frowned. "Oh sure… says the girl who refused to go along the trip from the start!"

Apple Bloom grimaced, hurt by her friend’s harsh jab against her.

"Please don't fight girls," Scootaloo pleaded quietly. "I… I want all of us to make it back home in one piece."

"Assuming we'll make it back at all!" Sweetie Belle retorted.

Before a fight breaks out, another portal opened and appeared in front of them, making the girls feel relieved that their unpleasant journey through the dark tunnel was over. The four of them walked through the portal and entered a whole new area. After they surveyed around the area briefly, the girls’ eyes widened in recognition.

"Hey… this place looks like our school!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"Ah think it is our school," Apple Bloom confirmed before frowning. "But there's something about our school that doesn't feel right."

Sweetie analyzed the area for a moment. While everything in the school looked the same as they left it hours ago, there was something about the area that was dramatically different. As she studied the area a bit more, she immediately noticed when her eyes were set on the students who were passing around the hallway.

"Hey! Everyone in here is… miserable!" Sweetie Belle pointed out.

As the other two CMCs were witnessing the students, Sweetie Belle was indeed correct. They watched as every single person was just heading to their classes, not uttering a single word to one another like they were emotionless robots.

Scootaloo frowned at the sight. "Yeah. They just… walked around with gloomy faces and didn't even interact with one another."

"Well, at least it's better than seeing them fighting one another," said Apple Bloom, trying to lighten up the mood.

Sweetie Belle glanced at her friend with a glare. "And who's fault was that?"

Apple Bloom felt another sting in her chest from Sweetie's cold remark. Just as she was about to respond, she felt a firm grip on her left shoulder, which belonged to Christmas Future. Apple Bloom and the girls watched nervously as he simply pointed towards the direction for them to look.

When the girls obeyed, they immediately noticed the three classmates they knew by association. Flash Sentry, former boyfriend to Sunset Shimmer and leader of his band the Flash Drives, Micro Chips, a school nerd who is a genius and tech expert, and Sandalwood, a friendly eco-kid with a chill personality. Despite that they were each from their own different clique, those three are well known as best friends.

Normally, the CMCs would often see those three interact with each other in a friendly manner whenever they passed them in the hallway. However, at this moment, they were just hanging around near their lockers in a melancholic state, not speaking to one another. The CMCs wondered if they're just going to stand around silently the whole time until they heard Flash Sentry let out a low sigh.

"Man… it's crazy that it's been a whole year since this whole mess has started," Flash stated.

Mico Chips nodded. "I know. After that fiasco, everyone just stopped talking to one another in fear of having our secrets exposed… and not trusting one another."

"Yeah, just like with Lyra and Bon Bon," Sandalwood added before he paused in thought. "Well… mostly Bon Bon. She still refused to speak to Lyra ever since the whole Roseluck thing."

Flash cocked an eyebrow. "And Lyra?"

"The poor gal wasn't herself," Sandalwood replied sadly. "She's so depressed about losing her best friend, she's acting like a mindless zombie, man."

"We also lost so many students in the process," Micro Chips shook his head with a frown. "Many who were badly bullied were transferred to other schools."

"Yeah… I lost count on how many people left this school this whole year," Flash spoke with downcast eyes. "Especially to a good friend of mine who used to bake me muffins every morning."

Sandalwood glanced at Flash. "You mean the one with those weird misaligned eyes?"

Flash glared at his eco-friend. "Sandalwood! Really?"

"Ooh! Sorry man! Didn't mean to disrespect!" Sandalwood apologized quickly before frowning. "Quite frankly, the ones who belittled her like that were disgusting!"

"The people who ostracized Octavia and DJ Pon-3's relationship are just as disgusting," Micro Chips added with fury. "But probably less than Octavia's folks!"

Sandalwood scowled. "Yeah, they're the worst! What parents do that to their kid!?"

Flash sighed sadly. "For me… the worst is what happened to Sunset."

Micro Chips and Sandalwood stared at their friend in concern.

"Hey man, what happened to her wasn't your fault," said Sandalwood.

"Was it?" Flash challenged. "I always knew from the start that Sunset was innocent and that she was obviously being set up from the start!" His gaze cast downward in guilt. "And yet… I haven't done a single thing to help her."

"Why didn't you?" Micro Chips asked with a curious expression.

Placing his hands in his pockets, Flash leaned back against his locker. "Honestly… I'm not sure. It was because I'm too much of a coward to stand up for Sunset against the majority of students who wanted her blood. Or maybe some part of me still resented her for what she did while we were 'dating'."

He then sighed heavily. "Still… it was no excuse for doing nothing… and I regretted that."

"We all regretted our actions," Micro Chips added with a look of shame. "Including how we treated Sunset."

Sandalwood frowned. "I bet the Rainbooms had it worse than us."

Micro Chips gave Flash his curious look. "Are they still together? They broke up shortly after the incident."

"The band, yes, but they're still friends," Flash answered, before he paused in thought. "...I think."

Sandalwood. "Whether they're still friends or not, I certainly don't want to be in their shoes right now… especially how it's all coming down later today."

"I'm just glad that the nightmare is finally over!" Micro Chips answered with a scowl on his face. "'They' will finally get what they deserve!"

Flash cocked an eyebrow. "Were you talking about Gilda and her cronies?"

Before Micro Chips could answer, they were spotted by one of the teachers from across the hallway.

"You three!" A male teacher with a short black toupee hollered. "Quit loitering around and get to your classes! Now!"

Not wanting to get themselves into any more trouble, the three quickly disbanded and headed to their own classes.

As the boys were leaving, the CMCs watched quietly with somber expressions, feeling even more awful after learning the fates of many students, as well as the state the school is in now because of them.

"Oh, man…" Scootaloo uttered, shaking her head. "I know things at our school were bad, but I certainly didn't want to take things this far!"

"Me either," said Apple Bloom with a look of guilt. "Ah was so busy tryin' to discriminate Sunset, Ah didn't even care what happened to the lives of others."

"That's the first thing you said right the whole night!" Sweetie Belle remarked coldly.

Before Apple Bloom could open her mouth to respond, Christmas Future grasped her shoulder and silently beckoned her and her friends to follow him again into a new portal that he just created.

The CMCs gulped, dreading that not only they had to travel through that dark place again, but also realized that they are about to be shown much worse things to see in their gloomy future.

After a whole minute of traveling through the dark realm, they finally reached another portal for them to step out. The moment they stepped into their new location, the CMCs were taken aback by their surroundings.

They were suddenly in a very long, yet wide hallway that was all white with a few hints of grey. There were also many heavy doors with a tiny window in the center along the hallway, which appeared to be very secure as if they were meant to keep something or someone locked tight.

"W-what is this place?" Sweetie Belle stammered, feeling uncomfortable with everything surrounding them.

Scootaloo swallowed nervously. "I… I don’t know, but I don’t like it!"

Apple Bloom glanced around a bit more until she noticed two people dressed in scrubs, holding a screaming man in a strange jacket on each side. As they walked past them, Apple Bloom's eyes widened in realization.

"Girls… Ah think we're in some kind of psychological hospital," said Apple Bloom, as she and the others started walking down the hallway.

Scootaloo turned towards Apple Bloom. "You mean it's a place for crazies?"

"Scoots! That's not a nice thing to say!" Sweetie scolded quietly. "This place is actually a felicity for patients who have mental and emotional problems."

"...isn't that the same thing?" Scootaloo questioned in a confused tone.

Before Sweetie Belle could respond, the CMCs crashed into the back of Christmas Future's back when he suddenly came to a complete stop in the middle of the hallway. The CMCs groaned after crashing into one another, only to freeze in fear when they noticed him staring directly at them. It was then they realized with looks of horror on how close they were against Christmas Future's body, and how uncomfortably cold it felt.

"W-we're sorry!" Apple Bloom squeaked at a high pitch voice, as she and her friends took a huge step back away from him. "W-we weren't paying attention a-and it won't happen again!"

Christmas Future only stared back at them not moving, making the CMCs feel a bit more uneasy.

"So…"Apple Bloom cleared her throat. "Why are we stopping spirit?" Apple Bloom asked, hoping to move past that awkward moment.

Christmas Future lingered his stare at the girl's a bit longer before he looked away and then pointed at the wall. The girls stared at the wall blankly, confused at his actions for a moment until dark energy appeared in the middle of the wall. The energy then grew into a large makeshift window for the girls to see everything on the other side of the wall.

Through the makeshift window, they see a plain white room with a white cushion floor and white walls which were also made of cushions. There was hardly any furniture in the room except for a toilet, a sink, and a bed, which were covered in white sheets and pillows. What caught the most attention to the CMCs was a lone sad girl with glasses who was sitting alone in the room, hugging her knees up to her chest.

"Hey… dats Twilight!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, recognizing the girl.

"The human Twilight!" Scootaloo added. "But what's she doing here?"

Sweetie Belle gasped, putting the two and two together. "Oh no… don’t tell me she became a patient here!"

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo studied Twilight a bit and they noticed that she was wearing a white patient uniform, confirming Sweetie’s suspicions. The sight of Twilight being in the room as a patient baffled the girls.

"Ah… Ah don’t get it!" said Apple Bloom with a stunned expression. "Why? Ah know she was lonely, but she was fine the last we saw her! Why is she here?"

At that moment, the door to Twilight’s room opened, revealing a familiar young woman who visited Twilight once before but wearing a gray dress instead of her green suit.

"Hey, isn't that Dean Cadance?" asked Sweetie Belle with a curious expression.

Apple Bloom nodded. "Yer right Sweetie Belle! She's here to see Twilight!"

Scootaloo furrowed her brow as her eyes were set on Cadance's slightly large stomach. "Is it just me, or does she look a little… different just now?"

Despite that Twilight never even acknowledged her since her entry, Cadance slowly walked over to Twilight’s bed before she sat on the bed next to her.

"Hey Twilight… how are you feeling?" Cadance greeted gently with a soft smile.

Twilight continued to remain quiet and hugged her legs, not answering or even sharing a glance at Cadance.

Cadance frowned. "Um… did they treat you well?"

Again, Twilight remained quiet.

"Have you eaten anything lately?" Cadance asked.

Twilight still said nothing, saddened the older woman more.

Cadance's eyes suddenly brightened as she dug into her large purse and took out a familiar purple dog.

"Look! I even brought Spike!" Cadance coaxed as she gently shook Spike around. "While this place doesn't allow dogs, I brought him here just for you! And He misses you! And I'm sure you missed him too!"

Spike barked, excited to see his best friend again.

Unfortunately, even with Spike, Twilight hasn't responded at all.

Seeing that his best friend hardly acknowledged him, Spike whined sadly as his ears drooped.

Cadence frowned, disappointed that her plan to sneak Spike into Twilight’s room didn’t work as she hoped. She sighed as she gently placed Spike on the bed.

"Twilight… I know things are… rough right now, but don't worry, your brother Shining and I will get you out of here soon!" She grinned as she gently rubbed her rounded belly. "And then you'll get to be an Aunt when the little one arrives."

Cadence then gently placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. "Things will be better… you'll see!"

Twilight glanced slightly at Cadance for a split moment, before she looked away with a somber sigh.

Before Cadance could speak again, one of the staff members from the institution walked into the room.

"Excuse me, ma'am, visiting hours are over," a male staff member said sternly.

"But I just got here!" Cadence protested.

The staff member shook his head. "It's the rules ma'am… I'm sorry."

Swallowing her anger, Cadence sighed sadly before turning to Twilight. "Don't worry Twilight, we'll be back to visit you tomorrow."

With a quick side hug, Cadence placed Spike back into her purse and then walked out of the room, but not before giving Twilight her final glance.

As soon as Cadance stepped outside, Christmas Future closed the makeshift window and then pointed towards the door near them. The girls watched as Cadance stepped out into a hallway with a sad sigh, looking like she was on the verge of tears. Before Cadance had a chance to cry, she, as well as the CMCs, heard shouting from the other side of the hallway.

"What do you mean visiting hours are over!"

Everyone winced at the loud volume of the shouting as they all turned towards the source. In front of them was another staff member, who was trying to act professional, and another man with a very angry expression. He was tall with blue hair and light blue eyes wearing a purple sweater, light blue undershirt with a blue tie, jeans, blue shoes. They appeared to be arguing and the blue-haired man was getting angrier by the second.

"Sir, calm down!" a staff member said calmly. "I'm just following the rules of this institution."

"Bullroar!" the man yelled. "She paid you off to prevent us from seeing her, wasn't it? If you don’t let me see my sister I'll–"

"Shining Armor, that's enough!" Cadence shouted, ceasing the man from yelling further.

Shining Armor was about to retort, but Cadance's icy glare prevented from speaking any further.

Cadance then turned to the staff member with an apologetic look. "You have to excuse him, we're… having a rough time with all this."

"Understood, ma'am," The staff member nodded, but with a warning look. "But if he's out of line again, both of you will be banned from visiting! Capiche?"

Cadence nodded. "Yes sir, we understand!"

As the staff member walked away, Cadance turned back to Shining Armor again.

"Shining, what did I say about controlling your temper?" Cadance scolded, causing Shining to winced from her frustrated tone. "That was the fourth time I had to bail you out! Do you want them to separate us from Twilight any more than they are already?"

Feeling ashamed of his earlier behavior, Shining drooped. "I'm… sorry Cadance. I'm still scared for Twilight. She hasn't improved since all those months ago and I feel so useless to help her."

"...I know Shining," said Cadance, no longer mad at him. "I'm scared for her too, but all we can do right now is to be there for her." She looked down sadly. "Even if she refuses to reach out to us."

Shining Armor punched a wall near him as he let out a frustrated grunt. "It was all because of her! We should have never left her at the hands of that witch! Twilight did everything she told her to do during the Friendship Games. She even has her students force her to cheat just to win a freaking game for Faust's sake! And what did Twilight get? Getting the fall for cheating and then sending her here to this institution for claiming there's magic!"

Shining clenched his fist tightly. "I'll never forgive that woman… and those brats too!"

Cadance frowned in concern. "Shining… I know what she did was awful, and I don't forgive her either… which was why I quit as the Dean of that school." She placed her hand on Shining's shoulder. "But we're not giving up! We will fight until Twilight is free from this place!"

Shining yanked his shoulder away from Cadance.

"Will she?" Shining challenged with a skeptic look. "With her in power and having 'connections' to a place like this, I don't know if she'll ever get out! And even if we managed to get her out of here… what good does it do? My sister had lost her mind!"

Cadance flinched as Shining raised his voice loud in anger. Realizing that he was scaring Cadance, Shining immediately changed his expression from anger to remorse.

"I...I'm so sorry, Cadance. It's just…” He sighed, placing his hand on his forehead. “Ever since the Friendship Games… our Twilly is never the same. She felt more alone than ever, became super depressed, and she rarely talks anymore. And even when she did, all she kept saying was that she wanted to...to…”

Shining shook his head while trying to keep himself together.

“I… don't think my sister is ever coming back from this. After our parents are gone, I’m supposed to look out for my sister… and I failed miserably! How can I be a good father to our child if I can’t even be a good brother?” His eyes then teared up. “I… I don’t know what to do!”

Shining buried his face into his hands, sobbing his eyes out. Seeing Shining in distress, Cadance walked over and hugged him, shushing softly into his ear.

As the couple comforted each other, the CMCs watched the scene in sorrow, feeling sorry for Twilight and her family.

“Oh, Twilight…” Sweetie Belle uttered, eyes becoming glassy from her unsteady tears.

Scootaloo shook her head. “I know things are rough for her at Crystal Prep, but I didn’t think it would be this bad!”

Not wanting to see this scene anymore, Apple Bloom turned to Christmas Future.

"Spirit… is there a way for Twilight to be spared from this cruel fate?" Apple Bloom pleaded.

Ignoring Apple Bloom’s question, Christmas Future waved his hand, opening another portal for them to travel through.

With a sad sigh, Apple Bloom, along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, followed behind Christmas Future into the portal.

The girls and Future eventually reached another portal and they stepped through. Once they emerged from the portal, Apple Bloom was surprised to see familiar settings all around them.

"Hey… we're in mah house!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she surveyed her family's living room.

Scootaloo blinked. "Are we seeing your family next Apple Bloom?"

"We're seeing more than Apple Bloom’s family, look!" Sweetie Belle spoke up, pointing towards one section of the living room.

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked where Sweetie was pointing at. They were surprised to see that the Rainbooms were hanging around the living room, sitting on their seats with gloomy, sad faces. Even Pinkie Pie looked so miserable; most noticeably, her hair was all flat and deflated instead of curly and poofy.

The only Rainboom who wasn't in the living room with them was Applejack, much to Apple Bloom’s concern. Before she could comment about her sister, Rarity started speaking.

"A whole year has passed," Rarity said quietly in a somber tone. "And there's not a single day that I never stop thinking about her."

"We're all still thinking about her," Fluttershy whimpered sadly. "How can we not? We sent her away thinking she's the culprit. But it turns out… she's innocent."

"How could we do that to her!?" Rainbow Dash retorted, mostly at herself. "She's already proven that she became our best friend… our family!" She slammed her fist on the arm of the couch she was sitting on. "And yet, we still accused her and tossed her away like garbage… all without giving her a chance!"

"It was because deep down… we still resented her for what she did to us when she was a bully and we assumed the worst of her," Rarity explained with a look of shame. "Not that it was a good excuse. I just wish we hadn't jumped to conclusions and let our anger cloud our judgment."

"Has anyone reached out to Princess Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Rarity shook her head. "None of us did. Ever since what happened to Sunset… Twilight hasn't spoken to us again… not that I could blame her."

"We were supposed to look after her and teach her about friendship… but we failed her," Fluttershy sniffed quietly as Rarity rubbed her back to comfort her.

Rainbow Dash let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I've never seen her so angry when she yelled at us for the way we discarded her… and we deserved it!"

"We're terrible friends!" Pinkie brawled, blowing her nose on her handkerchief… which came out of nowhere. "She was on the floor begging us to listen to her but we hurt her… and I took away her smile!"

"And worst of all," Fluttershy added. "She was all alone to clear her own name while trying to convince us she's innocent, even on the night when she came to visit us at Sweet Shoppe." Fluttershy began to tear up. "And while she presented a good case… we still drove her away."

"Technically, it was Applejack who drove her away!" Pinkie pointed out, only to wince when everyone but Fluttershy turned to glare at her.

Pinkie rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry… Maud's boyfriend kinda rubbed off on me."

Rarity shook her head at Pinkie before she frowned. "Speaking of Applejack… the poor dear took it the hardest!"

Fluttershy wiped the tears off of her eyes. "Yeah… I'm getting worried for her. She just wasn't herself ever since the news on Sunset… and then the truth afterward."

"And after Granny Smith, bless her soul, passed away with a broken heart," Pinkie added, much to Apple Bloom’s shock. "Big Mac was the one who picked up the pace to keep the farm running."

Apple Bloom shook her head, her tears were forming at the corners of her eyes. "No… not Granny!"

Rainbow Dash huffed. "Man… I know AJ felt guilty like the rest of us, but Applejack… took her guilt to the extreme! She stopped smiling, she stopped doing farm work, she barely eats! It's like something inside of her just… died!"

Rarity gasped. "Rainbow Dash, surely you're just exaggerating."

"Rarity, we all know that I'm not exaggerating!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "As if what happened to Sunset wasn't bad enough, she became much worse when we found out the true culprit was–"

"Shhhh!" Pinkie shushed, placing her hand over Rainbow’s mouth.

She glanced up the stairs nervously before addressing Rainbow Dash in a quiet voice.

"Rainbow Dash, you know you shouldn't speak ‘her name’, especially while we’re in AJ’s house!"

Rainbow sighed as Pinkie removed her hand off of her lips. "Sorry… I got carried away. Even after a whole year, it was still a sensitive topic." Rainbow frowned bitterly. "Quite frankly… I didn't want to talk or think about ‘her’ either, especially after she cost me my sport scholarship!"

Scootaloo flinched at that.

Rarity sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yes… and ‘you-know-who’ is still a sensitive topic around my house as well. And I'm still upset at her for ruining my fashion career."

Sweetie Belle teared up in guilt.

"Have you ever talked to ‘her’ since the truth came out?” Rainbow Dash inquired.

Rarity raised her brow. "Have you talked to ‘her’?"

Before either of them could make another remark, Fluttershy cleared her throat. "Um… I hate to interrupt, but we have somewhere to be today."

"It's today!?” Rainbow Dash groaned loudly with an annoyed expression. “Do we have to?"

"We must," Fluttershy replied reluctantly. "Despite what they did… we’re still family to them after all!"

"I'm not even sure I'll ever consider her 'family' anymore!" Rainbow Dash remarked before her face changed to a forlorn expression. "Then again… that's how we lost Sunset in the first place."

Rarity sighed as she stood up from her seat. "I'll… go get Applejack."

As Rarity was heading towards the stairs, Apple Bloom immediately went after her.

"Apple Bloom, where are ya going!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

Apple Bloom ignored her friend as she continued to follow Rarity up the stairs and then towards her sister’s bedroom.

Ah need to see Applejack! Apple Bloom thought anxiously. Ah need to know if she's okay in da future!

By the time Apple Bloom reached her sister’s bedroom, Rarity was already in the room speaking to her sister.

"Applejack?" Rarity called quietly.

Apple Bloom peaked into her sister’s bedroom. The bedroom was dark and gloomy, making things harder for Apple Bloom to see into the room. The only source of light in the room was a single window, where her sister was currently staring at with her back facing her and Rarity. As Apple Bloom was processing the sight, Rarity tried coxing Applejack again.

"Darling… if we don't leave now, we're gonna be late for–"

"Do you know wat today is, Rares?" Applejack asked quietly.

Rarity blinked. "Um… Christmas Eve?"

"It's our one-year anniversary… when we last saw Sunset," Applejack revealed.

As Applejack slowly turned around to face them, Apple Bloom gasped in horror at the state of her sister.

Applejack's appearance was a huge contrast to how she looked earlier at the Shoppe. Her hair was ragged, her eyes were dark and baggy, and a look of deep sorrow and pain on her face. But what got the most attention to Apple Bloom was how thin Applejack was. Her sister looked like she hadn’t eaten anything at all for who knows how long.

"Ah still have dat same dream, Rares!" Applejack spoke quietly in a sad tone. "Dreaming dat I'm reliving dat night when Sunset came over to the Sweet Shoppe, begging us to give her a chance and to hear her out! And after she told me who was Anon-a-Miss… I threw everything back at her face… telling her that she's not family… and for her to disappear!"

Applejack swallowed heavily, keeping her own emotions in check. "Ah felt guilty fer wat Ah said, but Ah was too angry to care. But when Ah found out wat happened to Sunset, Ah… Ah felt terrible… knowing that it was because of me that she's gone! And when Ah found out the truth weeks later, Ah–"

Applejack slammed her eyes shut, keeping her tears at bay.

Seeing her friend in pain, Rarity came closer to Applejack and placed her hand on Applejack’s shoulder. “Applejack… it’s not your fault. It was Gilda and those horrible Diamond Boys who were responsible.”

“But she wouldn’t have gotten in dat position in the first place if Ah hadn't turned her away!” Applejack argued miserably. “Ah might as well be guilty by association!”

Applejack felt tears running down her cheeks, unable to hold them in anymore. "Ah just can't live with mahself because of it! I called her ‘family’… only to throw her away, twice! What kind of friend does that!? Wat happened to her should've been me! Not Sunset! It should've been me!"

Overwhelming in grief, Applejack buried her face into her hands and sobbed heavily. Saddened by her friend’s sorrow, Rarity pulled Applejack into a huge, while tearing up herself. As the two friends comforted each other, Apple Bloom watched the scene with tears flowing down her face, feeling guilty for being the main cause of her sister’s pain.

"Sis… I'm so sorry," Apple Bloom whispered sorrowly.

Apple Bloom jumped slightly she felt something touch her shoulder. She turned around and noticed Christmas Future was standing behind her along with her friends who also had looks of sorrow. Before Apple Bloom could say anything, Christmas Future becked her to come with him with his boney finger.

As Apple Bloom followed Christmas Future and her friends down the stairs, she wondered what else Future could possibly show her that was way worse than what was happening with her sister.

After about a mile of walking, the CMCs and Christmas Future have reached another portal to their next destination. As soon as the CMCs walked out of the portal, the girls were shocked as they looked around an unexpected location.

They were once again outside and everything around them was dusk and foggy. Snow-covered everything in sight, except for dead trees, iron gates, and some gravestones. At first, the girls were baffled in seeing so many gravestones, until they glanced at the plaque near the main gate which said:

Canterlot City’s Cemetery

Apple Bloom hitched her breath, eyes widening in recognition. N-no… not this place!

Not noticing her friend's distress, Scootaloo turned to her friend. "Apple Bloom, isn't this the place where your parents–"

"Spirit!" Apple Bloom screeched as she faced Christmas Future with a look of distress. "Why are we here!? What reason did ya take us to a place like this!?"

Wordlessly, the spirit pointed his finger towards a specific direction, to which the girls obeyed. They were surprised to see two familiar people, standing over a gravestone in their winter outfits.

"Hey, it's Princess Twilight!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

"And is that… Principal Celestia?" Scootaloo inquired, eyeing the woman in question.

"Ah don't know," Apple Bloom's eyes narrowed. "She looks like her, but she's also… not her."

Apple Bloom studied their "Principal" for a moment. There was something different about her than usual, but she couldn’t put a finger on it. It was until Apple Bloom noticed two small details.

The first was a few age lines on Celestia’s face, revealing that she was older than usual. That alone was probably not enough since they are currently in the future, so it's expected that anyone appeared to be older. Not to mention, they did not know their Principal's true age. However, it was until Apple Bloom noticed the second and the most crucial detail from the "Celestia" in front of her.

This Celestia was wearing a crown.

And judging by its appearance, the crown looked a lot shinier and heavier than the fake crowns that were usually seen at a costume shop. In other words, it was the real deal.

"Girls… dats Princess Celestia!" Apple Bloom revealed with wide eyes.

The CMCs were also surprised by this revelation, mouths gaping in shock.

"If that's Princess Celestia… then why is she here with Twilight?" Sweetie wondered loudly before glancing at the tombstone. "And who are they seeing?"

Before either of the girls could guess, they all heard Princess Celestia begin to speak.

"Thank you for coming, Twilight," Princess Celestia said gratefully with a small frown. "I… I wouldn't have the courage to be able to come here all on my own."

Princess Twilight nodded. "Of course, Princess Celestia. You know I'll always be on your side." She then smiled. "After all… you've always been there for me when I needed you."

Princess Celestia smiled back. "Of course Twilight, you're like the daughter I never had." She then frowned sadly as she faced the grave. "I just wished I treated Sunset the same way."

Princess Celestia hung her head in shame and guilt. "She wanted me to be the mother she always wanted, but I turned her down because of my own fear of hurting her as I did with my sister. But ironically… I hurt her anyway."

Twilight frowned. "Princess Celestia, if you wanted to make amends with Sunset… why didn't you come to this world to see her yourself?"

"I'll be lying if I said that my duties kept me from seeing her, but that's no excuse," Princess Celestia sighed. "Truth is… I'm a coward and too ashamed of myself to face her. Even after hearing her wonderful accomplishments in this world, I still held back from seeing her, believing that I don't deserve to see her, not after the way I treated her." Her eyes then teared up. "If only I had done so earlier..."

Princess Celestia ceased her crying when she felt Princess Twilight grasp her shoulder, who was giving her a gentle and sympathetic expression.

"You know… Sunset told me herself that she really misses you and wanted to see you again many times. But she too felt ashamed for being a terrible student and wanted to make things right in this world before seeing you again… as a better pony for you to be proud of."

"I'm already proud of her!" Celestia assured, wiping her tears away. "I always wanted her to make friends with other ponies. I never expected her to make friends in another world, despite trying to get her to forget about the mirror." She let out a mirthless chuckle. "Destiny is a real funny thing sometimes."

"There's one more thing, Princess," Princess Twilight added. "She even told me that despite your rejection and your rocky history with her… she still considered you a mother she never had."

"...Thank you for telling me, Twilight," Princess Celestia responded quietly with a sad smile. "At least it's reassuring that she never hated me. I just wish we both weren't afraid of seeing each other and met for the final time on good terms before she…"

Princess Celestia couldn't keep her emotions in anymore as she suddenly broke down into tears. Princess Twilight immediately hugged Princess Celestia to comfort her former mentor and friend.

"I'm so sorry Twilight… I miss her!" Princess Celestia wept.

"I know, Princess Celestia," Twilight whispered, tears leaking out of her eyes as well. "I miss her too."

The CMCs watched in sadness as the two princesses continued to hug each other. After what felt like a few minutes, Princess Celestia sighed as she broke the hug.

"We… should probably head back," Princess Celestia said in a reluctant tone.

She then turned towards the gravestone one final time as she kissed her palm and placed her hand on the stone.

"I love you… my daughter," Princess Celestia whispered tearfully.

As Princess Celestia slowly walked away in deep sorrow, Princess Twilight also kissed her palm and then placed her hand on the gravestone.

"See you soon… my dear friend," Twilight said quietly.

As Twilight slowly turned and followed her mentor, the CMCs watched the whole scene with widened eyes. The girls then slowly shifted their sights on a lone gravestone where the two Princesses were staring at moments ago.

"G-girls..." Apple Bloom stuttered nervously, her chest filled with dread as she was eyeing the gravestone. "D-dat grave… y-you don't think… i-it belongs to…"

Christmas Future suddenly stood beside the CMCs as he pointed at the gravestone, silently commanding them to take a look.

The CMCs just stood in their spots in fear. All three of them shook their heads with pleading expressions, but Christmas Future wouldn't budge. He pointed towards the gravestone with much more force, staring fiercely at the three girls through his hood.

Not wanting to anger the spirit any further, the CMCs gulped and faced towards the grave. Apple Bloom slowly and hesitantly walked closer towards the grave with her friends following behind her. They eventually reached the front of the gravestone, but the words were obscured due to the light amount of snow.

Apple Bloom glanced back at the spirit, silently pleading him one final time to back out from this. Christmas Future however stood his ground, pointing at the gravestone behind Apple Bloom with more force. Shaken in fear, Apple Bloom slowly turned back towards the grave and wiped the snow off of the stone. The girls gasped loudly in horror as soon as they were able to see the words right on the surface of the gravestone:

Here lies Sunset Shimmer.

A beloved student. A beloved friend.
And a beloved family.

Sweetie Belle slapped her hand over her mouth, tears leaked at the corner of her eyes. "No..."

"This can't be!" Scootaloo exclaimed, her face was filled with guilt and grief.

Apple Bloom stared at the gravestone with a faraway look, couldn't believe what she was seeing. She had a feeling that something bad must have happened to Sunset because of everything she heard about Sunset throughout their journey in this future. But out of all the possibilities she could think of, this wasn't what she had in mind or even wanting this to happen to the former bully. Apple Bloom felt sick in her stomach in guilt, knowing that it was because of her who led Sunset to her demise and never thought the consequences could be so severe.

"No…" Apple Bloom whimpered as she fell on her knees in the snow. "No. No. No. No! This should not have happened! It's not supposed to be this way!"

"Are you happy now, Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom turned her head towards Sweetie Belle, who was glaring at her angrily despite tears running down her face.

"Sunset Shimmer is literally 'out of our lives'... exactly as you wanted!" Sweetie Belle yelled, leaning her face close to Apple Bloom’s face. "Are. You. Happy?"

Apple Bloom shook her head, tears beginning to fall from her eyes.

"N-no! No Ah'm not happy!" Apple Bloom croaked in remorse. "Ah… Ah didn't want this to happen. All Ah wanted was for Sunset to leave our school and go back to her world where she came from! Ah don't want her to die!"

“Ah don’t care what Sunset’s life was like or how everyone else felt!"

Apple Bloom gasped sharply from the distorted sounds of her voice. It was those very same words she had said to her parents before this whole trip had started. She abruptly turned around facing Christmas Future who was hovering over her. Christmas Future began to speak to her again, despite that it was her own voice coming out through the ghost’s hood.

"We will continue with this as planned. And I won't stop until Sunset Shimmer is gone! So that she won't be around in our school, or heck, even in our world ever again and out of our lives!"

Apple Bloom's eyes were as wide as dinner plates, frantically shaking her head.

"No… no no no no! Ah did not mean that!" Apple Bloom yelled desperately.

She then clasped her hands together in front of her, looking up at the ghost pleadingly. “Please Spirit! Please tell me that these events can yet be changed? Please tell me that there is time to prevent all of this? To erase our sisters’ suffering? Human Twilight’s fate? And Sunset’s… early demise? Please tell me!”

Christmas Future just stood over her silently, much to Apple Bloom’s frustration and distress.

"Um…"

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle turned their heads around Scootaloo, who was fidgeting nervously.

"What is it, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle sniffed.

Scootaloo bit her lip with a thoughtful look. "Well… there's something that's been botheringme ever since we came to the future."

"And what's that?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"...where's us?" Scootaloo inquired. "We've seen everyone's future because of us… but we have never seen our future."

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle blinked at Scootaloo’s reasoning. Neither of them had ever considered their future selves ever since they were brought into this future. Heck, neither have thought about it ever since they started this journey.

"That… is a very good point," Sweetie reasoned, furrowing her brows. "Where are we during all this?"

Apple Bloom felt her heart hammering her chest. It was bad enough that they just learned about Sunset’s "fate", she was scared to find out what happened to her and her friends in the future after the damage was caused by Anon-a-Miss. As much as she dreaded to think about their future selves, she and her friends really must know.

Even if it was bad.

With a nervous gulp. Apple Bloom slowly stood up while looking directly into the spirit's hood.

"Spirit, Ah… we are afraid to ask ya this, but… what happened to us?"

Christmas Future only stared back at her, nor moved an inch.

"Please," Apple Bloom pleaded quietly. "...show us."

With a simple nod, Christmas Future opened up a portal behind him with a wave of his hand.

As Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were nervous at the new portal, Apple Bloom was determined to see this through.

Their trip in the dark realm took longer than usual, but they eventually reached a new portal and stepped through it. When they stepped out of a portal, the girls were both baffled and confused as they looked around their new destination.

“W-where are we now?” Sweetie Belle asked in a confused tone.

“Ah… Ah don’t know,” Apple Bloom answered, still processing what she was seeing.

They were now in a big, semi-dark room, sitting within the front row seats along with many other people. In front of them was a central area with a small wooden podium in the middle. Each side of an area was a tall table bench, containing one person in a suit behind it. But their most attention was the big bench at the middle back of the area where it was usually seated by a judge.

“From da looks of it, Ah believe we're at some kind of a courthouse,” Apple Bloom concluded.

Sweetie Belle blinked. "A courthouse? Why are we here?"

"Maybe it was a trial against Gilda and the Diamond Boys," Scootaloo theorized.

Sweetie frowned. "If it is, then good! Those monsters deserved to be locked up!"

Before Scootaloo could comment further, she spotted someone very familiar from within the spectating crowd.

“Hey! I see Rainbow Dash!” She exclaimed, pointing towards a direction a few feet away from them.

“And there’s our sisters! And the rest of the Rainbooms!” Sweetie Belle added, noticing her sister and the rest of her friends were seated as well. She then observed the rest of the spectators. “And… most of the students from our school are here too!”

Scootaloo frowned as she scanned the crowd. “But where’s us? I don’t see us near our sisters, or anywhere within the crowd!”

Apple Bloom furrowed her brows. “This doesn’t make sense! Why are we here? Where are we? And wat does this have anythin’ to do with us?”

Before the girls could debate further, they heard the bailiff addressing the crowd.

“All rise!” the bailiff announced.

Despite being invisible, the CMCs and Christmas Future stood up along the crowd.

The back door near the judge's bench opened, revealing an older man. He was bald, had a long gray beard, and was wearing a long black robe. The girls assumed that he was the judge as he climbed up the stairs and took his seat.

"Before we resume the trial," He said as he glanced at the Prosecutor's side. "How were our perpetrators from our previous trial, Prosecutor?"

The older man, who had a small tuft of hair and wore a gray suit and glasses, cleared his throat.

"That griffon girl tried to put up a fight as we arrested her, but we managed to restrain her," he informed. "Those Diamond Boys, on the other hand, we're taken to their cells without resistance and without a peep!" He then smirked as he was patting the top of his head. "All except for them crying for their mommies! Hee Hee!"

The judge nodded. "Yes, very good! Thank you for your update."

The girls were confused by this revelation.

"Wait," Apple Bloom said slowly, eyes widening. "If they arrested Gilda and the Diamond Boys already… then who's on trial right now?"

As the girls were still processing Apple Bloom’s question, the judge spoke again.

“Now then," the judge stated as he picked up his gavel and banged it on the sound block. "Court will now reconvene for the trial of Anon-a-Miss. Would the accused please come up to the stand?"

Everyone, including the CMCs and Christmas Future, turned their heads towards the main courtroom doors as soon as they opened. The CMCs waited in anticipation, curious who will appear in front of the judge. To their surprise, there wasn’t just one felon.

There were three.

Slowly, the three accused convicts slowly walked into the room towards the podium. From their appearances, the three of them are pre-teen girls, old enough as junior high students. Each was dressed in orange jumpsuits while wearing handcuffs on both their wrists. Their hair was messy and their eyes were baggy like they have been locked up for quite some time. But to the CMCs’ biggest shock, these three girls were alarmingly familiar to them.

“...no way!” Scootaloo exclaimed, eyes widening in horror.

Sweetie Belle’s face was nearly as white as a bedsheet. "It's… it's…"

"Us!" Apple Boom breathed in a bewildered tone.

Indeed, the three convicted girls that the CMCs were seeing in front of them right now were their future selves. They all looked so tired and ashamed like they had been through Tartarus and back. They didn’t even flinch as the students from within the spectators booed and jeered at them like they had gotten used to it. The only ones who didn’t join in on insulting the future CMCs were the Rainbooms, who only looked away in shame, despair, and disgust in response.

When the future CMCs finally approached the stand, the judge glared over them, silently torturing them for a moment before he finally spoke.

"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo," the judge began in an authoritative tone. "Based on all the evidence and testimonies from many witnesses presented to you, you three have single-handedly caused many rifts from your school, leading to many fights between students. Both with words and violence!"

"You posted many secrets of other students, secrets that you don't have the right to post. Which led to those same students you posted suffering from ridicule and bullying to the point of switching schools or even refusing to leave their homes… and that's just putting things mildly!"

"You're the biggest offender of all was framing an innocent girl and letting her suffer at the hands of angry students due to your posts, including Miss Gilda and her cronies! Because of that, on the night of Christmas Eve, she was cornered into an alleyway, beaten for a long period of time, and then was left alone to die… only for her body to be found three days later, barely buried in the snow!"

"The only reason you three were eventually linked to this crime was that we were able to track you based on your first two posts and MyStable were cooperative enough to hand over the IP Address, which led to your laptops and phone!" The judge leaned closer towards the CMCs' faces. "And after a full year of that incident and witnessing everything you see throughout this trial… what do you three have to say for yourselves?"

The present CMCs were taken aback, wondering how the judge had suddenly appeared in front of them, let alone could see them. They glanced around for a moment and slowly realized that they were no longer in their seats, but were standing in front of the podium instead. And when they looked down on themselves, their eyes widened in shock and in horror that they were now dressed in orange jumpsuits and had handcuffs around their wrists.

"W-wha!? Wat's going on here!?" Apple Bloom exclaimed, as she feverishly looked around for Christmas Future, demanding answers.

"How– how did we get here?" Scootaloo shouted, as she tried to get the cuffs off of her wrists, but to no avail. "D–did we just take our future selves place!?"

"No no no!" Sweetie Belle screamed in fear, trying to desperately shake the cuffs off of her arms. "I–I don't want to be here! I don't want to be a part of this! I don't want to go to jail!"

"Girls! Quit messing around and answer my question!" The judge roared impatiently, instantly shutting the girls up in fear. "I'll ask again: what do you have to say for yourselves!"

The CMCs were quiet, too scared and confused to speak up. Seeing how frightened her friends looked and felt responsible for her actions, Apple Bloom swallowed nervously as she looked up at the judge in the eyes.

"Ah'm… Ah'm sorry!" Apple Bloom wept, her expression was full of heavy shame and remorse. "If there's anyone to blame for this mess, it's me! Ah… Ah started all of this because… Ah was jealous that mah sister spends more time with Sunset Shimmer than she does with me. And Ah… also admitted… dat a part of me did wat Ah did… because Ah still resented her for what she did to mah sister, as well as mah friends' sisters when she was a bully."

Apple Bloom's lips trembled as tears flowed down her cheeks. "All Ah wanted was to teach that former bully a lesson and for her to stay away from mah sister. But as it turns out, Ah'm the one who is a bully– no… a monster, to both Sunset and to everyone at school… all because Ah was being selfish. And Sunset didn't deserve everything that had happened to her… especially how hard she worked to become a better person… and Ah was too pig-headed to see that! Which is why… Ah’m the one who deserved whatever punishment you have for me… and Ah wanted to make up to Sunset and to everyone else Ah hurt to make things right!"

"So, mister judge… if anyone deserved all the harsh punishment from all of this… punish me! They were only part of this because Ah made them!” Apple Bloom bowed her head, letting her tears drop to the ground. “Just please… let mah friends go… and spare them from mah crimes!"

Apple Bloom just kept her head bowed down in silence, accepting her fate.

"No way, Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom immediately lifted her head and turned towards her friend in confusion.

"Scootaloo?"

Scootaloo gave Apple Bloom her fierce look. "I wasn't part of your scheme because you made us, I'm part of it because I chose to! You're not the only one who became jealous and then made a terrible mistake! All I care about is to have Rainbow Dash spend more time with me again… while not caring about how Sunset or anyone else felt about our posts!" She then bowed her head in shame. "If anything… I deserve just as much punishment as you are… and I wanted to make up to everyone too!"

"And so do I!"

Apple Bloom turned to her other friend with a shocked expression.

"S-Sweetie Belle?"

Sweetie Belle gave Apple Bloom her angry expression. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still furious at you for that post you did about Gilda and put Sunset into that position!" Her expression was then changed to a regretful look and sighed sadly. "But then again... that would make me a hypocrite since I also did this to hurt my sister. I was just so… angry at her for ignoring me and then kicking me out of her room that night while completely disregarding my feelings. So I… downloaded Sunset's pictures of Rarity’s closet of shame to my phone… and then posted them just to get back at my sister."

"But after s-seeing my sister s-suffering from all the t-teasing… a-and how S-Sunset was treated b-because of us… I-I felt horrible… a-and regretted everything I've done!" Sweetie sniffed, letting tears trail down her face. "So I… I too… deserve to be punished… and wanted a chance to make amends to everyone, including Sunset and my sister!”

“So you see Apple Bloom," Scootaloo added, giving her friend a firm, yet determined look. "Like it or not, we’re the CMCs! And we all are going to face this together!"

Apple Bloom sniffed, touched that her friends are willing to stick by her side despite everything that happened because of her.

"You girls…" Apple Bloom whimpered tearfully.

Their moment was interrupted when they heard the judge loudly clearing his throat.

"As heartfelt as this scene is… I'm afraid that it is far too late for any apologies and to fix your mistakes," the judge stated apathetically. "But you three are right about one thing though… you three will face your punishment."

The girls' eyes widened at that as the judge announced his final verdict.

"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo… I find that the three of you are… guilty on all counts: Cyber Bullying, Identify Theft, Encouraging Violence, and Involuntary Manslaughter."

The CMCs' faces were pale after hearing the verdict, but the judge wasn't finished.

"The accused will surrender to the court immediately. The three of you will be held in solitary confinement separately from each other for life, where there will be no chance for bail. And with that… this court is adjourned."

As soon as the judge slammed his gavel, several officers rushed towards the CMCs, pulling them away from the podium and towards the main doors.

"No! No, please!" Apple Bloom begged as she and her friends were being dragged away. "Let us go! Let us go!"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo also pleaded to the officers to be spared. Unfortunately, all their pleas fell on deaf ears as the officers continued to pull them towards the main doors, which began to open. As soon as those main doors fully opened, the CMCs stared at the entrance in horror that all they saw was darkness, which turned out to be the dark realm where they've been traveling through in-between places.

And it looks like it will be their new permanent "home" in a matter of seconds.

The CMCs were even more terrified that those "officers" were transformed into demons. Even the spectators from the crowd were also transformed into demons like they just came from a nightmare that the girls simply couldn't wake up from. Apple Bloom looked around frantically as she was being dragged away until she finally spotted Christmas Future who just sat silently from the crowd.

"Spirit!" Apple Bloom screamed desperately. "Ah'm sorry! Ah'm sorry for everything! Ah'm sorry for hurting mah sister! Ah'm sorry fer hurting other students! And yes, Ah'm sorry fer hurting Sunset!"

“Stop!"

Apple Bloom quickly glanced behind her just as Scootaloo was the first to be dragged through the door.

"Girls, help!” She yelled as she was pulled and disappeared into the darkness!

"Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom screamed fearfully before turning back to Christmas Future.

"Please!" She begged tearfully. "Please give mah friends and Ah another chance! We want to make this right! Ah want to make this right! We all want to have a chance to make up to Sunset, our sisters, and every bad thing we did for the past two weeks– even if it takes me the rest of mah life!"

"No!"

Apple Bloom turned her head around, just to see Sweetie Belle being the next one to be pulled near the door.

“Apple Bloom, help me!” Sweetie Belle screamed as she was yanked into darkness, leaving Apple Bloom to be the last one remaining.

"Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom screeched, tears running down her face, while the "officers" continued to pull her towards the door.

As she was almost near the entrance to the dark realm, Apple Bloom quickly turned her head towards the Christmas Future for the final time.

"Please!" Apple Bloom begged. "Ah'll change!"

Apple Bloom felt a very strong tug behind her, pulling her quickly into the dark realm.

"Ah'll chaaaaaaaaaaaange!"

And then the courtroom door slammed shut on her, leaving Apple Bloom alone in the darkness.

Author's Note

Well, that was tense. :twilightoops:

I know that some of you guessed the Pony of Shadows or Sombra as "Christmas Yet to Come", but what could be scarier than the grim reaper (or at least the equivalent of a grim reaper) himself?

Admittedly, as dark and scary most scenes with the third ghost goes, to me, they're always the most interesting part of the story, especially learning what would happen to Scrooge and other characters if Scrooge never changed his ways.

Some other versions of a Christmas Carol were darker than the others. Like how Scrooge from Mickey's Christmas Carol when he was thrown into his grave, which was filled with hell's flames.

Or with Bill Murray's Scrooged when he was literally burned alive while trapped in his coffin.

Heck, in one version when Scrooge was literally sent in hell and then getting tied up in chains by Marley and the servants of hell. No joke! :rainbowderp:

Speaking of which, Sci-Twi locked up in the institution was an inspiration to a Future scene from 1988 Bill Murray's film, Scrooged when Grace's (this version of Cratchit) kid, Calvin, ended up in an institution if he wasn't cured for being mute, which was caused by him witnessing his father's death.

Yeah... despite being a comedic film, it has its shares of dark moments. :unsuresweetie:

On a lighter note, special thanks to MLPSolarDash1907 for help coming up with the title of this chapter! :pinkiesmile:

And if you could figure out a video game reference to this chapter, you'll get a cookie! :raritywink:

Note: The laws and legal matters in this story are works of fiction. The trial section in this chapter applies only in this Equestria Girls story, and it does not reflect events in real-world courts.

What will happen to our heroes now?

Find out... tomorrow. :trollestia:

Chapter 6 - Making Things Right

"Ah'll change!” Apple Bloom shouted in her sleep as she was tossing and turning in her bed. “Ah'll change! Ah'll change! Ah'll–"

Apple Bloom immediately woke up and sat up on her bed. She looked around feverishly until her mind registered that she was back in her room safe and sound and not locked away for all eternity.

“Oh thank Faust!” Apple Bloom sighed with a relieved expression. “Ah’m back in mah room!”

Once she was all calmed down, Apple Bloom frowned when a thought came to her.

“But wait" She muttered. "Where’s–”

“Let me go!”

“Someone save me!”

Apple Bloom turned her head towards the direction where the shouting came from. To her relief, her friends are also back in her bedroom with her. She frowned worriedly however as she watched two of her friends tossing and turning in their sleeping bags due to their nightmares.

Not wasting time, Apple Bloom immediately leaped from her bed and ran over to her friends to wake them up.

“Girls, girls! Wake up!” Apple Bloom shouted, shaking both of their shoulders.

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo immediately woke up and sat up from their sleeping bags. As Scootaloo surveyed feverishly around the room, Sweetie Belle slowly turned to Apple Bloom.

“A-Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle whispered, hoping her friend is real.

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yes Sweetie Belle, it’s me! Yer sa–”

Apple Bloom never finished her sentence when Sweetie Belle threw herself into her and hugged her tightly.

“I was so scared!” Sweetie wept, tears soaking on Apple Bloom's shoulder. “I thought I’m going to be alone without… without…”

Sweetie Belle wasn't able to speak anymore as she broke down into a loud sob.

Feeling sad and guilty for putting her friend into that state, she gently pulled her into a gentle hug.

“Shhh. It’s okay Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom whispered, tears leaking out of her own eyes. “Ah’m here! Ah’m here!”

“Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom glanced towards Scootaloo, who was fidgeting with a nervous look.

“I um… uh...”

Knowing what her friend was trying to ask her with being embarrassed, Apple Bloom opened her one arm. “C’mere, Scoots.”

Without hesitation, Scootaloo rushed over to Apple Bloom, letting herself be hugged.

And so the CMCs remained sitting on the floor, weeping into each other's arms. They don't know how long they’ve stayed in a hug, but neither didn't care as they continued comforting each other. Eventually, Apple Bloom slowly pulled away from her friends and looked directly into their eyes with a remorseful expression.

“Girls… Ah’m so sorry!” Apple Bloom whimpered. “Ah really screwed up big time! Ah didn’t mean to go this far! Ah didn’t mean to hurt Sunset and everyone else so badly!” She sniffed as tears flowed from her eyes. “And Ah also didn’t mean to drag you both along and get hurt because of my petty scheme! Can you girls forgive me?”

There was silence between her two friends for a moment until one of them spoke.

"Of course I forgive you," Scootaloo responded softly with a small smile.

"Y-you will?" said Apple Bloom in a surprised tone.

Scootaloo nodded. "I told you… I'm just as responsible for this mess as you are." She then looked away in shame. "I also kept posting everyone's secrets to keep Anon-a-Miss going… while not caring how Sunset or anyone else feels. So… you're not the only one who screwed up."

Apple Bloom then turned to her other friend with a guilty expression. "Um… Sweetie Belle? About what happened, Ah–"

"Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle interrupted with a frown. "I'm still upset at you for what you did. And despite my warnings, you don't seem to care what would happen to Sunset or the others!"

Apple Bloom craned her neck downwards, ashamed of herself for the way she was acting towards her friend and her obsessive behavior as Anon-a-Miss.

"But," Sweetie Belle added in a somber tone. "As I said earlier, I'll be a complete hypocrite if I don't admit to my mistakes too… especially that I'm a huge part of hurting Sunset and my sister."

"So… you'll forgive me?" Apple Bloom asked in a hopeful tone.

"...we should focus on making this right… then we'll talk," Sweetie Belle replied firmly with a neutral expression.

"...fair enough," said Apple Bloom, hiding her disappointment.

While she was sad that Sweetie Belle didn't say she'll forgive her, she honestly didn't blame her. However, Sweetie Belle also didn't say that she won't forgive her either. Apple Bloom may have a chance to make up with her friend, but for now, she was focused on making things right for her sister and Sunset Shimmer.

"I hate to be a downer," Scootaloo chimed in. “But is that possible now? Rockhoof showed us what happened between our sisters and Sunset after nine, remember?”

Sweetie Belle had a devastating look. “So you’re saying… we’re too late?”

The girls were crestfallen, thinking that there was no way to save Sunset from her fate and change the future now. If only they realized their wrongdoing earlier.

Feeling dejected, Apple Bloom slowly turned her head towards her clock, wondering how late they were awake at night. Her expression then morphed into a shock the moment she read the time on her clock.

"Girls… it's eight-thirty!" Apple Bloom cried.

Startled, both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo checked out the clocks and then their phones, confirming that the time was correct.

"But… but I thought Rockhoof showed us what happened in our town around nine!" Scootaloo exclaimed in disbelief. "How is it eight-thirty?"

"Did ya forget Scoots," Apple Bloom pointed out. "Somna said that they have the ability to travel through time. So despite when Rockhoof showed us what happened during the present, it didn't really–" Apple Bloom paused. "Happen… yet."

Her eyes widened in realization as her mother's words replayed in her mind.

“It’s true that most ghosts usually like to come out later at night, however, because of how serious this whole… situation is right now, we’re making this an exception.”

At the time, Apple Bloom didn't think much of it, thinking in annoyance that it was because they thought she and her friends are too "young" to stay up late. But after their little journey, especially learning what will happen to Sunset around that time, it all makes sense. The ghosts weren't just showing them the error of their ways.

They were trying to get them to prevent Sunset’s demise before it was too late.

Oh my goodness! Apple Bloom exclaimed in thought. So dats why they did all of this in a short amount of time! There's still a chance to save her!

With a determined expression, Apple Bloom stood up. "Girls, there's still time! We're headin' over to Sweet Shoppe!"

"There's still time?" Sweetie Belle squeaked in a hopeful tone. "Oh thank goodness!"

Scootaloo frowned. "I'm glad we still have a chance, but what are we going to do once we're there?"

"What we should've done a long time ago!" Apple Bloom responded as she entered and disappeared into her closet to change out of her pajamas. "We're going to face our sisters and confess that we're Anon-a-Miss!"

Scootaloo blinked. "Right now?"

"Yes, right now!" Apple Bloom answered as she quickly emerged out of her closet, now wearing her normal outfit. "It has to be tonight! If we don't confess to our sisters right away, then Sunset will end up six feet under by Gilda!"

"She's right, Scoots!" said Sweetie Belle with a serious expression. "We should head over there and confess right away before Sunset shows up and gets disowned by our sisters again."

Scootaloo nodded. "Well, in that case, I'm in! Let’s head over there ASAP!”

As Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo went their separate ways to change clothes in other rooms, Apple Bloom glanced at a single picture frame on her dresser. It was a family picture of her parents, along with a slightly younger Granny Smith, Applejack, and Big Mac as little kids, and herself as a baby while being held by her mother, all smiling at the camera. Apple Bloom sighed lamentably as she thought back to how she was acting when they visited her earlier. How she wished she would go back and actually listen to them and then end on good terms before they parted again.

"Ma, Pa… thank you… and Ah'm sorry fer being a brat," Apple Bloom whispered. "But you can both rest easy now. Ah will fix this and make this right… Ah promise!"

With a quick kiss on her family's picture, Apple Bloom left her room to meet up with her friends. While there was nothing she could do to change her meeting with her parents, Apple Bloom can at least make up for it by correcting her actions to the people she did wrong.

Sometime after they left Sweet Apple Acres, the CMCs traveled through the streets of Canterlot, which was lightly covered in snow. The girls were worried that they didn't make it in time since it was a few minutes later after nine according to their phones. Nonetheless, they rush themselves while avoiding any ice along the way until they eventually reach the entrance to the Sweet Shoppe.

"We're here," Apple Bloom exclaimed as she took a moment to catch her breath.

"We're not too late are we?" said Sweetie Belle in her worried tone.

"Everyone's here!" Scootaloo cried, pointing through the glass door. "And so is Sunset!"

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked through the glass doors as well. Sure enough, the Rainbooms were at the exact same spot as before with Rockhoof, only in real time. Sunset was also there, standing a few feet away from the Rainbooms as she was trying to plead her case with her journal.

"It looks like Sunset is still trying to convince our sisters of her innocence," Scootaloo pointed out.

"And it looks like Applejack hasn't blown up on her yet," Sweetie Belle added with a relieved expression. "We should probably go in there and back her up!"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo walked towards the Shoppe’s entrance. Before they were about to step through the door, they paused when they sensed that one more person wasn't following them. They turned around to see Apple Bloom with a hesitant expression.

"Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asked with a confused look.

Sweetie Belle narrowed her eyes with a frown. "Don't tell me you're thinking of backing out now, are you?"

Alarmed, Apple Bloom shook her head. "Oh no, no! Ah'm not! Ah'm just…"

Apple Bloom paused for a moment, not knowing how to answer to her friends, including herself. As her friends watched her patiently, Apple Bloom realized after everything happened tonight, she should be honest with her feelings for once. Apple Bloom then looked away with a somber sigh.

"Ah'm… scared," she admitted quietly. "While Ah deserved to receive the amount of anger from mah sister… Ah'm terrified that she'll disown me as she did with Sunset. Ah don't think Ah could take it!"

Apple Bloom shut her eyes, expecting to be berated and judged by her friends. What she wasn’t expecting was someone to come close to her and hug her. Apple Bloom opened her eyes and to her surprise, it was Sweetie Belle with a look of understanding.

"It's okay, Apple Bloom… I'm scared too," Sweetie Belle confessed sadly. "I'm scared that Rarity will never want me to be her sister, or to love me again. But…" She then gave Apple Bloom her small smile. "No matter what happens, we'll face this together!"

"Sweetie’s right!" Scootaloo added softly. "While I'm scared of what my idol would think of me after this, us three will face this head-on and make this right! After all, we're not just the CMCs…"

"We're also sisters for life!" Apple Bloom concluded, tears leaking from her eyes with a smile.

The CMCs smiled at one another before giving each other a warm hug. Apple Bloom sighed contentedly, feeling the love from her friends as well as giving some to her friends as well. She wished she could stay like this with her friends forever.

One quick glance however reminded Apple Bloom that they were on a mission as Sunset was now sitting at the Rainbooms table, clarifying some facts from them. She realized that they don't have much time and should act now before everything goes exactly how the dark future is planned out.

Reluctantly, Apple Bloom pulled away from her hug and wiped her tears away.

"Alright girls," Apple Bloom announced as she faced the Shoppe with a determined look. "Let's do this!"

With affirmative nods, the CMCs stepped through the Shoppe’s entrance. They stepped foot right into the building as soon as Sunset stood up.

*“I know who Anon-a-Miss is!" Sunset announced. "It's–"

Sunset was interrupted as soon as they heard the Shoppe’s bell ring from the entrance. The Rainbooms were taken aback when they saw the CMCs enter the Shoppe unannounced this late in the evening. Before either of the Rainbooms could say a word, Apple Bloom immediately dropped a bombshell on them.

“Yeah… it was us,” Apple Bloom confessed with a nervous and guilty expression along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“What?” Everyone but Sunset cried in shock.

“Apple Bloom! How could you?” Applejack exclaimed, feeling betrayed by her sister.

“We didn’t mean it to go this far! Honest!” Apple Bloom insisted loudly.

Sunset frowned. “But why did you do it?”

This was it. The million-dollar question that Apple Bloom was dreading to answer, even to herself. Nonetheless, she knew that everyone, including Sunset, deserved to know, even if it hurt them further.

Apple Bloom turned away from Sunset.

“Because… because of… you, Sunset," Apple Bloom admitted bitterly. “I was so jealous that my sister was spendin’ time with you and her friends ‘sted of with her family.” She then let out a sad sigh “I wanted to make you look bad. So… I made up Anon-a-Miss and posted the story about Applejack and made it look like you’d done it.”

“Apple Bloom told me about it, and… and I felt the same way,” Sweetie Belle added with a look of shame. “So at Rarity’s party, while you were asleep… I snuck in, took Sunset’s phone, and– and… downloaded her pictures and videos.”

Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom immediately broke down, crying their eyes out.

“Anon-a-Miss got out of hand,” Scootaloo took over for the group. “People started sending her other secrets, new pictures… we posted everything.”

Couldn't take the guilt anymore, Sweetie Belle ran up to Sunset and threw herself onto her.

“We’re so sorry!” Sweetie Belle wailed, hugging Sunset tightly. “We had no idea what would happen to you!”

The CMCs expected Sunset Shimmer to hate them and that they wouldn't be forgiven by her. And even if she didn't, they wouldn't blame her. But to their surprise, Sunset gave Sweetie Belle a warm hug.

“It’s okay girls… I forgive you,” She said softly as she glanced at Sweetie and then the other CMCs. “Believe me… I know what it’s like to feel like you’re all alone.”

Believe me, we all know exactly what your life was like! Apple Bloom thought.

While she was happy that Sunset forgave her and her friends, she still felt guilty for what she did. Not to mention, she hasn't given Sunset her full reason why she did it. She decided to hold that off for later since there was another person she should apologize to next.

“You girls…” Applejack sighed as she removed her Stetson hat and planted her face on her hand.

“Please forgive us, big sister!” Apple Bloom begged with tears flowing down her cheeks. “We’re really really sorry!”

Applejack sighed again before placing her hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder.

“‘Course I forgive you, Apple Bloom. You’re family!” Applejack assured with a small smile. She then turned to Sunset and added, "And so are you… Sunset."

Sunset blinked at Applejack in surprise, not expecting that statement from her.

Applejack sighed as she placed her Stetson hat over her chest with a look of remorse. “Ah’m so sorry fer accusin’ ya… and not hearin’ you out, Sugarcube. We should’ve known that you would never do this to us now than well…”

As Applejack was trying to find words, Rarity cut in.

“What Applejack means is that we let our past cloud our judgment and we unfairly jump to conclusions.”

“Not to mention, we unintentionally threw you into the wolves when we openly accused you in the hallway,” Fluttershy added, who was on the verge of tears. “After you spend so much time trying to make up to everyone.”

“We’re supposed to stick by your side and be there for you when you need us!” Rainbow Dash said with a guilty expression. “And we failed you miserably! So I understand if you don’t forgive us.”

“But if you consider it, please give us another chance!” Pinkie Pie pleaded sadly as her hair suddenly became straight. “We’re sorry for taking away your smile and we promise we’ll be better friends to you!”

Sunset just stared at her “former friends” with a neutral expression, not saying anything. After a moment of tense silence, Sunset finally spoke.

“I won’t lie girls,” Sunset replied with a frown. “The way you all accused me and then left me behind without listening to my side of the story… really hurts me! And quite frankly, I’ll have a much harder time believing a word you say.”

The Rainbooms were distressed by that, believing they lost a friend because of their terrible mistake. Even the CMCs felt horrible that they just caused an irreparable friendship between Sunset and their sisters.

“...But!”

Everyone perked up slightly at that as Sunset continued.

“Considering how I acted and treated you all in the past, I can understand why you were all so quick to turn on me… and I don't blame you all for it," she said in a somber tone. She sniffed with tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "And despite all that… you all mean so much to me… I just can’t imagine my life without you girls! You all became a family to me I never had. So if you really mean it that you all wanted to make up with me, then…” She stuck her hand out with a hopeful smile. “Perhaps we can… start over?”

Without hesitation, the Rainbows rushed over towards Sunset and enveloped her into a group hug. They all cried as they all held on to Sunset, silently vowing not to let her friend down again.

"We’re sorry Sunny!” Pinkie cried for the group. “We love you!”

Tears flowing from her eyes, Sunset hugged them back. “I love you girls too… so much!”

The CMCs watched with tearful smiles, relieved that they got the Rainbooms and Sunset to make up. While some issues still needed time to heal, at least it was on the right track. Despite that she was in trouble, even Apple Bloom was happy that it was resolved. While a small part of her was sad that she was left out again, but considering what she and her friend did, she’ll accept it as part of her punishment. After all, her jealousy is what led her to this in the first place.

“Girls."

The CMCs blinked as they watched the Rainbooms open themselves up, gesturing them to come closer.

"Come in and join us!” Sunset encouraged.

The CMCs were surprised by that.

“R… really?” Apple Bloom uttered. “After everything we did?”

Applejack nodded with a warm smile. “Of course. You’re part of it too! And we won’t leave you three out again.”

With tears in their eyes, the CMCs ran up to the group to join in on the hug.

Ah can’t believe it! Apple Bloom thought, burning herself deeper into her sister’s arms. They accepted us… after everythin’ that happened. Ah’m such an idiot for going through mah stupid plan! But thank goodness dat everythin is going to be alright now!

"Found ya Shimmer!"

Apple Bloom felt a chill go down her spine from that familiar gruff voice. Oh, crud! Ah forgot about her!

They all broke out of their group hug and turned towards the front entrance, where Gilda and the Diamond Boys were standing.

"Gilda!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Butt out Dash!" Gilda growled before glaring daggers at Sunset. "This is between me and her!"

Sunset frowned, keeping her guard up. "And what exactly did I do to cause you to storm in here with a few goons by your side?"

"Don't play dumb Shimmer!" Gilda shouted in an angry tone. "You posted that picture of me and Dash mooching each other as freshmen while commenting that I 'love to spy on her while she's in the locker room' like some perv!"

The girls blinked at that before they all turned towards the CMCs with looks of disdain.

"Girls… really?" Applejack scolded.

"It was a mistake!" Apple Bloom cried in a panic. "Ah only wanted her to scare Sunset when Ah posted it! Ah didn't think things through!"

"You darn right ya didn't think dis through!" Applejack retorted. "What if Sunset ends up badly hurt because of yer stunt?"

Apple Bloom craned her neck in shame. Believe me, Ah know exactly what happened to Sunset if we haven't intervened! She thought.

"Applejack, it's okay," Sunset intervened while eyeing cautiously at Gilda. "While I'm not happy about what they did, but at least I'm not alone when this happens!"

"Yeah, we're not gonna leave your side… not again!" Rainbow Dash promised. She then eyed Scootaloo. "By the way, what photo was Gilda talking about?"

"Oh, it was this picture," said Scootaloo as she took her phone out with a nervous look. "Someone sent this to us just earlier today and wanted us to post this."

The Rainbooms, including Sunset, gathered around Scootaloo’s phone to take a look at the photo in question. Upon looking at the image, Rainbow Dash cringed in embarrassment while the rest of the gang were surprised at the image of Rainbow Dash and Gilda kissing.

"Wow!" Sunset exclaimed.

"Whoa, Nelly!" Applejack’s eyes widened.

"Goodness!" Rarity gasped.

"Oh… my!" Fluttershy blushed.

"Whoo! You go girl!" Pinkie Pie whooped.

Rainbow Dash let out a loud groan. "Oh, man! Not this picture!"

Applejack cocked an eyebrow. "May Ah ask what's dat about?"

"It was after winning my first soccer game at our school," Rainbow Dash answered with a blush on her cheeks. "And Gilda gave me a… 'special prize' for kicking butt when we were secretly dating at the time."

Rarity frowned suspiciously. "If this was in secret, then how does this end up in our sisters' hands?"

The Rainbooms then turned towards Sunset, who held up her hands in defense.

"Hey, don't look at me!" Sunset cried defensively. "While I may have been bad back then, but even I have standards!" She then cleared her throat. “Besides… I’m Bi myself, so I know what it’s like to be sensitive about these kinds of things.”

“I believe you Sunset,” Rainbow Dash assured her friend before frowning at the picture again. “I believe this was taken by Lightning Dust. She was probably still bitter after I broke up with her.”

Most of the girls were surprised by this.

“You dated Lightning Dust too?” Applejack exclaimed.

"Oh my, how scandalous!" Rarity commented in a sly tone, nearly causing Rainbow Dash to roll her eyes.

“I used to,” Rainbow Dash clarified. "And believe it or not, it lasted way shorter than Gilda."

"What caused you to break up with Lightning Dust?" Sunset asked.

Rainbow Dash started listing things with her fingers. "Two reasons: she is inconsiderate with other people and has an even bigger ego than me!"

"Someone has a bigger ego than you? Never thought I'd hear dat!" Applejack teased.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at Applejack's joke. "Oh ha-ha, very funny!"

Throughout their exchange, they have completely ignored Gilda and the Diamond Boys, much to the Diamond Boys' confusion and Gilda’s annoyance. As they continued to ignore her, Gilda’s face became redder and redder in anger until Gilda finally had enough.

“Hey! Don’t you all ignore me!” Gilda roared, getting everyone's attention. "I'm threatening you… and you all treated me like I'm some kind of a joke?"

Rainbow Dash frowned, already had enough with her former ex. "Listen, Gilda, you and I both know that I'm a better fighter than you and we got more numbers on our side. So I suggest you back off before you embarrass yourself!"

"And we just found out who the real Anon-a-Miss is and Sunset is actually innocent!" Fluttershy added.

Gilda scoffed. "Yeah right! You're talking about the same She-Demon who used this similar tactic to bring down others to get what she wants!" She then pointed at them. "Not to mention, if memory serves me, you all were the first victims when pictures of your embarrassing moments from your sleepover were posted online. And you even accused her openly in the hallway that it was from her phone, so who else could it be?"

The Rainbooms winced as they remembered that moment when they confronted Sunset, feeling more responsible than ever for unintentionally putting a target on Sunset’s back. For the CMCs, especially Apple Bloom, they felt terrible that they put Sunset into this situation in the first place and it looks like Gilda is determined to go after her no matter what, even if she had to fight everyone in the room.

"Now enough talk, time to pay the piper Shimmer!" Gilda cracked her knuckles as she and the Diamond Boys slowly approached them.

It was then that Apple Bloom realized that she should put an end to it before things about to turn ugly, even if she put herself into danger. Before anyone could stop her, Apple Bloom ran up and stood in front of Sunset, shielding her from Gilda.

"Stop!" Apple Bloom cried, spreading her arms up. "It was me! Ah'm the real Anon-a-Miss!"

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack shouted in an alarmed tone.

"And so am I!" Sweetie Belle added who ran and stood beside Apple Bloom.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity shrieked in a panic.

"And don’t forget me!" Scootaloo cried who rushed to Apple Bloom’s other side.

"Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Girls, get back here!" Sunset called. "You don't need to–"

"No Sunset! I'm not running away from this!" Apple Bloom yelled determinedly, not taking her eyes off of Gilda. "Ah promise to mahself dat Ah makeup to y'all and face the consequences, no matter wat!"

While Apple Bloom and her friends were scared of getting clobbered by Gilda and her goons, they're willing to take their beatings if it means to keep Sunset and their sisters safe. Unfortunately for them, Gilda just stared at them in amusement like it was a funny joke rather than taking them seriously

"Alright real cute, kid," she snickered as she waved them away. "Now move aside!”

Apple Bloom glared at the big bully. “Ah mean it, Gilda! Yer lookin' at the real deal!"

Gilda frowned, no longer amused. “Listen, kid, your joke is getting old real fast and I'm not dealing with you. Now let me deal with the real–”

"Ah ain't jokin'!" Apple Bloom shouted. “We set her up because Ah knew about mah sister’s nickname all mah life and Sweetie downloaded the pictures off from Sunset’s phone. The rest of the secrets we got from everyone at school!”

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded, backing up Apple Bloom’s words.

Gilda growled. “Impossible! You’re all a bunch of twerps! There’s no way you three are Anon-a-Miss!”

“Ah can prove it!” Apple Bloom challenged.

Gilda barked a laugh. "Proof? What proof could you possibly–"

"Yer username is 'GriffonRulz105', aren't ya?"

Gilda froze and her eyes widened in shock.

Apple Bloom smirked. "And if Ah’m not mistaken… you claimed to be our biggest fan. So much so, you’ve been sending us so many ‘suggestions’ on whose secrets mah friends and Ah should post.”

Scootaloo crossed her arms. “For example, I remember you sent us an interesting photo of Lyra and Roseluck being ‘together’ at Lyra’s home, even though that it was so obviously edited.”

“I knew there was something odd about that photo,” Rainbow Dash commented. “Both Lyra and Bon Bon were usually stuck together like glue. Just seeing Lyra together with another girl was just so random!”

“Then there’s one photo with Octavia and DJ Pon-3, making out under the bleachers," Sweetie Belle added. "I believe you took that picture of them without their knowledge, even though they wanted to keep it a secret." She then frowned. "And because of our post, Octavia was kicked out of her home by her parents!”

Rarity, as well as the others, gasped at that. “They did!? How horrible!”

"The poor dear," said Fluttershy in a sympathetic tone. She then furrowed her brows. “But… how’d you three know that?”

“It’s… a long story,” Sweetie Belle answered vaguely.

“And of course," Apple Bloom continued, steering away from the question. "There’s one more suggestion that you really wanted us to post. It was so bad, we pretty much refused to do it.” Apple Bloom frowned. “But you wouldn’t accept our refusal, so you’ve been threatening us, which was meant fer Sunset, that you'll 'hunt us down' if Ah don't."

Applejack’s nostrils flared, furious at Gilda for threatening her younger sister. "You no-good son of a–"

Before she could march right over and give Gilda a piece of her mind, Rarity grabbed her shoulder and shook her head at her, silently telling her to stay put. With an angry grunt, Applejack obeyed while glaring at Gilda.

Meanwhile, as the CMCs kept piling one evidence to another, Gilda began to sweat nervously. "I… I don’t know what you're talking about!"

“Oh Ah know perfectly well wat Ah’m ‘talking about’!” Apple Bloom pressed, narrowing her eyes at the older bully. “You wanted us to post about a certain girl who had a certain eye issue that she was a ‘freak’ and that her dad left her because of it!”

There were collective gasps all around the Shoppe, shocked and disgusted by what they heard.

“That post about her was you?” Rainbow Dash shouted angrily.

“Dats just disgustin'!" Applejack spat.

“How could you be so cruel!” Fluttershy cried.

"Of all the cruel things I heard this past two weeks, you really took the cake… and it's the worst kind!" Pinkie yelled in fury.

"But why?" Sunset retorted in an angry tone. "I can understand the first two because they stood up to you, but why her? What did she ever do to deserve your cruelty?"

Gilda let out an angry snarl. "That airheaded blondie is so annoying and dumb, she couldn't even walk straight! And yet somehow, that wall-eyed freak got the attention of Bulk Biceps, who I have been after for months!"

During the commotion, Scootaloo leaned into Sweetie Belle’s ear with a confused expression.

"I thought Gilda is a lesbian," she whispered.

"She's actually Bi," Sweetie Belle corrected quietly. "Nearly everyone at our school made that mistake all the time."

Scootaloo nodded in understanding. "Ah."

Gilda tightened her hand into a fist. "I don't know why he picked her and what he sees in her, so I decided to remind him and everyone else just how pathetic her life really was! If only I could see that loser freak bawling like a baby after reading that post!"

The girls were now even more disgusted by Gilda, especially seeing that she doesn't even feel any remorse for what she did.

"Unbelievable!" Rainbow Dash frowned with a glare. "This is exactly why we broke up. Your jealousy is so out of control that you are willing to humiliate and hurt others. The fact that you are willing to hurt as pure as that girl because she got herself the same man you wanted? That’s low Gilda… even for you!”

Gilda growled at Rainbow’s comment before she set her raging eyes at the CMCs. "You little brats! How dare you expose me like that!"

"Don’t blame us, Gilda," Apple Bloom retorted with narrowed eyes. "You did dat to yerself! And fer someone who was petty at someone who 'stole' yer crush… Ah think yer the pathetic one!"

Gilda let out an infuriating scream. "That does it! Boys, attack those brats!"

Gilda blinked when she realized that none of those boys were following her orders. She turned back towards the entrance to see the Diamond Boys, who just stood around with hesitant expressions.

"Are you three deaf?" Gilda spat in an annoyed tone. "I said, attack them!"

"Getting back at Shimmer is one thing, but attacking little children is crossing the line!" The short one of the group stated as he and the other two boys stepped back. "Sorry 'boss'... but we're out!"

Gilda growled in frustration. "Fine! I don't need you punks!" She then turned back towards the CMCs and yelled, "I'll just get them myself!"

With a roar, Gilda ran up towards the CMCs with a fist over her head. The CMCs cowered back and shut their eyes, bracing themselves for Gilda's attack.

But that never came as the three young girls heard a few shouts, some punches, and a loud thud in front of them. Curious, yet cautiously, the CMCs slowly opened their eyes to see what happened. Their sights were greeted by Gilda on the ground with a disgruntled expression, while Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, and even Rarity held her down.

"Stay down, ya varmint!" Applejack growled.

“You’re not going to hurt those kids under our watch!” Sunset added.

“Normally, fighting isn’t my thing, I’m more in fashion,” Rarity stated calmly before she shouted with a furious expression. “But I’ll rip you to pieces if you touch one hair on my sister and her friends!”

"I warned you, Gilda!" Rainbow Dash seethed as she leaned close to Gilda’s face. "Don't. Ever. Hurt. My. Friends!"

As she wrapped Gilda with her lasso, Applejack faced the Diamond Boys with a challenging glare. "You boys want some?"

The Diamonds Boys gulped, shaking their heads rapidly.

Sunset turned her head towards the counter where the owners were standing with an apologetic expression. "Sorry about all of this Mr. and Mrs. Cake!"

"It’s alright dearie, I'm just glad you girls are safe!" said Mrs. Cake before turning to her husband. "Honey, call the police right away!"

Mr. Cake nodded before he hurried towards the back room to retrieve the phone.

During the commotion, the Diamond Boys tried to sneak out towards the entrance of the Shoppee to escape, only to get blocked by Pinkie Pie. As they were baffled by how she managed to get to the entrance from the other side of the Shoppe, Pinkie nearly pressed her face to theirs.

“Don’t you three even think about running away, busters!” she exclaimed with a glare.

The Diamond Boys tried to about-face to find another means to escape, Fluttershy appeared behind them with a peeved look. Normally the meek girl isn’t much of a threat to them, but what made them root to their spots was when she gave them her most intense stare.

“Here’s what you three should do, you big bullies!” Fluttershy stated sternly with an angry tone. “You three will stay put! And when the police arrived, you three will tell them what happen, what were you about to do to Sunset, and take responsibility! Do you three understand me?”

The Diamond Boys whimpered, nodding submissively to her demands.

As Fluttershy scolded a supposed tough group easily into submission, the CMCs shivered at the sight from the background.

Scary! They all thought in unison.

Sunset walked up to the CMCs with a worried expression. “You girls are hurt?”

"No, we're fine," Sweetie Belle answered with a smile. "Thank you for saving us!"

Scootaloo nodded eagerly. "Yeah! The way you took down Gilda was awesome, especially Rainbow Dash!"

The two other CMCs rolled their eyes with amused expressions.

"Ah'm just glad dats over!" said Apple Bloom with a relieved expression, only to wince when her sister was giving her a very stern look.

"Not so fast Apple Bloom! You going to Principal Celestia tomorrow and tell her what y'all did, apologize to everyone, and then take down dat MyStable page!" Her eyes then narrowed. "And dat's just the beginning of yer punishment!"

"And same for you too, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity chided, causing Sweetie Belle to flinch.

Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow Dash with a sheepish smile. "Um, we're still cool, are we Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow Dash crossed her arms. "Nice try squirt, but I got ideas of my own to punish you for that stunt. And, I'm sure your Aunts won't be so happy when they hear about this!"

While Scootaloo groaned in response.

Apple Bloom let out a soft sigh. “Yeah… we know dat we’ll be punished fer our actions and we have a long way to go to make up our mistakes, but… we’re willing to make things right, even if it takes fer the rest of our lives.”

Applejack was taken aback by her sister’s answer. She then flashed her a proud smile.

“Well, Ah’m happy to hear dat Apple Bloom,” she said, as she ruffled Apple Bloom’s head affectionately. “Since when did ya become so mature?”

“Well… let’s just say… the three of us had a spiritual journey,” Apple Bloom replied cryptically with a grin.

Before Applejack could ask what her sister meant, Rainbow Dash called her.

“Hey AJ, help me out securing Gilda until the cops arrived,” said Rainbow Dash as she restrained a struggling Gilda.

“Coming Rainbow!” Applejack hollered before turning back to her sister. “Do you mind waiting, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Ah don’t mind, AJ. Take yer time.”

Applejack nodded before walking towards Rainbow Dash.

“And AJ?”

Applejack turned back.

“...Ah love you,” said Apple Bloom.

Applejack smiled. “Ah love you too Apple Bloom.”

As Applejack walked away, Scootaloo followed her. “Do you mind if I help Rainbow Dash?”

“You can help to keep an eye on her,” Rainbow suggested with a grin. “Just… don’t get close to her.”

Scootaloo saluted. “You got it!”

“Great… I’m being babysat by a kid!” Gilda muttered, rolling her eyes.

Meanwhile, Rarity moaned in anguish as she checked her fingers. “Ooh! That punch I gave to Gilda ruined one of my fingernails!”

“Um… I could help with that… if you’ll let me,” Sweetie Belle offered quietly. “And it also… gave us a chance to talk.”

Rarity was quiet for a moment before giving Sweetie a small smile. “Very well Sweetie Belle, you can help fix my nails… and we can talk.”

So both Rarity and Sweetie Belle walked towards the back of the Shoppe, but not before she turned to Apple Bloom. She nodded and gave Apple Bloom her forgiving smile before she followed after her sister.

Apple Bloom smiled. While she still has a lot to make up for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, but she felt comforted knowing that things are going to be okay between her and her friends.

Apple Bloom then turned to Sunset Shimmer, who was standing there alone, watching her friends. Apple Bloom gulped, mustering up some courage to talk to the person she hurt the most from her scheme.

“Um… Sunset?” Apple Bloom spoke meekly.

Sunset turned towards her with a curious expression. “Yes, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom sighed through her nose. “Sunset… Ah know Ah’m probably the last person you wanted to see me, but… there’s something else I wanted to say.” She glanced away with a guilty expression. “Being jealous of you was only… part of the reason why we did it. The other part of the reason was… was–”

“Still holding a grudge for what I did to your sister?” Sunset guessed knowingly.

Apple Bloom was stunned for a moment before she nodded. “Y-yeah.”

“And I assume that it was also Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo’s reasoning?” Sunset added.

“Well, for Sweetie Belle, it was mostly getting back at her sister,” Apple Bloom replied before clearing her throat. “But, yes… them too.”

“I figured as much,” Sunset sighed sadly. “Despite after I helped save everyone during the Battle of the Bands, I know there are some who still resented me… and it is especially clear during Anon-a-Miss’s reign.”

Apple Bloom felt pain in her chest in guilt from Sunset’s sad tone. It was her grudge against Sunset is that started all of this and it was her grudge is that caused Sunset so much pain and suffering. All for what? Some stupid sleepover that she wasn’t invited to. She felt so disgusted with herself in all of her life.

Feeling ashamed, Apple Bloom bowed her head, hiding her tears.

“Sunset… Ah’m really, really sorry!” she croaked. “After what you did to Applejack… Ah couldn’t let mah anger go… even after you changed your ways. Ah thought yer still up to no good and yer probably waiting to get back at us. But it’s clear to me that yer not the same person as before… and Ah’m too blind to see it.” She let out a short sob as tears were dripping down her face. “But dat’s no excuse for wat we did and hurt you because of it. And even if you hate me now… Ah wanted to make it up to you. Just… name anything… even something embarrassing for me to do. It’s the least I deserved.”

Apple Bloom continued to sob, couldn’t bear to look up to see Sunset’s face. She stopped crying when she felt something warm touch her shoulder. Confused, Apple Bloom slowly looked up to see Sunset, who was kneeling in front of her with no trace of anger whatsoever.

“Apple Bloom, I told you… I forgive you,” she said with a gentle smile, wiping Apple Bloom’s tears with her thumb. “As I said, I knew what it was like being alone… and for making stupid mistakes. You don’t have to make anything up to me.”

Apple Bloom widened her eyes in shock. She thought for sure that Sunset will hate her after her latest confession.

“But… there has to be something I can do to make it up to ya,” Apple Bloom sniffed. “Please… let me make it up to ya!”

Sunset paused, studying Apple Bloom’s face for a moment before she nodded.

“Well, if you really want to make it up to me, then after your confession, I want you to try to make up to everyone you hurt as Anon-a-Miss.”

Apple Bloom blinked, expecting to hear more from Sunset, but nothing came.

"And… dat's it?" Apple Bloom asked in a confused tone.

"That's it," Sunset confirmed, smiling at her. “I know it’s a lot of work, and people may be giving you a hard time, but if you really put in a lot of effort and everyone sees that you mean it… they’ll forgive you."

"Will they?" Apple Bloom questioned. "Ah humiliated them, hurt their feelings, and… potentially ruined their lives. And Ah'm pretty sure dat Principal Celestia will expel us once we tell her what happened before we could make up with everyone."

Sunset shrugged. "Hey, if most people forgive me for ruling the school, blowing up the school's entrance, and turning them into mindless zombies, I'm pretty sure they'll forgive you too. And Principal Celestia may not be happy with you, but I'm sure she'll understand if you tell her the full story."

Apple Bloom doubted with Sunset’s words. "Ah… don’t know..."

Sunset nodded. "I'll tell you what, I'll go in to see Principal Celestia with you and your friends, tell her what happened, and I'll try to convince her to go easy on your punishment."

"You'll do that?” Apple Bloom asked in a surprised tone. "Yer actually going to help me… after everythin' we have done?"

"Of course I will… that's what friends do," Sunset answered with a smile. “And as for making up with everyone, I’ll even help guide you three and offer you advice when you need it. Deal?”

Apple Bloom stared at Sunset in awe. Just hours ago, she never thought Sunset could be so forgiving and generous to help her, even after all the mean things she’d done to her. Her parents and those ghosts are right, Sunset really has changed. And now it was her turn to change as well. While she still got a lot to make up for Sunset and everyone else, accepting this deal will be her first true step.

With a little smile, Apple Bloom gave Sunset a warm hug. “Deal.”

Author's Note

The CMCs made it to the Shoppe, confessed they're Anon-a-Miss, and stopped Gilda! All's well that ends well! :pinkiesmile:

*Once again, from the moment Sunset was about to announce the true culprits to Applejack saying to Apple Bloom that "she's family", those are the only quotes that were taken from the original official comic.

"GriffonRulz105", specifically the numbers "105" was a reference to Gilda’s first appearance in MLP:FiM - Season 1, Episode 5, "Griffon the Brush Off".

Anyway, only one more chapter to go!

And it will be released... later today! Stay tuned! :raritywink:

Epilogue - Christmas Party at Applejack’s

One Year Later…

It is now Christmas time again, and everyone is hanging out in the Apple's home for their yearly Christmas party. To the CMCs' surprise, they were even included in the party with them, despite what happened a year prior. Nearly everyone was hanging around in the Apple's living room, chatting with one another on their seats while some like Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Scootaloo were dancing to some holiday tunes in the background.

"Ah, yeah! This party rocks!" Rainbow Dash whooped as she danced to the holiday music.

"You said it, Dashie!" Pinkie cheered, dancing along with her friend. "Christmas parties are always fun at AJ's!"

“Especially with Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo added, dancing along with her idol.”

"Ha! True that!" Rainbow Dash grinned before turning to Applejack. "Yo AJ, do you have any Apple Ciders?"

Applejack, along with most of the Rainbooms and the CMCs, rolled their eyes but with humorous smiles.

"Now Rainbow Dash, you know we're saving them for the next season. And we're having eggnog."

Scootaloo frowned in disappointment. "Aww. I was hoping I would get to try one of the Apple family's ciders."

"Hey, no sweat squirt," Rainbow commented before whispering in Scootaloo’s ear. "I know where AJ kept some. So we'll sneak ourselves some later."

"Ah heard dat!"

As the two tomboys winced from Applejack’s scolding, everyone laughed at their expense.

Apple Bloom smiled from the sideline. After her parents and the three ghosts showed them the error of their ways, they prevented a major fallout between the Rainbooms and the Sunset from happening and saved Sunset from Gilda and the Diamond Boys. But that was only the beginning for them.

The CMCs, along with Sunset and the Rainbooms, went to school to see Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna and confess what they have done and their true identities as Anon-a-Miss. Needless to say, neither of the two women were happy with the CMCs for using Anon-a-Miss to put blame on an innocent student and cause chaos in their school for weeks.

The young pre-teens would have faced some severe consequences if not for the Rainbooms, including Sunset Shimmer to back them up. Sunset even pointed out to them that she herself would have been in a similar situation if Princess Twilight hadn't given her a chance and it would only be fair if the CMCs deserved the same chance. In the end, both Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna could only give them a minimum punishment of six months of detention, be banned from school club activities, and could only use their computers under adult supervision. Their only condition was for the CMCs to apologize to everyone at the school assembly and then take down their website for good, which is what the girls were planning to do anyway.

Things were rough for the CMCs at first. After they confessed at the assembly, many students weren’t happy with them for humiliating them throughout two weeks of their reign. Some were even mad at them for getting them into trouble for sending other people’s secrets to Anon-a-Miss. Few wanted to go after the CMCs like Gilda, but thankfully they were protected by the Rainbooms almost between every class. And those who tried, they'll end up getting expelled, just like with Gilda.

Despite cold reception from their peers, the CMCs went out of their way to make up for those who they hurt. After many months of their confession and make-up to the victims, most of the student body eventually forgave the CMCs. There were only a few who could never forgive those three and, to their dismay, there were some secrets they posted that they could never get rid of. But as Rarity once said to them; the important thing is that they tried and that is what counts.

“Thank y’all fer inviting us to the party, everyone," Apple Bloom said softly. "Ah’m surprised you still wanted us around."

Applejack smiled at her sister. “Ah told ya, Apple Bloom, we’re family! So of course we included you.”

“And considering what happened last year, we didn’t want to make you three feel left out anymore,” Fluttershy added kindly.

Apple Bloom glanced down in guilt. “Even if Ah was, Ah’ll never do something like dat again.” She glanced back at her sister. “Fer now on, Ah will talk to ya if there was a problem.”

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded, having the same vow as well.

Applejack nodded with a soft look. “And Ah promise Ah’ll try to listen to ya if ya do."

“And that included us, Sweetie Belle,” said Rarity in a caring tone.

“And me as well, Scoots,” Rainbow Dash added, surprisingly in a softer tone.

The CMCs smile, happy that their sisters didn't hate them and that they will be there for them when they're needed.

While the CMCs and their sisters were having a moment, Fluttershy turned to check on her other friend. "So how about you? Are you having fun, Twilight?"

Twilight, while adjusting her glasses, smiled. "I am! I'm having a great time!"

A few months after their Christmas break, their school held their annual event, 'the Friendship Games' with their rival school, Crystal Prep. During the event, they finally met the human Twilight who was investigating a mysterious magical surge while being forced to compete by Principal Cinch. At first, the CMCs wanted to tell their sisters about her but kept them to themselves to avoid any time paradoxes. To their relief, the Rainbooms, especially Sunset Shimmer, rescued Twilight after she was transformed into a winged monster due to corrupt magic. Ever since then, Twilight transferred to CHS and became a part of the group.

"I… wanted to thank you all again for inviting me," Twilight said quietly. "This is… actually the first time I've ever been invited to a Christmas party. Well… to any party, really. I usually just celebrated with my big brother and Cadance."

Rarity beamed. "Well, of course, Darling, you're our friend now and we love to have you here."

"Yeah! And you don't have to be alone anymore!" Sweetie Belle added.

"Thank you girls," Twilight smiled. "It's all still so surreal that I'm here partying with a group instead of just locking myself alone in my lab as usual!"

"A-hem!"

Twilight chuckled as she beamed at her dog. "Almost alone!"

Spike nodded before falling back to sleep on Twilight’s lap.

"You deserve to have fun too, Twilly!" Pinkie suddenly appeared in front of her… while she's upside down. "And there will be more parties for you to join in the future!"

“Thanks, Pinkie," Twilight responded happily. "I’m just so happy to have friends to spend time with to celebrate the holidays."

“And we’re so happy that you're here instead of getting locked up in some institution!” Scootaloo replied, causing her two other friends to panic.

Twilight blinked. “What?”

Before Scootaloo could respond, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle quickly covered her mouth.

“Nothin’! It was nothin’!” Apple Bloom insisted quickly with a nervous chuckle.

Scootaloo tried to speak through Apple Bloom’s hand but was immediately silent when Sweetie Belle gave her the side glare.

The Rainbooms stared at the CMCs with confused expressions. Before either of the Rainbooms could question the CMCs, Apple Bloom quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, is Sunset comin'?" Apple Bloom asked in a semi-high pitched voice as soon as she removed her hand from Scootaloo's mouth.

Applejack shrugged at Apple Bloom’s strange behavior before answering. "She is, don't you worry, Sugarcube. She's going to be a little late," Her eyes narrowed. "Unless you don't want her to come?"

Apple Bloom rapidly shook her head. "No no, Ah do! Ah really wanted her here this time! Besides, this will finally give me a chance to make it up to her from last year when Ah'm… you know."

Applejack gave her sister a soft expression. "Sugarcube, you know Sunset had already forgiven you."

Apple Bloom sighed. "Ah know but… Ah wanted to make it up to her in a way so dat she doesn't feel like she's alone anymore and dat we care."

"Was dat 'gift' you put together the other day was part of yer way of makin' up to her?" Applejack asked with a curious expression.

Apple Bloom nodded.

Applejack grinned. "Well, if dat's wat you want to do, then Ah say go fer it!"

Apple Bloom smiled. "Thanks, AJ!"

Suddenly, they heard a doorbell, coming from the front door.

"Dat could be her now," Applejack stated. "Will ya get the door sis?"

Apple Bloom nodded. "Sure thing, AJ!"

Apple Bloom stood up from the couch and made her way across the house and over to the front door. Apple Bloom opened the door and to her surprise, it wasn’t Sunset Shimmer. Instead, she was greeted by some familiar faces from her school.

"Oh, hey Lyra and Bon Bon, good to see ya!” Apple Bloom welcomed with a smile.

Lyra grinned. “It’s good to see you too. It’s nice to be here!”

“Yeah, your farm is so beautiful, even when it is covered in snow,” Bon Bon added.

“Thank ya kindly,” Apple Bloom replied with a smile.

After she and her friends confessed, Lyra and Bon Bon were the first people they tried to make things right by clearing up their misunderstanding. After the CMCs managed to bring the two together in the same room, they explained the situation and pointed out Bon Bon Lyra’s true reason for seeing Roseluck while leaving out Lyra’s plan to ask her out. They even told them about the edited photos to make it look like Lyra had ditched Bon Bon.

Lyra and Bon Bon were upset at the CMCs at first, but after the two friends talked things out and later became a couple, the two eventually forgave the CMCs on a clean slate. Ironically, despite what the CMCs have done, they actually helped make the couple’s relationship stronger before they even became a couple. That was the only good thing it came from Anon-a-Miss and they were quite thankful for that.

“So how are things between the two of ya?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Things are great actually!” Lyra beamed proudly, bringing Bon Bon closer to her. “In fact, we’re planning to hang out at my place to celebrate our one-year anniversary as a couple!”

“Aww, dat sounds sweet!” Apple Bloom gushed before she frowned. “Ah know it’s been a full year, but Ah’m sorry fer nearly ruining yer relationship between the two of ya.”

“Water under the bridge,” Lyra waved off. “The way you brought us together again–”

“By tricking us to think that one was badly injured and recovering in the nursing office,” Bon Bon added with a deadpanned voice.

“And then explained to us what you did and gave me a chance to talk to Bonnie, we never would have made up,” Lyra finished before looking fondly at Bon Bon. “And for us to become more than friends.”

Bon Bon blushed. “Y-yes… yes we have,” she said softly before she kissed Lyra on the lips.

“I’m so happy fer you two,” Apple Bloom grinned as she opened the door slightly. “Anyway, y’all wanna come in? We got the fire going.”

“Of course!” Lyra answered before gesturing to her girlfriend with a teasing grin. “After you, my lady!”

Bon Bon giggled. “Why thank you, my dear!”

The two of them entered the house and made their way over to the living room.

Apple Bloom watched the couple with a fond smile. Wat a cute couple!

She then heard a doorbell go off again, causing her to face the door.

Maybe it was Sunset this time, Apple Bloom thought as she opened the door.

Once again, it wasn't Sunset who was waiting behind the door. Instead, much to Apple Bloom’s shock, it was actually another couple from her school that she wasn't expecting to show up.

"Octavia! DJ Pon-3! You came!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in a surprised tone.

Octavia nodded in a stoic expression. “Yes, we did. Thank you for the invitation.”

DJ Pon-3 simply grinned with a thumbs-up.

Octavia and DJ Pon-3 were the second couple that the CMCs wanted to make up for, especially for Octavia. While the DJ was chilled and forgiving towards the CMCs, Octavia wanted nothing to do with them for costing her home. Despite Octavia's hostility, the CMCs still wanted to help out by reaching out to one of Octavia's relatives about her parents and her living situation after the photo of her and DJ Pon-3 was posted.

Thankfully, there was Octavia’s Aunt who not only lived close by to CHS but also was willing to help her niece get back on her feet. While Octavia hasn’t forgiven them completely, she at least appreciated the CMCs for making things right and now, for the most part, on good terms with them.

“So… how are things with you?” Apple Bloom asked, feeling a little awkward.

“Things are okay,” Octavia replied politely. “I’ve been living with my Aunt and got accepted for the top spot for our school’s Christmas Orchestra. And Vinyl is also joining me for our duo performance too.”

DJ Pon-3 nodded in confirmation.

“That’s great!” Apple Bloom responded as she scratched her cheek. "To be honest, Ah'm surprised you're willing to come after… you know."

Octavia shrugged. "Well, to be frank, I originally didn't want to come here, but…" She turned to her partner. "Vinyl convinced me to give this party a chance… and for us to bury the hatchet."

DJ Pon-3 gave Octavia a proud smile before kissing her on the cheek, causing the cellist to blush.

"Well, Ah'm happy that you showed up," said Apple Bloom. She paused, hesitant for a moment. “Have… ya heard anything from yer…folks?”

Octavia sighed, shaking her head. “No, but… it's probably for the best.”

For the first time tonight, Octavia gave Apple Bloom her genuine smile. “Despite what happened last year, it was sorta a blessing in disguise. Now I don’t have to pressure myself to be their ‘perfect daughter’ and I have the freedom to be me and pursue my own dreams.” She then looked fondly at her partner. “And to be with someone I love.”

DJ Pon-3 blushed at the comment but gave her partner a loving smile.

Apple Bloom smiled. “Good fer you! Ah’m happy that things are okay between the two of ya!” She gestured them towards the door. “Anyway, you want to come inside?”

Octavia nodded. “Yes, we shall. Thank you!”

Both Octavia and DJ Pon-3 entered the house and made their way towards the living room to join the others.

Apple Bloom let out a sigh with a hopeful look. Ah knew things are awkward between Octavia and Ah… but at least we're makin' progress.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang again, causing Apple Bloom to sigh again.

Welp, third time's the charm, Apple Bloom thought before she opened the door.

Apple Bloom's eyes immediately lit up when she saw who was behind the door.

"Hey! You came!" Apple Bloom cheered.

"Sure am!" The cute blonde girl with misaligned eyes chirped while snuggling with her boyfriend.

Ever since they saw what their actions have done to this poor girl from Rockhoof, the CMCs did everything in their power to make up for the muffin-loving girl. They showed up at her house one day to tell her what happened and that they're sorry for hurting her.

While the girl forgave the CMCs, she still believed that no one at the school ever liked her at all and thought of her as a freak because of her eyes. It wasn't until the CMCs showed her the window, revealing that almost everyone from the entire school just waiting outside to support her and showing her that she was loved. The sight of the student body coming over to see her alone caused her to break down into tears of joy.

Shortly after that, the girl returned to school where nearly everyone welcomed her with open arms, including her high school sweetheart, Bulk Biceps. Ever since then, the girl became more confident and smiled a lot more. She was still a little clumsy though, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She even sent the CMCs some freshly baked muffins as thanks for reminding her that there are people who love her just the way she is.

"Thanks again for inviting me and my boyfriend to your party!" The girl said happily. "It feels good knowing that there are people who like me for who I am!" She then turned to her boyfriend. "Isn't that right Bulky?"

"Yeah!" Bulk Biceps exclaimed while flexing his muscles from his one arm.

Apple Bloom smiled as she gestured to her guests inside the house. "Well then, come right in! Ah believe Granny Smith just took out fresh Christmas Chocolate Chip Muffins from the oven!"

The girl's face lit up. "Ooh! Better get myself one of those! C'mon Bulky!"

"Yeah!" Bulk Biceps replied as he and his girlfriend were heading towards the kitchen.

Apple Bloom stood behind as she watched the couple disappear into the kitchen. Ah'm so happy that her spirits were up again. And to think that we almost destroyed it.

Once again, Apple Bloom heard the doorbell rang from the front door.

Okay, this has to be Sunset this time! Apple Bloom thought before opening the door.

To her disappointment, it wasn't Sunset, but she smiled the moment she spotted her next two guests.

"Princess Twilight! And Princess Celestia! You’re here!" Apple Bloom greeted happily.

Princess Twilight smiled back. "We sure did! Thank you for having us! It's always great to come to visit in this world!"

“Yes, I can see why you come to this world occasionally,” Princess Celestia said to her former student.

From what Apple Bloom had heard, a few months ago under certain circumstances, Sunset visited Equestria to get help from Princess Twilight, before visiting Princess Celestia in Canterlot for advice. Thankfully, the two of them have reconciled and Princess Celestia was more than happy to help her former student. Even after the problem was over, Sunset and Princess Celestia still kept in touch through Princess Twilight.

A week ago, Apple Bloom has secretly “borrowed” Sunset’s journal to invite Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia to celebrate their Christmas party with them. Apple Bloom has hoped that this party will bring Sunset and Princess Celestia together for them to catch up and to have the daughter and mother bonding that the two of them yearn for a long time.

And not getting into trouble for using Sunset’s book would be a good bonus.

Princess Celestia turned towards Apple Bloom with a soft look. “Is… Sunset Shimmer here?”

“Not yet, but she’ll be here!” Apple Bloom assured. “She’s running a little late.”

Princess Celestia nodded with a small grin. “Good. While Sunset and I had reconciled, I still have a lot more to make up for her for not being there for her.”

Apple Bloom beamed. “You’re here now, Princess. Anyway, come in! Granny just finished baking some sweets, including some Christmas cakes.”

Princess Celestia’s face lit up in excitement and hunger. “Cakes you say? Ooh, don’t mind if I do!”

As Princess Celestia practically barreled into the house and towards the kitchen, Princess Twilight facepalmed.

“Oh dear, I think you just said the magic word,” Princess Twilight sighed. She shook her head briefly before giving Apple Bloom a warm smile. “Sunset mentioned how you and your friends went out of your way to make things right all year round. I just want to say that I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Princess,” Apple Bloom said humbly. “Through, Ah never make it dis far without Sunset’s advice… even though Ah never deserve it.”

“Sounds to me like with Sunset going out of her way to help you, I think you deserve it,” Princess Twilight replied before she sighed again. “Anyway, if you excuse me… I better catch up to Princess Celestia before she eats all of the cake... again.”

As Princess Twilight rushed herself into the house, Apple Bloom shook her head in amusement. Fer some people who came from royalty, they sure are strange folk.

The doorbell once again rang from the front door, causing Apple Bloom to let out an irritated sigh. “Now who could dat be?”

Apple Bloom slowly opened the door. The moment she saw who it was, Apple Bloom immediately brightened up in joy.

"Sunset! Ya made it!" Apple Bloom cheered happily.

Sunset chuckled at the young Apple’s enthusiasm. "Sure am! Sorry for being late. I have to feed Ray before coming here."

After she and her friends confessed as Anon-a-Miss, they secretly told the Rainbooms to the side about Sunset’s “living conditions” when the CMCs happened to “spot her” at the library, while leaving out parts about the ghosts of course. Needless to say, the Rainbooms were horrified and felt even more terrible for ditching her and being bad friends. They have decided right then and there to make up to Sunset by inviting her to each of their houses whenever they can for Sunset to sleep, despite Sunset’s protests.

They didn’t end there. With some help from Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna, their families, and the school, the Rainbooms and the CMCs also put together a secret fundraiser to buy Sunset an apartment complex as a surprise gift to her. To say the least, Sunset was in tears and was forever thankful for her friends for giving her a place to call home. Now, Sunset lives happily in her new complex, along with her pet gecko, Ray, and her friendship with the Rainbooms are much stronger than before.

Apple Bloom grinned. "No problem! The party's just getting started!"

“Oh good!” Sunset sighed in relief. “Thank goodness I made it on time!”

Sunset was about to walk inside, but Apple Bloom blocked her as she grabbed something from the table, hid it behind her, and then stepped outside and shut the door behind her. “Wait, Sunset… do ya have a second?”

“Um… sure,” Sunset replied with a curious expression. “What’s up?”

Apple Bloom sighed, taking a moment to collect herself before she looked up at Sunset in the eye. “Sunset… Ah still could not help but remember what Ah did to ya a year ago… building that site, humiliating everyone, pinning the blame on ya… all because of my grudge… and letting my jealousy get the best of me.”

Apple Bloom felt herself trembling, but she pushed on. “And yet, despite wat happened… you chose to forgive me and mah friends… even though we didn’t deserve it. And it also proved to me that you really have changed fer the best… while Ah…” Apple Bloom let out a few tears down her cheeks. “...became a monster. And words cannot express how sorry Ah am!"

Sunset had a look of sympathy. “Apple Bloom, I told you many times that I forgave you three, and I’m never angry with you.”

“You should,” Apple Bloom argued. “Ah would’ve been furious at mahself fer wat Ah did.”

"You felt left out and didn't know what to do," Sunset pointed out. "And it didn't help that I wasn't a nice person back then."

Apple Bloom frowned. "Dat's still no excuse for wat Ah did."

"And neither was my excuse for treating everyone so horribly… and then turning into a She-Demon," Sunset countered sadly before sighing. "The point is, we both have made bad decisions and mistakes. And the best thing we can do is to learn from our mistakes and be better." She then smiled. "I've seen how you and your friends worked so hard to make amends to everyone who you hurt and I'm proud of you three."

"Well… almost everyone," Apple Bloom remarked.

At Sunset's confused expression, Apple Bloom clarified. "Sunset, the last person I wanted to make amends with… was you."

"Apple Bloom, your actions and helping get me a home was more than enough for me," Sunset insisted kindly.

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Gettin' you your very own home was mah sister’s idea. And even without dat and amending others, Ah still wanted to make up for you in the best way, but Ah couldn’t come up with anything. And after thinking fer the entire year… Ah, finally know how to do dat."

To Sunset’s surprise, Apple Bloom then revealed an item from behind her back, which was a flat, square-shaped present.

"This is mah gift fer you, from me… and the rest of the Apple Family," said Apple Bloom shyly.

Sunset smiled. "Aw, Apple Bloom… you don't have to do that."

"Ah, insist!" said Apple Bloom with a grin, handing over her gift. "Please… open it!"

Sunset chuckled. "Alright."

Sunset carefully tore off the wrapping paper of her present. Once she completely removed the wrapping paper, Sunset paused as she examined the frame, more specifically the document from within the frame. She stared blankly at the piece of paper for a moment, but as her mind slowly processed, her expression became more and more shocked by the second.

She slowly turned to Apple Bloom with widened eyes.

"Apple Bloom!" She stammered in a shaky voice. "Is… is this…"

"Yep… it's an official adoption paper," Apple Bloom confirmed with a chirp. "You are now the official member of the Apple family… as mah big sister!"

Sunset’s mouth was slightly ajar. "But… but how!?"

"Helping getting you an apartment wasn't the only thing Principal Celestia had done," Apple Bloom replied in a sly tone. "When Ah told her wat Ah was planning many months ago, she managed to ask the right people to make you an official legal document so we can adopt you."

As Sunset stared at Apple Bloom with a stunned expression, Apple Bloom continued in a soft tone.

"Ah… know how lonely you are even before you came to this world. And Ah knew you think that you have no place to belong. But dats not true… you do belong here."

Before Sunset could react, Apple Bloom threw herself towards her and gave her a hug. “Ah just want to let you know… even when you think yer alone, yer more than welcome here. And yer always part of the family.”

Sunset stared at Apple Bloom in silence a while longer before tears started welling in her eyes. Apple Bloom panicked at the sight, thinking she had done something wrong until Sunset threw her arms around the young Apple.

“Thank you… Apple Bloom!” she croaked. She sniffed as tears were running down her cheeks. “This is… the best present anyone has ever given me! I… I don't know what to say!"

"You don't have to say anything!" Apple Bloom said kindly as she gently pulled away from Sunset and looked up to her with a smile. "But now that it's official, we expect you to help out on the farm sometime… big sis!"

Sunset wiped her eyes a little before giving Apple Bloom her tearful smile. "I'll be there… little sis!"

The two stayed in their hug for a while, until they were interrupted when someone opened the front door.

"Oh, there you two are," said Twilight with a smile. "AJ was about to serve everyone hot cocoa. You two coming in?"

Sunset broke her hug from Apple Bloom and turned to her friend with a smile. "Yeah, we're coming inside in a second."

Twilight nodded before she ducked back inside and shut the door behind her.

Sunset turned to Apple Bloom. “Well, after that emotional moment, what do you say we go inside and have some hot cocoa!”

Apple Bloom grinned. “Sure, but I’ll catch up in a bit.”

Sunset nodded before she turned and headed into the house while Apple Bloom stayed behind on the porch.

Apple Bloom slowly faced the snow-covered farmland, watching the scene quietly as she reflected back on everything that happened a year ago. She still mentally kicked herself on how much of a brat she was acting and nearly ruined everyone’s lives all because she became jealous. She was thankful to both her parents and those three ghosts who showed her the error of her ways and how wrong she was about Sunset. While she was glad that she and her friends avoided that dark future, the memory still haunted her to this day, but also served as a reminder to never hurt another with malicious ways again, no matter what kind of person they are. There were times that she wanted to tell her family everything about her parents of what she had gone through that night, but because of how crazy it all sounded, she and her friends decided to carry their spiritual journey with the ghosts to their graves.

While some parts of her believed that she should never be forgiven, she was both happy and thankful that Sunset, her sister, and her friends still love her and gave her a chance. It took a lot of work for her and her friends to undo the damage they had done as Anon-a-Miss throughout the year. While they couldn’t fix everything and not everyone they hurt had forgiven them, they are at least glad that they were able to right most of the wrongs that they can and were redeemed to most of the eyes from CHS. Apple Bloom wondered if her parents were watching her as she redeemed herself and what they have thought about her now.

"Ma? Pa?" Apple Bloom whispered. "If ya watching me… I hope ya proud of me."

With a soft sigh, Apple Bloom turned towards the door so she could head back into the house.

"We are… our little apple seed."

Apple Bloom stopped herself and her breathing hitched from the sound of two familiar voices. She immediately turned around, only to be perplexed when she saw that there was no one there.

Could that be… Apple Bloom thought with uncertainty, yet hopeful.

She was about to call out to them, only to be interrupted when someone opened the front door.

"Apple Bloom, are ya comin’?" Applejack asked.

Apple Bloom immediately shook off her thoughts and turned towards her sister. "Comin', AJ!"

Apple Bloom ran inside to join the others and closed the front door behind her.

Unbeknownst to Apple Bloom, two ghostly figures stood just a few feet away from the Apple family’s front porch. Both Bright Mac and Pear Butter wore loving smiles on their faces, proud of their young daughter for her accomplishment for redemption and happy that she was spared from her dark path. As their time came to an end, the pair nodded and closed their eyes, letting themselves dissolve to become one with the wind. Before they were being spirited away into the afterlife, the pair whispered towards the direction of the Apple’s home one last time.

“Merry Christmas, our beloved daughters, and son. We love you and will see you all again!”

The End.

Author's Note

And that's all folks! :pinkiesmile:

Thank you all so much for reading my story and I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it! :twilightsmile:

Once again, a huge shoutout to SweetTeaFiend who originally came up with the story idea. This story never came to be without this person. Thanks again for your permission and I hope you enjoy my story.

And of course, a huge special thank you to MLPSolarDash1907 for assisting and proofreading this story! You rule pal! :pinkiehappy:

MLPSolarDash1907 also wrote his own awesome stories, including multiple parts of Wherever the Light Shines. Be sure to check them out! :raritywink:

If you're familiar with the music I included in this chapter, that was a soft instrumental piano version of "Oh, What a Merry Christmas Day" from "Mickey's Christmas Carol". :scootangel:

Fun fact: Mickey's Christmas Carol is my very first version of a Christmas Carol I watched when I was a kid. And it still holds a special place in my heart to this day. In fact, the cover I created for this story was inspired by the title cover from the special. :twilightsmile:

Anyway, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays, and have a very SAFE and Happy New Year! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 1 - All According to Plan

It was a cold and windy night at the Apple household on Christmas Eve. Normally, everyone who lives in that house is already settling in and keeps themselves warm during winter weather. Tonight, however, most of the members of the family had already gone out to do errands or to hang out with their friends. The only ones who were currently present at the house were three girls who were in their pre-teens. Those three girls were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.

Right now, the girls were hanging out in Apple Bloom’s room, sitting around the room in their pajamas. The reason the girls were staying in Apple Bloom’s house was that they were having a sleepover as a celebration for an upcoming holiday.

And also for completing their long mission.

For you see, weeks before their sleepover, they’ve been busy posting many mean and embarrassing stuff about other students online on MyStable under the username, Anon-a-Miss. Their main reason? It was to pin the blame on Sunset Shimmer.

To make a long story short, Sunset Shimmer was a former bully in Canterlot High School and once ruled the school. After she was stopped by Princess Twilight and the Rainbooms, Sunset was given another chance and learned the meaning of friendship by the very same group who stopped her, much to everyone's surprise. At first, everyone was wary of Sunset and gave her a cold reception during her redemption. As time passed, especially after Sunset alongside the Rainbooms defeated the Dazzlings during the Battle of the Bands, she pretty much won over the entire school, save for a few students.

And the CMCs were from the latter category.

They don't understand why their sisters gave a former bully another chance, especially after all the terrible things Sunset had done to them. And they certainly don't understand why they made her part of a family and have her join in on all the activities, including family traditions for the holidays. This was especially what bothered Apple Bloom. Her sister has been spending so much time with Sunset on various fun activities, her sister barely had time with her. And when she heard that her sister and the Rainbooms were planning to have many slumber parties leading up to Christmas all just for Sunset, Apple Bloom finally had enough.

On that very same night during the Rainbooms' first sleepover, Apple Bloom created a MyStable user, Anon-a-Miss, and then posted an embarrassing secret about her sister, all while making it look like it was Sunset who did it. She went as far as placing an edited image of Sunset on Anon-a-Miss' profile icon. When her friends found out what she had done, they too wanted to join in to get Sunset away from their sisters.

The Rainbooms didn't believe it was Sunset at first. But after pictures of their sleepover from Sunset's phone were posted online, which was stolen off of her phone by Sweetie Belle, the Rainbooms openly accused her as Anon-a-Miss and then disowned her right then and there. The CMCs were ecstatic with the news and pleased that their plan worked. And for good measure, they continued to post nasty stuff that they received from other students to keep up with the charade while putting the blame on Sunset.

It has been a couple of weeks since they first started their scheme and most of the CMCs were excited about the idea of taking a break from school and celebrating the holidays with their loved ones.

As well as celebrating their success as Anon-a-Miss.

"Ah don’t know about you girls, but the last few days of classes were brutal!" Apple Bloom exclaimed while sitting on her bed.

"I know!" Scootaloo agreed as she stood next to Apple Bloom’s bed. "I wish we didn't have to take some stupid tests earlier, but at least we're finally starting our holiday break from school! Shame that our sisters are busy hanging out at the Sweet Shoppe right now."

“It's fine," Apple Bloom assured. "Tonight is all about us with the CMCs exclusive sleepover. But tomorrow, we're sleeping over with our sisters on Christmas Day!”

“Yeah, I can't wait for that!" Scootaloo cheered with a grin. "And best of all, no Sunset Shimmer! And it was all thanks to your brilliant idea, Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom grinned. “Yeah! Our plan is working perfectly! With Sunset out of the way, our sisters won’t leave our side again as long as they still believe that it was her who made these posts!”

“Speaking of which, what are we going to post this time?” Scootaloo asked eagerly as she sat down on the bed next to Apple Bloom.

“Okay, get this!" Apple Bloom smirked as she opened up her laptop and logged on to MyStable. "You know that tough girl who used to be friends with Rainbow Dash and always wore a leather jacket with a griffon insignia on her back?”

Scootaloo tilted her head. “You mean Gilda?”

“Yeah, her!" Apple Bloom answered as she pulled up Gilda's profile. "Well apparently, Ah got a message that Gilda is not only a closet lesbian, but she also has a secret crush on Rainbow Dash!”

Scootaloo’s eyes widened in shock. “No way! It’s no wonder she got all jealous a year ago when Rainbow Dash hung out with our sisters more than her!” She then frowned. “Unfortunately for her, I don’t think she’s that interested in her.”

Apple Bloom cocked an eyebrow. “Didn’t Rainbow Dash also like girls?”

“She does, but still!”

Apple Bloom shrugged. “Well, in any case, Ah think we should post it! Since Gilda is in a Griffon gang, this will scare Sunset off fer sure!”

Scootaloo nodded in agreement. “Yeah! Sunset and Gilda had beef with each other even before Sunset rules the school! This will make Sunset’s guilt even more believable! Right, Sweetie Belle?”

The tomboy girl expected to hear a response from her friend, agreeing with her, but nothing came. Confused, both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom turned towards the other side of the room where Sweetie Belle was located. Sweetie herself was sitting quietly near the window, looking out into the night sky with a guilt frown on her face.

Apple Bloom stared at Sweetie Belle with a concerned expression, not used to seeing her friend acted this way. “Hey, what's wrong Sweetie Belle? Aren't you excited?”

Sweetie Belle let out a long sigh before she set her eyes on her two best friends.

“Apple Bloom, Scootaloo… don't you think that maybe we've come too far?” Sweetie Belle asked quietly.

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo blinked in confusion, confused by Sweetie's question.

“Uh… with what?” Apple Bloom inquired.

"With Anon-a-Miss," Sweetie Belle clarified. "Because of our posts about our sisters and everyone else in the school… we’ve been putting a bigger target on Sunset’s back… and she’s been receiving all the wrath from other students.”

Before Apple Bloom could answer, Scootaloo scoffed.

“Well, yeah… that was the point! If we made it look like Sunset was back to her old ways, everyone, including our sisters will be mad at her to the point that they’re no longer friends with her and we will get our sisters back.”

“We did get our sisters back, but was it the right thing to do?” Sweetie challenged with a glare.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were taken aback by their friend's response.

"Sweetie Belle… where was this coming from?" Apple Bloom asked gently.

Sweetie Belle said nothing for a moment before she let out a long sigh.

"I… saw Sunset sitting in a corner somewhere in school… breaking down into tears when no one was watching," Sweetie revealed with a guilt look. “Before we even started this… I have thought that maybe Sunset deserved whatever comes at her. But after seeing her in that state… I don’t think she deserved that at all!”

“While I'm still mad at Sunset for what she did to my sister, she had been putting a lot of effort into changing her ways since the Fall Formal and wasn’t mean to everyone since, including those who retaliated against her. In fact, she seems… happier since she’s friends with our sisters.” Sweetie Belle clenched her arms. “But after our sisters disowned her… I’ve seen Sunset more depressed by the day. She hardly even reacted as everyone bad-mouthed or shoved her in passing like a lifeless zombie. I can't believe I'm saying this, but for once, I'm afraid of her wellbeing. If this keeps up… something bad is going to happen to her."

Sweetie gave her friends a fierce look. “Which is why… I think you should not post anything about Gilda on MyStable. In fact, I think we should stop altogether! I heard rumors around the school that Gilda has real serious anger issues these days, especially by someone who provokes her. And when push comes to shove… she’ll get back at those who wronged her by any means, even to the point of physical violence depending on how mad she gets! And if that's true… I don’t want that to happen to anyone because of us… including Sunset Shimmer!”

The whole room was silent for a moment before Scootaloo scoffed.

"Oh c'mon Sweetie Belle!" said Scootaloo as she rolled her eyes. "Rainbow Dash always told me that Gilda is all bark and no bite! What you heard were nothing but rumors!"

Sweetie Belle shook her head with a look of doubt. "I don't know Scoots. Rarity once told me that sometimes, there's always some truth in every rumor. Even if it's not true, I rather not take any chances. I even saw her in her angry state once from the halls… she was scary!"

Sweetie Belle shuddered violently from the memory, causing Scootaloo to roll her eyes again.

"Ah'm with Scoots, Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom spoke up. "Wat you heard is a bunch of hogwash! You should see how scary Applejack looked when she's angry at me! Yet, she didn't hurt me!"

Sweetie Belle gave Apple Bloom a hard look. "Apple Bloom, there's a big difference between anger coming from your siblings and anger coming from a gang member! It's bad enough that Sunset is ridiculed and hated at school now, I don't want people to come after her and get hurt because of us!"

"You're forgetting that Sunset once ruled our school, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo argued. "No one was able to touch her until Princess Twilight arrived. So I'm sure Sunset can handle Gilda or anyone else who comes in her way!"

“Will she though?” Sweetie Belle retorted, before shaking her head. "Well, despite what you all think, I'm still against posting anything about Gilda, or anyone else at all!"

"Sweetie Belle quit being so stubborn!" Scootaloo shouted, losing her patience.

"I should say the same thing about you!" Sweetie Belle yelled.

"Enough!" Apple Bloom screamed, getting the other two girls' attention. She then breathed through her nose to calm herself before speaking again.

“Scootaloo’s right, Sweetie Belle, you worried too much. Sure, people shoved her around and jeered at her, but no one is going to hurt her. 'Sides, if Sunset can handle by herself before the Formal, then she can handle it now."

"But what about her crying in the school hallway after weeks of bullying and no one by her side?" Sweetie pressed, angry at the way Apple Bloom brushed off the issue. "Do you truly think she can handle all the bullying by herself because of us? Do you truly think she can handle being all alone without our sisters? Doesn't all of that mean anything to you?"

Once again, there was silence in Apple Bloom’s bedroom and the tensions grew thick. Sweetie Belle continued to glare at Apple Bloom, which the ladder had an unreadable expression, and Scootaloo was more fed up with Sweetie Belle than caring about her concerns. Finally, after it felt like an eternity, Apple Bloom spoke as she turned towards her bed.

"Look… we’re all tired here, so why don’t we just hit the hay and think this over tomorrow! We got a big day ahead of us!”

Sweetie Belle was going to retort again, but Scootaloo cut her off.

“Apple Bloom’s right, Sweetie Belle! So stop worrying about Sunset Shimmer! Besides, this is only temporary. It’s not like we’re keeping Sunset away from our sisters forever! Right, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom paused briefly as she pulled the covers off of her bed with her back facing her friends. “Uh, yeah… right,” Apple Bloom answered quietly before getting under the covers.

Sweetie Belle glared at her two friends. "You know what, fine! Go off to dreamland for all I care, but this conversation is not over!"

She turned away and headed to her sleeping bag on the other side of the room, not saying another word to them.

Scootaloo let out a huff before she entered her sleeping bag, muttering angrily about how dumb Sweetie was acting.

Apple Bloom watched as her two friends each slept at the corners of her room with their backs turned from each other. This was supposedly a fun sleepover between the three of them, only to be ruined after a major disagreement.

All because of Sunset Shimmer.

Darn you, Sunset Shimmer! Even when yer not here, you still ruined everytang! Apple Bloom thought with a scowl before pulling the covers over her head to try to get some sleep.

Little do they know that later tonight, they will be visited by a spiritual visitor that neither of these girls will ever expect.

Author's Note

Welp, here we go again! :derpytongue2:

This will be my third holiday-themed and my third Anon-a-Miss story on this site, starring the human CMCs! :coolphoto:

Even though I swore to myself that I wouldn't write another Anon-a-Miss story after Through the Eyes of Anon-a-Miss, I stumbled on this topic from within the forums of the Anon-a-Miss group that I just simply love the idea and couldn't resist. I'm actually surprised that there isn't one already from this genre... until recently (we'll get to that later). Considering that the original comic took place around Christmas time (even though ironically, there's barely any Christmas-related in the comic), the main theme of the Christmas Carol was pretty fitting for the occasion. :eeyup:

The credit for this story idea goes to SweetTeaFiend. That user even granted me permission to post this story using his/her idea. If you're reading this, SweetTeaFiend, thank you again for your permission and I hope you like what I come up with.

And I hope the rest of you will enjoy this story too! :pinkiesmile:

Before someone pointed out in the comments, yes, I'm aware that someone already wrote An Anon-A-Miss Christmas Carol story on this site. Let me assure you that I began writing this story months before that one was posted. And also rest assured that my take is completely different. And unlike that one which starred Sunset Shimmer, the main focus in this story will be the CMCs.

This will be my first story that is rated "T" instead of the usual "E". Nothing bad will happen per se, but expect some minor dark themes later on in this story. I'll even warn you in advance when we get to it.

As I mentioned earlier, this story was already pre-written. So you'll be expecting new chapters of this story between December 20th to the 24th of this year. So look forward to that. :pinkiesmile:

You can expect the next chapter... right now. :raritywink:

Chapter 4 - Present Issues

Apple Bloom woke up with a violent gasp and then she sat up from her bed. She looked around the area frantically until she calmed down once she realized she was back in her room. She then checked her own body and was relieved that she was turned back into a human again.

Dat was tense! Thank goodness it was only a dream! Apple Bloom thought with a sigh before narrowing her eyes. Sunset Shimmer as an orphanage while being bullied and has no family? Talk about ridiculous!

"Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom turned her head to see both her friends, who are also back in their human forms, run up to her with worried expressions.

"Apple Bloom, are you okay?" Sweetie Belle asked, checking her friend over.

"Yeah, Sweetie Belle, Ah’m fine," Apple Bloom assured. "It was only–"

"Oh good!" Sweetie Belle sighed with a relieved expression. "When Somna had us trapped in her smoke, I thought we were goners!"

Scootaloo nodded. "Yeah! And the way her eyes lit up in green was scary… n-not that I'm scared or anything!"

Apple Bloom was about to tease her friend about being scared, but then she paused. "Wait… you have that dream too?"

Sweetie Belle blinked. "Apple Bloom… we just came back from Equestria in the past… remember?"

"And we saw most of Sunset’s past from the day she was born to her falling out with the princess?" Scootaloo added.

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened, shaking her head in denial. "N-no… dat's impossible! It… it has to be a dream!"

"If it was a dream, then how could we possibly be having the same dream at the exact same time?" Scootaloo pointed out.

"Um… coincidence?" Apple Bloom offered lamely.

Suddenly, they heard an alarm go off, coming from Apple Bloom’s digital clock on her night table near her bed. They all read the display on that clock which reads 'nine and two zeros'. As Apple Bloom read the time, her father’s words once again echoed in her mind.

"The second ghost will arrive at a struck of nine."

Apple Bloom shook her head. No… what we've experienced has to be a dream… isn't it?

Suddenly, her bedroom door burst open, starling her and her friends in the process. The lights from the hallway were already on, despite that Apple Bloom knew for sure that they were off earlier and that she and her friends are the only ones in the house right now. Before either of the girls commented, they all heard a loud boisterous laughter coming from beyond Apple Bloom’s bedroom.

"Come lassies!" The mysterious voice boomed. "Come on down and join me downstairs!"

The girls looked at each other with nervous expressions.

"Girls," Scootaloo uttered. "Could that be… our second visitor?"

"Um… I think so," Sweetie Belle replied, eyeing the bedroom door warily. "Although, he sounds friendly."

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Ah don’t like this! Ah say we stay up here and wait for that ghost to leave!"

"Actually… I think we should go down there and give him a chance!" Sweetie Belle suggested.

Apple Bloom eyes widened. "But Sweetie Belle, we don't know what that ghost is like or what he'll do to us! How could we possibly trust him?"

"Your parents said that we should be open-minded and listen to these ghosts, remember?" Sweetie Belle reminded. "We did it with Somna, it's only fair we do the same with the next two ghosts."

Sweetie then walked towards the door. "Now let's not keep 'em waiting!"

Scootaloo nodded in agreement before following Sweetie Belle, leaving Apple Bloom behind.

"Girls! Hold on a second!" she called out, but her friends paid her no heed as they practically walked out of the room. Realizing that they're not coming back and fearing for her friends, Apple Bloom jumped out of her bed and ran after them.

"Girls, wait for me!"

Apple Bloom eventually caught up with her best friends as they slowly climbed down the stairs towards the Apple's living room. As they got closer, the light source from the living room grew brighter. It was then that they realized that the light source wasn't coming from the lamps or anything electric at all. The light itself was much more organic and natural.

The girls eventually made it down the stairs and entered the living room. When they did, the CMCs were taken aback by what they saw in front of them. Several different candles were around the room all lit up, which was the main light source of the area. With the lighted candles, they've noticed that the Apple's living room has changed. The whole room was redecorated with evergreen garland with red bows around the walls and windows. The Apple's original decorations that were on the Christmas tree were replaced with red and gold ornaments with a gold garland.

But what got the girls' attention the most was the amount of food all over the room; possibly more than the food that was made from all the previous Apple Family reunions combined. There were many different types of food that the girls could even make out: turkeys, prime ribs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casseroles, steaks, lasagnas, the list goes on. There were even so many desserts in the room; about half of them were several different kinds of pies alone.

In the center of the room was this mysterious man. This man was huge, probably around seven feet tall. He has a long orange and yellow beard and hair, of which only both sides of his head were braided. He has blue eyes, big muscles on his biceps, and his teeth were so shiny, they were practically blinded from his smile.

He wore a tan headband, a long brown fur shirt that only covered his chest, and some kind of chest belt with a metal round stone in the middle. He also wore three belts around his waist with the same round stone in the middle, long toga black pants, brown leather straps around his wrists and ankles, and crown boots. He even has a long metal shovel over his right shoulder.

The mysterious man smiled even further as soon as he spotted the girls. "Come in! Don't be shy little ones, I won't bite!"

Despite the invite, the girls were a little hesitant at first. Eventually, the girls slowly entered the room and approached their new visitor. They jumped slightly when the muscled ghost let out his boisterous laugh again.

"I bet you tots have never seen someone like me, have ya lassies?"

The three girls shook their heads in unison.

They still felt apprehensive towards their visitor, despite him giving them his friendly smile. Before Apple Bloom had time to react, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nudged her towards him, silently volunteering her to talk to him first. Apple Bloom glanced at her friends with a glare before nervously facing the big guy himself.

"Um… howdy mister," Apple Bloom began timidly with a gulp. "U-um, are ya… our second visitor?"

"Aye!" He answered with a grin before pointing at himself. "I am the ghost of Christmas Present! But my friends called me Rockhoof!"

Scootaloo’s eyes widened. "You're the ghost of Christmas Present?" She exclaimed before covering her mouth in fear of angering the ghost. "Um, no offense… but you certainly don't… look like one."

To her surprise, instead of him being offended, Rockhoof laughed heartily as if she just told a joke.

"I get that a lot, lass!" Rockhoof grinned. "I may look intimidating, but I can assure ya, that I'm your guide tonight!"

Sweetie nodded. "We pretty much figured." She then glanced at the roasted turkey across from her. "One question: are all these foods real?"

Rockhoof nodded. "Aye, lass. The piles of food you see here represent the heart of every individual in Canterlot City. Mainly, their goodwill, happiness, and generosity."

"Generosity?" Sweetie Belle repeated with a grin. "That sounds like my sister!"

"Aye," Rockhoof grinned. "But around this time of year, nearly every individual would be full of merriment and generosity like your sister." He then frowned solemnly. "But not this year."

From the sudden change of demeanor from their visitor, the CMCs frowned worriedly.

"What do you mean?" Apple Bloom asked.

Rockhoof gestured towards the food. "Take a look for yourself, lassie."

The CMCs obeyed as they observed the food with confused expressions. The food looked exactly how they appeared when they first walked into the room, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But that changed quickly when the food slowly disappeared by the second, shocking the CMCs in the process.

"W-what's going on?" Apple Bloom exclaimed as more food disappeared from their sights.

"People are losing a lot of their goodwill and happiness after a series of events happening within this town," Rockhoof stated. "Specifically, because of what is happening right now from your school based on the effects of a certain online user who's been tormenting others."

Sweetie’s eyes widened. "You mean…"

Rockhoof nodded gravely. "Aye… Anon-a-Miss."

The CMCs stared at Rockhoof in stunned silence. While they knew that their posts made most of the students angry and upset, neither thought that their actions could cause that huge of an effect to the point of losing the spirit of Christmas.

"You mean… we caused this?" Sweetie asked with a guilty expression.

"Aye," Rockhoof answered. "And to show you the extent of the consequences of your actions, we'll be visiting some of your fellow peers you have wronged, including that poor lassie you've been tormenting from the start!"

Knowing where this was going, Apple Bloom let out a loud groan. "Let me guess… Sunset Shimmer?"

Rickhoof nodded. "Aye!"

Apple Bloom threw her hands up. "Oh, come on! We were forced to look through Sunset’s life with the previous ghost! Isn't dat enough?"

Rockhoof shook his head. "Nah, lassie! Everything you have seen with Somnambula was all the struggles that Sunset went through from her past. But with me, I'm showing you what's going on right now after you pulled this whole heinous stunt and how this affects everyone around you, including Sunset Shimmer!"

"Yeah, well… we don't want to see it!" said Apple Bloom in an annoyed tone. "None of us are interested to find out what happened to Shimmer!"

"Actually," Sweetie Belle interjected while giving Apple Bloom a hard, yet determined look. "I wanted to see it. I wanted to know exactly how our actions hurt others since we followed along with your plan."

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "Okay, so it's me and Scoots who aren't interested in–"

"Actually…" Scootaloo spoke up, not looking at Apple Bloom as she rubbed her arm. "I… want to see those too. I thought Sunset and our sisters could handle everything we posted on MyStable. But after seeing Sunset’s past, I'm… not so sure anymore."

Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo her deadpan expression. "Et tu, Scoots?"

"It would seem like you were outvoted, lassie!" Rockhoof stated in a manner of fact tone. "And even if you refused, I would have to drag you across the entire town, kicking and screaming."

"So in other words… Ah don't have a choice," Apple Bloom said flatly.

Rockhoof shook his head. "Nope!"

Realizing that there was no way out of this, Apple Bloom let out an irritated huff. "Alright, fine! Ah'll go!" She said redundantly before narrowing her eyes. "But only if we skipped Sunset Shimmer!"

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stared at Apple Bloom in disbelief, couldn’t believe how stubborn her friend was.

"Oh c'mon, Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle scolded. "You can't just–"

However, Sweetie Belle was interrupted when Rockhoof held up an index finger, gesturing for her to wait, before addressing Apple Bloom.

"Very well, lass, we won't be seeing Sunset Shimmer," he said calmly, much to Sweetie and Scootaloo's shock.

Apple Bloom crossed her arms with a satisfied smirk. "Great! That's wat Ah like to–"

"Until after we finish seeing certain other people," Rockhoof finished. "Specifically, students from your school!"

"Wat!?" Apple Bloom shouted angrily. "But you just said–"

Whatever argument Apple Bloom was going to say, died in her throat the moment when Rockhoof stood over her so suddenly. Gone were the warmth and merry expression that were on his features a moment ago. Instead, it was replaced with a cold and furious expression that was so tense, Apple Bloom felt her spirit was suffering just being under his gaze. Even Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, despite not receiving the ghost's wrath like their friend, shook themselves in fear from his sudden demeanor.

"You listen to me lassie," Rockhoof spoke in a low, yet dangerous voice. "In case you have forgotten the words from Somnambula, let me refresh your memory. The reason you're in this position in the first place was that you threw your parents' advice back into their faces, even though they were trying to save you from making a terrible mistake. This isn't some family field trip, this is a rehabilitation trip, and you're in no position to negotiate who we get to see or not. You will see all the things you have caused to everyone around you, including that young lady you tormented the most, whether you want to or not! And if you resist me any further, I'll be forced to remove my kids’ gloves! Understand?"

With a terrified expression, Apple Bloom nodded mutely.

"Good!" Rockhoof stated before glaring intensely at Apple Bloom."You're very lucky that I'm generous enough to give you a warning. Because if you tried to pull that stunt on the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, trust me… he won't be as nice as I am!"

Apple Bloom, as well as her friends, gulped loudly in fear.

"...now then!" Rockhoof announced, suddenly back to his cheerful self as if the whole event with Apple Bloom never happen. "With that out of the way, let’s be on our way!"

"Um… how do we do that?" Sweetie Belle asked, still feeling uneasy from earlier.

“With this lass!” Rockhoof answered as he took out his shovel, much to the CMCs confusion.

“Uh… it’s only a shovel,” Scootaloo pointed out.

Rockhoof chuckled. “Just watch!”

Before either of them could blink, Rockhoof struck the earth down with his shovel, instantly teleporting them all out from the living room.

Within a second, the CMCs and Rockhoof reappeared, no longer in the living room from the Apple’s home. The CMCs were only disoriented for a moment before they recovered. Apple Bloom shot Rockhoof an annoyed expression.

“Seriously!?” Apple Bloom retorted. “Yer teleporting us to other places without warning us too?”

“Well, how do ya think we get to those places lassie, we walk?” Rockhoof asked in a sarcastic tone.

Before Apple Bloom could argue further, Sweetie Belle interrupted her. “It’s fine, Apple Bloom. This certainly beats having to walk from one place to another.”

Scootaloo nodded in agreement. “Yeah, and it’s not nearly as bad then how Somna teleported us. So points for him!”

Rockhoof grinned. “Well, I’m glad that some of you don’t mind it. Though I don’t see why anyone would though. Many would have loved to be in your place as of means of travel, instead of using their so-call flying machines or these traveling metal boxes you mortals use these days!”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Yeah, whatever!”

She and her friends looked around and they realized that they were outside at Canterlot City’s Park. Everything around them, including the playground, benches, and fields were covered in snow. Despite that everything was still dark out due to nighttime, the lamppost lit up alongside the snow-covered pathway of the park.

Suddenly, a thought came to Apple Bloom and she glance down towards herself.

“Um, Rockhoof, we’re still in our pajamas!”

Sweetie Belle also glanced at herself, realizing her friend was right. “Yeah! And you’re not wearing any layers at all Rockhoof. Won’t we get cold?”

Rockhoof let out another boisterous laugh. “Don’t you worry lass! We’re practically spirits ourselves! So you don’t have to worry about getting cold!”

“Well, that’s a relief!” said Scootaloo. “And what about the people we are seeing?”

“It’s the same when you’re with Somna,” Rockhoof answered. “No one will see us. But unlike your trip with Somna, we’re seeing just how things played out at a current time.” He then glanced at the side. “Speaking of which, here comes our first group of people we are seeing.”

The CMCs turned towards the direction where the ghost was facing. Their eyes widened when they spotted two familiar girls from the distance. The two girls in question are Lyra and Sweetie Drops, or “Bon Bon” as most people called her. These two girls are openly known as best friends and often stuck together like glue. But to the surprise of the CMCs, Bon Bon appeared to be trying to walk away from her friend with crossed arms and an angry expression. Lyra, on the other hand, was trying desperately to keep up with her friend with a pleading expression.

"Bonnie, wait! Listen to me!" Lyra begged as she ran through the snow.

"No Lyra! I'm done listening to you!" Bon Bon replied coldly, still walking away from her.

Lyra eventually caught up to Bon Bon and grasped on her shoulder.

"Please, Bonnie," said Lyra. "It was all a misunderstanding!"

With a growl, Bon Bon turned to face her friend.

"A misunderstanding!?" She shouted. "What's there to misunderstand? Anon-a-Miss posted a photo of you and Roseluck together, hanging out at your house, and then lied to me that you were busy. Even though we've been best friends for years!"

"What you saw wasn't the full truth!" Lyra cried desperately. "Please, let me explain!"

With a scoff, Bon Bon yanked her shoulder away from her friend. "Forget it Lyra… consider our friendship over!"

Lyra watched her former best friend walking away with a heartbroken expression, tears leaking out from her eyes. "Bonnie! Bonnie please!"

As Lyra tried to chase her again, the CMCs watched them with guilt expressions. As soon as Lyra and Bon Bon left the area, Rockhoof then loudly cleared his throat

"Well, I'm sure you three know what this was all about?" he asked, but more of a statement than a question.

Scootaloo rubbed her arm. "Yeah… it was from the photo of Lyra hanging out with Roseluck at her home, supposedly on the day Lyra was supposed to be with her family."

"Rumor has it that those two hung out a lot more behind Sweetie Drop's back," Apple Bloom added. "We posted this after someone sent the photo and rumor to us."

Rockhoof hummed. "The lass was hanging out with that other girl, but it was only because she needed Roseluck's help to create a Christmas gift for her best friend… and crush."

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened. "You don't mean…"

Rockhoof nodded solemnly. "Aye. Lyra… was planning to confess to her best friend, who she had fallen in love with for quite some time. And that gift she made for her friend was only a surprise. Unfortunately, after that photo was posted on MyStable, Sweetie Drops misunderstood the situation and broke her friendship with Lyra before she could even explain.

The CMCs craned their necks, feeling guilty for breaking up a friendship and possibly more due to their influence.

"We… had no idea," Apple Bloom said quietly. "Now Ah feel bad!"

"If ya think you feel bad now," Rockhoof stated with narrowed eyes. "Just wait until you see the rest of the people we're visiting!"

Once again, Rockhoof struck the ground with his shovel, teleported everyone out of the park.

As soon as they reappeared at a different location, the CMCs, feeling less disorientated after the teleportation, looked around. This time, they were in the bedroom of some person's house. The room itself looked very messy with various equipment and clothes scattered around the room. What got their attention the most was the two girls sitting on the bed.

These two girls were Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch, aka DJ Pon-3. Judging from all the DJ equipment, the room belonged to the latter. Like Lyra and Bon Bon, those two are well known as close friends and often partners for their music performances. However, the two of them were currently in distress as DJ Pon-3 was hugging her friend from behind while Octavia just sat there, letting her friend hug her.

"Thank you for taking me in, love," Octavia said softly before glancing at her friend. "Are you sure you and your folks don't mind?"

DJ Pon-3 simply nodded while giving her friend a small reassuring grin.

Despite her friend’s reassurance, Octavia let out a sad sigh.

"How in the world does it come to this? I thought we were careful. But someone took a photo of us without our knowledge while we were… 'tongue wrestling' under the bleachers."

While DJ Pon-3 blushed at that, yet had a proud smile on her face, Octavia continued.

"Whoever took that photo, Anon-a-Miss somehow got their hands on it and posted it on MyStable for everyone to see!"

Octavia pulled her knees up to her chest. "It was bad enough that we've been getting looks and judged by everyone at school. But what's worse…" she began to tear up. "Is that my parents saw it too! And they… they…"

As Octavia began to brawl into her knees, DJ Pon-3 pulled her closer to her hug, comforting her girlfriend.

As the scene played out in front of them, the CMCs turned their attention to Rockhoof, who had a neutral expression.

"This was about a photo between Octavia and DJ Pon-3 we posted… wasn't it?" Scootaloo asked meekly, despite already knowing the answer.

Rockhoof nodded. "Aye. After these two became an item a month back, they were trying to keep their relationship a secret. The Raven lass, in particular, wasn't comfortable to share her relationship to the public yet, especially after figuring out that she likes girls." Rockhoof eyes narrowed. "Unfortunately, someone spotted them and took a photo of them during one of their private moments. And ever since you posted it, they become… 'celebrities' so to speak, around the entire school."

The CMCs winced at that, feeling responsible for exposing their relationship and then the aftermath from their post.

"Yeah… Ah've heard some… not nice comments from other students towards them," Apple Bloom uneasily. "But not everyone is bothered by dat. Heck, Ah'm not bothered by dat!"

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded, also weren't bothered by the relationship between the two musicians.

"Well, it's good to hear that you three approved of their relationship," Rockhoof stated, but had a frown on his face. "But while there are those who approve of this kind of relationship, there are some out there who don't."

Rockhoof then sighed through his nose. "Especially Octavia's parents."

Sweetie Belle gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. "Oh no… don’t tell me her parents tried to separate them!"

Rockhoof had a grave expression. "Worse… they kicked her out and disowned her."

The CMCs were shocked beyond belief. It was bad enough that the couple were teased relentlessly after the CMCs had posted a photo, but to hear that one of their parents had kicked them out because of it as well, was beyond horrible.

Sweetie felt tears running down her cheeks. "No…"

"B-b-but why?" Scootaloo exclaimed, feeling rage towards Octavia's parents. "Why would anyone, let alone a parent, be so cruel to their child?"

"I wish I could answer that, lass," Rockhoof sighed solemnly. "But what I can say is that not everyone is so lucky to have parents who are open-minded and accepting. And even if their parents are accepting, no one should ever be forced to come out and take away their choice to share their relationship… just for someone's own sick amusement."

"Yeah, I get it," Sweetie Belle said quietly. "I certainly wouldn't like that if people invaded my personal life."

"Same here," said Apple Bloom with a guilty expression. "But Ah still feel bad for what we did with Octavia."

"Me too,” said Scootaloo. “But at least it was only these two that we… forced them out of their closets."

Apple Bloom nearly winced at that. She neglected to mention to her friends that just before her parents’ arrival, she made another post of a certain girl, just to get back at Sunset. At the time, she thought what she had done was right. But with everything she had seen so far, Apple Bloom was starting to feel less confident about her earlier decision.

"What's the matter, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked, noticing Apple Bloom’s worried expression.

"Nothin'!" Apple Bloom replied quickly. "It was… nothin'!"

Rockhoof raised his brow at Apple Bloom’s statement but chose not to comment about it.

"Well anyway," He announced. "It's time we make our next stop!"

Rockhoof once again struck the ground with his shovel and teleported everyone out of DJ Pon-3's room to their next destination.

With a blink of an eye, the gang reappeared. This time they were in a completely different room, assuming another house. Before any of the girls could ask Rockhoof where they are now, they heard someone crying nearby.

When they turned to see who it was, they felt their hearts drop to their stomachs when they spotted a familiar blonde-haired girl, sitting on the bed with tears in her yellow misaligned eyes. She was also wearing a blue shirt, long green skirt, long white socks, green sandals, and a short yellow tie.

"Why… why is everyone being so mean?" The girl wept, burying her face into her hands. "I… I know I have an… wall eye problem, but that doesn't mean… that I'm dumb! I… I…"

As the girl continued to cry her eyes out, the CMCs watched the whole scene, with a look of guilt. Then they glanced at the girl's laptop screen, only to cringe when they saw their post about that girl on MyStable from a few days back.

Those eyes of hers make her look like a freak and dumb! They're so freaky… that even her father left her as soon as she was born! LOL!

Just reading their own message made the girls feel even more guilty. They wouldn’t even bear to look Rockhoof in the eyes, knowing that the ghost was probably either disgusted or very disappointed in them.

"Do I really need to say this?" Rockhoof stated in a disappointed tone.

Apple Bloom sighed. "No… we knew what we did was low."

"Especially to someone who had an eye problem all her life," Sweetie Belle added, who was on the verge of tears herself.

"But we did it anyway just to make Sunset more and more guilty… and not caring about her feelings," Scootaloo concluded with regret on her features.

Rockhoof let out a knowing grunt. "Even if the lassie didn't have a physical disability, there was no reason to bring her home life, or anyone's home lives into the spotlight like that. Not only did she feel ashamed of herself, but she also believed that no one would ever love her for who she is!"

"We didn't mean it like that!" Scootaloo cried, tears trailing down her face. "We only did it because people wanted us to post them!"

"And yet, it was still you three who pulled the trigger," Rockhoof remarked.

"We get it, what we did was terrible!" said Apple Bloom, feeling bad about the whole thing. "We'll delete her post as soon as we get back!"

Rockhoof shook his head. "I'm afraid it won't be so simple. Even if you take your posts down… the damage was already done. And just because you got rid of them… that doesn't mean that the things you posted will disappear completely."

"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked with a confused expression.

"Well… let me put it this way," Rockhoof explained, as he was stroking his beard. "Let's say… that this internet is like one big ocean and each webpage, like MyStable, is like a lake. And the connection between the webpage and the internet is like a river."

"Now suppose each negative comment or an embarrassing photo is like a poison that you keep pouring into the lake. And each poison is as bad and harmful as the other, which could affect you and/or everyone else around you. You could try to clean up the lake in hopes to get rid of all the poison you just poured in. But by the time you did, the poison had already traveled through the river and into the big ocean, making it impossible to completely get rid of all the poison."

"So, in other words… that once we posted stuff online, it could stay up there forever?" Scootaloo summarized with widened eyes.

"Aye. The reason is that sites like MyStable can have backups to everything you posted, even if you deleted them off of the web from your end. Or sometimes it could be from other users themselves who decided to download a copy of what you posted and then posted a copy on their own account on MyStable. Or even worse, a whole different website. And the next user will do the same. And so on. And so forth."

"It's even worse when you posted something about someone that was meant to be private. And depending on what kind of information about this person, whether it may be true or false, could affect that person in a big way. It could affect what schools they applied to, or their jobs, their relationships, their whole lives. The things that I showed you up to this point… were small examples of how your posts affected their lives."

Apple Bloom, as well as her friends, widened her eyes in fear. It had never occurred to them that their posts could potentially affect people's lives outside of school, including their sisters.

"Does that mean… Ah ruined mah sis' life?” Apple Bloom asked in guilt.

"And my sister?" Sweetie Belle added, feeling more upset with herself.

"And even Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo inquired fearfully.

"Your actions aren't bad enough for their lives to be… ruined per se, but if things kept going at this rate, you might as well be," Rockhoof answered vaguely.

He let his words sink in for a moment for the girls to digest before he narrowed his eyes at them.

"So the next time if you three even think about posting something funny or mean about another person… think long and hard about how this could affect theirs and your lives before you do so!"

The CMCs just stood in silence, feeling ashamed of themselves for using other students’ secrets as weapons against Sunset. They were so set on their goal to make Sunset look bad, they never once considered how they affected other students’ lives or how they felt after making so many posts. If humiliating and hurting people was by means for them to take down a former bully, then they are no better than Sunset when she was a meanie.

"So… are we seeing Sunset and our sisters yet?" Apple Bloom asked quietly.

Rockhoof shook his head. "Almost lass, there is still one more person we have to see."

Before anyone could blink, Rockhoof struck the ground with his shovel again and teleported them all out of the blonde girl’s room.

The gang then reappeared in a different location. However, unlike their previous visits, this particular location was hard for the girls to make out. The room was semi-dark and it had stone walls, pipes around the ceiling and at the corner of a wall, and a ceiling light hanging from the middle of the ceiling. But what caught the girls’ interest was that there were some desks and tables with various books, beakers, and equipment like a computer and a microscope. There was even a large bulletin board on one side of a wall with so many different pictures and red strings, which was something that came from a generic cop show.

“W-where are we?” Apple Bloom inquired as she surveyed the room.

“Yeah. It feels like we’re in an underground lab for a mad scientist!” said Scootaloo before narrowing her eyes at one of the pipes. “Or… some janitor’s closet.”

“Well, you’re kinda right on both ends,” said Rockhoof. “We’re in a makeshift lab belonging to a student from Crystal Prep.”

The CMCs widened their eyes in shock.

“Crystal Prep!?” Scootaloo exclaimed. “We’re in a lab belonging to Crystal Prep? Why are we here?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah! Our school has been rivals to them for years and they are not usually pleasant people!”

“I’m with them! These guys here are the worst!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

Rockhoof had a knowing expression. “Oh, not everyone.”

As Rockhoof said those words, the door opened and a girl, who was wearing a Crystal Prep uniform, entered the room and walked through them. As the girl was sitting down near one of her desks, the CMCs noticed that something about that girl looked very familiar. Aside from the Crystal Prep uniform, the girl had dark blue hair with purple and pink stripes, which was made into a bun, a star hair clip on the side of her head, and purple eyes. After studying the girl for a moment, Apple Bloom’s eyes widened in recognition.

"Wait, is that… Twilight!?" Apple Bloom exclaimed in shock.

After looking at the girl a little longer, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were also shocked by the revelation.

“Hey, you’re right, Apple Bloom! That is Twilight!” said Scootaloo.

"I thought she lives in Equestria!" Sweetie Belle added in confusion. "What's she doing here?"

"That isn't the same person you know, lass," Rockhoof informed. "Look again!"

So the girls did as Rockhoof instructed. They didn’t understand what Rockhoof meant at first until their eyes set on one particular item, which was sitting on the bridge of Twilight’s nose.

"Hey! This Twilight wears glasses!" Scootaloo pointed out.

Apple Bloom nodded. "You're right Scoots! And she's also wearing a Crystal Prep uniform!"

Sweetie Belle furrowed her brows. "So if that's not Princess Twilight, then…"

Rockhoof nodded. "Aye. That lass you're looking at is the human Twilight of this world."

For the second time within a couple of minutes, the CMCs were shocked by this revelation.

"Holy guacamole!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Ah can't believe there is another Twilight!"

Suddenly, they heard a bark, which was coming from Twilight’s backpack. Twilight immediately unzipped her bag and a familiar purple dog jumped out of the bag and licked Twilight’s face, causing her to giggle.

"And there's even another Spike too!" Sweetie Belle said in a surprised tone. She then held her chin in thought. "I wonder if he talks like the other Spike?"

"I can't believe she's a Crystal Prep student!” Scootaloo said in disbelief while narrowing her eyes. “She's probably acting as high and mighty as all the others!"

Sweetie Belle watched with doubt as Twilight went back to her laptop, which had a tired expression.

"I don't know. She doesn't act like the rest of those preppers."

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement. "Yeah. In fact, she looks… lonely."

Despite having her dog on her lap, Twilight was still working on her laptop with a deep sigh, laying the side of her face on her left hand with a somber expression.

"Aye. The poor lass is all alone in her life," Rockhoof spoke in a soft tone. "While she is the smartest girl in school and on the top of her grades, no one wanted to be her friend."

"But… why?" Sweetie Belle inquired, couldn’t comprehend that no one wanted a nice girl like Twilight as their friend.

Rockhoof frowned. "As you say, those preppers only associate those who are worthy of their circle for the sake of their social connections. And unfortunately, Twilight doesn't benefit them at all and treats her like an outcast."

Scootaloo granted in disgust. "Man… just when I thought I couldn't dislike these preppers any further."

Suddenly, the door opened again, catching everyone, including Twilight by surprise. A young woman walked into a room. She had long purple, maroon, and yellow hair and purple eyes with blue eyeliner around her eyes. She was wearing a blue dress jacket, light blue shirt, long green skirt, yellow heels, and yellow necklace.

“Twilight?” The young woman called.

“Oh! Dean Cadance!” said Twilight in a surprised tone. “What brings you here?”

“Twilight, the school was over a few hours ago,” said Cadance, shaking her head. "And you don't have to call me 'Dean' if it's just us. After all… I am seeing your brother now."

"O-oh, right!" Twilight uttered, blush appeared on her cheeks. "Sorry… I'm still getting used to that!"

"For not calling me 'Dean' or me seeing your brother?" Cadance asked.

"Yes."

Cadance rolled her eyes in amusement at Twilight’s joke.

"But in all seriousness, you've been working on your research for months now. Don't you think it's time you take a break?"

"But I'm so close!" Twilight insisted. "Ever since I picked up these strange readings from CHS a couple of months ago, I've been trying to look into these readings and learn more about them. I even visited their school grounds a few times."

The CMCs nearly dropped their jaws throughout Twilight’s explanation, including the part when she mentioned their school during an important event.

"Was she… talking about the magic battle between our sisters and the Dazzlings during the Battle of the Bands two months ago?" Sweetie Belle uttered, afraid of the answer.

"Ah think she was," Apple Bloom replied, who was just as nervous. "Ah figured dat this Twilight is just as smart as the other Twilight, but the fact dat she knew about the magic back at our school is scary!"

"Especially that she's a student at Crystal Prep no less," Scootaloo added bluntly.

"Shh! Quiet girls!" Rockhoof scolded quietly.

The girls quickly got the message and resumed listening in on the conversation between Twilight and Dean Cadance.

"Twilight, you know that you shouldn't be messing around at another school district, especially since the students here currently aren't… getting along with the CHS students right now," Cadance reasoned.

"They won't notice that I'm there," Twilight assured, completely disregarding Cadance's concerns. "Besides, my research will help me get closer to my independent study at Everton!"

Cadance frowned. "Twilight, about that… are you sure if this is what you really want?"

"Of course this is what I want," Twilight responded with a sigh, despite having already answered to Cadance numerous times before. "I can focus more on my project, as well as some advanced math and science projects."

"But there won't be any classrooms with other students, you'll be all alone," said Cadance in a concerned tone.

Twilight frowned. "So?"

Cadance sighed as she leaned on a table near Twilight’s desk. "Twilight, while it's good that you're getting the best education, it's also important to be around other people."

Twilight frowned, looking away from Cadance. "I'm just… not good with other people."

"You're good with me and Shining," Cadance pointed out.

"You guys don't count. You're practically family," Twilight huffed. She then glared at her computer screen. "Even before I came here… no one ever liked me or even bothered to get to know me. All the students here certainly made that clear! If I end up being alone, then I might as well apply to a program where I can focus on my work by myself!"

Spike let out a small whine.

"...and Spike too, of course!" Twilight added with a small smile as she petted her dog.

Feeling concerned, Cadance gently placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, which got her attention.

"Twilight, I know it's hard dealing with people who gave you a hard time, but not everyone is like that. There are people out there somewhere who want to be your friend and like you for being... you. You just… have to let yourself meet them."

Twilight glanced at her dog, doubting Cadance's words. "I… don't know."

“Just think about what I said before you decided to transfer, okay?" Cadance requested in a soft tone.

While remaining doubtful, Twilight nodded.

Satisfied, Cadance stood up from the table. "Anyway, I’ll be coming over to you and your brother’s house for our Christmas dinner within a half-hour. Promise me that you’ll come home on time and stay for Christmas?"

“Yes Dean– I mean, Cadance! I promise," Twilight assured.

With a small smile, Cadance turned and then walked out of the door, leaving Twilight, Spike, and her unaware visitors alone.

Feeling assured that Cadance had completely left the area, Twilight resumed her work on her laptop.

“Well, she didn’t say that I should stay after Christmas!” said Twilight with a mischievous expression.

Spike let out a small whine, which Twilight ended up hearing.

“What? I’m technically keeping my promise!” She reasoned. “Besides, it’s not like I have anything else to do for the holidays!”

She then let out a sad sigh. “Or anyone here who actually wanted to be with me for Christmas.”

As Twilight quietly went back to work, the CMCs watched her with looks of pity.

“Poor Twi,” said Sweetie with a sad frown. “Even if she never admitted it, she’s all alone!”

“I still can’t believe that no one in this school wanted to be her friend,” Scootaloo said quietly, feeling bad for judging her earlier.

Apple Bloom immediately cleared her throat, getting her friends' attention.

"Ah don’t mean to sound heartless. While Ah am sad for our world's Twilight… but wat does that have to do with us?"

“Normally, we’re forbidden to share a potential future to you mortals, but in this case, we’re making an exception,” said Rockhoof, as he glanced at Twilight. “At some point, there will be an event called the Friendship Games, which will take place at your school. Only a select few students will participate in the games… and this Twilight is one of them.”

The CMCs were surprised by this information, not only with what's going to happen at the school in the future but also a future involving this world's Twilight.

“Really? I thought she wasn’t interested in making friends?” said Sweetie in her confused tone.

Rockhoof frowned. “She wasn’t. She will be forced to go by her Principal… by blackmailing her access to her independent study program.”

The girls were shocked by this sudden bombshell, neither of them thought an authoritative figure from their rival's school could act so cruel.

“Seriously!?” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “Even the Principal is bullying her?”

Rockhoof nodded. “Aye. That Principal doesn’t care about the students’ wellbeing, as long as it helps further the school’s reputation!” His eyes narrowed. “And that Principal will continue to use her by any means until that lass nearly falls into darkness.”

Scootaloo scowled in disgust. “Okay… now I really dislike this place!”

“Fortunately," Rockhoof continued. "She will be saved by your sisters… especially Sunset Shimmer.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. “You mean Sunset Shimmer will save her?”

“Aye," Rockhoof confirmed. "She is the key member to save that lass from that darkness, just like how she was a key member of defeating the Dazzlings.” He then frowned solemnly. “But without Sunset…”

Rockhoof went silent after that, making the girls feel more nervous and concerned about Twilight by the second.

"Rockhoof… what's going to happen to this Twilight without Sunset?" Sweetie Belle asked in a pleading tone.

"Yeah, will she be okay?" Scootaloo added.

Rockhoof continued to not say anything, as he still set his eyes on Twilight. Eventually, he let out a heavy sigh.

"I see her in an empty white room. Sitting all alone, void of any joy or happiness in her eyes," Rockhoof revealed vaguely in a grave tone. "If these shadows remain unchanged, then Twilight’s future… will be bleak."

The CMCs were horrified by this. Could their actions as Anon-a-Miss really be going to affect Twilight's future, even though they never met her? And how exactly are their actions affecting Sunset in some way which determines if Sunset is going to save Twilight? Before either of them could ask, Rockhoof spoke up.

"Now then… it is time to get to the heart of our trip!"

Just as before, Rockhoof raised his shovel and struck the ground, vanishing everyone out of the lab.

As soon as the group reappeared at a different location, the girls were taken aback as soon as they identified some familiar bookshelves all around the room.

"Hey, we're in the school's library!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"But why are we here?" Apple Bloom asked, looking up at Rockhoof. "The library, as well as a school, is closed at this time."

Rockhoof simply glanced away. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Before any of the CMCs could ask to clarify, they all heard a quiet sob coming from the backside of the library. Rockhoof started heading down the aisle towards one of the ends of the bookshelf with the CMCs in tow. They eventually reached the end of the row where a small room took place where people rarely visited. When they saw who was in the room, the CMCs eyes widened in shock.

The person who was sitting on a pile of books was none other than Sunset Shimmer and she was currently all hunched up, crying into her knees.

“It’s… it’s Sunset,” Sweetie said quietly.

Scootaloo frowned, taking no joy in seeing a crying person, even if it was a former bully. “What is she doing here? Shouldn’t she be at home?”

“Why don’t you take a closer look at those books she is sitting on,” Rockhoof suggested.

Apple Bloom did as he suggested and she immediately noticed the way those books were rearranged, including that long sheet next to the books.

“Is… is that supposed to be a bed?” Apple Bloom inquired.

Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion. “Why would she make those books into a bed?”

“Because this is where she has been sleeping… and living for the past few years,” Rockhoof revealed quietly.

Needless to say, the CMCs were shocked beyond belief.

"You mean… she has been living in the school's library all this time?" Sweetie Belle asked quietly, feeling sad for the poor girl.

"Well, yes… and no," Rockhoof answered. "While this is where she hangs the most, sometimes she would sleep in one of the homeless shelters if she was locked out of the school or kicked out."

Scootaloo had a look of dread. "And… if those shelters are… full?"

Rockhoof sighed. "Then she'll be lucky to find a warm, safe place somewhere under the city's bridge."

Sweetie Belle began to tear up. “But why… why was living like this?

“Y-yeah!” Apple Bloom spoke up. “Couldn’t she just go back to Equestria where she originally came from?”

Rockhoof frowned at Apple Bloom. “Have you forgotten your trip with Somnambula when you witnessed her having a fallout with her mentor?”

Apple Bloom winced. She had forgotten that. Or rather, she never cared to remember due to her vendetta against Sunset at the time. Now she was starting to regret her past behavior.

“Even after the portal to her world became accessible, Sunset still felt ashamed to face her mentor for how she treated her and their last exchange before coming to your world,” Rockhoof explained. “And it was also because she wanted to make amends with everyone here at your school before she could even face her. And even without that reason, she had nowhere to go since she had no family. And ever since she befriended your sisters, she felt her friends became a family she never had and considered this world her true home… until recently.”

The CMCs winced again, feeling a bit guilty for causing this.

"She was usually all alone for the holidays and spent her day here just like any other day," he continued before looking at Apple Bloom in the eye. "That was the main reason why your sister started this whole sleepover plan; so Sunset wouldn't have to be alone for the holidays for once."

Apple Bloom felt her throat tighten in guilt. "Did… mah sister know about this? That Sunset is… homeless?"

Rockhoof shook his head. "No, she didn't. Sunset didn't want to burden her or her friends any more than they were already… not that it matters now." He then shrugged. "But hey, I'm sure this was no big deal!"

The CMCs couldn't believe what they were hearing. After everything he said about the hard times Sunset had to go through right now, he suddenly acted like he didn't care and disregarded Sunset's situation.

"What's wrong with you Rockhoof!" Scootaloo yelled angrily. "This is a big deal! She can't be living like that and she needs help!"

Rockhoof let out a scoff. “Oh C’mon there lassie, she’s Sunset Shimmer! Since she had already handled her rough childhood, being homeless, ostracized, bullied, and being left behind by her former friends… I’m sure she can handle anything else whatever comes her way!”

Realizing that he practically used her words against her, Scootaloo glared back at Rockhoof as a lone tear trailed down her cheek.

“That… was a low blow!”

Rockhoof shrugged. “Your words, not mine!”

Scootaloo tightened her fist in rage, but couldn’t fight back.

Despite Rockhoof's harsh words, deep down, they all knew that he was right. Since they never really bothered to get to truly know Sunset, they have completely disregarded her life and feelings. They kept trying to justify themselves that what they did was right and that Sunset had it coming. But after everything they learned about Sunset up to this point, they couldn't deny it anymore. Instead of trying to take down a bully, they end up becoming bullies themselves.

They all wondered why life had to be so ironic.

Suddenly, they all heard a loud buzzing noise, and Sunset immediately stopped crying as a result. The girls became confused when they saw that the buzzing came from Sunset’s journal. Sunset sniffed as she reached for her journal and then she opened it.

"Sometimes, all you can do is stay strong. Stay yourself. And find your family," Sunset read out loud.

Sunset paused for a moment as if she was letting those words she read sink in. Then her face changed to a determined expression.

"Twilight’s right!" said Sunset as she wiped her eyes. "I need to try to convince them… one more time."

With that, Sunset packed her journal into her backpack, stood up from her "bed", and then she left the area. As the CMCs watched Sunset disappear from their view, Rockhoof spoke up again.

"Well, it would seem that Sunset is on the move to go talk to your sisters." He said knowingly. "And what a coincidence… your sisters will be our next stop.

With that, they all vanished from the library as soon as Rockhoof struck the floor with his mighty shovel.

As soon as everyone reappeared, the CMCs immediately recognized the warm decor of the building they were in now. There were many tables and chairs around the area, but sometimes there were green couches at certain spots. There was a counter with a desert display where customers usually ordered their coffee and shakes. There was even a huge menu behind the counter, listing many different drinks and sweets to choose from.

"Hey!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "This is…"

"The Sweet Shoppe!" Apple Bloom finished. "Our sisters' hangout!"

"And there they are!" said Scootaloo as she pointed at the direction in front of her.

The CMCs turned to where Scootaloo was pointing at. Sure enough, the Rainbooms, including their sisters, were sitting near a lone table in the center of a Shoppe. Aside from the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the Rainbooms were the only ones present in the Shoppe. Normally, the Shoppe closes around that time, but because Pinkie works and is friends with the cakes, they were granted access to the Shoppe just to get away from all the relentless teasing. But even so, none of the girls looked so happy as they just sat there quietly.

Scootaloo frowned at the sight. "Oh man… they all looked so miserable, even Pinkie Pie!"

Rockhoof nodded. "Aye, they are. But that's what usually happens when they are constantly mocked by others due to their secrets exposed online and finding out that their supposed friend betrayed them."

The CMCs grimaced in guilt, feeling responsible for causing misery to their sisters and their friends.

"So… why are we here?" Scootaloo asked.

Rockhoof simply turned to face the Rainbooms. "Let's just sit back and watch, lassie."

The CMCs obeyed, watching the Rainbooms as Rainbow Dash let out a loud huff in frustration.

"Well… this turned out to be a fun Christmas!" Rainbow Dash remarked.

Pinky Pie gave Rainbow her confused expression. "What are ya talking about Dashie? We're not having fun."

"I'm being sarcastic, Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash snapped with a scowl on her face.

Pinkie frowned angrily. "Hey! You don't have to shout at me, Dashie!"

"Now hold on everyone," Applejack spoke up calmly. "Let's not fight here!"

"Why not? That's what everyone's been doing lately!" Rainbow retorted. "Have you seen what's been going on at school lately? It's becoming a war zone over there!"

"Everyone has been yelling and at each other's throats all day, even during lunchtime!" Fluttershy whimpered. "I feared that a fight may break out at any given moment!"

"Yes, things are getting hectic at school," Rarity sighed. "The only good thing that came from this was that we weren't being mocked anymore… at least, while everyone is busy yelling at each other."

Pinkie furrowed her brow. "Well… the only time people stopped yelling at each other was when Sunset’s around… then yelled at her."

Everyone but the CMCs and Rockhoof frowned at the mention of their former friend.

Applejack's expression changed to a look of anger, clenching her fist tightly. "Ah still can’t believe she did that to us and everyone at school, even after everythin' we did to make her feel welcome!"

"We trusted her with our secrets and look what happened," Rarity added bitterly. "I guess what they say is true: a leopard never changes its spots!"

"I'm still mad at Sunset for what she did to us!" said Rainbow Dash frowned. "And yet…"

"And yet wat, Rainbow Dash?" Applejack pressed.

Rainbow's face scrunched up, deep in thought. "And yet, I couldn't help but feel… that we may have made a mistake in accusing Sunset."

Everyone blinked with surprised expressions. Out of everyone in the group, no one expected Rainbow Dash of all people beginning to doubt their decision to cut off Sunset after their confrontation.

"What do ya mean, Sugercube?" Applejack asked in a surprised tone.

Rainbow sighed as she crossed her arms. "Well… I know that she had used similar tactics before when she broke up our friendship before the Fall Formal. And yet, there was something about this whole thing that felt… off! I just can't put a finger on it!"

"I have to agree with Dashie," Fluttershy interjected in a quiet tone, getting everyone's attention. "Before, she usually planned carefully and did all of those mean things from behind the shadows. But this time around, she was sloppy with her posts and made herself a little too obvious… which doesn't make any sense."

Applejack scoffed. "Whether it makes sense or not, she still did it!"

"Did she?" Fluttershy challenged. "I don't know about you, but lately… Sunset has become more isolated… and sad every time I see her. And everyone has been giving her a hard time ever since we called her out."

Fluttershy then bowed her head in shame. "I also feared that we may have made a mistake in our judgment. And even if she was the one who's behind this, she doesn't deserve to get ganged up by angry students every day… and I can't help but feel responsible for letting that happen."

Pinkie glanced down at the table after hearing Fluttershy’s words, starting to feel guilty as she remembered making Sunset sad after ditching her.

"Well… we have accused her without giving her a chance," Pinkie said quietly with a somber expression. "Dashie and Flutters are right… maybe we were a little too quick to judge Sunny."

Applejack growled, couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

"But the pictures we've seen online were from Sunset’s phone! It has to be her!" Applejack argued.

"But what if we're wrong?" Fluttershy countered.

When Applejack didn't answer, Fluttershy sighed and gave the farmer a pleading, yet firm expression.

"Applejack… I think we should hear Sunset out the next time we see her. And I mean really hear her out! I'm already feeling bad for ditching Sunset like that because of our anger. And if this turns out to be a mistake, I will feel even worse. And when she does talk to us, please keep your temper in check. Whether she's innocent or not… I don't want us to do any more damage to Sunset for us to regret later."

Before Applejack had a chance to reply, they all heard the bell ring from the Shoppe's entrance. When they looked up, half of them were displeased when they spotted Sunset who looked like she had just run a marathon, but had a determined expression. While most of the Rainbooms were starting to question themselves with their decision, that doesn’t mean they wanted to see Sunset right now.

*"Hey! Get out!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Applejack stood up from her seat with an angry expression. "Yer not welcome here, Sunset!"

“No, wait! Please!” Sunset pleaded as she slowly walked towards them. “I know you don’t trust me, a-and I can’t prove I’m innocent but please…”

Sunset then presented her journal to them. “Look at this!”

Applejack was about to retort but was stopped when Fluttershy was giving her a very stern glare, silently reminding her of their conversation from earlier. Despite that she still doesn't trust Sunset, Applejack crossed her arms with a huff, quietly allowing Sunset her chance.

“I’ve been telling Twilight everything that’s been happening," Sunset explained as Fluttershy took the journal from her. "And–”

The Rainbooms immediately started reading the journal while Rainbow Dash occasionally kept Sunset at arm’s length with her distrustful expression. This hurts Sunset, but she continues to push her exclamation.

“And… she reminded me: you’re more than friends… you’re my family. You know me better than anyone.”

After reading most of the journal, the Rainbooms looked up with distrustful, yet unsure expressions.

“Ask yourself," Sunset stressed, hoping her words get to her friends. "Would the Sunset Shimmer you know… the real Sunset Shimmer… the person I am now… would she do this?”

The Rainbooms paused for a moment, looking at each other. While they still have their doubts, Sunset made a very good point. They all have assumed that this whole mess was something the old Sunset would do, which was why they accused Sunset. But after spending enough time with her before the first sleepover, it was getting much harder to picture Sunset as the culprit.

After a few minutes of silence, it was Fluttershy who spoke up for the group.

“If… if you’re not Anon-a-Miss… then who is?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out,” Sunset replied, taking one of the seats from their table. “AJ, you said us and your family are the only ones who knew your nickname, right?”

Applejack frowned. “Yeah… but I know none of my family would tell, and I trust you five–” She paused, glancing at Sunset. “You four.”

While Sunset didn't show it, she once again felt hurt by her friend's statement.

“Maybe someone overheard it?” Rainbow Dash suggested.

“Maybe,” Sunset mumbled as she rested her chin over her hands in thought. “But what about the party photos? I had my phone with me the whole time after the party.”

“And the only people at the party were us!” said Rarity, but then added when a sudden thought came to her. “Well, and my family, of course.”

“You’re… family?” Sunset repeated processing Rarity’s words. She pondered about those words for a moment until her eyes widened in realization. “Wait…”

Sunset turned to Rainbow Dash. “Dash, Anon-a-Miss posted a science paper you wrote, right?”

Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow. “Uh, yeah?”

“Did you have soccer practice the day you got that paper back?” Sunset inquired.

“Soccer Practice?” Rainbow blinked, not sure where Sunset’s question was going. “Um… yeah.”

“And the junior team was practicing too, right?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Well, sure. They usually do.”

Eyes narrowed, Sunset stood up. “I know who Anon-a-Miss is!”

The Rainbooms stood by, waiting for Sunset to announce who was the "true" culprit.

“...it’s Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo!”

The Rainbooms were taken aback by this revelation while the CMCs watched in shocked expressions. The pre-teens thought that they were very careful with covering up their tracks. How was Sunset able to figure out that it was them?

While the Rainbooms were staring at Sunset with stunned expressions, Applejack had a look of disbelief, as if Sunset just told a bad joke.

“Wat?” she deadpanned.

“Think about it, AJ! It all makes sense!” Sunset reasoned. “When your sister called you on our first slumber party, she was the one who first mentioned your nickname, leaving you to believe that’s where I got the name from! And then later on the next day, she posted about your nickname on the Anon-a-Miss’ page!”

Sunset then turned to Rarity. “And on our second day of our slumber party, Sweetie Belle was also there at your house! She must’ve snuck into your room when we were sleeping and somehow took my photos and videos off of my phone!”

Finally, Sunset faced Rainbow Dash. “And Scootaloo is one of the members of the junior team, which happened to be around the same time as your soccer practice! Because you both share the same practice, Scootaloo has easy access to get to your locker, take a photo of your science paper, and then post it on MyStable for everyone to see!”

As the Rainbooms were processing Sunset’s reasoning, Apple Bloom was slightly impressed by Sunset's deducting skills, even though it wasn’t good on her and her friends’ end. It would seem that they weren't as clever with covering up their tracks then they thought. Apple Bloom was then taken a step back as her sister let out a loud growl.

“You can’t be serious!” Applejack exclaimed, eyes filled with fury. “You’re accusing mah sister as Anon-a-Miss?”

“But AJ, if you think back to all those incidents, it all makes sense!” Sunset insisted.

“But wat about all those secrets from other students?” Applejack demanded. “How does mah sister get them, hm?”

“That… I don’t know,” Sunset answered honestly. “But it’s possible that some students send those secrets to your sister and have them–”

Applejack threw her chair down to the floor, causing everyone to watch nervously at the sight, especially Apple Bloom. She knew how her sister acts that way when she gets angry and is too stubborn to listen to reason. She silently hoped for Sunset’s sake that her sister wouldn’t do or say anything that gets too far.

They all watched helplessly as Applejack marched right up towards Sunset with a look of rage.

"That does it! You have gone too far, Sunset!” she screamed. “There's no way in Sam's hill that mah sister is capable of doing this! I mean, why would she and her friends be doing this to her own kin?"

Sunset raised her palms at Applejack to calm her. "I don't know for sure as to why the CMCs were doing this, but I do know for sure that your sister is one of the few people who openly dislike me, even after I changed!"

Applejack scowled. "So you accused her simply because she dislikes ya?"

Sunset shook her head. "No. I accused her simply because she's the most likely culprit behind this whole mess based on facts. Maybe even as the ringleader because of their first post about you!"

"That's ridiculous!" Applejack shouted, pointing her finger at Sunset. "You have no right to accuse mah sister without any evidence!"

“Said my so-called friend who accused me without any evidence!” Sunset countered but remained calm. “But unlike you, I actually have evidence to back up!”

"Evidence mah foot!" Applejack spat. "Yer tryin' to tore mah family apart just like how ya tore away mah friends in the past!"

"I'm not!" Sunset yelled.

“Yes, you are!” Applejack shouted. “You’re nothin’ but a snake in the grass just like before!”

Sunset frowned, hurt and angry at Applejack’s remarks. “I’m not the same person as before! And I thought you considered me as your family?"

"Yer never family to me and never will be!" Applejack snapped.

Everyone, except for Rockhoof, gasped and in shock. Neither one expected Applejack to speak so cruelly like that to anyone, not even at their enemies.

Applejack, who was too mad to notice, continued to yell at Sunset out of anger.

"We've all heard enough out of ya, Sunset! So just get out and don't come back! And do us all a favor and just disappear!”

There was tense silence all around the room, everyone standing around with stunned expressions. It was then that Applejack realized what she just said as her eyes widened. Her chest was filled with guilt as Sunset had a devastating expression, her eyes were filled with tears.

For Sunset, she felt her heart had been shattered into several pieces. She had been hurt several times throughout her whole life, but what Applejack had said to her was a lot worse than all of her bad moments combined, even more than when her friends ditched her a couple of weeks back. Choking back a sob, Sunset tilted her head downwards, hair obscuring her eyes.

“Fine… if that’s what you want,” Sunset said quietly in a broken tone.

Sunset slowly turned away and walked towards the door. As soon as she reached the door, Sunset glanced back slightly towards her former friends.

“For all that’s worth, even if you don’t think of me that way… I consider you girls like family to me… Merry Christmas.”

With her head down, Sunset exited the door and left the Shoppe, disappearing out into the night.

After Sunset Shimmer has left the Shoppe, Applejack slowly turns back to see her friends, dreading to see their reactions. Needless to say, none of her friends are happy, including the CMCs.

“Applejack, that was uncalled for!” Fluttershy scolded, upset at her friend's behavior.

“Yeah, Jackie, that was really mean!” Pinkie shouted.

Rarity frowned angrily. “While her believing that our sisters are Anon-a-Miss was simply ridiculous… don’t you think you have gone too far?”

“She’s the one who has gone too far when she accused mah sister!” Applejack reflected, trying to justify her actions.

“So it’s alright to tell her that she’s ‘not family’ and for her to ‘disappear’?” Rainbow Dash retorted, unimpressed with her friend's excuse. "That was a low blow, AJ... even for you!"

With nothing to defend herself, Applejack simply growled. “Ferget this! Ah'm going to the washroom!”

Applejack angrily stomped her way towards the women's restroom, slamming the door behind her. Unbeknownst to Applejack, Apple Bloom followed her sister and reached towards the restroom door, which was slightly ajar. As soon as she took a peak, Apple Bloom frowned sadly as she spotted her sister, who was burying her face into her hands, feeling guilty of what she said to her former friend.

"Well, lassie… this is what you wanted, right?"

Apple Bloom turned slightly to see Rockhoof and her friends, who were standing quietly behind her.

“W-wat?” Apple Bloom uttered.

“Your sister told her to stay out of her life,” Rockhoof clarified, narrowing his eyes. “This is what you wanted, right?”

As Apple Bloom was left hanging by his question, one of her friends spoke up.

“Ah certainly didn’t want this!” Sweetie Belle answered without hesitation, her expression filled with guilt. “I… I thought I should be relieved that Sunset was driven away from my sister. But after seeing that, I… don’t want that to happen to her.”

“Me either,” Scootaloo added quietly, also feeling terrible from her past actions. “I thought Sunset was still a heartless bully and simply taking Rainbow Dash away from me… but I was wrong... and I felt terrible!”

Rockhoof regarded the girls with a nod before focusing back on Apple Bloom. “And what about you, lassie?”

Even though Rockhoof asked the same question twice, Apple Bloom just stood there like a deer caught in the headlights. If he had asked her this question before this journey, the answer would have been obvious. But after seeing everything at this point, she doesn't even know what to think. Despite witnessing all of Sunset’s struggles, Apple Bloom was still very conflicted towards the former bully. But despite her mixed feelings towards Sunset, even Apple Bloom admitted that what Applejack just said to Sunset was beyond cruel.

And on top of that, Apple Bloom has seen what she and her friends’ actions have done to the students that they hurt, including her sister. She knew that the students were upset whenever their secrets were brought up, but she never thought that the results could be this bad to the point of breakups, being bullied, and even being kicked out of their home. And worse of all, they could never undo the damage they have done from their posts, even after deleting them. And this could potentially ruin her sister’s life too.

This was all too much for her.

Apple Bloom shuts her eyes. “Ah… don’t wanna see anymore!” Apple Bloom said quietly, her voice distorting in emotion. “Please take us home!”

As the Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stared at Apple Bloom in concern, Rockhoof shook his head.

"It's not over yet, lassie! We still have time for one more trip… but we're going to pull back the clock a bit."

Before Apple Bloom could protest, Rockhoof struck the floor with his shovel again, and they all vanished.

A second later, they all reappeared to a new location. As soon as CMCs surveyed the area, they became confused when they identified their location.

"Wait… we're outside?" Scootaloo blinked as she eyed the streets of Canterlot which was covered in snow.

"Not only that, look!" Sweetie exclaimed, pointing at something.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo turned towards where Sweetie was pointing and was surprised to see a very familiar building that was across the street away from them.

"We're… right across from Sweet Shoppe!" said Apple Bloom with wide eyes.

The CMCs were surprised further when they spotted a certain flaming-haired girl through the windows of Sweet Shoppe, talking to Rainbooms.

"And Sunset is back in the Shoppe again… like it never happened!" Scootaloo added, stunned at what she saw.

Apple Bloom blinked. "Okay… this is getting weird!" She then turned to Rockhoof. "Why are we out here while everyone else is in there?"

"So that you three will see our final special guests," Rockhoof answered vaguely.

Before they could press further, the girls spotted someone lurking in the shadows from the alleyway. This creeped out the girls as they eyed the mysterious stranger, only to feel a little more frightened when the mysterious person walked closer to them. When the stranger was close enough, the girls could make out the details of the person from the moonlight. It was a tall muscular girl with white hair with purple marks at the tip and yellow eyes. She wore a brown leather coat with white feathers around the collar, yellow gloves, gray jeans, and brown boots.

After identifying the girl, Scootaloo's eyes widened in realization. "Hey! It’s Gilda!"

Sweetie gasped. "You’re right Scoots! It is Gilda!"

Suddenly, three more figures emerged from the shadows which were the three boys. They were also from CHS, but they had a reputation as a group that anyone should not mess with. One was tall, yet lackey. Wearing a red vest, white shirt, blue jeans, and a diamond collar around his neck. The second was huge and muscular. He was wearing a green shirt, gray jacket, blue jeans, and also a diamond collar. And the third one was short. He wore a yellow shirt, gray vest, brown pants, and a diamond collar as well.

Sweetie Belle gulped at the sight of the three boys. "...and it looks like the Diamond Boys are with her too!"

Scootaloo eyed the bad group nervously. "What are they doing here?"

"Shhh! Quiet you two!" Apple Bloom shushed, trying to watch the scene unfold.

Reluctantly, yet nervously, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo obeyed just as Gilda addressed the Diamond Boys.

"Are you all sure she's here?"

The short one nodded. "Yeah, we're positive! We saw her heading to that Shoppe!"

"Probably trying to talk to her former friends again!" The muscle one added.

"Doubt it!” The lackey one laughed. “She's pretty much the most hated person in school right now ever since her friends dropped her like trash!"

Gilda sighed in annoyance, rolling her eyes at the boy’s antics. "I don't care why she's there!” Her eyes narrowed. “All I care about… is to have my revenge!"

The CMCs let out a light gasp as the short one of the group gave Gilda a knowing look.

"Oh, was this about that photo of you and Rainbow Dash kissing each other on MyStable?" the short one asked slyly.

The muscled one laughed. "I think that's totally what this was about!"

The lackey one snickered. "Never would have thought you swung the other way, eh Gilda!"

"How about I swung my fist to all your faces if you don’t shut up!" Gilda growled threateningly with her fist right up to the lackey one’s face.

The Diamond Boys gulped in fear, keeping their mouths shut.

Gilda scoffed, stepping away from them. "The only reason I'm not pounding you three right now is that I need your help to track Shimmer. And when we do…"

She then clenched her fist with an angry scowl. "We're all going to corner her… and I'll finally settle the score with her once and for all!"

The CMC’s eyes widened, fear at Gilda’s implication on what exactly she’s going to do to Sunset.

Suddenly, they all heard the door ringing from the building across from them. They all turned to see Sunset, who glanced back at the Shoppe for a moment before shutting the door behind her. Sunset then walked down the street as she hugged herself from the cold, tears falling from her face in sadness.

As soon as Sunset walked past them and around the corner, Gilda addressed the Diamond Boys again.

"She's on the move! Quick, let's follow her!" she ordered.

The Diamond Boys obeyed as the four of them followed Sunset’s movement, disappearing around the corner. This, of course, freaked the girls out, including Sweetie Belle who had a look of panic on her face.

"Oh my gosh! Gilda is coming after Sunset!" She screamed fearfully before taking off after them. "We have to stop her!"

"Sweetie Belle, wait!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she and Scootaloo chased after her.

The three girls ran around the corner, only to stop in confusion. Instead of a road, they were blocked by a dead end, which was a tall building made of bricks. They tried to turn around, only the way they came had disappeared with another dead end in its place.

"Wha– where are they!?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, desperately trying to find another route. “And how did we get here?"

"I brought you all here!"

They all turned around to see Rockhoof, who appeared out of nowhere with a neutral expression.

"W-why!?” Sweetie Belle shouted angrily. “Why did you do that? You must let us get to Sunset and–"

"And then what?" Rockhoof challenged bluntly. “Try to warn her that the big lassie and her goons are going to attack her, even though she can’t see you?”

As the girls stood there in stunned silence, Rockhoof crossed his arms.

“Besides, the point of all of this is to show you the consequences of your actions, which are happening right now.” His eyes narrowed. “And believe me… the worst is yet to come.”

Sweetie Belle was taken about by this. “Worst!? How could this get any worse than what’s happening to Sunset?”

“What I want to know is how the heck Gilda knows about the photo of her and Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo demanded. “We never posted it!”

Rockhoof cocked an eyebrow. “Oh really? Why don’t you ask your red-headed friend!”

Apple Bloom flinched as Rockhoof continued in a low tone.

“After all… this whole journey wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for her actions before her parents’ visit!”

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo slowly turned to face Apple Bloom, while the latter had a mixture of nervous and guilty expressions.

“Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked in a suspicious tone. "What was he talking about?”

“Yeah, Apple Bloom," Scootaloo pressed. "What is it that you are not telling us?”

Apple Bloom stammered. “Well, A-Ah…”

“Yes, lassie,” Rockhoof interjected as he inched closer to Apple Bloom. “What did you do exactly?”

Once he was close enough, Rockhoof leaned close to Apple Bloom’s ear.

“If you don’t tell them the truth… I will!”

Apple Bloom gasped in fear. “Y-you wouldn’t!”

Unfortunately for Apple Bloom, Rockhoof’s "whispering" was loud enough for her two friends to hear, making them even more suspicious of Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom! What’s going on!?” Scootaloo demanded.

Apple Bloom darted her eyes around nervously. “Um… Ah…”

Feeling impatient and frustrated with her friend's lack of response, Sweetie Belle went up to Apple Bloom’s face with her heated glare.

“What. Did. You. Do!?”

Realized that she had no way out of this, Apple Bloom sighed reluctantly.

"Ah… posted that photo of Gilda on MyStable," she confessed.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo widened their eyes in shock.

"You did what!?" Sweetie Belle screamed. "When!?"

Apple Bloom had an uneasy look. "It… it was after y'all went to sleep… right before mah parents showed up."

"Apple Bloom, how could you!" Sweetie Belle yelled, furious at her friend. “I told you not to post that photo! Why did you do that?”

Apple Bloom flinched at Sweetie's anger tone, stepping back slightly. “Ah… Ah still wanted to get back at Shimmer and thought… this would be a sure way for her to stay away from mah sister.”

“By provoking Gilda to go and attack Sunset?" Scootaloo shouted in disbelief. "Are you kidding me!?”

“Ah thought she was going to scare her, not to hurt her!” Apple Bloom cried while being defensive.

“Apple Bloom, Gilda’s from a street gang!" Sweetie Belle shrieked. "What made you think that she won’t attack her?”

“And while we’re on that topic, something about this bugs me,” Scootaloo added, furrowing her brow. “I know a photo of her kissing Rainbow Dash is pretty embarrassing for her, but I didn’t think it would be enough for her to hurt Sunset.”

Apple Bloom rubbed her arm. “Well…”

“You mean there’s more!?” Sweetie Belle squeaked, getting angrier. “What else did you do?”

Apple Bloom gulped, dreading her friends' inevitable reaction.

“Ah… ah said things like that Gilda’s a lesbian and that she secretly admires Rainbow Dash by… hanging around near the… women’s locker rooms.”

Just as Apple Bloom predicted, both her friends had jaws hanging from their mouths. After a brief moment of silence, both her friends’ expressions change to a look of rage.

“Apple Bloom! What the heck!?” Scootaloo roared. “It's bad enough that you're further damaging my idol's image, you also put more gasoline into the fire!"

"And worse, Gilda thinks it was Sunset and she's going after her because of that!" Sweetie Belle screamed. "What were you thinking?"

Apple Bloom felt powerless under her friends' glare, and couldn't bring herself to speak.

"Ah-Ah… Ah was just..."

Realizing that she was set up, Apple Bloom let out a low growl.

"What the heck, Rockhoof? Why ya rat me–”

As soon as she turned around to face him, Rockhoof was nowhere in sight, leaving them trapped alone in a blocked alleyway.

“Rockhoof? Where are ya!” Apple Bloom shouted, looking around feverishly for any signs of him. “Rockhoof! Don’t leave us like this! Take us home! Take us home!"

When no one answered, Scootaloo let out a distressed groan. “Great… he ditched us!” She looked at Apple Bloom expectedly. “Now what?”

Apple Bloom bit her lip, trying to keep herself calm. “Ah… Ah don’t know! But we’ll think of somethin’!”

“Oh, there’s no 'we' in this Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle spat. “It’s your ideas and stunts that got us here in the first place! Everything that has happened so far is your fault!"

"Mah fault!" Apple Bloom yelled angrily. "That's not fair! Yer also played a part in this too, Sweetie Belle! Need Ah remind you that it was you who stole the photos off of Sunset’s phone and then posted about your sister's closest of shame?"

While the two girls were arguing, Scootaloo noticed something dark was forming on the brick wall in front of them, making her nervous.

"Um… girls?" Scootaloo spoke up.

"I only did it because you told me to!" Sweetie Belle retorted, ignoring Scootaloo. "And yes, I'll admit that I also did it just to get back at Rarity for ignoring me and kicking me out of her room. But now I regret it… and I wish I never have done that! My sister's future career as a Fashion Designer could be ruined because of me!"

As the argument continued to escalate, the dark form became a shadow of a cloaked figure, and it began to grow taller.

"Um… g-g-girls?" Scootaloo stammered nervously.

Realizing that her friend was super angry and blaming her, Apple Bloom desperately attempts to calm her down.

"Listen Sweetie Belle, everything is going to be fine! We just need to–"

"No, Apple Bloom! Everything is not going to be fine!" Sweetie Belle screamed, glaring daggers at her 'friend'. "You know what, I’m done listening to you! I’m done helping with your little scheme! And I’m done being your friend!”

As Apple Bloom let out a loud gasp at Sweetie's words, Scootaloo squeaked in fear as the shadow grew into a very tall figure, probably taller than an average adult. Scootaloo nearly screamed as a skeletal hand from the shadow figure slowly emerged from the brick wall.

"G-g-girls!" Scootaloo cried in fright.

"Sweetie Belle… you don't mean that!" Apple Bloom cried, hurt from Sweetie's words.

"I meant it!" Sweetie Belle shouted. "And I won't associate with anyone who continues this madness just because of their selfish reasons and not caring how this hurts others, including our sisters and Sunset Shimmer!"

Apple Bloom was on the verge of tears. As much as she hated to admit it, but her friend was right. She was selfish and she didn't care if people were hurt. All she cared about was getting Sunset away from her sister as Anon-a-Miss and keeping her sister to herself. But in the process, she divided the school, hurting everyone including her sister and Sunset Shimmer, and now she is losing her best friend.

Apple Bloom was beginning to wonder if her whole scheme was worth it.

"Sweetie Belle…" Apple Bloom stammered tearfully with guilt on her features. "A-Ah–"

“Girls!”

Interrupted by Scootaloo’s scream, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle turned to their friend.

“What? What is it Scoo–”

Apple Bloom’s words died in her throat as she and her friends witnessed the most terrifying thing they have ever seen, more terrified than all the horror movies they've watched combined.

Right in front of them, was a tall, dark-cloaked figure, looming over them with boney fingers poking out of its sleeves. Despite that it was too dark to see its face under the hood, they felt their souls were pierced from under its gaze. It was then it occurred to the girls that they were in the presence of a third and final visitor to conclude on their little "journey".

They were now facing the third ghost himself, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Author's Note

And yet another emotional rollercoaster of a chapter. :fluttershysad:

And worst... Christmas Future has arrived! :applejackconfused: :twilightoops: :pinkiegasp:

*From the moment when Sunset showed up in the Sweet Shoppe and after Sunset revealed the true culprits, those are the only quotes that were taken from the original My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Holiday Special comic.

The description of the human Rockhoof and Gilda was based on these images, except Rockhoof didn't have pony ears and Gild was not wearing yellow gloves:

And of course, the description of the Diamond Boys (even though they're officially called the Diamond Dogs in Equestria Girls world, which was weird) is based on the image below from EqG: Rainbow Rocks short, Player Piano.

Anyway, just for heads up, the next chapter is when things start to get a bit dark and emotional. And is what bumped up the rating to "T" for this story. So be prepared and read the next chapter tomorrow... if you dare. :rainbowderp: :fluttershysad: