Author's Note

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the support! It means the world to me. I have so many things planned for this fic that I can't wait to write. I sincerely apologize for the late chapter posting and the late replies. Life just kind of got busy. I also apologize for this chapters lack of any action, I just needed to bridge the last chapter and the climax and finale of this arc. I'll try to post more frequently going forward.

THE DEADLY SECRET OF GABBY GUMS - PART 3: Confrontations

CANTERLOT HIGH CAFETIERIA

There weren’t many places among the school grounds that I considered to be an ideal peaceful place. The hidden corner of the library, the gym after hours and the rooftop were the only ones that came to mind. Obviously, none of those compared to the skyscraper rooftops in the city. But surprisingly enough, I had to add the cafeteria to that little list of mines. At least after the fall formal. Before, I would never set foot here. Just the thought of being around people who I once considered inferior wasn’t my ideal way of wasting time. So, I’d usually just go outside and plan more elaborate, and ultimately pathetic, ways of ruling this world and Equestria. What a sad little worthless existence my life has been.

After the Fall Formal I eventually did end up coming to the cafeteria. Albeit once Applejack invited me to come sit with them for lunch a week or two after. Though admittedly, that first month was a little rough. I was still bitter and angry despite getting my own ass handed to me by the power of friendship and was regretting the actions I’ve taken up to that point. So, my social side was practically nonexistent. But who am I kidding, it still is. During the first couple lunches I sat with the girls, there was an ambience of silence accompanied by awkwardness. I would always just stare down at my tray of food, occasionally fiddling with whatever was on it with a fork. Fluttershy and Rarity never looked at me, while Dash would sometimes look up to shoot a glare. Pinkie would occasionally try to break the tense moments with her positive attitude, and Applejack would always attempt to get us to socialize. Though, my responses to whatever she would ask me were always dry and one note. One day Dash got so annoyed that she threw a tangent directed at me. I don’t want to go into any detail about what was said, but I didn’t bother responding. I just walked out of school that day. Eventually she did apologize, to which I told her not to. What she said was true, and she had every right to feel angry. That was the last time I had any real conversation with her until yesterday at the gym. After that I was just hanging around like a ghost. Today and yesterday are honestly the most conversation I think I’ve ever had with the girls.

I wasn’t exactly in the healthiest mindset after the Fall Formal. I think I was just lost and confused. Analyzing my actions and everything I did up to that point. I guess soul searching would be the right word. Eventually I concluded that I was just an awful person. A spoiled brat so bitter and angry with Celestia that I just wanted to hurt everything and everyone. When you boil it down, it was all just a rebellion against everything Celestia ever stood for. Just pure malice out of spite for believing I had been robbed of greatness. Sometime after, instead of forgiving myself and seeking redemption, I just ended up hating myself. What I should have done after my revelation was trying to make something out of this weird friendship the girls are trying to give me to become a better person. To accept the past and move on in hopes of developing a brighter future. To seek forgiveness and grow. Instead, I choose to isolate myself out of self-hatred, preferring to be forgotten and abandoned. Putting myself on a trajectory of suicide for this stupid crusade. I hate myself so much, and I can’t stop it. What I hate more is Rainbows words from yesterday actually made me believe for a second that I did deserve another chance…and I hate that. I hate it so much. I hate that these past days I’ve been feeling … I guess sadness. Before it was just anger followed by emptiness. But now I’ve almost teared up twice already.

I think I really want to be their friend. But no. Just no damnit. It’s too late for that.

I stared back down at the piece of paper that was in front of me. My tray of food was moved over to the side. I never really ate. I was sitting alone for the time being. I always arrived at lunch early when most students were still finishing up class. There were always around four students in the cafeteria with me at this time. On the paper was a map of Canterlots updated sewer system that I had printed out at the library. Accompanied by another sheet of paper with more detailed schematics that were outdated. It was like a maze down there, and if I had any intention of getting to the dam’s entrance for those drugs, I had to study and remember the layout of the operating and defunct sewer lines in order to navigate it. Especially if the sewers were in fact Changeling territory. I know it would seem more logical to just go to straight to the dam’s entrance, but the area was surrounded by mountains and valleys. It just wouldn’t be ideal to traverse the harsh terrain. Especially at the dead end of night while being hunted down by whoever was involved in this.

“If I enter through the manhole next to the fire department, I should have an almost straight shot to the dam if I can just locate this abandoned sewer line under it.” I said to myself. With a pencil, I circled the general location of the department, then put the eraser end of the pencil in between my teeth as I continued to think. “Shit, I should have asked that guy if the line was an operating or abandoned line. I assume it’s abandoned and sealed off. If only I had asked him before…” The thought of his dead body crossed my mind, and my mood began to dip again. I put the pencil down and looked over at the five empty seats next me. I always made it a priority to sit at the very end, never wanting to be in the middle of the girls. As I said before, I never wanted to hinder any of their bonding time. The thought of the girls back in the classroom crossed my mind. The obvious looks of distress at my self-deprecation almost made me feel a little sad. I figured since I had those thoughts 24/7 that no one else would bat an eye at whatever comment I made in relation. But I forgot at that moment that I still needed to censor myself with those damning emotions around other people. Well, at least with the girls. Most of the school would probably love nothing more than for me to just slit my wrist or blow my own brains out. At least that’s what it always feels like.

I was so deep in thought that I didn’t even hear the footsteps of someone approaching behind me.

“Hey Sunet, you’re here early again!” Pinkie said with her usual whimsical voice. She gave me a light slap on my back, causing me to drop my pencil and yelp lightly in pain. The sudden reaction caused her to stop in her tracks with the rest of the girls beside her. My whole back was still in pain from the previous night after getting a pool stick cracked over me. I had a large purple bruise that ran vertically from my trap all the way down to my lower back. It stung at just the slightest touch, but I did my best to not scream in agony.

“Whoa, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I’m so sorry Sunset, I didn’t mean to hurt you, are you alright?” Pinkie asked worriedly. Mustering up everything I had, I shot the energetic girl a sheepish grin.

“Yeah, don’t worry Pinkie, just had a nasty fall when I was working out, you’re good,” I lied.

“That sounded like more than just a fall Sunset,” exclaimed Rarity. She walked up behind me with her lunch tray clutched in her hands, “You know, a good ice pack could…do…. Sunset? What’s that?” Rarity had asked about the sewer maps in front of me. Damnit, I was so lost in thought that I had forgotten to put them away before the rest of the girls came.

“Oh, I was just looking at some old architecture of Canterlot for a project,” I responded, just quickly pulling something out of my ass.

“Huh. The old sewer systems? I think Granny actually has even older schematics from when she was younger. Back when the family moved into Canterlot, she helped out with some of the development. I think I have some maps if you’re interested in them sugercube,” said Applejack while taking her seat next to me. I looked over at her with a perplexed look as I put the maps back in my bag. Anything older than the maps I found would be extremely helpful in finding routes.

“Whoa, yeah. I’d really appreciate that Applejack. Would it not be too bothersome of me to borrow those?” I asked. Applejack waved her hand dismissively while she rolled her eyes.

“Sunset please, I’m pretty sure those maps are just dusting away in the attic. Besides, I’d gladly help out a friend.” My smile dropped slightly at the word ‘friend’.

“Yeah…. thanks Applejack. Just bring them to school whenever you can, no rush,” I responded, the slight joy in my voice was replaced with a more monotone flair. Applejack looked at the other girls with a look of dejection before turning back to face me with a light smile.

“You know Sunset, we’re having a sleep over at my place this Friday to celebrate before the apple harvest and to get things ready for the coming months. You know, to get ready for harvesting and cider production for the summer. It would mean a lot if you came. ‘Specially since I haven’t ever shown you my place.” Applejack said with a sheepish smile. I could feel my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. The other girls shifted around nervously; except Pinkie whose smile was wide as ever as she eagerly waited for my answer. Rarity and Dash kept looking at each other with nervous looks, as if the fabric of their friendship hindered on my answer. Meanwhile poor Fluttershy kept her face down staring at the food on her tray. I could guess the girls’ hopes and wishes based off all this. Pinkie was just delighted to make new friends, regardless if they were shitty people. Rarity and Dash were now more open to being my friend, but were still hesitant on how to do it, and Fluttershy I don’t think really knew what she wanted. Either way, it was probably predictable at this point to guess how I felt about the whole thing.

“I’m…. I’m honored that you’d invite me to something like that, but I’m not sure I’d be able to make it, I’ve just been busy with stuff. But…. thanks Applejack.” Her smile went from being genuine to being forced. She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes, she was too honest of a person to do so. Pinkie’s smile dropped a bit, and although her hair was still poofy, it did deflate a little, however impossible that might sound. Dash gave me a look of utter disappointment as she shook her head, while Rarity just slumped a bit in her chair. Fluttershy’s eyes looked up from her tray to me, before letting out the quietest sigh I think I’ve ever heard.

“Oh…um, sure thing sugercube. Don’t worry about it. I’ll try to bring those maps over tomorrow if you can’t make it,” said Applejack. I felt awful, but truthfully, I needed those maps as early as possible. I couldn’t wait till the weekend to go into the sewer. I could tell though by the different expressions and awkward silence that my answer was rather disheartening. But I just didn’t feel comfortable being in her house. For her own good. Regardless, I had to change the subject.

“I spoke with principal Celestia before coming here about the school paper,” I muttered. Thankfully the change in topic was enough to change the melancholic mood that hovered around us.

“Really? What did you tell her?” asked Fluttershy, staring at me with her one uncovered eye. I leaned back into my chair with my arms crossed.

“Well, I told her that the students found the articles in the recent school papers to be appalling and an invasion of privacy. I told her that the most recent article in particular caused an unprecedented amount of harassment towards you Fluttershy.” The pink haired girl adjusted her hair so that her other eye was staring at me too.

“You told her that the harassment was also targeted at you right? That you were a victim too?” Fluttershy asked. I stared at her blankly before letting out a deep sigh.

“Sure,” I responded dismissively. “Anyways she informed me that she and Vice principal Luna were already trying to get to the bottom of it. No one in the school paper knows who is behind these articles, and Diamond Tiara herself said she received the news anonymously. Though, seeing as she’s the directorial editor of the school paper, I find that fact a little hard to believe. Thankfully the paper is shut down until they can get to the bottom of this. Which means no more secrets being exposed by this Gabby Gums character.” I leaned my head onto my hand as I looked at the girls. “Still, I wonder what the point of all of this is. What’s Gabby’s end game?” I asked.

“Now that is a question I would certainly love to get answered. Exposing innocent people’s secrets like that to the school population is just heartless and cruel. I have no idea why anyone would do such a thing. We haven’t had any major incident like this other than when you Sunset were….” Rarity quickly covered her mouth with both hands as she stared at me with wide eyes. The other girls shared the same expression of shock, as their eyes darted from Rarity to me to back at Rarity. I took a deep sigh before responding, not intending to beat around the bush with this.

“No Rarity, this is different. I’m not sure why Gabby Gums is doing this, but I’m confident it’s not the same as me. I’m a heartless monster that wanted everyone to know I had the capabilities to expose them at any given moment. I never did the things I did anonymously. My exposing of secrets was for power, but I don’t get that feeling from Gabby. Either this is some kid’s idea of a funny joke or there’s something more going on. I just can’t put my finger on it.” I’m sure that one of the girls made a comment on what I said, or they were all staring at each other awkwardly. But I didn’t notice. My mind had already begun to think about what Gabby Gum’s motive could possibly be. I was split on this conundrum. A part of me felt like there was something more sinister at play here, but the other part of me felt like I was severely overlooking what could be a very straightforward conclusion. But as I was deep in thought, the sudden entrance of three young girls into the cafeteria caught my eye. The Crusaders. We were going to ask them if they knew anything about this since they were on the newspaper team. I looked over at AJ who gave me a quick nod before whistling to the girls.

Applebloom looked over at us, an annoyed expression was plastered all over her face. She and Sweetie Belle made their way towards our table, with Scootaloo trailing behind, appearing to be dissociated with her surroundings. When the girls got to our tables, they were clearly in no mood to traverse with us. Applebloom had her arms crossed and was avoiding eye contact with any of us. Sweetie Belle kept her hands in the pockets of her cardigan. Although she didn’t look as visibly irritated as Applebloom, she didn’t look anything close to her usual cheery self. She kept her eyes on the floor, standing behind Applebloom like a shy child cowering behind their mother. But out of the three, Scootaloo’s demeaner caught my attention the most. The girl looked…well…miserable. She had dark eye bags, and her eyes were almost lifeless. She kept the furthest distance back, staring off into space. Sweetie and Applebloom looked annoyed and irritated, but Scootaloo just looked as if she wasn’t even in the same reality as the other two. She looked so tired and lifeless. Now I just had more questions than before.

“What’s up sis, you called?” said Applebloom, looking at her sister. Applejack gave her a warm smile.

“Just wanted to check up on you Applebloom. I haven’t really seen you at home. You usually just been going straight to your room after school the past days. You feeling, okay?” asked Applejack, a concerned tone was present in her voice. Applebloom just shrugged.

“I’m fine sis, really.” Applebloom responded. Rarity spoke up, looking over to Sweetie Belle.

“What about you Sweetie? You’ve been dreadfully quiet the past couple of days. Is everything alright?” Rarity asked, with the same level of concern as Applejack. Sweetie simply looked up at her sister and gave her a slow nod before shifting her gaze back down to the floor. Applejack took a deep sigh before looking over to me with a stern look. I simply nodded to her. Since this was her sister, I decided to not lead the questioning.

“Applebloom, we actually wanted to ask you about the Canterlot news club. We know you girls are a part of it and with the recent…uh…controversial articles coming out…well, I reckoned you may have some sort clue on who this Gabby Gums character is?” AJ asked. Her tone was more careful, not wanting to accuse the girls of anything or put them in a difficult spot. Admittedly, it was a tone I don’t think I could ever achieve. I was more of a direct person, and given my nightly activities, that directiveness had become more violent.

The shift in Appleblooms and Sweetie Belles demeanor upon hearing the question was interesting. Appleblooms eyes lifted a bit, before an angry look replaced it. She continued looking at the floor, but she shifted her feet uncomfortably, clearly wanting to just be anywhere but here. Although Sweetie Belle didn’t raise her eyes from the floor, she too was now showing more discomfort than before. She took one of her hands out of her pockets and began to hug herself with it. Her eyes looked as if they wanted to burst into tears. Scootaloo on the other hand just continued to stare off into space with a look of disconnect. The awkward silence around us was getting us nowhere, so I decided to speak.

“Look girls, we just need some information on who this is. You three seem to spend a lot of time in the newsroom, surely something peculiar had to be present?” I asked, trying not to beat around the bush. But the moment I opened my mouth, Applebloom shot a disgusting glare of hatred at me.

“I’m sorry, but was anyone talking to you?” Applebloom spat. Admittedly I was taken a back by this showcase of hostility by the young girl. Applebloom could be hot headed, but I never knew her to be hateful. I just stared at the girl with a dumbfounded expression, not knowing how to respond.

“Applebloom! Now why would you say such an awful thing as that? You apologize to Sunset,” demanded Applejack. Applebloom looked over at her big sister with uncertainty, then back at me with anger before shaking her head viciously.

“Nu uh sis. I’m not apologizing to her, and I don’t know why you and the rest of ya’ll are hanging out with her.” Appleblooms voice was starting to get louder, drawing the attention of nearby students. Even Scootaloo seemed to have snapped out of the trance she was in and was now looking at her red-haired friend with an expression of uncertainty. Sweetie Belle looked around nervously, noticing the eyes of other students gluing themselves onto the scene that was playing out. She placed her hand on Appleblooms shoulder and spoke to the girl in a hushed voice.

“Applebloom just let it go, come on,” she pleaded. But Applebloom just shrugged her hand off and gave her full attention to me.

“I’m sorry Sweetie Belle but I just can’t. I just have to get this off my chest. I don’t know why y’all are just sitting with her as if she’s your friend. Especially after everything she’s done. Sunset Shimmer, you caused a lot of pain to my big sister. There’d be nights she’d cry because of the awful things you’d done to her. Do you have any idea how heartbroken she was the day she and Rainbow Dash weren’t friends anymore? All because of you. I won’t ever forgive you Sunset.” At this point the whole cafeteria had their attention on our table. Sweetie Belle was desperately trying to get Applebloom to leave with her, but the young Apple held her ground and continued to berate me with my sins.

“Dangit Applebloom, this is unnecessary. Let’s just go,” said Sweetie Belle. Applebloom looked over at her friend, changing her look of hatred to a softer look instantly.

“Come on Sweetie Bell. Don’t you remember how she treated your big sister to?” Applebloom looked back over at me with anger. “You’d also make Rarity miserable. Like the time you not only made fun of her brand-new dresses but sabotaged them before she was supposed to show them off at her junior fashion contest. You had her crying for days, and Sweetie Belle wouldn’t know what to do. I don’t trust you, Sunset. My sister and friends might, but I don’t.” At this point Sweetie Belle loosened her grip, and tears were starting to form in her eyes. I guess the painful memories got to her and no sooner was she running through the doors of the cafeteria with her hands covering her face.

“Dangit Applebloom. Ya can’t just…we’ll talk about this later at the farm,” said Applejack. Even though she tried to sound authoritative, I could hear the defeat in her voice. Cleary Applebloom had dug up suppressed memories. The entire time…I couldn’t muster up the courage to even look the girl in the eye. So, like a damn coward, I stared at the table. Applebloom calmed down, and took off after Sweetie Belle, leaving a stunned Scootaloo behind. For a while she just stood there, while all of us avoided eye contact with one another. Letting the deafening silence wrap itself around us like some kind of bad juju. I could feel my insides turn, and my heart becoming hollow again. The past two days I was starting to believe that maybe there was some chance that we could all just move forward from the nightmare I caused. That in some way maybe I could find redemption in the strangest of places. In a concept that I truly believed was nothing more than a hindrance to success. In the back of my heart, somewhere lost in all the hate and corruption, there was a small light that had been lit by the words of Rainbow Dash and actions of Applejack. A light that made me consider for a second that I could find a better path and accept the friendship these girls were offering.

But all that had just been snuffed out in that very moment. After what Applebloom had just said, there was no going back. If there was ever a moment I really did want to die, it was that moment right there. What I should do is talk to Applejack and Rarity. Hell, talk to all the girls privately and give a sincere apology for all the pain I’ve caused. To let them know that I’m willing to seek redemption and drill into them that I will do everything in my power to make up for everything I’ve done. But I know better. That’s not what I’m going to do at all. No, the clutches of the Mare-Do-Well just became tighter around me. Applejack was the first to break the silence.

“Sunset…. listen I-” I quickly cut her off, raising my eyes off the table and directing my attention to Scootaloo.

“Scootaloo, is there anything you can tell us about the school paper? Anybody that may or may not stand out to you amongst the staff?” I asked. I could feel the judgmental eyes of the others peering down on me. But I ignored it and continued to look at Scootaloo. From the moment the three girls entered the cafeteria, something was very wrong as evident by their body language. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked almost paranoid, but Scootaloo just looked, well, almost broken in a way. The exact opposite of her usual upbeat and energized personality.

“Are you serious Sunset? You still want to question the kid after all that?” Said Rainbow. I looked over at her briefly, not wearing a necessarily friendly expression.

“You want to solve this damn thing or not Rainbow?” I didn’t mean for the statement to come out as hostile as it did. A little bit of the Mare-Do-Well was starting to seep through, and it was especially evident as Rainbow of all people didn’t say anything in response. I looked back at Scootaloo, who was nervously rubbing her arm.

“To tell you the truth Sunset, I’m not part of the Canterlot High news club. I sorta just dropped out of it a couple of weeks ago. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle are the ones that are always there. I’d question Diamond Tiara about it if I were you since she’s the directorial editor of the club,” Scootaloo said. Great. As if my mood couldn’t be even worse. I had a lot of things I’ve wanted talk about with Diamond Tiara, but not as Sunset Shimmer. Plus, she already told Celestia that she had nothing to do with the papers, so that just meant I had to push her a bit. But that was something I had no intention of doing if I was being honest. But before I could let the look of annoyance paint itself all over my face, I took a deep sigh and regained my composure. Afterall this wasn’t a Mare-Do-Well situation, so I needed to stop acting like it was.

“Thanks, Scootaloo,” was all I could say. The young girl looked at me for a couple of seconds, clearly not knowing what to say in response. She ended up just giving me a little nod before turning around.

“I’m gonna try to find Applebloom and Sweetie Belle…good luck on finding this person,” she said in a quiet voice.

“I’ll talk to you later, okay Squirt?” said Rainbow Dash. The almost mother like caring tone in her voice took me off guard. Scootaloo gave her a light smile before walking away. Leaving the six of us back in the solitude of awkwardness. At this point the other students had already looked away from the previous commotion and were back chatting amongst themselves in their own little world. I knew that Rarity and Applejack wanted to discuss with me what was just said, but I just wanted to ignore it. I’ll hate myself over it later. So, before anyone could say a word, I looked over at Rainbow Dash with a look of concern.

“Hey Rainbow Dash. What’s wrong with Scootaloo? She seems a little…down.” I asked. Rainbow shifted in her seat uncomfortably, staring down at her tray of food.

“It’s…well…it’s kind of private. She’s just been dealing with things at home. At least that’s what she told me. Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on with her, she won’t give me any details, and of course I’m not going to just press on the kid,” said Dash. I knew Dash and Scootaloo were close, very close. From what Applejack told me a while back, the two bonded over a camping trip with Applejack, Rarity and their sisters. Something about Scootaloo getting scared and telling Dash just how much she looked up to her. Ever since then, they were pretty close. If Scootaloo wasn’t involved in the news club, then her distress was from something else. As much as I wanted to investigate it, I figured it wasn’t any of my damn business. Besides, the last thing that girl needs is someone like me meddling in her life. Which brought my attention back to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.

“Had the other girls always been that irritated? Or is this behavior something that’s recent?” I asked Rarity and Applejack. The two looked at each other, then back at me. Judging from the looks on their faces, they were probably still bothered about Appleblooms episode. I probably looked like such a jackass to them right now. After a bit of hesitancy, Rarity spoke up.

“Admittedly, although Sweetie can be a bit of a handful, she has been acting stranger than usual lately. I’d call her behavior almost paranoid. Anytime I ask her about it she brushes me off,” said Rarity.

“Yeah, Applebloom is a hot-headed little girl, but lately it seems she’s been more frustrated than anything. I can’t quite put my finger on it, I know something’s up,” added Applejack. All this pretty much confirmed what I had already figured out. Those two girls knew something. Either they know whose Gabby Gums, or they know something about Gabby gums. I stood up from the table, grabbing my backpack and tray.

“I’m going to go talk to Diamond Tiara, see if I can get something out of her. I’ll…...I’ll catch y’all later,” I said. But as I was beginning to walk away, Applejack reached out and gently grabbed the sleeve of my jacket. With sad eyes she almost pleaded with me.

“Sunset…please. Can’t we just talk about, you know, what just happened? Please?” It took everything I had to not burst out in tears right there, but Celestia knows I was close to doing so.

“Applejack…I,” I was beginning to say, but stopped as the words got caught in my mouth. Damn, I really didn’t know what to say. I just wanted to go and get away from these girls. I was already in a weird spot mentally and emotionally before this. But now I just felt myself regressing back to how I felt right after the Fall Formal. I was tempted to just move my arm away and walk off. But that would no doubt make the whole situation even worse than it already was. But in all honesty, there was nothing I could have done at that moment to not make the situation any worse. So instead, I just took the coward way out like I always do.

“I…I can’t Applejack.” My voice began to crack at the end. I could feel my eyes begin to water. Applejack looked at me as if I had just shattered her heart, and she slowly let go of my sleeve. Before I could let any tear drop escape my eyes and walked away from the girls and out of the cafeteria.