//------------------------------// // Escalation // Story: The Queen and her Court // by Eternal Sunset //------------------------------// “Rarity, this isn’t fair!” Sweetie Belle raised her voice at Rarity, they are both in her room. “I’m sorry, Sweetie Belle. But as long as your friend is associated with Sunset Shimmer, you are forbidden to be anywhere near her.” Rarity said, her arms crossed and eyes narrowed at her sister. “But how can you be sure that Diamond Tiara has joined Sunset’s side?” Sweetie Belle questioned. “Applejack has let me know that Diamond Tiara is wearing Sunset’s symbol, like those who have joined her proudly wear.” Rarity answered. “No way!” Sweetie Belle was shocked to hear this. “Diamond Tiara would never-“ Sweetie Belle cut herself off as she recalled how much Diamond Tiara admired Sunset and joked about being her air. ‘There’s no way.’ she thought. Rarity noticed Sweetie Belle’s abrupt halt in her sentence. “It would seem that Applejack was indeed correct.” Realizing her mistake, Sweetie Belle attempted to speak but Rarity raised her hand to signal her to stop. “I will not hear anymore,” Rarity spoke as she turned around to leave Sweetie Belle’s room but turned around to look at Sweetie Belle. “I trust that you won’t disobey me and use your phone to contact your friend.” “No,” Sweetie Belle replied dejectedly, casting her gaze on the floor. “I’m sorry, Sweetie Belle. Truly I am, but sometimes people don’t change.” Rarity said with sadness as she left Sweetie Belle’s room and closed her door. Sweetie Belle took out her phone and frowned, she thought about calling Applebloom but Rarity might think she was trying to call Diamond Tiara. “Why?” Sweetie Belle whispered. “Why would Diamond Tiara join Sunset?”  Her thoughts then drifted to Applebloom, Sweetie Belle was a hopeless romantic like her big sister and was thrilled that Applebloom and Diamond Tiara were dating after they all became friends. She can’t imagine how they must feel about being separated from one another. The following day, Sunset Shimmer is going over the schedule for the events taking place at school.  “How’s the annual canned food drive coming along?” Sunset asked from her throne as all her followers gathered in front of her. “It’s going great!” Lyra said happily. “We’ve collected more canned food this year than we ever did!” “Wonderful!” Sunset said with a bright smile. “And how are the decorations for the school?” “Everything’s going smoothly,” Flash answered.  “Any more fights break out?” Sunset asked next. “Just one, your majesty,” Gilda answered. “I would have preferred it to be none, but one is better than two.” Sunset nodded, as the meeting continued she noticed that Diamond Tiara was spacing out. Once the meeting was concluded she dismissed her court. “Diamond Tiara, can I see you for a minute?” “S-sure,” Diamond Tiara replied nervously, she nodded at Silver Spoon before standing before her queen. “Is everything alright?” Sunset asked with concern. “Y-yeah, everything is fine.” Diamond Tiara lied. “Why do you ask?” “Because you were spacing out throughout the meeting,” Sunset answered. “You’re normally focused.” “So you noticed huh?” Diamond Tiara said dejectedly. “Do you mind telling me what’s wrong?” Sunset asked politely, using the same tone her mother used when trying to help her and other ponies. “Sometimes it helps to talk about your problems.” “Well…” Diamond Tiara trailed off, scratching the back of her head nervously. “It’s just that I’m not allowed to see Applebloom anymore.” “Oh?” Sunset raised an eyebrow at this. “If I may ask, why are you not allowed to see her?” “It’s because I joined your group,” Diamond Tiara answered, casting her gaze down. “Excuse me?” Sunset was taken aback by this. “Because I joined your group, Applebloom’s sister thinks I’m going to stab her in the back.” Diamond Tiara explained. “Applejack huh?” Sunset sighed, she should’ve expected this. “Don’t worry, Diamond. I’ll talk with Applejack and straighten this out.” “Thanks, your majesty.” Diamond Tiara thanked her queen. “Don’t mention it, I’ve got your back,” Sunset assured her. Diamond Tiara smiled as she left the throne room, Sunset was silent for a bit before taking action. “Gilda, Lightning Dust, please bring me the CMC,” Sunset ordered. “Yes, your majesty!” Both girls declared as they left the throne room. “If I may ask, your majesty?” Dumbbell spoke up. “You may,” Sunset permitted him, noting how Dumbbell is asking about something rather than being a motionless drone. “Why do you need to see those girls?” Dumbbell asked.  “You will see soon enough,” Sunset smirked as she leaned back in her throne. Snips and Snails were just finishing hanging up the last of the hallway decorations. “All done,” Snips said as he dusted off his hands.   “Hey, Snips,” Snails said to his best friend. “Yeah, Snails?” Snips replied as he turned to face his best friend “You ever wondered who Anon-A-Miss might’ve been?” Snails asked. “Who cares? They’re not posting anymore and they deleted the page.” Snips said dismissively.  “I know, but why do you think they went after the boss like that?” Snails questioned. “Coz they didn’t like her and wanted everyone to hate her.” Snips replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world “Well, they did a crappy job at it. Boss is way too smart to do anything that pointed to her.” Snails pointed out, he and Snips had been working for Sunset since she started her rise to power so they know first hand her style. “Yeah, that’s what got her at the top of the food chain. Even if she did anything bad, nobody would’ve suspected her. That’s why we respect her.” Snips said with a nod. “Yeah, so I think Anon-A-Miss went after her because of revenge.” Snails said. “Revenge?” Snips tilted his head in confusion. “Yeah, like in those detective shows on TV. Criminals who commit crimes got motive, means, and opportunity. So, who’d have the strongest motive to go after Sunset?” Snails asked. “Well, everybody she’s hurt before.” Snips pointed out, there was no shortage of people who would want to get back at Sunset. “Yeah, but who’d have the means and opportunity? Think about it, the first post was about Applejack’s nickname.” Snails reminded. “Yeah, ‘Piggly-wiggly’,” Snips chuckled. “And then the next post was pictures of the slumber party at Rarity’s, with pictures from boss’ phone. If the boss was Anon-A-Miss, she wouldn’t have left evidence like that.” Snails pointed out. “So, what are you saying, Snails?” Snips asked. “Well, who would have means, motives, and opportunity? Before the Rainbooms made boss their friend, she pretty much turned them on each other and broke their friendship. That’s motive,” Snails explained. “And means is having the tools to commit the crime.” “Boss’ phone.” “Right there without a lock so they could access the photos. And then opportunity.” Snails continued. “The slumber parties! Wait, so it was a frame-up job and an inside job?” Snips questioned, eyes wide in realization. “Yeah,” Snails confirmed. “And I think Applejack and Rarity were the ones who posted that stuff.” “What? Why?” Snips asked that didn’t make sense to him. “So people wouldn’t suspect them. I mean, think about it. Applejack’s so embarrassed by that nickname and Rarity and their friends would be humiliated by those pictures. Nobody would suspect them and since the boss has a history...” Snails trailed off, letting Snips fill the rest. “She’d be the obvious suspect! Snails, you’re a genius!” Snips praised his best friend, despite how he acts, Snails can be very intuitive.  “Yeah, don’t wanna toot my own horn.” Snails said proudly. “You think the other Rainbooms might be in on it? We should tell the boss!” Snips insisted. “Nah, we don’t have proof. Just speculating. Besides, nobody would believe us anyway.” Snails said. “Yeah, you’re right. Now, come on. The boss might need us for something else,” Snips said as he and Snails headed back to the clubroom. However, neither realized someone had heard them and while their discussion was mere speculation, it made complete sense to the eavesdropper. The CMC is in their clubroom, however, they’re missing two members and the atmosphere in the room is grim. “I can’t believe you guys are not allowed to see Diamond Tiara,” Scootaloo said, as she sat backward on her chair. “How are you holding up, Applebloom?” “Okay, ah guess,” Applebloom responded, her tone gloomy as she simply stared at her phone from her spot in the corner. “Hey, why don’t I give her a message for you?” Scootaloo suggested. “I’m still allowed to see her.” “I don’t know,” Sweetie Belle hesitated. “Won’t you get in trouble?” “It’s alright, Scoots,” Applebloom spoke as she looked at her friend and tried to smile reassuringly.  “There’s gotta be something we can do?” Scootaloo asked. There was a knock on the door. “Who could that be?” Sweetie Belle questioned as she went to open the door. “Hi, Sweetie Belle.” Lightning Dust greeted with a friendly smile. “L-Lightning Dust? Gilda?” Sweetie Belle was surprised and a little afraid to see these two. “Sorry to bother you girls, but her majesty would like to see you,” Gilda told them in a very friendly manner and with a smile. “W-why does Sunset want to see us?” Scootaloo asked nervously. “Her Majesty didn’t say,” Gilda replied, scratching her cheek sheepishly. “Don’t worry, despite her overwhelming power, her majesty is very kind.” Lightning Dust assured the girls. The girls still looked unsure but decided to go with the two older girls, they followed Gilda and Lightning to Sunset’s clubroom and the three girls noticed how friendly Gilda and Lightning were being to the passing students. “Um, can I ask you girls something?” Scootaloo asked. “Go ahead,” Lightning Dust replied. “How come you two are being nice to everyone?” Scootaloo asked. “Not that that’s a bad thing or anything!” “Don’t sweat it, it’s true we used to be bullies but her majesty helped us better ourselves,” Gilda responded. “Despite us ambushing her in the gym with a group of over twenty students, her majesty chose to help us rather than destroy us.” Lighting Dust added. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were shocked to hear this, Applebloom looked down sadly. “Why would you two do that?!” Sweetie Belle questioned, raising her voice. “Because we wanted to put an end to Anon-A-Miss,” Gilda answered. “I wanted to teach her majesty a lesson, she ended up turning the tables and teaching us.” “Jeez, what were we thinking?” Lightning Dust shook her head. “After seeing what her majesty was capable of at the Fall Formal, we were fools to think we can take her down.” “Probably not as foolish as Anon-A-Miss who thought she can frame her majesty and get away with it.” Gilda chuckled. The CMC swallowed a lump in their throat upon hearing that, the rest of the way was spent in silence until they arrived at the clubroom. Gilda opened the door and the girls were greeted with a lavish room with Sunset’s original group of followers standing around a round table. “I’ve been waiting for you. Please, come inside,” Sunset Shimmer said to the CMC, she was wearing a business suit with her color scheme, with a pin of her cutie mark on the right side of her color.“Take a seat, please.” The CMC nervously sat down in front of Sunset. “You thought you could get away with it, didn’t you?” “W-what do you mean?” Applebloom asked, fidgeting in her seat. “Oh, there’s no need to deny it, Anon-A-Miss.” Sunset’s smile widened as they paled in shock. “Yeah, I figured it out.” “A-a-are you gonna tell our sisters?” Sweetie Belle asked fearfully. “It won’t work! Nobody will believe you!” Scootaloo defended.  “Oh, I’m not going to tell them,” Sunset answered. “And before you ask, I’m not going to threaten you into confessing either. I’m here to thank you.” This confused the CMC. “Thank us, for what?” Applebloom asked, feeling a pit in her stomach. “For helping me rise back on top, of course. I could not have done it without you. You even took a page out of my old playbook and found a scapegoat so you wouldn’t be suspected of being Anon-A-Miss. That deserves my congratulations too. I must have really inspired you if you decided to do something I would do. It really brings me back. Kinda nostalgic to see someone just like me.” Sunset sneered. Now Applebloom felt sick, not just because Anon-A-Miss allowed Sunset to take over the school again, but because she just said that they were alike.  “We’re nothing like you!” Applebloom denied. “You collected secrets, used those secrets to tear friendships apart, manipulated your sisters into turning against me, and used me as a scapegoat,” Sunset Shimmer listed. “Those are all things I would’ve done before or are you just saying you’ve always been this bad?” Sunset Shimmer rose and patted Applebloom on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. If you decide you need a mentor, come and see me. You’ll know where to find me.” Sunset couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into laughter, the CMC looked at each other in confusion. “Why are yah laughing?” Applebloom asked. “Sorry about this, but I couldn’t help myself!” Sunset said between laughter. “Now I know why mom does this.” “Wait, so you don’t think we’re Anon-A-Miss?” Scootaloo questioned. “Oh you’re definitely Anon-A-Miss,” Sunset answered as she managed to compose herself. “You gave yourselves away already.” Sunset walked back to her seat and looked at the girls seriously. “Do you three have any idea the damage you caused?” The CMC shrunk under Sunset’s intense gaze. “You humiliated your sisters, spread everyone’s secrets, and framed me for everything,” Sunset listed in a tone similar to Principal Celestia when she scolds students. “Tell me, what possessed you three to do something so foolish and cruel?” “It’s because of yah,” Applebloom spoke softly. “Me?” Sunset questioned, she didn’t expect that answer. “Applejack was supposed to be spendin’ this time of year with her family, but instead she chose yah!” Applebloom clarified, a bit of resentment seeping into her voice. “All our sisters ever want to do is hang out with you,” Sweetie Belle added.  Sunset looked to Scootaloo as she expected the young girl to add her reasons, but raised an eyebrow when she didn’t say anything. “What’s your excuse?” Sunset asked the young athlete. “You didn’t do anything to me personally but…” Scootaloo trailed off. “But?” Sunset questioned, crossing her arms. “Ah convinced her,” Applebloom spoke up. “Ah reminded Scoots about what a terrible person yah are and what yah did to our sisters.” “So jealousy and revenge huh?” Sunset sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Sweet Celestia, it’s like looking in a mirror.” “What does our Principal have to do with this?” Sweetie Belle asked. “It’s a term we use back home but more importantly, why didn’t you girls just talk to your sisters?” Sunset questioned. “As if they would listen,” Applebloom mumbled. “They will listen when you confess to being Anon-A-Miss,” Sunset pointed out. “But that decision is up to you girls.” “You’re not going to force us?” Sweetie Belle asked, blinking in confusion. “Like I said, without evidence, no one will believe me and your sisters will just accuse me of forcing you to take the blame for me.” Sunset sighed. “They are dead set on me being Anon-A-Miss, nothing I say will change their minds. You girls are the only ones who can prove my innocence.” “And what if we don’t confess?” Applebloom asked nervously. “Then the situation will continue to spiral out of control,” Sunset answered. “Diamond Tiara told me about the situation going on between you two.” Applebloom closed her eyes at the mention of Diamond Tiara, a pained look on her face. “I told her that I would help out, which is why I’m talking to you now,” Sunset said, her gaze softening as she looked at the girls. “For your sisters and friends’ sake, please do the right thing.” With their business concluded, the CMC left Sunset’s clubroom. The girls glanced at each other before making their way back to their clubroom in silence.  It was lunchtime and the Rainbooms were sitting at their usual table, they had been having an odd morning. They all had been receiving cold and hostile glares from the rest of the student body, a stark contrast from the mocking stares they would usually receive and they even saw some students whisper while looking at them.  “Have any of yah noticed the glares everyone’s been shootin’ at us?” Applejack asked her friends as she glanced around the lunchroom to see everyone glaring at them. “Now that you mention it, I did notice the usual looks felt different.” Rarity answered, shivering slightly at the looks everyone was giving her. “Really? I didn’t notice anything.” Pinkie Pie said with a smile. “Nobody was looking at me any differently,” Fluttershy added. As the group continued to discuss, two female students came up to their table. “Hello, darlings. Is there anything we can help you with?” Rarity asked politely. “Thought you could get away with it, didn’t you?” one of the female students with shoulder-length red hair accused. “What are you talking about?” Rarity questioned. “Shut up, you two-faced bitch! You know what you did!” the other female student with short blue hair cursed at Rarity “Hey, don’t speak to her like that!” Applejack stood up to defend Rarity. “Shut up, Applejack! This is for you too! You all thought you could fool us but we now know who’s behind Anon-A-Miss! It was you and Rarity!” the red-haired student accused. The Rainbooms gasped, Rainbow Dash getting angry while Rarity and Applejack were struck speechless by the accusation. “Hey, watch what you say! Besides, everyone knows Sunset started Anon-A-Miss!” Rainbow leaped to her friends’ defense. “Please, it’s so obvious now! I mean, why else would you kick Sunset out of your group!” the blue-haired student pointed out. “Because she’s Anon-A-Miss! Are you stupid or something! Besides, the first two posts humiliated us! Why would AJ and Rarity do all that!?” Rainbow Dash argued. “So they wouldn’t look like suspects obviously. It’s like when a murderer calls the police, so they don’t look guilty.” the redhead explained. “Oh, well, then why would they make Anon-A-Miss, huh?” Rainbow Dash challenged. “Revenge so they could frame Sunset and I think you’re all in on it too! That’s why you turned your backs on Sunset! If you were really her friends, then you would’ve tried to find out the truth but seeing how quick you were to kick her out, without giving her a chance, that just proves you all planned this from the start! You just couldn’t stand the idea of Sunset being a hero after she beat the Sirens!” the blue-haired student snapped. “We beat the Sirens!” Rainbow Dash snapped back. “Only because Sunset helped you! Without her, you would’ve lost! Sunset saved us, not you, and you made Anon-A-Miss so we’d forget You framed Sunset to get back at her!!” the blue-haired student retorted. “How dare you frame Sunset!” another student. “After all she’s done for us, this is the thanks she gets!” yet another student spoke up. Soon the lunchroom erupted in accusations, all directed at the Rainbooms. The girls were surrounded by students who were hurling abuse at them. Fluttershy closed her eyes as she covered her ears while Rarity and Pinkie Pie tried to shield her and themselves. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked ready to fight. “Enough!” A voice cried out as Flash stepped up to defend the Rainbooms along with Sunset’s followers who were in the lunchroom. "You guys know the rules! You got a problem, take it up with Sunset. There's no need for any of this." The students quieted down and resumed their business, the two female students gave one last glare at the Rainbooms before leaving. “Thanks fer the help, everyone.” Applejack thanked Sunset’s followers.  “Don’t mention it, Applejack.” Flash smiled at the girls. “Why the hell is everyone accusing Rarity and Applejack of being Anon-A-Miss?” Rainbow Dash demanded. “I wish I had the answer you’re looking for but I’m as confused as you are,” Flash answered The Rainbooms noticed Sunset’s cutie mark on the front right side of his jacket. “Flash, yer with Sunset too?!” Applejack said in shock. “Yeah,” Flash said simply. “I want to do my part to help out.” “But she’s evil!” Rainbow Dash stated. “Tell me, what has she done that makes you think so?” Flash questioned, crossing his arms. “She created Anon-A-Miss, spread our secrets, stabbed us in the back, and took over the school again!” Rainbow Dash answered, raising her voice. “Why doesn’t anybody see that?!” “We do see it, Dash,” Flash responded. “Which is why we were able to notice that this isn’t Sunset’s style, if you take a second to ask yourself why then you should’ve figured out that Sunset is being framed.” “But what if you’re wrong?” Rainbow Dash questioned. “Then I’ll own up to it,” Flash responded. “But are you prepared for the chance that you’re wrong?” Rainbow Dash didn't answer, but her silence told Flash all he needed to know. “You know, it’s kind of ironic,” Flash said. "What is?" Rainbow Dash demanded. "Karma," Flash stated. "Karma?" "What you all experienced was just a taste of what you let Sunset go through after you turned your backs on her," Flash said. “And I doubt that Sunset will let you all go through what she did.” With that said, Flash and the rest of Sunset’s followers dispersed. The Rainbooms were left to contemplate Flash’s words, meanwhile, a trio of girls quietly left the lunchroom. “This is very bad!” Sweetie Belle said in a panic as she, Applebloom, and Scootaloo entered a private room. “Now our sisters are being blamed for Anon-A-Miss!” Scootaloo said as she paced around the room. “What are we going to do?!” Applebloom ran her hands through her hair, her mind was in a panic. ‘We were just trying to break up our sisters and Sunset,’ Applebloom thought. ‘How did it get to this?!’ Tears started spilling from Applebloom’s eyes as the full gravity of the situation started sinking in. “Applebloom?” Sweetie Belle looked at her best friend with concern. Rather than answering, Applebloom bolted out of the room. “Applebloom!” Sweetie Belle called out as she and Scootaloo chased after her. When the trio left the room, none of them noticed the green-haired figure that stepped out of the corner of the room. She had blended in perfectly. She pulled out her phone and raised it to her ear. “Your majesty, this is Wallflower Blush. It appears that Applebloom has cracked under the pressure,” Wallflower reported. ‘That is very unfortunate,” Sunset answered. “Good job, Wallflower. You know, your ability to not be noticed is like a superpower!” "Thank you, your majesty!" Wallflower gushed at the praise. She was surprised when Sunset Shimmer approached her. Usually, nobody noticed her but then the redhead came to her for help. Originally, Wallflower resented the girl for getting all the attention, but now Wallflower was grateful that she could be useful to her queen. “Poor girl, this was too much for her,” Sunset said sadly, Applebloom was too young to deal with this kind of pressure. “What are you going to do, your majesty?” Wallflower asked. “I’m going to do what I do best,” Sunset vaguely responded. “Keep up the good work, Wallflower.” “I will, your majesty.” Wallflower said before hanging up.