Armed guards went straight for some very specific students, including Gilda.
"What the fuck are you doing? Unhand me you fucking prick!" she yelled out, resisting the guards.
"SILENCE!" bellowed the Justicar.
His booming, authoritative voice echoed through the corridors of the entire school, no one dared to speak.
"Gilda Gryphem, I'm arresting you on two charges of felony kidnap, two charges of false imprisonment, multiple counts of actual bodily harm and two counts of theft," he said severely, turning to his guard, "Take her away!"
Gilda, Hoops, Dumbbell, Score and the other students involved with Gilda, were handcuffed and taken away by the armed guards to the stunned eyes of the other students. Celestia, wanting answers, walked over to the Justicar.
"Would you mind explaining why you have burst into my school and arrested my students?"
"You are Principal Celestia?"
"Yes."
"I received a 'request' to carry out these arrests. Your students have committed some very serious crimes that required their immediate arrest. The very nature of the crimes required the intervention of the Justicars."
"Does this have to do with Forte and Sunset?"
The Justicar turned around and saw a rainbow haired girl, whom he presumed asked the question.
"You are Rainbow Dash?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"I'm the Supreme Royal Justicar of Canterlot," He replied before looking at the girls grouped around her, "You are all friends of Forte Heldentenor and Sunset Shimmer?"
"Yes, and these are our sisters," Rarity replied, motioning to the CMC.
The Justicar looked at the girls and CMC for several seconds with a piercing look before finally speaking, "The eight of you will come with me at once, your school day is cancelled."
His tone of voice made it clear it was not a suggestion.
"You can't do that," Celestia replied.
"I am the Supreme Royal Justicar of Canterlot. Yes I can."
The Justicar walked on, "You may wish to come also Principal."
"Very well. I'll join you," she replied, "Luna, look after things here, will you?"
"Sure thing, Tia."
Luna watched as her sister and the eight girls followed the Justicar out of the school. Turning around to see a crown of students, all equally as puzzled as her, she addressed them.
"I do not know what has transpired, but please go about your business. We'll update you if we need to."
The students slowly dissipated, most making their way to the canteen for lunch. The scenes they just witnessed was the topic of discussion. Though none of them were surprised really to see Gilda in trouble with the police. Many students felt she just had a prison cell with her name on it, waiting for her.
MEANWHILE IN CANTERLOT CITY HOSPITAL
Forte was resting in a private room accompanied by his parents. They were initially relieved when he was found but relief quickly turned to worry when the police told them of his condition. An apoplectic Travertine unleashed a furious verbal tirade of Germanian obscenities when he heard what had been done to his son and Sunset. Fortunately, his wife was able to calm him down enough to visit Forte in the hospital.
When they entered his room and saw him lying on the bed, Fioritura broke down into tears, she would have ran out had Travertine not been there with her. They approached the bed quietly as Forte was sleeping comfortably, and sat down on the chairs next to the bed. Fioritura gently held Forte's hand.
The doctor gave them more detailed information on his condition, including why the pony-ears headband was still on his head.
"How long until they can be removed?" asked Travertine.
"We've arranged for him to have them taken off tonight."
"How will you remove them?" asked Fioritura.
"We'll be using an acetone-based nail-polish remover, shampoo, conditioner.....we'll be thoroughly washing his hair out and make doubly certain there's no traces of glue left."
"Why can't you do it now?"
"The police requested we wait until they can take photos for evidence."
"What if the police don't come later?"
"Forte agreed to wait until the police had what they needed."
"Don't worry mum, I'll be fine."
Forte's sudden speaking caught everyone off guard. Fioritura wasted no time in responding, only just holding herself back from hugging the stuffings out of him; remembering that the doctor told her that Forte had a couple of cracked ribs.
"Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?"
"A bit better," he replied tiredly, "What about Sunset?"
"She's resting at the moment, but don't worry; she'll be OK," replied the doctor, "What about you? You hungry?"
"A little, I didn't get much to eat for breakfast."
"What did you have?" asked Fioritura.
"I have no idea, vegetables mushed up into paste?," he replied, shrugging his shoulders, "Whatever it was, it was absolutely revolting."
"Well we have proper food in this hospital, I think grilled chicken sandwich is on the menu. Would that be OK?"
"Sounds great. Can I have a cup of tea as well please?"
"Sure. I'll let the kitchen know and leave you three to talk."
"Thank you doctor," Travertine said.
"You're welcome."
The doctor left the room, leaving Forte with his parents. Forte gently propped himself into a sitting position, still shaking a little from his ordeal.
"How are you son?"
"I'm fine."
His answer convinced no-one.
"Forte, it's just us now. You don't need to bottle up your emotions in front of us."
"R-really, I-I'm fine," he began to stutter out on the brink of tears, "There's n-nothing t-to worry about."
He broke down at the last word and was immediately consoled by his mother, his emotional damn breaking once again; twice is as many days.
"I-I w-wanted to s-stop them, b-but I-I couldn't....I couldn't do anything to stop them," he sobbed out, his vision blurred by his tears.
"It's not your fault sweetie, you're not to blame and neither is Sunset."
"B-but she got hurt because I couldn't do anything to defend her."
"But you were tied up, there wasn't anything you could do," she replied, stroking the back of his head trying to calm him.
"I keep telling myself that......but I can't convince myself of it."
MEANWHILE
In another private room in the hospital, Sunset had visitors of her own. The siren sisters were sitting around Sunset's bed looking both relieved that Sunset and Forte were now being cared for, and angry that Gilda and her friends had done what they had to them. Sunset regained consciousness in hospital and despite advice from the nurses and doctors, wanted to see the sisters.
"How are you feeling?" asked Adagio.
"A little better," Sunset replied tiredly, "How's Forte?"
"We're not sure, he was still asleep when we arrived."
Sunset thought back to earlier when they were in the warehouse, to the moment when she saw Forte tied up and covered in bruises and a bleeding nose. She raged furiously inside at what Gilda and her friends had done to him, and felt ashamed at being utterly powerless to help him.
"I should have done more," she said quietly.
"Sorry?" replied Adagio.
Sunset looked at Adagio, her eyes tearing up again, and spoke a little louder, "I said I should have done more to help him."
"What could you have done? You were tied up tight," Adagio pointed out, "You were in no position to do anything."
"But-"
"But what? Even if you had broke free, with the injuries you had you would have been in no state to fight back and would have been tied up again straight away. You, and possibly Forte, would've most likely been given a severe beating as well for trying to escape."
Sunset looked down sadly, "Yeah I guess you're right. By Celestia I felt so useless."
Sonata hugged Sunset gently, being careful to not aggravate her busted ribs, giving her new friend a bit of sisterly like support. Sunset cried softly into Sonata's chest, the irony not lost on her that these girls, once enemies, were now her friends and giving her their full support.
"Just answer the question Miss Gryphem, why did you and your friends kidnap and assault Mr Heldentenor and Miss Shimmer?"
The Detective Inspector was becoming more agitated by Gilda's obnoxious attitude, his knuckles were becoming white and his nails were digging into his palm he was clenching his fists so hard. Since the Justicar left her with him she became her more usual entitled self.
Her solicitor leaned in close to her, his patience too being pushed to the limit.
"Gilda I strongly urge you to co-operate. You're already facing very serious charges and they," he said pointing to the detectives, "Have more than enough evidence to put you and all your friends away for a long time."
Gilda rolled her eyes, looking at her solicitor in annoyance. She scoffed at his serious look.
"Fine! I'll tell you if it makes you happy!"
"Excellent," replied Ice Frost smugly, "Do make sure to leave out no details, I will be most....irritated....if I discover you deliberately omitted information."
"Omitt-what now?" she asked, dumbfounded at the unusual word.
The detectives blinked and the solicitor only just managed to not face palm.
"Omitted," replied Ice Frost, bewildered how someone her age didn't know the meaning of such a simple word.
"What does that mean?"
"To leave out or exclude."
Gilda got into a huff and scorned the detectives, "Well why didn't you just say that!"
"I did, now answer the question," Ice Frost said, the vein on his fore head throbbing.
"I and my friends jumped the dweebs because they had been spreading shit about us on MyStable."
"You are referring to this 'Anon-a-Miss'?"
"What else would I be talking about? Anyway, when we worked out it was those freaks I decided to get some assistance and get some answers."
"By kidnapping them, taking them to an abandoned warehouse, tying them up and assaulting them?"
Gilda rolled her eyes and groaned in annoyance, "So what, I don't give a shit. They deserved it."
The detectives, and her lawyer, were stunned with her attitude. They had come across many arrogant people in their time but Gilda took the biscuit. The Detective Inspector looked Gilda right in the eyes, trying to work out if she was just a teenager with an attitude, or that she was serious and didn't care about what she did to two innocent people.
"They deserved to be kidnapped, tied up, beaten and tortured.........just because you jumped to a conclusion on circumstantial evidence?"
Gilda glared her teeth and went went to lunge at the officers. Fortunately, because her hands were handcuffed behind the chair she was immediately stopped in her tracks. Her impulsive act though, gave more credence to the information given to them by her friends. That Gilda was an aggressive and short-tempered bully who would lash out whenever she heard something about her she didn't like.
"I think that's enough for today," the detective said, "Take her back to her cell. Noting for the record that suspect Gilda Gryphem attempted to lunge at myself and Detective Constable Cold Case. Suspect has become too aggressive to question-"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING AGGRESSIVE YOU FUCKING PRICK?!"
Gilda tried to launch herself once again at the detectives but again, forgot her hands were handcuffed behind the chair. Officers burst in and took Gilda away, her screaming obscenities at the officers and resisting them the entire time.
The Detective Constable didn't flinch at the outburst and amended what he was going to say, "Suspect became aggressive once again made and attempt to lunge towards myself and Detective Constable Cold Case. Uniformed officers entered the room and have taken her back to her cell. Suspect will be questioned at a later time."
Detective Inspector Ice Frost stopped the recording machine and breathed a sigh of relief. Rarely in thirty-two years of law enforcement had he come across such a person at such an age.
No wonder I've started going grey.
Just then the doors opened, another uniformed officer walking in.
"Inspector, the hospital rang. The kids are awake."
"Excellent, I'll head over there now, Cold Case will be joining me. Let the hospital know."
"Yes sir," the officer said, leaving to room.
"Well Cold, you coming?"
"Sure, I could do with some fresh air after that interview."
"You and me both."
"What did the other kids say?"
"Pretty much the same thing. That Gilda convinced them to go through with the plan, promising they'd be able to get revenge in a secluded place where no-one would find them."
"Except some property developers."
"Apparently they were originally booked to view the warehouse after the holidays but due to other commitments and a sudden opening, they decided to quickly view the place now."
"Good thing they did, otherwise those poor kids may have been there all winter."
"Something that may have very well killed them."
"We're not trying for murder charges?"
"No, according to her friends they fed Mr Heldentenor and Miss Shimmer this morning, that could imply they intended to keep them alive."
"To extract answers from them no doubt."
"That would be my guess, but let's go to the hospital and talk to the victims; get their side of things."
Inside a private room in the hospital, Supreme Royal Justicar Amicus Lex and his Justicars had finished taking statements from the eight girls. His Justicars took statements from the girls one at a time, being Royal Justicars they could make official interviews anywhere, any time they deemed necessary. Their stories coincided and, even though what the CMC had done was technically illegal, they felt Principal Celestia's punishment was appropriate and fair.
On the way, Amicus Lex had taken Forte's and Sunset's phones from Rainbow. As they were stolen property, Rainbow could technically be charged with handling stolen goods; but also she was handling evidence in a serious case.
Reluctantly, she handed them over; being assured by the Justicar that they would be returned to Forte and Sunset.
The girls could only wait until they were permitted to see their friends.
If Forte and Sunset still saw them as friends.
Fortunately, they weren't waiting too much longer. The room door opened and walked a nurse.
"You may see your friends now."
The girls got up. Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow, gently held their respective sisters, the CMC terrified that Sunset and Forte would hate them and scream at them. Noticing Scootaloo shaking, Rainbow consoled her adoptive little sister.
"It's gonna be OK squirt, they won't get angry with you."
"But what if they hate us?"
"They won't. They're not like that."
"Are you sure? You promise?"
"I Pinkie Promise."
Scootaloo smiled a little at the support of her adoptive big sister and felt a pang of hope she hadn't felt in a long time. She felt herself being hugged tightly by a smiling Rainbow.
"I knew you still had a smile in you."
"Thanks Dash," Scootaloo replied, hugging her back.
Her fellow crusaders and their sisters also smiled at the sweet scene. With some of the tension and nervousness gone from the room, the girls went to see their friends. Pinkie and Fluttershy first went to Forte while the others went to Sunset; mostly so the CMC could apologise to Sunset first as she was the main target. Principal Celestia remained with the Justicars to discuss her other students.
Sunset was laid back comfortably in bed, smiling happily at the presence of the Dazzlings. Her new friends who dropped everything to make sure she and Forte were OK. If anyone had told her during the Battle of the Bands that she would become friends with the Dazzling she would call them crazy and consider filing a restraining order. They were idly discussing music when the door opened and revealed six familiar faces.
The air in the room went stone cold and you could cut the tension with a knife.
"What are they doing here?" asked Rainbow.
The Dazzlings rolled their eyes, unimpressed with the question.
"Wow!," Adagio said in disbelief, "They come to see Sunset and the first thing they ask is 'what are they doing here'?, not, 'hey Sunset, you OK?'"
"Dagi," Aria said sharply, trying to prevent an argument.
"What do you girls want?" asked Sunset, "Where's Fluttershy and Pinkie?"
"They're seeing Forte, whilst we and our sisters see you," Rarity replied.
"Why would your sisters want to see me?" asked Sunset.
Judging by the looks on their faces, Sunset guessed she knew the reason why. A look to the Dazzlings and their smirks confirmed it.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle ans Scootaloo looked up to their sisters, who smiled reassuringly and gently coaxed them forward.
"Sunset," Apple Bloom started, "I'm Anon-a-Miss."
Apple Bloom braced herself for a verbal lashing of a life time, so was taken by complete surprise by Sunset's simple, calm response.
"I know."
Six pairs of eyes went to pinpricks while three smirks nearly went off their wearers' faces.
"YOU KNEW?! HOW?!" screamed Apple Bloom.
"Forte and I narrowed things down. But I think you knew we were onto you."
Apple Bloom and her two friends felt lumps in their throats. They rubbed the back of their necks and looked at each other sheepishly.
"Well.....yeah. We did get that feeling."
"Is that why you targeted Forte, hoping he'd blame me and abandoned me like my so-called friends did?"
Though she didn't look at them, she could almost feel the winces of Rarity, Rainbow and Applejack.
"In the end, the events that transpired brought us far closer together," she said before turning to the Dazzlings, "And I made some new friends."
Rainbow looked at them in shock, "These are you friends?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Forte convinced me to give them a second chance, just like I was........and just like I'll give you."
It took a few moments for Sunset's words to sink in, her words finally making their way through.
"You mean you'll give us another chance?" asked Rarity in hope.
"Yes, I'll extend the same courtesy you showed me. But don't expect this to blow over, it may take a while for me to fully trust you all again."
The girls winced a little, hearing the pain and hurtful tone of betrayal in Sunset's voice.
"I suppose that's fair," Rarity replied, "We did abandon you, and Forte.....in your hours of need."
"How is Forte?" Asked Applejack.
"He was asleep when I last saw him, but according to the nurses he'll be....mostly OK."
"Mostly OK? What does that mean?" Rainbow asked, her face one of confusion.
"You'll see when you see him. He probably suffered more than I did."
The girls felt a little sick. They could see Sunset's injuries, her black eye, split lip, bandaged hands and several bruises, and wondered how Forte's could have got it worse.
*DURING THE SAME FEW MINUTES IN FORTE'S ROOM*
Fluttershy and Pinkie walked to Forte's room, both feeling sick to the stomach about meeting him. They both remembered vividly what they said to him the last time they spoke.
"Go away you horrible traitor!" Fluttershy cried out, "You're not our friend! It was a mistake to ever be friends with you!"
"Secret stealer!" Pinkie cried out also, "You're a mean, horrible secret stealer! We never want to see you again!"
How they bitterly regretted their words.
Standing outside his room, trembling with nerves and fear, they knocked and went in.
"Forte," Fluttershy said timidly, "Are you in here?"
"He's here Fluttershy."
Fluttershy looked over to see his parents present.
"Mrs and Mrs Heldentenor!"
"Please, call us Travers and Fio. Come on in girls," Fio replied.
She turned back to Forte and shook him gently, "Forte sweetie, Pinkie and Fluttershy are here."
Forte blearily opened his eyes, his vision slowly coming into focus. Fluttershy and Pinkie were sat opposite his parents.
"Hey girls," he said glumly, "What are you doing here?"
The girls stared in horror at Forte's state. His broken nose, bruises and heavily bandaged hands were amongst his injuries. The ones they could see anyway.
"Forte, why are there pony ears on your head?" asked Pinkie.
"Gilda.....glued them on."
Fluttershy's and Pinkie's jaws dropped on shock.
"She GLUED them on?" Pinkie asked in disbelief, "She took something you enjoy wearing for a bit of fun and turned it into something mean?"
"Pretty much, she used industrial strength super glue. If you try to pull them off, you'll take my scalp along with it."
The girls went green in the face at such a horrific and gory image.
"What else did she do?" asked Fluttershy.
"She kicked me in the ribs, breaking a few in the process; she kicked me in the nose, also breaking it and she had her friends spoon feed me what I assume is food but tasted like puréed floor sweepings."
The girls grimaced at the thought.
"Didn't you do anything to stop them?"
"I couldn't, I was tied up tight. I couldn't even fidget around, never mind defend myself."
Fluttershy and Pinkie began crying as Forte retold what Gilda and her friends did to him. Fio moved around to then and consoled them in a motherly manner, as is her nature.
"Come on girls. You're not to blame for what happened."
"But we pushed Forte and Sunset away, if we hadn't done that-"
"They could still have been jumped. This Gilda sounds like she would have gone after Sunset and Forte regardless."
Fluttershy cried softly into Fio whilst Pinkie gently stroked her back.
"Fluttershy, I don't blame you for what happened, and neither does Sunset. The only ones to blame are Gilda and her friends."
Fluttershy smiled slightly, sensing a glimmer of hope in mending her friendship with her two friends.
"You're not mad with us?"
"No. Only Gilda and her cohorts."
Fluttershy got up and hugged him tightly. Forte resisted the urge to scream in pain from the sudden pain in his ribs. He'd only just convinced Fluttershy she wasn't at fault for hurting him or Sunset. Yelling now when she was hurting him, albeit accidentally, would put him back at square one. He returned the hug as best as he could.
Fluttershy let go and sat back down next to Pinkie, a lot happier than she was before.
Just then there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Travertine said.
The door opened and in walked a nurse pushing a trolley.
"Dinner for a Mr Heldentenor."
The nurse wheeled the trolley and removed a tray from one of the shelves underneath.
"One grilled chicken sandwich and fries," she said placing the tray on the overbed table, "And one pot of tea."
"Thanks," Forte replied, smiling at the pleasant smell filling his nostrils.
"Enjoy, would any of you like a drink?"
"Tea for us please," Travers said, motioning to himself and Fio, "Girls?"
"Tea would be lovely," replied Fluttershy.
The nurse looked to Pinkie who just nodded.
"I'll be back soon with some more tea."
The nurse left the room, leaving Forte with his family and friends. He was about to tuck into his dinner when he encountered a problem.
He couldn't use his hands.
"Damn."
"Is there a problem sweetie?"
Forte held up his heavily bandaged hands.
To everyone's credit, they understood his problem.
Fio, picked up the knife and fork and began cutting the food. Forte got a sense of dread as to what his mother was going to do. She was going to spoon feed him. He watched as she picked up some food with the fork and held it up to him.
"Come on sweetie, you can't hold anything yourself."
Forte was red in the face, deeply embarrassed at being spoon fed by his mother, even more so given who was watching.
"We won't tell anyone Forte, we promise," Pinkie said, trying her best to reassure him.
Forte sighed reluctantly and nodded to his mother, "OK, at least this time it's you doing it and not Gilda's idiot friends."
Fio raised the fork to Forte's mouth.
This is so embarrassing.
*BACK IN SUNSET'S ROOM*
"Thanks.....for that," Sunset said, her cheeks as red as her hair.
"Don't worry about it. It's what friends are for, right?" Sonata said happily as she put the fork on the plate.
The subtle, if unintentional, jab at the other girls wasn't missed on Sunset; or the girls themselves if the winces were anything to go by. Fortunately, they were aware of Sonata's naivety and let it slide.
"Sunset, will you be coming back to CHS?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Yes, despite what happened...I'm happy there," she said as she looked to the Dazzlings, "Besides, I've some new friends to share it with."
The girls all looked to the Dazzlings in confusion.
"What? You mean they're joining CHS?" asked Rainbow, "Again?"
"Yes we are," replied Adagio coolly, "For real this time, not for any nefarious purposes."
Dash and the others rubbed the back of their necks uneasily, feeling uneasy about being amongst the Dazzlings once again.
"Look, since the Battle of the Bands we've turned our lives around," Aria said firmly, "We've all got jobs and if we're really being honest, what happened to us that night was probably a blessing in disguise. We're happy now, and enrolling at CHS feels like the right thing to do."
The girls looked amongst themselves again. A noticeable, awkward silence permeating through the room. Though the Dazzlings seemed honest, their reputations preceded them.
"Well, if yer serious about it, then I'll support yer."
"Really Applejack? Do you remember what they did?" Rainbow asked in shock.
"They made mistakes. Just like Sunset did.......just like we did."
That final part seemed to hammer in the nail to Rainbow. She winced in discomfort, not liking to be reminded of how she so quickly and easily abandoned two friends in their hours of need. Huffing, she folded her arms and reluctantly agreed.
"Fine! If Applejack says she'll support you, then I will to."
"Count me in also," Rarity added, "And I'm sure the other girls will to."
"Thanks girls," Sunset said happily, a small smile on her face, "Just don't tell Forte they're joining CHS."
"Why?"
"He has a crush on Aria," Sunset replied.
"I'm glad someone noticed."
Everyone turned to Rarity with wide eyed shock.
"What?" she asked, confused by the looks she was getting from everyone, "I thought it was obvious, he did keep looking at her after all."
"Don't worry," Aria said, "We noticed it, but even Sunset here didn't. She didn't even find out until we told her last night."
"What happened last night?" asked Rainbow, "Apart from Sunset and Forte getting jumped."
"We met by accident at Nando's and decided to have dinner together," Sunset replied, "And Forte was a little flustered as soon as Aria pointed it out."
"That does sound like Forte," Rarity chuckled.
"Yeah, we were going to wait until we returned to CHS and surprise him them. I can't wait to see the look on his face."
"He probably won't know what to do with himself," Aria said.
"I'm sure the two of you could work something out," Adagio said smirking.
"DAGI!" Aria yelled, her cheeks going red, "I know that look!"
"Girls?" Sunset said.
Aria and Adagio looked at Sunset.
"Not in front of the children."
The two sisters looked at the younger girls in the room and agreed with Sunset.
"Agreed," said Adagio, "But whenever you're both ready to 'help' Forte, just let me know."
Both Sunset and Aria went red in the face again and looked at each other before looking away again. Both knowing what Adagio was referring to.
"So," Rarity said, trying to move the awkward conversation on, "What do you girls do for a living?"
Fioritura wiped Forte's mouth clean and put the dirty tissue on the plate. He was a little red in the face from being spoon fed by his mother in front of his friends, but considering his circumstances it was understandable why he needed the assistance.
"Thanks mum."
"You're welcome sweetie."
"So Forte, are you coming back to CHS?" asked Pinkie.
"Yes I'll be back. Before we break up for Christmas hopefully."
Pinkie and Fluttershy looked at each other for a second. Having known Pinkie for many years, Fluttershy knew exactly what Pinkie's bright, cheery grin meant.
"We hope so too," she replied softly.
Just then the door opened ans in walked more familiar faces. Eight of them in fact.
"Aria!" Forte called out.
"Told you so," Adagio said to the others.
"Forte!" Aria called back.
She went to Forte and gently hugged him, which he returned, much to the shock of his parents.
"I'm glad you're OK," Aria said, oblivious to the stunned looks she was getting from the aforementioned people.
Aria let go of him then hugged him again, "This hug's from Sunset."
"Thanks," he replied, trying to hide his delight, "How is Sunny?"
"She's OK," Aria replied turning to Pinkie and Fluttershy, "She said you could see her if you want."
The two girls looked at each other and nodded, "We'll go there now."
"Mind if we join you?"
The two girls looked to Forte's parents.
"Why not, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
Forte's parents got up and turned to him, "We'll see you later sweetie."
"Sure, see you later."
Forte's parents, Fluttershy and Pinkie left the room; leaving him with the nine girls with Aria sitting noticeably close to him. He looked around the room to his audience and noticed three of the girls were a lot younger than the others and looking very worried.
"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo.....how are you?"
"We're good......sorta," Apple Bloom replied.
"Sorta?" he repeated.
Apple Bloom felt herself nudged by her older sister, "Jus' tell 'im like yer did Sunset."
"Forte, myself, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are behind Anon-a-Miss. I set up the account and later Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joined me."
"Why?"
Apple Bloom sighed then told him what she told Sunset. About how she felt they were taking their sisters away from them. Forte, though angry they tried to get him to turn against Sunset; decided not to get too worked up about it. They weren't directly responsible for what happened to him and Gilda and as it turned out, events brought him and Sunset closer together.
"I forgive you girls. It doesn't excuse what you did, but I won't hold a grudge against you."
The CMC all breathed a sigh of relief and went to hug Forte. Wincing in pain a bit from his cracked ribs, he returned their hug; happy that they could put the incident behind them. Now though, the girls attention turned to the Dazzlings.
"So, I guess you girls have re-introduced yourselves?" he asked, looking between them.
"Yes," Rarity replied "Sunset explained everything."
"Everything?" Forte asked looking a little worried.
"Everything," Aria replied.
Forte blushed redder than Sunset's hair, "Even-"
"Even the bit where you accidentally admitted you had a crush on Aria?" Sonata said with innocent happiness.
"Yeah........that bit," he said, face palming.
The girls started giggling, lifting any animosity that may have lingered earlier. Aria got up and gently wrapped her arms around him.
"I can see why Sunset likes you," she said playfully before her tone became much more serious, "But there's something about Sunset you need to know."
She sat back down and looked at his other friends, "That you all need to know."
It was mid-afternoon and the guests had left. Their visit was followed by a visit from Detective Inspector Ice Frost and Detective Constable Cold Case, both took statements from Sunset and Forte; as well as taking photos of their injuries for evidence, including Forte's glued-on pony ears. Sunset had an excellent talk with Forte's parents, Fluttershy and Pinkie. The girls also apologised to Sunset, and like the other girls, Sunset forgave them; feeling and seeing no need to hold a grudge as it would serve no purpose and only make things worse. Fio though, was gravely concerned for Sunset. The Dazzlings mentioned Sunset had been living in the warehouse where Gilda held them captive, though it seemed Gilda was unaware of that. As was everyone else.
Fio spoke to Travertine and they said they would house Sunset until a more permanent solution could be found. Amicus Lex, the Supreme Royal Justicar of Canterlot, approved and gave his consent should Sunset accept; something that is within his authority to do.
The Dazzlings though, made a proposal to the Justicar and Forte's parents.
Both parties liked the idea and Lex stated he would use his authority to ensure it would happen.
Sunset, unaware of the discussions, would have the biggest surprise present she'd ever have.
Several hours had passed and it was now late evening. Forte was in a wheelchair being taken back to his room. He'd just been to have the glued-on pony ears removed. They had been removed successfully, though it took a while, and handed to the police as more evidence; in addition to the photos they took earlier when they were still glued in place.
His skin had been irritated by the glue and some of his hair tattered but with lotions, conditioners and shampoo, the hospital staff did a good job of restoring his hair. Though it would be a few weeks before it was fully restored.
Forte was terrified though when they were being removed. Terrified that they would still be glued on when the nurses pulled them off, the hospital staff didn't need to wire him up to a machine to know his heart was pounding. Fortunately, the excellent bedside manner of the nurses calmed him down and provided comforting reassurance. So much so, he didn't actually notice when they were removed. He only noticed when they were held in front of him.
After being wheeled back to his room, he was joined by Sunset; also in a wheelchair. They were sitting side by side facing the window overlooking the city, getting a nice blend of parkland and urban scenery; gently illuminated by the streetlights and interior building lights. With their room only lit by the bedside lamp, a nice, cosy atmosphere filled the room.
"Hey Sunny."
"Hey Pony Boy, you feeling better?"
"Much better now I've seen you again."
"Same here," she replied smiling, noting the top of his head, "I almost don't recognise you without the ears."
Forte rolled his eyes whilst she giggled, "I don't wear them that often."
"Often enough, not that I mind."
"Yeah," he replied, laughing lightly, "They've been a bit of a running joke since I've been to CHS."
Sunset couldn't help herself and burst out laughing, causing her ribs to hurt in the process.
"Don't make me laugh! You're making my ribs hurt!"
"Stop laughing then."
They both laughed for a few seconds before it died out. The mood became a bit more serious.
"Forte, when we were in the warehouse..........I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help you."
"That's morbidly funny, because I was going to apologise to you for not being able to help you."
Tears began falling from Sunset's eyes and she dabbed them with her still heavily bandaged hands. Forte reached around and wrapped an arm around her the best he could. Seeing his girlfriend upset like this upset him greatly. Even more so when there wasn't much he could do to help her.
"I wanted so badly to help you," she sobbed, "But that bitch had me tied up so tight......"
"Sunset, you don't need to apologise. You're not at fault, she did the same thing to me. As I understand it I had fallen asleep when those property developers arrived, had you been asleep as well......we could still be in that warehouse now, tied up in a freezing cold room being beaten and tortured by a crazed lunatic."
"I guess so," she sobbed quietly.
"I know so. From what the Dazzlings told me, you slammed your feet up and down and made as much noise as you could to attract their attention."
"But I nearly fell asleep though."
"But you didn't."
"But I nearly did!"
"Sunset, even if you had fallen asleep, we would have still been found."
"What makes yo so sure of that?"
"Those developers found all your stuff. You were living in that warehouse."
Silence permeated through the room. Sunset sat frozen solid in shock. Turning to Forte though, she had a look of shame and worry; almost on the brink of having an emotional breakdown.
"How did you know?"
"The Dazzlings mentioned it."
Sunset looked away in shame.
"Why didn't you say something? My house has plenty of room, we would have set you up with a bedroom."
"I was embarrassed, and didn't want to humiliate myself."
Forte pondered what Sunset said, and could see her point of view. To ask someone for help could be embarrassing as it is, to ask someone for a place to live would be an embarrassment too far.
"How could I ever ask for help after what I did to people?"
"Well, you won't have to worry any more. I'll ask my parents if you can stay with us, whether it be permanent or if you want to find your own place."
Sunset looked into Forte's eyes, her tears glistening in the moonlight.
"Really?"
"Really really."
Sunset reached forward and hugged her boyfriend, not caring that her ribs were aching from the pain.
"I love you so much."
Forte returned the hug, "I love you too Sunny."