//------------------------------// // Confessions // Story: Critical Condition // by KR Chrome //------------------------------// The Rainbooms walked the Crusaders into the music room. It was currently unoccupied, which was ideal for what was to happen. They were going to need their privacy. The Crusaders had nowhere to run, and running would be the same as admitting their guilt. “Take a seat, girls,” said Rarity sternly. Unable to argue, the three younger girls complied. Scootaloo shook nervously in her seat and Sweetie Belle could not meet the gaze of the other girls. Apple Bloom tried to maintain her composure. Applejack took the floor, arms crossed, eyes narrowed and brows furrowed. She locked eyes with her little sister. “Alright, Apple Bloom. I’m going to ask you something and I want the truth,” Applejack started. “Are you Anon-a-Miss?” Apple Bloom gasped and averted her eyes. Applejack took that as a sign of guilt. “Well?” Applejack prodded. “ Are you or aren’t you Anon-a-Miss?” Apple Bloom remained silent, as her eyes brimmed with tears. Applejack sighed. “So, it’s true. You are Anon-a-Miss, and you got your friends to help,” Applejack concluded. “Sweetie Belle,” Rarity started next, causing her little sister to flinch at the clipped tone. “Is it true? Are you all involved in Anon-a-Miss?” “...Yes,” Sweetie Belle confessed. “And you, Scoots?” Rainbow Dash her adopted little sister. The girl could only nod in response. Applejack removed her Stetson and let out a sigh. “Damn it. Guess it wasn’t Sunset after all.” “Sis, please...I-we can explain,” Apple Bloom started. “Explain what?” Applejack spat. “Explain how you wanted us to think Sunset was the culprit? Now I know why you told me it could be her when the story about me got spread on MyStable. Well, now I know what you think of me.” “Applejack,” Rarity said in a placating tone. “Girls, please tell us, why did you do this?” Sweetie Bell sniffled. “We...we just wanted to spend more time with you...so...we thought...we thought if we made it look like Sunset Shimmer was Anon-a-Miss, then things could go back to the way they were...” “Well, looks like your little scheme didn't work.” “How did you figure it out?” Scootaloo asked. Rainbow Dash looked ashamed for a moment then ran her hand through her hair. “Well, you see, we all thought it was Sunset, but then Principal Celestia called the assembly and told us what happened to her. Since the latest post was put up earlier today, there was no way it could’ve been her.” “Took a while for us to process what happened,” added Pinkie Pie. “If it could not be Sunset, then who could it be? So, we thought about who else knew Applejack’s secret and who else was in Rarity’s house while we had our Slumber Party there.” “Sweetie Belle, you took Sunset’s phone and got the pictures off it, didn’t you?” Rarity asked. Sweetie Belle silently nodded. “You know, Sunset getting into an accident might be a blessing in disguise. Now we know she ain’t Anon-a-Miss, but she’s hurt really bad,” Applejack remarked. She was told that things happened for a reason, that God worked in mysterious ways. Was this His doing? “Looks like you three got your wish then,” Fluttershy said. She had been silent the whole time, but now she wanted to speak. “Wait, we didn’t want this to happen!” Apple Bloom cried out in denial. “You wanted Sunset Shimmer out of the way, and now she’s in the hospital. If we had not figured out you were Anon-a-Miss, would you have told us?” The Crusaders did not answer. How could they? They felt remorse. “You realize what you’ve done is considered cyber bullying, right? You know how illegal that is?” Applejack questioned. “Illegal...?” Scootaloo paled. “Yeah, it’s illegal. Who knows what could’ve happened to Sunset if you continued,” Rainbow Dash continued. “She might be pushed over the edge and commit suicide,” Fluttershy finished. “Su...suicide...?” Sweetie Belle trembled. Now they were beginning to see how terrible it might’ve been. “Guess the Christmas Party is canceled, huh?” Pinkie Pie asked. They were all going to have a Christmas Party, but with Sunset in critical condition, such plans would need to be put on hold until she recovered. Pinkie Pie canceling a party was also a first. But even she understood how serious things were. “What are you going to do with us?” Apple Bloom asked nervously. Applejack gave her sister a pointed glare. “You’re going to delete the account and everything on it,” Applejack ordered. “And after school, we’re all going to visit Sunset at the hospital. If she wakes up, you’re all going to apologize to her.” The Crusaders had no room to argue and nodded.