"I can't think of anything," Sunset said with some frustration.
"Come on," Rainbow said with annoyance, "there has got to be something you did that could make someone this mad."
"I can't," Sunset said with frustration. "I have a list of things, but nothing I've done to someone currently here could've make them this mad."
Rarity, Rainbow, Sunset, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all were walking into the student parking lot, discussing who might've attacked Applejack. Pinkie was somewhat happy that Rainbow was still sitting with them, but she was upset it took Applejack for them to come together. And Rainbow was still cool toward Sunset.
"Perhaps this person is just a sick monster who is tormenting you for amusement," Rarity offered. "It is one thing want revenge, but all this is just plain sadistic torture."
"I don't think so," Rainbow said. "A sick monster would've done more to Gilda and Applejack when they were helpless." Her fists clenched and her jaw set. "Not that will stop me from ripping the psycho's face apart when I get my hands on him." Rainbow's face was calm, but she trembled with such fury, she looked like a bomb about to go off.
"And we don't have any suspects," Sunset said frustration. "All the people who attacked me have alibis. Gilda has...the best alibi of all." Fluttershy walked, her lips pursed in thought.
"Maybe she's lying," Rainbow said with narrowed eyes. "Maybe she's the one who attacked Applejack, and then sprayed her own eyes to not get caught."
"You're saying Gilda would blind herself and leave herself at the crime scene to catch," Rarity said in an unimpressed tone.
"Yeah," Sunset chimed in, "that would make as much sense as Big Macintosh attacking Applejack."
"Even if she was still full of burning hatred toward Sunset," Rarity offered. "I doubt she would risk blindness to do it."
"I'm just saying its possible you know," Rainbow said with frustration.
"Rainbow," Rarity said warningly. "That's enough."
"Gilda's a jerk," Rainbow argued back, "she loves to hurt other-,"
"Rainbow Ashley Dash!" Rarity yelled with anger. Rainbow and the others flinched frustration. "Your behavior is completely abhorrent! Gilda saved Applejack from even worse abuse, and you're still caterwauling about your grudge!"
"But-,"
"Surely all that has happened this past week should teach you where that leads," Rarity said with a hint of frustration, gesturing to Sunset, who looked utterly miserable. Rainbow's face twisted into one of contrition.
"Yeah Rainbow," Pinkie Pie said in a condemnatory tone. "Gilda was a big meanie-mean pants three years ago. Now she's a not-so big meanie-mean pants who reads to little kiddies and protected Applejack from an even bigger meanie." She narrowed her blue eyes. "And if you don't go say 'thank you' to her, you'll be a big meanie."
"Yes Rainbow," Rarity said firmly with crossed arms and a look made from steel. "Gilda helped save our friend. A proper lady would say thank you to that person, even if you happen to dislike that person." Rainbow turned to Fluttershy, who also gave her a disapproving look.
"You're right," Rainbow said with frustration. "I will."
"Pinkie Promise," Pinkie Pie said, holding up her pinky to Rainbow.
"Pinkie Promise," Rainbow said reluctantly, holding up her little finger to her excitable friend.
"OK," Sunset said, "now that that's settled-," she paused as she saw a large crowd gathering around where her motorcycle was. Sunset and her friends wanted to see what the fuss was about.
"What's going on?" Sunset asked. Sunset saw Quick Pace and Sweetie Belle, along with a few other students, turn to face her with sheepish smiles.
"N-n-n-othing," Quick stammered as usual.
"There is nothing you need to see," Sweetie said in a highly nervous voice.
"Really?" Sunset said with skepticism. "You're all gathering around...nothing."
"Yeah," Norman said. The brown-haired 15 year old look just as nervous as everyone else. "Just...run along."
"I wish I could," Sunset said with increasing skepticism. "But, um, you're all in front of my motorcycle."
"We are?" Scootaloo said, playing dumb. "How could you accuse us of such a misdeed!" she said with fake dismay.
"Scoots," Rainbow said in an unimpressed tone, "we're sisters. I know you better than you know yourself. That's the look you got when you broke dad's windshield." Scootaloo looked down in shame.
"Enough," Sunset said in a tone so firm, no one could ignore it. "What are you all hiding from me." With a sigh, everyone moved away. Sunset went catatonic at what she saw.
The motorcycle had been horribly scratched up with keys and the windshield had been smashed. Sunset stood there, looking as still as a stone while everyone watched with trepidation.
"Don't worry Sunset," Rainbow said nervously.
"Yes," Rarity said. "I'm sure the insurance will cover the damages." Sunset didn't respond. As time slowed, she saw a white envelope on the seat. After some hesitation, she opened it.
"I've got myself a delicious slice of apple pie," a caption read. Above it was an image of Applejack, a knife slicing her cheek, with x's drawn over her eyes and a noose drawn on her neck.
"Sunset," Rarity asked with concern. Sunset didn't respond.
"Sunset," Fluttershy asked. Sunset started shaking, the note in her hand.
"What did it-," Rainbow asked.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Sunset screamed, mercilessly ripping the note to shreds, before viciously turning to the crowd.
"IT WAS ONE OF YOU, WASN'T IT!" Sunset yelled accusingly to the shocked gatherers.
"Sunset," Fluttershy said. "Stop it!" Sunset, blinded by rage, randomly grabbed Norman and pulled him to her by his shirt.
"You did this!" Sunset screamed to the brown-haired boy.
"I didn't," Norman said with fear.
"LIAR!" Sunset bellowed. "Tell me the truth," she yelled. She raised a fist menacingly. "Or I'll beat you into a-," she paused as someone put a hand on her shoulder. She growled, until she saw the concerned look of Quick Pace.
"S-sunset," Quick stammered fearfully. "Stop it. Y-you're scaring everybody." The diminutive teenager's concerned look and kind words immediately washed away Sunset's fury. Sunset realized with horror what she was doing:
Attacking someone without any proof that they did anything to her. The scared look of Norman made her whimper. The scared and shocked looks of everyone else made lips quiver.
"See Sunny," a cruel voice whispered with glee. "I told you it was only a matter of time." Sunset fell to her knees, bawling her eyes out.
"I'm sorry Norman," Sunset said tearfully, falling onto her behind and started hugging her knees. She cried remorsefully into her knees for a few moments. She felt herself being squeezed and saw Scootaloo and Quick were both embracing her.
"D-d-don't worry about it," Quick said with soothing words.
"We know it's not your fault," Scootaloo said, her scratchy voice becoming softer. Sunset looked up at Norman, thinking he was still looking at her with fear. Instead, all she saw was a reassuring smile.
"It's OK, Sunny," Norman said in a reassuring tone, bending down to give Sunset a warm hug as well.
"I-I'm sorry," Sunset said again to Norman, sobbing even more. Soon, her friends and all the students gathered also bent down to join in the group hug, and assured Sunset that they weren't scared of her. Despite the fear, guilt, and sorrow she felt, Sunset's heart became less heavy.
She had wondered if she would ever be accepted again. But now the people she tormented were now helping her out at a low point in her life. Despite making them cry at one point, they now held her like she was a little girl, and tried to sooth her tears.
All 300 of CHS's students piled into the auditorium and sat in the red velvet chairs. While the time before an assembly was usually noisy, they all walked in with a solemn dignity few expected of high school students. Many of them were more than aware of the reason for the assembly, and for this reason, they were attentive and serious.
After a few moments, Vice Principal Luna came onto the stage.
"Hello CHS," Vice Principal Luna said in a solemn tone. "I wish I could be speaking to you all about a more pleasant subject. But it is clear that we are dealing with a very dangerous individual who has proven he will go some...extreme lengths for revenge. It was my initial hope that we could solve this problem ourselves, but it is clear that this person will not surrender himself peacefully. He has also escalated his attacks and endangered others. So...I have been forced to bring in the Canterlot Police Force. Officer Eamon Garda has a few words to share with you. He'll also be keeping you up to date with the emergency measures we've been forced to set up. Please give him your undivided attention." With that, Luna left the stage, and the portly green man walked up to the microphone.
"First of all," the man began in a low serious tone that kept his Capallan accent extremely light," I want to be clear with all of you about something. The way that some of you-not just our mysterious "friend"- have behaved toward Sunset Shimmer is completely unacceptable." He paused to let the disappointment sink it to the quiet crowd. "I am more than aware of her mistreatment of all of you. I am more than aware of the gas leak she caused. I am aware of how she abused the trust the teachers placed in her, in order to torment all of you."
Sunset looked down shamefully, only to be comforted by Rainbow.
"However, she has paid her dues. She has done her community service. Her reckless behavior had been put into her permanent record. She followed the rules of her probation. She also volunteered to repay the damages she did to the Apple Family Farm." The portly green man's mouth set into a thin line. "However, despite her attempting to make amends, you all still tormented her." His disappointed tone echoed, sending a small chill down the spine of everyone.
"The way you behaved is behavior I expect from the Changeling Empire, not the UPNT," Garda continued. The reference to their geopolitical enemy was a blow to the hearts. "Here in the United Provinces, we are raised to believe in the principles of freedom and justice. And I've seen none of that from any of you." He continued, each word feeling like a hammer to the ribs of every student. "We are taught to believe in progress and advancement, not raised to hold petty grudges over ancient feuds. We North Terrans are not a people that demands pounds of flesh, but offers others a chance to make amends." He paused to take short breath.
"Our national military is built on the principles of defense. Not aggression, not revenge, but defending our shores from aggression and defending our allies from such as well. Section 2, subsection 1 of the Statement of Rights of Responsibilities [1] says that 'The executive shall not wage wars of aggression, and shall only wage wars of defense with the approval of three-fifths of the Great Assembly [2].' You will eventually do the draft once you graduate and turn 20. And my belief is if you behaved in war as you do in school, you would blacken the name of the North Terran Defense Forces." The crowd of students were shamed into even greater silence. "It is only when some of you offered Sunset Shimmer forgiveness that all of you lived up to the ideals of this nation." He grabbed a glass of water, sipped, and went back to his speech.
"This actions of this assailant, from drowning a student, to blinding another one, are merely extreme reflections of your already deplorable behavior," Garda continued. "From here on out, you must not operate by hate and vengeance. It is by hate and vengeance that Gilda Griffon and Applejack Smith were badly injured, and all of you must avoid this dangerous path. Even the person who put them there is entitled to due process and liberties." He paused. "This is why I am offering the suspect one last chance to step forward to get a less severe punishment. Because I do believe in second chances to those who honestly seek forgiveness." No one stepped forward. "Alright," Garda said in a warningly chilling voice. "Well, don't worry. We will catch you. And you will be punished. Whatever Sunset Shimmer has done to you, the punishment you get will be brought by your actions." He took a deep breath. "Before I release you all, I have one more announcement to make. You are going to be handed pamphlets in baskets near the exit, advising you all of what to do and what not do, and what security measures we will implement and how they will effect all of you. Please take them before you leave. Thank you." He left the podium, and the other students began to pile out, reflecting solemnly on Garda's words.