//------------------------------// // Sunset Shimmer and the Canterlot Crusade // Story: Sirens of the Night II // by The Crazed Werewolf //------------------------------// Three young girls tried to avoid the glares of their classmates as they entered Canterlot High. If it hadn't been for the eight upperclassmen that had circled around the three, the rest of the students would of torn the three to pieces. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked with their heads down. Not once did they take their eyes off the floor as they followed their older sisters and their sisters' friends into the empty music room. "This is going to be a tough week." Rarity said. "Most of the school wants to get revenge against Anon-a-Miss," Sunset said, "and half of them want to apologise to me." "Hard to believe how quickly ya have changed since the start of the year Sugarcube," Applejack said. "Thanks," Sunset said with a smile, "I think." "There's that smile we all love!" Sonata said excitedly, "you ready Pinkie?" "You know it." Pinkie said as she pulled something out of her backpack. "Pinkie," Rainbow asked, "what do you have there?" "I need all of you to raise your right hand." Pinkie said as she stood in front of her friends. They all looked at Pinkie in disbelief. Pinned to her and Sonata's shirts were very official looking metal badges. Looking closely they could see that the badges said "Smile Patrol". "Tell me that you're kidding." Aria said flatly. "I don't think that they are darling," Rarity responded. "Actually, maybe this is just what CHS needs," Sunset said, "with the holidays starting next week, everyone needs a reminder to smile." "I'm in," Rainbow said enthusiasticly. Fluttershy simply nodded. "Me too," Rarity and Applejack said together. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other, they each had the same thought. If Sunset could forgive them, then hopefully all their classmates would as well, it was their duty to help spread smiles and fix their mistake." "We're in." Scootaloo said, speaking for her two friends. Everyone turned to look at Aria. "Alright, I'm in," Aria said as Sher cracked her knuckles, "but if I find Incognito, it won't be a smile that I give them." "That's fair." Sonata said, "now raise your right hand so Pinkie can swear you in." "Can I ask just one question," Aria said, "when do you two think these things up?" Pinkie and Sonata just looked at each other and winked. Principal Celestia had lost track of how many times she had read the copy of the post written by Incognito. Each time she read she felt like she was going to throw up. If I ever find out who is behind this, Celestia thought, I'm going to come down on them like the Death Star on Alderan. Scootaloo looked out across the assembled students. Principal Celestia had called an assembly just before lunch. What Scootaloo hadn't expected was to find herself sitting backstage with Sunset, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. "I know that everyone has heard rumors that Anon-a-Miss has been caught," Celestia was saying, "well the rumors are true." There was a quiet murmur that emanated from the assembly of students. Celestia allowed the crowd to settle down before she continued. "Now I know that most of you were victimized by Anon-a-Miss,"Celestia said as she turned to look at the side of the stage "but the person who they victimized the most wants to say a few words. Sunset Shimmer." Sunset walked out on stage and she accepted the microphone from the principal. "Thank you Principal Celestia. I'm asking that each of you forgive Anon-a-Miss," Sunset began, she was forced to wait a moment before she could continue since not everyone in the auditorium agreed with her sentiment. "I ask that you forgive them, because most of you have forgiven me for the absolute terror that I caused before the Fall Formal," Sunset went on, "and because most of you have forgiven my cousins Aria Blaze, Sonata Dusk, and Adagio Dazzle. And the things that we did were much worse than anything that Anon-a-Miss had attempted." From her seat in the audience, Aria was amazed. She was well aware that Sunset hadn't prepared a speech for this assembly, Since her mother had pulled her aside as they had walked into the auditorium. "Oh, those were fun times." Aria whispered to herself. Flash Sentry who was seated next to her overheard her comment. "Don't tell me that you'd do it again," he whispered back. "Tartarus no," Aria replied as she looked at the boy, "I actually like where I am in life too much now to want to go back to being that thing that I used to be." "I'm glad to hear that," Flash said with a smile that didn't go unnoticed. After the assembly was over most of the students had gone to lunch, however seven girls joined Sunset on stage. "That was amazing darling," Rarity said, "have you considered a career in politics?" "No thanks," Sunset laughed, "I just said what was in my heart." "And I am so proud of you," Celestia said from behind Sunset, "hopefully by showing that you forgive them, we can discourage anyone else from taking out their anger on those three girls." "I hope so mom, Canterlot High has been through enough already this year," Sunset replied, "um, Aria, what are you doing?" "Nothing," Aria said as she watched Flash leave the auditorium. Not everyone was as willing to forgive as Sunset was. Gilda scowled as she looked at her burnt hand. She knew that she couldn't go after Sunset, and Aria had beaten her by using magic, but they couldn't protect the three girls all the time. Apple Bloom would be the hardest to target, since she was always with either her sister or her brother. Sweetie Belle was also going to be difficult to strike at since Rarity could be downright scary when it came to protecting her younger sister. That only left Scootaloo. Gilda realized that she could easily isolate the girl, and once she did, she could have her fun. Gilda began to formulate a plan.