Sunset looked in her bathroom mirror as she finished tieing her hair back into a ponytail, chuckling at the name and sight, she wanted to look her best for the New Year's Eve party. It would be a small gathering of their friends, Applejack's siblings and grandmother, the CMC's, and Trixie but since Rarity had insisted on at least a semi-formal attire Sunset had to make sure she met the fashionista's standards. So instead of her usual clothes, she wore one of her better pairs of jeans, a sleeveless purple shirt with her cutie mark on the center, and a fake fur coat Rarity had made for her, and due to her insistence on not wearing heels, she wore her usual faux leather boots. Her phone pinged with a text from Trixie telling her that she would be arriving soon with her jeep.
The two had agreed to take Trixie's jeep to Sweet Apple Acres since the roads were still too uneven from the snow and ice for Sunset's motorcycle. Once Sunset finished getting ready she headed down to the lobby of the apartment building to wait for her friend. Lazy Ringer, the building's check-in clerk, and Ms. Checkers, one of the building's other residents, were in the lobby when she arrived. Ringer was fingering a magazine while Ms. Checkers seemed to be waiting for someone.
"Sunset dear," Ms. Checkers said when she saw Sunset. "You're looking nice. Have yourself a New Year's date?"
"Ha, no ma'am just going to a party with some friends," Sunset said sitting down next to Ms. Checkers.
"It really is a waste to be single on New Year's, whatever happened to that nice blue-haired boy you were dating last year, hmmm."
"They broke up in August remember," Ringer said not looking up from her magazine. "You could hear Sunset shouting from down here."
"Oh yes, now I remember. That was quite a shouting match." Ms. Checkers giggled at the memory and Sunset's flushed face as she remembered it.
"SO! What are you doing tonight ma'am?" Sunset asked changing the topic.
"I'm meeting a nice man I met while Christmas shopping, he's taking me out for a night of dancing." Ms. Checkers said looking at the door expectedly.
"Well I hope you have a nice night, looks like my ride's here," Sunset said watching a now-familiar blue jeep blue up next to the apartment. Sunset stood to leave when Lazy Ringer hit the bell catching her attention.
"Before you leave Ms. Shimmer, the boss called today," Ringer said still reading her magazine. "He was asking to see if your mother was in. Something he wanted to discuss in private."
"She's out on a trip," Sunset said using the normal lie. "If he wants to talk he can call me and I'll handle whatever he needs for her."
"I told him that but he was quite insistent on a face-to-face meeting, I told him I would tell you," Ringer explained.
That was not welcome news, the boss had been annoyed by her 'mother's' absence before but had always accepted Sunset acting in her name. "Well tell him I can come in and tell him why my mother can't come herself."
"Alright, I'll tell him. Oh, and you have company." Ringer pointed to the entrance.
"Sunset' what's taking you so long I texted you when I arrived but you never answered," Trixie said stomping up to her, high heels clacking against the tile. "I come in to see what's taking you so long and you're talking with the clerk. You could have at least told me you would be a minute."
"Sorry Trixie, Ringer was just passing a message from my mom's boss to me, I needed to take care of it. Sorry I kept you waiting." Sunset explained.
Trixie gave a small sigh. "It's fine, I was just wondering what was taking you so long." She looked her friend over. "You look nice tonight."
Sunset blushed at the compliment. "Thanks and you look, well spectacular." She said looking at Trixie's dress. The magician had apparently gone all out in her outfit, a long dark blue dress with star patterns of lighter blue and white that reached her ankles, matching high heels that made her taller than Sunset, a long black cape with a crescent moon print, a necklace with the same moon symbol, and a black top hat.
Trixie gave a smug smirk, puffing out her chest and doing a small spin to give Sunset a full view of her outfit. "Of course, the Gorgeous and Fashionable Trixie looks spectacular in everything she wears. Though thank you for the compliment."
"You might want to put a cap on the boasting, Applejack and the others aren't used to it," Sunset said patting Trixie on the shoulder.
"Sorry, I'll be careful. So you ready to go or do you need to finish your mother's business?"
"Huh? Oh right! No, I think that's it. Right, Ringer?" Sunset looked to the clerk who gave a nod without looking up from her magazine. "We can go."
"Have fun on your date Sunset!" Ms. Checkers called as the two friends headed for the door.
"It's not a date!" Sunset called back not noticing that she was holding Trixie's hand as she pulled the magician out the door to the jeep. "Why would she even say that?"
***
Applejack stepped back to admire and double-check her family's work on the living room, decorations, check, refreshments check, extra refreshments if Pinkie gets to the first ones check, television tunned to watch the ball drop at midnight, check. All was ready, now all they needed was the guests, and as the doorbell rang it signaled the first had arrived. Normally Pinkie Pie would be the first to arrive at any party that was not thrown by her, but when it was Applejack hosting the party there was one who was guaranteed to beat the girl who defied reality and Applejack was not surprised when Rarity was waiting at the door with Sweetie Belle next to her.
"Howdy Rarity, welcome to the party." Applejack said stepping aside as Sweetie Belle entered ahead of her sister, likely looking for Apple Bloom.
"Darling, it's good to be back." Rarity said hugging Applejack. "And I say, I'm enjoying your outfit, simplistic looks good on you."
"It's just a good shirt and skirt, nothin' special." Applejack waved the compliment. "And yer lookin' sparkly."
"Is it too much?" She asked, she had gone for one of her shimmering gowns that sparkled in the night, a bright bejeweled sash, six-inch heels, and lace gloves.
"Nah, it looks good on ya."
"Why thank you." Rarity said. The door knocked repeatedly behind them.
"Sounds like Pinkie's here." Applejack said.
Soon everyone except Sunset and Trixie, who were traveling the longest distance, had arrived and enjoying the party. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had gone off with Apple Bloom to do whatever the crusaders did. Applejack hoped they could improve her younger sister's mood, the middle schooler had seemed down over the break and not her usual cheery self. Rainbow Dash had already found the cider, though Rarity insisted she wait till midnight. Applejack was standing by the punch making sure Pinkie didn't spike it with a bag of sugar or something, though the party girl seemed to be busy talking with Fluttershy.
"Applejack I heard that Sunset is bringing company." Rarity said Rainbow Dash right behind her.
"Yeah, she invited Trixie to come. Said the girl had no one to spend it with."
"Maybe because she's so obnoxious," Rainbow grumbled she and the magician had never been on the best terms and it showed no signs of improving. "Can't believe Sunset would invite her with us, this is supposed to be private."
"Rainbow Dash, Sunset can bring a friend if she wants to." Rarity scolded. "Though I must say I do not know what she sees in that girl."
"She said they have stuff in common." Applejack said as a way of explaining. "Ah saw nothin' wrong with it, so long as Trixie doesn't brag too much it should be fine. And Ah want Sunset in a good mood tonight, Ah had some questions for her."
"Questions?" Rarity asked.
"'bout Anon-A-Miss, somethin' that's been bothering me."
"What's there to say about it?" Rainbow asked. "Sunset did it and now she's stopped. All we need to do now is make sure she doesn't do it again."
"There is still the question as to why she did it." Rarity pointed out.
"Not to mention the memory gaps," Applejack added.
"Memory gaps?" Rainbow asked.
"Early in the break Sunset asked me what she posted about Lightning Dust, honestly didn't seem to remember what it was. Then she had dat panic attack when she fell in one of mah Santa traps so Ah couldn't ask her 'bout it."
"She had a panic attack." Rarity said hand over her mouth.
"Yeah, poor girl was begging to not be alone again, couldn't see that she was in a three-foot hole. Made me wonder if she actually was Anon-A-Miss."
"What do you mean?" Rainbow questioned.
"Well she seems deathly afraid of bein' alone, and Anon-A-Miss left her all alone. Makes me wonder why someone dat afraid would turn on her friends."
"I might have a reason." Rarity said, the two turned to her as she continued. "The morning after she confessed to us I heard her arguing with someone who was not there. She was saying she wouldn't do something, something we would never understand and would leave her alone again. It ended with her shouting at whoever she was talking too to shut up. Then there's the fact she gave me her phone for the night like she was afraid to have it on her."
"What ya getting at Rarity," Applejack asked.
"I'm thinking that maybe Sunset wasn't Anon-A-Miss. At least not the Sunset we know. What if not all of the demon in her is gone."
There was a knock at the front door.
***
"Sunset! You're here!" Pinkie shouted pulling Sunset into the house in a tight hug. "It's been sooo long since we had any fun together! How's your break been? Do anything fun for Christmas? Did Twilight say anything from Equestria?"
"Pinkie please, I can't answer those questions if you keep asking more." Sunset's slightly muffled voice said from Pinkie's chest. Pinkie stopped and the two stood silent for a minute. "And can you please let me go?" She asked still locked in Pinkie's embrace. The pink teen released Sunset taking a step back.
"Thank you, and hey Pinkie Pie, nice to see you too," Sunset said smiling. "My break's been good all thing considered, I had some excitement at Christmas, and no Twilight didn't really say anything."
"Ahem." Trixie fake coughed from the door.
"Trixie!" Pinkie shouted pulling the magician into the house, slamming the door closed as she did so. "I heard Sunny was bringing you, I'm so happy she made a new friend!" She exclaimed giving Trixie a bone-shattering hug.
"Okay Pinkie don't squash her." Sunset joked as she gently pulled Trixie off her, Trixie giving a light gasp as she was let go.
"Sorry, I'm just soo happy you and Trixie are friends now!" Pinkie exclaimed bouncing in place. "I just really really want to talk to you two!"
"Alright Pinkie, but can we have a moment to just relax?" Sunset asked. "We'll join you in a bit okay?"
"Alright, I'll be waiting by the couch, I made a white chocolate fondue, and it's on the table." Pinkie said. "I'll save you some. Oh, and Fluttershy wanted to talk to you sometime Sunset." She skipped away before Sunset could respond.
"I'll talk to Fluttershy later," Sunset said to herself turning to Trixie. "Sorry if Pinkie got a little intense. She means well."
"It's fine," Trixie assured her, readjusting her hat.
"Come on, let's get something to drink." Sunset pointed to the punch. "Then we can go join oh hey Rainbow, happy New Year's."
"Happy New Year's Sunset, Trixie," Rainbow said, Sunset couldn't tell why but her friend seemed a bit down.
"Rainbow Dash." Trixie rolled her eyes at the athlete.
"So, you need something Rainbow, or did you just want to say hi?" Sunset asked.
"Yeah, I needed to ask you something." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck holding out her other hand. "I hate to ask this, but could you hand your phone over for the night?"
Hand over her phone? Sunset wondered at Rainbow's odd request. "Why would she... Oh right, no trusting Sunset with a phone. Of course."
"Why would you want Sunset to hand over her phone," Trixie questioned.
"It's nothing Trixie," Sunset assured her pulling out her phone. "I'll get it back at the end?"
"Yeah, I'll keep it safe. Promise."
Sunset held the phone out to Rainbow, the athlete reached for it when. "Rainbow Dash! What in tarnation are ya doing?" Applejack demanded.
"Taking this head-on, it's just a precaution," Rainbow said reaching for the phone.
"We're not handlin' the problem this way," Applejack said grabbing Rainbow's outstretched hand. "Sunset keep yer phone Rainbow and Ah need to have a chat."
Applejack pulled Rainbow Dash over to a corner where they started arguing, Rarity moved to join them trying to calm them down. Meanwhile, Sunset and Trixie grabbed their drinks and went to the other end of the room, Sunset signaling to Pinkie they needed a minute.
"Seriously Sunset, what was that about?" Trixie asked.
"Rainbow doesn't trust me to have a phone on me at the party," Sunset said sipping her drink. "Probably because they think I'm Anon-A-Miss and are scared I might try it again or something."
"Well that doesn't seem like any way to treat a friend," Trixie said folding her arms. "Especially one they say they've forgiven."
"She probably has her reasons."
"That doesn't make it right." Trixie counter mumbling into her drink. "And Trixie still thinks it is wrong to be lying to them about being guilty. If they really are your friends they should trust you when you say you're innocent."
"It's fine Trixie, with my past it's no wonder they didn't trust me before Anon-A-Miss, now I can just hope one day they'll truly trust me."
Trixie frowned but said nothing, she might not be an expert when it came to friends but she knew that was wrong. She only hoped Sunset realized that before she got hurt.
***
"Apple Bloom, what's the matter? We haven't heard from you since the Christmas party. What's going on?" Scootaloo demanded. The three crusaders were sitting in Apple Bloom's room, the girl in question sulking on the bed. Scootaloo was looking down at the young farmer arms crossed while she waited for an answer.
Sweetie Belle looked more sympathetic. "We've been worried about you Apple Bloom. Is something wrong?"
Apple Bloom muttered something shifting away. Sweetie Belle leaned in a bit closer. "Can you say that again Apple Bloom? We couldn't hear you."
"Ah want to confess." Apple Bloom said flatly.
Scootaloo groaned. "Bloom we talked about this, it's better this way, Sunset has her friends back, we got off without any trouble, and the students will stop hating each other."
Apple Bloom jumped off the bed. "Is it right dat Sunset keeps gettin' punished for what we did? Is it fair dat she's got a month's detention waitin' for her when school starts back up? Is it right dat no one trusts her anymore if they ever did? Is it right dat she got attacked by Lightning Dust for what we posted?"
Sweetie Belle backed into the walls, shaking, tears brimming in her eyes, Scootaloo stood firm facing her friend. "It might not be the right choice but it is the best choice. Sunset can take whatever they dish out, we can't." She paused before continuing. "I can't take it."
"Then maybe Ah should just confess on mah own?" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Ah started thinking about it before Christmas and Ah think Ah'll do it. You won't have to worry though, Ah'll say it was just me."
"But Apple Bloom, that's not possible." Sweetie Belle said. Apple Bloom looked at her confused. "You won't be able to confess without us."
"How's dat?"
"The photos from Sunset's phone, I hacked it to get to them." Sweetie Belle pointed out, still shaking from Apple Bloom's outburst. "And Scootaloo is the one outside the Rainbooms with access to Rainbow Dash's locker. If you confess we'd need to be with you or they'd never believe you."
"Apple Bloom, please please keep quiet." Scootaloo said. "It will all work out in the end, you confessing now will only make things worse for everyone."
Apple Bloom didn't answer immediately looking between her two friends then to the floor. She wanted to confess, she wanted to set things right, but to do so would be to go against her two closest friends, friends that had saved her in the past. "Ah'll wait, not because Ah believe ya, but because of our friendship. Ah, won't tell Applejack or anyone else for now. But if Sunset gets hurt because of us when we get back to school, Ah will tell Principal Celestia."
"She won't be hurt, Rainbow Dash and the others won't let her," Scootaloo assured her. "Now come on let's get back to the party, it's almost eleven, one hour till New Year's."
***
The old grandfather clock doled eleven signaling New Year's was only an hour away. Granny Smith had already gone to bed, wishing them a happy New Year's, and Big Mac seemed to be conking out in the easy chair. Sunset and Trixie were watching the New Year's show from the couch, Fluttershy had vanished to the kitchen with Angel Bunny looking for carrots, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were still muttering in the other room, and Pinkie Pie was practically bouncing off the wall as she tried to hold her excitement for midnight. Sunset looked up from the tv as the CMC's came down the stairs, Apple Bloom freezing when she saw Sunset.
Pinkie zipped up to the trio. "Hey Apple Bloom, New Year's is almost here and you guys missed most of the party." She said. "Come on grab some punch," She leaned in with a false whisper. "I added something while Applejack wasn't looking to help us stay awake."
"And what would dat be?" Applejack asked coming up behind the hyperactive girl.
"Oooh, just a little sugar." Pinkie said innocently.
"Meanin' enough that if we drink it will be bouncin' off the wall like you?"
"Maybe."
"Hmph, luckily Ah prepared for this." The farmer said opening a cupboard getting out a spare bowl. "Ah'd rather not have a sugar crash at New Year's thanks."
"Agreed, Miss Pie would you please not sugar drug us." Rarity agreed.
"Come on it's New Year'! Let's start this year with a bang!" Pinkie shouted throwing confetti into the air.
Sunset watched the friends light-hearted argument with a smile not noticing Fluttershy leave the kitchen till she tapped her on the shoulder. "Um, Sunset, can I talk to you?" She asked. Sunset flinched away in surprise, Fluttershy made a small 'eep' backing away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine Fluttershy, you just surprised me." Sunset explained standing up. "Did you say something, I didn't hear you."
"Well, I-"
"Sunset darling," Rarity unknowingly interrupted. "Can you join us in the other room for a moment, we need to speak with you."
"Yeah, just hang on a minute Fluttershy wanted..." She trailed off as Fluttershy shook her head walking away. "I mean, sure be right there."
"You want me to come?" Trixie asked rising from the couch. "You might need someone by your side in there." She watched Rainbow Dash enter the other room.
"It's fine Trixie, I'll be right back," Sunset assured her. The magician did not look happy about it but sat back down as Sunset left with Rarity. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both waiting for them, the farmer leaning against a wall hat pulled over her eyes, while Rainbow was tapping her finger impatiently
"Is everything okay?" Sunset asked feeling a little nervous by their unhappy faces.
"Sunset, we need to talk to you about something, something you may not enjoy." Rarity began.
"And that is?"
"Anon-A-Miss." Applejack said flatly. "We have some questions about it."
"Uhh, what do you want to know?" Sunset was now starting to sweat, fearing where the conversation was going.
"We want to know why Sunset," Rainbow said standing straight. "We want to know why this whole mess felt so strange."
"Strange?"
"For weeks since the Sirens were beaten everything been great between us then suddenly at the beginning of the month, you decided to tear the school apart with no warning." Rainbow continued.
"Then ya spend over a week protestin' yer innocent then ya break down in front of us and the account is gone. It's just weird sugar." Applejack added.
"Look I'm sorry this is so weird and I'm sorry for everything but I promise that this won't happen again."
"But darling that's not all that we found strange." Rarity said.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been talking to yourself, arguing with a voice in your head." Rarity took a step closer.
"You can't remember specific posts you made, even recent ones." Rainbow continued.
"And panic attacks when ya fell down a tiny hole, begin' not to be alone." Applejack finished.
Rarity laid a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Sunset, is there something your not telling us, anything at all?"
"No! Nothing, honest." Sunset lied panic starting to rise.
Applejack sighed. "Ah was hopin' ya could be honest with us."
At that Sunset's growing panic skyrocketed. "It's not that I want to." She admitted.
"But you can't, we understand." Rarity comforted.
"You do?" Sunset asked a spark of hope lighting in her at the words.
Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Yeah we totally get it Sunset, you can't tell us what's going on because the old you is forcing you to be quiet. Just like how it forced you to be Anon-A-Miss."
"What?" Sunset asked the spark dying in her. "You think I'm becoming the old me again!?" She heard a faint ringing in her ears growing louder.
"No no darling that's not what she meant," Rarity said, her voice muffled by the ringing.
"Yeah, what she meant was we think yer demon side might still be alive." Applejack said her voice almost inaudible as the ringing grew to near deafening.
They thought the demon in her was still alive, they feared she was becoming her old self again, they thought she would turn on them a third time. Those thoughts raced through Sunset's head as she began to hyperventilate, she no longer heard the words her friends said. She knew now why they would never trust her, not as long as they felt the demon could come back at any time. And as long as they felt that she would inevitably end up alone again.
"NO!" Sunset screamed shocking the three. "There's no demon, I swear, it's just me. ME! I swear!"
"Sunset we're just trying to help." Applejack said softly, Sunset was not listening.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything! Please believe me, there's no demon." Sunset pleaded, she could feel tears in her eyes but she did not wipe them, she needed to get out before she made things worse. She started backing away, Rarity and Rainbow moved to stand next to Applejack, the three looking at her confused and worried. "I need to go, I'm sorry." She said running out of the room.
"Sunset! Wait!" Rainbow made to chase after the fleeing teen, only for her path to be blocked by Trixie.
"What just happened in here!" Trixie demanded as the front door of the farmhouse slammed.