> Where Are You Christmas?
>  by grl6p
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Bad Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

T'was a few days before Christmas break and all through Canterlot High, not a creature was stirring, except for an online bully named Anon-a-Miss.

This bully was posting cruel and embarrassing things all of the students at Canterlot High School on her MyStable page.

"Fluttershy Singing Fail!"

"OMG... what a bunch of dorks! Hahaha!"

"Silver Spoon Looking Fab in Diamond Tiara's Necklace!"

Everyone at school accused ex-alpha bitch Sunset Shimmer because the online bully had the same color scheme as Sunset's hair on her profile picture and it started off posting pictures and videos of the Mane 5, Sunset's closest friends, and soon moved on to the entire school.

The worst part for Sunset was losing her newfound friends and schoolwide respect.  

One fateful morning, Sunset was standing at the Wondercolt statue and crying, "I worked so hard to fix my reputation after the fall formal and the Battle of the Bands. I really thought I would have a chance at happiness but now I guess it's gone."

BBBRRRRRIIIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

The bell rang and everyone ran to their classes.

Sunset didn't want to go to class and face her classmate's accusations, but she reluctantly went inside and trudged down the hall anyway.

As she was walking along, two students named Big Boy and Runt decided to shove her to the ground in a hallway filled with students, leading to some cruel laughter.

“That’s for Anon-a-Miss bitch!” Runt yelled as he and Big Boy laughed as they walked away.

Sunset Shimmer picked herself up, gathered her books and walked to her first class with her head down to avoid student’s glares and middle fingers.

Sunset Shimmer’s first period of the day was Mr. Cranky's APUSH class, and she thought she would be safe because he did not tolerate bullying and cellphone use. Boy was she wrong...

As soon as Mr. Cranky quieted the unruly class, he asked his students, "Alright kids, continuing our study of post World War II America, can anyone tell me who Walter Winchell was and what did he do?"

Sunset Shimmer raised her hand, "Walter Winchell was a reporter who invented the gossip column in the 1940's-"

Trixie jumped up and rudely cut her off, "Mr. Cranky, don't you know that Walter Winchell is in our very school right now spreading filthy lies about us?" She glared at Sunset Shimmer.

"This was my question, not yours!"

Cranky grumbled, "Anon-a-Miss, let Trixie finish her answer."

Trixie continued, "He also participated in McCarthyism accusing people of being Communists. Just like Sunset is accusing all of us of being Anon-a-Miss when really it was her all along!”

"Yeah!" everyone in the classroom chimed in.

Sunset got up from her seat and got close to Trixie, "SHUT UP!" She screamed as tears fell down her face, "I AM NOT ANON-A-MISS! Leave me alone!"

Everyone's phones went off and all of the students dove into their phones.

"Hey no phones in class!"

A rocker named Cherry Crash announced, "What the hell? Anon-a-Miss posted some bullshit about me sleeping with Ringo last weekend! I know it was you Sunset, it was all you!"

"YEAH!"

Sunset raised her hand again, "Mr. Cranky, I have to go to the bathroom." She bolted out of the room.

Mr. Cranky turned his attention back towards the unruly students, "If anyone makes another crack about this 'Anon-a-Miss', I'm reporting you to the principal's office!" Everyone stopped talking.

He got up and left, mumbling to himself, "I need a drink."

After he slammed the door, Trixie developed an evil grinch smile on her face, "Hey guys, are you thinking what The Great and Powerful Trixie's thinking right now?"

All of the students nodded and looked at each other as if they were planning something evil.

Sunset Shimmer ran through the hallways of Canterlot High trying to avoid her classmates and their cruel accusations.

When she finally reached a dark corner in the school hallway, she took a deep breath.

"They won't find me here."

"THERE SHE IS!" 

Sunset looked up to see everyone in her history class, and a few other kids, found her cornered in her hiding spot.

“How did you find me here?”

“We followed your trail of tears.” said Cherry Crash replied, pointing to a wet trail that spread from the other end of the hallway to the Sunset’s corner.

Tears started to well up in Sunset's eyes, "Leave me alone, please."

Diamond Tiara yelled, "Shut up Anon-a-Miss!"

"My parents grounded me because of you!" yelled one of the eco-kids.

Sunset cried, "But it wasn't me! I swear!"

"That's bullshit!" Trixie yelled, "You told Trixie you were behind this!"

Sunset cried, "I was trying to tell you I wasn't!"

One of the Diamond Boys said, "She's lying, let's get her!"

Everyone charged towards Sunset.

"But it's Christmas, please? Can't we get along?"

A Fashionista named Blueberry Cake said, "Fuck Christmas! We're gonna teach you a lesson, Sunset!"

Everyone immediately ran towards Sunset to beat her up.

A few minutes later when the bell for next period rang, everyone left Sunset Shimmer bruised, slightly battered and alone.

She began crying immediately.

"Why does everyone hate me?! I thought it was supposed to be Christmas."

Nearby, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had just gotten out of their pre-algebra class and they looked at over to see the crying Sunset.

Apple Bloom asked, "You think we went too far this time?"

"We just wanted the girls to spend time with us like they used to." replied Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo said, "But look at Sunset, those kids just beat her up."

Apple Bloom suggested, "We should at least get the school nurse to help her."

A few minutes later, the school nurse found Sunset and took her to her office.

The school nurse asked sweetly, "What seems to be the problem miss?"

Sunset lied, "I just fell that's all."

"Are you sure because over the past few days, I have had several students come in crying about someone called Anon-a-Miss bullying them and the people who told me to find you told me that a group of students beat you up for allegedly being said person. You may have gotten into some trouble in the past, but you're a good student now. I don't see why everyone-"

At those words, Sunset began to cry again and cut her off, "I'd really like to go home now. I have a bit of a stomachache."

The nurse handed Sunset a pass to go home, "Okay dear. If I don't see you in the next few days, I wish you a merry Christmas."

Sunset didn't answer and walked out.

After leaving the office, Sunset went to her locker and started to take out all of her books and load them into her backpack.

"I guess nobody trusts me now, not even the adults. After all I've done to help the school, they can't forgive me. Maybe I should just go away forever and everyone would be happy Anon-a-Miss was gone."

She finished cleaning out her locker and began to leave the school building.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders saw her leave and gave worried looks to each other.

As Sunset reaches the entrance and turned to look back at Canterlot High one last time, someone threw a textbook at her face and called, "Merry fucking Christmas, Anon-a-Miss!"

Sunset rubbed her now bruised head, "Leave me alone! I don't have the Christmas Spirit anymore."

The same person yelled, "AND DON'T COME BACK!"

She began to limp all the way home.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders saw everything.

Sweetie Belle asked, "You think we should follow her home to see if she's okay?"

Scootaloo nodded, "That's a great idea. We could also give her some treats to cheer her up."

Apple Bloom said, "I agree, but we should probably wait to do this until school lets out."

“Or we could ask a teacher.”

“That could work too.”
> Sunset Shimmer Attempts Suicide
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset quickly ran into her home which was only a few blocks away from school. Slamming the door, she slid down the door and sobbed before going around the empty, Christmas decoration-clad living room to see if anyone was there.

"They're not home. That's a good sign."

Her human foster parents Free Spirit and Open Mind were gone because Free Spirit was the guidance counselor at Equus Junior High and Open Mind worked as a college professor teaching Abnormal Psychology at Canterlot Heights University, so no one would be home to stop her from what she was about to do.

Sunset set all of her school stuff onto the floor and sat down.

She held up at a nearby picture of her and her friends defeating the Dazzlings in the Battle of the Bands.

Sunset started crying as she remembered her friends telling her off and abandoning her before Anon-a-Miss got out of control.

”We trusted you Sunset!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “We thought you were our friend!”

“How could you do this after all we’ve been through together?”

“You secret stealer!”

Sunset tried to reason with them, “Guys, it wasn’t me I swear! Please listen to me!”

“No! You’re not the person we thought you were! You’re not our friend!” Fluttershy cried as she pushed Sunset off of her.

“It’s over Sunset. We’re no longer putting up your shit.” Applejack said and the Mane 5 walked away leaving Sunset to cry. “I’m sorry but you did this to us. Tell whatever secrets you want, but we don’t have to listen.”

"Our friendship, IT WAS ALL A LIE!"

She threw the picture against the wall and the frame shattered.

Sunset sighed, "I'm done."

She decided to go upstairs to her room.

The walls were filled with all of Sunset Shimmer's accomplishments since she arrived in the human world: meeting Free Spirit and Open Mind for the first time, a few awkward middle school photos, her middle school graduation candid, her CHS school dance victories, the very first time she hung out with the Mane 5, the Rainboom's victory against the Dazzlings in Battle of the Bands, and many sleepovers.

Sunset Shimmer tore down every picture from the wall and started crying on the bed.

"They'll all be better off without me. No one will miss me, not my parents, not my “friends”, and not anyone at school.”

Sunset noticed her journal to Princess Twilight standing near her nightstand. 

"I bet Twilight won't miss me, she's too busy with her new royal duties."

She opened the notebook to a blank page, grabbed a pen, and started to write:

Dear Canterlot High,
I am so sorry I ever came to your school. I just wanted to fit in and be accepted, so I started bullying you to vent out my frustrations. I'm sorry for trying to enslave all of you at the fall formal and any trouble I've caused around school. I tried to make up for it, but you wouldn't apologize. Even though you eventually forgave me, Anon-a-Miss came and ruined everything. Everyone at school turned on me, even my best friends won't talk to me. Maybe now things will be easier at school with one less person to ruin your lives. I never meant to hurt anyone and I would never cyberbully. I guess this is goodbye. To Snips and Snails, I'm sorry for forcing you to help me sabotage Twilight's chances of winning Fall Formal Princess. To Flash Sentry, you were a great boyfriend, and I hope you and Twilight will be very happy together. To Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, you guys were the best friends I've ever had. I know you guys probably don't care if I die because you claimed I stole all your secrets and put them online, but I am not Anon-a-Miss and I never will be. And finally, to Princess Twilight and Spike, thank you for introducing me to my best friends and teaching me all about the magic of friendship. I hate to do this so close to Christmas, but what choice do I have?
Merry Christmas and goodbye,
Sunset Shimmer

Sunset Shimmer put an old bookmark on the page of the suicide note in her journal and left the room.

As she went to the pantry in her bathroom, she looked out the window to see all of her neighbors celebrating the holidays together, causing Sunset to choke out sobs as her foster parents were busy at their respective jobs and she had no one left.

Sunset grabbed a razor blade from a shelf and went back to her room.

Sunset closed her bedroom door, changed into her finest outfit, neatened up her room for the final time, and finally she threw her journal out the window and into the snowy bush.

"Well, here goes nothing."

She grabbed the razor and started to draw a bloody line up her first wrist.

Sunset braced through the pain, "It hurts so much, but it's the only way out."

Then she moved onto her next arm and did the same thing. When she had finished, she laid down on her neatened bed, got into a corpse position, and closed her eyes, seemingly ending the pain she had faced over the past couple months.

What she didn't know was that Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo had convinced their teacher, Miss Cherilee to let them leave school early to go and cheer up Sunset. After baking goodies with Granny Smith at Sweet Apple Acres, the Cutie Mark Crusaders came over with a tin of freshly baked apple fritters and sugar cookies. 

Sweetie Belle asked, "Are you sure we should tell her the truth?"

Apple Bloom said, "It's the only way to make Sunset feel better and once we're done, we tell the whole school and it will all blow over."

"Uh, guys?"

Scootaloo pointed to Sunset's journal, which had landed in a snowy bush.

The three girls immediately opened the journal and read the letter to themselves.

Scootaloo gasped, "Sunset's gonna kill herself!" 

The three girls ran into the house and upstairs to Sunset Shimmer’s bedroom and found her peacefully lying on her blood-stained bed with wrists bleeding.

Scootaloo ran to check her pulse to see if she was still there, and only counted a faint heartbeat.

The heartbroken Crusader uttered a small, “No.” as tears welled in her eyes.

Sweetie Belle cried, "We have to tell Rarity!"

Apple Bloom took out her cellphone, "Ah'll call 911!”

And what Sunset also didn’t know was that shortly after the CMC left, the rest of the CHS student body had been let out early due to a broken radiator and Mane 5 were at Sugarcube Corner reeling from the events of Anon-a-Miss.

Applejack groaned, "I swear, if I get called 'Piggly-Wiggly' one more time, I'm gonna run Anon-a-Miss over with my tractor."

Pinkie Pie asked, "Do you really think Sunset would cause all of that trouble?"

Rainbow Dash replied, "She was at all of our parties and took all of those pictures.”

“She kept trying to tell us she didn’t do it,” Fluttershy added, “But none of us listened to her.”

“I agree were a bit hard on her,” Rarity said took a sip of her peppermint mocha latte. Her mood then changed as she suddenly slammed the mug on the table, spilling a bit of the contents, "But if she did do all of that stuff, she can just-"

Rarity's phone started playing "Becoming Popular (The Girl Everybody Should Know)".

Rarity got her phone out of her purse, "Apparently, Sweetie Belle's calling me."

She picked up the phone and answered it.

"Hello, Sweetie Belle? Calm down, explain everything. Sunset? She's at her house? She WHAT?! She's dead?! You want us to come over right now?! Don't worry, we'll be right there!"

Fluttershy asked, "What's wrong?"

Rarity cried, "Sunset tried to take her own life, Sweetie Belle wants us to come to her house right now!"

Pinkie Pie hopped up from her seat, "Well let's go! To the Friendship Mobile!"

Rainbow Dash said, "We don't have one."

"Oh. To the city bus!"

By the time the Humane 5 arrived at Sunset's house, the paramedics were loading Sunset into the ambulance.

Fluttershy burst into tears, "We're too late."

Applejack removed her hat, "She's gone. And it's all our fault."

Pinkie Pie's hair deflated and she began to sob.

Soon, everyone joined in for a hug.

A car pulled into Sunset's driveway and Sunset's foster parents, Free Spirit and Open Mind got out of the car.

“We got a call from work about Sunset and we knew we had to come home early and see her at the hospital." said Free Spirit, Sunset’s foster mother.

Applejack suggested, "We should come with you."

Open Mind, Sunset’s foster father, shook his head, "I'm sorry but as her guardians, we have to be there first because too many visitors at once could overwhelm her. But if Sunny wants any visitors, we’ll be sure to let you girls know."

“Okay Sunset’s dad.” sniffled Pinkie Pie. 

Everyone watched as two got into the ambulance with Sunset and the paramedics and it left the driveway to go to the hospital.

Applejack became angry, "This is all Anon-a-Miss's fault! If she were here, I'd give her a piece of my mind for killing my friend!"

Applebloom sniffled, "Applejack, we need to talk."
> Sunset Wakes Up/Talking to her Foster Parents
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the Canterlot Heights hospital, Sunset Shimmer was lying in a hospital bed lightly breathing while nurses and doctors were observing Sunset and Free Spirit and Open Mind were watching with worry.

Dr. Stabler looked to Free Spirit and Open Mind, "Sir, ma'am. Along with the cuts on her arms, we also gathered some bruises because of some unknown injury."

Free Spirit started to cry, "Is there anything we can do?"

Nurse Coldheart said, "I don't know. She ended up hitting a few arteries and lost at least a pint of blood so we had to give her a transfusion before we stitched her up.”

Dr. Stable added, “There's a good chance your daughter will survive and recover. But she will likely need psychological help to recover from her emotional wounds."

“Don’t worry, I’m a middle school guidance counselor so I’ll be sure to help her.” Free Spirit said.

Nurse Sweetheart looked at Sunset, "Looks like she's waking up right now."

Sunset Shimmer slowly opened her eyes and sat up, much to Dr. Stable and the other nurse's joy.

Free Spirit and Open Mind ran closer to their foster daughter's side.

Sunset asked, "Am I dead?"

Free Spirit replied, "No Sunset, you're going to be okay." She hugged her foster daughter.

Open Mind said, "Sunny, if something was wrong and you were feeling this way, you could've to talked to us or an adult about what was going on. We would've helped you."

“Well, if you want to hear the whole story,” Sunset sighed,
"It was getting close to Christmas and I missed my old family and friends, so my new friends invited me to these slumber parties to cheer me up." said Sunset, "We learned each other's secrets, took funny pictures and videos, and had lots of holiday fun. It was all fun and games until someone named Anon-a-Miss started posting these online. All of my friends thought it was me and turned against me. Pretty soon, the whole school started blaming me for being Anon-a-Miss and I decided to end it all."

Both adults hugged their daughter, "Aw sweetie."

Nurse Coldheart was shocked, "I can't believe something like this would happen to her."

Sunset said, "I just wish I knew the real Anon-a-Miss."

"Have you tried talking to your friends about it?" asked Free Spirit.

Sunset replied, "I tried but they won't believe me. I don't think they're my friends anymore. They didn't even defend me when a group of angry students beat me up about Anon-a-Miss."

Free Spirit gasped, "That's horrible! Especially so close to Christmas."

Sunset said, "I don't have the Christmas spirt anymore. No one at school does anymore. I've always thought Christmas was about being together with your friends and family. But everyone now is concerned with getting rid of me and getting out of school for two weeks. We're more torn apart than we were at the Battle of the Bands!"

Free Spirit put her hand on Sunset's arm, "That also wasn't your fault. Those Dazzlings probably just wanted attention and they took it out on everyone."

"If only I had told Principal Celestia sooner, she would have stopped this."

Open Mind got an idea, "Tell you what. I'll call your principal about talking to those people who beat you up. Do you know who did it?"

Sunset Shimmer said, "Well I remember Trixie was one of the bullies and the school has security cameras so maybe Celestia could look at the footage and find out who did it."

“I just hope your pen pal can visit and help you too, I heard she's really good at solving friendship problems." Free Spirit suggested.

“Let's hope so."

Meanwhile at Pinkie Pie's house, the girls were sitting in Pinkie Pie's living room and crying over Sunset while listening to the Crusader's confession.

Apple Bloom cried, "We want Sunset back! We didn't think it would hurt her!"

Sweetie Belle was shaking and in tears,"It's all our faults. We'll never forgive ourselves for it."

Applejack looked away from them when Applebloom tried to reach out for her, "I'm very disappointed in you three. Your little online profile pushed Sunset over the edge. Now she's taken her own life. Maybe that will teach you not to cyberbully anymore."

Pinkie Pie's older sister, Maud came up to the group and said, "I just got a call from Sunset's foster parents that their she’s okay. However, Sunset said she doesn't want visitors and prefers to be alone. But you're welcome to text her."

Maud left.

Scootaloo said, "We need to make it up to her somehow."

Applebloom suggested, "Maybe inviting her to the Christmas party at Sweet Apple Acres will cheer her up."

Applejack took out her phone and began to text Sunset.

Sunset's phone vibrated. She opened it and found a text from Applejack.

"Great a text. If they really cared, they'd show up." Sunset muttered as she opened the full message.

Howdy Sunset,
Listen, we're sorry for the way we've been treating you. We were just embarrassed because our personal information got online. You were right, you would never do that kind of stuff. You're our best friend in the whole world and we want to make it up to you. On Christmas Eve, we want you to come to Sweet Apple Acres for a Christmas party. A bunch of our classmates will be there. Are you in?
Applejack

Sunset thought: My so called "friends" turned on me and know they're inviting me to a Christmas party?! They didn't even bother to ask me if I was okay! I'm not going!

She texted back:

No I don't want to hang out with you ever again. You'll just make a fool out of me some other way. And besides, I'm done with Christmas. I thought it was supposed to be about being together with your family and friends. But know I know what it's really about, greed and hatred. Fuck you and merry Christmas

She sent the text and put her phone down.

Meanwhile, Applejack looked at the rejection text and sighed.

"This is gonna be harder than I thought."
> Twilight Gets the Message
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Through the CHS portal in the beautiful Equestrian city of Ponyville, everyone was celebrating Hearth's Warming Eve, the Equestrian counterpart of Christmas.

Everyone was decorating the town, singing carols, and exchanging gifts.

Twilight was excited because it was her first Hearth's Warming in her new castle. Everyone in town pitched in to help decorate and even threw a big party in there.

In Twilight's new room, one of her scrolls was buzzing so she went to check it out.

Spike, Twilight's dragon assistant said, "What is it Twilight?"

Twilight levitated the scroll to her, "It's a letter from my friends in the human world."

The letter read:

"Dear Canterlot High,
I am so sorry I ever came to your school. I just wanted to fit in and be accepted, so I started bullying you to vent out my frustrations. I'm sorry for trying to enslave all of you at the fall formal and any trouble I've caused around school. I tried to make up for it, but you wouldn't apologize. Even though you eventualy forgave me, Anon-a-Miss came and ruined everything. Everyone at school turned on me, even my best friends won't talk to me. Maybe now things will be easier at school with one less person to ruin your lives. I never meant to hurt anyone and I would never cyberbully. I guess this is goodbye. To Snips and Snails, I'm sorry for forcing you to help me sabotage Twilight's chances of winning Fall Formal Princess. To Flash Sentry, you were a great boyfriend, and I hope you and Twilight will be very happy together. To Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, you guys were the best friends I've ever had. I know you guys probably don't care if I die because you claimed I stole all your secrets and put them online, but I am not Anon-a-Miss and I never will be. And finally, to Princess Twilight and Spike, thank you for introducing me to my best friends and teaching me all about the magic of friendship. I hate to do this so close to Christmas, but what choice do I have?
Merry Christmas and goodbye,
Sunset Shimmer

After this note, there was a letter from her other friends:

That was the last thing Sunset Shimmer wrote before she tried to take her own life earlier today. We all blamed her for Anon-a-Miss because we didn't want our secrets revealed to the world. Now she's in the hospital with her foster parents. We tried texting and calling her telling her about an apology party at Sweet Apple Acres, but she wouldn't accept the invitation or our apology. We need you to help us.
Your friends,
Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash

Twlight gasped, "Sunset's in trouble. We have to go and help her."

Spike said, "But what about the party?"

“I'll tell the girls to not start the festivities until I get back."

When Twilight was done explaining what happened, her pony friends were shocked.

Pony Applejack gasped, "You're leaving now?"

“But what about your first Hearth's Warming in the Castle?" gasped Pony Fluttershy.

Twilight said, "I have to go, Sunset's in the hospital. She tried to kill herself because her friends ditched her! I have to help! Please understand."

Pony Rainbow Dash was still confused, "We get it. But we just want to hear the whole story."

Twilight started to tell everything, "There was this bully in the human world called Anon-a-Miss who was making fun of people online. Sunset's friends accused her of being the bully and abandoned her. Recently, I heard that several students beat up Sunset Shimmer and now she's in the hospital because of a suicide attempt. I have to visit her and help her make things right."

Pony Twilight's friends stood shocked and sad. 

Pony Applejack removed her hat, "Go see Sunset sugarcube, she must really need you. No one should be sad on the holiday."

"Thanks Applejack."

Pony Pinkie Pie gave Twilight a bazooka-like contraption, "Take this cookie decorator launcher. So these bullies can pay for hurting her." 

Twilight said, "Thanks Pinkie?"

“You’re welcome!”

As Twilight and Spike left through the mirror, her friends waved goodbye. "Hurry back!" called Pony Applejack.

Spike called out, "We will! Don't start the party until we return!"

Pinkie Pie yelled, "We won't! And use the cookie decorating launcher for the bullies!"

After the portal closed, Pony Rarity asked Pinkie, “Why in Equestria’s sake would Twilight need a cookie decorating launcher as a weapon?”

“To get revenge on mean bullies, duh!” replied Pinkie Pie, “And to spread Christmas cheer!”

“Good point.”
> Arriving at Canterlot High/The Confrontation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After saying goodbye to her pony friends and grabbing some weapons (just in case), Twilight and Spike went through the mirror and arrived in the human world.

Applejack saw Twilight and Spike go through the portal in the statue and called to them, "Thank God you're here! Sunset's in the hospital because she was falsely accused of being Anon-a-Miss."

"I know, she told me everything."

Fluttershy whimpered, "And when we offered to make it it up to her, she told us she had no interest in the holidays anymore."

Pinkie Pie, still with deflated hair, said, "I'll even read what she said to us 'No I don't want to hang out with you ever again. You'll just make a fool out of me some other way. And besides, I'm done with Christmas. I thought it was supposed to be about being together with your family and friends. But know I know what it's really about, greed and hatred. Fuck you and merry Christmas'. See what we mean?"

Twilight gasped, "Can you tell me what happened on her last day of school?"

Rainbow Dash pointed to the door, "If you really want to know, ask the students who attacked her. Principal Celestia's scolding them right now."

Twilight, Spike, and the other girls ran inside. 

Inside the building, the group found Sunset's attackers in the main hallway with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna.

Luna scolded, "You should be ashamed of yourselves! You beat up one of our own students and now she doesn't want to go to school anymore let alone celebrate Christmas."

Twilight interrupted, "Vice Principal Luna, can you please explain to me what happened?"

Principal Celestia said, "We'd be more than willing to Twilight. About a week ago, the Rainbooms tried to get Sunset into the holiday spirit by inviting her to slumber parties at their houses. But some online bully hacked into Sunset Shimmer's phone and spilled embarrassing rumors about the girls online. Pretty soon, Anon-a-Miss started to post cruel and embarrassing things about everyone in the whole school. Everyone blamed Sunset Shimmer because she was at all of those parties. These people confronted her in the hallways of school, yelling at her and throwing rocks at her. Just a few days ago, a group of angry students from her APUSH class found her in the hallways trying to run away and beat her up. After that incident, Sunset Shimmer went home early and tried to commit suicide and was sent to the hospital. We haven't seen her since."

Twilight turned to Sunset's bullies.

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

Trixie complained, "She's a secret stealer!"

A rocker named Mystery Mint agreed, "Yeah! She deserves everything! She's been tormenting us for years!"

Twilight reprimanded them, "That's no excuse for what you did! You nearly killed her! How you you feel if someone bullied you and drove you to be in Sunset’s position? You wouldn’t want that would you?”

“No.” said Silver Spoon, starting to feel remorse for her actions, "We're sorry."

"No you're not," Twilight said as she grabbed the Christmas Cookie Decorating Launcher "but you will be!"

She started to attack everyone.

Pinkie Pie's hair poofed up and she smiled, "Yum! Cookies! I have to film this!" She quickly took out her phone.

Rainbow Dash said, "Just don't put it online."

Five minutes later, all of the kids who beat up Sunset were decorated like a cookie.

"Eww!"

"My hair!"

"I'm breaking out! I think I'm allergic to vanilla frosting!"

When the frosting had settled, Principal Celestia said directly to the students, "For hurting Sunset Shimmer, you are all suspended for one month starting from when we return from Christmas break and will be reported to the police for assault and battery,”

“and being decorated as cookies by Twilight will be your first punishment." added Luna, trying to stifle her laughter.

“We’re sorry Vice Principal Luna.” Cherry Crash said.

Mystery Mint sighed, "We'll find a way to apologize to Sunset we promise."

"Good. Now, who is the real Anon-a-Miss?!" Twilight asked.

Apple Bloom came forward, "My friends and I were Anon-a-Miss. We just wanted our sister's attention."

Everyone gasped.

Applejack said, "Girls, you could have just talked to us about it instead of causing that mess."

"We were so upset we never thought of our actions." said Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo said, "We're so sorry. We never meant to hurt anyone."

"We forgive you but starting the day after Christmas, you girls will be held in Canterlot Heights Juvenile Detention Center for two months for your crimes and when you are released, you are banned from the freshman class trip to River Springs Water Park in May and the annual end of the year Camp Everfree trip and you will serve detention for the rest of the school year.” Principal Celestia reprimanded, “And after school, you will go directly to Sunset Shimmer and apologize to her."

“We will discuss your other consequences with your parents and grandmother later.” added Luna.

“We'll accept whatever you give us.” said Sweetie Belle, “We won't forgive ourselves for what we did to Sunset."

"We all understand.” said Twilight, “But don't just tell just us, tell Sunset."

Applejack inquisited, "But how will we get her to come to us? She won't answer her phone."

Twilight said, "I have an idea."

Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was licking a cookified Trixie, much to everyone’s amusement. "Mmmm, yummy! Buttercream icing and rainbow sprinkles!"

"GET OFF OF TRIXIE!"
> Sunset's Heroic B.S.O.D./Vinyl Scratch to the Rescue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Sunset Shimmer was let go from the hospital so she could spend Christmas at home. 

She went home with her foster parents and shut herself in her room.

Free Spirit said to Sunset through the door, "Sweetie, if there's anything you want, let us know."

Sunset sighed, "Thanks mom, but I just want to be alone right now."

"Maybe listening to music on the radio will cheer you up." Open Mind suggested.

Sunset replied, "I'm really not in the mood for Christmas music. I just want this holiday to be over."

Open Mind said, "We understand if you’re not feeling well right now. Feel free to relax for a few hours and maybe listen to some music. In the meantime, your mother and I will be downstairs watching Christmas specials on EBC Family's Christmas Month and doing some last minute present wrapping and baking, you can join us anytime you want to."

"Whatever."

Free Spirit walked away from the door. "Okay sweetie. When the Christmas cookies are out of the oven, I'll bring some up to you so you won't starve."

"Ok mom."

After Free Spirit left, Sunset sighed, "I guess I'll be spending the holidays in my room while everyone else is busy being with their own families."

After one hour of sitting around on her bed reading whatever book that was lying around and looking at her phone and laptop, Sunset became bored.

"Maybe some music on the radio will make time go by quicker."

She grabbed the radio Open Mind gave her and turned the knob to a radio station playing Christmas music.

Sunset grabbed another one of her books off of the shelf: it was a scrapbook she had made with pictures of her back when she lived in Canterlot and recent pictures she had taken with her former friends.

Sunset said internally, "I hate Christmas, everyone I know hates me and won't be around me. I though Christmas was about being together with people you love. But I was wrong. I guess I don't know what Christmas is all about."

Then she yelled out the window, "ISN'T THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?"

At the local radio station, Vinyl just happened to be outside cleaning snow off of the front door when she heard Sunset's scream.

After a moment of confusion Vinyl said, "Sure Sunset, I can teach you what Christmas is all about. In fact, I'll do it with a song."

The young DJ quicky ran inside to the recording booth and looked through her song suggestions to find a meaningful holiday song, but all she could find were  'I Want a Taco for Christmas' from Sonata Dusk's solo album,

Vinyl cringed at the thought of another Sonata Dusk song, "Jesus, I don't even want to imagine this one." She put it back and flipped through the song list.

'All I Want for Christmas is Ewe' by Neighria Marey,

"Too commercial." Vinyl thought.

and even the infamous 'Christmas Boots' by Neighsong.

Her eyes widened "Who the hell suggested we play this crap? I need to consult someone."

She then called, "Yo Neon can you help me out here?"

Vinyl's coworker Neon Lights came up her, "What is it, V?"

"There's this girl at my school, Sunset Shimmer. She was really excited to celebrate Christmas with her new friends, but some online bullying scandal caused her to nearly take her own life." said Vinyl as she continued to search through the tracks, "Now she doesn't want to celebrate the holidays anymore."

Neon gasped, "That's horrible, how can we help?"

"Sunset randomly called out asking if anyone knew the true meaning of Christmas and I managed to hear it. I want to help out by playing a meaningful holiday song to boost her spirits, but most of these songs are about materialism or are just down-right annoying!" Vinyl said as she handed the song list to Neon.

"You make a good point." Neon said as he eyed the list.

"You have any holy Christmas songs like the ones they play in church?"

Neon looked at the song list and said, "Unfortunately, the Christmas hymns aren't being played right now due to a track error at station B,"

"Is there anything on this list to play for Sunset?"

Neon looked again and stopped, "There is one song on this list that may be able to help her out."

He went over to the computer and typed something in, "Check this out."

Vinyl looked over his shoulder, "'Where are You Christmas?' by Faith Hill. Wasn't this song for that crappy live-action adaption of the Grunch?"

"Yep."

Vinyl said, "Are you sure this will help her?"

"It's worth a shot." said Neon, "We'll play this for her at our annual Christmas Eve broadcast tonight and, just maybe, it will lift her spirits."
> A Visit from Twilight Sparkle/Sunset Hears the Song/Confidence Restored
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours later, Vinyl Scratch was getting ready for 95.6's annual Christmas Eve broadcast.

Neon Lights came up to Vinyl, "Good news! The boss green-lighted the song so we're free to help Sunset."

"Alright!"

Back at Sunset's home, she took a sip of her hot chocolate Free Spirit had given her and looked out at the snowy sky from her bedroom window and sighed.

"Merry Christmas to me."

Downstairs, Free Spirit and Open Mind were eating their dinner and wrapping presents for the next morning when the heard a knock at the door.

"Open Mind, could you get the door?"

"Sure honey."

Open Mind opened the door to find Twilight Sparkle and Spike.

"Hi, are you Sunset Shimmer's parents?"

"Yes we are." said Free Spirit, "I'm Free Spirit, and this is my husband Open Mind. You must be our daughter's pen pal."

"Yes I am. My name is Twilight Sparkle and this is my dog Spike."

"Hi." Spike said as he waved his paw.

"Is Sunset home?"

"She's in her room, I'll call her down," Free Spirit answered, "Sunset come down! Your pen pal came to visit you!"

Hearing this, Sunset reluctantly left her room and trudged down the stairs.

"Twilight?"

Twilight said, "Hi Sunset. Merry Christmas."

Sunset bluntly replied, "Let me guess: You got my message about Anon-a-Miss so you came all the way from Equestria to rally everyone up to make me feel better. But it won't work! I've been hurt too many times! I'm just done."

Twilight put her hand around Sunset, "I don't want to hurt you Sunset. I want to help you. We all do. Applejack really wants you to come to Sweet Apple Acres for her Christmas party."

"I don't know. What if they're just out to beat me up again for Anon-a-Miss?" said Sunset.

Spike reassured her, "Don't worry, Twilight made sure they'll never hurt you again."

Sunset looked at Free Spirit and Open Mind.

Free Spirit told her daughter, "Go on Sunny, you'll be fine."

Sunset just sighed, "Okay but I'll only go just to see what happens. If this is a prank, I'm going home."

Open Mind asked, "Can we give you girls a ride to Sweet Apple Acres for the party?"

"Sure."

As the car was driving, Twilight noticed Sunset looking out the window at all of the snow falling.

Twilight put her hand on her to comfort her.

Free Spirit turned on the radio and said, "How about a little holiday music to cheer you up?"

"Sure, I've always wanted to hear human Christmas music." Twilight said.

“Twilight you’re so funny.” Open Mind chuckled as he turned on the car radio.

"Whatever." Sunset said in a deadpan tone.

Meanwhile at the radio station,

"We are live in 3, 2, 1!"

Vinyl Scratch announced, "Hello Christmas lovers, welcome to 95.6 XL's annual Christmas Eve radio show."

"This program goes to a very special girl named Sunset Shimmer." said Neon, "A junior at Canterlot High School who recently tried to take her own life."

"Over the past few weeks, there has been an online bully called Anon-a-Miss who was bullying and humiliating my classmates online. Sunset Shimmer was blamed for everything because she was a reformed bully. Sunset tried to prove her innocence, but she failed. Less than a week ago, a group of students at the school beat up Sunset hoping to teach her a lesson."

In the car, hearing this, Sunset groaned, "Great, now the entire city knows about my misfortunes." She face palmed.

"No it's not, keep listening," said Spike.

"This is what drove Sunset Shimmer over the edge and caused her to attempt suicide and lose the Christmas spirit." Neon added.

Vinyl continued, "It turns out Anon-a-Miss was actually a group of freshmen named Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. These girls did this out of jealousy and fear of losing their sisters. The girls have been punished by their school principal and the law for their actions."

Neon said, "This first song on our holiday playlist is dedicated to Sunset Shimmer."

"Sunset, if you're anywhere listening to this song, this goes out to you and anyone who's looking for the Christmas spirit." said Vinyl.

She pressed the on button on the stereo and the song began playing.



Sunset began to smile when she heard the opening riffs.

Twilight said, "Do you see Sunset, Vinyl Scratch said that people do care for you. Anon-a-Miss wasn't your fault at all. We just want you to get back in the Christmas spirit."

Sunset Shimmer didn't answer her, she was just looking out the window.

All of a sudden, in the spirit of the song, Sunset Shimmer began flashing through all her good memories before Anon-a-Miss got out of hand:

One moment was at Pinkie Pie's Christmas decoration party:

Applejack said to Sunset as the girls were putting together the Pie's Christmas tree, "Sunset, you're our best friend and we love celebrating Christmas with you."

Pinkie Pie ran around her living room excitedly spraying fake snow, "This holiday is going to be awesome! We are going to have so much fun over Christmas break! We'll have hot cocoa, snowball fights-"

Sunset stopped Pinkie from going crazy with the fake snow spray, "Pinkie Pie, that all sounds like fun, but I'm really happy just being around you guys. You're making this the best Christmas ever."

"Aww Sunset!"

All of the girls hugged Sunset.

Other moments showed the Rainbooms performing at Flash Sentry’s Halloween party and everyone hounding Sunset for autographs after the performance, and many fun slumber parties with her friends.

Sunset looked to the sky and saw the twinkling Christmas star in the sky.

She turned to Twilight with her new epiphany.

"Twilight! I just discovered what Christmas means to me! It's all about being with people that really care for you. I know that now I have people that care for me. I can't wait to see my friends."

Twilight hugged Sunset and said, "I'm so happy for you Sunset. I'm sure they'll love to see you too."
> The Party/Apologies/A Happy Ending
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a few more minutes of driving, the car arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, which was decked out for Christmas.

Open Mind got out of the car and opened the back door for Sunset and Twilight to get out, "Here we are girls," he said to them, "Sweet Apple Acres."

Sunset looked at the house and then back at the car, "I'm kind of nervous to go inside. What if it's just a prank?"

Spike popped his head out of Twilight's bag and said, "It won't be. If anything, they'll be waiting inside ready to offer you their most sincere apologies to you."

Sunset turned back to the car, "Mom, Dad, if something bad happens, can I call you to come get me?"

Free Spirit said, "Okay sweetie. Have fun at your party!"

"Bye!"

The car drove away.

Twilight turned to her friend, "Are you ready to go in and give the holidays another chance?"

Sunset grabbed Twilight's hand, "I'm ready."

From the inside of the house, Applejack watched the car drive away, "They're here! Remember the plan?"

Pinkie Pie said, "All of us hide behind the furniture and when they come in, we jump out and yell 'surprise'? and I do a Christmas apology song and dance?"

Everyone turned to Pinkie as if she was crazy.

"It's a really cool dance!"

Applebloom said, "No one's doing any Christmas dance. We just want to see Sunset so we can apologize to her and hopefully things will return to normal. That was the plan in the first place."

“I really don't think things will return to normal.” Fluttershy said, giving Winona a belly rub, “You can't delete the damage you did online and Sunset will probably never be happy again, even if we apologize to her."

“That is true, the road to recovery is a long and slow one.” Rarity said.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac added.

There was a knock at the door and Applejack called "Granny, get the door! They're here!"

Granny Smith opened the door and saw the girls, "Merry Christmas! Come on in and join the party. We're so excited to see you."

Twilight asked, "Thanks Mrs. Smith. Can I go out to the living room and put my gift for Applejack down?"

"Sure Twilight."

After Twilight left, Sunset was led into the living room where she saw that it was completely dark.

Tears began to well up in Sunset's eyes, "I knew it was too good to be true! They still hate me all because of Anon-a-Miss."

Just as Sunset was about to take out her phone to call her parents, the Christmas lights turned on and Applejack's family, Maud, the Humane 5, Twilight, and all of the students who beat up Sunset jumped out from behind the furniture and yelled, "SURPRISE!"

Sunset jumped back, shocked.

Pinkie Pie then started doing her silly Christmas song and dance, “It’s Christmas and we’re sorry! We really did fuck up! We’ll show you we’re not naughty! We wanna patch things up! Everybody!”



Knowing that nobody would join in, Pinkie Pie awkwardly sat down.

“Merry Christmas Sunset. We're so glad you came." said Applejack.

Sunset was still in disbelief, "Why did you even invite me here in the first place?"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders came out from the back of the living room.

"Hi Sunset."

Sunset walked up to the sad girls, "Hi Applebloom, is there something you three want to tell me?" 

Applebloom said, "Sunset, me, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were Anon-a-Miss this whole time. We were just jealous and upset that our sisters were ignoring us and hanging out with you."

"Why didn't you two say anything to them?"

Sweetie Belle began speaking, "We wanted to tell you about this, but we were afraid you wouldn't listen to us about it. So we took it out online."

Scootaloo jumped in, "When you girls were having your slumber parties and taking all of those pictures, we set up the Anon-a-Miss profile. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle started off by posting all of those embarrassing facts and pictures about you guys. Soon everyone at school found out about this and they wanted to have a say in Anon-a-Miss. So people started pouring in embarrassing facts about other students and soon it got out of control."

Sunset was shocked at the revelation, "I'm very disappointed that you guys would cause a gossiping shitstorm at Canterlot High all because you wanted attention."

All three girls sat down on the couch near Sunset, "We're sorry. We deserve every punishment we get."

Sweetie Belle said, "We're already going to juvenile hall for two months for our actions, we have detention for the rest of the school year, we’re banned from the freshman River Springs Water Park Trip and this year’s end of the year Everfree Campout, Scootaloo got kicked off the junior varsity basketball team and can’t join the track team in the spring, and Mr. Cranky is making us polish his wig collection as revenge for disrupting his class a few days ago."

Twilight walked over, "Well what's important is that you guys have learned your lesson. It's okay to feel jealous of your siblings once in a while. But if you let it consume you, bad things will happen." 

Applebloom put her hand on Sunset's arm, "Can you ever forgive us? It's Christmas."

Sunset hugged the Crusaders, "I forgive you, but it will take a lot for you to make up for the damage you guys caused."

"We understand."

A Diamond Boy shoved Trixie up to Sunset, "Is there something you want to say to Sunset?" Twilight asked her.

Trixie sighed, "Trixie is sorry she interrupted you in our history class and made all of her classmates corner you in the hallway and beat you up. The Great and Powerful Trixie just wanted to get revenge on Anon-a-Miss for saying that no boy in school would ever love me."

Sunset said, "Thanks Trixie, but everybody knew before Anon-a-Miss that you were undatable."

Trixie became offended and grabbed her coat, "Trixie is out of here!" She announced, "she'll prove to you that she can get a boyfriend, you'll all see!"

She blasted a smoke bomb and disappeared but when the dust settled everyone saw she was trying to escape via chimney.

"If Santa can do it, so can the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

After watching her escape, Sunset began looking out the window.

"Whoever's out there, thank you for teaching me that Christmas is not only about friends and family, but also about forgiveness."

Applebloom handed Sunset Shimmer a cup of cocoa, "Come on Sunset!" She said as she dragged her to her coat and sat her outside at a makeshift outdoor theater, "We're watching the live-action version of 'Why the Grunch Pillaged Christmas' outside!"

Sunset sat down next to her friends and they hugged each other.

Meanwhile at the radio station, Neon and Vinyl were taking a break from their show when they received a MyStable post from Pinkie Pie: Sunset Shimmer had received apologies from her friends and they were watching the Grunch together at Sweet Apple Acres.

Vinyl and Neon smiled at each other, "Mission accomplished."


The End