Warning! This story is dark! Very dark! And it does NOT have a happy ending! If you are not into that kind of fic, DO NOT READ!!!!!!
Yet another Anon-A-Miss fic. This one is an alternate route to Dainn's "Anon-A-Miss," where instead of escaping her captors, Sunset gave into despair......and to her demons.
This week had gone to absolute hell. One minute, she was having the time of her life, hanging out with her friends at their slumber parties. The next thing she knew, she was accused of a crime she hadn't committed, all her friends dumped her, and she found herself beaten to a pulp, tied to a pole in an old abandoned factory some 20 miles outside Canterlot, with the intent of leaving her there to freeze.
And now she had just learned from her old lackeys, Snips and Snails, that Rainbow Dash, her friend, the wielder of Loyalty, had orchestrated this entire thing.
She recalled the conversation she had had with Adagio.
"And what do you do with a dog that starts biting the hand holding its leash? Get rid of it. They've been playing you like a pipe since day one."
She had never felt more stupid in her life.
"At first Gilda was just gonna round up a few of us and then corner you in the girls’ bathroom or something like that. We never got the chance because you didn’t come to school today." Snips said, his tone sympathetic. "Then Rainbow got the idea to send you a phony message. And did you know that she told everyone where your apartment was? We were supposed to snatch you up outside if you didn’t fall for the trap."
Sunset was silent for a moment, before letting out a bitter laugh. "I guess I should be used to it by now. It’s always like this in the end." The hurt in Sunset’s voice was evident. If the other students had gotten too carried away she could have been killed. She didn't believe for a second that Rainbow wasn't aware of this.
It just wasn't fair.
The room suddenly began to get warmer. Snips and Snails exchanged a worried look and looked about the room. They noticed that several of the windows had begun to crack.
"Back in my world, Celestia is a princess,” Sunset explained. "All she ever tried to do was help me. I returned the favor by throwing it all back at her, because I thought that she was holding me back. I had the chance to start over with a clean slate when I came here and I used that second chance to bring other people down, just to make myself feel better. I finally made a few friends for the first time and tried turning over a new leaf, but that didn’t work out either. And as a bonus, one of those friends nearly got me killed ..."
A black aura began to envelop Sunset, and the two boys backed up in fear.
"Boss?" Snips asked nervously.
"It seems that no matter what I do, I always end up causing way more harm than good in the long-run......"
She finally looked up, and the boys gasped.
Sunset's sclera were completely black, and there were black veins at the edges of her eyes. Tears were running down her cheeks, and she was smiling. A sad, broken smile.
".....I was stupid.....so stupid......"
A single tear fell from her face, and landed on the floor with a plop.
The black aura exploded, and Snips and Snails were thrown back from the blast. The windows shattered from the force and a strong wind whipped about the room. The boys grabbed onto the nearest object and hung on for dear life.
Sunset's limp body began to rise in the air, her bondings having been destroyed by the deathly aura. The wind surrounded her in a vortex, the aura growing brighter and brighter, until she disappeared altogether.
Snails, shielding his face, cried out,
"SUNSEEEEEET!!!!!!!"
Dumbbell huffed impatiently as he searched the building. Those two brats had been gone for thirty minutes. What were they trying to do, fill a lake?
His head snapped up when he heard the sound of multiple windows smashing. Suspicious, he ran towards the room were Shimmer was being held.
He skidded to a halt when he saw a bright light coming from the doorway.
He narrowed his eyes. "Just what the hell did those idiots do?"
The light began to die down and Snips and Snails uncovered their eyes. They searched for Sunset, and their hearts froze when they saw her.
She was standing in the middle of the room. Her skin was no longer marred with bruises or cuts, and was now a pale ashy grey. Her hair now reached past her waist, was a darker red and now had streaks of black along with the vibrant yellow. In place of her regular clothes was a simple black dress, similar to a night gown, that stopped just above her knees. She appeared to be wearing gloves and boots, but upon closer inspection Snails realized that it was her bare hands and feet, stained black with veins running up her arms and legs.
Sunset slowly opened her eyes to reveal bright golden eyes with black sclera and slitted pupils, tiny black veins appearing underneath. Her lips were black, but neither boy thought it was lipstick.
The biggest change of all was the frightening, but very familiar, large batlike wings protruding from her back.
Sunset began to inspect her new body, her expression stoic. Snips and Snails exchanged a worried glance, silently begging the other to say something.
"Holy shit."
The group turned to see Dumbbell, his eyes wide as saucers as he gazed upon Sunset's demonic form.
His hands shaking, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "G-Gilda...w-w-we gotta a problem he-"
The call was interrupted as a black hand grabbed Dumbbell's and squeezed, crushing the phone. Dumbbell howled in pain as shards of glass and plastic embedded themselves in his captive hand. He dropped to his knees as he tried in vain to pull his hand away. As he looked up with misty eyes, he saw Sunset glaring at him. There was no hatred in her unnatural eyes; only cold indifference. She calmly bent his hand back and a loud snap! echoed throughout the room.
Dumbbell's wailing intensified as Sunset let go, allowing the brute to collapse to the floor. She stared coldly at his huddled form, before turning to the two frightened younger boys behind her.
"Let's go." she said quietly, and calmly walked out the door.
Snips and Snails gazed at Dumbbell's broken form, then at each other, before following her out.
Gilda did not spook easily. In fact, she was the type of person people usually ran away from very fast.
But from the strange sounds and lights coming from inside the factory, to the blood-curdling scream she just heard, she decided to cut her losses and get outta dodge before the cops showed up.
But as she approached her car, she realized someone was standing in her way. A very familiar someone.
"How did you escape?" Gilda hissed angrily. "And where's Dumbbell?"
Sunset did not reply. Instead, without breaking eye contact with Gilda, she merely snapped her fingers.
Gilda's car was enveloped by a green light before disintegrating into dust.
Gilda snarled. "Oh that is it, you ugly bitch!" She pulled out a knife and charged. "I am gonna-"
Sunset waved her hand, almost lazily, and the knife began to melt. Gilda cried out as she dropped the hot metal, cradling her burnt hand.
With a cry of rage, she charged again. This time Sunset grabbed Gilda by the throat.
"You never learn, do you?" Sunset asked, almost bored. She placed two fingers on Gilda's forehead. Two black veins crept from her fingertips and into Gilda's eyes.
Gilda screamed as her eyes turned completely and utterly black.
Dropping the now blind girl, Sunset turned to where Dumbbell's car was parked. A large fireball formed in Sunset's hand and launched itself at the car. It exploded in flame upon impact.
Gilda desperately scrambled around on the ground, reaching out with her hands. "What's going on?! What did you do to me?! ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!!!"
Her business completed Sunset turned and walked back to where Snips and Snails were waiting, leaving Gilda to her fate.
A flash of red light, and three figures appeared in front of the Canterlot High statue.
While Snips and Snails looked about in bewilderment, Sunset had her back turned to them, her hair and dress blowing lightly in the winter wind.
"Umm, thanks.....we can probably get home from here." Snips said after a while.
Sunset said nothing.
"....ummm....are you-" Snips paused. It was obvious that Sunset wasn't okay. "....How do you feel?"
"....Cold." came the flat response.
Snips rubbed his arm awkwardly.
"You two should get home. Your parents are probably worried."
Snips nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh....and you two shouldn't come to school tomorrow."
Snips froze, and turned to Snails, who mirrored his alarmed expression.
Sunset began to walk away, when Snails cried out. "Wait!"
Sunset stopped, but didn't turn around.
Snails fidgeted. "Look...boss...I know that things haven't been going right for you and....those guys back there....they probably deserve it but....I...."
He looked at Sunset's back imploringly. "Please.....don't do anything you're gonna regret."
"......Go home, Snails."
A flash of red, and Sunset was gone.
A feeling of helplessness crept over the boy, and after exchanging one last glance with his friend, they both headed for home.
Aria sat on her bed, running her fingers nervously through her hair.
It was getting worse. Adagio was now too weak to even get out of bed. She was deteriorating faster than both she and Sonata.
Aria curled up on her side and but her lip. As much as she and Adagio argued, she was still her sister. And it was painful to watch the strong and arrogant siren wither away.
She sat up when a red flash of light filled the room. Sonata entered when she heard the commotion.
Their eyes widened when they saw who was in the room....and how much she had changed in the span of a day.
"Where's Adagio?"
Adagio looked like death warmed over. She felt like death warmed over.
But she still managed to sit up when she saw who entered the room.
She smirked. "Nice make-over. So what do I owe the honor of you gracing us with your presence a second time?"
"I'm hear to fulfill my end of the bargain."
Adagio quirked an eyebrow. "Funny. I don't see any Heart Stones in those charred up hands of yours."
Sunset held out a hand. "You said that the energy you need can be transferred directly."
"I also said that it can only be done by another siren. And while your new look is an improvement, it doesn't change the fact that you ain't a siren."
Sunset merely blinked. "Adagio, you're dying. What exactly do you have to lose?"
"Besides what's left of my dignity?" But she was none-the-less intrigued. "And how do I know you won't use your new powers to roast me alive?"
Sunset smirked. "You don't."
Adagio smirked back, and after a moment's hesitation, she took Sunset's hand.
It was like 12 gallons of caffeine being fed directly into her skull. Every cell in Adagio's body felt like it was on fire. She felt her eyes roll back into her head as Sunset poured her rage, her sadness, her anguish, her pain directly into the siren.
When she finally let go, Adagio was panting, as though she'd run a marathon. Twice.
She ran to the nearest mirror, with an energy she hadn't felt in months. She felt her face, which was now full and had regained its original color, and ran her fingers over her new necklace, a black jewel on a silver chain, at the base of her throat.
Sonata and Aria gazed in wonder and awe as Sunset turned to them, both hands extended.
Sonata pouted as she examined her new Heart Stone. "I don't know. Black is so.....gloomy."
"I like it. Besides, black is neutral. It goes with pretty much anything."
"True...."
While Sonata and Aria were discussing fashion, Adagio had slipped her coat on and followed Sunset outside.
The wind had picked up and it had begun to snow, but Sunset didn't even flinch, despite not wearing any winter clothes.
"I should've done this sooner, Shimmer. You're a walking spa treatment. I haven't felt this good in years."
"....You were right."
"Oh? And what exactly was I right about?"
Silence.
Adagio smirked evilly. "So...the dog's off its leash. What's it gonna do now?"
Sunset's wings flared out slightly. "What any dog does when it's been kicked repeatedly. It bites back."
Adagio looked the girl up and down before commenting softly, "They really broke you, didn't they?"
Adagio bit her thumbnail in thought before turning to go back inside. The Rainbooms better start writing their wills, because they seriously dug their own graves.
Applejack explored the strange building in confusion. Where was she? Why was it so dark?
From the looks of the old machinery, she figured she was in a factory of some kind, but for the life of her she didn't know how she got there.
She pulled out her phone - which, of course, had no reception - and turned on her flashlight. As she explored room after room, her light fell upon a huddled figure with familiar red hair.
"Oh mah God." Applejack whispered, and immediately ran to the girl's side.
Sunset Shimmer was lying in a pool of blood, and had cuts and bruises all over her face. One eye was completely black and swollen shut, and she had foul profanities scribbled on her in marker. On her forehead someone had etched "Who's laughing now?" Her lips were blue and had dried blood on them. Her arms and legs were bent at odd angles, obviously broken. Several feet away was her phone, smashed to pieces.
Applejack felt for a pulse, but her heart sank as she found none.
She felt sick. No matter how angry or hurt she had been, she would never have wished this on anyone, especially Sunset.
"You lied to me."
Applejack snapped up and turned around, and her lungs froze in her chest.
The creature standing before her was obviously not human, and was radiating cold fury.
"S...Sunset?"
Applejack looked between the dead beaten Sunset on the floor, to the furious demonic Sunset standing before her. She knew it was Sunset, but her demonic form was different from last time - aside from the wings, she looked more like a walking corpse than a demon.
Scoffing, she stood up. "So, you've started this mess again. Can't really say Ah'm surprised. Ya really haven't changed at all."
"Guess it takes a liar to know a liar."
"An' wut's that supposed ta mean?" Applejack cried indignant. "I ain't never lied about nothin' in mah life!"
"Then why'd you tell me I was your friend?"
Applejack looked stunned for a minute, but then narrowed her eyes. "Now don't you start with that. You got no one ta blame but yourself for that."
She turned to leave, but was shocked to find Demon Sunset standing right in front of her.
"Let me ask you something. What if you and I were related? What if a member of your family did something like this? Would you have abandoned them like you did me?"
The question shocked Applejack, but she remained stern. "Well Ah don't see how that really matters, seein' as how you ain't mah family."
"So you admit you lied."
"Ah did no such thing!" Applejack cried. "You betrayed us! We gave you everything and you repaid us by stabbin' us in the back!"
"Cut the crap, AJ."
Applejack suddenly felt very small as Sunset got in her face, her golden eyes boring into hers. "This has nothing to do with Anon-A-Miss, and you know it."
"What in tarnation are you talkin' about?"
Sunset narrowed her eyes in anger, and she seemed to grow larger with each word. "I was never your friend, Applejack. All I ever was to you, from the very beginning, was an obligation to Twilight. A pet. A trophy you and the others could show off as proof you took me down a peg."
"T-that's not-"
Applejack cried out in pain as Sunset grabbed her wrist.
"Well, since you like lying so much....how about we make it indefinite?"
Applejack screamed as her whole body caught fire. The last thing she saw was Sunset's eyes glowing white.
Applejack woke with a start, and sat up in bed panting.
She checked her alarm clock. It was almost time for her to get up for school.
As she pondered the strange dream she had, her phone went off. It was a message from Pinkie Pie.
CHECK MYSTABLE! NOW!!!!!!!
Applejack sighed, mentally preparing herself, and opened her Mystable app. What had Anon-A-Miss posted this time?
It wasn't from Anon-A-Miss, but the image made her sick none-the-less.
It was a picture of Sunset, battered and bruised, her arms and legs bound, and profanities scribbled all over her face.
Just like in my dream.
Beneath the image was a caption that read, "LOL! Wanna hear a secret about Anon-A-Miss? She's not coming back to CHS!" In the comments section were a plethora of jokes and laugh emojis that had been made by other students from every grade level, all of which showed praise to whoever Sunset’s attackers were.
Applejack placed her phone down as her head swam.
Her phone rang again. This time from Rarity.
Have you seen the image? It's simply horrible! I hope she's okay.
Sighing, Applejack typed a reply.
I don't. I hope she's dead.
......Surely you don't mean that?
Applejack stared at her phone in horror. That's not what she had typed! She sent another reply.
I sure do. The bitch had it coming! She deserves it!
No no no! That is not what she meant! She tried to send a third reply, but suddenly her entire arm felt as if it were on fire. She clutched it to her chest as her phone fell to the floor.
Applejack slowly turned her arm and pushed up her pajama sleeve. What she saw filled her with dread.
On her arm, surrounded with black veins and glowing bright red, was a single word - LIAR.
It was hot to the touch and sent throbbing pain down her whole arm.
"Well, since you like lying so much....how about we make it indefinite?"
"Su-" The words died in her throat. No matter how she tried to push them out, they wouldn't come. It seemed that Applejack was now incapable of telling the truth - even to herself.
The door to her room creaked open and the head of her little sister peaked through. "Sis? Are you okay?"
"Ah'm fine!" came the harsh-sounding reply.
Apple Bloom opened the door more fully. "Whatsa matter? Didja hurt yer arm?"
"Nothin's wrong! Now go away! Yer annoyin' me!"
Apple Bloom flinched, her face full of hurt. "Why're yew bein' so mean?"
"Cuz Ah hate yew!"
Apple Bloom looked as though she'd been slapped. "W-What?"
Applejack struggled with all her might, her eyes wide with horror, but the terrible lies continued.
"Yew heard me! Ah hate yew! Ah wish yew were never born! Everythin' would be so much better if yew'd jest die!"
Apple Bloom burst into wounded sobs and ran from the room. Applejack tried to reach out, but the pain in her arm kept her frozen to the spot.
"Don't come back! I meant every word! Ah hate yew! HATE YEW!"
The terrible words tasted like bile, but she couldn't take them back even if she wanted to. The farm girl sank to her knees and sobbed.
She saw something in her mirror, and turned to see Sunset, in demonic form, glaring at her with grim triumph.
"You're a saint! A SAINT!" Applejack hissed. "I LOVE YOU!!"
"The feeling's mutual." The image in the mirror said coldly, before slowly fading away.
Apple Bloom sobbed miserably on her bed.
Why would her big sis say something so horrible?
Her phone went off, and out of curiosity she opened it.
Sunset's broken, bleeding body stared back at her.
Apple Bloom dropped her phone in horror. This isn't what she wanted! She never meant for this-
And suddenly it clicked.
She knows. Applejack knows it was me. She knows what I did. And she hates me for it.
As if on autopilot, she went over to her computer, turned on her webcam, and said, loudly and clearly,
"Mah name is Apple Bloom....and Ah am Anon-A-Miss."
Fluttershy walked absentmindedly to school, her head down.
She had been thinking about Sunset Shimmer. About the last time she saw her. She looked so sad. So...desperate.
And then this morning she saw that horrible picture. No matter what Sunset had done, she didn't deserve that. She hoped wherever she was, she was okay.
She heard a tiny 'mew', and looked down to see a small kitten rubbing against her legs. Smiling, she bent down to scratch the kitty behind her ears.
"It's funny," came a melancholy voice from behind. "You'd extend your hand to complete strangers. To people who'd as soon as spit on you."
She turned and gasped. Despite the unnatural appearance, she knew immediately who this person was.
"I guess I'm the exception, huh?" Sunset continued, her expression unreadable.
Fluttershy stood up on shaky legs. "Sunset....w-what happened to you?"
Sunset cocked an eyebrow. "Let's just say I got some sense beaten into me."
Fluttershy flinched, then stared at the ground. The kitten was hiding behind her leg, hissing at Sunset. "I...I know. I saw the picture."
Sunset's stoic expression did not change, but her hands clench into fists. Of course. Of course they had taken pictures.
Fluttershy rubbed her arm as she nervously asked, "Are....are you alright?"
Sunset's face suddenly twisted in disgust, and she violently grabbed Fluttershy's wrist. Fluttershy cried out in pain and alarm as she was yanked forward.
"Do I look alright to you?" Sunset hissed, her quiet voice brimming with resentment.
Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears. "Sunset, please! You're hurting me!"
Sunset narrowed her eyes, then let go. "Seems to be all I'm good for, isn't it?" she muttered, before turning her back on Fluttershy.
Fluttershy fell to her knees, tears running down her face. She felt the kitten rub against her, and she reach out to pet it.
She then heard a choking sound, and looked down.
Her left hand had wrapped itself around the kitten's throat, and was choking the life out of it. It scratched and clawed her hand, desperate to get away.
Fluttershy gasped, and tried to let go, but her hand wouldn't let go. She used her other hand to pry it loose, and she finally let go. The kitten backed away and hissed in fright.
"I..I'm so sorry! I don't-" She stopped when she saw her arm. A single, bright red word.
Cruelty
It was in the same spot Sunset had grabbed her moments ago. Fluttershy shakily turned to Sunset, who still had her back to her. "W-why-"
Her arm flew forward and grabbed the frightened kitten. She flung the poor animal and watched it impact with a tree before hitting the ground.
"No....No!"
Against her will, she grabbed a nearby rock, roughly the same size as a baseball, stood up and walked toward the poor kitten. No matter how hard she struggled, her body would not obey.
Slowly, she pinned the kitten down with one hand and raised the rock high above her head with the other. Tears streamed down Fluttershy's face as she implored, "Please! No more! I don't want to hurt him!"
Sunset only turned her head slightly before quietly replying, "Why not? You hurt me."
The rock came down hard on the kitten's head.
"Without a second thought."
The next minute was filled with the sounds of the rock striking the poor defenseless animal, over and over again, the kitten's pathetic pained mewls, and Fluttershy's sobbing. Sunset did not turn around for an instant, nor did her stoic expression change.
Soon the rock slipped from Fluttershy's now bloody hand, and the poor girl sobbed over the mangled corpse.
Sunset disappeared, but Fluttershy was too busy whispering, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," over and over to notice or care.
Pinkie Pie looked herself over in the mirror. Her hair was starting to become limp, something that usually happened when she was really upset.
And boy, was she. How could she not be, after what she saw those meanies do to poor Sunset, and what people were saying.
She couldn't believe people actually thought it was funny. It wasn't funny at all! It was just mean! Even meaner than what Anon-A-Miss was doing.
Just cuz Sunset was being a big ol' meanie-pants didn't mean it was ok for them to do that to her!
Unable to stand it, she stood up and opened her phone for the 5th time, preparing to send another message to Sunset's phone, asking if she was alright.
She gasped as someone grabbed her wrist from behind.
"Was it fun leading me on, Pinkie? Did you enjoy laughing at my expense?"
Pinkie tried to cry out, but her voice died in her throat. She shuddered as someone put their lips to her ear. "I hope so, because that will be the last bit of joy you will ever feel."
The person behind her was gone, and Pinkie fell to the floor, shaking.
That person....they sounded an awful lot like Sunset....but at the same time....it sounded not like Sunset.
She realized that her arm hurt. A lot. She looked down and saw a word: Sorrow
She stood up, confused, then turned towards the mirror.
Her hair was now completely straight, coming down over her shoulders, and her face was an icky grayish color.
She tried to smile. Even a little one. But her mouth wouldn't do it.
She suddenly felt really really sad. She started crying. She cried and cried and cried and didn't know if she'd ever be able to stop.
Apple Bloom updated the Anon-A-Miss profile, for the final time, then closed her laptop.
As she headed for the stairs, she stopped by Applejack's room.
Peering inside she saw Applejack sprawled on her bed. She looked like she had been crying.
Apple Bloom's heart clenched. "Sis....fer wut it's worth....Ah'm sorry."
She turned and left. She didn't see her sister raise her head in confusion.
She got a phone call just as she was heading for Big Mac's truck.
"What did you do?!"
"It's over Scootaloo. Soon everyone will know the truth."
"They're going to KILL us, Apple Bloom! Did you not see what they did to Sunset?!"
"That's why Ah confessed."
"Why? Why the hell would you do this?!"
"CUZ IT DON'T MATTER ANYMORE!"
"......"
"....Applejack knows, Scootaloo. She told me to mah face that she hated me."
"....How do you know she knows?"
"Why else would she say that? To mah face, no less." Apple Bloom wiped her eyes. "Ah started this whole thing to git mah sister back, and Ah wound up losin' her anyway. And Sunset's probably dead right now cuza me."
She sighed. "Look, Ah didn't mention you or Sweetie Belle. This whole thing was mah idea. As far as CHS is concerned, Ah'm th' only one responsible."
She hung up before Scootaloo could respond. As she climbed into the truck, she turned to her brother and said, "There's somethin' Ah gotta tell you."
Rainbow Dash hadn't slept well last night.
She couldn't stop thinking about....what she'd been thinking about.
At the time, it had seemed like a good idea. A simple idea. Now though....
She saw Lightning Dust and went up to speak to her. "Hey. So....how'd it go?"
"It went well enough." Lightning turned to glare at her, and Rainbow noticed she had a large bandage on her nose. "Of course, you'd know that if you'd actually bothered to show up."
Rainbow nodded. "So...that's it, then."
Lightning smirked. "Yep. That bitch won't be posting anything for a long time."
As she started to walk away, Rainbow felt the need to ask, "Have you seen Gilda ?"
Lightening shrugged indifferently. "Hell should I know? Ya think I'm friends with that skank?" She walked off.
Rainbow sighed, and leaned against the lockers. It was over. With this, the Anon-A-Miss posts would finally stop.
Just then her phone went off. It was a message from.....Anon-A-Miss?!
But that was impossible! If what Lightning said was true, then.....
Out of curiosity, she tapped the Mystable app.
What she saw made her irises shrink to pinpricks.
"Mah name is Apple Bloom....and Ah am Anon-A-Miss. No, this not a joke. No, Sunset Shimmer did not threaten or blackmail me inta sayin' this. Sunset had nothin' ta do with this. Well....actually, she did, inna way, but Ah'll get ta that inna minute.....
An' Ah know summa y'all still don't believe me. That Sunset's somehow coachin' me offscreen.
Sunset Shimmer was beaten up last night.
There's a picture a' her on Mystable goin' around with her beaten to a pulp. It was taken last night. Y'all can look it up fer yerselves. Ah don't know who did this. Ah don't where Sunset is....Ah don't know...if she's even still alive.....sob....
But needless to say, Ah don't think she'd have the energy ta use a phone or computer right now. This was me. ONLY me.
An' when Ah look back, all this started over somethin'....so stupid. Mah big sis an' her friends were throwin' a slumber party fer Sunset, and Ah...Ah threw a mad fit cuz they wouldn't let me come. Ah posted that thing about "Piggly Wiggly" outta spite. Ah thought - Ah wanted.....Ah don't know what Ah wanted.....
This has gotten outta control. Ah never meant fer things ta go this far. Ah am so sorry....to everyone Ah hurt."
Everyone in CHS watched the lastest - and last - Anon-A-Miss video, and it was though a fog was lifted. And as they watched Apple Bloom walk down the hall, her face completely blank, all they could do was stare. There was no hatred, no anger....only disbelief.
"Will Apple Bloom please come to the principal's office?"
Apple Bloom gave a slight glance towards Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, before marching towards her fate.
Rainbow's body was on autopilot. She wasn't seeing or hearing. Only moving.
She stopped when she found Scootaloo, who was backing away in fear.
"Scootaloo....did you help her?"
"...I..."
"Did. You. Help. Her?!"
"Yeah. We did."
They turned to Sweetie Belle, who was staring at the floor, hugging herself.
Rarity was horror-stricken. "Sweetie...no..."
"We're so sorry." Sweetie began to weep.
Rainbow wasn't thinking. She grabbed Scootaloo by the collar and yanked her to eye level.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?!"
"We didn't mean for things to go this far!" Scootaloo cried. "We never wanted Sunset to die!"
Rainbow froze. "...Die?"
"You haven't seen it, have you?" Rarity asked. Upon seeing Rainbow's confused face, Rarity pulled out her phone, found the picture, and held up her phone for Rainbow to see.
Rainbow promptly collapsed to the floor, releasing a frightened Scootaloo.
Sunset ran her blackened fingers over her journal for the umpteenth time. She considered sending Twilight a message, also for the umpteenth time.
In the end, she sighed, placed the book back on the coffee table, and exited her apartment.
She felt no sorrow as she fired a magical blast, completely engulfing the place in flames.
Applejack didn't know why she was answering her phone, but she did.
She was still at home. She knew that with what Sunset had done to her, there was no way she could go to school. All the venomous lies that spilled out of her mouth would only land her in trouble with the rest of the students and teachers.
She had already hurt Apple Bloom with the horrible things she had said. She wanted to apologize and take it all back, but she could not. Sunset made sure of that.
The phone slipped from her hand and fell to the floor with a clatter.
Apple Bloom was Anon-A-Miss.
She shook her head. She wanted to scream, to violently deny it. But she knew from the look on her face in the video that Apple Bloom was telling the truth.
"Sis....fer wut it's worth....Ah'm sorry."
It hit her like a freight train. All this time, she had believed in a lie.
"Guess it takes a liar to know a liar."
No. It was worse than that. The truth was there the whole time - who else could have known about "Piggly Wiggly" but a member of her own family? - but she ignored it in favor of the easier solution.
"Well, since you like lying so much....how about we make it indefinite?"
"I don't deserve this....."
Fluttershy wanted so desperately to wash the blood off her hands.
Instead she wound up smearing it all over a newly painted bench in the park.
She had to seclude herself. Fast.
She was no longer in control of herself. If she went home, she might hurt Angel. If she went to the animal shelter, she could do something cruel to the animals.
And if she went to school....... well........ she did not want to think of what cruelty she could unleash on her friends.
Just like that poor kitten...
But apparently her body had decided that if it couldn't inflict physical violence, it would settle for petty, wanton destruction of property.
No matter where she went, she wound up pushing over bikes or kicking over garbage cans. Anyone who tried to stop her got punched or kicked.
She received a message and shakily looked at her phone.
She gasped, falling to her knees.
"Why not? You hurt me. Without a second thought."
She promptly threw up.
Maud Pie was used to dealing with her sister’s moods. Unlike most of the Pie family, Pinkie Pie was always so bright and cheerful. She was like a ray of sunshine in their household. While their parents could be strict, they never did anything to stop Pinkie Pie from being happy.
But Maud Pie was worried. Pinkie Pie told her she was not feeling well. She almost sounded depressed.
Maud Pie had heard about Anon-A-Miss. Was Pinkie Pie’s shift in mood because of her?
Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie lay in bed, holding a mirror up. She tried to smile, but she could not. It was like she had forgotten how to smile.
And any happy thought was erased from her heart.
What was joy?
What was laughter?
Pinkie Pie could not remember.
She could not feel anything.
Her phone went off, and she felt compelled to answer. She saw the text.
She then got up, walked to the bathroom, and locked herself in.
She did not come out.
Apple Bloom sat in the principal’s office. She knew she was in trouble. Everyone now knew she was responsible for Anon-A-Miss.
Luna looked angry, crossing her arms and glaring at her. Celestia, however, just seemed disappointed.
There was a knock at the door.
“We’re busy!” Luna snapped.
The door opened despite her objection. Rainbow Dash and Rarity entered. Apple Bloom’s eyes widened when she saw Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo with them.
“Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna, these two have something to say,” Rainbow Dash nudged Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle forward.
But before either could speak, a teacher appeared in the door, his eyes wide with panic.
"Celestia! You need to get down here now! There's something happening in front of the school!"
Princess Twilight Sparkle paced the room frantically. Spike was getting dizzy from watching.
"I'm going over there, Spike. Something's wrong, I know it! She hasn't answered any of my messages!"
"She's probably busy." Spike reasoned, but deep down he was just as worried.
But as Twilight made her way over to the mirror, she was thrown back by an unknown force.
Shaking her head, she looked up, and her stomach dropped.
"No...."
The mirror was shattered. Pieces were scattered everywhere, some embedded in the walls. All that remained was the black, smoldering flame.
Sunset stood in front of the remains of the portal, her hand still smoking.
"Good-bye, Twilight...." she whispered somberly.
She heard a commotion behind her as students and teachers alike gathered outside. Closing her eyes, she flapped her wings, and she began to float a foot of the ground. Slowly, she turned to face them, and they gasped in horror when they saw her face.
For several minutes they just stared, and Sunset just passively floated in place.
"Right, then. To business." she said casually.
Raising her hand she fired a green magical beam into the sky. It exploded and expanded outwards, forming a dome-like structure.
Several students realized what was happening and tried to run for it, but it was too late. The wall had touched the ground and their bodies slammed hard into it before collapsing. They were trapped.
"Okay. So," Sunset clapped her hands loudly, making everyone jump. "You all know who I am, and why I'm here. So I'll spare you the villainous exposition."
Though Sunset had not raised her voice a single octave, it echoed and carried as though she were hooked up to a microphone.
"However, I'm feeling generous at the moment, so," she smirked and raised her hand again. "I'll give you all a 10-second head start."
Lightening struck from her fingers and at their feet. They scattered like rats.
She calmly floated towards the door, and stopped when Celestia moved to block her path, her arms fanned out.
Sunset calmly blinked. "Please step aside, Principal Celestia."
"Listen to me," the principal implored. "I know you've been through a lot. I know you're hurting, that you want to hurt the ones who wronged you..."
"Oh please, do go on." Sunset, said annoyed.
Luna grabbed her sister's shoulder, imploring her to get away. "Celestia...."
"Think of all the work you've done. The progress you've made. If you do this, you'll lose all of that! You'll be right where you started! Alone!"
She reached out her hand to her fallen student. "Please. You're not a monster. Don't act like one."
Sunset close her eyes, breathing slowly through her nose. When she opened them she had a pained look on her face. "You sound just like her."
Celestia furrowed her brows in confusion.
Sunset smiled sadly. "Always forgiving. Always seeing the good in others." The smile slid off. "Even when they don't deserve it."
Celestia gasped as she found herself being lifted off the ground and floating in the air.
"Tia!" Luna ran to help, but found herself floating, too.
Without a word, Sunset floated the two women over to the barrier, opened a small hole, and, with a flick of her wrist, flung them through. They rolled in the snow as they hit the ground.
A small wave of her hand, and the hole closed.
"You had your chance to stop this, Celestia." Sunset declared. "You, Luna, Anon-A-Miss, the girls. You all had dozens of chances. Now whatever happens, it's out of your hands."
And with that, she turned and floated away.
Desperate, Celestia ran up to the barrier and pounded furiously. "Don't do this! You're a good person! You're better than this! Don't throw your life away over this! Sunset! SUNSET!!!!!"
Celestia's cries and poundings fell on deaf ears. Sunset waved her arms, and a powerful gust of wind blew the doors of Canterlot High open.
As she floated down the halls amidst the frightened students, she never noticed the black veins on her arms and legs crawling further up her body.
"Think of all the work you've done. The progress you've made. If you do this, you'll lose all of that!"
Sunset smiled bitterly. "Foolish woman. You can't lose what you never had."
Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle looked about the hall in confusion.
"What the hell is going on?" Rainbow asked one running student.
"It's Shimmer! She's gone crazy! She's gone full she-demon again!" he cried.
Rainbow was shocked. "What?"
"It's true! She's got wings and everything!" yelled another student. "She destroyed the horse statue and put up some kind of force-field!"
Rainbow shared a look of despair with Rarity.
"Rarity..." Sweetie Belle whimpered, clinging to her sister's arm.
Rainbow bit her lip, then sighed. "Rarity. Take those three and find somewhere to hide."
As Rarity wrapped her arms around the three girls, she asked, "But what about you?"
"I'm gonna try and find something to use as weapons. They probably won't do any good, but it's better than nothing."
Rarity gave a pained look. "Surely there's -"
"Rarity, she's trapped the entire school! She's not playing around! And without Twilight, the whole 'Magical Friendship Rainbow Beam's' outta the question. And considering everything that's happened, I think we are long past the point of negotiation!"
Rarity turned her head, then slowly nodded.
As she turned to leave, Scootaloo cried out, "Rainbow Dash..I just want-"
"Save it for when we're not dead, Scoots!" Rainbow yelled over her shoulder.....and she ran.
She pushed everything down.....her anger at Scootaloo, her anger at Gilda, her anger at herself. She could be mad later.
Sunset looked down at the scattered students. As the barrier prevented their escape, they decided to find places to hide from her. Well, she gave them ten seconds to be ready. As the ten seconds were up, it was time for her to go on the hunt.
Sunset did not know the names of all the students who had beaten her. But she knew their faces. They stuck out in her mind as clearly as if she were holding a photograph.
“An appetizer before the main course.”
The game was on. She decided to take her time to find them. It wasn't as though she was in any hurry.
Meanwhile, those very same students were hiding in the cafeteria. Several of them looked to be on the verge of a breakdown.
"We're screwed. We are so screwed." One of them whimpered.
One student, however, apparently had a death wish. "Why are we all just hiding here like a bunch of babies? I say we go out there and teach that bitch a lesson!"
"Are you brain-dead?!" cried Lightening Dust. "Did you not see what happened five minutes ago?! She'll crucify us!!"
But the student was stubborn. "So what, we just sit here and wait for her to come find us? Besides, we kicked her ass last time!"
"Last time she didn't have freaking lightening shooting from her fingers!" Lightening argued. "You wanna die faster, be my guest! I'm out!"
"Fine! Be that way, ya wimp!" The student turned to the others. "Look, there's over 20 of us and one of her. We may not win, but she won't get out unscathed. Now who's with me?"
Lightening Dust shook her head at the stupidity of her fellow students, and silently cursed Gilda for ever getting her involved in this.
Sunset casually floated along the now empty hallway, every once in a while peeking her head in through classrooms.
"Sunset."
She turned to see her former boyfriend standing two feet away.
"You know, Flash, in the movies, they hid from the monster that was stalking them."
“Sunset, please. This isn’t who you are.”
“Isn’t it? Aren’t I the girl everyone loves to hate? Your words, Flash.”
Flash flinched, remembering his cruel words at the Battle of the Bands. The Dazzlings might have been behind the madness, but those were his words.
Sunset didn't even sound angry. She sounded as though she were asking him was time it was. In a way that made it worse.
“Sunset, if this is about Anon-A-Miss-"
"It's part of it, but, yes."
Flash sighed, then pulled out his phone. "I know who it is. You deserve that much."
Sunset looked at the screen. Apple Bloom’s confession played before her eyes.
“Hmm. Didn't think she'd actually confess.” she mused.
"You knew?"
"I had my suspicions. I notice she didn't mention her accomplices."
"She had help?"
"Of course. You didn't think she could have done this alone, did you?" Sunset folded her arms and stared pointedly at Flash. "But seriously, what did you hope to accomplish by showing me this? This changes nothing."
"Sunset, think about what you're doing-"
"I have."
"What would Twilight think-"
"Twilight is gone, Flash." Sunset said sternly. "The portal's been destroyed. She's never coming back."
Flash reeled back as if struck. "But....why? Twilight....she's your friend."
Sunset turned to leave. "This isn't her problem. I'm dealing with it now."
Flash grabbed her arm. "You call this dealing with it?! You're acting no better than them!"
Sunset visibly sagged, then floated down to the floor. She turned to face Flash, her face twisted in anguish.
Flash's heart sank, and he embraced her. "I don't know how, but we'll figure this out."
Sunset hugged him back. She broke the hug, then gently kissed Flash on the forehead.
Flash's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fainted. Sunset caught him before he hit the ground.
"You stupid boy." she whispered, her face a neutral mask once more. "You always were too kind-hearted for your own good."
She picked up Flash and carried him to the nearest closet. She gently laid him inside and shut the door, then conjured several chains over it.
Twilight flipped frantically through all the tomes and scrolls Celestia had sent her on Starswirl the Bearded and his spells.
"Come on....there's gotta be something here...."
"Twilight, I know you're worried," Spike said as he brought her another book. "I am too. But maybe you should slow down a bit..."
"There's no time, Spike!" Twilight cried, not even looking up from her book. "The mirror didn't explode for no reason! Somepony or something didn't want me going over there, which means Sunset and the others are in danger! I need to find a way to get over there before it's too late!"
Sunset found herself in a very familiar area of the school.
She could faintly hear the sounds of whispers, and when she cracked the door open, she saw it was dark inside.
Sighing heavily, she opened the door fully and clapped her hands twice.
The lights in the gymnasium blinked on, shocking the 20 plus students inside.
Sunset's expression was flat. "Really? We're really doing this again?"
"Get her!" cried a student, and everyone charged.
Unlike their previous encounter, the students were now armed with hockey sticks, baseball bats, and knives from the kitchen. They intended to finish what they started.
Sunset didn't even bat an eye. She flicked her wrist, and the students went flying.
"A little advice." Sunset said, her wings flaring out. "If you're going for the element of surprise, it's best not to ambush someone in the same place twice."
She slowing rose into the air, a sheath of green magic covering her arms. "That said, if you're willing to pick up where we left off last night, I'm more than happy to oblige."
Rainbow Dash skidded to a halt as she came to the doors of the gym.
She was a little nervous about going in, knowing what had taken place in there the night before. But she needed a weapon, and this was the best place for it.....well, that and all the knives were missing from the kitchen.
Suddenly, the doors flew open and a frightened student ran out. An unseen force caused him to trip and he was dragged back inside.
"No! NO! OH GOD PLEASE HELP ME-"
The door closed, cutting him off.
Rainbow's heart pounded in her throat, her legs shaking. Slowly, she picked up the bat that the student had dropped, and dared to peak inside.
It was something out of a horror movie. Each corner of the room was worse than the last.
A group of five were moaning and crying in pain on the floor, their limbs clearly broken and twisted at odd angles.
Three boys were pinned to the wall by their arms with knives. Several were embedded in their hands.
There were two crystal statues near the doorway, their faces frozen in horror.
Four students near the bleachers were huddled on the floor shivering, their skin a pale blue.
A large majority were up in the bleachers, fighting of plethora of creatures - giant spiders, giant snakes, giant rats, and the like. Several of the students had large chunks taken out of them already and were bleeding very heavily. One girl was clutching her face and sobbing.
And right in the center, was a very familiar figure with dark red hair and batlike wings.
Sunset.
"Aw, leaving so soon?" she cooed at the frightened student in her grasp. "But we were having so much fun."
"Please.....have mercy...."
Sunset rolled her eyes. "Do I even need to point out how hypocritical that is?" She paused, then looked around the room as she mentally did a head-count. Someone was missing.
"Tell you what. Tell me where Lightening Dust is, and I'll consider not gouging your eyes out."
The student wasted no time. "In the kitchen! She was heading towards the chemistry labs!"
Sunset smiled sweetly. "Much obliged." Her hand slowly made it's way towards his face.
The student struggled in panic. "W-Wait! You said-"
"I said I'd consider it. You really need to work on your listening skills."
The student thrash in Sunset's grasp. "You can't! You can't do this!"
Sunset cocked an eyebrow. "Pretty sure I can. But please, tell me why I supposedly can't. I could use the laugh."
"Cuz Rainbow Dash helped us set you up!" he screamed. "She told us your address! She gave us her phone so Gilda could text you! Everything that happened last night is her fault! So whatever you do to us, you’d have to do to her too! It’s only fair!" He flashed a nervous smile. "And you wouldn’t do that to one of your friends! You can go ahead and ask Snips and Snails if you don’t believe me!"
Sunset blinked. "Take a look around the room for a second."
He did, and his smile slowly slid off as he realized his error. Sunset leaned in. "Do I really look like I give a shit about fair play right now?"
The student whimpered.
Sunset cocked her head in mock consideration. "But you do raise a good point. I would never intentionally do something if I thought that it would cause my friends harm. "
The student visibly relaxed a little, believing he was off the hook.
"There's just one problem with your logic....."
Sunset's fingers jammed themselves into the student's eyes. He screamed as blood ran down his face.
"I don't have any friends."
She ripped her fingers out, bringing two bloodied orbs with her, and dropped the student unceremoniously to the floor.
Sunset turned her head to the sound of sneakers running away fast. She thought she saw a flash of rainbow-colored hair.
She narrowed her eyes. I'll deal with you later, Dash. There's still some people ahead of you in line.
She knows. She knows what I did. And she's gonna kill me.
Oh God forgive me.
Rainbow retched into the toilet, the vomit on her face intermingling with her tears.
The door to the lab opened and Rarity poked her head through. "I think we'll be safe here for the moment."
She held the door open and ushered the three girls inside.
"Um, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked nervously. "Don't they usually keep the labs locked?"
Rarity pursed her lips. Sweetie had a point. Unless the lab was holding a class, they were locked at all times. And since the lights were still off, and the room was empty....
Well, mostly empty.
"Close the door!" Lightning Dust hissed. She was in the back of the room, looking through one of the cabinets. "And keep it down! You want that bitch to hear us?"
"How did you get in here?" Rarity asked, wrinkling her nose in disdain at the use of crass language. Scootaloo closed the door. "And what on earth are you doing?"
"It's called a lock-pick, genius." Lightning snarked, rolling her eyes. "And what's it look like? I'm trying to find something useful. Either help me or get lost."
Lightning suddenly paused and slowly turned to get a good look at the group.
"Wait a second....." Her eyes narrowed, and she pointed an accusatory finger at Apple Bloom. "You! You're the girl from the video! You're the reason all this shit's happening!"
She marched her way over to the frightened girl, but was immediately blocked by Rarity.
"Out of my way, princess."
But Rarity would not budge. Despite her dolled-up appearance and prima donna mannerisms, she was no push-over. "If you think for one second I will stand by and let you harm one hair one her head-"
"You certainly didn't do anything when everyone was giving Shimmer hell." Lightning pointed out. She smirked as Rarity flinched. "That little shit-stain's been screwing around with everyone for over a week! Just what's stopping me from tossing her ass out there and letting Shimmer do whatever to her?"
"Because it wouldn't do you any good."
Everyone froze at the voice that echoed throughout the room. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle clung tightly to Apple Bloom, who was shaking profusely.
A flash of red light, and Sunset Shimmer appeared directly in front of Lightning, who stumbled back in shock.
"Throwing Apple Bloom at my feet like a sacrificial lamb would not absolve you of your sins. All it would get you is an extra" Sunset paused in thought. "seven seconds at most."
"S-Sunset?" Rarity whimpered. She hadn't wanted to believe it, but the proof was right here in front of her. Sunset Shimmer had indeed undergone a demonic transformation. And this time, there was nothing she could do to stop her.
Sunset didn't take her eyes off Lightning. "I'll be with you in a minute, Rarity. I just have some garbage that needs to be taken care of."
"Y-You stay away from me." Lightning stuttered, backing away slowly.
"Or what? You'll beat me up again?" Sunset paused, then smirked. "Actually, that's not a bad idea."
Everyone gaped at Sunset in confusion.
Sunset's bare feet touched the floor, and she put her hands on her hips. "Believe it or not, I've gotten incredibly bored. I could use a challenge." She gave Lightening a pointed look. "I'm giving you the chance to save yourself, Lightning Dust. I want you -yes you - to hit me as hard as you can."
Lightning narrowed her eyes. This had to be a trick. "Oh really-"
"Now, when I say, 'hard as you can', I don't mean 'sort of hard'. I don't mean 'half-way hard'. I want you to literally. Hit me. As. Hard. As. You. Can."
Lightning clenched her fist. "And if I refuse to play along?"
Sunset shrugged. "Then I roast you alive and be done with it. Though really, passing up a chance to save your sorry hide?" Sunset gave a condescending look. "Kind of starting to see why they picked Rainbow as captain over you."
That did it. In the back of her head, Lightning knew that she was baiting her, that this whole thing was a trap. Sadly, Lightning's ego was even bigger than her rainbow-haired rival's, and she was not about to take that comment lying down.
Her fist struck Sunset's face. It was like hitting a concrete wall. Sunset hadn't budged an inch.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear the first time." Sunset mused. She was clearly enjoying this. "So allow me to repeat myself. You. Me. Hard as you can. Clear?"
"Crystal." Lightning snarled, and launched herself at Sunset. She punched and kicked her with everything she had. And to her credit, she actually managed to push the she-demon back.
But in the end it really made no difference. Sunset didn't have a scratch on her, while Lightning was panting and her knuckles were completely bloody.
"Well, that was fun." Sunset said. "But I'm bored now."
She pointed a finger at Lightning, who was levitated off the ground. She slammed Lightning into the wall. Hard.
And into the opposite wall.
And onto the ceiling.
And the floor.
And into the cabinet in the back of the room. Lightning could only whimper in pain.
Sunset made a pulling motion, and Lightning was dragged in front of her, then spun around so her back was facing Sunset.
"You sure are proud of your athletic abilities, Lightening." Sunset said darkly. She ran a finger down Lightning's spine. "It would sure be a shame if you lost them."
Lightning's eyes widened at the implications. "W-what're you- GAAH!!!"
Lightning let out a gurgled scream as she felt something stab and twist itself into the base of her spine. Her entire body was on fire.....and then it was completely numb.
Lightning's eyes rolled into the back of her head as tears ran down her face. She couldn't even scream anymore.
She didn't even feel it when she was dropped to the floor like a rag doll.
Sunset placed her hands on her hips. "Well, that takes care of that." She turned. "Now to deal with you."
Rarity and the girls were still here, cowering in the corner. Their minds were so clouded with fear and confusion that it didn't even occur to them to run. Not that it would've done them any good.
Sunset made a swiping motion, as if she were swatting a fly, and Apple Bloom was forcefully pulled away from the group.
Green flames shot up around her, then disappeared to reveal a large metal cage.
"Apple Bloom!" Her friends immediately came to their friend's aid, pulling at the bars and kicking the cage. It obviously did no good.
"It's no use!" Apple Bloom cried. "Go on without me!"
"Are you crazy?!" Scootaloo yelled. "We're not leaving you here to be killed!"
"Better me than you!"
"You know, you're very lucky to even be having this conversation." Sunset pointed out, irritated. "I'm being very generous right now."
Apple Bloom looked at Sunset, then back at her friends. "Go!"
Very reluctantly, Sweetie and Scootaloo took Rarity's hands and ran out the door.
Sunset idly watched them leave, then floated over to the cage.
Apple Bloom tried to put on a brave face. "Sunset....Ah know Ah messed up. Big time. All this is mah fault, so do whatever ya want with me. Ah deserve it."
Sunset leaned in. "You think me doing all of this is going to make everyone forget what you did? You confessed. And just like the secrets you posted, it is never going to go away. No one will ever forget what you did." She pretended to look thoughtful. "Oh sure. They'll pretend they've moved on. That they've forgiven you. They may even believe it at one point. But they'll never forget. They'll never let you forget. Trust me, I know."
Apple Bloom looked sick.
"But perhaps I'm not being completely fair. After all....." Sunset's eyes narrowed. "you're not the only one at fault, are you?"
Apple Bloom realized Sunset's implications, and shook her head in denial. "No! It was all me! Only me! They had nothin' to do with it!"
Sunset rolled her eyes. "You're a terrible liar, you know that? Hard to believe you and Applejack are related."
She began to float away. "You may as well get comfortable. You're gonna be in there for a while."
Apple Bloom gripped the bars of her cage, shouting desperately for Sunset to come back!
"It's not their fault! It was mah idea! I'M the guilty one! Punish me! PUNISH MEEEEEE!!!!!!"
As Sunset floated down the hall, she passed a display case full of trophies. She paused, then turned, her eyes narrowed.
Her reflection was staring back at her. Her arms were now almost completely black, with only the tops of her shoulders showing pale grey. She also noticed that the black veins were now crawling up her neck.
Sunset raised an eyebrow. Well.....that was new.
She continued down the hall. Oh well....it wouldn't matter soon anyway.
Scootaloo gripped Rarity's hand as tight as she could as they ran down the hall. It didn't matter where they hid. Sunset would eventually find them, and do to them what she was surely doing to Apple Bloom right now.
Her ankle twisted and she went down.
Sweetie's eyes widened as Scootaloo slipped out of Rarity's grasp, but she couldn't stop to help because Rarity was still running, dragging her along with her.
Scootaloo winced in pain as she tried to get up, then gasped as she felt herself being dragged to the side.
Manacles appeared around her wrists and she realized she was chained to the handle of one of the doors.
Sunset was grinning down at her like a cat about to eat a bird.
"Let's consider you 'handled' for now, shall we?" She quipped, patting Scootaloo on the head.
She was gone moments later, and Scootaloo was trembling.
"Rarity, stop! Scootaloo's in trouble!"
"There's no time!"
"We have to help her!"
"If we stop, she'll catch us! We're no good to anyone dead!"
"Dead? Oh no, my friend."
Something grabbed Rarity's arm and flung her to the floor. Sweetie Belle was let go of and landed opposite her sister.
Sunset loomed over them like a vulture.
"What I have in mind is much worse."
Rarity stood up and dusted herself off, and tried - in vain - to look like she wasn't about to wet herself. "Sunset! How....good to see you! It's nice to see you're doing well....considering what those brutes did to you. Um....I like your dress! Black is definitely your color-"
Sunset slapped her. Sweetie Belle gasped in horror. Rarity stumbled back but fortunately didn't fall. She felt her face and knew her cheek was already swelling.
"Don't patronize me, bitch." Sunset said coldly. "You know what you did. What you both did."
Rarity straightened, looking braver than she felt. "Sunset, please be reasonable. You don't have to -"
"You're right. I don't have to." Sunset snarled. She reached back and yanked Sweetie Belle up by her hair. "Just like she didn't have to make that damned profile. Just like you didn't have to leave me bawling my eyes out on the floor in the middle of the hallway, without even giving me the benefit of the doubt."
Rarity's eyes widened at the sight of her baby sister struggling and crying in Sunset's grasp. She willed herself to be calm, lest Sunset be angered further and take it out on Sweetie Belle. "You're right. You're absolutely right, Sunset. It was inexcusable, unladylike, and simply wrong. And you have my deepest, most sincerest apologies."
"How generous of you." Sunset sneered. Sweetie gasped as Sunset tightened her grip on her hair.
"And what Sweetie Belle did was wrong, too!" Rarity shouted, desperate. "And she will be punished for what's she's done! So please! There's no need to harm her! You're better than this!"
"A pity you didn't realize it sooner." Sunset growled. She paused, then relented. "Fine. I'm more pissed at you anyway."
She let the poor girl go, and Sweetie immediately ran for the comfort of her big sister's arms. "Big sis!"
"Oh, Sweetie!" Rarity cried with relief. She hugged Sweetie Belle with all her might.
She opened her eyes in alarm when she realized Sweetie felt cold. Almost....metallic.
She loosened her hold and straightened to get a good look at her sister......and instead found herself looking at a golden statue.
Sweetie Belle's look of terror was frozen on her face.
"No.....No! Sweetie Belle!" Rarity shook her head, felt her sister's face to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She found to her horror that she wasn't.
Tears in her eyes, she turned to Sunset in despair. "What have you done?!"
Sunset merely shrugged, her expression bored. "Don't look at me. You're the one with the golden touch."
A sharp pain ran up her arm, and Rarity looked down at the word burned into her flesh.
Greed
Rarity gasped in shock and backed up until she hit the wall. Gold sprouted where her hand touched and spread until the entire wall was transformed.
Rarity back away in horror, her hands shaking.
Sunset merely stared, unmoved. "You and your sister made your choice. Now you both have to live with it."
She vanished in a flash of red. Rarity fell to her knees and sobbed at the base of Sweetie Belle's frozen form. She paid no heed as the floor around her turned to gold.
Rainbow stepped out of the stall and walked over to the sink. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
Get a grip, Dash. She scolded herself as she splashed water on her face. You've got to find Rarity and the kids before she does. No need to add anything else to my "List of Things I Completely Effed Up."
Suddenly the lights cut out, and Rainbow was in complete darkness.
She quickly picked up her bat, trying to even out her breathing. Her eyes darted about in the darkness as she slowly, cautiously, took a step forward.
Something hit her in the face and she flew backwards. The bat fell from her hand and clattered off somewhere.
Rainbow struggled to stand, when she was struck again, this time sending her into one of the sinks.
"It hurts, doesn't it."
Rainbow's eyes widened at the sudden voice, making her forget about the welt forming on her temple.
"Being trapped. Cornered with nowhere to run."
"W-Wai-"
Rainbow was slammed against the wall, and she struggled to breathe as an ice-cold hand wrapped around her throat.
The lights flickered back on, and Rainbow found herself staring into golden, hate-filled eyes.
"S-Su-AACK!" The grip on her throat tightened. She was lifted off the ground and her legs kicked out uselessly.
"Not being allowed to explain yourself." Sunset hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Having to live with the knowledge that someone you trusted - someone who you thought was your friend - tried to have you killed."
Rainbow shook her head vigorously - as much as she could anyway - as she choked out, "Sunset...I-I swear...I-I didn't-"
"Don't you even!" Sunset snarled, her fangs bared, as she got in Rainbow's face. "Don't you even feed me that bullshit! Gilda is a sociopath. She made me look like a saint in comparison - at least the shit I pulled was with a goal in mind; she did it for laughs. The only reason she's not in juvie right now is because I kept her in line.
You knew this, Dash. You knew what kind of person she is. And you set her and 29 other students on me like a pack of wolves! What, exactly, did you think was going to happen?! Please, tell me! I legitimately want to know!"
Rainbow opened and closed her mouth several times, before whispering the only thing she could say. "...I'm sorry."
Sunset's face twisted in disgust, before dropping Rainbow to the floor.
"Not yet you're not." She hissed, and then snapped her fingers. Bright green flames erupted behind her, and then vanished to reveal Scootaloo, still manacled, looking about in confusion and fright.
Sunset stalked towards the girl, who looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Hello..... Anon-A-Miss."
Scootaloo crawled away until her back hit the wall, her face a mask of fright. "P-Please...d-don't hurt me! I-I'm sorry!"
Sunset was unmoved by her tears. "I'm sure you are." She opened her palm and a whip appeared in her hand. "A pity I don't care."
"Wait!" Rainbow cried out, still catching her breath from being nearly strangled. "I....I get it...y-you're pissed at her, but....y-you're not seriously gonna whip her, are you?"
"Of course not."
Rainbow let out a sigh of relief.
"You are."
Rainbow froze. "W-wha...?"
She cried out as she was grabbed by the arm and yanked to her feet. The force left her stumbling slightly.
"You heard me." Sunset replied, her expression completely blank as she held out the whip. "Ten lashes. Right now."
Rainbow took a step back, shaking her head. She knew by the look on Sunset's face that she was dead serious. "Y...you're insane."
Sunset merely shrugged. "Have it your way."
She snapped her fingers again, and the manacles around Scootaloo's wrists transformed into a giant snake. It wrapped itself around her neck before she could even scream, and started to squeeze.
"No!" Rainbow tried to run to Scootaloo's rescue, but a sharp pain ran up her arm and she found she was rooted to the spot. She stared in horror as Scootaloo's face began to turn purple.
"Sunset, please!" Rainbow begged, her nails digging into her arm as she stared imploringly at her former friend. "For God's sake, she's just a kid!"
"And that makes it all okay, doesn't it." Sunset uttered coldly. "She betrayed you, Dash. She knew what posting those pictures would do to your reputation, and she did it anyway." Her eyes narrowed in resentment. "You weren't nearly as lenient when you thought it was me."
Rainbow had to lean back as Sunset leaned in, their noses almost touching. "But Gilda isn't here to do your dirty work this time. Is she?"
Sunset thrust the handle of the whip out. "Punish her. Or I will."
"Rn....bw....Dsh......."
Rainbow stared from the whip in Sunset's blackened hand, to Scootaloo, whose struggles were starting to lessen. Then with an eerie calm, she took the whip.
Sunset snapped her fingers, and the snake once more became a pair of manacles, this time chaining her to one of the sinks, leaving Scootaloo shaking and panting on the floor. Scootaloo didn't resist as Sunset nudged her with her foot, making her turn around. Sunset grabbed the back of her hooded shirt and pulled, tearing the fabric and exposing Scootaloo's bare back.
"Ten lashes." Sunset said softly. "And don't even think about holding back. If I suspect you're going easy on her, I'll make you start again."
Rainbow's expression was hidden behind her bangs as she slowly walked towards Scootaloo. She gripped the handle tightly in her fist and straightened the length of the whip, preparing the first strike.
Scootaloo dared a glance behind her. "....Rainbow Dash....?"
She screamed as the whip came down on her back.
Five agonizing minutes passed, and the screams eventually stopped.
Scootaloo simply hung from her manacles, not having the strentgh to hold herself up. Her eyes were glazed over with pain and shock, her face wet from crying. Her back was a bloody mess, the marks raw and bright red. They would no doubt leave scars.
Rainbow was on her knees in the middle of the floor. A single tear had made it's way down her blank face as she stared at the whip laying limply in her palms. A single word was burned into her arm, but she simply couldn't bring herself to care:
Coward
All the while, Sunset had looked on with the same stoic expression. But as the black veins crawled up her neck and towards her eye, she couldn't help the slight twitch that passed over her face.
She vanished, leaving the two other girls to their misery.
So....that's it.
....Now what?
Sunset's head snapped up as she felt something....familiar....
No.....she couldn't have....
She did.
A slightly deranged smile stretched Sunset's lips as the left side of her face turned completely black.
Oh well...I've gone this far. Might as well go all the way.
"Twilight, this just came from Princess Celestia!"
Twilight Sparkle jumped in shock at suddenly hearing her number one assistant's voice, the sudden movement causing several dozen papers to fall to the floor.
She had been searching for hours through tomes and ancient scrolls - half of which she couldn't even read because the ink had faded - desperately trying to find something that would open the portal.
But....if it was from Celestia...it must be important.
She gently levitated the letter from Spike and opened it. Her eyes widen as she quickly read the contents. "Spike! This is it! Celestia's found the spell we need!"
She read out loud:
"Dear Twilight,
Luna and I have been searching the remains of our old castle in the Everfree Forest, hoping to find something of Starswirl's that I might have missed after relocating. Sure enough, we found a scroll hidden inside a secret cache. If the date on the scroll is correct, we can roughly estimate that this is one of the last spells he wrote before his passing.
The scroll, after being translated, appears to be an updated version of the spell he used to banish the sirens, including instructions on how to perform the spell."
Twilight frowned as she read the next paragraph, "However, be advised that we don't know if this spell has been tested yet, so it is unclear if it will actually work or not."
Twilight and Spike shared an uneasy look before she continued, "That said, I acknowledge that, as a Princess of Equestria, you must make decisions that you believe are best.
All I ask is that you be careful, my former student.
I wish you well.
Signed,
Celestia, Princess of the Sun."
Twilight slowly set the letter down to look at the scroll that came with it, her brows furrowed.
"Twilight? Are....are you sure about this?"
Twilight sighed, then turned to Spike. "No....but it's the only chance I have."
Levitating the scroll so she could read the instructions, she opened a drawer with her magic and pulled out a piece of chalk.
Slowly, she drew a circle on the floor as she recited the words on the paper.
"Voco Magia ad creare Porta Odium verba divides de lapsi sarcire ruinas Omnium mortalium unire somnia Harmonia autem est in omni receperint aestus "
As Twilight read the spell, her voice reverberated throughout the room. The chalk circle glowed a bright blue and enveloped her in light. Each word she read off the scroll glowed and literally flew off the scroll. They flew around her, glowing gold, as they spun around and around.
"Aperi Porta Harmonia Aperi Porta Harmonia APERI PORTA HARMONIA!!!"
The room glowed white, and she was gone, leaving poor Spike looking about the room in fright and confusion.
Twilight landed in the snow on her hands and knees. Daring to look up she deduced that, yes, she was in the right place.....and in one piece, but that something was terribly terribly wrong. For one thing, the sky was green. And glowing. For another, there was a pile of charred rubble next her, still smoking.
The portal.....
"Twilight!"
Twilight turned towards the familiar voice and saw several cars and people in uniform outside the force-field. Police officers, she realized. Among them, she saw two familiar figures, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, looking both shocked and relieved to see her.
As she stood up, it hit her that it was freezing cold, and apparently she wasn't wearing a jacket. Wrapping her arms around her, she ran over to the two women.
"Twilight....how? How are you here? We saw-"
"That's not important right now. Celestia, what happened? Where are my friends?"
Celestia gave a pained look. "I don't know where Miss Pie, Miss Shy, and Miss Applejack are. They didn't come to school. But Sunset....Twilight....Sunset, she...."
Celestia turned away, unable to continue. Luna placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Twilight reeled back as if struck. She was too late.
Steeling her resolve, she took a deep breath. There would be time to mourn later.
Placing a hand on the force-field, Twilight vowed, "I promise, I will find the monster behind this and end this madness. Sunset won't have died in vain."
But Twilight had already taken off towards the school.
As Twilight entered the main doors - she was surprised to find them unlocked - and slowly walked down the dark and empty main hallway, she wondered about this new threat to Canterlot High. If Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were absent from school, then using the Elements would be a problem.
And then there was Sunset.....
Twilight steeled herself. No. Even with Sunset...gone....the Magic of Friendship was still there. All she had to do was find a way to disable the force-field and gather the others together-
"So you are here. Can't say I'm surprised."
Twilight's head snapped up to see a hunched over silhouette a few feet away from her. She could distinctly make out two bat-like wings.
Twilight clenched her fists. "So you're the one behind this! Show yourself!"
The figure paused, then chuckled softly. "They really need to fix the lighting in this school. That's twice now we've met in a dark hallway."
The figure stepped forward, and revealed a twisted, sickly, but all too familiar face.
"S....Sunset?!"
Were it not for the red hair, and the single yellow streak left amongst the black, she wouldn't have believed it. But it was indeed Sunset Shimmer. Her hair was a mess, and covered half of her face, which was pale and gray. The single eye showing had black sclera and a golden iris. She appeared to be wearing some sort of black bodysuit.
"-did it get like this? Honestly, I've been asking myself that for the past few days."
Sunset gazed down at her blackened hand. "Let's just say I've been having literally the worse week of my life." She touched the wall and it began to glow white. "Maybe it's best if you see for yourself."
Twilight looked between Sunset, then the glowing wall, then back, before slowly hesitantly, touching a single finger to it-
You're Anon-A-Miss!
How could you do this? After everything we've been through?
Secret stealer!
You're not our friend!
What part of leave us alone didn't you understand?!
And what do you do with a dog that starts biting the hand holding its leash? Get rid of it. They've been playing you like a pipe since day one.
Hope you had fun messing with us. Now it’s our turn.
I was stupid.....so stupid.....
Twilight opened her eyes to find she was on the floor. She shakily sat up, panting, her face burning with tears.
She saw it. She felt it. All of it. Everything Sunset had been through. Getting rejected by her friends not once, but twice, getting shunned by the school again, getting lured into a trap with the express purpose of doing her harm, and worse of all, learning that Rainbow Dash had been part of it.
Twilight covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit.
"Sorry. Probably should've warned you."
Twilight looked up to see Sunset looking at her, her expression unreadable.
"Sunset, I...I'm so....if I'd known....if I'd been here-"
"It wouldn't have made a difference. They had made up their minds. Nothing you did would have changed it."
Twilight stood up slowly as she gazed at her friend. She sounded like Sunset, but she sounded......wrong. "Sunset......where are our friends?"
"Your friends."
"Huh?"
"Were you not watching the same memories I was? Those girls are not my friends, and they never were. They only put up with me because of you." Twilight flinched at the accusatory tone. "But to answer your question, Applejack and Pinkie are at home, don't know where Fluttershy is, nor do I care, and Rainbow Dash and Rarity are....around, somewhere in the school. They're all alive, though they probably wished they weren't."
Twilight gaped, unable to comprehend the absolute apathy Sunset was showing.
"Sunset, you need to stop this."
Sunset's face twisted in contempt. "And how exactly do you propose I do that? This," she gestured to her corrupted form. "doesn't exactly have an off switch!"
"Sunset, this has gotten completely out of control! There are police outside!"
"Hm. Wondered what those sirens were. Again, what do you want me to do?"
"Take down the force-field! Let everyone go! Let our friends go!"
"They're. Not. My. Friends!" Sunset ground out, and Twilight noticed that her fangs were growing longer. "But sure, Twilight, I'll just take down the force-field, let the police in, and I can explain that it was just one big misunderstanding! Then we can all hold hands and sing one big rousing musical number!"
"Sunset, stop! This isn't you!"
"Maybe it is me! Maybe I like hurting people! Maybe I was lying to you and myself about friendship being worth a shit! Did you ever think about that?!" Sunset slammed her fist into the wall, leaving large cracks. Twilight jumped back, shocked.
Suddenly, Sunset gripped her head and screamed in pain. A giant horn sprouted from her forehead. Sunset's wings flared out as she shook her head violently.
Twilight reached out a hand in concern, but it was swatted away by black claws. "Don't TOUCH me!"
Twilight's eyes widened as she looked at Sunset's face. Half of it was completely black, and there were tiny black veins crawling over to cover the other half.
Sunset suddenly looked frightened, and took a step back. "You can't fix this, Twilight. You can't fix me. Please....just go."
Twilight shook her head. "No Sunset. I won't leave you like this."
As Twilight walked forward, Sunset snarled a warning, "Twilight....."
"I know that things are bad. I know you've been hurt. But this isn't the way! Lashing out won't make you feel better! I know you feel alone now, but you're not. You have me. Friendship isn't always easy, but believe me, it's always worth fighting f-"
With a roar, Sunset's wings flared out, and bright green flames surrounded the two in a large circle.
Sunset began to laugh. "Heh. Heheheheheh. I destroy the portal, and you come anyway. I tell you to go and you don't. LISTEN! Well, fine. FINE! You wanna stay? Then STAY!!!!"
Sunset made a throwing motion. Twilight instinctively threw out her arms only to lower them when she heard a clanging sound at her feet. She look down to see a sword.
Twilight's pupils turned to pinpricks as she whispered, "....no."
She looked up to see Sunset holding a sword of her own, sheathed in green magic. "Oh yeah. It's round two, Princess. And this time, only one of us gets out alive!"
Twilight had faced many enemies in the past, and they had all been very similar in goals and personalities. When she had last faced Sunset Shimmer, she had the appearance of a demoness, and a glint in her eye that belonged to a self-centered egomaniac, with a tint of madness.
This time, however, instead of an ambitous bully, was something akin to a wild animal. One that had been backed into a corner and whipped repeatedly. A creature that was beyond reason, beyond caring for anyone or anything, not even herself.
And it absolutely broke Twilight's heart.
Unfortunately Sunset took Twilight's frozen form as indecisiveness, so she decided to make the choice for her. There was a flash of movement, Twilight was on the ground, a large cut on her cheek.
Twilight didn't have time to think; she used all her energy and speed to dodge and evade as Sunset swung her sword wildly, her own sword still lying where she had left it.
As Twilight dodged the swings, Sunset, to her surprise, began to sing:
I believed what we had would last forever After all the moments we spend together But they were meaningless in the end If friendship is supposed to be magic Then why has ours become so tragic? I can't believe I called them my friends
Sunset's singing distracted Twilight momentarily, as one swing sliced off a lock of her hair. She felt a clawed hand dig into her shoulder as she was forcefully pushed to the ground.
Feels like after all this time You should have known we'd be here tonight Wandering where the past has gone All the memories we lost when we moved on Honestly, it hurts thinking About the way we were, just you and me This isn't what friendship's supposed to be
As Sunset sang, Twilight risked a glance behind her. A single tear had trekked its way down the unblackened side of Sunset's face, which was still contorted in rage.
Sunset's words pierced Twilight's very soul. She knew exactly what Sunset was feeling, for she was in this very same position herself when Discord had brainwashed all her friends, twisting their personalities and causing them to leave her alone.
A look of determination crossed Twilight's face. She would not let it end this way. Somehow, someway, she would save her friend. She stood up and turned to face Sunset fully as she sang:
Giving up always seems so easy, But it's hard when it's you and me And I don't want to say good-bye
Sunset charged, but Twilight did a tuck-n-roll and grabbed her sword. When Sunset swung again, she used the sword to block it.
We've hurt each other time and time again-
Guess all good things come to an end, Sunset hissed as she pushed down on Twilight's sword with her own.
But I don't want to lose you tonight, Twilight countered as she pushed back.
The two finally pushed off each other, both panting hard.
Unbeknownst to the two, a small crowd was forming around the circle of fire. Apparently some of the students who were hiding had heard the commotion and felt brave enough to investigate. Some were even recording.
The two slowly began to circle each other, their swords at the ready
Feels like after all this time You should've known we'd be here tonight Wondering where the past has gone All the memories we lost when we moved on
Twilight joined in, and the two harmonized;
Honestly, it hurts thinking About the way we were, just you and me This isn't what friendship's supposed to be
And so, the fight went on, the two swords clashing. But eventually, Sunset lost her patience and used the flat side of the blade to strike Twilight wrist, knocking the sword out of her hand.
In shock, Twilight didn't have time to defend herself as Sunset slashed away, cutting into Twilight's sleeves, her chest, and her skirt.
A kick to the ribs stole Twilight's breath, and a sock to the jaw sent her flying.
As Twilight wheezed and struggled to get up, she saw Sunset approach, her expression now unreadable.
D-don't say goodbye.... I promise everything...will be alright.....
Twilight reached imploringly with a trembling hand. Sunset ignored it and grabbed the front of Twilight's ripped blouse, lifting her into the air.
Forgive me..... I'm sorry.... I'll fix this...if it cost me my life.... Going to....make this right.....
As Sunset raised her sword to deliver the killing blow, Twilight squeezed her eyes shut.
Please.....if there's any Harmony left in this place.....hear me......
Help me.......
Applejack lay on her bed in despair. Her phone was in the trash can. She didn't notice as a single strand of orange light flew from her body and out the window.
Fluttershy was in the town dump, sobbing. It was the only place she could find that didn't have people or animals. Her crying stopped when she saw yellow light flying from her hands and into the sky.
Pinkie was in the bathtub. The pills she took were starting to take affect. The last thing she saw before everything went black was a pink light flying from her chest and through the wall. The last thing she heard was her normally stoic sister screaming for an ambulance.
Rarity was still sobbing in front of her frozen sister. She didn't notice when a purple light flew from her back and down the hall.
Rainbow Dash was walking down the hallway, her face completely blank. She didn't know where she was going. She didn't care either. She didn't notice when a pale blue light flew from her body and down the opposite end of the hallway.
Sunset stared in shock as Twilight's body began to glow. She slowly let go of her shirt, and Twilight began to rise into the air as colored lights swirled around her.
A flash of white light, and Twilight had transformed. Her clothes were replaced with a simple white dress, similar to a nightgown, her hair now had different streaks of color in it, and on her back were large, majestic alicorn wings.
Sunset stared at Twilight's new form, then her face became blank once more.
Feels like after all this time You should have known we'd be here tonight Wondering where the past has gone All the memories we lost when we moved on
Sunset ascended into the air, and Twilight followed as they both sang;
Honestly, it hurts thinking About the way we were, just you and me This isn't what friendship's supposed to be!
Sunset formed a ball of black magic in her hands, while Twilight formed a ball of rainbow magic in hers.
They both fired, forming a stalemate, neither giving an inch.
With tears spilling down her face, Twilight gave a loud cry as she pushed with everything she had.
As the harmonic magic pushed back Sunset's attack, the she-demon closed her eyes, accepting her fate.
Twilight looked around - there were cops and fearful students everywhere. There were also paramedics wheeling injured students out on gurneys.
One paramedic was kneeling on the floor, shaking his head solemnly, and another was throwing a white sheet over.....
......no.
no
no no no no no no
no, no no, no, no no no nonononononononononononoNONONONONONONONONONONO-
"Twilight!"
"LET ME GO!"
"There's nothing you can do, she's -"
"NO! YOU'RE LYING! IT'S NOT TRUE IT'S NOT-"
"Miss, you need to calm down-"
"LET GO OF ME!"
"We need you to come with us-"
"NO YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND SHE'S MY FRIEND SHE NEEDS ME! SUNSET! SUNSEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!"
Rainbow Dash sat on the steps as she stared at her arm. The word "COWARD" was still etched into her arm. The blood was seeping through the bandages the paramedic had wrapped around her arm. But honestly, her arm could be nothing but a bloody stump and she doubted she'd feel it.
She doubted she'd be feeling anything for a while.
Sunset was dead.
Students were permanently crippled and traumatized.
And it was all her fault.
Looking up, she saw a familiar figure near the ruined remains of the Canterlot High statue.
Rainbow found herself standing up and walking torwards them.
"Twilight....how...when-"
"Don't touch me."
It was barely a whisper, but Dash flinched back as if she had shouted.
She knew.
Of course she knew.
Twilight turned and stared blankly at this.....person that she thought was her friend. It sounded like Rainbow Dash, and despite obvious differences, it even looked like her.
But it wasn't Rainbow Dash. It couldn't be. Her Rainbow Dash would never-
......And there it was.
This girl wasn't "her" Rainbow Dash. She never was. None of the girls were "her" friends.
And because she failed to realize that, Sunset was.....
"Twilight! Your arm!"
Twilight looked down, almost casually, at her now transparent arm.
"The spell I used to come here kept me tethered in this world." she said matter-of-factly. "It must have worn off. I'm going back."
And never returning. It was unspoken, but clear. Rainbow wanted to say something. Anything that would justify her actions. Anything to keep Twilight from-
"If I had known....that this is how things would turn out, I would've brought Sunset back to Equestria with me that night. I would've brought her home."
Twilight's whole body was transparent now, and as she turned to face Rainbow, the athlete fought back bile at the sheer pain on Twilight's tearstained face.
"I should never have left her alone with you."
And with that, the Princess of Friendship was gone.
For the second time that day, Rainbow threw up.
Spike had paced the floor for about and hour, when a bright flash of light made him turn around.
Twilight was back.
"Twilight! You're okay! Did it work? Were you able to-"
He stopped when he saw Twilight's face.
"Spike....Sunset....she.....she....."
She didn't need to finish. Spike wrapped his tiny arms around her as Twilight burst into heartbroken sobs. They both sat there in the floor and wept for the loss of their friend.
It ran for a week. How a single high school student, after being framed as a cyberbully, launched what was essentially a terrorist attack against her high school, maiming and even permanently crippling her former schoolmates before mysteriously dying.
Many shook their heads. It was impossible, they said! A single girl did that? At the very least she had to have had help! And what about that mysterious green dome? And how did she die? Did she kill herself? And what was all that talk about magic and she-demons? Was there a cult involved?
On the 5th day, it got even more mysterious.
Commissioner Swift Order gave a startling interview in front of Police Headquarters.
"The CCPD had an autopsy done on Sunset Shimmer's body. The coroner found signs of internal bleeding and assault. They concluded, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Sunset had been dead for six hours before the attack on Canterlot High."
The reporters were shocked into silence, before one stepped forward. "Are you saying that someone murdered Sunset, and then dressed up as her to frame her for the attack?"
Swift Order shook his head. "This is the strangest case I have ever dealt with. At this point, someone could say aliens did it, and I'd believe it given enough evidence. Here's what I know for absolute certain - unless Sunset managed to somehow come back from the dead, there is no way she committed this crime."
And of course, that just raised more questions. How did Sunset's body get in the school? And if she didn't do it, who did?
Two days later, several students came forward, insisting they had evidence that it was in fact Sunset Shimmer who did this. However, when the police looked through their phones, all they saw were blank images.
"This is preposterious! Trixie is telling you Sunset Shimmer did this!"
"And you know this for certain? You saw her attacking the other students?"
"Of course not! Trixie was hiding in the basement with everyone else!"
"....So, if you never actually saw Sunset attacking anyone, and you have no other proof aside from what you've heard, how do you know for certain it was actually Sunset?"
"........Trixie is going home now."
The police did interview the victims of the attacks but, understandably, they weren't very helpful. The ones that actually talked all said the same thing - that Sunset Shimmer was the culprit, and that she had used magic to hurt them.
They searched the school for any kind of clue. For a gas leak. For hallucenagenic gas. They searched for weapons. They found nothing.
Eventually, they decided to follow another lead - finding Sunset's killer.
They started at her apartment. Or rather, the charred remains of her apartment. Amazingly, the flames didn't spread to the other apartments; it had been contained somehow. They found nothing but ash.
Two days later reports came in of two teenagers found near the highway, both suffering from dehydration and frostbite. One was cradling a broken hand, and the other was blind and raving.
"We had to medicate her heavily. When they found her she was raving about parasites in her head. Kept trying to claw her face."
The officers nodded and left to speak with the boy.
He burst into tears when they entered his room.
"'m sorry. 'm so sorry! We just wanted to teach her a lesson! We just wanted her to stop!"
The officers looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"Are you Rainbow Dash?"
The girl in question turned to look at them. She looked like she'd seen better days.
"Yeah. I am." she monotoned.
"Turn around please."
She complied with no hesitation.
"Rainbow Dash, you are under arrest, for conspiracy to commit assault, and as an accomplice to the murder of Sunset Shimmer. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say...."
"Over thirty students maimed. Several permanently disabled. One student dead. Beaten to death by those same students in the school's gymnasium. Those students are now facing the possibility of juvie. All over a slander campaign set up by three other students. All under your watch.
We have been very lenient with you, Celestia. We sat back and allowed you to run the school as you saw fit because we believed you had your students' best interest at heart. But this, we cannot ignore. This tragedy should never have happened. There should have been actions taken to prevent this from occuring. Actions you failed to take. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Celestia just sat there. What could she say?
The elder woman sighed. "You have a week to clear out your office. Meeting adjourned."
The Dazzlings were watching the news, each had their own reaction.
"Sunny's dead?" Sonata asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A pity she didn't take those bitches with her." Aria said bitterly, shaking her head.
Adagio merely stroked her pendant, deep in thought.
Twilight Sparkle, along with Princess Celestia and Spike, was gazing up at it from atop its pedestal, admiring its beauty. They got every detail right, from the shape of Sunset's eyes to the curls in her mane. At the base was a plaque that read: "In memory of Sunset Shimmer. Beloved Student. Beloved Daughter. Beloved Friend."
The other five Element Bearers and Princess Luna were there as well, but a respectful distance away, their expressions somber. They had heard about Sunset Shimmer from both Twilight and Celestia, how she had been led astray by her own ambition, how she had been cleansed by the Elements of Harmony, how she had learned the Magic of Friendship, and had worked hard ever since to be a better pony - or "person" as Twilight called her.
They were sorry that they would never get to meet such a wonderful pony. They were here now for emotional support.
"Celestia....Princess.....I-"
"No, Twilight. Do not blame yourself. I forbid it."
Twilight cringed at the harsh tone the sun princess spoke with. "But....I ki-"
"Do not finish that sentence!" Celestia hissed. She took Twilight's chin in her hoof. "Sunset's fate was sealed when she was lured into that building. The dark magic that consumed her prolonged her fate, allowing her to take revenge on those that had wronged her. But sooner or later, it would have begun to take a toll on her body. Had you not intervened she would have died a slow, and painful death."
Celestia released her, and sat up into an authoritative pose. "The creatures truly to blame for this are back in that dimension, and from what you've told me, they have been thoroughly punished. They made their choice, and now they will have to deal with consequences." Her eyes softened. "But you, Twilight. You were there for her until the very end. You showed her the Magic of Friendship, something that I had failed to do, and you gave her the peace that she sought. For that, you have my eternal gratitude, Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship."
Twilight burst into tears, and buried her face in Celestia's chest. "I just....I miss her, Celestia. I miss her so much...."
Celestia's majestic wings wrapped themselves around her former student, as tears quietly ran down her own face. "As do I, my little pony. As do I ."
They sat like that for a while, with Spike's claw gently stroking Twilight's back.
They somberly walked back to the group, Twilight nodding that she was ready to leave.
She felt a hoof on her shoulder and turned to see Rainbow Dash. Her Rainbow Dash.
"Hey. You need anything, just let us know, ok?" Rainbow said, her voice sincere. The other nodded in agreement.
Twilight stared at her friend, then embraced her tightly. Rainbow returned the hug with no hesitation. Four other pairs of hooves joined the hug, and Twilight was soon wrapped in a cocoon of warmth.
As they left the Canterlot Gardens and made their way to the train station, Spike walked alongside Twilight, his claws fidgeting nervously.
"So.....happens now? To our fri-" He paused, correcting himself. "To the others?"
Twilight's face was blank, her voice flat. "I don't know, Spike. I'd like to believe that they'll learn from this. That they'll pick up the pieces and rediscover the Magic of Friendship on their own." Her eyes narrowed and she gazed at the ground. "But I've been wrong before."
Vice - no, Principal Luna's voice was ice, and her face was stone. The three girls did not dare look her in the eye.
She gestured towards the newly appointed security guards. "Escort these three to their lockers to clear out their belongings, and then get them out of my school."
One guard opened the door to her office, and ushered the three very chastised girls out, the other following close behind.
One they were gone, Luna collapsed into her chair, her stone masking crumbling.
Despite her demeanor earlier, she was genuinely worried about those girls' safety. Since their identity as Anon-A-Miss had been revealed, and that they were essentially the catalyst behind the attack on the school, the families of many students were out for blood. They were no longer safe here.
From what she had heard, the girls' families were sending them to different schools to different parts of the country. Apple Bloom to Appleoosa, Sweetie Belle to Manehattan, and Scootaloo to Cloudsdale. They were also forbidden from contacting one another.
Luna sighed, massaging her temples. How her sister had been able to handle this job, she would never know.
"Sit down, girls."
Applejack and Apple Bloom complied as their grandmother stared at them with blank eyes.
"Ah jest got offa the phone with Filthy Rich." Granny Smith said softly. "He wasn't best pleased about wut you and yer friends wrote about his youngin' in that web page o' yers. He has informed me that he has officially severed ties with Sweet Apple Acres, and is issuing a city-wide cullin' of all Sweet Apple products from his stores."
Apple Bloom struggled not to sink into her seat.
"And that's not all." Granny continued, as if she were discussing the weather. "Ah been on the phone all day with kinfolk of the students you badmouthed. They're filin' lawsuits against us fer slander. Ya know what that means, Apple Bloom?"
Apple Bloom bit her lip. She looked to Applejack, but Applejack refused to meet her gaze.
"Ah asked ya a question, young lady."
Apple Bloom shook her head, fighting back tears. "Ah didn't want this."
"Ah'm sure you didn't." Granny answered coldly. "But unfortunately, those families don't care 'bout ya wanted ta do. They care 'bout what ya did. An' cuz o' that we could potentially lose the farm. Our home."
"Granny." Big Macintosh admonished from his seat. "Do ya really have ta-"
"Yes Ah do, Big Mac." Granny replied. "Apple Bloom needs to understand that her actions have consequences, and that they don't necessarily affect jus' her."
Granny turned to her eldest granddaughter. "An' don't think Ah forgot 'bout you, Applejack. You told that girl she was yer family. Ya looked her dead in th' eye and you told her that. Is that how ya treat family, AJ? Toss 'em out like hogwash when somethin' don't go yer way?"
"Let me ask you something. What if you and I were related? What if a member of your family did something like this? Would you have abandoned them like you did me?"
"Well Ah don't see how that really matters, seein' as how you ain't mah family."
Applejack gripped her bandaged arm tightly. "Ah...Ah was-"
"What? You were mad? Ya think Ah'm not? Should Ah toss you out?" Granny shook her head in disgust. "Come here. Both of you."
They did as she asked. She folded her arms and looked them dead in the eyes.
"You two have disgraced the Apple family name. You've gone and convinced everyone that we are nothin' but a bunch o' backstabbers and liars. Yer folks are undoubtedly rollin' in their graves right now."
Their eyes widened as the old woman wrapped her arms around them both.
"But despite all that, Ah still love you both jest as much as Ah did the day you were born. Ain't nothin' gunna change that."
They hugged their granny back. She ignored the fact that her shoulders were damp. Big Mac came over and joined the hug.
"We'll git through this." Granny whispered, her eyes misty. "Ah don't know how, but by th' grace o' God, we will git through this."
"No matter what comes, we will face th' weather....." Applejack's voice shook as she sang the song her pa used to sing to her.
"W-we're Apples t-to the core....." Apple Bloom finished, full on sobbing.
All four Apples stayed like that for a while, not daring to let go.
"Are....are you sure this is what you want, sweetie?" Mrs. Shy asked for the umpteenth time.
"I'm sure, Mother." Fluttershy answered. She kept her eyes on the truck as the men from the ASPCA gently loaded the cages into the truck.
She couldn't do it. She couldn't keep those animals in her house, in her room. She couldn't bare to look at them, to touch them, not after what she had done.
The last cage contained Angel Bunny. The poor creature reached out pitifully through the bars with a tiny paw, an imploring and heartbroken look on his face.
Fluttershy turned away and walked towards the house.
"Please! No more! I don't want to hurt him!" "Why not? You hurt me."
She bit her lip as she fought back tears.
"Without a second thought."
"It's for the best." she whispered, as she cradled her bandaged arm to her chest.
"Rest assured, your daughter is in good hands."
Igneous Rock bowed his head, his hat in his hands. A normally stoic man, he looked as though his very world had crumpled about his feet. His wife, Cloudy Quartz, stood by his side, and was not looking much better.
Sitted behind him were three of his daughters, Maude, Marble and Limestone Pie. Marble's face was obscured by her hair, even more so than usual, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest. Limestone's fist were clenched tightly in her lap, and she looked like she wanted to hit something.
"Idiot...." She hissed, her shoulders shaking slightly. "Pinkie, you idiot."
Maude was as stoic as usual, though if anyone were to look closer, they'd notice her eyes were redder than usual.
While this was going on, Pinkie was sitting on her new bed in her new grey uniform. Her parents and her doctor said she would have to stay here for a while, until she got better.
Honestly, she didn't think she would ever get better.
She stared down at her bandaged arm. For some reason, her family seemed to think she had done it to herself. She didn't even try to correct them. Because really, did it even matter anymore?
"Was it fun leading me on, Pinkie? Did you enjoy laughing at my expense?"
Tears streamed down her face. Tears that had been streaming for days. She didn't even bother trying to wipe them away.
Sweetie Belle woke up screaming.
This was the fifth night in a row.
Her parents rushed into the room, desperately trying to calm their frightened daughter.
Rarity curled tighter under the covers, her hands clamped tightly over her ears and her eyes squeezed shut.
She had tried the first few nights to comfort her sister, but Sweetie had only screamed louder whenever she got near her.
"You and your sister made your choice. Now you both have to live with it."
To her ever-growing shame, Rarity was almost glad that Sweetie was leaving for Manehatten tomorrow.
Rainbow Dash leaned against the wall of her cell and sighed. It was over.
Manslaughter was added to the list of her charges. She plead guilty without any hesitation. She'd be in this hellhole for the next three years.
She was able to find out what happened to the others later on TV:
Gilda was declared insane and unfit to stand trial. She'd be in a mental institution for the rest of her life. Dumbbell got five years.
As for everyone else, the judge had taken their ages and the severity of their injuries into consideration and gave them all five years probation and very heavy fines. He'd warned them that "if they so much as put a pinkie-toe out of line, he'd have them thrown in jail so fast they'd get whiplash."
Her parents had visited last week. As did her former captain, Spitfire.
She honestly didn't know what was worse, Spitfire's indignant fury or her parents' heartbroken confusion.
"I just....I don't understand. Why? Why?"
"You had potential, rookie! You were going places! Why the hell would you throw all that away? Over a stupid picture?!"
She had no answer.
Rainbow laid down on her cot and turned to face the wall.
"So much for friendship. Huh, guys?"
"Scootaloo! Let's go! We're ready to leave!"
"Coming!" Scootaloo called back. She gazed at the photo in her hands one last time. Her younger self and and a smiling Rainbow Dash gazed back.
With a sigh, she tossed the picture in the trash, picked up her crutch, and hobbled towards the moving truck where her family waited.
The boys stood silently in front of the wreckage. One by one, Flash, Snips, and Snails each placed flowers near the destroyed portal.
"I'm sorry it had to end this way." Flash whispered. "I just hope, wherever you are, you're at peace now."
"You always stood up for us." Snips said somberly. "Even when you were being mean to us, you always had our backs."
"We'll never forget you, boss." Snails whimpered, a single tear trailing down his cheek.
Flash patted the boy on the shoulder, and with one last look at their little shrine, he ushered them gently back to his car to take them home.
