On the evening of the Anon-A-Miss Incident, six key players suffer from nightmares...
The Crusaders: Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Trixie Lulamoon. Wallflower Blush. Sunset Shimmer.
These six girls were at the epicenter of the Anon-A-Miss incident. With the day behind them, they'll discover that their troubles have only just begun...
Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and found herself in the Canterlot High library. Sunlight beamed in through the stained glass windows near the ceiling. Rows upon rows of curved bookshelves encircled the perimeter of the first floor, and two sets of stairs led to the second floor, where more curved bookshelves were.
The library was completely empty, save for Sweetie Belle. She began to feel uneasy, and turned around to leave. There had always been at least one person in the library, be it student or staff. To be the only person inside just didn't sit right with her.
The Crusader reached the door, then stopped dead in her tracks. She blinked in surprise and confusion, then pressed on, only to find that she couldn't move.
"What the..." she paused for a moment, then tried to walk forward again. Nothing. Sweetie Belle sighed. She supposed she was going to be stuck here.
"Might as well make the most of it," she said with a shrug, then walked over to the computers. Maybe there were some funny videos she hadn't seen yet.
Sweetie Belle logged onto EweTube, and grinned with delight. Her favorite EweTuber just uploaded a video! The thumbnail was... a picture of Sunset Shimmer's silhouette with question marks in a red background?
The Crusader felt a chill down her spine. It was almost exactly the avatar that she and the others had agreed upon for their Anon-A-Miss account on MyStable! If she felt uneasy before, she definitely felt afraid now! And yet, curiosity compelled her to watch it.
The video began, and it started with Sunset Shimmer sitting in a corner with her head in her hands. The rocker was crying softly, and Sweetie felt a wave a guilt wash over her. Even if the Crusader did nothing to her, she still felt terrible.
"No."
Sweetie Belle's eyes widened in shock as Sunset slowly lifted her head up and stared directly at her.
"Don't you dare feel sorry for me," the Sunset in the video said.
The Crusader sat still, slack-jawed.
"You did what you needed to do..." she stood up, then the video skipped and buffered...
...and Sunset Shimmer was gone.
"...because I would have done the same!"
Sweetie Belle yelped and fell off of her chair. Turning around, she saw the rocker stand over her.
Daylight swiftly turned to darkness as Sunset glared at her.
"Wh-What are you talking about," the Crusader stammered. "Y-You've changed!"
Sunset scowled and folded her arms with a scoff. "That didn't stop you from giving me a mental breakdown!"
"I-I... no. We didn't mean for that to happen!"
"Oh, really? Then why didn't you stop it?"
"None of us knew that was going to happen! B-Besides, the Crusaders and I didn't want to be a part at first!"
"Bullshit," Sunset roared. "You wanted to teach me a lesson that I wouldn't soon forget... and you succeeded!"
Sweetie Belle flinched, then noticed the rocker had tears in her eyes again.
"I tried..."
The Crusader inched forward.
"I tried to be nice, Sweetie Belle." Sunset sniffled. "But after all that I've done, it apparently wasn't enough for you to see me struggle."
"Sunset..."
"You make me so mad, I just want to scream!"
Sweetie blanched. "No..."
The rocker took a deep breath, then shrieked. The same shriek that stopped everyone in the cafeteria. The same shriek that would haunt students for days to come.
"Sunset..." The Crusader could barely manage a whimper.
Sunset screamed again. And again. And again.
"You put me through hell." The rocker enveloped herself if a cocoon of pure darkness, then emerged in a hauntingly familiar form.
Sunset Shimmer's body was now completely crimson. She wore a dress of flames and sported a tail and hair of the same. She flapped her red wings as she ascended. Her blue eyes stared the Crusader down. "Now allow me to return the favor!"
Sweetie Belle screamed and ran for the doors. "Oh, please, oh please!" She passed through, then pumped her fist in victory.
The demon screamed again, causing Sweetie to nearly trip and fall.
The Crusader quickly regained her balance, then ran as fast as she could.
"That's right, run," the demon shouted. "It'll make your death all the more worth it! Drag it out as long as you can!" She laughed maniacally, causing an echo in the hallways.
Sweetie Belle panted as she desperately searched for a place to hide. She could hide in the lockers, but that would mean she'd have no room to escape if she was found. Oh, who was she kidding? Of course she'd be found!
The Crusader racked her brains as another shriek resounded through the school's corridors. Oh, she was so scared she thought she would be sick!
...Wait. That just might be it! She'd go into the boy's bathroom! No female in their right mind would dare...
Sweetie Belle slapped the palm of her hand to her forehead and dragged it down her face. What kind of hiding spot was that?! The demon wasn't in her right mind to begin with, so she'd basically be a sitting duck! She'd also be trapped in any closet or utility room...
"Come out, come out, wherever you are," the demon called out in a singsong tone that caused the Crusader to shudder.
It was at that moment that Sweetie Belle realized what she had to do: escape. She had been so frightened that the idea hadn't occurred to her until just now! If she wasn't so scared, she'd have felt embarrassed. She made a note of where she was, then headed in the direction of the nearest exit.
Adrenaline fueled the Crusader as she neared the door. She'd be safe. She'd be free!
A wall of flames rose in front of her.
"Oh, please," the demon said as she flew over to the Crusader. "I know where all the exits are." She sneered. "Did you really think you'd be able to run from me?"
Sweetie Belle whimpered as the demon grabbed her, then held her up.
"Any last words?"
"...Why?"
"Why?" The demon chuckled. "Because you hate yourself for what happened." She extended her claws, then sliced the Crusader.
Scootaloo opened her eyes and found herself at the local skate park on a sunny day. She grabbed her scooter, then nearly tripped once she saw Sunset Shimmer a few feet away from the park's entrance. The Crusader blinked in surprise, then headed in the rocker's direction.
Sunset's expression became fearful, and she turned around and ran away.
"Sunset! Wait!" Scootaloo hopped on her scooter, and started chasing her.
"Go away," the rocker shouted.
"But I want to talk to you!" Scootaloo sped up, getting closer and closer until her scooter abruptly stopped. With a yelp, the Crusader nearly hit her face on a sidewalk. She slowly got up and took off her helmet. That was strange... she didn't see anything ahead of her that could've caused this to happen. Upon inspecting the ground, she noticed her scooter got stuck in a pit or tar.
"What the?!" Scootaloo tried to pull it out, but to no avail. She decided to leave it there and catch up with Sunset. She'd have to hoof it. With a quick series of stretches, the Crusader took off in pursuit.
Crowds upon crowds of people appeared off in the distance, confusing Scootaloo. There wasn't supposed to be anything going on today! As she continued forth, she pushed through the masses. Over time, the atmosphere began to change. Blue walls began to close in as the scent of food wafted around the Crusader's nose. Shouts of anger and sorrow began to sound off.
Scootaloo stopped in her tracks momentarily. Something about all of this seemed unnervingly familiar... with a rapid shake of her head, she continued forth with determination. She had to find Sunset Shimmer, no matter what! She needed to apologize for the wrong she did!
The crowds became more and more dense as Scootaloo pressed on, making it harder to move forward. The shouting grew in volume as the scent of food became stronger, and it was at that moment that it all dawned on the Crusader. The color drained from her face. This was where Sunset...
"Oh, crap."
Suddenly, as though sensing Scootaloo's thoughts, the entire crowd of people started moving the opposite direction she was taking to get to Sunset. The Crusader yelped, then against her better judgment, went against the herd mentality that she had unwittingly created.
The crowd began to move faster, and Scootaloo put both of her arms to her chest as she pushed on through. At this point, she didn't care what happened to her as long as she got to speak to Sunset!
A sudden gust of air blew past the Crusader, causing her to trip. How was that possible? She was indoors!
The people began to run as they started pushing each other away, and a loud noise sounded off in the distance. Scootaloo struggled to get up as several bystanders repeatedly knocked her down to the floor. Frustration built up within the Crusader, and she roared with anger. Several of those in the crowd stopped for a moment and let her stand up.
The noise became louder, and Scootaloo realized her mistake in continuing forward, despite everything else telling her not to.
Sunset Shimmer's scream reverberated through the Crusader's ears, and the sheer force of it sent her flying into a wall... where she lost consciousness.
Scootaloo opened her eyes in a daze. How long had she been out? She shook her head rapidly and looked around, only for fear to grip her.
The cafeteria tables had melted into a liquid substance as flames danced around the floor. There was a rancid burning odor wafting around Scootaloo, and she had suppress a gag at the smell. The rafters with the school's logo were burning brightly as the roof began to crack open.
"I-I have to get out of here!"
Scootaloo ran off, trying to remember where the nearest exit was until a sinister laugh stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Scootaloo, Scootaloo, Scootaloo..." a familiar voice said in disappointment.
Fear's grip tightened as the Crusader turned around.
"You should have backed out when you had the chance," Sunset's demon form said as she folded her arms with a grin.
"I... I-I," Scootaloo stammered.
"Yes?"
The Crusader's mouth hung open as flames began to spread around her.
"I can wait as long as I have to, take your time," the demon said patiently. "Just remember that you can't."
The roof of the cafeteria cracked again, then collapsed around Scootaloo.
"I just wanted to apologize," the Crusader blurted out.
The demon raised an eyebrow. "Apologize?" She snorted, then giggled... then descended into a laughing fit that caused the whole cafeteria to shake. Scootaloo remained still, terrified until the demon finished and wiped away a tear. "Oh, that's the funniest thing I've heard since the Fall Formal!"
The Crusader blinked. "...What?"
"I don't buy it," the demon said plainly. "If you were really and truly sorry, you would be sincere about it, not just saying you're going to do it!"
Scootaloo took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Sunset Shimmer... I'm sorry. My friends and I didn't mean for this all to happen to you."
"You didn't mean for it to happen? Hah!" The demon stretched out her palms and threw a fireball at the Crusader.
Scootaloo screamed and shielded herself with her arms, only to realize that she was still alive.
"What did y-"
Pillars of flame erupted in a circle around the Crusader. "Holy!"
The demon laughed. "I'm going to enjoy watching you suffer!"
"I apologized," Scootaloo said as the flames drew closer.
"That you did," The demon said. "But like I said," her face contorted in fury. "You should have backed out when you had the chance."
The flames engulfed Scootaloo, and she screamed and writhed in agony as searing pain coursed through her body.
Apple Bloom found herself in a tranquil field, surrounded by flowers. A warm, comforting breeze blew around her, and she sighed in contentment. She laid herself down on the ground and stared up at the sky as she put her hands behind her head, then closed her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing here?"
The farmer opened her eyes, surprised by the familiar voice.
Sunset Shimmer stood still with her arms folded, looming over her.
Apple Bloom bolted upright upon seeing the last person she'd expect. "W-What do mean, what am I doing here?"
Sunset's expression soured, and the sky began to darken. "Where do you think you are?"
"I'm outside, aren't I?"
"Try again."
Apple Bloom blinked in confusion. "Well, where else could I be?"
Sunset sighed and put a hand to her forehead. "Okay. Let's try this." With a wave of her hand, a screen materialized in midair. She snapped her fingers and the screen turned on, showing her interacting with her friends.
The sky began to lighten up, and flowers slowly bloomed all over the field. A sense of comfort washed over Apple Bloom as the sun shone brightly upon her.
"I wouldn't get too comfortable there," Sunset said in a warning tone as the screen shifted the view from her friends to the confrontation she had with the Dazzlings in the school hallway. Why was the farmer being shown this?
The sky darkened again, and a light rain began as the Sunset on the screen held her arm with a look of sadness.
The farmer folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, but continued watching.
The scene on the screen shifted from the hallway to after the Rainbooms' performance after the Battle of the Bands' semi-finals, where Trixie went backstage to taunt them.
"I especially liked the part where Sunset Shimmer, in a fit of jealous rage, knocked out Rainbow Dash mid-guitar solo!"
Thunder and lightning resounded as Sunset's face reddened. "It wasn't a fit of jealous rage," she snapped.
Another scene transition occurred, and all the Rainbooms but Princess Twilight were arguing with each other as a strange green fog emanated from them. The Sunset on the screen stood by, and Apple Bloom shivered as a cold wind blew.
A swift flash-forward on the screen brought the farmer to the climactic Battle of the Bands, where the Rainbooms and the Dazzlings fought for the fate of not just Canterlot High, but the world itself! The sirens had just blown the microphone out of Twilight's hand, and it rolled to Sunset, who just stood there anxiously.
"Sunset Shimmer," Twilight called out. "We need you!"
The Sunset on the screen closed her eyes as another chilly gust of wind blew through...
...then she sang.
"You're never gonna bring me down!"
As she sang, the overall atmosphere began to warm up. As the other Rainbooms joined in, the sun returned and began to shine. A rainbow formed in the sky as the entire student body sang along, and the Dazzlings were defeated soundly.
"Do you get it yet," Sunset asked as she looked at Apple Bloom expectantly.
The farmer shrugged.
Sunset grinned wickedly. "I was so hoping you'd say that." She snapped a finger, and the screen grew larger. Static sounded off for a moment, then cut to Canterlot High's cafeteria.
Apple Bloom's eyes widened as she saw her sister and her friends form a protective circle around Sunset Shimmer, who was beside herself with emotion. The sky darkened immediately, and all plant life slowly withered and decayed around her.
"No," the farmer said quietly as she fought a chill of fear. "Not this again..." she turned away, only for Sunset to grab her and force her eyes open.
"You are going to watch this or so help me Celestia..."
Apple Bloom fought to push Sunset away, but to no avail. The farmer stood still and braced herself for what was coming as the mob of her fellow students closed in on her sister and her friends. Tears rolled down her eyes as she watched the rocker suffer until finally, she screamed.
Everything save for Sunset, Apple Bloom, and the screen suddenly disappeared.
The rocker let go of the farmer, who stumbled forward in the nothingness.
"Now do you understand where you are," Sunset asked, her face twisted with rage. "You've got ten seconds to answer."
Apple Bloom's mind raced frantically as the scream replayed in her head. She couldn't focus properly under these conditions!
The ten seconds passed, and Sunset growled in rage. "Oh for the love of Celestia," she shouted. "I really have to spell it out for you, don't I?!"
The farmer cowered as Sunset's fury took on a physical form, manifesting itself around the rocker. It swirled around and around, enveloping her until it dispersed, revealing her demon form from the night of the Fall Formal.
"Fine," she shouted, then snapped her finger.
The surface Apple Bloom stood on suddenly softened, causing her to nearly trip. She looked down to see a pulsating red mass of large squiggly lines. She gasped, then nearly lurched forward in disgust. The farm girl finally understood where she was...
"You're in my mind, and I want you out," the demon roared.
"I-I don't know how-"
"Bullshit! After what you put me through, how do I know I can trust you?"
Apple Bloom furrowed her brow. "Now wait just a-"
"I don't want to hear it!" The demon extended her arm, and segments of the brain formed into tendrils and held the farmer in place. "You know what," she said as a sinister grin formed on her face. "I changed my mind."
Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. "You... you did?"
"Yes. I've decided that you're going to stay." The tendrils tightened their grip on the farm girl and began to pull her downward.
Apple Bloom shrieked, only for another tendril to wrap itself around her mouth. Paralyzed by both the tendrils and fear, she sank into the fleshy mass completely.
Apple Bloom woke up with her heart beating a mile a minute.
Trixie Lulamoon found herself walking the halls of Canterlot High. Everyone smiled as she passed by, as though nothing had happened in the cafeteria. She didn't mind that in the slightest. With a smile of her own, she strode down the corridors to see the principal.
"Good morning, Principal Celestia!"
Celestia smiled as Trixie walked past her. "Good morning, Anon-A-Miss," she said cheerfully.
Trixie stopped in her tracks and turned around. "I-I'm sorry, what was that?"
Celestia walked away, without an answer.
Trixie scratched her head, then shrugged. Maybe she was hearing things. It was early in the morning, after all. Maybe some caffeine would fix that. She headed on over to the cafeteria, then stopped when she thought she saw Sunset Shimmer out of the corner of her eye.
Trixie turned around, and Sunset was nowhere in sight. She sighed. Her imagination seemed to be going crazy or something. Was a coffee or a soda really a good idea right now? She sputtered, then headed on over to detention to start her punishment. Six months was a ridiculously long time, but even she thought it was fair.
"Anon-A-Miss," a voice whispered. Trixie blinked, then looked behind herself to see nobody. She shook her head rapidly as uneasiness crept up on her.
Get a grip, Trixie. You probably just haven't had enough sleep lately, that's all.
Trixie figured she'd get caught up with it during detention. It's not like she could get in any more trouble than she already was, right? She shook her head. What was she thinking? The last thing she needed right now was to be in more trouble.
"Morning," a familiar voice said from behind Trixie.
Trixie yelped and jumped, then turned around to see Wallflower.
Wallflower's face turned a light shade of red as she gave Trixie a sheepish expression. "Sorry, did I startle you?"
Trixie sighed. "Don't worry about it, I was just deep in thought," she said with a dismissive hand wave as the two walked together. "Ready for the first day of the rest of our lives," she asked as they approached the door.
Wallflower gripped the doorknob. "As long as it's with you, Anon-A-Miss." She opened the door.
"Wait, what?"
A blinding light emanated from the door, and Trixie suddenly found herself on stage, behind the curtain with the sounds of people murmuring. She blinked in confusion, then yelped once she realized that she had no props, or even her favorite magician's hat! She nearly froze in place, but took a deep breath. This was nothing. She could be great and powerful even without the necessary tools!
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!"
Trixie grinned. The stage was where she was truly in her element.
"Presenting... Anon-A-Miss!"
Trixie's grin faded as the curtain drew back. Why was everyone calling her that?! She looked out into the crowd to see all the students from Canterlot High in attendance. A droplet of sweat fell from her forehead as mild feedback from an unseen microphone sounded off.
"Um... before we get the show started, I just wanted you all to know that I abandoned the stage name 'Anon-A-Miss' years ago." Trixie felt her natural confidence gradually return. "I am now known as the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie!" She gave the audience a dramatic pose... and was left with silence. She went back to a normal stance and tried to read the crowd in an awkward moment.
"'Trixie'? What kind of a name is that," an audience member heckled. The whole audience began to laugh at her.
Trixie blanched. Had everyone forgotten her name? The name she so tirelessly reminded her fellow students of? The name she was born with?
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
Trixie slowly backed up as she shook her head. This couldn't be happening.
Suddenly, much like Trixie's confidence, the stage crumbled beneath her feet and she fell into darkness.
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
Trixie fell onto a floor, then hugged herself with a deep sigh.
"Deliciously ironic, isn't it," a familiar voice asked.
Trixie looked up to see Sunset Shimmer, leering at her. "All of that hard work for nothing."
"Kicking the dog while it's down, Shimmer?"
Sunset grabbed Trixie by the collar and stood her up. "You have no right to talk," she growled. "After everything you and Wallflower put me through, to say nothing of my friends and the Crusaders!"
Trixie grit her teeth as guilt crept up on her.
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten the scream from the cafeteria..."
Sunset burst into flames and transformed into the demon she was during the night of the Fall Formal.
"...because I won't let you!" Sunset screamed, piercing Trixie's ears.
Trixie cried out in pain and covered her ears. When the sound dissipated, she looked at the demon. "W... What do you want from me?"
"I'm just here to remind you of what a horrible person you are... and that a deed such as yours deserves punishment."
"'Punishment'", Trixie asked in shock. "Wallflower and I were suspended for a week, then given detention for six months! What more could-" Her eyes widened.
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
"Like I said," Sunset said with a smug smile and crossed arms. "'Deliciously ironic, isn't it?' My meltdown in the cafeteria exposed you and Wallflower as Anon-A-Miss."
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
"Because of that," Sunset continued, "people everywhere have forgotten your real name. And you know what the best part about all of this is?"
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
"Stop," Trixie muttered under her breath.
"The best part," Sunset said with a wicked smile. "Is that I'm no longer the only one whose past came to bite her in the ass."
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
"Make it stop... please..." Trixie shuddered.
Sunset barked a laugh. "Do you have any idea how many times I said that to the voices in my head?!"
"Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss! Anon-A-Miss!"
"So no," Sunset said. "I'm not going to make it stop. You brought this on yourself, and you're going to have to live with it." She snapped her fingers and disappeared, leaving an increasingly desperate Trixie all by herself as the chanting and taunting continued.
Wallflower Blush found herself just outside of her home's living room. A sense of dread filled her, and each step forward only made it worse!
What was she getting herself into?
Wallflower swallowed as she felt a chill down her spine. Something told her that she should turn back. That she was at great risk.
Yet at the same time, something else was telling Wallflower that she should move forward. That whatever was going to happen in there was meant to happen.
That she was going to get what she deserved.
Wallflower slowly and cautiously entered the living room, and all lights suddenly turned off. She yelped at the abruptness, then stumbled around blindly.
Wallflower hated being in the dark. It was terrifying. She began to hyperventilate and sweat. She took her phone out of her pocket as she shook with fear.
"Wallflower," a voice said.
Wallflower yelped and dropped her phone causing it to fall into the darkness and out of her sight.
"Crap," Wallflower muttered.
The lights suddenly turned back on and Wallflower cried out in pain, shielding her eyes.
"Wallflower," a familiar voice called out.
Wallflower uncovered her eyes to see her parents sitting on the couch.
Erica and Palette loomed over Wallflower, who felt very small at the moment.
Palette tented his hands. "Wallflower," he said in a rare solemn tone. "Why did you do it?"
Wallflower froze up in fear. As badly as she wanted to speak, she couldn't!
Erica fixed a disappointed gaze at Wallflower, who could only let out a whimper at the look on her mother's face.
"Wallflower, answer your father," Erica said in an uneven tone.
Sweat began to form on Wallflower's forehead. She was too afraid and ashamed of herself to even speak!
"Answer me, dammit!"
Wallflower jumped and yelped, then shrunk in size.
"I... I-I..."
Palette seethed with fury. "What were you thinking, Wallflower Blush? Sending a whole mob against someone who was trying to change their ways just because you couldn't get over what happened in the past!"
"No, Wallflower, you don't understand. You saw how broken Sunset was. You could have stopped it before it got worse. But you didn't."
Wallflower remained silent.
"Oh, my little sprout," Erica said softly.
Wallflower blanched when she saw the tears in her mother's eyes.
"How could you have done something so... so cruel?"
Wallflower covered her mouth in shock. She had never seen Erica cry before!
"W-We raised you to be better than that. I... I'm so disappointed with you."
Wallflower's heart shattered into pieces, rendered speechless. It took her a great deal of strength to find her ability to speak.
"M... Mom... I..."
Erica sniffled, and Wallflower felt a lump in her throat.
"Go to your room, Wallflower," Palette said in an unnervingly even tone.
Wallflower stood still, staring at Erica in shock.
"I said go to your room," Palette shouted.
Wallflower jumped, and Erica burst into tears.
Wallflower froze for a moment, then slowly walked towards the stairs to her room as Erica's sobs echoed throughout the halls.
Wallflower felt tears roll down her cheek as she ascended the stairs. She could barely bring herself to move, but she had to! The sounds of Erica's crying was shattering her soul!
Wallflower was inches away from her bedroom door when her mother let out a wail, causing her to collapse into tears of her own.
Wallflower entered her room and closed the door, then slid down it and hugged herself. "I... I-I'm sorry," she said between sobs. "I-I'm so sorry!"
At the moment, it didn't matter to Wallflower that Erica couldn't hear her. It mattered that she was remorseful, and she had to apologize regardless of who or what heard her.
Wallflower covered her ears. "Make it stop," she whimpered.
"If you only knew how many times I said that earlier today," a familiar voice said, just barely audible over Erica's crying.
Wallflower looked up to see Sunset Shimmer, glowering in fury.
Wallflower blinked in surprise as her tears continued to fall.
"Sunset... please make it stop," Wallflower pleaded.
Sunset shook her head. "Not even if I wanted to... and I don't."
"What?! Why?"
Sunset's glare intensified. "Do you really have to ask? After everything you put me through?"
"How did you survive this?!"
"I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of an answer," Sunset said as she began to levitate.
"Please, I'm begging you!"
"I begged too," Sunset roared. "But you know what?" She became enveloped in a tornado of fire, then emerged as her demon self. "It didn't stop. Even with the help of my friends." She grinned maliciously. "So I'm just going to leave you here with your parents."
"Sunset, please!"
Sunset disappeared, and Erica wailed again.
"Oh god... "
Wallflower covered her ears, but Erica's crying was still audible.
Wallflower whimpered in desperation. She had to flee from the noise! It was driving her mad with guilt!
Wallflower ran to her window and opened it, then climbed out. Once on the ground, she ran. She ran fast and far, but no matter where she went, Erica's crying followed her.
Wallflower knew she was engaged in a war of attrition. A war she was losing fast and hard. Another wail from Erica chipped at what little resolve she had left.
Wallflower had slowed to a crawl, her mobility only affected by her immense guilt. Erica's crying had not stopped, and no help was coming her way.
Wallflower whimpered again, desperate to find some sort of solace. She dragged herself to a nearby edge.
This is the only way, Wallflower thought. Her suffering would finally end. She would at last be free!
Wallflower crawled over the edge, and fell. She fell until she felt a pair of arms grab her, and she began to rise.
Wallflower looked up to see Sunset's demon self. If she had any energy left in her, she would have screamed in despair.
"You're not getting off that easily!"
With all hope lost, Wallflower Blush went limp as Sunset's demon self carried her back to the living room.
"I'm so very disappointed in you, my little sprout..."
Those words were the final blow for Wallflower, who felt every fiber of her being shut down.
Wallflower Blush woke up, then ran to the bathroom as a massive wave of guilt and anxiety clutched her stomach hard.
Sunset Shimmer entered the halls of Canterlot High with a yawn. She barely got any sleep last night from all the nightmares! She shook her head and headed to cafeteria. Time for some caffeine!
"Howdy, Sunset," a voice called out from behind her.
Sunset turned around to see Applejack. "Hey, AJ."
Applejack grit her teeth. "Land's sakes, Sunset! You look more exhausted than a bull after a rodeo!"
"I know," Sunset said as she yawned again. "I just had a rough night's sleep. I'll get some coffee in me, then I should be good until after school when I'll crash back at home."
Applejack grinned. "Sounds like a plan. See yomonsteru after class!"
Sunset blinked. "Wait, what was that again?"
"I said I'd see you after class."
"Yeah..." Sunset decided to get her coffee strong. She must've been more tired than she thought, she was actually hearing things!
Sunset reached the cafeteria, where Pinkie Pie sat at a table with a giant muffin. She did a double take.
Pinkie Pie sat at a table with a blueberry muffin roughly the size of her head, licking her lips and rubbing her hands together excitedly.
"Pinkie," Sunset said with a laugh. "Where did you get that?"
"Over there, silly," Pinkie chirped as she pointed to the counter. Sure enough, there were several muffins of the same size sitting on an oversized platter.
"Holy..." Sunset's eyes widened at the sight.
"I know, right? Who would've thought that Muffin Monday would become Monster Muffin Monday?"
Sunset turned around to see the muffin gone, then gave Pinkie an incredulous look.
"What?" Pinkie looked at her plate, then giggled. "I've eaten bigger muffins than that for breakfast... literally!" She collapsed into a fit of laughter.
Sunset folded her arms and waited patiently for Pinkie to calm down.
"Last call for Mega Muffin Monday," Granny Smith called out.
Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Mega Muffin Monday?"
Pinkie took a deep breath, then exhaled as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Yeah! What did you think I said?"
"...Monster Muffin Monday," Sunset said as she began to feel uneasy.
"Nope," Pinkie said as she shook her head. "Mega Muffin Monday."
"I... see..." Sunset walked over to the coffee machine, then hit the strongest option. She took a deep breath, then exhaled. Hopefully the caffeinated drink would set her right. She took her full cup, sipped it, then left the cafeteria.
Sunset walked around as her concern grew. Once was a little odd. A second time was worrisome. But, then again, "Mega" and "Monster" could be mistaken for each other if one was tired enough... right?
"Heya, Sunset," Rainbow Dash said as she ran up to her.
"Hey, Dash."
"Whoa," Rainbow said once she caught a look at Sunset's face. "You look like you had a monster gaming session!"
Sunset blinked. "Run that by me again?"
"I said that you looked like you pulled an all-nighter of PvP again."
..."And you didn't just say the word 'monster'?"
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "No."
Sunset sighed heavily and put a hand to her forehead. Surely she wasn't going crazy...
"Are you okay?"
"I'm starting to wonder that myself."
Rainbow approached Sunset. "Do you need to go the nurse's office or something?"
"I think I might have to..." Sunset began to feel dizzy, then passed out.
Sunset opened her eyes and found herself in the nurse's office, with Fluttershy worriedly watching over her.
"Oh, thank goodness," Fluttershy exclaimed as she hugged Sunset. "I came here as fast as I could when I heard!"
Sunset smiled warmly as she returned the hug. "I just had a sudden dizzy spell, that's all."
Fluttershy broke the hug. "Oh... that's not what I heard."
Sunset tilted her head. "Really? What did you hear?"
Fluttershy leaned forward into Sunset and whispered in her ear.
"...I heard that you were a monster."
Sunset blanched. "W-What?!" She looked down at her hands, and her skin slowly turned crimson. "No..."
"Once a monster, always a monster," the voice of her demonself echoed around her.
"No!"
"Monster," Fluttershy whispered.
"Fluttershy, please! You know me!"
"Monster."
Sunset bolted out of her bed and ran for the hallways, only to bump into someone.
"Oh, I beg your pardon," Rarity said as she got up. "I-"
"Rarity," Sunset sighed in relief. "Thank Celestia! You've got to help-"
Rarity shrieked. "Monster!"
"What?! No!"
Rarity grabbed her backpack and swung it straight across Sunset's face, causing her to see stars and teeter around dazed. Another hit caused her to black out again.
Monster...
Sunset opened her eyes. Everything was still a blur. She slowly got up off the floor as a throbbing ache in her head caused her vision to clear.
"Monster..."
Sunset regained her bearings, and realized she was in complete darkness.
"Monster. Monster. Monster." A chant began, and it almost immediately took a toll on Sunset's psyche.
"No... p-please stop!"
An all too familiar cackle reverberated off invisible walls, and a chill ran down Sunset's spine.
"Why must you once again deny what you truly are, Sunset Shimmer?" The Demonself descended from who knows where, then looked Sunset straight in the eye.
"Monster. Monster. Monster," the chant continued and increased in volume.
"You know what you did," the Demonself said.
Wallflower Blush appeared from the darkness. "Sunset," she said as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I opened my heart to you, and you callously tossed me aside."
Sunset grit her teeth.
Flash Sentry stepped from the shadows. "You treated me horribly when we dated," he said angrily. "You were my first girlfriend. What you did to me will shape my future relationships!"
Sunset felt a pang of anxiety.
Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy appeared and glared at Sunset.
"No... not you guys!"
"Yeah," Rainbow said as she folded her arms. "Us."
"How dare you separate us," Rarity scolded.
"You have any idea how close we were," Rainbow all but shouted.
"And you did it all because you were selfish," Fluttershy said angrily.
"You're no fun," Pinkie said as she shook a fist.
Sunset's friends disappeared into the darkness, and the shouts and complaints of the other students grew louder... and louder... until she woke up.
Sunset Shimmer bolted upright and screamed, unaware she was awake. Her friends all yelped in unison, then ran to her.
"Sunset, are you okay?" Twilight regarded her with concern.
Sunset blinked upon realizing she was awake, then sniffled. "I... I j-just want this all to stop... I-I'm so ashamed and sick of myself..." She buried her head into Twilight's chest and wept silently as her other friends gathered around and consoled her in a group hug.
A few minutes later, Sunset's crying stopped and she began snoring.
"Oh, the poor dear," Rarity cooed as she put a hand to her mouth. "She cried herself to sleep."
"This is worse than I thought, girls," Twilight said. "I think we need to come up with a plan before school, even if it means we get no sleep."
Everyone nodded in agreement, then began their brainstorming in earnest.
To Be Continued in Anon-A-Miss Aftermath: The Next Day
