Back to Normal, No

by Revanius

First published 6th of December, 2020

Desperate not to be alone Sunset does something she never wanted to do, lie

An outcast again thanks to Anon-A-Miss Sunset only wants the fighting to stop and her friends back, she does not care how. When her final plea of innocence to her friends fails she does one last desperate thing to get them back, confesses to being Anon-A-Miss. Now that she has her friends back things are looking up, even if she is hated again all that matters to Sunset is that life can finally go back to normal. Except it might never be.

A/N: This story context is slightly inspired by the fanfiction Confession by cerealkiller78 in that Sunset confesses to being Anon-A-Miss, the first chapter will have some similarities in it but that stops in the second chapter.
Suicide/Self Harm: Not much of it appearing in the story but it will be alluded to and mentioned.
Violence: Not the bloody full out fight violence, more of the bulling to small scuffle kind of violence.

(Note: This story is on temporary hiatus till further notice, It's not canceled, it will come back eventually. The story just got ahead of me, too much changed from the original plot and I still have not fully thought out the new ending. Some chapters might get some minor edits since some were still connected to the old ending and don't work anymore. This note will be deleted when the story is ready to continue.

Chapter 1

"I'm not Anon-A-Miss."

"I'm not Anon-A-Miss."

"I'm not Anon-A-Miss."

These words rang through Sunset's head as she tried to gather up her dropped books while the students of Canterlot High School jeered at her. She had said it so many times but no matter what she said no one would believe her, not even her closest friends. Just thinking about them sent another pang of loneliness through her, she missed them, she wanted them back. She finished gathering up most of her books when she came to the last, her journal fallen to the most recent entry.

Sometimes, all you can do is stay strong. And find your family.

Those words, those final words from Twilight gave Sunset a desperate hope, one last chance to finally convince the girls that she was innocent. Picking up her journal she ran out the front door, a look of new determination on her face, she would find them and fix everything, and then her life could finally go back to normal. She knew where they would be right now and took off through the snow, ignoring the cold, she had to get to them before they left. In her desperation, she did not see the concerned looking girl watching her from around the corner.

***

Applebloom had been watching around the corner as Sunset was harassed for something she had caused over stupid jealousy. It had seemed like a great plan when it had all started, cause a little tension between Sunset and her friends then Applebloom and the CMC's would swoop in and get some time with their sisters back. It was only supposed to last the few weeks before the break and only meant to cause a little distance, none of them had thought their sisters would actually abandon Sunset!

And now after seeing all that she knew that the CMC's had to come clean, this had to stop before one of the students did what they had long threatened to do. Sending an urgent text to her friends she went into the empty supply closest they used as their school base and waited. Scootaloo came first followed shortly by Sweetie Belle.

"What's up?" Scootaloo asked.

"Why did you need us, Rarity was confused when I told her I could not get a ride with her to Sugercube Corner." Sweetie Belle said voice slightly muffled by the heavy scarf Rarity had given her for the cold.

"Ah just saw Sunset being bullied by a bunch of students over Anon-A-Miss, guys she was crying waterfalls," Applebloom said.

Scootaloo's eyes widened slightly and Sweetie Belle gave a small gasp. "I knew this was getting bad but I thought they said they would not hurt her if we posted those pictures," Scootaloo said. Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.

Applebloom thought that too, the threats Anon-A-Miss had started to receive with new gossip, threats of hurting Sunset if she did not post what they had sent in. They thought they were protecting Sunset by doing it, that she would be safe until the holidays when they would close the page as they always planned on doing. But the threats were getting worse as the gossip sent in got worse and worse, now it was almost entirely personal secrets and private information they were posting instead of the embarrassing stuff they had started with.

"Ah thought so too, but now she getting threatened for having this stupid account up," Applebloom said dejectedly. "She was crying up a story when she looked in her journal then went running off faster than a chicken on chopping day."

"I wonder where she is going." Sweetie Belle said.

"My guess to find our sisters and try to tell them she's not Anon-A-Miss, and Ah doubt they will believe her."

The two middle schoolers jumped when Scootaloo slammed her hand against the wall, it curling into a fist as she trembled in anger. "This wasn't how it was supposed to be. A few harmless pranks, a few high schoolers given a little embarrassment online, and we spend time with our sisters while they get over being angry. But the school's tearing itself apart again."

She turned to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. "What are we going to do?"

Applebloom's shoulders dropped. "Ah think it's time to come clean, at this rate Ah'm not sure she will survive the last two days before the break without her friends."

"Yeah and the plan did not work anyways, they only spend time with each other now, they barely even talk to us." Sweetie Belle said tears starting to form as she imagined how made her sister would be.

Scootaloo slumped to the floor, covering her face in her hands. "Rainbow Dash is never going to talk to me again, I know it. So much for me having a big sister."

Sweetie Belle placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry Scootaloo, maybe she'll forgive you. Or maybe we can take the blame since we know our sisters might forgive us someday. The only thing we did with Rainbow was posting a test grade, we could say someone else sent it in."

Scootaloo looked up at them, briefly considering accepting but she shook her head and stood. "No that would no be loyal and I could never even face Rainbow again if I was not loyal to my friends."

"Come on girls we have a lot of explaining to do, Ah'll call Big Mac for a ride," Applebloom said getting out her phone, knowing it might be the last time she used it for a long time.

***

Sunset ran through the snow, ignoring the biting wind at her throat, she ran faster than she had ever run in her life determined to get her friends back. She was so focused on running she barely avoided slipping on some ice and crashing to the pavement.

"Though that might get them to stop fighting. Sunset thought but shook her head, she did not have time for those thoughts now. Her only thought was making things right again.

Turning the corner at high speed only avoiding a fall by grabbing onto a lampost to aid her turn, ignoring the stinging feeling of her bare hand on the cold metal, she found herself at her destination. Sugarcube Corner, the place of business of the Cakes and the normal hangout for the girls, especially when they were upset. She held her journal tight to her chest, shivering as the cold wind blew against her chilling the sweat that had formed on her face from running.

"Well here goes nothing," Sunset said to herself. Looking through the glass she could see her friends sitting sadly at one of the tables. Steeling herself she pushed the door open.

"Hey! GET OUT! Rainbow Dash yelled immeditly upon seeing Sunset.

"Yer not welcome here, Sunset." Applejack said with only slightly less venom.

"No wait- Please!" Sunset said desperately pulling out her journal. "I know you don't trust me a-and I can't prove I'm innocent, but please.

"Look at this. I've been telling Twilight everything that's been happening and-" She was cut off when Rainbow swiped the book away, flipping through the pages to the most recent entries. Rainbow was silent for a minute before she closed the book and slammed it on the table glaring at Sunset.

"This proves nothing, if you were willing to spill so many secrets and lying to us then you would have no problem lying to Twilight so we would believe you! I can't believe you would lie to Twilight of all people, the person who gave you a second chance!"

By now she was inches from Sunset's face glaring with anger. "It didn't work." Sunset thought, tears forming again, her final hope was crushed. Rainbow's glare held for a few seconds before it broke into one of total sadness.

"Why are you doing this Sunset, why are you hurting yourself?" She asked. Sunset's tears stopped as she looked at her friend, confused by her sudden change of tone. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"She's right Sugercube," Applejack said a few paces behind Rainbow. "If you would just admit you made a mistake and own up to it we would forgive you, we could help you."

"Really darling this is only causing pain, we miss you but we can't trust you if you won't admit what you did was wrong." Rarity said from the table.

"I don't even care why Sunny, I just want everyone to smile again." Pinkie said her hair flat to her head.

Fluttershy only nodded looking away, tears in her eyes. Sunset turned back to Rainbow, the prismatic haired teen looked so sad she rested a hand on Sunset.

"Please Sunset, just tell us the truth, we can get past this."

Sunset gulped. They wanted her back, they missed her as she missed them, and she so desperately wanted to join them. But they wanted her to confess, confess to something she did not do and could not end, but she so wanted her friends back. She took a shuddering breath and faced her friends.

"Fine, it was me. I'm Anon-A-Miss." Sunset said feeling a little part of herself die as she lied to her friends. "Please, forgive me."

Rainbow smiled sadly. "Of course we can, we just wish you had said so earlier."

"Now all ya need to do is delete that god awful account and everything can go back to normal." Applejack said with some joy in her voice.

"This was it", Sunset thought as she pulled out her phone. She would not be able to close the page since she did not make it and when they saw that they would be even angrier. At least she saw them smile one last time, maybe she would somehow get lucky and guess Anon-A-Miss' password. Sighing she pulled up MyStable and looked into her friends' hopeful eyes for the last time.

***

The CMC's watched in shock from behind the glass the words coming easily through the thin door considering their volume. "Come on girls," Applebloom said, "Time to let the cat out."

She went to open the door when Scootaloo grabbed her wrist, Applebloom turned around and saw her friend had her phone out. "Wait this is our chance to end it and no get in trouble. Quick Sweetie Belle get the Anon-A-Miss page up."

Sweetie Belle obediently got her phone out just as they heard Applejack tell Sunset to close the account. "What are you two doing?" Applebloom asked. "Ah thought we were confessing."

"But Sunset confessed and they forgive her if we delete the page now it'll all go away and our sisters will never know, they will never be made, Rainbow will never be mad." She said with a hint of excitement in her voice. She pressed a button on her phone. "There Sweetie Belle delete the account."

"Right." Sweetie Belle said hitting the delete button, in seconds the page was down.

Applebloom sighed. "This doesn't feel right but fine we'll clamp up."

"Don't worry Applebloom this is the best choice for everyone, I promise it will be fine," Scootaloo said confidently. "Now come on, let's get out of the cold and have something to eat." She moved to open the door but stopped. "Maybe we should wait a minute so Sunset does not suspect us."

***

Sunset could not believe her luck as she stared at the private message that came up the moment she pulled out her account. A message from Anon-A-Miss.

"I got what I needed, sorry you got caught, Delete this message before they see."

Sunset hesitated only for a second as she considered showing them but she did what was asked and deleted the message almost immediately the whole page went down. "It's... uh... done." She said hesitantly not believing it could really be over.

Rainbow pulled out her own phone, looking at it, smiling when she saw the page was gone. She put her phone away and pulled Sunset into a hug. "Yes, it is."

The other got out of their seats and joined the hug. "Now darling, the healing can begin." Rarity said gently. At this Sunset broke down in tears for the fifth time that day. She slowly slid to the floor, the other joining. "It's over, the nightmare is finally over. Sunset thought crying even harder into her friends as they held her. No one even noticed the CMC slip into the store.

Author's Notes:

Now to explain a few things. One this is not going to be a Sunset torture story, not physically at least, she will get bullied a bit but no serious injuries. I tried to give the Mane 5 some reasoning for their actions, that if she admitted to being Anon-A-Miss they would forgive her and were just angry that she seemed to be lying to them.

As for the CMC in this timeline they did not intend to drive them completely apart as they did not expect the group to cut ties with Sunset. All they were hoping for was a little argument between the sisters and Sunset so the CMC could have some time. And as for the gossip well originally it was small embarrassing things that would have easily blown over but as it got worse they started posting as threats against Sunset came in if she did not post them so in a way they were trying to protect her in a way only middle schoolers would think is right.

And as for why they did not confess in the end it is also because they are kids who don't want to get in trouble and saw a way out. Applebloom wanted to tell the truth but Scootaloo is afraid of losing her idol and as friends, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle went along with it.

And finally, this is my first MLP fan fiction so I'm still getting used to the characters and their way of talking, hope I got the slang of Applejack and Applebloom right.

Chapter 2

"There there darling, let it all out." Rarity said gently rubbing Sunset's back as the crying girl sobbed into her shoulder. The other girls had already pulled away but Sunset refused to let go of Rarity and only seemed to cry harder with each attempt the others made to get her off.

"Come on Sunset enough crying," Rainbow said. "I know your happy we said we'd forgive you but you don't need to turn into a human waterfall. You admitted to being Anon-A-Miss, now let's just put it behind us."

At that Sunset only sobbed even harder at the reminder that she had just lied to her friends to get them back. Applejack, misreading the reaction, punched Rainbow over the shoulder.

"Ow! What was that for?" Rainbow asked.

"Fer not helping." Applejack said flatly before turning to Sunset. "Though Ah doesn't agree with her way of sayin' it. Ah, think we've all had enough tears tonight. Come on, let's get ya up and to our table."

She grabbed Sunset under her arms and hoisted her to her feet while Rainbow helped Rarity back to her legs, the fashionista going even paler than normal when she saw the state of her tear-stained shirt and dust-covered pants. Rainbow neglected to tell Rarity her mascara was running a bit from the tears she herself had shed thinking it better not to panic Rarity anymore. Applejack led Sunset over to their table while Sunset tried to get control of herself, shuddering while wiping the tears away. They waited until she finally stopped before talking.

"Good, now that that yer a bit calmer we can just relax." Applejack said taking her seat. "We'll still be havin' a talk about what you did over break but that can wait till the Christmas Party."

"You mean I'm still invited?" Sunset asked genuinely surprised. She had thought she would not be invited even after they forgave given how mad they were.

"Of course you're still invited you apologized. We're not going to leave a friend alone on Christmas. That wouldn't be right." Pinkie said like it was obvious.

"I just thought you would want to keep me at a distance since I just confessed and all. Like you did after the formal." Sunset said looking down.

"This isn't like after the formal Sunset." Rarity said. "I'm not sure if this whole Anon-A-Miss fiasco was an elaborate prank gone wrong or if you were angry at us for some reason but we know you are a good person, we were not so sure after the formal but the Sirens proved it."

"But you said we were no longer friends in the hallway," Sunset said now confused as her friends seemed to be contradicting themselves.

At that Applejack gave a guilty look. "Ah might have overreacted a bit in the hall, the plan was to show ya yer actions had consequences. In the heat of it Ah went a bit overboard, sorry about that."

"It's fine."

"Alright enough with all the sadness," Pinkie spoke up, eyes narrowed at Applejack and Sunset. "Sunny's back, this should be a happy moment, we need to celebrate. Maybe a sleepover, we could continue from where we left off."

"Not a bad idea Pinkie, it's my turn and we could even invite the CMC's," Rainbow said. "I bet they would enjoy seeing us all together again. What do you say Sunset? Sunset?"

When the five looked at Sunset she had a look of terror on her face, eyes wide, and backing away in her seat. Rainbow cocked her head at the odd behavior. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Um, well, you see, I'm not sure if I'm feeling up for a big sleepover tonight you know," Sunset said avoiding their eyes.

"Well if not a sleepover you could at least spend the night at my place tonight." Rarity suggested, Sunset looked like she was going to reject so she continued. "I do not think it would be best for you to be alone tonight. It would be just me and Sweetie Belle since mother and father are away for the week."

"I'm not sure-"

"Do not worry darling you will love it. I just need to text Sweetie Belle about it and oh! Would look at that they're here." She said just noticing the CMC's sitting a few tables down.

"Sweetie Belle, would you be okay with Sunset staying the night with us." Rarity said moving over to their table.

Sweetie Belle did not answer looking away from her older sister, Sunset could not tell well from where she sat but it seemed like the middle schooler was trying to hide something from Rarity. Eventually, it was Scootaloo who spoke for Sweetie Belle.

"I thought you two weren't talking since she posted those pictures," Scootaloo said.

"Yes, but she apologized for it and took down the page, and she will be paying for those pictures but in the end it really was just some silly pictures, it is not like she attacked my store or anything." Rarity said with a dismissive wave.

"Okay, well Sweetie Belle and Applebloom are sleeping over at my place tonight so it should be fine. Right girls?"

"Y-yeah, fine." Sweetie Belle stuttered, Applebloom just nodded.

"Really? I did not know you had a sleepover planned. I guess I forgot in all the excitement. Well have fun girls and do not stay up too late, it is a school night even if Christmas break starts in a few days." Rarity said patting her sister on the head before turning back to her friends.

"Well even if Sunset and Rarity can't come can we still have a sleepover at Rainbow's?" Pinkie Pie asked with stars in her eyes.

"Fine by me." Applejack shrugged.

"If Rainbow is still okay with it," Fluttershy said softly.

"Sure we can still have fun with just the four of us."

"Then it is settled come along Sunset." Rarity said linking an arm around Sunset, pulling her along to her car.

"You know Rarity I'm not complaining but I thought you would be madder about the whole clothing photos," Sunset said nervously as she buckled up.

"Oh I am still plenty mad about that but I can think of more productive ways to act on that anger, by creating." Rarity explained.

Rarity was pulling out of the parking lot when she heard something drop into her purse, looking over she saw it was Sunset's beaten up old phone. "Why did you do that?"

Sunset shrugged. "Thought it best for me not to have it on me around you until you can trust me again."

"While that is a nice gesture I am sure it will not be necessary now that you have deleted Anon-A-Miss. Though I guess I can accept it for now. But I am still expecting some form of penance for your actions."

Sunset cringed at the words. "And that would be."

"Oh, you will find out soon darling."

***

"Thanks for the cocoa, Aunt Holiday." Scootaloo thanked her aunt accepting the three hot chocolate's.

Aunt Holiday smiled down at her niece. "Of course dear though I thought you said the sleepover was canceled."

"We thought something was going to come up but it turns out we had the time," Scootaloo said hurriedly. "Anyway, we have crusading to plan, thanks again for the coco, love you."

Scootaloo passed out the hot chocolate, Applebloom took hers and set it down without saying a word and went back to sulking as she had ever since they got to Scootaloo's house. Sweetie Belle accepted hers with a small smile, sipping it while fighting nervously as she looked at Applebloom and Scootaloo.

Finally, after sitting in silence for near an hour Applebloom stood up. "Ah can't take it, what we did was not right. Ah'm calling Applejack and telling her the truth." She moved to grab her phone which she had tossed on Scootaloo's bed when they arrived.

"No! You can't," Scootaloo said tackling her friend to the ground. "If we tell the truth now it will be even worse than before. We let Sunset take the fall for us, if we confess now they might actually not forgive us."

"But the longer we hide the truth worse it'll be when it comes out," Applebloom said staring up at Scootaloo not trying to get loose.

"If it comes out. And if we let it get out Applejack will never trust you again." Scootaloo reasoned, she the looked at Sweetie Belle. "And you saw how Rarity reacted to those pictures when she thought it was Sunset who posted them, imagine how mad she would be if she found out her sister betrayed her and blamed a friend for it. And if Rainbow finds out I betrayed her... well I think I can say goodbye to her being my honorary sister."

"That might be true, but it does not make it right," Applebloom said dejectedly looking away from Scootaloo. "Sweetie Belle, what do you think we should do?"

Sweetie Belle looked up from her hot chocolate. "I do not know, we put Sunset through a lot and I did not like letting her take the blame. But, I've heard what some of the students say when they talk about Anon-A-Miss, I am scared they will hurt us."

"Yeah think about it that way Applebloom," Scootaloo said latching on to the idea. "Half the school wants to payback for Anon-A-Miss and think the only reason they haven't attack Sunset yet is that they are still scared of her. And now that she has our sisters and the others back she'll be safe. But we might not have any protection. And do you remember how mad Lightning Dust was about that picture I posted of her, if she knew we were Anon-A-Miss she'll tear me apart!"

"Ah guess ya have a point there, we could at least wait to see how people act after the break."

"Great!" At least her friend was starting to see reason.

"Now could you please get off me!"

***
As it turned out Rarity's idea of penance was having Sunset be her living mannequin which, given everything she had been through the last week, was not so bad. So far she had modeled three different gowns a ballerina costume that she would die of embarrassment if it ever got out, and what had to be the poofiest dress in two dimensions. Her current outfit seemed to be a half-completed prom dress with Sunset keeping her arms outstretched while Rarity moved around her with pins.

"I was honestly expecting something a lot worse from the way you were smiling at me," Sunset said as Rarity stuck another pin in the dress.

"I was going for that feeling really," Rarity said though her focus seemed more on the dress than talking. "I plan on having you model for me for a long time after those pictures, and I expect to agree without complaint."

"Uh, sure no problem."

"Hmm," Rarity took a step back to look over the incomplete dress. "I think that will do for now it could still use some work. You can get down now."

Sunset stepped down from the stand and started removing the dress. "Once you finish putting the dress back we can have dinner," Rarity called from the kitchen.

"Okay, be right there," Sunset responded hanging up the incomplete dress smiling at how well the night was going for her. She had her friends back, even if they did not truly trust her anymore, and Rarity was being very accepting considering how mad she was about the pictures. She had thought it would be hardest to get Rainbow and Rarity back, Rainbow for her stubbornness and Rarity because of just how mad she seemed. But it seemed Sunset had nothing to worry about, things were finally starting to look up for her.

Just because it feels right does not make lying right. A voice in Sunset's head said. Sunset froze and shook her head wondering where that came from.

"It doesn't matter if it's right or not," Sunset answered the voice, "Anon-A-Miss is gone and I already confessed. Let them believe what they want to believe, as long as they are still my friends I don't care."

That's not healthy.

"Shut up." She said shaking her head again. When the voice did not answer she shrugged and headed to the kitchen.

Dinner was simple for Rarity's standards, Sunset guessed do to not having enough time to make something fancier, and was just some reheated pasta with tomato sauce. They ate in silence with Rarity occasionally making a comment one of her dresses before they went back to the awkward silence. Then Rarity asked a question Sunset had been dreading.

"I just want to know something darling," Rarity asked Sunset, Sunset looked up from her dinner. "Why did you create Anon-A-Miss?"

Sunset's eyes widened slightly and nearly choked on her food at the question before she calmed down. She had been expecting someone to ask her that eventually, she just hoped to have a few days to think of something. "Oh, well, um..."

Sunset scrambled to think of a believable lie but she was not the lier she once was, Rarity looked at her expectedly. Sighing she said. "Well, I really don't know."

"You don't know?" Rarity asked an eye raised.

"What I mean is that I uh guess I just felt an urge to do something destructive," Sunset said thinking that might sound like a good reason. "I guess maybe there is still a bit of the old me hiding around and she decided to come out again. Reak a little havoc."

"Yeah, I guess that works." Sunset thought hoping she would believe the lie.

"You almost make it sound like it was a different person." Rarity said thinking.

Sunset had a mini panic when she realized it did sound that way like she was trying to deflect the blame. If it came off that way Rarity might suspect her. "No no no it was all me no one else. What I meant was there was just a voice telling me to do stuff I did not want to do."

Rarity stared at her with a suspicious look on her face. "Well, maybe there really was something telling you to do that. Perhaps we could ask Twilight about it over break or try to work it out so something like this does not happen again."

"Yeah I'll ask her later, can we change the subject though please, its a little uncomfortable," Sunset said poking her food with her fork.

"Of course Darling it was just a thought."

After dinner Sunset and Rarity took turns showers before turning in for the night. Since Sunset staying over was a sudden decision she did not have a sleeping bag so she took the couch for the night. Before she turned the lights off she thought it would be best to tell Twilight what had happened.

Dear Princess Twilight

I tried one last time to get the girls to see that I'm innocent. It did not work, but I was able to make up with them, though you probably won't be proud of how I did it. I told them that I was Anon-A-Miss after they said they would forgive me if I admitted to it. I know it's wrong to lie but I'm tired of being alone and this was my only way out.

At least I don't have to worry about Anon-A-Miss anymore. Get this, whoever she was decided to delete the page so now all I have to worry about is how the school will react when they hear I confessed to it. Maybe someday I can tell the girls the truth, maybe if I can really earn their trust they would listen.

Anyway I should probably try to get some sleep. I have to face the music for what I did not do tomorrow so I might as well be rested.

As always, your friend

Sunset Shimmer

Sunset had chosen not to put in the private message she had gotten from Anon-A-Miss or the fact the page had gone down immediately after she got it. She just wanted the whole mess behind her and raising the princess's suspicion that the real Anon-A-Miss had been watching was not something she wanted to deal with. Closing her journal she placed it in her bag and curled up on the couch, hoping the coming days might finally see some improvement.

Author's Notes:

The first part was a bit hard to write since I had to think about how this group would react to Sunset admitting to being Anon-A-Miss and their own comments in the story. I decided to go with the idea that they did not truly intend to abandon her permanently, instead, they were trying to teach her a lesson that she could not act that way without consequences. And I decided that Applejack's, not friends comment being an overreaction to said plan, not saying that's what happened canon wise but in this version that was their intention.

I realize it's written almost like Sunset really believes she is Anon-A-Miss and some readers might find that odd but that is not going to be the intention of the story. It's more the result of her being in an enclosed environment with only someone who believes her to be guilty causing her to act like she is guilty so they do not get suspicious. As the story goes on it'll get better though I won't give spoilers how, you'll just have to wait and see.

I'm always welcome to constructive criticism in the comments but please leave all hatred at home. I'll also edit in any grammar errors that you find.

Chapter 3

Morning came for Sunset earlier than expected when she rolled off the couch, flopping to the floor shocking her awake. She groaned as she got to her feet, she had never spent a night on a couch, and though it was not uncomfortable she would have preferred sleeping on the ground, at least then she would not have to worry about falling. When she opened the curtains she saw that the sun had not started rising yet and judging by the light snoring she could hear coming from the halls Rarity was still asleep. Stretching Sunset thought it would be good to make breakfast before her friend woke up.

As she got started on making some pancakes she thought about the day she would be having. First, she would have to tell Principal Celestia that she was Anon-A-Miss. Lying to the world's counterpart of her old mentor sent a pain in her chest like when she lied to her friends but she would still have to do it. Then two days of dealing with the angry students who would now feel even more justified in tormenting her now that she claimed to be the one who posted their secrets. She sighed trying to push those thoughts out of her head and instead focusing on the one positive of her false confession, she got her friends back. She held onto that thought as she made the pancakes telling herself over and over that she got her friends back and she could survive anything as long as she had them.

But you are still lying to them, maybe now that Anon-A-Miss is gone they would be willing to listen to the truth. The voice from last night told the girl.

"I'm not doing that, they'd never understand," Sunset muttered.

Fluttershy might listen if you got her alone, or maybe Applejack will see that you are being honest. The voice countered. Then they could convince the others that you are innocent.

"Or they might turn on me again and we would both be alone," Sunset argued her voice rising.

So instead you're just going to lie to them for the rest of your life? Just going to stand there and take the abuse you did not deserve? We might have regretted what we did but we never would have stood for being blamed for something we are actually innocent of.

"Just SHUT UP already!" Sunset shouted slamming the pan down on the stove. Luckily the pancakes only jumped slightly so she did not have to deal with a mess.

"Sunset?" She heard Rarity from the hallway. "Who are you arguing with?"

"Oh! uhh, it's nothing. Just making breakfast." Sunset kept her eyes firmly on the pancakes and not at her confused friend.

"Certainly did not sound like nothing." Rarity commented entering the kitchen. "You were arguing with someone and you just shouted at it to 'shut up' when I saw you." She air quoted the 'shut up'. When Sunset turned to face her Rarity had a look of concern.

"Was it the voice you mentioned last night?" She asked. "The one that was telling you to make Anon-A-Miss, if so then do not listen to it, darling. Do not let it win."

"Yeah don't worry, I'm not planning on doing anything that voice tells me to do," Sunset assured taking the pancakes off the stove. "Now I made breakfast, you want some?"

After breakfast the two prepared for school, Sunset wore her usual clothes but with glaves and a scarf she borrowed from Rarity since she left her own at school, Rarity, however, was dressed in heavy furs and a sparkling jacket with a fur hat and lace gloves. Sunset took a look at the clock showing that they needed to leave if they were going to arrive early enough for Sunset to speak to Principal Celestia before class. She let out a small groan as she thought about that upcoming meeting. Rarity put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I know it will be tough but it has to be done. Maybe Principal Celestia will go easy on you as she did after the formal, remember just a month's detention." Rarity said trying to encourage her friend.

"That was only because she cut it short after the Sirens, if they had not come around I'd probably still have detention."

"Oh, well maybe there will be another magical threat that we can stop."

"Heh with our luck I would really not be surprised." Sunset pulled her scarf a little tighter and closed her jacket. "Well let's go, I have a date with destiny."

The other girls were waiting for them at the school, Rainbow still looking asleep as she slumped against Fluttershy by the statue, Pinkie and Applejack looked fully awake and stood waiting for them. When Sunset and Rarity stepped out of the car Pinkie ran over while Fluttershy tried to gentle wake Rainbow Dash. Pinkie tried to lunge at them for a hug but was held back by Applejack gripping her collar.

"Hey, Sunset you excited for the last two days of school? I guess not since everyone might still be grumpy at you but once they see how sorry you are I'm sure everything will be nice again. You looking forward to the Christmas party tomorrow cause it's going to be awesome! Now that everyone's happy again it'll be even better." Pinkie rambled on at Mach speed.

Sunset suppressed a laugh as she pressed a hand to Pinkie's mouth silencing her. "Hi Pinkie, no I'm a little nervous about school but I have to deal with it. And yes I am looking forwards to the party, I plan on being there early to help out. That is if Applejack is fine with it." Sunset looked to the farmer.

"Fine by me," Applejack shrugged. "Granny Smith always sayin' to accept help when offered."

Sunset's smile faded when she looked at the school. Rainbow Dash, who was finally awake, noticed the look. "Do you want us to come with you to see Principal Celestia?"

"No, I need to face her alone. Thanks for being here for support." Sunset said taking a deep breath before she went to the school."

"We'll see ya at lunch." Applejack assured her.

***

Vice-Principal Luna was not a morning person which made some question why she worked at a High School, though no one dared ask the disciplinarian why she became an educator. This morning was already turning out poorly, first, the coffee maker in Celestia and Luna's house broke then she found out the school's coffee maker was somehow out of coffee! So she had to go through the morning without her favorite drink, she hoped the donut shop across the street still had coffee when she got on break or she might pass out before the school day was done.

Luna was waiting in her office for Celestia to get back from her car with the files they needed for the day when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in." She called out wearily.

The door opened and Celestia's secretary Raven Inkwell peered through. "Vice-Principal, Sunset Shimmer is here. She said she needs to speak to you and Principal Celestia, something about Anon-A-Miss."

Luna groaned at the name, Anon-A-Miss. That accursed MyStable account had torn her sister's school apart turning the students against each other and framing Sunset as the culprit. She could only guess Sunset was here to talk about the account's sudden deletion. "Tell her to take a seat in the waiting room she can see Celestia and me when she returns."

Raven nodded and closed the door, ten minutes later she heard Celestia enter her office followed by Sunset Shimmer. When Luna entered her sister's office Sunset was already sitting in the chair across from her, fidgeting nervously, while Celestia looked at her concerned by the student's anxiety. Luna made to stand by her sister in her usual place. "You had something to tell us Sunset?" Celestia asked.

"Yeah, I came to tell you something about Anon-A-Miss' identity," Sunset said head down eyes glued to the floor.

"We heard the account had deactivated itself," Luna said sternly. "Did you discover the true identity of Anon-A-Miss?"

"Uh, yes I did." She mumbled.

"Well?"

"Me."

"What?!" The sisters exclaimed together.

"Me," Sunset said again. "I am Anon-A-Miss."

Luna raised a disbelieving eye at Sunset, Celesta frowned. "Sunset, why are you lying to us."

"What? I'm not lying, I'm Anon-A-Miss, I deleted the account last night and I'm here to confess for it. I tore the school apart again."

"Sunset we both know that is a lie, I can see it in you that you do not believe what you are saying." Celestia continued. "So I ask again, why are you lying to us."

"I'm not lying, I-I really am Anon-A-Miss and-and you can tell everyone that, punish me, and the whole mess can be behind us." Sunset stammered out visibly sweating.

"Child you are clearly lying. Tell us why you are trying to take the fall for another, are you being blackmailed?" Luna asked confused why Sunset would claim to be something she was not.

"No."

"Threatened, are you or your friends being threatened?"

"No."

"Then why child? Why are you lying to us!"

"Because it's the only way to get my friends back," Sunset shouted before she realized what she had said. "I-I mean, what I mean is..."

"Your lying about being Anon-A-Miss to get your friends back," Celestia said gently. "What did they say?"

"They said, they said. They told me that if I confessed to being Anon-A-Miss, that if I took the account down they would take me back. They would forgive me."

"Oh Sunset," Celestia said gently. "You know this is not right."

"But they took me back everything is finally back to normal," Sunset said with a desperate glint in her eyes. "Who cares if it's a lie?"

"It is wrong because you can not take the blame for another's actions," Celestia said gently. "And certainly not just to get your friends back. Look I'll call them in and explain to them that you are not Anon-A-Miss and-"

"NO please!" Sunset shouted jumping out of her seat. "They'll turn on me and I'll have no way to get them back. Please just tell people it was me, Anon-A-Miss is gone and it's impossible to find them now. So what if the students blame me, they never trusted me to begin with. Please please Principal Celestia, just say it was me and everything can go back to normal."

Luna could not believe what she was hearing, a student actually wanted to be punished for something they did not do. She knew her sister would have to refuse Sunset's request, no matter how much it hurt Sunset it was for the best, and maybe her friends could be made to see reason. She only hoped Sunset did not react too badly to what Celestia had to do.

Celestia sighed retaking her seat. "Fine Sunset if that is what you wish."

Both Luna and Sunset looked at Celestia, Sunset in uncomfortable relief and Luna in shock at her sisters' words. Celestia smiled sadly at Sunset folding up a few papers. "You mean it?" Sunset asked.

"I will not lie to my students and announce that Anon-A-Miss is you Sunset." Celestia said, "but I will say the account has been deleted and that someone has come forward as Anon-A-Miss. I will also make it clear that neither I nor my sister will tolerate any retaliation against any suspected of being Anon-A-Miss. Also, I'm afraid you will have a month after school detention in my office for an hour after each school day. Starting at the beginning of next semester."

"If only for her own safety." Luna thought knowing what some of the students would do if they got their hands on who they believed to be Anon-A-Miss outside of school. "I only hope these friends you are willing to risk so much for can protect you, child."

"You'd best get ready for class Sunset," Celestia told the student, "I will wait till the start of break before announcing on the school website."

Luna waited till after Sunset Shimmer had left the office before speaking her mind to her sister. "Tia, why are you allowing this? If the superintendent found out we are allowing a student to take the fall for another's actions. Well..."

"She won't Luna and it was I who allowed this to happen, not you so there is no we," Celestia told her getting ready for the day. "As for why, well, for now, I believe it would be best for the students to believe that Anon-A-Miss has been caught. That does not mean I won't try to find the true culprit. You don't need to be involved in this though, I'll take the fall if it gets out."

"No Tia, I stand by you and your decisions. If I support this then I am at as much fault as you." Luna stated sternly telling her she would not do otherwise. "What will be our first action?"

"For now we will observe the students until something turns up. The account is gone and we have no way to track it down. Until then we watch the students and take action if they become violent."

Luna sighed, heading to the door. "I just hope if we do need to take action it won't be too late for Sunset Shimmer."

"We are of the same mind on that sister."

***

Sunset had hoped that the animosity she would face would be the same until after Principal Celestia's announcement but the students seemed to take the accounts closing and no one being caught as an admission of guilt from Sunset. No one had attacked her or even spoken to her directly yet but she did seem to be getting jostled by other students' shoulders more often. It seemed every few feet someone would bump into her nearly sending her sprawling or dropping her supplies, and everyone seemed to be glaring at her, though that was nothing new at least.

Sunset started veering away from any student she saw getting too close, hoping to avoid as much contact as she got to class. She was almost to her class when suddenly someone threw an orange liquid in her face. She blinked away the liquid and, against her better judgment, she tasted the sweet-smelling liquid to confirm it was just orange juice. Looking around to see if she could find who had juiced her she looked down to see a pink-skinned middle schooler a little younger than Applebloom and her friends with long braided blue hair. Sunset vaguely recognized her as a member of the High School chess team, an impressive feat for a seventh-grader, and one of the few who had been left alone by Anon-A-Miss.

Which called into question why she had flung juice at Sunset, or why she looked so shocked. "Oh golly," The middle schooler exclaimed, "I am so sorry about spilling juice all over you."

"It's fine, really," Sunset said wiping the juice out of her eyes. "I guess I deserved it or something."

"Oh no, I promise that was an accident." The girl said hurriedly. "I was just walking along when I tripped on something and my juice just went flying. Do you need help cleaning up?"

"No just need to get some water," Sunset assured her glad that this incident was an accident. "No need to trouble yourself."

"But the juice is getting all over your nice jacket, it could get it all sticky." She pulled out a card. "I have a friend who works at a dry cleaner, tell him Cozy Glow sent you and he'll give you a discount."

Sunset accepted the card hesitantly. "Uh thanks, Sunset Shimmer." She held her hand out.

Cozy Glow's smile did not falter at the name. "Oh I know, the former queen of the school who ruled it longer than I have been here. Now the biggest social outcast of the school."

Sunset flinched at being called a social outcast, mostly due to how true it was and how Cozy said it without any malice. "Yep, that's me."

"You don't look like the evil witch everyone says you are."

"Thanks, I try."

"Well, I have to get to class. If you ever need a friend to talk about your lack of social life stop by the chess club, always accepting those with brains." Cozy said widening her smile. She skipped away down the hall.

"I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be offended by that or not." She said confused. She sighed heading to the restroom. "Got to get this cleaned off."

At least the restroom was empty, she had no desire to be harassed at the moment. Setting her jacket on the counter she splashed some water in her face and hair. "Least I don't wear makeup." She said examining her face for any orange juice she missed. Confident she got it she turned to leave only to see she was not alone.

Standing by the door was someone Sunset really did not want to deal with, pale blue skin, even paler hair, purple eyes, and dressed in a blue jacket and a purple and blue skirt with her usual confident smirk was Trixie. "What do you want?" She asked.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie has something to tell you," Trixie exclaimed raising her hand to the heavens. Sunset rolled her eyes folding her arms in front of her.

"What, you here to curse me, call me a monster, if so I really don't have time." Sunset sighed. "We'll both be late if that's what you're here to say."

Sunset's words took some of the confidence out of Trixie. "Oh uh no, Trixie is not here to say that."

"Really? Then what?"

"Trixie is here to say that she knows you are innocent. She believes you are not Anon-A-Miss."

"Wait what?"

Trixie rolled her eyes. "Trixie said she knows you are not Anon-A-Miss."

"But I am Anon-A-Miss," Sunset responded instinctively with her lie.

"No your not."

"Okay, what is with you people," Sunset groaned facepalming. "First everyone says I'm Anon-A-Miss and no one believes me when I say I'm not. And the moment I say I am everyone I meet says I'm not. Make up your minds already."

"Trixie doesn't know what you mean by that. She only knows that you are innocent and came to say that. So again, the Great and Powerful Trixie knows you are innocent and wants to help prove it."

"Okay, how about first you tell me why you think I'm innocent."

"Well, you did accuse Trixie of being Anon-A-Miss just a few days again," Trixie said.

"But I could have just told you that to take the blame away from me."

"Yes Trixie did consider that but Trixie could see it in your eyes that you believed what you said, you truly believed Trixie was the culprit."

"And you could tell that how?"

Trixie's smirk returned holding a hand over her chest. "You do not become president of the drama club without being able to tell what is an act. And Trixie can always tell when someone is acting." She cocked her head. "What Trixie does not understand is why you are trying to lie and claim you are Anon-A-Miss when you have been denying it all week."

Sunset flinched, she really did not want to go over her reasons again just after explaining them to the principal and vice-principal, especially considering Trixie couldn't keep a secret to save her life. "It's not important, thanks for telling me that you believed me. But could you not go around telling people that."

Trixie shrugged. "If you want to deny your own innocence then Trixie won't stop you, even if she does not understand why."

"Thanks," Sunset said putting her jacket back on. "Well see you around Trixie."

She made to move past her when she felt a tug on her sleeve, she looked around to see why Trixie stopped her. "You need to tell me something else?"

"Yes Trixie wanted, what she means is, uh if you wanted to then Trixie could, No!" Trixie said stomping her foot on the ground.

"Okay what's gotten into her all of a sudden?" Sunset thought eye raised as Trixie calmed herself down.

"What I meant," She said putting emphasis on the 'I', "Is that if you wanted to be, you know friends."

"Friends? Why would you want to be friends with the school's biggest social outcast?" She asked using that middle schooler's term for her.

"Because Trixie, cause I can understand the feeling of everyone not believing you when you try to deny being something your not. Also, Trixie can understand not being very popular. So if you wanted a friend who could understand you well Trixie is available."

It wasn't the worst thing Sunset could think of. It would be nice to have a friend who actually believed her to be innocent, even if Trixie was more than a little odd. Still, she was a little worried that if she said yes and brought Trixie to see her other friends she might let something slip and get Sunset in trouble with them.

Still maybe you should have at least one friend you won't have to lie to. Besides, you could always use more friends to watch your back.

"You are annoying, you know that right?" Sunset told the voice in her head before answering Trixie. "If your fine with the risks then sure, we can be friends."

And like that Trixie's confidence was back, she lept in place spreading her arms wide. "Of course you accept, who would not want to be the Great and Powerful Trixie's friend? Trixie knew she was right when she chose you."

"Yeah okay Trixie, now come on we need to get to class or we'll both be late," Sunset said just as the first bell rang. The two new friends looked at each other before bursting out of the restroom, running for class at full speed.

***

Sunset's first day after her false confession was surprisingly the best day she had had since the whole Anon-A-Miss thing got started. Sure she still got glared at and bumped into in the hallways, but she had her friends watching out for her between classes they shared, so it was not as often. She noticed a lot of the students were shocked to see the account down and were not sure how to react, she only hoped they would calm down once they took a few minutes to think. The only unwelcome change Sunset noticed was at lunch when she noticed both Lightning Dust and Gilda glaring at her from opposite sides of the cafeteria.

As far as Sunset knew neither of them had been gossiped about by Anon-A-Miss, at least they hadn't the last time she checked two days before the account went down. It was a little unnerving having two of the toughest students in the school joining the glares but she tried to push it out of her head and instead focus on her lunch. At the end of the day she was able to get a ride home with Rarity, they both agreed that with the number of glares Sunset had been getting it was best for them not to be able to follow her home.

The next day most of the students had gotten over their shock and had turned to anger. The first thing she noticed when she opened the doors was that now almost everyone was glaring at her, she could hear them muttering, somehow they knew. They knew she had claimed to be Anon-A-Miss. The next sign the last day before the break would not be a good one was when she got to her locker.

By now she was used to seeing graffiti on it, normally in marker or on a taped paper, often calling her the same things. Normally the janitor would clean it but save him some time he decided to clean it over the break so he didn't have to do it every day. But today it was different.

Monster
Witch
Demon
Anon-A-Miss
Get our of town
Secret Stealer

And a bunch of other insults were drawn all over her locker, what concerned Sunset was the last one at the bottom that had been scratched into the locker.

Die

She was still staring at it when she heard someone approach. "Hey Sunset what you looking at?" Rainbow Dash asked jogging up to her. She frowned when she saw what was scratched into the locker. She pulled Sunset away from it. "Come on don't look at it, I'm sure people will get over it after break, just try and put this behind you."

"I don't think people will let it go that easy."

"Then we'll just keep a close eye on you till they do. Don't worry I promise we'll look after you." Rainbow assured her.

"What are you two doing out in the hallways?" Vice Principal Luna asked turning the corner. "I know it is the last day of class but that does not mean you can loiter in the hallway."

"Sorry Vice-Principal Luna, Sunset was just distracted by what was scratched into her locker." Rainbow explained.

"What? Vandalism what did they do?" Luna moved past them to see the locker, frowning at what she saw. "I see, this can not stand. Do not worry Sunset we will have this fixed before school starts."

"Thanks, Vice-Principal Luna," Sunset said. The two left her as she glared at the locker.

"Hey, see you at lunch okay," Rainbow said.

"Yeah, okay."

Lunch could not come soon enough for Sunset. The classes she shared with one of the girls were not so bad now that they were friends again people left her alone in them. It was the class she did not have with any of them that was really bad, she was pelted constantly with paper every time the teacher turned her back, after opening the first hateful message she decided to just gather them up to be tossed away at lunch. When the bell rang she headed to her locker to deposit her books before heading to lunch. The graffiti was cleaned away and someone had placed tape over the Die message, Sunset just closed her locker when someone grabbed her from behind slamming her against the lockers.

"Hey Anon-A-Miss, you got some nerve showing up here like nothing happened." A furious voice whispered in her ear. Sunset tried to turn her head to see who was pinning her, her attacker pinned her head before she could do so. "'I've been waiting for the chance for us to have a little chat."

"And you are," Sunset said attempting to sound nonchalant while her heart was thumping in her chest. She felt the pressure lift for a second and her attacker spun her around repining her against the locker so she had a clear view of her attacker. Lightning Dust.

"You're going to pay Shimmer." She said threateningly. "Did you really think I would not get you back for what you did?"

"I honestly have no idea what you are talking about," Sunset said racking her brain as she tried to think of anything Anon-A-Miss posted about Lightning Dust, nothing came.

"Really! You get me suspended and possibly kicked off the team, shut down your little account the day after posting that picture, and then you say you have no idea what I'm talking about." Lighting Dust gripped Sunset by the shirt lifting her inches off the ground. "Well, you're going to pay."

She pulled her fist back, a sinister smile on her face as Sunset started to panic. Before Lightning could strike a voice called from around the corner. "Sunset? You around here?" Rainbow called.

Lightning Dust glared around the corner then at Sunset before setting her down. "If you have any brains in the demon head of yours you'll skip town before school starts up again. Cause your friends won't be able to protect you forever." She cast one last glare at Sunset as she disappeared around the corner walking past Rainbow Dash.

Sunset sighed. "It's fine, you dealt with their anger once you can do it again. Just push through it and soon everything will be back to normal." She told herself before heading to meet with Rainbow, hoping she was right.

Author's Notes:

Oh man, this was a long one, longer than I had originally planned but I wanted to cover the last two days of school for Sunset in a single chapter so that the next few could be solely on the break. Most of the chapters probably won't be this length though there might be a few. Also, this was supposed to go out tomorrow but I might not have the chance so you get it today.

As for the chapter, I'm not the best with Pinkie energy and Applejack's countryisms, I'm working on the latter and going to practice with the former. For now if what Applejack says doesn't sound country just imagine her accent. And with Celestia and Luna I thought they would see through any lie she told them, Celestia does have her reasons for allowing Sunset to claim to be Anon-A-Miss, they are just not all explained.

Chapter 4

You know it's kind of funny The voice said, In your determination to get your friends back you have gone against the princess' lessons and ended up alone just like you feared.

"I'm well aware of what I've done, you don't need to keep reminding me," Sunset said annoyed as she kicked a pebble off the sidewalk. "And I'm not alone, I have my friends back and that's what matters."

They might hang out with you again but they do not trust you.

"I'm not sure they ever trusted me considering how mad they were about Anon-A-Miss. But I can hardly blame them, we were terrible."

And do you think they'll ever trust you now, they all think you were Anon-A-Miss and Rarity thinks I'm your demon influencing you. You've proven your not that way anymore and they might have learned to really trust you if you kept pleading your innocence.

"We already had this conversation, if I kept it up I would be completely alone, its better this way. Now can you please leave me alone this is my only free day this week and I'd like to not spend it arguing with my own head?"

The voice did not answer so Sunset took that as agreeing. The voice had only gotten more annoying after the Christmas party the previous night and now seemed determined for Sunset to tell the girls the truth. Now that it was silent though Sunset really had no idea what to do with her free day. At the party, the girls had asked her to do things with them on different days of the week only leaving today free for her. While none of them had said it Sunset suspected it was to 'make-up' for Anon-A-Miss, she suspected the activities would be chalked full of remedial friendship lessons they thought she needed to relearn.

First, she would be helping Applejack on the farm, though she was not sure what there was to do in the winter, then indoor sports with Rainbow at the sports center the next day. Then modeling for Rarity, baking with Pinkie, and helping out at the shelter with Fluttershy. Of them, the only ones she did not believe were based on Anon-A-Miss was Fluttershy and Pinkie since they asked Sunset to do those things with them almost every week.

Sunset looked up at the sky, watching the gentle snowfall. "Maybe I should just go home and catch up on my sleep." She said but did not want to go back there just yet. Instead, she meandered her way to the mall, at least it was warm and full of people. "I could go to the music store or the food court, I don't know."

She continued her purposeless wondering until she reached the water fountain. On a whim she dug out a penny, she normally would not waste money on something she knew was a superstition but it was just a penny and it couldn't hurt. "I wish my friends knew I was innocent." She thought tossing the coin into the fountain watching it sink, it did not make her feel any better.

"I guess I should go home, coming here was not the best idea."

"Sunset Shimmer?"

Sunset looked to the side, seeing Trixie carrying a large box come up next to her. "I thought that was you." She said.

"Hey Trixie, what you doing here?" Sunset asked eying the box.

"I was clearing out some of my old magic equipment at home and thought I could get some extra money as well. After that I need to resupply my smoke bombs," Trixie explained fidgeting slightly. "Want to come?"

Sunset thought it over for a second and thought it was better than the alternative. "Sure, could be fun."

The magician gave a small squee before recomposing herself. "Of course it will be, You're hanging out with the Great and Powerful Trixie." She tried to make a dramatic pose nearly causing her to lose grip on her box.

"Please don't make me regret agreeing to this."

***

Sunset had only been to a magic store once since she arrived from Equestria, during her early months in the new world she came to one thinking it might have real magic. When she discovered it was just parlor tricks and basic illusions instead of real magic she had dismissed it and had never had a reason to go to another. Even after her reformation she still rolled her eyes at 'magic' stores and tended to scoff at those who actually bought from them. The fact that she was now in one with someone she had long considered to be a 'wannabe stage magician' spoke to her devotion in turning a new leaf, or her desperation to not be alone. Sunset preferred to think it was the first.

Sunset resisted the urge to groan when she saw the display of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. She had left Trixie to make her sales to the manager to look through the shop, if only to kill time. "Now that I'm here I think being home alone would have been better than." She said to herself, keeping her voice low so no one heard her words, she really did not need the only person who knew she was innocent mad at her.

Looking through the shelves she saw a box of small orbs smoke bombs she like the ones she'd seen Trixie carry around for her entrances and exits. Slightly intrigued she picked one up looking it over, seemed like an ordinary plastic-like ball, she was a little curious how they left no mess behind when used but otherwise it didn't seem like anything impressive. She was about to put it back when Trixie popped up next to her.

"Ah you found them. I needed some fresh ones," She said looking through the box for her trademark blue smoke bombs. "I keep running out for some reason."

Instead of stating the obvious Sunset went for a different topic. "So you working on any new tricks?"

The magician's eyes brightened at the words. "Yes in fact, I'm working on a variation of that stage changing trick magicians can do. I call it the Clothes Switch in Smoke." She spread her arms out wide as she said it.

"A bit of a mouthful isn't it?"

"It's a working title," Trixie said in a tone like she said that a lot. "Only I still need to work out the kinks. Want to see what I can do so far?"

Doing an incomplete magic trick with a magician who had a tendency for things to blow up in her face did not sound like the best idea to Sunset but she did not want to be rude, and who knew, Trixie might get it right. "Um sure."

"Okay, let me see how many do I have left." Trixie reached into her bag and pulled out a blue smoke bomb. "Good thing I'm getting new ones I think I only have two left besides this one."

She cleared her throat and took a step back. "Be repaired to be amazed by the Clothes Switch in Smoke!" She declared in her stage voice. Sunset rolled her eyes at the name.

Trixie threw the bomb to the ground and it exploded in a burst of smoke engulfing the two teens. Sunset coughed trying to wave the smoke with her hands, eyes closed shut. She felt a slight breeze on her back as the smoke started to clear, once it started to fade she became aware that something felt different. Looking down she was shocked to see her jacket was gone, replaced with the light blue one Trixie wore, though it was only half zipped up, she also saw her cutie mark printed shirt had been replaced with a blue shirt covered in white stars she knew was not her own.

When she looked back up Trixie was standing five feet away, panting slightly and hair not as neat as it had been a few seconds ago, she was also wearing Sunset's jacket and shirt. "Still... need to... work on speed." She panted.

"What? But how did you? I didn't even feel anything." The confused teen said trying to work her brain. "How did you do that?"

The magician gave Sunset a smug smirk. "A magician never reveals her tricks. Though it was not perfect yet, it was supposed to be a total wardrobe switch before the smoke cleared. Maybe you can help me get it right over the break."

She was a little interested in seeing if she could figure the trick out. "Well that was pretty impressive, I'll admit and I do wonder what else you can do." Sunset thought it over, "I might have some time next week if that works for you."

"That's perfect, hold on I'll write down a place where we could-"

"You! What did I tell you about setting off smoke bombs in my store!" An angry voice cut her off. The manager from earlier was storming down the store towards them. "What do have to say for yourself this time?"

"Well, Trixie forgot." The magician said in a small voice.

"Forgot? This is the sixth time you set off one of my bombs in the store, I warned you not to do that again. I let it slip since your a good customer but I can't have this anymore." He said glaring at the teen.

"Wait, Trixie's sorry, she really did forget." Trixie said trying to explain.

"You said that last time and the time before. I'm sorry kid but I have no choice but to ban you, at least for a month."

"B-but but..." Trixie stammered, Sunset saw tears were actually starting to form in the magician's eyes.

"Wait it wasn't her fault," Sunset said, stepping in between her new friend and the angry manager. "I set off the smoke bomb."

"Huh?" Both the manager and Trixie said confused.

"I was thinking about buying some and I accidentally set it off, Trixie didn't touch them."

The manager narrowed his eyes, switching his gaze between the two teens. "Is this true?"

"I guess," Trixie said.

"Then I guess I can let you off with a warning since this is your first time, though you'll need to pay for the bomb." He said to Sunset. "And Trixie, I guess you're not banned, but remember what I said about setting off bombs." He turned to leave when a thought crossed him. "Is there any reason why you two switched jackets?" He pointed to the blue jacket Sunset was still wearing.

"We wanted to see how we looked in each other's jacket," Sunset responded. The manager shrugged, heading back to his office.

Sunset paid for the smoke bomb that had been set off while Trixie finished resupplying, once they were out of the store Trixie turned to her friend. "Why did you take the blame for Trixie?"

"Because you would have been banned for that smoke bomb. Didn't want that to happen so I stepped in."

Trixie gave her a look. "You know you should really stop taking the blame for everything. It's not healthy."

"So you wanted to get banned then?"

"Well no but you shouldn't always take the fall."

"Yeah I've already heard the speech, I'd rather not have it again." She said tensely.

"Okay okay Trixie was just saying," Trixie said holding her hands up in surrender. "How about Trixie buys lunch to make up for the smoke bomb."

"You don't have to."

"Oh yes Trixie does." She said loudly. "The Great and Powerful Trixie always pays her debts."

"Fine, but can I have my clothes back first?"

***

Lunch for Sunset was surprisingly enjoyable as Trixie told some entertaining stories about some of her magic tricks, a lot of them ending in something blowing up in either the magician's or audiences faces. Though Sunset felt that the stories did not encourage her to go to the magic shows the stories were enjoyable and Trixie's energy was infectious. It was the first time she felt happy without any guilt of lying since the beginning of Anon-A-Miss. Once they finished lunch they decided to do what Sunset wanted and headed to the music store.

When they arrived Trixie moved herself around the taller girl, partially hiding herself from Vinyl Scratch who was manning the counter. "Any reason why your hiding from Vinyl?" Sunset asked, as far as she knew Vinyl didn't make enemies with anyone.

"Trixie would rather not be seen by that stone hearted villain. Her last encounter did not go well for Trixie." She said hunching down more.

"Stone hearted? Since when is Vinyl villain? Shes never mean to anyone."

"Oh contraire my naive friend. Behind that relaxed look beats the heart of a stone cold business woman. Last time I was here she flat out refused to haggle a better price on a guitar no matter how hard I tried to negotiate." She shuddered. "I have never seen one so immune to words as her."

"I don't think music stores are supposed to haggle prices."

"Well they should! The price on that guitar was outrageous. And she refused to even consider negotiating, she just stood there, silent like a rock when I tried to be reasonable."

"She might have just not heard you, I can hear that music she playing from here."

"Whatever, just never try to negotiate with her, it will get you nowhere," Trixie said pulling Sunset down an aisle away from Vinyl who just waved.

***

The two teens browsed together for a time before splitting up as Trixie saw some CD's she thought about buying for a friend, leaving Sunset to browse on her own. Sunset had to admit, spending time with Trixie was not that bad, even if her tendency to talk about herself in the third person could get granting at times she was not unpleasant to be around and she knew Sunset was innocent so she had that going for her. "Maybe I should get her something for Christmas, maybe some extra smoke bombs or a new hat." Sunset mused as she looked over a new rock CD.

Her thoughts were broken by the feeling she was being watched. Looking around she saw at the entrance to the store was a blue skinned athletic teen with yellow hair glaring at her, Lightning Dust. Gulping Sunset turned around to move deeper into the store and saw an even larger teen with white hair dyed purple at the ends glaring in her direction, Gilda.

"How did I not see her come in." Sunset wondered as Gilda started to approach, looking behind her she saw Lightning Dust enter the store. They were two aisles away and Sunset was prepared to escape under Lightning Dust when Trixie appeared at the end of Sunset's aisle.

"Sunset I just got a call from mother. She needs me back at home." She said walking down the aisle oblivious too the two angry muscular women coming Sunset's way.

Sunset was about to wave her off but then she saw Lightning Dust scrowl and turn to the right, and when she glanced behind her Gilda was also gone. "I'll just have to come back for the CD's." Trixie continued as she came up to Sunset. "Sorry I have to go."

Taking the chance to get out without a fight Sunset grabbed her friend's hand leading her out of the store. "It's fine, I need to get home too."

She cast a glance back at the store and Lightning Dust had reappeared at the entrance. The athlete drew a line across her throat and pointed at Sunset. The teen rubbed her own throat and picked up the pace, wanting to put as much distance between her and the larger girl as possible.

***

Home for Sunset was a lonely if comfortable place, it being the top floor loft space of a small apartment building in the more modest parts of the city. As far as homes went for undocumented teens it was rather nice, a two-bedroom apartment with cheap but not uncomfortable furniture and a working bathroom with hot water. Many would be envious of the freedom it gave Sunset, and she hated the place.

It was miles away from any of her friends, it was on low ground so any bad weather made it impossible to ride her motorcycle, and worse everything seemed to remind her of the person she used to be, even after remodeling it. Sunset always took her time getting home, unless it was to get something for a sleepover, and would spend as little time there as possible. She would move if it were not the only place she could stay.

When she got back to her loft she was ready to collapse into bed, knowing she would have to get up early for farmwork in the morning. She got to her and was distracted from her destination by her journal glowing with a message from Princess Twilight. Sunset practically lunged across the room to get to it.

Dear Sunset Shimmer

I am disappointed to hear that our friends still refuse to believe you were innocent and wish I had the time to come and talk to them myself. You are right, I do not approve of you claiming to be Anon-A-Miss to get them back, even if it was for a good cause lying like that is not right, and hope you will eventually come clean to them. Perhaps Applejack or Fluttershy would be willing to listen.

Also I find it strange that Anon-A-Miss just decided to delete her account after everything she had done to the school. Not to mention it happening around the same time you admitted to being Anon-A-Miss. Did it happen before or after your confession, perhaps the true culprit was nearby when you made your false confession. And even with it gone I'd advise caution if they are still loose they might make a different attempt to tear apart the school.

Keep me up to date on what happens and tell me if you need any help, I'll be over faster than a dragon at a gem convention.

Your Friend, Twilight Sparkle

Sunset reread the message before penning a simple response and assurance she did not need help before closing the journal. I don't like saying it but I told you so, just tell them already, even the Princess says so. The voice said in her head.

"Oh so your back huh?" Sunset said turning off the lights. "Look it's fine, give it a few weeks and everything will be back to normal."

Not if Lightning Dust has anything to say about it.

"I can handle whatever she has to throw at me. Now just let me sleep, Applejack won't like it if I'm late." Sunset grumbled laying back in her bed putting the threat of Lightning Dust out of her mind. "Everything will go back to normal, just watch." She muttered drifting off to sleep.

Author's Notes:

Things have been hectic around here recently, a temporary move to another state due to the coronavirus, exams in college, and general conflict with family have left me very tired. I'll try to keep posting ever 4 to 7 days though there might be times when the distance is longer or shorter, since my college semester is over and the move is almost done I should have more time.

I decided to give Sunset a little break from the torment her peers are giving her and the lies she has to tell her friends, she's going to have to go through a lot before it ends. I decided to flesh out Trixie a bit and die down her arrogance in this story since in the movies the most she showed was when under the influence of the Sirens, her normal personality is more similar to how her pony counterpart was in the later seasons.

I was also making an attempt at humor with Trixie being nervous around Vinyl, thinking back on that short from before Rainbow Rocks. I really enjoy how silent she is and can imagine the very talkative Trixie thinking someone that silent as evil. Still working on developing humor so it might come out a little rough.

Next part working with Applejack and more torment, *Evil Laugh*

(Also see any grammar, spelling, or any other type of error just tell me in the comments so I can fix it, feedback always welcome)

Chapter 5

Apple Bloom rocked dejectedly on an old tire swing at the farm staring down at her phone, 12 missed calls, and 20 texts from Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. It had only been two days since she last talked to them but they had been concerned by her silence at the Christmas party and kept on calling. Apple Bloom, though, was in no mood to talk to her friends about how guilty she had felt. It seemed with each day the guilt of lying to her sister and letting Sunset take the fall grew and it was eating her up inside.

She had seen the confrontation between Sunset and Lightning Dust in the hallway on the last day, having been hiding behind the corner on the other side of the hall, and had been terrified by what Lightning Dust would have done had Rainbow Dash not shown up. She had not told her friends about it as it would have only hardened Scootaloo's decision to keep quiet and Sweetie Belle seemed to be agreeing with Scootaloo more and more on keeping the secret. She felt even more guilty when she found out Sunset had a month's detention waiting for her when school started up again. It was not right Sunset was getting punished in their place and Apple Bloom knew it.

So here she sat on an old tire swing her family had not used since Apple Bloom was in elementary school knowing what they did was wrong but not being able to confess without going against her closest friends in the world. Another text came in her phone from Scootaloo and the young farmer resisted the urge to chuck the phone across the snow-covered field. She sighed leaning back in the swing.

"Maybe Ah should just tell Applejack an' leave the others out." She said to herself.

"Tell Applejack what?"

"AHHH!" The middle schooler shouted in surprise jumping out of the swing to her feet, landing right in front of a very confused Sunset Shimmer. "Sunset! What are you doin' here?"

Sunset was dressed in heavier winter clothes compared it her usual rocker look and a heavy winter cap covering her hair. Sunset shrugged and looked in the direction of the farm. "Applejack asked me at the party if I could come over and help around the farm today. She didn't say anything but I'm pretty sure this is for me to make up for Anon-A-Miss so I said yes. Not like I had any plans anyways."

"Oh," Apple Bloom did not know how she could feel even guiltier but Sunset's words did the trick. Another punishment for an innocent girl for something she did out of stupid jealousy.

"But what was it you wanted to tell Applejack?"

Apple Bloom cursed herself for saying that out loud, now Sunset was curious. As much as she wanted to admit to the high schooler the truth she couldn't not when it could get her friends in trouble. "Oh, it was nothin' really."

"Didn't seem like nothing from the way you were sitting."

"Really it was nothin'," Apple Bloom said avoiding Sunset's gaze. "Don't cha need to help mah sister?" She flinched internally at the harshness in her words.

"Yeah I guess I do," Sunset said looking down. "Sorry for bothering you."

Apple Bloom looked up as Sunset headed for the fields. "Sunset."

Sunset froze. "Ah hope they don't give ya too much trouble. Ah, think ya been through enough." She called to the older teen who kept her back to her.

"Thanks, Apple Bloom," Sunset said without turning, continuing her march to the fields.

A ring went from Apple Bloom's phone, another text from Scootaloo. Clenching her fist she turned the phone off running into the fields blinking tears out of her eyes. "Ah'm really sorry Sunset, Ah hope one day Ah'll be brave enough to tell ya the truth, and ya can forgive me when Ah do."

***

Sunset found Applejack in the fields with a pair of shears and a saw, she waved Sunset over when she saw her. "Glad ya could make it."

"You asked so I'm here."

"Still Ah appreciate the help." The farmer said smiling as she picked up the shears, passing one to Sunset. "We'll be prunin' the Apple trees so they can get fresh growth come spring. Normly Big Mac helps but he's doin' a cider delivery so Ah need help around here."

"Okay, so after we cut them down where do we take the branches?"

"Fer now we just cut them down, Ah'd need Big Mac's help with all the heavy branches and ya don't look like the weight lifting type."

"Hey I'm stronger than I look," Sunset said puffing out her chest.

"Ah bet ya are Sugarcube, Ah still remember how easily ya swung dat hammer at the Formal. But Ah'd still rather have Big Mac help with it, he's better at 'voiding the Santa traps."

"Santa traps?"

"Yeah, family tradition 'round here. Me and Apple Bloom set a bunch of traps at the beginin' of the month fer Santa and on Christmas, we go and see if any caught him. The only thing we've caught so far was Big Mac sleepwalking but it's still fun. We normally take them down around New Years'." Applejack explained grabbing a ladder that had been laying against a tree.

"I'll watch my step," Sunset said looking at the ground hoping to spot the traps.

"Heh, be sure ya do." Applejack snapped a low hanging branch off the tree. "Ya can start with that tree over there," She said pointing to a tree with several branches hanging close to the ground, forced down by snow. "Shouldn't be any traps over there."

Sunset went about pruning the tree of its long branches, gathering them in a pile under the tree before moving on to the next one. As she worked she kept expecting Applejack to bring something up about Anon-A-Miss or give a friendship lesson about hard honest work. But it never came, Applejack worked in relative silence, whistling a tune but saying nothing.

"Hey Applejack," Sunset said, "there was something I was wondering if you could tell me. About Anon-A-Miss."

"And what do we have to talk about dat?" Applejack asked with a raised eye.

"Well, Lightning Dust eh talked to me about something that... I posted," Sunset chocked slightly on the I, "And well there was so much that I can't remember what it is that she's so mad about."

Applejack chuckled at her friend. "Kinda surprised you would forget that one, it's probably the only thing good dat came out of Anon-A-Miss."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it was really a whole bunch of photos 'bout Lightning Dust practicing with Scootaloo."

"That doesn't sound too bad," Sunset said wondering how something that sounded so harmless ended up on a gossip page.

"Well the kicker' is that she was bein' more than a bit rough' with her, then she nearly hit the poor girl in the face with a soccer ball with her strongest kick. Jugin' from how many photos you sent of that it looked like she did it multiple times. Cordin' to Rainbow, Lightning got suspended fer endangerin a middle schooler, Rainbow said that the girl's likely out next semester."

"Well that explains a lot," Sunset said bitterly snapping a few branches.

"Why, she makin threats at ya?"

"No! Not at all, just curious about why she was so angry." Sunset said moving to the next tree, she didn't see the suspicious look Applejack gave her.

"Alrigh' if ya say so then Ah won't bother askin'." Applejack went back to her own tree.

Sunset busied herself pruning the apple tree while she thought on the new information. At least it explained why Lightning Dust was so angry, though she felt that the athlete's threats were a little overboard. She also needed to be careful with what she said to Applejack or the other girls, she did not want them to get in any trouble trying to stop Lightning Dust. Sunset was confident it would eventually die down, she just needed to wait out everyone's anger, it wasn't the first time.

She finished pruning the next tree and looked around for the next one in line. She saw one with some low hanging branches and a slightly thicker patch of snow around the tree's base. Sunset starting clipping the branches while thinking of what to say to the farmer. She started moving around the tree when she felt something odd at her feet, the snow seemed to cave in when she stepped on it. Thinking the snow was packed deeper than she thought Sunset ignored the odd sensation, her mind focused on completing the task. She took another step and felt a snap at her feet.

"What?" She said then the ground gave way beneath her and she fell into darkness with a startled shout.

***

Applejack considered herself pretty good at sniffing outliers, but she could admit she was not perfect. She had believed the texts Sunset had sent to break up her friends the first time without even suspecting a thing. She had also believed Sunset had completely reformed the first time, and she still believed Sunset had made an honest effort to prove herself. Then Anon-A-Miss happened and suddenly the school was so filled with lies and half-truths that Applejack just couldn't tell who was telling the truth anymore.

It was her hope that now that Sunset had confessed and the page was gone everything would return to normal, they could get Sunset completely reformed, the school would stop fighting, and Applejack would be able to tell the lies from the truths again. She had hoped to get some answers to why Sunset had created Anon-A-Miss while working on the trees but she was stumped on how to approach the topic.

But now she was curious as to why Sunset would bring up the photos posted about Lightning Dust. She knew the soccer player was plum furious about being suspended from the team and she felt a lie when Sunset claimed it was nothing. But what was stranger was that Sunset seemed to genuinely not know why Lightning would be so angry despite being the one who posted the images herself, especially when it was one of the last she did. It made no sense, she did not feel any dishonestly when she said she didn't know and had no reason to lie.

Deciding to bring it up later she focused on her work, she would ask Sunset for answers later. She was on her fifth tree while Sunset was getting started on her fourth, the two were within earshot. Applejack considered asking Sunset some questions about her personal life, maybe find some reason as to why she would turn on them like that.

She heard a confessed 'What' come from Sunset followed by a shout of surprise. Applejack whipped around to see Sunset was gone and there was a hole in the ground where there had been a patch of snow a few seconds ago. "Ah, sorry Sunset." Applejack said approaching the hole. "Ah forgot we put a trap there." She chuckled lightly as she leaned over the rim looking for Sunset.

"Need any he-" She was cut off by a terrified scream coming from the hole. "Sunset?"

***

Darkness, cramp, engulfing darkness surrounded Sunset when she opened her eyes. She didn't know how she ended up in darkness, she remembered snow, she remembered falling, and then darkness covered her. She needed to get out, she needed to escape the darkness. She let out a scream of terror as she clawed desperately at the dark prison walls, searching for a handhold, something came loose from the wall and she redoubled her efforts, trying to tear the prison apart, she needed to get out.

A tightening sensation overtook her and her mind flashed to her past. The pressure and darkness she had felt when the rainbow hit her, the pain, regret, and crushing loneliness she felt at that time came rushing back forcing her to claw even harder, desperate to escape the loneliness. A new flash came to accompany the old one, the abandonment she felt when her friends accused her of being Anon-A-Miss, the fear that she would be forever alone, the certainty that she would never be trusted.

"Please, please, let me out." She whimpered as she clawed at the darkness. She thought she could hear someone calling but could not make out the words, she just continued to claw.

She felt pressure on her hand and she was tugged out of the darkness and onto while snow. Blinking tears from her eyes she looked up to see Applejack looked down at her with concern. "Applejack?" She pushed off the ground into the taller girl, wrapping her arms tightly around her. "Please, don't leave me."

***

Applejack was no stranger to Sunset's mood swings, she had seen them for years. For the longest time sudden bursts of anger followed by sudden calmness had been a common sight in Sunset and one of the things that had made her so difficult to read. Since the formal Applejack had seen different bursts of emotion from the redhead and sadness was one she was becoming increasingly familiar with. She had even seen a burst of fear once when they were first trapped in the stage basement during the Battle of the Bands when she had frantically pounded on the door until she calmed down.

But what she saw now was something very different than the normal mood swings and made the panic she saw in the basement next to nothing. It was not even a deep trap, barely three feet with snow covering the bottom as a cushion, it should have been easy for Sunset to pull herself out. Instead, when she looked in she saw Sunset laying on the ground, covered in snow from the fall, clawing a sizable dent on the wall while breathing heavily.

"Sunset, Sunset, what in tarnation are ya doin'?" She asked confused by the girl's strange actions.

Applejack heard a whimpered "Please, please, let me out."

"Sunset, ya got to get ahold of yerself!" She shouted trying to snap her out of whatever was wrong with her. When that did not get any change she reached down and grabbed the girl's hand. She pulled out the smaller teen with little effort and had Sunset out of the trap in seconds.

"Applejack?" Sunset asked looking up at Applejack. Before the farmer could answer Sunset flung herself into Applejack. "Please, don't leave me." She begged.

The force of Sunset's body grabbing onto her caused Applejack to sit down, still a little confused by Sunset's actions she returned the hug. "Don't worry 'bout dat Sugarcube." She muttered. "Ah got ya."

They remained on the ground for several minutes while Sunset breathed deeply, trying to calm herself down, Applejack said nothing, just rubbing Sunset on the back waiting for her friend to calm down. Once she seemed to have control of herself Sunset shifted herself off Applejack and back to her feet.

"Sorry about that, lost my cool for a second." She said brushing the snow off her. "Should we get back to work?"

"Sure ya don't want to talk 'bout what happened?" Applejack getting to her feet. "Dat was some reaction to a three-foot hole."

"Its nothing really, I just don't like confined spaces."

Applejack narrowed her eyes. "Dat was a whole lot more than dislike right there. And it was not dat confined."

"It's nothing, honest. It was nothing, let's just get back to work." She tried to move past Applejack to get the shears that had been dropped in the fall but Applejack gripped her shoulder stopping her.

"Nah, we're done now."

"But there are still plenty of trees."

"And there's plenty of time to do them before spring. Right now we're done, get inside, we'll have cocoa." She gently pushed Sunset towards the farmhouse. The redhead looked like she was about to protest but went along silently.

As they walked back to the house Applejack thought back on what happened. That was a lot more than dislike, that was obvious. The girl had been downright paralyzed in fear and couldn't even tell how easy it was to get out of the trap, and the whole wasn't even that cramped. But that was not the only thing eating at Applejack, it was Sunset's words that really got her thinking.

Sunset had begged her not to be left alone, she had clung to Applejack like she was her lifeline. While she couldn't confirm it yet she could tell Sunset was terrified of being alone, and that made her wonder. Why had Sunset created Anon-A-Miss if she was so scared of being alone? Why would she tear apart her friends when she knew it would lead to her being abandoned by them. It just made no sense and Applejack knew what she saw was not act, Sunset was a good actress, but no one was that good. And that sent Applejack down a line of thought she did not want to go down. If Sunset was so scared of being alone and Anon-A-Miss had forced her to be alone, then just maybe they were not the same person afterall.

Author's Notes:

So this one was a bit more difficult to write for several reasons, one being how to best incorporate a fear of being alone and cramped space together and giving an explanation for Sunset's reactionary personality. In the end, I went with the idea that she gained a fear of dark cramped places by combining it with a sensation of being abandoned and remembering the worst feelings in her life. And this fear is not going to be a one time seen thing, I plan for it to be shown several times along with a gradual attempt to get over the fear.

Now in case, it did not come off clear in the story I'll try to explain a few things I felt might come off as confusing. First Apple Bloom was on the opposite end of the hallway when Lightning Dust confronted Sunset and Rainbow was on the other end, the same end Lightning went in. Next Apple Bloom might have considered telling Applejack but still withheld information from Sunset because she is still conflicted, and her confession might still implicate her friends. And for Applejack and her lie-detecting, it is not perfect and seems to not be very strong when it comes to Sunset who tricked her many times in the past which could lead to her being distrusting during Anon-A-Miss, but in this, she is starting to question things herself, nothing certain yet but she is curious. And finally, I decided to have Sunset have mood swings because she does seem to have them, sudden extreme bursts of anger in several movies followed by immediate regret of her actions, the extreme sadness after her defeat and when she was accused of being Anon-A-Miss, she cried a lot more than one would expect considering her rather tough exterior, she's also rather impulsive in her actions, the entire first movie being a good example despite her high intelligence, something that will likely be shown in this story.

The next chapter might skip the other meetings with her friends since most of them are side characters in this story with only a couple playing major roles. As for its release, it should be around a week from now.

Chapter 6

Sunset had never been one for Hearts Warming back in Equestria, her old self made certain she had nopony to spend it with, even Princess Celestia grew weary of her attitude by the end, and her Christmas' in the human world had been lonely ones not worth celebrating. This year had been more mixed for her, she had friends and had a Christmas party with them, yet she was still alone on Christmas Day. Since Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie were all traveling for Christmas they had held the party the week before, now they were gone and Sunset had no plans on Christmas.

She was laying on her bed, her blankets bundled up around her, wishing the old heater was stronger and bored out of her mind. She considered talking with Twilight, but the Princess was probably busy celebrating the holiday with her friends and she didn't want to bother her. She also thought about visiting Fluttershy, of her friends still in the city she'd probably appreciate a distraction most, especially if it meant she had a reason to avoid Zephyr. She shuddered at the thought of seeing Fluttershy's brother. "I think I'd rather be alone than spend any time around him." She murmured turning on her side, pulling the bed sheets closer to her.

"I guess I'll just stay in bed till New Years'. At least it's warm in here." She said. A mechanical groan from the roof caught her attention. Sticking her head out of the covers she watched in horror as her heater sputtered and groaned before going silent. "Why did I say that?"

Already the temperature was starting to drop and when she called the repairman he said it would be hours before he could come and the price was well outside her range. "Great now, what am I supposed to do?" She asked herself hanging up the phone. "Maybe I can ask Applejack to come by tomorrow, she's good at fixing things." A chill ran through her apartment causing a shiver.

"No way am I staying here all day, it's too cold." She muttered heading to her closet. Changing out of her pajamas and into her jeans, thick winter coat, and scarf she grabbed her phone before heading to the door. "Hot Chocolate at Sugar Cube Corner here I come." She said opening the door.

***

While Sunset was no fan of the cold, she wasn't connected to heat for nothing, she could appreciate how nice Canterlot look in the winter. The grass covered in a fine layer of snow, bright colored lights hanging from the buildings and street lamps, and groups of carolers moving about the city who could set anyone in a festive mood. And with such a bright mood in the air, she did not feel any fear of being accused or taunted for something, for once.

Sugar Cube Corner was open year-round even though Pinkie was away for Winter Break the Cakes would never close shop, not when so many people might need last-minute Christmas sweets. When Sunset entered the Sweetshop there were a couple of other people at tables, she recognized Lyra and Bon Bon sitting at a booth in a corner sharing a milkshake and Bulk Biceps sitting at the counter chatting with Mr. Cake. Sunset pulled the rim of her jacket collar up as she sat down at one of the booths, while she was feeling safer with it being Christmas she thought it better not to get the attention of three students she knew had been targeted by Anon-A-Miss.

"Well hello, deary, what can I get ya?" Mrs. Cake asked coming over with her usual bright smile.

"One hot chocolate please."

"Coming right up Sunset."

At the sound of her name, Sunset saw Bulk sit up a bit straighter and glance in her direction. He spoke a few words to Mr. Cake she did not hear and got up, coming her way. Sunset tried to force herself into the booth, less so out of fear since Bulk was really a big softy, and more for she did not want to see the hurt in his eyes she knew would be there.

"Hey, Sunset." He said in a low sad voice. "Merry Christmas." The words sounded hollow to Sunset.

"Thanks, Bulk, that very nice of you," Sunset said fidgeting in her booth. "Look I wanted to say I'm sorry for what-."

"It's fine Sunset, really." He said cutting her off. He sighed as he continued. "I didn't want to believe it was you, I still don't want to. But if you really are Anon-A-Miss then I forgive you. I just wanted to say not everyone hates you, even if we don't want to be your friend right now."

"I understand, and thanks again." She glanced up to see Bulk give a weak smile and wave before going back to the counter, passing Mrs. Cake with Sunset's hot chocolate.

"Here you go deary," She set the cup down. "And I heard what that nice boy said. I hope when you go back to school you stick by your friends and those that forgive you and ignore the rest."

"Thanks, Mrs. Cake, and I will," Sunset said taking the cup. She took a big gulp and nearly spit it out from the heat but swallowed it.

"You might want to let it, cool deary." Mrs. Cake said holding a hand over her mouth, likely covering a smile. Sunset gave something halfway between a smile and a grimace as she blew on the toasty beverage. Mrs. Cake left her to her drink going back to the counter.

Sunset nursed the hot chocolate, enjoying the warming sensation in her body, just enjoying the peace of being out and not glared at for once. It felt nice just to relax again, she could not remember truly relaxing since Anon-A-Miss had started and she missed the feeling, though she wished one of her friends was with her. She could have used Pinkie's laughter or Applejack's calming presence. A giggle drew her attention to Lyra and Bon Bon embracing rubbing each other's cheek, the sweet scene only increasing her growing feeling of loneliness. Finishing her hot chocolate she ordered a second one to go, feeling a little less merry as she left.

***

Sunset should have bought two hot chocolates, cause one did not last her nearly as long as she wanted. She sat on a park bench looking at the semi-frozen lake, it was still too early in the winter for it to be completely frozen for skating but it was still nice to look at. Picking up a stone she flung it onto the lake, it clacked off the ice twice then hit an unfrozen patch and sunk into the water.

"Not a bad throw." She complimented herself finishing her drink.

As she tossed the cup in the trash Sunset heard smattering applause nearby, thinking it might be a Christmas play or something she followed the applause to a small stage that could not fit a play. The crowd was small, a few old men sitting in the front row, a trio of high school boys in heavy winter clothes in the back, and two other boys sitting off to the side. And appearing out of a plume of smoke, in her usual blue and white stared cape and magician hat, was Sunset's new friend Trixie.

"Thank you thank you, welcome to the show," Trixie said with a bow. "How about we start with something simple? Pulling a rabbit out of my hat, though maybe Trixie should pull out an Artic hare with this cold."

She held out her hat to the audience showing the empty interior. "See my hat, completely empty and," she taped the back, "no holes in the top." She set the hat on the table, tapped it with her wand, and reached in. She felt around inside it before pulling out a small rabbit that looked remarkably like Angel Bunny. "Hey your not the rabbit Trixie rehearsed with," Trixie said to the rabbit pushing him back into the hat. That got a small laugh out of Sunset who had taken a seat towards the back.

"We seem to be having some difficulties with my furry assistant so how about a different trick," Trixie said putting her hat back on and pulling out a deck of cards. "For this trick, I'll need a volunteer from the audience." She flicked her hand, the cards sailing over her head and into her waiting hand. "Anyone?"

Sunset considered raising her hand, she had agreed to help Trixie with her magic tricks last week, but she was not that comfortable getting up on a stage with the magician so she would just watch this one. Trixie picked the skinner of the two boys who Sunset recognized as a student at CHS but could not remember his name. He had a permanent scowl and had shades covering his eyes but Sunset had a feeling he was glaring. As he got up his stoker friend passed something to him.

"Come on up sir, now what's your name?" Trixie asked.

"Runt."

Trixie's smile wavered and Sunset saw a flash of recognition in her eyes at the name but the magician continued on. "Well Runt, we'll be starting with a simple card trick." She held out the cards. "You pick a card then put it back and Trixie will choose one and you will say if it is your card."

"A little simple." Runt said, Sunset noted he had a gravelly voice.

"I don't get to the Hoofdini stuff till the second act." Trixie joked closing her eyes. "Pick a card."

Runt took one of the outstretched cards. "Get a good look at it then put it back," Trixie said eyes still closed. Sunset watched as Runt smiled and tossed the card away and pulled what his friend passed him out of his pocket. She started to get up as Runt put whatever it was into Trixie's hand.

"That's not a car-ahhh!" Trixie screamed flinging her cards away. "Get it off, get it off, get off Trixie." The magician shouted flinging her hand wildly as Runt and the other boys laughed. Whatever it was that scared her had landed at Trixie's feet, she screamed again and backed away while Runt picked it up.

"Aw, what's wrong Great and Powerful Trixie? Scared of a little beetle?" He asked holding out the beetle. Trixie backed away shaking in a mix of fear, indignation, and anger. "Man, that was even easier than I thought."

Sunset had enough. "Hey! What's the big idea!" She demanded marching up to the stage. "Why are you trying to ruin Trixie's show?"

"Because it's fun and she's a lame magician." Runt said shrugging. the boys in the audience laughed in agreement. "Besides why do you care Anon-A-Miss? We're just using the post you made about Trixie."

Sunset flinched at the name as Runt continued. "And what gives you the right to stop out fun?"

"Because messing with people is wrong. All your doing is making yourself into a bully."

"HA! Ain't that rich Big Boy?" Runt said to his friend. "The biggest bully at CHS who tore the school apart twice calling me a bully." He got off the stage, behind Sunset Big Boy got up from his seat.

"And why would you defend her anyway? I thought you two hated each other after the Battle of the Bands. Not to mention you posted her fear on your Anon-A-Miss page."

"Well, things have changed. She's my friend."

"Yeah, you seem to change a lot, Anon-A-Miss, Hero, She-Demon, Bully. You really are strange." He said getting up in her face, he was a little shorter than Sunset. She flinched again at Anon-A-Miss but did not back down. Big Boy gave her a shove and she stumbled past Runt. She spun around and saw the three other boys had joined Big Boy, the shortest cracking his knuckles.

"Actually it makes sense when you think about it," Runt continued, "The Broken Tyrant and the Siren Slave together, the two biggest freaks in school."

Trixie pulled Sunset up onto the stage. "Shows over!" She shouted to the boys. "The Great and Powerful Trixie and her friend are out." She threw a smoke bomb at their feet and the bullies, pulling Sunset through the curtain behind the stage pushing Sunset towards a blue jeep. "Get in, hurry." She hopped into the driver's seat, pulling out before Sunset could buckle in. Sunset looked in the rearview mirror as the three boys from the back jeered at her, Big Boy and Runt no longer with them.

***

"Thanks for stepping in, Trixie really appreciates it," Trixie said as the two sat in her jeep in an empty parking lot. "Why did you though?"

"Because we're friends and you were being bullied," Sunset said. "I couldn't just watch. Though not sure what I could have done if they all got violent. Nice work with the escape by the way."

Trixie blushed at the compliment. "Thanks, Trixie carries extra smoke bombs for angry audience escapes."

Sunset laughed. "How often does that happen?"

The magician frowned looking down. "More often than I like."

The two sat in awkward silence before Trixie broke the silence. "Want to head back to my stage wagon, it should be clear by now."

"Sure," Sunset said as Trixie turned the ignition key.

Sunset's anger boiled when she saw Trixie's stage wagon, it was ruined. Well, ruined was a strong word, it was covered in graffiti, rude words, and insults. The most prominent being 'Siren Slave' painted along the side of the wagon, it looked like the side wall of an abandoned building. Sunset expected Trixie to freak out at the sight of her wagon vandalized but she just sighed and pulled out her keys.

"Come on in, I have a couple chair's we can use." Trixie waved her in.

"Aren't you the least bit upset about your wagon being vandalized?" Sunset waved at the graffiti.

"You get used to it after awhile right? You got used to it appearing on your locker." Trixie pointed out.

"That's just some school property I use to hold my books, this is your personal property. Its not the same." Sunset said stepping into wagon. It was filled with magic equipment but had enough free space for two reclner chairs, one blue and the other orange. Trixie reclined in the blue one and indicated for Sunset to take the other.

"Normally that's my mother's but you can use it." Trixie said. "And as for the wagon, I get it cleaned at the end of the week and this normally only happens when I need to make an escape. Though that has been happening more often."

"You said that earlier, how long has this been happening?"

"Since maybe a week after the Battle of the Bands." Trixie shrugged. "After everyone got off the Friendship High the Dazzlings' defeat caused people started looking for someone to blame, and they chose Trixie."

"Why? Why would they blame you?"

"Take your pick? Because Trixie was manipulated more than anyone by the Dazzlings, because she dropped the school heroes down a trap door potentially injuring them, or because she almost caused the destruction of two worlds."

"But none of that was your fault, you were manipulated just as much as anyone else by the Sirens, blaming you is like blaming Principal Celestia or Vice-Principal Luna for allowing the Battle of the Bands to happen." Sunset protested.

"Trixie tried to tell them she did not mean to help the Dazzlings but no one believed her. Then the nicknames came, someone called Trixie Siren Slave and it stuck, then someone said she willingly helped them and soon half the school thinks Trixie's an evil villain who will hurt you." Trixie sighed composing herself. "I meant it when I said I understood people not believing you when people think your something your not."

"Wow, I didn't know you had to deal with all that." Sunset said sympatheticly. "I wish you didn't have to go through that."

"Its fine, the Great and Powerful Trixie can handle a little heckling and pranks." Trixie assured her. "So what were you doing in the park anyway? Thought you would be having a get together with the Rainbooms or something."

"Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie are out of town for Christmas, we'll be meeting together for New Years though." Sunset explained. "I had nothing to do today so I went on a walk and saw your show. What about you? How come your not at home with your family?"

"Mother has a performance today at the theater, a production of the Nativity, she won't be back till night."

"And your dad, where's he?"

"You tell Trixie." Trixie said bitterly.

Sunset thought it would be best to drop that topic for now. "So what about New Years, you have any plans for that?"

"Mother has another performance so I thought I might try another show, after getting my wagon cleaned."

"That doesn't seem right." Sunset thought, no one should be alone on New Years. An idea was starting to form but she would need permission first. "You know, I might have another idea."

***

"There ya go Sugarcube, all fixed." Applejack said wiping her brow. Turning on the heating system Sunset basked in the relaxing warmth that came from the now fixed machine. "Shoudn't give ya any more trouble."

"Thanks Applejack, your a lifesaver." Sunset said shedding the heavy coat she had been wearing. She had called Applejack the day after Christmas and her friend had been happy to help. "It would have cost a fortune to get that thing fixed."

"It's no problem, Ah'm happy to help." Applejack assured her gathering her tools. "Ah'll be seeing ya at New Years right?"

"Yeah of course I'll be there, though I wanted to ask you something. Would it be okay if I brought a friend over with me?"

"Why sure, the more the merrier, glad to see yer making new friends. Who is it, do we know em?" Applejack asked with a bright smile.

"Uhh yeah you know her, its Trixie." Sunset said tensing for the expected shouting to follow.

"Trixie? As in dat obnoxious magician that trapped us beneath the stage during the Battle of the Bands?" Applejack asked, Sunset nodded. "Since when are ya friends with her?"

"We started hanging out over the break, turns out we have more in common than I thought. Then I found out she was going to be alone on New Years so I thought she could join us. She's really not that bad once you get to know her." Sunset explained. "Please, I don't want her to be alone and I think she could make good company."

"Fine, you can invite her, but make sure she's on her best behavior." Applejack said waving a finger. "Ah don't want to spend New Years' with two boasters."

"Don't worry she'll be on her best behavior." She pulled out her phone to tell her friend the good news.

"And Sunset."

"Yeah."

"Ah wanted to say." Applejack hesitated then looked away. "Never mind, we'll talk at the party." She headed for the door.

Sunset raised an eye. "Okay, and Applekjack," Applejack paused looking back. "Thanks again for letting me back into the group."

"Yer welcome Sugar, Ah'll leave ya to talk with yer friend." Applejack said leaving as Sunset started talking with Trixie.

Author's Notes:

So you get the next part earlier than intended, since it was done and its been 4 days I thought why not? And went to post.

I wanted to make it clear that not all those who were affected by Anon-A-Miss and are background characters hate Sunset. That while they believe she is Anon-A-Mss they are still willing to forgive her due to their nature, hence Bulk Biceps speaking to her. Those like him will certainly be in the minority, I think that's obvious, but there will be some. Also if Sunset's mood seems to change fast well chalk that up to mood swings that have been previously mentioned, they're not all extreme.

So while Sunset is going through a lot and is taking a lot of hits she does not deserve she has not lost her fire entirely. In defense of a friend, Sunset would care less what someone said about her, her only focus would be to help that friend. And along with the more usual Anon-A-Miss story villains like Lightning and the bully boys there will be some more minor villains building something up in the background, so be on the lookout. This chapter also shows that Sunset is not the only one going through problems even though hers are the most prominent.

I can see Trixie having some bullying problems, she has a personality that can be difficult to get used to and she did some pretty bad acts during the Battle of the Bands, worse than the other students, and with the Sirens gone the bullies and angry students would look for someone to blame and Trixie would be a prime target. Also, I'm using something that the creators of the show mentioned about Trixie's father, you can find what I'm implying on her wiki page.

Next part New Year's Eve.

Chapter 7

Sunset looked in her bathroom mirror as she finished tieing her hair back into a ponytail, chuckling at the name and sight, she wanted to look her best for the New Year's Eve party. It would be a small gathering of their friends, Applejack's siblings and grandmother, the CMC's, and Trixie but since Rarity had insisted on at least a semi-formal attire Sunset had to make sure she met the fashionista's standards. So instead of her usual clothes, she wore one of her better pairs of jeans, a sleeveless purple shirt with her cutie mark on the center, and a fake fur coat Rarity had made for her, and due to her insistence on not wearing heels, she wore her usual faux leather boots. Her phone pinged with a text from Trixie telling her that she would be arriving soon with her jeep.

The two had agreed to take Trixie's jeep to Sweet Apple Acres since the roads were still too uneven from the snow and ice for Sunset's motorcycle. Once Sunset finished getting ready she headed down to the lobby of the apartment building to wait for her friend. Lazy Ringer, the building's check-in clerk, and Ms. Checkers, one of the building's other residents, were in the lobby when she arrived. Ringer was fingering a magazine while Ms. Checkers seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Sunset dear," Ms. Checkers said when she saw Sunset. "You're looking nice. Have yourself a New Year's date?"

"Ha, no ma'am just going to a party with some friends," Sunset said sitting down next to Ms. Checkers.

"It really is a waste to be single on New Year's, whatever happened to that nice blue-haired boy you were dating last year, hmmm."

"They broke up in August remember," Ringer said not looking up from her magazine. "You could hear Sunset shouting from down here."

"Oh yes, now I remember. That was quite a shouting match." Ms. Checkers giggled at the memory and Sunset's flushed face as she remembered it.

"SO! What are you doing tonight ma'am?" Sunset asked changing the topic.

"I'm meeting a nice man I met while Christmas shopping, he's taking me out for a night of dancing." Ms. Checkers said looking at the door expectedly.

"Well I hope you have a nice night, looks like my ride's here," Sunset said watching a now-familiar blue jeep blue up next to the apartment. Sunset stood to leave when Lazy Ringer hit the bell catching her attention.

"Before you leave Ms. Shimmer, the boss called today," Ringer said still reading her magazine. "He was asking to see if your mother was in. Something he wanted to discuss in private."

"She's out on a trip," Sunset said using the normal lie. "If he wants to talk he can call me and I'll handle whatever he needs for her."

"I told him that but he was quite insistent on a face-to-face meeting, I told him I would tell you," Ringer explained.

That was not welcome news, the boss had been annoyed by her 'mother's' absence before but had always accepted Sunset acting in her name. "Well tell him I can come in and tell him why my mother can't come herself."

"Alright, I'll tell him. Oh, and you have company." Ringer pointed to the entrance.

"Sunset' what's taking you so long I texted you when I arrived but you never answered," Trixie said stomping up to her, high heels clacking against the tile. "I come in to see what's taking you so long and you're talking with the clerk. You could have at least told me you would be a minute."

"Sorry Trixie, Ringer was just passing a message from my mom's boss to me, I needed to take care of it. Sorry I kept you waiting." Sunset explained.

Trixie gave a small sigh. "It's fine, I was just wondering what was taking you so long." She looked her friend over. "You look nice tonight."

Sunset blushed at the compliment. "Thanks and you look, well spectacular." She said looking at Trixie's dress. The magician had apparently gone all out in her outfit, a long dark blue dress with star patterns of lighter blue and white that reached her ankles, matching high heels that made her taller than Sunset, a long black cape with a crescent moon print, a necklace with the same moon symbol, and a black top hat.

Trixie gave a smug smirk, puffing out her chest and doing a small spin to give Sunset a full view of her outfit. "Of course, the Gorgeous and Fashionable Trixie looks spectacular in everything she wears. Though thank you for the compliment."

"You might want to put a cap on the boasting, Applejack and the others aren't used to it," Sunset said patting Trixie on the shoulder.

"Sorry, I'll be careful. So you ready to go or do you need to finish your mother's business?"

"Huh? Oh right! No, I think that's it. Right, Ringer?" Sunset looked to the clerk who gave a nod without looking up from her magazine. "We can go."

"Have fun on your date Sunset!" Ms. Checkers called as the two friends headed for the door.

"It's not a date!" Sunset called back not noticing that she was holding Trixie's hand as she pulled the magician out the door to the jeep. "Why would she even say that?"

***

Applejack stepped back to admire and double-check her family's work on the living room, decorations, check, refreshments check, extra refreshments if Pinkie gets to the first ones check, television tunned to watch the ball drop at midnight, check. All was ready, now all they needed was the guests, and as the doorbell rang it signaled the first had arrived. Normally Pinkie Pie would be the first to arrive at any party that was not thrown by her, but when it was Applejack hosting the party there was one who was guaranteed to beat the girl who defied reality and Applejack was not surprised when Rarity was waiting at the door with Sweetie Belle next to her.

"Howdy Rarity, welcome to the party." Applejack said stepping aside as Sweetie Belle entered ahead of her sister, likely looking for Apple Bloom.

"Darling, it's good to be back." Rarity said hugging Applejack. "And I say, I'm enjoying your outfit, simplistic looks good on you."

"It's just a good shirt and skirt, nothin' special." Applejack waved the compliment. "And yer lookin' sparkly."

"Is it too much?" She asked, she had gone for one of her shimmering gowns that sparkled in the night, a bright bejeweled sash, six-inch heels, and lace gloves.

"Nah, it looks good on ya."

"Why thank you." Rarity said. The door knocked repeatedly behind them.

"Sounds like Pinkie's here." Applejack said.

Soon everyone except Sunset and Trixie, who were traveling the longest distance, had arrived and enjoying the party. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had gone off with Apple Bloom to do whatever the crusaders did. Applejack hoped they could improve her younger sister's mood, the middle schooler had seemed down over the break and not her usual cheery self. Rainbow Dash had already found the cider, though Rarity insisted she wait till midnight. Applejack was standing by the punch making sure Pinkie didn't spike it with a bag of sugar or something, though the party girl seemed to be busy talking with Fluttershy.

"Applejack I heard that Sunset is bringing company." Rarity said Rainbow Dash right behind her.

"Yeah, she invited Trixie to come. Said the girl had no one to spend it with."

"Maybe because she's so obnoxious," Rainbow grumbled she and the magician had never been on the best terms and it showed no signs of improving. "Can't believe Sunset would invite her with us, this is supposed to be private."

"Rainbow Dash, Sunset can bring a friend if she wants to." Rarity scolded. "Though I must say I do not know what she sees in that girl."

"She said they have stuff in common." Applejack said as a way of explaining. "Ah saw nothin' wrong with it, so long as Trixie doesn't brag too much it should be fine. And Ah want Sunset in a good mood tonight, Ah had some questions for her."

"Questions?" Rarity asked.

"'bout Anon-A-Miss, somethin' that's been bothering me."

"What's there to say about it?" Rainbow asked. "Sunset did it and now she's stopped. All we need to do now is make sure she doesn't do it again."

"There is still the question as to why she did it." Rarity pointed out.

"Not to mention the memory gaps," Applejack added.

"Memory gaps?" Rainbow asked.

"Early in the break Sunset asked me what she posted about Lightning Dust, honestly didn't seem to remember what it was. Then she had dat panic attack when she fell in one of mah Santa traps so Ah couldn't ask her 'bout it."

"She had a panic attack." Rarity said hand over her mouth.

"Yeah, poor girl was begging to not be alone again, couldn't see that she was in a three-foot hole. Made me wonder if she actually was Anon-A-Miss."

"What do you mean?" Rainbow questioned.

"Well she seems deathly afraid of bein' alone, and Anon-A-Miss left her all alone. Makes me wonder why someone dat afraid would turn on her friends."

"I might have a reason." Rarity said, the two turned to her as she continued. "The morning after she confessed to us I heard her arguing with someone who was not there. She was saying she wouldn't do something, something we would never understand and would leave her alone again. It ended with her shouting at whoever she was talking too to shut up. Then there's the fact she gave me her phone for the night like she was afraid to have it on her."

"What ya getting at Rarity," Applejack asked.

"I'm thinking that maybe Sunset wasn't Anon-A-Miss. At least not the Sunset we know. What if not all of the demon in her is gone."

There was a knock at the front door.

***

"Sunset! You're here!" Pinkie shouted pulling Sunset into the house in a tight hug. "It's been sooo long since we had any fun together! How's your break been? Do anything fun for Christmas? Did Twilight say anything from Equestria?"

"Pinkie please, I can't answer those questions if you keep asking more." Sunset's slightly muffled voice said from Pinkie's chest. Pinkie stopped and the two stood silent for a minute. "And can you please let me go?" She asked still locked in Pinkie's embrace. The pink teen released Sunset taking a step back.

"Thank you, and hey Pinkie Pie, nice to see you too," Sunset said smiling. "My break's been good all thing considered, I had some excitement at Christmas, and no Twilight didn't really say anything."

"Ahem." Trixie fake coughed from the door.

"Trixie!" Pinkie shouted pulling the magician into the house, slamming the door closed as she did so. "I heard Sunny was bringing you, I'm so happy she made a new friend!" She exclaimed giving Trixie a bone-shattering hug.

"Okay Pinkie don't squash her." Sunset joked as she gently pulled Trixie off her, Trixie giving a light gasp as she was let go.

"Sorry, I'm just soo happy you and Trixie are friends now!" Pinkie exclaimed bouncing in place. "I just really really want to talk to you two!"

"Alright Pinkie, but can we have a moment to just relax?" Sunset asked. "We'll join you in a bit okay?"

"Alright, I'll be waiting by the couch, I made a white chocolate fondue, and it's on the table." Pinkie said. "I'll save you some. Oh, and Fluttershy wanted to talk to you sometime Sunset." She skipped away before Sunset could respond.

"I'll talk to Fluttershy later," Sunset said to herself turning to Trixie. "Sorry if Pinkie got a little intense. She means well."

"It's fine," Trixie assured her, readjusting her hat.

"Come on, let's get something to drink." Sunset pointed to the punch. "Then we can go join oh hey Rainbow, happy New Year's."

"Happy New Year's Sunset, Trixie," Rainbow said, Sunset couldn't tell why but her friend seemed a bit down.

"Rainbow Dash." Trixie rolled her eyes at the athlete.

"So, you need something Rainbow, or did you just want to say hi?" Sunset asked.

"Yeah, I needed to ask you something." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck holding out her other hand. "I hate to ask this, but could you hand your phone over for the night?"

Hand over her phone? Sunset wondered at Rainbow's odd request. "Why would she... Oh right, no trusting Sunset with a phone. Of course."

"Why would you want Sunset to hand over her phone," Trixie questioned.

"It's nothing Trixie," Sunset assured her pulling out her phone. "I'll get it back at the end?"

"Yeah, I'll keep it safe. Promise."

Sunset held the phone out to Rainbow, the athlete reached for it when. "Rainbow Dash! What in tarnation are ya doing?" Applejack demanded.

"Taking this head-on, it's just a precaution," Rainbow said reaching for the phone.

"We're not handlin' the problem this way," Applejack said grabbing Rainbow's outstretched hand. "Sunset keep yer phone Rainbow and Ah need to have a chat."

Applejack pulled Rainbow Dash over to a corner where they started arguing, Rarity moved to join them trying to calm them down. Meanwhile, Sunset and Trixie grabbed their drinks and went to the other end of the room, Sunset signaling to Pinkie they needed a minute.

"Seriously Sunset, what was that about?" Trixie asked.

"Rainbow doesn't trust me to have a phone on me at the party," Sunset said sipping her drink. "Probably because they think I'm Anon-A-Miss and are scared I might try it again or something."

"Well that doesn't seem like any way to treat a friend," Trixie said folding her arms. "Especially one they say they've forgiven."

"She probably has her reasons."

"That doesn't make it right." Trixie counter mumbling into her drink. "And Trixie still thinks it is wrong to be lying to them about being guilty. If they really are your friends they should trust you when you say you're innocent."

"It's fine Trixie, with my past it's no wonder they didn't trust me before Anon-A-Miss, now I can just hope one day they'll truly trust me."

Trixie frowned but said nothing, she might not be an expert when it came to friends but she knew that was wrong. She only hoped Sunset realized that before she got hurt.

***

"Apple Bloom, what's the matter? We haven't heard from you since the Christmas party. What's going on?" Scootaloo demanded. The three crusaders were sitting in Apple Bloom's room, the girl in question sulking on the bed. Scootaloo was looking down at the young farmer arms crossed while she waited for an answer.

Sweetie Belle looked more sympathetic. "We've been worried about you Apple Bloom. Is something wrong?"

Apple Bloom muttered something shifting away. Sweetie Belle leaned in a bit closer. "Can you say that again Apple Bloom? We couldn't hear you."

"Ah want to confess." Apple Bloom said flatly.

Scootaloo groaned. "Bloom we talked about this, it's better this way, Sunset has her friends back, we got off without any trouble, and the students will stop hating each other."

Apple Bloom jumped off the bed. "Is it right dat Sunset keeps gettin' punished for what we did? Is it fair dat she's got a month's detention waitin' for her when school starts back up? Is it right dat no one trusts her anymore if they ever did? Is it right dat she got attacked by Lightning Dust for what we posted?"

Sweetie Belle backed into the walls, shaking, tears brimming in her eyes, Scootaloo stood firm facing her friend. "It might not be the right choice but it is the best choice. Sunset can take whatever they dish out, we can't." She paused before continuing. "I can't take it."

"Then maybe Ah should just confess on mah own?" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Ah started thinking about it before Christmas and Ah think Ah'll do it. You won't have to worry though, Ah'll say it was just me."

"But Apple Bloom, that's not possible." Sweetie Belle said. Apple Bloom looked at her confused. "You won't be able to confess without us."

"How's dat?"

"The photos from Sunset's phone, I hacked it to get to them." Sweetie Belle pointed out, still shaking from Apple Bloom's outburst. "And Scootaloo is the one outside the Rainbooms with access to Rainbow Dash's locker. If you confess we'd need to be with you or they'd never believe you."

"Apple Bloom, please please keep quiet." Scootaloo said. "It will all work out in the end, you confessing now will only make things worse for everyone."

Apple Bloom didn't answer immediately looking between her two friends then to the floor. She wanted to confess, she wanted to set things right, but to do so would be to go against her two closest friends, friends that had saved her in the past. "Ah'll wait, not because Ah believe ya, but because of our friendship. Ah, won't tell Applejack or anyone else for now. But if Sunset gets hurt because of us when we get back to school, Ah will tell Principal Celestia."

"She won't be hurt, Rainbow Dash and the others won't let her," Scootaloo assured her. "Now come on let's get back to the party, it's almost eleven, one hour till New Year's."

***

The old grandfather clock doled eleven signaling New Year's was only an hour away. Granny Smith had already gone to bed, wishing them a happy New Year's, and Big Mac seemed to be conking out in the easy chair. Sunset and Trixie were watching the New Year's show from the couch, Fluttershy had vanished to the kitchen with Angel Bunny looking for carrots, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were still muttering in the other room, and Pinkie Pie was practically bouncing off the wall as she tried to hold her excitement for midnight. Sunset looked up from the tv as the CMC's came down the stairs, Apple Bloom freezing when she saw Sunset.

Pinkie zipped up to the trio. "Hey Apple Bloom, New Year's is almost here and you guys missed most of the party." She said. "Come on grab some punch," She leaned in with a false whisper. "I added something while Applejack wasn't looking to help us stay awake."

"And what would dat be?" Applejack asked coming up behind the hyperactive girl.

"Oooh, just a little sugar." Pinkie said innocently.

"Meanin' enough that if we drink it will be bouncin' off the wall like you?"

"Maybe."

"Hmph, luckily Ah prepared for this." The farmer said opening a cupboard getting out a spare bowl. "Ah'd rather not have a sugar crash at New Year's thanks."

"Agreed, Miss Pie would you please not sugar drug us." Rarity agreed.

"Come on it's New Year'! Let's start this year with a bang!" Pinkie shouted throwing confetti into the air.

Sunset watched the friends light-hearted argument with a smile not noticing Fluttershy leave the kitchen till she tapped her on the shoulder. "Um, Sunset, can I talk to you?" She asked. Sunset flinched away in surprise, Fluttershy made a small 'eep' backing away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine Fluttershy, you just surprised me." Sunset explained standing up. "Did you say something, I didn't hear you."

"Well, I-"

"Sunset darling," Rarity unknowingly interrupted. "Can you join us in the other room for a moment, we need to speak with you."

"Yeah, just hang on a minute Fluttershy wanted..." She trailed off as Fluttershy shook her head walking away. "I mean, sure be right there."

"You want me to come?" Trixie asked rising from the couch. "You might need someone by your side in there." She watched Rainbow Dash enter the other room.

"It's fine Trixie, I'll be right back," Sunset assured her. The magician did not look happy about it but sat back down as Sunset left with Rarity. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both waiting for them, the farmer leaning against a wall hat pulled over her eyes, while Rainbow was tapping her finger impatiently

"Is everything okay?" Sunset asked feeling a little nervous by their unhappy faces.

"Sunset, we need to talk to you about something, something you may not enjoy." Rarity began.

"And that is?"

"Anon-A-Miss." Applejack said flatly. "We have some questions about it."

"Uhh, what do you want to know?" Sunset was now starting to sweat, fearing where the conversation was going.

"We want to know why Sunset," Rainbow said standing straight. "We want to know why this whole mess felt so strange."

"Strange?"

"For weeks since the Sirens were beaten everything been great between us then suddenly at the beginning of the month, you decided to tear the school apart with no warning." Rainbow continued.

"Then ya spend over a week protestin' yer innocent then ya break down in front of us and the account is gone. It's just weird sugar." Applejack added.

"Look I'm sorry this is so weird and I'm sorry for everything but I promise that this won't happen again."

"But darling that's not all that we found strange." Rarity said.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been talking to yourself, arguing with a voice in your head." Rarity took a step closer.

"You can't remember specific posts you made, even recent ones." Rainbow continued.

"And panic attacks when ya fell down a tiny hole, begin' not to be alone." Applejack finished.

Rarity laid a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Sunset, is there something your not telling us, anything at all?"

"No! Nothing, honest." Sunset lied panic starting to rise.

Applejack sighed. "Ah was hopin' ya could be honest with us."

At that Sunset's growing panic skyrocketed. "It's not that I want to." She admitted.

"But you can't, we understand." Rarity comforted.

"You do?" Sunset asked a spark of hope lighting in her at the words.

Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Yeah we totally get it Sunset, you can't tell us what's going on because the old you is forcing you to be quiet. Just like how it forced you to be Anon-A-Miss."

"What?" Sunset asked the spark dying in her. "You think I'm becoming the old me again!?" She heard a faint ringing in her ears growing louder.

"No no darling that's not what she meant," Rarity said, her voice muffled by the ringing.

"Yeah, what she meant was we think yer demon side might still be alive." Applejack said her voice almost inaudible as the ringing grew to near deafening.

They thought the demon in her was still alive, they feared she was becoming her old self again, they thought she would turn on them a third time. Those thoughts raced through Sunset's head as she began to hyperventilate, she no longer heard the words her friends said. She knew now why they would never trust her, not as long as they felt the demon could come back at any time. And as long as they felt that she would inevitably end up alone again.

"NO!" Sunset screamed shocking the three. "There's no demon, I swear, it's just me. ME! I swear!"

"Sunset we're just trying to help." Applejack said softly, Sunset was not listening.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything! Please believe me, there's no demon." Sunset pleaded, she could feel tears in her eyes but she did not wipe them, she needed to get out before she made things worse. She started backing away, Rarity and Rainbow moved to stand next to Applejack, the three looking at her confused and worried. "I need to go, I'm sorry." She said running out of the room.

"Sunset! Wait!" Rainbow made to chase after the fleeing teen, only for her path to be blocked by Trixie.

"What just happened in here!" Trixie demanded as the front door of the farmhouse slammed.

Author's Notes:

Woof, they got intense, not to mention it was longer than intended, for it to work now it will have a second part where it shows what happens next. I tried to build the reasoning up for those three to think the old Sunset was coming back even though the audience knew that wasn't true. Her talking to herself, not knowing specific posts Anon-A-Miss made, and a terrible fear of being alone, to the audience you know the truth but to their perspective, it's not impossible for them to think the old Sunset is still alive and trying to force the new Sunset to be like her. Now they certainly handled it the wrong way by confronting her but remember they are teens faced with something they do not understand so they would not act in the best way.

As for the CMC's well, I hadn't originally intended for Scootaloo to become a villain but as the story has developed she has become one, even if she's not a malicious one she is being a villain.

Stay tuned for Chapter 8, comments and feedback are always welcome, and if you catch any errors point them out so I can fix them. Oh and I want to thank everyone for the great comments I've seen and the likes, your feedback is part of the reason I can maintain this release pace.

Chapter 8

Trixie did not consider herself an agressive person; in fact, if she was honest with herself she would call herself a coward, she would rather run from her problems than stand against them. But when she saw Sunset Shimmer, someone who had quickly become her closest friend, fleeing from a room crying and the people who had most likely caused her to cry running after her, Trixie got angry.

"Well? Why did Sunset just running out of there crying? What did you say to her? What did you accuse her of now?" Trixie demanded blocking the path of the three Rainboom members from where Sunset fled.

"We didn't accuse her of anything!" Rainbow protested trying to move around her. "We were trying to help her."

"Really cause to Trixie that did not look like helping." She said continuing to block the athlete.

"Uh Dashie," Pinkie asked poking her head around Trixie. "What did you guys say to Sunny, why was she crying? Did something happen?"

"You could say dat," Applejack said. The three explained what they believed to be wrong with Sunset, how they believed her old self was trying to take control of Sunset, the so-called evidence behind their reason, and Sunset's reaction and flight. By the end, Trixie was shaking in anger while Pinkie's face was oddly neutral.

"So you think meanie Sunset was Anon-A-Miss and had been controlling nice Sunset, humiliating us and the school so we would cut ourselves off from her so she could take full control. But then nice Sunset took control again and confessed, shutting down Anon-A-Miss but still can't tell about meanie Sunset and when you tried to tell her she freaked out and ran away." Pinkie summarized.

"Yes, but why did she freak out when we were only trying to help?" Rarity wondered.

"How did you expect her to react?" Trixie demanded. "You take Sunset into another room, spring questions on Anon-A-Miss on her, at a party no less, then you tell her you think she still has a demon in her even though you have no actual proof." She glared at the three. "Trixie thought you three were supposed to be her friends."

"Hey! We were just trying to help Sunset," Rainbow protested. "I don't know why she freaked out like that."

"Um girls."

"Oh, maybe when you pretty much threw her greatest fear right in her face when you told her that you think her old self was inside her? Maybe she thought you would abandon her again and got scared." Trixie scoffed. "Clearly you don't know how to talk to her Rainbow Dash."

"Yeah, and you do?" Rainbow Dash said the two now centimeters from each other. "We've been her friends a lot longer than you Trixie. And if it's not her evil self taking over then what's wrong with her, huh?"

"Um girls."

"Trixie knows what's wrong with Sunset, but she promised not to tell anyone," Trixie said then gasped when she realized what she said putting a hand over her mouth. "Trixie wasn't supposed to say that."

"Aha! She is keeping a secret!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed victoriously. "Wait why would she-"

"GIRLS!" Fluttershy shouted silencing the argument. All eyes turned to her, she cowered slightly before continuing. "Sorry. But Sunset just ran out of the house, shouldn't someone go and help her?"

"Yer right sugarcube we can settle this later." Applejack said pushing Trixie and Rainbow Dash apart. "Why don't you and Pinkie Pie-"

"No, Trixie is taking her home," Trixie declared going for the exit, she wouldn't give any of them another chance to hurt her friend again. "Maybe you should just stay away from Sunset for now Raingoons." With left the farmhouse in a huff, not listening to any response the five friends might have given.

***

Once Trixie was gone the CMC's, who till that point had listened in silence, spoke up. "Do you really think Sunset still has a demon in her?" Sweetie Belle asked, growing scared at what that false belief might cause.

Applejack rubbed her forehead at the question. "Ah don't really know. She said she didn' and it felt like she was tellin' the truth but it almost always does with her. Trixie said she knows the truth. Ah not sure what to believe."

"I'm not sure how much we can trust Trixie's word," Rainbow grumbled.

"But even if she did still have the bad side in her you'll look out for her right?" Scootaloo questioned sweating.

"Of course we'd look after her." Rainbow Dash assured her honorary sister. "We wouldn't abandon a friend in need."

"Again." Apple Bloom muttered downcast only the other CMCs hearing her.

"Maybe we should go over to her place," Rainbow continued. "Try and convince her we only want to help."

"But Trixie said to stay away from Sunset." Pinkie pointed out, looking a shade less pink.

"I'm not going to let Trixie tell me what to do, especially when Sunset needs help. I'm going to follow them, anyone with me?"

Applejack grabbed her shoulder. "Dat might just cause more trouble with the state she's in." She pointed out. "We'll give them some space, talk to her another time."

"But-" Rainbow began stoping when Fluttershy took her hand.

"I understand Dashie, I want to talk to her too, but we can't right now."

"Fine," Rainbow said sitting down, the others gathering around, none noticing the fearful look Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom as she left the room.

***

Congradulations, you've ruined what little good reputation you had, lied to your friends, went against at least six friendship lessons Princess Twilight gave you, and after giving up all that to get your friends back you still ended up practically alone. The voice in Sunset's head mocked, she could practically hear it clapping.

"Shut up I already know how much of a failure I am," Sunset muttered shifiting in her seat. "You're not helping."

"Pardon?" Trixie asked from the driver's seat.

"Nothing just talking to myself," Sunset said. "Just want to get home and forget this night ever happened."

Sunset had barely spoken a word since Trixie had gotten into her jeep to find the redhead mopping in the passenger seat, flinching when the magician opened the door before settling down when she realized it was Trixie, spending most of the ride curled up in her seat. Trixie herself had been unusually quiet since they left the party, mostly keeping her eyes on the road with the occasional glance to her silent friend.

"So Sunset," Trixie said breaking the silence. "Trixie was thinking, that you shouldn't be alone tonight after that so she was wondering if, maybe she could... spend the night?"

Sunset lifted her head to look at her she raised an eye before giving a nodding shrug. "Sure why not? Just don't expect me to be in a good mood tonight." She slumped back down.

"That's fine, Trixie, no, I just don't want you to be alone tonight," Trixie said speeding up a bit. When they arrived at Sunset's apartment Trixie got out her phone. "I'll be right in, I just have to call mother and tell her I won't be home tonight."

Sunset muttered a vague affirmative as she left the car, shoulders slumped as she trudged to the entrance of the apartment, Lazy Ringer was still reading the same magazine. "Hello Sunset," She said, Sunset muttered in responce. "The boss called again, he's getting real angry."

"Ringer, I am not in the mood, tell him I'll call him tomorrow," Sunset said tersly heading for the stairs.

"Okay, Happy New Year's." Ringer shrugged.

"Yeah, Happy New Year's." When Sunset got to her loft, leaving the door unlocked for Trixie, her first action was to send Twilight an update on what happened, wondering how mad the Princess would be at her when she read it. Once that was done she collapsed onto her bed, alone for the first time that night with just her thoughts.

So what's the plan now Sunset? The voice asked. Your friends think the old you is coming back and you freaking out and running away certainly didn't help.

"I don't know, I guess I'll try to convince them that I really am just me and there is no demon influencing me."

Really? Then how are you going to explain your little 'memory gaps' huh? Are you finally going to tell them the truth?

"No!" Sunset shouted her chest tightening in fear. "They never believed me before and they won't know, if I say I was never Anon-A-Miss they'll think I'm lying. Telling them now would only further convince them the old me is back."

Then what's the plan? You going to lie again, come up with some fake reason about creating Anon-A-Miss or will you agree with them and say there really is a demon in you? You already confessed once why not again? And what about when the next accusation comes? Are you going to keep lying and punishing yourself for the rest of your life?

"I don't know! What else should I do! They're my friends and without them, I'd be all alone again so what else can I do?" Sunset gripped her sides panic starting to rise in her again. "What else should I do?"

"You could not argue with yourself, that might help." Trixie joked coming into the room growing more concerned by Sunset's panicked state. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

Sunset jerked up scooting away from the magician as she sat down on the bed. "No I don't," she sniffed, "just freaked out a little from the party."

"They told me everything you know. After they practically chased you out of the house."

"Everything huh, so do you still believe I was never Anon-A-Miss or do you think the old me is coming back as well?"

"Of course not, I know your innocent and honestly I'm surprised the lengths they'll go to come up with a reason to believe your guilty."

Sunset pulled her knees up burying her face in them, "It feels like I'll never be able to prove myself to them you know, I keep trying and trying but it keeps getting worse somehow. I know now that I never really had their trust and probably never will thanks to Anon-A-Miss but now they think I'm becoming evil again.

"And now thanks to my little freak out they probably think they're right and I'll never be able to convince them otherwise!" She let out a choking sound like a sob and a laugh. "Heh, maybe tonight was a sign. Maybe I'm destined to always end up alone."

Trixie moved next to Sunset, considering what she should say to that. Her first thought being Do you really need the Rainbooms after everything they put you through? Her next thought was her wondering why Sunset felt so indebted to them that she was berating herself for something they did wrong. Her third thought being the one she spoke out loud. "But your not alone now."

Sunset looked at Trixie with a small smile. "Yeah, your right I'm not alone now. Thanks for putting up with all this, I know how pathetic I must look crying here. I used to never cry but now it's all I seem to do."

"I wouldn't call this pathetic, upsetting sure, but not pathetic. You have had a rough night, it's no wonder your a little vulnerable right now."

"Still thank you for staying," Sunset suddenly latched onto Trixie, pulling her into a hug. "I really didn't want to be alone right now."

"It's no problem, really," Trixie said not used to being hugged like that. She leaned in returning the hug. In her mind she said, "It might not have been happy but this will be a good New Year."

***

(Meanwhile in Equestria)

"See you, tomorrow girls." Princess Twilight Sparkle said waving a hoof goodbye to Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. "Everypony get home safely." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy haveing already separated for their own homes.

"Will do Twi, see ya tomorrow for breakfast." Applejack said, her little sister passed out across her back. "Best get Apple Bloom to bed."

"Yes I must get Sweetie Belle to bed as well," Rarity said smiling at her own sleeping sister. "Poor dear tuckered herself out at the Gala."

"Not me and Scoots," Rainbow Dash exclaimed doing a hoof pump in the air. "We have some late-night stunts to practice, right squirt? Squirt?" She looked at the ground to see Scootaloo curled up fast asleep. "Or not, huh."

"I should get inside," Twilight said looking to her castle. "I hope Spike didn't get into the gems, I had them organized by color and cut."

"We'll leave ya to it." Applejack said. The three said a final goodnight before the young alicorn entered her castle.

Inside the castle was dark and quiet, not to mention clean, and after the night Twilight had had it was a welcome sight. The Grand Galloping Gala she had helped host had certainly been a lively one as Princess Celestia had put it, though Rarity's dress being stolen by a vacuum, a sea of green ooze covering everypony, and Discord doing stand-up comedy was not Twilight's definition of lively. After all that, Twilight was ready for bed but first, she had to check the gem stocks and see if Spike was asleep.

"Spike you better not have eaten all the gems or the ice cream," Twilight said, not to loudly in case the baby dragon was already asleep, when Spike didn't answer she assumed he was. After a quick check, and a double-check to make sure the first check wasn't wrong, she felt certain that the gems and ice cream were still safe. "Hmm, maybe he's starting to learn."

Still feeling tired but a bit more content Twilight felt ready to get some sleep, as she cantered past the library she heard a faint ringing. "Huh," She said looking in the library, a book was vibrating on the floor having fallen from its usual place next to the map table. "Oh a message from Sunset Shimmer, I hope she's doing better." She opened the journal to read the latest entry, the smile she had from getting a message fading as she read the tearstained page.

Dear Princess Twilight

Twilight I think I failed you, I'm not sure how but I think I really failed at being a friend. I tried to move past Anon-A-Miss with the girls, I tried to show them that I would not betray them and they could really learn to trust me but it didn't work, in fact, somehow it only got worse. Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash misinterpreted my lack of knowledge of Anon-A-Miss posts, and a few other things I don't want to go into now, as proof that the old me is coming back and I am turning back into her. I'm not sure what exactly they said, I kind of panicked when they told me, but I'm scared that it means they might cut me off again.

I really don't know what to do now Twilight, by now I'm sure they've convinced Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy that they're right and I won't be able to convince them otherwise. What should I do now? Should I still try to convince them otherwise? But I'm not sure how when they think I'm Anon-A-Miss. Or should I just agree with them? Maybe they might actually trust me if they think they got rid of any part of the old me. I don't know, I wait for your advice.

Till then, your failed student
Sunset Shimmer

Twilight put the journal down resisting the urge to power up the portal and charge through to confront her friends on the other side herself. But she would not, she had promised herself she would not come over unless Sunset specifically asked her to, until then she could only give advice. But she still needed to vent her anger, she went to the balcony of the castle looking up at the night sky.

She let out a scream, blasting magic straight into the sky, probably waking up half the town in the process but she didn't care. When she finished she was breathing heavily from the magic use and remaining anger. "I hope you'll be okay Sunset, please be okay." She muttered to herself heading back in to pen her response. Once she finished she went to her room to find Spike fast asleep, not stirring despite how close he had been to the magic blast. She went to bed in a much gloomier mood hoping Sunset took her advice.

Author's Notes:

I really hope this one came out all right in the end, this one was not an easy one to write, in part because this was originally supposed to be part of the previous chapter. Instead something that was initially 500 words got turned into 2700 words in the space of four days. I had to reread it like six times cause it never seemed quite right.

Now while I won't go into spoilers for later I can say this is the lowest point for Sunset relationship-wise, after this expect her to have some actual improvement. But that is only one-third of the problems Sunset has, she still has mental and, as Lightning Dust threatened, some physical problems to go through before the story is finished.

You know when I first started this I had never intended to have any part focus on Princess Twilight since this takes place after Rainbow Rocks during the time where her involvement in the human world started to fade. But since several readers were wondering how Twilight would react to what's been happening and I thought a simple journal message wasn't going to be enough I went with a section with her perspective. And I feel it went pretty good in the end, I might have another section with her towards the end. As for what advice she gave to Sunset you'll just have to wait, wonder what you can guess going by her emotion.

Next time, the morning after New Year's and maybe the return to Canterlot High School.

As always see a error or mistake comment below so it can be fixed and thank you all for enjoying this and sticking with the story to this point.

Chapter 9

Sunset walked through the halls of Canterlot High School but she could not remember when she got there or where she was walking to. Thinking for a moment it came to her, she was supposed to be meeting the girls, they wanted to tell her something, something urgent. Picking up the pace she turned down a very long, seemingly endless, hallway, as she walked more and more students passed her by. She couldn't see their faces even when they were inches away and while the crowd grew thicker none bumped into her, one word though was on all their lips.

"Anon-A-Miss, Anon-A-Miss, Anon-A-Miss." They all chanted their voices mixing together into an indistinguishable mess as they all pointed at her repeating the name over and over again.

Sunset didn't care what they said or believed, it didn't matter to her. She knew she was innocent and even though her friends believed her to be guilty they still stood by her. As long as she had them she knew she could take anything the school threw at her. The chant grew louder and louder as she walked until it was the only thing she could hear and it was still growing, then suddenly, it was gone.

Sunset looked around to see the hallway was now deserted except for herself, the hall they had been so crowded seconds ago was empty and silent. She didn't know why but for some reason the silence was even more unnerving and she felt her breathing quicker and she spun around looking for someone, anyone. She could feel a slight pressure in her hand but when she looked there was no one but it still calmed her down. She was ready to go looking for the girls again when they appeared across the hall, only a few feet from her.

The five Rainbooms were gathered in front of her open locker, she assumed one of them had opened it since they all knew each other's combinations. There was something off about them but she could tell from where she stood so she moved to join them.

"Hey girls," She said waving. As she got closer they became clearer and she stopped waving as she saw what was off about them. Rainbow Dash was leaning against the wall, one hand in her jacket holding something Sunset couldn't see, Rarity and Fluttershy looked like they had been crying, Applejack had her hat pulled over her head. Pinkie Pie stood out the most, her pink skin grey, and hair flat to her head. "Is something wrong?" She asked.

Applejack lifted her hat, her eyes red but dry. "E'yup." She said moving to the front of the group, only inches from Sunset. "We need to talk Sunset."

"About what?"

"'bout New Year's Sunset, and how ya ran from the house." Applejack said flatly.

"Yeah, sorry I ran out on you. I just got a little scared." Sunset admitted.

Dat's the problem." Applejack said Rarity joining her.

"How so?" Sunset was growing more nervous by their expressions, the pressure in her hand increased.

"You ran from us dear, we tried to help you and you ran." Rarity said.

"I was scared!" Sunset protested.

Of what? The idea of there bein' a demon in ya or us wanting to get rid of it?" Applejack questioned getting in the red head's face.

"No! Neither I swear there is no demon in me, I'm telling the truth." Sunset pleaded the situation feeling very familiar to when Anon-A-Miss first appeared.

"You said the same thing when we said you were Anon-A-Miss and yet you confessed to it, why should it be any different now?" Rarity asked. "We know you are a good person Sunset but we can't trust you if you won't let us help you."

"No, nononono I am telling the truth please believe me!"

Applejack looked at her sadly, Fluttershy bursting into tears again. "Ah'm sorry Sunset but we can't believe dat and until ya let us help ya we can't be around you. Not when the demon could take over again."

"We're really sorry Sunset," Pinkie said solemnly. "We can still be friends again when it's over though. Just not till then."

It was happening again, she was going to be all alone again. Perhaps it was actually time to ask Twilight to come over and help her. Just as Sunset finished the thought Rainbow Dash stepped forward pulling her hand out of her jacket, in that hand was Sunset's journal and only link to Twilight.

"We're gonna hang onto this till you tell us the truth." Rainbow said as Sunset looked on in horror. "We already talked to Twilight, and she agreed it's for the best."

The five Rainbooms turned away from Sunset, heading down a dark hallway. "Wait," Sunset said reaching out as she moved to follow only to fall on her face as something stopped her from following them. She looked behind her to see a chain attached to her leg, holding onto the chain was a tall shadowy figure with a large toothy smile that seemed to mock Sunset as it tugged on the chain pulling her further away from her friends who were fast vanishing into the darkness.

"Please don't leave me, please, please please..." She muttered desperately as the darkness closed around her, her ex-friends now gone. Sunset was totally alone with only the smiling shadow continuing to tug, keeping Sunset from going after them. Still, Sunset continued to mutter hoping they would come back, that they would finally believe her.

***

Sunset woke with a shudder, eyes flashing around to see she was in her bed in her loft and nowhere near the school or the Rainbooms. "Just a dream." She muttered as her breathing came back under control. She felt a pressure in her right hand, the same pressure she felt in her dream. Fearing she might still be dreaming she jerked her head to see her hand, and another hand gripping it. Looking up Trixie was holding her hand with a sympathetic and slightly concerned look on her face.

"You were muttering in your sleep." She explained letting go of Sunset's hand. "All tensed up and begging not to be left alone and mother taught me to grip someone's hand when they are having a nightmare, can reassure someone without scaring them. So Trixie did that."

Sunset smiled giving a small laugh that cut off the magician's rambling. "It's fine thanks but I'm up now and dreams can't hurt me." Sunset got out of bed stretching away the tension. Checking her phone for the time she saw it was past nine, she would need to call her boss soon, though another thought was on her mind. "Do you need to be getting home soon? I wouldn't want to worry your mom."

"That's not likely to happen," Trixie said waving the concern away. "After a big show like New Year's mother is not likely to notice me gone till Wednesday. I could stay here if you wanted."

"If you really think she'll be fine with it then sure," Sunset said. "But what about clothes, we might be of similar size but my style doesn't really seem to be yours."

"I keep spare clothes in my jeep in case I need a quick change, don't worry. I'll go get them." Trixie said leaving Sunset alone in her apartment. Once She heard the door close Sunset dove to her bag where she kept her journal hidden while at home. Despite knowing it had just been a dream she still breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the journal sitting in her bag, glowing and vibrating with a message from Twilight.

She reached for it only to pull her hand back as she remembered what dream Rainbow Dash had said about Twilight agreeing with them to leave her alone. Again, she knew it was all just a dream and Twilight wasn't the kind of pony that would leave someone in need. But she could still be disappointed by Sunset running from the girls at the party instead of really trying to defend herself. And on the off chance that was what was in the journal she didn't want to read it just after waking up.

Instead, she pulled out her phone, she really needed to call her boss before he sent someone to investigate in person and Sunset could not have that. And if Trixie would be staying in her loft for at least the day then she had best call him now while the magician was getting her clothes. She did not want her new friend to hear this conversation.

The other end of the line answered almost instantly. "Hello, this is Sunset Shimmer. I need to talk to the boss."

***

Trixie blushed slightly when she got to the lobby realizing she was wearing borrowed pajamas from Sunset. While Trixie hated to admit it to anyone she had her fair share of embarrassing moments, mostly failed magic tricks that she tried to play off, one of her most notable being her ill-conceived exit after the Battle of the Bands. To her luck though the lobby was empty except for the clerk at the desk reading a magazine and the older woman Sunset had been talking with before the party.

Wishing she had brought a smoke bomb or two with her as the older women noticed Trixie's arrival, raising an eye at her. "I guess Sunset did have fun at your little party." She said as Trixie passed, the magician freezing in place.

"Pardon?"

"She brought you home, she hasn't brought someone home since she broke up with that spiky-haired boy." The older woman continued. "Must have had some time for you to be leaving now."

"Actually it did not go well at all if you must know," Trixie said miffed at the implication. "Trixie was here as a friend and as emotional support, nothing else you might imply."

The older woman held her hands up in placating gesture but her smile remained, though a bit softer than before. "I'm sorry to hear it went bad for her, she needed some actual fun. It's nice to know she has such a good friend to help her home and stay and help. She'll need a friend like you given her circumstances."

"Circumstance, you mean school?" Trixie asked wondering how much Sunset told this old woman about Anon-A-Miss.

"School? She's having trouble there too? No, I mean here, always alone up in that apartment of hers, and that man she's been working for. It's only gotten worse really since she broke up with that boy, she seemed to lose her fire not long after that and her employer has been leaning harder on her...I hope she'll be better soon."

"Me too," Trixie said.

The older woman clapped her hands together. "Well I think I've waylaid you long enough dear, let you get back to what you were doing." She turned to leave only to stop again. "Oh and you might want to bundle up, it's still snowing outside." She chuckled as she walked away while Trixie stared sourly out the window.

***

When Trixie got back to the loft, clothes in hand and still shaking from her brief run through the snow, Sunset was on the phone and going by her tone, Trixie could tell her friend was not happy with whoever she was on the phone with. The redhead paced around the loft kitchen, not noticing Trixie's return, her free hand shaking as she talked. "Yes, I'll be there, okay," Sunset said as the call ended. She slumped her shoulders, the phone nearly falling from her grip.

"Who was that?" Trixie asked, Sunset jumped slightly when she heard her.

"Trixie! I didn't hear you get back, find your clothes okay? No problems?" She asked.

"Yeah, I talked with one of your neighbors for a minute but it was otherwise uneventful," Trixie said noticing Sunset's attempt to change the topic but went with it.

Sunset relaxed a little, sliding her phone out of sight into her pocket, pointing to her room. "You can change in there, I'll make something to eat."

Once in Sunset's room, she quickly changed into her more usual blue jacket and skirt, with jeans for the cold weather, happy to be back in her familiar clothes. She was about to go back and join Sunset in the kitchen when something caught her eye in the far corner of the room. Sunset's bag was open and something from it was glowing and she could hear a faint vibrating noise. Her first thought was that it was Sunset's phone but she had seen her friend with her phone so it could not be that, peaking into the bag she saw it was an old looking journal, surrounded in a violet glow.

She knew she should leave the book alone, it was Sunset's and she doubted the redhead would appreciate her poking around her personal property. But her curiosity was peaked and she was pretty sure this was magic, and Trixie wanted to know about as much magic as she could. So she pulled the journal out of the bag turning it over in her hands as she examined the glowing book with the sun mark on the cover, she thought it was Sunset's usual duel colored sun symbol but this one was more like an actual sun design.

"Wonder what would happen..." She opened the journal just a bit and the glow instantly faded and Trixie was afraid she had somehow broken the magic book. "Trixie probably shouldn't have done that." She admonished herself.

"Trixie, foods' ready if you're done!" Sunset called from the kitchen. Trixie jumped in place nearly dropping the journal she looked to the door to make sure Sunset wasn't standing there.

She couldn't hide this from Sunset nor would she, even if her new friend got mad at her, bracing herself for shouting she left the room, journal held behind her back. Sunset was in the kitchen humming a song, though Trixie thought her smile seemed a little forced. "I made vegetarian bacon with eggs, hope you don't mind. I don't have meat here."

"It's fine, Trixie's not a big fan of meet herself," Trixie said standing by the door.

Sunset noticed her not taking a seat. "Something wrong?"

"Uhhh yes. Something is and before I show you I just want to say I know I was wrong and I am sorry if what I did caused you any trouble." Trixie said, Sunset raised an eye confused. Sighing Trixie held out the journal Sunset's eyes going wide, her face flushed in anger.

"MY journal!" She shouted running over snatching it from Trixie's hands. "What were you doing looking through my stuff?" She demanded clutching her journal to her chest like it would disappear if she took her hands off it.

"I'm sorry! I saw your bag was open and I saw the glow and..." Trixie made a shrugging motion. "I just let my curiosity get the best of me. And I'm sorry I opened it but I swear I didn't read it."

Sunset backed away from Trixie but her anger seemed to melt away after a few breaths as she calmed down. "Thank you for not doing that, though I wish you left it alone."

"Sorry I just thought it was magic."

"Well it is and it's very precious to me." Sunset hugged the journal tighter to her. "It's the only thing I have to remind me of my home. And my only link to Twilight."

"Twilight? The magic princess I met while she was trying to kick a vending machine?" Trixie asked wondering how the journal was a link to her.

Sunset snorted at the comment. "She tried to do that too? Well, at least I wasn't the only one. But yeah this journal allows me to communicate with her, she actually sent me a message today that's why it was glowing."

If she wasn't worried about provoking Sunset just after she calmed down Trixie would have asked so many questions about the magic of that journal, but she thought that would not be a good idea considering how defensive Sunset seemed about it. "Do you want me to leave so you can read it?" She asked, she thought that was a safer question.

Sunset looked down at the journal then back at Trixie. "No, it's fine I just need a minute before we do. Want to eat first?" Trixie nodded taking a seat. The two ate largely in silence with Sunset constantly stealing glances at the journal, like it was going to run away or something. She also seemed rather nervous about opening it.

"What kind of message are you expecting from her?" Trixie asked.

"Advice, hopefully," Sunset said picking up the journal. "She's been on my side since the beginning of Anon-A-Miss, tried to help me make up with the girls. She was not happy when I told her about my false confession."

"Trixie would think so."

"And I doubt she'll be happy I ran away from my problems at the party."

"Perhaps, or perhaps she'll understand why you ran," Trixie said. "Only way to know it to open it."

"Yeah, I guess so," Sunset said opening the journal to the latest message, reading it aloud.

***

Dear Sunset

I am furious at what you have told me. To make such an accusation as to say your old self is coming back without any proof at all is far worse than when they abandoned you before, at least then there was circumstantial evidence. And under no circumstances should you make any more false admissions to them, it will only cause you more pain. And while it pains me to say, for they are still my friends and almost certainly don't mean to harm you, but I must say that as long as they believe you are Anon-A-Miss and refuse to see the truth it would be best if you avoided them. Perhaps they will see the truth eventually and you can build a true friendship with them but right now they are only causing you pain and forcing you to lie, that is not what friendship is.

You should not think of yourself as a failure Sunset, you have done everything possible to be a good friend to them, nor should you fault yourself for running when forced into a situation like that. For now, my best advice is to find friends that believe and trust you. Find the ones that you do not have to lie to. I'm sure it will get better then. And do know you have not failed a student and if you ever need any help just tell me.

As always, your friend, Twilight Sparkle

Sunset had to reread the message again to make sure she hadn't misread it, Twilight was telling her not to try and make things better with the girls. She wanted her to put distance between them and try and find new friends. But Sunset had thought she was never supposed to give up on her friends but now Twilight was telling her to do just that. It didn't make sense. Trixie meanwhile had moved over to sit next to her friend, she didn't try to touch her since Sunset looked so tense the magician was worried Sunset would attack if startled.

"Sunset, you going to be okay?" Trixie asked knowing the redhead was certainly not okay going by the look she had.

"Okay? Yeah, I'm okay, I've just been told to abandon the friends I gave up everything for and to find new friends. Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"She didn't say to abandon them," Trixie said, though she was not entirely opposed to the idea considering how things had gone so far. "Just to give them some distance until they realize the truth, and finding some new friends that believe you can't be too hard. You already found one. And she is a pretty good one."

"Still they were my first real friends and helped me realize that it was nice to have friends. I don't want to give up on them, not after all they've done for me."

"And you won't just do what the princess said, find some friends that know your innocent, and maybe they'll realize you really were too. Then if you really want to be friends with them you can be." Trixie kind of hoped she wouldn't but that would be Sunset's choice in the end.

Sunset glanced down at the journal rereading the message once more. "I guess so," She closed the journal.

Trixie nodded. "Good, and I think that's enough deep thinking for today, and as it's our last day before school starts back up how about a little fun?"

"What you have in mind?"

"Well I have a few magic tricks with me and I saw your guitar, I'm sure we can think of some way to have fun." The magician pulled out a trio of smoke bombs from who knows where juggling them in hand.

Sunset laughed at the site. "Sure, I think we can." She made to get up but then she thought to move her journal into one of the drawers, she wasn't sure why but she had a feeling it would be best to keep her precious journal out of any harm's way. She just closed the drawer when Trixie dropped one of the smoke bombs setting off a cloud of smoke. Sunset knew she made the right choice.

Author's Notes:

And with this chapter, we are at least halfway done with the story, only two more in story weeks before the end.

Ugh! I hated writing this one it was so difficult to write it had to be done like five different times before it got to something I even sort of liked. Now a few things I want to mention here, the problems Sunset has with her boss may or may not be addressed in this story since the main focus is her dealing with Anon-A-Miss aftermath at school so this might be a plot point that will be addressed in the sequel I plan on doing, similarly Trixie's rather lax parental state will also be addressed. Feel free to make guesses as to who Sunset's boss is. Also, neither Trixie nor Sunset are perfect they still have their flaws, Sunset has her mood swings and a tendency to be rather harsh on herself and avoid letting others help her, not to mention pretty stubborn. Trixie still has a bit of an ego and some selfish tendencies though not too much, one being her hope that Sunset will give up on the Rainbooms (but that one is largely cause she truly believes it will be better for Sunset).

Something else to say is that since college started up again I will not be able to write as much as I used to so new posts will be further spaced apart. As always see any grammar or spelling errors just comment so I can fix them.

Next time the return to CHS, for reals this time sorry I couldn't get to it this time. (And a return to the good stuff.)

Chapter 10

"Nope I can't do this," Sunset said turning to start the jeep back up. "Let's skip school today, it's just the first day back we never do anything the first day back."

Sunset had been anxious about the return to Canterlot High School since she woke up and had grown progressively more so the closer she got to the school. Trixie had tried to be supportive though it hadn't amounted to much as Sunset was still nervous about seeing the Rainbooms. Trixie herself had some concerns that Sunset would not be able to avoid them if she saw them again, but she would try to do what she could for her friend.

Before Sunset could grab the keys Trixie snatched them from the car pocketing them. "Come on it'll be okay. Promise." Trixie said locking the jeep.

It was still early in the morning so the school ground was largely empty except for some of the other students that drove there, the rest wouldn't arrive for nearly an hour. Despite that Sunset was still looking around like they would be attacked.
Then they fell on one spot in particular and she froze eyes widening slightly, Trixie followed her gaze to where her friend was looking, it was them.

Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were sitting by the main steps near the entrance to the school and while they did not look as chipper as usual they were still talking and smiling easily together. Pinkie said something funny to the others and they started laughing, Rainbow Dash glanced their way, her laugh dieing when she saw Sunset and Trixie and quickly pointed them out to the others. Applejack tried to wave them over and Sunset raised a hand to respond but Trixie grabbed the rising hand drawing Sunset's attention away from the Rainbooms.

"There's a free spot near the wall if you want to sit down and relax." Trixie pointed out. "They won't bother us over there and Trixie needs her morning coffee." She held up the bag of donuts and coffee they had gotten on the way to school.

"Sure," Sunset said looking back to where the Rainbooms were gathered, Trixie gently pulled on her hand leading her away. A large part of Sunset still wanted to be with them, to find a way to be their friend, even if she had to further compromise herself to do so. It would be worth it to go back to the way things were before Anon-A-Miss, to have that peace that came with being their friend. But another part of her told her that was not right and to listen to Twilight's advice, find friends she didn't have to lie to, that couldn't be too hard.

Looking around the courtyard she could see there were only a few students and nearly all had their eyes on her, she could feel their total and absolute loathing towards her causing her to shiver. That alone was cause for concern but the fact she had yet to see Lightning Dust or the bully boys she had encountered on Christmas. As they walked over to the wall one of the few students not glaring at her, Roseluck, passed by though she her nose up when Sunset tried to wave.

"Right, no one at the school likes you cause they all think you spilled their secrets to everyone at the school and beyond." She thought. "Finding someone who's connection you haven't already ruined will be difficult."

She groaned at her situation as they sat down. "It's going to be pretty hard to find friends at this school after everything I've done and admitted to. It's kinda funny really, I knew I was killing any little trust I had at this school when I told my friends that I was Anon-A-Miss, but I told myself that as long as I had them it didn't matter. But now I'm supposed to avoid my friends and make new ones While the entire school hates me."

"I'm sure not the entire school," Trixie said taking a sip of her coffee. "I don't hate you and I think there are a few others who would be willing to be friends if you tried."

Sunset gave a humorless laugh. "If the way people were before the break and going by their faces now I doubt there are any who want to be my friend besides you now." She paused as an idea came to her. "Though maybe if I did something to prove to the school that I want to put this behind us all then maybe someone will want to be friends and the rest won't bother me as much about Anon-A-Miss." She turned to her friend. "Your good with grand gestures, you got any ideas?"

"Yeah, don't do anything," Trixie suggested, taking a bite from her donut.

"What?" Sunset asked.

"What I just said, don't do anything to prove yourself to the school. You don't owe them anything and you don't need to prove you can be trusted. Especially when it seems like they don't want to trust you."

"How do you suppose I deal with anyone who confronts me about this then? And how do I make friends with people I don't have to lie to if I don't do some gesture to show them I won't hurt them?"

"Stand up for yourself when they do. What I do when people taunt me about my magic show or give me grief about the Dazzlings is I just ignore them and move on, I might want it to be different but I'm not going to beg them to like me, and if they do it'll be because of what I do."

"And if they bring up Anon-A-Miss?"

"Just tell them you don't care, stand up for yourself like you did on Christmas for me, they'll back down at school."

Sunset wasn't too sure that would work but she shrugged and nodded leaning back against the wall.

"And as for finding friends who are willing to give you a chance without you having to give them proof your not evil, stop by the drama club room. They can be pretty accepting."

"I think Anon-A-Miss spilled quite a few of their secrets and I was never particularly nice to drama students before I changed."

"They'll give you a chance," Trixie pushed on. "They were willing to give the girl half the school calls 'Siren Slave' another chance and even made me club president. Just come by during lunch to check it out."

"Well if you insist," Sunset said giving in, if nothing else it gave her an excuse not to be in the lunchroom with the Rainbooms. And maybe Trixie was right about the drama club, maybe they would give her a chance.

"Sunset Shimmer, I'm glad to see you're still here." A young voice said near them. Sunset looked up to see the middle school chess player, Cozy Glow, standing not far away from the two teens. "I was afraid you wouldn't be at school."

"Why would you think I would not be at school?" Sunset asked.

"Well golly there was a horrible rumor going around that you had been expelled for school. An email went out from Principal Celestia saying someone had come forward as Anon-A-Miss and was being punished. A lot of students were saying that they expelled you. I'm glad to see that it's not true."

"Well thanks for your concern," Sunset said.

"There's something else," Cozy Glow said. "Since your here I was wondering if you thought about my offer to join the chess club, we're having a meeting today during lunch."

"Thanks, Cozy Glow but I think I'm good today. Trixie invited me to check out the drama club room during lunch, maybe some other time."

For a second Sunset thought she saw something in Cozy's look that seemed off but before she could get a better look it was gone. "Sure any time you like, just tell me so I can get it ready. Oh and as long as we're talking I have something else to tell you. Stay away from Gilda."

"Why? Did she tell you something?" Sunset asked slightly nervous, she knew Gilda was upset at her judging from the looks the large girl had given her the last two times she saw her. If Gilda was now making open threats against her that would be bad news for Sunset, Gilda was the toughest girl in school after all.

"Just that she wanted to have a chat with you if you turned up at school, and considering how almost all of the school seems to hate you it would be best to avoid her. Also, you didn't show up with the Rainbooms so I'm assuming something happened between you guy's so that would be even more reason to avoid her in case she gets violent and you don't have your friends to help you."

"Thanks for the warning Cozy, I'll remember to stay out of Gilda's way today."

Cozy smiled again and said, "Good and if you change your mind remember the chess club is available."

"Thanks, see you around," Sunset said waving as Cozy Glow left.

"Who was that?" Trixie asked once the middle schooler was gone.

"Cozy Glow, I ran into the day you asked if we could be friends, she invited me to join the High School chess club."

"Ah okay."

"And it looks like I might not need to worry about making new friends after all."

"Why's that," Trixie asked confused.

"Because if Lightning Dust doesn't kill me when she sees I came back then Gilda will finish the job."

***

Once the rest of the students had arrived and the first bell rang Sunset and Trixie had to split, each having a different class in the morning. It seemed that the students hatred for her had not died down over the break as she had hoped, instead, it only seemed to grow as they had time to stew. Everywhere she looked she heard muttering that she was sure were about her, she also had to watch for Gilda with each corner, worried the large girl would be waiting for her. To her surprise though she made it to her first class without any real issue and she was able to file into her homeroom with the rest of the students, once she was there though she was faced with a new problem.

She shared her homeroom with Fluttershy and since the Fall Formal, the two had sat next to each other in homeroom, even during Anon-A-Miss' reign, though then Fluttershy would only sit there refusing to talk, though Sunset thought she saw her cry a couple of times. Sunset remembered that Fluttershy had wanted to talk at the New Year's party but Sunset had been called over to the other room before they could, then Sunset ran off and the two didn't get the chance to talk. Sunset was curious about what Fluttershy had wanted to say yet she was supposed to avoid them for the time being. But Sunset still needed to sit down and the only available seat was next to the shy girl.

Fluttershy seemed just as nervous as Sunset as she sat down next to the pink-haired girl, shifting in her seat and glancing away anytime Sunset moved. Sunset meanwhile resisted the urge to try and talk to her, to try and explain herself about New Year's despite what Twilight said.

"It'd be fine just to say hello." Sunset thought. "It can't hurt right?"

It certainly could hurt. The voice in her head responded. Say one thing and next thing you know you'll be begging the Rainbooms to take you back a third time. Just keep quiet and wait the class out.

Sunset made a low grumbling noise giving the voice no answer but she kept quiet till homeroom started and she was able to focus on the teacher. She still made a few glances at Fluttershy and at points, it looked like the shy girl would try and talk but each time she would just look away and say nothing. Each time Sunset reset her attention back to the teacher to avoid saying something herself.

When the bell rang Sunset made to leave as fast as possible but before she got two steps she felt a light tap on her shoulder, turning to see Fluttershy shifting nervously on her feet. "Hello Sunset." She said quietly.

"Hey Fluttershy," Sunset answered looking away.

"Um Sunset, I'm sorry if we made you run away from us on New Year's and I get if you don't want to talk to us right now but I still wanted to say. If you ever want to tell us what's really going on we can still help."

"No you can't," Sunset thought remembering her dream, what happened when Anon-A-Miss started, and the confrontation in Sugar Cube Corner. "If I ever tell you the truth you'll never want to make things right no matter how long I wait. That's why Twilight wants me to avoid you."

Out loud she said. "Thanks Fluttershy, I'll think about. Well, bye."

"Sunset..." Fluttershy said softly looking like she was going to follow but her outstretched arm fell limply to her side when Sunset turned back. "Take care of yourself please."

Instead of answering Sunset headed straight for her next class which was one she did not have with any of the Rainboom. Math passed easily enough and by the end of it Sunset was feeling a bit more relaxed, on Mondays, she had lunch after math class so she would be able to see Trixie soon, and going to the drama club room meant she didn't need to be in the cafeteria with so many angry students, plus she hadn't seen any sign of Gilda or Lightning Dust. She just needed to get her lunch and get out and then she could see her friend.

She was almost to her locker to drop off her stuff when she heard voices around the corner near her locker, one was talking about Anon-A-Miss. Pressing herself against the wall she listened in on the conversation.

"So yeah, apparently Anon-A-Miss has found herself a new minion, guess whatever she's planning next needs some help, that or she just loves having someone to boss around." A boy's voice said.

"Really who?" A second voice, this one a girl's asked.

"The Siren Slave Trixie," A second boy said, Sunset's fist-clenched as she heard the insulting name given to her friend. "We saw them together over the break."

"Really, I thought those two would have hated each other after the Battle of the Bands," The girl said.

"Guess the two found common cause in hurting people, evil loves evil after all. And I bet the Siren Slave was looking for a new master after her last ones were beat." The first boy said Sunset growing angrier with each comment against her friend.

"And I guess Anon-A-Miss was so desperate for a new minion she was willing to take her, not that she has many options after all she's done." The second boy said, "Still scrapping the bottom of the barrel though."

"Yeah, still a little surprising but interesting. So why are you guys telling me?" The girl asked.

"We wanted to get word around that Anon-A-Miss has a new minion and to watch out for them, they could be up to something. Don't want to give either of them any more chances to hurt the school."

At that Sunset had enough, she could take the insults against herself, even though they hurt, but she wasn't going to stand by and let these people insult her friend. Stepping around the corner she said, "Hey!" startling the three.

The girl was Aqua Blossom, a light blue-skinned girl Sunset knew was a friend of Rarity's, and the two boys happened to be Big Boy and Runt, the same two boys who had pranked Trixie during her magic show. When they got over their surprise the two boys leered at Sunset. "Well look whose here, the demon Anon-A-Miss herself. Where's your new minion? Hiding behind the corner maybe?" Runt taunted, Aqua Blossom slowly backed away till she was out of sight, Sunset ignored her, her anger was directed at the two boys.

"I don't like you guys spreading rumors about me and Trixie being up to something, we're just friends hanging out not villains plotting," Sunset said folding her arms.

"Really? You expect everyone to believe that the school's worst bully and the girl who helped nearly destroy the world to be friends and not plotting something?" Runt asked.

"We're not and why would you care if we were? Last I checked you two didn't love Canterlot High much."

"We don't but we dislike you even more so we'll spread whatever rumors we like, it's not like you can stop us from doing so." Runt shrugged, Big boy chuckled next to him. "Especially now that you took down your account Anon-A-Miss."

Sunset's fist clenched again, she hated it every time they called her that and she hated how they were going to drag Trixie down with her just to further ruin her reputation. But there really wasn't much she could really do about it nor was she going to give them any satisfaction.

Taking a deep breath to collect herself and remember the advice she had been given she said. "Fine, spread all the rumors you like about us but we're not planning anything evil. So go on waste your time insulting us. Now if you excuse me I have to go see my friend." She said walking around them to her locker. Runt and Big Boy eyed her as she did but said nothing, just grumbling to each other as she locked her locker, they were still grumbling to each other when she left.

"That actually did feel pretty good." Sunset thought, standing up for herself with confidence felt better than she realized, perhaps she would do it more often.

"Wonder what Trixie will say about this new rumor about us?" Sunset thought allowed as she headed for the cafeteria. "I bet she'll-"

She was cut off when a hand clamped down on her from behind silencing Sunset, before she could reach for the hand an arm wrapped around her pinning her arms to her chest holding her firm. "Got you Anon-A-Miss." The voice of Lightning Dust whispered in Sunset's ear. The redhead's eyes widened and she squirmed against the hands holding her in place but Lightning Dust was strong and with her arms pinned the way they were made it even harder for Sunset to resist.

"Let's have a little chat." Lightning Dust said lifting Sunset off her feet carrying her away as Sunset tried to fight her way free but with her arms were pinned and Lightning holding her jaw in place with a thumb so she couldn't bite. All she could do was hope someone would see before something bad happened.

Author's Notes:

Yep, a cliff hanger, I am that evil, and it'll have to stay this way for the foreseeable future because of two main reasons.

1) I have a new story that I want to work on for the time being, build it up since I like it and I don't want to stretch myself thin by focusing on two major stories. It would not do justice to this one and my new story

2) Since I started writing this the original plan for the story no longer works as once I started writing this the characters and story developed in a different direction to my original plan. And now each new chapter I have to think up while I'm writing instead of having it planned in advance which is the main reason why the 4-day schedule no longer works. So I need to take time to think of a new plan before I can start writing again.

And yeah leaving on a cliffhanger really is the evilest thing any writer can do and it wasn't supposed to be one but the chapter developed into one and I thought it was a nice leave-off space. I'll make a blog post when I'm ready to start posting this story again.

Now there were sections in this chapter that I just did not like, and I leave it up to the fact that I just couldn't think of a better way to write this, some just seemed plain wrong while I was writing them. Still I hope you all liked it.

Chapter 11

"Get in there!" Lightning Dust said flinging Sunset into the classroom closing the door behind her as Sunset got to her feet.

Sunset brushed herself off looking around the classroom seeing they were alone, backing off a few paces as she did so. "At least she didn't bring any friends with her." Sunset thought thinking how many people wanted revenge against Anon-A-Miss and silently thanked the fact that Lightning Dust hated to share.

"You shouldn't have come back Anon-A-Miss," Lightning Dust said cracking her knuckles, "now your going to pay for what your little website did."

"Wait a second Lightning, I don't think this needs to get violent," Sunset said backing further away, keeping her hands up in case she needed to block a punch while searching the room for anything she could use if Lightning full-on attacked her.

"Oh I think it does need to get violent, for everything you've done you deserve a good beating, but I want you to know exactly what happened since our last little chat." Lightning paused in her advance. "Because of your little post on MyStable my reputation around here is ruined and Rainbow Dash told me today that I'm off the soccer team. Me! The best player at this school all because of a little rough training you put on the internet." She banged her fist against a desk. "So did you really think you could just walk around the school as if nothing happened and not expect me to do something about it?"

"Of course she got kicked off the team, thanks Rainbow." Sunset thought remembering the pictures Applejack told her about. It made sense considering the endangered kid had been Scootaloo but that did not make the situation any easier for Sunset.

"Alright your mad, I get that, but that doesn't mean we need to fight okay," Sunset said, hoping she could talk her way out. "You're mad about getting kicked off the team right? Well maybe I can help you get back on, Rainbow might listen if she believes you're sorry, and if-" The rest of what she was going to say was cut off when a fist slammed into her right eye out of nowhere sending the redhead reeling back into the wall clutching it.

"I guess that's why she's called Lightning." Sunset thought glaring with her uninjured eye as Lightning Dust smirked at her.

"You are not getting out this one Anon-A-Miss, you're going to pay for what you did to me and a few nice words aren't going to change my mind." She said.

"Well if negotiating won't work it's time for plan B." Sunset thought thinking back again to her conversation with Trixie earlier.

"You know what Lightning?" Sunset asked edging slightly to the right, "I'm glad you got kicked off the team, it's probably one of the few things about Anon-A-Miss I don't mind taking the credit for."

"Why you..." Lightning advanced again, Sunset hopped back moving around another few desks, this time keeping enough distance and desks between them so Lightning couldn't just lunge at her again.

"Yeah, I mean you could have seriously hurt Scootaloo with those kicks of yours, what were you thinking endangering a middle-schooler?"

"She asked to practice with me, and it's not like she actually got hurt."

"A bit of miracle really considering how hard you kick," Sunset commented moving down a few more desks, Lightning mirrored her but Sunset still remained out of the athlete's reach as she continued to stoke her anger. "You nearly hit her head how many times?"

"I don't know, three? four?"

"And if any of those hit her she could have been seriously hurt, she could have lost who knows how many teeth or broke her nose at least." At least she assumed, she didn't have much experience with soccer. By now the two stood half the class away from each other, Sunset felt that was far enough.

"But she wasn't and thanks to you I'm off the team for nothing!" Lightning shouted, she looked ready to blow, just one more taunt would send her over.

"And by beating me up you'll just give them another reason to keep you off the team, scratch that you'll likely be suspended. Great thinking there, by the way, the team must have only kept you on cause you're fast and kick good, it was obviously not for your brains."

That did it, Lightning let out a furious shout rushing at full speed towards Sunset who stood waiting, gripping one of the desks, as the raging athlete got close Sunset flipped the desk on its side and stepped to the side as Lightning crashed into the desk tumbling to the floor. As Lightning scrambled to her feet faster than Sunset had hoped the redhead made a break for the door, taking a loop around the desks keeping a wide berth from Lightning Dust. She turned her gaze from the athlete who was quickly closing the distance between them to grab the handle, thinking she had made it when a mint blur crashed into her sending them both to the ground.

"How in Equestria is anyone that fast?" Sunset questioned as Lightning place a hand on her chest keeping her down.

"You're not getting away that easy." She said glaring down at Sunset, fist raised. At that point, the ex-unicorn's pony instincts kicked in and she lashed out with her feet, bucking Lightning in the chest sending her back. Sunset reached for the door pulling it open while still half on the ground, before she could get out though, Lightning grabbed her legs and pulled and Sunset was facedown on the ground.

"You... are... not... getting... away..." Lightning huffed pulling Sunset back in by the legs. Sunset tried to resist but Lightning was stronger and on her feet, Sunset grabbed the door frame but was yanked back in the classroom by a sharp tug to the legs that caused her to yelp. Lightning put her foot to Sunset's back as she closed the door, then forced Sunset onto her back placing the foot on her stomach.

Lightning Dust had a sadistic look on her face as she glared down at Sunset. "Now you are really going to pay Anon-A-Miss, bet you won't be spilling any secrets online when you can't use your fingers. But first I think I'll take out those legs of yours, don't want any more kicks."

The door flung open behind them, Sunset felt a surge of hope thinking a teacher or someone had seen Sunset get dragged back in and had come to help. Her hope died when she saw the tall muscular teen with white pink-purple streaked hair and amber eyes that always seemed to be glaring, Gilda Griffon. The large teen looked at Sunset on the ground then to Lightning, folding her arms as she leaned against the door frame.

"Now what's going on here?" Gilda asked.

"I'm just getting some payback on Anon-A-Miss, none of your business Gilda." Lightning said applying some pressure to Sunset's stomach.

"Looks like you already got enough," Gilda remarked looking at Sunset's black eye. "Get out of here Dust before a teacher shows up, I'll take care of Shimmer."

"NO way Gilda, this girl owes me big time, I'm not letting her go with just a few bruises." Lightning protested pushing harder into Sunset's stomach, the redhead wheezed as the air was forced out of her, silently thanking Celestia Lightning had not worn cleats today.

Gilda grabbed Lightning's shoulder pulling her off Sunset. "I said to get out of here Dust, now." Lightning Dust glared at Gilda looking like she was going to protest. "Don't make me force you," Gilda said cutting off Lightning's protest.

Lightning Dust's eye darted to the muscular arm holding her then grunted, tugging her shoulder free but backed away to the door. "This isn't over Anon-A-Miss." Lightning Dust said as she opened the door, she cast one more death glare to the prone teen before closing it, leaving Sunset alone with Gilda.

***

If there was one student that Sunset was more worried about angering than Lightning Dust or Rainbow Dash it would be Gilda Griffon. Physically she was the strongest student at Canterlot High, even stronger than Applejack, and in the past had been a bully, in fact, she was the only one Sunset had never been able to hold back so the two had once had an understanding to stay out of each other's way back when Sunset herself was one. Sunset hadn't really heard much from Gilda since she had been hit by the Rainbow Beam, just seeing the larger teen walking around the school glaring at everyone and keeping to herself. What really made her worried about Gilda was that she did not know what she was capable of, Gilda had always been more of the threat of physical bullying than actually doing it but considering how strong she was Sunset was pretty sure she could hold up those threats.

"You really got yourself into a situation Red," Gilda said chucking as she kneeled down next to Sunset. "This whole Anon-A-Miss thing has got the school against you more than ever."

Sunset gave a soft groan in response turning her head to look up at Gilda, the glare was still in the larger girl's eyes but it seemed less pronounced than normal. Gilda shook her head then grabbed Sunset by the arms and hauled her to her feet, lifting one of Sunset's arms over her shoulder leading her out of the classroom. "Come on Red, let's go."

"Where are you taking me?" Sunset asked as they walked through the halls.

"The nurse where else?" Gilda responded. "I thought you were supposed to be a genius Red."

"Okay, why are you taking me to the nurse? I thought you were mad at me too."

"Why would you think that?"

"Cause you've been glaring at me almost as hard as Lightning Dust and I heard you wanted to chat with me and I assumed it would be like Lightning's."

"Well I am mad at you, but probably not the way you think I am and I was glaring at Lightning Dust. I had a feeling she would try something like this. That part of the reason why I wanted to talk to you," Gilda explained looking down a hall to make sure it was empty before leading Sunset down it. "I'm angry at you because you're taking Anon-A-Miss lying down and not even trying to say your innocent anymore when we both know you are."

"What? Why you think that?" Sunset asked wondering why Gilda of all people would think she was innocent.

"Because I know your work Red, I've seen your style of bullying since you started doing it and Anon-A-Miss is way too sloppy to be you. Kinda surprised everyone else hasn't figured that out."

Sunset gave a hollow laugh in response, either due to landing harder than she thought or because her closest friends had been the first to accuse her while two of the students she had avoided had figured out the truth on their own, it didn't matter. "You know what Gilda, I'm not really sure myself. I guess they just never really believed I had changed to begin with. Or it was just some leftover resentment towards me they had built up and let out when given the chance."

"Sunset? What h-happened to you?" A small voice stammered out behind the two teens. Gilda spun around unintentionally dragging Sunset as she did to see a visible horrified Sweetie Belle.

"What Happened?" Sunset responded thinking fast. "I ran into a door then fell a bit, it's nothing Sweetie." She promised, Gilda raised an eye but Sunset slowly shook her head.

"R-really? B-but why is there a-a boot mark on your shirt?" Sweetie Belle's asked pointing to Sunset's shirt. Looking down she saw where was a dirt outline of Lightning's shoe on her shirt, she quickly moved her jacket to cover it.

"That's nothing, Gilda accidentally tripped over me when I fell." Sunset lied.

"But-" Sweetie began.

Gilda grunted angling her body so that she blocked Sunset from Sweetie Belle's view, glaring at the younger student. "She just ran into a door and took a fall kid, I'm taking her to the nurse, so scram." She said gruffly jerking her head.

"O-okay, if you say so." Sweetie Belle stammered withering under the glare but she didn't look like she believed the two.

"Hey, wait," Sunset said before Sweetie Belle could runoff. The middle schooler looked up at her. "Think you could find Trixie and tell her I'm in the nurse's office. I was supposed to meet her in the drama club room for lunch, but I got sidelined. She's probably worrying right now and it'd be great if you could tell her where I am."

"Sure," Sweetie Belle nodded. "Feel better Sunset." She said taking off down the hall in the direction of the drama club.

"Why did you not say it was Lightning?" Gilda questioned once Sweetie was out of sight.

"I'll explain at the nurse's office, I have a feeling Trixie's going to ask as well and I don't want to explain twice," Sunset answered. "By the way, sorry about saying you stepped on me."

"It's fine just make sure you tell me everything when the magician shows up," Gilda said as they continued on their way to the nurse's office.

***

When Trixie left her second period she was in high spirits, she had worried a bit about what the students might do to Sunset but she was sure her friend was fine. And now she had a meeting with the drama club and Sunset had promised to come plus the remaining two classes she shared with Sunset so she had a good reason to be happy. Just thinking about it gave her a spring in her step.

She noticed some students were giving her dirty looks as she walked down the halls, she was used to it and it didn't bother her. There were always a few looks her way when she walked the halls though it was nowhere near as bad as the looks she saw given to Sunset. Trixie just ignored them and moved with confidence down the hall to collect her lunch from her locker then meet up in the drama club room.

"Well well, look who it is, it's Trixie Looneymoon." A mocking voice said halting Trixie in her tracks.

"It's Lulamoon." She corrected turning around.

The bully boys were standing together as always while the leader, Dumb-Bell which was a name Trixie thought was appropriate for him, seemed to consider what she said. He shook his head and said. "Nah, I think Looneymoon suits you better."

"What do you three want?" Trixie asked. "The Great and Powerful Trixie has a very important engagement to attend and does not have time for you three."

"Yeah right, who in their right mind would hang out with you?" Dumb-Bell said. "Besides Anon-A-Miss that is."

"That was really Looney even for you Mooney," Hoops said snickering at what he seemed to think was clever wordplay.

"She probably wants someone to come to her next show, can't see why else she would want to hang out with the one girl at school with a worse rep than her." Dumb-Bell guessed.

"Uh-huh." Score said dumbly.

"Her last show was pretty good," Hoops commented. "I really liked it when she and Shimmer ran away in that jeep."

"And the little art show that came after was fun," Dumb-Bell added the three laughed as they remembered their vandalism.

"Is this going somewhere?" Trixie asked. "Trixie really does need to be somewhere."

"Right," Dumb-Bell said frowning. "We wanted to pass along a message."

"From who?" Trixie questioned.

"Doesn't matter who Looney." Hoops snarled.

"Just stay away from Sunset Shimmer." Dumb-Bell finished.

"Why would I do that? Sunset's my friend."

"They thought you'd say that," Dumb-Bell said. "They said to remember what happened to Sunset's old friends, she ditched Snips and Snails for new friends, then she humiliated those friends when she got the chance, what will she do to you when she's done with you?"

"Sunset wouldn't do anything like that to me," Trixie said confidently, Dumb-Bell shrugged while the other two snickered to themselves.

"Believe what you want Looney, that's the message." He said turning around.

"See ya Looneymoon," Hoops said waving in a mocking way.

"Bye-Bye." Score said following the other two.

"She wouldn't do that, you know the truth and they don't." Trixie thought after she collected her lunch while she made her way to the drama club room. She knew Sunset was not Anon-A-Miss and had not done anything to the Rainbooms, and she knew Snips and Snails didn't hold any grudge to Sunset for cutting ties with them. She did wonder who would send those three to pass a message to her and who would want her to stay away from Sunset, and she doubted they were trying to help her. She was still thinking about who could have sent the bully boys when she entered the drama club room.

"Look out!" Snips shouted as she entered. Trixie looked up to see a paint can flying her way and just barely managed to avoid getting covered in green paint.

"Sorry Great and Powerful Trixie." Snails said as the two middle-schooler shuffled over, spattered with green paint, eyes cast down.

"What were you two doing this time?" Trixie asked wondering how those two always seemed to make a mess.

"We were just repainting the tree props, they looked a little faded when Snail accidentally tripped on an extension cord." Snips explained.

"Well be more careful then, Trixie does not want to greet our guest covered in green."

"What's wrong with green?" Watermelody asked from the small stage they had at the back of the club room, narrowing her eyes at Trixie while twirling her short light green hair.

"Nothing, nothing at all." Trixie hastily amended. "Trixie just meant she didn't want to be covered in paint when our guest arrives! Yes, that's what Trixie meant."

Watermelody raised an eye but shrugged opening up the scrip she had been reading while Trixie took a moment to collect herself and look around. The Drama clubroom was really a small version of the theater room, with a smaller stage for one or two members to rehearse lines and an area to work on props before a show, it was also just a good place to hang out with fellow performers. The club itself only had a few permanent members at the moment, Snips and Snails who also worked as stagehands for theater productions, Watermelody, Lavender Lace, Fuschia Blush, and Trixie were the other full-time members and the other regular actors at the theater being part of the club but they rarely showed up to meetings, like Rarity who Trixie was glad to see did not attend todays.

"You mentioned a guest Trixie, who is it?" Fuschia asked, she and Lavender were sitting together to the side in the chairs eating their lunch. "A new member?"

"No, though with any luck she might join," Trixie said. "It's actually Sunset Shimmer, I invited her to come to today's meeting."

At that Watermelody dropped her script and looked at Trixie in shock. "Sunset Shimmer? As in Anon-A-Miss, why did you invite her here!?" She demanded hotly.

"Because she's nervous about people judging her and I said she could come here if she wanted to be with some students who won't unfairly judge her," Trixie explained eyeing her clubmate.

"But she turned the school against itself again, she spilled everyone's secrets, including the one about me and Blueberry." Watermelody protested.

"To be honest Water you and Blueberry being together wasn't much of a secret," Lavender commented, Fuschia giggled but stifled it when Watermelody turned her gaze to them.

"And we told you that Sunset isn't Anon-A-Miss." Snips said as he and Snails finished cleaning up the paint.

Watermelody sighed. "Why do you two keep defending her about that?"

"Because Sunset never used someone's sexuality against them, not even at her worst. Like this one time she was trying to get dirt on this one football player who stood up to her when she was bullying this one nerd so she sent me and Snails to find out what we could on him and we found out he and the nerd were dating, we told her and she said to find something else on him and be happy for him and his boyfriend." Snips explained.

"Well, maybe she changed." Watermelody continued to argue though Trixie thought it sounded weaker than before. "Anon-A-Miss was certainly more obvious."

Snips rubbed the back of his head averting his gaze. "Yeah, I don't think she would."

"Why do you believe that?" Trixie asked genuinely curious, perhaps they might reveal something that might help Sunset.

"We can't say." Snips said.

"What do you mean? Of course, we can." Snails said, Snips tried to quiet him but he continued on. "Remember when we asked her why she wouldn't use the two guys dating she told us she didn't use something that she did too against them."

"Snails! Remember Sunset asked us to not tell anyone ever." Snips scolded, his friend seemed to remember that, blushing as he realized what he said.

"Wait so Sunset's..." Watermelody trailed off.

Snips sighed and nodded. "She bisexual, I think I remember her having a short thing with a band girl a little bit before she started dating Flash, kept it on the down-low. Please don't tell her we told you, she actually asked us not to tell anyone instead of ordering us."

Trixie patted Snips on the shoulder nodding. "Don't worry I know everyone will keep that secret to themselves," Trixie said putting that information to the side, for now, she wouldn't be able to use it to help Sunset without hurting her anyway. "Now regardless of whether Sunset is or is not Anon-A-Miss Trixie does not want anyone bringing it up or giving Sunset a hard time. Everyone be on their best behavior when she gets here."

The others all agreed and went back to their own tasks, Trixie smiled, all that was needed now was Sunset. "Umm, excuse me, Trixie." A small voice said behind her.

"Sweetie Belle? What are you doing here?" Snips asked.

"I needed to talk to Trixie." She said.

"What did you need?" Trixie asked tilting her head.

"Sunset sent me to get you, she had an accident."

Author's Notes:

So from the top, I'm going to say I do not have the most experience with writing action scenes, especially hand-to-hand action scenes in a drama story. But I did my best with it in the end. Second, Gilda finally has a speaking role, and surprise surprise she's good in this story, I always liked her character and feel like she got a raw deal always being portrayed as a monster when all she really did in the show was be a bit of a jerk. For this, I decided to go with her being someone who is gruff and a bit blunt but is a good person at heart, she was a bully herself in the past but isn't anymore, the reason will be explained later.

Sweetie Belle has gotten a bit of a shock seeing Sunset beaten up, I wonder how she will act on it. Hmmm.

As for the Drama Club, it's not so much the theater production and more of a club of those who often take part in the theater with a clubroom. Snips and Snails being stagehands is something from the shorts and I included Watermelody since she screams drama (also her being with Blueberry Cake is something I got from the Cafeteria song). Also, did anyone note a particular character's last name, I think it will come up in the future.

As always I hope you enjoyed this part of the story leave a comment below if you want to share something about it. And if you catch any mistakes comment so I can fix them.

Chapter 12

Applebloom felt sick to her stomach, not from something she ate and she wasn't sick, it was the guilt inside her that made her feel like she was going to throw up. With each passing day, the desire to come clean got stronger and stronger and only her loyalty to her two closest friends was keeping her from telling the truth. But that too was starting to fade, she knew that if someone so much as bumped into Sunset over Anon-A-Miss she wouldn't keep quiet any longer.

Thinking back on how it all started Applebloom knew it had been stupid of them to think it would work out as they planned, it just seemed so right at the time. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo had been tired of being left out by their big sisters' plans, all of them revolving around Sunset Shimmer. It had been so frustrating, especially so close to the holidays so they came up with a plan to get the attention back, if only for a few days.

They really had never meant to get so out of hand, though Applebloom knew now that did not make what they did any more excusable. Spread some embarrassing gossip around their sisters' friend group and pin it on Sunset, they get mad at Sunset and leave her alone for a few days until they made up, and during that time they'd get some time to themselves. They had almost called it off and come clean when they saw their sisters publicly accuse Sunset and abandon her, but then they thought to spread it around the school making it even bigger and get their sisters' attention even longer. Then on Christmas Anon-A-Miss would make a big apology post and Sunset and the others would be friends again.

Even the other students had gotten in on it, sending in embarrassing and funny gossip and pictures, that was all it was supposed to be. A few embarrassing stories, funny pictures, and a few secret couples revealed it had not seemed like they were doing anything really wrong, then the bad secrets started coming in, the kind of stuff that could really hurt people. When they had first received them they had tried not to post them, but the senders kept threatening to hurt Sunset if they didn't post the secrets.

Once again with the benefit of looking back, Applebloom knew they should have come clean and gone to their sisters, or the principal, but they didn't. They were scared, Applebloom was still scared for what would come when the truth eventually did come out, as she knew it would. She hoped someday Applejack could someday forgive her for what she did, but she was more concerned with whether she would even be able to call herself an Apple after everything.

Slamming her locker door shut she started her lonely trudge to the cafeteria where she would keep her distance from her friends while trying to eat with the massive knot in her stomach. She wondered if this was what Sunset Shimmer had felt after the formal and when Anon-A-Miss ruined her friendships, if that was true then it was just one more thing for Applebloom to be guilty about.

"Applebloom!" She heard someone shout behind her, turning around her eyes widening she just managed to sidestep Sweetie Belle before she could crash into her. Sweetie grabbed her by the shoulders pulling Applebloom close, the eyes just centimeters from each other. "We need to talk."

***

Sunset winced as Nurse Redheart finished her examination of Sunset's stomach and face, placing an ice bag on the black eye. "Just keep that there and it should help with the swelling." Nurse Redheart instructed.

"Thank you Nurse Redheart," Sunset said.

"Now... You said you ran into a door and Miss Griffin here stumbled over you correct?" Nurse Redheart asked pulling out a clipboard. Gilda, who was standing to the side, averted her eyes.

"Oh yeah," Sunset lied giving a nervous laugh, her good eye twitching as she did. "Just wasn't looking where I was going. Gilda was nice enough to help me so it's fine."

"Hmmm must have been some door to give you an eye like that. But if you say that is what happened the alright, just apply an ice pack to that eye every few hours for a day or two till the swelling goes down. Now you can stay here till lunch ends if you want or you can leave. I have to drop this report off at the office. Try not to run into any more doors." She said leaving the two.

"You know," Gilda said once they were alone. "I'm not one to say you should snitch on someone myself but Dust was pissed and won't let this go."

"I get that but I have my reasons for not telling Nurse Redheart, they might not be good reasons, but they are reasons," Sunset said reclining back on the recovery couch, dabbing the ice pack on her eye.

"Care to say them?"

"Not till Trixie gets here," Sunset responded. Two bangs rang out in the room, one being the door, the other a smoke bomb hitting the ground covering the nurse's office in smoke. When the smoke cleared Trixie was in the room gripping Sunset's shoulders.

"What happened? Who did this? Are you hurt?" Trixie fired out one question after the other her eyes looking Sunset over before narrowing in on the black eye. "And how did you get this?"

Before Sunset could answer any of the questions Gilda coughed out clearing away some of the remaining smoke. Trixie's eyes widened when she saw Gilda, releasing Sunset's shoulders and moving behind the recovery couch. "Gilda! I didn't see you there."

"Hey Blue Star, remember that conversation we had about your smoke bombs?" Gilda asked waving the air in front of her.

"That the next time one blew up in your face, you make me eat one," Trixie said cowering a bit more.

"Oh, right I did say that," Gilda said rubbing her neck. "Well forget that part, just try not to do it again, and sorry for the scare last year."

"Okay," Trixie said not moving for her spot.

"Anyway," Sunset said getting their attention. "You wanted to know what happened right?"

"Yeah," Trixie said.

"Well you see-" Sunset started cutting herself off when the office door opened again and Nurse Redheart entered with some papers.

"Don't mind me girls I'll just be at my desk if you need me." She said sitting down across the room from them.

"Okay, maybe we can wait till later to explain," Sunset said the other two looked like they were going to complain and she continued. "Some of what I have to say I don't want anyone else to hear. Can you both just wait till after class?"

"Sure," Gilda said with a shrug. "As long as I get an explanation."

"If you say so Sunset." Trixie agreed.

"Thanks girls."

***

"Uhh, why are we here?" Applebloom asked as Sweetie Belle closed the door to the janitor's closet. Sweetie Belle slammed her head against the door surprising the young farmer.

"I'm sorry Applebloom," Sweetie Belle mumbled still facing the door. "I should have sided with you from the beginning. Maybe then we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Oh, well thanks Sweetie but Ah don't see why we needed to come here fer you to say dat," Applebloom said, Sweetie Belle banged her head against the door again. "Sweetie Belle? Is something wrong?"

"I saw Sunset a few minutes ago walking down the hallway with Gilda. Gilda was helping her walk and Sunset seemed to have a small limp, and when she turned around... she had a black eye and boot prints on her chest." Sweetie Belle explained. "She tried to say it was just an accident with a door but I don't believe it, someone attacked her Applebloom, someone attacked her and it's our fault."

Applebloom didn't respond immediately, caught between a mixture of shock that Sunset was attacked so soon and happiness that Sweetie Belle finally turned. "Thanks fer tellin' me Sweetie Belle. Now Ah need to go tell Principal Celestia the truth."

She tried to get past Sweetie Belle but her friend did not move. "Wait Applebloom." She said, " we can't tell the principals yet."

"What do ya mean? Ya know Sunset's gonna keep bein' hurt unless we come clean." Applebloom protested, Sweetie Belle turned to face her.

"But if we do nothing will change except the target will now be us, we don't know who attacked Sunset and she didn't seem like she was going to tell. If we come clean now whoever did it will come after us."

"Let 'em Ah know Ah deserve to face whoever did it. So let me pass." The farm girl said grabbing Sweetie Belle's shoulders, trying to move her out of the way.

"Just wait, please let me explain." Sweetie Belle said refusing to move. Applebloom stopped releasing her grip taking a step back. "Thank you. Now, what I meant was we can't tell her yet because we don't know who attacked Sunset and we can't prove it either. Maybe if we wait a little longer we can find out and get some proof, then when we tell the principal whoever did it won't be able to come after us."

"But what 'bout Sunset!" Applebloom shouted, Sweetie Belle covered her ears as it rang out in the small closet. "We framed her, tore apart her friendship, then let her get attacked. We can't, no Ah can't let her take anymore Sweetie Belle, Ah don't care if they come after me. Heck Ah'd welcome it, as long as she finally is left alone. So move!"

Sweetie Belle shook a little but moved to the side, Applebloom opening the door, before Applebloom left Sweetie Belle said. "What about going to Sunset first."

"Pardon?" Applebloom said confused.

"We tell Sunset the truth first then we go to the principal."

"Why would ya want to dat exactly?"

"I want to know what she would want us to do, we've been making decisions on assumption for her. Maybe we should include her in the decision-making. Besides she has a right to know the truth directly from us."

Applebloom looked at Sweetie Belle, eyes narrowed. "Alright, we'll go to her first. But if Sunset tells us to go to Principal Celestia we go okay."

"Okay."

***

Applejack was not having the best day back from break, she had hopped with Anon-A-Miss down things would go back to the way they were at the start of December. Instead, it felt like nothing had changed, scratch that something had changed, Sunset was avoiding the Rainbooms and this time it really was their own fault. Looking back on the New Year's party she cursed herself for agreeing that the demon might be back and the way they had handled talking with Sunset. She had seen the fear in Sunset that night, true fear and panic and it was their fault. Now their estranged friend was avoiding them and they couldn't talk to her without going against her again.

Sighing she crumped the empty soda can, tossing it away in the nearby trashcan. She leaned back on the steps of the main entrance while Rainbow Dash paced back and forth muttering to herself. The two had agreed to hang out after school and try and put aside their problems for the afternoon, instead Rainbow muttered her complaints while Applejack contemplated all their problems again and again.

"That's it I'm going to go find her." Rainbow Dash declared.

"Rainbow ya can't just go marchin' up to her and start demandin' things."

"Well how else are we gonna get through to her?"

"It's only been a couple days. Give her time."

Rainbow groaned turning away with a huff. Applejack went back to mulling over New Year's again while also trying to think on how to best to handle Sunset when she did decided to talk to them. "Hey Applejack, why is Sunset walking to the field with Gilda?" Rainbow asked after awhile.

"Huh?" Applejack looked up, Rainbow Dash pointing to across the school where Sunset was heading towards the football field, Trixie and Gilda trailing just behind her. "No idea, didn't know those two were friends."

"Yeah... Hey we should follow them." Rainbow suddenly said.

"What! Why would we do dat!?" Applejack questioned.

"What if Gilda is connected to Anon-A-Miss someway, what if she's the demon that's been messing with Sunset and forcing her to create Anon-A-Miss." Rainbow explained.

"Now dat's just ridiculous, there's no way Gilda could've forced Sunset to do all dat."

"How can you be sure, what if she is and she's going to force Sunset to do something else now. Shouldn't we follow just to be sure."

Applejack sighed. "Yer going to follow them no matter what aren't ya?" Applejack asked, Rainbow Dash nodded and the farmer stood. "Fine, Ah'll come if only to make sure ya don't do something crazy."

Author's Notes:

This part came out considerably different than the original plan was for it, originally Sweetie Belle did convince Applebloom to wait till they found out who attacked Sunset and they would do their own thing while Sunset's group did theirs. But then I thought Applebloom has given in to the others throughout the book and waited thought she should show some resolve here. Even though in the end, she did agree to go tell Sunset first I think it still works. This chapter was also on the shorter side since it was originally part of the previous chapter.