Anon-A-Miss strikes. Too bad for them, Canterlot High isn't as forgetting and gullible as they thought.
It's Christmas time at Canterlot High. Normally a time for fun and cheer. But no this year it seems. Someone is spreading people's worst and most embarrassing secrets.
Their name? Anon-A-Miss. And the one that seems to be the culprit? Sunset Shimmer. At least according to Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.
Unfortunately for whoever is doing it, Canterlot High isn't falling for it. Not after the Battle of the Bands. And even the few that still haven't fully forgiven Sunset for her past bullying, believe she is innocent.
Sunset was used to getting looks from her fellow students by this point. Ever since the Fall Formal, she had been getting looks of all kinds. Not always friendly either. But ever since the Battle of the Bands, they had mostly gone away.
Oh sure. She still got the occasional stink eye or any number of glares. But she had since grown out of it. Her grades were awesome, and she had the best friends anyone or anypony could ever ask for. What else did she need?
Today, however, Sunset shifted uncomfortably as she made her way to her locker and meeting the rest of the Rainbooms. Groups of students stood talking and whispering to each other about something, and their eyes went to her when she passed them by. None of the looks seemed bad.
Was she not wearing pants? Quickly looking down, Sunset sighed in relief to see that no, she hadn't come to school with no pants or skirt on. Nothing about her was off. So what was everyone talking about then?
Luckily, the girls were waiting for her at her locker. Pinkie gave her usual bone-crushing hug of a greeting. "Sunny! Have you heard the news?"
Sunset's answer wasn't exactly forthcoming, as all the air in her lungs was being squeezed out. After a moment though, Pinkie let her go. Catching her breath, Sunset finally looked around the group. "Hear what?"
Rainbow pulled out her phone, before quickly pulling up Mystable, and handing it over to the red-haired girl. "Take a look. This was up this morning. Looks like the whole school's seen it."
Sunset took it and was shocked by what it showed. It was some account called Anon-A-Miss, and from what she could see, as she scrolled down the page, it was revealing some of the most embarrassing secrets from the Rainbooms themselves. But it was where these came from that really surprised her. "Rarity. These are from-"
"My phone, yes. Some of these I haven't told you girls about yet. And some of them I most likely never would have either," the fashionista replied with an annoyed huff. "Did you see the top though?"
Sunset nodded, as she scrolled back up to the top. It looked rather familiar, and this finally made her glare at her friends. "Wait. Don't tell me you girls honestly think I did all of this, do you?"
The girls flinched at the venom in Sunset's voice, and a part of her was sorry for it. But she had to know. "Well. Someone did it. None of us would have done it, and only someone at the house could have gotten to Rarity's phone," Fluttershy replied.
Sunset nodded. That was true. Applejack though stalked up and put her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Level with us, Sunset. Did ya do this? Are ya Anon-A-Miss?"
Sunset crossed her arms and glared at the farm girl. "No, Applejack. I didn't. And I'm disgusted and disappointed in you guys if you even think I would think of doing this. Let alone actually doing it."
For a moment, no one said anything. Finally, though, the girls let out a collective sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness," Rarity finally said. "That's a weight off of our shoulders."
Sunset blinked. "Wait. You girls don't think I did all of this?"
Rainbow laughed as she swung an arm around her shoulder. "Of course not! What kind of idiots do you think we are? This isn't the new you."
"The old you, maybe. But even then, you never made it look like you did it," Fluttershy added.
Sunset smiled. "Thanks, girls. And you're right, Fluttershy. I was never this blatant. At least that is something I can be proud of from those days. If for nothing else."
"So who did it then?" Pinkie asked. "We didn't do it. Sunny didn't do it. Not many students are this good with a computer."
That stumped the girls. Looking around, Sunset could see that they had gathered quite the crowd. "Does anyone in the school think I did it?"
Applejack shook her head. "Nope. From what I heard, sounds like no one's buying into this hogwash. They've been asking us all morning if we knew something that they didn't. No luck till now."
Sunset nodded. That was a weight off of her shoulders at least. After everything that had happened during the Battle of the Bands finale, she had hoped the students had forgiven her for her worst days. It looked like they had.
The intercom suddenly blared to life. "Sunset Shimmer. Please report to the Principal's Office immediately."
The girls shared a look as Sunset sighed in defeat. "No point trying to get out of this now," she grumbled as she set her stuff in her locker. "It's probably about all of this anyway."
"Do you want us to come with you?" Fluttershy asked with a concerned look, one all of the girls shared.
Sunset's smile softened. "Thanks, Fluttershy. But this is something I need to do by myself. I'll see you girls in the class."
The Rainbooms shared a look. None of them liked it. But they also knew, as Sunset turned and strode off toward Principal Celestia's office, that there was no talking Sunset out of something once she set her mind on it.
Even knowing why the other students were giving her looks and whispering like they were, didn't make Sunset feel any better. At one time, it would have driven her into a rage. As it was, it was just plain annoying.
Okay. She was peeved about this whole thing, and that someone was trying to set her up to take the fall for it. But with her friends at her back, she could handle this. She'd faced worse than this before. This would be a piece of cake by comparison.
So caught was she in her own thoughts, that Sunset didn't realize that she had arrived at her destination until she almost bumped into the door. Grumbling at her own airheadedness, she allowed herself to calm down. Getting mad now would do her no good. Knocking, she waited.
"Come in," a melodious voice called from beyond the door, a voice that no matter what had happened and where she was, always made Sunset feel better. Celestia had that effect on ponies, no matter what world it was, it seemed.
Opening the door, Sunset was always reminded of the Throne Room of Canterlot Castle. The office had the same sense of openness and filled with the light of the sun. All pointing to the throne of Princess Celestia. Or in this case, Principal Celestia's desk. The woman herself sat there with a welcoming and calming smile. One that always tugged at Sunset's heart for all she had thrown away.
Vice Principal Luna was also there as well, and while not as welcoming, her smile was still calming in a way. Sunset wondered if Princess Luna had the same effect on ponies? "Have a seat, Miss Shimmer," Luna offered, gesturing to the chair in front of the desk.
Sunset took the hint and sat down. She knew better than to waste time with these two. For all they shared with their pony counterparts, the four were as different as night and day. "You wanted to see me, miss Celestia?"
Celestia nodded, her smile softening. "Indeed. I assume you have heard of what is going around the school by now?"
Sunset nodded. This was not much of a surprise. "Yeah. Someone made an account that's spreading some of the most personal and best-kept secrets of my friends. And they're making it look like I did it."
Luna nodded, her gaze hardening. "And are you Anon-A-Miss, miss Shimmer?"
Sunset's hands balled into fists. "No. And whatever low-life scum that is doing it, doesn't know a damn thing about me. Even at my worse, I never once made it look like I did it. Yet this is blatantly saying that. What kind of idiot does that?"
Celestia and Luna shared a look. They knew better than to interrupt when Sunset was on a rant like this. But their knowing smiles said something. Sunset finally saw it. "You, don't think I'm responsible for all of this?"
Celestia shook her head. "Of course not, Sunset. You have more than earned our trust, and most of Canterlot High is behind you."
Luna nodded. "Had this been right after the Fall Formal, it would be a different story. But what you and your friends did during the Battle of Bands showed us that you truly had changed for the better."
That made Sunset feel twenty feet tall. It was always good to hear that. No matter where it came from. "So has anyone actually accused me of being Anon-A-Miss?"
Celestia rubbed her forehead. "Only Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. But I will not take their word for it without actual proof. Many students have come to your defense in fact, and not just your friends either."
Luna nodded. "If that does tell you all you need to know, Sunset. I don't know what will. Even Miss Gilda and Miss Lightning Dust have come to your defense."
Sunset chuckled. She couldn't argue that. She was surprised that Gilda and Lightning had come to her defense. The three of them had never been friends, even after the Battle of the Bands. But she wasn't complaining.
Why would Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, though, accuse her of doing all of this? She wouldn't call herself best friends with the trio, but Sunset thought they got along great. Could they...
"Yah sure this is a good idea?" Applejack asked as the Rainbooms stood beside the Wondercolt statue. The school was out for the day. But the girls still remained on school grounds. Principal Celestia had allowed them to just this once though.
Sunset rolled her eyes, sticking her hands in her jacket pockets to keep them warm. The snow had begun to fall that morning, and it showed no signs of stopping. "Twilight deserves to know about this as much as anyone does."
"What about your Journal?" Rarity asked.
Sunset shook her head. "It was her idea to come here. And as she said, "We don't get together nowhere near often enough. It's time we change that.""
The girls couldn't argue with that. It was true. Before they could say more though, the statue base glowed, before outshot Princess Twilight herself. Luckily Fluttershy was able to grab her before she slipped and slid into a snowbank or fell on her butt.
Twilight smiled at her as she took a moment to get her bearings. "Thanks, Fluttershy. You'd think I'd be used to this by now."
The other girl just blushed, as Twilight was soon able to stand on her own two feet, still a little unsteady. But better by the moment.
"So is Spike coming too?" Rainbow asked, looking again at the portal.
Twilight shook her head. "No. He's on some kind of Royal Business in Canterlot. I'll be joining him in a few days, so the two of us and my parents can spend Hearth's Warming Eve in the Crystal Empire."
"So what's Hearth's Warming Eve?" Pinkie asked as the group filed away from the statue and toward Sugarcube Corner.
Sunset rolled her eyes. "It's basically Equestria's version of Christmas. But without all of the religious undertones that go with it in this world."
Twilight nodded. "It's a very long story, and frankly it's too cold to tell it right now." She looked at Sunset with a worried look. "But before all of that, you mentioned something is going at Canterlot High? Is it magic-related?"
Sunset shook her head. "No. And speaking of magic," she stopped and pulled what looked like some kind of rock out of her backpack. "We took this off a girl named Wallflower Blush earlier."
Twilight looked it over. She could feel the Equestrian magic in the stone, which was carved rather artfully if she was being honest. "What was she doing with it?"
Applejack shook her head. "Ya'll know more about magic than the rest of us. But it looked like she was stealing people's memories. Not sure of what though, or why she would. She got real snippy and defensive about it when we asked her what she was doing." She looked at Sunset. "Seemed rightly pissed off at Sunset for some reason."
Twilight looked at her fellow unicorn. "Do you know her?"
Sunset sighed. "Kind of? We're on the Yearbook Committee together. But I don't really know her. Let alone why she would hate me as she did. I don't remember picking on her any more than I did with anyone else back in the old days."
The girls winced at the reminder, and Sunset rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Oh for. I'm over it! Honestly, I'm past the point of beating myself up over it. It's in the past now. No point in remembering it all the time."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Twilight's smile, though, only grew as she placed the stone in her backpack for safekeeping (and eventual study back in Ponyville) and pulled out two letters. "Speaking of the past, Sunset. These are for you. I have orders to give them to you."
Sunset took them with a confused frown, one that melted into a smile as she saw the names on the first letter. Her smile only grew as she read it.
"Who's it from, Sunny?!" Pinkie asked, hopping up and down.
Sunset sniffed. "It's from my parents. I haven't talked to them in so long. Long story short, they're asking when they can come to visit me. Or when I'll finally come home for a visit. Even if it's not permanent." She looked at Twilight. "Do they?"
Twilight nodded. "They know. I wasn't going to lie to them. I had to stop them from following me here. I offered to let them stay in the castle for as long as they needed. It's a long way back to Sire's Hollow."
Sunset nodded, as she folded the letter up and gently put it into a pocket. She saw the looks the Rainbooms were giving her and snorted. "What? You girls never asked about my family."
Sunset rolled her eyes. "Fine. You all know I'm a unicorn, right?" The girls nodded. "I was born in a small town called Sire's Hollow. Both of my parents are unicorns. And I'm an only child. That's about it really. I haven't seen my parents since before I ran away from Equestria."
"Why not?" Rainbow asked. As much as her parents drove her insane, even she couldn't imagine going that long without seeing them. None of the girls could.
Sunset shrugged. "It wasn't easy for them to get to Canterlot from Sire's Hollow. And I didn't always have enough bits to go home as much as I wanted to. And then I turned into a self-entitled brat, who thought I was owed literally everything I could think of. We saw each other even less after that."
Twilight's smile fell. "Which is why I let them stay with me in Ponyville. As much as they deserve to see you again, Sunset. It's almost impossible to teach somepony how to behave properly in this world. I mean. Look at me! And learning to walk properly is another pain to learn when you're a pony."
Sunset nodded, as she turned to look at the other letter. Her brows rose when she saw the official wax seal on the envelope. Only one pony she knew used that seal. She bit her lip as she opened the letter. As she read it, her annoyance and anger rose, steam almost coming from her ears.
The girls shared a worried look. "Who is it from?" Fluttershy asked.
"It's from Princess Celestia. It's my, and I quote, "Pardon for the incident with the Element of Magic. Honestly, Sunset. The fact that you thought you needed one, saddens me. I thought you knew me better than that. For all that happened between us, I would never have done something like what you believe I would. Where my students get the idea that I would banish them, or imprison them, or imprison them in the place I banished them to, is beyond me."
Twilight's jaw dropped in shock. "Did she just?"
Sunset nodded, crumbling the letter in her first. "She just called both of us idiots. I forgot how infuriating she can be sometimes!" She hissed, her face flushed with annoyance. "But that is a weight off my shoulders at least. Was she in a bad mood when she gave it to you, Twilight?"
Twilight shrugged. "Spike said she was in a particularly bad mood about something when he saw her. He sent the letter to me and told me about her mood. I don't know why she would say it like that."
Rarity cleared her throat. "As interesting as all of this is, Canterlot High is having a rather major problem at the moment. Did Sunset tell you anything?"
Twilight shook her head. "No. Just that there's something very wrong and fishy going on. I want to help. I do. But I'm not sure how much good I'll be."
Pinkie's smile seemed forced, as the group came to the snack shop. "Better buckle up, princess! It's a doozy!"
***
"... And that's when you came through the portal," Applejack finished an annoyed look on her face.
Twilight sipped her milkshake in silence, trying to digest all she had been told. It reminded her far too much of a similar mess from the year before. Something she would be happy to forget ever happened. "Has anyone actually accused you of this, Sunset?"
Sunset pinched her nose. "Some have tried. But I can count them on one hand. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo have been the most vocal about it. They even made a scene at lunch about how we were all sitting together when their sisters shouldn't be sitting with a, and I quote, "Raging she-demon."
Twilight's eyes widened. She hadn't expected that. This just made things even worse. "Okay. We know you didn't do it, Sunset. You're far too smart, and we all know how much you've changed. None of us would do this. I wasn't even here to do anything like this. Who does that leave?"
"What about the Dazzlings?" Rainbow asked. "Revenge and all that."
"But no one's seen them since the Battle of the Bands, though," Fluttershy added. "And why go after Sunset and not all of us?"
The girls couldn't argue that. "The photos came from your phone. Right, Rarity?" Twilight asked the fashionista, who nodded. "Who else was in the house that night?"
Rarity tapped her chin. "Mother and father of course. Sweetie was with Applebloom and Scootaloo. I know my parents would never do something like this, and I can't believe Sweetie would be so shallow and simple-minded."
Twilight scratched her chin. "Could anyone have gotten into your phone?"
Rarity sighed. "Well. Yes. I have lent Sweetie my phone before, and she knows the password to log onto it. And Applebloom is quite the tech wiz when she wants to be, I must admit."
Applejack's frown grew. "Now hold. Are ya accusing our sisters of doing this?"
Twilight pinched her nose. "I'm not sure. Have they said anything about how much you girls hangout?"
Applejack tipped her hat down. "Applebloom was mightly peeved when I didn't spend time with her like I promised I would. I hated not to. But I promised Sunset I'd help her rearrange her apartment. Totally forgot that was the same day I promised my sister." She shook her head. "But that's a huge leap to think she would do something like this. It's just stupid. No Apple Family member would do that to one another."
Her frown grew. "Not if they wanted to stay part of the family."
Twilight shook her head, as she took another sip. "This reminds me far too much of the Gabby Gums Incident."
"The what?" Sunset asked.
Twilight shook her head. "Last year, my Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo started to spill ponies dirtiest secrets to all of Ponyville in the Foal Free Press, in order to try and get their cutie marks. They tried to stop. But Diamond Tiara blackmailed them into continuing. They eventually found a way out of it, and we did forgive them. But this reminds me of that."
Sunset tapped her chin. "Well, I know Diamond Tiara isn't the Editor in Chief of the school paper for a fact. So she hasn't got anything to do with this. Or at least not this deep."
The girls nodded. "So then. Now what?" Pinkie asked.
Twilight grinned rather deviously. "It's simple, really. This whole thing reeks of a poorly thought-out scheme. Whoever is doing this was banking on the idea that Canterlot High hadn't forgiven Sunset for what happened in the past. That you girls would turn on her and leave her all alone."
She held up her hand. "But they've shown they don't know a thing about you, Sunset. Or how strong all of our friendships are. They made it blatantly look like this was you doing it. But you never once made it look like you did all of those bad things before the Fall Formal. Right?"
Sunset nodded, rather proud of those facts. Even if she was a different person now.
Twilight's smile grew. "Then I say we wait. Canterlot High isn't falling for whatever Anon-a-Miss is trying to sell. This whole scheme is doomed to failure. It's only a matter of time before whoever is behind it figures that out, and either quits. Or slips up and reveals who is actually doing it! Simple!"
The girls all giggled. It was so simple, now that they thought of it it. Why didn't they think of that? With that happy thought, they all returned to their drinks, more than happy to not try and think about this whole mess.
Unaware that a few booths away, a certain trio sat fuming and furious about how all of this had been going down. Knowing full well that one thing was for sure.
The moment Rarity walked into the Band Room, the girls knew that something was up. "
What is it?" Fluttershy asked.
Rarity, though, looked at Sunset. "Darling. You once said that you kept multiple copies of your, ahem. Blackmail material on thumb drives, correct?"
Sunset nodded. "Yeah. I've been trying to find and delete all of them. But even I can't remember where I buried them all." Her brows rose. "Why?"
Rarity sighed. "Applebloom asked me about it. She seemed rather determined about the subject for some reason. Could someone open them up and spread whatever you have on them all over the internet?"
Sunset shook her head. She could just see Applejack's little sister hiding outside the room, so she made what she said next loud enough for her to hear it. "No. When I first started, I asked Micro Chips to help me make sure only I could ever use them. I didn't know what I would use them for, but I didn't want anyone else getting their hands on them. So we made it to where they only respond to my voice."
The girls shared a look. "Couldn't someone fake that. Or use a recording?" Pinkie asked.
Sunset nodded, smirking. "Micro said the same thing. So he built in one final line of defense. A password that only I would know. The answer is the name of a certain phoenix in Equestria. He showed me how to do it, then left the room while I did it. So no one can ask Micro for the answer."
Her smirk turned predatory. "And if anything but the correct password is input, the drive automatically deletes itself in its entirety. Even to the point, it can't be used by anyone else."
Rainbow snorted. "Paranoid much?"
Sunset chuckled. "What can I say? I was a paranoid little brat back then. I hate what I did now. But at the time, I felt it was the right thing to do. Not so sure about that now, though."
Twilight winced, as Applebloom stormed off in a huff, muttering about something. It was just like another clue to who was behind all of this. It all made far too much sense to her. But for now, she kept the thought to herself. "What does Micro think of all this?"
Sunset sighed. "I asked him if someone could have hacked into one of the drives if someone found it. He doubted anyone was that smart. While he's still not fully happy about what I ended up doing with what he helped me with, we're at least talking to each other again."
Twilight nodded. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Speaking as the Princess of Friendship, anyway. She started as the school bell rang for their next class. She sighed. "This isn't getting us anywhere. All we have is just theories. That's not enough to end this nonsense."
The girls shared a look. "Ya got any ideas there, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
Twilight shook her head. "I've got an idea of who Anon-a-Miss might be. But not enough proof. I've been in this spot before. During my brother's wedding to Princess Cadance. I was right in the end. But I was making wild accusations without proof. I got told off because of that." She snorted. "Only Equestria's Applejack ever apologized for it. The others just pretended it never happened."
The others all shared a worried look, while Sunset winced at the reminder that there was somepony else she still needed to make up to. Her treatment of the, then, newly ascended Princess Cadance had never been the nicest. It had never gone beyond the verbal abuse. But the memories still stung.
"And you don't want to go through that again?" Fluttershy asked with a worried frown.
Twilight nodded. "I almost lost my friends and my brother once because I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Even if I was right in the end. I won't do that again. Not now. Not here."
Sunset sighed, as the girls filed out of the room. "Alright then, Twilight. We trust you. So where are you going now? We've got class"
Twilight nodded, looking almost giddy. "The Library! There's still so much for me to learn about this world. And since I'm not technically a student, I don't need to go to class. Vice Principal Luna said I could use the Library while the school day lasted."
"Lucky you," Rainbow grumbled, as the group split up.
Twilight only giggled, all but prancing away.
Having known more about the Library than anyplace else in Canterlot High, Twilight was able to find it easily. She almost danced in place when she came to the door. So much knowledge. Just waiting to be read. She couldn't wait!
What she didn't expect to see, however, was this world's Cheerilee hiding behind one bookcase. She started when she heard Twilight approach, but her expression softened as she saw who it was. Holding a finger to her lips, she gestured to the other side of the bookcase.
Curious now, and also able to hear voices on the other side, Twilight joined Cheerilee, and what she heard shocked her. But not as much as who it was that was talking.
"That's it then. You're not that tech savvy to hack it, Applebloom. And Sunset sure as heck won't tell us the password. So now what, Sherlock?"
"Yeah. This was your idea."
"I'm thinking! It wasn't supposed to be like this! Canterlot High can't be this stupid. Sunset took our sisters from us. We're getting them back. One way or the other!"
"How? Rarity is going to kill me when she finds out I stole her phone like that."
"Sweetie's right. I ain't no expert on this. But we're going to get a record for this. Cyberbullying is a major crime."
"Relax, Scoots. No one knows it's us. Ain't got no way to prove it either."
Twilight looked over at Cheerilee, who only smiled and pointed up toward a security camera overhead. Twilight nodded. But her anger and disappointment were still rising. But there was still more to hear.
"Besides. Give me time, and I can hack into this dang gum thing. I ain't giving it back to Sunset. That's for sure."
That was more than enough for Cheerilee, who march around the corner, a fierce scowl on her face. "You won't have to, Applebloom. I'll be happy to give it to her. And I'm sure she'll be thrilled to know why you have it."
Twilight stifled a giggle, as a certain trio gasped in shock. "Um. This isn't what it looks like, Mis Cheerilee?" Another replied.
Twilight rolled her eyes, as she turned the corner, trapping the trio between her, Cheeriliee, and the bookcases. "Oh, I'd love to hear how you girls are going to explain this. Not just to Principal Celestia. But to Sunset, and more importantly. To Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash."
Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, all jumped, turning with horrified faces to look at her. "Princess Twilight?!" Sweetie squeaked. "Um. How much did you hear?"
Twilight crossed her arms and frowned. "Everything. I had my suspicions. But I didn't really believe anyone could be this petty. In any world. I was wrong it seems, girls."
Their faces fell, as Twilight's frown deepened. "Or should I call you? Anon-a-Miss?"
For the first time since that first Summer Sun Celebration, Twilight was not looking forward to meeting her friends today. It wasn't that she didn't want to see them. Far from it. But she had a feeling that it would not be pretty.
As she flipped another page of her current read, she couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Principal Celestia's office, and why she'd been told that her being there would only make things more complicated.
But if the quick glance of the police officer she had seen coming into Canterlot High had been any indication, maybe it was for the better. Twilight giggled at the thought.
There was no way she could explain her being here to her BBBFF.
"... And that's when Miss Cheerilee found us," Sweetie Belle finished, looking as if she were about to cry.
Vice Principal Luna, however, had no sympathy for the trio. "Do you three realize how much trouble you are in? This has already been reported to the School Board. They are considering expelling all three of you."
"Expulsion?!" Applebloom said, almost falling out of her seat in shock. "They can't do that to us!"
Principal Celestia frowned. "As a matter of fact, they can." She looked at the only man in the room. "And there is more. Correct, officer?"
Lieutenant Shining Armor nodded, his own expression no happier. "If this had gone as far as you wanted it to, then the three of you would be facing possible jail time." He looked over at Sunset, who was livid. "And if anything had happened to Miss. Shimmer, then Cyberbullying would be the least of your crimes. As it is, that is the only mark on your records for now."
The CMC flinched at the mere idea that they now had criminal records. "So what happens to us now?" Scootaloo asked, trying to keep a brave face on, but it was a losing effort.
Luna's frown deepened. "The three of you are on out-of-school suspension until the School Board decides if you are allowed to come back to Canterlot High. Your families will decide what your punishments at home will be. The Canterlot Movie Club will not meet again until either my sister or I decide to let you."
Sunset's frown had morphed into a predatory grin. One that reminded most of her time before the Fall Formal. "And I have it on good authority from Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, that you girls are forbidden from having any electronic devices for fun or entertainment until you're eighteen. That's if you don't do anything stupid like this again."
The CMC wilted at the idea. "Whatever happened to forgiving people?" Applebloom asked hopefully.
Sunset snorted, rolling her eyes. "That's funny coming from you, Applebloom. This whole piss-brained scheme was your idea. And all because you three were too lazy to talk to your sisters about how you really felt." She shook her head. "As much as I love hanging out with my friends, I would never take them away from their families."
Shining could feel there was something else to that statement, but he kept it to himself. "Your families will be by in a little while to pick you up. You can stay here until they do."
Celestia nodded. "I have given Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, the rest of the school day off. So they will be joining you as well. From what I understand, they are not happy in the slightest."
The CMC looked horrified at the thought, but there wasn't much more they could do than sulk. Celestia's smile grew as she looked at Sunset. "Thank you for your time, Sunset. I believe there is someone in the Library that would be interested in hearing what has happened here."
Sunset nodded, as she stood and left for the door, giving the CMC one last heated glare before she left the room with a huff.
Outside, Sunset was ready to punch something or scream. Or both. She couldn't understand why AB, Sweetie, and Scootaloo had done what they had. Weren't they all over what she had done in the past?
"I mean really," she seethed. "What did they think was going to happen? Canterlot High turns on me? Everyone isn't that stupid."
So mad was she, that Sunset didn't know she wasn't alone until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking back, she found Shining Armor giving her a worried look. "Are you okay?" He asked.
Sunset cooled off slightly, but her anger was still there. "No. I'm not. I don't understand how anyone could be this stupid. Or even think they could get away with it."
Shining's face fell. "You won't do anything to them. Will you?"
Sunset could hear the warning in that response. She shook her head. Knowing that the room could still hear her, she raised her voice. "That's what those little brats want me to do. It'll only prove they were right. But I won't sink to their level. I will be a better person. Maybe one day, they'll figure that out."
"Will, you ever forgive them?" Shining asked.
Sunset hesitated for a moment, before sighing. "Not for a long time. One thing that I've learned about friendship is that forgiveness is the first step on the right road. But that's something they have to earn back. Not just given out freely."
Shining chuckled, as he let her go. "You sound like you know what you're talking about. I just wish Twily knew that."
Sunset's brows rose. "Twily?"
Shining rolled his eyes. "My little sister, Twilight Sparkle. She's just about the same age as you are, actually."
Sunset hid her shock at hearing that name well. "I don't know anyone with that name at Canterlot High."
Shining shook his head. "Twilight goes to Crystal Prep Academy. Mom and dad wanted her to go here. But Crystal Prep is closer to where we live, and it's also where I went to school. So it's kind of family tradition."
Sunset chuckled. "Well with the Friendship Games coming up, I might meet her. If she goes to Crystal Prep, she has to be pretty smart."
Shining chuckled as he turned away. "Maybe. She seems more interested in Canterlot High for some reason. She just won't say though. No matter how much we ask her. But as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I've got to get back to my beet."
Sunset chuckled as she turned and began to make her way to the School Library. Wait until the princess heard about this! And despite everything that had happened recently, Sunset knew one thing for sure.
She was looking forward to Christmas this year more than she had before.
Twilight winced as Sunset marched into the Library. She hadn't seen her friend this furious since the Fall Formal. And it wasn't even aimed at her. "I take it that it didn't go over very well?"
Sunset shook her head as she sat down in a huff. "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are on out-of-school suspension until the School Board decides what to do with them. They also now have permanent records with the Canterlot Police Department."
Twilight winced. She knew enough of how the police worked to know how bad that was.
Sunset's brows rose as she smirked. "Speaking of the police. Why didn't you ever tell us you had a brother, Twilight?"
Twilight smiled sheepishly. "You never asked? Honestly, Shining being here is partly why I'm here in the Library. There is no way I can properly explain me being here to him."
Sunset nodded. "Good thing too, then. I now know your native counterpart goes to Crystal Prep Academy. Which is Canterlot High's arch-enemy according to most. I don't see it myself. But I never really paid that much attention to the Friendship Games before now."
Twilight tapped her chin. "Just as well then. I'm still not sure what might happen if I met myself in this world."
Sunset rolled her eyes. "Well if she's as smart as you, she'll probably be on Crystal Prep's next team for the Friendship Games. I don't know how we'll keep that we already know her a secret. But we will. Somehow."
Twilight chuckled. It had been a thing on her mind since first coming to this world. She would be lying if she said she didn't want to meet her native self. To see herself from a different perspective, and to see what might be different between them. But until she could ascertain what might happen if they met? Then it would have to wait.
Sunset sighed. "AJ, Rarity, and Rainbow have the rest of the school day off. I have it on good authority that they are pissed. I don't want to think about how the rest of their families will take this."
"I can give ya a clue," Applejack growled as she and the others joined the duo. "Apple Bloom thinks her chores are bad now? She ain't seen anything yet. She won't be able to sit down for a month once Granny gets through with her."
Rarity nodded. "Indeed, darling. Mother and father haven't said much of what Sweetie's punishment will be. But I doubt it will be pleasant. If she wants to spend time with me so much... Then I have the perfect way to do that. I need a new model anyway."
Rainbow shook her head. "Not much I can do usually since I'm not actually part of Scoots' family. But her parents have let me dish out punishments before when they travel. And since her aunts are about to go on holiday, she's staying with me. I can think of a few things, and they can do the rest once they get back."
Twilight winced. She had never heard any of her friends sound so vindictive before. "Don't you girls think you're being too harsh on them? They're your family."
Applejack shook her head. "Family doesn't do this to each other, Twilight. If'n those three had only come to us, this whole lota hogwash could've been avoided."
Rarity nodded. "Indeed. That Sweetie took my phone without asking has ruined much of my trust in her. She knows to only take it when, and if, it's an emergency. I will need to redo my security so she can't do it again."
Twilight sighed. She could feel how peeved beyond belief her friends were. There was little she could do, however. This would give her something to think about, however, when she returned to Equestria.
Rainbow seemed to catch on. "Are you sure you can't stay? Feels kinda wrong to leave you out after the last few months."
Twilight smiled slightly. "I know, Rainbow, and I really do wish I could stay. But my family will be waiting for me. Mom can be scary when I'm not on time for something like this. I need to be back in Ponyville in a few hours anyway so I can catch the train to Canterlot to meet them and Spike on time."
She saw the look on Sunset's face, and her smile grew. "And I will be sure to tell your parents, Sunset, that you're fine. One of these days, though, you will need to come back to Equestria and make up with not just them, but Princess Celestia as well. You can't run away from it forever. Even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming back through the portal myself!"
The girls chuckled, while Sunset only rolled her eyes. "Maybe one day, Twilight. I'm not leaving Canterlot High either way. Not yet anyway. I intend to graduate. After that? I don't know."
Twilight rolled her eyes, even as the bell rang. "Well. You will always have a place in Ponyville, Sunset if you ever need a place to stay."
Sunset smiled as she grabbed her bag and joined the others at the door. "Thanks, Twilight. One day, I might take you up on that offer."
Twilight smiled as her friends returned to class and she returned to her current read. It might not have gone like she would have wanted. But even with all of this? This trip had been worth it in the end.
