Chapter IV: “You're a bad person.”

>You wake up.
>Lying on your face.
>On the floor.
>You’re lying on your face on the floor of the bus.
>Why are you on your face on the floor of the bus?
>You rigidly pull yourself up and glance around.
>Yep.
>Everyone is looking at you.
>Some faces are concerned, others are amused, and most are confused.
>You stumble back onto your seat, brushing yourself off.
>How long where you the floor?
>Did you seriously just fall over when you were asleep?
>You send a confused look to Featherweight, whose attention has been drawn away from his game.
>”You fell over, I felt that much was obvious.”
>Anon answers.
>You begrudgingly look at him instead
“Yeah, I figured.”
>Anon is still leaning nonchalantly on the window.
>”It was rather amusing. You may not have realized since you were still asleep, but everybody laughed.”
>Clearly this is important information.
>Anon delivered his words with no emotion whatsoever
>”The bus just took a sharp turn or something, bad luck Sunset.”
>Featherweight gives his answer and goes back to his game.
>You continued to look at Anon.
“You laughed?”
>He looks at you blankly for a few moments.
>”I did actually. Internally.”
“Internally?”
>”Yes. Is that confusing for you?”
>You choose not to answer that.
“You know, you probably could have just reached over and stopped me from falling.”
>You wave your arm between the two of you.
“Just, literally like reach over a few inches and you could have stopped me.”
>He shrugs
>”I felt that it was more important to conserve your independence, you wouldn’t want to look vulnerable in front of your peers now, would you.”
>That answer was more tame then you would have expected, maybe he’s actually cooled down a bit.
>”Also I hate you. That made the decision quite a bit easier.”
>There it is.

>His face is completely unreadable.
>Still can never tell how serious he is.
>You’re relatively sure he may have nudged you over slightly to help gravity on its course.
>But you wouldn’t just assume that.
>That would be paranoid.
>And you’re not paranoid.
>”Sorry I wasn’t at your beck and call for assistance, I thought you had mooks for that?”
>You roll your eyes.
>You’re way too tired to get annoyed by him at this point.
>Besides, you’re meant to be making friends right?
“Last time I checked on them they were following Trixie around instead.”
>He scoffs.
>”You sure you didn’t send them to harass her then steal her things?”
>That’s eerily relevant to bring up.
“Pretty sure. I assume they’re just looking for someone to make decisions for them.”
>He raises an eyebrow.
>”Figures, the only people stupid enough to listen to a word you say must have the decision-making power of a worker bee.”
>He takes his eyes away from his phones and stares into the distance for a moment.
>”Perhaps a retarded worker bee that’s trying to harvest honey from a plastic sunflower.”
>You snort a giggle and put your hand over your mouth.
“That’s not a bad comparison actually, bees pretty much do nothing until they find a new queen don’t they?”
>Oh great, he’s glaring at you again.
>Apparently he wasn’t making a joke.
>”What are you doing?”
“Laughing at something you said.”
>”You only laugh when you’re laughing AT someone.”
“Not true.”
>”It is true, I know you.”
“Solid reasoning there.”
>You lean back into your seat.
>And just when you were starting to enjoy a conversation with him, he goes and gets angry at you again.
>…
>You were enjoying a conversation with Anon?
>He puts the phone away and raises his index finger towards you.
>”You’re acting like my experience with you is not reason enough to distrust every single word that comes out of-“
>”ATTENTION STUDENTS!”

>MacRoonie was at the front of the bus, puffing his chest out as he grabbed attention.
>He looked a bit like a rooster.
>A really skinny, sickly rooster.
>”When we get off the bus you will all be required to follow me to the outer mining camp, where we will meet our tour guide. Any student caught away from the group will wait out the rest of the excursion in the bus. No exceptions.”
>You look out the window.
>The bus has stopped, you’re already here.
>The Crystal Prep students, along with Twilight, begin to funnel out of the bus in single file.
>It looks ridiculously practiced.
>MacRoonie sticks his nose up and watches them as they pass by, his eyes judging their every movement.
>Cheerilee raises an eyebrow as she watches them leave.
>He turns his nose to her, smirking proudly.
>The Canterlot students rise cautiously, looking clumsy and rowdy in comparison to the robotic-like behaviour of their peers.
>You don’t pay any attention to Anon as the procedure takes place, you’ve had plenty of scolding from him today.
>He doesn’t try to gain your attention in return, however you’re sure that he’s probably glaring at you or something.
>As you pass by MacRoonie he ignores you completely narrows his eyes at Anon.
>This guy really makes you angry.
>You’ve dealt with douche teachers before, but you’ve never seen one hold a grudge like this.
>You hope Cheerilee gets another opportunity to push him around at some point.


>The world outside is about what you expected from the outskirts of town
>It’s mostly flat as far as the eye can see, with little to no hills or buildings in your vision, aside from a large tent about half a mile away, which you assume to be the camp.
>There is very little in terms of greenery, although it’s not a complete wasteland.
>Patches of frost-tinted grass littered the ground, and the occasional tree cluttered the horizon.
>The entire landscape is still as a painting under the overcast sky, grey in both mood and colour.
>You’re thankful that the breeze is as gentle as it is, as it makes the freezing cold slightly more bearable.
>You can’t see the actual mining site, which is strange.
>The Crystal Prep students all line up politely to the side while the bus empties.
>The Canterlot kids are not nearly so well-behaved, Flash’s lot in particularly being obnoxiously loud.
>You swear you’ll be hearing them shout “bruh” at each other in your nightmares.
>You exit the bus, crunching loudly on the frost.
>Anon follows behind you, and behind him struts MacRoonie.
>He advances to the front of the students.
>Behind you, Cheerilee is talking with the bus driver.
>”Come, Crystal Prep does not keep the tour guide waiting.”
>He sneers at the Canterlot side.
>”And Canterlot will not besmirch that reputation! I expect all of you to be on your best behaviour. If any of you act in an un-acceptable manner I will personally see to it that your parents are made aware of your truant attitude.”
>Yeah, good luck with that pal.
>MacRoonie spins around on his heel and marches towards the tent.
>This guy is like every over-the-top unlikable stuck-up jerk you’ve seen in cartoons.
>It’d actually be amusing if he wasn’t also in control of the class.

>The students begrudgingly follow behind MacRoonie as he marches.
>You hear Cheerilee grumbling behind you.
>”He was meant to wait for me…”
>Despite her protest she makes no attempt to catch up to MacRoonie, instead moving to the side of the group.
>It’s not really surprising that MacRoonie is trying to sneak authority wherever he can find it.
>Not like he could get any on his own.
>As you follow the Canterlot group slows down so that you can catch up.
>Probably at the behest of Pinkie Pie, who abruptly stops in place, causing Fluttershy to bump into her, and waves at you.
>”Hi Sunset! Sorry you couldn’t sit with us. It sounded like you had fun with Anon though.”
>You raise your eyebrow.
“Really?”
>Pinkie forces a smile and shrugs.
>”Okay so it kinda sounded more like he yelled at you.”
>You were hoping sitting with him wouldn’t be quite so dramatic, only unpleasant.
>Now you’ve probably gotten a bunch of unwanted attention over it.
>Where is Anon anyway?
>You turn back and see Anon lagging a good couple of metres behind the group.
>You’re not sure if he’s doing that just to be alone or to piss off MacRoonie.
“Yeah… I’m sure rumours have already started about all that as well.”
>”Oh don’t worry darling, I’m sure most students will remember you falling off the chair more than that.”
>You sigh and let your head flop downward.
>”I-I mean.”
>Rarity reaches out and pats you on the shoulder.
>”So um, what exactly did happen with Anon anyway?”
“We… talked.”
>The girls give confused glances at one another.
“We did! It wasn’t exactly a friendly talk, but-“
>”Hey are you talking about that really pale green kid?”

>A dark turquoise girl with purple hair interrupts you.
>Or maybe it was one of the other girls...
>Somehow you didn’t notice that there are like, five other kids right around you listening to your conversation as you walk.
>You really are tired…
>The girl is from Crystal Prep.
>Strange to see a CP girl hanging with a bunch of Canterlot kids, but hey, it is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about here.
>”Yeah, his name’s Anon and he’s our new friend!”
>Pinkie Pie throws her arms up into the air.
>It adds very little to her statement.
>”Damn it Pinkie, why do you always have the coolest friends?”
>Wait, what?
“You’re talking about Anon?”
>The turquoise girl turns to you.
>You really should know her name…
>”Of course I’m talking about Anon, that guy is such a badass! Did you not see what he did to MacRoonie?”
>The girl was practically beaming as she said that.
>”I’ve never seen someone make MacRoonie that mad and get away with it.”
>A slender blueish grey Crystal Prep boy spoke this time
>”What was with Cheerilee? Does Anon have some like, monopoly over your school and all the teachers have do what he says? That would be amazing!”
>A tannish-yellow girl interrupted.
>Actually, you do know this one…
>”But also really freaking creepy.”
>Soursweet, of course, how could you forget?
>”Imagine if he does though, he could get MacRoonie fired or something that would be the best!”
>You and the girls exchange glances.
>Fluttershy gingerly asks the question on Rarity and Pinkie’s minds.
>”Is your teacher really that bad?”
>”Is that a joke?”
>The group turns towards Twilight.

>”A class with MacRoonie is like being in military school, except you’re not being trained to take orders, you’re being trained to take his crap.”
>The group stares in surprise at Twilight’s outburst.
>She stares in shock as well, then immediately retracts he arms politely to behind her back.
>”Woah Twlight, since when did you not worship every teacher under the sun?”
>Twilight averts her gaze from the turquoise girl.
>You smirk.
>Maybe Canterlot is rubbing off on her.
>”Whatever. If Anon’s your friend why is he hanging back there?”
>Turquoise girl sticks her thumb out and gestures to Anon behind her.
>”Oh he’s just shy Sunny.”
>Why is Pinkie addressing you?
>”Come on, let’s go introduce you to him.”
>Fluttershy claps her hands.
>This is probably a bad idea considering how angry Anon got before…
“Pinkie, I think Anon might be socialized out for the day.”
>Pinkie raises an eyebrow at you.
>”You think Sunny? Oh but he’ll be so happy when he sees all the people who want to meet him!”
>”Wait, are you talking to me?”
>The turquoise girl points to herself.
>”Oh I’m sorry Sunny… oh wait you’re both Sunny. This is confusing.”
>Pinkie grips her hair and turns back and forth between the two of you.
>Her name is Sunny?
>That’s not all of it though.
>What is her name damn it.
>”Whatever Pinkie, I’m not going to harass him or anything, I just want to meet the guy who MacRoonie couldn’t touch.”
>The other Crystal Prep students mutter agreement and follow Sunny as she moves towards Anon.
>You exchange a concerned look with Twilight.
>This will be interesting at least.

>Anon is barely paying attention to any of this.>You wake up.
>Lying on your face.
>On the floor.
>You’re lying on your face on the floor of the bus.
>Why are you on your face on the floor of the bus?
>You rigidly pull yourself up and glance around.
>Yep.
>Everyone is looking at you.
>Some faces are concerned, others are amused, and most are confused.
>You stumble back onto your seat, brushing yourself off.
>How long where you the floor?
>Did you seriously just fall over when you were asleep?
>You send a confused look to Featherweight, whose attention has been drawn away from his game.
>”You fell over, I felt that much was obvious.”
>Anon answers.
>You begrudgingly look at him instead
“Yeah, I figured.”
>Anon is still leaning nonchalantly on the window.
>”It was rather amusing. You may not have realized since you were still asleep, but everybody laughed.”
>Clearly this is important information.
>Anon delivered his words with no emotion whatsoever
>”The bus just took a sharp turn or something, bad luck Sunset.”
>Featherweight gives his answer and goes back to his game.
>You continue to look at Anon.
“You laughed?”
>He looks at you blankly for a few moments.
>”I did actually. Internally.”
“Internally?”
>”Yes. Is that confusing for you?”
>You choose not to answer that.
“You know, you probably could have just reached over and stopped me from falling.”
>You wave your arm between the two of you.
“Just, literally like reach over a few inches and you could have stopped me.”
>He shrugs
>”I felt that it was more important to conserve your independence. You wouldn’t want to look vulnerable in front of your peers now, would you.”
>That answer was more tame then you would have expected, maybe he’s actually cooled down a bit.
>”Also I hate you. That made the decision quite a bit easier.”
>There it is.

>Anon is as deadpan as ever.
>Still can never tell how serious he is.
>You’re relatively sure he may have nudged you over slightly to help gravity on its course.
>But you wouldn’t just assume that.
>That would be paranoid.
>And you’re not paranoid.
>”Sorry I wasn’t at your beck and call for assistance, I thought you had your friends for that?”
>You roll your eyes.
>You’re way too tired to get annoyed by him at this point.
>Besides, you’re meant to be making friends right?
“Sorry, only one person was sentenced to the verbal firing squad.”
>He scoffs.
>”I assume sentencing people to death is one of those fun activities you and your friends partake in?”
>You shrug
“That or movie night, or a band meetup, or just getting food, or something Pinkie and Rarity have planned.”
>He raises an eyebrow.
>”I’m surprised you can remember accounts of your activities, as it would appear that the group you’ve chosen is rather adept at forgetting the past.”
>You lean back into your chair, as if making yourself comfortable can counteract the distinct lack of comfort that comes from a conversation with Anon.
”I wouldn’t say that exactly. Those sort of things pop up in conversation from time to time, usually to my expense”
>Anon puts his phone away and looks you expectantly in the face.
>”Exactly how much to your expense? Before you answer, be aware that I will be unsatisfied by anything below actual sentencing to death,”
>You snort a giggle and put your hand over your mouth.
“Well, I’m here aren’t I? Maybe you got your wish after all.”
>Oh great, he’s glaring at you again.
>Apparently he wasn’t making a joke.
>”What are you doing?”
“Laughing at something you said.”
>”You only laugh when you’re laughing AT someone.”
“Not true.”
>”It is true, I know you.”
“So basically you say it’s true and that’s it?.”
>You lean back into your seat.
>And just when you were starting to enjoy a conversation with him, he goes and gets angry at you again.
>…
>You were enjoying a conversation with Anon?
>He raises his index finger towards you.
>”You’re acting like my experience with you is not reason enough to distrust every single word that comes out of-“
>”ATTENTION STUDENTS!”

>MacRoonie is at the front of the bus, puffing his chest out as he grabbed attention.
>He looked a bit like a rooster.
>A really skinny, sickly rooster.
>”When we get off the bus you will all be required to follow me to the outer mining camp, where we will meet our tour guide. Any student caught away from the group will wait out the rest of the excursion in the bus. No exceptions.”
>You look out the window.
>The bus has stopped, you’re already here.
>The Crystal Prep students, along with Twilight, begin to funnel out of the bus in single file.
>It’s clearly something they’ve practiced a lot.
>MacRoonie sticks his nose up and watches them as they pass by, his eyes judging their every movement.
>Cheerilee stands next to them, raising an eyebrow as she watches them leave. He turns his nose to her, smirking proudly.
>The Canterlot students rise cautiously, looking clumsy and rowdy in comparison to the robotic-like behaviour of their peers.
>You don’t pay any attention to Anon as the procedure takes place, you’ve had plenty of scolding from him today.
>He doesn’t try to gain your attention in return, however you’re sure that he’s probably glaring at you or something.
>As you pass by MacRoonie he ignores you completely narrows his eyes at Anon.
>Why is he holding a grudge like this? Is it his idea of maintaining authority?
>Because it looks more like bullying.



>The world outside is about what you expected from the outskirts of town
>It’s mostly flat as far as the eye can see, with little to no hills or buildings in your vision, aside from a large tent about half a mile away, which you assume to be the camp.
>There is very little in terms of greenery, although it’s not a complete wasteland.
>Patches of frost-tinted grass are littered across ground, and the occasional tree clutters the horizon.
>The entire landscape is still as a painting under the overcast sky, grey in both mood and colour.
>You’re thankful that the breeze is as gentle as it is, as it makes the freezing cold slightly more bearable.
>You can’t see the actual mining site, which is strange.
>The Crystal Prep students all line up politely to the side while the bus empties.
>The Canterlot kids are not nearly so well-behaved, Flash’s lot in particularly being obnoxiously loud.
>You swear you’ll be hearing them shout “bruh” at each other in your nightmares.
>You exit the bus, crunching loudly on the frost.
>Anon follows behind you, and behind him struts MacRoonie.
>He advances to the front of the students.
>Behind you, Cheerilee is talking with the bus driver.
>McRoonie takes note of how behind the Canterlot students are.
>”Come, Crystal Prep does not keep the tour guide waiting.”
>He sneers at the lot of you.
>”And Canterlot will not besmirch that reputation! I expect all of you to be on your best behaviour. If any of you act in an un-acceptable manner I will personally see to it that your parents are made aware of your truant attitude.”
>You roll your eyes.
>MacRoonie spins around on his heel and marches towards the tent.
>This guy is like every over-the-top unlikable stuck-up jerk you’ve seen in cartoons.
>It’d actually be amusing if he wasn’t also in control of the class.

>The students begrudgingly follow behind MacRoonie as he marches.
>You stay behind, wanting to avoid both MacRoonie and another ‘encounter’ with Anon.
>You do feel bad that Anon will probably be targeted by MacRoonie though…
>You hear Cheerilee grumbling behind you.
>”He was meant to wait for me…”
>Despite her protest she makes no attempt to catch up to MacRoonie, instead moving to the side of the group.
>As you follow, the Canterlot group slows down so that you can catch up.
>Probably at the behest of Pinkie Pie, who abruptly stops in place, causing Fluttershy to bump into her, and waves at you.
>”Hi Sunset! Sorry you couldn’t sit with us. It sounded like you had fun with Anon though.”
>You raise your eyebrow.
“Really?”
>Pinkie forces a smile and shrugs.
>”Okay so it kinda sounded more like he yelled at you.”
>You were hoping sitting with him wouldn’t be quite so dramatic, only unpleasant.
>Now you’ve probably gotten a bunch of unwanted attention over it.
>Where is Anon anyway?
>You turn back and see Anon lagging a good couple of metres behind the group.
>How did he get back there?
“Yeah… I’m sure rumours have already started about all that as well.”
>”Oh don’t worry darling, I’m sure most students will remember you falling off the chair more than that.”
>You sigh and let your head flop downward.
“Great.”
>”I-I mean.”
>Rarity reaches out and pats you on the shoulder.
>”So um, what exactly did happen with Anon anyway?”
“We… talked.”
>The girls give confused glances at one another.
“We did! It wasn’t exactly a friendly talk, but-“
>”Hey are you talking about that really pale green kid?”

>A dark turquoise girl with purple hair interrupts you.
>Or maybe it was one of the other girls...
>Somehow you didn’t notice that there are like, five other kids right around you listening to your conversation as you walk.
>You really are tired…
>The girl is from Crystal Prep.
>Strange to see a CP girl hanging with a bunch of Canterlot kids, but hey, it is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about here.
>”Yeah, his name’s Anon, he’s uh… He’s into science stuff”
>Pinkie Pie rubs the back of her head, unsure of how to describe Anon nicely.
>”Damn it Pinkie, why do you always have the coolest friends?”
>Wait, what?
“You’re talking about Anon?”
>The turquoise girl turns to you.
>You really should know her name…
>”Of course I’m talking about Anon, that guy is such a badass! Did you not see what he did to MacRoonie?”
>The girl is practically beaming as she’s talking.
>”I’ve never seen someone make MacRoonie that mad and get away with it.”
>A slender blueish grey Crystal Prep boy speaks this time
>”What was with Cheerilee? Does Anon have some like, monopoly over your school and all the teachers have do what he says? That would be amazing!”
>A tannish-yellow girl interrupts.
>Actually, you do know this one…
>”But also really freaking creepy.”
>Soursweet, of course, how could you forget?
>”Imagine if he does though, he could get MacRoonie fired or something that would be the best!”
>You and the girls exchange glances.
>Fluttershy gingerly asks the question on Rarity and Pinkie’s minds.
>”Is your teacher really that bad?”
>This time, Twilight answers.
>”Is that a joke?”

>”A class with MacRoonie is like being in military school, except you’re not being trained to take orders, you’re being trained to take his crap.”
>The group stares in surprise at Twilight’s outburst.
>She stares in shock as well, then immediately retracts her arms politely to behind her back.
>”Woah Twlight, since when did you not worship every teacher under the sun?”
>Twilight averts her gaze from the turquoise girl.
>You smirk.
>Maybe Canterlot is rubbing off on her.
>”Whatever. If Anon’s your friend why is he hanging back there?”
>Turquoise girl sticks her thumb out and gestures to Anon behind her.
>’friend’?
“Well, he’s not really our-“
>You go to correct the turquoise girl, but you’re interrupted by Pinkie.
>”Oh he’s just shy Sunny.”
>You’re not sure why Pinkie is addressing you.
>”Come on, let’s go introduce you to him.”
>Fluttershy and Rarity give Pinkie confused glances as she claps her hands
>You aren’t entirely sure what Pinkie is thinking, but you know her well enough to know it’s coming from a good place.
>You assume the other girls come to that conclusion as well.  Still, it’s probably a bad idea considering how angry Anon got before…
“Pinkie, I think Anon might be socialized out for the day.”
>Pinkie raises an eyebrow at you.
>”You think Sunny? Oh but he’ll be so happy when he sees all the people who want to meet him!”
>”Wait, are you talking to me?”
>The turquoise girl points to herself.
>”Oh I’m sorry Sunny… oh wait you’re both Sunny. This is confusing.”
>Pinkie grips her hair and turns back and forth between the two of you.
>Her name is Sunny?
>That’s not all of it though, you think you remember now.
>…
>Damn it. What is her name?
>”It’s fine Bacon Hair, I’m not going to harass him or anything, I just want to meet the guy who MacRoonie couldn’t touch.”
>Bacon hair?
>The other Crystal Prep students mutter agreement and follow Sunny as she moves towards Anon.
>You exchange a concerned look with Twilight.
>This will be interesting at least.

>Anon is barely paying attention to any of this.
>Instead he staring intensely at his phone, constantly whipping at the screen with his thumb.
>Even as the group slows down to match his walking speed he still doesn’t notice
>”Hi Nonny!”
>Pinkie waves her hand furiously as she gets close.
>Anon still doesn’t look up at her.
>Pinkie spins herself around to his back and peers over his shoulder.
>”Wow Nonny, that’s a really complicated game you’re playing there.”
>Anon finally responds.
>”It’s not a game.”
>”Oh wow, you sound like Twilight.”
>Beside you, Twilight pouts.
>He raises an eyebrow.
>”What do you want?”
>Pinkie steps backwards, a guilty look on her face.
>”Well... Some of the Crystal Prep kids asked about you and I thought it might be fun to… introduce you”
>Anon stares at her in shock. The kind of face you’d give someone if they just told you they were standing on top of a time bomb was was three seconds from going off.
>If he was going to say something, he isn’t given the chance, as Sunny sluggishly slaps him on the shoulder
>”Hey, you’re Anon right?”
>Anon immediately whips away from her at contact, bumping Pinkie out of the way.
>He spins around and stares at her with frenetic eyes and distraught breathing.
>The group looks at him with confusion.
>”Woah, are you okay?”
>Anon’s eyes dart around the concerned group before he closes them, takes a deep breath, and returns to normal.
>By normal you mean glaring at people.
>”No, my name is not Anon, you are completely mistaken and should immediately cease any and all efforts to locate this Anon individual. Goodbye.”
>Anon spins around and walks after the rest of the students.
>Well this is going about as well as you had expected.
>Probably the best case scenario really.
>”Anon wait.”
>Fluttershy reaches out and gently rests her hand on his shoulder.
>Anon shrugs off her hand and whips around.
>”I’ll ask again, what do you want?”

>Sunny breaks out in a hoarse giggle.
>”Man you’re a weirdo.”
>Anon glares at her.
>”Come on, I mean like the cool kind of weirdo, the kind of weirdo who makes MacRoonie buttblasted like nobody else.”
>Anon continues to stare.
>Sunny smiles nervously.
>”C-come on, I didn’t mean it like that I just…”
>Anon turns around and continues walking.
>You cross your arms.
>You can understand him having a problem with you or Sugarcoat, but come on, give Sunny a break.
>”Hey, what’s your problem!?”
>The grey CP boy starts walking after him.
>Fluttershy attempts to reach out to stop him
>”He doesn’t mean it he’s just-“
>Grey rushes past her as she trails off.
>”Why are you being such a douche?”
>Anon continues to ignore him.
>Grey’s head turns a peculiar shade of red.
>”Hey I’m talking to you!”
>Grey clasps his hand on Anon’s shoulder, spinning him around.
>Anon throws out his arms in retaliation, one catching Grey in the chest, the other straight in the shoulder.
>Anon stumbles backwards but stays on his feet, Grey however falls flat on his ass.
>So much for no one getting hurt.
>Anon is just a walking disaster.
>Anon’s chest is heaving up and down.
>Grey throws his arms out.
>”What the hell is your issue!?”
>Anon wipes his face and takes a breath.
>”If someone doesn’t want to talk to you, then they probably don’t want you touching them either. Are you incapable of this logical deduction or did your parents pamper you so much with a “special snowflake” mentality so much that you think simple concepts like social boundaries don’t apply to you?”

>Grey, along with the rest of Crystal Prep are stunned.
>”Perhaps that ineptly worn scarf of yours is so tightly wrapped around your neck that it’s cutting off the passage of blood to your brain, that is if you were ever anything but an airhead to begin with!”
>Anon’s voice is shaky.
>You haven’t seen him like this.
>When it was just you and the girls he was in so much more control. What changed?
>His eyes dart around the crowd as his breathing steadies.
>He sneers and once again spins around, moving towards the rest of the class, which had gained a considerable distance from you at this point.
>Fluttershy helps Grey up.
>He brushes himself off.
>”Where does he get off saying that to me? Just because he doesn’t like being touched doesn’t give him a free pass to push people around.”
“Hey you’re the one that grabbed him!”
>…
>Everyone is staring at you now.
>Why did you say that?
>Grey levels a finger at you.
>”You…-“
>Rarity places herself between the two of you, putting her hands up defensively
>”Now really Jet, we don’t want to cause any more drama do we?”
>Grey is Jet then, makes sense.
>Jet glances between you, Rarity and the rest of the Canterlot girls.
>He turns back to the Crystal Prep students
>”Come on, help me out. That guy’s a dick, right?”
>Soursweet chimes agreement.
>”I can understand that someone doesn’t want to be touched… But that guy’s a total freak about it!”
>Jet smiles and turns to Sunny.
>Sunny is stuck gazing out at the class.
>Gazing out at… Anon?
>”Sunny!?”
>She shakes her head.
>”Sorry Jet, that guy wrecked you.”
>Jet’s jaw drops.
>Well, it was interesting after all.
>”STUDENTS.”
>MacRoonie sequels from the distance.
>The Crystal Prep student immediately turn to him as if a gun had been shot.
>”If you are not inside this tent within the next thirty seconds you will face after-school detention for the next three months!.”
>Guess it’s time to go.

>The group starts speedily, but begrudgingly, moving towards the tent.
>Some of the Crystal Prep students actually jog to make sure they get there on time, passing by Anon, who has slowed down after gaining some distance.
>You and the girls are somewhat behind, refusing to speed up at the whim of that douchebag.
>Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy are slightly ahead of you, talking quietly on some in-descript subject.
>You consider catching up with them.
>But you’re a little bit socialized-out as well.
>Sunny is also behind with you.
>…
>Still looking at Anon.
>”So, are you okay, Sunset?”
>Twilight is whispering.
>It’s strange to think that she’s the only person so far who’s actually asked you that.
“I’m… fine. I’m fine Twilight.”
>She looks suspiciously at you.
>”Are you sure? What happened with Anon? Why did he yell at you? Was Sugarcoat crying?”
>”Twenty seconds, children!”
>Ugh
>Too many questions right now
>You put your hand up gingerly between the two of you.
“Don’t worry about it Twilight.”
>Twilight pouts.
>”Why won’t you tell me anything?”
“I’m sorry Twilight, it’s just really hard to explain.
>”It’s hard to recount what happened like ten minutes ago?”
>Okay that does sound pretty dumb.
>”What are you trying to hide Sunset?”
>Hide?
>She thinks you’re keeping secrets from her?
>You’re not hiding anything, you just…
>”Fifteen seconds”
>Oh, fine.
“Look, all that happened was that Sugarcoat bit my head off for no reason, then Anon jumps down her throat, she starts crying, and Anon yelled at me when I tried to make her feel better.”

>Twilight raises an eyebrow.
>She doesn’t believe you?
>”So Anon defended you? Guess he really does want to be friends.”
>Anon, defending you?
“Anon didn’t defend me, hell he lost his mind at when I apologized.”
>”Ten seconds!”
>You are almost at the tent now.
>For some reason Anon hasn’t entered yet.
>”You said he jumped Sugarcoat’s throat for being mean to you?”
“More likely it’s because he just wanted her to shut up. She wasn’t exactly nice to him either.”
>Twilight rubs her chin.
>”Is that why he got angry at you for being nice to her?”
>Probably more that, for whatever reason, you’re not allowed to be nice to anyone while in his presence.
“I don’t know, maybe?”
>The two of you step inside the tent with MacRoonie glaring at you.
>”Five seconds!”
>He barks unnecessarily close to your ears, causing the two of you to flinch in alarm.
>Well now your ears are ringing.
>Why is he screaming at you? You’re in the tent already, everyone is.
>You look back to glare at him, and notice that Anon is still outside.
>He has his phone back out and is currently nonchalantly standing a few feet from the door.
>MacRoonie is red in the face.
>”Any student STILL not in the tent will no longer face after-school detention, but immediate suspension!.”
>Anon continues to tap away at his screen.
>”Five!”
>Anon doesn’t respond.
>”Four!”
>Twilight looks between the two of them nervously.
>”Three!”
>You notice that a small crowd has gathered.
>At the front of which, Sunny is staring wistfully at Anon.
>What is her deal? She still thinks Anon is a badass and not just an ass after that argument?
>”Two!”
>Seriously, she looks completely star-struck.
>Is she-
>”One!”
>Anon doesn’t move.
>MacRoonie clenches his fists, with his eyes practically bulging out of his head.

>MacRoonie storms out towards Anon
>”YOU WILL LEARN RESPECT”
>He snatches the phone out of Anon’s hand.
>”MacRoonie!”
>Cheerilee to the rescue.
>She stomps out from the crowd with her hands on her hips.
>”Cheerilee, the behaviour of your student is absolutely un-!”
>”I have spoken to you about this MacRoonie!”
>MacRoonie begins to retort, but is distracted when Anon pinches his phone back.
>MacRoonie whips around to see Anon briskly stepping back, holding his phone up above his head and out of reach.
>”Look at this! You are allowing him to deface me in front of the entire classroom?!”
>MacRoonie angrily gestures at Anon’s defiance, and Anon responds.
>”You absolutely do not need my help for that.”
>Anon pockets his phone and starts walking towards the tent, past the red-faced MacRoonie who barks yet again.
>”Cheerilee!?”
>Cheerilee talks to Anon as he passes by her
>”Anon, I’m disappointed in you. We’ll talk about this later.”
>Anon doesn’t respond to her with more than a sideways glance.
>MacRoonie doesn’t feel that this is satisfactory.
>”That’s it? This is unacceptable Cheerilee!”
>”I will speak to him about his behaviour!”
>Cheerilee snaps back, visibly distraught by the situation.
>”No. I will speak to Celestia about YOUR behaviour.”
>Cheerilee rolls her eyes and thrusts her arms up in the air.
>She storms past Anon as he enters the tent and through the crowd of students.
>Twilight is staring wide-eyed.
>”Anon… he’s insane”
>Truer words were never spoken.
>Anon himself finally steps inside, with MacRoonie following close behind, glaring at him as he enters.
>Why does Anon need to make such an issue about this?
>It almost seems like an act of bravado or an attempt to defy authority for attention, neither of which you would ever associate with Anon.
>Anon walks past the crowd, ignoring them completely.
>You notice Sunny still watching him as he walks.
>Biting her lip.

>”Attention!”
>A confident voice trumpets from behind you.
>The crowd spins around to see a young adult girl decked out in spelunking gear.
>She has her hands proudly on her hips.
>”Hi yall, Muh name is Cherry Grind and I’ll be giving yall the tour of the mines.”
>Southern accent.
>Unexpected from someone working for a bunch of aristocrats in Crystal Heights.
>”ah’ll also be helping supervise yall along with yer teachers.”
>She is wearing shorts and kneepads, revealing the majority of her incredibly muscular legs.
>It’s clear that she does more around the mines then just give tours.
>”We’ll be taking the southeast route all the way down to the base of the mine. Along the way we’ll take a look at various processes including waste disposal, quality assurance and planned development.”
>Despite the fact that Anon caused a scene not two minutes ago the crowd is silent at attention while the tour guide methodically delivers her introduction.
>”We’ll also take a look at our history exhibit, commissioned for the sole purpose of educating young folk like you.”
>Of course, Anon is far from concentrating, instead opting to focus on his phone again.
>You’ve never known Anon to be a phone junkie, obsessive, sure, but never with handhelds.
>Unless there’s something else he’s doing with it.
>”Before we begin ah’ll give you a run down on some things I KNOW are gonna be on yer tests so listen up.”
>The crowd regurgitates the usual routine involved with the mention of assessment.
>Groans, sighs, frustrated shuffling.
>And giddy squeals from Twilight.
>And MacRoonie snapping at everyone to keep quiet.
>That one is new, but equally unsurprising

>”Even though the Crystal Mines excavate what eventually becomes the main export for Crystal Heights, the mines themselves are mostly independently managed, operating more as trade partners for various operators in located in town.”
>Well that explains that southerner vs. aristocrat thing, they don’t run the show out here.
>”Cutting and faceting is all undertaken by brokers in Crystal Heights, along with mass shipping to clients, buh it’s not like they’re running a stall or a shop, we only supply to massive chains that comply with our terms and enter into an agreement.”
>You notice most of the Canterlot kids are already zoning or whispering to each other.
>In predicable contrast, the Crystal Prep lot, along with Twilight, are still stiff at attention.
>All except for Sunny, who dances between glances at the tour guide, and glances at Anon.
>”The details of who those trade partners are, as well as the nitty gritty Crystal Mines management will be discussed later on in the tour.”
>Sunny is barking up the wrong tree if she’s making googley eyes at Anon.
>God knows what kind of taste in men she has if she’s going for the guy just because she sees him talking down to people.
>…
>Then again like you can talk after you and Flash…
>”But before we get going do yall have any questions?”
>The crowd shuffles around in awkward silence for a time, before a single hand is rises.
>”Yep, purple girl?”
>”Hi, um, so I heard about this archaeological dig that started a few years ago and was cancelled recently, there was no official statement on why it stopped and really what they were-”
>”Ima stop yer right there darlin”
>The tour guide puts her index finger up and Twilight clasps her mouth shut immediately
>”Ah been asked that question by the media vultures more time then ah can count, and the answer is always gonna be the same: Ah can’t tell ya.”

>”You can’t talk about it at all?”
>”Nope. Sorry, next quest-“
>”Really? Not even if I knew someone who was part of the project?”
>It’s uncharacteristic of Twilight to interrupt an authority figure like that.
>“If ya know someone that was part of the dig, ask them. Nex-“
>”But I don’t know where they are and-!”
>”Ah ain’t tellin ya about the dig, quit askin!”
>Twilight ducks down, resembling a turtle trying to retract into its shell.
>”I’m sorry…”
>The tour guide rubs the back of her head.
>”It’s fine darl, ah’m just sick a hearing about it that’s all. Anyone else got anything they wana get off their chest?”
>The class is silent.
>”Beautiful, now before we head out we gotta get yall yer hard hats on.”
>Hard hats?
>Of course, you’re in a mine.
>As if your hair could look worse today. Whatever, it’s better than getting brained by a rock.
>”Excuse me, but did you say… hard hats?”
>Rarity raises a trembling hand.
>”Yeah, I did, why? Is that a problem?”
>”Well it’s just that hard hats tend not to flatter the face well, and do disastrous things to one’s hair is left on for extended periods of time.”
>The tour guide tilts her head and narrowed her eyes, as if she was looking at some sort of abstract painting.
>”Yall bunch really are a handful, ain’t ya? Look ah can appreciate that you’re proud of how you look little missy, but that head ain’t gonna be so pretty if it ends up decorating a cave wall.”
>Rarity crosses her arms.
>”I mean really…”
>”Too bad, no hard hat no tour. Yall can wait in the bus if yall care that much. As for the rest of you, grab one off the wall over there so we can get going.”

>The crowd begrudgingly clusters around the helmet rack.
>For once it seems Crystal Prep is just as hesitant as Canterlot to follow instructions this time.
>”I don’t wana see nobody without their helmet strapped on, ya hear! Just balancing one on yuh cranium ain’t good enough.”
>Another audible groan, mostly from females.
>Rarity especially.
>”Really Ms. Cherry Grind, be reasonable!”
>The tour guide crosses her arms.
>”Yall want yer head lookin like a ninty-nine cent store pottery bowl? Do it in someone else’s mine. Straps. On.”
>Rarity opens her mouth to protest, but all that comes out is a squeak as Pinkie shoves a hard-hat onto her head.
>”Come on Rarity, it’s not that bad, you can play the helmet like a drum and it doesn’t even hurt, see”
>Pinkie starts tapping on the helmet.
>Rarity grumbles from underneath.
>Is Pinkie oblivious to the fact that she’s annoying Rarity or does she just not care?
>Whatever the reason, she got Rarity to stop arguing with the tour guide, which is the important part.
>”Alright ya youngins! If yall are ready then we better get going.”
>The tour guide marches through an exit at the back of the tent and holds the door open, gesturing for the class to follow.
>The students shuffle after her in a mess of noisy banter as they funnel through the small opening she left behind.
>As the crowd sorts itself, you end up marching next to Twilight and Sunny, with Anon keeping a good distance behind.


>As you step outside you realize why you couldn’t see the mine from the other side of the tent.
>The mine is tremendously more deep then it is wide, an abyssal swirling expanse that funnels into the earth.
>”Take it all in kids, the Crystal Mines,  the biggest source of rare material and gem excavation yall will ever see.”
>It’s intimidating to look at, especially considering the fact that you’ll probably have to walk the whole way down.
>God damn it it’s like a twenty mile trek to the bottom of that thing. Why couldn’t you just take the bus?
>”Ah don’t look so glum, we got a shuttle for this sort of thing, we ain’t gonna make yall walk all the way down.”
>”The track is big enough to fit three lanes of traffic, why couldn’t the bus take us down?”
>You recognise the nasally voice of Featherweight.
>”We don’t allow outside vehicles in the mine, liability and all that.”
>Sounds reasonable enough. The shuttle probably isn’t all that bad.
>”Shuttle for the outer-perimeter is this way, c’mon.”
>The tour guide takes off up the track, with the group following suit, heading towards a large plateau where various vehicles are parked.
>Assumedly also where the shuttle will pick you up.
>As you walk you notice Twilight is watching her feet, trying to hide under her hat.
“Are you okay Twilight?”
>She hurriedly nods.
>This must be about the archaeology thing, right?
“You never told me about your friend in the archaeology dig.”
>She doesn’t answer.
>Twilight tends not to talk about her problems so it’s no surprise.
“Is it because she disappeared? Where you two… okay, when that happened?”
>”No.”
>Twilight responds blankly.
>You’re surprised to think that Twilight may have had some sort of drama in the past. She always seemed to be good at getting away from that sort of thing.
“What happened with you two?”
>She turns her head and looks you in the eyes.
>”What happened with you and Anon?”

>You freeze.
>You had forgotten about that conversation.
>It takes you a while to collect your thoughts.
>You’re not sure if she actually wants an answer or is just using it to deflect your question. Probably both.
“Um…”
>You rub the back of your head.
>”Hey… Sunny, right?.”
>Before you can think of ways to stall, you’re rescued from the conversation by Sunny.
>What does she want?
>…
>It’s going to be about Anon, you can feel it.
“It might be easier if you just call me Sunset.”
>She briefly looks at the sky, attempting to be nonchalant.
>”Yeah… that would make things less confusing. Anyway I just wanted to ask, you know that Anon guy right?”
>Of course.
“Why?”
>Sunny tilts her gaze towards you and furrows her brow.
>You must come off as aggressive, at least more so then you intended.
>”I was just asking, he seems interesting. I was hoping you could tell me a little about him.”
>You notice that Twilight is gazing at you with anticipation.
>Sunny notices her for seemingly the first time.
>”Oh hi… Twilight.”
>Her eyes dart to Sunny and she proceeds to copy the turtle-like maneuver of retracting your head into her body.
>”Hi Sunny.”
>It’s suddenly very uncomfortable.
>You knew Twilight wasn’t exactly chummy with most of the kids at Crystal Prep… but this seems like more than that.
>”Good to see you got friends in Canterlot now and everything…”
>The two of them force smiles to try and fill up the silence, before Sunny gives up and turns to you again.
>”So you don’t know Anon then?”
>You swap your vision between the two of them, both politely asking with their eyes.
”We knew each other a long time ago, not so much now.”
>Sunny seems unsatisfied.
>”So you don’t know at all what he’s like then? You were talking to him on the bus, weren’t you?”
>You cross your arms defensively
>Still barking up the wrong tree Sunny.
>Fine, she wants to know what he’s like?
“He’s sarcastic, confrontational, unreasonably obsessive, doesn’t care much for your feelings and generally doesn’t want to talk to anyone. There, are you happy?”

>Sunny’s face goes blank as you finish talking.
>She asked, she got the answer.
>Not your fault it’s not what she expected.
>Twilight glares at you.
>Oh come on Twilight.
>Did she want you to tell Sunny to go get him?
>It’s for the best anyway, Anon has trouble talking to people in general, god knows how he’d react if someone tried to hit on him.
>Sunny puts a smirk on her face.
>”Oh I get it now.”
>You raise an eyebrow
>”Used to be friends? Talking crap on him?”
>Sunny raises her index finger
>”Hell hath no fury does it not?”
>Is she seriously saying what you think she’s saying?
“What are you talking about?”
>Sunny narrows her eyes, still holding the smirk.
>”I bet he dumped you didn’t he?”
>HOLY CRAP SHE IS ACTUALLY SAYING THAT.
>You dig your feet into the ground and immediately come to a complete stop.
“Excuse me!?”
>Twilight jumps back in surprise.
>Sunny’s grin only gets wider.
>”Oh my god he actually did.”
>She emits a condescending laugh and puts her hand over her mouth.
”He didn’t do crap!”
>She laughs even harder.
>Twilight glances between the two of you with a bewildered stare.
>”He so did, oh my god your face is so priceless. You’re such a bad liar.”
>What is wrong with this girl?
>Why is everyone from Crystal Prep a nutjob?
>Anon hasn’t said a nice thing to you in four years, he’s more likely to slit your throat then kiss you.
>You and Anon together makes about as much sense as Flash and Twilight together.

>Twilight rubs her chin
>”Well… that would explain why you won’t talk about him.”
>Your face is burning.
”Really Twilight?”
>Twilight shrinks down as you snap at her.
“Me and Anon were never a thing, alright?”
>You stomp past the two of them and continue up the path towards the group.
>”Wow, you still got the hots for him haven’t you?”
>Where does this girl get off saying that to you?
“What on earth gives you that idea?”
>You’re not going to raise your voice.
>That would just be giving her satisfaction.
>”The way you’re always eyeing him, talking crap about him behind his back so that nobody else likes him, playing the victim so that everybody thinks he’s the bad guy, shoving yourself into his conversations, trying to break him down so he’s as lonely as you are.”
>Sunny’s eyes are widening as she speaks.
>”Indigo was right, you Canterlot kids have way more drama.”
>I’m the drama queen?
>You take it back, she’s not a Crystal Prep girl. She must be some escaped mental patient.
>She perfectly described what Anon did to you, not the other way around.
>It’s like she’s trying to insert this personality on you that wasn’t there in the first place.
“You. Are. Nuts.”
>It’s the only explanation
>You’re watching him because he’s having a freaking war with MacRoonie, how could you ignore that?
>You’re not talking crap you’re trying to stop people getting hurt.
>You’re not playing the victim, Anon is.
>You’re trying to talk to him because after four years you’re hoping he’ll finally forgive you.
>Why is it no matter how hard you try to be a good person, it just blows up in your face?
>It’s like everybody wants you to be bad.

>”Woah, simmer down crazy ex.”
>Sunny raises her hands defensively and sidesteps away from you.
>Still trying to make you out to be some bad guy it seems.
>Never ends does it?
>…
>Or maybe it’s because your hands are so clenched that your knuckles are turning white.
>Twilight’s eyes are scanning you up and down.
>Probably wondering what the hell your problem is.
>You take a deep breath.
>You’re so angry.
>Maybe its tiredness, maybe it’s just Sunny.
>Regardless, this isn’t what a good person is meant to do, is it?
“You know what Sunny, you want him? Go get him.”
>You relax your hands and look straight forward, paying no attention to Twilight or Sunny.
>”Oh no, you ain’t getting off the hook that easy.”
>What now?
>”I’m guessing you probably wouldn’t like it if people were to find out that you still have a crush on green n’ edgy over there.”
>Are you serious?
>You glare at Sunny.
>She casually adverts her eyes.
>”So maybe a little birdy will spill the beans about all that to everybody here.”
>You feel your hands clenching into fists again.
>”Sunny…”
>Twilight furrows her brow at Sunny.
>”Or maybe you’ll put in a good word for me with him.”
>You can’t help but laugh.
>She’s blackmailing you?
>She’s asking the wrong person anyway, Anon wouldn’t listen to a word you say.
>Why does she think he will?
>Sunny returns her eyes to you.
>”What? Don’t think I’ll tell?”
>You shake your head.
“No, it’s just… What the hell would I do? He’s not gonna listen to me. Why do you care what I say to him? You seem confident, just talk to him yourself.”
>Sunny smirks.
>”I like to play all my cards, worst case scenario he doesn’t listen to you, right? And don’t even think about talking smack about me, if I hear any rumours at all I’ll get my uncle to wright “Sunset loves Anon” in a cloud message right over Canterlot.”
>Rich girl threats, always priceless.

>”Sunny, come on…”
>Twilight lowers her eyebrows.
>”What Twilight? All I want is for her to help me out, she’s the one with the issue.”
“Help you out? You’re basically extorting me.”
>Sunny’s eyes go between you and Twilight.
>”Yeah well… too bad! Do it or else!”
>She points her fingers at you, perhaps in an attempt to be threatening.
>Twilight sighs and puts her hand to her forehead.
>”This is ridiculous Sunny…”
>Sunny ignores her.
>”Go on, go talk to him already!”
>Her face is flustered.
>You know what, why are you even so scared of her starting a rumour?
>You’ve dealt with far worse than ‘you have a crush’
“Forget it Sunny, you can start a rumour if you want, I’m not doing it.”
>Sunny grits her teeth
>”You’d rather me tell everyone about your crush then just talk to the guy?”
“More that I’m not going to just let someone blackmail me. It’s your problem.”
>Sunny doesn’t get a chance to protest.
>”Alright youngins, here’s the shuttle, get into groups of four please!”
>The shuttle in question is really more of a tram.
>Not something you’d usually see on a mine really, more like something used for tours at Universal Studios.
>Much less fancy however, and clearly built for tough roads. It had pulled up without you noticing
>The tour guide, along with MacRoonie and Cheerilee, take to the seats at the front of the tram right behind the driver’s seat.
>The students begin funnelling into the seats in a chorus of excitement, well, with more excitement then just walking.
>The CP students keep to the middle and back, while the Canterlot kids mostly occupy the front.
>There’s a decent amount of empty seats in the back. Not as cramped as the bus was.
>You hear Sunny take a deep breath.
>”Talk to him, or I’ll…-“
>Just give it up Sunny.
“Or you’ll what?”

“You’ll tell everyone I’m crazy in love with Anon just to make yourself feel better? Because that’ll totally make the guy like you right?”
>Sunny opens her mouth to speak but stops short of actually saying anything.
>You turn your shoulder towards her and step onto the shuttle.
“I really don’t give a crap what you say about me anyway.”
>Not anymore, anyway. You’re not going to let Sunny get to you.
>You step inside the shuttle and stammer into the nearest seat.
>Twilight continues after and sits down next to you. She still looks concerned.
>You have a feeling it’s about you.
>Is it so bad you turned her down? She tried to blackmail you, after all.
>Defending yourself doesn’t automatically make you into a bitch again.
>…
>Sunny steps into the shuttle but doesn’t take a seat.
>She just stands there, looking at you.
>Well, you and Anon, who she takes waning glances at as he approaches.
>You stare at her the whole way through, waiting for her to speak.
>She grits her teeth again and her eyes widen.
>Just say something already.
>She looks down at her feet and clenches her fists.
>Slowly her muscles relax.
>She starts touching the tips of her fingers together, nervously figeting.
>”Sunset.”
>She looks at you with soft eyes.
>”Can you help me. Please?”
>…
>The three of you wait there in silence as Anon gets into the back seat.
>Sunny scampers to the middle of the bus where her CP friends have saved her a seat, refusing to look at you again.
>Twilight raises her eyebrow at you while you sit there, motionless.
>You really don’t want to talk to Anon for her.
>…
>You take a deep breath, get up from your seat next to Twilight, and sit next to Anon.

***

>You feel your gut turning as she slumps next to you
>What does she want now?
>Here to berate you about needing Cheerilee to save you?
>You didn’t need her. MacRoonie is about as intimidating as a house plant
>Fitting, considering the only thing holding that guy up is the massive stick up his ass, because he certainly does not have a spine.
>More likely she’s here to give some payback for that overly-touchy Crystal Prep tool on behalf of that turquoise girl
>If those two are considered CP material maybe it’s better you didn’t go there after all.
>…
>No, never mind. Nothing is worse than Canterlot
>You eye her silently for a while as she sits there, leaning forward off the seat.
>You could move, but where would you go?
>The only other seat in sight is next to Twilight.
>Probably a case of out of the frypan and into the oven really, she’s friends with her.
>The overly friendly ones?
>Maybe, but the pink one may call you Nonny again.
>This entire day has been exhausting.
>You’re far too tired to deal with it.
>You just get it all over with.
>It’ll all be worth it in the end.
>…
>She still isn’t saying anything.
>Maybe if you just ignore her she won’t say anything to you. That worked for a little while on the bus.
>She might even fall asleep so you can nudge her off again.
>Would be a nice way to get under her skin.
>Would probably classify as murder if she fell off the shuttle and broke her neck though.
>Too risky, ignoring her works.
>You stare out the side and into the massive chasm of the mine.
>…
>It’s a mine.
>There’s really not much you don’t already know about going on.
>The tour guide is prattling on about unimportant crap again.
>You can barely hear her this from this distance over the crunching of wheels over gravel.
>Twilight gets up and moves towards the front of the shuttle.
>She really cares about hearing that dribble?
>This excursion is a waste of time.

>Maybe you should have just taken the public bus on the weekend and tried to sneak in at your own pace.
>At least then you’d be away from Sunset, who has still not said anything.
>Is this some strange new way of tormenting you?
>First the unsolicited laughter, now this.
>Why is she not saying anything?
>She sat next to you for a reason, she wants something.
>Just get it over with.
>Can she just say something or leave you alone already?
>…
>You hate being near her, you hate her being it.
>This feeling… you’re afraid to touch her, to pull yourself away from the wall for even a second and risk human contact.
>You don’t want that feeling, it just confuses you.
>You just want her to berate and hate you like she’s meant to.
>Just talk, Sunset!
>…
“What do you want Sunset?”
>She takes a deep breath.
>Then nothing.
>SAY SOMETHING.
>”You know, honestly, I want to not be here.”
>She doesn’t want to be here?
“Yet, you came here, so you want something specifically from me.”
>She looks at her hands.
>”I could just be here to talk to you, you don’t know that.”
>Talk?
>You know what her version of “talk” is.
“So you’re sick of talking crap behind my back, so you’re here to say it to my face instead?”
>”Besides yesterday, when was the last time I did that to you Anon?”
>What kind of a question is that?
“Just ignore yesterday, yes, that would be very convenient for you. Why don’t we just ignore the past four years as well?”
>She blows air out her nose, still looking at her hands
>”I guess that means you don’t accept my apology.”
>Of course you don’t,
“Because you’re not sorry.”
>She looks at you from the corner of her eyes, not turning her head.
>”You really believe that, don’t you?”
>You narrow your eyes at her.
“Upset I’m not falling for it? Unfortunately for you Sunset, I’m one of the few people unlucky enough to know you.”
>She scoffs.
>”You’re luckier than you think you are Anon.”

“Lucky?!”
>You snort mock laughter.
“Yes, lucky enough to be the idiot who actually tried to help your ungrateful ass when you, quite literally, appeared out of nowhere.”
>She doesn’t respond.
“Lucky enough to be turned into a pariah for trying to stand up to you.”
>She still doesn’t respond.
“I’d say I would have been better off alone, but it turns out I ended up alone anyway, so what does it matter?”
>Would she just say something already?
>Berate you, stand up for herself.
>Stop trying to act so defenceless, you’re not going to fall for it.
“It would have been nice to skip the whole hospitalization part I suppose.”
>She shrugs.
>”I agree, things would have been a lot better if that never happened.”
“Then why did you-“
>”That’s not what I meant though.”
>She interrupts you like your words don’t even matter.
“Then what did you mean? Please, please tell me what makes me so lucky.”
>Her eyes are distant.
>”Well for one that Sunny girl is completely crushing on you.”
>Your eyes widen and your mouth goes dry
>The girl who sicked her lapdog on you?
“W – What?”
>No, this is some sort of trick
>She leans back and puts her hands behind her head.
>”Yeah, I was surprised as well.”
>What’s that supposed to mean?
>She is avoiding your gaze
>”Oh come on, don’t give me that look, you barely ever talk to anyone, and even when you do, you make a huge drama out of it.”
>You make a drama?
“I – It’s not my fault that all people do is make fun of me and start fights.”
>”Yeah, because Applejack was totally making fun of you when you made fun of her accent and called her inbred.”
>You shake your head in disgust.
“And your cyan mental-case of a friend was perfectly in the right when she assaulted me?”
>Sunset slaps her arms limply onto her thighs and shakes her head.
>Oh, you’ll love hearing this crapshoot of an explanation.
>”You know Anon, people aren’t perfect, and you might actually end up liking some of them if you gave them a chance.”
>…

“’Not perfect’ as in violent and unstable?”
>Sunset slaps her palm onto her hard hat.
>”Okay, fine. In that situation yeah, that was crazy and she shouldn’t have done it. But I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about everything else.”
>Is she delusional?
>It’s not your fault everyone hates you.
“I gave everyone a chance, it’s everyone else who never give me a chance!”
>She raises her eyebrows.
>”Those Crystal Prep kids? Featherweight?”
>You sneer at her
”You can’t be serious.”
>She runs her hand down her face.
>”You know what? Forget it, I really don’t want to have this argument right now.”
>You can’t understand what her issue is.
“Then we return again to the question, the question I have been trying to get answered for the past five minutes of my life that you have wasted: what do you want?”
>She pauses for a brief time before responding.
>Making you wait.
>”I already told you, to let you know that Sunny has a thing for you.”
>You feel a shiver run down your spine.
>Those words are like some magical spell of nausea.
“S – Stop saying that lie! Why are you pushing this so hard? You think I’m going to like someone at your beck and call?”
>It must be some sort of trick. It has to be a trick.

>Get you to like someone, break your heart.
>The same thing all over again.
>Does she really think you’re going to fall for the same trick again-!?
>Sunset throws her hands up into the air
>”I don’t know Anon! Maybe it’s because despite the fact that I hate her guts, Sunny actually seems to genuinely like you.”
>You feel nauseas.
>In a way you can’t explain, it’s like you ate hot food, but you can’t vomit.
 >”And maybe it’s because, despite everything that’s happened. I’d actually like to see you happy.”
>...
>You feel your eyes start to widen.
>You shut them immediately.
>As tightly as you can.
>”I don’t know if it actually will make you happy, maybe I’m wrong and you’ll go crazy again and the whole thing will be a mess, but if… Anon?”
>You slowly open them, keeping them as narrow and hostile as possible.
>She’s turned her head slightly to the left.
>Her brow is furrowed in what might be mistaken as concern.
>You know better than that.
>You know her better then that.
“I’ll only be happy when people hate you as much as I do.”
>She slowly nods and turns her eyes downward.
>”Okay fine. Have it your way Anon.”
>She leaves the seat and heads towards the middle of the tram.
>Leaving you alone again.

***

>You’re still not sure why you even tried.
>Everything you say has some ulterior motive according to him.
>Whatever, you told him about Sunny, you can at least be happy about that.
>Now you just have to hope he doesn’t treat her like he treats you.
>”Alright youngins, we’re here!”
>The shuttle comes to an abrupt stop while you’re still standing, sending you tumbling into the unlucky person sitting in the seat in front of you.
>It’s Fluttershy.
>Of all the people you had to land on, it had to be her.
>Sorry Fluttershy…
>She squeaks in surprise as you throw your hands out to catch yourself on the chair.
>Unfortunately you miss and end up with one hand on her shoulder and the other hand on her upper thigh.
>”Hey ya varmint! Didn’t I tell yall to stay seated at all times?”
“No?!”
>“Yall are lucky ya didn’t go careering into the pit. Gosh, you lot sure are hopeless.”
>You push yourself off of her as politely as is possible in this situation.
“I’m sorry Fluttershy! I’m just a complete idiot today.”
>She winces and rubs her arm, then gives you a warm smile.
>”Oh it’s okay Sunset, it’s not your-“
>”Come on stop wastin time kids, we got some history to teach!”
>The tour guide is standing outside the shuttle motioning the students towards an entrance built into the wall.
>The students dribble out of the bus and gradually start to follow as they sort into their social groups.
>There’s very little distinguishable different between how the CP and Canterlot do it this time.
>Maybe CP have already gotten sick of being perfectly behaved, or it could be that they feel less pressured when compared to CHS.

>You walk with Fluttershy to Rarity and Pinkie’s group.
>You’re not sure who is more suitable for the group to be associated with.
>It’s just easier to think of both of them in this situation.
>On your way off the shuttle you hear a collection of giggles and whispers from students as you pass by.
>God, this is just like that time at the cafeteria.
>It’s not fair you’ve only had five years to practice, they’ve had their entire lives.
>”Inside youngins!”
>The tour guide waves yet again for the class to follow before marching down the cave entrance, which, from this angle, appears to lead into a short tunnel that opens up to a wider area.
>As you walk towards the group you take a last glimpse at Anon as he leaves the shuttle.
>…
>He’s talking to Flash.
>Well more that Flash is talking to him.
>Anon’s mouth isn’t moving and he’s uncomfortably pushed against the wall with his face pointed downward, avoiding Flash’s eye contact.
>Flash is leaning on the side of the shuttle, between Anon and the rest of the students.
>Why is Flash even talking to Anon?
>Suddenly, Flash aggressively slaps his hand again Anon’s hard hat.
>What the?
>Anon turns his eyes towards Flash without moving his head, almost as if it’s locked in position.
>What the HELL is Flash doing!?
>”Hi Sunny and Fluttershy!”
>You jolt around to see Pinkie waving vigorously at the two of you with Rarity beside her.
>You wave to them before taking a glimpse back at the situation.
>Flash is moving back towards the class with a smirk on his face.
>Anon is still up against the shuttle in the same position as before.
>His chest heaving up and down in exasperated breathing.
>Next time you have a chance, you think you might have a little talk with Flash.

>”Are you okay Darling? You seem rather… unbalanced, today.”
>You turn back to the conversation to see Pinkie rubbing her chin
>”Yeah, you totally fell over like twice today, it’s like that one time in the cafeteria.”
>You sink your shoulders down sluggishly.
“Yeah, it’s been a bit of a crazy day for me.”
>Every conversation so far today has been more draining then the last.
>At least with the girls you can relax a bit.
>They’re not going to overanalyse all your words and passively-aggressively despise you.
>Fluttershy puts her hand on your shoulder
>”Is something bothering you Sunset?”
>Once again you appear to be terrible at looking normal.
“Don’t worry about it Fluttershy, as I said it’s just been a crazy day.”
>Pinkie pipes up again.
>”Does it have anything to do with the fact that you’ve been talking to Anon so much?”
>Yep, you’re completely transparent.
>Why did she have to bring up Anon again? You’ve had your fill of Anon today.
>Rarity lightly touches her chin.
>”You do seem to come off as less sociable after talking to him Sunset.”
>Can’t they just drop it?
“More that I barely got any sleep last night, Anon doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
>Fluttershy put her hands together.
>”It’s okay Sunset, we know how hard you’ve been trying to make friends with Anon.”
“You do?”
>Pinkie scratches her head.
>”We do?”
>”Of course we do, and we’re very proud of you for trying so hard.”
>Well, at least you’ve made them proud?
>It makes you feel a little better that your friends can see that you’re struggling, but doesn’t really make you feel less exhausted.

>”Is that really why you’ve been talking to Anon so much today Sunny?”
>You’re not sure how you’ve ended up having to be in Anon’s face today as much as you have been, it just sort of happened.
>Hopefully you won’t have to do it again today.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I just want… I just want to fix things, y’know?”
>That’s… true.
>Things need to get better
>”Welcome to the Crystal Mines Historia Extravaganza!”
>Your conversation is cut short by the tour guide. You notice that you and the group have now fully entered the cave.
>It’s completely excavated out and refurbished with man-made construction and lighting.
>The ceiling is high with metal plating to cover up natural rocks, assumedly to reduce the risk of falling debris.
>The tour guide is standing atop a speaking platform at the back of the room.
>Around you are a collection of assorted mine-related sculptures, all equipped with small speakers and plaques with glass-protected information etched their surface.
>The whole place is set up like some educational exhibit.
>”Here is where yall will be provided information on the Crystal Mine’s humble beginnings, it was commissioned two years ago special just for tour groups from Crystal Prep.”
>”A-hem!”
>Pinkie taps her foot.
>The tour guide puts her hands up defensively.
>”Well the tour was never really intended to be given to other schools, yall should feel lucky that yall were given such a great opportunity.”
>You have a moment of clarity as the tour guide speaks:
>It does feel pretty condescending when someone calls you lucky like that.
>”Anyway, from this point onward for the next hour and a half yall are gonna have a chance to do a bit of free-roaming and explore the exhibit yerselves.”
>A bustle of excitement ripples through the audience at the prospect of freedom from authority.
>”Now, calm down, yall are only permitted to explore the exhibit, all other areas, especially the workman tunnels are strictly off limits and any one of yer found flaunting about in those areas will be spending the rest of the trip waitin’ on the bus, ya hear?”

>The tour guide scans over the crowd with her hands on her hips.
>”Ah said, YA HEAR!?”
>The crowd jumps in surprise, before a resounding answer emits from the CP side.
>”YES MA’AM”
>You can’t tell whether CHS answered as well, if they did it was drowned out by Crystal prep’s enthusiasm.
>”Alright, now that yall understand I’m gonna let ya off. Your supervising teachers should supply you with maps of the exhibit and exercise sheets you’ll be expected to complete.”
>Cheerilee waves for attention and holds up some sheets of paper as the tour guide mentions them.
>MacRoonie has sheets in his hands but is making no such motion, instead he is diligently scanning the crowd.
>Probably still looking for Anon.
>”The sections of these sheets will be almost identical to questions on your essays and exams, so if I were yall I’d be pretty interested in making sure ah get them all.”
>The students begin to head towards their school’s respective teachers.
>”One more thing, we don’t want yall to be exploring alone so yall start organizing yourselves into groups. Probably a minimum of three is what we’d expect yall to go with. The Historia exhibit is divided by tunnels and even with the maps it’s mighty easy to get lost.”
>Most kids are already divided into their usual groups by the time she said that.
>Well, most kids except for Anon and Sugarcoat.
>The two of them are standing at the back, assumedly waiting until everyone else has gotten their sheets before getting their own.

>”Here girls!”
>Pinkie hands you a bundle of paper.
>The bulk of it is the stabled-together exercise sheet(s), the other is the folded up map.
>Apparently she had gotten the sheets for everyone while you were distracted.
>You smile and nod in appreciation as you take them.
>Muttered thanks emit follow her as she hands the sheets to everyone.
>The questionnaire is surprisingly comprehensive, covering information going all the way back to almost a century ago.
>That’s a little excessive, we’re not in an economics class not a history class.
>You see that Twilight has already started filling it in, assumedly following some research she did on the mine before coming here.
>Go get em’ Twi.
>”Okay, bye girls!”
>Pinkie starts bouncing away from the group.
>Wait, what?
>You take a second to register what she said, it perhaps being lost in the coo of noise as other students collect the sheets.
>”Pinkie darling, where are you going?”
>A collection of similar phrases whine from the other Canterlot students in the group.
>She turns around and rubs her cheek
>”Oh, sorry girls, Cheerilee said that Anon and Sugarcoat never group with anyone so she asked me to be in a group with them.”
>Cheerilee pays more attention than you thought
>No, that’s not fair, Cheerilee’s always been nice like that, she’s just a bit of a hard-ass sometimes.
>At the very least you won’t have to deal with Anon being grouped with you.
>Actually now that you think of it…
>Fluttershy asks your question for you.
>”So? He can come with us, I don’t see why you have to leave.”
>Pinkie rubs her arm.
>”About that… you see, Cheerilee said she doesn’t want Anon to be in a group with Sunset.”

>…
>Seriously?
>Cheerilee doesn’t trust you anymore?
>Okay it’s not like you’re preening to be in group with him, but you’re not going to start a fight with him.
>He’s the one who keeps jumping down your throat whenever you try to be nice to him.
>…
>Everyone is looking at you.
>You duck down under your shoulders.
>”I’m sorry Sunny, don’t feel bad. It’s not your fault that you and Anon don’t get along.”
>…
>”Well… If Cheerilee asked you I suppose you can’t really say no.”
“Yes you can.”
>Pinkie turns her head at you, as well as a few other students raising eyebrows.
“Just tell Cheerilee he can come into our group or just follow along with the teachers, it’s not fair that you can’t be with your friends just because Anon doesn’t want to be in a group with me.”
>Pinkie puts her index finger on her chin and looks at the ceiling.
>”Cheerilee said it’s less about Anon not wanting to and more that everything kind of goes… badly. W-when you and Anon are… in the same place.”
>Pinkie shrugs innocently.
>You get the feeling Pinkie is paraphrasing.
>Her version is probably a whole lot nicer.
>Does Cheerilee really think you’re some kind of menace?
“Well… who cares what Cheerilee says, you shouldn’t have to leave if you don’t want to.”
>Pinkie furrows her brow.
>”Sunny it’s fine, you’re acting like I’m leaving forever or something.”
>It’s not about that.
>…
>Then what is it about?
>Is it really just because it’s Anon?

>It’s not his fault Sunset.
>…
>Then why does it still feel like it?
>Rarity puts her hand on your shoulder.
>”It’s okay Sunset, no one is blaming you.”
>You look at the group of disappointed faces.
>Somehow you don’t believe that.
>”Well… have fun Pinkie.”
>Rarity begrudgingly waves goodbye, along with a few of the other Canterlot students.
>”Oh Rarity, I always have fun.”
>Pinkie waves goodbye and bounces over to the CP side.
>This isn’t fair.
>Not just on Pinkie, but on everyone else.
>And now everyone resents you for it.
>”Well, come on, this sheet isn’t going to complete itself.”
>Rarity leads the charge as she opens her map and immediately stops to gawk at it.
>It unfolds to be roughly four times its original size.
>The tour guide was not kidding when she said it’s easy to get lost.
>It’s like looking at a maze with little to no distinguishing landmarks to help you along.
>Is this even meant to be useful?
>”Uh… maybe Cheerilee can help us with this?”
>You see the other Canterlot group, Flash’s group seems to be having a similar issue.
>Much more loudly in fact.
>Before Rarity can ask Cheerilee for help Twilight grabs the map from her.
>”The questionnaire is structured chronologically, so the first place we want to go is the founder’s section, which is in coordinates 53, 42.”
>Rarity and the rest of the students stare at her, stunned by her articulate recantation of the contents of the map.
>She rubs the back of her head.
>”Ah-ha… you see at Crystal Prep we all take mandatory classes for advanced map reading.”
>Leave it to Crystal Prep to still find a way to make their joint excursion exclusive.
>God knows how the other Canterlot group is going to figure this out.
>MacRoonie must have the biggest smile on his face right now.
>…
>He doesn’t.

>His face is bright red and his eyes look ready to pop out of his skull.
>He’s over with Pinkie, Anon and Sugarcoat.
>And Sunny.
>Pinkie is covering her mouth, Sugarcoat and Sunny are wide-eyed.
>Anon is walking way while the four others are stunned in silence.
>Eventually Pinkie follows along with Sunny as she stifles a snicker.
>Sugarcoat eventually follows as well, looking at MacRoonie as she walks away.
>MacRoonie stands there, still stunned.
>Anon starting drama again it seems.
>Whatever Flash said apparently hasn’t phased him as much as you thought.
>For once you wish you had been there.
>You can’t imagine a more satisfying thing then watching Anon tear apart that pompous windbag.
>”Come on Sunset.”
>Fluttershy lightly touches your hand.
>Despite how much you’ve been trying to get away from Anon today you can’t seem to ignore him.
>Whatever, Pinkie’s gone but you still have your friends here.
>You and the group leave the large area behind as you follow Twilight through a tunnel
>The familiar hum of discussion echoes across the cylindrical area from the seven or so students that occupy it.
>The company makes steady progress before their leader stops in her tracks and turns around.
>While an action such as that would not normally be enough to silence a group such as this the sheer dramatic nature of the action, combined with Twilight’s position as the leader results in immediate silence.
>”Everyone, the founder’s section is down at the end of this tunnel and to the left. Can you all go through there and get started while me, Sunset, Rarity and Fluttershy catch up?”
>What is she doing?
>The group mutters confusion, but complies without much of an issue.
>You and the other girls wait patiently to hear Twilight’s explanation.
>She calmly folds up the map as the other students gradually leave.
>”Sunset, no more excuses, you’re going to tell us exactly what happened between you and Anon.”

***
>”How could you even say that Nonny?”
>There’s that name again.
>“You might have really hurt his feelings.”
>More like hurt his insecure sense of self-importance.
>Wiping that smirk off of his face has probably been the highlight of your day.
>The problem is you’re somehow ended up traveling companions with Sunset’s airhead and the apathetically ostentatious windbag who now, thankfully, seems to be rendered mute.
>And… Sunny.
>Who is snickering.
>An uncomfortable tinge goes up your spine.
>It’s rather apt that her name bears a striking similarity to Sunset.
>…
>They have the same laugh…
>”What are you talking about Pinkie? That was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it as long as I live.”
>She breaks into full blown laughter as you all get out of MacRoonie’s earshot.
>Pinkie furrows her eyebrows at Sunny for a moment, before a smile hesitantly appears on her lips.
>”Okay, so maybe the look on his face was a liiiitle bit priceless, but you don’t make friends by saying things like that. Heck, I don’t even know what half those words mean.”
>Not surprising for a sugar addict.
>”I bet Sugarcoat knows what they mean.”
>Sunny smirks at her.
>Sugarcoat narrows her eyes in response, then turns away from the situation.
>Is she really going to just refuse to talk?
>Still trying to fool you by playing the injured role?
>You know full well that Sunset’s theatrical display was only to spite you.
>You won’t be falling for false compassion from these people.
>You keep walking ahead while they scamper along behind you
>With any luck they’ll eventually give up on Cheerilee’s arrangement and leave you alone

>”Nonny slow down, do you even know where we’re going?”
>Anywhere else but here.
>”Of course he knows where we’re going Pinkie.”
>Sunny looks around as you enter one of many identical tunnels.
>”Right Anon?”
>Looking for someone else to take responsibility it seems.
>Too hard for Sunset’s specially chosen bachelorette to read maps.
>Would like to see you happy…
>What a joke
>…
>This is about the third tunnel that looks exactly the same.
>”Anon…?”
“Fine”
>You roll your eyes at her and ungraciously unfold the map Pinkie gave you.
>…
>It’s not very helpful at all.
>In fact it’s the most unhelpful map you’ve ever laid eyes on.
>For one, it includes the entire mine despite the fact that your group is only meant to be allowed to explore the exhibit.
>Secondly, it has absolutely zero landmarks or even an in-built legend to help you distinguish one area from the next.
>Thirdly, this mine may as well be a maze.
>”You having trouble there chief?”
>Sunny is leant down peeking at you from the corner of your vision.
>Chief?
>Pinkie snatches the map from your hands.
>You wrench away instinctively as she does it.
>”Wow, this map is really, really confusing. It’s like the most unhelpful map ever!”
>She gawks at the map, practically pressing her face against it, which, you’re sure she believes will somehow help.
>Sugarcoat is a distance behind the three of you, continuing her stubborn injured act.
>Pinkie looks around, levelling the map at the walls like a frame as she scans the area.
>You’re bother more than you should be by the fact she’s trying to use the map as if it was a camera.
>”Welp, It’s impossible to figure it out. Guess we’re trapped here forever.”

>She blames you for what you said to MacRoonie while she’s here being a bright example of how to exasperate a situation.
>Sunny snatches the map from her, making sure to stare down Pinkie as she does so.
>She opens the map herself and scans it over.
>Let’s see if the Crystal Prep girl is better equipped for the situation then the airhead with a sugar high.
>”Okay so we’re at 54, 105. The first part of the exercise sheets are on the complete other way, so we probably want to start with the closest exhibit, which is Foundation of the Crystal Market at 55, 120.”
>Your mouth lists slightly ajar.
>She can actually read that?
>Once more justification that Canterlot is a herd of uncultured animals you’re forced to co-exist with.
>Sunny looks at you with a smirk on her face.
>…
>You’ve never been a fan of smirks.
>”Wow Sunny, that’s amazing! Where did you learn to do that?”
>She closes her eyes, turning her nose up and putting her hand on her hip, milking the attention for all that it’s worth.
>”Unlike most students at Crystal Prep, I make an effort to keep ahead of the pack.”
>She opens her eyes a slither and looks at you, putting her hand delicately to her chest.
>”Advanced map reading, not something you’d get from just any CP girl.”
>Sugarcoat narrows her eyes at Sunny, but stays silent.
>You admire her commitment at least.
>However you’re confused as to what her issue is.
>Probably some nonsense personal information she’s scavenged on Sunny that she can gloat about.
>it may be interesting but ultimately unnecessary, you can already see how narcissistic Sunny is.

>Your group continues on towards the first exhibit, much of a waste of time you considered it to be.
>There is little talking involved, other than asking Sunny which tunnel to go down next, which is visibly frustrating for Pinkie.
>She makes uncomfortable motions with her fingers and opens her mouth on multiple occasions to speak but never does.
>Sunny takes an unreasonable amount of enjoyment out of being given attention whenever she is asked where to go.
>Even though you’re never the one to ask the question, she always smiles at you when she answers.
>As you come across your seventh consecutive tunnel that looks almost identical to the last, Pinkie breaks the silence.
>”Come on Sugarcoat, its okay, you can talk if you want.”
>Sugarcoat has been lagging behind the group since the start, only occasionally glancing up at Sunny.
>Well, glaring really.
>She most definitely wants to talk, but you suppose that she wants people to sympathise with her even more.
>”I’m more interested in why you’re not talking, chief.”
>Trying to turn the criticism towards you, also this chief thing again.
>You’ve been called a lot of things, chief is not one of them.
“I’m not talking because there is absolutely nothing to talk about.”
>Even though talking is what she wants, you’d look worse if you didn’t say anything.
>”Oh come on, you love sticking it to people don’t you? You could tell us some stories about you ripping Cheerilee a new one.”
>She wants stories now?
>This girl is acting stranger by the minute.

>You glare at her.
”You really think that I just go around picking fights with people? I don’t enjoy having to constantly defend myself.”
>Sunny shrinks down and puts her hands up defensively.
>”I didn’t mean it like that, I’m sorry. I just think it’s really cool that you stand up for yourself”
>Is she patronizing you?
>That is the only explanation.
“I didn’t realize it had become admirable to have a spine.”
>She puts her hands up further, waving directly in front of her face.
>”N-no I mean…”
>She blushes lets her hands droop uselessly.
>Pinkie chooses now to open her trap again.
>”It’s okay Nonny, you have friends here.”
>The more you hear that nickname the more it grates on your nerves.
>’friends’…
>She just throws that word around like it means something to you.
>You don’t have friends. You don’t need them.
>Sunny adverts her eyes from you and looks around the room, finally falling on Sugarcoat.
>”Well, some of us are, not sure about her.”
>Sunny crosses her arms as she glares.
>Sugarcoat glares at her in response.
>Pinkie puts her hands up to her sides, standing between Sugarcoat and Sunny
>”S-Sunny… come on, its okay. Sugarcoat doesn’t have to talk if she doesn’t want to.”
>Sunny scoffs.
>”I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about the things she does say.”
>She looks at you expectantly.
>”Right Anon?”
>She seems intent on constantly bringing you into this.
“Right what?”
>”You sat next to Sugarcoat on the bus, you know what she’s like, right?”
>What does that have to do with anything?
>The fact that you realize she’s a tactless gossip-mongerer?

“I fail to see how that is relevant.”
>Sunny’s eyes flare.
>”Don’t you remember. She was crying. You made her cry, didn’t you?”
>What the hell?
>You knew Sunset was lying. This girl’s like all the rest. She’s trying to make you look like the bad guy after all.
“Yes, I do remember. As I recall she wasn’t crying, however she absolutely deserved everything I said to her, what’s your point?”
>Pinkie places herself in-between the three of you.
>”Okay maybe we should just go to the Foundations of Crystals place, nobody’s having fun here.”
>Judging from how Sunny’s eyes are pulsating, she’s having fun.
>”That’s exactly it, that’s exactly what I mean! She’s a grade-A bitch and you showed her who’s boss!
>She leans in, uncomfortably close to you.
>”And now you should do it again!”
>…
>She wants you to berate Sugarcoat again?
>This is either the most thinly veiled attempt at baiting you into making yourself look like an asshole or she’s absolutely insane.
>Pinkie claws at her hair
>”Why would you want him to do something like that Sunny? I thought you were nice.”
>Sunny shoots up and flicks out her hand.
>”Oh, stop spoiling all the fun Pinkie.”
>Pinkie throws up her arms.
>”It’s not fun if you’re the only one having fun Sunny! You’re being so mean to Sugarcoat, she’s not having fun.”
>What about Sugarcoat? You’re the one Sunny is putting on the fence.
>Sugarcoat isn’t even saying anything, she’s just standing there trying to act innocent.
>Why won’t she just say something already?
>”But you’re having fun, aren’t you Anon?”
>You glare at her.
>She shrinks back again.
>You really wish she’d stop doing that.

“Why would I be amused by that? Who do you think you are that you can keep making up blatantly incorrect aspects about me?”
>You don’t give her a chance to bid you for sympathy with puppy-dog eyes again.
>You turn around and start heading down the tunnel.
>”I don’t think that, t-that’s just what your ex told me about you!”
>What kind of a joke is this? An Ex?
“Making up rumours of non-existent relationships? You’re as petty as your teacher.”
>You don’t bother turning around, what do you care what she says at this point?
>”Wait, so Sunset isn’t your ex?”
>Sunset, your ex? Is she actually serious or trying to make you look even worse?
>No, this is too much.
>You do stop this time.
>You’re not going to let a misconception concerning your relationship with Sunset ago unchecked.
>Pinkie perk and slaps her hands on her face.
>“Sunset and Anon?! Oh my god that explains so much!”
>You wave your hand dismissively.
”You actually believe that? Coming from her?”
>Sunny waves her hands in defence.
>”Sunset told me you were going out! It’s not my fault, blame her.”
>You know Sunset well enough to know she’d never say anything like that.
>Why Sunny would start such a rumour is beyond you, it make no sense and only stands to hurt Sunset’s credibility in her social standing, although the assumption that the two of you were once an item would undoubtedly cause you strife at some point.
>You eye Sunny as you search for the most appropriate way to answer.
>”S-she said all sorts of horrible things about you! Sunset is awful. I’m sorry I ever believed you would stoop as low as to go out with someone like her-“
>”Hey!”
>Pinkie puts her hands on her hips.

>”You can’t talk about Sunny like that Sunny! Everyone knows she used to be a meanie but she’s worked so hard to make up for it.”
>You can’t help but scoff.
“You REALLY think that Sunset has changed?”
>Pinkie rears back in surprise, before furrowing her brow at you.
>”Of course she has Nonny, before we met her she literally turned herself into a raging she-demon and tried to destroy the school.”
>If she doesn’t stop calling you Nonny…
“Good to know that the difference between a good person and a bad person is based on whether or not they’re literally a demon.”
>Sunny snickers.
>Pinkie rolls her eyes
>”Obviously she’s a little nicer than that Nonny. She helped beat the Dazzlings and saved the school from when Twilight also turned into a raging she-demon.”
“She saved the school or she saved herself? Using a power you were given to defend yourself does not make you a good person.”
>Sunny appears behind your shoulder
>”Well, ya gotta know when you’re beat Pinkie, looks to me like your friend is stiiiil a bitch.”
>Pinkie scrunches her nose.
>”You’re both being mean. Sunny, my Sunny has done nothing but try to be nice to everyone since the fall formal.”
>You narrow your eyes.
“It’s called acting. It’s what bad people do to make others like them who would not do so normally.”
>Pinkie turns her nose up and away from you.
>”Well, I think it’s pretty clear you don’t know Sunny as well as you think you do.”
>…
“You really think you know her like I do?”
>Pinkie continues not to meet your gaze.
>Sunny stands to the side, looking like some child watching a wrestling match.
>Sugarcoat stares, still a good distance away, still mute.
>You glare at Pinkie for a time, then take a deep breath.
>And adjust your glasses.
“Sunny, you wanted a story didn’t you? Well it seems like I have one after all.”
*****

>You rub your arm.
“You don’t want to hear that story Twilight, I’ve been trying to forget it for four years.”
>Twilight crosses her arms and continues to sternly stare you down.
>”Sunset, enough is enough. We’ll find out eventually. Just tell us now, tell us your story before Anon tells us his.”
>A shiver runs down your spine.
>Twilight’s right, as usual.
>You have no idea what Anon would tell people, and if you refuse to talk about it then everyone will believe him.
>Fluttershy comes up behind Twilight’s shoulder.
>”I agree with Twilight. We want to help you Sunset, but we can’t do that if you don’t tell us what’s going on.”
>…
>God damn it…
>You give the three of them one last, sad look, then take a deep breath.
“Okay, I’ll tell you, but please just… just listen to the whole thing before you react okay.”
>Twilight nods her head but the three of them remain silent.
“Okay… okay.”
>Just talk Sunset.
“So when I was banished to this world from Equestria, Anon was the first person who would ever talk to me.”
>You pause.
“The only person who would talk to me.”
>It was the morning, by your locker.
>You wave at some girls as they walk by.
>They don’t even notice you.
>You turn back and slam the locker door.
>A young boy appears behind it as it’s closed.
>He asks what’s wrong.
“We were… friends.”
>You tell him it’s the girls, you ask what’s so wrong with you that makes everyone ignores you.
>He says it’s probably because you’re incredibly clumsy, keep talking about magic and literally just appeared one day.
>You smack your forehead into the locker.
>The boy immediately realizes his mistake and throws his hands up to reassure you, saying that all those things are what make you special, that you shouldn’t be ashamed of them.

>”Wait so you knew Sunny was from another world?”
>S U N S E T
>Why is it so impossible for her to use people’s proper names?
>The two other girls stare wide-eyed at Pinkie’s statement.
>After what happened at the Friendship Games you can’t understand why they would be surprised.
“How could I not? I saw her come out of the portal.”
>You crouch down to be on eye level with a young girl.
>You ask why she’s on the ground.
>She responds by screaming.
“At the time of course I did not realize, I was just there, then she was just there. I was more interested then scared, which could not be said about most people.”
>There are only a few other students outside this early.
>None of them come to investigate, quite possibly thinking the girl and the boy to be intertwined in some personal drama.
>You stay and watch the girl until she finishes screaming.
>You ask her a collection of questions.
>Where did she come from?
>How did she get here?
>Why is she screaming?
“At first she wouldn’t respond to me at all. I assumed it was due to shock. Now I believe it may have been her deciding on the best way to use me to her advantage.”
>Pinkie pouts.
>”Just tell the story.”
>You roll your eyes.
“Regardless, I kept asking her questions over a number of days. Until she finally answered.”
>You’re desperate after three days get an answer from her.
>She’s new, she’s different, but she won’t tell you anything.
>It’s the end of the day, the students are all going home.
>You tell her that you just want to know her, to understand her.
>You ask for something, anything.
>And as the sun showers the halls with warm light she answers you.
>She tells you that her name is Sunset.

>Fluttershy puts her hands in front of her mouth.
>”Oh my, this is starting to sound like a fairy tale.”
>If this is a fairy tale then where’s the happy ending?
>Rarity raises her hand.
>”So were you two… you know…?”
>Why does everybody keep asking you that?
“No! We were just good friends okay.”
>You’re in the cafeteria.
>You clumsily creep past the filled tables as girls giggle as you.
>You’re still sore from the last time you tried this.
>This time you take it slowly, carefully placing every step.
>You see your target at the lone table tucked away in the back
“The kind of friends who only have each other.”
>He is sitting at the table with his head buried in his arms.
>He has no lunch in front of him.
>You sit down across the table.
>He raises his head and wipes at his eyes.
>You push your plate towards him and smile.
>He sniffs and smiles back to you.
“I always felt sort of guilty, I was the weird new kid, and because he was friends with me he became the weird kid’s friend.”
>You apologize to him, saying that if he hadn’t defended you, he wouldn’t have been targeted as well.
>He scoffs, saying that he doesn’t care what any of them think of him.
>He has you anyway.
>Even though you feel your face warming up from his words, you also feel sad to hear him say that.
“He always acted like we didn’t need anyone else but… When you only have one person to begin with how are you supposed to know that?”
>You ask him if he really thinks that: that it’s for the best, that other people aren’t worth the effort.
“As much as you can share with one person, it’s pointless when you can’t share it with anybody else”
>He raises an eyebrow and tells you he does.
>He asks you why you even care about that stuff.
>You ask him why he doesn’t.

>”But didn’t you get lonely with only one friend?”
>You sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose.
“I wouldn’t expect you to understand. You, and so many others, surround yourself with meaningless companions you could not possibly maintain any semblance of real relationships with all in order to circumvent your own shortcomings.”
>Pinkie furrows her brow.
>”That’s not true Nonny. I work hard to make sure I know all of my friends.”
>You glare at her.
“Yet you still don’t know a thing about Sunset.”
>She’s waiting for you as you get off the bus.
>The entire trip you had been thinking about her.
>You made a point of it.
>She’s too important to forget about.
>It was on that trip that you missed her, that you also realized how much you want to be with her.
>How glad you are that it’s just you and her.
>You run up and throw your arms around her.
>She’s the only person you’d ever gotten comfortable enough with to do this.
>But instead of returning your hug like she usually does, she just stands there and laughs nervously.
>You rear back and ask what’s wrong.
>She peers over her shoulder, observing a group of kids whispering to each other and giggling.
>You glare at them with every intention to storm over to them and shut them up if they continue.
>Before you can however, Sunset puts her hand on your cheek turns your head to face her
>She apologizes, she assures you that she is glad to see you, but asks if the two of you can catch up somewhere else.
>You say it’s okay, that you forgive her.
>Even though you don’t.
>Because everything is so perfect between you.
>And she just wants to ruin it.

“He went on this trip… it lasted about a week. It was the first time since I came here that I
was really without him.”
>You’re sitting alone at the back of the class.
>Some girls pass by you and ask where your friend is.
>You tell them.
>They remark how weird it is to see you without him.
“It was also the first time I realized how disconnected I was from everyone else.”
>Nobody picks you in gym class.
>You have no science partner.
>Nobody sits near you in the cafeteria.
>You’re alone.
>This entire time he’s been gone you’ve been thinking of him.
>Because there’s nothing else you can do.
>It tears you up inside.
>You lost out on your future in Equestria, and the only thing you have here is one person.
>Everything you were is gone, and everything you are now is gone because he’s gone.
>You’re so pathetic.
>You just want to be someone so you can be happy again.
“Much as I cared about him, I wasn’t willing to just ignore everyone because he wanted me to, I wanted to do something, I wanted to be someone.”
>You’re introducing yourself to a group of kids in the cafeteria.
>Rockers, drama club, sports club, a big mix.
>Everyone else is welcome, why wouldn’t you be?
>They ask why you’re not with “the green kid”.
>You smile nervously and ask them to clarify who they mean
>”That kid who won’t talk to anyone”
>”He used to be funny and kind of cute, but then he just stopped talking to people.”
>”Y’know, the really annoying guy who hangs out with you ALL THE TIME?”
>You wave your hand dismissively and lie.
>You tell them that you don’t really hang out with him that much anymore.
>Even though the only reason you’re not with him now is because he’s away on his trip.
>They ask if you heard what Snips & Snails did and how it landed them two weeks detention.
>You snort and tell them a joke about how the two of them hang out because they share a brain cell
>The girls giggle at it, so you don’t tell them Anon was the one who came up with it.

***

>”What made Sunset so special anyway Anon?”
>Sunny crosses her arms.
>”She’s just a petty, jealous-”
>”Sunny!”
>Pinkie glares at her.
>She blushes and turns her head away from the two of you.
>You sigh and shake your head
“It doesn’t matter. I was wrong about her, that’s why I know I’m right now. I gave everything to her, and she threw it all back in my face.”
>She clasps your hand and drags you off to meet her friends.
>You try to resist but she’s stronger than you.
>You tell her you don’t want to talk to them, you tell her you just want to go to the spot near the statue and hang out like you always do.
>Talk about class, talk about things you found on the internet.
>Talk about science, talk about magic.
>Talk about life, talk about…
>…
>Despite these protests, she ignores you, and cruelly drags you along to your fate.

>Twilight’s eyes widen and she clasps her hands together
>”So that’s how he knows so much about magic! You told him!”
>You nod.
>Rarity asks the next question
>”So how much did you tell him about all that, about Equestria?”
“He… was more than interested about it, but that’s not really important right now. What I want you to understand is that I never wanted to hurt him, I never wanted to get rid of him. I just wanted… I just needed to be a part of the world again.”

“What I want you, all of you, to understand is that she wanted to hurt me, she wanted to get rid of me. There’s quite simply no other explanation for it.”
>You’re sitting out in the yard with a large group of people you know nothing about.
>You play with your hands and try to ignore them as they talk to her.
>She’s sitting next to you, yet you don’t say a word.
>You don’t know how people are meant to behave in groups, how are you supposed to get a word in? It feels like the only people who get noticed are the loudest and most obnoxious ones.
>Like Flash

“I really thought… or hoped, that he could just get along with everyone else.”
>You put your hand on Anon’s shoulder.
>He gazes at it as you beg him to talk with your eyes.
“And… for a little bit he actually did.”

“I was bitterly optimistic, I actually thought, for a tiny little moment, that I could fit in.”
>A sky blue skinned, navy blue-haired boy sitting adjacent to you asks if you play any games.
>You remember a console game you got A little while ago.
>You tell him you pick one up every now and then, and that this particular game is special.
>You tell him it’s about a post-apocalyptic world where you only have two companions.
>One is a tech-savvy girl you always wished you could play as, the other is this fat guy you never really liked.
>The game’s ending always made you sad.
>You surprise yourself as you begin to actually have a conversation with someone.
>But it was at that time that someone asked her why you are here, as she had said previously that the two of you don’t hang out.

“But then freaking Lyra had to open her mouth. She told him that I didn’t want to hang out with him anymore, which wasn’t true I just… wanted to be a little independent from him for a little bit, at least until people knew me for me first.”
>He stops talking immediately and glares at the speaker.
>The speaker indignantly tells him to back off.
>He tells her that you don’t care what she thinks of him.
>He tells her that she’s making stuff up and that you two of you have been friends since she came here.
>The girl calls him an idiot and says that you’re the one that told everyone that you’re not friends with him anymore.
>He lets her know that he doesn’t believe her, then looks to you for reassurance.

>”Oh my god, she didn’t!”
>You raise your eyebrow at Sunny.
“I wish it were so, but If she didn’t, I wouldn’t be here, telling you this story right now.”
>She laughs nervously and tries to distract the group by changing the subject.
>It fails to incite a reaction other than having more people look at her.
>Pauses in an uncomfortable silence, scanning the circle of eyes now trained on her.
>She doesn’t say anything.
>To you it feels as bad as if she told everyone she doesn’t know who you are.
>The lime-green girl laughs, saying that Sunset is clearly not your friend from her reaction.
>You call the lime-green girl she wouldn’t know what a real friend is if she had any, and that it’s really sad that she needs to put down other people to make her feel better.
>A collection of “Ooos” and shocked laughs emit from the watching group.
>Sunset immediately grabs your wrist and throws her hand over your mouth.
>She apologizes on your behalf and assures them that she’ll be right back.
>You try to resist but she’s still stronger then you.

“I had an argument with him, I convinced him that Lyra was lying. He believed me but he refused to come back. So… he didn’t… I did.
>You trudge back to the group with your head down.
>Lyra asks you where your ‘friend’ is.
>She grinds her teeth as she talks.
>You rub the back of your head and tell her not to worry about him anymore.
>Lyra smiles and assures you that she won’t
>Flash laughs and asks if you dumped him.
>The group erupts in snorts and giggles.
>Your face heats up and you immediately correct the statement, saying that you’re just friends.
>A girl doesn’t believe you, spouting how you spend all your time with him and that she’s never seen ‘just friends’ hang out so much.
>You snap back saying that she wouldn’t know a relationship since they’ve never been in one.
>A response of laughter comes again, this time in your favour
>She stammers back with fragmented sentence starters, but is unable to create a legitimate response.
>Flash shakes her by the shoulder, telling how you totally ‘owned’ her.
>You can’t help but let a smile creep along your lips.
>You finally feel like you’re starting to fit in.
>Rarity scratches her cheek.
>”So is that it? He never forgave you because you wanted other friends?”
>Anon would be petty indeed if that’s all you did.
“I don’t think he ever did forgive me”
>He never had the chance.
“But that’s not the only reason why he’s so angry at me. I’m telling you all this because I want you to know everything, because it’ll make the next part make more sense, because it’s about to get really… bad.”
>Twilight squints her eyes slightly.
>”This is a story about how you changed as much as it’s about how Anon changed, isn’t it?”
>You nod slowly.
“I didn’t know how to make friends back then, I didn’t know how to get people to like me, I barely talked to anyone back in Equestria, I was so privileged there that there was barely any reason to.”
>You scan the three girls over.
>Their faces don’t show what they’re thinking.
“Anyway, that’s why I started acting like… that. I just… I just wanted people to like me, and the more I started to get popular the less time I spent with Anon. Until, around the time I became Fall Formal Princess for the first time and I started going out with Flash, we just stopped talking altogether.”
>As you walk from your locker with Lyra and Flash you notice Anon glaring at you.
>You return his gaze.
>Trying to somehow apologize to him with sad eyes.
>Flash notices you doing this and asks what the problem is.
>You immediately change the subject.

>She leers at you as she passes by, taunting you with her eyes.
>She says something to Flash.
>She thinks you didn’t hear it, but it was undoubtedly something about you.
>Something terrible about you.
“Now that you know exactly how close we were, you can understand why I am right to hate her.”
>Pinkie narrows her eyes at you.
>You respond in the same fashion.
>”It’s not right to hate anyone Nonny.”
>You snort
“You’re wrong, and I’m going to prove it to you.”

“It was a little bit after the Fall Formal, I was pretty much the queen of the school at that point. People followed me around just because if they didn’t I’d step all over them.”
>Rarity lets her brow fall over her eyes
>”Yes, I do believe I remember that part.”
>You face downward and rub your fingers.
“Do you also remember that I got suspended?”
>Fluttershy puts her finger to her chin.
>”I do, I remember people saying you just weren’t coming to school anymore and a lot of people being mad about it, but I never really heard why.”
>You’re amazed how much it went unremembered.
>You sort of wish it didn’t, then you wouldn’t have to explain it now.
>”You got suspended for something that happened with Anon?”
>Twilight, one step ahead of you again.
>You cross your arms over your chest and turn away from them and take a deep breath.
>…
>Just say it.
>Just tell them you heartlessly put your friend in hospital because you’re a bad person.
>What are you waiting for?
>”Sunset, it’s okay”
>You hear Fluttershy’s voice reassuring you
“You can tell us, we know you’re not that person anymore, we’ll forgive you, we just want to help you and Anon get past this.”
>…
>You want to believe that she’ll still say that after you’ve told them everything.
>You’ll try to believe that.
>Because you can’t hide it any longer.
“He defended someone I was picking on… a-and…”
>You feel Anon’s arms around you
>You feel trapped by Anon’s dependence on you, trapped by your own feelings towards him.
>For a moment you just want to return his affection and spent your days with him again.
>But you know you want to be more than just friends with a boy from another world, you want to get back all the ambition, the opportunities and the power that you left behind in Equestria.
>You watch as you hurt the first person in this world who ever made you happy.
>And watch as your friends faces are covered by horror

>Not a single detail is missed.
>Everything you did to try and save her.
>Everything she said to you, everything she said to the other girl.
>Every venomous word, every poisonous phrase.
>It hurts to remember it all, but you press on.
>Because Sunset is a terrible person who should be alone like you are, and they will understand that.
>Sunny is the first to react, putting her hands over her mouth as her eyes widen.
>Overdramatic, clearly playing it up to you.
>To your surprise, Sugarcoat’s face is blank and her eyes are wide.
>You would have assumed she’d either not care or revel in having dirt on Sunset.
>Perhaps she’s just that horrified by Sunset.
>Perhaps it’s a little bit of both.
>Pinkie however, is the most surprising.
>She isn’t crying, she isn’t spouting some incoherent gibberish trying to refute your claims.
>She doesn’t even look surprised.
>She just looks sad.
>Not quite as visceral as you had expected.
>Sunny is the also the first to talk.
>”Oh my god Anon, that’s the saddest story I’ve ever heard.”
>Her eyes are starting to water.
>At least she understands that much.
>Sugarcoat still isn’t talking.
>You don’t give either of them your attention, your attention is on Pinkie.
>She’s the closest to Sunset of everyone here.
>If there’s anyone you want to understand who Sunset really is, it’s her.
>She sighs.
>”Nonny…”
>Go on, say it.
>”If everything you’ve said is true, then I’m sorry that happened to you.”
>If it’s true?
>Excuse me?
>This mouth breathing empty-headed sugar is actually doubting a word you’re saying?
>”But you can’t make me hate my friend, I don’t care what you say.”

>Your hands start trembling, so you clench them into fists as hard as you can.
>You struggle to control your face, not allowing it to twist and showcase your anger.
“You’d rather be friends than face reality?”
>Sunny’s eyes dart between you and Pinkie, then she pulls her hands from her mouth.
>”What’s WRONG with you Pinkie!? Sunset is horrible! How can you not see that?”
>Pinkie crosses her arms.
>”You two should get your eyes checked, because the Sunset I see is nice to everyone she meets, spends all her free time trying to understand magic so she can protect people from it.”
>She looks directly at you.
>”And tries to help everyone who needs it.”
>You feel your fists start to tremble.
>You take a deep breath and let your hands go limp.
>And chuckle
“You really are this stupid after all? Sunset is a terrible person, she’s only deluded you into thinking otherwise.”
>”No, you’re wrong, Sunset is a good person.”
>You and Pinkie whip your vision to the source of the voice.
>Sugarcoat is gazing sternly at you.
>Of all people…
>”I know I’ve no right to judge, I’ve always known that, and I know that makes me a bad person. But Sunset’s the first person I’ve met who’s ever…
>Sugarcoat closes her hands over her chest.
“The only person I’ve ever met who’s looked past that, who’s ever treated me like that. Who’s ever made me feel like I can be a better person.”
>A smile creeps along Pinkie’s face.
>Sunny’s eyes slowly drift from Sugarcoat to you.
>You stand there in silence.
>These people never change.
>Always taking her side.
>Never realizing they’ve been lied to.
“For someone who likes to ‘say it straight’, you’re pitifully delusional.”
>Sugarcoat doesn’t answer.
>”It sounds like you’re the one who can’t see straight Nonny.”

“That’s NOT MY NAME!”
>Your voice shrieks across the tunnel and echoes back to you.
>All three of the girls jump back in unison.
>You don’t care if you look crazy right now, you’re done dealing with these mouth breathers.
>”I-I’m sorry… Anon. If you had told me earlie-“
>Especially from Pinkie.
“Maybe I would have, but it’s practically impossible to get a word in among the nonsensical gibberish that erupts from your mouth! Not that I should have needed to considering how much I’ve cringed every single time you’ve said it. How self-involved do you honestly have to be to be unaware of some of the most basic body language a human being is capable of?”
>Pinkie takes a step back and rubs her arm.
>”Anon I’m sorry okay, stop it, aren’t we meant to be friends?”
>Apologies seem to be passed around like currency around here.
>Meaningless as a five dollar note.
>Same as ‘friends’
“Sorry I can’t be another ‘friend’ for your trophy collection. Tell me, does that actually make you sad or just annoyed because you’ll have to go find another one to meet your quota?”
>You can’t make out her expression because your glasses are out of place again.
>Screw it, you don’t care anymore.
“You make me sick, you have no idea what it actually means to have actually be close to someone. No wonder my story went completely through your ears and that empty space you so diligently keep in-between.”
>She turns around.
“Running away from reality again? Sunset may be from a different world but you’re from a completely different universe.”
>She turns back to you for a moment.
>You finally adjust your glasses so you can see her face.
>She’s crying.
>”Goodbye Anonymous.”
>She turns back and walks away.

>Who the hell even told her that name?
>Sunset’s never called you that.
>Whatever, it doesn’t matter.
“Go run back to your little social paradise where people are blind to how shallow the nepotistic group of ‘friends’ you’ve created is. I can see now that it was a waste to tell any of you anything. None of you care that Sunset is a bad person.”
>Pinkie doesn’t turn back to you, she just keeps walking.
>Sugarcoat however is glaring at you.
>Sunny’s voice creeps from outside your vision as you look at Sugarcoat.
>”I-I care Anon.”
>Of course, that’s why she took advice from Sunset.
>You’re not concerned with her right now anyway.
>”You’re the worst person here Anon.”
>…
>You’re not about to take crap from her after what she said to Sunset.
>After what she said to you.
>After what Sunset said to her.
“Be quiet, you’ve got your gossip now, just go away. Or do you actually want to try to play your little game with me again?”
>It didn’t work out so well for her last time.
>She doesn’t drop her stare.
>”I’m not afraid of you, not anymore. I’m not playing your game either.”
>…
>Afraid of you…
>”S-Shut up Sugarcoat, you’re just angry because Anon read you like a book!”
>Sugarcoat raises her eyebrow at Sunny.
>”Really Sunny?”
>Sunny’s hands are trembling.
>”You two deserve each other. I guess Pinkie was right.”
>What?
>She turns around and starts walking away.
“Hey!”
>She stops.
>She twists her torso towards you while lightly holding her glasses in place.
>”Not to be a gossip, but Cheerilee didn’t ask Pinkie to group with you. Sunny did, and Pinkie agreed because Sunny is, or was now, I would assume, her friend.”
>She turns around again.
>”And because she didn’t want you to be all alone.”
>…
>Sugarcoat walks down to the end of the tunnel, leaving you and Sunny behind.

>Fluttershy put her hands over her mouth as tears start to form on the tips her eyes.
>”Oh… Sunset.”
>Please don’t cry Fluttershy.
>Rarity also puts a hand over her mouth but doesn’t say anything.
>Twilight just continues to look at you and scan over your face.
>Probably waiting for you to say it’s all a joke.
>Probably refusing to believe that her friend turned out to be such a monster…
“I-I’m so sorry…”
>Twilight shakes her head and turns away from you.
>Of all the people you didn’t want to disappoint, it’s Twilight.
>None of them need to utter a word, you already know what they’re going to say.
>How could you Sunset? Anon was your friend! You’re all he cared about, all he wanted was to have his friend back.
>Fluttershy wipes at her eyes.
>You listened to Flash? Why would you pick that horrible group of people who didn’t even like you over Anon!
>Anon would have been your friend forever, and you didn’t even accomplish anything after you destroyed his life
>The three of them surround you.
>You close your eyes but they’re still there
>I can’t believe I was ever friends with you Sunset.
>”Sunset?”
>You can’t just ignore the fact that you’re a bad person Sunset.
>All you’ve done is drive people apart.
>Why did you even come to this world in the first place?
>Celestia should never have taken you as her student.
>You take a step backwards.
>You can’t do this.
>The encroaching figures reach out to you.
>You jump back and spin around.
>”Sunset what are you-“
>You run.
>You run as fast as your legs can take you.
>You don’t care if you get lost in this endless maze.
>You don’t care if no one ever comes and looks for you.
>You don’t care if no one ever finds you.
>You just can’t be here anymore.

>Both of them are just as bad as Sunset.
>They didn’t believe you, they actually didn’t believe you.
>They’d rather live in their fantasy world.
>They’d rather make you suffer.
>”S-Sugarcoat’s lying Anon, Cheerilee told Pinkie to group with you.”
>They don’t have real feelings, otherwise they’d understand how Sunset wronged you.
>Sugarcoat doesn’t really care about Sunset, she just wanted to get at you.
“Screw both of those bitches, they don’t know what they’re talking about. Sunset is the worst.”
>That wasn’t a real story.
>‘Made me feel like I could be a better person’.
>What a load of crap.
>”I understand you Anon, you know that right?”
>She wasn’t sad, neither was Pinkie.
>”Anon?”
>Those weren’t real tears.
>You whip back as you feel a warm hand come into contact with yours.
>Sunny retracts her hands to her chest.
>What does she want?
>Looking like a wounded dog for sympathy?
>Why can’t she just drop the act and leave.
>”Anon please, just talk to me.”
“Why should I? Just because you told me so?”
>You sneer at her.
“How egotistical do you have to be to think that will actually work? How privileged? How spoilt?”
>Sunny looks back and forth.
>Her arms are trembling.
>”Anon I… Just… just…”
>Her eyes start to water.
>She clutches at her hair.
>”Just tell me what to say okay? Just tell me what I can say to make you like me.”
>…
>”I don’t care what it is, I’ll say it.”
>You step away from her.
>Because you don’t have an answer.
>She follows you, stepping forward.
>”I’ll do it.”
>”Please Anon…”
>Very slowly she tries to creep her foot towards you again.
>You step back, more quickly this time, causing her to stop in her tracks.
>You can’t understand.
>She’s one of Sunset’s ‘friends’
>She’s just like everybody else.
>Why doesn’t she just act like it and hate you like she’s supposed to.


“You want to know what to say? Tell me what it is you want.”
>Sunny raises her eyebrow at you, and looks around, confused before turning back to you.
>”What do you mean? Isn’t it obvious?”
“Because you want me to like you? Yes, that’s why you took advice from Sunset right? Because she so clearly knows SO much about what I like.”
>Sunny rubs her arm.
>”I didn’t know. Anon please…”
“That’s not what I’m asking, I’m asking WHY you want me to like you.”
>Sunny is silent.
>It’s a simple question, why is she unable to answer it?
>She looks at you and smiles.
>”I want you to like me because you’re the most badass, strongest guy I’ve ever met.”
>Strong?
>You shake your head and snort.
>”No, I mean it! You make people afraid of you by just talking to them, without even needing to lay a finger on anybody.”
>She starts moving toward you again.
>The smile that was warm a moment ago is unsettling now.
>”You don’t crap from anyone, you don’t let anyone tell you what to do.”
>You step back and realize there’s no room left.
>You’re up against the wall.
>What is she…
“Stop it, I know you’re-“
>”And that story! That story broke my heart Anon, I never knew you hid so much pain.”
>You press your hand against the wall as she encroaches further on your space.
>”That’s why you’re the chief Anon, you’re the boss, nobody will ever fuck with you.”
>Her face is inches from your own.
>You can almost taste the mint in her breath.
>He breath, which is coming out in heavy intervals.
>”Please let me understand you Anon, let me help you.”
>She clutches at her chest.
>”Let me be there for you.”
>You glare at her from over your shoulder.
“I don’t need your help, I don’t need anyone’s help, especially from someone who associates with Sunset.”


>She clasps your arm.
>”I DON’T associate with Sunset, Anon, that’s exactly it, she’s a bitch, you said it, you said it so many times she’s a horrible, selfish piece of shit who never deserved you.”
>Her hand is like a vice.
>You wince and press your face against the wall.
>You don’t want to look at her right now.
>You don’t want any of this.
>“Come on Anon, let me be your princess.”
>Her breath runs down your neck as she whispers in your ear.
>”You hate Sunset so much? Let’s go find her and let her know it.”
>You close your eyes.
>“It would be the hottest thing in the world if you put that dumb bitch in her place.”
>He’s digging his fingers into your shoulder.
>Your face is up against the wall as water pours down it.
>You can’t see because your glasses are in shards on the floor.
>And in your feet.
>He whispers into your ear.

>It’s about time somebody put you in your place.
>Because you’re the most pathetic little piece of shit he’s ever seen.
>You never deserved Sunset, you’ll never deserve anyone.
>She’d be glad this is happening to you if she was here, because this is exactly what you deserve.
>Exactly what she wants
>With what remains of your strength you scream, pushing yourself off the wall and shoving him back.

>”GET OFF ME!”
>Sunny flops onto the ground with a loud thud that reverbs through the tunnel.
>She lays there motionless.
>You stare wide eyed at her as she lies on the ground.
>She…
“Y-You’re just as bad as Sunset! All of you are!”
>She doesn’t move.
>Your hands begin to tremble.
“Stop with your games! I-I know you just want sympathy, I know you’re…”
>You trail off as she continues not to respond.
>Your knees are shaking now.
>She’s not moving.
>She’s not…
>…
>Please move Sunny.
>You jump as she squeals in pain, gripping her head.
>She’s okay?
>She whips her eyes towards you.
>Glaring as tears begin to form in her eyes.
>…
>”You’re a fucking psycho, Anon!”
>She scrambles to her feet, repeatedly slipping
>You don’t try to help her.
>You can’t move.
>”Sunset was right, Pinkie was right, Sugarcoat was right.”
>…
>You’ve never hit anyone before.
>”Fuck you, Anon”
>She runs down the tunnel, following the other girls.
>You don’t move a muscle.
>You look at your open palms.
>She didn’t really like you.
>That wasn’t real.
>Those weren’t real tears.
>You didn’t make her cry.
>It’s not your fault.
>It was all Sunset.
>It was always Sunset…
>You reach into your pocket.
>Forget Sunny, forget Pinkie and Sugarcoat.
>You don’t need any of them, you don’t need anyone.
>You would never feel sympathy for any of them, all they have is false friendships, two-faced feelings with ulterior motives and petty dramas.
>If anything, you should feel happy you were able to get rid of them
>Happy that you’re always alone.
>Happy.
>You stare blankly into the caverns trying to force a question out of your mind.
>A question you don’t have an answer for.
>Why don’t you feel happy?
>Why do you feel like such a piece of shit.
>…
>You have a job to do.
>There’s no time left to waste on them.
>You pull out your device.
>You tap the touch screen and it light up.
>You whip your thumb across it’s circumference in a practiced pattern.
>It opens to reveal a neatly structured interface.
>The Thaumometer
>Magic-o-Metre was a stupid name, it had to go.
>And so do you.
>You follow its direction down the opposite end of the tunnel and into the endless maze.