Chapter II: "It has to be your fault"

>It doesn’t take long for faculty to take notice of the incident.
>You overhear in a conversation that Anon was eventually escorted to the sick bay for treatment of his injuries.
>Hopefully he doesn’t die of internal bleeding and make things even worse for you.
>…
>You didn’t just think that.
>You hope that he’s alright.
>Because you care about his wellbeing.
>Not just your own.
>Vice Principal Luna takes you, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Applejack into what can only be described as an interrogation room to get your side of the situation.
>Applejack only gives straight answers, trying as hard as she can to be unbiased.
>Rainbow Dash constantly tries to argue for her case, practically begging Luna to somehow let her off the hook.
>Twilight is constantly trying to accelerate the meeting, giving an abbreviated summary in order to rush Luna to a conclusion. Unsurprisingly, it failed.
>You give very little answers, aside from the occasional confirmation one of the other girls are speaking the truth.
>You don’t feel like talking much.
>Anon isn’t there, apparently he had requested to not have to be in the same room as you.
>Of course that’s what he’d do.
>Eventually, after telling the entirety of the story multiple times, Luna seems adequately satisfied.
>We all make sure to mention how Anon was instigating us the whole time and all the horrible things he said.
>At the end of the day though it’s impossible to defend Rainbow’s actions, he had come to us to give Twilight something she had lost, and it ended with him getting assaulted.
>After Luna was done with us she sent us in to talk to Principal Celestia.
>Apparently Luna’s job was just to interrogate us.
>You feel like that’s the only part she likes.

>”Please girls, take a seat.”
>We comply.
>”How is everyone doing today?”
>Oh not the pleasantries, anything but the pleasantries.
>”Not great a’m afraid Principal Celestia.”
>”Yeah, Celestia you gotta believe us this is just one big-“
>Celestia raises a hand to stop Rainbow mid-sentence.
>”I am aware of the situation Rainbow Dash. But let’s recap to make sure I completely understand.”
>Rainbow Dash clasps her mouth shut.
>”Anon approached you to return Twilight’s pendant, this pendant had only been lost just yesterday.”
>Everyone nodded.
>”You accused Anon of stealing the pendant, an accusation that had very little basis other than your assertion that Twilight could not possibly have made a small, very understandable mistake and lost it.”
>Rainbow is getting more and more nervous as Celestia went on.
>”Anon repeatedly refuted your accusation. It was after this point that Rainbow attacked him, correct?”
>Rainbow is visibly shaking.
>”With all due respect Principal Celestia, that’s not the whole stor-“
>”I am aware Applejack, Vice Principal Luna informed me that you felt Rainbow’s actions were justified due to Anon calling you, and I quote, ‘stupid right to your face’. Correct?”
>Applejack slams a clenched fist into her chair.
>”That’s not all, he said ah was…”
>Celestia raises her hand again.
>”As you mentioned. This has been brought up with Anon and he will be reminded of his inappropriate behaviour, however this does not justify violence.”
>Applejack keeps her fist clenched for a moment, then sighs. Shrinking back, defeated
>Celestia lets silence fill the room for a time, letting the situation set in on all participants. In this time Dash’s distress becomes more and more apparent.
>You put a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her, to no avail.
>”Look girls, I know that you’re not troublemakers, believe me I do, but there are a lot of sensitive issues at hand here that make all of this complicated. For one there is both Rainbow and Sunset’s history of violence to consider.”
>Oh no…

>”Hey! T-that’s not fair! I haven’t gotten into any fights at all for like a year!”
>”Yeah, an Sunset’s being trying her gosh darn heart out to make up for the way she acted!”
>”I am aware of that, and believe me girls I want to take your side on this, especially considering that you have helped save the school on multiple occasions. However Anon also has a history of being the victim of these sort of situations.”
>”Well I wonder why that is…”
>Applejack’s muttered insult is undoubtedly loud enough for Celestia to hear, but she decides to gracefully ignore it.
>”The bottom line is, girls, that my hands are tied. You are all considered exemplary students here at Canterlot high, and with that status comes a lot of responsibility to continue being a good example for your peers, and others outside of school. It is to this end that I am must temporarily disbar Rainbow Dash as the current captain of the Wondercolts.”
>Rainbow’s eyes grow wide with terror.
>”As well as disbarring her from participating in any practice or other activities exclusive to the Wondercolts team, as it would be considered distasteful and unfair to other students if we still gave Rainbow Dash this privilege despite her actions.”
>”NO!”
>Rainbow jumps out of her chair and onto her knees.
>”Please Principal Celestia, don’t kick me off the team, anything but that!”
>”I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, but it would reflect badly on Canterlot High if we sent you out as our star player so shortly after a violent outburst. At the risk of sounding like Crystal Prep, we have a reputation to consider.”
>”Bu-but…”
>”Believe me Rainbow Dash, news of this will travel fast, and when it does you won’t want to be out on the field.”
>”Couldn’t you just suspend me instead?”

>”Instead? The mandatory punishment for fights is a suspension of at least three days, Rainbow Dash.”
>Rainbow’s face loses its colour.
> “I generally dislike issuing longer suspensions anyway, as I always somehow seem to be unaware of students’ home situation. I would not allow you to play with the Wondercolts during suspension regardless.”
>Rainbow gives up after that.
>She slinks back into her chair with tears in her eyes again.
>She tries to hide her face, without much success.
>”It’s only temporary Rainbow Dash, your disbarment will be of a period anywhere between two weeks to a month depending on your behaviour. And I trust that your behaviour will remain more than acceptable.”
>Rainbow begrudgingly nods.
>”What about the rest of us Principal Celestia?”
>”You and Applejack are free to go, I just felt it may be easier on Rainbow Dash when I break the news to her if her friends were here. Sunset however, I would like you to stay behind, I have something I wish to discuss with you.”
>This won’t be good.
>Luna opens the door behind you and gestures Rainbow, Applejack and Twilight to follow.
>Applejack puts an arm around Rainbow’s shoulder as they leave.
>Twilight takes one last look at you as the door closes.
>It’s just you and Celestia now.
>Celestia reaches under her desk and brings out a file.
>She begins to read it and leans back in her chair in an attempt to look as casual as possible.
>Just get on with it...
>”Four years Sunset, four years ago is when this all started.”
>She leans forward again.
>”Four years ago I had a student brought to me after being so badly beaten that he needed immediate medical attention. This resulted in Canterlot’s first expulsion in over ten years.”

>”The school was in such uproar over this due to this student’s popularity, that I had to deal with constant incessant requests at my door for a revision of my judgement. Among most vocal about this where Snips, Snails, and Flash Sentry.”
>Celestia puts the file down.
>It’s yours.
>Big shocker.
>”Eventually, after new information concerning the incident was brought to my attention, particularly on the guilty student’s home life. I withdrew the suspension based on concerns for this student’s well-being, and they was given another chance. This issue was not brought up again until the injured student had recovered.”
>She pulls out yet another file.
>It’s Anon’s.
>”This student was now exhibiting unacceptable behavioural patterns, refusing to participate in classrooms, repeatedly bullying students and not showing up to class on a regular basis. The school gave him temporary leeway with this behaviour due to his past trauma but despite multiple warnings, his attitude continued to decline throughout the year. We were finally prepared to take disciplinary action at this point, but before we were able to a second incident occurred”
>Anon’s file has an old picture of him on it.
>Back before all this started.
>Back when he actually had a genuine smile on his face.
>”The bullying that he suffered had gone on for such a long time without our knowledge, that we were forced to take action to permanently protect this student from assailants, which included an unknown number of students responsible for severe physical abuse he refused to identify under fear of further attacks. He was give his own space in the science block so that he could have respite from other students to pursue his interests, as well as being enlisted in special classes away from other students.”

>”Further complaints about this student’s behaviour occurred, but were much less frequent then before, and were mostly from faculty about his poor attendance and attitude in class, which were circumvented by his high grades in aptitude tests and practical exams.”
“Celestia, why are you telling me all this stuff I already know?”
>”Because you need to understand that these circumstances mean that I can’t possibly take your side if something like this happens again, much as I would like to.”
“Much as you would like to?”
>You raise and unconvinced eyebrow.
>”I mean it Sunset, don’t think I’m blind to what’s going on here, I know Anon is difficult to deal with but you can’t let him control you like this or next time I’ll have to give Rainbow Dash the actual punishment for assaulting a student.”
>What does Anon even want from us?
>You know that he so loved getting Rainbow Dash in trouble, but I have no idea what it is he’s after in all this.
>Has Anon just decided now is the perfect time for revenge?
“I don’t even know what it is he wants Celestia, I thought he just wanted to be left alone.”
>”I don’t know completely either Sunset, but whatever it is he wants is far removed from the desires of that student who stood up to you four years ago.”
>…
>”We tried to protect him Sunset, to help him recover. Psychiatrist, separation and support whenever he needed it, but he still became like this. Now I’m afraid the onus is on you to make sure this situation stays under control. Particularly in the upcoming excursion to the Crystal Mines.”
>The Crystal Mines excursion.
>It was for your economics class.
>Some bullcrap about appreciating local business, but mostly because Celestia found out about how Principal Cinch manipulated Twilight and now Crystal Prep is paying for a joint excursion to keep her from going to the school board about it.
>Pinkie, Rarity and Twilight were in that class with you.
>So was Anon.

>”That excursion will be joint with Crystal Prep, so it’s important for us that nothing goes wrong.”
>Of course, more bureaucrat crap, not genuine concern.
>”At this point I’ve realized that disciplinary action will not change Anon. He needs something that only you students can give him.”
>…
>Maybe she does have some genuine concern…
“And what’s that, Princess Celestia?”
>Celestia gives a good natured smile
>”Only you can find that out, Sunset.”
>…
 >Celestia puts the files away.
>”Sunset, before I let you go I did want to mention that Anon seems particularly interested in Twilight Sparkle.”
>What?
“Twilight?”
>What could he possibly want with her? I thought it was me he hated.
>”I’m not sure, but from what I’ve been told he seemed quite intent on eyeing her throughout the day, in a fashion that was described to me as appearing very malicious.”
>Celestia didn’t need to describe it as malicious for you to imagine it as such.
>Somehow you could never imagine Anon just genuinely having a crush on someone.
>Or even as a perverted stalker following someone down the halls.
>Some people just don’t lend themselves at all to that sort of imagery
>”Whatever happens, I trust you to handle it Sunset.”
>You hear Luna behind you cough. When you look, she’s gesturing you out.
>I’m sorry, is she the Vice Principal or the freaking doorwoman?
>Whatever, time to leave finally.
>”Good luck Sunset.”
“Thank you Celestia”
>You knew Anon would be trouble, but all of this?
>And what else exactly is he involved in?
>If he really did steal the pendant then there’s no telling what he did with it.
>The magical anomaly at school?
>Not that he needs magic to mess with us, he made that abundantly clear.
>It’s afternoon now after being interrogated for what felt like hours
>Second period is about to end.
>At the very least you had lunch soon so you could unwind a bit.
>But a part of you really just wants to get out of here and find a hole to hide in for the rest of your life.
>You don’t bother going to your second period class, it would be practically over by the time you got there.
>Instead you head straight to the cafeteria.
>May as well get an early start, hopefully you can run into Applejack and Twilight there as well.
>But not Rainbow…
>”Hey Sunset!”

>Flash Sentry is jogging down the hall towards you
>”Sunset! You okay? I heard what happened with Rainbow Dash and… and Anon.”
>Doesn’t Flash have better things to do right now?
>Usually you’re fine to solve whatever problem he has, but you are really not in the mood right now.
“Yeah… It was pretty bad.”
>”Yeah, sorry that Rainbow got in trouble and all that, but hey, it wass probably worth it when it’s Anon, right?”
>Part of you agrees with that, but at the end of the day…
>…
>No, no part of you agrees with that.
“She… she got suspended Flash.”
>”Whaaat? For how long?”
“Two weeks, maybe a month”
>”Ah man, that sucks, Rainbow’s awesome, but at least she’ll still be kicking Shadowbolt butt this weekend”
>How did I end up having to be the one to break the news to him?
“Sorry Flash, she’s off the team during the suspension as well.”
>”What? Ah maaaan, what’re we gonna do? Rainbow’s like our best player.”
>Flash clicks his teeth and clenches his fist a little.
>Why does everything he do have to feel so bland.
>”So this is all Anon right? He went off picking fights and now Rainbow’s getting the flak for it.”
>You didn’t say that.
>Jumping to conclusions, again?
“It’s not really like that Flash, it was Rainbow who attacked him.”
>”Wait, so you’re taking Anon’s side now? C’mon Sunset I thought you were cool.”
>Am I being interrogated again?
“I’m not taking anyone’s side Flash, what’s your problem? Why do you care so much all of a sudden!?”
>”Woah, woah, calm down Sunset I was only teasing.”
>That was teasing?
>Am I overreacting again?
>You feel like you’re going crazy.
“Ugh, I’m sorry Flash I’m just, exhausted.”
>”It’s fine brah, anyway I came over here because I wanted to ask you if Twilight is coming back anytime soon.”

>This again
“Flash I told you, Twilight IS here.”
>”No I mean the other Twilight, the cool one with magical powers.”
>The cool one?
>Jeez, what a great way to be an ass to someone behind their back.
“Flash can’t you just give this Twilight a chance? They are the same person you know.”
>”Yeah you told me that, but like, it’s kinda completely not true. Like I mean I tried girl, I really tried, but me and Twilight-two really don’t mesh well at all, she’s always interested in all this nerdy stuff that I can’t get into. Not that I have a problem with nerds or anything y’know but like, I can’t really have a girlfriend like that, y’know what I mean?”
>No.
>You’ll just take his word for it.
“Well if it isn’t working out with you two then that sucks and all, but there’s not really a lot I can do about seeing the other Twilight, she went back to her own world and she has no reason to come back now.”
>That answer doesn’t seem to satisfy Flash.
>”Come on Sunset, you can send texts or something to her can’t ya? Just tell her that Flash Sentry wants her and she’ll come, we have like, a connection.”
>Wow, what a charmer.
“I’m pretty sure she’s busy being a princess and all.”
>”Every princess needs a prince if you know what I mean.”
>You don’t.
“Okay, sure Flash, anyway, I’d better go alright.”
>You briskly walk off before Flash has a chance to slow you down again.
>”Yeah sure brah, just don’t forget to talk to Twilight for me alright?”
>He cannot get a clue at all can he?
>”And tell me if Anon gives you any trouble, so I can get a chance to beat that smug look off his face again.”
>Again.
>You forget that about him sometimes.

>Despite Flash taking up so much of your time you still get to the cafeteria early.
>Later then Applejack and Twilight though.
>They are already sitting at your table, food in hand.
>You see they have an extra tray there for you.
>Twilight smiles and waves you over.
>Applejack is playing with her food.
>You pull up into the seat next to Twilight.
“How you holding up Applejack?”
>She keeps playing with her food.
>”Not great to tell y-you the truth Sunset.”
>That can’t be good.
“Applejack, don’t let what he said get to you, he was just trying to get under your skin.”
>”It’s not jus’ that Sunset, it’s that he brought out somethin’ I didn’t know was there.”
>She stops playing with her food and looks you in the eyes.
>”Rainbow mighta been the one that attacked him, but ah just stood there and let it happen. I was so angry I mighta been the one to do it if Rainbow hadn’t.”
“Applejack, you-“
>”Ah was raised to be better than that Sunset, I AIN’T no inbred, but if Granny Smith, Big Macintosh or Applebloom knew how close I was to just letting Rainbow tear that little varmint to shreds, heck, they’d be ashamed to call me part of the Apple Family.”
>Applejack hides under her hat.
“Applejack…”
>You’re not quite sure what to say
>But you have to try.
“Applejack, your family isn’t going to hate you for that.”
>”Buh-“
“No buhs, Applejack, this is what I meant when I warned you about Anon. He knows just how to get under your skin and you weren’t prepared for it. If anything it was my fault for not being able to handle him better.”
>Applejack averts her eyes and goes back to playing with her food.
“Please don’t let him beat you like this Applejack, you’re the most stand-up person I know.”

>Her eyes brighten as your words seem to lift her spirits a bit.
>It’s always a good feeling to make Applejack feel better.
>”Thanks Sunset, ah don’t get folks like him, It’s like all they want is to make sure that everyone else is as sad as they are.”
>Applejack can be surprisingly insightful sometimes.
>You can’t imagine how Rainbow must be feeling right now
>The team was everything to her, and now she has to let them play without her.
>Against Shadowbolts.
>Much as you hope the team can pull the together without her, you don’t think they can.
>The lunch bell rings and the cafeteria starts to gradually fill.
>Among the students are Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity.
>You filled them in on exactly what happened with Anon.
>Including the conversation with Celestia concerning Rainbow’s suspension and disbarment from the team.
>Pinkie was sobbing by the end of it.
>”B-but Dashie l-loves the team, how could Celestia d-do that?”
“She didn’t have much choice Pinkie, Rainbow beat Anon pretty badly.”
>”B-but… it’s just so…”
>Pinkie collapses on the table and starts to cry
>Fluttershy puts a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down, which only succeeded in causing Pinkie to turn around and throw her arms around Fluttershy and squeeze her as hard as she can.
>If you didn’t know it came from a place of genuine sadness you might giggle at the over-dramatic display.
>”Oh… it’s okay Pinkie. I’m sure Rainbow will be fine”
>Fluttershy pats her on the back.
>”Why would this Anon character do something like that? I can admit that Dash flew off the handle, but Anon basically walked up to a bunch of strangers, incessantly ridiculed them despite repeated threats of violence seemingly for the sole purpose of intentionally being beaten to a pulp so that they get in trouble for it. My, it’s practically masochistic.
“They weren’t complete strangers Rarity, they were my friends. That’s why he did it.”

>It was at this point you started to notice that every student who walked by your table was giving you looks.
>In fact almost the entirety of the cafeteria is looking at your table.
>Most are just glances by solitary students, probably discussing the morning events, but there are some disgusted looks thrown into the mix, combined with muttered gossip to their nearest willing participant.
>It felt like you were going through the aftermath of the Fall Formal incident again.
>You were used to this, however the girls were not.
>”Why is everybody staring at us? Surely we haven’t gone to completely hated now because of Rainbow having one little outburst?”
>Little?
>This may be the first time you’ve ever seen Rarity insecure about people staring at her.
>”Ah hogwash, why is this such a big deal all of a sudden. Rainbow’s gotten into fights with guys before and usually she gets a bunch’a high fives and pats on the back in the after of it.”
“Those guys she got into fights with Applejack, they were way bigger and stronger then Anon is, everyone was just impressed she had the guts to do it. With Anon though it’s different… he’s smaller than I am.”
>”So? Not like he didn’t deserve to get his face smashed in, maybe not that badly I’ll admit, I think a good whack to the noggen is called for in his case.”
>”Applejack, I’m surprised at you.”
>Fluttershy speaking up always manages to silence the rest of the table.
>”Violence is never the answer Applejack, under any circumstance.”
>”Ah heck Fluttershy, I’ll admit I can’t agree with Rainbow losing her head but some can only learn things the hard way.”
>”No Applejack, you can’t solve problems with punches. Might never makes right.”

>”Who’s side are you on Fluttershy?”
>Why is everyone taking sides all of a sudden?
>”I’m on the right side Applejack. If Rainbow Dash had a little bit of self-control she wouldn’t have been suspended.”
>She reminds you of Celestia right now, despite the lack of bureaucratic programming.
>Which makes it easier to accept that she’s probably right, at least about violence.
>You feel for Applejack, it’s never a good feeling to have Fluttershy scold you.
>”And shame on you as well Sunset.”
>Damn it
>”All you can talk about is how manipulative and mean Anon is, but I bet he’s in a lot of pain right now.”
>You sigh.
“So are we, look around.”
>You gesture to the judgemental students that surround your table.
>He basically did it to himself, even if Rainbow Dash had the patience of an Ox Anon would have kept goading her until she broke.
>Fluttershy remains undeterred, shaking her head stubbornly.
>”How can you act like you’re so much more hurt by this then he is? You have all these friends to support you while Anon has none.”
>Is Fluttershy really falling for it?
>Anon may have no friends but it’s not like he’s some innocent little child who just wants love. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
“Fluttershy, you don’t know Anon, he’s not the person you think he is.”
>”I don’t need to know someone to know that they could use some kindness.”
>There’s little you can say to dissuade her really.
>Nobody knows Anon till they’ve met Anon
>”I’m with you Fluttershy!”
>Pinkie clearly does not share your sentiment.
>She bursts out of her chair in bombastic fashion.
>”All Anon needs is a smile on his face, everybody needs a smile on their face!”
>Your thoughts return to that old picture of Anon in Celestia’s office.
>Yeah, good luck with that one.
>Pinkie still had teardrops around her eyes despite her bouncy attitude.
>You’re sure that girl is at least somewhat bipolar.

>”You were jus’ now cryin’ about how Anon got Rainbow suspended.”
>Pinkie crosses her arms
>”I was in a high emotional state Applejack, you can’t hold me responsible for what I say.”
>Applejack raises an eyebrow.
>”If Rainbow can get suspended for her ‘high emotional state’, you can get called out on for yours.”
>Pinkie blows a raspberry and scrunches up back into her chair
>”No, Pinkie’s right Applejack – well not about that emotion part that seems kinda silly – but you can’t solve problems by hurting people, you solve them with friendship. Haven’t we all learned that by now?”
>Applejack slumps down on the table and grumbles something underneath her breath
>”I think we should go apologize to Anon on Rainbow’s behalf.”
>That is the worst idea ever.
>”That’s the best idea ever Fluttershy!”
>No way Pinkie, I am not dealing with Anon again today.
“Girls, this is really not a good idea, if Anon wasn’t angry before, he sure as heck is now. We should at least give some time for him to cool off.”
>”Yeah, besides yall don’t even know where Anon disappears to, remember?”
>You have an idea of where he might be, if he’s not in hospital. But you’re not about to let them know that.
>”He’s in the science block.”
>All eyes turn to Twilight.
>”How do you know that darling? You were off talking with Celestia like Sunset and Applejack.”
>”I went straight to the science block after Luna let us out, I saw him go in there.”
>Twilight fiddles with her hands
>”So I guess I kinda decided to follow him, just to find out where he went all the time.”
>Twilight followed Anon?
>There’s no way Anon would let anyone follow him into his secret little lair, this has got to be some sort of trick.
>”He went into the door behind the teacher’s desk. I think he has a key-card for it.”
>”That sneaky little varmint, he musta swiped that key off of one of the teachers.”

>You’d think a teacher would notice their key was missing and someone kept using their office, Applejack.
>You thought about telling her the truth about it, but that would just cause her to have more questions for you.
>”Applejack really,”
>”What? Ah’m just sayin it like it is.”
>Fluttershy pouts
“Why were you following Anon, Twilight? Not like our original plan is going to work out after… y’know.”
>Twilight fidgets her hands a little more
>”I… I got a reading of a magic anomaly on my Magicometer last night, I mentioned that this morning at the lockers.”
>That really is a bad name…
>The girls are all attentive now, they know how important talk of dangerous magic is.
>”The Anon situation got in the way of me mentioning this to everyone earlier, unfortunately I don’t know much about it as of yet.”
>Twilight looks ashamed just to admit that.
>“It was so small I couldn’t pinpoint its location. I only know it was somewhere in Canterlot High.”
>Fluttershy crosses her arms, still pouting.
>”Twilight don’t tell me you’re accusing Anon now?”
>”No-no-no, nothing like that It’s just – it’s just that since I only transferred here recently I hadn’t had a chance to set up my equipment.”
>So she just decided to follow Anon around? Isn’t Anon the one who’s meant to be following people?
>”I need to repair it as well, the movers Principal Cinch hired to transport it weren’t exactly gentle.”
>Twilight squeezes her hands together as she spoke.
>”I don’t know anything about the anomaly, how dangerous it is or how fast it will do damage. I needed parts or even new equipment.”
>Is she really suggesting what I think she’s suggesting?
>”I thought that maybe Anon could help? Or maybe lead me to more equipment, I don’t know…”

“Twilight you’re not going to get much out of Anon I’m afraid, especially after today.”
>Twlight averts her eyes towards the ground.
>”I couldn’t really think of anything else to do, I’m sorry Sunset.”
>…
>What’s the matter with you?
>What would Princess Twilight think of you right now?
>Anon just puts youi on edge.
>It’s gotta be him, you’re not normally like this.
>Are you?
“No, I’m sorry Twlight. I’m not myself today, I’m not thinking straight.”
>Twilight gives you a weak smile of understanding.
>”Oh darling, it’s okay, we all know you’ve been through a lot today.”
>You were meant to be the leader, you were meant to fill in for Princess Twilight.
>You can’t let the past get in the way of protecting the school.
>Anon is bad, but even he isn’t crazy enough to put the entire school in danger.
>And Anon would be more aware than anyone else of the effects of magic.
“You’re right Twilight.”
>She perks back up.
”If there’s anyone at Canterlot who has equipment to track magic, it’s Anon.”
>You turn to Fluttershy.
“I guess we’re going to need to apologize after all, all we’ve done is gone and made everything harder for ourselves.”
>Your mouth goes dry.
>You’re really going to need to ask Anon for help.
>”I don’t mean to be rude, but what makes you so certain that Anon knows so much about magic? I’d never heard about magic of any form before –other – Twilight showed up.”
“Just trust me on this, trust me on Anon. He’s always been obsessed with magic, and interested in science. And as it turns out both of those interests line up, so he’s the by far our best bet of tracking down the anomaly, unless anyone else has a better idea.”
>The table looks around at each other, but nobody speaks up.
“The only problem is getting him to help us in the first place.”
>The table once again looks at each other, hoping someone other than themselves takes the first step.
>Except Fluttershy.
>She rises from her chair again.
>She takes off from her seat, despite the confused look from the group.
>She stops at the end of the table and turns around.
>”Well girls, it seems to me that we need to go make an apology.”
>Now?
“Didn’t you hear what I said? He’s probably still fuming at us.”
>Fluttershy crosses her arms and points her nose skyward.
>”Anger rots the soul if left to fester Sunset.”
>She is really quite adamant about this.
>Despite her pride though as soon as she remembers half the cafeteria is still staring at them she started to shrink back down.
>You almost forgot it was Fluttershy you’re talking to.
>Time to rescue her.
>Even if it is the worst possible idea ever.
>You get up and stand next to Fluttershy
“Well girls, I guess we have no choice, we need to know about the anomaly as soon as possible.”
>”Sunset, ah don’t think this is a good idea.”
>That makes two of us Applejack
>At least this way the girls will see what Anon is really like, and all that way all this arguing will stop.
>Best case scenario he helps us, worst case he makes even more people dislike him.
>Win-win right?
>Wait, is it bad to think that?
>Even it is Anon?
>”Really Applejack, if you can’t stop being so petty then maybe it’d be better if you stayed behind and let the rest of us talk to Anon.”
>What?
>The entire table is suddenly uncomfortable.
>You could tell that Fluttershy immediately wishes she didn’t say it.
>No, You’re not going to let Anon break up the group like this
“Come on Applejack, I don’t like this either but this is more important then what happened this morning.”
>”More important than Rainbow?”

“No… just, more important than grudges.”
>”Grudges? I can’t believe yall Sunset, everything that happened this morning was that little varmint’s fault and you know it.”
“Applejack…”
>”Really Applejack, we’re all sad about Rainbow but I think you’re really letting this ruin your composure.”
>”Rarity’s right Appljack, turn that frown upside down, your friends are here for you!”
>Applejack appears undeterred despite the support.
>”Look yall, I don’t think I can stomach talking to that little weasel again, if yall want to apologize, maybe Fluttershy is right and yuh better off doing it without me.”
>Applejack turns away from the group.
>You can’t really think of anything to say.
“Are you sure Applejack?”
>She slowly nods.
>I guess that’s it then.
“Okay Applejack, you don’t need to talk to Anon if you don’t want to.”
>You wish someone would say the same to you.
>You stay there, arms limp, completely defeated.
>Anon wasn’t even here and he was managing to tear your friends apart.
“Okay girls, we’d better go, we don’t have much time left till third period.”
>The rest of the girls besides Applejack begrudgingly pull themselves from their seat.
>Twilight and Rarity watch her woefully as they pass.
>Pinkie throws her arms around her in a comforting hug.
>”It’s okay Applejack. Nobody thinks any less of you.”
>The girls start filtering out of the cafeteria.
>”We know you’re angry because you care.
>Pinkie wipes at her eye and slowly creeps out with the rest of the girls.
>You stay behind for a moment with Applejack.
>She indignantly snorts.
>”Ah don’t get it Sunset, you kept talking about how bad this Anon is, and even after today you just gone turn around and say we should go apologize.”
“It’s not like we’re in the right Applejack.”
>”Ah know it’s just…”
>She sighs.
>”Ah don’t know what’s wrong with me Sunset, every time I think of that varmint I get this headache and I can’t get all the nasty things he said out of my mind.”

>“Ah don’t wana see him right now Sunset, if ah see him right now being all two-faced and manipulative, ah might just break down. I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too Applejack”
>You put a hand on her shoulder
“It’s okay, just… think it over, or try not to think about him. Do whatever you need to. Nobody’s gonna force you to accept him. I know I certainly won’t”
>Applejack pushes her hat upward with her thumb and looks you in the eye.
>”Ah know you’re tryin ta help Sugarcube, but yall acting like you liked him in the first place.”
>You sigh.
“In the first place? I did. That’s why we’re where we are now.”
>Applejack narrows her eyes
>“What’re Yall talking about?”
>You turn away from Applejack as you hear the girls calling to you.
“Some other time, sorry.”
>You about-face and rush to catch up with the girls. Only turning back to take one last look at Applejack as she sits alone at the table.

***

>The science block is empty, unsurprisingly.
>The only time this is used outside of class is by the science club, where they make all kinds of cool things.
>Not magic things, but still cool.
>You took the long way here, you didn’t want to have to listen to Flash beg you to bring Princess Twilight back.
>That guy really can’t take no for an answer can he?
>There is no sign of Anon ever being in here, also unsurprisingly.
>”Here, girls”
>Twilight pointed to the aforementioned door behind the teacher’s desk.
>You’d seen this door a hundred times before but never given it a second thought.
>You always knew he was here, but now…
>Now this door is suddenly very foreboding.
>Fluttershy is the first to give it a try.
>She gently touches the door with her knuckles.
>It doesn’t even make a sound.
>She attempts the same motion at varying speeds with little success of making an audible knock.
>”Come on Fluttershy, do it like this!”
>Pinkie grabs Fluttershy and pushes her effortlessly out of the way the same way a child might move a large doll out of their path.
>She then proceeds to relentlessly hammer on the door.
>You swear you see it rattling at the hinges.
>”Anon come out we’re here to apologize to you!”
>If Anon can’t hear that then this door must lead to a sprawling complex, with Anon at the complete opposite end to you.
>A sprawling complex that is also soundproofed.

>The group listens closely for a reply, after your ears have recovered.
>Nothing.
>Pinkie knocks again.
>Well, pounds is a better word to describe it.
>”Anon!?”
>Silence again.
>You push past Pinkie and put your ear to the door
>Still nothing.
>Except…
>Rarity interrupts your thoughts
>”My, maybe he’s already left to go home early?”
>Did no one else hear anything?
>Twilight speaks up.
> “Maybe, I mean Rainbow did hurt him pretty bad, but you’d think he would have left immediately if he was sent home.”
>You could just say you didn’t hear anything and the girls would believe you.
>…
>You don’t want to be that person anymore, remember?
>Twilight sinks against the wall
>”We need to know about that anomaly, what’re we gonna do girls?”
>The hell with it.
>You pull your ear from the door and stare it down.
”Anon, it’s Sunset.”
>The girls all snap to attention.
>No answer.
“We’ve come to apologize to you for this morning, and Rainbow would apologize as well if she were here.”
>Still no answer.
>You know he’s there.
>You know he’s going to love this…
“Rainbow got suspended. Now we’re here to apologize, both for ourselves and on her behalf, but we also need your help.”
>You feel sick just saying that.
“We need your help because, because Twilight found something, some kind of magical anomaly we have no idea about, and it could be dangerous.”
>You can feel him through the door, eyeing you, sizing you up in that cold calculating way he does.
“Please Anon, just open the door, nobody’s going to hurt you.”
>Still nothing.
>”Sunset, maybe he’s not there after all-“
“Anon, this is serious alright, all that time you spent learning about magic prepared you for a situation like this. Doesn’t that matter to you?”
>Only the soft hum of students passing by in the halls answers you.
>Somehow the lack of him talking was just as painful as when he actually spoke.
>You can’t take it anymore.
“Anon if you don’t open the door this door right now I’m going to tell everybody about this little hiding place of yours.”

>”Sunset!”
>Not now Fluttershy
>You hear shifting inside the door.
>A long pause.
>Nothing.
“I mean it Anon.”
>”Sunset! This is not how we make friends.”
>You ignore Fluttershy and lean closely the handle and whisper through a final threat.
“You wouldn’t want Flash to find out about this, would you?”
>The door swings open.
>You stumble forward at the sudden lack of support.
>You reach your arm out for something to grab hold of and meet soft flesh
>Anon is standing there, arms limp, totally blank of emotions.
>You’re holding onto his forearm.
>You snatch your hand away and pull yourself upright. Anon gazes at you and brushes off the arm that you touched
>Oooo, real scary there Anon.
>”And just now, when it took me so very long to get that nurse to let me go, I was finally thinking I might get some peace, yet here you are, threatening me again and bringing up old wounds.”
“I’m sorry Anon, I wouldn’t have actually told anyone, but I needed you to open the door.”
>Anon scoffs.
>”Because of some magical anomaly lacking of description? Likely excuse, I would not be surprised in the slightest if this was some elaborate ruse to enact your revenge for getting your friend suspended, you seem the have your little posse at hand for such a task.”
>Rarity scratches her head.
>”Posse…?”
>Pinkie bounces up between you and Anon, getting uncomfortably close to his face.
>”Wow Nonny, you talk like Rarity, except with even more fancy words! I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk before, or even smile before for that matter.”
>Anon’s eyes flare up in surprise, jumping back as if Pinkie had just taken a swing at him.
>”On that note why don’t you ever smile? I could understand not smiling right now since you’re all beat up, even though you’re not that beat up, or at least not as bad as Twilight made it sound like.”
>Anon’s eyes scan her up and down as she spills out word after word.
>”Actually, it’s kinda strange that you look so not-beat-up considering you only got in the fight with Rainbow this morning!”

>Now that Pinkie mentioned it, Anon didn’t look at all like he did just after Rainbow attacked him.
>He has lumps and bruises, sure, bandages, cuts.
>But it looks like it could have just been a minor scuffle for all intents and purposes, not the one-sided mess you saw this morning.
>Either the school nurse is a miracle worker or there’s something else going on here.
>Anon is busy shrinking back at Pinkie’s complete disregard for personal space.
>You decide it’s best to give him some room before he slams the door in her face, so you pull Pinkie to stand beside you.
>Anon straightens himself and adjusts his glasses.
>”I see, you’ve decided that physical assault was too liable to get you in trouble, so you’ve gone with a sound-based assault instead.”
>Fluttershy speaks up this time
>”It’s nothing like that Anon, Pinkie was just being friendly, we’re here to make friends.”
>Anon narrows his eyes
>”She could be ‘friendly’ with about ten feet more space for me to breathe with.”
>Pinkie crosses her hands behind her back.
>”I’m sorry Nonny. I just got excited to finally talk to you is all.”
>Anon turns his gaze to her.
>”You’ve had many chances before to strike up conversation with me, yet you only choose now when it is of more convenience to you, at a time when you can both clear your conscience with an apology and gain the alleged assistance that you require.”
>Pinkie’s face is frozen
>”B-but…”
>Anon just acting like Anon again, so much for making friends or getting help.
>You cross your arms and raised an eyebrow.
>”No Anon, we came here because we know you needed help.”
>Fluttershy's surprisingly assertive voice draws Anon's attention again.

>Fluttershy stepped in front of you and clasps Anon’s hands in hers
>Anon flinches at contact, immediately ripping his hands away from her
>Fluttershy stumbles forward in surprise, with her apology already written on her expression.
>”I’m sorry, Anon, I-”
>Anon’s eyes are like daggers.
>”Just tell me what it is you want already!”
>You and the rest of the girls are rendered silent, afraid to respond. Eventually, Fluttershy coughs awkwardly and brushes her hands down her skirt before continuing with a trembling voice.
>”W-we know you must feel alone and hurt after what happened with Rainbow, and we’re here to prove that there are still people who care about you.”
>by the end of the sentence she has regained her composure.
>Anon stares at Fluttershy from behind his glasses, scanning, calculating. Deducting the situation like he always does.
>Apparently not ready to believe a word anyone else says.
>Before answering, he spies a look at you from the corner of his eyes.
>Your face is stoic this time. He doesn’t have a chance to read you.
>”At this point, do you really think I’m stupid enough to fall for that?”
>Fluttershy shrinks her hand back.
>Here we go
>With quivering lips, Fluttershy responds.
>”W-what?”
>Anon shakes his head.
>”I’m not in the mood to go over such things at the moment. As anyone with an ounce of empathy would be able to easily understand. Just consider your offer declined.”
>Fluttershy looks around in confusion, desperate for support.
>Eventually, Pinkie responds.
>”Come on Nonny, we’re not trying to trick you or anything. We just wana help! You’re always sad all-“
>Anon places a hand flatly between himself and Pinkie to cut her off
>”So your big plan is to force me to be friends with you, is that it?”
>Pinkie and Fluttershy blankly stare at him, unsure of how to answer.
>You cross your arms and sigh.
>You tried to warn them. They brought this upon themselves.
>”I mean really, the only thing you need is a gag and some manacles. Should we also throw in a leash? That would certainly make the whole thing easier for you.”
>Anon waves his hands around sarcastically as he talks.
>This time both Pinkie and Fluttershy exchange glances, before Pinkie stammers out a response.
>”W-we’re not trying to force you to do anything.”
>Anon whips his hands to his sides before snapping out a response.
>”Then. Drop. It.”

>You shrug.
“Can’t say I’m surprised how this has gone.”
>Anon glares at you.
>”Then why did you bother coming in the first place?”
>Rarity puts her hands up defensively and steps forward.
>”Look, I’m sure we can all agree this has been a long day. Perhaps now is a good time to put a pin in this and bring it up later.”
>Anon rolls his eyes at the mention of this conversation continuing at some other point.
>Every social interaction is probably a chore for him.
>Unless he’s tormenting people.
>Regardless, Rarity has the right idea.
>Leave while you can.
>Fluttershy is completely defeated by her failed attempt. Primarily staring at her feet.
>”I agree with Rarity. We haven’t got very long till lunch ends and we still aren’t any closer to tracking the anomaly. ”
>Twilight moves forward from her place in the corner.
>You nod in agreement.
>Focusing on what matters, thank you Twilight.
“Yeah, Anon isn’t about to help us with anything.
>Anon’s eyes flare as you speak.
>You’re not sure why, just you talking at all is enough to get under his skin.
>At least it’s over now.
>You all start making motions to leave, aside from Pinkie, who clasps her hands together politely in front of her waist and steps forward.
>”Sorry for bothering you Nonny.”
>Anon backs away as she approaches, as if he’s expecting her to attack.
>You’ve had enough.
>You take the first step in leaving this behind you and turn away from him.
>As you begin to stride away you hear his voice behind you.
>”Bother is an understatement. If I am to believe this conversation will have a ‘pin’ in it until the excursion tomorrow, where it will rear it’s ‘bothersome’ head once again.  Then, perhaps, it would be better to resolve this now.
>You stop in your tracks.
>Is he…
>”So, you’ll help?”
>Twilight’s voice goads him on.
>You turn back around to witness Anon bring out a small remote from his back pocket.
>”This device is capable of detecting magic, although I can’t guarantee it’s accuracy due to the lack of magical sources available for testing.”
>Is he… helping?

>Why now? What changed?
>How long has he had that device? Shouldn’t he have used it when magic almost tore the school apart before?
“Anon you-“
>”Yes Sunset, I do not like formals or concerts or sport. So I was not present with the previous magical anomalies, even the one you caused.”
>You raise a puzzled eyebrow
>He waves the remote in the air
>”You have my assistance now, because you have come and demanded it.”
>You narrow your eyes.
“We didn’t demand anything.”
>”Not with your words, but with your laborious actions.”
>Again, Rarity attempts to keep the peace.
>”Now, now, you don’t need to help if you don’t want to Anon.”
>His eyes snap towards her, prompting her to immediately quiet down.
>”I want this resolved so it never comes up again. Is that so hard to understand?”
>Rarity gulps and nods in agreement.
>Twilight ignores the conflict, examining the device in Anon’s hands.
>”If what you say is true about this device then it’s eerily similar to a device I made that I made that was damage by a ‘one-in-a-million’ freak accident.”
>Twilight’s eyes shoot daggers into the corner, remembering her previous principal.
>”Regardless of your previous misadventures, my device should be adequate for your needs.”
>Anon flips a switch on the device, and it begins emitting a noise. Twilight leans in to examine it.
>”That’s strange, I’m getting a reading right here.”
>Here?
>How is that possible?
>”It’s almost exactly like my device. Guess great minds think alike!”
>Twilight draws her gaze from the device and looks at Anon. Her curiosity develops into a smile across her face.
>Don’t get too excited Twilight…
>As if on que with your thoughts, Anon narrows his eyes.
>”Please spare me of your self-indulgence. I already feel like puking after an excessive amount punches were directed to my stomach area this morning.”
>Twilight shrinks back. Her smile gone as quickly as Anon’s patience.

>Anon grumbles to himself and points his device around the room, the popping and static get periodically louder and softer, seemingly at random
>Looks like his device isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.
>”Anyway, It’s unsurprising it’s picking up a reading in here. You girls are very much responsible for all of the magical events in this school so far.”
>Anon points the device directly at you.
>Excuse you?
>The popping and static get louder.
>”Perhaps your anomaly was little more than this.”
>He switches the device off.
>Twilight interjects.
>”No, this magic is much more volatile than the energy surrounding Canterlot, it was this big red angry blip on my Magicometer that I’ve never seen anywhere else but the Friendship games.”
>Anon raises an eyebrow
>”Didn’t you say your ill-named device was inaccurate? It stands to reason that it could have easily been a glitch in the system or residual energy from the Friendship Games incident.”
>Twilight fidgets with her hands again.
>”No… that can’t be true. We can’t take that risk anyway. If something did happen and we ignore it, there’s no telling how dangerous it could be.”
>Anon puts the remote back into his pocket
>”Yet you cannot use my device to find magic because you are surrounded by it at all times. So all of this has been quite the waste of time then hasn’t it?”
>Something doesn’t add up here
>His device is practically useless if it’s interrupted by magic that’s just floating around Canterlot.
>He’s got to be lying.
“Why would your device be interrupted so easily? Canterlot has been surrounded by magic since the Fall Formal.”
>Anon glares at you.
>”The only individuals who possess magical fields strong enough to be picked up by my device are those centred on you and your friends, Sunset, the proximity of which is far too close to register on the device unless I’m within a few feet of the individuals in question. It may come as a surprise to you, but I do my best to keep my distance from things that interfere with my research.”

>Yet apparently you go around stalking Twilight until she drops her pendant for you to steal.
>At least the way Celestia tells it.
“So what do you even use it for?”
>“I use it for examining objects and locations rather than people. Why are these details suddenly so important to you?”
>No, he’s not going to turn this around on you.
“Why are you so defensive about it?”
>”Sunset.”
>Fluttershy growls at you.
>Come on, can’t she give you a break?
>Anon looks between you and Fluttershy, raising an eyebrow.
>”I’m defensive because I’ve already been attacked once today, and I am becoming more and more convinced an attack is exactly what your goal is when coming here. Such a shame you can’t have the same capacity for empathy, Sunset.”
>There he goes again.
>Trying to make everyone hate you.
>Fluttershy and Pinkie’s eyes dart back and forth between the two of you.
>”Nonny, calm down. Sunset’s the one who said that you could help.”
>His eyes tear themselves away from yours to address the attempted peacekeeping.
>”It’s not my fault that Sunset refuses to accept my generosity without unfounded suspicions.”
“It’s not my fault that you have something to hide.”
>His eyes flare and pin themselves onto you.
>You suddenly feel like you’re going to regret saying that.

>”I’m the one with something to hide am I?”
>Oh no.
>”Because Little Miss Shimmer has been so honest with everyone, hasn’t she?”
>The room turns to you.
>”I’ve been keeping your dirty little secrets shut tight Sunset, but if honesty is so important to you, maybe it’s time I let some of them spill. Unless you’ve finally developed the guts to do so yourself?”
“Stop changing the subject.”
>”No, you stop changing the subject.”
>The girls look at each other.
>You open your mouth to retort but he beats you to it.
>”Did you ever tell your ‘friends’ why you were almost expelled?”
>You grind your teeth
>”Of course we know why she got expelled Nonny, the whole school knows that.”
>You notice Anon’s eye twitch as Pinkie abbreviates his name.
>Rarity continues
>”Besides, that’s all in the past now, whatever Sunset did, she’s not that person anymore.”
>Yes, you’re not that person.
>Not that person…
>Considering today you’re starting to question that yourself.
>”A fight? A fight is where both parties are equally responsible. If that was ‘a fight’ then today was nothing more than a scuffle.”
>Anon crosses his arms and the girls turn their heads at you again.
>You meet eyes with Twilight.
>”Sunset, what is he talking about?”
>Damn it.
>You can’t think of a way out of this.
>You always knew you might need to tell this story someday, but not like this.
*RING*
>The lunch bell echoes out through the halls, signalling the beginning of the last period of the day.
>If this were some cheesy T.V series that might have saved you from having to speak.
>Unfortunately this is real life and-
>”Quite literally saved by the bell it appears.”
>Wait, what?
>”I’d rather not be late to class, so I’m going to let you escape for now.”
>Is he making fun of you or something?
>Since when did he care about good attendance?
>The glace at the exit, then back at Anon. Not sure if the encounter is really over or not.
>Anon turns around in the confusion, waving his hand at you as he prepares to renter his fortress of solitude.
>No, you want to say this.
>”Such a shame, maybe-“
“You’re right Anon, I really hurt someone.”
>He is open-mouthed as you speak, caught mid word.
“And I paid for it.”
>However Anon feels about you admitting he’s right, he doesn’t show it.
>His face turned away from you, hiding his thoughts.
>”At least you got that much right” He mutters.
>The girls look back and forth, trying to understand why it was suddenly so uncomfortable.
>You were about to make it worse.
“I shouldn’t have hurt that person, it may be the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
>For maybe the first time ever it looks like Anon didn’t have a retort.
>He turns back and just stares at you, looking desperately for some angle from which he could attack.
>But he finds nothing.
>You want to savour this moment as long as you possibly can.
>But Rarity decides to snap everyone back to reality.
>”Well girls I think it would perhaps be best if we hustled over to class about now!”
>The girls chirp agreement and start to filter out of the room.
>Rarity and Pinkie go as far as to grab your arm and pull you.
>Rarity always had a knack for diffusing situations.
>You wish she was with you this morning.
>As the girls lead you out the door you keep eye contact with Anon, keeping up your own stone cold retort to his stare.
>Or trying at least.
>Anon is clearly better at the game then you are, his face is still as unreadable as ever.
>You and the girls all muster you out into the hallway before they let go of you.
>Quickly, they all begin to head to the next class.
>Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie don’t wait for you, they go up ahead while you try to catch up.
>The girls seem to have had enough of your unwarranted aggression.
>You lull behind with Twilight, silently wallowing in your shame until Twilight addresses you.
>”You still think he was lying about his machine don’t you.”
>You hesitate for a moment, then guiltily nod.
>”Why would he lie Sunset?”
“I don’t know, that’s what bothers me.”

>”You know, this is exactly why this morning went so badly…”
“Excuse me!?”
>Twilight jumps back, shocked and bewildered.
>Did you just yell at her?
>You just yelled at her.
>You just yelled at Twilight for absolutely no reason.
>You throw your hands up apologetically.
“I’m sorry Twilight, I – I”
>Where did that come from?
>What’s wrong with you Sunset Shimmer?
>”Is everything alright back there girls?”
>Rarity peace keeping again.
>Please don’t cry Twilight.
“I’m sorry…”
>Twilight bites back her tears and scowled at you.
>”Y’know what? If all you want to do is yell at people Sunset, maybe you should just stay here with Anon.”
>She storms off towards the rest of the group.
>”I can’t deal with any more of this today! You two deserve each other!”
>Twilight pushes past the other girls. They briefly turn back, giving you varying looks of disappointment and concern, before following her example.
>Leaving you alone.
>You feel tears welling up in your eyes.
>What the HELL is wrong with you Sunset?
>Twilight’s right, you’re just as bad as Anon.
>You tried to forget about what everything that happened between you two and ask for help.
>Instead you end up yelling at Twilight and making everyone hate you again.
>Maybe after all this time, you still haven’t changed.
>But you helped Twilight didn’t you? And helped stop the Dazzlings?
>Why are you so angry now, what is it about Anon that’s making you go back on everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve in the last year?

>Your thoughts return back to a small boy who might have been from a past life, a different world.
>You see him standing taller than anyone else despite his meagre frame.
>Making you look like a small child in comparison.
>Then you see him fall.

>NO! You’re not going to let it happen like this.


>Be Anon.
>Be absolutely furious.
>First she gets her friends to all crowd around your door like a group of thugs ready to break down your door.
>Then she had the nerve to call your definitely-not-named-Magicometer-device useless,
>and then, worse than all of that, she pretended like she was actually capable of guilt.
>For a split second, you almost believed her.
>Almost.
>That’s what makes you so angry
>That’s not going to happen again.
>At least you got to see that look on that sickly looking animal lover’s face when she failed to induct you into her group of fair-weather ‘friends’
>You wish you could have savoured that moment forever
>As they left, you went back into your room.
>She was right about one thing, you don’t care at all about attendance.
>You just wanted them gone.
>As you enter, you are met with the darkness again.
>Here we go.
>forward.
>left.
>right.
>Swipe the sensor
>Never look back.
>Push through
>…
>It’s open already?
>It’s hard to remember to shut doors when some someone is enacting the functions of a battering ram on your threshold.
>At least they weren’t as bad as the threats.
>Flash Sentry, really?
>It’s like she materialized into existence just to make you suffer.
>You can’t believe people actually think she’s changed.
>At least you have this.
>This little peace from the disgusting world outside.
>A home away from home.
>Well…
>Sometimes you forget about your original home.
>The computer was still open how you left it.
>Tabs open, each one detailing a different incident or information on the relevant search subjects.
>Crystal Heights.
>Crystal Mines.
>Crystal Prep.
>Light Absorbing Crystal.
>Crystals that react to heat.
>Healing Crystals.
>The last few tabs was of an image board you frequented when there was little left to research or tinker with.
>At least there, people didn’t feel the need to pretend that they like you.
>Not like Sunset’s hired hands, equipped with fake smiles and pretty lies.

>Sunset’s surprise visit did not catch you in the best of moods.
>This morning was a mess.
>You’re not too displeased with the result, you seemed to get out of it better than most situations like this you’ve been in.
>But it was still exhausting.
>Which wouldn’t be so bad considering you’re usually feeling pretty tired around this time of day.
>But it IS disappointing considering how amazing you felt this morning.
>You weren’t afraid of anything, afraid of anyone.
>You weren’t afraid of sweatshop or her hick friend.
>Not Sunset, not anybody.
>It was like you were a little kid again.
>Unfortunate that jock strap wanabe beat it out of you.
>I bet she’s real proud of herself right now.
>She shouldn’t be, you’ve been beaten up way worse than that more times than you can count.
>You sit back down at the computer and start cycling between the information you’ve collected.
>Artificial gems made my Crystal prep graduates,
>Light prisms again,
>Crystal mines record stocks despite accusations of unsuitable mining conditions,
>Archaeological dig shut down due to loss of backers.
>None of this is getting you any closer to solving the mystery of the pendant.
>Or the rhymes…
>Maybe since you pretended to care about their little problems, the Crystal Prep girl will feel obligated to repay you somehow.
>You might actually be able to get some information out of her at this rate.
>You check the tabs again.
>Nothing useful for research
>You click on the page to open a tab and click on an ad by accident.
>Comes up with some porn site pop-up
>God damn it.
>”So this is what you get up to in here?”
>You fingers move at supernatural speed to close the webpage, then you’re momentarily stunned as your mind goes blank.
>It’s her.
>You shoot up from your chair
>She’s standing there with her arms crossed, half illuminated in the dark room by the neon light of the computer screen.
>She’s here
>Sunset is in here,
>Sunset is not meant to be in here.

>”You forgot to close the door Anon, kind of disappointing, especially if this is all you were doing this whole time.”
>God damn it.
>You exit out of the tabs on your computer, leaving just your desktop.
>Not that it did much, the damage is already done.
>Your desktop background is a deep blue interpretation of a digital circuit.
>It sets a ghostly glow over the atmosphere, highlighting half of Sunset’s body in cool, cold radiance.
>”Celestia wouldn’t like it if she found out you were using school properly to look at stuff like that.”
>That little smirk of hers was back.
”It was a mistake, Sunset. Celestia certainly wouldn’t like it if she found out you were in here.”
>She closes her eyes, still smiling.
>She moves towards the table and brushes her hands over its surface.
>Something about her right now was making you uncomfortable.
>She was up to something, nothing good for you.
>She looks at her hand.
>It’s covered with a thin layer of red dust.
”Sunset, get out.”
>Your voice is as deep and threatening as you can make it.
>You hope it worked.
>”I will if you tell me the truth.”
>She brings her index finger up to her mouth and licks some red dust off her finger tip.
>What is she doing?
“I-i’ve told you the truth Sunset, are you really refusing to believe me again without any other reasoning besides disliking me?”
>Your voice momentarily weakens as you’re taken off-guard by her peculiar actions.
>You’re not doing a good job of being threatened.
>”Of course I am, I dislike you because I have every reason to not trust you. I know you’re lying and I know that you didn’t really help us out of the kindness of your heart.”
>She is steadily encroaching on your space, forcing you to step back towards the wall.
>”I know that device of yours isn’t about to just completely stop working because it’s in proximity of us. You have some kind of magic here that we don’t know about.”
>Her eyes narrow.
>”And I know you want something with Twilight.”

“You can’t believe that my device isn’t perfect? Well I’m flattered but I think you’re at the point where you’re-“
>“Shut up.”
>She basically has you back up against the wall now.
>”You’re not going to talk your way out around insulting me again, I want to know what it is you want, and you’re going to tell me.”
>What is it with this girl?
>All she can think about is how to make everything your fault.
>Why did she ever have to come back? You were happier without her.
>Much happier.
>But you guess that’s all you can expect out of the meek, insufferable sheep that roam these halls.
“There’s a lot of things I could tell you, none of them good, barely any of them constructive, but all about you. Granted I’m sure you’ve heard them plenty of times before.”
>She glares at you, but said nothing.
>She keeps staring, daring you to talk.
>You feet sweat begin to accumulate at the back of your neck.
>No.
>Not this time
“You want to know what I want?”
>You step up from the wall, getting uncomfortably close to her face.
>Your foreheads are practically touching now.
>It was starting to feel like a bad movie poster.
>”You don’t have the guts, you’ve never had the guts to talk straight.”
>Her hot breath brushed across your face and down your neck.
>The smell of sweat mixed with cafeteria food makes you wince.
>All of the terrors of human contact, made worse by the fact that it was Sunset Shimmer of all people.
>The uncomfortable exposure continues to put you on edge, but only adds to your adrenaline.
“I want people to realize they should have let you stay expelled. I want people to realize you haven’t changed.”
>She keeps her gaze locked with yours.
>Her pupils are twitching, trying to remain focused.
”I want all your little ‘friends’ to see how horrible you are, I want them to question why they ever liked you and leave you all alone in the dirt, exactly like you were after Fall Formal.”

>She doesn’t break eye contact, not even for a second.
>She is so stubbornly focused that tears were starting to form on her eyes.
“I want you to be just. Like. Me. After you ruined my life”
>Sunset steps back.
>Finally.
>You breathe in Sunset-free air.
>With the added distance between you two you could see how flustered she really is.
>Maybe this was another effect of the crystal.
>”I didn’t ruin your life Anon.”
>What?
>She really thinks that?
“Oh? Then I suppose putting me in hospital was just your version of a ‘go get em’ slap on the butt huh?”
>How can she be so damn stubborn?
>”I didn’t make-“
“Let’s not forget everything that happened thereafter, all because your little fan clubs all over the school blamed me for you being gone.”
>How can she be so completely, utterly wrong?
>”You-“
“How in the HELL did you get away with that, it must be some kind of cruel destiny imposed on me to have to deal with you in school only ONE MONTH after you put me in HOSPITAL.”
>Your fist is shaking you are so angry.
>”I had-“
“Nobody, NOBODY liked me because of you, you were so god damn popular nobody could possibly believe you’d ever be wrong or out of line, they just thought you were cool.
>You had lost control of your voice completely, it crackles like electricity and croaks as if you had been screaming your entire life.
>”Y-you”
“Because I was on the receiving end of everyone’s favourite wet dream, I became the new punching bag for anyone looking to climb the social ladder!”
>It feels like she’s shrinking more and more the more you yell.
>Good, she is small. Smaller then she knows
>”I-I only-“
“SHUT! UP!”
>You can’t find the words,
”SHUT UP!”
>No words are left that can accurately describe your anger.
“SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!
>Does she not understand? Can she never understand?
“YOU MADE MY LIFE HERE A LIVING HELL, I wish you had just stayed were you came from! Or better yet, I wish twilight had just done away with you at the fall formal. Anything to get you out of my life!”
>Sunset slams her foot onto the ground.
>”NO!”

>”I hurt you once Anon! You tormented me for YEARS after that! I can’t believe you think that everyone hated you because of me. THEY HATED YOU BECAUSE OF YOU.”
>She is trembling now.
>In your rage, you didn’t even notice the tears in her eyes.
>The crocodile tears.
>”You wish I was out of your life? Well I wish that you were still in hospital!”
>How typical of her.
>You knew she was still this horrible.
>You always knew
>You breathe deeply, and the adrenaline fades away.
>There are no words left, so why bother?
>You feel suddenly tired.
>Sunset shares your exhaustion.
>Her shoulders heaving up and down as she struggles for air.
>You struggle for air.
>You are still angry
>But there are no words.
>You step forward and lean onto your computer table.
“Get out Sunset.”
>Sunset wipes sweat from her face, sweat or tears, and glares at you.
>One last time
>She slams the door on her way out.
>You spin the chair around to meet you as you collapse.
>You turn back round to the computer screen, reopening your tabs, prepared to continue with your work.
>You try for a time, but the exhaustion of the current events are too much.
>You slump down on the keyboard.
>Coffee, I need… coffee.
>You put the kettle on and it immediately starts billowing steam.
>As you watch it your thoughts returned to a long time ago, when you met a girl who seemed to have come out of nowhere.
>You listened as she talked of things like magic and science, and let that interest take you like nothing else in your life had at that point.
>But then that girl started to became a bad person.
>Despite what you would see, a part of you was so obsessed, so desperate to know more about her that you didn’t believe it.
>Then, one day.
>She hurt you badly.
>So badly that you could never trust anyone ever again.