"What?!" Sunset Shimmer stared at the three younger girls in shock. Each of them had a similar look of surprise on their faces, one of which was meant to seem innocent. But a hint of guilt tugged at the edges, barely noticeable. "But...I was sure-"
"Cut the act, Sunset," Rainbow Dash growled. "Can't you just be honest with us for once?"
"I'm trying! You guys don't under-"
"Gosh, girl! Quit the lyin'!" Sunset's efforts to defend herself were cut off by Applejack, who sighed. "Tell you what. You tell us all the truth, take down 'Anon-a-miss's' page, 'n all will be forgiven."
Sunset's hands were balled up into fists as she tried to conceal her rage. She couldn't understand why they didn't believe her. Did they not see that she had changed? Had she not proven herself to be trustworthy? Apparently not.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let herself relax. "I have told you once, and I will tell you again. I am not 'Anon-a-miss'. Now, you can believe them-" She gestured to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, who had been shooting each other terrified glances throughout the argument, and who were suddenly drawn to attention. "-and avoid me for the rest of your lives, or you can believe me and give me a chance to prove myself."
Rarity spoke up. "I'm sorry, Sunset, darling, but I'm afraid there is nothing to prove. I know my little sister well enough to know she'd never do anything like this, and I'm sure her friends wouldn't, either. There's no reason for them to."
Though Sunset hated to admit it, Rarity had a point. There was no logical reason for them to frame her. None that she could see, at least. But they had to be behind this; there was no other way. She knew she herself was not responsible, surely none of her friends-or, ex-friends-were, and no one else could have gotten the pictures and secrets. If only she could find a way to expose the three...
"Well, Sunset, I guess you have our answer," Applejack frowned and turned away from her, crossing her arms.
"Yeah. I think it's best if you just leave. Now." Rainbow's harsh tone left Sunset dumbfounded. She wanted to be trusted again-she really did-but that seemed impossible now. Her own friends had turned on her, and there was nothing she could do.
Sunset could tell she was no longer wanted here. "Fine. I-I guess I will," she said, her voice wavering slightly. And with that, she turned and walked away. The café had grown dead-silent. The only sounds that could be heard were the click of Sunset's heels on the tile floor and the ring of the little bell above the door as it closed behind her.
Outside, the blizzard-like snowfall had slowed to a small flurry. The half-foot deep snow crunched under Sunset's boots as she slid away from the café windows and leaned against a brick building beside it. Her mittened hands moved up and down her arms, trying to both warm her and comfort her. It wasn't hard to see she was holding back tears.
Well, here I am again, she thought to herself, looking up at the sky and letting snowflakes gently land on her face. Cold and alone on the holidays. Just like old times, huh?
She took in a breath and held it, internally chastising herself for even thinking about that. Her friends would get over it eventually and figure out she wasn't who they thought. But she still couldn't get over the fact that the Crusaders were 'Anon-a-miss', let alone that they had lied about it. She saw them as family just as much as Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash did. She couldn't imagine why they'd do this to her.
But what if they never find the truth? Sunset wondered. Where else can I go?
Just at that moment, she felt a buzzing at her side, and when she looked down, she saw her orange bag was vibrating. She reached in and grabbed her glowing book and a pen, opening up the book to the page her conversation with Twilight had left off. New words had appeared on the page.
Hey, Sunset. Is everything ok? Did you clear up the whole 'Anon-a-miss' thing with the girls?
Sunset sighed and put her pen to the paper, supporting the book with her left hand and writing with her right.
Not exactly. I think talking to them just made things worse. I did figure out who Anon-a-miss really is, though.
Really? Who?
The Cutie Mark Crusaders, but they won't admit it.
Are you sure it's them?
Positive.
There was a pause.
Twi, are you still there?
Yeah. Just...thinking.
Can I tell you something?
Anything.
Well, I don't think I want to go to Canterlot High anymore. I don't want to be somewhere where everyone hates me. Not again. But I don't exactly have anywhere else to go.
You could always come back to Equestria.
Another pause.
I guess so. Do you think Princess Celestia would accept me?
Of course! Celestia misses you so much! Besides, I'm sure she forgave you a very long time ago. I can get the portal open for you, if you do want to come home.
Sunset closed the book for a moment to think, which was hard to do in the freezing snow. She looked at her options. If she did decide to go back, she'd have a chance to restart with Princess Celestia and she would be back home, which she missed greatly. And she could always come back if things didn't work out. If she stayed, she might be able to get her friends back on her side, but that still left a whole school against her. The answer seemed as obvious as anything, but Sunset was still hesitant to write it down.
Alright. I'll be there.
Great! I guess I'll see you later, then?
I guess you will.
Sunset smiled as she closed the book once again. She couldn't believe she was actually going home. It made her happy and nervous at the same time as she put the book away and walked back towards Canterlot High. When she passed the café, she quickly glanced in. The five girls were chatting together as if nothing had happened. Sunset continued on her way.
When she got to the high school, she quickly spotted the Wondercolts statue, right in the middle of the front yard. She touched a finger to the stone to check if the portal was open. Sure enough, her whole hand went through as if the statue wasn't even there. With a deep breath and a muttered reassurance, she finally had the courage to step through.
Well, it looks like I have another Anon-A-Miss fanfic to bookmark!
I can't wait to see how this'll play out, and how the CHS will be without Sunset being there with them
7484076 Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
7484085 I have a feeling that I will!
I hope to see more soon
7484097 Thank you!
She's going to forgive them and all will act on as if nothing happened won't she?
Hm... Never know. Sunset could be a grand assistance against pre-character development Starlight Glimmer. *shrug* XD
7484108 I guess you'll have to find out.
7484115
7484116 Either yes or no and right now it's leaning more towards yes.
Good start, but If it had been me, I'd have waited to put out a couple chapters together. The one just seems to short.
7484154 Sorry about that.
And so, Sunset pulls a 'Screw you, I'm outta here'.
Good for her: She deserves better then jealous clingy sabotaging sisters, 'friends' who just jump to conclusions too quickly, and a school that hates her. Personally, they should all have to go though hell and back if they want Sunset's forgiveness: She did the same trying to show she had changed after all.
Something tells me that this won't end well.
Premise is interesting. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.
7484179 Thanks!
7484175 Yep.
Can't wait for them to beg Sunset to save them
WOOO! MORE PLEASE!! THIS IS AMAZING!!
7484238 Thanks so much! The next chapter will hopefully come out soon!
All it takes is one bad day...
7484332 Yep.
7484256 can't wait!
So is this story going to focus on CHS entirely, or will we also be seeing what is going on with Sunset in Equestria?
7484526 It'll be a mix of both Equestria and CHS.
7484524 Thank you! True. Those are song lyrics, right? I get the feeling they are...
Minor Question. Why didn't Twilight help out for I bet she could have made the connection between Anon A Miss and Gabby Gums?
7484596 I guess I didn't really think about that.
7484588 That's sweet.
7484604 the other Anon A miss stories i could by it because lack of communication and Twilight wouldn't know till the end of everything, but hear yeah She can come over and show them they Gabby Gums issue and that would be enough proof to put pressure on the Human CMC.
Now this doesn't have to happen right away but it should happen somewhere.
7484626 Ok, I appreciate the constructive criticism.
7484636 anything I say is in order to improve a story. This is still on my read list so wonder what will happen next.
7484650 Thank you!
7484165 It's fine. Was just saying that if the chapters are going to all be this short, i'd suggest maybe doing multi-chapter posts to make the read last longer per posting.
7484673 Thanks for the advice.
Sunset goes back? Don't see this too often. Sign me the hell up!
Hmm... An Anon-A-Miss fic where the CMC chooses not to tell and Sunset goes back to her home world to rebuild her life. However the consequences of such actions has left a ripple that will spell doom for the citizens of CHS. This intrigues me. I look forward to the madness that will spread due to Sunset's absence, the inevitable unveiling of the truth, and the subsequent regret. I assume that when Sunset heeds the call for help from the humans, it will already be too late for them. Plus, I'm interest of how Sunset will play into the lives of the Mane 6 and influence future events.
Liked, faved, and followed, please make more
7485642 Thanks so much! I will!
Not familiar with the 'Anon-a-miss' storyline, but I'm intrigued; following
7486051 Thank you!
Did she leave the journal behind? Because if she didn't they'll have to wait a little under 30 moons to pass until it opens properly again.
EDIT: Would love to see how they deal with Friendship Games without Sunset's help.
7486574 Yep, she left it.
I wonder what will happen now that sunset left
I dunno when was Anon-A-Miss written, but there's so much of 'em that they're starting to overwhelm my Sunset folder. It's not that I don't like 'em, but I didn't think that the comic would be polarizing. Anyway, I think that Gabby Gums might as well be a milder version of Anon-A-Miss since the latter managed to ruin and nearly drive a life to suicide whereas the former is just a stupid newspaper gossip column run amok.
7486719 Yeah. The comic was pretty good, but I didn't think so many people would write fanfictions for it.
Agreed.
7486719
7486740
It all depends on how you look at it. I think Dainn took the closest look at it and gave us a great story out of it. Anon-a-Miss by the by, shameless promotion for one of my favorite stories.
It all depends on how you analyze it, how far it could go, and how much it could hurt. The CMC had a lot more power here, with the reach of the internet and the volatility of teenagers on 'Earth' vs adults in Equestria. On top of that, In Ponyville Confidential, no one had a scapegoat until the end when they confessed. Here, they very well do, and teens being teens, they're happy to express rage over reason.
The IDW holiday special is quickly becoming to the writers portion of the fandom what Mare-Do-Well, The Canterlot Wedding, and more or less most S4 and post Wonderbolt episodes tend to be viewed. As long as people remember in the end, its just a show, that's fine, great even. Its inspired great writing and discussion material all around.
7486740
I know.
aaaaannnd... fave!
7489590 Thank you! And thanks for the follow!