“That lunch break was way too short.” Luna complained as she, Sunset and Celestia stood in front of the portal.

“Times flies when you’re having fun.” Sunset commented with a shrug.

Sunset had learned a lot about her aunt and how eerily similar their fall was, all stemming from a falling out with Celestia. Luna learned how gifted her niece is, the way Sunset and Celestia described how Sunset was in the past reminded Luna that Celestia was the same way. When they were taught by Starswirl the Bearded, Celestia excelled at everything while Luna struggled. Celestia was very arrogant about it too and Luna let Sunset know that, Sunset was definitely something specially and she had a destiny just as great. Perhaps her sun cutie mark might give her a clue, but she’ll ask Celestia to make sure.

“Take care my little sun, we’ll be sure to visit again soon.” Celestia says as she gives her daughter a kiss on the cheek before hugging her tightly.

“I may drop by from time to time for a quick visit.” Luna giggled mischievously which earned her a playful hit from Celestia, “But seriously, if you ever need us don’t hesitate to call us using the journal.”

“I will auntie.” Sunset replied smiling, as her aunt gave her a tight hug.

Sunset watched as her mother and aunt disappeared into the portal.

“I never expected your mother and aunt to look like our principals.”

Sunset jumps a bit as she quickly turns around to face the person behind her, “Trixie! don’t startle me like that!”

“It’s not my fault that you can’t detect the great and powerful Trixie’s presence.” Trixie giggled at seeing Sunset’s annoyed look. “Seriously though, your mother and aunt looking like our principals was weird enough as it it. But you being our principal’s look a like’s daughter is on a whole other level.”

“Funny you should mention that.” Sunset says with a smirk, as she and Trixie made their way back inside the school.

The rest of the afternoon was uneventful as Sunset went through the motions, the usual stares of fear and classrooms going quiet as she entered. On her way to her next class, Gilda had informed her that she and the others had kept an eye on the Crusaders for her, and that nobody dared to make a move on them for fear that the demon would suddenly show up and kill them. Sunset was very thankful for that, it was nice to have real friends she can depend on. After the final bell rang, Sunset had met up with Lightning Dust and Gilda and the three girls were making their way towards a special student who was busy placing his books in his locker.

“Hey!” Gilda called out, startling the student who upon seeing them went pale.

“Did you honestly think you were going to get away with the shit you pulled?” Lightning Dust asked as she narrows her eyes at the student.

The male student is paralyzed in fear as he stares at the demon between Lighting Dust and Gilda, the demon smiles wickedly as she steps up to him; causing the student to take a step back but is blocked by his locker’s open door.

“I go out of my way to show mercy and what do you do? You spit it back at my face!” The demon growled as her hair flared.

“I-I’m sorry! Please have mercy!” The student pleaded as he got down on his knees.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?” The demon asked as she ran a finger across the row of lockers causing the part she touched to melt and make a trail of melted metal. “I already showed mercy, but not this time.”

The demon extended her hand out towards the male student, smoke rising from the tip of her finger. The male student began to sweat profusely, his legs trembling as demon’s clawed finger slowly inches it’s way towards his chest; and just as it was about to make contact, the male student looses consciousness, collapsing on to the floor.

“Wow, I didn’t expect him to faint.” Gilda says in surprise as she stares at the student’s unconscious body. “You really scared the shit out of him.”

“So where should we hide the body?” Lightning Dust jokes which earned her an elbow to the ribs by Sunset.

“Knock it off Lightning, we’ll simply take him to the nurse’s office.” Sunset stated with a grin as she grabbed on to the male student, placing his right arm over her shoulder and lifting him on to his feet.

“Let me give you a hand.” Gilda offered as she took the students other arm and placed it around her shoulder.

“Thanks Gilda.” Sunset thanked her friend as they all made their way towards the nurses office.

“Shouldn’t we tell Principal Celestia about this?” Lightning Dust asks casually.

“I’ve already told Mom and Aunt Luna about who was responsible for defacing the Crusaders lockers, when he wakes up, his parents will want a word with him.” Sunset explains before feeling a tug on the unconscious student, she turns to her left to see Gilda and Lightning Dust staring at her in shock.

“What did you just say?” Gilda asks, not sure if she heard Sunset right.

“Oh yeah, I forget to tell you guys. Principal Celestia and her Fiance adopted me last night.” Sunset informed them, smiling happily.

Gilda and Lightning Dust’s mouths hanged open as the reality of Sunset’s words hit them hard. Sunset giggled at their expression and after a minute, Gilda Nd Lightning Dust managed to recover and in unison said the first thing that was on their minds.

“WHAT?!”

Meanwhile Fluttershy has just finished placing the books she needs for her homework in her backpack, she closes her locker and turns around to face her childhood friend. Rainbow Dash.

“You ready Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asks, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Fluttershy nodded as the two made their way to their band practice room, the walk was silent as neither girl wanted to say anything; Their thoughts filled with the possible outcomes of their meeting with Sunset. Will Applejack’s idea work? Will Sunset be even more angry and hate them forever? And then there’s the question of what comes after. If Sunset doesn’t accept how sorry they are and cuts them out of her life, then what will they do? If Sunset does take them back, then how will they go about making up for their betrayal?

As they approach the band practice room, Rainbow’s nervousness intensifies. Her heart hammers against her chest as each step she took brought her closer and closer to her destination. When she stood facing the door, Rainbow lifted her hand and as she reached for the door handle she froze. The memories of practicing with Sunset, laughing together, the good times they both shared flooded her mind, they were truly the best of friends. Or so she thought.

“Rainbow?”

Rainbow Dash snapped out of her thoughts and turns to look at Fluttershy who had a very worried look. “W-what is it Shy?”

“Are you okay?”

Rainbow opened her mouth to say yes, but stopped as she remembered what Lightning Dust told her. “No, no I’m not. I’m scared Fluttershy, I’m scared of what’s going to happen, I’m scarred that Sunset will never accept how sorry we are... How sorry I am.”

Fluttershy is surprised that Rainbow would ever admit to being scared of anything, she places her hand on Rainbow’s shoulder, giving her a gentle and reassuring smile. “It’s okay Rainbow, I’m scared too.”

Rainbow places her hand over Fluttershy’s, drawing some strength from her. Rainbow Dash takes a deep breath before resuming opening the door. Rainbow and Fluttershy see the rest of their friends already waiting inside who are startled when the door opens.

“Oh, it’s just yah gals.” Applejack says in relief.

“I guess we’re not the only ones nervous about this,” Fluttershy stated.

“It’s hard not to be darling, especially with how we’re actually seeing her.” Rarity comments as they all nod in agreement.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash enter the practice room and take a seat somewhere, as they join the rest of their friends in waiting for Sunset. The room is silent except for the ticking of the wall clock, each girl going over in her head on what exactly they want to say to Sunset. Applejack is starting to have second thoughts about this, she fears that her plan will only enrage Sunset and that because of her Sunset will hate them forever.

No! Applejack screamed in her head, as she shook her head and slapped the sides of her face. Now’s not the time to chicken out, ah have to see this through! Not just fer our sake but for Sunset’s too.

Just as Applejack steeled her resolve, the door handle turned and the door slowly opened until it revealed Sunset Shimmer. The girls eyes widened upon seeing and they immediately rose to their feet.

“Sorry for taking so long, there was something I had to take care of.” Sunset explains before looking at Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow. “You’ll be relieved to know that I’ve dealt with the one who defaced your sisters lockers and he won’t be doing it anything it again. Ever.”

“T-thank you Sunset.” Rarity thanked Sunset, but it was difficult to do since instead of Sunset telling them this it is her corrupted self.

“Y-yeah, thanks sugar cube.” Applejack is grateful for what Sunset did, but it made her feel even worse than she already did. Once again Sunset is going out of her way to look after her little sister, despite that fact that Applebloom was the one who started Anon-A-Miss.

Rainbow just stared at Sunset, despite looking all beat up and bloody, Sunset still managed to smile. But Rainbow could tell how much pain it was causing her. “Thanks Sunset, you’re the best.”

“Okay then.” Sunset clears her throat before addressing her friends, her tone turning serious. “I told Rarity this morning that I would give you all a chance to apologize, so. Lets hear it.”

Sunset crosses her arms and waits to see which one of the Rainbooms will go first, the Rainbooms shift nervously as they silently went over who should go first. And just like last time, Applejack volunteered herself to go first.

“Sunset, ah know ah hurt really badly. But this is the honest truth, ah am truly sorry for what ah did.” Applejack began.

“What we did.” Rarity spoke next, her right fist clenched in front of her chest. “We feel awful about what we did to you darling!”

“We understand how you felt after the fall formal!” Rainbow Dash raised her voice, gaining Sunset’s attention.

“What?” Sunset questioned angrily.

“We understand how you felt because that’s how we’re feeling right now.” Fluttershy spoke, flinching as Sunset’s gaze was now directed at her.

“You felt miserable, unhappy and really guilty for what you did to us. Especially when you turned into a demon.” Pinkie Pie stated in a monotone voice that took everyone aback. “You kept having nightmares about turning back into that demon and killing us. We have nightmares about how we each betrayed you, and how much pain we have caused you.”

“You are beautiful Sunset.” Rarity stated as her mascara ran down the sides of her face. “You were never a monster, we are!”

“A monster would never protect ours sisters like yer doing.” Applejack says as tears poured down her face. “A real monster lies!”

“A real monster makes people miserable!” Pinkie Pie raises her voice as hot tears run down the sides of her face.

“A real monster is cruel!” Fluttershy shouted as she too began to cry.

“A real monster would willingly hurt others without a second thought!!!” Rainbow Dash screams, tears cascaded down her cheeks, her legs trembling as she took in a shuttering breaths. “A real monster enjoys hurting others!”

The Rainbooms gather around Rainbow Dash, they all look at Sunset and together say…

“We are so sorry Sunset!!”

Sunset watches her former friends break down, they poured their hearts out to her and they sounded very sincere. “I get it.”

The Rainbooms are surprised at this and before any of them could speak, Sunset continued.

“Look, I can understand why you thought it was me. I really do. I was a total bitch. “Her gaze focuses on Rarity and Fluttershy. “Especially to two of you.”

Rarity and Fluttershy closed their eyes as they recalled what Sunset did to them, but then opened them again to look at Sunset as she continued.

“Hell, I would completely understand if you girls didn’t do what princess Twilight asked of you and just left me to face the school alone. I would not hold it against you.”

“But-” Pinkie tried to say something, but Sunset raised her hand to motion her to stop.

“You all had every reason not to trust me and I deserve all your hatred... But.”

Sunset looks at the Rainbooms with sad, hurt filled eyes. “I thought things would be different after we faced the Dazzlings. I thought I had finally earned your trust, and you trusted me as much as I trusted you. You even said I was family!”

Applejack felt a sharp pain in her heart at that word, family. Applejack betrayed her new family member, just like how her little sister betrayed her.

Am scum. Applejack thought bitterly.

“But then Anon-A-Miss happened and revealed to me what you girls really thought of me!” Sunset growled, clenching her fists tight against her sides as she glared at the girls. “Without a second thought, you all decided that it was me and threw me away! Do you have any idea how painful that was and still is?! Why would I throw away all my efforts to redeem myself?! Why would I throw away your friendship and trust in your faces?! You girls were all I had in this world, you were my whole world!”

Tears of bitterness, anger and sorrow spilled from Sunset’s eyes. “For Celestia’s sake I loved you girls!”

At this revelation the Rainbooms managed to see the real Sunset, the girl who loved them all and who they betrayed. They broke down even harder, mumbling apology after apology and how they loved her too.

“All this time I thought I had your trust, your love. I really thought we were a family, especially during the sleepovers! But it was all a lie, a lie I accepted without question. But after what’s happened I realized what family really means to you.” Sunset smiles bitterly. “I shouldn’t be surprised. I made you all break your own friendships. You all believe the worst in each other. So why wouldn’t you believe the worst in me, someone who was your friend for only a few months when you’ve been friends for years.”

“But I bet you all thought Anon-A-Miss was all part of some plan I had to get back at all of you for the fall formal, to expose some of your secrets while making it pretty fucking obvious that I’m the one doing it. You did not really knew me as much as you thought if you think Anon-A-Miss was me.” Sunset’s voice turns somber. “I was always smarter than that. Always, I do take after my mother in that regard.”

At the mention of Sunset’s mother, the Rainbooms thought back to their encounter with the solar and lunar princesses. A shiver running up their spines as they remembered how frightening they were when they were angry.

“But you girls never really think when you’re angry. I mean, it took Twilight talking some sense into you when the easy solution was staring you right in your faces.” Sunset sighs in defeat, “You’re sorry, now, when you realized the truth. But what if you never realized the truth? I remember what you wanted to happen to me, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash had the decency to look ashamed when Sunset looked at her, the rest of the Rainbooms gazed at Rainbow Dash, with everything that has happened they had almost forgotten what Rainbow had planned to do.

“You’d be upset I was dead, but then you’d just move on. You all would, happy I was gone from your lives.”

“NO!” Rainbow shouted as she rushed at Sunset and threw her arms around her, surprising the girl in the process. “Don’t you dare say that Sunset Shimmer! As if I would be happy that you died! This may sounds stupid after what I just did, but I don’t want you to die!”

Soon the rest of the Rainbooms joined Rainbow in embracing Sunset.

“That goes for me as well, I would never be happy with someones death!” Rarity cried,

“Don’t yah dare say such a thing Sunset, never ever say that again, yah hear?!” Applejack demanded as she held Sunset tightly.

“Please don’t leave us Sunset!” Fluttershy wailed.

“You don’t deserve to die, you’ll take away a lot of smiles if you do!” Pinkie Pie sobbed.

Sunset is stunned by her friends actions and words, she closes her eyes as tears once again began to fall. She feels their sorrow, pain and love and she slowly raises her arms, wanting so badly to hold them. But she refrained. Instead they all just cried, they cried for several minutes before Sunset spoke up.

“Things are never going to be the same. I hope you understand that.”

The girls pulled back but still held on to Sunset.

“We know darling, we know it will take some time for us to earn your trust back.” Rarity says as the other nod in agreement.

“Don’t get ahead of yourselves, I never said that I will be giving you all a second chance.” Sunset stated as she pulls away from the Rainbooms, their mood instantly dropping. “I need time to process all this.”

“H-how much time?” Rainbow asks, afraid at what the answer will be.

Sunset looks over the Rainbooms before answering. “We were suppose to end the sleepovers at the Apple farm and celebrate Christmas right?”

“Y-yeah.” Applejack agreed.

“Then I’ll give you my answer then.” Sunset says to which her friends agreed. “Then I’ll see you then.”

With that said Sunset left the practice room, a few minutes later the Rainbooms left as well. Emotionally and physically exhausted, the girls couldn’t wait to get to bed. But unfortunately for Sunset, it would seem that that would have to wait as waiting in front of her apartment is her mother and aunt. Along with two people that Sunset felt she’s seen before.

“Mom, Auntie? what’s going on?”

“Hello sweetheart.” Celestia greeted her daughter as she kissed her cheek. “Allow me to introduce you to Soarin and Spitfire, they’re Scootaloo’s parents.”

“Scootaloo’s-” Sunset’s eyes widen as she remembered where she’s seen them before. “You two are members of the Wonderbolts aren’t you?”

“Didn’t know you were a fan Sunset.” Luna said while smiling slyly.

“A little, But Rainbow Dash is a huuuuge fan. Her room is decorate with everything and anything about the Wonderbolts. Especially involving you two. Rarity is also a big fan of the photo shoots you do Ma’am. She’s a fashion designer and would always rave about how amazing you look in those outfits. She hopes that one day she’ll get to design an outfit for you to model.” Sunset explains causing Spitfire and Soarin to smile.

“That’s good to hear.” Spitfire says, before winking at Sunset. “I look forward to trying on her work.”

“If you don’t mind me asking Ma’am, why are you two here?” Sunset asks curiously.

“Like your mother just said, we’re Scootaloo’s parents and we’re here to see you.” Soarin stated.

“M-me? What for?”

“To apologize for what our daughter did to you.” Spitfire stated, her expression and that of her husband turns serious. “Scootaloo has told us her reasons and I wasn’t having it.”

“Yeah, she scared her straight.” Soarin commented with a grin before being elbowed by his wife.

“Soarin.” Spitfire says his name in a warning tone.”Anyway, I just want to assure you that she has been properly punished and when she got home, she told us about a special assembly where her eyes were opened to how badly her screw up could’ve been.”

“Tell me about it.” Sunset commented as she cast her gaze down, remembering the fall formal and what she almost did.

“Your mother told us about how you were in the past, but that’s not who you are now. The old Sunset Shimmer wouldn’t have gone out of her way to protect those who wronged her.” Spitfire says as tears pool in her eyes. “Because of our positions in the Wonderbolts, we’re always away from our daughter for long periods of time. And even though my mother is with her, it doesn’t stop me from worrying about her.”

Soarin wrapped his right arm around Spitfire, a gesture she greatly appreciated.

“You can imagine how worried we were when we got a call from Stormy Flare, telling us that we were being sued for something involving our daughter.” Soarin stated.

A light bulb went off in Sunset’s head. “No one knows that Scootaloo’s your daughter.”

“Hit the nail on the head there.” Spitfire says with a grin, “Our marriage and Scootaloo being our daughter has been kept a secret from everyone but our family and close friends.”

“To ensure that Scootaloo can live a normal, happy life.” Soarin commented.

“But as you can see, this whole mess with Anon-A-Miss threatens to unravel that.” Spitfire explains as she lets out a tired sigh.

“I’m sorry.” Sunset apologizes, feeling bad for them.

“No, you have nothing to apologize for. You are the greatest victim in all of this.” Spitfire tells Sunset as she places her hands on her shoulders. “You are a wonderful and brilliant young woman, destined for a bright future; and I can’t thank you enough for looking after my daughter.”

“Don’t mention it.” Sunset says with a smile as she brings Spitfire in for a hug and is later joined by Soarin. Spitfire mumbles thank you after thank you in Sunset’s shoulder. They really love their daughter. Sunset thinks as an image of her family in both equestria and here pop in her mind.

As the trio continues their embrace, they are unaware that they are being watched. The individual hurriedly puts his phone back in his pocket before darting away.

After biding farewell to Scootaloo’s parents, and after getting an autograph picture from them. Sunset returns to her apartment with her aunt and mother. They enjoy a home cooked meal prepared by Celestia and it was one of the best meals Sunset had ever had since eating with the Apples, they then set about looking over Sunset’s things and deciding which ones to take to Sunset’s new room tonight. After settling on Sunset’s books and video games, the two principals bid Sunset a good night as they drove home. Sunset then got herself ready for bed and as she settled herself comfortably, her thoughts began to wonder about the events of today, the Rainbooms apologies, the situation with Scootaloo’s parents. Eventually Sunset’s eyelids grew heavy and she went right to sleep.

The next morning, Sunset wakes up to the sound of her phone ringing, with a groan Sunset reaches for her phone, she sees that it’s from Gilda and presses the answer button.

“Hello?” Sunset says in a groggy voice.

“Sunset, we have a bit of a situation.” Gilda says from the other line.

“What kind of situation?” Sunset asks as she sits up from her bed,

“I’m sending you a pic.” Gilda says before hanging up.

Sunset stares at her phone in confusion, a minute later she receives a message from Gilda and upon opening it, her eyes widen in shock. The last remnants of sleep are gone as she stares at the photo. It was a picture of a newspaper and at the front cover is her embracing Spitfire and Soarin. But once she read the headline, she knew immediately that she was in for a rough day..

WONDERBOLTS SECRET DAUGHTER!

Author's Notes:

Here's another chapter, it's not as long as the others but I hope you guys enjoy it either way. Thanks again to KR Chrome for some of the dialogue.