Sunset looked over her phone at the article about her, it describes how her movements are smooth and calculative like Spitfire, but gave off an easy gong feeling like Soarin. The article even states that Sunset may have a potential even greater than they previously thought. She cast a glance at the road and saw a familiar car approaching, it came to a stop by the sidewalk and the window on the driver's seat rolled down to reveal Flash Sentry.

"Good morning." Flash greeted as he flashed Sunset a smile.

"Morning." Sunset greeted back as she returned the smile, she had her hood up to conceal her red hair since It is her most defining feature.

She moves to the passenger side when Flash suddenly exits his car.

"Let me get that for you!" Flash says as he goes around his car to the passenger side.

"You don't have to." Sunset says as Flash opens the passenger door.

"I insist." Flash stated as he gestures for Sunset to take a seat.

"Ever thee gentleman." Sunset smirks as she enters Flash car and pulls back her hood. "Thank you."

"No problem." Flash responds as he closes the door and heads back to his side of the car.

After they fastened their seatbelts, Flash started driving towards the school, they remained in silence for a few minutes before Flash spoke up.

"Did you had any trouble sneaking out of your apartment?"

"A little, there was nobody outside that I could see, but that makes it worse since I have to be extra careful not to get spotted." Sunset answers as looks out the passenger window. "As if my problems couldn't get any worse."

"Hey, cheer up. we've got your back." Flash reminded her. "If we all put our heads together then I'm sure we'll figure something out."

Sunset thought over what Flash said and she realized that he was right. "You're right Flash."

"Aren't I always?" Flash cast Sunset a sly smile.

"You mean like that time you thought that I was this amazing girl with a big heart." Sunset grinned as she watched Flash's face form a frown.

"Technically I was right about that." Flash defended.

"Not until much later though." Sunset smiled as they both started laughing.

"Chin up Lightning Dust, it wasn't your fault." Dumbbell assured his friend who had her face in her hands.

"Yeah, you said that Sunset said so herself. so quit sulking, you don't want Sunset to see you like that do you?" GIlda asks as she leaned against one of the pillars of the school's front entrance with her arms crossed.

"No." Lightning Dust mumbles as she removes her face from her hands. "I should've been more careful."

"Shit happens, it can't be helped." Gilda states as she takes a look around, the students were even more abuzz with the new article than before. She then focuses on Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie who are waiting by the base of the Wondercolt statue. The two girls were looking very concerned, Gilda had a pretty good hunch as to why.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie waited anxiously for the rest of their friends, Sunset had told them that she was fine and that she's still figuring out what to do. But they were still worried about how the situation keeps getting worse. they soon spot a familiar truck pulled up and Applejack, Applebloom and Granny Smith exit it before the truck drives off. Applejack spots her friends and waves before making her way over to them. They exchanged greetings before waiting for the arrival of their remaining friends, soon enough Rarity and Sweetie Bell arrive, followed by Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. The group talk among themselves about the situation with Sunset, all the while a group of students watches them carefully. more specifically they watch the Crusaders.

Flash's car soon pulls up with him exiting the driver's side to go open the passenger side door, as well as offering a hand to his passenger.

"Thanks Flash." Sunset thanks her friend as she takes the offered hand, flashes him a grateful smile.

"My pleasure." Flash returns the smile as he helps Sunset out of his car, he tells her he will see her later as he goes to park his car in the parking lot.

The Rainbooms are relieved to see Sunset, as she gives them a nod while making her way towards her friends. Sunset greets them as they discuss what do to about the situation that seems to be getting progressively worse. The bell soon rings and the students start heading inside, the Crusaders go to Sunset and hand over their phones to her. unware of the group of students that begin to surround them as they followed the rest of their classmates inside. Without warning, one of them thrusts his hand out which is holding a switchblade at one of the Crusaders. Reacting on instinct, Sunset maneuvers her arm to deflect the blade before punching the boy in the face.

"Hey!" Sweetie Bell shouts as she feels someone pull on her hair. "Let me go!"

"Sweetie Bell!" Applebloom cries out as she and Scootaloo rush to help their friend, but are roughly grabbed by the group of students.

The group pull out knives and attempt to stab them, but one of them was hit with the body of his fellow group member while the one that was holding Sweetie Bell was hit with a backpack and the person holding Applebloom was punched in the face by Sunset, a cracking noise can be heard as her fist collided against his face. .

"Get your hands off of them!"

The commotion causes the students entering the school to turn back and they are shocked to see what's happening .

"The demon is attacking!" A female student shrieked.

"Applebloom!" Applejack watches in horror as a group of students start ganging up in Sunset and the Crusaders.

"Sweetie Bell!" Rarity gasps in horror.

"Scoots!" Rainbow Dash shouts in equal parts horror and shock.

"Sunset!" Lightning Dust shouts.

Sunset's friends and the Rainbooms were about to go help when they were all knocked on to the floor.

"What in tarnation?!" Applejack looks behind her to see a large student holding her down.

"Get off me you brute!" Rarity demands as she struggles against her attacker's hold on her.

"You son of a bitch!" Gilda shouts as two boys hold her down.

"Those three brats must pay for what they did." One of the male students says as he holds down Lightning Dust.

"You pieces of shit! when I get my hands on you, I'll make you wish you were never born!" Lightning Dust threatened as she struggled against the boys who are holding her down.

"Damn it!" Dumbbell shouts as several students hold him down, two of which are from the wrestling team.

Sunset continues to knock down student after student as they kept coming after the Crusaders, one student charged at her while holding a bat and swung it at her. Sunset grabbed it and use the momentum to throw him aside and take down some of his buddies.

"Ah!" Applebloom screamed as she was roughly thrown on to the ground, her attacker raising his bat over his head as he is about to strike her, but he is tackled on his side.

"Get away from my friend!"

"Diamond Tiara?" Applebloom says in surprise.

"Applebloom, run!" Diamond Tiara shouts as she struggles to hold on to Applebloom's attacker.

"You little brat." The attacker says in anger as he elbows Diamond Tiara in the face, causing her grip on him to loosen. He delivers one last hard elbow that manages to knock Diamond Tiara back.

"Diamond Tiara!"

Applebloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo rushed to her aid, Diamond Tiara groans in pain as her vision is blurred. her friends gather around her as she tries to regain her senses. But the student wasn't done as he lifted his bat and swing it down on them, the Crusaders huddled together, wrapping their arms around Diamond Tiara as they close their eyes and wait for the impact. But when it didn't came they slowly opened them to witness Sunset grabbing the bat with both hands. But suddenly Sunset was hit in the stomach by another bat causing her to fall to her knees and gasping for breath. The student with the bat Sunset was holding kicked her on her stomach and sent her tumbling back.

"Sunset!" The Crusaders cried out as they ran to Sunset's side.

Sunset felt an intense pain on her abdomen and was already using her magic to heal herself, she felt the Crusaders at her side but then she notices the boys with the bats getting ready to swing; thinking quickly, Sunset gathers the Crusaders and Diamond Tiara in her arms and turns around to use her body to shield them just in time as ne of the attackers swings his bat and hits Sunset in the back. Sunset groans as an explosion of pain erupts from her back, she starts gasping for breath as the impact knocked the air out of her lungs. The Crusaders and Diamond Tiara who has managed to recover a bit watch Sunset's pain stricken face, tears welling up in the Crusaders eyes.

"Now you bitches die!" One of the boy shouts as he brings down his bat.

"Sunset!" All of Sunset's friends, former and current watch in horror as she was about to be clobbered.

Sunset closes her eyes, steeling herself for the next impact but instead she hears another impact of something hitting the ground and when she opens her eyes, she sees the assailant knocked out on the floor.

"Get away from our daughter!"

Scootaloo's eyes widen as she recognizes that voice, she peeks around Sunset to see a furious look Spitfire, her eyes burning as she glares at the assailant she knocked down.

"Mom?"

Sweetie Bell, Diamond Tiara and Applebloom are taken aback by this, they had never met Scootaloo's mother and they only ever see her grandmother.

"You got a lot of nerve." Soarin spoke as he held the other assailant, his arm bent back.

The rest of the attackers are stunned to see two members of the Wonderbolts, this however prove to be a mistake. Taking advantage of the situation, Gilda, Lightning Dust, Dumbbell, Rainbow Dash and Applejack pushed hard against the boys holding them and knocked them back.

"Payback time." Gilda says in a threatening tone as she takes a swing at the nearest guy and hits him square in the face. knocking him back.

"I warned you what would happen if I get loose." Lightning Dust says, staring down the attackers with a murderous look in her eyes. charging at her attackers, she dodges a right hook before delivering an uppercut and sending him tumbling back.

"How dare you guys do this!" Dumbbell shouts as he wrestles with his two teammates.

"They had it coming Dumbbell!" he answered as he tried to pin Dumbbell.

"It's what they get for posting shit!" the other boy responded as the two were overpowering Dumbbell.

Suddenly they were both suddenly thrown off of Dumbbell and into the air before landing harshly on the ground, Dumbbell looked to see that it was Pinkie Pie who had thrown them, but something seemed off. She had a blanc expression but he could sense something very dangerous about her, her flat hair and dimmer skin tone added to her lethality.

"Are you okay?" Pinkie Pie asks in a monotone voice.

"Y-yeah." Dumbbell answers nervously, something is definitely not right with Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie then turns her attention to the rest of the attackers and as Dumbbell blinked, Pinkie was already behind the ones holding down Fluttershy. She grabs one of their shoulders as an audible crack can be heard as the boy screamed before being flung away from Fluttersy. Pinkie then grabs the other boys leg and instantly breaks his ankle, the boy screams in agony before being ripped away from Fluttershy. Fluttershy looks up at Pinkie Pie as she holds out her hand to her, she takes the offered hand as Pinkie then goes Rarity. She grabs the boy by his head, making him scream as he feels his head being crushed. She then throws him towards the boys that Lightning and Gilda are fighting and knocks them back a fair distance. She them makes her way towards Rainbow and Applejacks fight, with surprising speed she goes around the boys and shoves them forward, causing them to be sent flying and colliding with the school wall. knocking them out.

Everyone watched in stunned amazement as Pinkie Pie effortlessly tossed around the attackers, all while still wearing that blanc expression. Rainbow Dash managed to snap out of her daze and runs towards Sunset just as Spitfire and Soarin finished restraining the remaining attackers.

"Sunset!"

Rainbow Dash slides next to Sunset and checks to see if she is alright, Sunset looks at her and gives her a strained smile.

"Sweetie are you okay?" Spitfire asks Sunset as she and Soarin kneel down next to the girls.

"I'll be okay, thanks Mom and Dad." Sunset says before enveloping them in a hug.

Spitfire and Soarin are taken aback by this and before they could asks, Sunset whispers in their ear.

"Sorry about this, but just in case we're being watched. I don't want to ruin your plan."

Spitfire's eyes widen as she realizes what she had said earlier, biting her lip and silently cursing herself for her slip up she wraps her arms around Sunset.

"I'm so glad we made it just in time."

Spitfire cast a glance at Scootaloo who looked a little confused, recognizing the loving look in her mother's eyes, silently asking if she was okay? Scootaloo nodded before giving her a small smile.

"What are you guys doing here anyway?" Sunset asks as she pulls back.

"We came to talk to principal Celestia about the news article about you." Soarin explains.

"Sunset!"

The group turns to see the Rainbooms and Sunset's friends running towards them, Rainbow Dash manages to reach them first and kneels down in front of Sunset.

"Are you okay?!" Rainbow asks with extreme worry.

"I'm fine, a little banged up, but fine nonetheless." Sunset gives Rainbow Dash a reassuring smile.

"Sweetie Bell, Are you alright?!" Rarity hugged her sister tightly before looking at Sunset. "Darling, thank you so much for protecting Sweetie Bell. I don't how I can possibly repay you."

"It's alright Rarity, all that matter is that they're safe." Sunset stated as she watches Applejack and Rarity hug their sister, mumbling how glad they are that they are okay. Sunset looks to Scootaloo who looks to be fighting back the urge to run up to her parents and hug them.

"hey Scoots, you okay?" Rainbow asks softly as she goes over to Scootaloo.

"Y-yeah." Scoots responds timidly.

"They didn't rough too badly did they?" Rainbow places her hands on Scootaloo's shoulders as she inspect the girl for any physical injuries.

Scootaloo shakes her head. "Sunset got the worst of it though."

Scootaloo turns to look at Sunset who grimaced as she felt a throbbing pain on her back, Scootaloo was overcome with guilt as Sunset was made to suffer because of her. a feeling her two friends shared as well.

Applebloom stares at Sunset's demonic form, despite still feeling a tinge of fear at the site of her, Applebloom couldn't deny the fact that Sunset used her own body to shield her and her friends. She cast a look around her to the other attackers who lay unconscious, their faces were a mess. Applebloom gulped before turning her attention to Diamond Tiara, she just jumped right in and got hurt helping her.

"Diamond Tiara, are yah okay?"

"Besides the headache, I'm just great." Diamond Tiara says sarcastically.

"Am sorry." Applebloom spoke, tears welling up in her eyes as she looks to Sunset. "Am so sorry for all of this.
"

"Why in the world are you apologizing?" Diamond Tiara asked incredulously. "it's not like this is your fault."

"But it is! all this is mah fault, all because ah started Anon-A-Miss!" Applebloom cried. "Despite having nothin to do with this mess yah got hurt and even after what we did to her, Sunset put herself at risk to shield us from harm!"

Everyone watched as Applebloom cried her eyes out, Diamond Tiara sighs as she raises her hand and flicks her friend on the forehead.

"Hey whatja do that fer?" Applebloom asks as she rubs her forehead.

"For being a dummy, the reason I stuck my neck out for you was because that's what friends do!" Diamond Tiara reminded her, placing her hands on her hips. "The fact that you're in this mess makes it clear that you need your friends now more than ever.

"But what happens if we get attacked again?"

"That won't ever happen again." Sunset spoke from besides Applebloom, gaining everyone's attention. "I'll make sure of it."

Applebloom watched the Sunset with wide eyes, once again she was doing her best to protect her and her friends.

"Why?"

"Huh?" Sunset blinked at Applebloom's question. "Why what?"

"Why are you-"

"What is going on out here?!"

Everyone turns to the school entrance to see Princial Celestia and Vice-principal Luna exiting the school, both of them are in shock as they see the moaning and bleeding bodies of students littered around the front of the school. Their eyes soon settle on Sunset and the group surrounding her, Celestia became worried as she say Sunset clutching her stomach. When Celestia's eyes locked with Sunset's, she can see the pain reflected off of them and she immediately ran towards her.

"Sunset, are you alright?!" Celestia asks as she finally reaches her daughter and kneels down next to her.

"I'm okay." Sunset replied simply, giving her mother a small smile which quickly shifted into a look of pain.

"It doesn't look like you are." Luna commented as she pressed her hand gently against Sunset's stomach and back. "What happened here Sunset?"

"The group of students you see lying around ambushed us in an attempt to hurt the Crusaders, I managed to hold them off but they got the drop on me and Diamond Tiara got hurt defending Applebloom. Lucky for us, we were saved." Sunset motioned to Spitfire and Soarin.

Celestia closes her eyes, takes a deep breath before exhaling. "Luna, contact the police and tell them we need an ambulance, they may have serious injuries. Meanwhile I'll take everyone to my office and drop off Sunset and Diamond Tiara in the nurse's office."

Luna nodded as she took out her phone and began dialing 911, as her older sister motioned for everyone to follow her. Sunset struggles a bit walking, but she is helped by Rainbow Dash and Gilda, as the two girls flanked either side of her.

"We gotcha." Gilda smiles at Sunset as she and Rainbow Dash help guide her towards the school.

Sunset notices the groaning students by the entrance, as they clutch on to a part of their body painfully. she looks to Gilda for an answer and she motions to Pinkie Pie, who looked at Sunset worriedly. Sunset raises an eyebrow and before she could ask Gilda to clarify, Rainbow Dash spoke up.

"I'll tell you later."

Sunset nodded at that, it would seem that today was off to a great start.

"Diamond Tiara has a slight bump on her head. but Sunset you have a large bruise on your back and stomach, possibly some internal injuries as well." Nurse Redheart states as she finished examining Sunset and Diamond Tiara. "I would recommend that you see doctor immediately, and in the meantime I want you two to stay here for a while just to make sure nothing serious develops."

"Great." Diamond Tiara says sarcastically as she rolls her eyes.

Nurse Redheart giggled at Diamond Tiara's sarcastic tone, she motioned for the girls to lay down on some beds while she went to file some papers before going to tell Principal Celestia about Sunset's condition.

"This stinks." Diamond Tiara complained as she flopped on to the bed.

Sunset smiles slightly as she watches Diamond Tiara stare grumpily at the ceiling, but winces as she feels a throbbing pain on her back.

"Are you alright Sunset?" Nurse Redheart asks worriedly as she immediately goes to Sunset's side.

"Yeah." Sunset groans as she focuses more of her magic to her back.

"Uh." Nurse Redheart stared in shock as Sunset is surrounded in a red aura and pony ears sprouted from on top of her head, her hair extending into a long pony tail.

Sunset notices Redheart's gaze and realizes why she was staring. "I'm guessing this is your first time seeing me like this huh?"

Redheart simply nods,

"I get like this whenever I use my magic and I'm going to run a diagnostic spell to see the extent of the damage. kind of like an x-ray except without the exposure to radiation." Sunset explains as she begins to run the diagnostic spell. "Hmm yep, I definitely have internal injuries. good think I cast that mild healing spell earlier or else it would be a lot worse."

"Then you definitely need to go to the hospital." Nurse Redheart says in alarm as she starts making her way towards the door. "I'll go inform the principal and-"

"Wait, you don't have to do that!" Sunset calls out to Redheart just as she opens the door.

"You have internal injuries, you said so yourself." Nurse Redheart stated as she gave Sunset a disapproving look. "You need to go to the hospital."

"Not if I can heal myself." Sunset pointed out." I know a few recovery spells that can heal me completely, but judging by the severity of my injuries, there are three spells that will do the trick."

Nurse Redheart notice Sunset stare at the floor with a serious expression. "Are there any side effects to those spells? do they put a strain on your body?"

"Something like that." Sunset mutters before raising her head to look at nurse Redheart. "The first spell will heal me instantly, but it leaves me drained afterwards. it was mostly designed to heal others in a hurry like if they were in the middle of a battle."

"What about the second and third spells?" Redheart asks while crossing her arms, she already didn't like the first spell.

"The second spell requires me to go into a meditative state that depending on the severity of the injuries might take a full day, the third spell I actually need my mother's help." Sunset explains as she took up a thinking pose.

"Is something wrong with the third spell?" Nurse Redheart asks worriedly.

"No, the third spell is actually the most preferable one. It's just that well...." Sunset scratches the back of her head as she thinks of how to best explain this to the nurse. "My mother is actually a very important and busy woman, that it might be difficult for her to take time from her busy schedule to come help me."

"But surely she would help out her own daughter." Nurse Readheart stated as she wondered what kind of job Sunset's mother would have to make her too busy to help her own daughter.

"Yes, she would. She's very protective of me in fact, she would drop whatever she's doing and rush over here." Sunset scratches her cheek sheepishly. "It's just that she will burn alive whoever did this to me."

"T-that's a little extreme." Nurse Redheart says nervously.

"Yeah, So I'll just have to use the second spell. but first." Sunset walks towards Diamond Tiara.

"What're you doing?" Diamond Tiara asks as Sunset kneels down next to her bed.

"I'm going to heal you." Sunset says with a smile as she places her hand against Diamond Tiara's forehead. "A simple healing spell should do the trick."

Diamond Tiara watches Sunset nervously as her hand begins to glow, Diamond Tiara felt a tingling sensation radiate from her forehead before Sunset pulled her hand away.

"There you go." Sunset gives Diamond Tiara a warm smile before standing up and going to the adjacent bed.

Diamond Tiara rubs her forehead and discovers that the pain is gone, she looks at Sunset as she lays down on the bed. Sunset takes a deep breath before exhaling, she closes her eyes and a red magical outline surrounds her body.

Redheart and Diamond Tiara stare in amazement at Sunset's illuminated form.

"She looks very peaceful huh?." Diamond Tiara commented.

"Yes, she has been through so much lately that it's a welcome change to see her so relaxed." Nurse Redheart spoke as she smiled at the sleeping Sunset.

"Sooo since Sunset healed me, can I go?" Diamond Tiara asks innocently.

"Just go." Nurse Redheart rolls her eyes while smiling playfully.

Diamond Tiara waves goodbye as she exits the nurse's office, nurse Redheart glances back at Sunset before going back to her desk and finishing her paper work.

Rainbow Dash could not believe what she was seeing, right there in front of her are two members of the Wonderbolts. Due to the events earlier she couldn't properly react to seeing them, but now she had to suppress the urge to squeal in joy. However she was more surprised to see them holding Scootaloo.

"Oh sweetie, I'm so glad you're safe." Spitfire said as she hugged Scootaloo tightly.

Scootaloo held tightly to her mother, her body trembling as she cried on her shoulder.

"You're safe Scoots," Soarin assured his daughter as she ruffled her hair.

Principal Celestia sits on her desk as she watches the frightened Crusaders cling to their sisters and in Scootaloo's case her parents. How Celestia wished she could be by her daughter's side, Sunset looked like she was in a great deal of pain and the new mother wanted to get this over with quickly so she could go see her. Celestia clears her throat, gaining everyone's attention.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need you all to explain to the best of your ability what exactly happened."

The Crusaders pulled away from their family and explained to the principal about how they arrived to school as usual and were suddenly attacked when they all were about to enter the building.

“It just happened so suddenly, we were caught completely by surprise.” Sweetie Bell explained.

“This attack was well thought out.” Gilda added. “They subdued the rest of us so we couldn’t help out.”

"I recognized two of them from the wrestling team, judging by the number of students that attacked it seems that there are a lot of people who thought that the Crusaders deserve to be punished more." Dumbbell added.

"What I don't get is why go through with it? They know that Sunset is watching over them and after the display with her turning into a demon, I figured anyone who would try something on those three would be sent to a early grave." Lightning Dust asks.

"Perhaps they thought the risk was worth it." Rarity commented. "They all knew what would happen, but felt so strongly that the girls deserve 'proper' punishment that they decided to take the risk. Obviously it didn't work out so great for them."

Principal Celestia pondered at what she has been told, she then looked to Dumbbell and asked. "Dumbbell, do you think you can give me the names of the two members of the wrestling team?"

"Sure." Dumbbell says as he tells Principal Celestia the names of the two students.

"Can anyone else identify the attackers?" Principal Celestia asks the rest of the group in front of her.

The Rainbooms, Sunset's friends and the Crusaders thought for a moment before shaking their heads.

"Sorry Principal Celestia, but ah don't mighty know any of them." Applejack says apologetically.

"You don't need to apologize Applejack, Vice-Principal Luna should be able to get the identities of all those who took part in this morning's assault." Principal Celestia assured her. "In the meantime, all of you should return to class, I'll write you a note to hand to your teachers to excuse your absence."

"Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell and Applebloom. You three can remain in my office if you'd like, I'm sure that this incident has left you three quite shaken."

"Thank you Principal Celestia." Applebloom was grateful for this, truthfully she didn't feel safe going back to class.

The Rainbooms and Sunset's friends gathered around the principal's desk to receive their note before filing out of her office. Rarity and Applejack hugged their sisters and assured them that they'll be back by lunch, Rainbow Dash ruffled Scotaloo'ls hair before briefly glancing at her parents. She gave Scootaloo a look that told her that she wanted to know what was going on later before biding her farewell and exiting the Principal's office, once the students had left; Principal Celestia addressed Scootaloo's parents.

"Mrs. Spitfire, I would personally like to thank you and your husband for saving my daughter from further harm."

"Don't mention it, we should be the ones thanking your daughter." Spitfire began.

"She shielded Scoots and her friends with her own body, that says a lot about her character." Soarin added as he smiled down at Scootaloo.

"Thank you, I'll be sure to let her know that." Principal Celestia thanked the two Wonderbolts, she felt a surge of pride at hearing them compliment her daughter and couldn't help the smile that spread on her lips.

"Principal Celestia, we actually came here to discuss with you about the headline in todays paper." Spitfire's tone turned serious.

Celestia's smile vanished at hearing that. "I see, what do you want to discuss?"

"Soarin and I have been thinking of making a statement denying that Sunset is our daughter, but it turns out it's going to be a lot more difficult than we thought." Spitfire lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Why?" Scootaloo asks innocently. "If it's about that first photo, can't you just tell everyone that you were greeting a fan?"

"We thought about that, but as you can see, Sunset has garnered a lot of attention and the comparisons between her and myself continue to grow if todays article is any indication. Even if we deny that she's our daughter, no one will probably listen." Spitfire explains to her daughter. "But that won't be a problem for much longer."

Applebloom and Sweetie Bell watches the faces of Scootaloo and her parents become dejected.

"I-is something wrong with that?" Sweetie Bell asks timidly.

"You see sweetie, no one outside of our family and close friends know that we're married and that we have a daughter." Spitfire began as she looks at Sweetie Bell. "We did that so we could give Scootaloo a normal life, but because of the lawsuit..."

All the color drained from Applebloom's face at hearing that, this was her fault.

"Don't even think about it Applebloom." Scootaloo suddenly speaks up, gaining everyone's attention. "I know that look and you can forget it, I helped contribute to Anon-A-Miss so this mess is my fault."

Applebloom opened her mouth to respond but a pointed look from Scootaloo told her it wasn't going to work. Applebloom admitted defeat as she and Scootaloo smiled at each other.

"Um is that why Scootaloo didn't tell us who her parents are?" Sweetie Bell asks.

"That's right." Spitfire responded simply.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys." Scootaloo apologizes as she cast her gaze at the floor.

"Why are yah apologizing fer? yah heard yer Mom, they wanted yah to have a normal life an' yah can't have that if yah go blabbing to folks that yer parents are the Wonderbolts right?" Applebloom Flashes her a smile to which Scootaloo returns.

Spitfire and Soarin couldn't help but smile, their daughter made some truly great friends. The whole thing with Anon-A-Miss was a group effort, no one girl taking more blame than the other. Each one had a hand in it and each one is willing to take responsibility for their mistake. Spitfire leans close to Soarin and laid her head on his left shoulder, watching Scootaloo with her friends is proof that their efforts to give her a normal and happy life were a success.

"I can't believe you tossed them all aside like that PInkie." Dumbbell commented, he and the others were talking about how Pinkie easily took down the group of students that held them down.

"Yeah, I didn't know you were that strong." Rainbow says as she absentmindedly rubs her shoulder, her mind recalling how Pinkie broke one of the guys shoulder's with her grip.

"Well, they were hurting my friends and wasn't going to let that happen." Pinkie stated as she gave off a small smile, her completion is still dull and her hair flat. "Most of my family is very strong like my big sister Maud.

At the mention of Maud, Rainbow Dash is reminded on how she challenged Maud to a rock throwing contest and she won by throwing a bolder far into the distance.

"It runs in the family." Applejack stated as she draped her right arm over Pinkie's shoulder, smiling at the pink haired girl who returned it in kind.

"Remind me never to get on your bad side." Gilda says with a playful smirk causing everyone to laugh.

They continue walking down the hallway until they had to split up to go to their respective classes. However one of them has something else in mind, Rainbow Dash waits until she's out of sight before bolting towards the nurse's office. Rainbow Dash turns sharply at a corner before sliding to a stop, as she looks at the door to the nurse's office. She steeled herself before opening the door and was greeted by nurse Readheart.

"Hello Rainbow Dash, the usual routine I presume?" Redheart teased, Rainbow Dash often visited her office when ever one of her stunts at school goes wrong.

"N-no, I came to see Sunset." Rainbow Dash asks as she looks around for the mentioned teen.

"She's behind that curtain." Nurse Redheart pointed towards a curtain that separated part of the office.

"Thanks." Rainbow walked over to the curtain, her heart pounding against her chest as she nervously pushed the it aside. her eyes widen as she saw the glowing form of Sunset Shimmer on the bed. Her first reaction would've been to shout, but she refrained herself as she rationalized that it wouldn't be a good idea. Instead Rainbow Dash looked over Sunset's unconscious form, she noted Sunset's relaxed expression, her normal breathing and the way she lay on the bed.

Did she cast a spell on herself?

Before she could dwell any further, she felt a tap on her shoulder causing her to turn around and look see nurse Redheart.

"I'll be stepping out for a bit to tell principal Celestia about Sunset's condition, do you mind watching over her for a bit?" Nurse Readheart asks, smiling kindly.

"uh, sure." Rainbow nodded.

"I promise not to take long." Redheart then proceeded to exit the office, leaving Rainbow Dash alone with Sunset.

Rainbow Dash spots a nearby seat and moves it close to Sunset's bed before taking a seat, she watches Sunset gently breath in and out, despite the horrible injuries she has because of the beating from the illusion Gilda and her group of cronies she lifts her hand and contemplates whether she should place it over Sunset's; deciding not to risk disturbing the flow of magic, Rainbow places her hand back down.

"I let you down again Sunset." Rainbow Dash whispers. "I was right there, and yet I couldn't anything to help you."

Rainbow Dash grits her teeth as she balls her fists in frustration, she stood by helplessly as Sunset and the Crusaders where attacked and could do nothing as Sunset was hit in the stomach by a baseball bat, and then on the back. Rainbow's anger flared as she recalled the look of pain on Sunset's face, Rainbow was no stranger to pain, some of her wild stunts on her skateboard have landed her in the hospital after all. But taking a direct hit from a hard swing of a bat not once but twice, there's no doubt that Sunset must've been seriously injured. Especially if you're hit on the back.

"If you keep glaring like that, you might catch something on fire."

Startled by the unexpected voice, Rainbow Dash quickly turns around to see a grinning Gilda.

"Gilda!"

"Easy there Dash, don't wanna wake Sunset do we?" Gilda motioned with her head to Sunset.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" Rainbow asks.

"Shouldn't you?" Gilda raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms. "I have a free period and I decided to come here to check on Sunset."

Gilda and Rainbow Dash stared at each other for a bit before Dash turned her attention back to Sunset.

"She cast some kind of spell on herself, maybe it's a healing spell or something."

"I see." Gilda casts a glance at Sunset before finding a spare seat and placing it next to Rainbow Dash.

The two girls watched Sunset in relative silence, Rainbow Dash paid special attention to the red aura, paying close attention to even the slightest change.

"What's with the laser focus gaze? She's not going anywhere." Gilda commented as gave Rainbow Dash a sly smirk, causing Rainbow sigh. "Lighten up Dash, Sunset's going to be fine."

"She could've been killed, Gilda." Rainbow says through gritted teeth.

"I know." Gilda's voice turns serious. "listen Dash, I'm not any happy than you are that Sunset is in this state. The best we can do is be ready in case it happens again."

"I hear you but...I hate the fact that I couldn't do a thing to help Sunset." Rainbow Dash admitted as she buried her face in her hands.

"You think I don't feel the same?" Gilda comments which causes Rainbow Dash to look up at her. "You think I didn't like the fact that I was powerless to help my friend while a bunch of fuckers gang up on her to get at three little girls?!"

"Gilda." Rainbow Dash whispers her name.

"I got a news flash for you Dash, you're not the only one who feels like shit for failing to protect your friend!" Gilda tells her in a raised voice, but it wasn't enough to disturb Sunset.

Silence resumed as neither girl spoke after Gilda's outburst, however Rainbow Dash had been meaning to ask Gilda something, and now seemed like the best opportunity to ask her.

"Hey Gil?"

"Hm?" Gilda looks over at Rainbow.

"I wanted to ask you....what made you believe Sunset wasn't Anon-A-Miss?" Rainbow Dash asks, her bangs obscuring her vision.

"Easy, this aint the old Sunset's style." Gilda responded easily. "The old Sunset would've personally came to you and tell you she knows your secret, essentially blackmailing you."

"But she broke apart my friendship with my friends with just a text." Rainbow Dash stated, "But that was as much our fault as it is Sunset's."

"Now you're learning, but seriously, Sunset doesn't do this for laughs. She always did the things she did if it meant that she would benefit from it in the long run." Gilda pointed out."And another thing Dash, you better do something to keep that temper of yours in check. I don't know which is more fucked up, the fact that you suggested we ambush Sunset, or that you could use me to do your dirty work. "

"I know." Rainbow admitted, shame clearly evident in her voice.

"I completely understand why you thought I would be pissed at the post about us kissing, but because I sought help managing my anger, it didn't even phase me. I like girls, there's no shame in that! That's why you should get counseling, it really makes a big difference." Gilda then nudges Rainbow Dash on the shoulder playfully. "Hey if someone like me can do something about her temper then so can you!"

"Who helped you out with your temper, maybe they can help me?" Rainbow Dash asks while grinning at Gilda.

"Vice-Principal Luna actually." Gilda answers.

"Seriously?" Rainbow tils her head in surprise, she never figured their Vice-principal for someone who deals in anger management.

"I know, I was surprised too!" Gilda laughs and is soon joined by Rainbow Dash, however their laughter is cut short when the red outline around Sunset's body disappears and she snaps her eyes open, before bolting upright, causing her to groan in pain as her injuries haven't healed much.

"Sunset!" Rainbow shouts as she and Gilda are quickly beside her.

"Easy there Sunset, you're still pretty banged up." Gilda calms her friend down as she attempts to have Sunset lie down.

"Urgh...there's no time, she's coming!" Sunset warned as her stomach and back were throbbing in pain.

"Who's coming?" Gilda asks curiously.

"My Mom." Sunset says.

Gilda raises an eyebrow at this, but Rainbow Dash pales at this news.

"Your mom? but isn't your mom in her office?" Gilda asks.

"Not her, her equestrian version." Sunset groaned. "My aunt visited me in my dream and warned me that she sensed that I was hurt and is on her way here!"

"Um I still don't see the emergency here." Gilda stated.

"Her Mom..is terrifying when she's mad." Rainbow Dash spoke as she reached for her neck.

Sunset notices this action and as she looks at Rainbow's neck, she notices some odd marks. "Rainbow, what's that on your neck?"

Rainbow Dash thought about lying to Sunset, but realized it wouldn't do any good. "The girls and I...met your mom and aunt."

"You did?!" Sunset was shocked, but then her eyes widen in realization as she recalled what her aunt meant by running into trouble. "I seriously need to have a word with them."

"It's not as bad as it looks." Rainbow tried to assure her. "And I kind of asked for it when I threatened your mom."

"You did what?!" Sunset shouted before groaning in pain. "Are you out of your mind?! She's beyond any of you! she can make you disappear with just a thought!"

"Yeah." Rainbow looked down in shame.

"Why didn't you come get me?" Sunset ask in a much calmer voice, although she sounded a little hurt.

"Because we had no right after what we did." Rainbow admitted as she looks up at Sunset.

Vice-Principal Luna watches as the paramedics place the last of the unconscious students in the ambulance before driving off to the hospital. She had already given her statement to the police and they assured her that these individuals will face consequences for their actions.

"I hope they rot in prison." Luna mutters bitterly, a part of her was also frustrated with herself for not having the foresight to hire some extra security after the Anon-A-Miss fallout in case something like this inevitably happened.

She looks at the front yard of the school and notices spots of blood on the floor, no doubt from the students who Sunset had smashed their faces in. She would have to get someone to clean that up. As she made her way towards the school, she passed the Wondercolt statue just as the surface of it's base began to ripple and someone rushed out. It was princess Celestia and she looked like she was in a real hurry as she quickly scanned her surroundings before spotting Vice-Principal Luna's retreating back.

"Lulu!"

Upon hearing her nickname as well as the familiar voice, Luna turns around and spots her sister.

"Cellie?"

Just then the base of the statue ripples again as princess Twilight steps out, she spots princess Celestia and begins running after her.

"Celestia, please wait!"

Once again the portal began to ripple and to Luna's surprise, out comes Rainbow Dash along with a small purple dog.

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash flails her arms as she suddenly finds herself standing upright, she falls forward on to her hands and recoils at the cold ground. "Cold!"

"Rainbow, I don't think it was a good idea for you to follow after Twilight." Spike points out as he looks at Rainbow Dash's uncomfortable looking face.

"Luna, do you know where Sunset is?" Celestia asks as she places her hands on Luna's shoulders.

"Y-yes, she should be in the nurse's office." Luna explained, she saw the princess's eyes widen before turning to look behind her, no doubt noticing the blood on the floor. She felt her sister's counterpart tighten her grip on her shoulder. "The blood you see doesn't belong to Sunset!"

"Princess Celestia, please don't do anything rash!" Twilight pleaded with her former mentor.

"Twilight, you of all ponies should understand how I feel." Princess Celestia spoke, her voice laced with anger and sorrow. "But I promise not to do anything too rash."

"Thank you princess." Twilight thanked her, truthfully princess Celestia was right. If she was in her horse shoes and she sensed that Spike was hurt, she would immediately spring into action and make whoever hurt him pay. She did do just that.

"Twilight, a little help here!" Spike called out as he was being held awkwardly by a shivering Rainbow Dash.

Twilight looks back and sees her son's predicament, a cold wind blew against her, causing her to shiver and remind her that the mirror doesn't provide you with the any winter clothes. She hurries towards Rainbow Dash and helps her up while at the same time seeking her body warmth, she guides Rainbow towards the school with Spike following close behind.

Rainbow Dash and Sunset stared at one another, Sunset could see the deep regret and loathing Rainbow had for herself reflected off her eyes.

"We hurt you Sunset, even someone as dense as me can see how stupid and insensitive asking you for help is after what we made you go through." Rainbow confesses.

Sunset is once again surprised at Rainbow Dash, the old Rainbow Dash wouldn't use words that made her sound sensitive and/or weak.

Hell I bet they were just itching to get rid of you until they realized how useful you were.

Aria's words suddenly pop in her mind, causing Sunset to sigh. "Look Rainbow Dash, I-"

Sunset cut herself off when she noticed the door to the nurse's office open and saw her aunt stepping inside.

"Aunt Luna."

Luna turns to the direction of the voice to see her niece sitting on one of the beds, she flashes her a smile and before she could say hello, Princess Celestia barges inside the room.

"Sunset!"

"Mom!" Sunset calls out her mother's name as the princess of the sun quickly rushes to her daughter's side.

"My little sun, are you alright?" Celestia asks with great worry as she inspects her daughter for any injuries.

"Yeah, I'm-ugh!" Sunset winces as her mother touches her stomach.

Celestia grabs the bottom of Sunset's shirt and lifts it up enough for her to see the bruise on Sunset's stomach, her eyes widen upon seeing it and she looks to her daughter.

"Who did this to you?"

Sunset gulped as she recognized the tone her mother is using, it's a tone she was all to familiar with. "Mom listen-"

"Who did this to you Sunset?" Celestia asks again, cutting off her daughter.

Sunset hesitated and she opens her mouth to speak but a familiar voice catches her attention.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight's voice came from outside as the princess of friendship entered the room holding her girlfriend. "You promised you wouldn't do anything rash!"

"That was before I had a look at what they did to my daughter, Twilight." Celestia growls as her pale, light grayish magenta eyes flashed amber, the temperature of the room suddenly increases. "As I've said before, you should understand what I am feeling."

Twilight sighs before answering. "You're right, I do understand. But our situations are different, this isn't equestria."

"She's right sister." Luna spoke up. "The ones responsible for hurting Sunset have been apprehended and will face the consequences, so please don't take this matter into your own hands."

Princess Celestia closes her eyes, she takes in a deep breath before exhaling. The room temperature starts to cool as she calms herself down.

"Alright, we'll do it your way. But if the next time something like this happens, you'll be coming back with me to equestrian." Celestia warns as she looks at Sunset.

"That won't happen!" Rainbow Dash spoke up. "I'll make sure that nothing happens to Sunset!"

Princess Celestia looks over to Rainbow Dash, "Are you sure you'll be able to manage considering what you made my daughter go through?"

"By myself, no. But Sunset has a lot of people that care about her and are just as determined as I am to keep her safe." Rainbow cast a glance at Gilda who smirks at her.

"She's right your highness, we won't let this happen again." Gilda vowed.

"Very well then, I'll leave my daughter in your hooves." Celestia said earning her a confused look from Gilda. "Let me just help Sunset with her injuries, you all might want to step back.

Celestia helps Sunset to her feet as everyone stood a safe distance away, Sunset's cheeks turn red as her mother pulls her close. She didn't fell comfortable doing this in front of everyone. Celestia closes her eyes as she starts to concentrate, pony ears sprout on top of her head, her hair extends into a pony tail and a pair of white wings appear from her back. Sunset closes her eyes as she feels that familiar warmth envelope her and ponies up, then to everyone's surprise, fire starts spreading from Celestia and on to Sunset; soon both of them are engulfed in fire.

"Holy shit, we gotta do something!!" Gilda shouted as she looked around for the fire extinguisher.

"No wait, look!" Twilight points at the mass of fire. "It's not burning anything around them."

True to Twilight's word, the area surrounding the blaze is unaffected. Soon the fire begins to die down and reveals the forms of Sunset and Celestia. Sunset backs away and opens her eyes to stare into her mother's eyes.

"Thanks Mom."

"Anytime my little sunshine." Celestia spoke warmly as she leaned down to plant a kiss on Sunset's forehead. "Come along Twilight."

Princess Celestia walks out of the nurse's office with Twilight about to follow her but she is prevented from doing so by her girlfriend.

"Rainbow?"

Twilight see her Rainbow Dash looking at her human counterpart, their eyes locked as her Rainbow's gaze hardens while the other one softens. Before Twilight can ask her Rainbow what she's doing, her Rainbow smirks and turns away.

"Lets go home Twi."

Gilda raises an eyebrow as she watches the other Rainbow walk away with her arm around the princess of friendship, she looks to her Rainbow Dash and notices the small smile on her lips.

"Uh, Dash?" Gilda tries to gain Rainbow Dash's attention.

"Hm?" Rainbow Dash turns to look at Gilda.

"What was that about?" Gilda asks curiously.

"Just an understanding." Rainbow Dash replies simply.

Author's Notes:

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, it was originally going to be the last one and a lot longer, but I decided to make the finale it's own separate chapter.