Author's Notes:

Here's the next chapter, I hope you all like it.

Principal Celestia stared into Sunset’s eyes, instead of their usual warmth and brightness, they were now cold and filled with a seething anger. Even her voice sounded so cold and devoid of emotion when she addressed her.

“Oh Sunset, how could this happen to you?” Principal Celestia asks as she looks at what her student has become.

“Simple, I chose to become this.” Sunset answers simply.

“How….how can you choose to become this?!” Celestia raises her voice as she gestures to Sunset’s form. “Sunset, you hated becoming this thing, you were haunted by what you almost did to your friends-”

“They aren’t my friends!” Sunset cut her off, her eyes narrowed at the principal. “Those five were never truly my friends, I was nothing but a charity case to them.”

“Sunset, I understand you’re feeling betrayed but-”

“You don’t understand how I feel!” Sunset cuts off principal Celestia again, her hands ball up into fists and start to tremble in anger. “Do you know what it’s like having all your efforts to prove you’ve changed be thrown out the window the instant someone starts trouble and all blame immediately falls on you? Do you know how it feels to find out that the people you thought were your friends weren’t your friends at all, that everything you did together, the sleepovers the parties, all the times you hanged out was all a LIE!!”

Sunset’s hair flared as she screamed the last part, Celestia was taken aback by Sunset’s outburst. She never realized the extent of how much Sunset has been suffering, just like when before Twilight arrived and Sunset was terrorizing the school, she had failed to reach out to Sunset, to try and help her. But just like before it was too late. Principal Celestia shook her head, steadied her nerves and stared at Sunset.

“Sunset, I’m here for you and I will never betray you.” Celestia spoke honestly.

Sunset’s eyes widen in surprise at the declaration but soon she started chuckling which confused Celestia. Sunset looked at Celestia with what the principal would describe is a far away look.

“You sound just like her.” Sunset said before narrowing her eyes. “You always see the good in others, refusing to give up on them.”

Sunset raised her hand, Principal Celestia looked at in confusion before focusing back on Sunset, her eyes widen upon seeing tears well up in her eyes before turning into steam.

“Why can’t you just give up on me?” Sunset said as she snapped her fingers, causing principal Celestia to be teleport to the auditorium.

Sunset floated over the same spot, her eyes shut before snapping them open, a predatory smile forming on her lips. “Now that that’s taken care of.” Sunset grabbed the door of a locker and ripped it out to reveal a student hidden inside.

In the Auditorium, Principal Celestia suddenly appears and she looks around in confusion before spotting her sister Luna.

“Sister!” Luna quickly approached her older sister and places her hands on her shoulders. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m alright. But what about the students and teachers?” Celestia asks Luna.

“They’re all safe, although the students are a bit in shock and understandably confused at what is happening?” Luna answers as she and Celestia look at the non hypnotized students sitting on the rows of seats with teaches standing at the end of each isle.

Suddenly a student appears, gaining the attention of everyone in the auditorium. Principal Celestia sees a familiar looking girl with long, dark blue hair, with purple streaks that ends in an extended pony tail and pony ears on top of her head rush up to the boy. She places her right palm against his forehead which begins to glow purple, causing his glowing green eyes to turn back to normal. He blinks a couple of times before looking at the girl.

“T-Twilight?”

“Don’t worry, everything’s alright.” Twilight assures him.

The young boy was confused before his eyes widen in realization. “Twilight, Sunset’s turned into a demon again!”

“Take it easy, I know the situation and everything is going to be alright.” Twilight assured him as she gave him a warm smile.

“But...”

“She is right, there’s nothing to be worried about.” Principal Celestia says as she and Vice-Principal Luna approach him and Twilight.

“Principal Celestia, I’m guessing with you here means that it’s almost time for the next phase.” Twilight says.

“Yes.” Principal Celestia agrees, she looks at Twilight with a serious look. “Twilight, do you mind if I ask you something?”

“N-no, not at all.” Twilight says nervously, whenever princess Celestia made that look it always made her nervous.

“Were you aware that Sunset was going to turn into a demon?” Celestia asks, her voice stern.

Twilight swallows the lump that formed in her throat before answering. “No, s-she didn’t say anything to me, all she told me is that she will teleport the students and staff here. I only found out when one of the students told me”

“I see.” Principal Celestia sighs as she closes her eyes.

“What’s wrong sister?” Vice principal Luna asks worriedly.

“I don’t understand why Sunset would turn into that for her plan.” Celestia pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration.

“Maybe it’s because that’s how everyone sees her.”

The three women turn to see Flash Sentry.

“What do you mean Mr. Sentry?” Luna asks the young man.

“After the fall formal, everyone in the school hated Sunset and despite her trying to prove that she had changed, no one believed her.” Flash explained.

“But surely after the battle of the bands everyone forgave Sunset right? She proved to everyone that she really had changed.” Twilight argued.

“It isn’t always that simple.” Luna spoke, gaining their attention.” Sure the students have opened up to Miss Shimmer after the battle of the bands, but they have not forgotten what Sunset has put them through when she was of a different mind.”

“So when Anon-A-Miss started posting secrets, everyone immediately believed it was her because she was known to pull something like this before.” Flash added.

“There’s actually more to it.”

The four individuals turn to their right to see the space in front of them erupt in smoke before dispersing and revealing Gilda, the student beside Twilight couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“But Sunset killed you, we all saw the pictures!” He shouted in disbelief.

“Of course she did, but she brought me back for her revenge.” Gilda tells him.

The student then notices the hole in Gilda’s chest as well as blood around the wound and running down her eyes, mouth and nose. The student trembles in fear as Gilda approached.

“Everyone only really started blaming Sunset when her so called friends accused her of being Anon-A-Miss and abandoned her in the middle of the hallway for everyone to see.” Gilda explained.

“B-But that’s because she is Anon-A-Miss!” The young man shouts, earning glares from Princess Twilight, Flash, Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna.

“How foolish of you to believe that, then again you reap what you sow” Gilda says as she stands in front of him. “You think calling Sunset a demon and putting her down will have no consequence? We thought the same and delivered her due punishment, you can guess how that turned out.”

The student’s eyes glance down to the hole in Gilda’s chest, he can see the bone fragments around the wound as well as some of her organs. Blood is dripping down from the wound and making a puddle underneath her, He swallows a lump in his throat before looking back at Gilda.

“You’re lucky that she wishes to make you her slave, but then again she can hear and see everything I see and hear, so you’re probably going to be killed.” Gilda tells him as she smiles wickedly.

The student falls on his ass as he looks up at Gilda in terror. “No….please no.”

“Miss Gilda, please refrain from traumatizing your fellow students.” Principal Celestia tells her sternly.

Gilda chuckles as she rubs the back of her head sheepishly. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

“Nonetheless, how are preparations for the next phase?” Principal Celestia asks.

“We’re done, we’re just waiting for Sunset’s signal.” Gilda answers before crossing her arms.

“But still isn’t this a little much for trying to expose Anon-A-Miss?” Twilight asks no one in particular.

“Maybe Sunset also wants some payback for all the shit everyone’s been putting her through?” Gilda shrugs.

“Or perhaps a warning.” Vice-Principal Luna adds. “Whatever the reason Sunset has for doing this must be reasonable.”

“I certainly hope so.” Principal Celestia says as she wraps her arms around herself.

Back in the Rainbooms band practice room, the girls have been waiting for any sign of Sunset being outside. But after a couple of minutes of silence they concluded that Sunset was already gone.

“Do you think she knew we are hiding here?” Pinkie Pie asks.

“I don’t think so, otherwise she would’ve barged right in.” Applejack answers as she sits on a nearby chair, her little sister sitting on her lap.

“Maybe she did know we are inside since that poor girl couldn’t get in.” Rarity pointed out, she felt guilty for not letting her inside, but if she did then Sunset would’ve gotten them all.

“I’m really scared girls.” Fluttershy says from her spot on the floor, her arms wrapped around her legs “Why did it have to turn out like this?”

Everyone in the room looked to Rainbow Dash, the athlete not baring to look them in the eye as she had her heat turned away. Applejack got up from her chair and after placing Apple Bloom on it walked up to Rainbow.

Rainbow Dash heard Applejack walking towards her and stop in front of her, yet she didn’t turn to look at her. Applejack stared at her Rainbow haired friend, she waited for Rainbow to look at her but when she didn’t Applejack decided to speak.

“Why?”

When Rainbow didn’t respond Applejack asks again but much more firm.”I asked you a question Rainbow.”

A few seconds of silence pass before Rainbow finally answers, still refusing to look at Applejack, “What do you want me to say?”

“For starters, what exactly was going through your head when you agreed to help Gilda by luring Sunset into a trap?” Applejack asks, a frown on her face as she crosses her arms.

“I wasn’t, Okay!” Rainbow answered loudly still refusing to face Applejack as tears start welling up in her eyes. “Is that what you want to hear?!”

“Don’t give me that Rainbow, I know for a fact that Gilda wouldn’t have come up with the plan to lure Sunset alone so she and those hooligans can beat her black and blue!” Applejack pointed out as she glared holes into the back of Rainbow’s head.

Rainbow turned around to glare at Applejack. “Your so full of shit Applejack, weren’t you just saying how right you were to doubt Sunset, how she was a no good snake through and through?!”

“Rainbow Dash, Would you please mind your language in front of our sisters!” Rarity chastised as she covered Sweetie Belle’s ears.

Applejack closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “It’s true I did say that, but at least I didn’t plot someone’s murder!”

Rainbow Dash rose from her seat and got close to Applejack’s face, glaring into her friend’s eyes. “That wasn’t my intention.”

“Was it?” Applejack says simply. “Did you really not want Sunset dead when you told your plan to Gilda, you know how short a fuse that girl has and what she’s capable of doing. Or did you forget what happened at the party that Pinkie threw for her?”

Rainbow remained silent as the two girls continued to glare at each other, the rest of their friends watching anxiously. The cutie mark crusaders are feeling more terrible as they looked at the two girls, they only intended to cause a rift between them and Sunset, but now it appears that their actions are causing a rift between Rainbow and Applejack. Just like what Sunset did.

“You know something, as manipulative as Sunset is, at least she didn’t go out of her way to physically hurt people.” Applejack stated.

“What are you saying?” Rainbow asks as she narrowed her eyes dangerously at Applejack.

“That you’re worse than Sunset ever was.” Applejack answered.

Hearing those words caused something inside of Rainbow to snap as she tackled Applejack to the ground.

“How dare you, how dare you say that I’m worse that her!!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she tried to hit Applejack but was blocked.

“I wouldn’t be saying it if it wasn’t true!” Applejack says as she and Rainbow start wrestling on the floor.

Their friends and Crusaders are horrified and immediately go to stop them.

“Applejack, Rainbow Dash stop this at once!” Rarity demanded as she grabbed on to Rainbow Dash.

“Girls stop, friends shouldn’t be fighting like this!” Pinkie Pie says as she tries to get between Rainbow and Applejack.

“Please stop, hasn’t there been enough suffering already?!” Fluttershy pleaded with them.

“Sis please stop!” Applebloom pleaded as tears started spilling from her eyes, this is her fault. She caused this.

“Rainbow Dash you have to stop, she’s your friend!” Scootaloo pleaded desperately, how did it come to this?

As the girls continued with their scuffle, a familiar voice spoke out.

“Fighting again, so much for being best friends.”

Everyone in the room freezes before turning their heads in the direction the voice came from, for sitting on top of a piano with her legs crossed is Sunset Shimmer. Applejack and Rainbow immediately get up from the floor as their sisters hold on to them. The girls watch as Sunset stares at them with amusement, but Fluttershy notices something odd. For a brief moment she thought she saw concern reflected in Sunset’s eyes, but concern for what?

“You two are so quick to anger and start fights with each other that it’s no wonder all it took to keep you apart was a simple text.” Sunset mocked.

“How long were you watching us?” Applejack asks, her left arm wrapped tightly around Aplebloom.

“I just popped in as you two were scuffling like little children” Sunset answers, a content smile on her lips. “You two were certainly entertaining.”

“I’m glad we amused you.” Applejack says sarcastically.

“Anyhow I’ve just got done rounding up everyone in this pathetic school…...except you eight.” Sunset informs them as she sneers at the girls. “Now the real game can begin.”

Before any of them can ask what she mean, Sunset snaps her finger, causing the door to the music room to open. The girls are startled by the noise and look to the opened door before looking back at Sunset.

“I’ll give you a five minute head start so you better get moving.” Sunset giggled.

The girls looked to the door and before any of them could even move, Applejack spoke up.

“No!”

Sunset tilted her head to the side. ”No?”

“I’m done playing your game Sunset, I’m not gonna be your plaything any longer.” Applejack tells her firmly.

“Okay.” Sunset says simply.

“Wait what?” Applejack blinks in confusion.

“If you don’t want to play my game that’s fine, I’ll just get my entertainment elsewhere.” Sunset raises her right hand which is covered in a black aura.

“Hey. what’s happening?!” Applebloom yells as she and her two friends are surrounded in a black aura and lifted off the ground.

“Like for example your sisters.”Sunset smiled devilishly. “I’m sure I’ll get plenty of entertainment out of them.”

“Sunset you put my sister down this instant!” Rarity demanded, a furious look in her eyes.

“Leave them out of this!” Applejack shouted as she watched her sister flail in mid air.

“They did nothing to you!” Rainbow shouted.

Oh how wrong you are. Sunset thought as she brought the crusaders closer to her.

“Okay, okay I get it….I’ll play your game.”Applejack says, giving in to Sunset’s demand.

“Now that wasn’t so hard was it?” Sunset spoke in a mocking tone as she gave the crusaders back to their sisters. “Now you only have a three minute head start.

The girls said nothing as they quickly made their way out of the music room, As Sunset watched them go she started giggling which soon turned into a full blown maniacal laughter.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, JUST YOU WAIT GIRLS. DO I HAVE SOME SOMETHING SPECIAL PLANNED FOR YOU!”

The girls heard Sunset’s psychotic laughter echoing down the halls, they ran as fast as they could, desperately searching for a place to hide. As they rounded a corner they are unaware of someone watching them before pulling out their cellphoneand making a call.

“Hey Gilda, I just saw the Rainbooms and their sisters run down the hallway.” Dumbbell says.

Good, that must be the signal, I’ll tell Principal Celestia. Give me a minute before bringing me to where you are.” Gilda responds from the other end of the line.

“Gotcha.” Dumbbell confirms before hanging up.

“What did she say?” A female voice speaks next to Dumbbell.

“She says to give her a minute before bringing her here.” Dumbbell answers as he puts his phone away. “I’m surprised that you agreed to help Sunset?”

“As if the great and powerful Trixie will pass up an opportunity to show off her amazing feats of magic!” Trixie boasted proudly, she was super excited for her part in Sunset’s plan.