"Those are the girls? I honestly think you got the whole thing wrong."
Indigo says, leaning back in his chair after the girls leave Canterlot.
Sugar Coat reviews the records.
"They certainly do not match what was described, but I see no reason for the director to give me wrong information."
"The data don’t lie" announces Sunny Flare. "There's nothing remotely interesting about those six."
"Not even on that “Sunset”, who is supposed to be the most important." Speak in protest Sour Sweet.
Lemon Zest shrugs. "Meh, we're not done yet, maybe we'll get some surprise."
"I do not have time for surprises." Protest Indigo. "I want to get this thing done quickly."
Sugar Coat leaves the records and moves away from the rest. "One thing is certain, the energy they use is not something they have with them, no doubt the origin is elsewhere."
Indigo seems to think for a moment.
"So... the only place I can think of could come from the school itself."
"Precisely" she observes the time on her watch "I propose to take advantage of the rest of the day and do a field investigation to Canterlot Secondary."
"Oh I would love to go~” Sour Sweet sweetly speaks "to that stupid school." Changes her voice to a bitter tone.
"Bring your equipment, we'll leave right away."
"If there is no choice..." Indigo says in a defeated tone.
While the five get ready, Sour Sweet thinks of something.
"Twilight Sparkle had already made one, "research" this topic right?"
"Yeah, what with that?"
"Maybe that stupid girl can to be useful."
All present are somewhat curious.
***Mirage***
"Well, something good came out of this thing to study our magic."
The athlete opens her soda can and takes a sip.
"You say that because you're flying classes."
The farmer responds with some mockery.
"Yeah!!"
After what happened in Crystal Prep, the six friends had decided to walk taking the rest of the afternoon free.
"Sure we should not go back to school?"
Question the shy in the group.
"Sub director Luna gave us the rest of the week off," Sunset responds by drinking her own soda. "We are free of classes and I think it is a good idea to take the time to relax."
"I support you sister."
"It does not feel good to skip classes" says Rarity. "But I must admit that a moment of relaxation is welcome."
Rainbow turns slightly towards the "extra" member of the group.
"What surprises me, is that you're here, you do not look like the kind that skip classes."
Twilight looks down and laughs a little nervous.
"Well ... the truth, I did not feel like being in school ... alone ... and well ... how they came, and ... we're ... friends, right?"
Pinkie jumps up to her. "You Silly! Of course we're friends Twi-Twi!"
"... Twi-Twi?"
Rainbow takes the lead.
"Well, I don't know about you but I'm getting hungry, are we going to get something to eat?"
***Mirage***
The seven walk through the park, their destination a food stall nearby. However as they walk, a curious melody catches their attention, one that sounds familiar...
Sunset in a somewhat hurried way follows the sound until its origin, the others to see it accompany, soon find the source of that melody and a smile is reflected in their faces.
"Sun!"
They six exclaimed joyfully to see they traveling friend sitting on a park bench, eyes closed, smile on his lips and moving her fingers on the strings of her guitar to generate that soft melody.
The guitarist slightly raised a hand in a gesture of greeting but her eyes and smile remain impassive.
"Hola chicas, so long."
"Sunny! Where have you been?! You missed the new cake recipe, the super strawberry chocobole and meringue syrup with nuts! I was going to invite you!"
"Lo lamento Pinks, I had to deal with several things."
Sunset moves forward a little. "You had us worried, why didn't you call or something?"
"Come on girls, you will not expect me to tell you everything I do."
"You could at least tell us that you would be away for a few days." Argues the dressmaker.
Sun does not respond, but her face holds the same smile as he plays her guitar.
"… well…"
"Si?"
"where have you been?" Rainbow questions.
The response of the guitarist takes a little while to arrive as she continues to sing her melody.
"Investigating."
The answer leaves them partially surprised. It is silent that it is broken by Sunset.
"Investigating ... what?"
Once again the guitarist takes a little while to respond, and when she does, she finally looks up and opens her eyes to see them all.
"Magic."
As if repeating the scene, the answer leaves everyone surprised and silent.
"… Magic?"
"Just as your partner eats books, I did my own research on magic and its effects in this world."
"... then ... you ... my notes ..."
Sun puts her hand in her pocket and from this she pulls out a very small object which shows them all, of the seven girls only one recognizes what it is.
"It's that memory!"
They all turn to the scientist who observes the object in Sun's hand with surprise, panic and bewilderment.
"The memory I found in my purse and I had all those facts about magic!"
The statement leaves them all more than surprised and stares at Sun who only smiles with satisfaction and keeps the memory in his pocket. Sunset is the most impacted ...
"but then…"
"That is, double me, I stole all the info you had from magic."
"... but ... Sun ... why ...?"
Sun keeps her guitar in her case.
"After listening, everything you had done with your magic, I had to make sure this thing was safe."
Twilight becomes slightly fearful. "But ... it was you ..."
"Right smart girl, I gave you the info so you could do your experiments, you don't need to thank."
"Sun! How could you do such a thing?" Applejack questioned her. "You cann't imagine what happened-"
"Oh I know perfectly what happened AJ" she interrupts "and after seeing how the house of the four eyes remained, I realize, how dangerous is the magic, and how dangerous are all of you."
"Dangerous? We? What the hell are you talking about ?!" Question Rainbow with annoyance.
Sun takes the sleeve of his guitar by the strap and passes it by her shoulder when he stands, looks at all with a serious expression and his voice becomes cold.
"The She-Demon, the sirens, the girl obsessed with a force she can't control, all results of a handful of silly girls who think life is a game."
"Hey, what's up with the insults ?!"
"You six drew the sirens, and gave them the power they needed to seize this world, if it were not for you, it is certain that those three could never have done anything"
Applejack responds to that.
"Yes but ... we stopped them."
"You stopped a evil that you themselves provoked, moreover, an evil that a presumptuous magician brought here only because he could do nothing to stop it, magic world, sending their problems here, I see that all magicians are the same."
When the last part is said, she looks accusingly at Sunset, who steps back a few steps.
"Sun, what's the matter?" Asked Rarity worried. "You're being very rude."
Pinkie looks hurt. "Yeah, you're our friend, do not be meany."
"Friend? Please, I was never your friend."
The strong impact of all is not made to wait, neither is able to respond to what has been said.
"When you find someone who has the same face you know that something strange happens, and when you discover that that someone is your double dimensional and that ah brought a force that no one can understand, you know that is something bad, so I started to find out What kind of power is this magic of yours."
Twilight still had a question. "But ... why you ..."
"You wanted to study magic, I wanted to know what I was capable of, basically, I used you to make my job easier, and the results are clear, you six and your magic are a threat."
"We are not!" Rainbow exclaims more than annoying.
"Of course, yes, they have access to what is possibly the most powerful force this world has ever seen, and all they do is nonsense, they are stupid girls playing with a power they can't even control."
"We can control it perfectly!"
"Really?" The traveler questions. "Tell me then, how do you transform? Why does your magic only activate when you play? How can you create a magic spectral horse in the middle of the sky ?!
"… well…"
The silence fills them all, Fluttershy with a worried look approaches Sun.
"Sun, I know things are wrong ... but ... no reason to stop being friends."
"You no heard me Fluts? I was never your friend, I had to approach you to understand your magic, and since I no longer need them, I can stop pretending."
"But ... we did so many things together ..."
"What part of that I was not your friend do not understand? I don't need something as silly as friendship, I am a traveler, I have always lived alone, and I like to be."
"But Sun-"
"Understand one thing, silly girl, everything I did with you was just a performance, a way to get close to you and see that it was magic, I don't need them anymore, so blow yourself!"
Sun pushes Fluttershy to fall to the ground, the action leaves astonished to all, and Rainbow soon is filled with anger and approaches.
"No one hurts Fluttershy!"
The athlete runs to Sun and throws a blow, however the traveler moves away and with one hand the grip of the wrist, propels her forward and placing her foot makes her stumble leaving her lying on the ground, before the athlete could get up The traveler places her knee on her back and puts a razor just over her fingers.
"Take it easy Dash, or you will not be able to play a guitar again."
Rainbow watches the blade of the razor graze his fingers and lets out a growl of anger and frustration.
"Sun stop, please!"
The named turns to see them, Rarity and Twilight help Fluttershy, they all give him a look of supplication, with a snort the traveler lets go of the girl and saves his razor.
"Look, "Rainbooms", you aren't bad, you're stupid yes, but not bad, so I suggest you think things over."
Rainbow slowly gets up, Sun gives her a stern look that is answered with an annoyance.
"If you do not take this matter seriously, I will have to intervene personally, and believe me, I will not be afraid to do anything to protect my world."
Without saying more, the girl turns and after adjusting the grip of her guitar, she moves away from the group. Different feelings cover the eyes of all. Anger, sadness, doubt, grief, shame, and even fear, all reflected in his eyes, the silence completely covers the place while some dark clouds cover the sunlight.
With her head down and her gaze lost, Sunset turns and walks heavily. Twilight watches her worried.
"Sunset? Where are you going?"
"… I'm going home…"
With that she just goes on her way, her friends, although worried, can not follow her.
***Mirage***
The five Crystal students arrive at Canterlot School.
Lemon Zest uses a small machine of curious appearance, gently turning the knobs of this moves it a little pointing to different areas of the entrance.
"I detect no signal."
"Look around" pronounced Sugar. "Sunny Blaze, Indigo Zap, keep a visual focus for any possible anomaly."
"How do flowers at the base of the statue?"
Comments Indigo and makes them all turn their eyes towards the plants growing in the said place.
"What's so weird about it?" Sour Sweet asks.
"Ipomoea Purpureas, are not common in this area, besides, they look rather unusual."
The girl approaches the base of the statue, with a small clamp touches a petal of the plant and pulls it to pull it, while doing so however the flower exhales from its center a faint bluish powder that makes the girl back in alarm.
"Did you see that?"
"I do not need to study botany to know that this is not normal."
Indigo realizes that the petal he started now is completely withered, he puts on his goggles and takes out a handkerchief which he puts right on top of the flower, he holds the tweezers and he pulls out a small scissors with which he cuts the stem of the flower, He hears a curious sound, like of gas being expelled, Indigo removes the handkerchief and when turning it notes that it is bathed of that blue dust. None speak, centered and confused apparently. Sugar Coat breaks the silence.
"What we are looking for, must be near here."
***Mirage***
The Principal Celestia and her sister walk down a hallway of the school, the first shows in their attitude a mixture of anger and concern, her sister on the other hand is more calm.
"Luna, I can not believe you did that! Even more, I can not believe you did not inform me!"
"It's not our business, you know perfectly well that you and I still have responsibilities here, it's best to let those girls fix this."
The principal opens the door of her office and both enter
"Luna, We are talking about Sombra! Whatever he want is not good!"
"I agree on that part."
Both directives are surprised at the voice and turn to see three men in white suit behind the desk, they see the director's chair turning and letting Crysalis see her sitting on it with a serious look.
"Crysalis!" Both sisters exclaim in surprise.
"Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna, nice to see you."
"What-what are you doing here?" Asks the younger woman nervously.
"I look for answers, and as I see that Sombra's recent activities are no secret to you, that makes things much easier."
"What... are you thinking to do?" The biggest question.
The woman stands and circles the desk to take the lead of both women.
"You must know that my only purpose, is the well-being of the students, if you help me, I could help that student of yours, Sunset Shimmer."
Both directives show glances of bewilderment and fear.
"Will you two collaborate with me?"
***Mirage***
... Later...
With the sun almost set, Twilight is alone in her house, recently repaired and re-furnished, accompanied only by her loyal puppy. Lies on the couch.
"... a person, I would think that after what happened ... parents would care more about their daughter ..."
The soft barking of her dog makes her turn to see him.
"... it's the same ... anyway ... I was always alone ..."
This time Spike barks more intensely, Twilight gets up sitting on the couch. Looks at her cub, and this one rubs on his leg giving another bark.
"Yes Spike, I'm not alone ... I have you." The little one moves the tail. "... and now ... I have ... Sunset ... and the others ... right?"
Spike pulls away and barks at the same time he gives small leaps by wagging his tail.
"... yes... I have... I have friends... I really have friends."
Her smile only makes the canine be happier. His mistress caresses him.
"Spike, how are you so wise being a puppy?"
The good mood of the girl is interrupted by a knock on the door, she curiously walks to this and opens it to where the chain of insurance allows her to see who it is, her surprise does not make her wait.
"Su-Sugar Coat ...!"
On the other side of the door, Sugar Coat, with its characteristic unreadable expression, observes the unimpressive image that the crack in the door reveals.
"What... are you doing here?"
"Twilight Sparkle, we came with a request."
"... "we "?"
Turning slightly the scientist realizes that in addition to Sugar Coat there are four other girls in front of your door.
"Wh-what ...?"
"You know, the director asked me to lead the investigation regarding Sunset Shimmer and her companions, and how you have already participated in a similar investigation, we assume you will have some data saved. "
"Oh ... data from ... the investigation ... yes ... they will see ... you know, my house destroyed and ... well ... I also lost many ... elements ... computers and ... those things ... and ... then, I lost ... everything I had gathered on that subject ... "
"Are you sure you have nothing left?"
"Very sure. Now, I do not want to be a groser, but ... I have to ... cook ... and ... and clean up, before my parents come in. See you at school, goodbye."
In a hurry he closes the door by putting the lock on it. He leans against it and exhales a sigh he did not know was holding back.
"... I felt ... fear ... why ...?"
Spike looks curious at his mistress. His sharp canine ear detects a curious sound. Barks a bit at the attention of Twilight, and then runs to the basement.
"Spike, where are you going?"
As she walks down the stairs to his newly refurbished "lab", he sees his puppy barking under a table.
"Spike what you do?"
The little one begins to grunt softly. That ends up calling her attention, she bends to see the source of the problem, what she sees leaves her amazed.
Beneath the table, lies what looks like a jewel, blue, decorated with eight points, almost looks like a star...
"... that is..."
***Mirage***
After closing the door, practically in their faces, the five students remain a moment in silence.
"Well, I can add, lack of manners to that girl's flaw list."
Comments Sunny Flare with annoyance.
"I told you this was a lost case"
Criticizes Indigo to Sour Sweet. She is about to answer, but Lemon interrupts her.
"I would not say that…"
They all turn their eyes to see the green hair work on their device that shows a kind of signal, the girl walks following this and the others follow, they reach the small window that gives the basement and the signal becomes stronger, With great care about the sight and can distinguish the inhabitant of the house and his pet, in his hand holds a kind of shiny jewel.
Lemon smiles "interesting."
***Mirage***
The next day arrives. Sunset arrives with her friends, and instantly receives hugs and encouragement from all.
Although still decayed by what happened the previous day, the meeting with them manages to animate it.
They all go to high school, this time carrying their instruments. And if Pinkie took her battery, how? It's Pinkie.
Just like the previous day, Sugar Coat waits for them and guides them through the school, this time they arrive in a different room, much larger than the previous one, but much more empty.
The other four girls are inside, Indigo Zap and Sunny Flare work on laptops while Lemon Zest accompanied by Sour Sweet work on a board-looking machine.
"what is this place?" Sunset asks.
"The Musical Arts Hall" answers Sugar Coat. "I asked permission to occupy it today, as they said they needed to play music, I thought it was the best option."
Rainbow looks closely at the place. "Music room? This looks like a recording studio!"
She distinguishes a glass window and on the other side of this what looks like a closed room, with microphones. "IT'S A RECORDING STUDIO! What kind of school is this?!"
Sour Sweet approaches him and speaks to him with a sweet smile. "Oh excuse me, would you be so kind as to stop screaming?! Some of us tried to work!" She ends his question with an angry gesture and his annoying voice.
The shout drives back the athlete, and all. Sugar Coat gives the order.
"If everything is ready, we will begin."
*** Mirage ***
It does not take long for the Rainbooms to fit their instruments in that closed room, designed to let no outside sound pass through. Despite the displeasure of some, they are forced to wear again those outfits for the test, and after a couple of comments begin to play.
The Crystal students remain on the other side and through the window watch attentively, through some speakers listen to the music produced, and Lemon Zest can't help but move his head to the beat.
Different levels of awe are shown in the five girls at the moment the band manages to activate their magic and transform.
"Wow, that was not a joke." Comments Indigo still shaded.
"That's it, radical!" Exclaims with joy Lemon Zest.