"Thank you for coming on such short notice, Diana," Celestia said as Diana sat down in the chair next to her.
"It must have been important, considering that you sent a substitute to my classroom just to make sure that I would come," Diana replied.
"It is important," Luna added as she opened the door to the principal's office and glanced at the hallway. "Have you heard of Principal Cinch?"
"No, I cannot say that I have."
"She runs a rival school to our own and has always seen herself as superior to us. Her school is undefeated in the Friendship Games, our annual competition between the two schools," Celestia explained. "That was, until the last one where we tied."
"She wasn't happy about that?"
"It was...the way we tied," Luna said as she rubbed the back of her head. "See, we were having issues with magic at the time and so during some of the events certain students had access to...magic."
"So she believes that you cheated?"
"That would be putting it lightly."
"But why tell me this? I thought you were keeping the talk about magic between those you trusted?" Diana pointed out to the two. Luna and Celestia shared a quick look.
"I've been talking to Sunset recently and from what I can worm out of her, you are the one responsible for helping her get over her nightmares," Luna said. "Other students have also said how kind and patient you have been with them, while being firm when needed. So my sister and I talked it over and we both agreed that you are a person that can be trusted with this information."
"I am glad that you have so much faith in me," Diana nodded with a kind smile. "But that still doesn't explain why I'm here."
"That's because-" Before Celestia could finish the door to the principal's office was thrown open and a tall woman with purple hair walked inside. Her eyes were cold and she gazed at Celestia and Luna with a look of annoyance, but that turned into a look of interest when she spied Diana.
"I was told that this talk would be kept between me and the two of you. Why is she here?" Cinch asked in a less than friendly tone. Diana gave her a cold stare in reply, but it was Celestia that spoke.
"This is Diana. She is one of the teachers here and one that nearly all of the students respect. We have picked her."
"Very well," Cinch said while Diana tried to figure out what Celestia meant. Cinch sat down in the chair across from Celestia's desk and pulled out a sheet of paper that she laid before the principal. "These are the terms and conditions that I have drawn up for the...rematch, as it were."
"Principal Cinch, I know you have your own way of doing things, but some of these requests are...absurd," Celestia said after reading the paper over. "Anyone caught using magic is to be expelled? Neither Luna nor I are allowed near the games?"
"Absurd? At the last games my students were attacked by plants, watched a battle between two of your students that nearly tore apart the fabric of reality, and what is worse, some of my students lost respect for me. After all that, I believe that my requests are reasonable. And I assume that you believe so as well, because you have brought your substitute."
All eyes fell to Diana, who had taken the paper and was reading it over herself. As she read, a smirk crossed her face numerous times, and once she even laughed out loud, before she placed the paper on the desk and glared at Cinch.
"Diana, what we meant by 'we chose you' was-"
"I understand what you meant, Celestia. Since the two of you aren't allowed to help any of the students, you wanted to leave it in the hands of a person you could trust," Diana finished for her with a narrow glare at Cinch. "Fine, I'll help the students in your places. And Principal Cinch?"
Diana then rose out of her chair and walked over to where Cinch was sitting, placing her face just inches away from the principal so she could glare directly into her eyes, "You've just made a terrible mistake." Diana waited until Cinch's pupils had shrunk as far as they could go before she returned to her seat, picking up the paper once more and glancing over it. "But I am confused about one part. You stated in here that Twilight and her friends are not allowed to compete, but you want Sunset to compete. Why is that?"
"If you must know, Sunset is responsible for my school losing one of its best students to this...place," Cinch spat out. "Her defeat in front of my entire school will do wonders for their morale."
"Implying that Sunset would ever lose to the likes of you," Diana cooly responded. "And know this. I don't agree to those terms. Twilight and all of her friends will be able to compete." Cinch opened her mouth to argue, but Diana glared at her once again. For a brief moment, only Cinch could see the literal lightning that flashed in Diana's eyes. Cinch reeled back in her chair before clearing her throat.
"Very well. Twilight and her friends may compete. But if there is even a whiff of magic being used, they are automatically disqualified."
"Now that I can agree to."
"I have also decided the events that will take place," Cinch said as she took control of the room again. "The first event will be something that even your students should be able to handle. A simple game of trivia."
"Sounds easy enough," Celestia agreed.
"Next, I have decided on an obstacle course. One that will be both mentally and physically trying. I would suggest that you pick your star student to participate in that once," Cinch said with a cold smile towards Diana, who knew exactly about whom she was talking.
"And the final challenge will be something your students are sure to be familiar with. A soccer match, between Crystal Prep and Canterlot High." Diana glanced over to see Luna and Celestia sharing nervous looks. "What is the matter, Celestia? Afraid that your team won't be able to defeat us?"
"I have nothing but absolute faith in our team," Celestia replied, before giving Diana a worried look.
"If you say so. Now-" Cinch started to speak, but Diana held up a hand to silence her and glanced towards the door.
"Rainbow, it would be easier to hear what we're saying if you came in here, instead of trying to listen through the door." The three principals' eyes widened as the door slowly creaked open and a rainbow-haired girl peeked in with a meek smile on her face.
"Um, I was just passing by and...I just..."
"You clearly wish to say something to me," Diana interrupted with a sigh. "Go ahead, tell me what it is."
"Well, I couldn't help but overhear what you guys were talking about. And with one of the challenges being a match between our soccer teams, I was hoping that you would allow me to play--just so we can crush those Crystal Prep students. Come on Diana, our school has wanted to beat them for so long!"
Diana felt every gaze on the room upon her, but she remained unmoved by Rainbow's plea. "As I said Rainbow Dash, if you wish to play on the soccer team, then you will need to get your grades up. And they currently aren't good enough."
"That's completely unfair!" Dash yelled. "Without me on the team, then we stand no chance against Crystal Prep! We'll lose!"
"Cinch, when will these games take place?" Diana asked.
"Next February. Why?"
"There you go Rainbow Dash, you have at least five months until your team plays. I'll tell you what, if your grades are impressive enough by the time winter break comes around, I'll put you back on the team early," Diana said with a smile. Dash still wore an expression of rage on her face, but it was clear even to her that Diana would not be moved. Rainbow Dash then sighed and left the room without another word.
"Why Diana, with an attitude like that you should be playing for my team," Cinch chuckled, but a glare from Diana silenced her. "Alright Celestia, I have submitted my ideas for the rematch. Are we in agreement?" Celestia crossed her hands and stared down at her desk for a moment before sighing and nodding.
"Very well, Principal Cinch. A rematch is in order. But let it be known that the same restrictions that you placed on us will be on your students as well," Celestia warned her. "If any of your students are caught using any magical forces to cheat, they too will be disqualified."
"As if my students would need to cheat to defeat yours," Cinch replied with a smirk before she rose and walked towards the door. "It was interesting to meet you Diana. I can see why the students talk about you so much. See you all next February. I doubt it will be much of a competition."
"She wants Sunset to run the obstacle course," Luna stated once Cinch had left the room. "She has a personal vendetta against her and I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't have an opponent all lined up for her already."
"Then perhaps we should decide now who should be in the trivia challenge and which of our students should run the obstacle course," Celestia suggested. "I believe that Twilight should be the one to participate in the trivia challenge. She is incredibly intelligent."
"I agree."
"So do I."
"Alright, now for the obstacle course..."
"Sunset can handle it." Both Luna and Celestia turned to face Diana, who had a look of complete confidence on her face. "Sunset can handle anything that Cinch throws at her. I've been working with her personally and she has amazed me many times. I have no doubt in her." Celestia and Luna shared another look before Celestia nodded.
"Very well Diana, if you have such faith in Sunset, then we shall indeed have her run the obstacle course," Celestia agreed. "That just brings us to the topic about Rainbow Dash-"
"I will not let her back on the team until her grades are up," Diana stated once more. "If we let her back on simply because she begged us to, what would that teach her? That she can get whatever she wants by whining? No, if she wishes for her revenge against Crystal Prep, she will have to earn it."
"Are you sure that you are not a Spartan, Diana?" Luna asked. Diana chuckled in reply before rising out of her chair. She headed for the door, but Celestia cleared her throat to stop the teacher. "As my sister and I are not allowed to...interfere in this competition, we leave Sunset in your hands."
"Do not worry. She is an incredible student and fast learner. Neither of us will fail you."
"I hope not," Celestia muttered under her breath as Diana closed the door to her office, leaving her and her sister alone. "I am worried, Sister. I cannot shake the feeling that something bad will happen like last time."
"Are you sure that you're not just afraid of us losing? Even with magic on our side, all we could do last time was tie," Luna reminded her sister. "Perhaps the Crystal Prep students are simply more skilled than our students?"
"You say another word and I'll fire you for treason," Celestia joked before glancing down at the paper stating the rules. "But if any teacher can help our students to win, it's Diana. And I can't wait to see the look on Cinch's face when Sunset turns out to be a full-fledged ninja."
=wWw=
Principal Cinch glanced down at her pocket watch with a sigh, annoyed that those she was waiting for were already five minutes late. 'Being at this school, even for this short time, has made them soft. When they return to Crystal Prep, I will be certain to place them in our toughest classes so that they catch up,' she thought while standing in the shade of the horse statue.
"Hello, Principal. Sorry that we're late." Cinch turned around to see the smiling face of Crystal, the annoyed face of Agatha and the content face of Boulder. "We would have been here on time but all of the students in this school are so intent on trying to learn every, single, little thing about you that it took us a while to escape."
"It is no fault of your own. The students here simply see the talent and wish to learn their secrets. Now then, what have you learned?" Cinch asked them.
"First off is that Sunset and her little band of misfits are definitely where all the magic in this school is coming from," Crystal reported. "And what's worse, it seems like that new teacher, Diana, knows this and is on their side." Cinch bit her lower lip at the news, but regained her composure a moment later.
"No matter. We will be on the lookout for magic this time and they know that. As pathetic as they are, even these students would not dare to use magic," Cinch said before a frown crossed her face. "And what of this Diana? She is an unknown in this situation."
"Diana is really nice. Likes to help students all the time and is always willing to listen to them," Boulder said before a shiver went up his spine. "But when she gets angry, it's like she becomes one of the scariest beings on the planet. She doesn't say anything, but the look she gives you makes you want to curl up in your chair and die."
"Yeah, I've gotten that look too. And even I falter under it," Crystal agreed before both she and Boulder gazed over at Agatha. "Well? Don't you have anything to say about Diana?"
"She's overrated. I don't see why all of you are so worried about her," Agatha replied with a shrug. "As scary as she seems, she's nothing more than a regular teacher who has a good glare. You should see my father's. Sunset is the only threat we face, and even then she's hardly a challenge." Cinch seemed relieved at her words and a smile crossed her face.
"Well keep me informed if anything different occurs. We will not allow even the smallest chance of these fools to defeat us come to pass." Cinch then left the students alone and the group split apart, save for Agatha who glanced down at her hand.
"So, why didn't you want me to tell Cinch about who Diana truly is?" she asked her hand, where the image of a helmet that was invisible to all but Agatha was printed on her hand.
'Because I do not want the surprise to be spoiled so early. And because Cinch is a fool. Do not worry. Soon enough you shall have all that I have promised you.'
"And then I can finally crush all those who dared to look down on me...just like you, Sunset."