Divergence - A preview from chapter nine

Hi all,

As I promised in my State of the Author yesterday, I now present a snippet of what I’m working on with chapter nine. It’s the very start of the chapter. What I have here is roughly representative of what the final version will look like, but there might be some minor tweeks between now and when the full chapter is published. Hopefully, this will satisfy some appetites for the time being.

Spoilers ahead. You have been warned!

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Wallflower Blush held onto her backpack straps as she made her way down the hallways of Canterlot High School. These hallways, packed with people, however, remained deathly quiet. Everyone else walked along with distant and vacant expressions on their faces.

This had been the reality this week. It showed no signs of improving.

And this wasn’t something that could simply be erased.

She trudged along with the same energy as everyone else. With her free period starting in a few minutes, however, there was no rush. And so she was content to watch, and watch she did.

She arrived in the foyer and noticed that, while everyone here still walked along in silence, they all regarded two bodies standing in front of the boarded up cafeteria doors. As Wallflower looked over, she spotted Lyra and Bon Bon standing there with the former trying to talk to and console the latter as she cried. Eventually, Bon Bon tensed up and then fell into Lyra, and Lyra responded by wrapping her arms around her friend and even letting some silent tears of her own to fall.

And Wallflower couldn’t watch, so she turned and headed for the school’s front doors directly opposite. After briefly stopping to glance back, Wallflower walked outside.

The sky had no business being as clear and beautiful as it was. The birds flying through the sky had no business singing songs so happy.

Wallflower took a few steps forward and then stopped at the top of the steps.

There had been a time when she had resented Sunset Shimmer. There had been a time where everyone had, actually. But looking at the statue now, through which Sunset had disappeared for the final time just a few days prior, Wallflower couldn’t help but feel a twistedness inside.

Things had definitely changed in the past few months. And now things had changed again.

I wish I could forget this. I wish I could…

She reached into her backpack and took out a small, ovular stone. Wallflower felt an energy within as she held it. She considered it and what it would do only if she willed it to.

I could… I could fix this for everyone. No one would even know. She then frowned and fumbled with the stone. No one would even know.

She looked up. Even if I did, no one would know what I had done. …Well, I’d still be the invisible girl, I guess. It’s not like anyone has a reason to remember me anyway.

At that moment, however, Wallflower heard some voices from the other side of the statue, and she perked up. The voices persisted. While she couldn’t hear them clearly from where she stood, they spoke in confident, even spiteful tones. In fact, one of the voices gave a sinister giggle.

Wallflower tensed up. She knew those voices. Nearly everyone did.

With Memory Stone still in hand, Wallflower crept down the steps and down the pathway crossing the lawn. As she drew closer, the voices became much clearer and defined.

“So, Adagio,” a lower-pitched voice asked, “you think we should really rub it in?”

Wallflower narrowed her eyes. It’s the sirens alright.

“Oh, I’d love to do that. I’ve almost come up with a good plan, even,” a sultry voice replied.

“Oh ho ho!” A higher-pitched voice said. “This is going to be exciting! I’ve been so… mad!”

“We finally get to pay them back,” the lower-pitched voice said.

“Exactly. With that bitch Sunset Shimmer gone, nothing stands in our way of exacting revenge,” the sultry voice said.

And, with that, the other two laughed.

Wallflower gasped. They know!

The laughter stopped as the sultry voice cut in again. “Quiet. I think someone… may know we’re here.”

Wallflower frowned, gripped the stone tighter, and backed away from the statue. It was at that point that  three girls, each wearing dirtied and torn hoodies and jeans, appeared from the other side. Their faces bore some splotches of dirt, and their hair sported a few tangles and knots.

Adagio Dazzle, their leader, who’s unmistakable large, orange poof of hair (accented by yellowish highlights) naturally drew the eyes, smirked and said, in her sultry voice, “Well well, what do we have here?”

Aria Blaze, the one with the long, purple pigtails (with aquamarine highlights) frowned and crossed her arms. “Who the hell are you supposed to be?” she said with her lower-pitched voice.

Wallflower firmed up. “Doesn’t matter. You aren’t going to remember me anyway,” Wallflower replied. “You know about Sunset?”

At that, Sonata Dusk, the one with the with long, light and dark blue-striped ponytail, let out a high-pitched giggle. “Oh! You’re good. Yeah, we know.”

“She got what she deserved after what she did to us,” Adagio Dazzle hissed. “I only wish I could have been here to see it for myself.”

Aria chuckled and nodded in agreement. Sonata snickered as well.

Wallflower’s fist tightened even more.

Adagio stroked her chin. “So then… the question is… what to do with you? After all, you did just listen in on us.” She took a step forward.

And Wallflower took two steps back as a drop of sweat appeared on her brow. “You’re… going to make me into an example for the rest of the school.”

Adagio paused and then nodded. “That’s right, dear.”

Sonata’s eyes widened. “Wow. That was a really good guess.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Wallflower replied. “That’s what you said every other time you’ve come by here.” She studied their faces as their smiles faded. “That’s what you said every other time we’ve talked.”

At that, the Dazzlings glanced between each other with raised eyebrows and confused frowns. Sonata shrugged, and Aria shook her head.

“What are you talking about?” Sonata finally asked. “Like, this is the first time we’ve come here since the Battle of the Bands.”

“That’s right,” Adagio said as she crossed her arms. “I’m pretty sure I would remember coming here since then.”

At that, Wallflower smirked. “No, actually, you wouldn’t.”

The Dazzlings collectively flinched and now they stared holes into her.

Wallflower chose that moment to hold up the Memory Stone, sending energy coursing through it. “And you won’t remember this or Sunset either.”

“Wait a second!” Adagio cried as she lunged forward. “What—” She was cut off as a green light erupted from the Memory Stone and engulfed them.

Comments

[EchoWing]

Egads. I'm still wondering exactly what role Wallflower will play as the story goes forward, but as is...yikes.