//------------------------------// // Sunny's Bizarre Adventure Chapter 03 // Story: The Many Destinies of Sunset Shimmer // by ratedoni //------------------------------// The small practice room would have been full of rhythm and music, with instruments being played by the group of friends that liked to spend their free time together. It was their way to enjoy time among themselves now that they had found the Magic of Friendship and its power not so long ago, but today was not one of those times. Instead of music that would have been muffled by the walls, the group of girls instead was sitting around the room trying to digest what had just happened. Pinkie was the only one who was using her instrument but instead of a chaotic barrage of sound that was known as her style, this time she was simply following a simple rhythm. Applejack and Rainbow were sitting down, each one using the others back as support as they each tuned their instruments but it was clear that their minds were not on the guitar and bass. Meanwhile, Rarity sat upon an easy chair that she had dragged one day after the Battle of the Bands saying the room needed some class; of course, everyone knew that the reason for it was that Rarity refused to use any kind of folding chair. Rarity seemed to be on the zone if the sketch book on her hands was any indication. They all knew exactly what she was doing with it and soon they will either see it or the creations that she will create with it. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was sitting at Sunset’s side with her head on the redhead’s shoulder. They were both on top of the old piano none of the Rainbooms moved after the time the Diamond Dogs -as other students have nicknamed them- pushed it inside. It had become an unofficial Sunset-only place to sit for some reason. The redhead took a look at the girl at her side and smiled a bit at the comfort it brought her. Fluttershy had been the one that had been feeling the worst after the Anon-a-Miss fiasco due to the crushing guilt the soft-hearted girl inflicted upon herself. A hug here and there, a nice word from time to time and usually sitting close to Sunset were some of the ways Fluttershy showed how sorry she felt beyond mere words. It helped Sunset heal from those dark days and had become such an important interaction that made Sunset wonder how she had been able to survive by herself and with no close relationships for so long. Sunset knew this was not the time to simply rest, there was something important they had to do, and it had to do with what they just saw a couple of hours ago. The strange human figure that had appeared from her back was something that Sunset had never heard or seen before and she had read about almost every single branch of magic, even some than Princess Twilight probably didn’t know about. “So, everybody was capable of seeing... her, right?” the rest of the Rainbooms nodded at Sunset’s words. It was one thing to gain ears and hair extensions due to magic, but it was another thing to get a whole new being due to it “but apparently we were the only ones that saw it in the cafeteria.” “With her appearing out of thin air, you can bet all you have that the folks ‘round here would have posted about it on MyStable.” The southern girl said putting her bass aside signaling that it was time to focus on the problem. “I don’t like to talk bad about others, but even with two different magical accidents they would not have reacted that well.” Rarity said still sketching without rest. “Yeah, I mean, if they saw her too they would all have started screaming and running everywhere as if it were a fire drill… I wonder when we would have another one, I like screaming and running too.” “Pinkie being Pinkie aside, do you think this has anything to do with what happened with the Sirens?” “I’m not sure Rainbow, I mean, that was what, almost two weeks away? It has been too long for this to be some kind of weird side-effect from the time we all used Harmony magic; and I’m still not quite sure how it was possible for me to use that kind of magic, not even the Princesses have an idea.” “Yeah, but we can’t just say it has nothing to do with them, what if they put a curse on you before they were defeated?” “It sounds a little too convoluted, even though those ruffians did all they could to outsmart us. No, I’m with Sunset in this, maybe it has to do with something else.” “And that is not taking in consideration what happened this morning.” Sunset said quickly explaining the encounter before arriving at school and how close Twist had come to be hit by the van. “My dear, you are not saying that the so called ‘boulder’ is like your own apparition.” “Powers that cannot be seen by most people and that can do strange stuff? I’m not one hundred percent sure but they are somewhat connected; in what level? I’m not sure but I know it will appear.” “What do you mean Sunny?” “Pinkie, don’t call me Sunny please; but I’m sure it will try again, or if not with her, then another student at Canterlot Junior High.” “Oh, like in those cop series, the culprit always returns to the crime scene.” Rainbow said before she was slapped in the back of her head. “Don’t be an idiot, those shows are completely unrealistic, and mah uncle has nothing good to say about those considering he IS a cop.” Although watching the antics of Applejack and Rainbow was fun, Sunset still felt that things were barely beginning for them. It was at that moment when she felt the shy girl at her side pull on her battered leather jacket. Now that she thought about it, maybe it was time to get another. “Uhm, I’m not sure if it could work but, I think there is a way to get more information about what just happened.” Fluttershy said making all the other girls stop what they were doing. “Wait, really? How are you going to do that?” Sunset was more than a little surprised about the other girl’s words; was there really an easier way to get information? “Well, I’m not sure, but I think that I read something about sudden human-like apparitions and strange things happening several years ago in Egypt.” She said making even Rarity put down her sketch book to hear that “my family has a… well, a foundation that does research about stuff like this.” “Oh yeah, almost forgot how loaded your family is.” Rainbow said remembering the first time she went to Fluttershy’s house and how she almost got lost just walking from the front gate to the house itself. “Well, my great grandfather, well, several great, is the one that started the foundation but my parents still work occasionally with them, I’m sure they will be able to help you Sunset.” Fluttershy said with great conviction. “Wait; let me see if I got this right, are you saying that something like this has happened already on this world?” “Apparently yes, don’t worry Sunset, this time I will help you with your problem, I will not abandon you; I swear this in the Speedwagon name.” Fluttershy said with full conviction of never letting her friends down. ----- Somewhere in the city, the figure sitting down on its velvet cushioned chair watched the streets of Canterlot through the old building window. It didn’t smile or blink, it simply watched as it played with two crystal balls on its hand. It was starting, it was sure of that, just like so long ago; after all, it was the curse of those that had a Stand. No matter what one did, how far you walked or much you tried, those with Stands will gather in one place, Stand called a Stand. Behind the figure, the purple haired girl continued kneeling on the carpeted floor; her long twin tails draping across her back and the floor as she waited for instructions. “So our little boy found out someone else with a Stand, take Styx with you and investigate this new Stand user and if it is necessary get rid of it.” For a second, Aria’s eyes flashed purple after hearing her orders before she went up and walked away. To Be Continued...