Chapter 14: The Final Activity
After getting back inside the cabin with Sunset, Wind saw that Trixie and Adagio were waiting and ready to take off. "Sorry about the wait, I just wanted to show Wind the sunrise from the roof," Sunset said as she walked up to them.
"It's not a problem, I've seen you up there plenty of times, so taking Wind to see that view is nice," Trixie commented. As Wind looked over the group, he noticed that he didn't see Sonata and Aria anywhere.
"Hey, where are your sisters?" Wind asked Adagio.
"Sonata suddenly caught a fever and Aria is going to stay here to watch over her. I told her that you would be here to look after her, but she just refused," Adagio told Wind. Wind thought about that for a few seconds before looking at the three girls present.
"I'll go try to convince Aria to let me take care of her so she can join you," Wind told the group.
"Ok, good luck with that," Adagio said as she opened the door. With that line, Sunset, Adagio, and Trixie headed for the mess hall while Wind went up to his room.
When he got to the room, he saw that the door was slightly open and he heard voices inside. "Hey Aria, what are you doing here?" Sonata asked in a sickly tone.
"You came down with a fever and I'm staying to help you recover," Aria said in a sympathetic tone.
"Oh, isn't Wind here?" Sonata asked curiously.
"He is, but I feel better taking care of you myself. He didn't do anything to you yesterday did he?" Aria responded.
"No, he hasn't done anything to me," Sonata told Aria. Deciding he heard enough, Wind carefully knocked on the door.
"Come in Wind," Aria said. Wind walked in to see that Sonata had a towel on her forehead and Aria was leaning over her.
"Hey, you know I could take care of her, right Aria?" Wind asked as he walked towards the bed.
"I know, but I honestly feel better taking care of her myself," Aria told Wind.
"Aria, I know you worry for me, but Wind will be able to take care of me," Sonata said with a smile. When Aria saw that smile on Sonata, she simply smiled and walked towards the door.
"Wind, would you mind if I see you outside for a bit?" Aria asked as she walked out. Wind did as he was told, before he stopped and turned to Sonata.
"If you need us for any reason, me and Aria will be outside," Wind told her.
"Ok, I'll be waiting here," Sonata said as she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep. Wind simply smile and went outside to find Aria waiting. "So, what did you need to talk about?" Wind asked in a quiet tone. Aria gave him a questioning look before Wind pointed back to the room and made a motion of sleeping.
"Oh, I understand now. Anyway, I thought I should tell you that I'm going to be keeping an eye on Sonata after you take off for the activity," Aria told Wind in an equally quiet tone. Wind was about to retort, but then realized that he needed to be there for the activity and that someone needs to stay behind to keep an eye on Sonata.
"Ok, but why do you offer?" Wind asked curiously. In response, Aria rolled up her jacket sleeve and showed Wind the bandage she had on.
"I'm going rest so that I can recover from yesterday. I know that I may seem fine, but I'm not taking any chances," Aria said as she rolled up her jacket sleeve.
"I understand, thanks for telling me ahead of time. So, I imagine that you're going to the mess hall?" Wind responded.
"Of course I am, did you need me to do anything?" Aria asked in response.
"Just that if you could tell the camp councilor by the name of Gloria Daisy that you and Sonata will be here recovering," Wind told Aria.
"Got it, I'll be sure to let her know," Aria said as she started to walk away. Just as she got to the stairs, she called back to Wind.
"Hey Wind, take care of her," Aria said before heading down the stairs. Wind simply nodded and quietly looked in the room to see that Sonata was fast asleep.
"Sleep tight Sonata," Wind said quietly as he closed the door partially. After he did that, Wind went to go grab the book and work on translating the words.
After about 30 minutes of reading the book at a desk downstairs, Wind heard the front door open. "Welcome back everyone," Wind called from his desk.
"Wind, what are you doing down here? I thought you were supposed to be looking after Sonata," Adagio said as she closed the door.
"She fell asleep, so I decided to take the opportunity to try and translate this book I've had with me since the second or third day," Wind said as he looked over something.
"Wait, where did you even get that book?" Trixie asked curiously.
"Celestia gave it to me; she said that it was a book that has been in her family for generations. She gave it to me in the hopes that I would be able to find out what it holds. There is also the fact that no one in her family has been able to find out what it holds yet," Wind explained to the four that were there. Wind noticed that Aria looked a bit uncomfortable and simply smiled. "You can go stay with Sonata you know," Wind told her.
"Thank you, I'm going to go check on her," Aria said before walking to the stairs.
"You know, I've never seen her so vulnerable before, I wonder why she's like that now," Sunset wondered as Aria went up the stairs.
"She has a soft spot for Sonata, although that girl can be more trouble than she's worth, she keeps us from falling apart and we appreciate it, even though we don't show it," Adagio explained with a smile. Trixie, Wind, and Sunset simply nodded in understanding before Wind closed the book and got up from the chair.
"Well, we have an activity to go to, I'll let Aria know real quickly, and then we can take off," Wind said as he walked to the stairs.
"Mind if I go with you? They're my sisters after all," Adagio said. Sunset and Trixie simply said nothing as Wind and Adagio went upstairs. When they went to the room that Wind and Sonata shared, they saw that Aria was leaning over a now awake Sonata.
"You all are leaving already?" Aria asked.
"We are, Adagio and I just came up to tell you both that we are taking off," Wind told the two.
"Good luck you two," Sonata said from the bed in a slightly better tone than before.
"Thanks, same to you two," Adagio said as they headed back down the hall. As they walked back down the stairs, Wind noticed that the Shift Cars were nowhere to be seen.
"Odd, from what I recall from what Starforce and Technic explained to me, once a Shift Car has bonded to someone they deem worthy of their assistance, they're able to monitor their vitals and health. By that logic, shouldn't have Technic notice something was wrong with Sonata and come to help her?" Wind wondered as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Is something on your mind Wind?" Adagio asked curiously, breaking Wind's train of thought.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thing about what could have caused Sonata to get sick so quickly," Wind lied.
"Did you come up with anything?" Adagio asked enthusiastically.
"No, nothing comes to mind at the moment," Wind asked in a slightly uncomfortable voice. Adagio simply nodded in response as they walked up to Trixie and Sunset.
"You two told them?" Trixie asked curiously.
"We did, you ready to go?" Wind asked curiously.
"Of course we are," Sunset said a bit enthusiastically. As Sunset opened the door, Wind thought he saw something walking away in the distance. Wind dismissed as a trick of the eye and proceeded out the door to the meeting grounds where they meet every day before an activity. As the four walked away from the house, none of them saw a figure looking over the group, more specifically at Wind.
"So, that's the one he was telling me about?" the figure said to himself. After thinking for a little, the figure just laughed a little. "Interesting, very well then, I'll play your game. I'll always be observing though; I don't want anything to happen to the kid. After all, I owe him a favor," the figure said before disappearing somewhere.
After a few minutes of walking, the four members of Team Sacred that were present arrived at the meeting area. "Wow, even though we left a little late, we are still pretty early to the meeting," Sunset commented as she looked around and saw that there were still people arriving.
"From what I've been told, the campers are all usually pretty laid back and the councilors usually wait for all the teams to be here before starting," Wind explained to the three. After waiting for a few minutes, all the teams had arrived and a councilor came up to explain to day's activity.
"Welcome all, today is the final activity. For those that don't know, tomorrow is the trip to the nearby Everfree ruins. However, we decided not to simply give you the tools for exploring the ruins; instead, we decided to make it an activity. Your team leaders will each have a list of hints that point to a backpack for each member in your team. Each backpack is also labeled with the name of the member who is supposed to own it. The backpacks will be hidden around the camp and are not located outside the campgrounds. There are no additional rules other than not to mess with or move other team's backpack. With that, I wish you all the best of luck."
After she said that, almost every team left the meeting area, though there were a few that stayed behind to work out a strategy, with Team Sacred being one of the ones that did. "So, what do you guys suggest?" Wind asked as he let the others take a picture of the list.
"Well, I would suggest we split up and each take a clue so we don't get lost trying to find the packs," Trixie pointed out.
"That is a good idea, good thinking Trixie," Adagio said with a smile. Trixie blushed at that comment, which Wind and Sunset didn't seem to notice.
"So, mind if I take two? I'll be happy to be on the lookout for Aria's backpack as well as Sonata's, unless you want to look for them Adagio," Wind commented.
"No, I don't mind if you go look for them, but if I find my pack first, I'll let you know," Adagio told Wind. Wind simply nodded and he was about to leave when Sunset chimed in.
"Hey Wind, I know this may seem like a silly question, but where do we meet up after we find our packs?" Sunset asked curiously. Wind thought about that for a moment before opening looking at the group.
"Well, why don't you three meet up at the lake outside of camp? I would go, but I think it would be better for me to go tell Aria and Sonata about the activity and what is going to happen tomorrow," Wind told them. Everyone simply nodded in response before each taking off in a direction. When Sunset ran far enough away, she stopped and leaned against the side of a nearby building.
"So, that's what is going to happen," Sunset thought. As Sunset looked at the picture she had taken of the list, she focused on one hint in particular.
"If you want to find this pack, then you have to find one who you will need to redeem yourself with."
Sunset sighed as she thought about her past and people she needed to make amends with. As she thought about it, Sunset made a quick realization and sighed out of both anxiety and realization. "I figured this would have to happen sooner or later," Sunset said as she walked towards a specific destination.
After about a minute of walking, she came up to a specific building. "Well, I figured that this day would come, but I didn't think that it would be this soon," Sunset thought as she remembered what one of the first things that she did in this world. As she did that, she casually walked up to the door and knocked on it. When the door opened, a very familiar person to Sunset answered.
"Oh, Sunset, I wasn't expecting you to stop by during an activity. What did you need to talk about?" Principle Celestia asked curiously.
"Well, I came because I wanted to talk to you about what happened on that day," Sunset told Celestia, making sure emphasize "that" Celestia seemed to think about what Sunset was referring to for a moment before opening her eyes out of shock.
"Sunset, are you sure you want to talk about how this so soon?" Celestia asked in a caring tone.
"Well, I don't feel like I'm ready or that you have recovered, but I have to because of this," Sunset said as she showed Celestia the hint. After Celestia read the hint, she simply closed her eyes as she thought about what she read.
"Well, that would explain why a councilor came by and left me a backpack with your name on it," Celestia said with a sigh. Sunset stayed silent as she clenched her fist out of anticipation. "Sunset, you know we don't have to talk about this, I could just give you the backpack and you could go back to your team," Celestia told the teen in a comforting tone. After Celestia said that, Sunset immediately hugged her and started to cry.
"I'm sorry; I should never have done what I did. Please, let's just talk about this and make amends. I already have one Celestia feel bad about, I don't want to have another," Sunset said through the sobs. Celestia stayed silent as she saw the scene in front of her and then simply hugged Sunset.
"I understand; come on in, I have a feeling that you want this to be private," Celestia told Sunset. Sunset simply nodded as Celestia lead her inside and closed the door behind them.
After letting Sunset calm down, Celestia went into the cabin's kitchen to make some tea for the two of them. As Sunset sat down at the table, she noticed two toy cars on one of the shelves: one being red with small, flaming rings in the back and another was black with red, digital-like wings on the back. "Oh, just some toy cars, nothing unusual though, other than the fact that adults have some kid toys. But then again, a lot of people spend money on weird thing, like children's trading cards," Sunset thought.
"What are you thinking about Sunset?" Celestia asked as she brought in a tray with two cups of tea and set it onto the table.
"Oh, I was just taking note of the two cars on that shelf over there," Sunset told her as she pointed to the two cars. When Celestia looked over at the two cars, Sunset took note of the surprised expression on her face.
"Oh, those are actually a gift that Wind gave me and Luna," Celestia said in a calm voice. Sunset thought about questioning further, but decided to drop the topic.
"I see, he must be a good kid," Sunset told Celestia as she sat down with Sunset.
"I didn't mean it like that," Celestia said with a hint of a hurt expression with on her face.
"I sorry, it's just that I can't believe I'm bringing this up so soon," Sunset said in a sad tone. The two of them sat in silence as they silently drank their tea.
"It's hard to believe that a little over a year has passed since that day," Celestia commented while she drank her tea.
"I know, it has been over a year and I've changed a lot since then," Sunset said in response.
"I will honestly admit that even I couldn't see what has happened recently coming," Celestia said.
"Well, that's kind of how magic works, it just does what it does," Sunset said in a slightly sarcastic tone. The two then started to laugh at that comment as they realized that what Sunset was referring to.
"You know, I missed time like this. Just the two of us spending time together," Celestia said happily with a sad smile on her face. Sunset went silent when Celestia said that and sighed.
"Do we really want to open up old wounds?" Sunset asked as she put her now empty tea cup down.
"No, we don't, but we can talk about it if you want to," Celestia said in a motherly tone. Before Sunset could comment further, Celestia felt her phone ring from her pocket. Taking it out, she saw that Wind was calling her. "Excuse me Sunset, I have to take this," Celestia said as she answered the phone and got up from the table. Sunset stayed silent as Celestia walked past her, thinking about what she was doing.
"She won't accept me even if I do apologized to her," Sunset thought to herself as she closed her eyes and sighed.
"Well, you won't know unless you try, isn't that right Sunny?" a voice told her. When she heard that, Sunset immediately opened her eyes, got up from the chair, and looked around the room to see that no one was there.
"There is only one person who calls me Sunny aside from Pinkie and the other, but from what I remember, he's been missing for at least three years," Sunset thought to herself. Sunset then remembered something the person was referring to said. "No matter what the situation, if there is something you're unsure about; just do what your heart tells you to do. It might not always be the best solution, but it's better than doing nothing," Sunset recalled to herself.
"Sorry about the interruption," Celestia said breaking Sunset's train of thought. When Sunset turned around, she saw that Celestia holding her backpack.
"It's fine, by the way who were you talking to and why do you have my backpack?" Sunset asked curiously.
"What was Wind, he just called and said that they were waiting for you," Celestia said as she held out the backpack, waiting for Sunset to accept it. Sunset in response smiled, walked up to Celestia, and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened that day. I'm sorry for everything I've done to you and the school back before the Fall Former. And most of all, I'm sorry if I hurt you," Sunset told Celestia with some tears of happiness running down her face. Celestia said nothing in response, then smiled and hugged Sunset back after she put down the backpack.
"I forgive you Sunset, I forgive you," Celestia said as she patted Sunset's back. The stayed in each other's embrace, before Sunset let go and grabbed her back pack. "Before you go, could you do me a favor?" Celestia asked as she led Sunset to the door.
"Sure, what did you need?" Sunset asked curiously as Celestia opened the door.
"Well, I was wondering if you could tell Wind about our past. You don't have to tell him about that day, but you could tell him the other thing?" Celestia said with a warm smile on her face. Sunset was about to ask what Celestia was talking about when she remembered.
"You know, do you mind giving me something so he can believe me?" Sunset responded. Celestia simply nodded before going back inside the house to get something. "Well, Wind is going to be in for a decent shock when he hears this," Sunset thought.
"Hey, you could also thank me for the tip," a familiar voice said next to her. Sunset turned and saw a person in a black coat leaning against the side of the house.
"Who are you?" Sunset asked defensively.
"That's not important right now, what is important is for you to keep Wind safe," the figure told Sunset.
"Why are you fixated on him?" Sunset asked. The figure stopped leaning against the side of the house and walked away from Sunset.
"Because he is a key, a special key that can unlock a certain power," the figure said as they walked away. Before Sunset could go after him, Celestia came back from inside the house.
"Who were you talking to Sunset?" Celestia asked as she held out a piece of paper. Sunset thought about it for a moment before deciding to tell Celestia what had happened.
"Well, I wasn't really talking to someone; it was more of someone in a black cloak telling me things," Sunset told Celestia. Celestia simply nodded and handed Sunset a piece of paper.
"Give this to him and he will understand to trust everything that you say," Celestia told Sunset, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Ok, thanks for everything Celestia," Sunset said as she took that paper.
"Don't mention it, Sunset. Remember that I'll always be here if you need anything," Celestia said as she smiled.
"I will remember, see you later," Sunset said as she ran off and waved goodbye. Celestia waved goodbye until Sunset wasn't in her vision anymore.
"You know, she's a good kid," the person before said as he entered Celestia's view. Celestia quickly reacted to the person she saw and got into a defensive stance.
"Why are you here?" Celestia asked the cloaked figure as she walked closer to him.
"What? You're surprised to see me after all these years? Come on, you know that we'll always be around," The person told Celestia as he walked in synch with her.
"How did you recover so quickly? I thought that he took care of you source of power," Celestia responded as she remembered a talk from several years ago.
"Oh, well why don't you ask your friend?" the figure told Celestia in a confident tone. Celestia was confused until she realized what the person was referring to and quickly got out a white emblem of sorts from her pocket. After looking at the emblem for a bit, Celestia looked at the figure again, this time with a very angry expression.
"What did you do to them?" Celestia asked in a furious tone.
"Now, now, I wouldn't be worried about your friends; I would be more worried about yourself," the figure said. Before Celestia could react, a portal of darkness appeared beneath her and started to pull her in.
"You won't get away with this, Sunset and her friends will stop you," Celestia said as she was being pulled down.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about them; I've already taken steps to prepare for that," the person said mischievously. Celestia thought about that comment then realized something very important. Before Celestia could say her thought, she was fully pulled into the portal. "Now then, let's see if my plan goes smoothly," the figure said as he hopped in the portal which closed behind him.