//------------------------------// // Duel Six: Loyalty. // Story: Shimmer: La Jument Revolutionnaire // by GuyWhoWritesThings //------------------------------// The morning sun hangs over Friendship Academy as Sunset Shimmer rests against a second-floor window, looking out to the ground below. After finding her morning class cancelled, Sunset Shimmer now lounges in one of the hallways surrounding the Courtyard of the Tree of Harmony. Below her, Starlight Glimmer tends to the Tree of Harmony, while Sunset admires the glittering bits of rainbow color in the crystals of the Tree of Harmony, an effect caused by the normal light-reflecting effects of the Tree of Harmony's branches combined with the morning dew. While, normally, she would be on the lower level with Starlight during an off-time like this, Sunset decides to leave her to her own devices for a change, and herself relax on her own terms. With most other students of the Academy not as fortunate as her, it's an easy task, as the halls are mostly empty, especially near the Tree of Harmony. Those terms of Sunset's, however, find themselves violated when a pair of blue hooves appear next to Sunset's own amber ones, a second pony resting on the windowsill now. Sunset gazes sidelong at her new window-partner, immediately filling with dread. A blue coat, rainbow mane, and red Element of Harmony uniform greet Sunset Shimmer - Rainbow Dash, the one mare whose presence Sunset Shimmer has been dreading since she defeated Rarity. The final pony of the Elements of Harmony, or so she assumes, in line to challenge her over Starlight Glimmer, the Crystal Mare. There's an uncomfortable moment of silence between the two, causing Sunset to turn her eyes back on the Tree of Harmony, and Starlight below it, in the hopes that this is possibly some morning ritual of the other mare's and the entire situation is just circumstance. "Yo." The simple greeting from Rainbow Dash does plenty to diffuse that thought. However, it's low, and unenthused, not the kind of greeting Sunset Shimmer expects from the pony she's learned is Friendship Academy's star athlete, who finished her most recent game by being carried off the field by her teammates, exclaiming her own awesomeness. Sunset, however, pushes those thoughts aside and sighs. While Rainbow Dash violates her expectations, she doesn't truly know the mare, so she can't say for sure how aberrant her behavior actually may be. "Rainbow Dash, right?" She asks, instead, having a good idea where this conversation may lead. "I've been wondering when you'd show up." "I guess there's no need for introductions then, huh, Sunset Shimmer?" Rainbow Dash asks in reply. Neither mare faces the other, both choosing to look out the window, and down at Starlight Glimmer and the Tree of Harmony, instead. "I guess not." Sunset agrees, and decides she wants to get right to the meat of the matter between herself and Rainbow Dash. "Let me guess, this is about another one of those Magic Duels, isn't it?" "You could say that." Rainbow nods, reaching into her jacket and pulling out a letter. It's still unopened, sealed with the ubiquitous, six-point, magenta star. "It's my turn, from the looks of it." Unlike all the other ponies so far, it's a fact Rainbow Dash doesn't seem particularly happy with. Despite holding out the letter and talking to Sunset, however, Rainbow's eyes still remain on the Tree of Harmony below. "That letter..." Sunset turns reflexively at Rainbow Dash's rustling, and spots the letter, and the mark that seals it. "Is that letter from the pony that orchestrates this whole mess with Starlight Glimmer and the Magic Duels?" "They call themselves End of the World, whatever that's supposed to mean." Rainbow Dash grins to herself, the second half of her sentence dripping with sarcasm. "But, I guess that confirms you're not getting any letters of your own. We've been wondering about that." Sunset rolls her eyes and returns to looking out the window, staring down at Starlight Glimmer again. "It sounds like you don't know much about them, either. Why follow their instructions about these dumb duels, in that case?" It's possibly the question that's taunted Sunset Shimmer the most - why? She knows each of the Elements of Harmony has their own reasons for wanting whatever this ringleader, this 'End of the World', is offering, but she's yet to understand how they can trust somepony that offers such lofty rewards to them. Rainbow decides to answer the question with another question. "Do you know why everypony in our group is obsessed with the Crystal Mare?" At first, Sunset feels like she's had the same question turned back on her, but catches herself from shoving her hoof into her mouth. Wait. Starlight Glimmer asked me the same question last week, didn't she? It's then she thinks she understands Rainbow Dash's meaning behind the question, or at least that her meaning must be the same as Starlight Glimmer's. "Hm." Sunset thinks, lining up the bits and pieces of what she knows in her head. "With the bits and pieces I've been able to understand... it sounds like somehow, you all believe Starlight Glimmer will be able to make the winner of the dueling game an alicorn, that will have some kind of crazy power and be able to reach whatever exists inside that castle. Something about light and eternal things, and I remember something about miracles and revolution..." Below her, Starlight Glimmer turns up to look at the duo in the window, and waves at Sunset Shimmer, a small smile on her lips. Sunset returns the gesture, and Starlight Glimmer begins making her way back inside the Academy. "Sounds like you're a good listener, then." Rainbow Dash laughs to herself. "Though, it's all a bit unbelievable, isn't it?" With her question, Rainbow Dash turns to Sunset, waiting for Sunset to face her again before continuing. "Whoever controls the Crystal Mare is able to ascend to alicornhood and gain this crazy, miraculous power. It's supposed to let you revolutionize the entire world however you see fit. At least, that's what End of the World says. We didn't believe it at first, but you've seen the castle for yourself, and even drawn the sword from the Crystal Mare. We'd thought even End of the World was pulling our collective leg when they mentioned that one to us, originally." "So, what?" Sunset asks, amused. "Are you trying to say I have that crazy, miraculous power now?" This time, it's her turn to laugh to herself. "A miracle would be a nice way to fix my grades. All this late-night dueling game stuff has been cutting into my sleep and messing up my tests." "Heh." Rainbow Dash rubs the back of her head with a hoof, giving Sunset a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that." Sunset locks eyes with her, deadpan. "If you're so sorry, then just stop challenging me to them in the first place." "You know, you're right." Rainbow Dash drops from the windowsill, returning to all fours, facing Sunset Shimmer. Sunset, meanwhile, is wide-eyed. Something she'd intended as a smart quip seems to somehow be making Rainbow Dash actually not duel her. "This whole dueling game is pretty stupid. Eternal things, miracles, a power that can revolutionize the world... none of that stuff can really exist, can it?" Rainbow Dash gives something Sunset can only guess is meant to be a friendly smile, but it's one size too small. "Uh..." Sunset stays completely still for a moment, mouth agape, front half still leaning out the window. She keeps her eye contact with Rainbow Dash, stunned. "I guess it couldn't. Glad we're on the same page, I guess?" "Sure is!" Rainbow Dash sets off, off to presumably her next class, and gives Sunset a hard slap on the back on her way past, sending the latter mare's top half toppling out the window, forelimbs flailing. "Later, Shimmer!" "Ack!" Sunset's chest impacting the windowsill winds her, as her forelegs desperately hunt for any purchase they can find to pull her back up. Soon, however, something grabs the scruff of Sunset's uniform, pulling her back into the safety of the hallway. Sunset turns her head to her savior, to meet the crystal-glazed eyes of Starlight Glimmer. She giggles at Sunset's misfortune as she steps back, and Sunset leans against the window, taking deep breaths of air. "Come now, Sunset. If you keep acting like that, you're going to be late for your next class." "Phew..." Sunset takes a breath. "Thanks for the save, Starlight." She steadies herself, hooves now all on solid crystal. "Wait, it's already time for our next classes?" Sunset's eyes hit a mild panic as she realizes just how far away from that location she is. "Yes, Sunset." Starlight's head tilts. "Did you lose track of time looking at the pretty lighting effects the Tree of Harmony can make? I do that, sometimes..." Sunset reaches a hoof up, scratching behind her ear. "I guess I must have. Where's your second class at anyway, Starlight? Maybe we can walk together." "Oh." Starlight looks away, out the window, toward the Tree of Harmony. "It's... around here. You, Sunset?" "Darn." Sunset curses to herself. "Mine is clear across the campus." She turns, angling herself down the correct hallway, giving a wave of her hoof. "See you later, Starlight!" "See you later, Sunset." Later, and elsewhere... A small cassette player sits on the edge of a round table, surrounded by five chairs. In each sits a pony, their five colored jackets contrasting the white crystal of the balcony. A blue hoof reaches out, pressing the play button. The action itself constitutes a ritual between the gathered five. A six-point star emblazoned on the player's front glows a soft magenta as the tape begins to turn. "If it cannot smash its egg's shell, a chick will die without ever truly being born." The cassette cuts out, and the light dies, signifying the start of their meeting. The significance of the quote, and the identity of the girl speaking it, are both beyond the reach of the gathered ponies, but its a ritual they adhere to nonetheless. In between the five stands a tower of rectangular, wooden blocks, stacked in groups of three. Each row of blocks is a different color - red, orange, pink, blue, and purple, from the bottom up, repeating all the way to the top. "Looks like I'm out, too." Rarity mutters to herself as she takes the first turn, pulling one of the red blocks from the middle of the pile, careful not to disturb the others. "That Sunset Shimmer... I think Pinkamena was wrong. It's definitely more than just the sword." Gently, Rarity places the block on top of the stack. "Got a theory you want to share with us, Rares?" Applejack asks, tugging out one of the red blocks as well, but from the topmost possible row, placing it next to Rarity's. Rarity shrugs, and lets out a sigh. "Not particularly." Fluttershy moves next, also pulling out one of the red blocks, but from the bottom row. "So, looks like you're the only one left, Rainbow Dash..." Soon, that block is next to the others at the top. Her gaze drifts slowly to Rainbow Dash, who sits slumped in her chair. "Yeah, and you were hitting it off real good with Sunset Shimmer." Pinkamena comments, her tone still empty and distant as she plucks yet another red piece, adding it to the ever-growing top pile. "So, you gonna fight her, RD?" Applejack asks, leaning forward, resting her hooves on the table, green eyes resting on the usually-boisterous mare. In front of Rainbow Dash is the envelope that she showed Sunset Shimmer that morning. Now, however, the seal of it is broken, its contents read. "Don't know." Rainbow Dash replies flatly, taking her own turn. Yet again, another red block finds its way to the top, and the tower begins looking particularly precarious. Pinkamena looks at her sidelong, looking nearly betrayed. The tiniest bit of her usual anger returns to her voice, but even then, it sounds distant and forced. "Don't you get what's at stake, Rainbow Dash? You can't just not participate. If you're not going to do it, I'll-" "Miraculous power, right?" Rainbow interrupts, laughing to herself. "Maybe I can use it to fix my grades." She slumps herself over the front of the table, bored and disinterested as her face rests in her hooves. Somehow, the act doesn't knock over the tower of blocks. "You could just study for that, dear." Rarity quips, doing her part to make the red blocks that exist everywhere besides the top of the tower a further-endangered species, the structure beginning to wobble. "It's not like you're a dim pony, Rainbow Dash. You just need to put some effort in." "You know, RD." Applejack pulls out another piece, again red, moving it to the top. "If you're so disinterested in all this, why'd you bother agreeing with Rarity when Fluttershy wanted us to stop all this in the first place?" "Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy's eyes meet with hers as a yellow hoof slides out another block, the lone orange block to sit atop the building pile of red. Rainbow Dash turns her gaze down to the open letter in front of her as Fluttershy places the block on top of the stack. In the center of the table, the tower begins to look like a microcosm for a miracle in its own right, its structural integrity almost completely gone. "No answer for that?" Pinkamena pulls her block, returning to the tradition of removing the red blocks from the tower. As she sets it on top, the tower teeters one way, then the other, structurally unsound in at nearly every point consisting of red blocks, with the very base only having one block left. Without looking up from her letter, Rainbow Dash roughly tugs out the last red piece from the bottom of the block tower, sending the entire structure tumbling down. "Oops." The noon sun hangs high in the sky above Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer, the duo again sitting beneath one of the trees on the outer campus for lunch. While they don't make the trek daily, it's often enough that both their own group and others in the same lunch window have begun thinking of that tree as 'their' tree. This, like many of the other days they make the walk this far out, is a day where the crystal structures of Friendship Academy feel too restrictive for them. However, unlike many of those other days, an uncommon event occurs twice in this same week, with one member of their group missing from their traditional lunchtime gathering... "Spike's late again. Twice in the same week?" Sunset groans to herself as she turns her head up. The sun, possibly due to Sunset's namesake, is always something that comforts her, and she often finds herself gazing up towards it or enjoying its warmth when alone and away from the campus' crystals. "Maybe he's with Rarity?" Starlight offers as she lays out her blanket beneath the tree. The group, after her previous attempt to contribute to the food ritual, decided to have her instead always bring the blanket for picnicking days, as hers is far more comfortable than either Sunset's or Spike's. "Either that, or he forgot we agreed to Picnic Fridays and went to the tables." Sunset flops herself onto the comfort of the blanket, claiming the portion in the most direct sunlight. "I'm really hoping it's the forgetting one and not the going with Rarity one. It's his turn to bring the food, today!" Sunset's stomach grumbles as she finishes her sentence, a physiological protest against the idea of not getting lunch. "We can always go back to the dorm if you're worried about something like that, Sunset." Starlight leans against the tree's trunk, looking down as she smooths down the pieces of blanket at her hooves. "I'd be happy to make us some lunch, if you like." "Yeah..." Sunset fails to hide her skepticism at that suggestion. Her body shudders, remembering the terrifying burning of the macaroni pie, from a pepper far and beyond anything she'd ever experienced on the spiciness scale. A second journey down the path of Starlight Glimmer's cooking preferences is still far removed from anything Sunset is willing to try and experience, even for the sake of bonding between friends. "Let's wait for Spike a bit more, Starlight." "Okay, Sunset." Sunset stretches her legs and rests her eyes, blocking out everything but the chirping of the birds in the tree above. It's a simple, quiet thing, and Sunset soon finds herself entirely relaxed. Ditching lunch to nap, this is something I should've considered before... Sunset sighs contently, Spike's location now the furthest thing from her mind, her body even stopping its own protests about the lack of food... That is, until something begins shaking her shoulder, pulling her out of her personal paradise. "What?" She barks out, irritably and more aggressively than she realizes. "Oh, um, sorry... I didn't realize you were..." The voice is quiet, soft, and far more feminine than the voice of the dragon Sunset expects to hear and immediately grill for both being horribly late and daring to ruin her relaxation. Sunset rolls over, rubbing her eyes clear with a hoof. Blinking, she sees a pink mane frame a yellow-furred face, a combination that's easily recognizable. "Fluttershy...? What are you doing here?" The yellow mare is about half a blanket away from Sunset now, having backed away during her outburst. "Oh! Um! Well, you see, I was just wondering if you and Starlight wouldn't mind sharing some lunch today." Her head dips down, hiding her face behind her mane. "I was hoping we could talk a bit, if that's not too much to ask..." Sunset shakes her head clear and sits up. Feeling a bit guilty over her outburst now, Sunset feels like she can't do anything but accept the request. "Sure, I guess... but Spike was supposed to be bringing lunch, today, and he's still not here." Sunset groans internally. Great, no sleep, and no food. "You don't need to worry about that." Fluttershy says, looking quite a bit more friendly now. It's at this point that Sunset notices the basket sitting on the blanket beside her. "I... might have told Spike that you and Starlight had plans with me and sent him to spend lunch with Rarity..." She presses her hooves together in front of her nervously. "Heh, heh... please don't be mad!" "...Wait, you did what?" Sunset gets to her hooves now, leaning in to scrutinize Fluttershy. She's suspicious, but holds back her temper the best she can, not feeling comfortable unleashing it on the timid mare even if the two have dueled in the past. "Okay, you better have a good reason for that, and that good reason better not involve me climbing a tower at midnight, or so help me-" "I mean it!" Fluttershy's earnest smile disarms Sunset almost immediately. "I just want to talk... besides, you already know Rainbow Dash got the next letter, don't you?" Pointing out that fact does plenty to derail Sunset's suspicions in this meeting being related to the Magic Duels, at least directly. How does she know I've seen Rainbow Dash's letter, though? Sunset takes a deep breath. "Yeah, guess you're right, there." Sunset allows herself to relax again, sitting next to Fluttershy on the blanket. "So, what else could be so important you'd send Spike off somewhere else to talk about it?" Of all the Elements of Harmony, Fluttershy is the only one Sunset can come close to calling a 'friend', so the closeness doesn't bother her much. "Well, actually, it's..." Fluttershy trails off, turning away from Sunset and gazing over the fields. After a moment, she spots something, and motions her head for Sunset to look as well. "...Rainbow Dash?" Sunset asks in reply. From their seat beneath the tree, they can see Rainbow Dash in the distance, traveling between the Academy and one of the sports fields. Around her are a number of what Sunset surmises must be either friends or teammates. Despite being much too far away to hear anything, their conversation is clearly animated, as Rainbow Dash flies overhead and boxes the air. "Yeah." Fluttershy nods. "She looks pretty lonely, doesn't she?" "Lonely?" Sunset tilts her head, a habit she's picked up from Starlight Glimmer. "Looks the opposite of that, to me." "She hides it pretty well." Fluttershy replies, wistfully. "But, really, she's just going through the motions. Her and I have been friends since we were fillies. It's been a long time since I've seen her really be friends with anypony else." It's the kind of confession that catches Sunset Shimmer entirely off-guard. While 'tentative friends' is, again, a label she's okay with, there's no way Sunset feels they share the kind of closeness required for her to be comfortable confiding something like that to her. "Hold on." Sunset turns to Fluttershy. While a bit uncomfortable at the confession itself, one piece of it sticks out to Sunset Shimmer above the rest, feeling just a tiny bit off. "Aren't all you Elements of Harmony friends? How can you say you haven't seen her be friends with anypony else if you both have three other ponies you're friends with?" "It's... a bit more complicated than that." Fluttershy admits. Her eyes turn to the ground, staring intently at her hooves as she smooths out the blanket below her, similarly to Starlight earlier. "But, that's not important right now." "Then, what is?" Sunset asks, bluntly. She feels like Fluttershy is twisting and turning her around whatever point there is to suddenly telling her all these things, and it's not something she can deal with much longer. The twisting and turning with Starlight Glimmer and the Magic Duels is enough for her. Fluttershy closes her eyes, breathing deeply to steady herself before turning and locking eyes with Sunset Shimmer. Her mane rests away from her face, and her eyes are strong and determined, the same look Sunset remembers Fluttershy giving her just before two dueled. "I want you to provoke Rainbow Dash into dueling you." "You want me to what?!" Sunset asks in disbelief. "Why would I possibly want to do that? I hate these things, and now you want me to willingly participate in one after pissing my opponent off? My opponent that, may I remind you, has given me the grace of not wanting to duel me! Besides..." Sunset leans in to Fluttershy, contradictory ideas turning over in her head. "I thought you hated these duels almost as much as I did?" "I did - I do! But..." Fluttershy's determination collapses as she turns back to watch Rainbow Dash again. "When Rainbow Dash and I were fillies, we'd get bullied a lot. And by that, I mean, I'd get bullied a lot, and Rainbow Dash would stick up for me. She could've easily been one of them and popular herself, but she chose to be my friend, instead..." Fluttershy's voice trails off as her eyes unfocus, clearly lost in some memory, and Sunset's own trail between Fluttershy and Starlight Glimmer. The latter now lays on her side in the shade, napping peacefully. Looks like she followed my example before Fluttershy showed up. Sunset smiles, amused. Then, that smile falters. "The Crystal Mare is just a mirror!" The sentence sticks with Sunset, even after defeating Rarity. It's been making her question every activity Starlight undergoes with her since the Magic Duel. Is she napping because she wants to, or because I was napping before Fluttershy showed up? "Yeah." Fluttershy's voice snaps Sunset's attention back to her. "The end result of her sticking up for me was the two of us being outcasts together for the longest time. Rainbow Dash has basically treated me like her little sister, despite the fact I'm technically the older one." Fluttershy draws a long breath, an act Sunset's all too familiar with on her own terms, though the shudder in Fluttershy's frame shows its to temper a different emotion. "I see..." Sunset nods. She looks to Fluttershy sympathetically, having an urge to comfort her, but not sure what kind of action is appropriate between the two of them. "Rainbow Dash sounds like a good friend." "She is." Fluttershy replies. "But, Rainbow Dash has built up walls around herself, and never lets anypony else in because of it. By the time other ponies started trying to approach us again, she would simply brush them aside. She's turned herself into an island, even if for stuff like the sports team she pretends to be outgoing and charismatic." Fluttershy sighs. "And it's all my fault." Sunset finally decides to at least do something, and rests her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. She doesn't think it's the gesture Fluttershy really needs right now, but she's afraid to accidentally offend the mare with anything greater. "Come on, that's not true." "It is." Fluttershy protest softly. "When I first joined the duels, I wanted the miracle the letters talked about to somehow help Rainbow Dash be able to get close with ponies again. But, I soon learned I didn't have the ability to win a Magic Duel. The time we fought was only the second time I ever dueled, you know? The idea of Starlight Glimmer I had in my head reminded me of myself, and... well, I guess part of me was hoping I could swoop in and be her own Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy smirks to herself. "Silly, I know." "I understand, I think..." Sunset gives a comforting smile to the mare she's sharing the picnic blanket with. "And now you're thinking if I can get her to fight for whatever crazy miracle power you all think Starlight Glimmer has for herself, it might help her somehow?" It's a confusing train of logic that Sunset can't find herself understanding, but she guesses part of it may have to do with those letters or some other element she may not be aware of. "Maybe? I don't really know, Sunset." Fluttershy admits, shaking her head. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything... It's just that, I just don't know what else to do, at this point. I can't win on my own, and if Rainbow Dash decides it's not worth even trying at all, then..." Sunset sighs, resigning herself to her fate. Some day, I'll get myself over this being a good pony thing, so I can stop getting in these idiotic situations. She gives Fluttershy's shoulder an affirming squeeze. "I think I get it, Fluttershy. I don't see how it'll help at all, but... I'll see what I can do." Fluttershy's face instantly brightens at her words. "But for now, let's eat before the next set of classes start, I'm famished." Rainbow Dash makes her trek back to the Academy from the sports field, glazed over in a new coat of sweat after a hard-fought practice game. The burn in her muscles that accompanies such a struggle is something she always relishes in, and serves as the main reason she walks back to class after such sessions instead of flying. While the warm sun and open air are enough to always tempt her skyward, there's just something enjoyable to her about walking off a good leg workout. The crystal path is firm beneath her hooves, and the buildings rise up in front of her, only the sparsest bits of nature at her back. She closes her eyes, drawing in a long breath, taking a final taste of the natural air before being confined to the muffling Academy buildings, and in the process, finds herself walking headlong into another student. "Oh, sorry about that!" She apologizes, snapping her eyes back open to find herself across from a griffon, with a brown body and white feathers, tipped pinkish-purple. "Oh... it's you." Her apologetic tone quickly turns cold. "Yeah... me." The griffon replies gruffly, just as cold as Rainbow Dash. "I have a name, you know. Or, is remembering that not worth it to you anymore, either?" "Let's not start, Gilda." Rainbow Dash says, walking around her, Gilda making no motion to impede her. "I've heard you run with that Lighting Dust mare these days." Gilda says, not turning to face Rainbow Dash, the two essentially standing back to back. "There's buzz about her almost being as good as you are at basically everything." "Well, there's a lot of things you can hear around this campus, Gilda." Rainbow Dash replies, just as happy to keep their current arrangement as Gilda. "It doesn't mean any of those things are true, though." "About Lightning Dust's ability, or about you being buddy-buddy with her?" "Figure it out." Rainbow Dash's wings flare, burning limbs now replaced by a foul temper, removing any point to the walk as she takes to the sky. It's only a short distance to her next class, now, but her speed in the air is a legend around the Academy for good reason, so she takes her time to twist and turn around the Academy's architecture to burn off her excess energy. On the path, a lone griffon stands still. Sunset Shimmer waits on one of the paths leading out of the Academy, one that's a straight line from a specific sports field, directly to the Magic Dormitory and in turn, apparently, the Harmony Building, at Fluttershy's recommendation. The sun hangs low in the sky now. Starlight Glimmer had offered to wait with her, but Sunset decided it would be better to handle this task on her own. Without a concrete plan in mind for what she's about to do, she feels it best to attempt it alone, should the situation go off the rails. Provoke Rainbow Dash into a Magic Duel... why did I agree to do this? Sunset groans in annoyance. Classes ended long ago, and in another situation, Sunset would be lying comfortably in her bed, in her room, in her dormitory, long before now, while Starlight Glimmer digs further into one of her 'for-fun' textbooks. Instead, however, Sunset stands here, awaiting this mare that she now realizes can easily choose to fly home instead, leaving the entire exercise for naught. She jumps, as something taps at her shoulder once from behind, soft and warm. "Don't turn around." A girl's voice says into her ear. She can feel her, breathing onto the tips of her ears from above. She has to be tall - much taller than Sunset Shimmer, at least. Is it the girl in the magenta uniform? Suppressing her instinct to whirl around and lash out with magic at a potential aggressor, Sunset remains still. Her better judgment finds her to be thoroughly idiotic, but it's currently being overruled by her burning need for answers. "You're pretty adorable as a pony, Sunset." The voice says, playfully. "What do you want?" Sunset asks, not liking the idea of being toyed with. "You always seem to appear right before I get challenged to one of these Magic Duels. Who are you, anyway? End of the World?" "Who would name themselves something silly like that?" She quips. "We'll get to have a proper meeting again sometime, Sunset Shimmer." "Again? I've never met you before, whatever you are." "Oh, Sunset..." The voice pauses. "Your company's here. I know we'll meet again eventually, Sunset Shimmer. I know you'll be able to get far." Behind Sunset, leaves rustle as steps retreat. The urge to turn and peek at the accosting figure is overridden by the approach of Rainbow Dash, traveling the path back to the Harmony Building at a leisurely pace. And, just as Fluttershy assured Sunset she would be, Rainbow Dash is alone. It makes me wonder if Fluttershy set this up on Rainbow's end as well... it's almost too perfect. Sunset steels her nerves, deciding there's no time like the present to call out and wave, walking up herself to close the distance. "Hey! Rainbow Dash!" "Yo!" Rainbow calls out as Sunset approaches. "This is new." She shoots Sunset a confident smirk. "Don't tell me you have a thing for me, now. I get enough ponies stalking my path home to give me sentimental junk like that without you adding yourself to the pile, Sunset Shimmer." Sunset rolls her eyes. "You wish." Rainbow shrugs. "So, what'cha need? I haven't challenged you to a duel or anything, so it can't be related to that." "That's the thing." Sunset diverts her eyes to the ground and puts on her game face, still not entirely believing the path she's set herself on. Though, now that she's told Fluttershy she'd try, she intends to, and she knows the appearance of the magenta-clad figure seems to always precede her being dragged into a Magic Duel one way or another, anyway. "I don't see why you haven't. I mean, you're the last one, right? Why not duel?" "And here I figured you'd be pleased, Shimmer." Now it's Rainbow's turn to give her the eye-roll. "Why should I duel in the first place? We both agreed there's no point in it." "Yeah, but..." Sunset trails off, trying to think on her hooves. "It's just weird, you know? I can't imagine you being part of that group if you don't have a reason to follow those letters. Everypony else that dueled me had a reason they thought was important enough to jump into a giant, psychedelic Dueling Arena, that's up some stairs, at the top of a tower, that's inside another tower, that's under an upside-down, floating castle that spins. That's not the kind of thing you do because you need some fresh milk or are mad over somepony not returning your notebook. If you've agreed to it before, I have to imagine you also have some reason to be doing it that you think is important." She further emphasizes her inquiry by pulling out her six-point star pendant, making a bit of a dirty play by hoping the sight of one of the gems with jog some kind of memory inside Rainbow Dash. "Well, what about you?" Rainbow Dash asks back. "I get you fight the duels because you feel the need to protect the Crystal Mare, but why do you even have that necklace? You don't correspond with End of the World, or know anything about the Magic Duels you didn't learn from us." Rainbow takes the time to give Sunset herself a once-over. "Heck, why do you even wear that uniform, even? That's a pretty curious fashion statement, you know. It's pretty much like deciding your coat is too good at keeping you warm so you're gonna rip some strips in it." "The necklace..." Sunset looks down at it, the question leaving her nostalgic. "You may not believe me, and to be honest, I barely remember it, myself. But, a long time ago, I met a real alicorn." It's not something Sunset remembers clearly - her colors, her voice, her looks, most of it is gone, faded into time long past. However, the silhouette, the fact that the mare indeed was an alicorn - a pony with both horn and wing - is something that sticks with Sunset, as strong as ever. Rainbow Dash whistles, long and drawn-out. "You're right, I don't believe you. Meeting an alicorn? You might as well tell me you met the toothsprite. And here I was thinking we were on the same page, Sunset Shimmer." "Well, I did, at a time when I was in a very dark, very lonely place. Isolated, misguided, and quite the miserable pony to behold, I'm sure." Sunset keeps her gaze on her necklace, imagining her feeling now isn't unlike what Fluttershy had felt earlier that day. "I barely remember it now, but she had saved me, and told me, as she put it, that the Magic of Friendship exists everywhere, and all I needed to do was seek it out. I remember her and I stayed in contact for a long time, but one day, she gave me this necklace and disappeared. I've been trying to find her, following the traces of where these necklaces originate from... and that lead me here, to Friendship Academy." "That's quite a story." Rainbow Dash comments once Sunset finishes. "But, why the uniform? Is it meant to be alicorn roleplay?" She smirks, leaning in teasingly to Sunset. "Or, do you just like the added ventilation?" "Why not both?" Sunset quips back, not willing to let Rainbow Dash one-up her in a game of verbal jabs. Rainbow Dash snickers, then stops walking, prompting Sunset Shimmer to turn and face her. "Listen to me, Sunset Shimmer. You seem like an okay pony. You should take off that necklace, forget about the Crystal Mare, and leave this Academy. I know you think you're chasing some alicorn you've convinced yourself you've met as a foal or something, but... whatever pony gave you the necklace has played a cruel joke on you. If you don't have something to fight for like the rest of us do, you're bound to eventually get yourself hurt and have nothing to show for it." "It's a bit late for that." Sunset retorts, now on the back-hoof. "Starlight Glimmer is my friend, now. I don't care what kind of crazy stuff goes on at this Academy, but I'm not abandoning her to this mess by herself, no matter how over my head you might think I am." "Heh." Rainbow scrapes one of her hooves across the ground. "That resolve something your imaginary alicorn friend left you with, too? I'd appreciate that spunk on the field, but it's foolish to have it here." "Maybe." Sunset locks eyes with her, matching her hoof-motion with one of her own. "You're not that different, though, are you?" Sunset asks, thinking she might have found the right nerve to press. "After all, just look at you and Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash's expression turns grim as her eyes narrow. "And what do you know about that?" It's a simple question, threatening in tone, that would wilt a lesser girl from her path. "Enough." Sunset, however, isn't another girl. She allows her own expression to mimic Rainbow Dash's, as she begins spinning a yarn to reel her in now that she thinks she's successfully landed the hook. "I doubt you think I came to you first to ask about this? Starlight and Fluttershy hang out plenty, after all." Inside, Sunset feels dirty, digging up old tactics that've gone unused for so long they may as well have physical cobwebs on them despite being abstract ideas. "It was easy enough for me to get her alone and probe her about you until she divulged every teeny, tiny thing to me. You may as well call our talk here fact checking, instead of something actually inquisitive." Rainbow Dash stomps, raising her head high as she glares at Sunset Shimmer. "You want to duel so badly? Fine! Midnight it is! Alicorns, miracles, I'll show you just how junk all those things really are so you'll take off that stupid necklace and leave!" A rage-filled snort escapes Rainbow Dash's muzzle. "I've misjudged you once, but it won't be happening again!" Rainbow Dash's wings flare as she takes off into the sky, a multi-color contrail illuminating her flight path behind her. Part of Sunset Shimmer shivers at the twisting lies she delivered to provoke her, especially without having a proper clue of what she's actually just implied to get Rainbow Dash so angry. However, another part of her, buried deep under the Sunset Shimmer that she's grown herself into being, feels gleeful at the fight to come. The conflicting emotions stay with Sunset Shimmer as midnight comes, and she looks up to the tower, guilt and excitement churning to make a particular pit in Sunset's stomach. Neither, however, prevent her from pulling her necklace free of her uniform, eyes squinting against the light of the doors as they part way for her. The excitement, Sunset justifies, is her need to give Rainbow Dash comeuppance for her willingness to so readily dismiss and prod at the memory that brought Sunset to this Academy in the first place. With a long breath, she steps forward, entering the tower. The tower-in-the-tower and its winding staircase truly are ritual for Sunset Shimmer at this point, her body taking them mechanically. The outer tower makes way for clear, blue midday skies, and the swirling cloud cover that Sunset finds a customary backdrop of the Dueling Arena. The light of the castle peeks out around the edges of the staircase, bathing Sunset true at the final spiral where the chandelier-like castle comes into full view. The archway serving as the proper entrace for the Dueling Arena stands before Sunset, at the end of her journey, and she makes no hesitation to pass through it. Before her, in the Dueling Arena, waits Rainbow Dash. She stands on her two hind legs, body arched forward, wings flared to maintain balance. It's an imposing, yet natural visage, weapon hanging down in Rainbow Dash's left hoof, a stark contrast to the unnatural manner Pinkamena similarly fought in. "I assume there's nothing to be said before we begin?" Rainbow Dash asks as she raises her weapon, pointing it at Sunset. The sharp tip of her estoc reflects in the light of the castle, the sides of the blade dull, the weapon designed exclusively for thrusting attacks. Is that a pegasus thing? The lengthy blade is accentuated with a forward-swept cross-guard, leaving the weapon looking simple but threatening. Rainbow Dash's signature mane falls over her cerise eyes, though even obscured, Sunset can easily see the emotion crystallized within them. Silence falls over the two ponies as Starlight approaches Sunset. From Starlight's dress, her hoof withdraws the six-point star crystal and affixes it to Sunset. "A small crystal from deep within me, for you..." Without another word, Starlight walks over to Rainbow Dash, repeating the ritual. "And for you... a fleeting crystal from The End of the World." "Let's do this." Sunset says as Starlight returns to her side, hoof resting against Sunset's shoulder. Starlight Glimmer closes her eyes. "Spark of Friendship, which lies deep within..." From Starlight's chest, a white light emanates. It grows, brighter and larger, eventually taking the shape of a rod. Its shape solidifies, a curved, ornate guard appearing around the rod - now the hilt of a sword - the six-point star pommel glowing a soft magenta. "Heed me, and come forth..." The hilt takes full shape and extends from Starlight's chest. The blade, still buried within her, glows a fierce white, brimming with energy that sends Sunset's mane billowing. Sunset reaches for it, gripping the handle in one hoof. She draws it out slowly, feeling the strange power again flow through her body. Once the blade is half-way free, she pulls it out in a swift motion and points it at Rainbow Dash. "Grant me the power to revolutionize the world!" The words spill from Sunset's mouth, without her recognition, as if they belong to someone else. Somewhere, outside the Dueling Arena, a chorus of bells rings, flooding the ears of every pony on the platform. "Come on then, you wannabe alicorn." Rainbow Dash taunts. Her entire body remains unyielding in the face of Sunset Shimmer and her Spark of Friendship, eyes locking to Sunset's own. "Show me what you can do." From the sidelines, Starlight Glimmer watches, impassively. "Fine then!" Sunset accepts the change of pace, rushing forward. She holds her sword aloft, aiming to make quick work of Rainbow Dash's crystal with a confident smirk. Her confidence quickly turns into surprise, however, as Rainbow effortlessly parries the charge. Sunset stumbles past, caught up in her own momentum, as Rainbow lazily takes to the air, hovering just above the Dueling Arena. "Come on, you can do better than that, can't you?" Sunset wheels around, flourishing her sword. Her hooves clatter against the Dueling Arena floor as she charges once more. "You cocky little..." Sunset's anger builds as Rainbow Dash flaps her wings idly, maintaining her hover. The estoc remains aimed at Sunset, awaiting the next strike. The swords clash, and in a blink of an eye, Rainbow Dash is gone, again maneuvered behind Sunset Shimmer. "You beat everypony else? Really?" She asks, sounding decidedly bored. "No wonder you figured you could get away with bullying Fluttershy for the Crystal Mare's sake. That 'instant-win' power everypony else talks about, it's not actually magic - it's just whatever dirt you've dug up on them, isn't it?" Starlight Glimmer's eyes become hollow, turning down to the Dueling Arena floor. "What?!" Sunset Shimmer skids to a stop as she turns to face Rainbow Dash. It's then that Sunset remembers the pretense for this Magic Duel, and her resolve shakes. Hardening herself, Sunset readies her weapon once more. "You'd best not be underestimating me, Rainbow Dash!" "Trust me, I'm not underestimating you!" Rainbow Dash's movement is far beyond the speed Sunset Shimmer anticipates, both in her flying and in the jabs of her estoc. "I'm just letting you know your dirty tricks won't work on me!" Wielding her own sword with her magic, Sunset does everything she can to parry thrust after thrust as Rainbow Dash pushes her back, the edge of the Dueling Arena looming ever closer. Each strike of Rainbow Dash's estoc lacks the power that Rarity, Applejack, or Pinkamena put behind their weapons, but attempting to process and parry each individual thrust is quickly wearing down Sunset mentally. It's a dance that on the surface is reminiscent of her fight with Rarity, but the truth is entirely more one-sided, as Sunset can barely keep herself afloat in the exchange of blows. Without warning, Rainbow Dash's flurry ceases, as she pulls back from Sunset Shimmer. "I'm ending this, miss wannable alicorn. If there really is any miraculous power in you, this is your last chance." Just as suddenly as Rainbow Dash stopped, she now rushes forward, entire body a blur as she moves in to clinch the Magic Duel for herself, estoc pulled back in preparation for a final thrust. "This is your last chance to prove you had any right to beat everypony else, Sunset Shimmer!" "Quit being so high-and-mighty!" Sunset snatches the handle of the Spark of Friendship in her hoof, on instinct. "Don't act like you've never done something you regret for the sake of somepony you care about, Rainbow Dash!" A magenta light washes over Starlight Glimmer's crystal form, but her eyes remain on the Dueling Arena's floor, unable to bear witness to the Magic Duel. The gemstone of Sunset Shimmer's necklace glows, alongside the pommel of her sword. Above them, the light of the castle brightens, flooding the Dueling Arena with intense, artificial light. Power floods Sunset's body as wings snap open. Of its own accord, her body lunges forward, the inequine speed barely perceptible to the naked eye. Her right hoof extends, amber magic enveloping her body, target true. Rainbow Dash's eyes widen upon witnessing the display, but her charge remains steady and true. The blade of Rainbow Dash's estoc raises, almost imperceptibly, tip angling to protect the crystal on her chest from the incoming strike. With one thrust, metal clashes. "It's going to take more than a pair of wings to beat me, Sunset Shimmer!" The blades of the Spark of Friendship and Rainbow Dash's estoc scrape together in the clash of momentum. Rainbow Dash catches the Spark of Friendship in her estoc's cross guard, and twists it from Sunset Shimmer's hoof in a swift, deciding motion. The two then collide, Rainbow Dash transitioning her charge into a shoulder-ram while Sunset remains slack-jawed and stunned, sending Sunset toppling along the floor of the Dueling Arena until her back slams against one of the guard-walls. Sunset pulls herself to shaky hooves, horn alight as it desperately pulls the Spark back. Her breath runs ragged, her head throbs, and her muscles ache, as she finds herself barely left able to stand against Rainbow Dash's oncoming assault. "Give up already, Sunset Shimmer!" A rainbow contrail flies steadily toward Sunset Shimmer, the glinting tip of the estoc visible from the front of it, as Rainbow Dash advances ever-closer. For Sunset Shimmer, it feels like time itself is slowing down around her. She scoops up the Spark of Friendship in her scrambling hooves. "No!" Her wings flare as she pulls herself up onto her two hind legs, her hoof winding back as she stands defiantly against the rainbow looming over her, ready to sweep her away. "I didn't something I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash..." It's an apology that means something entirely different to both the giver and the recipient, but it's the best Sunset can give. "But! I'm not giving up because of one mistake, Rainbow Dash! Not on the pony I've become, and definitely not on Starlight Glimmer!" She steels herself and plunges the Spark of Friendship forward, no concern for defense left on her mind. Starlight Glimmer's eyes widen, finally able to reflect a brilliant magenta. Their bodies collide in a heap, Sunset Shimmer's crashing into the wall at her back. Behind her, metal snaps. Somewhere, a crystal shatters. Her vision floods with unwavering, cerise eyes as she remains muzzle-to-muzzle with Rainbow Dash. Sunset's pulse throbs in her ears as her breathing races uncontrollably. Her entire body feels raw, pushed to its very limits. After a moment, wings vanish, and both collapse, Rainbow Dash atop Sunset Shimmer. The bells chime once more, flooding the Dueling Arena deafeningly as a stillness falls over both Sunset Shimmer and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash is the first to regain her breath and her composure, and climbs to her hooves. Her chest is barren of the six-point crystal as she sets the shattered remains of her estoc into its sheath. She looks down at a still-panting Sunset Shimmer for just a moment, before turning and wordlessly leaving the arena.