I admitted that my approach on executing my plans was cowardly. In an ideal world, where all people acknowledged that there is evil in their mortal hearts and those same people were capable of accomplishing unspeakable acts, I would have done all of my plans by myself. Sadly, even if it’s just a little to the point of insignificance, all people are hypocrites and liars at one point or many in their lives, with no exceptions at all. If suddenly I became the tyrant out of the blue, however, the act wouldn’t be credible. So, alternatives must be conceived, alternatives must be detailed.
Alternatives must be executed.
During a walk on the hallway, after Ethics’ class, I continued my work in the shadows of the multitude. But hiding my presence while following my targets was hard to do in this colorful place I have called my school. The community greeted me with each step I made, and now knowledgeable enough on how to make a silent greeting with hand gestures and innocently forcing them to do the same, my cover was safe. In the end, however, we were too few and somewhat unique to be unfamiliar with one another, and the risk of stumbling with someone who would raise her voice and ruin my sneaking could appear without warning. Stupid Pinkie Pie.
“So you’re saying that the reason Twilight has her current mood is because I’m closer to Princess Twilight than her?” Shimmer asked with reluctance.
“Uh, no. In my personal opinion, perhaps she has an inferiority complex towards her.” Nitpick commented.
“Or maybe… maybe she just thinks that she isn’t receiving enough attention from her! Yes… Yes! That’s it! It’s all clear to me now! No wonder she was so gloomy every time I mentioned the Princess!”
“Sunset, no, I think-!”
“Thanks for telling me this! I now know what exactly I need to do!”
“But Sun-!”
“Gotta go! See you later during council meeting!”
The creature disguised as a human being ran ahead to the band room’s direction before the next class started. Her arms already reaching her magical diary and pen to write a quick message to Princess Twilight. On the other hand, the messy haired young man slowly shook his head in disapproval at her as he entered the classroom.
“Why everybody keeps interrupting me…? Ah, fuck it.”
Huh, all this following was for naught. It seems that Bittersweet omitted my affair in the tale. He must have realized that it would have been pointless. Pity, however. I hoped for Shimmer to use her brain and tried to uncover my façade. Give her a fighting chance. But it was for the best to remain discreet, perhaps.
Her speeches of friendship were so sickening to me that I would have killed her on the spot if we were alone.
….
The student’s council didn’t achieved any kind of progress today either. With the exception of some minor adjustments to the investments at hand, we had practically nothing worthwhile to discuss, coming to the conclusion to call it a day.
As they went all to their separate ways, I stayed behind with my best friend. I had the idea to dawn my presence on the boss, have a little fun messing with him to slowly drive him to another breaking point and make him the man I needed to become for my plans to work. But another part of me knew that it was time to stop... But the fun I had with… No, no, no.
Not today.
His private spot was a place he missed for the past few days and sitting in the loneliness of the backyards of the school filled him with an expectation. An expectation that could prove good and to his benefit. After all, who doesn’t enjoy privacy from time to time?
Today, before going to sleep, I will dedicate myself on reflecting, improving, and cleaning all of my strategies for the sake of the people of CHS and apply the appropriate alterations tomorrow without delay.
I had a small trip with my name in it with Grandma and I must finish any pending business left.
“What are you thinking now, Bon Bon?”
Lyra called me. My schemes can wait.
“Huh? Sorry. What did you say, Lyra?”
“These past few days you have been more distant than ever… Is something wrong?”
“Of course not, my friend.” I took her hand while caressing her face, making her smile sweetly. “Just thinking about my small trip with Grandma on Sunday to the mountains.”
“Do you really need to go again?”
“Yes. After all, it’s something I enjoy to do.”
“I think it’s dangerous the way you train.”
“You know that this family tradition from my Nipponese roots is my favorite. Trust in me, I’ll see you on Monday.”
“…Yeah.”
I know that face. I know those sorrowful eyes.
“What’s wrong, Lyra?”
“What do you mean, Bon Bon? I’m fine.”
“You don’t deceive me at all, you know? Come on, my friend, tell me.”
She sighed heavily. “I’m worried about Flash.”
I knew it had something to do with that insufferable slime.
“Is this about the rumored dispute they had recently?”
“It wasn’t a rumor. I was there by accident. During my way back from the convenience store on the retirement home, Flash dragged Thunderbass to the park and they started to argue about… about…”
“Princess Twilight, right?” I said unamused.
Seriously, what Flash sees in that brat?
“No, Twi-Twi.”
“Let me guess, my friend.” I walked her on the most solitary spot on the library and embraced her, tenderly brushing her hair. “You’re planning a hang out to put things at ease.”
“You know me so well.”
“YOU know me so well.” I tickled her waist.
“Oh, stop it, silly!” Her feminine teeth found their way to my neck, playfully biting my skin.
“That’s my line, silly! So, what’s stopping you?”
“Well… you.”
WhatdidIwrong!?
“Me!?”
“I-it’s been a little while since we have done something… together. Outside of school, that is.”
Ah... ufff... Good, I didn’t mess up.
“I can’t this weekend. Tomorrow I’ll be busy planning some stuff and you know that I really like going with Grandma to the mountains every Sunday possible. I want to take the chance to do some of my stuff since our city activities were cancelled tomorrow!”
“I know, but I was hoping if you could make some space for me… just a bit.”
… …My… My schemes… can wait till Monday morning.
“But of course! …What if Flash or Thunderbass won’t come because one another? Also remember that Flash and this world’s Twilight… you know.”
“It’s true… If one of them join us, perhaps we could talk about it together, as friends… Help, you know?”
Perfect.
“Just tell me what do you need me to do.”
“Well…” She chuckled rather cutely and explained her plans.
I love this woman.
….
On the brownish grass with some dying tints of red, there was a young man sitting down comfortably with his back laying on the wall. He was napping soundly with arms crossed with no trace of struggle or worries, making it hard for me to wake him up with a clean conscience.
Just like everyone else, I hate it when people interrupts my sleeping hours.
Having subtleness in my movements, I slowly tapped his nose and made gentle gestures to wake him up seamlessly. Last time he awoke rather quickly, probably because of the stress he had in his system. Today his sleep was deep, and that was a good sign.
He was recovering.
“Oh Captain, My Captain. Wake up.”
“Mmm…” He fell to the floor by instinct and rolled his body. “Uh… shut… the… fuck up, Mother.” He said rather…
Pffff. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Clear throat, a massive deep breath, focus on the target, RELEASE, “What did you just say, Nitpick Bittersweet!?” I yelled with a high-pitched tone.
He quickly rose up. “NO, MOTHER, NOTHING!!!” Then he saw me, his face slowly assuming an angered silhouette. “BON BON!!!”
I laughed. From the deepest bottom of my heart I laughed like never before. My body was rolling around the grass like a fool. My muscles were crushing my ribs and stomach as I tried desperately to inhale precious air. But I -
“I’M DYING!!!”
“You’re taking too long.” He said in hiss, increasing the violent seizures of my body.
“MERCY!” I was chocking with teary eyes. “I’LL REALLY DIE!!!”
Trying to summon all of my training, all of my experience, all of the calmness in my soul, I slowly stood up while using Bittersweet as a kind of support. Pathetically, I might add. Once my giggles and tears of amusement dried up, I immediately put my mind on Lyra’s request.
“Anyway, are you free tomorrow?”
“You are a pain in the ass.”
“Just for you, and only you.”
“Go away.”
“I need you to do me a favor.”
“Let me repeat myself, Bon Bon.” He cleared his throat. “Go. Away.”
“You will have fun with me.”
“Define fun.”
“You can be Lyra’s bodyguard with me.”
“I’ll go back inside and head to the classroom.”
“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t go away, My Captain!”
“Knock it off, Bon Bon. That fake, sweetie voice doesn’t fool me at all!”
“Tsk. Tsk. Be reasonable, Boss!”
“The way you didn’t bit your tongue when speaking those words is inspiring.” He said with furrowed brows.
“Date Lyra with me.”
“…Beg your pardon?”
“I need you to hang out with us tomorrow.”
“What?”
“Just bring fifty dollars and we’ll have a blast the seven of us together!”
“Seven!?”
“You, Lyra, Octavia, Soarin, Thunderbass, Twilight, Flash, and me!”
“We are eight people there!”
“Flash will not come so we are seven!” I smiled. “Sadly, Dancer and Lightbulb already had plans so they won’t come.”
And luckily, that was true from the later.
Frowning his face, I wasn’t surprised that he was rather dubious of my intentions. I’ll admit, though, that it was entertaining to watch him overthink the situation.
It was funny… and cute.
He sniffed two times. “Smell that?” Then made a third prolonged one. “It smells like trouble!”
“Please come with us.”
“You know tomorrow is a free day for us and there is an important power leveling in Demon’s Dogma I want to achieve! Besides, you annoy me.”
“Boss, if I really wanted to do something that would annoy you, I wouldn’t bring Lyra to the date!”
“You actually make a good point. And Soarin and the others will come as well, so… Alright, the change of routine will do wonders to me. Can I invite my pals?”
“No offense but there are people who doesn’t mix at all together. Perhaps Gilda from your bunch but even then she could be hostile towards me and ruin the mood.”
“Yeah, she stills wants to beat you after what happened during the Apple Fair.”
“Sorry, Boss. Perhaps in the future when all its settled between us.”
I wouldn’t mind, really.
“Fine… Thirty.”
“Fifty.”
“I don’t have more money to spare until next week. Yesterday’s activities were expensive… but I don’t regret them.” He was telling the truth with a little tear of joy.
“Come on! You must have some fifty dollars saved on a secret spot!”
“Thirty, you said?”
“Fifty!”
“Thirty.”
“You’re so stingy!”
“And you are a headache!”
“Tee hee hee! Ok, let me see if I can do something about the paying fee!”
“Great, don’t make me regret this.” He said in gruff.
“I assure you, Boss, that I’m truly planning to have some fun with you!”
Especially with Lyra. All of this IS for Lyra, BY Lyra, and FOR Lyra.
“We’ll see about that.”
“Excellent! Gotta go now! Don’t forget to invite Twilight for me!”
As Bittersweet sat down once again and started to play with his 3SD, I walked back to the school to search for Soarin and the others. A personal invitation was more powerful and charming than using a phone. I needed to tell them about the admission fee so they can save some or ask money for tomorrow. It would be easy for them, though.
After all, the fee was just twenty dollars.
….
It was easy to convince the guys to hang out with us. More easy was to persuade Flash away in a subtle, merciful manner. He didn’t deserve my effort. I just needed to mention that Thunderbass was happy if Octavia and Bittersweet came along and the later would invite Twilight to make him reluctant to assist. The beauty of it was that all was true, so there was no danger of suspicions about the circumstances.
Lyra had a tendency to spot a bad mood when it has hit a low point better than anyone else, and she was right. We needed to release some steam. Our current activities may have become easier, giving us a chance to lay back a little, but personal grudges can also damage the integrity of one’s well-being.
Entertainment and fulfillment must be met in such circumstances.
As I was drinking my cappuccino on Sugarcube Corner after school activities ended, I submitted entirely to the idea of enjoying my day tomorrow as a girl of my age should do. Just thinking of the places I was going to enjoy with Lyra and company gave birth to a laziness that directly attacked my mood to continue my quest against Shimmer.
I should relax for the remainder of today as well.
A sudden plate appeared before me, a slice of cheesecake beautifully resting on the surface. My third favorite dessert was delivered to me by none other than Thunderbass.
“Mind if I seat?”
“After giving me this, how can I say no? Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” He enjoyed a burst of his vanilla milkshake. “And also… Thanks for inviting Octavia and the others… Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it, my friend! Melody is a nice girl and only a chill guy like you could make her happy!”
His sincere smile with a lingering hopefulness was so pretty. The beauty of fighting for the greater good were moments like this. Make the lives of the worthy better while punishing the demons justly. Right, Shimmer?
“I don’t know about that, but thanks for the good wishes!” His face suddenly drowned in depression.
“What’s wrong?”
“I… I also wanted to talk about Flash for a bit, if you don’t mind.”
I knew that the imbecile had something to do with it!
“Some people saw you having a heavy talk on the park. Is he still pursuing Twilight? The one from here, mind you.”
“Yes.” He said with a mix of dryness and annoyance.
“That’s not good.”
“I know.”
“Have you talked about this with someone else? I will only repeat myself like the last time we talked about it. Perhaps a different opinion would help.”
“I don’t have someone else. I don’t want to involve my pals from the band either, especially Mystery Mint since she is having a hard time with her boyfriend and it would be unfair for her, you know?”
“Come on! There must be someone else on the radar that could give you an unbiased opinion!”
“Well… I admit that last time I enjoyed a bit my time with Bittersweet!”
“Oh!? Tell me more!”
“He isn’t pushy as you mentioned. And to be honest, he is a very flexible guy. I was impressed when he went the extra mile to find at least the violinist in a short time. Very few guys would have even bothered.”
“I know, right! He can be such a good friend!”
“…You may be right. Maybe… the two of us can talk for a bit if we have the chance. He seems like the honest type.”
Thank Buddha for having a conscience and a flexible nature, My Captain.
“I’m sure he will if it comes natural to the table.” I politely started eating my dessert. “Want some?”
“No, thanks. It’s for you… Also… I have something to tell you.”
“What is it, my friend?”
“It’s somewhat embarrassing, to be honest!” He blushed.
My, my! The level-headed and most-of-the-time mature Thunderbass blushing? There’s just a scarce bunch of male students on CHS that could do such a thing in front of someone sincerely. My friend, don’t worry by your faults. If I weren’t prideful and strong-willed, I too would admit shames and embarrassment that I experienced before to Lyra.
As long as you are the way you are, as long as you oppose the wickedness of Shimmer’s path, pursue an honest way of living, pursue true happiness by your own power, I will support you. I will aid you when I can, as I would do with the people that I came to appreciate.
But Lyra comes first, so you’re pretty dead if she needs my aid, you know?
“Don’t be shy, Thunderbass, trust in me.”
“Ok.” He sighed deeply, then he sucked a big deal of vanilla milkshake from his straw, and finally, he composed himself with his serious, mature face. “You have helped me a lot of times in a moral way, so I will do the same. If you need anything, call me for help!” He said with sincerity.
“Thanks, I’m glad to hear that!”
You have always been secretly mindful to those close to you.
“I’ll make sure that Bittersweet falls in love with you as well! Perhaps he and I can have a double date with Octavia and you in the future!”
…. …. …. ….
…. …. …. ….?
…. …. …. ….!
“What?”
“I saw you the other day giving Bittersweet a back massage.”
Massage? Massage. Massage! What Massage!? Ah… yes. The one I gave him on the library a while back.
“He looked tired, Thunderbass! I just did what any other friend would do to make him relax!”
Don’t get the wrong idea.
“But you looked so… peaceful. Happy.”
That day my face was brimming with joy by thinking about my plans and progress.
“I’m always happy, Thunderbass.”
“You look super energetic and cuter when he’s around you.”
He definitely got the wrong idea.
“No, I-!”
“Don’t worry! I have told no one my thoughts! And to be honest, your fresh and assertive attitude would make wonders on him! Not to mention that you would make a really cute couple together!”
“A cute… couple!?”
“I even told him a direct hint that you liked him to make things go smoother between you! I’m sure you could be happy as well!”
Th-th-th-th-th-this unthinkable… YOU IMBECILE FAILURE OF A ROMEO!
His words were hammering my head like if multiple demolishers were pummeling a building of steel non-stop. Could it be that I was unaware that I was crossing the line and slowly developing secret feelings-!? No, nonononononono! Thunderbass just said weird shit.
His one and only annoying trait was his habit of saying weird shit at the worst time.
No, wait. No wonder the last few days he has been more patient and understanding. Today… Today he was flexible and approachable enough to succumb to my invitation without too much delay or struggle. What if what Thunderbass said affected him in any way? What if he harbors any real feelings for me now? MY TOOL WILL PRACTICALLY BECOME USELESS TO MY CAUSE!
I don’t have the kind of heart to ruin people with genuine feelings with the exception of Bitter-!
Just smile, I just need to smile to Thunderbass and forgive him. Forgive him for being so naïve. Understand that he was just being innocent and immeasurably stupid for coming to such moronic conclusion worthy of Rarity herself.
“Maybe we should tell Lyra and see if she can help as well!”
My raging cheeks could easily be mistaken with a blush. “Please, don’t.”
I’ll kill you if you do that!
I was relieved when he changed the subject to something more comfortable like school and news. We discussed about what happened on the suburbs’ alley, people ignorant that Twilight Sparkle made such a mess, but as long as the secret could be maintained I should be able to use the information for a later time.
We even talked about Melody and Vinyl’s current relationship for a bit. Although Lyra originally wanted to invite Vinyl, the later was already busy with some other projects she had in mind with other musicians and bands. The Rainbooms being the main source of time waster, much to Melody’s secret dismay.
But who could blame her for don’t being honest about it? Denying Vinyl to do what she loved would be selfish and needy, and Melody knew it well enough. But at the same time, I agree that our DJ was being completely undedicated to a friendship she had treasured for years. Still, we couldn’t do anything about it. Those feelings must surface soon… And I’ll be sure that all goes well.
It will end up well.
The eventuality came for Thunderbass to leave Sugarcube Corner behind and go home. I for one asked for another cappuccino, the sweetest they could give me this time. It was a blessing that Pinkie’s shift didn’t lasted that long today. I can’t stand too much pink in this establishment.
Suddenly, something caught my eye. Two slender figures walked to the counter and asked for two specialty milkshakes of the day. Those voices were unbearably recognizable. Sunset Shimmer and princess Twilight sat down in one of the tables wearing two of the most worthless and unimaginative hoodies I have ever seen.
Perhaps for the untrained eye, they would have fooled anybody with those clothes put. But I wasn’t a simple grunt, and the way of walking of the princess was weird by human standards if you pay attention long enough. Even Sunset Shimmer had this fault, and although I’ll admit that she certainly improved her motions, that very subtle and abnormal tempo in her leg movement originated from her knees will give her away forever.
More importantly now was knowing the purpose of her coming back here. I already did the proper measurements for her little group to not use magic sloppily. Unknowingly to her, Shimmer developed a fear of using it frequently after the silent and subtle backslash she received recently, and I plan it to keep it that way until I needed to drown her more in the sea of reflection.
All needs to be done meticulously, patience being the key.
But, I didn’t want to ruin my free day tomorrow so I decided to let them be happy for the time being. My phone rang, and it was…
“Hello?”
“Bon Bon, she confirmed me that she won’t come.”
“What? I’m sorry, lov- boss! I’m a little distracted now.”
“Twilight won’t come.”
“Ah, yeah! So T-Twilight will come with us tomorrow.”
No! Focus!
“I said she won’t come. Her Mother has just confirmed that her family will have a party tomorrow and said that she won’t-!”
“W-we’ll have fun all day tomorrow! Also, I misheard Lyra in the morning. The minimum amount of money needed is twenty, but bring all you can just in case.”
“Are you listening to me?”
Yes.
“No.”
DAMN!
“BON BON!!!”
“Gotta go, see you tomorrow!”
I finished the call with a swift thumb and sighed deeply.
How could this be? I who have rejected a mix of one hundred and twenty-eight boys and girls ever since I put my foot on this country shouldn’t be shaken by this clear and utter misunderstanding. It’s just a misunderstanding. Just a petty, primal instinct of my hormones to make me succumb to the need of having a- Clear your mind. Focus. Breath. Concentrate. Exhale.
Meditate….
.... .... ....
I opened my eyes after meditating deep in mind, my thoughts becoming clearer. Finally at peace, and finishing what was left of my cappuccino, I decided to go home. Go home, and sleep. Yes, it’s what I need. I went to the counter and bought a fiber bar for the road, then I walked away.
“Bon Bon.”
Someone - I don’t know who it was and I don’t care – interrupted my peaceful journey back home.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me!” She removed her hoodie. “Sunset!”
Ah… I forgot about you.
I composed myself a little and gave her a smile. “What a surprise seeing you here. What do you need?”
“I know I shouldn’t have done it, but we heard your phone conversation. Is Sci-Twi going to be busy tomorrow?”
“Sci-Twi?”
Wait, I remember. She called her like that in the day’s morning of the magic incident.
“Oh, it’s a name I came up with to differentiate the two of us when I’m here!” The princess removed her hoodie.
“Pretty clever, huh?”
…What a stupid nickname.
“Indeed. And princess Twilight, forgive my manners! It’s such a lovely surprise seeing you here!”
My tongue was burning with fiery lava after saying that.
“It’s not a problem really! Come, have a seat!”
“Ah, no thanks. I need to go now.”
“Please… it’s important.”
I complied and sat down, putting my snack on my purse. I bet this is about Twilight. I bet this is about Twilight. I bet this IS about Twilight.
“Bon Bon, we need to... what we want to tell you... I don't know…” Both of them exchanged glares, and then nodded to each other. “We’ll confide you something that happened recently with Sci-Twi.” Sunset said.
"Really?"
I mean, really? I know that I have supported you with ulterior motives and you were completely unaware of them because you are stupid, but really? I'm not even your friend.
"Yes. If you are like my world's Bon Bon, we absolutely can trust you!"
...You are too naive sometimes, the both of you.
“Oh, you think too highly of me! I feel I'm gonna blush!"
“It's the truth… Recently, Sci-Twi hasn’t been the same since, well, you know, magic, new friends, new places and all the things that have changed her life in these past few months…. And… we may have found a Friendship Problem with her.”
“Oh no! That’s terrible!”
Terribly obvious.
“It seems that I haven’t given her enough of my time when I visit this world and she feels that I’m putting her aside!”
Pfff, hehehe, no, no. You got it wrong.
“So Twilight and I thought that maybe all of us should hang out and have a slumber party in Pinkie’s, but let her be together with Sci-Twi most of the time.”
“Let me guess, you want to ask me at what time our fun will end.”
“I don’t want to be rude, if you have made plans already, we can do it on another time!” The Princess said with a bit of remorse.
“It is I who should be conscious of that. You invited her after all tomorrow first, right?”
“As a matter of fact, we planned it yesterday but Sci-Twi wasn’t present during the planning. We kind of assumed that she would happily join us when I mentioned her that Twilight was going to come tomorrow in the afternoon! But that was the original plan...”
“When Sunset mentioned me the Friendship Problem in the morning through our journals, I made an emergency trip here.”
“Where is Spike by the way?”
“Spike will come here later when he is done with his chores back in my castle and we’ll wait for him in the portal and then sleep at Sunset’s place and have some fun the Equestrian Way. Well, our world’s way!” She blushed from the embarrassment of speaking in high tone.
And you wonder why Twilight feels like trash, creatures. That’s why you’re wrong about your deduction.
“Well, if you don’t make something definitive, people can choose to do other activities. You can’t blame her if she wants to do something else. Perhaps you can do it at another time.”
“The problem is that I don’t know when I’ll be free later! It needs to be as soon as possible! I barely finished my royal duties back home this week!”
“Even so, the Twilight from here told Bittersweet that… ummm… if her family changes her mind and does their reunion, she would be unavailable all day and won’t assist with us either. So it would be the same anyway.”
“Hmm… Bittersweet.”
“What’s wrong, Sunset?”
“Oh… it’s just that this guy I have talked you about has been really nice lately, but I wish that he could be… nicer.”
Oooooh!?
“You can do it if you put your mind at it, you know?” The other one said to her friend.
“It’s just that I don’t know how to do it, he is a tough cookie. It’s taken a toll on me to make things right and… I don’t want to mess up anymore. The school is stronger now and… I want to keep things improving more and more... together.”
…. …. …. …. …. .... ....
…. …. ….Heh.
….Hehehe.
Hehehe!
Ahahaha!
Mwahahaha!
MWAHAHAHAHAHA!
I came up with an improved, long-term, merciless and patented idea!
I dissimulated to look at a message on my phone and just said, “Bittersweet confirmed me that Twilight will have her family reunion.”
“Then I made you come all the way here for nothing!”
“It’s ok. Perhaps we can have fun tomorrow with the girls just for a bit!”
“I have a better idea, if you allow me to speak, princess Twilight!”
“Oh, please, I may be a princess, but I’m still not comfortable with everypony calling me like that! Just Twilight is fine!”
“You’re so humble and almost perfect, no wonder you won the right of being a princess!”
The comment made Sunset flinch in such a way that brought joy to my heart.
“I don’t think I’m perfect!” She assumed a rigid position, playing with her fingers and blushing with a mix of pride and extreme discomfort. “You were mentioning that you have something in mind.”
“What if you come and have some fun with us instead of Twilight? Disguise yourself like her and spend a bit of time with us!”
“Why do I need to disguise as her? I don’t know if that could work or if it is a good idea!”
“Oh, you’re practically her double! With all the adventures you have experienced before, have you never worked undercover in your world?”
“Many times, in fact, the most memorable for me was that I once sneaked my way to Star Swirl the Bearded’s library in the Royal Palace.”
“You what? So not even Princess Celestia let you go inside the library of legend?”
“I had free access all the time and my sneaking and troubles proved to be pointless because of that, not to mention that everyone recognized me and I wasn’t in trouble in reality... It was a strange Tuesday.” She said in reflection.
“Perhaps your disguise was too complex and you acted too much in character.” I said.
“Mmm… maybe you are right. The weird thing was that no one noticed Pinkie!”
Why I’m not surprised?
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you all the time! If you need any help, you can depend of me! Wait, let me confirm something first!”
I called Lyra and put the phone volume at maximum so they both could hear the conversation. I knew that their heightened sense of hearing would hear her voice, and Lyra being the merciful, forgiving angel she... I felt filthy, repugnant and unworthy of her all of the sudden for using her like that.
“What’s up, Bon Bon!?”
“Lyra, would it be a bad idea if I invite Sunset as well? I was thinking that the more the merrier since Flash isn’t coming, you know?”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I heard that she would be free tomorrow and perhaps inviting her with Twilight would improve the mood a bit! You know, try and mend old friendships, to move forward the future!”
“That would be a fantastic idea if she wishes to join us!” She said with an energetic voice. “I never invite her or her friends to anything since they’re always busy with each other and most of us simply gave up on them and moved on.” Those words pierced Shimmer’s heart and put the princess uncomfortable, like if she just remembered an unpleasant memory. “But it would be fun if she comes and plays with us! And maybe if both come, we could invite some of Nit-Nit’s friends as well to balance things out. Or is it a bad idea?”
“I believe it’s a wonderful idea, Lyra! Whether she comes or not, you should tell him anyway! I’ll call you later then!” I hanged up the call, innocently looking at them and them giving me back some troubled faces. They heard, right? “Lyra says that she would be happy if you could join us. Wanna come? It starts in the morning at nine!”
“W-well… I wish I could go but I can’t! I have to help Rainbow Dash and her team tomorrow morning with her training session. The tournament match of this Sunday is against the Brownstown High and they are tough according to the rumors!”
“What about Applejack and the others?”
“Pinkie and Applejack have work tomorrow, Fluttershy will be busy in the shelter since Chief Hugger requested her help and Rarity got hired to fix some dresses for a famous star!”
"Then at what hour do you planned to get Twilight together with the one from here in your new plan?"
"While we were busy in the morning, both Twilights would be together in the plaza of Ponyville talking about science and magic! I saved some money from my part-time job to give it to Twilight to enjoy!"
You have a part-time job? I need to keep a tighter eye on you.
"Oh, Sunset, thank you! I wish I could repay the favor someday!"
"Maybe when I visit Equestria... sometime."
...I'll make sure it becomes a permanent stay.
"Then what's the verdict?"
“I’ll go with you, Bon Bon! If you are my guide, I’ll be fine! But I still don’t think that disguising myself is a good idea!”
“Listen, think about the good things you can achieve in this world if you aid Sunset with this! By disguising yourself as your counterpart, you could also uncover the reason behind Bittersweet’s unfriendly nature and fix it! Not only that, making Bittersweet an official friend of Sunset will help unite the school even more than ever! After all, you ARE the Princess of Friendship, and you have defeated foe after foe, mended friendships after friendships, and this one will not be different than those! Do it for the school!” I grabbed her head and pointed it to Shimmer’s direction, their eyes locking to each other. “Do it for your friend!”
They exchanged a sickening, sweet glare and smiled.
“I’ll do it!”
“Excellent! Once our fun is over and you discover what you need to know, you should probably tell Twilight about it. You know, don’t leave her out of the loop and Sunset must tell her to assist to the slumber party at Pinkie’s if she wants to!” They foolishly nodded in agreement. “We’ll pay you the meals and stuff as a way of expressing our gratitude, princess. No need for Sunset to expend her hard earned money!"
"I couldn't possibly-!"
I put my index finger on her lips. "Don't worry, Sunset! We are friends, aren't we? Save that money for the slumber party in case of an emergency!" Those words made her feel comfortable. "Do you have at least clothes resembling hers, Twilight?”
“I can make a quick journey back home and grab one of my reading glasses. I have some that look exactly like Sci-Twi!”
“That’s indeed great news! We’ll have so much fun together if Bittersweet and others don’t feel the pressure of royalty! It would be far easier and funny for us to have fun with you as a normal girl instead of a princess!”
She smiled with gentleness when hearing such idea. “That sounds really nice! But what if someone of the group recognizes me?”
“Oh, then start taking notes, princess, because I’m gonna tell you all you need to know about your version of this world! But I assure you that the differences are minimal! Right, Sunset?” She nodded in agreement. The fool.
And of course, that was a lie.
She made an obnoxious, repugnant smile of happiness when I mentioned the notes. No doubt she has a fetish with those. But what surprised me the most is that they accepted my incredibly silly idea without any question or thinking beyond what could happen in the future. They didn’t thought about if Bittersweet really needed change, or if Soarin and company will take it nicely for the deception. More importantly, they once again ignored Twilight’s feelings on the matter.
The only thing that they cared about was solving a problem that they were about to make unknowingly worse… in a subtle manner. All in the name of the Magic of Friendship. Not all wars are won by bombing the hardest. Sometimes you just need deception. Sometimes you just need illusions.
Sometimes you just need a false expectation to use.
Sunset and I told her the details she needed to know, the bare minimum of course. I needed to arm her with the essential weapons to make it believable as long as it could, but no enough for her to understand Twilight fully. That's knowledge she must earn the hard way. I wasn’t heartless so I already came up with an explanation to cover for her failure if something went wrong. I just needed to say that Twilight really wanted to come but since her nature was too guilty to a fault, she asked the princess to go in her place.
You know, don’t disappoint anyone, like she always tried to do.
Soarin and the others already knew that Twilight was a very sensible girl, at least what they know about her, and that the princess always has good intentions, so they obviously will forgive her, thinking that aiding her ‘cousin’ was a good deed. The princess most likely will have an attack of conscience if she is spotted, so I have to talk first to lead her to the path of words I desired from her.
Thunderbass doesn’t hold personal grudges against both Twilights and he’ll just enjoy Melody’s company. And unlike Rarity and friends, they’ll be silent about Flash’s romance issues around the impostor since the real Twilight had a terrible experience with him. Lyra will probably talk with Thunderbass if they have the chance, but mostly will strive to make him closer to Melody. Soarin can get along with almost anyone so he is no trouble.
Oh, and about my lovely Bitt-… … … … I forgot about his natural instinct to spot trouble.
And his friends, if they ever come and join us, would be truly wildcards, especially Princess Reem Fortunata Oakwood. I noticed that when they are close to each other, he and Princess Reem become too acute and far more perceptive. I also heard that Her Highness can be… immensely vengeful on the rare occasions when angered deeply. The five of them together could immediately spot the deception and ruin everything. I truly made a terrible miscalculation when giving Lyra the okay.
Or maybe… maybe it could be the other way around if the right conditions are met… Hehehehe…
I’ll also have to deal with Twilight… but with her I just know the way on how to do it and fulfill my new and improvised plans. After all, she IS the main reason why I am doing all this trouble of the day. The Gods are obviously in my favor and smiling upon me with such plethora of opportunities bestowed in my plate.
Tomorrow will be a fun Saturday indeed!