//------------------------------// // They Day After // Story: Foretellers // by Fear Ripper //------------------------------// It was the next day after the events of the Fall Formal. When Zeke and his companions left for their world, the Main Five had confronted the Foretellers about the whole story. Since they had just been thrusted into battle. But, it had been a long night for all of them, so they convinced the girls to wait a day and they would explain “everything.” The sun had just risen over Equestria Town. In the Foreteller’s mansion everyone was asleep, except for their leader Lan. It was a Saturday morning, and also his turn to cook breakfast for his family. He decided to make the basic pancake breakfast. During this, he started to think. Mainly about what is coming in the next week. ‘It’s gonna be a difficult time for all of us I’m sure. Zeke was correct. This is reality, not a t.v show or movie, and we shouldn’t treat it like one. This is our reality now, our world. We must do everything in our power to protect it. But, the odds are against us. Core, Crow, the entire Ventral family, this situation is bleak, for all of us. We need to get stronger. Good thing Zeke left Code Keeper with us.’ As he finished cooking, he suddenly heard steps behind him. He looked, and saw Sunset stumble into the kitchen looking confused. ‘Oh right. I forgot I brought her here last night cause i didn’t know where she lived.’ “Good morning Sunset.” He said. “Morning Lan… How did i get here?” She asked. “That’s a bit of a story. Wanna talk over a cup of coffee?” “Sure.” They both sat down over at the dining table with their coffee as Lan started explaining the events of the night before. “So that’s what happened.” Sunset signed. “I can’t believe I was used like that. He even altered my memory to make my heart dark enough for his Unversed. Although, I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t a bit dark already.” “What do you mean?” “I’m guessing you already know where I came from. I was Celestia’s student before Twilight. I was always talented with magic, and always wanted to expand my horizons. I was praised by many, and I got a little arrogant and started ignoring her teachings about friendship. Then one day the princess showed me the mirror portal. I was so fascinated, and I was determined to everything about the ‘other world.’ But she said no, and I got mad. I convinced myself I wanted to be the best at magic to stand by her as an equal, but in reality I just wanted the power to rule for myself. When she found me breaking into the library to learn more about the mirror, she expelled me as her student and had the guards escort me out of the castle. But i wasn’t done there. I knocked the guards out and ran threw the mirror.” In the corner of her eye’s one could see small tears welling up. “So, you let your ambition drive you forward, and it clouded what Celestia was trying to teach.” “Yeah. After being in this world a while and using what ever little magic I could use, I faked an identity and transcripts to Canterlot High. I quickly became the ‘top dog,’ of Canterlot high to make myself feel powerful, but it was just filling the void. One night I started to question my actions, then Crow appeared. He said I was the perfect test subject, so he used his power to alter my memories and infect me with his unversed. The rest is pretty much history.” “But now that everything is over, how do you feel now?” “I… regret every nasty thing I’ve done. I should have listened to Princess Celestia. I should have accepted friendship. I shouldn’t have been such a horrible bully to everyone!” Her tears started falling from her eyes while Lan handed her a tissue. “Now that I had the darkness purged, I just want to make up for everything i’ve done.” Lan nodded seriously. “That is the first part of redemption. Yes, you were blinded by your ambition and done some bad things, but that can happen to the best of us. All of this doesn’t make you evil or a villain, it just means you have a heart. Remember what Unum said?” Sunset thought for a moment, “To accept my past and look forward to the future?” “Exactly. Even with all she’s done, she wanted to redeem herself. Zeke saw potential in her to turn her life around, like how I see potential in you.” Her eyes widened, “You see potential... in me?” “Yes. Because I see a girl with a strong heart that was just misguided. Someone who knows true weakness and can get stronger because of it.” “You say that, even after witnessing what I tried to do?” There was silence between then for a moment, before Lan stood up from the table. He motioned Sunset to stand with him. He summoned Unicornis, took it by its blade, and presented the hilt to Sunset. “In your hand take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, it’s wielder you shall one day be. And you will find me friend, no ocean will contain you then. No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love.” Sunset gazed at the keyblade not knowing what was going on, but something inside her told her to accept. She reached out and grabbed the hilt. The moment felt like an eternity, the two of them stood there in silence, letting the ceremony do it’s magic. Until Lan dispersed Unicornis, and smiled. “So… what was all that about?” Sunset asked confused. “That was the keyblade inheritance ceremony. It is done when a keyblade master see’s potential in someone they want to pass the keyblade too. Those who are the recipient, are destined to summon a keyblade from the strength of their own heart.” She looked surprised, and place her hand over her chest. “My own heart?” “When that day comes, I’ll be glad to accept you into my Union, and as my student.” The wave of emotion started to flow out of Sunset at that statement. Here was someone giving her a second change and a chance of redemption. Someone who saw great potential in her after all her mistakes. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. She latched onto Lan, and cried. Lan held onto her, comforted her. “Awww… isn’t that sweet.” The two turn to the doorway, to see the other four Foreteller’s standing there with smirks on their faces. Immediately, the two let go of eachother, with bright blushed on their faces. “Sooo… breakfast is ready. Let’s all eat.” Lan said, wanted to get out of the situation. “You wanna join us?” He asked Sunset. “S-sure!” she said. With that, they all sat down and enjoyed their breakfast. Along with slight jabs at both Lan and Sunset, embarrassing them more. “So, what's on today's agenda?” Dan said. “The girls are coming over later today. They wanted an explanation, remember?” Lan said. “Ah yeah. That’s gonna be a pain.” Alex whined. “Well they do deserve to know. After all that we put them through.” Kira said. “True.” Jenny threw her two cents in. “And if they are to fight with us, they should know all about the power have now.” “Um…” Sunset raised her hand. “Could I stay too? I want to hear this too.” “Of course!” Kira said. “You’re just as involved as this as anyone of us. Plus, Bro did the Inheritance Ceremony with you. So you’ll probably be training with us sooner or later.” “Oh yeah, about that. How do you guys summon your Keyblades? They just seem to appear for you guys.” Dan spoke up, “It was awkward for us at first, but now it’s as simple as breathing. Like unsheathing a regular sword. Reach deep into your heart, and bring it forth.” He summoned Anguis as example. Sunset pondered for a moment, making the same hand motions as he did. “Reach… deep into my heart.” *SHINE!* Suddenly, a Starlight Keyblade appeared in her hands. It startled her at first and it fumbled around before she grabbed a hold. The Foreteller’s were all shocked, so much so that Alex fell out of his chair. “Whoa! That was fast!” Kira said. “Wait a minute.” Jenny said, snapping everyone out of it. “Why does the Starlight keep showing up?” “Starlight? Is that it’s name?” Sunset asked. “And what do you mean, “Keep showing up?” “Well during our Mark of Mastery tests, we all had Starlight Keyblades to start out with. We only got our normal Keyblades back when we found our true strength during out tests.” Dan explained. “If I remember correctly,” Lan started. “The unions of the first Foreteller’s all started out with the Starlight Keyblades. But then they obtained their own Keyblades. I would suspect that the members of our unions would have to go through what we went through. Recognize their own strength to turn their keyblade into their own.” “So this is like a training Keyblade?” Sunset asked. “Pretty much.” Alex said. “The only reason the other five didn’t start out with Starlight’s is because Zeke gave them the keyblades that chose then from the get-go.” Sunset took a stance, and did some practice swings with her Starlight. “Guess I’ll be training with all of you sooner than later.” Lan smiled. “Great to have you on board.”