//------------------------------// // Shadows of ambition // Story: Mirage Shimmer // by RedPegasus //------------------------------// A room filled with darkness, only a hint of sunshine through the closed curtains serve as an excuse for illumination. A person, a girl with platinum hair combed in ponytails, looks at the photograph lying on that desk. In spite of the precarious light, it manages to distinguish the image. "I know her, I saw her in the park with Twilight Sparkle a week ago." Looks up at the man sitting across from the desk. "Who exactly is her?" Ask to the man. This one, with a voice as serious as cold, responds. "That's what I plan to find out, I just know, that she's involved in the events at Canterlot." "Those classified as technical failures of special effects" "Indeed, but you, you will know that there must be more than just that" The girl does not respond, that man speaks again. "I will meet with this girl today, and it is almost certain that her companions, and the directives of CAnterlot will also come" "What do I have to see in this matter?" She asks in a neutral voice. As downplaying the issue. "Once I get together with her, it will be necessary to do a," thorough investigation. "This is not an ordinary high school girl, this convinced that she hides something" "I still do not see my involvement in this." "I will convince this girl to agree to help us, and you, you will be in charge of the investigation." There is no response from the girl. Not immediate "What kind of investigation? And why is this girl so important?" "That's what I want to find out today" He drops a closed folder in the office, in front of the girl. "Here you will find everything you need to know about the subject" The girl stays still for a moment, before opening the folder, and seeing it lightly. "I can almost assure you, we are facing an important discovery, something the world has never seen." The girl takes one more look at the folder, then closes it back to the man. "If this is important, I will need specialized equipment to do what you ask me to do" "You can take whatever you need from school, that includes supplies, students and teachers, if anyone asks, tell them to come and talk to me." The girl does not say more, just takes the folder in her hands. "You are a highly qualified and promising student, I know that I can trust your work, Sugar Coat" Sugar Coat sees the folder one more moment, then speaks to the man. "Yes, director Sombra" ***Mirage*** That Saturnday Morning, Sunset goes to school, where she meets with her friends. Celestia and Luna were also there. No one was sure what to expect. That man, Alphonse Sombra, looked dangerous, and the attitude of Canterlot's directives toward him did not help. It is not long before a black and yellow bus parked in front of the school. "It's the transport that Sombra sent us. Let's go girls." Director Celestia says in almost an order. None of the six refuses. ***Mirage*** The bus carries the six girls, and the two women to the city. There is not much talk, although the girls try to calm the nerves with a couple of pleasant conversations. Both women remain silent, immersed in their own thoughts, similar thoughts. In a moment Celestia stands up and turns to the back seats where her students are. "I'm really sorry that they have to use their weekend in this matter, but I think it's important that they all be present." "We would have come anyway" Applejack commented with confidence. "We would not have left our friend alone against that rare type" All agree with that statement. Sunset just can smile. "Thank you Girls" Thank you girls The group shares smiles. Rainbow erases hers and looks at the director. "Director Celestia, excuse the question, but I want to be sure. Where are we going exactly?" The woman waits a few seconds to answer. "I think they all know the answer. Let's go to Crystal Prep." A gemino is shared by the group, except for Sunset who is curious about the reaction of all. "I knew ... but I hoped it was not there" Sunset looks at her friends with agreement. "Um, what is the Crystal Prep?" "Just the most "prestigious" school of the city " Rainbow replies with a sarcastic emphasis on the word. Pinkie also gives her opcinion. "The guys at that school are the meanest, meanest, smartest, and anti-friendly guys in town!" "That sounds ... bad ...?" The conversation does not advance much more, because soon they arrive at what Sunset, assumes is the Crystal Prep The bus stops at the entrance. Sunset does not hide its surprise when seeing the building. It was much larger than Canterlot, its only aspect was imposing. More than school looked like a palace, the pillars and decorations really seemed to be made of crystal. It was impressive. Before anyone could ask anything, a very dark woman is seen leaving the building, accompanied by an acquaintance, who makes them all smile. "Twilight!" Exclaim all almost instantly and run to her friend. Twilight sees them running towards them, soon they are united in a strong embrace. Being among friends made the day more bearable. After salutations and smiles, the dressmaker slightly breaks the mood when seeing the attire of the scientist. "Darling, what are you wearing? It's so ... serious ..." "Um, my ... uniform ..." "uniform?" Rainbow asks. "Uniform of what?" "From ... the school is, um ..." "Wait, you attend Class here?" "I ... I did not tell them ... I ... I'm sorry ..." "You do not need to apologize Twi" Sunset says watching her put on something fearful Rainbow frowns at the building. "At least that explains why you had no friends, the guys here are so annoying, I could never be friends with anyone from this school" Twilight looks down at the comment. Applejack strikes Rainbow's head. "Auh!!, Of course!! except for Twilight she's... very well yes!! je, je je..." Rarity still keeps a frown at the outfit. "But it's Saturday, why do you wear your uniform?" "Um ... I felt strange ... coming to school without it ..." The conversation dies there. The woman who accompanies Twilight approaches the group, just like the directives. "Good morning, I'm glad they could all come in. Luna, Celestia, it's nice to see you" The woman smiles amiably. Canterlot's directives return the greeting and the smiles. The six rather curious friends, look at their most recent companion for answers. "Who is she?" "It's Cadence, she's the vice principal of the school ... Also, she was my nanny when I was little." "It's good to see you too Cadence," greets the youngest of the sisters. "I just want it to be in other circumstances" "Believe me, the feeling is mutual." Her gaze is headed toward Sunset. "You must be Sunset, it's a pleasure to meet you." Gives her a friendly smile, full of kindness. "Uh, yeah ... alike ..." "I don't want to exert any kind of pressure, but, the director is waiting for us, please follow me" With that she walks back to the building, Celestia is the first to advance, pointing to the others doing the same. Upon entering, the astonishment of the six girls of Canterlot is notorious to see the corridors full of uniformed student. "What the hell ?! Why are there so many brains here?!" Exclaims with surprise Rainbow Dash. Sunset distinguishes from the windows of some doors, students in study rooms. "... does this school teach on Saturdays?" "Not officially" responds the deputy director of the place. "But students like to come to do independent study, oh attend additional classes on subjects that are not in the program." Rainbow is silent for a moment. "Classes ... on Saturday ?! It's crazy! What kind of crazy guy goes to classes on Saturdays ?! That's not normal." Twilight responds shyly. "... well ... I usually do a lot ..." The silence covers the atmosphere and the athlete wins another bout of the farmer. ***Mirage*** As they advance, Sunset can not help but be astonished by the architecture of the building. Faithful to its name, many parts look really made of crystal, smooth pistos just like the walls, even the lockers have an elegant and distinguished design. Shee would have continued to wonder, not to feel an intense look on his back. Turning, he distinguishes in the ditancia, that girl with whom he had spoken the previous Saturday, that was annoying to Twilight. She makes no gesture or movement, she simply stands, with a very firm pose, looking directly at her. That look makes her nervous, she turns around and speeds up to reach the rest of the group, trying to forget the girl. ***Mirage*** Cadence leads them all to the principal's office. Once in front of the door, look at all, as if waiting for some doubt or question, but not having it, open the door, letting them in. Again, Celestia is the first to advance, Luna gestures to the girls to follow, they do. There is little light in the place, but it allows to distinguish its dimensions. Extremely large and spacious, perfectly polished and adorned with furniture that although its antiquity is distinguished impeccable. Stained glass with books, trophies, diplomas and certain framed photographs are dispersed throughout the place. Each wall is adorned with pictures of some sort. On the opposite side of the door, sitting on a large desk lies the director. The younger ones feel a slight intimidation before the man's serious and cold gesture, Canterlot's directives frown and harden their eyes. Cadence walks to stand on one side of the desk. "Thank you, for bringing them vice principal Cadenza." "A pleasure, Director." Cadence's voice is heard in an almost mechanical tone, something the students notice. The director makes a soft gesture pointing to the seats in a semicircle in front of him. One for each, they all sit and look at the director with different expressions and feelings. With eyes closed and a calm expression, the director takes a glass of wine on his desk and holds it between his fingers as he begins to speak. "I thank all of you for coming, I must say, that I am a refined but simple man, I like to take things in the simplest way, and I do not like to walk around with an affair." After a pause to drink his wine, and seeing that nobody has anything to object, he continues. "I have questions, for all of you, especially for you, Miss Shimmer." The look that the man directs causes Sunset to swallow with nervousness. "... what did I get into now ...?" ***Mirage*** The director of Cristal High School keeps a serious look while he looks at his reflection in the window of his office accompanied by the rain that hits the glass. "Parallel Universes? Magic? You expect me to believe such nonsense?" None of the present responds immediately. "I know it sounds crazy ... but it's true, when I came I brought some of the magic of Equestria with me and-" "enough!" The scream frightens and makes the girl quiet. "I do not care if this is the work of goblins or aliens, all I know is that for some years, there have been anomalies in the climate and energy fields in different parts of the world, mainly in Canterlot." Concern fills the eyes of all Canterlot students, Sunset shrinks in her seat as she looks down. "I don't need to clarify, that I do not believe any of those excuses that gave the news, that's why I asked them to come, I want to know the truth." "Well, the girls have told you everything, being honest, I do not quite understand the whole thing about magic." "Of course, because you have never tried to understand it, as is your custom, you only ignore the complications in search of the comfort of your students." "Well, forgive me for not directing MY school in YOUR way." The woman comments sarcastically. "The way you fulfill your role as director is indifferent, now I want to ask, however, how much you know of a group called," Las Dazzlings." The surprise of all is not made to wait. "Your reaction confirms my suspicions, what relationship do they have with that group?" Silence increases the tension in the environment. Sunset speaks after a sigh. "... the Dazzlings, are also beings of my world, are sirens, beings with the power to bewitch the minds of others with their singing." The director maintains a neutral look while giving his full attention to the young woman. "They came to school, and used their magic to charm the students, we had to compete against them in the battle of bands to free them all, we could win, even if they returned, but not to fight." He pauses briefly to see the director, who keeps his impassive gaze silent. On the other hand the director and deputy director of Canterlot showed their surprise at what was said. "When we defeated them, we destroyed their source of magic, but, they needed their magic to feed themselves, they were ... dying of hunger." The semblants of the directives, including the sub director of glass change to one of confusion and surprise. "We couldn't let them die, even after what they did. It took a lot of work, but we managed to give them back their magic, since then, well ... we haven't known that they have done something wrong ..." Celestia looks accusingly at Sunset. "can I know why they did not inform us about that?" "Huh ... bu-bueno ... it was not something ... to involve the school so ..." Celestia was going to respond but was interrupted by the director's voice. "If you say you are, siren, you have not done anything wrong, then you are not aware of facts." The frse leaves everyone stunned. The director looks at the deputy director. "Cadenza" "Yes, Director" Without saying anything, Cadence takes a remote control from a nearby table, points to the side of the room, lighting a screen in the room. The image shown, is of a planetsphere, and in this show pointed points, blinking. Each one of the present ones has different attitudes before the image. Nobody can ask anything, because Cadence answers the question. ""This diagram, shows the points where there have been recorded, strange incidents, energy anomalies in the environment." The director adds something to the explanation. "You will be interested to know, that the first event happened a few months ago, precisely, in Canterlot High" Sunset shrinks in her chair, imagining what that moment means ... Cadence takes up the word again. "Events that occur from there do not seem to have similarities or a pattern, nor is it possible to affirm or deny a relationship between them." Luna and Celestia seemed intrigued by the explanation. Twilight was surprised and very curious. The rest of the girls looked rather insecure. "The second event, happened not long after, in the middle." "Where your school had an important event, which I suppose is the one you have already mentioned to me" Sombra spoke in an almost accusing tone. "Finally, a third event occurred a few weeks ago, and from there, many more emerged in different locations." A change in the diagram shows many points marked, distributed in multiple sites. "All of them, coinciding with the places where these," Dazzlings ", have had performances." Revelation makes them all impact in a way. The room remains dormant for a while, until broken by the furious cry of Rainbow Dash. "I knew those harpies were not legit!" "Do you have any idea what your goal is?" "Yes, turn all the people into zombies to keep their orders!" "Am ... I ... I'm not so sure ..." "What are you talking about, Flutter ?! Obviously that's what they're after." "But ... is that ..." Pinkie smiles, forgetting the tension. "Sonnie Arie and Adie are no longer bad, they are friends!" "Do not be silly Pinkie Pie, those three have not changed, they will never change, I propose that we start and stop them right now." "You will not go anywhere!" Exclaims the director of Canterlot. "Until we know for sure what is happening, I will not let them put themselves at more risk." "I hoped this would work out better." The Crystal director stands and frowns. "I will have to take this matter into my hands" All eyes are on Sombra, this is not disturbed by the attention. "What are you planning to do Shadow?" "This "magic ", as all you like to call it, is undoubtedly the source of these alterations. And whoever the Dazzlings are, they are able to use them, either consciously or unconsciously. Way to control it, and use it to our advantage. " "... well, I'm afraid to disappoint you, but Sunset and her friends are the only ones who can do that" "Then we'll start there" "what...?" "We will analyze the "magic "contained in these girls to discover what they hide" "Wow wow wow!!" Interrupts Rainbow. "A second there friend! You will not be saying that you're going to turn us into your lab rats!" "Oh besides ponys we'll also become that ?!" Exclaims Pinkie with joy. "The rats are not very cute but surely we would look adorable!!" "The correct term, is" test subjects. "" "You expect us to let you treat us like lab rats like that ?!" "of course not." No one noticed the moment Cadence had left, but if they see her put two metal briefcases on the desk. "I am willing to offer you an accreditation for your help in this matter, and I believe you will find it attractive." The sub director of glass opens one of the briefcases, the surprise of all is not made wait when they see the interior of the briefcase full of money. "$ 10,000, I think it's a fair down payment, in exchange for your assistance." Celestia stands up quickly with an expression of astonishment and accusation. "What is this Sombra? Give money to some girls so you can make them who knows what with your research ?! That's still low for you!" "I think you're too upset Celestia." "For this you wanted us to come? To turn my students into your test objects ?!" "No, it was to obtain satisfactory answers, but since they could not give them to me I must obtain them myself." "Don't think that I will let you do such a thing with my students!" "I am afraid to tell you that this is not your decision; on the other hand, besides the ladies present here, I also have the desire to investigate the field of your institution, in exchange for your permission, I am ready to offer you a sum equal to the first." To emphasize the point Cadence leaves the briefcase open in the desk and takes the second opening it to show a content equal to the first one. "Stay with your money Sombra, I will not let you touch my school or my students." "I certainly can not touch your school without your permission, but on your students, it is their decision." Applejack is the first to respond. "Here is my answer, keep your coins because I will not participate in this matter." "Me neither" Rarity says with an air of rejection. "I am a lady, and I deserve to be treated as such, I refuse to be seen as an experiment, more by a man like you." The rest of the Rainbooms nodded in agreement to their companions and soon the director is the objective of looks not pleasant. "Well, if it is your decision, I respect it." The Canterlot's principal gave one last look of annoyance to the director before turning around and starting to walk followed by his sister. "Girls, we're leaving." There was no objection and all rose. The director takes a closed folder from his desk. "Miss Shimmer, before you leave, one last thing." The named turns and sees the man approach and extend the folder, she looks confused. "In our first meeting, she was about to be arrested because of her lack of legal documentation." Sunset looks away and a shiver runs through her body at the memory. "You will remember then, that I delivered to the authorities, documentation corresponding to you, for which reason he was exempt from guilt."" Now the surprise covers Sunset's gaze as he looks at the director. The friends and directors of Canterlot observe the scene with curiosity and distrust. "Here, I have all the documents that certify her as a citizen of this city." Opening the folder the director lets Sunset see the documents inside, certificates and minutes to the name of Sunset, all signed, sealed and legalized. "How ... citizen ...?" "Currently, I am certified as your legal guardian, but you can become independent yourself whenever you want." Silence is the girl's only response as she looks at the documents. "More valuable than any monetary sum, these documents, are my offer to you, in exchange for your help in this matter." Celestia is furious at this point. "It's enough Sombra! You've come too far!" "Why do you insist on intruding on this Celestia? The answer must come from Miss Shimmer." "Because he is my student, and I will not let you manipulate her in this way." "And we will not let you take advantage of our friend." Exclaims Applejack with a gesture more than annoying. "You're not nice! Don't even think I'll invite you to one of my parties!" Rainbow approaches her equestrian friend. "Let's go Sunset, we have nothing else to do here." All expect an answer from her equestrian friend, but she does not seem to listen to them while she shakes hands with the folder and continues to observe her carefully. They all observe the former equine with confusion, astonishment, and even fear. "... director... I accept."