//------------------------------// // A Dazzling First Encounter // Story: Foretellers // by Fear Ripper //------------------------------// At Canterlot High, the students were enjoying their lunch period. Sunset and her group of friends had just bought their lunch and made their way towards their table, chatting idly along the way. “So we’re all going to that poster making thing after school right?” AJ asked her friends. “Definitely! This will be the first time the Rainbooms will be on stage, so we have to make sure there are as many people there as possible!” Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy shuddered, “I-I hope there aren't too many people there. I’m not good around crowds.” RD rolled her eyes, “C’mon Shy. You can fight unversed and Dream Eaters, performing publically can’t be any harder.” Rarity comforted Fluttershy by gently placing her hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry darling. The Musical Showcase is to raise money for the school, so it’s for a good cause. Focus on that and it won’t be as bad.” As they arrived at their usual table, they were treated to a very strange sight. The Foreteller’s, minus Lan, were sitting with their faces down on the table. They had an exhausted look on their faces as well as a dark aura around them. “Um… hey guys. You okay?” Sunset asked cautiously. The four of them let out a collective grunt of exhaustion as the group settled themselves on the table. “What’s goin on?” Kira slightly turned to face them. “We’ve been making up all the school work we missed when we left to the dream world for the last few days. Not including goin to normal classes and doing the work for those classes too. We’re all pretty exhausted.” “Not to mention continuing the training courses for our unions that we missed out on.” Jenny grunted. “We have also been studying the tome that we got from the dream realm on top of that.” Dan yawned. “By the way, where’s Lan?” Sunset asked. “Oh, he called in today cause he was extra tired today.” Kira said. “Along with everything else, he had to make up for the paper work from Zeke and the council that he missed. He’s been busier than the rest of us because of it.” “Ah, poor guy. Maybe we can visit after school.” AJ said. (With Lan) ((Lan’s P.O.V) *YAWWWN!* So… tired. So much homework, and paperwork, and homework, and paperwork. Gah! I need coffee! But Unfortunately we were out at the mansion. But for some reason the tub of  coffee mix was empty AND still in the cupboards. I know it was you Jenny! Anyways, I was walking through the streets of Equestria Town. On my way to the Cake’s Shop for a nice cup of coffee. “What do you jackasses want?” I suddenly heard a snarky sounding voice. I turn to see a girl about my age surrounded by a group of three thuggish guys. “C’mon, don’t be like that. Why don’t you come with us? Promise we’ll show you a good time.” The lead thug said. Man, how cliche is this scene? It’s like they jumped straight out of an anime. “Why don’t you beat it. I’m busy.” The girl said. The thugs started to look agitated, I should probably step in. Before the thugs could respond I swiftly walked to the girl and grabbed her hand. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. C'mon, we're gonna miss the movie." I said quickly before dashing off with her, leaving the thugs dumbfounded. After we got a good ways away, I stopped and let go of her hand. "Well we got out of tha-!" *POW!* I suddenly felt her punch me in the stomach! "Ack!" I keel over coughing. "What the hell were you doing!?" She yelled at me. I struggled to look up at her, but now I could finally get a good look at her. She had long purple hair with sea foam green streaks and tied up in twin tails. She wore a jacket with ripped sleeves the same color as the streaks in her hair, as well as a white tank top with purple jeans and darker purple go go boots. Around her neck was a black choker with a red gem hanging off, which seemed off to me for some reason. Man, she sure is cute... wait! Not important right now! I got back up and glared at her. "What do you mean "What was I doing!?" I was helping you out and getting you away from those thugs." "I didn't need your help Mr. Hero, I could have handled it on my own." She turned with a huff. "Usually, when someone helps another, they say thank you. But fine then, have a nice day." I said, walking away. "Wait." She suddenly called out. "What's your name?" What's with her all of a sudden? "My name is Lan." She started twirling one of her twin tails around her finger nervously. "Mine's Aria. I guess you did help me some what. Not that I needed it. But, thanks I guess." Wow, so this is what a real tsundere is like. Never thought it was so cute. I guess she isn't so bad. "Your welcome, Aria." I said amused, with a slight bow. "Whatever." She turned around with a huff and started walk away. While she did my eyes started to lower down her form. Hm, she has a nice ass... Gah! Damn it! Those girls are getting to me, I'm becoming more like Alex. "*YAWN*" Okay, enough self berating. Need coffee. (Aria's P.O.V) So that's one of those Foreteller's huh? He doesn't look so tough. He didn't even beat up those fake thugs I placed. Out of the shadows, three scraper Unversed appeared and bowed to me. That's refreshing. "Thank's boys. Take five." With that, they left. So Lan huh? What an idiot. (Lan's P.O.V) When did the Cake's shop get so far away? It feels like I've been walking forever. I continued my way to the cakes shop after that strange encounter with Aria. Hm... that name sounds familiar somehow. "Laa~ Laaaa~ Laa~." Faint singing broke me out of my thoughts. It was so hypnotizing, it started to draw me in. I followed the singing, to see a girl standing there, singing with her eyes shut without a care in the world. She had long, light blue, hair with darker blue streaks all tied up in a pony tail. She wore a long sleeved magenta jacket with a pink skirt and matching shoes. As she continued to sing, I couldn't help but get closer. What... is this? My mind feels like it’s swaying, like I have no control. When she stopped singing I broke out of my trance. So I started to clap. "Huh!? Wah!" When I clapped it startled her, which made her jerk back and trip backwards. Thinking fast, I grabbed her hand before she hit the ground and pulled her to her feet. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you." I said. The girl snapped out of her shock, “That’s okay. I should have been paying attention to my surroundings.” She paused for a moment as she finally looked up to him. “Oh, your cute.” Red lightly dusted Lan’s cheeks as he scratched the nape of his neck. “Um, thanks I guess.” He said sheepishly. “Your singing was great by the way.” “Really!?” She suddenly yelled making Lan lerch back a bit. “Thanks nice guy! No one’s ever told me that before. Even Adagio says I have a lot to work on, so she keeps me in backup.” She continued to ramble on to herself. “Are you a part of a band or something?” “Not exactly. It’s just me and my sisters. We usually sing together to use our ma- I mean! We just like singing together. That’s all.” She said, sweat visible on her forehead. Hm, what a strange girl. “Well like I said, you sounded great. It almost made me feel like you were trying to hypnotize me. Anyways, I have to go.” I said as i started walking away. “Wait, you haven’t told me your name yet!” “Oh, sorry about that. My name is Lan.” She quickly took my hand with both of hers and shook it vigorously. “I’m Sonata. I hope we meet again.” With that said we both went our separate ways. (Sonata’s P.O.V) He was nice. I’m not sure why that Crow guy wants him killed, but I guess it’s none of my business. Adagio was the one who accepted the job anyways, so we should be fine. And we get these cool powers too! But… he was the only one that liked my singing. My sisters and I have never been adored like that before. Everyone usually just gets angry with each other or just want to do whatever we tell them. But Adagio always knows what's best for us. (Lan’s P.O.V) Finally! I made it to the Cake’s shop! Why was it so much farther than usual today? Eh, whatever. I walk through the door and to the counter, to find Mrs. Cake standing there like usual. “Oh, Lan honey, you look awful. What happened?” She said worried. “The others and I have been trying to keep up with the school work we all missed when we were gone. Not to mention our regular duties, so we’ve all been exhausted lately.” “Well hang in there. I know you’ve all been through worse ever since you all first got here. What can I get’cha?” “Just a coffee. Two sugars.” “Alrighty, I’ll put an extra shot in there for you. You look like you need it.” She walked away to get the order. “Well hello there.” A flirty voice called out to me. I feel like there are a lot of flags are being raised to day. Next to me was another girl around my age. Her long, poofy, hair was a bright orange with streaks of yellow through it. She wore a short sleeved pink jacket over a dark purple shirt with matching tights, along with stockings with a darker purple triangle pattern on them. “Hey there handsome. Name’s Adagio, what about you?” The now named Adagio flirted. “My name’s Lan. It’s nice to meet you.” I said awkwardly. “Oh! Aren’t you one of those “Foreteller’s” the whole town talks about?” “Yes actually. I’m guessing you’re new in town.” “Yeah, my sisters and I recently moved here and we’re trying to get to know our surroundings. We heard a lot about you guys. You’re like the local heroes.” She started playing with her long hair looking interested. “Well, I wouldn’t call us heroes. We’re just doing what needs to be done, as well as teaching our ways to the youth of the world.” Mrs. Cake came into view with a cup in her hands. “Regular with two sugars and an extra shot!” She placed it on the counter and went to help other customers. I reached for my coffee, but what I didn’t expect was Adagio grabbing the same cup. We both retracted our hands. “Oh, sorry. Was that yours?” I asked. “Well, it was the same order. I guess we both have similar taste. Why don’t you take this one? You look like you need it. No offence.” Adagio offered. I’d usually insist that she would take it, but I really did need it at this point. So I took it. “None taken, and thanks. I’ve been working a lot lately.” “No problem.” The two of us started making small talk over both our drinks. We sat down at a near by table and just continued chatting. “You’re attending Canterlot High?” I said surprised. “Yeah, My sisters and I are transferring there since it’s the nearest school.” She said “Well how about my friends and I give you a tour when you guys come around?” She gave me a big smile, “That would be fantastic!” I looked towards the clock to see that it was getting close to evening. “I should probably get going. I wouldn’t want my siblings to worry about me not being home when I called in sick.” “Aw~ and I was really enjoying your company.” She suddenly brushed her hand over my chest, which sent chills down my spine. “But it can’t be helped. I’ll see you at school?” She looked with hope in her eyes. “Of course. It’s been a pleasure Adagio.”  With that, I left the cakes shop. (Adagio’s P.O.V) Hm~, what a man. Too bad we have to destroy him. Or so what that Crow guy told us we have to do. I don’t like doing it, but to keep these powers he gave us he has to go. With these powers, we’ll make the whole world adore us. Unlike those ungrateful ponies! *Splash* Without noticing, I was clutching my coffee cup very hard and some spilled slightly. Good thing it was lukewarm at this point. “Adagio!” I looked to see both Aria and Sonata walking up to my table. “Hey girls. Did you both do your part?” I asked. “Yeah, it went like we thought it would. He swooped in like the hero wanna be he is.” Aria said, with a little red on her cheeks. “Yup. I sung to him, but it didn’t look like it affected him like the others. But it still looked like it got to him.” Sonata said. “Good. Now we just have to wait till we get to school. Then our plan will commence.” I said, finishing off my coffee.