//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Sketched to life // by Bookpony579 //------------------------------// Sunset was in the middle of pretending to pay attention in class when she was called down to Principal Celestia's office. When she got there, she found both Principals, the main six, and Flash Sentry all waiting for her. "What's going on?" She asked suspiciously. "Sunset.."Principal Celestia said carefully. "I'm sure your aware of the recent monster infestation?" Sunset nodded at this. "Yeah, but what's it gotta do with me?" Twilight nodded to Flash and he showed her the picture on his phone. "This was one of the monsters spotted last night." He said. Sunset's eyes were wide with disbelief. "But..that's..." It looked just like her drawing, there was no mistaking it. "There's more. "he said and pulled up other photos and sketches of of people described the monsters. Sunset's jaw practically hit the floor. These were her monsters. The same ones she had drawn were now out there terrifying people. She grabbed the phone and began sliding through them, but they were all there. "Sunset...did you create these?" Celestia asked slowly, preparing herself for the answer. "Yes! I mean no! I mean...I drew these but I didn't make them come to life!" Everyone was so confused. What was going on? "Sunset, I think it may have something to do with that sketchbook you bought." Twilight spoke up. "What do you mean?" "Those monsters started appearing the same day you bought it. In fact, the first one appeared right after you drew it. I think that sketchbook is bringing whatever you draw in it to life!" Sunset appeared stunned at this. "But...how?" Was all she managed to get out. "Sunset, can we see this sketchbook? We might be able to see if it is magical or not." Luna said. Sunset could only hang her head at this. "I can't. I left it at home." Everyone looked disappointed by this. "Then can you at least tell us where you bought it?" Celestia asked. "It was at this new place, "The Wishers's Stop" the owner practically shoved it in my hands. I can show you where it is." "Alright, we can check it out after school and see if the owner can tell us anything about it." Celestia said and everyone agreed to it. "Right now we have work to do and you kids have class, meet us at the statue right after the bell rings." Everyone agreed to this plan as they headed back to their classes. "What do you think we'll find?" Flash asked. "You know you don't have to do this right? It's our responsibility to keep Equestria safe." Twilight responded. "But I want to help. This is my city too. Besides, that's what friends do, right?" Flash smiled and Twilight responded with one of her own. She then noticed Sunset was oddly quiet and looking downtrodden. "Sunset? Are you okay?" This snapped Sunset back to reality. "Uh.yeah fine. Gotta go!" Sunset rushed off to class before anyone could say anything. Her mind flashed with those pictures and her earlier spat with Trixie. Maybe she's right. Maybe I am no different than before... Last period couldn't arrive fast enough. Just after the final bell range, everyone got their things and gathered by the statue. Sunset led them to the store, which had remained unchanged since her first visit, including the fact that the owner was nowhere to be seen. "Hello? Stella? I've got some people who want to talk to you." Sunset called out. "Are you sure she's here?" Twilight asked, looking around the store. "Probably skipped town after she sold ya that cursed book." Rainbow accused, checking out a katana with interest. "But why would she want to leave behind all this neat stuff?" Pinkie asked, holding up a pink crocodile that the others weren't sure was real or fake. "Yeah...neat." Flash muttered, eyeing a glass of (hopefully) fake eyeballs. Fluttershy was slowly backing away from what appeared to be human skull, AJ was looking at a miniature guillotine nervously and Rarity was holding up a pair of gaudy disco pants in disgust. Celestia was looking through a barrel of wacky and unmatched socks and Luna was looking over some crystals on display. As they continued to think about where the owner could be, a familiar voice popped up. "Can I help you?" "Aah!" Everyone jumped and turned around to find Stella, exactly as Sunset remembered, standing where she wasn't a minute ago and smiling like nothing was wrong. Celestia was the first to speak up. "Hello. I'm assuming your the owner of this....establishment?" "That is correct!" Stella nodded cheerfully. She turned her eyes to Sunset. "Nice to have you back! Enjoying your new sketchbook?" She asked innocently. "I was...until my drawings started coming to life!" Sunset exclaimed angrily. "Yeah, that old thing tends to do that." Stella shrugged, as though it were just a minor inconvenience. "Wait..so you knew what it did!?" Twilight asked. "And you still sold it to her? Without warning her of the consequences?" Luna asked in an interrogating manner."Don't you know it's illegal to sell magical items like that without a permit and without telling the buyer everything about it!?" "I thought it would help her out." Stella shrugged, unfazed by any legal implications. "You see...it's kind of my job to help people who need it, an I've noticed that she's been having some..." Stella put a hand to her mouth as though whispering it to them."...anger issues." ANGER ISSUES!?" Sunset yelled. "I DON'T HAVE ANGER ISSUES!" Suddenly she stopped as she noticed everyone looking at her and realized what she was doing. She could only blush with embarrassment. Everyone turned their attention back on the eccentric owner. "Well Miss. Stella, I fail to see how something like that would 'help' Sunset, especially with what's already happening!" Rarity said, glaring at the woman. "The world works in mysterious ways..." Was all Stella said with a wink. Twilight stepped forward. "Well, can you at least tell us how to stop this?" She asked. "Sorry sweetheart, but my part's done. Your clever people, I'm sure you'll figure it out." Stella than began shooing and shoving everyone out of the store. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do. I hope you all enjoyed your time here." She said as she pushed them out the door and closed it. "Now wait just a...."Rainbow turned around to confront her when her jaw dropped at what she saw. The store was gone. Not just the sign or the merchandise, but the whole building was gone, leaving behind only an empty lot that had been there before. Everyone just stood there, stunned at the fact the a building they had been in just a moment before had vanished in the blink of an eye. "Wha...wha.."Twilight stuttered. "But it was there a a moment ago!" Aj said, looking around. "How the heck did she move a whole building!?" Flash asked. "Obviously we're dealing with some very powerful magic here." Luna declared, getting over her shock. "Now what?" Sunset asked in despair. "We still have no idea how to fix this!" "Now let's not give up just yet." Celestia reassured them. "Why don't we take a look at it and see if there's any way to reverse what it's done." "Good idea." Sunset said, cheering up. "I'll go grab the book from home and meet the rest of you at school." Sunset had just started walking away when Fluttershy spoke up. "Why don't we just come with you?" This caused Sunset to stop in her tracks. "Yeah! I mean we've never seen your house and you never invite us over, so what better time than now?" Pinkie said excitedly. Sunset quickly tried to come up with an excuse. "Um..well...you see, it's kinda messy and I don't have time to clean..." "Don't worry about it. Besides, it'll save you the trip back to school." Twilight said. Sunset sighed, knowing there was no way out of this. "Fine...I'll lead the way..."