//------------------------------// // School Day I // Story: Repercussions // by shallow15 //------------------------------// Their plans in place, the girls began gathering their things in preparation to leave for school. “Oh wait!” Pinkie cried. She opened her backpack and pulled out Sunset's journal. “What about Princess Twilight? We were going to let her know what happened.” “Good catch, Pinkie,” Rainbow said. “Lemme have that.” She grabbed the journal, flipped it open to a blank page, produced a pen, and began scribbling. “Y'all sure that's a good idea?” Applejack asked, quirking an eyebrow. “We don't want to panic the princess and all.” “I'm certain Rainbow knows the gravity of the situation and will show the appropriate tact and restraint,” Rarity answered. “WHERE IS SHE?! IS SHE OKAY?! WHO DID IT?! WHY DID THEY DO IT?! WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?!” “Or, she could leave out some details and cause Princess Twilight to come rushin' through the portal in a blind panic,” Applejack muttered, looking at Rarity out of the corner of her eyes. “Yes, I clearly did not think that through—OOF!” The wind rushed from Rarity's lungs as Princess Twilight nearly tackled her to the ground. The princess gripped Rarity's shoulders. “Rarity, you were there! What happened?” “Twilight, darling,” Rarity said, prying the princess's hands from her shoulders. “Right now, Sunset's getting the very best care possible.” Rarity explained what had happened so far, including the scrapbook and their plans. The princess frowned and put a hand to her chin. “They're good theories, but I think you overlooked something,” she said. Twilight looked at her twin. “What do you mean? We covered every – no, we didn't.” Her eyes went wide and she smacked her forehead. “I am such a dummy!” “What're you two eggheads talking about?” Rainbow asked. The two Twilights answered in unison. “The magic!” “If Sunset's condition is the result of a magical attack, the amount of energy expended should leave residual traces,” said Princess Twilight. “And if there's traces,” Twilight continued, “I can modify some of my equipment I used just before the Friendship Games to find those traces.” “I'm not seeing how that's going to help,” Rainbow replied. Both Twilights let out sighs of frustration. “If I know what the magic's signature looks like, I can use my equipment to scan anyone we suspect of being Sunset's attacker,” Twilight explained. “If they give off the same readings, we have our culprit!” “Well, Sunset was attacked at the mall, so I suppose that would be the best place to do that,” Rarity began. She was cut off as the bell rang signaling the beginning of the school day. “But after school. And I'm sure you have important business in Equestria, Twilight.” Princess Twilight nodded. “I do, but I wanted to offer my help. I can stay if you need an extra hand.” “I don't think there's anything to do right now, Twilight,” Fluttershy said. “We really haven't had a chance to talk to anyone yet.” “I suppose you're right,” Princess Twilight said dejectedly. She looked up sharply. “But the second you know anything, I want you to contact me, okay?” “We certainly will,” Rarity replied. She shot a look at Rainbow. “And we shall have someone else write the message next time.” “All right, I dunno about y'all, but I think we've taken up enough time on this for right now,” said Applejack. “Homeroom's almost over, and I don't think we wanna be any tardier than we are now.” “Tardy?!” Princess Twilight yelped. “Go! Go, go, go! Don't let me get you in trouble! If you need anything, let me know.” The princess gave each girl a quick hug and waved before disappearing back through the portal. The others smiled at each other, amused by her reaction. Rainbow leaned over and elbowed Twilight. “You ever have epic freakouts over nothing like that?” she asked, smirking. “About as often as you panic about forgetting to do your homework and come begging me to help you,” Twilight replied with a smirk of her own. “Oooh, burn!” Pinkie said. There was laughter as they made their way into the school. “All right,” Rarity said, “We all have our assignments. Twilight, meet me after school and we'll get your equipment and investigate the mall. I'll try to get ahold of Sour Sweet at lunch.” “Sounds good,” said Twilight. “I'll get to work on those headers then too.” “And we'll take the scrapbook to Principal Celestia during Study Hall,” Applejack said. She turned to Pinkie. “You know what you're doing, right, Pinks?” “Check out the three clubs from the email addresses, see if I can find out who sent Sunset those nasty messages, then do whatever I can to get them to confess,” Pinkie's eyes narrowed dangerously. “Even if I have to use... the chicken.” Up until that point, none of the girls would have thought you could hold a rubber chicken in a menacing matter. “Uh, Pinkie,” said Rainbow, “Maybe don't use the chicken. Just let us know if you find out everything.” “Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie chirped, making the chicken vanish back to wherever it had come from. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy entered the office. Rainbow waved to the student aide behind the desk. “Hey, Pepperdance,” she called. “We need to see Principal Celestia. She available?” “Oh, hey, Rainbow,” Pepperdance replied. “One sec.” The redheaded girl picked up the office phone and dialed an extension. As she talked, she idly toyed with the chili pepper shaped locket around her neck. “Principal Celestia? Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack are asking if you have a minute to talk to them... okay. I'll send them in.” She hung up. “She says she'll see you.” “Great! Thanks, Pepps,” Rainbow said. “We still on for the skate park this weekend?” “You know it,” Pepperdance replied. “Can't wait to whup you on the half pipe again.” “You wish!” Rainbow smiled and the three girls entered the principal's office. “Hello, girls,” Celestia said. She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. “Have a seat.” The three of them sat down. The principal folded her hands on the desk. “How is Sunset?” she asked. Seeing the surprised look on their faces, she explained. “Miss Bookbinder called the school this morning. She told me what happened.” “To be honest, Principal Celestia, she ain't good,” Applejack answered. “The doctor's say she's stable, but she's in a coma and they can't figure out why.” “Which kinda brings us to why we're here,” Rainbow said. “We think whatever happened to Sunset has to do with magic.” “Oh dear,” said Celestia, concern crossing her features. “Why do you think that?” Rainbow explained what Rarity had seen at the mall, then Fluttershy told how she and Pinkie had gone to Sunset's apartment for the journal. “And that's when we found this,” she said. Rainbow put the scrapbook on the principal's desk. “It looks like there's still a whole lot of people who are angry at Sunset,” Applejack said, as Celestia opened the scrapbook and paged through it. “And if one of those somebodies somehow came in contact with magic, well... I think you get where we're goin' with this.” “But even without the magic involved, we thought you better see this,” Rainbow continued. “It's not fair!” “No, it isn't. And I agree with you,” Celestia said, closing the scrapbook. She looked at her students. “Just as I did when Sunset told me she was still getting these messages.” “What?!” the three girls shrieked. “A few months ago, Sunset came to me with several of these messages. Like you, I was dismayed to see that her efforts haven't convinced everyone that she's turned over a new leaf. I asked her to keep a record of any other messages she received. I was expecting her to bring more in a couple of weeks so we could begin a formal investigation.” Celestia sighed and looked back down at the scrapbook. “But I had no idea it was this bad. Thank you for bringing this to me, girls. I'll be looking into this immediately.” “Thanks, Principal Celestia,” Applejack said, standing up. The other two followed suit. “We appreciate you seein' us like this.” “I'd appreciate it if you could keep me updated on Sunset's condition,” the principal said, getting up herself. “And if I can offer some advice? If magic is involved, I want you all to be careful. What happened to Sunset could easily happen to any of you.” “We'll be fine,” Rainbow insisted. “We're not planning on doing anything stupid.” Celestia quirked an amused eyebrow. “You're currently five for five for dealing with magical problems around here. Do you really expect me to believe that you're going to leave this one alone, with the stakes this personal?” Rainbow let out a nervous laugh. “Aheheh... yeah.” “All right, yes, we're lookin' into it,” Applejack admitted. “But we know the danger and if things get too hairy, we'll be sure to back off.” Celestia nodded. “Good. Now, I think the bell's about to ring. You best get to your next class.” The girls nodded and left the office. As they passed by the desk, Pepperdance looked up. “Hey, Dash, I heard about what happened to Sunset. I hope you're okay.” “Yeah, I'm good. Hopefully, she'll come out of it soon. Thanks, Pepps.” Pepperdance smiled and went back to her work. The three girls left the office. “Well, what now?” Rainbow said. “Are you workin' tonight?” Applejack asked. “No, I got tonight off. Why?” “I was just thinkin' somebody should got to the sushi restaurant after school and let Sunset's boss know she's in the hospital. I'd do it myself, but Big Mac needs some help fixin' the barn roof this afternoon.” Rainbow nodded. “Sounds good. I'll head over with Twilight and Rarity after school. You in, Fluttershy?” Fluttershy shook her head. “I have a shift at the shelter, but call me and let me know what you find.” “Can do.” The bell rang, and soon the halls were filled with students. The three girls said their goodbyes and headed to their next class. As they disappeared into the throng, someone watched them go. She clenched her fist, and pink sparks of lightning danced across her knuckles.