//------------------------------// // Chapter 55: Renewing A Fragile Alliance // Story: A Search for Something More // by HAKDurbin //------------------------------// As the days go by and finals week comes closer, I am in a bigger jam than I was before. I think about how to handle my situation better, but at the same time, I don't want to lose either of the girls I love. And yet in my mind, I know things are going to get worse the more I take turns between Sunset and Octavia. It's currently the Wednesday before finals week, and my mom just dropped me off at school. As soon as I enter the building, I find the entire halls filled with" Good luck!" and "Go Wondercolts!" banners. It takes a moment before I remember that tonight is the state championship for our soccer team against Crystal Prep. Suddenly, a light blue hand is placed on my shoulder. I turn around to find Sonata looking at me with an uneasy frown. "Hey, Sonny, what's up?" I ask. Sonata rubs the bank of her neck before she answers. "Well, we need to pull a compromise on our arrangement today," she says nervously. "Oh?" I ask. Sonata plays with her fingers before she says, "Today's going to be a Sunset and Tavi day." I look at her confused as she continues. "Vinyl had a little chat with me while you were with Sunset yesterday, and she said that she's planning to have a meeting between the E.M.R. and the Rainbooms tonight concerning a little something she and Doc discussed with you." It takes a moment before I remember my conversation at Vinyl's about the unknown person with magic on Doc's radar. I realize I completely forgot about that while spending time with Octavia and Sunset. "Did she tell you what that something is?" I ask carefully. "She did," Sonata says. "She took me to her place, and she and Doc explained everything. She already talked with Sunset and Applejack that when the game is over, we're all going to meet at her house to celebrate if we win and otherwise explain what's happening to the Rainbooms and anyone in the school who are loyal to them?" "Loyal to them?" I ask. Sonata winces before she reluctantly explains, "The matter with the E.M.R. gaining more followers has become a little more serious while you have been spending time with Octavia and Sunset. Word has spread throughout the school concerning what they're up to. While it seems half of the school has joined their cause, there are people like the Crusaders, Flash Sentry and his band, Bulk Biceps and pretty much every sports team that Rainbow Dash is the captain of who are declared faithful to the Rainbooms and their message of the Magic of Friendship. They call themselves the Rainboom Loyalists." "How have I not heard of this?" I ask. "Have I been so devoted to spending time with my exes that I just haven't been paying attention to everything around me apart from just going to classes?" "Well, that and both Tavi and Sunset have been making sure that your only focus outside of school work is on them," Sonata admits. "They both feel, and I kind of agree, that you're dealing with enough with finals coming and handling your relationships with both of them as it is." "But shouldn't I still be in the loop about these things?" I challenge. "After all, our friends from the E.M.R. got all this attention is because of me." "Clearly the two girls who deeply love you don't see it that way, buddy," Sonata says sympathetically. "And as the judge or whatever of this situation between the three of you, I can confirm that they're more focused on just spending time with you whenever it's their turn, knowing it could be their last moments with you." I frown at her words and sigh sadly. "You're no closer to choosing someone, are you?" Sonata asks bluntly. "No," I confess. "And it's driving me crazy. Are either relationships perfect? No, but that doesn't stop our relationships from getting stronger with every day I spend with either of them. There's just no clear answer." Sonata frowns and rubs her arm nervously. "Well, that's just going to make today more uncomfortable," she says. "Like I said, they're sharing today because of the game and the meeting, and that basically means you'll be spending time with both of them simultaneously." I stare at her in horror. "Nope! No, no, no, no, no, no. That is a horrible idea, Sonata," I say. "I know this puts you guys in an uncomfortable position, or at least more than it already is," Sonata admits. "But there is no way around it." "Yes, there is," I claim. "Just have the time at the game be Sunset's time while the meeting at Vinyl's is Octavia's time." "I tried that suggestion with Vinyl, but she convinced me that it wouldn't work," Sonata says. "Both the Rainbooms and the E.M.R. are going to be at the game to support the team and be at the party and meeting at Vinyl's. Besides, we've both discussed it with Tavi and Sunset, and they have already reluctantly agreed provided that there are some boundaries." "Such as?" I ask. "Well, since Tavi likes to be on your left side and Sunset on your right, then that's where they have to stay the whole time," Sonata explains. "If one kisses you, then the other has the right to kiss you too, no full embraces during the game; they can only embrace your respective arms and shoulders, and no arguing over who deserves to be with you." "You say that like I'm some line drawn in the middle of the ground that neither side must cross," I say. "Well, you kinda are, I guess," Sonata admits. "Believe me, Rough Draft, I don't like this any more than you do, but from what Vinyl explained to me, we have more serious matters to worry about than just your love life. She and everyone else in the E.M.R. want to support our soccer team both out of school spirit and to try to slowly mend things with the Rainbooms for what the E.M.R has to say tonight. Sunset wouldn't miss our friends playing in the state championship for the world, and Octavia feels it should be just her day today since it would have been if not for this. The three of you are just gonna have to bite the bullet for the greater good." I frown, wishing I can think of something to counter her argument. I don't want to go to the game with both of my exes, but like Sunset, there's no way I'm going to miss it when my best friend and his girlfriend are so close to becoming state champions. Guess Tempo is more right about this situation that even either of us thought. "Fine," I say with a reluctant sigh. "It looks like I'm going to the game with both Octavia and Sunset." **************************************************************************************** The school bell rang, announcing that school is over for the day. I collect my things and proceed to leave Ms. Cheerilee's class when I already feel Sunset's arms around my right arm. "I thought you and Octavia agreed on some boundaries for tonight," I say, not looking at her. "We did, but we didn't say anything about when I am allowed to have you by my side after school ends," Sunset says with a grin. "Besides, we still should be making up for lost time from when you got sick, Mr. Draft." "You still have something of a mischievous side, don't you?" I say, turning my head to look at her. "Maybe," Sunset says with a smug look when we open the classroom door to find Octavia waiting for us with her arms crossed. "You have some nerve finding a loophole in our boundaries, Ms. Shimmer," she says displeased. "Oh pipe down, Ms. Melody," Sunset says, rolling her eyes. "I haven't even kissed him yet." Octavia raises her eyebrow and looks at me skeptically. I nod to confirm that Sunset is telling the truth. "Fine," Octavia grumbles. "But, I get to kiss him hello first." "Oh, don't worry," Sunset says, taking her phone out. "I'll be timing it." Octavia scoffs before she walks to me with a loving smile and leans in for a soft kiss. She places her hand on my cheek as I slowly kiss her back. When we part, she looks at me sweetly before Sunset steps in. "Twenty-three seconds, eh? I can make do with that." She says proudly before she pulls me into a fierce kiss with her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. When we part, she has a pleased look in her eye before Octavia clears her throat. "Right then, let's get going to the game, shall we?" She suggests. "Sonata said that we're getting a ride from her and Granny Smith to Crystal City. She figured that would be the most 'neutral' means of transportation for the three of us." "Makes enough sense to me," I say with a shrug as I offer my arms to both girls. "My ladies." Thankfully, both Sunset and Octavia smile at the gesture as Sunset wraps her arms around my right arm while Octavia helps herself to my left arm before we all walk to the parking lot where Granny and Sonata are waiting for us, borrowing Big Mac's truck. While Sonata sits on the front seat, Sunset, Octavia, and I are in the back with me in the middle and my eyes on their respective sides. Neither of us say anything during the entire ride to Crystal City. Sunset and Octavia just lay their heads on my shoulders, hold my arms, and wait patiently for the ride to end as the awkwardness fills in. Once in a while, one of us might try to ease the moment by asking how school was today or how we're feeling about our finals or the game, but the attempts always come with short answers that bring us back to the start. When Granny Smith parks the truck at the Crystal Prep Academy parking lot, the three of us secretly thank the Lord that we escaped the awkwardness for now and make our way to the Crystal Prep soccer field. The field looks almost precisely like CHS's soccer field, except it has bigger and nicer bleachers with enough room for the student bodies of both schools to fill up. The only thing is there are hardly any Crystal Prep supporters as they are grossly outnumbered by everyone from CHS as well as all the family members of the team, including Soarin's parents and Hothoof with Rainbow Dash's mom, Windy Whistles. "Where are all the Shadowbolt fans?" I ask. "Please don't tell me this school is still so full of themselves that they feel like they're above supporting their teams." "I think that's the case, darling," Octavia says, amused with my comment. "It looks like they're so positive that they're going to make state again that most of the students at Crystal Prep think it's a waste of time to watch what they think they already know is going to happen." "I can vouch for that," Sunset says. "From what Twilight has told me, it's going to take more than the Friendship Games to get her old classmates out of their belief that winning is everything." "But you'd think they'd at least start thinking that way now that they have a principal much friendlier and less worried about the school's reputation like Dean Cadence," I counter. "Guess not, babe," Sunset says with a sigh. "But hey, the more there are of us, the better we can give our team morale with our cheers." "Indeed," Octavia says. "Soarin and Rainbow Dash are going to need all the support they can get for this moment." "That's true," I admit. "After the Friendship Games, it looks like Rainbow and Soarin will need that kind of morale for facing Crystal Prep." "That's an understatement, Rough Draft," Octavia says. "I remember Manhattan High going against Crystal Prep for state during my sophomore year. Granted, sports is not considered a very highly regarded subject at that school as being a cellist, but from what I heard, that game was a massacre, and everyone at school was kind of ashamed of it." "Yeah, well then again, I think anyone from Manehattan would feel ashamed if someone so much as bites their thumb at them," I say, smirking, which makes Octavia giggle as we both think of her 'farewell' to all the fancy people at the ball. "Fair point, darling," Octavia compliments. "All the same, let's hope our team can prevail again. Preferably without magic." Sunset gives Octavia a death glare, and even I look at her disapprovingly before Sunset sighs sadly. "In Ms. Melody's defense, it would be nice to defeat them without man-eating plants arguably having any contribution," she admits. "I'd like to think Rainbow Dash would prefer we win with nothing but the teamwork of her, Soarin, and the rest of the team." "Agreed," I say. "But enough speculating. The game starts in ten minutes, and we need to find our spot." My two exes nod in agreement as we make our way to the bleachers. We find a spot in the middle row of the CHS side right between the other Rainbooms, Sonata, and Caramel on one side while the original members of the E.M.R. sit on the other side. Sunset, Octavia, and I look at each other grimly, knowing that Sonata and Vinyl probably arranged it this way and sigh before we sit in our reserved seats. "Wassup, you guys?" Vinyl greets. "You three ready to cheer our team to victory? "Indeed we are," I say. "I assume you brought your portable record player?" "You bet," Vinyl says proudly. "I would have liked to use my new bass cannon, but this is not the kind of occasion to use it yet." I nod in acknowledgment as I greet Lyra, Bon Bon, Doc, and Derpy, who is cutely snuggling next to Doc while wearing his coat for warmth. "They are really happy together, aren't they, love?" I whisper to Octavia. "Their relationship is the best thing that's happened to our group, since us, darling," Octavia whispers back. I smile as I turn to greet everyone on the Rainbooms side. "You think Rainbow Dash will be merciful to Soarin if we lose?" I ask, smirking. "Hopefully, she'll take it better than if we lost to Baltimare High on your birthday," Caramel answers while Applejack holds him tightly in her arms. "I hear that," Applejack says, chuckling. "Us too, Caramel Bear," Lyra and Bon Bon call out from the E.M.R. side. "Hey, none of that, you too," Applejack snaps. "He's my Caramel Bear, and only I can call him that." Lyra and Bon Bon wince and chuckle nervously. Applejack turns to Caramel and gives him her own nervous chuckle. "Sorry, sugarcube," she says sheepishly. "I know you're not a big fan of that name." "Hey, as long as I'm yours, you can call me whatever you like, AJ," Caramel says, smiling as he leans in to kiss Applejack on the cheek. Sunset leans in my ear and whispers, "I see them act like this at lunch every day, and I'm still not used to the fact that they are officially dating." "Me neither, sunshine," I whisper back. "I think we got too used to seeing their relationship as a big mystery." Both of us chuckle, making Octavia feel left out until we all hear a giant horn coming from the bottom of the bleachers. We all turn to see Pinkie Pie wearing Wondercolt tail and ears and facing us as she puts the horn back in her hair. "Alright, listen up, everyone! " she shouts. "Tonight is the state match between the Shadowbolts and the Wondercolts! Rainbow Dash and the rest of the team need all the support they can get, so I want you to give it everything you got! I want you to scream! I want you to cheer! I want you to make so much noise that, that's all they can hear out there! Now I want you to shout 'go Wondercolts!'" "GO WONDERCOLTS!" We all shout out just in time to see both the CHS and the Crystal Prep teams enter the field. Dean Cadance, Princess Celestia, and Vice-Principal Luna walk to the center of the field where Dean Cadance takes out a mic and welcomes us to the state championship. After saying a few more words, the teams take their positions, and as soon as the referee blows the whistle, the game begins. Immediately, Rainbow Dash has the ball first before the Crystal Prep player in front of her could move his foot. The other Crystal Prep players are quickly on the defense as Rainbow Dash zoom to their side of the field. We cheer loudly in excitement as Rainbow Dash shoots only to have the goalie stop the ball with one hand without moving an inch. We all gasp as Rainbow Dash stands there in surprise while the goalie tosses the ball to one of her teammates. Soarin runs to Rainbow Dash and tells her to snap out of her shock just in time to see the Crystal Prep team score a goal. We all stare dumbfounded as the teams come back into starting positions and get back to the game. Pinkie Pie continues to try to boost morale as the CHS team goes on the offense again only for the Crystal Prep goalie to stop them at every turn. Rainbow Dash and Soarin, in particular, keep trying to keep the ball in their possession while our goalie keeps moving left and right to prevent any more goals for Crystal Prep. Finally, after what felt like forever, the referee blows the whistle announcing that it's halftime. The two teams walk to their respective benches, with the CHS team looking particularly fatigued. Everyone from the CHS side of the stands is growing worried as it looks like our goalie is worn out. But no one seems more worried than Rainbow Dash as she tries to cheer up her team with Soarin beside her. "I wish we could go over there and say something to encourage Rainbow and Soarin," Sunset says worryingly. "Indeed," Octavia says, not-so-subtly scooting closer to me and lays her head on my shoulder to show off her worry. "I wish there was a way around the Crystal Prep goalie. She appears to be unstoppable." Sunset glares at Octavia as she snuggles closer to me too, and I sigh, knowing what they're trying to do. Before I can say anything, however, the referee blows the whistle again to start the second half of the game. The second half starts like most of the first half, except the CHS team had to replace their goalie with their backup due to the first one becoming so worn out. The game progresses with both sides still trying to score. After a while, even Pinkie Pie becomes more focused on the suspension than trying to boost morale as the Crystal Prep goalie keeps blocking every shot Rainbow Dash, Soarin, or anyone else in our team makes. "Come on, Wondercolts!" Vinyl calls out. "Don't let these pushovers get to you." The other E.M.R. members cheer in agreement while the Rainbooms half of the crowd remains uneasy as we are still off by one goal. I bite my lip in worry until I notice something odd about the Crystal Prep goalie. "Hey, is it me, or is their goalie starting to favor her left foot over her, right?" I ask. Octavia, Sunset, Caramel, and Applejack turn to me curiously before they look closely at the goalie's movement as she prepares to block another goal attempt from Soarin. "That doesn't look good for her," Octavia says. "No, it doesn't," Applejack agrees. "Could that work to our advantage?" Caramel asks. Before either of us can say anything, Soarin prepares to take another shot at the goal post. The goalie takes another step, prepared to block again. Soarin takes a shot to the left side of the post, but the goalie steps on her right foot wrong and she falls down in pain as the ball flies over her head and hits the net. We all cheer for the goal until we all realize she's injured. The Crystal Prep coach and the other players rush to the goalie's side. After a few minutes, they help her up, and the coach helps her limp to the nurse's office inside the Academy. We all clap in support before their replacement goalie steps in. The game continues with Rainbow Dash immediately taking possession of the ball and trying to score another goal. Unfortunately, while not as menacing as the previous goalie, the replacement blocks the shot showing she's just as skilled. Rainbow is surprised by this again as the goalie tosses the ball to one of her teammates, but then a devilish smirk grows on her face. As the Crystal Prep team fails to score another goal on our side, Rainbow Dash calls out to Soarin, who walks over to her. Octavia, Sunset Shimmer, and I look at each other curiously as Rainbow Dash whispers something in her boyfriend's ear. Soarin's face goes from curious to mischievous as he turns his head to face his girlfriend and nods in agreement. They quickly peck each other's lips and get back to the game. "Do they normally act like that when playing?" Octavia asks. "Not in any game I've seen," Sunset says. "Granted, I've missed a couple of them while I was back in Equestria." Octavia raises an eyebrow and smirks at Sunset. "Oh?" She taunts. "I hope that hasn't caused a serious rift in your relationships." "Octavia," I say warningly. "Not at all, Octavia," Sunset sneers. "Turns out realizing you made a mistake and come over to someone for an apology is something that doesn't take long." "Sunset," I growl. Before I can say anything else, the referee blows the whistle and signals that there are only two minutes left in the game. We all turn back to the game in suspense as both teams become more determined than ever to break the tie. The Crystal Prep team has the ball and slowly try to work their way to our side of the field. One of the players shoots, and our goalie blocks the ball just in the nick of time and throws it to Soarin. Everyone, E.M.R. and Rainbooms alike stand up and shout out, "Go Soarin, go!" Vinyl holds out her portable record player in anticipation, Pinkie Pie bites her nails hysterically, Lyra and Bon Bon hold each other, Fluttershy and Derpy look scared as Big Mac and Doc respectively hold their girlfriends, trying to calm them down. Even Applejack places her hand on Caramel's shoulder as he frantically shouts out to Soarin in both excitement and fear. Octavia and Sunset let go of my arms as we scream out to our friend with no idea of what is going to happen. The Crystal Prep goalie prepares to block Soarin as he gets closer and closer to the goal post. Suddenly, he curves his path away from the goalie, leaving the goalie confused. She walks over to Soarin to grab the ball, but that just makes Soarin grin, knowing she made her final mistake. With a hard kick, the ball flies past the goalie to Rainbow Dash, who is on the other side of the goal and kicks it right on the open goal post. The referee blows the whistle, and the scoreboard shows 0 seconds on the clock with the score 2-1. It takes a second before we fully process what just happened before everyone on the CHS side of the stands screams louder than ever. Vinyl immediately plugs her record player to the sound system and starts playing a lively tune while the rest of us jump up and down and hug each other, ecstatic. The Crystal Prep team slumps in defeat while the CHS team huddles around Rainbow Dash and Soarin and lifts them up. Dean Candace, Principal Celestia, and Vice-Principal Luna walk over to the field, and Dean Candace hands Rainbow Dash the trophy. We scream and cheer as we all exit the stands and surround our team. Eventually, the team puts Soarin and Rainbow Dash down just in time for Me, Sunset, Octavia, Sonata, Applejack, Caramel, Vinyl, Fluttershy, Big Mac, Derpy, Doc, Rarity, Twilight, Lyra, Bon Bon, and Pinkie Pie to approach our friends. The Rainbooms huddle around Rainbow Dash for a group hug while Caramel and I hug Soarin. Vinyl walks over to Rainbow Dash with Octavia, Derpy, Doc, Lyra and Bon Bon walking behind. Everyone stops cheering as Rainbow Dash's happy face turns serious at the sight of Vinyl. We all look at each other, unsure of what's going to happen as Vinyl keeps walking until she's only two feet away from Rainbow Dash. For a few seconds, nothing is said until Vinyl smirks and takes out her hand. "Sweet job, Rainbow," she says. Rainbow Dash smirks back and takes Vinyl's hand to shake it firmly. "Nice victory track, Vinyl," she says. Vinyl grins and starts shaking Rainbow's hand back. Everyone lets out a breath they didn't know they were holding before we start cheering again. "Alright, everyone, let's not waste any time!" Vinyl shouts. "Time to party at my house right now!" Everyone makes one last cheer as they start to exit the soccer field. I stand and look around until I find Octavia and Sunset amidst the crowd. "So we're meeting Granny and Sonata at the truck?" Octavia asks. "I just checked with her before looking for Rough Draft, and yeah, that's the plan," Sunset answers. Octavia frowns at her choice of words before we begin our walk back to the parking lot. By the time we make it to the truck, however, we find out that Granny and Sonata haven't made it yet, so we stand and wait awkwardly. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" The three of us turn our heads to find Jet Set and Upper Crust standing next to us. "This is an unusual sight," Jet Set says. "Last we saw you; you said you broke up with Octavia, and now you and your girlfriend are hanging out with her?" "Ah yes, most peculiar," Upper Crust says. Both of my exes turn to me curiously. "Darling, how do you know these two?" Octavia asks. I scratch the back of my head nervously before I answer, "Jet Set here is Mrs. Set's son, and these two were at your concert back in October. We kind of caught up during the Friendship Games, so last they heard we broke up, and I was dating Sunset." "So, they have no idea that we're both trying to get you back?" Sunset asks. Both Jet Set and Upper Crust stare at the three of us appalled. "Trying to get you back?" Upper Crust says in a snobby manner. "What in the world is she talking about? Did you and this Shimmer girl break up?" "It's complicated," I answer. "And no offense, but it's also none of your business." "None of our business?" Jet Set growls. "You're dating your two exes to figure out which one to date again? You have some nerve, you worthless, bum." Octavia and Sunset glare menacingly at Jet Set, but before they can say anything, I step in. "And what do you even have?" I challenge. "You think you're worth more than any of us? What business did you even have at that concert other than to watch someone play their craft beautifully like Octavia? You couldn't make it past the first round of the academics round at the Friendship Games while Sunset made it to the final round and won the relay. And at least I was willing to sacrifice my life for the greater good and have a bullet wound to show for it!" I roll up my sleeve and show my scar making Jet Set and Upper Crust flinch in disgust while Sunset and Octavia wince grimly. "What have you or your girl done worth spit?" I ask. "I may not have much, but I know we've done more than you two ever have." Jet Set and Upper Crust look at me angrily. "We shall see," Jet Set says as he and Upper Crust lift their chins and walk away. I keep my glare until Octavia and Sunset place their hands on my shoulders to calm me down just in time for Granny and Sonata to meet us. ***************************************************************************************** "GIVE IT UP FOR THE WONDERCOLT STATE CHAMPIONS!" We arrive at Vinyl's house just in time for the festivities to start. Luckily, Vinyl's house is so big that all the students at CHS can fit in as she starts to play music with her DJ board. Everyone is dancing and cheering while Pinkie Pie stands next to Vinyl and sings whatever song is playing through a microphone. Rainbow Dash is already helping herself to some apple cider while she has her arm around Soarin, who is holding the trophy. People come in line to congratulate the two of them and the rest of the team while Octavia, Sunset, and I stand and watch everyone have a good time. "You know I don't think we've been this united as a school since Pinkie's party," Sunset says with a heartfelt smile. "I agree," I say. "I don't think we had this much school spirit even during the Friendship Games." "Indeed," Octavia says with a small serene smile. "Honestly, this is the most I've felt like a part of a large group of people all my life." "I feel the same," Sunset says sincerely. "I've never seen or been a part of such joyful unity in all my life." I take their words in and chuckle at the thought. "Yeah, me neither," I say with a small smile. "Seems all three of us have come a long way when it comes to something like friendship." "Friendship and more," Sunset says as she wraps her arms around me, making Octavia glare at her enviously before she does the same. "So much more," she adds. We keep this awkward but touching moment before Octavia clears her throat. "Right, what do you feel like doing?" She asks. "We could dance or wait in line to congratulate Rainbow and Soarin." "No offense, love, but you of all people should know better than to think I'm going to try to show more 'dodging' moves," I say, making both of my exes giggle. "And judging my that line, we'll be waiting throughout the whole party." "Good point," Octavia snickers. "Well, then why don't we grab some snacks and just talk for a bit?" Sunset suggests. I frown at the idea but reluctantly nod in agreement. We walk over to the dining table and grab some food. I sit down in a chair while Octavia and Sunset sit down on a couch on the other side. We eat quietly while the festivities continue until Sunset clears her throat. "So," she begins. "Where are we at here?" I stop eating and sigh, struggling to come up with a suitable answer. "Octavia asked me that a few days ago, and even now, I don't know," I answer sadly. "I know I should have an answer by now, but I don't. I feel closer with both of you, so I guess we're at an impasse." Both of them frown at this. "I was afraid as much," Sunset says sadly. "Me too," says Octavia. "Please understand that I don't mean to play with your emotions or anything," I say worriedly. "Oh, we know you aren't, darling," Octavia says assuringly. "We know you wouldn't do anything to hurt us, but this does make things a little more unsettling." "And it's unsettling to me too," I say sincerely. "You both mean so much to me. That's as true today as it was when we started this arrangement." Neither of us says anything for a moment. "Where do you two stand?" I ask. Sunset and Octavia look at each other before Sunset answers. "I love you, Rough Draft," she says. "I'd give anything to stop myself from ever leaving you and our friends. I want you to be happy no matter what happens, but I'm scared to lose you just because I made one bad call." "I feel the same," Octavia says. "Even though you've forgiven me, I still wish I never dumped you. Coming to your house too late was bad enough, but I'd hate to lose you for good." "So basically, you're as determined to get me back as ever?" I ask. Both of my ex-girlfriends nod firmly. "You'd do anything to make that happen?" Again, they nod. "Would that include agreeing to let me name our first son Revan?" Octavia and Sunset stop in mid-nod before they hesitate. I frown as they think about it, look at each other, and wordlessly agree. "Middle name," they say simultaneously. "What? Come on!" I whine. "I'm sorry, darling," Octavia says with a sad smile. "You truly are the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, but any children I have with you will mean that much to me too, and I will want our son to know that from the moment he's born." "Yeah, same thing word for word about our kids," Sunset says sympathetically. "What kind of mother would I be if I let our little boy spend his entire life with the name of a Star Wars character? The entire name would not work; Revan Draft. Think of it this way, babe; if he grows to like his middle name as much as his dad does, Revan could be a new family middle name to replace yours." "That's a great idea!" Octavia says enthusiastically. "We both know you would hate to give any of your children your middle name, so why not use Revan to break the tradition?" I give it some thought before I smile. "Well, I certainly would rather die than give any son of mine a name like Muriel, whether it's his first or middle name," I admit. "Alright, middle name it is. Though I was hoping one of you might disagree with the other." "Seriously?" Octavia asks disapprovingly. "That was your deal-breaker?" "Can you think of a better one?" I ask. "It feels like we're more and more stuck with every test I throw at either of you. I'm worried that this whole thing is going to get worse if nothing is done, and that's not fair to either of you. I don't know how or when I will know who I really want to be with. I just can't decide. What should I do? What should we do?" Nothing is said except for the chatter coming from the other side of the house. "I don't know, Rough Draft," Octavia says sadly. "Neither do I, babe," Sunset says. Suddenly, there is a knock on the sidewall, and we turn around to see Doc standing behind me with a serious look. "So sorry to interrupt, but in about five minutes, Vinyl wants the Rainbooms and the E.M.R. elite to meet in her basement for you-know-what," he says. I frown, remembering what Sonata told me this morning. "Fine. Thank you, Doc," I say calmly. Doc nods before he leaves. "Wait, what you-know-what thing?" Sunset asks, confused. "Remember when I said there was something I had to hide from you but promised that it would be explained?" I ask. "Yeah," Sunset answers. Octavia and I glance at each other before I turn back to Sunset. "Looks like it's time you find out what that is." *************************************************************************************** After about twenty minutes, the three of us silently walk downstairs where Vinyl, Doc, Derpy, Lyra, Bon Bon, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Big Mac, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Bulk Biceps, the Crusaders, Flash Sentry and his gang and the rest of the students who remain loyal to the Rainbooms are already waiting for us. "Alright, now that we're all here," Doc says before activating the sonic shield. "Let us begin." Vinyl nods before taking a deep breath and faces all of us. "Fellow Wondercolts, and dear friends," she begins. "As glad as I am to show school spirit with all of you, the sad fact is we of the E.M.R. brought you here to renew our alliance with you at the request of our mutual friend, Rough Draft, to defend ourselves from what looks like another possible magic attack." Everyone at the Rainbooms side whisper to each other. I turn to Sunset, whose eyes widen at this information before Vinyl continues. "As you can see by the machine standing next to Doc and me, we did steal our world's Twilight Sparkle's pendant to create our weapons to fight magic," she says, making Twilight frown. "But this also has been the key to detecting people who have or used to have magic including the Rainbooms and the Dazzlings, which is how we were able to find and rescue Rough Draft when he was kidnapped. We also learned that there is another person with magic who is neither from the Rainbooms or the Dazzlings who we believe means to do us serious harm." Sunset and the other Rainbooms grow even more concerned. "We have been trying to discover who this person is, but they seem to be aware of what we're trying to do and have the ability to teleport away every time we come near it," Vinyl continues. "Then what makes you think it intends to do us any harm?" Applejack asks. "Because, Applejack, according to Rough Draft, Adagio and Aria had some 'client' who gave them their new powers and ordered them to kidnap him, interrogate him and then kill him," Vinyl explains, making Sunset and Octavia move closer to me, obviously still disturbed that I could have died. "Later, we found the unknown being residing at Bon Bon's house with you and Sunset Shimmer. By the time we got there, it, along with you and Sunset Shimmer were gone, and Lyra, Bon Bon, and Bon Bon's mom didn't know what happened until Soarin told Octavia that they verbally bullied Sunset Shimmer into leaving our world. This gives us the assumption that whoever this person is controlled them to guilt her into leaving this world so that she can’t stop whatever this being is doing." "Hold on," Sunset interrupts. "Are you saying Lyra and Bon Bon were brainwashed to guilt me into leaving my boyfriend and my friends?" "Yes, we are," Lyra says sadly. "We have no memory of you, Rough Draft, Caramel, or Applejack being anywhere near Bon Bon's house. None of us found out what we had done until Octavia came storming at us, pissed." "Pissed?" Sunset asks with her eyebrow raised. "I find it hard to believe that she disliked that I was out of the way." Octavia glares at her rival while I look at her disapprovingly. "Actually that checks out, Sunset," Rainbow Dash says. "When we told Octavia what those two did, Octavia blew up at us, scaring the daylights out of my guy." "Rainbow!" Soarin protests. "Sorry, buddy, but you brought that upon yourself," Rainbow Dash says, shrugging. Bon Bon clears her throat and apologetically says, "The point is we're really sorry about that, Sunset Shimmer. We had no idea what was happening to us, and we wouldn't have said any of those things if we weren't mind-controlled. Please forgive us." Sunset hesitates but eventually sees the sincerity in Lyra and Bon Bon's eyes. She sighs and says, "Okay, you two are forgiven. But why would this person with dark magic trick me into going to Equestria? Was he or she trying to find the portal, or did this person somehow secretly go to Equestria with me before I closed the portal?" "No, this person remained here while you were gone," Doc steps in. "We've been debating about what they want. We thought it was to find the portal to your world because that's what they assigned Adagio and Aria to find out by interrogating Rough Draft. But, when this person was still here after you left, we thought you either trapped him or her in this world, or they actually wanted you to close the portal so that the biggest threat against dark magic in this world was out of the way. Or so we thought." "Oh, dear, what do you mean?" Fluttershy asks as she scoots closer to Big Mac, who immediately wraps his arms around his nervous girlfriend for comfort. "Recently, this person's movement has proven to be very specific once school ends every day at CHS," Doc answers. "When school is over, it specifically roams around CHS ever since Ms. Shimmer returned. It's all speculation, but it looks like it stopped trying to find the portal again until it was reopened. For all we know, they're still trying to go back to Equestria." "Are you sure about this?" Sunset asks worriedly. "I have the recorded footage on my phone right here," Doc says, handing it to Sunset who plays the video while I, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack huddle over to watch curiously. The green dot appears to move around in school whenever we don't have class. Even when Sunset and I had our date on the school roof, it was out there lurking around. Sunset and the other Rainbooms look at each other in worry before they turn back to Doc and Vinyl. "So, what is it that you propose?" Rainbow Dash asks. Vinyl bites her lip before she answers. "Look, I know we're on uneasy terms again what with you guys not hearing from us in ages, and you only heard from us again to find out we have the means to fight magic," she says. "That said, you seven are the most experienced people concerning magic, and it's clear that this other being with magic is up to something big and terrible judging simply on both what we know and with what we don't know. This person is up to something that they proved through Rough Draft's kidnapping that they are willing to shed blood to obtain it, unlike with any magical encounter before. So under Rough Draft's suggestion, we propose that it's in our best interest for the sake of our entire school to renew our alliance between both parties to stop whoever is behind this together." The Rainbooms look at each other in discomfort at this idea before Vinyl continues. "You have the knowledge about magic, and we have enough weapons so that everyone can fight," she says. "Both sides each possess roughly half of the entire student body of our school, so by joining together, we have an army capable of fighting magic. Should you accept, we already have enough MN-DGs available to everyone loyal to your side so that everyone is armed to fight." "Oh dear, I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Fluttershy says, scared. "I agree with my best friend," Rarity says firmly. "You're suggesting that we practically go to war against something that neither of us understands." "But we understand enough," Doc says seriously. "Remember, both of our groups almost lost Rough Draft had Adagio's aim been more accurate. And besides, our weapons are not meant to kill this person, only neutralize their magic so that they're incapable of causing any more harm." "And what happens between the Rainbooms and the E.M.R. after that?" Applejack asks. Doc and Vinyl look at each other hesitantly. "I don't know," Doc admits. "But as long as this force is around, we need to find a means to stop them before Rough Draft's bullet wound is the best-case scenario for everyone. Combining our forces is the most logical step." "And not just for the school, but for Equestria too," Vinyl backs up. "If they are still after the portal, then we can only guess what that would mean to that world that is full of magic. For all we know, we are living on borrowed time thanks to Rough Draft's refusal to tell Adagio and Aria anything. So what's it going to be, Rainbooms?" I turn to Sunset and her band, and they look at each other nervously. Then Sunset turns to me. "Is this really what you wanted to tell our friends and me, babe?" she asks. "It is," I say seriously. "Even before you returned, I wanted this alliance not only for my sake but for the sake of our friends. And now that I've rekindled my friendship with Vinyl, Doc, Lyra, Bon Bon, and Derpy, that puts me on neutral ground between the Rainbooms and the E.M.R. even without the matter between you, me and Octavia put into account. I don't want a single one of my friends harmed just because of an uneasy relationship between two separate groups of my friends. Besides, isn't unity more important than separation at a time like this?" Sunset flinches at my words before Octavia steps in. "As much as I don't like you right now Sunset Shimmer, I have to agree," Octavia says. "It appears that we'll have to put matters between Rough Draft and us on hold until we get this matter settled." "As the judge between the three of you, I have to agree," Sonata says. "And after we defeat this person, what happens then between the three of us?" Sunset demands. "Heck, how do I even know you're not agreeing with Rough Draft just as a means to get him back?" "Sunset!" I ridicule. Octavia stares at her rival angrily. "Well, I just simply thought unity among friends is the best choice," she growls venomously. "Or did you come back to your old ways of loving people being divided just out of habit?" "Octavia!" I bark. Sunset's anger flared as she stood up to leap at Octavia, but Applejack and Rainbow Dash are quick to restrain her. Octavia stands up to attack her too only for Lyra and Bon Bon to quickly run over and hold her back. I look back and forth at both of my exes in disbelief before I step in. "Okay, what is the matter with you two?" I ridicule angrily. "Do you really think throwing insults at each other is going to win me over during a time where it looks like we have more important matters than the three of us? You two are the most thought out people I've known all my life, and you should know better than to act like this. Heck, how can I trust either of you to the point of taking one of you back if I can't even trust you to keep your cool over something that could be a matter between life and death? I thought I knew you two better than this. I thought I can trust you two better than this." At this, both of my exes stop trying to break free from their friends' grasps and stare at me, shocked at my words. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Lyra and Bon Bon slowly release their friends as Octavia and Sunset look away ashamed. Rainbow Dash sighs before she reluctantly walks over to Vinyl. "Okay, I may not officially be the leader of our band any more than Sunset is," she begins. "But seeing as she's not in the best emotional state to reach an agreement, I'll speak for the Rainbooms and everyone loyal to us that what you are suggesting is the best idea." Sunset winces and looks away sadly at Rainbow Dash's words. "And I'd rather we have this whether Octavia wants it or not," Vinyl says, making Octavia stare at her best friend, visibly hurt. "Then it's settled," Applejack says, stepping in. "If you supply the means for our non-magical friends to fight, we'll aid with our knowledge of magic however we can. Only together can we defeat this dangerous being before they hurt anyone else." "Agreed," Doc says with a comforting smile. "The being of this dark energy is likely to look for the portal again at CHS after school tomorrow. I suggest everyone stays after class, and I will bring more than enough MN-DGs for everyone. If the odds are in our favor, we will put a stop to this person once and for all by the end of the day." Rainbow Dash nods before turning to Caramel, Soarin, and everyone else on the Rainbooms side. "Does that work for everyone?" she asks. Everyone following the Rainbooms nods and makes words of agreement before Rainbow Dash turns to Vinyl, and they shake hands firmly. "Together," Vinyl says. "Together," Rainbow Dash agrees. "Very well then," Doc says. "Until then, I ask that none of us say a word about this from the moment we leave this room before we start the hunt. This being could be spying on us when we're not protected by our shield down here, and we don't want it to find out what we're up to. I suggest we all head home and get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us." Everyone makes words of agreement and begin to walk up the stairs. Before I leave, however, two separate hands grab my shoulders and force me to turn around to face my ashamed exes. "Rough Draft, I'm sorry for how I acted," Octavia says sadly. "Yeah, me too -," Sunset begins before I hold my hand for silence. "Don't," I say coldly. "Just don't try it, either of you. I don't want to hear it right now while we have something more important to worry about. I'm just going to head home by myself. I can't talk to you right now. I'll see you both tomorrow." With that, I shake their grips on my shoulders and storm out. I hear both of them saying they love me as I walk up the stairs with everyone else, but this time I don't say it back. As much as part of me wants to if for no other reason than out of habit for both of my loves, I can't help but be frustrated with how they acted. I just want to be away from them. **************************************************************************************** 3rd person P.O.V. Octavia robotically enters her house and walks to her room, closing the door quietly. Her parents appear to be out of the house, which suits her just fine. She stares at her dark room that is only lit by the moonlight through her window before she flips the light switch on. She walks over to her bed and plummets on it with a sigh. Then she takes her pillow and hugs it tightly, resting her head on it as if she is holding her ex-boyfriend again. Octavia begins to sniffle as the fear of what she caused with her rival affects her. Her heart is in pain with the thought of losing Rough Draft for good, whether by choosing Sunset or choosing neither of the girls. She regrets how she acted, but her mind is still swimming on the possibility that she might never get him back. Tears begin to shed and fall on her pillow as the fear overcomes her. Then she notices her cello lying on its stand, untouched since yesterday. She slowly gets up, walks over to it, takes it out of its case, and carries it to her bed. She sits down, picks up her bow, and robotically starts her regular warmups before she straightens her back and begins to play a soft, powerful, and familiar song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThkIz6DKSxo&feature=emb_logo As she plays the final note, her mouth begins to quiver. She drops her bow and silently cries as she gently hugs her cello. Then she holds out her necklace, still wrapped around her neck and stares deeply at the sapphire heart, dreading how she didn't get to see it under the circumstances that she or Rough Draft wanted. She holds the jewel close to her heart as she stares at the floor with tears in her eyes. "Oh, darling," she whimpered quietly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything." **************************************************************************************** Sunset unlocks the door to her two-story apartment and enters with her head hung low. She sadly walks up the stairs to her bed and lies down gently, sighing as she glances at her living room, where her rose lies on a vase dying if not dead. She sniffles as her mind is still focused on the look that Rough Draft gave her and Octavia at Vinyl's house because of how she and Octavia acted in front of him. Octavia's words about wanting separation get to her as she begins to think that her old ways might help take her precious ex-boyfriend away from her on top of running away. The things all three of them said at Vinyl's party strengthen her fear as it feels like her efforts to win Rough Draft back might be in vain. That maybe she was never meant to get him back any more than she has a chance of getting those eight extra months she would do anything to have with him. She rolls over to face the other side of her bed and notices her guitar. She hasn't used it since before Rough Draft's kidnapping, but the thought of it reminded her of when she used it to bring Rough Draft out of his depressed state. A small smile enters her face as she thinks about the times he was starting to get better and when he was happy to see that she played the song she made for him again at the Crystal Pavilion. With a sigh, she sits up, takes her guitar, and plays a few notes before she slowly plays her song's melody and begins to sing softly. A few more questions in me one for the misery that be that's put me down and where I've put on my spiritless face. I'm trying to figure out how in the world can I cast out this agonizing pain that feels so out of place? My mind wants to let it go now, can't help but wonder how when my heart's transformed into a hollow space deep inside of me. So I'm left lost in this ordeal. Where's that joyfulness that I can't feel? I knew a guy who wanted to create his own worlds of fiction, And like a child, he believed in love without a reason. Without a word he gave himself to the void and I've been calling out to find that broken person. She stops playing as her mind goes to the last two words of the chorus. Broken person. It hits her that both she and Octavia had left Rough Draft more broken than before both of them started chasing after him out of the blue. Agony for the state that the three of them are in overtakes Sunset as she slowly realizes more of what she did, whether it was with the help of some evil magical being or not. Quietly, she puts her guitar down and takes off her rose necklace. She lays down on her bed again and runs the ruby through her finger as she stares at it. She remembers how happy and full of love Rough Draft was when he gave her the necklace before she went back to Equestria. A part of her wishes she could stay after he renewed his promise instead of her fears overcoming her, thinking it was the best thing for both of them. Now more time is lost that she and Rough Draft could have had together, but didn't because she was afraid and it might have resulted in her losing him permanently. Hot tears roll down her face as she crawls into a ball while hugging her necklace. "Baby," she weeps quietly. "Babe, just come back. Come back to me, please!" **************************************************************************************** Rough Draft's P.O.V. I enter my room, keeping my frustrated face as I storm to my bed. I sit down and sigh, frustrated at both how Sunset and Octavia acted and how cold I acted towards them. I don't know if it's because of fear, anger, or a mixture of the two, but I know that what is happening between the two girls I love and me is growing more and more out of hand. I stare at the floor as the last couple minutes in Vinyl's basement replay in my head. But then I lift my head, and I notice both my locket and my Jedi necklace lying on top of my desk. My mind immediately goes to when I first held the locket and how Octavia proudly confirmed that she was the one who bought the necklace. The memories bring me back to the split feeling in my head as I can feel two different halves of it dying to return to either girl. I stare at the floor again as I let the tears run down my face and fall on my lap. I feel trapped as I worry that Sunset, Octavia, and I will be in an endless loop even after whatever happens tomorrow. That even after months, if not years, I'll never give myself the courage to do what I have to do and answer the question that has been on my mind for so long. Octavia or Sunset? Sunset or Octavia? Who do I run to hold for all eternity, and who do I dare leave behind broken-hearted again? Then as I lay down to my bed, still in tears, I remember the words Sonata said after I left Octavia's presents at her house. I'm just choosing to keep my chin up. Granny Smith has been telling me to do that a lot and remember that tomorrow is another day to see what the Lord has in store ever since I started staying with the Apples, and I think thinking that way works. I hesitate, feeling a little silly to amuse the idea, but it feels like all that's left at this very moment is to talk to someone that I think I can talk to about this situation. "God, help me," I whisper. "I don't know what I'm even accomplishing by praying to you whether you're here or not, but all I know is that I'm stuck with the only girls who ever gave a rats about me in my entire life. What do I do? Who is the one for me? Am I just left to figure this out alone, whether you're there or not? I don't know, and I'm just so scared of what is to come. Help me, God. Help me to figure this out." And with those words, I fall asleep.