//------------------------------// // Volume II: Phantoms Past—1. Étoile en Avant // Story: Spectacular Seven // by Albi //------------------------------// “We’re all connected. Tied together by invisible threads that link our souls. The more we laugh and share and love, the stronger those threads become, until they’re unbreakable. “Likewise, souls themselves have the power to become stronger. Every experience, every triumph over adversity helps us grow a little more. “Trust in your soul. That’s where the magic is.” Volume II Phantoms Past Greens, browns, and glints of blue danced in a kaleidoscope above her head. The earthly colors dominated, making the flashes of blue a treat. Her boots sunk into the grass as she weaved between the trees. They stood close together, their branches interlocked with their leaves fanning over one another.   In the brief flashes the trees allowed, Sunset saw a dazzling blue sky lit by the ever elusive sun. The breaks in the trees provided circles of sunlight that guided her along her way. She was almost there. Just through the forest. Just up the slopes. She could almost see it. Her heart raced faster as she neared the end of the forest. She could see light streaming out from in between the trees. From the corner of her eye, an elegant white figure caught up to her, nimbly maneuvering through the trees on angelic wings. Celestia gazed lovingly at her. “Do you want to come home, Sunset?” Sunset opened her mouth to speak as she ran, but she reached the end of the forest first. She burst through the trees, only to find herself falling through darkness. Celestia did not appear to catch her; Sunset fell alone, her hand outstretched. Despite the thick veil of night that surrounded her, Sunset could see shadows moving about. They circled closer, trapping her in the center of a vortex. Distorted music began to play, screechy and haunting and full of misery. Try as she might, Sunset couldn’t block out the noise. “You think one song is going to absolve your guilt?” The shadows around Sunset thickened into three outlines, and far below her, she could see the light of a fire. One of the shadows materialized to resemble Adagio. “You were the one who set us free in the first place.” Aria appeared on Sunset’s right. “Look how close we got to winning. All thanks to your arrogance.” Sonata formed on Sunset’s left. “Thanks for not finishing us off. Next time, we’ll make sure to take you out first.” Sunset raised her arms to block them out as they lunged at her, but a pillar of fire engulfed all three of them, turning them to ash and leaving behind agonizing screams. The blaze then swirled around Sunset, wrapping her in an inferno. “Look how much more magic you could have gotten! You could have taken control, right there and then!” “I don’t want control anymore!” Sunset yelled. A face appeared in the fire. “We both know that’s not true. You had your taste of power, and now, you’ll just want more until you’re satisfied. I’ll be waiting, Sunset. Waiting for you to beg me to help you win!” The face roared and raced toward her, and the heat became blistering… ******* Sunset sat up in a cold sweat, wrestling her arms free from her sleeping bag to wipe the perspiration from her brow. She steadied her breathing and urged her stomach to settle down. When it continued to churn, she quietly wiggled her way free from her bag and stood up. Her eyes made out the familiar outline of Twilight’s bedroom, perfectly organized save for the overflow of books near the bookshelf. Twilight herself slept in her bed, her back currently toward Sunset. Quietly, as not to wake her or Spike, Sunset shuffled out the room and down the hall to the bathroom, shutting the door before turning on the lights. The sharp transition blinded her momentarily. After she blinked the spots away, her reflection greeted her, hair messy, pupils dilated. Other than the beads of sweat, she looked as fine as she did any other school night. Sunset turned the faucet on and cupped some water to her mouth, then splashed some on her face. She took a deep breath of air and slowly exhaled it. “You’re fine. You’re good, just like Twilight said. You don’t want power.” She looked down at her hands. Sure, now she had power. Through harmony, her equine magic had manifested earlier that very evening to help her friends defeat the Sirens. She didn’t need anything more than that. Still, even with the magic of friendship flowing through her, Sunset could hear the voice of her old self, still scheming, still wanting revenge. Maybe she would never truly be rid of it. She had been terrible for a very long time. Sleep still pressed on the back of her eyes. The events of the day had left Sunset exhausted, and she had planned to sleep like a log. Her subconscious had other ideas it seemed. She was ready for another try though, and crept back to Twilight’s room, leaving the door open a crack as per her parents’ instructions. In celebration of their victory and getting back together, Twilight had insisted on a sleepover while the rest of their friends got to reconcile with their families. Sunset thought the Lulamoons could use a little alone time, and had happily agreed. She shimmied her way back into her sleeping bag and was convinced she had run her errand without waking Twilight up. “Sunset?” a groggy voice asked. Ponyfeathers. Sunset looked over to Twilight’s bed, its outline slowly coming into focus. She could almost see Twilight looking at her. “Go back to sleep, Sparky.” “What’s wrong?” “Nothing, I just wanted some water.” Twilight was silent, but even in the dark, Sunset knew it was the ‘patiently waiting for an explanation’ silence. Sunset sighed, exasperated and touched by Twilight’s persistence. “It was just a bad dream, okay?” She heard Twilight shuffle under her blankets. “I thought you didn’t have those anymore?” “I don’t… for the most part. They just kinda come up now and again. Usually when I’m stressed out or something.” “Do you want to talk about it?” Sunset shook her head, then realized Twilight couldn’t see her. “No, it’s just leftovers from this week probably. Besides it’s…” She looked at Twilight’s alarm clock. “Almost one. We still have school in the morning.” “Okay, if you’re sure.” Twilight’s blankets shifted again. As Sunset adjusted herself, Twilight spoke up again in a very meek voice. “Umm… if you wanted to… you know… share the bed… if it made you feel better…” Sunset’s face heated up. “You mean, sleep next to you? In your bed?” “Y-yeah.” Her heart kicked into overdrive, and Sunset wished she had gotten more water for her parched throat. “O-only if you want me to.” “Only if you want to.” Sunset crawled out of her sleeping bag and eased her way onto the bed and under the covers, cuddling up to Twilight in her night shirt and pants. She could see Twilight clearly now, her hair bun undone, letting purple and pink strands fall over her shoulder. She tried to look shy, but by her eyes, Sunset could tell she was quite pleased to have company. “You know, if your brother finds us…” Sunset said, only half joking. Twilight rolled her eyes. “Even Shining knows to knock before coming into my room. And we’re not doing anything.” She pressed herself a little closer to Sunset. They stared at each other for a long time, smiling and giggling and stroking each other’s hair. A primal urging rose up from within Sunset, and she appeased it by kissing Twilight on the mouth, long and soft until they needed to breathe. Twilight giggled some more, then turned over and scooted her back into Sunset. Sunset wrapped an arm around her and closed her eyes. “Good night, Twilight.” “Good night, Sunset.” Sunset felt the sleep quickly take over. She thought she heard Twilight whisper something else, but she was too far gone to properly hear it. ******* Moondancer leaned on her balcony, overlooking the front yard and the driveway. She could hear the last remnants of the party downstairs and see the cars driving away one by one. She let out a sigh of satisfaction. The last thing she had wanted to come home to was one of her father’s business parties. Normally, she could tolerate smiling and waving and pretending to be interested in the lives of her father’s business partners, but her headache from earlier still persisted. She had even less of a desire to stand at perfect attention tonight. She looked up at the moon, and rested her head against the banister.  A cold mountain breeze rippled across her light dress, making her shiver, but she paid it little mind. “I wonder, do actors ever forget who they are sometimes? Jump from one role to another and another, and forget where you started?” She held a hand to the moon. “I haven’t forgotten my purpose though. I know what I fight for. I will make this world beautiful.” She stood up and reached into her shirt to pull out a silver, heart-shaped locket. She flipped it open and smiled at the two pictures inside. One was of Twilight, glasses falling down her nose and a shy smiling gracing her perfect face. The other was of a much younger Moondancer on the shoulders of a silver-haired woman, both of them laughing in the middle of the garden. “For you, my shining star. And for you, Mother. Everything I do is for your sake.” She snapped the locket shut. Below her, she could hear the last of the socialites move out into the driveway, talking and laughing, her father amongst them. Moondancer turned back into her room, shutting the balcony doors behind her. With the noise dying down, perhaps now she could meditate in peace. She took a sip of the now cold tea left for her by the vanity, swallowing with a grimace. The price paid for ruminating in the moonlight for so long. Despite its low temperature, she finished her tea, allowing it to help clear her mind. Positioning herself in the center of the room, she sank down onto the purple satin carpet and sat cross-legged, hands on her knees. Eyes shut, she began to breathe slowly through her nose. Let the magic flow. Warmth flowed from her heart and spread through the rest of her body. Let go of all other thoughts. Hard to do with the night’s events still fresh in her mind. With as far as she had come in her training, her magic wouldn’t have been enough to defeat the Sirens without backup. She had strained herself just trying to free Twilight. Oh, Twilight. Moondancer had known from the first moment she had seen her that Twilight was to be the reward for her suffering. Moondancer had been patient. She had been nurturing. She had turned her back for two seconds and this Sunset Shimmer waltzes in and bewitches her sweet flower. That’s what it was: bewitchment. Sunset wasn’t human, Moondancer was sure of it. She didn’t know what game Sunset was playing, but she had Twilight in her thrall, and Moondancer would find a way to set her free. Twilight was hers—the only bright spot in this dreary drama of life. Soon, you’ll be safe and sound, my star. Moondancer let the thoughts fall away, freeing her mind and soul. I’ll get stronger and do what I must for you. “One would think you knew someone would step up to beat the Sirens,” a cool, deep feminine voice said from Moondancer’s doorway. She didn’t flinch at the intruder’s sudden presence. Instead, she clenched her teeth and hands, and said, “I know you come from some backwater country, but I would have hoped that from my urgings alone you would have learned the basic courtesy of knocking.” “Moondancer, who were those girls at the concert?” Moondancer eased her gritted teeth into a content smile. “What’s this? I know something you don’t? I should savor this feeling; who knows when it will come again.” “Moondancer.” The woman’s voice didn’t change in tone, but Moondancer felt the pulse of irritation all the same. “I know one of them is your pretty little Twilight Sparkle. Who are the rest?” “Concern yourself not with Twilight.” Moondancer moved her hands to the center of her lap and crossed her fingers. “They call themselves the Spectacular Seven.” “And how long have you known they had magic?” Bringing her fingers up to her mouth, Moondancer thought on the best response. “Long enough to know they had a chance to win.” “And if they failed?” “Well, I’m sure you and your brilliant mind would have come up with something.” She unlaced her fingers and waved a hand. “I assured you the Sirens would not pose a threat for very long, and was I wrong? They’re gone, the board is clear again.” The woman drummed her fingers against the doorframe. “Save for seven new pieces.” “Six. Twilight has no magical powers. She does not need to be part of this.” A pause. “Perhaps not, but I’m beginning to think she’s a hindrance to your focus. I gave you a decent leash, Moondancer, and I’m already starting to regret it.” Years of self-conditioning gave Moondancer the strength to not give any tells. She exhaled slowly through her nose and said in her pleasant voice, “Have you checked any of your magic monitors in the last few hours?” “No, I haven’t.” Moondancer smiled. “See that you do. I’d love to hear what they say. And when you’re done marveling at the results, I’ll be here.” The woman made a ‘harrumph’ but didn’t leave. “In the meantime, I want to know about these magic wielding girls. Especially the red and yellow haired one. What is her name?” A growl escaped as Moondancer spoke. “Sunset Shimmer.” Silence. Then a faint whisper of, “Impossible.” “Something troubling you?” “Unimportant,” she snapped. “The rest of them, who are they and where did they get these powers?” With a slight raise of her shoulders, Moondancer said, “Astute questions of which, I’m afraid I do not have concrete answers to. Perhaps with time I could discern more about their origins but… oh yes, of course, I believe you claimed my ‘leash’ to be too long.” The room dropped a few degrees, leaving goosebumps to rise on Moondancer’s skin. She heard the hiss of shadows behind her, flowing freely through the air. “You’re pushing me, Moondancer,” the woman said, still maintaining her calm veneer. “Don’t forget your place.” Moondancer opened her eyes, a shadow crossing over them. “I’ve never forgotten my place.” An extra layer of darkness smothered the air, sucking away the light from the lamps and chandelier. Darkness crawled down the back of Moondancer’s neck, cold, oily, unnatural. She pressed her teeth together to keep from gasping in disgust. The shadows vanished in an instant, returning the natural light to the room. “You are to gather all the information you can about these girls and their magic by any means necessary and report it to me. Is that understood?” Moondancer tilted her head to the side, just enough to see the woman’s shadow on her wall. “Crystal.” “Good. And later, we’re going to have a talk about your obsession with this Twilight Sparkle.” Moondancer turned her head back toward the balcony. A rush of cold wind and an absent feeling told her her unwelcome guest had departed. She placed her hands back on her knees and closed her eyes in meditation. “It is not an obsession,” she whispered. “I am merely protecting the last joy this life has given me.” ******* A curtain of purple greeted Sunset as she woke up to Twilight’s alarm going off. Spike got up first, wedging his way between the two girls to lick Sunset’s face until she sat up. “All right, I get it.” Twilight sat up next and took Spike into her lap. “Did you sleep better?” Sunset stretched her arms over her head. “As a matter of fact, I did. Must be your soft bed.” She bounced up and down a few times. “Seriously, this is nice.” Twilight rolled her finger around one of her messy locks. “Oh… well, I’m glad you liked it.” Sunset wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled Twilight close. “I’m joking. Sleeping next to you was what I needed.” There was a knock on the door, pushing it open a hair, and Sunset jumped back onto her sleeping bag just as Night Light said, “Twilight, I’m opening the door. Don’t make me regret letting you and Sunset share a room.” The door pushed open and Night stuck his head in, finding Sunset tucked into her sleeping bag, and Twilight on her bed, smiling innocently. “Morning, Dad!” “Uh-huh.” He scrutinized each of them in turn, and Sunset learned where Shining had gotten his glare from. “You’re off the hook for now. Hurry and get ready for school.” He pointed from his eyes to Sunset’s. “I’m still watching you, Miss Shimmer.” When he backed out of the room, Sunset and Twilight shared a muffled giggle. “Who would’ve guessed you of all girls would lie to her parents,” Sunset said. “It’s not lying!” Twilight said defensively. “We didn’t do anything.” Sunset couldn’t help but put on her raunchiest grin. “Did you want to do something?” Twilight’s face immediately turned scarlet, and she threw a pillow at Sunset. “G-go get dressed!” “I’m not hearing a no!” “Sunset!” “Okay, okay, I’ll change.” Sunset got up and started unbuttoning her pajama top. Twilight jumped off her bed and shoved Sunset into the hallway, Sunset laughing the entire time. Even after Sunset had changed and brushed her teeth, she came back to find Twilight’s cheeks were still a light shade of red. Sunset chose not to persist in her teasing, knowing she was probably toeing a line already. She didn’t want to make Twilight, or herself for that matter, more uncomfortable on the subject than two teenagers needed to be. Sunset helped Twilight tidy her room up, then joined her downstairs where breakfast was being prepared. The news was on in the living room, showing pictures of last night’s concert while the news anchor narrated. “Social media and the music industry are abuzz with questions about last night’s performance featuring the Dazzlings, and the winners of Canterlot’s Battle of the Bands, the Rainbooms, or as they announced themselves on stage, the Spectacular Seven. Before the concert started, it was reported the Spectacular Seven would no longer be playing. However, in the middle of the show, they appeared with an impressive display of special effects and empowering music. But what stunned the crowd the most was what came afterwards. After what appeared to be an actual battle of bands, the Dazzlings tried to sing again, only to deliver the worst singing anyone had ever heard. No one has seen them since they fled the stage, leaving behind many questions. Was this all a publicity stunt? Did the Dazzlings fake their talents? Where are they now? And will the Spectacular Seven play again?” “Well, girls?” Twilight Velvet asked as she set a plate of eggs and toast in front of Sunset. “Will the Spectacular Seven play again?” Sunset traded a look with her girlfriend and shook her head before digging into her eggs. “Having a band is more trouble than it’s worth.” She thought about the rush of magic, the feeling of light within her, and protecting her friends from peril. “But, if the world needs us to be a band again, we’ll be there.” ”Stirring words from the band leader,” Night said, taking his bowl to the sink. “That reminds me, Twilight, how’d you end up on stage with them? I thought you and Moondancer had made a band?” Twilight froze, her fork full of eggs halfway to her mouth. “Uhh, good question! You see… umm…” Seeing Twilight had hit her limit of parental deception, Sunset tagged in. “We thought it’d be a cool twist to show that there were seven members of our band instead of just five! Besides, Twilight has a great singing voice!” “I really don’t,” Twilight mumbled into her eggs. They finished up breakfast and hopped into the car. Night dropped them off in front of the school, giving Twilight a peck on the cheek, and Sunset another stern glare that she knew had no real weight behind it. Students across the grounds and in the halls had only one topic on their minds. They repeated their own personal tales of what they did at the concert last night, and whispered their own theories as to what happened to the Sirens. They halted their conversations to wave and cheer at Sunset and Twilight as they passed by, some even handing out compliments, or asking where the Dazzlings were. The duo stopped by Twilight’s locker first. “I’m surprised we got out of that with relative ease. I thought they would have asked more questions,” Twilight said while she dialed her combination. Sunset leaned against the locker next to her. “It’s just like the Fall Formal. Weird stuff happened, but no one wants to look too far into it. Yeah, they have questions, but they won’t go looking too hard for answers because ‘it can’t be magic’. The human psyche is fascinating. It does help that almost everything that happened last night can be explained by pyrotechnics and special effects.” Twilight traded her backpack for a book and closed her locker. “That just makes me want to look into magic even more. Where did that giant pegacorn—” “Alicorn.” “—right, alicorn come from? How did waves of light manifest into something… well, physical enough to look like it did physical harm to the Sirens and their amulets? Or for that matter, how did the girls playing their instruments create projectiles? And why were they shaped like butterflies and diamonds?” Sunset led the way to her locker to get her history book. “Well, to take a shot at the last question, it probably has something to do with their pony counterparts’ cutie marks.” Twilight gripped the sides of her head. “Uugh, there’s so much I want to understand! None of this magic makes any sense!” “Twilight, remember what I said. I’ll teach you everything I can. But if something doesn’t make sense even after you’ve thrown all the science you can at it, then maybe it isn’t supposed to make sense.” Twilight lowered her hands and exhaled. “Right. You’re right. Getting worked up over nothing.” The bell rang, and she kissed Sunset on the lips before running off. “See you at lunch!” Sunset watched her go until she disappeared into the crowd. Everything’s back to normal, she thought contentedly. Yes, but for how long? She shut the cynical thought away as she slammed her locker and pushed on to her first period. Rarity beamed as Sunset drew close. “Good morning, dear. How was yours and Twilight’s evening?” She winked. “Just fine, Rarity,” Sunset said, easing into her chair. She could play Rarity’s game, but there was a chance Rarity would take whatever Sunset said seriously. Sunset wasn’t ready for the consequences of that. “That’s it? Just fine?” Rarity asked, a twinkle in her eye and a coy smile on her lips. “Rarity, stop trying to live vicariously through me. You have Flash.” “Yes, but you two are just so cute! I’m happy you’re back together where you belong.” Sunset closed her eyes, finding Twilight waiting for her with a smile. Together where we belong. With the Sirens gone, all Sunset had to worry about was Moondancer butting her pretty head in where it didn’t belong. But if mind-controlling sea ponies from another world couldn’t split them apart, maybe Sunset had nothing to worry about. Except the future and Twilight eventually moving away to go make something of herself, leaving you alone again. Thank you, brain, you’re a ball of sunshine. The bell rang again, and Luna came over the PA. “Good morning students. Glad to see so many of you up bright and early despite last night’s excitement. And speaking of which, congratulations to the Rain—ahem, I mean the Spectacular Seven for winning the Battle of the Bands, and their amazing performance last night.” The room broke into applause, of which Sunset just leaned back in her chair and soaked it in. Luna continued with the general announcements, ending with a reminder that spring break began at the end of the week. With everything going on, Sunset had nearly lost track of their school schedule. A vacation sounded heavenly after everything she had been through so far. Mr. Noteworthy started class the second Luna was finished, sparing no praise for Sunset or the Spectacular Seven. Geez, a few naps in his class, and he hates me forever. ******* The start of Sunset’s lunch was interrupted every few minutes by someone running up to the Spectacular Seven’s table to tell them they were awesome. Sunset outgrew the praise after the third wave of freshmen. Rainbow, however, took it all in stride, taking pictures and signing autographs for any and all who asked. “Figured I better get used to it,” she said, putting her shoes up on the table and reclining in her chair. “I am going to be a soccer star someday. Or a track star. Or both.” “If she don’t die from a swelled head first,” Applejack said behind her hand to Sunset. They both shared a quiet snicker. “This is quite the turnaround from a week ago,” Rarity said. “I know they were all being influenced, but it’s still a bit overwhelming.” Sunset took a sip of her soda. “Maybe some part of their brain is telling them to make up for everything they did and worship us like the saviors we are.” “Sunset.” Twilight nudged her. “What? I’m just putting out a hypothesis. Even if it should be true.” “I’ve got a ‘hypothesis’ for you girls,” Rainbow said. “What are we gonna do with our prize money? Now that we’ve officially won, we can officially talk about how we’re gonna spend it.” “Didn’t we already talk about this?” Applejack asked. “Yeah, but that was before when we were all mad at each other. New day, new answers.” Applejack shook her head. “Well mah answer hasn’t changed. Ah’m puttin’ my cut away for a rainy day.” Rarity nodded. “Agreed. Well, about the answer not changing part. I still say a weekend retreat is just what the doctor ordered. Maybe I won’t spend all of it. Just as much as it costs to get a really good deep tissue massage. I have stress knots like you wouldn’t believe.” “I still want a party!” Pinkie said, confetti popping out behind her. Rainbow put her hands up. “You always want a party.” “Thank you, Captain Redundant,” Sunset said, putting a hand on Twilight’s shoulder to stop her from looking where Pinkie’s confetti had come from. Rainbow straightened up in her seat. “Well, I wanted to get a record label, but I decided to put my music career on hold for a second. Being an athlete is still priority number one.” Sunset made a loud slurp with her drink. “Get to the point, Dash.” “My point is that I decided I want to live in the now! We’re about to get ten-thousand dollars and go on spring break! Do you know what that means?” “We’re about to end up on an episode of Girls Gone Wild?” Applejack asked. Rainbow pointed and grinned. “Close! We won’t get too crazy, but we should totally go on vacation together!” “That’s…” Sunset set her drink down. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.” Rarity clapped her hands together. “That’s a marvelous idea actually! That fulfills most of our individual wishes! I’ll get a spa date, Pinkie will get her party, and we’ll all get to spend some relaxing time together!” “The seven of us on vacation together sounds wonderful,” Fluttershy said. “But would our parents even allow that?” Rainbow stood up and raised a confident fist in the air. “Come on, we’re all good students and have good grades!” Twilight and Sunset shared a blank look with her. “...Decent grades. But we’re responsible. And we’ll pick some place that’s still in the state.” “Oh yeah, narrowing the possible places where we could cause or get into trouble down to one state will definitely get our folks to sign off on this,” Applejack said. “Why you gotta be like that, A.J?” She shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, sugarcube, Ah’m just being realistic. Ah’m not sayin’ spendin’ quality time with you girls is bad, but we’re all seventeen… ‘cept for Pinkie technically.” “Still four!” “And there’s no way all our parents will let us go out without someone supervising us,” Applejack finished. Rainbow slouched back in her chair. “Killjoy.” “Would one or two adults really ruin our time together?” Twilight asked. “We weren’t going to do anything illegal, right?” She looked at a quiet Rainbow. “Right?” “Twilight,” a voice sang. Sunset and Rainbow managed a quick groan before Moondancer made her way to the table. She gave a deep bow, then took Twilight by the hands. “I’m so glad you’re unharmed! I was so worried when you never came back to the booth, but then I saw you down on stage facing those nasty Sirens and for a moment, I thought I was going to die!” She swooned, then looked over at six nervous faces. “But how surprised was I that you girls of all people carried a gift like my own family’s! You saved the day and cast those monsters back into the abyss!” Rarity let out a high-pitched laugh. “Darling, w-what are you talking about? Magic? Pffft, we don’t know what you mean. We’re just six regular girls who—” “Drop it, Rarity,” Sunset said, keeping her eyes locked on Moondancer. “She’s a Lulamoon. She knows what the Dazzlings really are.” “Indeed.” Moondancer released Twilight and put a hand to her forehead again. “And I curse my fate that I did not inherit any of my mother’s magical gifts, leaving me vulnerable to their dastardly hypnosis.” She clasped her hands together and made a deep bow. “You must forgive me for any transgressions I might have committed. I fear I was not myself.” She rose her head. “Especially toward you, Sunset. May you find it in your heart to look beyond any of my past actions that may have hurt you.” Clever little… All eyes turned to Sunset as she struggled to curve her mouth up into a smile. “Of course, Moondancer,” she said, fighting not to choke on her own words. “It’s all water under the bridge.” Moondancer put a hand to her heart and sighed. “You don’t how happy that makes me. By the way, you have a lovely singing voice.” “Thank you.” Sunset dug her nails into her palm under the table. Moondancer rested her chin in her hand and made a soft hum, looking at none of them in particular. “What is it, Moony?” Twilight asked. “It’s nothing, really. Idle curiosity. And you know what they say about it and the cat.” She shifted from one mid-heel sandal to the other, the sparkle of curiosity growing brighter in her eyes. “But I simply must ask, where did you acquire such abilities? Magic isn’t common place in this world, as I’m sure you’re aware.” “None of your business,” Sunset said, her forced smile becoming a superior grin. “We keep that on a need to know basis.” “It’s kinda a long story anyway,” Pinkie said. “And I already ate my food, and I can’t sit through a long story without at least three snacks.” Moondancer dipped her head. “Very well. I shall respect your privacy. Still quite fascinating. I hope you’ll continue to use your powers for the greater good.” She leaned over and gave Twilight a hug. “At the very least, keep my little star nice and safe.” She bounced up and backed away. “I’ll leave you to your friendship bonding for now. I’m sure you have some catching up to do. Au revoir!” Sunset waited until she exited the cafeteria. “Okay, so she knows we have magic. How many ways can this go wrong?” Rainbow began packing her lunch away. “As long as she doesn’t blab to anybody else… oh man, we’re gonna get probed, aren’t we?” “Relax, girls. Moony can keep a secret this important,” Twilight said. “And who knows, maybe she has a good understanding of how magic works! I could ask her for her thoughts on my notes!” “You can try, but somethin’ tells me that girl ain’t all that interested in the sciencey part of magic,” Applejack said. The bell rang, dismissing them from lunch. They herded out of the cafeteria and into the halls, still getting the occasional note of praise. The girls broke off to their classrooms one by one, until only Sunset, Rainbow, and Rarity remained, waving goodbye to Pinkie. “See you girls later!” she said, skipping down an adjacent hall. Rarity smiled and waved after her, then whipped around and grabbed Sunset by the shoulders, eyes wide and maniac. “Do you know what we’ve done?” she hissed. “Said goodbye to our friend Pinkie? You know, the happy one?” Sunset said blandly, masking her startlement. “Thanks to all this mess with the Sirens, we forgot her birthday!” Sunset paled. “Celestia’s auxiliary feathers, you’re right!” Rainbow tugged at her collar, trying her hardest to put on a joking smile. “I mean, we didn’t technically forget. It was on February 29th, which didn’t exist this year, so we’re in the clear.” “Rainbow!” Rarity yelled, letting go of Sunset. “I know, okay? I already feel horrible! Why didn’t she say anything though?” Rarity looked down the hall Pinkie had traversed. “You know how she is. She’ll find any reason to throw a party except her own birthday.” “Why not?” Sunset asked. Rainbow scratched her head. “I asked her a long time ago. She said something about it being in her ‘party code,’ throwing a party for yourself, especially on your birthday, is just selfish.” “And with us dealing with the Sirens and starting to get on each other’s nerves, she probably didn’t feel like reminding us of the matter,” Rarity said. “With how boring her family is, she probably hasn’t even had a party since before we fell apart the first time.” Rainbow jumped at the loud clang of the locker next to her. Sunset rubbed the back of her hand. “Spider,” she said nonchalantly. “Look, clearly there’s only one thing to do. We use our prize money to give Pinkie the best birthday she’s ever had.” Rainbow punched a fist into the air. “Oh yeah! That’s what I’m talking about!” “Genius, Sunset! We’ll go all out!” Sunset gave a thumbs up with her still throbbing hand.