//------------------------------// // "What Are We Doing Here?" // Story: "She didn't use the Memory Stone on you." // by LuluCalliope //------------------------------// “She Didn’t Use the Memory Stone on You.” “Is it just me, or is everything from when we first entered this room coming back as a giant blank?” Sunny Flare asked as she rubbed her temples. “No, it isn’t just you.” Sugarcoat closed her eyes. “The last thing I remember is coming in here to look for evidence against Wallflower.” Sunset smiled a little. “She must have thought that by erasing our memories of being in this room, our memories of her being a suspect would go away, too.” Sunny Flare rolled her eyes. “We’re getting nowhere from just sitting around. We only have a few hours left to see if it really is Wallflower…” Her voice trailed off. She had walked to the door as she talked, but something seemed to be bothering her as she turned the doorknob. “I can’t open the door.” Sugarcoat snorted. “It’s not exactly rocket science,” she said as she joined Sunny Flare. “You just…” Her eyes widened. “We’re locked in.” Sunset Shimmer buried her face in her hands. “And everyone’s gone home for the day…” Sunny Flare’s eyes lit up. “Not everyone…” She pulled out her phone and began texting at a rapid pace. Sugarcoat’s brow furrowed as she realized something was amiss: “Hey, where did Spike go?” Meanwhile... The purple puppy charged down the halls, his eyes peeled for any sign of the other Shadowbolts and Juniper Montage. His sweep of the school’s interior took less than three minutes, and when he couldn’t find anyone, he headed outside, where he eventually stumbled upon the garden and found the girls. “Is everyone okay?! Did Wallflower get to you?” “Who’s Wallflower?” Juniper Montage asked. “No idea!” Indigo Zap shrugged. “I’m just wondering...what the heck are we doing here?” “When did we come to Canterlot High?” Lemon Zest scratched her head. “We live on the other side of the city! Why did we come here?” “Why would we ever want to come back here?” Sour Sweet scoffed. Spike’s eyes widened. “Okay, Wallflower Blush got to you...listen to me! You’re here because someone’s been stealing memories! She’s stolen memories from Sunset Shimmer’s friends, including Twilight Sparkle! You...you do remember Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle, right?” “Pffffft, yeah!” Indigo snorted. “Sunset Shimmer SAVED us all from Twilight Sparkle during the Friendship Games! I saw her the other day at the beach and she was...upset about something…” She groaned. “It was something important, too! Why am I forgetting this?!” “And Sunset Shimmer tried to stop me from going on a power-hungry rampage at the mall…” Juniper Montage flinched at the unpleasant memory. “But...I haven’t seen her in ages…” Spike sighed. “If you don’t believe me...then look at your phones! You should have dozens of texts from Gloriosa Daisy!” Right on cue, everyone’s cell phones vibrated. Sour Sweet pulled out hers and began to read her newest text out loud: “You are at Canterlot High School because someone is stealing memories. Sunset Shimmer, your friend from Canterlot High School, the person who saved the world during the Friendship Games, is in trouble because of whatever’s happening. You are at the school to try to help her and restore any stolen memories. You suspect someone named Wallflower Blush. Attached are photographs to help jog any remains of any stolen memories, if any have been taken from you...” Her voice trailed off. “I...I don’t know how...but I think this is right! I think this happened!” “I think this is what Sunset wanted to talk to me at the beach about!” Indigo added. “It makes sense now!” Spike sighed in relief. One set of memories had been (sort of) restored...everyone’s phones vibrated again, and Juniper Montage gasped after reading the text that appeared on the screen. “Spike, can you show us where the yearbook club room is?” “Just follow me!” Spike charged back inside the school, his head held high. They still had a few hours left...it wasn’t too late! Back in the yearbook room... “I just hope they haven’t left the school yet…” Sunny Flare lingered by the door, peering into the hallway. Sugarcoat had her hand placed on Sunset’s shoulder, a rare act of reassurance from her. “Don’t worry, Sunset. It’s not over yet.” Sunset offered her Crystal Prep friend a bittersweet smile. “Worst case scenario? When the sun goes down and nobody remembers that I’ve changed, I’ll have at least two good friends.” Sunny Flare abandoned her position at the door and joined Sunset, deeply touched, but trying not to show it. “You’d be welcome at Crystal Prep if you wanted to transfer,” she offered, unsure if these words were comforting or unhelpful. It was in that moment that the door rattled once, then opened to reveal three more Crystal Prep girls and a movie theater usher. “Hey, don’t tell me you’ve given up!” Indigo Zap smirked. “Because we haven’t...and we’ve had our memories erased!” "Which probably wouldn't have happened if you had tried to fight back," Sour Sweet muttered. "I mean, what kind of athlete are you? You didn't even try to wrestle the stone away from her?" But her words fell on deaf ears as everyone remained focused on Sunset. “And we’re not leaving until we get our memories back!” Lemon added. “And I’m not letting Twilight and the others forget you!” Spike joined in as he ran up to Sunset. “That’s a promise!” And as they all approached Sunset to discuss their next move, the fire-haired girl felt tears form in her eyes and a smile appear on her face. Better make that seven friends...