//------------------------------// // Chapter 53: Threat // Story: Scars of Our Past // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// After an amazing holiday, everyone had to go back to school. The worst part was that everyone still hated Sunset. The only difference now though, was that she just didn’t care. The first and second weeks back were filled with exam prep and band practice. The musical showcase was set to begin the day after finals ended as a reprieve from the tests. Soon, exams came to a close and Sunset talked to her boss who told her she would start back up in two weeks. *** “I think showing the new student’s around the school tomorrow is a great idea, Sunset!” Celestia said. “Yeah, well, I don’t really want their first impression of me be some rumor or story about the old me.” Sunset explained. “I do have some good news.” Celestia smiled, and walked around her desk, “I finally got the city to let us use the stage for the event.” Sunset jumped up excitedly and hugged the older woman. “That’s great! You’ve been trying to convince them for weeks.” “Did you ever talk to your friends about being in the band?” Celestia asked Sunset frowned and shook her head, “Not yet, but I will after the showcase. Lately, everyone has been really on edge because of the band. They seem to be arguing a lot. AJ’s on about Rarity’s costumes, Rainbow is hogging the spotlight and no one seems to acknowledge Fluttershy. She’s written some great songs but Rainbow always pushes them to the side.” “Why don’t you say anything?” Celestia asked. Sunset shrugged, “I don’t think it’s my place. I’m still really new to the group.” “Well,” Celestia said, “I trust that you will do the right thing in the end.” Sunset smiled, “Thanks.” Celestia sighed, “One more thing before you go meet your friends.” Sunset gave Celestia her attention, “I’m sorry for the mention of the formal in the gym earlier.” Sunset frowned for a moment then smiled, “It’s fine. I Honestly, don’t care anymore. People can only do something for so long before it gets old.” “Alright then. Vice-Principal Luna will call you down when the girls get here.” Sunset waved to Celestia then went to find her friends in the band room *** After the tour, Sunset was feeling uneasy. The girls she showed around, Adagio, Aria and Sonata, seemed…off for some reason. Sunset could sense an energy surrounding them that she couldn’t seem to place. So, she went to the cafeteria to talk to her friends about it but even they didn’t seem to get what was going on. That was, until, the three new girls came into the cafeteria, singing a song about turning the showcase into a battle of the bands. What’s going on? Sunset questioned, I can feel magic but…that’s impossible. She continued to watch and noticed a green mist coming off of the students as they all started to argue. Something’s wrong, these girls are not from here. “Oh,” Pinkie said, “They’re that kind of off.” Sunset bit her lip, “We need to talk to Principal Celestia. I get the feeling we can’t let this turn into a battle of the bands.” “I have to agree.” Said Rarity. “Let’s go.” Sunset directed and followed her friends out of the cafeteria. *** “Those three have to be in possession of some kind of dark magic.” Sunset said as they walked to the Principal’s office, “How else would you explain what happened back there?” “Don’t worry Sunset.” Applejack spoke, “As soon as we tell Principal Celestia about what’s been happening, those girls will be kicked to the curb in no time.” She went on, “Besides, last thing she needs is another event to almost be ruined by some power crazed lunatic.” Froze, “No offence.” “None taken.” Sunset sighed. That had been happening a lot since the break. It seems that, even if the girls were over the fall formal thing, it was still a rough spot for Sunset. However, the more her friends brought it up, the more Sunset knew she would never get away from it. It wasn’t something she could fix and she had to live with. All Sunset kept doing was constantly reminding herself of all the good that came after. Finally, the six girls reached the office. Sunset requested to speak with Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna but there was something of about Secretary Raven. She rolled her eyes and grumbled about the request despite the fact that the woman was always kind and one of the few faculty members who knew of Sunset’s situation with Celestia and Luna. Only a few moments later, the group of girls were called into Celestia’s office where both administrators were positioned behind the desk. As soon as Sunset saw them, she could tell something wasn’t right with them. Even in what Sunset called ‘admin mode’, Celestia never had a cold, hard stare as she did in that moment. Luna…well, usually looked like that at school. However, Sunset felt an odd energy coming off of them and it almost made her afraid to speak. “What brings you here today girls?” Celestia asked in a monotoned voice that sent up even more red flags in Sunset’s head. “We can’t let the battle of the bands happen.” Rainbow Dash said. Luna raised a brow, “And why not?” “The three new girls,” Sunset said, “I think they are in possession of a dark magic.” “Dark magic?” Celestia said in a suspicious tone, “I find that very hard to believe. Those girls came into my office earlier and were absolutely delightful.” “Perhaps, Sunset Shimmer is just eager to make someone else out to be a bad element.” Luna inquired, “So her actions at the fall formal would be old news.” Sunset physically felt the pain of Luna’s statement. It wasn’t like her and Sunset knew it. “I can see why you might think that but-” “That’s not what’s happening.” Rainbow cut Sunset off, “We saw this all go down in the cafeteria.” Celestia looked at her quizzically, “Yes, but isn’t your band supposed to be part of the showcase.” Sunset stopped listening much after that. However, just before the girls left the office, Sunset saw a green haze flash in Luna and Celestia’s eyes. They’re not themselves. Sunset said, trying to keep her composure. Sunset knew, they wouldn’t be getting any help from them until this was over. *** The girls all gathered in front of the statue after school, Sunset had texted Celestia earlier, telling her that she would walk home later. The only response was a time Celestia wanted her home. OK. Sunset thought, I am guessing the friendship magic in the girls and my Equestrian lineage is the thing protecting us from their spell. It seems to make everyone turn against one another. She clenched her fists, and it controls other people. By the looks of it, it’s their voices that trigger this dark magic. She groaned, Ugh, I’ve been here too long, I know I’m missing something. I wish there was a way we could reach Twilight. Sunset wracked her brain, trying to think of a solution or something that could help. “Wait a minute.” She said out loud, “I think I have a way to get a message to Twilight!” Sunset dashed into the school, closely followed by her friends as they made their way to Sunset’s locker. She dug through some old junk she’d brought from Equestria until she found what she was looking for. It was a big, leather bound book with her cutie mark on the cover. “I just hope it still works.” She said, more to herself than to the group. Rarity gave her a concerned look, “That’s a book, darling. What do you mean, ‘still works’?” Sunset swept off the dust and some left-over debris, “It’s magic. It used to be that if I write something in here, it would appear in another book in Princess Celestia’s library. Maybe she could get a message to Twilight?” Rainbow took out a pen and handed it to Sunset, “What are you waiting for? Get to writing.” Her friends left her to write her message but Sunset was nervous to write to the princess again. It’s been six years since she’d fled Equestria and only four months since she’d committed treason. What if Princess Celestia didn’t pass on the message thinking it was a trap? What if she came instead? Sunset shivered, Relax Sunset, just explain the situation. I’m sure this will work. With those last words, Sunset wrote her plea for help. When she was done, she walked back out to the portal where her friends sat waiting. “Did you do it?” Rainbow asked when she saw her. Sunset nodded, “It’s getting pretty late so I doubt she’d come tonight. Besides, it might take a while to get the portal working.” “How about we meet here tomorrow mornin’.” Applejack suggested, “We have the day off anyway so we can watch the portal.” “Just a quick question, Darling.” Rarity inquired, “What if Twilight doesn’t come?” Sunset sighed, “Then I guess we’re on our own.”