//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: Blamed // by Madox //------------------------------// Shimmer sat on the stairs leading up to the front entrance of Canterlot High, her journal resting on her legs while she stared at her phone. Visible on screen was a picture of Shimmer and the Rainbooms, taken not long after the Battle of the Bands. It was one of the last remaining pictures of them she had left after she had disposed of the rest during the long week behind her, but even after everything that happened, there was still a part of her that prevented her from deleting that picture, holding onto the last bit of hope left that everything would return to how it used to be. With a sigh, she locked the phone and stored it in her pocket. She had returned to school after her encounter with the three girls and after she got her coffee. With nothing else to do while she waited to get picked up, she had decided to use the time and send some messages to Twilight, who was fortunately around at the time and had some time to respond. Not long after she arrived at school, she saw a car entering the school parking lot. She closed her journal, put it down beside her bag, and began walking to the car, stopping halfway there to meet with Sunset and her parents. “Hey, how’d it go?” she asked, hugging her friend. “Good. There’s nothing wrong,” Sunset answered. “I wouldn’t call it nothing, but she has been very lucky indeed,” Desert Sunrise said. “Given what happened, it’s a miracle that she got away with only some heavy bruises. We received some ointments to treat those, and there should be no long-term damages.” Shimmer sighed in relief. “I’m glad to hear that you’re alright. And how did it go at the police station?” “Interesting, to say the least,” Desert replied. “Upon arrival, I demanded to speak with the chief, regarding that we had suspicion of corruption within the police from what that Gilda girl said. It took a while, but in the end, we got through. “We told him what happened and about Gilda’s claim of having friends within the police who would assist her. He assured us that Gilda is indeed a well-known ‘guest’ for them, but only in the sense that she’s been behind bars several times there. Nonetheless, he said he would look into those claims thoroughly to make sure that there is no corruption.” “I knew she was lying,” Shimmer said. “From the first day I met her, I could tell she never got along with the police.” “Indeed. In the end, the chief made a report and got all the information from us that we could tell him, of course without telling him about your home and the fact of another world. We told him that you are a girl who happens to look exactly like Sunset. It may not be an everyday scenario, but it’s also not unheard-of.” Shimmer sighed in relief. “Thank you. Getting found out as a being from another world is the last thing I need.” “It’s no problem, dear,” Northern Star said as she put a hand on Shimmer’s shoulder. “But it can still happen. Without any documents, you might get in trouble during this investigation, and there is not much that we can do to help you.” “Oh, I got some documents. I obtained those when I first came through the portal so that I could attend Canterlot High.” “Really?” Desert asked curiously. “And where did you get those documents from, if I may ask?” “Um…” Shimmer bit her lip, her eyes moving from side to side before she smiled awkwardly. “Internet?” Desert regarded her with a raised eyebrow, while his wife couldn’t resist a giggle. Finally, he sighed before he spoke again. “I will drop it for now, but I want to hear more about that later. It’s getting late, and I think it’s better to head home. You are, of course, welcome to stay with us, Shimmer.” Shimmer was glad that she didn’t have to explain that part quite yet, even if she had to face it later. “Sure. Let me just get my bag and my journal. I was writing with Twilight to pass the time.” When she got back to her things, she found her journal glowing. She eagerly picked it up and opened it up to the last page to read Twilight’s last message. Picking up her pen, she quickly wrote down an answer. She waited for Twilight to reply, but nothing appeared on the page. Just as she put her pen back to the paper, she noticed a faint light coming from the statue. Realizing what that meant, she quickly called out. “Hey, guys, I think you should get over here.” Not missing a second, Sunset and her parents came over. “Is something wrong?” Sunset asked, looking around. “Did you see Gilda?” “Nope, but we’ve got a visitor.” With those words, Sunset stepped closer to the statue with an expectant smile, the others following her, confused. Moments later, to their surprise, they saw a girl stumble out of the base of the statue. While they stared at the girl, Shimmer walked up to her and hugged her. They shared a few words before they turned around and Shimmer spoke up. “Everybody, may I introduce Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria.” Twilight gave a small nod in their direction. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, but I wish it could have been under better circumstances.” Desert Sunrise stared at Twilight a moment longer before he got a hold of himself and gave her a bow, his family copying him. “It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.” He looked up in surprise after hearing a groan and a giggle from the two girls in front of him. “Did… I do something wrong?” “No, no, it’s nothing,” Twilight quickly said. “It’s just that I have not been a princess for long and still don’t feel comfortable with everyone calling me by that title. I guess Sunset forgot to mention that.” “Hey, it’s not my fault,” Shimmer said. “I would’ve told them that if I had known in advance that you planned to pay a visit.” “Good point.” Twilight shifted her attention back to Desert. “But please, feel free to drop the formalities and call me Twilight.” Once again, Desert looked at the princess in surprise, before he chuckled and offered his hand, which Twilight took. “As you wish, Twilight.” Twilight turned her attention to Sunset and took a moment to look her over, much to the girl’s discomfort. “Incredible. Without knowing it, I would never guess just from the look alone that you are not the Sunset I know.” “Yeah, I was shocked as well the moment I saw her after waking up,” Sunset admitted. “You were shocked? What am I supposed to say?” Northern Star said from behind. “Standing in my living room hugging my daughter, only to find another one at the kitchen door.” The three teenagers laughed. “Yeah, that was pretty awkward,” Shimmer said, “for both of us.” “So, Twilight,” Star began, “we were just about to return home for dinner. Would you like to join us?” “Any other day, I would, but I left without telling anyone, so I should return soon. I just assumed, with you all present, it would be a good time to introduce myself before tomorrow.” Desert blinked. “Tomorrow? What’s happening tomorrow?” “Sorry, I had no time to tell you yet about what I learned today,” Shimmer admitted, “but to keep it short for now, tomorrow will be an assembly for the students of CHS, and I plan to go as well, and you should, too. I’ll tell you the rest later, once we are back at your house.” “Very well. It was a pleasure to meet you, Twilight, and I hope that you will take us on our invitation soon,” Desert said. “Likewise. I will see if I can get time away from my duties again for an evening, or maybe even longer. I will see you tomorrow,” Twilight took Shimmer in a last hug before she turned and stepped through the portal again. “She’s a nice girl,” Northern Star said. “So, should we head back for dinner now?” They all nodded and made their way over to the car. During her walk, Shimmer’s hand landed on her pocket, where she felt her phone. She stopped, took it out and unlocked it, staring at the screen in thought. “Actually, there’s one last stop I would like to make, if it’s not too much to ask. There’s something I need before tomorrow.” They all stopped and looked at each other, before Desert spoke again. “Should not be a problem, but if I may ask, what is it you need?” Shimmer was quiet for a moment. “Answers,” she said, looking at the picture of the Rainbooms. “And I know exactly where to find them.”