//------------------------------// // Old Foes // Story: Being Brave Part III // by artman7391 //------------------------------// "Done, Done, and Done!" Said Twilight as she crossed off her list. "Well Sunset Shimmer, I must say. You have made a lot of improvement since the last time I saw you." "Nothing a few good friends can't help you with." Sunset replied sheepishly. It was midday at Canterlot High, about two human world days since Twilight, her son and friends journeyed into the human world. The students were just getting back from lunch period, preparing for the next class and chatting with each other regardless of their hobby or habit. At the entrance to another classroom, Twilight and Sunset were found finishing up their annual check up, and from the look of things, Sunset had truly progressed in great stride. She had volunteered in almost every charity and community service program the town had to offer. What's more, because of her tireless efforts to reform herself, she had gained a bit of respect, and even friendship among some students at the school, including the likes of Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. "I've noticed how you haven't been writing to me lately." Said Twilight as they walked down the halls. "Yeah." Sunset replied. "I've been kind of trying to keep up with my studies. After all, the big test is less than a day from today." "Well, if you're struggling I can always help you. I mean, I have time." It was at that moment Twilight almost ran into another familiar face. It was Flash Sentry, fixing his guitar and getting ready for the next period. "TWILIGHT!!" He shouted with glee "You're back again!!" "Oh, hey Flash." Twilight replied with a blush in her cheeks. "We.." "Wait don't tell me." Flash replied back. "We have got to stop bumping into each other like this." They said together followed by a chuckle. "That never gets old." Said Twilight. "So, what brings you back this time?" Flash asked. "Oh, I'm just here to check on an old friend." Twilight replied while turning her head towards Sunset. "Yeah, she sure is gettin better." Said Flash. "In fact, I think about a month ago we we're lab partners." "And for once I tried not to be all dominant when it came to a project." Sunset replied with a shudder. "I don't even want to think about the last time that happened." "But that's all in the past now, so it doesn't matter." Twilight reassured her. "Hi, Twilight." Said a rather small, cross eyed blonde with a muffled voice. "Who's this?" Twilight asked. "Oh, this is my study partner Derpy." Flash replied. "It's nice to see you again." Derpy said as she did a few hand gestures, Much to Twilight's confusion. "She's deaf." Flash whispered into Twilight's ear. " Ah, I see." Twilight said with a nod. " It's nice to meet you as well. Are you two..." "Nah, we're just friends." "Ever since the first time you came here, Everyone here in this town thinks we are crazy." Derpy continued as she continued her sign language. "But we are very happy to be different from most schools, and it's all thanks to you." "We've even made a statue in your honor." Sunset added. The three then escorted her to the end of the locker bay and found what was clearly a small sculpture of Twilight with wings. It stood atop of a cubed stone tablet with an inscription that read: Dedicated To Twilight Sparkle Who united us all. "That might be stretching it a bit too much," Twilight replied "But it is flattering all the same." "EVERYONE OUTSIDE NOW!! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!" yelled a random student who was sprinting down the hallway, to which everyone bolted out of their classrooms and out the front door. "What is it?" Flash asked. "There's a kid," another student replied "From Stiffon... threatening our students." "Again?" Sunset asked. "Who is it this time?" "I think it's that group who was looking for their friend, now come on." Replied another student. "Cory." Twilight gasped as she sprinted through the crowd of students, to which Flash, Derpy and Sunset followed. "Ugh." Spike yawned as he popped his head out of Twilight's backpack. "Is it time already to go back?" "Hardly." Twilight answered as she and her friends ran to the situation. Earlier that day, Cory and his friends were found having a little R & R from their studies. They decided to spend that time taking a stroll down memory lane. From Tony's house of clowns and mimes, to the town junkyard of collected items, to the park where the six of them always played whatever games their minds could imagine. It was both a pleasant and heart rendering experience for Cory, bringing back such warm and cold moments of his life. It was at this time they approached what looked like an abandoned building complex. Through closer examination, it turned out to be the once old, lonely orphanage Cory used to live in. Every loose board, shattered window, and hanging shingle brought back open wounds Cory could not get rid of, filling him with anger and sadness. "C'mon Cory, lets go somewhere else." Katie insisted. But he wasn't listening, as he furiously picked up some nearby rocks and started throwing at the monument to his dark past. This time, unlike a dream he had so long ago, he was able to hit his target in precise coordination, much to his friends surprise. With every grunt in his voice, every tear that he shed, and every throw that he executed, it felt so good to demolish at least a bit of his sad upbringing. Then, finally, he collapsed to the ground with tears in his eyes and a numbness in his right arm. His friends surrounded him in a big group hug. It was then something hit him. "What the hell are you doing back here?!!" Said a voice that sounded like a wasp hitting his eardrum. "I thought we got rid of you!!" It was one of the bullies from their old school. He was dressed in a firmly pressed outfit, complete with a plain, button down shirt, black, khaki pants, neatly polished shoes, and a army style haircut. Cory's friends backed up as they gave him some space. "Listen. I don't want any trouble here Dwayne." Cory said firmly as he picked up the blunt object that hit him. "You really are stupid ya know that?" Dwayne replied as he started to approach him. "This is supposed to be the most important day of our school and you just come back here to ruin it." "I'm not afraid of you anymore." Cory said as he positioned himself in a fighting pose. "Well you should be." Dwayne replied as he rolled up his sleeves and cracked his neck. "Cause the U.S. department of education is coming today, and as a member of the school guards, we don't want any DISTRACTIONS!!!" Then he swung his fist in the air as if about to punch Cory in the nose like he always did. Fortunately, Cory dodged the blow, grabbed him by the arm and swung him to the ground. "Like I said." Said Cory "I'm not afraid of you anymore." Dwayne got up and noticed some blood coming out of his nose. Now he was really infuriated as his eyes turned green and a purple drifted out of his sockets. "Oh you guys are in for it now." He said in a demonic whisper, to which he started attacking his friends. It was at that moment Canterlot High kids came to the scene, with Twilight and Spike front and center. Knowing he had a choice between making a fool of himself, and fighting for a true cause, Cory went into defense position and kicked Dwayne towards the back of the head. Dwayne ceased his punching and turned his attention to Cory. The green fury embalmed his eyes as he too went into fighting mode. Everybody was completely silent. Then, the one to one combat ensued. Dwayne jabbed to the right, but Cory dodged it with his left fist. He swung his left leg into the air and kicked Dwayne across the cheek, almost knocking his head off. Next, Dwayne wrapped his arms around Cory's torso to which Cory did a 360 degree flip, setting himself free. The move continued with a vertical kick under the chin, and a body slam turned headlock across Dwayne's thick neck. The crowd stared in awe as Cory continued to dodge and defend every kick and blow that came at him. "Man, those lessons with Rainbow really paid off." He said to himself. Just then, as Cory made a finishing blow on Dwayne's other cheek, he saw what looked like a blackish green ooze come out of his mouth. To everyone's surprise, the substance spewed out of Dwayne and turned into a large slime ball, surrounded by a field of purple and grey electrodes. Within this strange phenomenon a voice could be heard: "NOOOOOOOO!!! This is Impossible!!!" It shouted. And just like that, the electrodes disappeared and the the ball splattered on the sidewalk, turning into a puddle of useless muck. Cory turned around to see everyone else, excluding Twilight, standing there with gaped mouths and flailing arms. Then they turned their attention to the seemingly lifeless body of Dwayne, lying face front on the pavement. Suddenly, he pushed his head up and looked strangely at everyone around him. Then, as he got up and coughed out a few more drips of the black ooze, he tilted his head towards his opponent. It was then Cory noticed something different about him: His face looked more human-like, and his body seemed less monstrous. But the most striking feature of all were his eyes. The green specs with red dots that once served as his seeing organ were gone. It was as if the evil inside him had finally sucked right of him. "Holy shit." Said Dwayne as he noticed a slightly bruised Cory. "Did I do that? I'm sorry." "Huh?" Cory asked. "Didn't notice ya there man. My mind must've been at a million places at once." "Wait. Wait. Hold on." Said Cory. "You don't remember what just happened?" "All I remember," Dwayne continued as he scratched his head "Is going to bed after failing an exam and then having the craziest dream. I was this bully and I went to this strict , uptight school and being appointed as an honor student for some reason..." "Yeah, that kinda actually happened." Jolene added as she brushed herself off. "Wait what?" Dwayne replied, to which he looked as his knuckles and noticed a few blood marks. He turned his attention to Cory and then to his friends. Upon realizing what he had just done. He collapsed into a state disbelief. "Ho...How did this happen?" Dwayne asked "Was I in a trance or something?" "How were you in a trance?" Tony asked. "It's very unlike for someone, or something to make you a bully overnight." "I know somepony who could." Twilight said as she examined the ooze with her fingers. "KING SOMBRA!!"