//------------------------------// // Face to Face // Story: Being Brave Part III // by artman7391 //------------------------------// The entire school and faculty of Stiffson Academy had gathered itself in the auditorium. Like all other parts of the school, it was bare, dull and musty, with the only bright color being the American flag on the side of the stage. The seating was split in half, revealing a smooth, polished, marble floor, perfect for a school head to proceed through. The students and faculty took their places in their seating arrangements, walking in almost perfect unison. For what seemed like awhile, all was dead silent. Not a cough or a sneeze could be heard. Some students were nervously sweating while others breathed heavily through their noses. Then, with the swift opening of the backdoor, Stiffson appeared. Escorted by two hall monitors, he quickly walked up to take the stage. Everyone kept their eyes forward, not even daring to move. "SIT!!" He shouted as he approached the podium, to which everyone simultaneously took their seats. "I suppose you're all wondering why I've called you here," He began. "After all, this is a rather important day for us here at Stiffson Academy, and..SILENCE!!" Being the paranoid man he was, he thought he heard someone speak and pointed to a random student. He took a moment to gather himself, knowing he was making a scene. "It has come to my attention," He continued "that a certain someone has been committing the most atrocious crimes this school has ever witnessed. He or she has been attempted to destroy the very fabric of these walls, desecrating our good name with it. No matter, our top notch hall monitors are on the lookout for this criminal, to which they will assuredly catch him red handed and bring him to the highest of authority. " "This is why I brought you all here, to give you all your first and final warning. Anyone here who wishes to aid this perpetrator will be swiftly punished in the most severe way imaginable. Furthermore, anyone with information of his or her whereabouts, as well as any suspicious activity, please step forward now." "Not to be judgmental or anything Stiffson." Said a voice in the back. "But your security needs a little work." To everyone's shock and amazement, Cory stepped out of his seat, unscarred and untouched, hiding from plain sight. For what seemed like an infinity, Stiffson's face turned white as chalk as his legs shook in both anger and disbelief. For the first time in about a year, Cory was staring face to face with his biggest enemy and his greatest fear. Yet now, he wasn't afraid anymore, He had internally transformed into the boy he always wished to be. "W..why.." Stiffson stuttered. "Why did you return? And how are you still alive?" "I've come back to settle the score with you Stiffson." Cory replied. "How could you not know he was here!!!" Stiffson shouted at the head hall monitor. "We're sorry sir," Replied the head hall monitor. "But like I said before, surveillance had been rigged." "That's right!" Cory added. "It was me who perpetrated the attacks, and it was me who infiltrated this prison you call a school." Some faculty and students murmured to themselves, not with disgust, but with intrigue. Stiffson shook and opened his mouth as if about to scream to the heavens, but collected himself as he slicked back his bald head. "I should've known a freak like you would have the nerve to become a criminal." He said in a sharp whisper. "You know, I've been putting up with that shit of yours for a good two years of my life," Cory said. "and it's getting really old. But that doesn't matter now, cause when my friends out back expose the truth, they'll.." "What. You mean these delinquents?" Said Miss. Orchid from the back. Cory turned to see the worst shock of his life. All his friends and students at Canterlot High had been caught by the untouched Hall Monitors. Even Sunset Shimmer, who was restrained by Orchid's pudgy arms. "We caught all these criminals hanging outside the premises." Said one of the hall monitors, "It turns out Sunset Shimmer is a backstabbing traitor." "But...how?" A terrified Cory murmured. "I'm so sorry Cory." Sulked a tearful Sunset Shimmer. "I didn't know how many there were. They all..." Orchid Smacked her in the back of the head. "I'll deal with you later you Judas." She said to her. "You were saying?" Asked Stiiffson mockingly. "N..nothing..sir." replied Cory as he bowed his head in defeat. In a single instant, he changed from a boy of confidence, to his meek old self. Then he turned to his friends with a look of shame on his face. "I'm sorry I got you all in this mess." He said meekly. "Don't be." Said Twilight. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You are my loving son, and I we will not let your mission be in vain." "Twilight's right!" Sunset replied as she tugged free of orchids grasp and walked further up the aisle. "Listen everyone!" She continued "I know how weird this may seem, but whatever Stiffson is teaching you is wrong. This school can be an amazing hub of imagination and education. If you all put your minds to it, it will become a place where all minds and souls and come together and share their unique talents and gifts, no matter how different they are." "Principal Stiffson. I hereby revoke my honorary student position!" Then she took out a Stiffson badge and threw it on the cold, concrete floor, smashing it to pieces. Everyone around her just gaped in shock. They had never seen anybody dare destroy a piece of school property. Yet, Sunset stared defiantly into the soulless principal's face. "I see." Stiffson replied through his teeth. "Lock her and Cory up in the detention room till death!" Cory's friends leaped out in anger, but were restrained. Cory tried to run but was snatched along with Sunset in Orchid's claws. "I'll see to it you'll all have your punishment as well." He continued, referring to Twilight and the others. "Let this be a lesson to all students!! Friendships are a waste of learning!! It brings nothing but deceit, drugs, and death!! Nothing ever good comes out of friendship, and nothing ever will!!" Then Stiffson turned around and slowly started to walk away. "What about Celie!" Cory shouted as he released himself from Orchid's grasp. Stiffson stopped upon hearing this. "I don't know what you're talking about." He replied as if hiding something. "Celie? You used to do everything with her?" "Yeah. Then she betrayed me." "No. She was just hanging out with other friends." "She dumped me for other friends!!" "Those other friends were for you as well. Don't you see? She was never trying to replace you. She was just wanting to give other friends. But you misunderstood what you saw, and if she couldn't have you as a friend no one could. You lied to all the students and faculty and and you've been lying ever since." Cory reached into his pocket and took out the old photo of Stiffson and Celie. Everyone looked at it in shock and awe as he raised it for all to see. "Where did you get that?" Asked a now infuriated Stiffson. "Celie cried on the night you left her," Cory said. " cause she had loved you enough to willingly aid and assist you." "She never loved me!" Stiffson scoffed. "As much anyone would ever love a friend." Then he tossed the picture on the floor, to which everyone got out of their seats and gathered around it for a closer look. Their mutters and whispers echoed across the walls, breaking the sheer silence of the auditorium for the first time. "SILEEEEEEEENCE!!!!" Screamed Stiffson, who's voice caused the podium to shake. "Take these two away, now!!" Orchid nodded as she grabbed Cory and Sunset by the waist, dragging them out the doors and across the hallway. The two of them could overhear shouts of protest and fear, which grew fainter and fainter as they were pulled further away. However, unbeknownst to the faculty, Spike had jumped out of Twilight's backpack and ran in their direction. Before they knew it, the four of them had approached the principal office. Orchid opened the door and violently threw the two of them across the desk. "I should've known not to trust someone like you." Orchid said threateningly to Sunset. "Leave her alone Orchid." Said Cory. "She was only part of the plan and you knew it." "Enough!!" She shouted back. "I'm going to make sure you never see the light of day again." At that moment, Spike opened the door with his mouth, seeing Orchid about to lock Cory up in the detention room. "You let my friend go!!" He shouted. Spike ran through the door, over the desk and onto Orchid's back. And just as she was about to throw Cory away, he opened his mouth and took a big bite out of her arm. She squealed in pain as she grabbed Spike by the collar, releasing Cory from her grip. Then, Orchid did the unthinkable. She slashed Spike across the back with her sharp fingernails and threw him against the wall, leaving him with a bloody gash and a broken paw . Spike tried to stand up but was too much in a daze. Orchid took out a small pistol and aimed it at his cranium. "I'll teach you, you flea ridden mutt." Orchid scoffed. "SPIKE!!" Sunset shouted "NOOOOOO!!!!!!" She ran towards Spike's direction as Orchid pulled the trigger, pushing Spike to safety in the nick of time. The bullet shot out of the pistol, flew through the air and lodged straight into Sunset's chest. She fell on the floor convulsing from the agony of hot lead running through her veins. Orchid reloaded her pistol, ready to finish her, but an angered Cory got on his feet, leaped forward and punched her across the cheek. The blow was so strong, it flung her back across the room, banging her head on the wooden desk, and knocking her unconscious Cory ran over to Spike to pick him up. "C'mon Spike." Cory said in tears. "Don't die on me." Spike opened his eyes and coughed a little, scratchinghis head. "Oh, Thank you god." Cory whispered in relief. "Don't worry about me Cory, I'm alright." Spike replied. "It's just a little scratch. nothing fatal. Besides I think there's somepony else who needs real help." Cory ran over to Sunset Shimmer, but not before tearing off a piece of his pant leg and covering Spike's wound with it. . He picked up her seemingly lifeless body, checking for any signs of life. After a few tense moments, Sunset finally woke up, coughing up a few bits of blood. "I...Is Spike ok?" She asked in a daze. "I'm alright Sunset." Said Spike as he limped towards her. "Boy, you sure have changed from the old you." "Hey, I couldn't let Twilight friend get hurt now could I?" She then made a weak smile as Cory propped her against the wall. Then he turned to Orchid, who had regained conscience in a pool of black liquid. Her beehive hairdo was completely frazzled and her makeup had been washed off, giving her a more natural, friendly look. It took a few seconds for her to come to grips with where she was, but when she saw a wounded Spike and Sunset, she gasped in horror and remorse. "Oh...My...God." She said with tears in her eyes. "I am so sorry. I'm a monster." "Looks like you knocked the Sombra right out of her Cory." Spike proclaimed. But Cory was too lost in his own thoughts to listen. "Listen Miss Orchid." Said Cory as he approached her. " I do forgive you, but this is not the time and place to repent. There's a critically injured girl here and you need to call an ambulance right away." Orchid nodded in agreement as she picked up the nearby phone and dialed emergency services. "I should've never come back here." He said to himself. "What do you mean?" Asked a dazed Sunset. "If if hadn't been for me and this stupid mission, you would've all been safe. It's time for me to set things right." "There's nothing to blame yourself for Cory. We're on your side no matter what." Cory nodded in tears as he walked out the door, headed down the hallway and walked back towards the auditorium. As he turned the other corner, a few of the hall monitors found their way to the principals office and captured Sunset, Orchid and Spike.