//------------------------------// // Memories // Story: Before the Friendship Games: Dean Cadance // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Cadance put her head in her hands and sighed heavily. Of course it was that dream, she thought miserably. I should have realized it when Luna mentioned her sister was busy with her Canterlot High duties. Mom died when I was still a student at Crystal Prep with Hope and Crystal. She got out of bed, turned on a light, then took a good look around at her room. Cadance's room was rather spacious for a single person's, with light lavender walls. Her bed faced her bedroom door, which she kept closed while she was inside. She lived alone, so this was mostly done out of habit. Inspirational posters lined her door as encouragement to face the day before she went out. Those had been a great help since her mother passed. Just above her door was a picture of her mother, Amore. She was smiling warmly. To Cadance's left was a bookshelf lined with books on love, romance novels and sexuality. She had always found romance to be a fascinating subject, and tales of love had always warmed her heart. She sighed dreamily. Maybe one day she'd find love...but only after Cinch was ousted from office. She didn't want any distractions until her goal was met. Next to the bookshelf of love was her dresser, where she kept all of her casual clothing. Her more professional and fancy attire was in the walk-in closet next to it. A mirror stood in the corner so she could get a good look at herself before she went out. Behind Cadance was her bed, her sheets and comforter a subtle blend of her three favorite colors: rose, gold and violet. It was comfortable and it served its purpose. To Cadance's right was a desk with a computer. Above the desk were several pictures of herself and her oldest friends, Radiant Hope and Luna. They had been there for her ever since her mother passed, and they forged a strong bond together over the years. On her desk laid a large book with three stripes. One gold, one rose and one violet. She very rarely went to Crystal Prep without it. With a sigh, she opened it. There, on the first pages, was her mother's obituary. -------------------------------- Amore passed away this week due to complications of the heart. She was the Headmistress and Principal of Crystal Prep, and is to be succeeded by Abacus Cinch, currently the only Dean. She is survived by her daughter, who wishes to remain anonymous. -------------------------------- Cadance clenched her jaw and balled her hands into fists as she pictured Cinch's smug grin. The first time she saw that damned expression was when she took the podium after becoming Principal. All of her talk about legacies... if that damnable woman only knew! She pounded her desk with a fist, then turned the page. On the next set of pages were several pictures of her as a child. Reminders of a happier time when her mother was still alive. Pictures of her growing up, along with her name: Mi Amore Cadenza. The sight of her younger self brought a tear to her eye as she smiled fondly. It reminded her of one of the reasons she became a Dean. She wanted others to be happy. To feel loved. Just like her mother did for all those around her. Without thinking, Cadance reached for the next page, then stopped. No. She very rarely went that far into the book. She knew what was beyond her current page, and the very thought of it nearly infuriated her. She sighed, then went into her walk-in closet and began to change. She let a genuine smile come out in anticipation for the Friendship Games. She'll never forget when she got the call from Luna... -------------------------------- Cadance sat at her desk doing paperwork one morning when her phone rang. She picked it up. "Hello, Dean Cadance speaking." "Cadance," Luna said in a tone of barely contained excitement. "Do you trust me?" Cadance blinked in surprise. "Luna, we've been close friends ever since we met at the Friendship Games our Freshman year. Of course I trust you." Luna took a deep breath, then exhaled. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away." "That's okay. So why are you calling during work hours?" "Something incredible happened last night, Cadance! There was honest-to-god magic!" Cadance stayed silent for a moment, then began laughing. Once she finished, she wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh, Luna. That was a good one." "I'm not kidding, Cadance. Sunset Shimmer turned into a winged demon and fought five other students and an apparent dweller from another reality! When the battle was over, she actually became remorseful! It's like she's a whole new person!" Cadance had heard of Sunset from both Luna and her sister, mostly in a negative light. "Luna," she said softly. "I love your jokes and stories, but now isn't the time for either." "Dammit, Cadenza," Luna exclaimed, slamming on her desk. Cadance's eyes widened. Only her closest friends knew her real name, and when they called her by it, it meant that a situation was serious. It was not something to be used lightly. After a few moments, she spoke. "Luna... are you absolutely one-hundred percent sure?" "Yes," Luna answered with utmost conviction. "I am." Cadance began to smile. "This may be it," she said excitedly. "Ever since Cinch took over, it's been a winner-take-all hellhole! If we could expose a majority of the student body to that magic, things could finally, finally turn around for the better!" "My thoughts exactly," Luna said, sounding pleased with herself. "Thank you so much, Luna." "Anytime," Luna said, then hung up. Cadance grinned widely and began to sent an email to all of her agents. Attention all S.M.I.L.E. Agents! Emergency meeting after school, details to come. -------------------------------- Cadance finished getting dressed, then walked to her door. She looked up at the picture of her mother and smiled. "Soon, mom," she said. "Soon." Then she left her room.