Cadance sighed heavily as she left the meeting with a headache. Nothing but squabbling, massive egos and little accomplished. Again. She rubbed her temples in frustration. "Why did I think it would be anything different," she muttered to herself. At least Celestia managed to keep some sort of peace between the principals. She heard a sigh, and directed her attention to the source of the noise.
There stood the top student at Crystal Prep Academy, Twilight Sparkle. She was scratching her head and looking crestfallen. Cadance smiled warmly. Twilight held a special place in her heart, like a little sister she never had. The Dean walked up to her. "Is something on your mind, Twilight," she asked.
Twilight turned around with a smile. "Hi, Dean Cadance," she said cheerily.
Cadance returned the smile. "Good morning, Twilight," she said. "Are you okay," she asked.
"I guess," Twilight said as she gripped her left arm with her right hand.
"Is there something you're not telling me," Cadance asked.
Twilight sighed again. "I ran into the Superintendent just before class. He's very intimidating up close."
"I see," Cadance said. "Superintendent Neighsay can be a little...disconcerting, but he has everyone's best interests at heart."
"If you say so," Twilight said with a tone of uncertainty. The warning bell for second period rang. "See you later, Dean Cadance!"
Cadance smiled as she watched Twilight run off, then began to head back to her office. She stopped momentarily as she noticed a light pink-skinned girl moping around the halls. That's Lemon Zest, she thought. Normally Lemon would be dancing energetically to whatever was playing in her pink headphones, her green hair swaying along with her. But lately, she'd been just trudging along in the halls, like school was a chore. Maybe I'll pay her a visit later today. But first, I should get to the paperwork.
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Cadance left her office as Lunch began. I forgot how much of a pain administrative work could be, she thought as she felt another headache coming on. She shook her head, then carried on. Upon reaching the cafeteria, she scanned the crowds of people until she found Lemon. "Lemon Zest," she asked, getting the girl's attention.
"Dean Cadence," Lemon asked. "What are you doing in the cafeteria?"
Cadence smiled. "I've noticed you've been down in the dumps lately. You seem to be deep in thought. Is something troubling you?"
Lemon Zest blushed. "Is it that obvious?"
"Not really," said Dean Cadence as she sat down next to Lemon. "But I've seen it enough times to recognize it," she said with a smile.
Lemon sighed. "This whole back and forth thing with being friends and enemies is really getting to me. I mean, I get it. We're Crystal Prep Shadowbolts. We always win. 'We have a reputation to uphold!'". Lemon Zest said the last sentence trying to impersonate Principal Cinch, then smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I'm just venting."
Dean Cadence laughed. "I completely understand. Principal Cinch can be a bit...abrasive sometimes, but she only wants what's best for this school." She put a hand on Lemon's shoulder. "You know that you can always talk to me or one of the guidance counselors if you ever need someone to lend you an ear," she said. She hated playing devil's advocate for Cinch, but it was necessary for her to keep her cover and cool.
"Thanks," Lemon smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."
Cadance's phone rang, and she looked at the screen.
Now Calling: Benefactor
Cadance's eyes widened momentarily, then she looked at Lemon. "I'm sorry, but I have to take this call," she said apologetically, then hurried off.
"No worries," Lemon said with a wave. "Later!"
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Cadance ran to the nearest secluded area, then looked in both directions to be sure she was alone. She answered the call. "Hello."
"Good morning, Cadance," a robotic voice said.
Out of all the people in S.M.I.L.E., only Cadance knew who Benefactor really was. Upon their joining the ranks, they made a deal with her to keep their identity secret. They had been good friends with her ever since her mother was still principal at Crystal Prep, and she was more than happy to have them on board.
"I don't understand why you insist on keeping that robotic voice when it's just you and I talking," Cadance said.
"I insist for the same reason you prefer the name 'Cadance'. You never know."
Cadance sighed. "I guess you have a point. But enough about all that. Why are you calling me?"
"I have been thinking lately... At Canterlot High, there are six girls who possess extraordinary qualities. One of them from another world."
"Yes," Cadance nodded. "I know all of that already from Vice-Principal Luna."
"What if there were six students like that here, in Crystal Prep?"
Cadance raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure that's possible?"
"You recently found out that genuine magic exists, not to mention a parallel world. I would like to think anything's possible at this rate," Benefactor said.
"Fair enough," Cadance said. "You wouldn't happen to have any idea on how to find these six students, would you?"
"Sadly, I do not. I'm not a miracle worker, Cadance."
Cadance sighed. "Well, at least it's a thought. I'll keep all that in mind. Thank you."
"You're quite welcome," Benefactor said, then hung up.
Cadance pocketed her phone and began to walk back to her office.
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By the time Cadance was near her office, a student called her from down the hall. She turned her attention. "What's wrong, she asked as the student met her halfway.
"Someone's freaking out in the hallway," the student exclaimed, then led Cadance to the scene.
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Once there, Cadance noticed an emotional Lemon Zest sitting on the floor. She glanced at the student. "Thank you, I can take it from here." The student smiled and nodded, then went to his next class. She slowly walked up to Lemon and put a comforting arm on her shoulder.
Lemon looked up. "Dean Cadence," she asked as she wiped her tears away.
"Count yourself lucky I'm not Principal Cinch," Cadence said.
Lemon smiled. "Trust me. That's the last person I want to see right now."
Cadence sighed. "I know you're having a rough day, so why didn't you come see me," she asked.
Lemon blushed. "I'm sorry. That outburst and rant was from all the crap I've gone through here at CPA."
Cadence smiled. "I understand. If you want, you could always transfer to Canterlot High."
Lemon Zest frowned. "It may be a hellhole here, but I think I'd have an even harder time adjusting there."
"Why's that," asked Cadence.
"Have you seen how upbeat they all are over there? It'd be like going from one extreme to the other," said Lemon, gesturing left and right with both arms.
"I can see why you'd think that, but I happen to be good friends with the Vice-Principal there. They're all so welcoming."
"Nah." said Lemon as she shook her head. "Besides, I've heard weird rumors about that place."
Cadence quirked an eyebrow. "Rumors? What rumors?"
"Some people were talking about some kinda magic or something. Like when that strange rainbow appeared the night of Canterlot High's Fall Formal, or when their Battle of the Bands went all crazy with special effects that looked too dangerous."
Cadence stroked her chin. I'll have to talk to Luna about this later. "Well if you're not going to transfer, at least promise me you'll see a guidance counselor or at least talk to me. Judging by that scene in the hallway, you have a lot on your mind."
Lemon Zest smiled. "Okay. I promise."
"I'll hold you to it, then," Cadance said, then went back to her office.
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Cadance shut the door to her office to ensure privacy, then called Luna. It rang twice, then she picked up.
"Hello, Cadance," Luna said. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
"I'm afraid it's... 'business' related."
"Okay," Luna said. "You have my full and undivided attention."
Cadance told Luna word for word what Lemon said in the hallway.
Luna sighed. "I'm not surprised. There was no way we'd be able to keep the entire student body quiet about the matter. At least, no way that wouldn't conflict with our morals."
"That's understandable," Cadance said. "Anyway, I thought you should know."
"Thanks for the heads-up, Cadance," Luna said. "Talk to you later."
"Of course." Cadance hung up, then went back to work.
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Some time later, someone knocked on Cadance's office door. "Yes?"
A student all but ran inside, panicking. "D-Dean C-Cadance, a huge fight just broke out in the hallway!"
Cadance got up off her desk quickly, then followed the student until she reached the fight. "All right, break it up you two," she said as another staff member arrived and restrained one of the fighters. "What happened here?"
The restrained student flailed as he unsuccessfully tried to break free. "That asshole fucked my mom and recorded it on his phone!"
Cadance's eyes widened in shock and horror. She looked at the offending student, then narrowed her eyes. "Is that true," she asked, feeling rage boil within.
The student shrugged. "Maybe," he said casually as though he were talking about the weather. Cadance growled and grabbed the student, causing him to yelp.
"I'm going to ask you again," Cadance said, her voice practically dripping with fury. "Is. That. True?!" She came within inches of the student's face, breathing heavily as she glared at him.
The student blanched. "Y-Yes, D-D-Dean C-Cadance..."
Cadance closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath then exhaled. She opened them, feeling minutely calmer. "Both of you," she said as calmly as she could. "Go to the Principal's office."
The other student blinked in surprise as he was let go. "What? But I-"
"NOW!" Cadance bellowed. The two students ran away at full speed. She sighed heavily, then took notice of all the other students in the hall. "I'm so sorry you all had to see that," she said in a normal tone. "I've...been having a rough day. Please excuse me." She calmly walked into her office, and closed the door. She sat down at her desk and put her head in her hands, then began to cry.