//------------------------------// // Dean Cadance // Story: Altered Perspectives: The Long Way Back // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Cadance sat down in the very back of the bus, then rubbed at her temples with a long, drawn-out sigh. The danger had long since passed, but she felt far from safe. As much as she wanted to go home, down a bottle of wine and forget this all happened, she knew she couldn't do that. She couldn't forget because there was no amount of wine that would allow her to. She couldn't forget because to do so would go against everything she had planned since Luna told her of the incidents at Canterlot High's Fall Formal and their musical showcase! She couldn't forget because she didn't want to. Cadance's phone rang, startling her. She yelped, then picked it up. Now Calling: Luna Cadance accepted the call. "Hey," she said wearily. "Hey... I just wanted to check in. How are you holding up?" "How am I holding up," Cadance asked flatly. "How am I holding up? My life flashed before my eyes, Luna! I watched reality crumble around me, and you're asking me how I'm holding up?!" "Cadance..." "No. Don't you 'Cadance' or even 'Cadenza' me, dammit," she whispered sharply. "What happened back there is not something I can easily walk away from, let alone calm down over!" "I know... and I'm sorry." "I felt powerless, Luna. My students could have died out there, and there wouldn't have been one fucking thing I could have done to save them!" Cadance shuddered, then sniffled. "I... I think I'm in way over my head here..." "Cadance..." "I-I didn't want to lead anyone to their deaths..." Cadance trailed off, then broke. She cried softly, pouring all the accumulated stress of the day's events through her tears. "Cadenza... none of us could have possibly been prepared for what happened back there." "Th-This was... m-my fault," Cadance said between sobs. "I-I should have kept a better eye on Twilight..." "No," Luna said firmly. "Do not place the blame on yourself. Cinch manipulated her!" Cadance sighed when she finished crying. "Y... You're right, Luna..." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, I've just been through a lot today." "That's completely understandable. We all have." Luna paused for a moment. "Take some time to rest up. We'll figure out how to use this against Cinch." "Thank you. And Luna?" "Yes?" "Take good care of Twilight for me." An image of Twilight's twisted and magically altered form flashed through Cadance's mind, and she flinched. "...Of course, Cadenza." Cadance hung up, then sighed again and shook her head. This victory had nearly been Pyrrhic, and the only reason she even considered it a victory was that it had forced a tie between Canterlot High and Crystal Prep. No doubt Cinch would do everything within her power to change that, but it was nice to see something truly get under that damnable woman's skin for once! Cadance allowed herself a smile. Seeing Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap and Sour Sweet come together out there and save those in need made her feel proud. Surely that had been the magic at work. Cadance's phone rang again. Now Calling: Shining Armor Heat rose to Cadance's face as she recalled the steamy dream she had had, and she picked it up. "H-Hi," Cadance said awkwardly, then internally chided herself for the stutter. She didn't want Shining to know about her crush on him until after Cinch was out of the picture! As much as she wanted it, she couldn't let a romantic relationship distract her! "You okay?" "I've been better." "What happened," Shining asked worriedly. Cadance took a deep breath, exhaled, then explained to Shining everything that had happened. When she had finished, Shining had fallen silent for a moment. "Oh my god... is Twily okay," Shining asked in a hushed tone. "She's all right. Just a little shaken up." Shining scoffed. "I think I'd be more than just 'shaken up', Cadance." Cadance rolled her eyes. "I'm just telling you what she told me." Shining sighed. "At least she's safe right now. That's what really matters." "Agreed," Cadance said with a nod. "So where do we go from here?" "My mind is a little too preoccupied to give you a good enough answer." "Fair enough. I'll pick Twilight up and take her home." "Understood. Goodbye." "Goodbye." Shining Armor hung up, and Cadance made a sputtering noise. Twilight must be so lucky to have a brother like that. Caring, loyal, dependable... she blinked upon realizing her heart was beating a mile a minute. She took a deep breath and held an arm against her chest, clenching her fingers into a fist. She then exhaled slowly, extending her arm as she unclenched her fist. Cadance felt calmer now. Not as calm as she'd like to be, but given the circumstances, she'd take what she could get. "Holy fucking shit!!" Cadance jumped in her seat, then looked up to see Lemon Zest standing straight up, as though she was struck by some sort of massive revelation. The Dean shook her head slowly. She'd have to talk to Lemon later. Right now, she had something more important to do. She took her phone out and went into her contacts, then pressed on a name. Now Calling: Benefactor Cadance felt anxious, wondering what they'd have to say about all that happened. Assuming they were able to make it to the Friendship Games. She was far too busy to even think about looking for them in the crowd. "Cadenza," their modified robotic voice inquired. "Did you get everything that happened on video?" "Yes... I did." "Are you okay?" Benefactor took some time in answering. "Physically, I am no worse for the wear. As for mentally... I may need to step back for a while." Cadance nodded. "I understand. Take your time. We have what we need... now we just need to figure out how to use it." "Indeed. Is there anything else?" Cadance shook her head. "No. Get some rest. It's been a long day for all of us." Benefactor hung up, and Cadance spent the rest of the trip back staring out the window until the bus stopped.