With Aidon…
The shadowman would eventually arrive at the fountain in the middle of the festival grounds…where Luna was nowhere to be seen.
“Huh, that’s strange,” he muttered to himself, “I could’ve sworn that’s what Ms. Scratch and Ms. Melody said. Unless…”
“Unless they were simply trying to get rid of me…maybe they were uncomfortable with me around on their little outing together. Probably shouldn’t have interrupted their moment with another lecture.”
He placed his hand on his forehead as he gave it some extra thought--until it was broken by someone’s voice.
“...Professor? Is everything okay?”
Aidon looked to his left and saw Sunset Shimmer who was dressed in a simple set of short robes akin to the ones Vinyl was wearing. They had a red and rose-gold color scheme and additionally, her hair was done up in a bun held together by two red hair sticks.
“Hm? Oh yes--I was just wondering…it’s nothing, don’t worry yourself over it,” he shook his head and changed his tune almost immediately. “How are you doing?”
“I’m actually doing something I probably shouldn’t,” Sunset admitted with one hand behind her back.
“...And that is?” Aidon asked with a concerned, raised brow.
From behind her back, she pulled out a list that had all of her friend’s names on it. “I’m trying to spend as much time with as many people as possible. Flash Sentry is up next actually. Still been trying to repair those burnt bridges…”
“I know how that feels,” he replied, “Though, in life, you learn that some bridges are unsalvageable. Not everyone is going to be willing to agree with you and accept your world, Ms Shimmer.”
“I know--still, can’t hurt to try, right?” she asked with a hopeful smile. “I know I can’t repair my relationships with everyone but, it’s still good to try. It’s the only reason why the Sirens are on our side now.”
“Admirable indeed. Even so, don’t push yourself too hard,” he went on as he looked up at the sky, “Sooner or later, you will come across someone who won’t want to change--someone who’ll never listen to what you have to say. You need to accept that sooner rather than later. If you hate those whose beliefs differ from your own, you’ll come to hate everyone eventually.”
“...that is a good point,” Sunset replied slowly, “Maybe I’m in over my head, huh?”
Aidon looked down, making eye contact with the young woman once again. “I wouldn’t say stow your beliefs completely. Just take your time to think critically about what you want and then act upon it at a moment’s notice.”
Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle, prompting a question from Aidon.
“...what’s so funny?”
“Nothing, it’s just--that’s pretty much what Princess Celestia used to tell me. You’re pretty wise, you know that?”
“I’m just some dark old fool,” he denied, “But come now. This is a time to enjoy yourself. Make the most of it, hm?”
“Yeah. You’re right….” Sunset put her list away and got to thinking about what she should do next. “Flash might appreciate something different…”
Aidon took a look around the central area of the festival, and started walking off towards a stall. “Mm…that smells good. I’ll be seeing you, Sunset.”
“Hm? Oh right…no problem, professor--see ya!” But as soon as he left, she checked her phone and started to send a text:
‘guys, where is luna?’
Soon enough, she’d get a response from Micro Chips.
‘Wait, is she not at the fountain?’
‘lol no. Wtf is going on???’
‘...’
‘I believe I see the problem. She is currently distracted by a stall--wait, now she’s moving to the fountain--’
‘OMG HE’S ALREADY LEFT HERE WTF’
Sunset grabbed the bridge of her nose once she finished typing. “...It’s like trying to get pandas to see each other--Celestia almighty-”
“What’s wrong with my sister?” Luna approached with an innocent look on her face, mishearing Sunset.
“Oh! N-nothing…”
Meanwhile, in an office building overseeing the festival…
“...I won’t get bested by them next time, father. I promise. They simply got lucky and happen to be working with the Ketsuki family.”
“The Ketuski family, hm? Well now that’s just another bothersome thorn in our side that we don’t need, Shinji…”
“Their records don’t even indicate that they have a son!” Shinji slammed his fist on his father’s desk. “It’s as if he’s just popped up out of nowhere just to ruin our lives. Like he’s been hiding in plain sight the entire time.”
The dull, peach-skinned man dressed in a white suit with dragons tattooed on his body that ran up to his neck got up from behind the desk, and walked to the window that overlooked the festival grounds down below.
“Foolish child. This is your last chance to impress me,” he went on, “Otherwise your elder brother shall take the reins of this family.”
From nearby, a young man dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans commented from a leather couch. “Tch--yeah no shit. You really trust Shinji with this crap, old man? You’re getting more senile by the second…”
“You know he possess a unique affinity for…the magic of this world,” their father continued, “This rests on his shoulders…for now.”
Shinji folded his arms and glared at his older brother. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Tatsu. You are such a helpful inspiration to someone like myself.”
“Ha!” Tatsuya Hishima--the elder brother to Shinji--laughed it off. “You won’t last ten minutes with that Ketsuki kid. Just you wait--Tachibana, Ryuji and I will have to come behind you and clean up the mess ourselves, little Shinster.”
“Please don’t start,” Shinji replied with a huff, “I’ve got enough bullshit on my plate to deal with.” He turned to his father and asked a question. “I can dispose of them properly this time. I just need to use my…hidden potential.”
“That thing you’ve been experimenting with?” the suited gentleman sighed and brought a hand to his forehead. “Ugh…I suppose we have no other options. If you think you can beat the blood-boy with it, go ahead. Just don’t be surprised if Sunset Shimmer tries to take it away from you. Those girls seem as if they demand a monopoly on all magical abilities…”
“It’ll be their downfall, father,” Shinji glared at Tatsu for a moment, and pulled out a book…a book that was eerily similar to the one that Prince Blueblood used at one point. “They’ll be converted…or fall forever. Now where's that little feline friend of mine…?”