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// Fate's Reunion 
// Story: Pride's Inhibitions 
// by Spyder27 
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Chapter I: Fate’s Reunion


Humans always find the need to celebrate something. If I remember correctly, ponies were similar if not worse. These useless celebrations are almost always trivial to me, but today is slightly different. The university I’m attending with the girls is throwing a parade and they got to be a part of it. Aria and Sonata practically begged me to show up to cheer them on, but I don’t do much cheering in general. The most I can do is be here for them. A small wave and smile should be enough. Not jumping and screaming their names. I’m not some glutton for punishment. If I remember correctly, their float is inspired by the sea since they convinced their theater club to go for that theme. It’s awfully ironic they went for a sea design.
Unfortunately, celebrations often give you the worst opportunities to meet people you dislike once again. I didn’t think today would be like that. Instead, I’m forced to be face to face with her… I’m not sure why she decided to come to this parade. Does she attend this university too? If so, how come this is the first time I’ve seen her on campus? “Do you always run away from your problems?” her voice calls out for me as I try to get through the crowd. Aria and Sonata will understand… I’ll tell them who I ran into. I was only here to support them, but she’s ruining it. 
“Just leave me alone, Shimmer. Don’t mess with me and I won’t mess with you,” I tell the woman following me without looking back, hissing out my words as if they were a venom. As much as I wanted to take revenge on her a few years back, all I want right now is to continue my life without resistance from her or her friends. I already have to live with the fact that my magic is lost… If she would stop following me, I could get back to my dorm faster. Then I could plan how I will transfer to another university… Maybe it’s a bit extreme, but I don’t want her in my life… At all.
“I just want to talk for a few minutes. That’s all, really,” Sunset tries to tell me, lying through her teeth. Knowing her, a few minutes will extend to her trying to be my friend. God damn it. 
“I don’t want to talk. That’s it. Period.” Isn’t it enough punishment to be forced to live like a mortal? To have my magic taken away from me and force me to pick a new way of life? Perhaps not. Maybe my past deeds aren’t repaid in full. Is that the reason the world decided to make me talk to her again?
Walking out of the crowd, I quickly walk down the sidewalk towards my dorm, hoping to find some sort of relief from the fiery pest. “Adagio, please? All I’m asking for is one talk. Then I’ll leave you alone!” Her persistent nature hasn’t disappeared as of yet… The last time I saw her was in high school, so I was hoping she would have gotten some sense by now to leave me alone. But no. She’s the same stubborn and hopeful person she is. I wonder if she still has anger issues… 
Maybe I haven’t changed either. I’m still making plans on how I will get the upper hand over others. Walking inside the dorm building quickly, I try to avoid making eye contact with her for as long as possible. Thankfully, the lobby isn’t that big, so it doesn’t take me very long to get to the elevator. Clicking the button, I keep my eye on the door of the elevator, hearing Sunset Shimmer walk up beside me. “I told you already that I don’t want to talk. Can you leave that be?” 
“I know… I probably should respect your decision and I apologize for persisting like this.” God, she really hasn’t changed. She’s still just as apologetic as ever, looking for some form of validation. “I just… I’m curious. This is the first time I’ve seen you since high school and I was hoping to hear that maybe you’re alright? How is life?”
“Haven’t you heard that curiosity killed the cat? Better watch yourself,” I whisper before going in the elevator, Sunset promptly following me inside. Clicking the button for the third floor, I can’t help but feel it’s a mistake to be in the same elevator as her… Isn’t it enough punishment? I’ve already changed my life… 
“If I have nine lives, then what should I worry about?” Sunset responds to my statement, looking at me from the opposite side of the elevator. As the doors finally close on us, I keep my eyes looking towards the exit, waiting for the ride to end. “I’m sorry, Adagio… Is that what you want to hear? I’m sorry that I took your magic away. It had to be done.”
“Sorry?” I ask with a laugh, finally connecting my eyes with the one I’ve hated for so many years. Suddenly, the embers of anger are ablaze once more in my heart. Over time, I’ve come to feel my hate leave my heart, but hearing her say sorry makes me… irrationally angry. “Own up to it, Shimmer. I am not looking for an apology. All I want is to live my life. I chose my path, you chose the way of the hero.” Placing my hand on the wall of the elevator, I can’t help but smirk. She hasn’t changed at all. She’s pathetically predictable. Still so easy to toy with… “I could so easily take revenge on you and your friends. Want to know why I didn’t? I know you better than you know yourself, Shimmer. Your time is coming. One thing the world loves to see more than a hero is to see a hero fail, fall…” Smiling, a chuckle escapes my lips as I see her confused and shocked expression. “Die trying.” The elevator’s door dings within a moment, opening the exit in front of me. “I may be dormant now. I may have changed, Shimmer. But trust me. Your consequences are coming. I don’t need to be evil or vengeful when I know you better than anyone else. Go live your life.” Walking out of the elevator, I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the sound of Sunset’s footsteps behind me. I don’t try to actively take power for myself anymore, but I know how foolish it is to try and be some hero. She’ll be hurt eventually.
“If you think you’re so much better than me, Adagio, then prove it,” she tells me with an angry tone, making me stop momentarily. “You think you’re the better person? You think you deserve more than me? Show me. I dare you to prove your ego has some validity behind it.” Turning my gaze towards her, I can see a fire in Sunset’s eyes, clearly angry yet… determined. 
“It’s not an ego, Shimmer. It’s the truth. You could never match up to me. I don’t have to show you anything.” Trying to walk away from her again, Sunset grabs my hand, seemingly determined to make me listen. 
“Show me. If you walk off now, do you really think you’re proving anything? You look pathetic now, Adagio.” Pulling my arm away from her, I have to resist the urge to grimace at Sunset, feeling my anger flare up once more. “I thought your loss at the Battle of the Bands wouldn’t stop you, but I guess not.”
“I am still Adagio Dazzle, Shimmer. I haven’t changed in the slightest,” I respond without even thinking of my words, my anger improvising my statement on the spot.
“Then prove it. Prove you know me better than anyone else. Then I’ll believe you. Then maybe you won’t seem so much like a mess.” Looking in my eyes, a frown comes to Sunset’s lips, crossing her arms slowly. “From what I see… You’re a shell of your former self.”
Who do you think you are…? You were almost a stain on my boot years ago… Like I have to prove I am better than you. I’ve changed my way in life, but her mere presence here makes me wish I had my magic back. I was always better than her. She could have been like me with a bit more ambition, but no. She found the ‘magic of friendship.’ How fucking predictable. I’m still the leader of the sirens. I’m still Adagio Dazzle. I am better than her in every way. This is probably some ruse to try and get me to talk to her, but… can I really avoid a chance to show her up? “I am better than you, Shimmer. You’re going to regret doubting that.”