//------------------------------// // Arc XXX Episode X: Data Analysis // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// “Alright, so let’s take a look at this…” Sunset muttered as she investigated the contents of the crystal while reading into one of her books of magic that she had obtained from Celestia a while back. “Aha…just as I suspected.” “What are you getting from it?” Adagio asked, “Do you sense any major changes?” “No, but what I do sense is that this was brought over by one of the forces that’s causing the rifts between our world and Equestria,” Sunset continued as she looked through her book, “Dark magic is…highly unstable and needs a delicate touch to handle.” “I certainly have no idea how it works,” Adagio admitted with a shrug, “Hypnosis we can handle. But darkness is something else entirely.” Sunset shook her head. “You’ve done enough just by bringing it here to me, Dagi. Thanks. If I need you for anything else, I’ll let you know. Right now, I’ve got Keiji and then Aidon coming over to see what they can tell me. And then maybe we can all figure something out…” Looking to bring some levity to the situation, Adagio smirked and started to gossip. “Speaking of Aidon, have you heard what’s going on between him and the VP?” “Hm? Oh, you mean Vice Principal Luna,” Sunset replied with a nod, then a giggle. “Yeah, it seems as if they’re getting along well, huh? It’s crazy…Luna’s felt super cold and distant from others in both worlds. But I’m glad this one’s been able to find someone who loves her.” “I wonder…those two together…” Adagio muttered tentatively. “...hrm…it’s probably nothing.” But Sunset somewhat had an idea as to what she was thinking about. “...lemme guess. You’re wondering the implications of an Equestrian having a relationship with a ‘human’ huh?” She sighed as she leaned back in her seat. “To be perfectly honest, I’ve been wondering that myself ever since I was interested in Flash Sentry.” “Mm…what sort of offspring would the combination of the two beings have….” Adagio muttered aloud, which caused Sunset’s cheeks to turn pink. “Th-that’s not what I meant!” the magical pony-girl stuttered, “I’m just thinking of…any sort of magical issues that could pop up if two people from two different worlds got close to each other.” “Is that why you decided not to pursue a relationship with Flash Sentry?” Adagio asked out of concern, “Because you were afraid of what might happen to him should you both get any closer?” Sunset slumped back in her chair. “...among other things, yeah. There’s just too many risks involved with it for me to consider going any further, ya know? I just…never really found the time or place to tell him.” “...Ouch,” Adagio muttered, not really knowing how to respond. “...I feel you though. I haven’t really had much time to think about my personal life with everything that’s been going on around here. I guess that’s one of the drawbacks of life as a superhero, hm? Come to think of it…what about Keiji?” “Hm?” Sunset asked, “What about him exactly?” As if on cue, the vampboy flew up to Sunset’s window, “Yo--” “AH!” “AH!” He crawled into the open window with a toothy fanged grin on his face. “Sorry, didn’t mean’ta scare ya. What’s going on up here?” “Well, a few things,” Adagio explained, “But I’d like to ask you a more personal question if you don’t mind.” “Shoot,” the vampboy replied as he reclined upon the windowsill. “...how’s your relationship with Diamond Tiara going?” “S’fine,” he replied with a shrug, “I like her, she likes me. We both like Silver Spoon too. So it all kinda works out.” Sunset snickered and teased him. “Wow. Look at Mr. Anime Protagonist pulling multiple girls.” “Shudduuuup,” he hissed and rolled his eyes. “It’s really only because they’re inseparable and extremely bisexual. They have a lot of feelings for each other, but me as well. I’m not gonna just leave them behind and choose one over the other. It’s like they’re twins or something, ya know?” “Well that’s certainly an honest way of putting it,” Adagio replied with an impressed scoff. “But beyond that, how have they been doing ever since you’ve gotten closer to them? You’re from Equestria so we want to know if your makeup has caused any magical anomalies within them.” Keiji scratched the back of his head. “...They seem happier, I guess? Mainly because I pay attention to them or something. Might’ve also played a part in fixing their family situations I think?” He paused, then continued. “...oh you mean on the magical side, yeah? Well they’ve started to develop a taste for blood sausage I guess?” Sunset thought logically. “Eh…could just be sharing in their boyfriend’s eating habits. Probably not magically inclined. Whatever the case, let us know if anything changes, alright?” “Yeah, yeah. Now didja call me down here to ask about my love life or something actually important?” Keiji huffed, wishing to move on to something else. “This crystal,” Sunset held up the case that contained it, “Have you seen anything like this before back home?” “...dark magic,” he identified it immediately, “You should ask Teach about it. He might know.” “...can’t,” Sunset sighed, “I tried to contact him, but apparently he’s at Zephyr Heights with Luna right now until winter break is over.” “Ooooh…” Adagio muttered with a sly grin, “I suppose they’re going to have a rather fun time, hm?” “Good for them,” Keiji shrugged and stretched his arms. “Until then, we just need to beat the crap out of whoever tries ot take this from us, right?” Sunset hesitated for a moment, then answered, “...right. You just make sure you keep putting in your hours on Applejack’s farm, kiddo.” “Aaaaaaugh,” he chittered in annoyance. “Yeah…I am.”