//------------------------------// // Chapter IV // Story: Back In The Game // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// I flopped back on my bed, staring at the TV in boredom. There wasn’t really any good movies on or well, none that I haven’t seen a trillion times. Not like I could watch anything or sleep considering the loud music coming from the room next door loud enough to make the whole house shake. “Lemon Zest!” I listened to Thunderlane shout as I smirked. “Turn down the freaking music, I swear you’re trying to get the police called on us again for noise complaints. You know how much our neighbors are assholes!” I gave a quiet laugh as Thunderlane walked past before pausing and sticking his head in the doorway. “Hey Sunset. How did the date go?” “Not gonna lie, surprisingly well. Coco is a pretty nice girl and pretty too. I hate that Rarity knows my type,” I grumbled in mock anger as Thunderlane laughed. “Anyways, who knows. Maybe there will be more in the future. It’s complicated ya know? Sorting out getting cheated on and trying to figure out when the right time to date after is. It’s just a lot to take in.” “Felt that one. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go get Lemon Zest to shut hee music off before the police get called and our eardrums explode,” Thunderlane rolled his eyes and I smirked. “Yeah yeah go get your girlfriend,” I teased as he shot me a look. “She’s not my girlfriend.” “I know. I just like teasing you about it,” I snickered as he groaned. “You’re insufferable somedays, you know that?” Thunderlane asked dryly as I shrugged. “Oh I know. But you all still love me anyways, even Sea Swirl and I barely know the lady,” I answered with a smug grin. “Ah yes. Nothing but love from all of us,” Thunderlane commented sarcastically as I threw a pillow at him and he hastily continued walking down the hall. I picked up my phone after it vibrated for a few seconds before opening my phone. I’m not entirely used to others making the first move, that’s usually my thing but apparently Coco works differently. Or Rarity stole her phone which is pretty likely. “Hey,” I said as I kicked my door shut and listened to it lock. “Hey,” Coco said as I listened to what sounded like a washer in the background. “It’s not too soon to call, right?” I paused and stared at the clock. To be fair, I was just talking to Thunderlane about not knowing when it was too soon to start talking to someone else. But Coco lived alone so she probably didn’t have anyone other than her friends to talk to about it, especially since I consider Thunderlane family at this point. “Nah it’s not. How’s your night going?” “Pretty good. You?” Coco asked as I heard a faint slamming sound. “Sorry, I’m doing laundry right now.” “S’all good. We all gotta do that at one point, right? I’m okay, just listening to Thunderlane and Lemon Zest go back and forth about music volume right now.” “Who is Thunderlane?” Coco asked curiously as I watched Ray sunbathing on his rock in the tank. “One of my roommates. Got four of em. Lemon Zest who you presumably know, Thunderlane, Sea Swirl and Derpy but Derpy only comes out for showers, food, bathroom or to open the front door when guests are here to see her,” I answered and sighed, placing my hands behind my head. If Rarity knew who I caught Flash with, she’d be way more worried about Derpy than me. Hell, I was worried I’d come home one day and find the girl dead in her room. At least she had Lyra who consistently came to see her with Bon Bon occasionally tagging along. “I’ll be at your school for a few weeks starting tomorrow,” Coco said casually as I propped my head up. “Transferring over?” “Nah. Dean Cadence wants a few of us to see what Canterlot High life is like and vice versa. She picked me, Sunny, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, Indigo, Lemon Zest, Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts and Moondancer to come with. Lemon, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine and Indigo were super excited to come over.” “Huh, Principal Celestia didn’t mention that at all recently. Strange but I’m here for it. Wonder if I get picked to go to CPA, that’d be kinda cool,” I mused and scratched my neck. “How did the others take it? Like Sour and Sugarcoat?” “They took it how they take everything. With a shrug and a oh cool,” Coco answered. “Minuette is super excited to see Twilight again.” “I didn’t think Twilight had any friends at CPA,” I commented as Coco snorted. “What?” “They weren’t exactly friends because Twilight didn’t understand they wanted to be. I always saw them trying to get Twilight out to hang out but well, CPA is competitive and most people think others are out to take advantage of each other. Which is usually pretty accurate but Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts and Moondancer are pretty nice girls. Especially Minuette and Twinkleshine. Lemon Hearts is nice but serious and Moondancer gets grumpy.” “Sounds like a uh lovely group,” I muttered uncertaintly. “I knew Minuette and the others back home somewhat.” “Oh?” “Yeah I’ll be sure to tell you more about it tomorrow. I’ll meet you near the Wondercolt statue tomorrow morning.” “I look forward to it.” “Same.” I gave a yawn as I shut the door of my car, walking along the green grass of my school as I faintly made out six girls talking next to the statue along with Coco. “Hey,” I said as I got closer. “Hello dearie,” Sunny Flare smiled warmly as she handed me a coffee. “It’s nice to see you again under much more friendly circumstances.” “Likewise,” I said as I gratefully accepted the coffee. “It’s good to see you all again my friends. Where are the other girls?” “Rainbow Dash and the others are talking to princess. Something about warning your classmates because-” Sour started as Sugarcoat cut her off. “Because of the distrust the Wondercolts still harbor for Shadowbolts after the Games,” Sugarcoat said bluntly as she adjusted her glasses. “Hey Coco,” I grinned at the girl next to me as I shrugged. “And yeah, the classmates here can be uh spiteful and can hold a grudge for months. Believe me, I know first hand how far they can go at times.” “Hi Sunset,” Coco said casually as she hugged my side and I froze before hugging back with one arm. “I will admit, I don’t they will like us much here. Our school was awful to them for years.” “Except you,” Indigo shot back as she grinned. “Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts and Moondancer are already inside with uh some mint girl that we competed against at the games.” “Oh that’s Lyra,” I said dismissively with a hand wave as I sipped my coffee. “She’s somewhat harmless. She really hated me for the longest though so we used to have a strained friendship after the battle of the bands.” “The what?” Sour Sweet asked as I looked her up and down, taking in her purple hoodie and black skirt. “I’ll tell you later. Surprised you all aren’t wearing your uniforms,” I noted as Sunny shrugged. “Blending in dearie. Dean Cadence is currently trying to remove the uniforms and allow us to wear what we want but the school board and some parents are pushing back.” “Becaue they’re a bunch of cunts!” Indigo chimed in as Sunny glared at her. “Language.” “Yeah yeah,” Indigo waved a hand dismissively as she patted my shoulder. “And it’s nice to see you too. You still owe me a motorcycle race without plants attacking from your world.” “We can do that later. Why the heck would this place hate you? You’re awesome and a flying magical bad ass!” Lemon said with a grin as she finally took her head phones off. “Later,” I said as I stared at the ground with a guilty expression. “It’s uh complicated. Really, really complicated. But uh class starts soon, so we should get inside and see who goes where.” The others nodded as I led them up the steps, idly noting Coco next to me. “Would it be weird to ask to hold your hand?” Coco asked I opened the door and paused. “Uh no?” I decided and sighed. “It’s uh fine. Just don’t let Flash see, don’t want him getting his feelings hurt. It may be over between us but I don’t want to seem like I’m trying intentionally to hurt him. God knows he and the school is doing that for him already.” “Okay.” Coco looked around curiously before grabbing my hand and I blushed faintly before smiling. “What’s up my slutty bitches!?” Lyra shouted as she walked up with a bright red Bon Bon. “Lyra!” “And that would be Lyra,” I explained as I squeezed Coco’s hand subconsciously as the Shadowbolts stared at Lyra in stunned silence. “I honestly have no words,” Sunny whispered. “Welcome to the club,” Sugarcoat whispered back as she smoothed down her blue dress. I hope she doesn’t always greet me like that. At least she doesn’t call me the coolest pony girl in town anymore. Thank Celestia for minor miracles.