//------------------------------// // Chapter 16- Paper Faces On Parade // Story: Hitting The Books // by CrypticMetaphor //------------------------------// After the previous day’s events we were all seated in the coffee shop and acting like it never happened. But deep down we were all trying to think of ways on how to outdo the boy who always seemed to be one step ahead of us at every turn. But none the less the girls were all a buzz with excitement for the coming night’s events; I on the other hand was just absently lost in thought. As of late my mind had been returning to the mission and the fact that my emotions were constantly in flux. I glanced over at Sunset who noticed me and smiled, I couldn't help but smile back. I had to admit, I was actually enjoying being in this strange new world with all these interesting individuals. Granted the thing with Umbra and my assignment are putting a dampener on my mood but regardless all was well. Rarity’s voice cut through my thoughts, “I’VE GOT IT!!” Everyone stared at our table as I sunk in my chair, “Got what exactly.” Rarity realized her folly and stammered in embarrassment, “Sorry.” I sat back up as Twilight leaned over, “As you were saying?” Rarity smiled, “Well I was thinking, why don’t I supply our clothing for the Masquerade this evening? I mean I did it last year did I not? And they were a rousing success.” Sunset glanced to the side but nodded, “Yeah they were.” Applejack placed a hand on her shoulder, “Listen ah know yer nervous about tonight especially after last year, but we’re here for ya. By the time we’re done we’ll ferget all about the craziness and have the best night ever!” I raised my glass, “Here, here!” Rarity nodded, “Totally!” Pinkie was all smiles and good spirits, “Yipee!!” Twilight smiled, “Right behind you.” Rainbow Dash pumped her fist, “Let’s rock!” Fluttershy gave a soft clink of her glass, “Yay...” Sunset looked at our smiles, “Thank you all.” We then put our glasses together and prepared for the coming afternoon. * Umbra stood and gazed at himself in the mirror as he fixed his outfit. It was a jet black suit and with matching dress shoes. He wore a white Victorian dress shirt with a massive cape that was currently drapes over his right arm. He combed his hair back as it lay flat atop his head. Umbra grinned at his look, “Truly a face to admire,” he then placed a black mask that covered all of his face except for his cheeks, chin and lower lip, “and a face to fear.” * I was dragged with much reluctance into the clothes shop. Rarity had insisted that she make me a costume but I was never a fan of clothes shopping or trying on several types of clothes but she was VERY insistent. I reached up to re-position my glasses but I felt nothing and remembered why. I glanced up as Applejack and the girls smiled, AJ passed me a case which I opened and produced my glasses brand new with replaced lenses. I put them on, “How did you all?” Twilight raised a hand, “I did one other thing when we were still…powered up.” I nodded and smiled, “Thanks girls, this really means a lot.” Rarity clapped her hands together, “Alright everyone, let’s get ready!” * Umbra emerged from his lair and entered into the gym as it was just finishing its preparations. * I sat on the bench with Spike as we were forced to be the opinion guys. Rarity walked out and was wearing a gown that was silver with sapphire highlights her boots had been replaced in favor of white heel shoes. Her hair was done in a cascading waterfall of indigo laced with shining sparkles. She then quickly wore a sapphire mask that covered her face completely with diamond segments on it. I gave her the thumbs up which she smiled at. Fluttershy walked out in a forest green dress that was adorned with waterfall patterns and depictions. Her hair was done up in a bun behind her head. Her boots were replaced with water blue slippers that had small butterflies upon them. Her mask was the color of the sun and only covered her eye area. I nodded in approval as she thanked me and sat with Rarity. Applejack and Rainbow were the next out. AJ was dressed in a dark green cape and with white trim and her outfit seemed to be a hybrid of a cow girl suit and a dress. The color scheme was dark green with white trim and on her chest was a bright red apple. Her hair was in a braided ponytail and she wore a red Stetson, her mask was reminiscent of a western bandit but it matched her cape as well. Rainbow Dash was dressed in gold form fitting armor with rainbow chain mail and a cyan cape. Her hair was still the same except the back was tied in a ponytail. Her mask was made of gold metal and had metallic hooks on the side like they were glasses. Her mask covered her eye area and nose only. I raised an eyebrow, “What we going to war now?” Rainbow just waved it off, “Yeah, yeah joke all you want. I make this look good!” Spike clapped in agreement. Twilight was next out and I was really surprised. The costume she wore consisted of an indigo hooded cloak with white stars on the back. She wore a dark violet button up dress shirt with white sparkles upon it. She wore a matching skirt and underneath that form fitting white pants and heeled white shoes. Her mask consisted of a white mask that had an indigo star fixed in the center of the forehead. Attached to the mask was a sparkling indigo veil that covered the rest of her face. I nodded as Spike clapped once more. Sunset was the last to emerge and I have to say Rarity out did herself. Her dress made her look like a firebird. It was a gown but covered in fiery colors and designs. The yellow segments seemed to shine in the light which made the rest of it seem to burn brighter. Her hair was done in the fashion that would belong to royalty. Her mask was bright red with orange trim and was trimmed with what I could guess as phoenix feathers or something close to it. The mask itself covered the entire right side of her face except her mouth and the eye area of the left side. I nodded with a smile which she returned with a slight blush as the girls hugged her. I stood up and clapped my hands, “Alright we’re all suited up and ready to go.” Rarity was already behind me, “Oh nice try now it’s your turn.” I glanced around as the other girls laughed, “What? HEY!?” I was pushed into the booth as Rarity passed me my outfit, “I went with what I thought would look good on you.” * The girls waited as Scribe dressed. Sunset did a twirl in the mirror and smiled as a small tear came to her eye. She had never been as happy as she was at that moment. Soon the door opened and Scribe walked out. The girls smiled, Scribe was dressed in a full white suit with silver trim and a much more fitting and crisp light grey dress shirt. He wore white gloves and matching dress shoes. On his back was a white cape with silver inside and trim. On his face was a silver Venetian mask that covered his eye area and nose. The eye holes were almond shaped and he smiled as he struck a pose and raised his cape. * I waggled my eyebrows, “Well what do you think?” Rarity checked me once more and smile satisfied, “Very mysterious and gentleman like. I knew it would look good.” I turned hard and my cape billowed behind me, “Onward ladies, to the DANCE!” The girls collectively cheered as Spike took up his guard post at the element. * We all arrived at the school as the dance had just started. Many school mates and their guest were piling in. Flash Sentry waved us over; he was dressed in a full dark tuxedo with a gold eye mask. I fist bumped him, “Hey dude.” Flash nodded, “Sup.” I looked around, “Any sign of him yet?” Now the thing was that after our attack at Dash’s home we had informed Flash of our situation. Though he was skeptical at first he trusted our word and eventually believed us when he had shown up after the fiasco in the snow. Flash shook his head, “No, he probably isn’t going to show. If what you told me is true he’s probably is going to wait until our guard is down.” Rarity nodded, “Plus there are way too many people around.” I gazed at the doors as I walked up the stairs with the group, “Dear friends what a splendid party.” Twilight nodded, “A prologue to a bright new year.” Rarity smiled as she saw the principal dressed as a sun goddess near the door, “Quite a night I’m impressed.” Celestia smiled in approval, “Well one does one’s best.” All of us then said, “Here’s to us!” Flash looked and saw some of the guests were of the high society, “The toast of the city.” I then added sarcastically, “What a pity that Umbra could not be here.” * Umbra noticed the group enter with smiles on their faces. He snapped his fingers as two individuals appeared. One was dressed like a gold eagle whereas the other as a personification of lightning bolts. Umbra whispered to them, “Inform me if anything happens.” Gilda muttered, “Ten-four.” * I stood near the punch bowl and sipped absently as someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned my head and came face to face with vice-principal Luna dressed as a personification of the moon on a starry azure sky. I smiled, “Evening Vice-Principal.” Luna took off her mask, “Hello Mr. Scribe are you enjoying yourself.” I looked across the room at all of the masked students and adults, “Immensely, you all did a great job.” Luna smiled at the compliment, “Thank you. Try to stay out of trouble alright?” I blinked in confusion, “Okay…” I glanced around once more and I weaved into the crowd to mingle. * Luna stood with Principal Celestia and the rest of the faculty, “What a night!” Celestia nodded, “What a crowd!” Mr. Sombra glanced around, “Makes you glad.” Mr. Discord nodded with his collogue, “Makes you proud.” Cheerilee glanced around also and took note of the caliber of guests, “All the crème de le crème!” The Doctor sipped from his glass, “All our fears are in the past.” Celestia and Luna both smiled, “Three months!” Mr. Sombra nodded in agreement, “Of relief! Cheerilee clapped her hands, “Of delight! All the faculty then proclaimed, “Of Elysian peace! Luna exhaled, “And we can breathe at last. * I glanced around as I continued to chat with the other students when I felt someone grab my hand and led me out of the crowd. I looked at the smiling face of Applejack who led me onto the dance floor with the rest of the gang. The music was pretty lively and they were all dancing to it with much gusto. I on the other hand was just standing awkwardly. Applejack grinned, “Cmon Scribe, cut a rug.” I chuckled nervously, “Uh…I don’t dance. Well I do it’s just that I’m sometimes compared to a scarecrow on strings.” Applejack shook her head, “Now yer just makin excuses again.” I raised my hands, “Hand to god.” Applejack shrugged, “Alright then, guess we’ll have to teach you.” I nodded, “Exactly…wait.” Dash grabbed me and spun me around as a rock song started. I was then forced by Dash to dance with her. She danced hard to the beat as I attempted my hand at it and started to fail. She shook her head, “Like this.” She slowed it down a bit and I began to mirror her a bit easier. Pretty soon I began to speed up as my confidence built. Pretty soon I was dancing pretty well in tune with the musical choices. All the girls were smiling and egging me on as we all had a blast. Soon the music was toned down and I glanced around nervously as I noticed some students slow dancing. My face fell immediately and I attempted to slip away through the crowd. I then noticed Sunset Shimmer absently looking at the dancing couples with sad happiness. I don’t know why and I still don’t know what possessed me to do what I did but I approached her and offered my hand. I casually asked, “May I have this dance Miss Shimmer?” Sunset looked at my hand in surprise then glanced around in what I could guess as fear. I raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong?” Sunset sighed and then took my hand with a smile, “Nothing. I would love to.” * Gilda weaved through the crowd and tapped Umbra on the shoulder. He turned as she pointed toward Sunset and Scribe. The minute he saw what he saw his face became cold but rage was evident in his eyes. * So there I was dancing a waltz with a beautiful girl. I never thought I would see the day when that happened. For some reason I felt content and oddly…warm. I looked into her cyan eyes as she too returned my stare. I smiled at the moment in time and enjoyed every moment of it, as far as I was concerned she and me were the only ones in the whole world. I snapped back to reality and realized I was being looked at by Twilight who was raising an eyebrow. I then remembered myself and stopped abruptly as the music ended. Sunset was confused, “What’s wrong?” I was nervous beyond belief, “Uh…” All of a sudden the sound of breaking metal and sparks falling alerted us to a lighting fixture coming loose and crashing towards the gym floor. Sunset grabbed me and yanked me out of the way as all the students did the same. I looked through the panicked crowd as the teachers attempted to calm the guests and students. Among them I saw a familiar face with his demonic eyes smiling maliciously across the room. Sunset noticed as well because she was soon pulling me from the gym and out into the hall. She was leading me to a door labeled staff only which she then proceeded to kick open. Eventually we were climbing a set of stairs. I looked at the frightened girl, “Sunset where are we going?!” Sunset spoke in a frightened whisper, “Away from him!” Eventually she opened one last door and we exited onto the school roof. I removed my mask as she did the same, “Sunset why are we up here?” Sunset hugged her arms, “To escape him…” I stepped forward, “Listen Sunset, you have to tell me. Why does Umbra know so much about you and how is he like…how he is? Please, you can trust me.” Sunset sighed, “You need to know that I wasn’t always like this. Before you came to this school I was…a bad girl. I did things that were cold and heartless…monstrous. I pushed people apart, manipulated others for my own gain and broke even the most treasured of friendships apart. I used to own this school; some kids would even say I was going to rule over all of them until we graduated. I almost did until Twilight came here and changed everything.” I approached her, “You’re not telling me everything.” Sunset sighed, “As you know I come from the same world Twilight hails from, my jealousy and cruelty toward her and that world were so great that I stole her crown and brought it with me back here. When the Fall Formal was approaching I pulled out all the stops to ensure that the crown would remain mine and no others. But my plans were derailed after Twilight united the school and took it from me.” I stopped, “Then what happened?” Sunset trembled, “I snapped, I stole the crown back and became a true monster that almost destroyed two worlds.” I placed my arms around her as she ceased her trembling but I felt tears, “It’s alright, the past is in the past. You have to look toward the future because the person you once were is no more.” Sunset looked to the side, “I know, but all the memories in my mind and now Umbra-“ I stopped her, “Won’t touch you. Not as long as I’m around.” Sunset released herself from my arms and stared at me, “Why are you so eager to help me?” I shrugged, “We’re almost the same in some regard.” Sunset tilted her head, “What do you mean?” I shook my head, “No, this isn’t right I can’t do this Twilight said…” Sunset walked over to me, “Twilight said what?” I turned from her, “The mission and everything I can’t explain.” Sunset took a step forward, “Why?” I shook my head as I clenched my fists, “It’s complicated.” * Sunset stared at the troubled boy who didn’t meet her gaze, “Cryptic, what do you mean it’s complicated?” Scribe didn’t answer causing Sunset to approach him slowly, “Please Scribe, just tell me what it is. I’m your friend remember?” Down below the band began to play a calming and almost serene melody as Cryptic turned to face Sunset with tears in his eyes and said four words softly, “Sunset, I love you.” Sunset’s eyes widened in surprise at the statement. Cryptic then quickly turned as his cape billowed behind him. He stopped beside the shocked girl and spoke with choked words, “That’s why everything is so complicated.” Scribe then opened the door to the roof and walked down the stairs. But he was halted by something, or someone grabbing his cape. Sunset stared at him in slight anger and sadness, “You can’t just say that to someone and just leave. Explain yourself.” * I sighed and still refused to meet her gaze, “Back at my old school I wasn’t liked by all. Many other students tormented me and insulted me but I held my head high and endured. I had friends who I was loyal to beyond belief, but even then I felt isolated. They never told me anything, I was constantly left out of the loop on everything but I still kept being their friend. I grew bitter and resentful when I saw my tormentors laughing or smiling at the expense of me or others. Worst of all was that through all of that I had nobody to confide in, no person to call my own. I hated them so much that I would lash out ruthlessly with words and sometimes violence; it was pretty much me against the world. I'm about as bad as they were.” * Sunset blinked back tears at the boy’s story; in a way their lives were similar. She once had no one to count on and it was just her and nopony else. And both of them had lashed out at the world in different way with their anger. It was no wonder Scribe had been nervous around all of them when they had become his friends, his sense of trust and morals were tainted, almost corrupted with sadness and spite. But underneath the dark mask was the boy they all loved to share a laugh and hang out with, he wasn’t a bad person and he needed someone to show him the truth. Sunset descended the stairs slowly, “So that’s why you never let anyone in, you were afraid.” Scribe glanced at her curiously as she got within a meter of him, “But you don’t have to be afraid.” Scribe blinked as she placed a hand on the back of his head, “What?” Sunset smiled, “You’re not alone. Not anymore” Scribe then found himself with his lips pressed against Sunset Shimmer’s, his world then stopped and opened up for the first time in years. * My body was petrified, I couldn’t think or speak. I was shocked beyond belief as my heart soared. I don’t know why I cried in that moment, maybe it was the sudden weight of my conflictions being lifted or it was because I was just so happy in that one moment, I did not know. It was that confusion and shock however that managed to make me pull away wordlessly. I shook my head frantically, “No, not like this…” I turned and quickly scampered down the stairs and back toward the gym. * Sunset stood in the stairwell speechless. She then fell to her knees and wept. * I walked into the gym toward Twilight as I handed her my cape, “I’m leaving.” Twilight looked after me, “What?” I whipped around and yelled in anger, “I’M DONE! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” Before anyone could stop me I stormed out of the gym and walked down the darkened street. * Sunset ran into the gym and looked around as the fixture had finally been removed, “Where is he?” Rarity noticed her distress, “Are you alright dear?” Sunset shook her head, “No. Where’s Scribe?” Twilight put two and two together and realized the full gravity of the situation, “Oh no.” Dash pointed to the door, “He just left.” Sunset voiced a quick thank you and walked out of the doors and glanced around. A sudden rustling alerted her to something above and she only had enough time to gasp before a dark shaped descended down upon her with the sound of a whooshing cape.