Two days had passed us all by after Discords attack and there had been no attacks form Chrysalis, but that did not mean we were letting our guard down. Quite the opposite actually, we were all on guard to the point that Pinkie Pie always checked the inside of every closet upon entering an area. That had gotten very awkward very fast. But that was in the slight past, now the present beckoned and it was in the form of a massive firework show at the nearby park! Sunset and the girls had told me about it and I pretty much owed it to Sunny to take her on our official second date after all the gong shows that had transpired. At the moment he and the girls were dressing warm, winter was approaching and soon the cold would be upon them all. I glanced as Sunset zipped up her leather coat and I zipped up the white coat Rainbow’s dad had lent me.
Twilight clapped her hands as Spike hopped into her bag, “Alright everyone, let’s move out!”
I mock saluted, “Yes ma’am.”
Twilight shook her head but gave a good natured smile as we left for our destination.
*
The park was pretty crowded with people for the night’s events. There were even small kiosks set up everywhere vending food, sparklers, and there was even a small photo booth that was allowing pics for a decently small fee. Sunset smiled at the price and dragged me over to the booth, the photographer told us to get closer together and we both smiled as the flash went off. Soon Sunset paid for two photos as I took one.
I smiled at us in the photo, “Ah, memories.”
Sunset laughed as she led us toward one of the nearby hills to sit and wait for the fireworks. I took a respective note that the girls were keeping their distance and allowing her and me some time together. The fireworks began to fir off in the distance accompanied by several “oohs” and “ahhs” from the assembled crowd.
I leaned back, “Man, this is just so…relaxing.”
Sunset grinned, “You could say that. Did you ever see the fireworks back in Equestria?”
I shook my head, “Nah I never really got out much.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow, “Really? What about the festival of light in Vanhoover that occurs after the Summer Sun Celebration every year?”
*
Twilight turned her head slightly at the mention of the Summer Sun celebration, “Festival of Light? I’ve never even heard of…uh oh.”
*
I glanced at her, “Well of course I’ve…,” I looked over and noticed Twilight making a throat slitting gesture, “never been to that…”
Sunset nodded slowly, “Right.”
I glanced over and quickly tried to change the subject, “YOU KNOW I have NEVER asked you what…well…what you like.”
Sunset smiled, “Well I actually like really good books, sundaes surprisingly, and the beach in the summer.”
I quickly glanced at Twilight who made a carry on gesture, “And people like me right?”
Sunset smiled as she trailed her finger along my left cheek toward my hair, “Yes, people like you,” her face then
became slightly angered as she yanked my hair sharply, “But what I don’t like is when people LIE TO ME!”
I backed off and gripped my scalp, “OW! What?!”
Sunset glared at me, “There’s no such thing as The Festival of Light in Vanhoover. Where are you from! Tell me the truth!”
I was flustered, “The truth?!”
*
Twilight was beginning to hyperventilate nearby.
*
I thought on the question quickly as Sunset seemed to stare into my very soul, “Um.”
Sunset crossed her arms still glaring at me, “Well?”
I sighed, “Alright the truth is…I’m from here. I’m just a homeschool student who’s just been thrust into this. I told Twilight to lie for me because it’s…just too embarrassing.”
Sunset sighed in annoyance, “You know you could have just said that at the start to avoid this.”
It tore me up to lie to her even more, “I know, but where did this suddenly come from?”
Sunset looked away, “Just…paranoid.”
I put my arm around her, “Well don’t be, all that matters right now is you and me and this awesome show.”
*
Sunset smiled as she leaned against Scribe, but deep down she was still unsure.
*
Chrysalis was sitting in utter silence as she began to formulate and scheme. She had barely slept and was now devoting her time to nothing but learning any weaknesses that the group might possess. She was currently drawing an utter blank and began to rake her nails through her hair in anger. The Captain stood nearby and was waiting or the opportunity to step forward.
Chrysalis spoke through clenched teeth, “What is it?”
The Captain placed their latest intel photos from one of his field agents before her. The images just showed more of the group going about their days in bliss. Chrysalis was now getting to the point of lashing out at The Captain but something then occurred. Perhaps it was an epiphany or maybe her mind was attempting to make sense of a seemingly impossible situation but upon looking at one photo she stood up. Once again it showed the one known as Cryptic Scribe holding hands with the girl known as Sunset Shimmer. She smiled in malicious glee.
She then turned to The Captain, “I have something I wish for you to do.”
The Captain raised an eyebrow, “My Queen?”
Chrysalis threw him a tape recorder, “Follow Mister Scribe around until he is alone with the one known as Twilight Sparkle. Record everything you hear then come back to me, I’ll do the rest.”
The Captain bowed, “It will be done.”
*
When we all arrived at school the next day I had that familiar itch at the back of my head. The itch that told me that I was being followed by something or someone, it was driving me nuts. Upon entering I was immediately dragged by Twilight into the library. I could immediately tell she was in a state of panic.
Twilight shook her head as she paced, “See, this is why you shouldn’t have formed strong emotional connection.”
I just stared at her bemused, “I thought you said that it wasn’t your place to interfere.”
Twilight stopped, “I know what I said, but I have to put my…foot down. You…need to tell her the truth.”
I froze, “But you said that was a bad thing.”
Twilight sat down rubbing her temples, “I realize that it is, but there’s nothing worse than lying to a friend or at the very least a special somepony.”
I sat across from her, “Don’t you think I know that?”
Twilight glanced up at me, “The thing is I can’t tell her, I don’t think she could handle it.”
Twilight leaned forward, “But you have to say something, what do you think will happen if she finds out BEFORE you tell her?”
I looked down, “She’ll never trust me.”
Twilight nodded, “Or worse, she never forgives you.”
I looked up at her with sarcasm, “Yeah because she totally trusts me now.”
The bell rang causing us both to sigh.
*
Chrysalis sat in her empty classroom and clicked the stop button, “Perfect. Now captain deposit this in Miss Shimmer’s locker would you?”
The Captain had to voice his thought, “Why though my Queen? Doesn’t this seem a little bit nonsensical?”
Chrysalis waved the comment off, “Not at all. Love is a strong emotion indeed that has many good qualities to it. But like everything else in nature it has the bad as well. Let me ask you captain what occurs when a love between two friends, who are part of a larger group of friends goes sour?”
The Captain shook his head, “I am not sure.”
Chrysalis smiled evilly, “The entire friendship will soon fall apart.”
*
Sunset was walking to her locker to deposit her books for the coming lunch hour. Upon opening the locker door she found a tape recorder laying there and raised an eyebrow. On the recorder was a sticky note that simply read, “The Truth.” She then hesitantly reached down and pushed play.
*
Have any of you ever had a day in your life that you pretty much could chop up to the worst ever? Well what occurred was pretty much mine. The girls and I were walking to the cafeteria when Sunset rounded the corner glancing around very fast. She then noticed us and began to walk with a straight face toward me.
I smiled, “Hey Sun-“
I was cut off as she slapped me straight across the face causing a collective gasp.
She jabbed a finger at Twilight, “I’ll deal with you later,” she pointed at me with cold fury present in her eyes, “and YOU!”
I was rubbing my face, “What?!”
Sunset shook her head, “Don’t act stupid, I told you that I hate being lied to and your still doing it to my FACE!”
I shook my head, “What are you-“
She raised a tape recorder and clicked play as my voice played back to me, “You sound pretty truthful when you’re around Twilight.”
My anger became present, “So, paranoia resorted to spying on me?”
Sunset ignored that, “You’re unbelievable! Why won’t you just tell me the truth Scribe?!”
I pointed at her, “One I do NOT appreciate my privacy being violated ESPECIALLY by eavesdroppers and two you wouldn’t be able to handle the truth.”
Rarity stepped between us with her hands raised, “Now hold on let’s not say anything that we’ll regret.”
Sunset threw her hands up, “Fine! You know what I can’t even stand this right now I’m going for a walk.”
I shook my head as she turned, “You know this is why I didn’t want to tell you. You’re acting like an angry child.”
Sunset stopped as the girls cringed, “What did you just call me?”
I looked her straight in the eye as she turned around, “Did I stutter?”
Sunset stormed up to me, “Say it to my face.”
I dragged out each word in anger, “An. Angry. Child.”
Sunset narrowed her eyes as she grabbed my shirt, “If we weren’t in school right now I would break you in half.”
I looked down at her hand and responded in cold fury, “Take your hand off me…now.”
She did just that, “I can’t even look at you right now.”
I shook my head in equal frustration, “Me neither.”
Sunset then got right in my face, “Well! Look who’s finally being honest to me for once.”
I pressed against her forehead, “I have an idea, why don’t we take the middle ground. Since we both can’t stand the other, let’s just end THIS right here right now.”
Sunset nodded as her face contorted in a mask of rage as she yelled, “FINE!”
I yelled back just as loud, “FINE!”
We both turned on our heels as I pushed past the girls who were trying to talk to us.
I raised a hand to stop them, “I’m done!”
Sunset pushed away from the girls trying to reason with her as well, “Bastard.”
*
The sound of two slamming doors caused the girls to jump slightly as Pinkie Pie looked after Scribe sadly, “Everything was going so well.”
Rarity nodded in equal sadness, “They were so happy.”
Twilight slouched on the floor, “It’s all my fault.”
Applejack bent down to her friend, “No it ain’t. Lets jus give em some time to cool off.”
Twilight sighed, “I suppose your right. But…why did I have to make him keep the truth from her.”
Rainbow Dash stared at her saddened friend, “What exactly aren’t you telling us?”
Twilight shook her head, “It’s not my place to say, Scribe will tell us when he’s ready.”
*
I sat fuming on the front steps as the feeling of anger and slight betrayal invaded my mind. This soon dissolved into shame, sadness and slow boiling frustration sautéed in annoyance.
*
Sunset sat on the roof in angry tears at the words that had been spoken and that her trust had been utterly betrayed by the man she…she didn’t even know any more.
*
Chrysalis sat in her class as the students gossiped at a supposed huge fight that had occurred before lunch. Chrysalis was reading a textbook but was cackling inwardly in victory.