//------------------------------// // Act I - 06 - School's Out // Story: Harmony's Warriors: X-Questrians First Class // by Avenging-Hobbits //------------------------------// Act I: “In the Beginning” Chapter Six: “School’s Out” “Here ya go, Miss!” a brown pony with a bowery accent began “Canterlot University!” he announced, his voice injected with much enthusiasm. He opened the door to the cab as the white unicorn stepped out, quickly bundling herself up in her coat. She passed some bits to the cabbie, who took them and proceeded to drive off. Fleur had to admit it, the campus was quite a sight to behold. Housed in an old wing of the massive castle that dominated the mountainside, the ornate columns and flying buttresses gave the campus an expansive and noble and dignified aura, feeling more akin to a temple than a simple college. The older mare trotted across the campus, taking note of how the snow had come early this year, creating a thin sheet of pristine, natural crystals all around her, a serene sight only further complimented by the pair of musicians singing an old folk song on the corner. Fleur smiled, having already developed a taste for this eras music more than most, and she had always had a soft spot for live musicians. She trotted over to the musicians, chipping a bit into the upturned hat that already had a few coins. The musicians nodded towards her gratefully, and she nodded slightly in return, before turning to scan the campus around her. “Where is that girl?” She asked aloud, narrowing her eyes slightly to try and locate the mare that had promised to met her. “Fleur! Hey Fleur!” came a high pitched voice, merged with the ringing, if not slightly annoying sound, of a Detrot accent. Unaware of her growing smile, the tall unicorn turned to see a light blue earth pony mare galloping over to her, dressed in a brightly colored striped sweater, emblazoned with a great, fiery letter ‘C’, which Fleur recognized as the coat of arms for the Canterlot University Paladins. Her equally colorful if rather long scarf billowed behind her and her fluffy pink mane was done up in an almost cotton candy-esque hair do. “Cupcake!” Fleur beamed, running up to greet Cupcake with a tight hug, a sign of affection she was normally tend to avoid. “How are you? How have you been?” “Good, great even!” Cupcake answered, stifling an excited laugh, her breath coming out as small puffs of smoke in the cold. “I’m about halfway through my thesis, so hopefully I’ll be able to submit it in March if everything works out the way that it should, you know?” She allowed herself a pleased smile before shrugging slightly, “But what about you, Fluer? I mean, I knew you were coming, but Mom and Dad didn’t really fill me in on the details." Fleur responded with a sly grin, “Oh? Why? You couldn’t just take a peek into their heads?” Cupcake rolled her eyes. “Fleur, you know I can’t hear thoughts from that far away. I’m not that good…” She looked upward at the sky for a moment. “... at least not yet,” she added with a slight touch of excitement. “And besides, you know I don’t like to do… that,” she looked around, apparently hoping no one would hear their conversation. “To family, especially Mom and Dad. What does on in their minds is their business.” “Well!” Fleur scoffed playfully, making her voice sound as overwhelmingly posh as she could. “Mom and Dad will be sorely disappointed to know that they spent all that money to send you to this fancy school and you learned nothing of value.” Cupcake rolled her eyes, “Says the pony who until now avoided university like a plague.” Fleur countered with a playful punch to the arm, causing Cupcake to laugh. “What was it you said your reasons were? Book learning-” Fleur shook her head with a warm smile. “Can only get you so far,” she laughed as she completed her little sister’s parroting of her own favored expression. “And let it be known that I still stand by that assertion, Cupcake, but I digress,” she looked warmly at her sister, moving some stray pink hair from her blue eyes. “Sweet Celestia, you have grown up so much from that scared little filly that hid behind my legs for protection, haven’t you?” Cupcake smiled, her eyes darting about bashfully. “Oh thanks, Fluer,” she looked down, trying to keep her blushing from being noticed. “I mean tha-Hey!” she stopped, laughing. “You still didn’t answer the question Fleur! Come on! Stop procrastinating! Why are you here?” Fleur smiled, “Alright, alright. But only because you’re so insistent. Apparently we got caught in the crossfire of a war between spiders and wasps, so the house is getting fumigated.” Cupcake’s face contorted in horror. “Spiders and wasps...” she repeated, her eyes widening. “And wasps are like… spiders that can fly…” Fleur nodded. “Mhmm, yes, so I will be bunking with you. Grandfather did not want me.” “What?” Cupcake gasped, shocked. “Aren’t Mom and Dad staying at his place?” Cupcake pushed further. “Why wouldn’t Grandpa want you around? You’re great!” Fleur nodded with a smile. ”I know, right? Who wouldn’t want me around? But in all seriousness…” she trailed off, taking a breath. “It seems that our beloved patriarch simply views me as a leech to his fine name, or some such. He said I was an ‘incorrigible strumpet of a mare who only brought lewd and lust-addled stigma to the family name.’” “Well...Grandpa is old fashioned, Fleur...” Cupcake replied, giving her an apologetic. Fleur snorted. “Oh don’t take offense Cupcake. I’ve been called much, much worse since before you grandfather was nothing more then a gleam in your great-grandfather’s eye. No skin off my muzzle.” she said, flipping her hair. Cupcake opened her mouth to respond, but instead closed it, instead turning to idly watch a bird. The pair continued to walk through the campus, not saying much as the conversation died away for a time, both simply enjoying the late autumn day. Cupcake’s eyebrows rose unexpectedly, and she looked towards Fleur. “Oh, I forgot to ask… did you happen to bring… you know…” she halted, looking around suspiciously before leaning close to Fleur, invading her personal space as any junkie worth their needle would. “The stuff?” Fleur rolled her eyes and reached into her saddlebags, pulling out a golden and blue aluminum tin. “Yes, I brought the butter cookies, you addict.” “Oh don’t give me that,” Cupcake said, playfully snatching the box from Fleur’s hooves. “It’s not my fault that mom didn’t teach me the secrets of the butter cookies.” she said, opening the box to gaze in awe at the golden cookies inside. “Of course it’s not your fault and the brownie incident with the electric kettle has nothing to do with it,” Fleur said with a sly grin. They both burst out laughing but it died rather swiftly and the pair set about walking again. “I think we can all agree that her not giving out the source to your passion and poison was heaven sent to all involved, my dear, sweet Sister.” “Hmph,” the shorter mare mocked as she stuffed a cookie in her mouth, apparently content to forget the argument from moments before and instead bask in the taste of the cookies. Fleur simply rolled her eyes, looking around at the campus as she sat down. The two musicians had moved on to another location, but Fleur could still hear them playing in the background “It hasn’t changed that much since I was last here,” Fleur said, her voice taking on a nostalgic tone. Cupcake paused, glancing at Fleur. “Still so elegant and dignified.” “Really? When were you here last?” Cupcake asked, keeping her voice nonchalant. Fleur shrugged her shoulders indifferently. “Oh, awhile ago, that’s for sure.” She lifted a finger to tap her chin. “Let’s see… back when I came here, they were still teaching Humorisim as science…” Cupcake’s eyes widened slightly and she couldn’t help exclaiming, “SERIOUSLY?” Fleur simply laughed, “Honestly, Cupcake it never gets old shocking you with my five hundred years of experience,” she gave her sister a playful push. “And, you wanna know the best part?” “What?” Cupcake’s eyes went wide. “You will never know if I am telling the truth about it or not ,” Fluer let out a cackling laugh. Cupcake simply shook her head. “No matter how many times I’m reminded I’ll never wrap my head around it.” “That’s because I’m just that damn good at hiding it,” Fleur replied with a ruffle of Cupcake’s mane. Cupcake was quick to bat the hoof away and fix the patch of her mane that had been disturbed. “Don’t do that! I spent all morning fixing it up!” she groaned. “Oh please, Cupcake!” she pat her sister’s mane, trying to antagonize her on purpose now. “It’s just your mane! You act as if it’s going to spontaneously fall off!” “Oh come on Fleur, “ she responded with tugging the bottom of her older counterpart’s hair. “We both know you just love to spend hours preparing that little curl the bottom of your mane does!” Fleur was about to come back with a rebuttal when she was interrupted by somepony bumping into her. She looked down to see a small brown pegasus filly with a monochrome mane was the cause. Cupcake was quick to reach out a hoof to stop the galloping filly. “Daring, you have to be careful, you just bumped into my sister!” she chided, and the brown filly nodded quickly. “Sorry, Ms. Silverhoof! Sorry Ms. Silverhoof’s sister,” she said, looking towards Fleur, who simply shook her head and smiled thinly. “It’s alright. Just don’t do it again alright?” she said, and the brown pegasus nodded. “Yeah sure, sorry!” she then leaned around Cupcake, motioning towards the blue unicorn running up behind her. “Come on Blackstone! Daddy’s gonna be taking us to get tavern food!” she then turned tail and darted off, followed by the blue unicorn, who giggled as he ran past. “Wai up fer me Dawing! I wan fwies!” Cupcake and Fleur watched as the pair of fillies darted off, Cupcake wearing a warm smile on her face. Fleur’s brow was deeply furrowed. “And who were those two little filles?” she asked. “Oh they’re Professor Jones’ kids. He’s the history professor here.” “I see.” “C’mon, even you can’t deny they’re adorable,” Cupcake asserted, seemingly knowing that even if Fluer still wasn’t overly fond of children, she couldn’t find it in her to hate on those two foals. Fleur gave Cupcake a sharp look. “Who said I was denying it?” she snapped but caught herself and added lightly, “They just look rascally to me.” Cupcake let out a laugh before looking towards the campus, “Yeah, they are, but you can’t blame them. They’re just kids.” The two shared a slight laugh before Cupcake let out a sigh. “So… wanna see my-er-our dorm?” she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly. Fleur shrugged. “Might as well. Nothing really else to do right now right?” she answered, watching as her breath billowed out in front of her. Cupcake smiled broadly, “Alrighty then! Let’s go! And, after we get everything setup, we can go to one of the parties on campus or something to celebrate! Sound fun?” Fleur nodded, the idea of a party being very attractive to her, “That does sound quite fun.” ////////////////////////////////////////// Fleur let out a content sigh as the smoke billowed from her nostrils, happily enjoying the cigarette that some random pony had given her and the music playing over the stereo. Now, Fleur wasn’t normally one to just randomly accept cigarettes from ponies she didn’t know, but alcohol had always managed to erode her inhibitions. Of course, it also helped that she was quite the party animal when she felt like it, and tonight was a night to party. And if Wyremland had taught Fleur anything, it was that a party couldn’t really be called a ‘party’ until at least the fourth time a fight needed to be broken up. So far, five fights had been broken up, so Fleur could safely say that this was, indeed, a ‘party’. Of course, that train of thought lead Fleur to remember that Cupcake, who she hadn’t seen for the better part of an hour. As much as she would probably begrudge to admit, even in her tipsy and possibly drug addled state, Fleur was worried. Cupcake was always the softer of the two, tending to stay out of such places as bars or pubs. And this bar, while still being on university grounds, was certainly not the cleanest nor the safest. Fleur found herself standing up from her chair, shuffling along somewhat lopsidedly, shaking her head in an attempt to drive away the effects of whatever it was in that cigarette she had just smoked. Whatever it was… I don’t like it… she mentally grumbled. I need to find Cupcake before she ends up in somepony’s bed or getting thrown up against a wall and getting fu- her train of thought derailed when she heard the sound of somepony shouting angrily, before an orange stallion with a blue mane came stomping by, shoving Fleur aside rather unceremoniously. Fleur was about to come back with a rebuke for the stallion when she saw Cupcake, standing at the entrance of the booth, her face the very picture of shock and regret. “Miles, I’m sorry please come back,” Cupcake said quietly, reaching a plaintive hoof out. Fleur shook her head slightly, turning around and spotting the stallion leaving the bar. She wished the stallion wasn’t moving so fast or wibbly so she could go over and deck him, but alas, by the time she had decided that, he had already left the bar. Fleur let out a frustrated sigh before sat down at the table next to Cupcake. She could already tell that Cupcake was crying softly, her mascara smeared on her cheeks as she wiped away some tears. “Cupcake, what’s wrong?” Fleur asked, putting a comforting arm around Cupcake’s shoulder. Cupcake simply sat there for a moment, her stifled sobs coming out in short bursts before speaking. “It never works… never ever works…” she cried, wiping more tears from her eyes. Fleur raised an eyebrow. “Wh-why do I even try anymore?” “What doesn’t work?” Fleur asked gently. Cupcake let her shoulders sag. “All I did was gi-give him a quick probe before talking… but th-then he thought I was stalking him and when I tried to explain, he got angry and left…” Fleur pulled Cupcake into a hug, “Cupcake, Cupcake… didn’t I warn you about this? Ponies don’t like to just have their brains probed by someone they don’t know. Everypony’s got secrets, and most ponies like those secrets to be kept hidden. It feels invasive to them.” Cupcake gave a shaky sob, “But how else am I supposed to start a conversation? I mean, I’m not the type of pony to attract attention at all. There’s nothing the least bit appealing about me. My mane doesn't match my coat, I’m too big boned…” She looked at Fleur, her eyes now watering. “He called me fat and ugly, Fleur… is that what I am? A fat, ugly geek who’s never going to get a boyfriend?” A tear suddenly began to well up in her left eye. “Maybe...maybe I’ve been studying for too long, and I’m just not good at this…all I ever do is study, eat butter cookies and listen to records...that’s me in a nutshell, Fleur, “ she began to visible break down and cry much more openly now, obviously trying to prevent the floodgate of tears that were sure to break loose. “That’s all I am...a fat sack of butter cookies, too obsessed with her studies to know the difference between a glass of water or a shot of vodka…” Fleur shook her head, her expression mixing into a strange cock-tail of rage and sympathy. “That is a bold faced lie and you know it, Cupcake. You’re not ugly in the slightest. Why,” she began on another tangent. “Do you know how lucky the world would have been to have you two hundred years ago? I have seen stallions that would have given their right arms for a mare like you! And do you know why, Cupcake?” She asked, only getting a half-hearted headshake from Cupcake. Fleur took this as good as a request to continue as any. “Then I will tell you. It is because you are a charming girl with the kindest heart I have ever seen and possibly the greatest mind this side of Equestria and one day, I swear to you, Cupcake,” she got down on one knee and embraced her sister. “One day, you will find that stallion that sets your heart a flutter and nopony will be happier for you than I.” Cupcake kept her head down, beginning to speak in a weaker ghost of her normally jovial tone. “But... nopony likes geeks, Fleur… and how else am I supposed to start a conversation? It’s not like everybody cares about genetics and mutations like I do.” Fleur scoffed. “Oh Cupcake! What happened to the adorable little filly that let me into her home after she found me stealing her food? What happened to the filly who had faith in a dirt poor street pony?” “She got older I guess...” Cupcake said, idly playing one of the forks on the table. Fleur shook her head. “Nonsense. You’re still that cute little filly. Age is no excuse for cynicism, Cupcake. And on top of that, you’re nineteen. You’ve barely reached adulthood. There’s still years and years of life experience ahead of you, and just because one jerkass left you in a bar crying, doesn’t mean you’re doomed to never experience a real, healthy relationship with a colt. It just means you haven’t found that exact colt yet. It’s just a matter of time.” Cupcake gave Fleur a look, raising her eyebrows slightly, “When did you get so good at giving relationship advice, Fleur?” Fleur simply rolled her eyes.“If you have to ask, you’ll never know for yourself, Cupcake. Now, come on, let’s get you out of here. It’s getting late, and I don’t want to be the one stuck being the designated driver. That’s your job.” Cupcake smiled lightly and nodded, and the pair stood up out of the booth and walked out of bar very quietly, neither really wanting to attract any attention to themselves. As they walked in the chilly night air, Cupcake looked up at the stars, an introspective expression on her face. “Fleur… where do you honestly think I’ll find the right colt?” she asked aloud, causing Fleur to shrug slightly. “Oh I don’t know… could be anywhere really… like I said, it’s just a matter of time Cupcake,” she answered, quickening her pace slightly. Cupcake eyed Fleur for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Did you ever find the right one?” she asked. Fleur stopped in her tracks. She glanced briefly over her shoulder to see Cupcake looking towards her expectantly. “It’s late, Cupcake, and you’re already more intoxicated than I’d like,” Fleur answered, her voice dark. Cupcake noticed that Fleur had seemingly begun to look noticeably older, but before Cupcake had a chance to say anything, Fleur’s pace quickened, her body tense. “Come Cupcake… it’s getting very late. Let’s get back to the dorm,” she said coldly, shifting her gait to a brisk trot and heading in the direction of the dormitories. Cupcake, not wanting to press the issue, followed silently, a part of her still wondering if Fleur was right, and if she’d ever find the right stallion. /////////////////////////////////////////// Shining Armor carefully studied the report Twilight had drafted up that was now lying on his desk. Across from him sat Twilight, who would occasionally straighten out parts of her uniform or flex her hoof slightly. “And that’s all?” Shining unexpectedly asked, causing Twilight to jolt slightly in her seat. Twilight tilted her head slightly. “‘That’s all’ what?” she inquired, “You mean the report?” Shining nodded. “Yes. She simply teleported away in a red puff of smoke?” Twilight nodded resolutely, “Yes, yes she did. It smelled similar to sulfur. The strange thing was that she was obviously an earth pony - no horn, no wings - and yet she teleported.” “And she took Crafty Crate with her?” “Yes. Apparently they were going for the slot machines.” “And why didn’t you follow them? Why leave so soon?” “I felt that it would be best to report back to you as soon as possible with this development. Shining, we both know that Gustav is a very sick individual. I mean, you of all ponies should know that better than anyone, right?” Twilight noticed Shining’s eyebrows drop at her words, and his hoof went up to adjust his eyepatch slightly. Noticing her misstep, Twilight swallowed. “Right. Sorry, I forgot you don’t like to remember that…” she said. Shining shook his head. “No, I don’t think the loss of my eye is a fond memory,” he replied, closing the file and steepling his hooves. “But, that’s not relevant to this conversation. From what you’ve reported, thankfully in great detail, and knowing Gustav and his kind, I very well suspect that he is going to pursue this Fire Star Mr. Crate spoke of.” He paused, standing up from his chair and looking out the window. “And if Mr. Crate is correct, and the Fire Star does indeed amplify powers, then we will certainly have something to worry about.” Shining was silent for a moment, seemingly thinking. Twilight noticed that his gaze drifted towards the old, worn out stetson resting atop the file cabinet. Without a word, he turned and walked over to the file cabinet, opening it and pulling out a file. “Tell me Twilight, what do you know of the X-Theory?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder as he walked back to his desk and sat down again, sliding the file over to Twilight. Twilight took the file, glancing up at Shining as she started to page through it. “The X-Theory? Dr. Juniper Berry’s pet project. Why?” she replied, arching an eyebrow slightly. Shining nodded. “Well, I took the liberty of running the description of your report by Dr. Berry as soon as we received your message. He says, based on the description of this ‘Marie’s’ powers, it’s very likely Gustav isn’t the only one of his kind.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? That Marie is a mutant?” Shining shrugged slightly. “She seems to fit the quota. Seemingly random powers and no visible or definable magical aid. Your report didn’t say anything about feeling any magical energies beyond the normal ambient mana from other unicorns.” Twilight’s eyes lit up in recognition. When she had first seen Gustav and Marie, she hadn’t sensed anything at all. If they had been using magical means, Twilight would have been able to feel it. She instantly facehoofed, reprimanding herself for her extreme lack of deductive skills. “Why didn’t I think of that?” she groaned. She felt a palm on her shoulder and looked up to see Shining looking at her sympathetically. “Don’t worry, Twilight. I probably would be pretty spooked too if a pony just randomly appeared in a poof of red smoke.” “But I missed such an important detail, Shining! I mean, what kind of spy am I if I can’t even spot something so obvious?” Twilight replied, jiggling her hoof reflexively. “It’s not your fault. You did the right thing in leaving right away. Better to gain the info we were able to get then blowing your cover trying to investigate without any real backup. How many bouncers would Steady or Spike have had to go through to get to you? How could’ve you known that Gustav would let you walk away and not kill you right there? You did the best thing you could have done given the situation. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Twilight sighed. “But--” “No buts. You’re my best agent… but more importantly, you’re my sister. I have faith in you. Just because you missed this one, easily missed detail, doesn’t mean you’re slipping or that you failed. It happens to all us,” he said gently, giving her a smile. “Now, I’m going to ask you to take Dr. Juniper with you when you go out into the field.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Why him? He’s not a field agent.” “But he is an expert on mutation, and that’s what we need right now. Understand?” Twilight nodded pulled Shining into a hug, and Shining returned it gently, “Alright, BBBFF. I understand. So do you want me to get everything together?” Shining nodded. “Yes. Go get Juniper ready for the mission. Bring him up to speed and make sure he’s ready. Okay?” Twilight nodded, standing up from the chair and giving Shining another quick hug. Shining sat behind his desk. "Now stay safe, alright Twilie?" he said as Twilight opened the office door. She turned her head towards him, and giving him a nod. "Sure thing Shining. Sure thing." With that, she closed the door, leaving Shining alone. Shining let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair and glancing towards the hat atop the file cabinet. "What?" he asked, raising his eyebrow slightly. "Didn't think I handled it well AJ? How would you have handled it?" He paused, seemingly waiting for a response. He shrugged, cracking a grin. "Oh don't worry, AJ, I'm sure her and Juniper will get along just fine." /////////////////////////////////////////// Twilight knocked on the door of Dr. Juniper Berry's office. From behind the door she could hear the propulsive music drifting from his office and she realized the door was, in fact, unlocked. She gently pushed the door open to see the unicorn's scientist's eternally disheveled office/laboratory. Hanging from the ceiling, supported by a pair of dog like paws, and seemingly completely absorbed in whatever book it was he reading and completely tuned out due to the earphones he was currently wearing, was a dark blue unicorn. "Dr. Berry?" Twilight asked, projecting her voice in an attempt to override the music. Apparently, Dr. Berry didn't hear her, as he started to sing along to the song playing. Twilight furrowed her eyebrows and took a deep breath, her horn flaring as she prepped the voice amplification spell. "DR. BERRY!!!!" she shouted, and Dr. Berry responded with a high pitched yelp, his grip loosening and plummeting to the floor. Twilight lit her horn in an attempt to catch the falling stallion, but missed the opportunity and winced as the stallion slammed into the floor with a deafening crash. Within a second however, he popped up, his glasses askew and mane a horrid mess. “Oh! Hello there Agent Sparkle! What do you need?” he inquired, fixing his glasses and pulling himself out of the remains of his desk and quickly slipping on a pair of gloves and a pair of shoes, one for each of his paws, with colors that perfectly matched his coat. His horn glowed briefly, causing the gloves to blend into his coat seamlessly. He gave her a self aware smile, doing his best to fix the remains of his desk. “Sorry about the mess, I really wasn’t expecting you,” he murmured, and Twilight simply waved a hoof dismissively. “No, that’s alright. My fault for scaring you anyways,” she responded, taking a seat as Juniper sat down in front of her. “So why are you here? Is this about the file Shining sent me? Because I really have to say, it’s extraordinarily interesting! A very unique research opportunity!” Juniper said, clapping his hooves together with excitement. “I mean, this will be the first time I’ll be able to meet someone who’s actually like me!” he added with a sprightly giggle. “Um, June, you do know that this Gustav we’re chasing is… evil right? Like, take over the world evil?” Twilight interjected, raising an eyebrow slightly as she helped him rearrange his deserved desk. Juniper’s expression fell, and he nibbled his lower lip slightly. “Oh… right… I guess I forgot that,” He said, before letting out a shy laugh. “So… how are we going to find them? I mean, this Marie lady can teleport, so tracking her will most certainly be difficult.” Twilight shrugged slightly, picking up several pens and dropping them in the pen holder. “I know that. We’ll just have to play it by ear. Luckily, we already know he’ll be heading to San Franciscolt, because he mentioned having a meeting on his yacht there. However, where he goes after that is anyone’s guess.” Juniper nodded slightly. “I see…” he muttered, beginning to shuffle through the pile of paper on his desk. “So you’re saying that we need somepony to help us predict his next move? I thought you had that second in command of his… um… what’s is name… Klaus?” “Friedrich. And no, he hasn’t said a word. He’s been really stubborn as of late.” Juniper frowned. “That’s a real shame…” he continued to shuffle to through the pile of papers. “But the good thing is that I think I might have the solution to our problem!” he pulled out a letter envelope, handing it over to Twilight. “What’s this? A letter?” Twilight asked, taking it in hoof and looking it over. Dr. Juniper nodded. “Yes, but it’s from a psychologist pen-pal of mine,” he said, pointing towards the name in the upper left corner of the envelope. “Psychologist? Why a psychologist?” Twilight questioned, arching an eyebrow. “Oh, she’s been trying to help me with Screwball…” Juniper replied, his tone darkening somewhat. “... but the good news is that she’s helped quite a lot, we’ve made some real improvements with her…” “That’s great June, it really is.” Twilight said, giving him a smile. “So this ‘Cupcake’… where does she live?” “Right here in Canterlot,” Juniper replied. “Do you want to meet her?” Twilight nodded. “Yeah that would be good. As soon as possible.” Juniper clapped his gloved hooves together and stood up. “Awesome! Let’s go! I’ll go get my coat!” he scampered off to a corner of his office, digging under the pile of books to pull out a dark brown overcoat and slipping it on. Twilight stood up and followed the unicorn out of the room, closing the door behind her. ///////////////////////////////////////// The two unicorns stood in front of the modest door in the rather narrow and cramped hallway. “June, this is a student dorm,” Twilight deadpanned, looking at Juniper with an impassive expression. Juniper opened and closed his mouth slightly, before giving Twilight an unsure smile. “Well, I, um, never, uh, said she was a professor of psychology. I just said she was really, really good at it.” He flashed her his best self assured smile, which only made him look all the more like a fish out of water. Twilight let her shoulders drop, and she rubbed the bridge of her nose slightly. “So, you haven’t met this Cupcake in the flesh yet, have you Juniper?” she asked, her voice coming out as a vaguely frustrated huff. Juniper bit his lower lip slightly, “Look, Twilight, I told you, we’re pen pals. I never mentioned me seeing her face to face. The important things are that she’s a pony, that much I’m sure of, and she’s been a huge help with me and my sister. From what I’ve read, she seems like a nice, sincere pony.” Twilight felt an argument struggle for release, but she bit her tongue. “Okay then, June, I’m going to trust you on this because I know you’re not the type to trust anybody… especially with stuff as sensitive as your sisters…” she hesitated briefly. “... condition.” “No, I totally understand… I guess we go?” Juniper inquired, giving Twilight an embarrassed look. Twilight shook her head. “No, we don’t have to go. Celestia knows we already spent the gas to get here, might as well go all the way right? And anyways, you spend too much time in your office anyways. It’s good to get out you know?” Twilight replied, simultaneously knocking on the door. Juniper shrugged slightly. “Yeah, but I mean, now that I think about I mean what if she’s actually really mean or she’s a he, I mean, that happens right? And what if--” “For Luna’s sake it’s noon thirty and ponies are trying to sleep!” a female voice shouted from behind the door, cutting off Juniper’s rambling. The door swung open to reveal a tall, elegant looking unicorn mare with her light pink mane tied up in curlers and a burning cigarette in her mouth. Her golden eyes still had the obvious aftereffects of a hang-over as they darted between the other two unicorns. “Who the buck are you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. Twilight put on a bright smile and extended a hoof. “Are you Ms. Silverhoof?” she asked, raising her eyebrows slightly. The other mare leaned against the door slightly. “Depends, which one do you mean? The student or her sister the writer? Because I’m her sister,” she answered, exhaling the smoke from her cigarette from her nostrils. Juniper leaned forward slightly. “So you’re not Cupcake?” The mare glanced towards him. “No, I’m her sister. Fleur. And you two didn’t answer my question. Who are you?” “Well, you see, I’m--” Juniper was cut off by Twilight. “We’re here to speak with Cupcake. Is that alright with you?” she asked, and the mare known as Fleur’s eyes flickered towards her for a moment. “Um, yeah… sure…” she answered, leaning back into the room somewhat. “Hey! Cupcake! You’ve got visitors!” she yelled into the dorm room, and another voice, also female but noticeably groggy, came in response. “Hold on a sec… here I come!” There was the sound of someone knocking into furniture, followed by muffled swears and then a somewhat short, round faced blue mare popped into the doorway, her bright pink mane done up with an absurd amount of curlers. “Um, hello, good morning… what do ya want?” the mare asked, arching her eyebrow slightly. Juniper this time was the first to speak. “Are you Cupcake Silverhoof?” he asked, an expectant smile on his face as he reached out a hoof. The other mare looked down at the hoof for a moment before tentatively shaking the extended hoof. “Yeah, yeah I am. You?” she asked, her voice shifting from apprehensive to a more welcoming tone as she placed one of her hooves on her temple. “Um, well, I’m Dr. Juniper Berry. The one you’re currently writing to, and-" Juniper was cut off by Cupcake's own voice bursting out in a gasp of recognition. "Oh my gosh, it is you! How’s your sister! Is she doing well?” Cupcake asked, swinging the door open and beckoning for them to enter. “Come in, come in! Fleur go get some coffee ready for our guests!” she added, glancing towards Fleur, who rolled her eyes, taking a draw from her cigarette and striding away to brew up some coffee, muttering under her breath the entire time in mild, half-hearted protest. Cupcake meanwhile, motioned for them to sit down on the couch, shoving asides the pile of random newspaper clippings, student textbooks and dirty laundry. She smiled self-awarely and patted the couch. “You guys can sit here. Sorry for the mess, it’s just been a little hectic… finals and all…” she apologized, taking a seat in a lean back chair. “No that’s quite alright,” Twilight said. “But, if it’s okay with you, I feel we should really cut to the chase,” she said, causing Cupcake to raise an eyebrow. “Oh?” She perched her head on her hoof, trying her best to probe the other mare without giving it away. The other mare looked directly at her, her face rather impassive, and the only sound Cupcake was able to get was elegant classical music, gently wafting through the unicorn’s mind. The unicorn arched an eyebrow slightly. “Yes. It is rather important. A matter of national security in fact,” she said, narrowing her eyes slightly as she spoke, the mental music increasing in volume. “Would you like to know what that is?” “Yes, I would,” Fleur’s voice said, preventing Cupcake from voicing her own response, as Cupcake lifted her head from her hoof. “What’s so important that you had to see me and my sister about it?” Fleur continued, eying the purple mare with suspicion. “If it’s a matter of national security, why contact us?” Twilight looked directly at Fleur, her expression remaining clinical and impassive. “Because, Ms. Silverhoof, if you don’t help us, you run the risk of endangering thousands, if not millions of lives.” Cupcake blinked, sitting up in her chair. “What? What do you mean? What’s going on?” Twilight turned towards Cupcake. “Because, Ms. Silverhoof, we need you to use your abilities to help us find a very, very dangerous individual, who will stop at nothing to acquire a gem known as the Fire Star; which, if he is able to get his claws on it, will use it to enhance his power and, quite simply, take over the world.” “But why?” Cupcake asked, shifting in her seat uneasily. “I mean… ponies don’t just take over the world like that. He’s gotta have a reason… right?” “His reason is because he can, Ms. Silverhoof. Plain and simple,” Twilight tried to explain, her voice blunt and straightforward, obviously trying to make it sound as simple as possible. “Please,” Cupcake said, running a hoof through her mane as she shook her head. “I know enough about the pony and griffin psyches to know that no individual is really like that,” she continued, trying to laugh it off and throwing her college education into the unicorn’s face in an attempt to ignore the brief, but terrifying mental image she’d glimpsed when the unicorn had been speaking. “I mean, that’s foalish cartoon stuff. No one would actually plan to take-” “He does, and he will Cupcake,” Twilight declared, once more cutting her off. “He knows he has power, and he knows he can control others, and that gives him pleasure. And he lusts after that pleasure, wants to bathe in it, drink it up and drown himself in it. And now, with that gem, he finally has that opportunity to fulfill that lust. And if he does so, we all die. End of story. Understand?” Cupcake said nothing, her mouth simply hanging open for a moment before she closed it. As Twilight had spoken, she’d apparently allowed her mental wall to slip, allowing Cupcake a glimpse as to what was in store. This time, the image was clearer, and showed a world completely decimated by a griffin who, evidently, was nigh unstoppable. A griffin whose soul was black as pitch and seemingly hungered for pain and suffering like some sort of otherworldly demon, come to reign death and destruction on a world he saw as a mere plaything. “Cupcake? Cupcake are you alright?” came Fleur’s voice, and the image faded, instead replaced by the real world of her dorm room. Cupcake looked towards Fleur for a moment, taking a deep breath before turning to face the mare she had finally been able to identify through the mental probe as Twilight. “When do we go?” she asked, her voice becoming resolute. “The sooner the better,” Twilight answered. “You should pack your bags.” “Then I’m coming to.” Fleur interjected. “I can’t let my sister go out against some sort of apocalyptically minded psychopath with a pair of strangers.” Twilight glanced towards Fleur. “I would prefer you’d stay here. I’ll make sure to keep your sister safe. I don’t want to run any more risks.” Cupcake shook her head. “No, Fleur’s right. I won’t go anywhere without her.” Dr. Juniper leaned forward. “But Fleur isn’t a soldier either…” Twilight nodded. “That’s correct. Also, we’re running enough of a security risk inviting you Miss Silverhoof, and I don’t want to add to that potential for failure.” “Nonsense. I’m not a risk. If anything, I’m an asset. I have a particular set of skills, if you will, that might be helpful.” “What skills?” Twilight asked, looking directly at Fleur. Fleur sat up slightly, posing herself regally. “I have an intimate knowledge of ancient spells, many of which are otherwise unknown.” she declared, and Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Really?” Fleur nodded. “What I gain from lying to you?” Twilight leaned back in her chair slightly, her brow furrowing as Cupcake could sense her considering the option. After a long, thoughtful pause, Twilight nodded her head slightly. “I see. Then get ready. I want you in my car by 13:00, that’s in fifteen minutes.” With that, she stood up from the couch, motioning for Juniper, who nodded slightly, having otherwise been perfectly silent. They turned, and with Juniper giving a shy thank you for the coffee, walked out of the room, leaving Fleur and a still visibly worried Cupcake, alone. “Why’d you say yes so quickly Fleur?” Cupcake asked, looking towards her sister with worried eyes. “I mean, I didn’t think you’d want to come...after all neither of us really know what we’re getting into. I wouldn’t have held it against you in the slightest if you stayed.” Fleur, now looking noticeably less confident, shook her head. “No, that’s quite alright...I don’t mind the trip,” she answered vaguely, getting up out of her chair and walking into the kitchen, where she paused, looking down at her hooves as she quietly shifted to her blue scaled form. “... and I guess I like you too much.”