//------------------------------// // Change in Staff (edited) // Story: Turning Back the Clock // by FlufferNutters //------------------------------// The summer sun blazes down on the city of Canterlot, as the sounds of summer start to arrive as the door open at Canterlot High, the students flood out to the courtyard as today start their summer vacation. Peanut Butter and Sunset Shimmer walk down the hallway, behind the mass of students leaving in a happy mood. Sunset looks at Peanut Butter with a smile. “So, any plans this summer?” Sunset asks. "I got a few tournaments to attend before the family reunion, hopefully the side money I'll be making will get me by." Peanut Butter mentions. "That's right you're doing that pro tour thing starting next week right?" "Yeah, I'll be missing home for sure but at least I'll be doing what I love." "Yeah, so how are you and Applejack doing?" "Great actually, I'm gonna spend time with her before I go." "Well enjoy it while it lasts cause next school year we're seniors." "That we are." "I have to get my team bag from mom's office, care to join me?" "Sure, I have to get my spare clothes from Celestia's office, gym was brutal today." "Can't believe it's been a year." "Yeah, but you've come so far from then." "I guess I have." "You have a family, a home, friends and someone who loves you for who you are." "Yeah." Peanut Butter's mind trails off as he enters the lobby before knocking on Luna's office door. "Come in." Peanut Butter opens the door with a smile. "Hey mom, just here to get my bag, I got a team meeting later I should be back in time." "Actually, I have a meeting to attend to so I'll be late to pick you up." "Okay, I'll see you later." "Okay, behave, I know you have been picking fights lately and if I catch wind of another one you aren't going, understood?" "Yes mom, any idea what it's about?" "No, but I have a feeling on what it might be." "Tell me when you pick me up then." "Alright." "I'll see you later mom." "Have fun." "Will do." Peanut Butter comes out of the lobby to see five people in suits with folders and brief cases. His face changes from smiling to blank and his eyes slanted as he slows down as Sunset exits Celestia's office as the both head out of the main office. Sunset turns to see the look on his face. "What's wrong P.B.?" Sunset asks. "Those guys we just passed worry me for some reason." "I wouldn't be worried, seems like school stuff." "Maybe, but it’s like I’ve seen them before maybe." They both exit the school and walk into town towards Sugarcube Corner. They were silent for half of the trip then Sunset looks at Peanut Butter. "So, how well do you think you'll do?" Sunset asks. "Pretty well, sponsors let me get the good cards." "Who would have guessed a year ago I saw you in a patch of woods, bumming around and now look at you." "Yeah, if I was told this is my life now back then, I'd call you insane." Sunset giggles. "It's true though." "I believe you." They reach Sugarcube Corner five minutes later to see Pinkie Pie behind the counter. Peanut Butter goes up to the counter with an amused smirk on his face. "Hey Pinkie, surprised seeing you here so soon, what's up?" Peanut Butter asks. "The sky, moon, space and just about anything above our heads." Peanut Butter chuckles at this. "So what would you like?" "My usual x-large half and half with three blueberry muffins." "Coming right up." Peanut Butter puts the money on the table as he waits. A couple minutes later Pinkie Pie comes back with a large cup and a brown paper bag. He takes them and smiles before getting up. "Thanks Pinkie." Peanut Butter thanks before leaving. "You're welcome." He walks out the door and heads to the library while Sunset stays. As he walks he notices a large amount of construction vehicles going down the road towards the school. He raises an eyebrow as he turns his head following the vehicles before turning his head back and going his own way. He reaches the library and heads to its basement where his teammates await him. He sets his bag down and high-fives them before sitting down. "Alright, we got a lot to cover and not much to do it, Flip, where are we at with the sponsors?" Peanut Butter asks. "They are all signed on and ready to go." "Good, Streak, the ride all set?" "Yep, RV is ready to go." "Awesome, I'm mostly good on my end, just gotta keep my nose clean until we leave." "Those rumors still going around?" "Yep, just going along with it to save on the drama since we are so close." "Smart move, we'll make sure Dusk stays with you until then so no one can say anything." "In speaking of him, where is he?" "Detention." "What did he do this time?" "One of his pranks on the teachers." "Maybe he wouldn't be a good candidate." "Yeah, but who else can we trust?" "I can handle myself, besides, rumors are the least of my worries." "What else is more important?" "This trip and something personal I’d rather not talk about." Peanut Butter takes a bite out of one of the muffins as he looks over the list in front of him. He swallows and looks at Winning Streak. "I can't believe we're actually doing this." Peanut Butter admits. "Yeah, now let’s get to training." A few hours pass before Peanut Butter's phone rings. He takes it out of his jacket and sees Luna's number. He taps the screen and puts it up to his ear. "Hey mom." He says. "I'll be out in a couple minutes, just have to pack up." "See you in a bit." He hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket before packing his cards. "Well everyone, by this time next week, we'll be on the road." He announces. Winning Streak and Card Flip cheer as Peanut Butter picks up his bag and heads out of the library. He walks out to the front of the library and towards Luna's car as it pulls up, he looks closer at Luna before tilting his head slightly at the look on her face. He opens the back seat door and places his bag on the floor behind his seat before shutting the door and getting in the front passenger seat. "How was the meeting?" Peanut Butter asks. Luna sighs before she drives off. "I'll tell you once we meet with Sunset and Celestia, it's something that you both need to hear, together." "O- okay." The ride is quiet as Peanut Butter looks out the window with the occasional glance towards Luna, his eyes slightly glassy and squinted, his face expressionless. He looks up towards the sky as his right eye shimmers slightly in the light. Luna pulls into Celestia's driveway and parks before she and Peanut Butter come out of the car and grabs his bag and goes inside behind Luna and shutting the door. They both go into the living room and see Sunset on the couch with a concerned look on her face, almost mirroring Peanut Butter’s. Peanut Butter sets his bag down and sits next to Sunset on the couch as Luna and Celestia stand in front of them. Luna sighs and looks at Celestia. They both nod at each other and look at Sunset and Peanut Butter "As you two know, we had a meeting today and the results of it were, not favorable towards us." Celestia admits. "So you both got fired?" Sunset asks. "Thankfully not, though we had to step down as Principal and Vice Principal, we will just be teachers now." "What was it about?" Peanut Butter asks. "The school's performance hasn't been that well in the past few months and with the incident that you and Blueblood were involved in being the final straw, the board had to take action." "So who is taking over your old positions?" "Prim Act and Proper Upbringing." Just then Peanut Butter's eyes go wide as his breath picks up and his body starts to shake. He then gets up as quick as he can and grabs his bag before heading to the stairs. "We are leaving here, Sunset, get your friends and I'll get mine, we still have time to get out of here and into another town, state, country, where ever." Peanut Butter frantically orders. "Do you know them?" Celestia asks. "They were around during my time in Manehatten." "We met them and they seemed nice." Luna says. "That's just an act, they have something planned, if it's Manehatten all over again, I, I, I don't know what to do." "What happened there?" "If I told you, you would think I'm crazy." "We won't." "They regressed the students and brainwash them before turning the school into an adoption center and giving the kids to other parents." Luna and Celestia raise an eyebrow at him. "See, I told you that you would think I'm being crazy, but we don’t have time for that right now." “We don’t think you’re crazy, it’s just, outlandish is all.” Celestia states. “That still means crazy.” “Fine, it’s crazy, even if it is true, it still makes no sense.” “I just don’t want any of you getting mixed up in all this, I’ve lost too many friends because of them.” “It’s going to be fine.” “Usually you’re right, not this time though.” Peanut Butter takes out his headphones and music player from his bag and heads to the front door. “I’m going to A.J.’s, I have my phone on me, please, just trust me, they are bad news and something is going to happen, I’ll stop them myself if I have to.” He mentions before opening the door and leaving. “P.B. wait-” Luna orders before getting cut off by the shutting of the door. “Just give him some time Luna.” Celestia assures. “Should I tag along?” Sunset asks. “No, just leave him be.” After a half hour of walking he stands in front of her driveway and hears ATVs revving up in the distance behind the house. He walks behind the garage and sees Applejack and Applebloom unloading barrels of apples from a cart being pulled by an ATV driven by Big Mac. Peanut Butter smiles and waves as he walks towards them. Applejack looks up and smiles before running to him and hugging him. “Hey there city slicker, wasn’t expectin’ ya until this weekend.” She greets before pecking him on the cheek. “Well my lovely country girl, let’s just say this visit isn’t the romantic type, more emotional support.” “What’s wrong?” “Can we go somewhere private?” “Sure can.” They both walk to another part of the farm, near the horses and far from the house. They both lean on the fence looking at the horses as Applejack turns her head towards Peanut Butter. “What’s goin’ on sugarcube?” She asks. “My past has come back to haunt me.” “P.B., hun, yer in a better place now, ya don’t need to worry about it anymore.” “I’m being literal this time, two people that I ran into in Manehatten have come here.” “Are they that bad?” “They are nothing but trouble, thing is, no one believes me.” “What do they do?” “Aunt Celestia asked and thought I was crazy when I answered.” “I won’t know until ya tell me.” “Fine, they somehow regress students at school and turn schools into adoption centers and give them away.” “I hate ta say it, but I agree with Celestia, that’s crazy talk.” “Why won’t no one believe me?” “Don’t ya hear yourself with what you’re sayin’?” “Yeah, I do.” “Then you know yer talking crazy, look, yer probably stressed about your tournament tour and it’s not making you think straight.” Peanut Butter sighs. “Maybe you’re right.” “Lemme get ya home so you can get some sleep.” “Not just yet.” “Alright, just a bit longer though.” “Alright.” He leans his head on her shoulder and smiles. An hour later Peanut Butter is dropped off at home and goes inside. Sunset looks up from her book. “Feeling any better P.B.?” She asks. “Not really, just tired is all.” “Get some sleep, I tell them you’re back.” “Thanks Sunset.” “No problem.” Peanut Butter slowly makes his way up the stairs and into his room before falling face first onto the bed and passing out. The following week passes as school lets out. As Peanut Butter grabs his bag for the tour from his room and heads down the stairs. Luna, Celestia, and Sunset are standing by the door as Peanut Butter heads to the front door. He hugs all three of them and smiles. “Be safe and behave.” Luna advises. “I will.” “Eat healthy and try to read.” Celestia advises. “Of course.” “Good luck out there P.B.” Sunset says. “Thanks, well, gotta go, see you guys in a few weeks.” Peanut Butter exits the front door and jumps in an RV and as soon as he gets in it rolls off towards the highway. The summer passes by quickly with family trips, reunions, camp outs, sleepovers, and days in the park. As the new school year starts, Sunset and Peanut Butter look at the school they notice the large building that now stands where the track for the Friendship Games used to be peeking over the dome at the top of the building, with red brick and white stone along the edges. “I still don’t like it, I know in my bones that they are up to something.” Peanut Butter rants as they walk towards the school. “P.B., you’re over reacting, maybe even paranoid.” “I’m not, but, just keep your guard up, please.” “Fine.” “Thanks.” As they reach the school’s entrance they see a large, muscular man in a guard’s uniform with short hair and sunglasses. He stands tall as he looks down towards them and raises an eyebrow towards Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter does the same thing though with a smirk on his face. “Students are to go to the new auditorium.” He says. “Well Bugsy, been a while hasn’t it?” The man groans. “I don’t know you kid, now get.” “Aw, that’s a shame, I guess the Manehattan incident really messed with your head, or maybe it was the ass kicking afterwards.” The man grits his teeth and groans again. Sunset grabs Peanut Butter by the wrist and goes inside the school. Midway through the hallway she lets Peanut Butter go and looks at him. “What is your deal?” Sunset asks. “Nothing wrong with trying to catch up with one of their goons, I think he’s still salty about last time.” “You’re acting ridiculous right now, let’s just go.” “Fine.” They both go down the hall towards the back of the school where the dark hallway is, now lit up and walk through the open double doors. They walk into a long brightly lit hallway and walk down towards the end and see the lush new seats in rows as the seats go higher than the gym used to go with the bleachers. The seats were mostly empty with only a few students seated. The seats themselves are red velvet with wooden arm rests. “I’m sitting in the back.” Peanut Butter informs before going up the near by staircase. Sunset follows though stops halfway up and shakes her head. She then goes to the closest row and sits halfway in. Later she is joined by her friends before they look around. Applejack looks towards Sunset. “Where’s P.B.?” She asks. “In the back, I don’t know if you want to see him though, he’s acting really odd.” “He told me that before summer break ended, told ‘im he was stressed.” “Well he doesn’t have an excuse now.” “Nope.” Just then the lights dimmed and the stage goes bright.