//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Opening Ceremony // Story: Equestria Wars: The Magic Unleashed III // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Charming Thunder and Danny did some research on Crystal Prep Academy at the library. Charming Thunder looked through year book of the school as Danny looked it up on the computer. Danny found out that Crystal Prep once put a prank on the Canterlot High statue just to taunt the school's team. A door suddenly opened as Cadence, now the dean of Crystal Prep entered the room. Charming Thunder looked up to see her then back down to continue looking at the year book. "Excuse me," Cadence said. Charming Thunder looked up fast and got up from this chair and turned to face her. It was a good thing that he was wearing his armor to hide himself. He didn't respond as he looked at her. Danny became concerned as well and walked up to him. "I was hoping if you would help me with-- wait. You look familiar." "Perhaps you don't recognize me," Charming Thunder replied. "You remind me of someone from the Battle of the Bands." "A friend?" Cadence nodded in response as Danny stood next to him. "Was he a member of your band by any chance?" Danny asked. "How do you know that?" "Just a hunch." Charming Thunder then recognized her as a student of Canterlot High years ago, but he wonders why is she with Crystal Prep. "Perhaps you can explain that to us along the way to the school gym," Charming Thunder said. "I hear that is where all the students are right now." "O-of course," Cadence said as she walked with Charming Thunder and Danny. "He was a good friend of mine when I was a student here. He convinced me and the other students to stand up to Sunset Shimmer and vote for a new princess of the Fall Formal." Charming Thunder had a flash of memory that he remembered that time since he arrived to this world for the first time. "He was a good singer for my band after the Dazzeling's defeat." "What made you leave Canterlot High?" Danny asked. "It was after I graduated here. I decided to work at Crystal Prep Academy as the school dean." Anger filled Charming Thunder as the trio arrived at the doors to the gym. Danny and him opened the doors for Cadence and let her enter first. Charming Thunder then leaned over to Danny and whispered, "Sunset has a lot of explaining to do." "I couldn't agree more," Danny said as they entered the gym to see that to room is crowded with Canterlot High and Crystal Prep students. Some students were talking to Crystal Prep students. Charming Thunder thinks that they are probably wishing them luck, but Danny thinks that its a rivalry conversation. Charming Thunder tapped Danny on the shoulder and looked over to a commotion going on. "Twilight, what have you been up to?" Sunset demanded. "Me? Oh, I was just--" Twilight said when she was interrupted by Indigo Zap. "Who wants to know?!" Indigo asked. "Um, we do," Rainbow Dash replied. "Alright, everyone," Applejack said, trying to calm everyone down. "Let's not get too competitive before the games start." "The games aren't really competitive since we've never lost," Sugarcoat said. That statement grew interest in Charming Thunder and Danny and decided to approach them to end the commotion. "That's not a very nice thing to say," Fluttershy said. "Sorry, dearie, but these games aren't about being nice," Sunny Flare explained. "Well, you might use a little tact," Rarity said. "Enough!!" Charming Thunder said. The Crystal Prep students were shocked to hear a familiar voice. They then turned to see Charming Thunder and Danny approach them. "Save your anger for the games." Indigo, Sugarcoat, and Sunny got a little scared at first, but at least the argument stopped. They then leave them alone as Charming Thunder and Danny approached Sunset Shimmer. "May I speak to you privately?" "Of course," Sunset replied as she followed him. Danny decided to chat with Celestia and Luna while his brother was away. Charming Thunder stopped and grabbed Sunset Shimmer and pinned her to the wall. "What gives?" "You lied to us. Everything you know about Crystal Prep was just about Twilight and a masked man. So, why is Cadence also with them?" "I didn't know until now. It's my first time participating for the games while investigating how magic works here." Charming Thunder lets go Sunset Shimmer and stands back. "Charming, I know you are angry about it, but cheer up. The Cadence you knew was years ago during the Battle of the Bands." Charming Thunder sighed and calmed down. "You're right. My anger shouldn't be on you." As the party started, Charming Thunder sensed something and turned to see Pinkie ponied up and her magic was draining, but from who he wondered. The party was stopped as the music stops and thumping was heard on the microphone. Principal Cinch was up on stage in front of the microphone as Charming Thunder walked to his friends to hear her. "I'd like to thank Principal Celestia for her unconventional welcome," Cinch said. "It's been four years since the last Friendship Games, but it feels as though nothing has changed. Canterlot High continues to pick its competitors in a popularity contest and Crystal Prep continues to field its top twelve students. It is a comfort to know that even after so many years of losses, your school remains to committed to its ideals, however misguided they may be." Danny was concerned about Cinch and was abut to wonder something. "I wish you all the best of luck, regardless of the inevitable outcome." Once her speech ended, the students continued to what they were doing as Charming Thunder and the others see Pinkie Pie approaching. She walked like that she was dazed or tired. She moaned as Applejack helped her up. "I'm sorry, Pinkie," Applejack said. "I thought your party additions were really swell." "Definitely broke the ice," Fluttershy said. "Yes, if only that Principal Cinch hadn't frozen it again," Rarity added. "Yeah she's awful," Pinkie said. "Wow, Pinkie, what happened to you?" Sunset asked. "I dunno. Everyone started having fun after Twilight and I fired the party cannons and I ponied up." "Of course you did," Charming Thunder and Sunset said. "But then the magic just drained right out of me." "Wait, what do you mean drained out of you?" "That can only lead to one person," Danny said. "Hey. Where is that other Twilight?" Applejack asked. "Oh. She's right... uh, well, she was right here," Pinkie replied. Charming Thunder only moaned in disappointment and decided to go outside to get some air. Sunset decided to follow him to see what he is doing.