The Dazzlings have been arrested for vandalizing Canterlot High.
According to the article Caramel gave me, they attacked the school around the time I was at Octavia's concert before a couple of police officers were driving by and caught them. They also turned out to be the culprits of food and blankets stolen from homeless shelters over the past couple of weeks.
What's especially odd is that they weren't attacking very late in the evening. They were caught around 7:30 ish, which was about an hour into Octavia's concert, making them more likely to get caught. Did they hate that they were defeated so much that they would recklessly attack without people noticing? I thought the leader with the ginormous orange hair at least would be smarter than that.
Regardless, it's no surprise that come Monday morning it was the talk of the school. I had just been dropped off by my mom to find students outside looking at broken windows all over the school and one of the side entrances has a broken doorknob. The windows are covered with wooden boards, and the side entrance is blocked with yellow tape and two police officers standing guard. Before long, the bell rings, and the policemen tell us to come inside and go to class.
But going inside the school doesn't stop students from still going crazy over it. Groups of students are standing around in the halls instead of heading to their first-period classes, talking about it, or reading news reports on their phones. Rumors are spreading, saying things like the Dazzlings were drunk, or on really messed up drugs, or just wanted revenge. One sophomore boy claims that the reason they were trying to break in was to burn down the building from the inside. Even the student photographer, Photo Finish, is running around the halls with her camera and her entourage, Pixel Pizzaz and Violet Blurr, taking pictures of the damage, shouting something about capturing "the dark magic of pure terrorism."
Yeah, twenty bucks says they are going to get sent to Vice-Principal Luna's office before second period if they're lucky.
I, on the other hand, quietly head to my first class, observing what everyone else is doing as I go. As much as I am shocked about what happened too, I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself until I'm having lunch with Soarin and Caramel. I can't take anyone else seriously while all they want to do is make ridiculous rumors about it. I mean, really? The Dazzlings wanted to break in just to set a fire inside when they could easily do that outside? Sophomore kids are weird.
I make it to my first class, which is English with Ms. Cheerilee. I sit in my regular seat at the back of the classroom while students are still talking about the attack. Finally, with the final bell, Ms. Cheerilee tells us to settle down. But before she can begin her lecture, Principal Celestia starts talking on the intercom.
Good morning, students and staff. I would like to take a moment to discuss what happened at our school last night. I want to confirm that we do have several windows that have been broken and boarded up, and we would advise students to keep away from them for safety. Also, the back entrance has been broken in, so all outside gym/sports activities will have to exit the building from the front entrance. We also advise that you do not discuss this in social media. We have already seen students posting pictures and links on their MyStable and other social media as well as Photo Finish and her entourage taking pictures of the damage and has their equipment confiscated by Vice-Principal Luna.
Wow, Photo Finish was stopped faster than I thought.
Any further phone activities revolving the attack will result in your phones taken away. That being said, I hope that we can treat today like a regular school day, and remember it's a great day to be a Canterlot Wondercolt.
After the intercom is turned off, Ms. Cheerlie starts her lecture, but that still doesn't stop students from sneaking their phones out of their pockets and texting about what happened. Some of them eventually get caught and lost their phones, of course, but students will still whisper about it during the lecture.
This is going to be a long day.
********************************************************************************************************
At lunch period, Soarin and Caramel are already waiting for me when I walk over to our usual table with my lunch. Soarin wastes no time to talk about the vandalism as soon as I sit down.
"Can you believe this is happening?" He asks.
"No, I sure can't," I answer. "Honestly, I don't know what is harder to believe; that they attacked the school, or that they attacked the school so recklessly."
"It does sound pretty far fetched," Caramel says in agreement. "But do you think they were intoxicated in some way?"
"I don't know for sure, but according to Rainbow Dash, she and the rest of the Rainbooms are thinking the Dazzlings had some plan that may have more to do with them than the school. Like this was all a part of a plan to get revenge or something," Soarin says.
"That is probably the best theory I've heard all day," Caramel says. "They were the ones that defeated the Dazzlings, so it makes sense to use the attack on the school to get to the Rainbooms. If anything else, it sounds more like something the leader of the group would think of."
"But that still doesn't explain why they would do such a thing so early at night," I state.
"Well, does it matter, though?" Caramel asks. "After all, even if they did plan this for some payback, they're still captured, right? They are nothing but teenage girls without their powers, and for all we know, they did take their defeat so hard that they turned to drugs or something. The important thing is that we are still safe from those three, right?"
I give Caramel's question some thought. As ridiculous as most of the rumors are, I can't deny that it does look like something was very wrong with them. Maybe they did drug themselves, or maybe they were hit hard in the head after losing their power, or there's more to this than we can guess. But at the same time, the fact remains that they've been captured.
"You know Caramel, you may have a point," I say plainly.
Both of my friends look at me, shocked.
"Did you just agree with me?" Caramel asks.
"Well...yeah," I answer.
"But you never agree with us," Soarin says with a quizzical look. "How do we know you don't have another crazy theory that has to do with them bidding their time until they strike, or that this has something to do with your claim that Sunset Shimmer is still evil?"
"Heh, I guess I do tend to say things like that a lot, don't I?" I say with a chuckle. "But Sunset Shimmer isn't the one in jail, and even then, she was able to get things her way long before she had any of those she-demon powers."
"Oh, there it is," Soarin says to Caramel with a smirk. "For a moment there, I thought some of The Dazzlings' magic stayed in his mind so that he can say things like that to let people's guard down."
They both chuckle, and I give them a half-hearted laugh.
"Cute. Real cute guys," I say.
They both make another brief chuckle before Caramel asks, "All joking aside, though, do you really mean that?"
"Well, the key thing to my statement is that you may have a point," I reply. "I don't think it's wise to let our guard down anymore than I think people should with Sunset Shimmer, but you're right that they are powerless and imprisoned. So, this might not be as big of a deal as everyone is making it out to be apart from the fact that three people who hypnotized us are getting what they deserve."
"Yeah, I think that's a reasonable way to look at it," Caramel says with content. "If anything else, I'm glad we can discuss this much more maturely than everyone else has today."
"Ugh, I know," I say, annoyed. "I can't believe how much of a thing everyone has made of it. Just when I thought we teenagers can't be persistent enough with texting in class."
"Well, on the bright side, we only have so much information that we can blabber about," Soarin says optimistically. "So, how much longer can this go on?"
But as soon as Soarin says that, one of the hipster students, Sandalwood, stands on one of the tables in the middle of the cafeteria.
"Oh, dudes, Flash Sentry just got a text from his dad at the police station; they already made a date for the Dazzlings' trial!" He shouts.
Immediately, students leave their lunches and crowd around Sandalwood, exclaiming their excitement.
I turn back to Soarin, giving him a hard glare. He scratches back of his head as he says, "Heh, that will do it," with a nervous laugh.
I roll my eyes before we both look back at Sandalwood.
"Flash's dad says that they are having the trial at the Canterlot courthouse downtown, after school next Monday," Sandalwood says. "They're only going to let a few people in, so plan to go there!"
The entire cafeteria goes crazy. Students run back to their tables to send out texts and discuss plans to come to the trial. Eventually, one of the staff notices this from one of the halls and had Sandalwood sent to Vice-Principal Luna's office. But we all know that this reignited the high school buzz tenfold, and there wasn't anything that the teachers could do to stop it. Soarin, Caramel, and I turn back towards each other, still processing what we had just learned before Caramel breaks the silence.
"So, anyone for going to see The Dazzlings get sentenced?" he asks awkwardly.
"I'm for it if you guys are," Soarin replies with a shrug. "Rough Draft, are you in?"
I take a moment to think about it before I respond. It seems pointless to go just on account of who will be able to enter the courthouse, let alone witness what is going to happen to the three girls that hypnotized us and attacked our school. At the same time, though, it may give me a peace of mind to see at three of the people who brainwashed me get their just reward.
"Yeah, I'm in," I say. "I don't know if we're going to be able to come inside, but if it means a chance to see them get taken down for good, I'm all for it."
"Sweet. Then let's make sure to meet up after class on Monday, and I'll drive us over there," Soarin announces.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Caramel says.
"Me too," I confirm as we all nod our heads in agreement and go back to our food.
************************************************************************************************************
As expected, news of the trial kept anyone from paying attention in class for the rest of the day. Even Mr. Iron Will, with all of his intimidating demeanor, couldn't get his students to focus during gym class. The teachers take away phones or send students to Vice-Principal Luna, and it still wasn't enough to stop students from spreading the news and making new rumors about the trial.
We teenagers are a persistent bunch.
Finally, school ends for another day, so I go to my locker, grab the rest of my stuff, and head home so that I can hopefully stop thinking about the trial for the rest of the day.
"Hey, Rough Draft, wait up!" I turn around to see Caramel catching up with me. "I forgot to ask, why didn't you have your phone on last night?"
"Oh yeah, I was invited to go to a concert Octavia was performing at, so I had my phone off," I reply.
"What? Why didn't you tell Soarin or me that you were doing that?" He asks. "Soarin could've given you a few pointers for that or something."
"Well, I was too focused on hoping that I wouldn't fall asleep since it was a classical concert," I answer.
"Oh. Yeah, that would do it," Caramel says understandingly. "But did you?"
I take a second before I hesitantly reply, "I might have fallen asleep long enough that I would have missed her performance if it wasn't for this snooty, teenage couple sitting next to me who woke me up."
"Does she know this?" He asks worriedly.
"Yeah, she found out," I say hesitantly. "But thankfully, she forgave me, seeing as how it makes us even after she laughed at me when I told her about my stories."
"Well, that's good news," Caramel agrees. "But do you think she would have been so forgiving if you did sleep through her performance?"
I wasn't sure how to answer that question. Octavia and I both handled our feelings about each other's interests poorly, but we forgave each other, and that is that. But on the other hand, she made it clear how much it meant for someone she knew to watch her performance, and I almost let her down.
"Rough Draft."
I snap out of my train of thought to see Caramel looking at me, still worried. I quickly regain my thoughts and answer, "I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. I'll probably have to ask her. But regardless, I enjoyed her music. And I'm not saying that to be nice. I really mean I was listening intently the whole time she was playing."
Caramel looks at me, confused.
"Seriously? How could one night of watching her play music all of a sudden get you interested in that kind of music?" He asks suspiciously.
"I don't know," I answer. "I can't help but be fascinated when I watched her play. She puts a lot of emotion into her music, and it was interesting to watch her be in her own little world while she plays. Honestly, she makes me feel pathetic by comparison with my stories. I know she eventually was encouraging me about my writing after she stopped laughing, but I still write fanfiction while she pours her heart out with her cello. I wish I knew why she's interested in me when I'm nowhere near her level."
For a couple of minutes, there is done between us until Caramel starts snickering. I look at him in disbelief as I ask, "What's so funny?"
He keeps on laughing before he eventually answers, "You sound just like Soarin and me whenever we compare ourselves to Applejack or Rainbow Dash."
I stare at him for a moment before I process what he said and start chuckling myself.
"Heh. Yeah, I guess I am," I admit.
We laugh for a little bit before we settle down, and Caramel speaks encouragingly,
"Seriously, though, maybe you're being too hard on yourself," he says. "After all, Octavia may have laughed at you when you told her what you write, but if she really apologized and later wanted you to come to her concert that probably meant a lot to her, then maybe you shouldn't worry too much about what she thinks about your writing."
"I don't know," I say reluctantly. "I don't see myself sharing her my writing anytime soon; leastways not after the Spring Fling."
Caramel's face falters at my mentioning of the Spring Fling before he optimistically says, "Well, why not give it a try? I mean, I know you're not comfortable with the idea, but you did say that you could work something out based on why she is interested in you. Maybe if you show her your work she might enjoy it. If anything, at least you'll probably be less embarrassed than I was with Applejack at the party."
We are silent for a moment stand while fewer students are passing us by and heading home. I debate in my mind whether or not to take Caramel's advice. I'm still uncomfortable with the idea of showing my stories to someone who isn't Caramel and Soarin, but at the same time, I've become more comfortable with Octavia, the more time I spend with her. I admit that I wouldn't mind dating her if it goes that far, but if that's ever going to happen, I may have to open up to her with my stories sooner or later. But will I be ready for that?
"Get back here, Octavia!!!"
Caramel and I turn around and who should we see but Octavia running towards us with a look of horror on her face. We look behind her to see Pinkie Pie running after her with the same fiery eyes she had at Sugarcube Corner.
Oh yeah. Pinkie did say she would get Octavia for breaking her promise.
Octavia is so focused on Pinkie Pie that she only turns around for one second before our eyes meet, and we realize what is going to happen next.
*WHAM!*
We both fall to the ground, landing right next to each other. We barely have a moment to groan in pain before Pinkie Pie catches up with us. The psychotic look in her scares the crap out of the two us and Caramel.
"Octavia Philharmonia Melody, you broke your Pinkie Promise and hurt Rough Draft really, really badly!" She says with venom in her voice. "As such, I demand that you apologize!"
"But I already apologized to him," Octavia says half out of fear and half in pain from the hit on the head.
"A likely story!" Pinkie Pie responds.
"She did apologize, Pinkie Pie," I intervene, still in a bit of pain myself but able to get up and start helping Octavia up. "After we ran away from you, we had a talk where she apologized, and I forgave her. We're good."
For a moment, Pinkie Pie does nothing but keep her angry look. Then right out of nowhere, the look is replaced with her usual cheery smile.
"Oh, that's great! See? Everything gets better when you apologize!" she says bubbly.
I had just finished helping Octavia up and am about to comment on how childish Pinkie Pie sounds before Pinkie grabs Octavia by the vest and pulls her towards herself, so they are face to face.
"But I'm warning you, Octavia," Pinkie Pie says, her venomous voice back. "Don't ever break a Pinkie Promise ever again. Got it?"
Octavia gulps before she says, "Yes, Pinkie, I got it."
Almost immediately, Pinkie Pie's happy demeanor returns.
"Great! Well, I'll see you guys later," She says before she skips away, humming a simple tune.
For a few seconds, neither of us do anything but watch Pinkie Pie skip away to the end of the hall. I turn to my right to see Caramel still staring at where Pinkie was with a look of shock on his face.
"Feel free to have helped us anytime there, Caramel," I say sarcastically.
This snaps him from his state of shock before he looks at me and chuckles nervously.
"Sorry," he says. "It just was too much for me to witness Pinkie Pie like that."
I roll my eyes before I turned to Octavia.
"Are you alright?" I ask.
"Well, I got chased by a maniacal Pinkie Pie, and I head collided with you for the second time in less than a week," she says in a snarky tone. "But other than that, I'm okay."
"Yeah, we gotta stop meeting in school like this. We're starting to act like Flash Sentry and that Twilight Sparkle girl," I comment.
Octavia looks at me with an unamused look.
"That was not one of your funnier jokes," she says.
"Sorry," I say. "How about we text each other whenever we are running for dear life in the halls next time just to get a heads up."
"Deal," she replies with a smirk.
I smile back, staring into her violet eyes and can see she's looking into my eyes as well. Just then, Caramel clears his throat, reminding us that he's still there. We snap out of our moment, and I clear my throat.
"Yes, well," I begin. "Octavia, this is one of my best friends, Caramel."
Pleased with my change of focus, he extends his hand, saying, "Pleasure to finally meet you, ma'am."
Octavia chuckles before she shakes his hand.
"Good to meet you too, good sir," she says before something clicks in her mind. "You know, I think I've heard of your name before."
"Oh? Maybe Rough Draft mentioned when we were a band with our friend, Soarin, back at the Battle of the Bands," he says with a confident smile, not noticing my hand gestures telling him not to bring that up. "Surely Rough Draft told you about Revan and the Soaring Revanites."
"As a matter of fact, he did, but -" Octavia says before she remembers. "Wait, I did see you. You were the drummer, weren't you? No offense, but you all looked so silly performing the way you did."
Caramel's proud face falls.
"W-what?"
"It's true," I say reluctantly. "Apparently, we didn't get in because we were out of tune, and no one could hear what I was singing through my Revan mask."
"I think there's a video on MyStable of your 'performance," Octavia adds.
Both Caramel and I wave our hands, saying, "no."
"Suit yourself," she responds, sounding amused.
Caramel's phone vibrates soon after.
"Ah, that's my mom," he says quickly. "Nice to meet you, Octavia."
"And you, Caramel," Octavia replies.
"See ya, Rough Draft," he says before leans over and whispers in my ear, "Think about what I said, man. Give her a chance," and runs out of the hall.
We wait a moment before Octavia, and I turn and smile at each other.
"So," Octavia begins.
"So," I say back.
"How about this whole thing about the Dazzlings?" She asks.
"Ugh, don't remind me," I reply, groaning. "If I had a nickel for every time someone said something about it throughout the day, I would have made enough money to move to Manehattan."
Octavia chuckles at my statement.
"I know what you mean," Octavia says. "I can understand being angry over them hypnotizing us, but it's silly is making a fuss about The Dazzlings after the campus is attacked as opposed to after the Battle of the Bands."
I look at her with a hint of hope at what she said. Did she just critique how everyone is ignoring the magical occurrences? But that's my thing. Am I not the only person who thinks about that?
"So, do you feel that our fellow students shouldn't be acting like all the brainwashing never happened?" I ask.
Octavia looks at me like I said something odd.
"Are you joking?" She asks, bewildered. "If it weren't for my friends, I would get the sense that I'm the only person in this entire school who is disturbed from being brainwashed at the Fall Formal and the Battle of the Bands."
At that moment, my mind is processing what she just said. Then without thinking, I walk over to Octavia, wrap my arms around her, and lift her up. She yelps in surprise as I start spinning her around, laughing maniacally before I stop and kiss her on the cheek. It took a few seconds before I realize what I just did, and I immediately let her go and turn around, blushing furiously. I dare to turn around to see Octavia blushing as well.
I clear my throat and awkwardly say, "I apologize for that. It's just that you're the first person to feel the same way about how everyone is handling what happened. I don't even have the luxury of my friends feeling that way l do."
"That's okay," she says in an equally awkward tone. "Truth be told, I know what it's like to feel like it's just you who feels that way. Even Vinyl doesn't understand because she was never hypnotized either when Sunset Shimmer or The Dazzlings took control of everyone."
That's true. I do recall DJ-PON-3 joining Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and the rest of the Rainbooms in fighting The Dazzlings.
"How do you do it, though, Octavia?" I ask, making her look at me, confused. "How do you deal with the fact that you were hypnotized? That you went to a dance or competed in a musical tournament, unaware that you were losing who you are mentally even if it was only for a short while?"
But instead of answering the question, Octavia looks away silently with a look of unease, and I feel like I shouldn't have asked.
"I'm sorry," I say hastily.
"No, it's fine," she says while still looking away from me. "It's just that it's not something that I like to dwell in. Remember, I moved here wanting to live a normal life in a suburb where I can spend my senior year in a relatively peaceful environment. But instead, we're not even halfway through the fall semester, and I experience she-demons, sirens, students fighting each other and literally blowing each other away with music, taking away everything I wanted out of starting over. What's worse is I was a part of it. I competed in the Battle of the Bands, wanting to win the competition with my cello desperately. All I can do to keep myself together after The Dazzlings used what I love against me is to express how disturbed I am through my music. For a couple of hours after school, I'm either in the music room or I lock myself in my room at home to play, thinking about what they did and what I would do to them if I had the chance."
For a moment, there is silence. I don't know how to reply to that. I feel bad thinking I was having a tough time with everything that transpired when it ruined Octavia's chance for a quiet life by comparison.
Then I realize something and say, "You know, now that I think about it, I kinda do the same thing with my writing,"
Octavia turns to me with a raised eyebrow and says, "Rough Draft, you had just told me not four days ago how all you bring yourself to write is Star Wars fan fiction. How in the world does that relate to how I deal with the matter?"
"Well, it isn't the same way, I grant you," I begin. "But I think it has helped me let out how I feel about what this magic did to us did to me. I hated that there was nothing I could do to save myself, let alone others from these sirens and demons, and what have you. Now that I think about it, I have been writing these stories about fighting Sith more than usual because at least there I can take care of myself and be able to stop whatever evil force is doing. I think I've become more passionate about it because what we have gone through was real. Magic is no longer something that is only in folklore and movies and literature; it's something that exists and can be used against us, and there is nothing we can do about it. But at least in my stories I can do something. I can make a difference."
Silence fills the hallway again. This time, it is Octavia's turn to be deep in thought about what I just said.
"When you put it that way, I suppose we technically do the same thing to get through it," she says. "In fact, maybe we can show each other's work to see how we've handled what happened through art?"
I gave her a small smile.
"I'd really like that," I reply. "Though I thought you said most of your work is improvisation."
"It is," she confirms. "But that doesn't mean I can't do it now. I was planning on playing in the music room to let out how I feel about the vandalism anyway."
I smile again and say, "Then, by all means, lead the way, Lady Melody."
Octavia lets out a giggle before we walk together to her locker to retrieve her cello. After that, we go to the school's music room, and Octavia takes out a stool and gestures me to sit on the benches as she starts setting up her cello. After setting up her cello, she takes out her phone and starts setting something up with it.
Noticing my curiosity with what she's doing on her phone, she says, "This particular piece is not one of my own. I found it online and thought it would be the right kind of song to play; it comes with some background music to play along with my cello."
I frown and say, "I thought you were going to go all improv on me with just your cello."
She makes a small chuckle in response and says, "I know, but this song works better with accompaniment. Plus, Vinyl tells me it helps me be more comfortable with playing different genres. I'll tell you what, after you show me some of your stories, I'll play another song without any backup music at all."
"Alright, deal," I say with a smile.
She smiles back before her face changes into a focused yet calm expression. She straightens up and takes one deep breath before she touches the play button on her phone, and after the first beats of the music, she begins to play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLmAlskhRZc&feature=emb_logo
When she finishes, I stand still, unsure of what to say. Octavia gives a concerned look.
"Did you not like it?" She asks.
Worried that I intentionally hurt her feelings, I say, "No, I don't hate it. If anything, I'm more taken aback at the ferocity you put into that song. Though it seemed to go back and forth as to whether or not your cello had a purpose to the track."
"That is understandable," she says plainly. "I guess I am used to not always be the focus of a musical piece after being in the school orchestra back at Manehattan. But you're right about the ferocity. I truly hate what both Sunset Shimmer and The Dazzlings did to me. And while Sunset Shimmer may be good now and The Dazzlings are arrested, I can't help but think that there's going to be the next time. That any day another magical being is going to use the school for their evil purposes for reasons we don't even know, and we might get brainwashed again or worse no matter what we do. I want to be able to fight back if that happens. That's why I chose this particular piece. I use it to express how I want to fight back. I don't want to be some means for someone else's magical gain."
I ponder at her statement. I never considered the possibility that there could be more magical beings that would want to take over the school or something, or even if there's a real reason why these people always have Canterlot High as their target. Does it have to do with the Rainbooms with their friendly magic or whatever they call it? And what does that mean for the rest of us? Would we be nothing more than constant pawns used for some struggle of power? I already feel insecure over how I have been unable to do something about our past encounters with magic, but I never thought about it all happening again.
Finally, Octavia clears her throat and speaks again.
"But I digress, I believe it is your turn," she announces.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that again. I start to feel uneasy again, which Octavia doesn't hesitate to notice.
"You're not going to try to go back on your part the deal again, are you?" She asks suspiciously. "I will make another Pinkie Promise again if I have to."
"No, it's not that at all," I quickly answer. "I just feel a little intimidated. I don't normally show my writing to anyone apart from Caramel and Soarin, and it's nothing compared to what you do."
Octavia rolls her eyes while smiling.
"You don't have to be intimidated by me, Rough Draft," she says. "Just because I have gone so far as performing in front of people, doesn't mean I'm not someone who is trying to figure things out with my profession like you are."
I hesitate before I nod, feeling comforted by her words. I open my backpack and take out one of my notebooks containing some of my stories and offer it to her, but then she pushes the notebook back to me.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah," she says in a singing voice. "You are reading to me."
I lean back in surprise with my cheeks turning red.
"W-w-why?" I stutter.
"Because I would like to hear you read it out loud. It's only fair since I performed for you," she answers with a smirk. "Plus, I think it would do you some good to be a little more open in that way. Besides, odds are I probably wouldn't understand some of the words anyway, seeing as my knowledge of Star Wars is frankly quite limited."
I have my mouth open, trying to think of a counterargument, but nothing comes out. Octavia has me cornered, and we both know it. I let out a long sigh and open my notebook, flipping through the pages until I get to a story that seems like the right one to start with.
Now seeing as this story is a rather long, I'll give you the basic plot summary.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away, (yes, I really did start my stories with that, and yes, Octavia did let out a giggle when I said it), the all-powerful Jedi Master named Rough Draft was infiltrating a Sith fortress at the Sith homeworld, Korriban. Inside the fortress was the latest threat against the galaxy: the Sith Emperor, Morphan-itas. He snuck inside and tried to reach Morphan-itas' throne room without being detected. Unfortunately, he did get discovered, and so had to fight off a dozen Sith guards. Eventually, Rough Draft cuts them all down and raced his way to the throne room, taking down more guards in the process. Finally, he made it to the throne room and went face to face with Morphan-itas. They said a little bit of dialogue here and there about taking over the galaxy or stopping the Sith Lord before they ignited their lightsabers and began fighting. It was a fierce battle of jumping and clashing the blades of their swords together, going back and forth over who was on the offense or defense. Finally, however, Morphan-itas made one fatal mistake, allowing Rough Draft to elbow him in the face and then stabbed him right in his stomach, killing him. The end.
I close the notebook and raise my head to find Octavia confused. I let out a disappointed sigh before I say, "None of that made any sense to you, did it?"
Octavia snaps out of her frozen state before she clears her throat.
"No, no, I get it. You infiltrated the Sith emperor's fortress, fought off guards, and then killed him," she says. "But, well, there was no conflict whatsoever during that entire story."
Confused, I ask, "What do you mean? I was going against a legion of guards and an all-powerful Sith Emperor."
"Yes, but there appeared to be no real threat," she answers. "The guards were no match for you despite their numbers, and this Morphan-itas was only powerful enough to delay his inevitable, easy demise. It sounded like you were in no danger at all. In fact, do forgive me for asking such a question, but are all of your stories written like this?"
I hesitate before I gave her a reluctant answer.
"Not until after what happened with Sunset Shimmer at the Fall Formal," I admit. "I don't feel comfortable to talk about why I still feel the way I do about her, no offense," Octavia shakes her head and holds her hand up, gesturing "none taken" before I continue. "But I was thrilled that she was defeated and that we could continue the dance afterward just like everyone else. But looking back, the idea of what happened to us, what happened to me, really sunk in. I realized that I am completely helpless. I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself since this is all magic and demons and sirens and stuff that has no part in our world, but I still feel vulnerable after losing who I am twice. No one should experience what the whole school went through, and I guess that's why my stories have a less real conflict. At least in there, I can take care of myself and make a difference."
Nothing but silence fills the about half a minute. Then Octavia stands up, walks over, sits next to me, and puts her arm around me from behind.
"You don't have to be strong like that to make a difference," she says kindly.
I turn to Octavia and give her an appreciative smile that she returns with her own smile. We stare into each other's eyes before suddenly, we find ourselves leaning our heads toward each other. I don't know what is getting into me, but whatever it is, Octavia is drawn to it too.
The next thing either of us knows, our lips connect.
It only lasts a few seconds, but after we part, we lean on each other's foreheads.
"So..." Octavia begins, "I suppose this makes us boyfriend and girlfriend, doesn't it?"
"Uh, well, only if it is alright with you," I answer bashfully. "I mean that was kind of out of the blue, and we've only known each other for a couple of days, so we don't necessarily -"
Before I continue, Octavia puts her finger on my mouth and smiles.
"It's okay," she says sweetly. "I'd like to be."
I stare at her, surprised.
"Really?" I ask.
She nods and says, "Very much so."
I don't say anything at first, but then I smile and bashfully say, "Alright then. I guess we are."
"Lovely," she says, pleased with my answer. "Shall we kiss again?"
"Uh, yeah, I'd like that," I answer with my cheeks turning red.
With that, we press our lips together again.