//------------------------------// // chapter 3 // Story: Silent Night // by cerealkiller78 //------------------------------// Earlier that Day at school… A Chem. Pop quiz as the kickoff to the last day of school before Christmas break. That had been awesome…At least it was over with, and she was headed to gym. But as Rainbow Dash got changed into her gym clothes, something felt off as she stepped into that gym. The gym had always been the highlight of her school day. It gave her a rush. The one class where she wasn’t stuck behind a desk. It always made her feel free. But something was definitely wrong today. Instead of the usual rush, it made her feel queasy…Instead of the freedom, it gave an air of oppressive tension, and she felt herself just wanting to leave. She was more than aware of what had transpired here last evening, but that was no reason for a bleeding heart. Sunset honestly was asking for it, ringing bells with all her anon-a-miss posts…She had betrayed everyone!...But then, why did SHE feel like the traitor in all this? She sighed, trying to clear her head. Lightning Dust was sitting at the bleachers, excused from class on account of a broken nose. Rainbow went over and started talking to her while everyone was dispersed, waiting for class to begin. “What happened to you?” She asked. Lightning glared at her. “Take a wild guess…” Rainbow only had to think for a moment, before stifling a laugh, her voice going quieter, so only they would hear. “Seriously?? There were how many of you there? And she still nailed you?” She chuckled. Lightning glared. “I didn’t exactly see YOU there helping, ya know…” “Touché…” Just then, the teacher blew his whistle, signaling the beginning of class. They had gotten out of gym class at 11:30am, and Rainbow wasn’t really in the mood to hang around. She got changed, and went to her locker to get her lunch, but honestly, she wasn’t even feeling all that hungry. After a short deliberation with herself, she decided to leave it behind, and went straight outside instead. On her way out, she caught wind of some students grumbling and complaining about something as she passed. She didn’t catch all of it, but when she heard “Anon-a-miss”, that caught her attention. She turned her head in their direction as she passed. Catching the words “Again!” and “I can’t believe it!” Before they got too far away to hear them anymore. That was weird….If everything went down last night…which they DID according to Lightning…then how was there another post?.... She couldn’t even check her own phone. Gilda still had it… Where was she anyway? She leaned up against a wall, checking her time. 12:00pm. Lunch was half over already. It started at 11:30am at CHS, and went until 12:20pm. She was beginning to wonder where the other 4 were. She ended up being there for another 15 minutes by herself, spending her lunch in a pretty boring way. But that didn’t bother her. She had more than enough thoughts to keep her occupied during that time. What were those students talking about? How could there have been another update?... She began walking, contemplating these things, when suddenly, out of the blue, she found herself pulled into an alley, looking eye to eye with a distraught looking student. “Where were you last night man?? You should have been there to see what they did! I don’t mean that in the “You missed out” sort of way either. She’s insane!” He said in a hushed voice. “Sunset?” “Gilda!!” He hissed, throwing his hands up. “Gilda?” She repeated, surprised. “Look, I got no doubt that Sunset’s behind Anon-a-miss ok? But what I saw happen last night…They took it too far…I mean what they did…Shouldn’t happen to anybody.” “Wait….What exactly did happen?” I thought they were gonna do this here at the school.” “They did, but they didn’t stop there, they-” But just then, the buzzer went off, signaling the end of lunch. He sighed. “Look, I gotta go. Everyone’s expecting me to go back. But I don’t like anything that’s going on there…” “Go back where?...what?” “Their at some abandoned place outside of Canterlot. I’ll tell you everything when I can. But for now I gotta go.” With that, he left without another word, leaving Rainbow to stare after in confusion. She had wanted to ask him if he knew anything about the new update, but she never got the chance… Abandoned place….outside Canterlot? From what she understood, the whole thing was supposed to be at the school. She figured Sunset was in the hospital right now or something… But now that she thought about it, there hadn’t been any hushed whispers going around the school of what happened to Sunset…She had figured someone had found her in the morning or something. But she hadn’t heard a peep of gossip about it from the students…Or anyone for that matter. Everything was going as normal at Canterlot High. But then, IF nobody found her this morning…. And what was that guy talking about anyway? Abandoned place? going back? taking things too far?... She decided to skip the rest of the day. There was but one hospital in Canterlot, and she needed to reassure herself that Sunset was in fact there. Sure, she was angry enough at Sunset to have let happen what had happened the prior night...But she didn’t sign up for….. She banished the thought from her mind. That ISN’T what happened…It WASN’T what happened. Are you quite sure about that? A voice whispered in the back of her mind. She hopped on her bike, ignoring the thought. She needed answers. Present Time.... Gilda dropped her back to the ground. "So, what's it gonna be Shimmer? Make this easy on yourself, and just tell us." You know this could all end.... A voice whispered deep inside her. "Who...made the post?" Sooo....easily, it could end.....Abandon harmony...Clearly it has abandoned you. So, what's the point? Give me control... It whispered sweetly. Sunset looked up at her, and a smirk slowly formed on her face. ".....Your mom." For a moment, Gilda didn't respond in any way. She just stared at Sunset. One of them looked at her nervously. "....Gilda?..." Finally she came out of her daze, eyes piercing Sunset. "Do you WANT to die??" She asked quietly, before hoisting Sunset up by her throat. "Because I WILL oblige..." Her grip tightened around her throat. "Right here...Right now." Dots began to cloud Sunset's vision. "Stop!" Someone suddenly shouted. "You're gonna kill her!" "No DUH!" Gilda said, not taking her eyes off Sunset. "What's it LOOK like I'm trying to do here?" "You can't kill her!" Gilda finally looked out and gave the guy a death glare. "Why, do tell, CAN'T I?!" "Because...Because she hasn't said who posted the update!" "Hey, ya!" Another agreed. "What the heck Gilda? You can't kill her right now!" Gilda looked at Sunset losing consciousness, and gave an irritated sigh before dropping her back to the ground. Sunset coughed and gasped, taking in the air she needed. “Guys! Shut up!!” A voice shouted. Everyone stopped….There was the sound of a car pulling up, before a door slammed shut from outside, with voices. Sunset's good eye widened, and she immediately opened her mouth to scream, but was silenced by someone slapping a hand over her mouth from behind. “I thought no one else KNEW about this place!” they hissed at Gilda. “They….don’t…” Gilda tried defending poorly. “Obviously, they do!!” “Guys, relax…I’ve got this.” Gilda reassured, starting to walk out. “What are you DOING??” Another hissed. “Would you rather THEY come in here??” She shot back, before stepping out. “I still can’t believe you dragged me all the way out here for a musty worn down building…” Sugarcoat droned while getting out of Indigo’s car. “Hellooo, have you never heard of abandoned places?? Their like the best places to explore! Their totally awesome!!” “Their totally haunted.” “Oh, lighten up Sugar, you’re never gonna have fun in life with that attitude…” “Don’t call me Sugar….” Indigo opened her mouth for a response, furrowing her eyebrows, before closing it again, facepalming. “We really need to get you a nickname…” “We really need to get back to the city.” “Oh, c’mon!” She threw her hands up. “It’s Christmas break! We got a whole two weeks off! It’s like…the ONLY time we ever get a chance to relax from the insanity of our school!” “We should be using these two weeks to study for tests the teachers will obviously throw at us when we get back.” “Ugghh, You sound like Twilight! You wanna lock yourself in a room for two weeks like her, then be my guest…” She said, before heading towards the building, when suddenly, someone stepped out from its entrance, blocking it. “Oh, hey, if it isn’t Indigo Yap...” She said smugly, crossing her arms. “You’ve gotta be kidding…What are YOU doing here?” “I should be asking you the same thing.” “What does it matter to you? I don’t see any sign here saying this place belongs to you, so let us in!” “Why don’t you make me?..” “Zap, let’s just get back to the city.” Sugarcoat tried convincing her. “No way! We ARE getting inside! This place doesn’t belong to her!” “I’d listen to your friend there Zap... “Who do you think you are??” She marched up, shoving Gilda. “We have as much right as you to-” She was cut off as Gilda punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground. “I THINK I’m the one who’s going to put you in your place!” Gilda snarled as Indigo got right back up, both going at it. Sugarcoat watched them with a bored expression. She sighed. “Amateurs…” Her eyes drifted to the building entrance. “Might as well see what all the fuss is about…” She decided, heading inside as the other two were distracted with their brawl.