//------------------------------// // Winter Break at Canterlot High Part 2 // Story: Kingdom of Harmony // by Stegi //------------------------------// Fluttershy’s world was shattered. The loss of her good old cat, Chester, left her heartbroken. Rainbow Dash welcomed the other girls when they arrived. Rarity was the first girl to lay her arms around Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie and Sunset Shimmer followed Rarity’s gesture. Rainbow Dash was right next to Fluttershy and hugged her again. The hugging turned into a big group hug. Apple Jack was the only girl who did not participate. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Apple Jack said. “Yeah we are all sorry Fluttershy.” Rarity followed up. The girls felt bad for Fluttershy. Seeing the girl with the pink hair so sad had an affect on all of them. Apple Jack was reminded of the death of her parents. The orange girl felt the full weight of that experience coming up again. A.J. didn’t like to think about it, but situations like this one brought it all back. “Hey, I've got an idea. Let’s throw Chester a good bye party.” Pinkie Pie said. “Oh come on, Pinkie. You can’t be serious.” Rainbow Dash gave the party girl a weird look. “Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. It doesn’t have to be a party but I think a get together after the funeral, where we exchange our memories about Chester would do just fine.” Rarity brought up. “Fluttershy. What do you think?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “I-I don’t know if I’m up for that.” Fluttershy whispered. “Give yourself some time to think about it.” Sunset Shimmer said. “Where’s Twilight at?” Rainbow asked. “I guess she is at her new place.” A.J. replied. “I texted her too, but I didn’t get a response yet.” Dash explained. “She must be busy, figuring out her haystack.” Apple Jack said. Pinkie Pie had a hard time seeing everyone down like this. She knew they needed a change of scenery. The party girl convinced the girls to go to Sugarcube Corner for some coffee and cake. Pinkie also thought about another sleepover at her place. Maud Pie, the party girl’s sister, had left this morning to go back to their parents’ house. Pinkie Pie was going to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with them as she did every year. Pinkie had plenty of room to accommodate all the girls. “Spike! Can you please stop watching TV and help me over here with the device. I need a micro screwdriver.” Twilight Sparkle was eager to finish the project. “Argh. I never catch a break. Alright, I’m on my way.” Spike fetched the screwdriver for Twilight. “Thank you Spike.” Twilight smiled. She was just about to put the finishing touches on the device, when she was interrupted. Ring. Ring. Ring. “What is that disturbing noise? I need to focus and how can I focus with such an annoying noise?” The girl was clearly upset to be interrupted. “Uhm. Chill would you? It’s just your phone.” Spike rolled his eyes. Twilight Sparkle looked for her phone, but it took her a while before she actually found it. Her desk was full of tools and stuff that she needed to work on the device. Organized Chaos came to mind. The girl picked up her phone. “This is Twilight.” Twilight answered the call. “Howdy, Twi it’s me A.J.” The voice on the other end of the line said. “Oh hey A.J. Oh my gosh. Did I forget to be at my new apartment? I went back to my old house and started working on something important. I’m so sorry.” Twilight panicked and spoke faster. “Slow down Sugarcube. Rainbow texted you earlier and you didn’t respond. I figured ya were working on something.” Apple Jack said. “Oh phew. I thought I forgot our appointment.” The purple girl was relieved. “Well I think it ain’t gonna happen today. Fluttershy’s cat Chester past away. We all are at Sugarcube Corner trying to cheer her up. Pinkie wants us to stay over at her place for tonight.” A.J. explained. “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. I would like to join you guys but I really need to finish this here.” Twilight said. “No biggie. You got plenty to hassle about. Anyway I just wanted to let ya know.” Apple Jack said. “Alright A.J. I'll catch up with you guys later then.” The purple girl said. “Later, Twi.” Apple Jack hung up. Twilight went back to work on the device. She tightened a few more screws and done. “So Spike did you hear that?” The purple girl asked. “Yeah, yeah, a cat just died. How tragic. It’s not like there isn’t enough of them around.” Spike said in a rather bitter voice. “Spike…” Twilight shouted. “What is wrong with you today? Didn’t get your nap this morning or was there something in your food?” Twilight wasn’t pleased to hear her dog talk like that. “Hey. I’ m a dog. I don’t like cats ok? That really shouldn’t surprise you.” The dog explained. “I get it ok. You don’t have to be so rude about it.” The girl countered. “Alriiiight. I’m sorry. Sheesh, can’t be a dog for one day, should have just kept my mouth shut.” Spike apologized in his own way. “It’s ok Spike. Apology accepted. I’m almost done here. Then we have to test it and figure out how to get it to Equestria.” Twilight sneered. “What do you mean? Isn’t Sunset picking this thing up? By the way, you could give your inventions a name so I don’t have to call them thing anymore.” The purple dog wasn’t sure of Twilight’s intentions. “I know this sounds crazy Spike, but I want to bring it to Equestria. You never know if something needs to be adjusted.” The girl explained. “Are you out of your mind? Sunset said none of you should go to Equestria because nobody knows what happens when a human goes through that portal.” Spike suddenly started yelling. “I have done the math Spike. It will be alright.” Twi sounded so sure about it. Twilight tested the device she just rebuilt with success. Instead of picking up magic and other energy readings it now picked up Twilight’s DNA. The only thing the device needed was a name. “Mefinder. That could be the name for the device.” Twilight said. “Mefinder, really? Come on Twilight. Give it a cool name like Detector-X or P.K.E. Meter.” Spike objected. “P.K.E. Meter, you've got to stop watching so much TV. Alright. Let’s call it Detector-X then. I’m going to have to pack my bag.” The girl added. “You're really wanting to go, aren't you? Well in that case take me along there is no telling how you would do without my assistance.” The purple dog was serious. “Spike, I do need your assistance but not in Equestria. I need you here to watch over the journal and contact the girl’s tomorrow. They are under no circumstances to go through the portal. I’m fairly sure what will happen when I go through, but I can’t be one hundred percent certain.” Twilight explained. “Well, I appreciate you at least had that little dog door put in last month. So I’m not stuck here for who knows how long.” Spike did not like the idea of being left alone. Twilight packed her bag, mainly with gadgets and experiments she was working on, which she thought could come in handy. The X-Detector was placed carefully on top of the items. She remembered her 6th Grade Science teacher telling her without risk, no results. Twilight knew she was taking a huge risk going through the portal but she did it for the right cause. Saving Princess Twilight from whatever she needed saving from was the right cause. However, the possible side effect of becoming a pony and seeing Equestria had a nice touch to it. And of course there was Sunset Shimmer. Twilight considered pony Sunset her best friend, and admired her very much. There was no greater cause than to help a dear friend. “Spike, I've got to go. I left my smartphone on the living room table for you. I will be back as soon as possible. And don’t forget, nobody else is to enter the portal.” Twilight shouted on her way out the door. The girls were trying to cheer up Fluttershy at Sugarcube Corner. Apple Jack finished her phone conversation with Twilight outside, since it was so loud inside the store. Sugarcube Corner was a popular hangout place for all the students of Canterlot High. Winter break officially started here. During the summer, this place gave out milkshakes and ice cream. But during winter Sucarcube Corner served pies, cakes, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, coffee, and tea. A.J. went back inside and navigated her way back to the girls through the crowd. She had to tell the others that Twilight was not joining them. When Apple Jack returned to their table, the door opened again. It was Flash Sentry, the blue haired boy, who just walked in. All the girls turned to see who it was but it was obvious that Sunset was not just looking, but staring. “Who is this handsome boy?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “Oh. Uhm. Yeah I think we forgot to tell you something.” Rarity said. “Hehe, yeah I think he is Mr. Unavailable to you.” Rainbow Dash giggled. “That fella over there is Flash Sentry and he used to be your boyfriend.” Apple Jack replied. “My boyfriend?” Sunset Shimmers eyes grew larger and her face turned slightly red. “Yeah, not exactly your boyfriend but the other you.” Pinkie Pie through in. “Darling, don’t even think about it. It’s complicated. When pony you was a really bad girl, she took him as her boyfriend, but he dumped her a few months later.” Rarity paused for a few seconds. “Even though your counterpart has changed, they haven't talked since. To make matters worse, he has a crush on Princess Twilight.” “How come you guys haven’t mentioned this before?” Sunset seemed a bit embarrassed. “Sorry honey, but with all that happened here. What I’m trying to say is, it must have slipped our minds. Even pony you forgot all about it and you aren't going to Canterlot High yet.” Rarity said. “That’s just great. I finally find a guy who seems interesting and I already lost the battle before it began. Thank you, pony me.” Sunset Shimmer banged her head on the table. “There seems to be some irony here. I don’t even think Flash has realized that Twi and Princess Twilight are not one and the same. Or that you are not pony Sunset Shimmer. He is hitting on Twi with every chance he gets hehe, and she is showing him the cold shoulder every time. While Princess Twilight seems to have a little crush on him herself.” Rainbow looked around to make sure Flash wasn't nearby. “So Flash dumped pony you and likes pony Twilight, but our Twilight couldn’t care less, while you seem to be interested. Haha, that’s not a love triangle that’s a love quintet. Hehehehe the irony.” Rainbow Dash started to laugh a little lauder. “That’s not funny Rainbow Dash.” Rarity insisted. “Actually, I think it somewhat is.” Apple Jack took Rainbows side. “I know funny, and yeah, it’s kinda funny, not funny funny though, I know funny funny and funny. But yeah it qualifies.” Pinkie Pie said with her high pitched voice. “Well then, all that means is I have to take matters into my own hands. Because there is something about this guy I dig.” Sunset Shimmer got up from her seat. She walked over to the group of boys standing with Flash Sentry. The girls waved her back, didn’t want Sunset to go so unprepared over there. But it was already too late. Sunset Shimmer pulled on the blue haired boy’s leather jacket. Flash turned around and looked pale when he saw who pulled on him. “Sunset?” Flash Sentry asked. “We need to talk, let’s go outside.” Sunset Shimmers voice was determined. “Hey, you don’t get to boss me around anymore.” The blue haired boy gave her the evil eye. “I’m sorry. Flash, would you please come outside with me so we can talk.” The girl knew she had to change her approach. “Alright. Don’t expect anything to change.” The evil eye was still staring. Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry walked outside the store. The snow was getting thicker on the ground and the temperature was falling. It was already dark outside. Sunset forgot to wear her Jacket, she'd removed it while settling down in the store. She was shivering. “Here take my jacket.” Flash took his leather jacket off and hung it around Sunset for her to wear. “Thanks.” The girl smiled. “So what did you want to talk about?” The blue haired boy asked. “About us. We never talked after you broke up with me.” She relied on what the girls told her. “What do you want to talk about specifically?” Flash was confused. “Alright. Why did you break up with me?” Sunset had no issues discussing this because she wasn’t actually the one he broke up with. “You are kidding me right? You used me to gain popularity. Then you got it in your head that you could boss me around. I was just a toy for you.” His confusion turned into anger. “So it was all bad, huh?” She changed tone and her tactic. “I didn’t say that. We had some good times. Why are you asking?” Flash eased up a bit. “Because, I still like you and I have changed. I’m sure you noticed, even though you did try your hardest to avoid me.” Sunset glanced at the snow covered ground. “Look. I know you don’t want to get back together but at least give me a chance and become friends again. That’s all I’m asking.” “I guess that’s fair. We did have some great times and that one time where we almost… nevermind.” Flash blushed. “What, you are having amnesia now?” Sunset was eager to find out what they almost did. “Hey, you want to be friends. Let’s be friends and respect my privacy. Besides, you were there and know exactly what I am talking about.” The boy actually smiled at her. “Yeah, I know exactly what you are talking about. Alright, you win. Let’s go back inside. I’m sure our friends are wondering what we are doing” The girl improvised and blushed for different reasons. Sunset Shimmer gave the jacket back to Flash and walked back into the shop. Flash followed Sunset Shimmer inside Sugarcube Corner. They split and went back to their group of friends. “What did ya just do?” Apple Jack wondered. “Well. Let me put it this way. I leveled the playing field.” Sunset Shimmer had a big grin on her face. “Oh darling, you really like that boy, huh?” Rarity noticed. “Yeah there is something about that guy. Anyways, since Twi doesn’t want him, and I don’t think a two world relationship with Princess Twilight would work for either of them. What can I say? I dig that guy and I want a chance. ” The girl with red yellow hair made her point. Fluttershy was staring off into the distance. She hadn’t said a word this entire time. Pinkie Pie noticed, but she also knew Fluttershy well enough to not say anything. The party girl was never someone who could stand on the sidelines; no she had to be all game. So she convinced them all to go to her place and start the slumber party early. When the girls were leaving the store, Sunset Shimmer turned around to Flash and winked at him before she went outside. Twilight Sparkle ran out breath. She nearly missed that last bus towards Canterlot High. She took a seat in the back of the bus by the window. When she took a look around in the bus, she noticed there was only one more person in the vehicle who was sitting behind the driver. The bus was driving very slowly. Constant fresh snow on the ground made it hard to drive. Twilight thought about what would happen when she went through the portal. Twilight Sparkle didn't get nervous very easily. But the closer they came, the more nervous she got. “It’s alright. You have done your homework. There will be no problems.” She consoled herself. The bus reached it's destination and Twi got off the bus. It was already dark, only dim street lights around Canterlot High. Twilight Sparkle was standing in front of the Wondercolt Statue. She turned her head as if she wanted to say goodbye to somebody, but nobody was there. When Twi headed for the portal she spoke out her thoughts. “Well Albert Einstein said. Only two things are infinite, the universe and the human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Hhm. Maybe this is not the right one. Oh, I got it. Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them, and that is exactly what I’m doing right now.” She used Einstein's quotes for motivation and inspiration. She thought it wasn’t a big deal going through that portal, but now standing in front of it gave her shivers. Twilight did not expect to be scared last minute. She grabbed her bag tighter, threw it over her shoulder, and stepped into the portal. Once inside the portal, she saw all the colors from the rainbow. She saw lights, stars, and everything spinning faster and faster and faster. Twi didn’t feel anything. It took only a few seconds before Twilight Sparkle exited the portal into Equestria.