//------------------------------// // The Tour // Story: Through the Mirror // by Darth Link 22 //------------------------------// Twilight had trouble concentrating in class. Twilight never had trouble concentrating in class. Then again, in every other class she had been in she had never been pumped full of unfamiliar hormones telling her that the boy sitting next to her was the ideal mating candidate. She was relieved when the bell rang. Keeping her cool, she walked out calmly. Thankfully, Flash didn’t try to talk to her. The next class, science, was peaceful. Thankfully, she found herself in the same classroom as both Applejack and Rarity. The relief vanished quickly as they both motioned for them to sit next to them, each glaring at the other for trying to take “their” friend. She ended up sitting next to a boy with lime skin and green, dreadlocked hair. Finally, third period came around, and Twilight reported to Celestia’s office. When she entered, she found herself feeling relieved. The last of her friends, Rainbow Dash, was her escort. “You must be the new girl,” the cyan girl said. “Name’s Rainbow Dash.” “Yeah, nice to meet you. I’m Twilight.” “Yes, I thought she might be a good fit,” Celestia said, giving Twilight a knowing look. “Rainbow Dash is the captain of the soccer team, a real champ.” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head. “Well, it’s no big deal.” Twilight nearly fainted from shock. Rainbow Dash brushing off praise? This really wasn’t her home dimension. “I’m hoping you can show my niece around. It won’t be too much trouble, I hope,” Celestia said. “I wanted to meet the new girl anyway. Well, come on, we have a full school and only an hour to see it.” The pair walked out, and as soon as the door closed Rainbow Dash turned to her. “Is it true?” Twilight blinked. “Is what...” “Did you really sign up against Sunset for the Fall Formal Princess?” “...Oh. Yeah, I did.” “Have you heard...” “Yeah, yeah, blackmail, pranks, the works. I’m not worried. Pranks are pranks, and Ce... my aunt can keep any rumors down.” Rainbow Dash looked at her, as if trying to piece the new girl together. “You’re either really brave, or really stupid.” “Oh? And what would make you decide which I am?” “If you stick to this after Sunset starts. If you really keep going... well, no one’s ever stood up to her more than once. Putting your money where your mouth is would make you the most awesome girl I’ve met.” “Does that mean I’d have your vote?” “If you stick with it, sure.” Then she smiled. “If you get all the way to the Formal, you’ll win no questions asked. No one likes Sunset except for her posse.” Twilight smiled. “I don’t blame anyone. I heard about the rumors she spread. You don’t believe the one about Rarity, so you?” “No!” Twilight jumped at Rainbow Dash’s sudden vehemence. The girl calmed herself. “No, no... don’t go spreading that around. Rarity’s a lot of things, but she’s not that.” Twilight smiled. There looked to be hope. “Well then, why don’t you show me around?” The tour with through the predicted stops: the library that seemed way too big for a school library, the gymnasium that Twilight had already seen, the theatre, the music room. But it was outside, on the soccer field, that the truly notable part of the tour started. “And here’s our outdoor field. We have all kinds of events here, mostly soccer and football.” Twilight gave a polite smile, looking around. “So this is where your team plays?” “That’s right, ever since freshman year,” Rainbow Dash said, a look of reminiscence in her eyes. “Well, you must play great to play captain.” “I just practice a lot,” she brushed it off. Twilight blinked. Still so surreal. “Well, you must have practiced nonstop, then. I can’t imagine...” “Look, can we just drop this?” Rainbow Dash snapped. Twilight stepped back in surprise. Seeing this, the other girl softened. “Look, I’m sorry, but I learned a long time ago that being good at sports doesn’t mean much. Now come on, we still have a lot of the school to see.” Twilight wondered how true that could be. The school was big, but outside individual classrooms there seemed to be little for the student to see. Still, she obediently followed her back into the school. They entered the hallways and ended up in the main entrance, passing by a large trophy case. This time, Twilight stopped a moment to look at them. Remembering the year she had been given by Celestia, she looked for what she hoped to find. She saw it soon. Large trophies declaring Canterlot High first in soccer, three in a row. And next to them was a plaque declaring Rainbow Dash MVP. “Wow, impressive.” Rainbow Dash fumed. “I thought I said to drop it.” “Sorry. It’s just... why are you so upset about this? Most people at least acknowledge their accomplishments.” Rainbow Dash was quiet for a moment. Finally, she said, “If I were worth any praise, I’d be standing up to Sunset right now. Now come on.” Rainbow Dash turned and began walking away without a second thought. After a moment, Twilight followed. This was getting her nowhere. They entered the cafeteria, which was filled with students on their free period and a few workers getting lunch ready. “And here’s the cafeteria. It’s where food is served, blah, blah, you know this. What I really wanted to show you was... those girls.” Twilight looked. She didn’t recognize her right away, but it didn’t take long. The same color, the same mane color, and wearing a dismissive posture. It was Sunset, it had to be. She wasn’t alone. Her table was full, three girls and two boys. The boys she recognized as the human versions of Snips and Snails. The girls, however, she had never seen before. If there was one word that could describe all three of them, it would be gaudy. They all wore sparkled clothes that nearly hurt Twilight’s eyes to focus on them, and they all had large manestyles. A large frizzy bush, a long ponytail, and two long pigtails topped the girls of yellow, blue, and purple, respectively. The only accessory they had in common, Twilight realized, were a trio of red gems, one hanging on a black band around each of their necks. “That’s Sunset with her group. The ones you really got to watch out for are Snips and Snails. They usually do Sunset’s dirty work. If you see them running around, watch your back. The three girls are harmless, mostly. They just hang off Sunset and act like they own the school. Really is a shame, they’re great singers.” “Singers?” Twilight asked. “Yeah, they’re even named after music: Adagio, Sonata, and Aria. Everyone hates them on a personal level, but they all gather around when they sing.” Twilight looked at the group. Sunset looked at her. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Sunset gave an unspoken warning. I’m going to run you over, pony. She then went back to chatting with the others. Rainbow Dash motioned her to sit at a table on the edge of the cafeteria. Once seated, she spoke. “You say your aunt can protect you from the rumors? Maybe... I always said she should be superintendent. She’d get all this garbage taken care of. She’d have done it already if those idiots on the school board ever did anything.” “Really? You like my aunt?” “Everyone does. We all know she’s been trying to get Sunset expelled. And she stopped Rarity from getting all that garbage on her. Being her niece might be a plus. But rumors aren’t what you need to worry about, it’s pranks.” “Pranks?” “Not the harmless kind either. Something humiliating. She doesn’t do it very often, she prefers things where there’s less of a chance she’ll get caught. But she can roll out some nasty ones.” “I’ll be careful.” Rainbow Dash nodded. There was an awkward silence before Twilight spoke up. “Aunt Celestia told me about the rumors... between you and Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash looked at her with an angry expression. Twilight added, “I don’t care if it’s true or not.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Then you’re better than some people. There was a gang called the Diamond Dudes that ran around this school. They kept harassing us, asking us to make out for them. And some others...” She shuddered. “So... forgive me for asking, but were you two really...” “No. Fluttershy was just a friend... that I can’t see anymore...” Rainbow Dash hugged herself in an unconscious gesture. It was the latest in a line of actions that Twilight found so out of place on Rainbow Dash, even if this wasn’t the one she was used to. But she was beginning to understand. “And no one helped you?” There was silence a moment. “Celestia and Luna did, of course... and a few others: Sandalwood, Micro Chips, Lyra and Sweetie Drops... no surprise, I’m pretty sure those two are in the closet...” Twilight blinked. Sweetie? Not Bon Bon? Another mystery to the list... “Bulk Biceps, Derpy, and Flash Sentry, of course.” Twilight felt herself cheer a bit. Flash was a good person. She... needed to stop worrying about that, she had to focus. “And... well, those three.” Now Twilight was confused. She was saying the words with contempt. “Those three? Sounds like you hate them.” “I do. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie. Two are idiots and the other’s a snob.” Twilight winced. “But... you said they helped you.” “Yeah... they have a shred of decency, at least. They... I saw them each trip up someone coming to harass us. So they’re not all bad.” Twilight could hear it in her voice. Longing... “It sounds like you want to be friends with them.” That earned her glare that caused Twilight to shrink back. “Look... we were friends once and it ended badly.” Rainbow Dash’s voice cracked. “I couldn’t... I have to go. Hope you make it to the Formal.” And then she ran out, just as the bell sounded. Some students started lining up for lunch, but Twilight just set there. Okay... this was progress. Rainbow Dash at least wanted to get the group together, even if she was denying it, and Fluttershy probably did too. That meant...” “Hey.” Twilight was brought out of her thoughts by a bespectacled boy. “Um, yes?” “Is it really true? You’re running against Sunset?” “Oh. Yes, I signed up this morning.” “Cool! The name’s Micro Chips, and you’ve got my vote!” Twilight grinned. “Well, thank you!” Micro Chips was called away by a friend, so he excused himself, promising that his friends would vote for her if she stuck with it. It seemed almost too easy. “Um, Twilight?” Now it was Fluttershy, holding two bag lunches. “Oh, hello Fluttershy.” “Principal Celestia asked me to bring you your lunch,” she said, offering a bag. Twilight took it. Of course, Celestia likely had planned this all along. She opened it up to find Luna had prepared her a nice fruit salad. As she started eating, Fluttershy gave a small squeal. “You’re a vegetarian too?” Twilight nodded. “Have been all my life,” she said. It was technically true. “Oh, I was hoping to meet another! The only other one who doesn’t eat meat is Sunset, and she’s mean.” “So I’ve heard,” Twilight noted. “Are you really running against Sunset?” Twilight nodded. “Yes. Will you vote for me?” “Um, well, if you really want to do it... okay. But please don’t, Twilight, Sunset has hurt so many people...” Twilight was quiet for a moment. “Does that include Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy gave a small squeak and looked at Twilight. “Um... maybe?” “Please tell me.” “Um, well... I don’t know. You see, a rumor about us spread around...” “I heard about it,” Twilight said. Then, seeing Fluttershy’s frightened face, she added, “I don’t care if it’s true or not. If you’re that way, it’s fine.” Fluttershy smiled gratefully, but went on. “Some bullies tried to hurt us. Rainbow Dash protected me. A lot of people helped us, but Dash did the most. Then, suddenly, she told me it was best if we don’t see each other anymore.” Fluttershy’s tears were coming down. Twilight put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It’s not fair. Rainbow Dash was my friend since we were in elementary school. She was always so strong. But then... I don’t know.” Twilight summoned up her best hopeful smile. “Well, maybe if Sunset was taken down a peg...” Fluttershy looked at her own salad. “Y-you think?” Twilight smiled. “I know.” “Oh. Well... maybe you can.” Twilight smiled. She reached out a hand to touch Fluttershy, but the yellow girl backed away. “Um, I’m sorry, I know you’re being nice, but... I’m afraid of anyone thinking... you know.” Twilight winced, pulling her hand back. “Okay.” “Well, well,” a new voice said. Fluttershy went rigid at the voice. Twilight saw her then. It was Applejack. Fluttershy immediately grabbed her meal and ran off. It happened so quick that Twilight didn’t even get a chance to call after her. “Why’d you do that?” “Do what?” Applejack said, taking a seat with her tray... meat, to Twilight’s discomfort. “All I did was walk up here. Fluttershy never did have much of a spine.” Twilight sighed, burying her face in her hands. “I had just gotten her to agree to vote for me...” “Ohh! That makes three!” Pinkie said, bouncing up while shooting a glare at Applejack. “Now you only need to convince the other 1576!” “Or, you know, half that, which people who aren’t idiots could figure out.” “Hey you...” Pinkie started. “Girls,” Twilight said firmly, getting them both to stop and look at her. “Can you two at least try...” “Darling!” Twilight tensed. This situation was just getting worse. Rarity walked off. “Allow me to find you more suitable company. You really don’t want to hang around with them.” “Hey, watch it,” Applejack said. “We happen to be helpin’ Twi with her bid for the Fall Formal...” “What?” Rarity was in Twilight’s face in an instant. “Twilight please don’t. Didn’t your aunt tell you what she did to me?” “Yes, but I’m not worried. It’s not like anyone in this school seems to believe any rumors anymore.” “I can think of a few,” Rarity said turning to glare at the other two. Applejack immediately put up her hands. “Whoa, whoa, hold on there. I ain’t ever believed that, Rarity. I know you ain’t like that.” “No one deserved what happened to you,” Pinkie said. Rarity’s eyes widened a bit in in surprise. After a moment, she opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but quickly snapped it shut. Then it was like the moment never happened. “Well, at any rate, I think you’ll be needing my help. I’m sure I can whip you up something...” “Now hold on, are you sayin’ I can’t be of any help? I figure passin’ out some of the Apple Family’s treats can boost Twilight’s popularity.” “Not as well as a good Fall Formal dress will!” Pinkie spoke up. “Oh! But I can make her pins, banners, the works! And I can do it way better than these two!” “Uh, well, maybe you can all help me?” “I’m tellin’ ya, the dress won’t matter if Twi ain’t in the runnin’ by Friday.” “Which is why she should let me design everything!” “She’s going to be in the limelight, she’s going to need to look good.” Twilight left the table. The three didn’t notice. She got outside the cafeteria, head in her hands. This was a disaster. She didn’t even know where to begin fixing this friendship. “Well, that was interesting.” Twilight jumped in surprise. When she saw Flash, she felt herself heat up. “How’d you get between those three?” “Uh... lucky, I guess?” “A strange definition of luck,” he smiled. “Those three can barely pass each other in the hallways without snapping at each other. You must be pretty special if they’ll sit at the same table for you... Your face turns red a lot. Is that a condition?” Twilight tried to hide behind her hair. Even more so when she saw Flash was blushing as well. “That joke was corny,” Twilight said, trying to play it cool. “Well... I meant it. Those three fight so much I can’t believe they used to be friends. They even had this article about it in the school paper...” That got Twilight to perk up. “Really?” “Yeah, it was kind of a big deal back then...” “Hey Flash! Hurry up, we only have the music room during lunch!” Looking annoyed, Flash turned to the boy sticking his head out of a hallway. “Coming!” He turned back to Twilight. “Sorry, I have to go.” “Um, does the school paper have an archive?” Flash looked at her a moment, then grinned. “Sure. In the library. If you meet me there after school, I’ll show you.” I’m sure Aunt Celestia can help me fine. “Sounds good.” Why, mouth? Why? “Cool. I’ll see you then.” Flash walked away, giving her one last look. “You’re not going to do anything?” Adagio asked as the group watched Twilight leave. “No need,” Sunset said, taking a bite of her salad. “Not yet.” She stopped to make sure Snips and Snails weren’t listening. “She might be a big shot back home, but here she’s just another girl. Let her get built up a bit. She’ll go down just as easy.” “But three of the five are starting to talk,” Aria said. “You said they were top priority to keep apart.” “By now, they hate each other too much. Relax. They aren’t forgetting everything in a week. Still... if you can stir things up...” Adagio rolled her eyes. “We pretty much have to. You better win this, we’re tired of fast food.” “Ruhlee?” Sonata said, her mouth full of burger, while Snips and Snails downed fistfuls of fries. The other three buried their heads in their hands.