//------------------------------// // Chapter 70: Celestial Sunset // Story: The Other Journal // by Ganondorf8 //------------------------------// Day: Saturday Weather: Cloudy Time: 2:00pm If there was a time where I hated myself because of my temper, this would be that time. What in the world was I thinking? Twilight had approached us and apologized for what happened regarding the Equestrian plants attacking us, yet I refused to listen to her words. Instead, I lashed out at her in a blind fury, having reached my boiling point. I didn't care about her feelings so long as I let her know how I felt about her meddling with things beyond her understanding. When it became apparent that I overstepped my boundaries, my mind could only think of one thing in response: I had become a monster again. I wished I could go back in time and stopped myself from berating Twilight, but that was impossible; that kind of magic existed in Equestria, but not in this world. Things would get worse when Principal Cinch came up to Principal Celestia and accused CHS of manipulating the relay. I didn't know why, but I sensed that she knew something she wasn't supposed to. The Other Journal By Ganondorf8 April 24, 2016 Chapter 70: Celestial Sunset. The revelation Twilight revealed to me regarding Principal Cinch's knowledge of what her pendant contained was shocking. I had done my very best to make sure that no one outside of CHS was aware that magic existed in this world, yet she had figured it out, no thanks to me. Cinch overheard the conversation that happened when I berated Twilight over messing around with forces beyond her understanding, and that lead her to think that she could use the knowledge of Equestria to win a competition. My temper had been my one major drawback even after I had reformed, and it had contributed to the eventual catalyst. I knew that she had been miserable as a result of how the rest of Crystal Prep treated her, yet all I did was make her feel even worse. I have no excuse for how I yelled at her simply because my own insecurities were pathetic. All Twilight was doing was trying to understand something in the name of knowledge. Sure, her actions did have dire consequences, but that was normal for someone in her position; curiosity kept her striving to uncover the truth. If I hadn't lost control, I could have resolved things in a more peaceful manner, and Cinch wouldn't have considered the notion of wanting to use magic. Could it be said that my actions almost brought about the end of this world? I'd say yes to that, as I was clearly responsible the first time around. My insecurities over trying to find my place nearly ended everything the second time around courtesy of the Sirens. Finally, my own temper combined with having so much stress almost allowed Twilight to destroy both this world and Equestria. In that sense, I was like a magnet, unintentionally bringing about problems. If not for the fact that my friends welcomed me with open arms and accepted me despite my flaws, I'd have destroyed this world a long time ago. A horrible thought indeed. Looking at Twilight, she had since taken out her notepad and was scribbling down something in a panic. I hoped she hadn't taken my lack of a response too seriously. I had wondered how Cinch knew what magic even was--Equestrian magic as opposed to traditional magic used during shows and other performances--considering she blurted out the word several times after everything was resolved. Rubbing my finger against my chin, I thought back to that moment. I then switched to scratching my head in an effort to recall exactly what she said she'd do, but I was interrupted by Twilight, who appeared to be wanting to tell me something. " I was writing down the exact words Principal Cinch said when we were discussing strategies for the final event." Twilight said. " Why would you do that?" I asked. " In case you didn't believe what I was saying." " Now what compelled you to think that?" " You didn't answer me when I mentioned Principal Cinch knowing the truth about my pendant." " I was in deep thought over how she knew about magic." " And?" " And what?" " Something else was on your mind, Sunset. I know you well enough to see it through your facial expressions, so I wouldn't try to change the subject." Twilight answered. I must admit that I was surprised to hear her say that. She obviously must know what's been troubling me, so why bother making a spectacle out of it? While I could curse my face for giving away my true intentions, Twilight deserved to know what was wrong. If I don't tell her about it, she's going to pester me about it until I cave in. " Do we have to go through the same song and dance like before where you kept quiet about things you'd rather not share? I've got plenty of time on my hands." Twilight said. " I was thinking about what I said to you after the relay." " Are you still upset about that? Granted, what you said really hurt my feelings, but I've gotten over that now. I realize that what I did was wrong and that I allowed my desire for knowledge to blind me. Your words were harsh but needed to be said. I had to learn the hard way about the consequences my actions were bringing." Twilight said. " Maybe, but I still hurt you by going too far." " You and our friends were losing something precious to you." " It doesn't matter, Twilight! My temper took complete control of my head, and I lashed out at you when I just couldn't take it anymore. I knew you were upset over how you had been treated by your peers, yet all I did was add to that misery. If you weren't thinking of wanting revenge against those who hurt you, my words surely pushed such thoughts to the forefront of your subconscious. I could apologize hundreds of times, but that wouldn't be enough to change what happened." I said. I wanted to punish myself in the harshest manner yet. I thought of either bashing my head against the wall numerous times or throwing myself off this level of the library and onto the ground below, but I knew Twilight would stop me from inflicting such injuries. My thoughts were pretty dark, more than what I had done previously, yet that was because my temper proved too volatile and unpredictable. If not for Rainbow Dash snapping me out of it, I could've yelled at her or one of the others without provocation. Or worse, I could’ve actually hit one of them. Instead of abiding to my dark thoughts, I merely sat there and thought about that conversation. Twilight was curious because that was in her nature. She was only doing what she thought was right, and I had the gall to blast her for putting our friends' lives in danger by taking their magic, which, in turn, affected their stamina. The more I thought about it, the more it gave me a splitting headache. What I should have done was approach the situation with a different demeanour. That meant not succumbing to my anger, a difficult task for me to overcome given how I lose control far too often. Personally, I'd love nothing more than to go back and try again, but I know I can't do that. Her Highness told me that messing with the fabric of time could cause irreparable damage. " Your facial expressions changed." " Not surprising, considering--" " Sunset, I don't blame you for yelling at me." Twilight said, inching closer towards me. For a brief moment, I thought she was actually going to kiss me or something. I mean, she got really close to my face, and the look in her eyes was telling me there was more to her getting close than appearances suggested. I was relieved that her aim was to comfort me with a hug, although next time, she should try a less questionable tactic. " I should've been smarter and thrown the pendant away. No, I should've given it to you. All that magic locked within it couldn't simply be tossed aside." Twilight said. If she had done that, I'd have handed it over to Her Highness, and she would've taken care of it. Again, magic was her specialty despite my own knowledge. " Guess we both made a mistake that day." " And mine would only get worse because of what Principal Cinch did next." " Did she berate you because Crystal Prep lost?" " Surprisingly, that never registered in her mind. I knew she was upset that the academy didn't sweep the Games, but she didn't show it when she talked to us. She was more concerned with winning the final event no matter what the cost was." Twilight answered. " Funny; she didn't act that way earlier." " What do you mean?" " After you ran away, I wanted to consult with Principal Celestia. I had failed to keep the magic under control, regardless of the fact that your actions were the cause of it. So, I wanted to personally apologize for not keeping my word. Unfortunately, I had to deal with Cinch, who began to complain about how things went down." I answered. I'm glad that she didn't directly talk to me about what happened. I'd have been too distracted over what I said to Twilight. Instead, Rainbow Dash said something that proved quite inspiring. Sugarcoat wasn't the only one who questioned Cinch's motivations, and Rainbow proved that in spades. " In my current state, I kept quiet while Principal Celestia and Rainbow did the talking. I think you can figure out what she had to say." Just like that, my entire world crumbled around me once again. I knew that my temper had been a weakness of mine, but I never thought it would make me lash out against anyone that way again. I had been under a lot of stress from having to solve the magic problem, keeping magic away from the Friendship Games, and helping the Wondercolts overcome the Shadowbolts, just to name a few problems. Those factors all culminated into a single point that resulted in me taking out my frustration on Twilight. Her wanting to understand magic and putting the lives of my friends in jeopardy was enough to make me snap. She had unintentionally pushed the wrong button once too often, and I wasn't letting her walk away without knowing exactly how I felt. It harkened back to how I reacted when Trixie accused me of sabotaging the Rainbooms during the Battle of the Bands. She claimed I tackled Rainbow Dash out of jealousy during her performance, and my response involved grabbing her collar. That moment proved to be a defining point. I had anger issues in the past that stemmed from not being given the title of princess. Despite wanting to destroy Princess Twilight due to being consumed with power, I myself never wanted to physically hurt anyone. Had I not been restrained by Rainbow, there was no telling what I could have done. That thought alone tormented me ever since. My temper was something I couldn't ignore. My friends witnessed it many times before, and what happened with Twilight was perhaps the worst case. I had prided myself on being a good judge of character, yet that got thrown away the instant my boiling point reached its zenith. Twilight had explained her actions, but I refused to listen to her. In my head, anger and hatred were all I could hear, and she paid the price. What was truly the most painful aspect in all of this was that I had betrayed Her Highness' teachings. She had taught me the value of friendship and how I should spread it to others in order to do away with hatred. And what did I go and do? By using hatred in the form of my anger, I frightened away someone who struggled with her own problems. Twilight needed compassion, but all she got was spite from someone who used her to vent out her own personal failures. Now, she probably thinks everyone at CHS was just as spiteful as I was and is bound to close her heart in the hopes of never being hurt like that again. If Princess Twilight had witnessed my behaviour, her heart would've shattered. She had given me a second chance, and I spat on that generosity in a matter of moments. Rainbow Dash asked me if I was okay, but I told her that I needed to sit down for a few moments to reflect upon my actions. I thought about sitting on the grass, but I decided to sit back down on the motorbike she used during the relay. Part of me had the desire to ride away out of shame, but that would've done nothing. There was no sense in trying to run away from my problem. What had been done couldn't be taken back. This was something I'd have to live with for the rest of my life. As I rested on the handlebars of the motorbike, the image of a crying Twilight made it difficult to concentrate. I tried to get it out of my mind, but it lingered about like a spectre wanting to haunt me everywhere I go. I thought back to when I had been reduced to tears. The only difference was that my tears resulted from me underestimating the Magic of Friendship, and Twilight's came from my using her as a scapegoat. " Sunset?" Rainbow Dash asked. I didn't respond to her. " Sunset? Are you okay?" Again, I didn't say anything. " Snap out of it!" Rainbow Dash shouted. She walked up to me quickly before slapping my face, snapping me out of my thought process. Rubbing the side of my face her palm had hit, I turned away from her for a brief moment and uttered something to myself--it was a very quiet “ouch”--before turning back. " Sorry for knocking some sense into you, but you need to get over what just happened." Rainbow paused to look at the rest of our friends, who were in disbelief over what she had done to me. Those expressions were enough to frighten most people, but Rainbow wasn't one who could be fazed so easily. " Look, so you made a mistake. So what? I've made plenty of them." " That one was the worst one I've ever made." " No kidding, but you can't take back what you said. Heck! If Applejack had been in your shoes, she would've said the same thing." " Is that true?" " ‘Fraid so, sugarcube. I know you feel bad about beratin' Twilight like you did, but I reckon she needed to be told the truth before someone got hurt. We've had some pretty close calls with those plants, so y'all did the right thing. It's painful because it meant doin' something you ain't accustomed to, but you'll eventually get over it when you think you've gotten a strong handle of it. Maybe now, Twilight will think twice before messin' with stuff she don't understand." Applejack answered. " And what if she still persists?" " Then I'll have to knock some sense into her." Applejack answered. I didn't like the idea of her speaking to Twilight in a manner far worse than what I did--Applejack knew how to be honest without holding back, something the rest of us didn’t really like doing--but I knew it had to be done were she to continue down her current path. " I know Rainbow Dash went too far by slappin' you in the face, but you were beatin' yourself up somethin' fierce. Sunset, like she said, you've gotta accept the fact that you told Twilight the honest truth despite relyin' on your anger. She needed to be made aware that her actions could seriously hurt a lot of people." Applejack said. " I know, but I allowed my temper to consume me." " We've seen it for ourselves so many times that I've lost count." Pinkie Pie said. " Not helping!" Rainbow Dash said. " I'm serious, Dashie. We've seen Sunset lose her cool plenty of times, and every time, she manages to bounce back. It's become a routine, and it reminds us that her greatest weakness is also one of her strongest traits. Losing your temper isn't fun, but it lets Sunset express herself in a way that I know many would love to." Pinkie Pie said. " Are you sure about that?" " Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?" " Because having a temper problem also means no one wants to associate with you." " Huh... Guess I never thought about it like that. Must be because I'm so happy all the time that I don't even notice such things. Still, I'm right about Sunset having lost it many times because something ticked her off. I'm not saying I wrote down all of those instances in a book or anything." Pinkie Pie said. I then noticed she was holding something in her hand, and when she saw that I was looking, she quickly hid it behind her back in an attempt to hide it from me. Her humour never ceased to amaze me. No matter how upset I felt, Pinkie always knew how to make me feel better. The same was true with everyone else at CHS. " Anyway, your temper is one of your more endearing qualities, Sunset, yet you shouldn't let it be such a burden in your life. Just turn that frown upside down, and you can chase away those grumblies." Pinkie Pie said. " Grumblies? Seriously?" Rainbow said. " Thanks for cheering me up, Pinkie, but I still feel bad about what I said. Twilight reminds me an awful lot of myself." I said. " Really, darling? I'm not sure if the rest of us are in agreement, but I honestly can't see anything that makes that remotely true." Rarity said. " Both of us were bullied by our peers, although the reasons are different. We're also smarter than those around us, yet while everyone here appreciates my intellect, the same can't be said about how Crystal Prep views Twilight. You know, she would make for a pretty good student around here. She needs an environment that can cater to her skills and not demand any sort of perfection." I said. " Yes, I can see where you're coming from, but I'm not sure if Twilight would like it here. After all, she has much better opportunities at Crystal Prep. She is their best student, after all, so wanting a lesser education would simply be baffling." Rarity said. " I doubt they'd let her leave." Rainbow Dash added. " Maybe, but wouldn't it be nice if she could come here? Despite looking like Her Highness and sharing some things in common, Twilight is her own individual, and it would be a breath of fresh air to be able to live her life without being viewed as insufferable by those who don't understand her. Either way, I'm going to do all I can to let her know that it was wrong for me to have used her as a lightning rod for my anger." I said. " Reckon y'all found an answer." Applejack said. " Being upset is something I'll gradually get over, but I've no intention of just leaving things unresolved. I don't care what I have to do in order to apologize to Twilight, but I'm going to even if it kills me." I said. " You can't possibly call that a fair race!" I immediately stopped my train of thought when I heard the voice of Principal Cinch. It sounded like she was having issues regarding what happened when magic unintentionally made its presence known during the Tri-Cross Relay. It wasn't surprising that she hated the thought that CHS had won the event and forced the deciding event later, but there wasn't much she could do about it other than issue some kind of complaint. I had to help Principal Celestia explain why plants suddenly appeared, but it was going to be difficult coming up with an explanation regarding Rainbow Dash's wings. Turning to our right, we saw Cinch standing by the bleachers, yet to me it looked like she had been standing there for some time. Her posture didn't look like someone who had just wandered down from the VIP box. At the time, I had no idea that she had been listening to what I said to Twilight. Because of a combination of my anger clouding my judgment and not closing the portal much sooner, Cinch wouldn't have reached the daft conclusion that the Shadowbolts needed their own magic in order to beat the Wondercolts. Not only was she standing there, but Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna, and Dean Cadance were also present. While the last simply saw her superior as simply protesting the results, the former two felt as though she was acting out of line. " What can I say about what happened?" Principal Celestia asked. " Everything was going smoothly during the first two stages of the event, and then, everything completely went out of control during the final stage. If I didn't know any better, I would say that you were so desperate in wanting to tie things up, you intentionally withheld information from me." Principal Cinch answered. " Both of us knew what the construction workers had provided based on our suggestions." " Perhaps you chose to include some extras when I wasn't looking." " You know that isn't true, Principal Cinch. You were with me every time we checked in on the workers to make sure every last detail was covered. There was no way I could have spoken to any of them on my own free time and ask them to include something without your knowledge." Principal Celestia said. " Then would you like to explain to me why the race ended up the way it did?" Principal Cinch asked. My friends and I overheard the entire conversation thus far when we approached, and I for one couldn't believe the accusations Cinch was throwing. However, I wasn't about to question her sense of decency. Explaining about magic wasn't an option, so a different answer was needed, one that she would believe without demanding some kind of inquiry. " Well? I am waiting to hear an answer from you, or would you prefer it if I ask one of your students who took part in the race?" Principal Cinch asked. She then looked in our direction, particularly at me. Just seeing her piercing eyes was enough to make me want to hide behind someone, but I stood firm, knowing that I couldn't let her intimidate me. " Principal Cinch, we all saw what happened. You can't think CHS had some kind of advantage." " Can't I? I believe that I am in the position to suggest that you wanted to give your team the best chance at beating mine." " What!? I'd never resort to cheating." " Then how do you explain the trained attack plants?" " I'm sorry, but did you say 'trained attack plants'? I have never heard of anything so ridiculous in my entire life. Plants are a lot of things, Principal Cinch, and while some of them are aggressive in nature, no plants could be trained to ever pose a threat to humanity." Principal Celestia answered. I would have said something in response, but that would've only made things even worse than they already were. I'm certain some plants in this world were dangerous to humans, but Equestrian plants--ones that were wild and feared by ponies--were definitely dangerous and had proven problematic for humans, as evidenced during the relay. " Again, I assure you that I had no idea why the field was suddenly covered with plants. Perhaps the workers secretly planted them in the hopes of giving us an additional challenge our students had to overcome." Principal Celestia suggested. " Such a pathetic response, but I suppose it is better than nothing." " Your feelings are duly noted." " If the workers were responsible for what happened, then I suggest not to use them in the future. Though, that is not the only issue that I have regarding what happened. While the thought of plants attacking my students was somewhat shocking, what happened with your student was very shocking. I am not sure what it is that you did, but it proved to be a deciding factor that allowed Canterlot High to come away with the victory." Principal Cinch said. She then turned her attention towards Rainbow Dash, and I immediately knew where she was going with her words. During the motocross race, Rainbow Dash had ponied up, much to my happiness, given that she saved my life, but at the same time her transformation was seen by everyone, including those from Crystal Prep. There was no doubt that Cinch planned on using Rainbow's pony-up to disqualify CHS and automatically end the Games. That would have been viewed as devastating to student morale, yet there was something Cinch had clearly overlooked. I wasn't sure if Rainbow knew what it was, but I had to hope that she did. If she brings it up, then Cinch's accusations would fall on deaf ears. " Well, the race certainly had some...extenuating circumstances." " Your student was flying about on wings and was clearly in violation of the rules." " Can I say something?" Rainbow Dash asked. " Hmph! You certainly know how to be rude by interrupting me, but I suppose that I will allow you to say what is on your mind." " Despite what happened to me out there, I never actually crossed the finish line. Sunset and Indigo Zap were the only two who crossed, so that makes them the ones who managed to complete the race. My little stunt out there essentially eliminated me from the race. As for Sugarcoat, you'll have to talk to her about that. Basically, what I'm saying is my team didn't resort to cheating and won the race fair and square despite the insanity." Rainbow Dash said. " Do you honestly expect me to believe those words?" " Everyone noticed what happened, so you have over fifty witnesses." I answered. " Ms. Shimmer... You appear to be in a better mood than you were a few minutes ago. I am surprised that someone with your intellect possesses a volatile temper that makes her completely unreasonable. I should have you ejected from the Friendship Games for verbally assaulting my prized student. Such behaviour is unacceptable in this competition, but I can overlook this. Your team needs all the help it can get, Principal Celestia, so denying them your very best would deny Crystal Prep an ideal victory." Principal Cinch said. She then looked at me with those eyes of hers and I felt like wanting to hide in a crawl space until she had gone away. Her gaze could pierce your heart if you weren't careful. I knew her reason for wanting to get rid of me. I had affected Twilight's confidence, and she wanted all her students to perform at peak proficiency. If one of them decided to quit, it would leave the rest at a disadvantage, especially with CHS still being at full strength. " I've been thinking about something." Principal Celestia said, looking at the field before looking at all of us. " Do you wish to forfeit?" " Hardly, but I do have a similar notion. Considering that not only were the lives of our athletes in danger but so were those who were in attendance in addition to ourselves, I have reason to believe that things will only get worse from this point onwards. Perhaps we should end the Games now and declare a tie? Both teams have won an event each, and their safety is more important than winning a trophy." Principal Celestia answered. " You want us to end the Games?" " It's for the best." " I am hoping that this is your attempt at making a joke." " No. Both teams can claim victory." " A tie? Was this your strategy all along? To force us into accepting you as equals?" " What!? No! My only concern is the safety of everyone here. After all, we just witnessed plants that attacked two athletes and could have caused even more damage had they not retreated back to wherever it is they came from. I'm not sure why you think that I'm making this suggestion based on equality, Principal Cinch. If we have the final event, I am certain people will be seriously injured should another incident happen." Principal Celestia answered. " I think not. The Games will continue, and Crystal Prep will prevail despite your antics and whatever performance-enhancing regimen your students are on. I believe we've talked for long enough. I shall take my leave. I'm not sure what you were thinking with such a pitiful suggestion, but know that it won't change anything. I showed leniency by not having your student ejected, so you in turn must continue on and graciously accept your defeat." Principal Cinch said. She then started to walk off towards the front of the school, but quickly stopped before turning around and looking at Dean Cadance. Through her sharp gaze, Cinch beckoned her to follow, and she merely shrugged her shoulders at us before following after her. Cinch made sure not to make eye contact with me, and for that, I felt relieved. Once she was out of sight, I looked at Principal Celestia. She appeared completely shocked that the Games were continuing despite what had been going on, and she felt powerless knowing that Cinch had gotten the last word. My friends and I looked at one another, knowing we messed up by allowing magic to make itself known. We also knew that because of Twilight, a problem we wanted hidden was now going to be the focus for the final event. It seemed our best efforts had been for naught. I then looked up at the sky and saw that dark clouds were starting to form, a sign that it was either going to rain in a short while or a bad omen was covering the school in a blanket of darkness. That concern diminished when I turned my attention towards Principal Celestia. I needed to comfort her and also apologize for having failed to keep my promise. Things were about to get even worse... the usual thing that often occurred in situations like this. " I agree completely with what Principal Celestia suggested." Twilight said. " All of us were in agreement in that the Games needed to be brought to an end before things got even worse." I said. " Even Rainbow Dash?" " Just because she wanted to finally beat Crystal Prep didn't mean she was completely obsessed over it. She knew that things had gotten out of control during the relay and that ending the Games was the most logical solution, but it was a battle we couldn't win." I answered. " Principal Cinch wouldn't accept a tie?" " She wasn't the only one who felt the same way." I answered. I remember what happened after the relay ended. Principal Cinch had informed her students that CHS wanted to end the Games without the final event being played out. Their reaction was less than thrilled, and they let us know their feelings on the matter. If not for Vice Principal Luna calming things down, we could've had a riot on our hands. It also showed me that Crystal Prep had been blinded to common sense. They only cared about winning and didn't care that their lives were in danger. Was it another one of Cinch's indoctrinations? If so, then she was truly lost as a person. No one would ever consider putting a pointless competition--or anything similar--ahead of something as irreplaceable as life, but this wasn't the case with Crystal Prep. In Cinch's eyes, tying against CHS was the same as losing, and she wasn't going to allow that to happen under any circumstances. Perhaps if Dean Cadance had said something instead of keeping quiet, things could've turned out differently. I know it wasn't her fault for not standing up to Cinch, but she was the one person at Crystal Prep with enough authority to do so. Then again, her job meant a lot to her and she might have been looking after someone, hence why she needed a job at such a fine institution. I didn't know enough about Cadance's background beyond what I witnessed, so who knows what was going on in her mind while Cinch made all those statements? " Yes. All of Crystal Prep--myself excluded--wanted to keep on going." " Really? You were the only one who didn't agree with the vast majority?" " After you hurt my feelings, I began to realize that things had gotten beyond just a fierce competition between schools. I also didn't want to compete anymore, as I had grown tired of being mistreated. I know my application hung in the balance, but it wasn't worth it if it meant carrying on with something that served no logical purpose. Unfortunately, no one else knew that I chose to go against Principal Cinch's edict. You know the reason why I couldn't speak up." Twilight answered. " I get the idea." I said. Twilight couldn't say her opinion without the entirety of Crystal Prep turning against her even more than they already had. I felt bad that she had been alone with her thoughts and that my harsh words only further cemented her misery. " That's why I thought it would've been nice had you decided to come to CHS and not be miserable in a place where you didn't belong." " Maybe I should've transferred before the Games." " You could've, but would Cinch have allowed it?" " If I had been early enough, then yes. Now, you said that she accused you guys of cheating?" " Her claim fell on deaf ears because everyone who watched the event were a witness to what happened. Rainbow Dash never crossed the finish line despite having an unfair advantage, while both Indigo and I did. However, I would soon discover that Cinch's position of continuing the Games had garnered support from both sides. It shocked me to know that our own peers cared more for a competition than themselves. Principal Celestia also had to contend with one another issue." I answered. " What was it?" " My apology to her." I couldn't believe the actions of Principal Cinch. She had the nerve to say that CHS cheated during the Tri-Cross Relay all because Rainbow Dash ponied up and flew about in an effort to save everyone from being eaten. I knew those plants came from Equestria. They had the scent of Equestrian magic, but it was miniscule at best. In the end, no one was hurt and the plants went back home, yet the experience was something no one was going to forget any time soon. Principal Celestia was right about the Friendship Games being brought to an end before things could get any worse. However, Cinch refused to accept the fact that CHS would be declared equal to Crystal Prep. Her desire to maintain her school's reputation was a selfish act combined with a superiority complex that blinded her. Was winning a stupid competition more important than the safety of the students whose parents had trusted Cinch with making sure they remained safe? The obvious answer was protecting the students, but Cinch didn't see it that way. It just boggled my mind knowing how she perceived inanimate concepts as higher than living things. There was one thing no one had taken into consideration, and that was because they didn't even know about it. Twilight had used her pendant to steal Rainbow Dash's magic and most likely stole Applejack's, which explained why a magic surge occurred in the first place. She was indirectly responsible for causing those Equestrian plants to appear, and since she was one of Cinch's students, it was Crystal Prep who could be accused of cheating. Had this fact been made public, Cinch's reputation would have been crushed. Unfortunately, it was something that couldn't be proven. What Twilight had done involved Equestrian magic, and the chances of anyone believing that was slim to none. Once Cinch had walked off with Dean Cadance in tow, I walked over to Principal Celestia, who appeared shaken up over the accusations thrown at her. Despite seeing magic with her own eyes, she still doubted its existence, yet was willing to tolerate its presence given how it changed CHS for the better. I knew that I had a lot of explaining to do, as I had been given the task of keeping magic under control. She believed I was the best person to handle the job, and I blew it. " Principal Celestia..." I began as I walked up next to her. " Is something bothering you, Sunset? You seem to be distant all of a sudden." Principal Celestia said. " I want to apologize." " For what, may I ask?" " I couldn't stop all this from happening." " You are referring to the strange plants that appeared out of thin air during the motocross portion of the relay, and what happened out there to Rainbow Dash? A part of me suspected that it was something magical and thus associated with you, but then, you've been so careful at keeping it under control." Principal Celestia said. I had every intention to take the entirety of the blame so that my friends wouldn't have to pay any consequences, yet Celestia continued looking at me with her caring eyes. Despite her not being my old mentor, she had been there to act as guidance whenever I found myself stuck with a problem that was too difficult for me to overcome. " We are fortunate that no one was hurt, but Principal Cinch is deluded herself into believing I had done this." " I'm at fault for failing you." " It's not your fault, Sunset." " Many have been telling me that, but I just can't accept that no matter how hard I try. This has been an issue for me ever since I first decided to investigate the magic that was flowing about the school without anything to control it." I said. " Again, you needn't blame yourself." " But it's obvious that I'm responsible for everything that has happened. Ever since I first came here, I've been nothing but trouble. I should know how to control the magic I brought here. But I don't. I let everyone down. Now Principal Cinch thinks we're cheating all because Rainbow Dash used magic to save people's lives." I said. " Her accusations hold no water. Everyone witnessed what happened, so all she can do is accept that you won the event. Granted, I do wish that she had taken my advice and ended the Games, as I strongly believe someone will get hurt. Unfortunately, not only do her students support the decision to continue on, but my own students feel the same way. There is little else I can do other than help prepare you all for the final event." Principal Celestia said. Was she serious!? It turned out that she was. The majority of CHS students wanted the Games to carry on despite the plants causing so much havoc. I thought they would have listened to common sense, but they were only concerned with defeating Crystal Prep and winning it all. I couldn't blame my peers for wanting to finally achieve something that had eluded our school for years, yet I could blame them for not seeing their hands in front of their faces. The Games had become something of a faceless monster who existed to wait until either team could conquer it and proclaim victory. Everyone wanted to see the monster fall and cared little for anything else. " Maybe so, but she has been getting under my skin lately." " Does it have to do with what she said to you during the Elimination Equation Finale?" " I really think she wants me to transfer over to Crystal Prep and has been looking at me in the hopes that I would make a mistake." " You shouldn't allow Principal Cinch to get to you like that, Sunset. While she does have a personality that can be best described as prickly, she knows that you will never be taken away from us through her own ability. You've become too entrenched around here to suddenly want to up and leave." Principal Celestia said. " And what about the other things she has said about us?" " It doesn't matter what Principal Cinch thinks." " But it does." " What do you mean?" " Ever since she and the rest of Crystal Prep arrived to compete in the Friendship Games, she has done everything in her power to ridicule us at every turn. It's probably been that way for years, even long before I first showed up, but the fact is her words have proven damaging. In the past, the students here have lacked enthusiasm towards the Games because we've never won, and that is further compounded by Principal Cinch looking down on us." I answered. " Thanks to Rainbow Dash, student morale has never been better." " I know, but that's the issue I'm bringing up. The students here at CHS don't just wanna win. They wanna beat Crystal Prep and prove that they are better despite the odds being heavily stacked against them. It isn't gonna count if the other side doesn't really think they lost. I know you said that Principal Cinch's accusations of cheating are unfounded, but that's because magic was involved, something no one outside this school knows about." I said. My words froze Principal Celestia in her tracks. She knew that what I said was the truth. Since what happened during the relay was the result of magic, if Cinch were to issue a formal complaint and demanded that we forfeit, we would have no other choice but to comply. If it had been a different situation--one easy enough to explain--her protest would have fallen on deaf ears. But because magic was behind what happened, it couldn't be proven. Many in this world refused to believe that it exists and merely viewed it as a cheap trick designed to confuse those who have simple minds. Cinch had us right where she wanted us, and there was nothing we could do. She held all of the cards, while Celestia held none, and so we had no alternative but to continue with the Friendship Games. " Then our only option is to win." She said. " Easier said than done." " You all proved that you can compete against the best that Crystal Prep had to offer." " Maybe, but they all think that we cheated when Rainbow Dash ponied up." " I see. While that is a problem, I know that you girls can handle the situation. You six have experienced things the rest of us couldn't even begin to understand, so don't think that my words are aimed to making you feel uncomfortable with having so much pressure stacked on your shoulders. As for this term--'ponied up'--I'm not sure what to make of it, but I suggest keeping it under wraps for the duration of the Games." Principal Celestia said. " If we do win, they'll never accept it." " They will have no choice." " It's not just that. Crystal Prep is never gonna believe we won fair and square if there's magic around. And that magic is only around... because of me. If I had never come to this world long ago, none of this would be happening. No matter what I do to move on from my past, it continues to haunt me everywhere I go." I said. " You gracing us with your presence was disastrous at first, but once you were shown the right path by Twilight Sparkle--the one from your world--you became the best student this school has ever known. Many have become inspired by your selfless acts, Sunset. Be proud knowing that." Principal Celestia said. " But I--" " Vice Principal Luna and I must take our leave in order to handle matters in the gym, as Dean Cadance is sure to require some assistance. While it isn't mandatory for the athletes to go to the gym, since you must now prepare for the final event, you may come at any time should you wish to wind down for a while. It will be several hours before we resume things, so why not take some time to prepare accordingly." Principal Celestia said. I wanted to say something about her description of my character, but she and Luna turned and walked into the side door leaving me to contemplate what had just happened. The Friendship Games should've been brought to an end, but everyone aside from us wanted them to continue. I thought the students of CHS had more decency than that, but sadly, they were more interested in beating Crystal Prep and end their losing streak against them. Cinch had essentially blackmailed us into continuing, and I knew how she planned on utilizing the cheating angle she had come up with. She could bring in the school board and, in turn, they would pass down their own judgment that would only serve to permanently damage our school's image throughout the city. We wouldn't be able to explain that we didn't cheat but that it was rather an unseen force that caused things to go crazy. So long as we appeased Cinch, she would keep the board from knowing what had happened. Once again, my own actions had caused misery to those around me. " As you can see, Principal Cinch had us at her mercy, all because she knew how to take advantage of the situation. The school board had absolute power over the school district and could easily invoke a decision based on what information they receive." I said. " It's my fault that the magic appeared during the relay." Twilight said. " No, you were to blame for the Everfree plants appearing. It was Applejack who caused magic to appear." " What did she do?" " It took me until after the Games to realize why we were ponying up without the use of our instruments. Each of our friends ponied up when they were showcasing their elements during a given situation. For example, Applejack was being honest with you when she showed you the best way to hit the bulls-eye during the archery contest. Many would've simply left you to figure it out for yourself, but she knew that you were suffering." I answered. " So, when Fluttershy was being nice to me, it was because she was displaying her element?" " She showed you kindness, something those at Crystal Prep had never given you, with the exception of Dean Cadance. The reason why it took me so long to figure out how our magic worked was due to not having a firm grasp of the source material--namely, the Elements of Harmony." I answered. Her Highness knew plenty about them because she and the pony versions of our friends were able to harness them for at least a year. I knew some basic information, but my studies didn't delve into the true depth of their power. Had I stayed and not gone off on my own, I'd have known what Princess Twilight knew, and it would have made my problems easier to deal with. I blame my lack of patience for wanting to become a princess long before I was ready to ascend. " The signs were there, indicating that the elements were the source, but I never picked up on it until later." I said. " What about you?" " Me?" " Yes. The others have a respective element, but you didn't say anything about yourself." That was a question I remember her saying to me before, but I either dodged it or chose to give her a false answer. I never had a connection with the Elements of Harmony--what I experienced while wearing Princess Twilight's crown doesn't count--as Her Highness and her pony friends were chosen to wield them in the modern age of Equestria. I never even saw them in person due to never visiting their original hiding place: the old castle that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna lived in a thousand years ago. My magic was a combination of what I brought when I left Equestria and what I discovered while living here. It had no influence from the elements. Was there an actual element that resonated with me? I guess some could say that I represented forgiveness, since I had to get and do a lot of that in order to change from who I was. Another option some might consider would be miracles. I had overcome odds that were impossible in the eyes of others, but that was more to do with luck than anything else. Both were interesting choices, but I had my own answer that they would scratch their heads over. Empathy... That would be the element I'd represent. Why that one? I've listened to people telling me their problems, and I've been able to understand them, given that I've already been through a similar experience. You could say that I don't want anyone to go through what I've endured. I want to save them from a horrible fate. Unfortunately, empathy didn't exist as an Element of Harmony, so it's really more of a pseudo-element. Princess Twilight would claim I shared her element, magic, but I don't agree with that. I may be good with magic, but she is a natural, given her accomplishments, and is far superior to me. " I don't have an actual element like our friends do." " I'm sorry to hear that." " People have called me empathetic, so I've taken that as being my element, despite it not being one of the core six in Equestria." " You told me about the Elements of Harmony earlier, yet I'm curious to know more about them. Where did they come from? Who used them before Princess Twilight and the pony versions of our friends? Do they still have them even now?" Twilight asked. It didn't surprise me that she had so many questions. I could answer the first two, but only Princess Twilight knew the answer to the third one. " I know I've been getting us off topic ever since you started telling what happened during the Friendship Games, but it helps me understand the world that you called home." Twilight said. " I can answer two of your three questions, but mainly because I want something fun to talk about before we get to the final event." " Right... That's when everything came to a boiling point." " And both of us faced our final tests."