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Chapter VII: Child's Play   
Part 1: Sway

>Monday, Monday...
>You pull into a vacant space in the faculty car park behind the school.
>This car park is always a free-for-all. You think you need to turn up three hours before classes start to get a decent spot.
>You're Anonymous Endeavour and you step out of the car and walk around to the empty spot next to yours and open the passenger door.
>Taking the bags off the seat, you hear someone revving their engine at you. It sounds loud and angry.
>Looking up, you see a large, green and filthy SUV noisily revving with its exacerbated driver mouthing at you to move your short-ass out of the way.
>You flash the V's at him and walk to the driver-side window. It rolls down.
"Don't be so impatient, Caballeron. Good things come to those who wait."
>"Shut up, idiot."
>He drives into the parking spot, barely missing your car, and comes to halt.
>You smile and walk off. Mr Caballeron... Dr Caballeron is a total ponce. An arrogant son-of-a-bitch who is just so fun to tease.
>Call him 'mister' rather than 'doctor' and he launches into a rant about he didn't spend years studying archaeology, divinity and classics at Califoalia State University just to be called 'mister'. And how the History department was his own personal fiefdom until it was subsumed into the Social Studies and the Humanities departments with Hardscribble winning the top job.
>If he's such a bloody success, then why was he teaching Ancient and Medieval History in some inner-city high school?
>Rather than being a top archaeology professor or some famous Daring Do adventurer?
>'Creep...'
>Anyway, you spin back around and shout at Caballeron as he climbs out his car, straightening his messy grey hair.
"Oi! Mister! Remember, staff meeting in my office! 8 o'clock sharp!"
>"Jesu Cristo, I'll be there! And it's 'Doctor!' " He impatiently shouts in his Hispanic twang.

>You spin back around and gently trot to the side doors; footsteps crunching under another fresh layer of snow.
>You were smart enough to put on your boots today. It's been snowing for most of the weekend.
>It was snowing bad over Saturday night but slowed down on Sunday.
>You, Celestia and Taddy spent Saturday night getting drunk and watching television. 
>Sunday morning was spent making a fried English breakfast for everyone and reviewing old staff schedules and making new ones.
>You were glad of the company, at least.
>They left in the afternoon. Celestia left for home while Taddy said she had to leave for Seaddle for yet another gallery opening.
>Swinging the door open, you step through it and feel the wind catching your coattails.
>You hurry through the corridors to your office without bumping into the pupils. You reach your office and step in. You toss the messenger bag onto the filing cabinets and the briefcase on the desk.
>You glance at the clock on the wall. 7:49am
>You look outside the office. No-one there.
>'Maybe, there's time for a quick cup of coffee...'
>Still wearing your coat, you swiftly walk to the teacher's lounge.
>Again, dodging more students, you quickly jog into the lounge and creak the door open.
>'Not many teachers in...'
>Some sat on the sofas making casual conservation and others stood in the kitchenette making coffee or warming up light microwaveable snacks.
>Heads turn to you and turn back.
>Salt Combe was stood in the kitchenette with one of the Social Studies teachers, Malt Teaser.
>Mrs Teaser was only a couple of years older than yourself but she aged gracefully.
 >Like yourself of course.
>Slight wrinkles on her chocolate brown skin, crow's feet around her pale red eyes and streaks of grey running through her cream hair.
"Salt. Malt. How was your weekends?"
>You greet as you grab a mug on the sink's draining board.

>"I was just running errands and visiting mad relations over the weekend, Anonymous." Salt comments.
>"Saturday was my date night. My husband and I went to that new steakhouse in the city centre. Very nice." Malt divulges.
"Good, good. My weekend was eventful as well."
>You remark on as you pour hot water into the mug.
>You  stir the coffee and pour in a splash of milk.
"There's been a recent development. Fala Bella won't be here today, she's still stuck in Baltimare. The snowstorm has practically shut down the city."
>"Poor Fala, I hope she'll be alright." Miss Teaser laments on.
"She's not worried. She sees it as some more days off."
>You answer back however Salt just raises an eyebrow.
>"How did you find out, Anonymous?" He quizzes.
"The Principal told me over the weekend, Salty."
>You explain but he grins.
>"Oh I see..."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
>You broke in, maybe a little too quickly, but Salt Combe just grins again, instantly shrugging off your glare.
>"Nothing, of course, Anon but everyone knows you have the ear of the Principal."
>You still squint at him but Malt Teaser helps break the silence.
>"Anyway, Anonymous, isn't it about time we all left for the staff meeting you called? It is five to eight after all."
>You glance at the clock on the wall by the television. 7:56am
"Bloody hell, time really does run away with you. Just hang on a moment, please."
>You turn to see two teachers chatting on the sofas. Miss Pearl and one of the music teachers, Mr Loung, were discussing something terribly exciting but you decide to butt in. You walk to the sofa and say.
"Oi cunt!"
>Their heads turn, surprised by your sudden expletive but Mr Loung just starts laughing.
>"Excuse me, dear Oyster, but that Pommy bugger needs me. Yes, Mr. Endeavour?"
>Oz just giggles as the Australian looks at you in a deadpan manner.
"Just one thing, Phee. Is Octavia here?"

>"Who? Miss Melody? Strewth, man, she's here. I thought this was about Friday. Rarely do I meet a man who can drink me under the table."
"Aye, you're right, Friday was a smashing night. But just remember who was under it first."
>You grin as Phee starts laughing again.
>"Fuck up, mate."
"Keep your mouth shut. I'll go see her, not the other way around."
>"If you say so, mate. Anyway, Miss Pearl, where were we?"
>'Sly old bugger...'
>You grin as you turn away to see Salt and Malt still looking at you cursorily.
"What? I can speak Australian."
>Phee Loung just laughs again. You're unsure whether it's because of you or something else.
"Come on, before we're all late."
>You say as you usher the other two teachers out of the lounge. You take your coffee off the counter before you leave and wink at Oz who you catch glancing at you.
>Closing the door, you walk up to the other teachers but the three of you walk to your office in silence.
>By your office door stood the other three teachers that make up the department; Dr. Caballeron, Mr Cranky Doodle and Mrs Opal Fruits. As well as the librarian Miss Cheerilee.
"Hullo, hullo. It is now 8 o'clock so let's get this meeting onto the Damascus road."
>You manoeuvre around the gaggle of teachers to let them all into your office. It maybe spacious but with seven people in it, it can be quite cramped.
>You squeeze between the teachers to stick up a large piece of paper on the opposite wall.
>Then, you sit on the edge of your desk. Because you're that kind of laid-back teacher.
>Cheerilee and Salt Combe are sat on the sofa at the back. Malt Teaser and Cranky Doodle are sat in front of the desk while the good doctor and Opal Fruits are stood in front of the filing cabinets.

"Right. Firstly, Fala Bella still isn't here. It's still snowing hard over in Baltimare and it might stay that way for a while. So, in her absence, we have been sent the lovely Cheerilee."
>You smile and start to address her.
"Now, I know you should be wasting your time in the library rather than teaching snotty-nosed brats but we're desperate and I don't want to confront the Vice Principal about the situation."
>She simply smiles and nods.
"Now, do you know what you're teaching for the first period?"
>You ask and she answers confidently.
>"Yes. Freshman-level Ancient and Medieval History, the reign of the last ruler of Ponmaic Kingdom; Somnambula VII Philopator."
"Very good, Mrs Cheerilee. A gold star..."
>She chuckles but Caballeron lightly snorts.
"Anyway, I have organised the department's staff schedule for the term. My copy is on this wall, under these paintings, so I can keep track on everyone. However, if anyone has issues, please tell me."
>The teachers view your copy while you mention you made electronic versions and sent everyone a copy.
>"I thought you needed a head of faculty meeting to approve one of these."
>You smile at Opal. So naive sometimes...
"The Principal couldn't organise a full meeting of the Supreme Soviet at such short notice. It has a temporary approval until the meeting can be sorted out on Thursday."
>Luckily, no-one has any issues but you are still uneasy. What you want to say will lead to places you may not want to visit.
"On to the other item on the agenda. Now, I know some of you still have issues with me because I am an outsider. A stranger in charge of the department. But like I said, if anyone of you have problems with me, please talk to me. If my door isn't open, it's always ajar."
>You suspect the men of the department to be more disobedient to your leadership. You know of Mr. Combe's true colours but you learnt of Mr. Doodles' cantankerous nature and Dr. Caballeron's sense of self-importance last week.

>Strangely enough, you are surprised that the two women are so easily swayed. Maybe it's because of Miss. Fruits' naivety and Mrs. Teaser's respect for authority.
>Luckily, no-one says anything. Maybe because they are just as awkward as you are first thing on a Monday morning.
>With nothing else on the agenda, you dismiss the gathering and they all leave. You slip your coat off and sit behind your desk. Already you have accumulated an amazing amount of paper in the form of reports, memos, directives, instructions etc., etc. Sorting through it all, you're only half-aware that someone has stayed behind.
>You look up to see it's Opal Fruits. She was a small, thin-faced woman with pale yellow skin that, unfortunately, makes her look ill. But her luscious rainbow streaked hair always has her standing out from the crowd.
>"Err... Anonymous? Can I have a word with you?"
"Yes, of course, take a seat. What's the problem?"
>She sits and looks uneasy.
>"I don't want people to see me a tattle-tale but I feel this must be said. It concerns Caballeron. You must know, by now, that he applied for this position but got outright rejected?"
"I was aware of that, yes."
>You lie but hell, any dirt is always welcomed.
>"Then you must be aware that he tried to get Hardscribble fired. He said she was an alcoholic but nothing was ever proved. But then again, this school only proves what it wants to prove..."
"That's rather cynical, Opal, if you don't mind me saying."
>You interject but Opal continues with her point.
>"I'm not kidding though. Surely, you've heard the stories by now? They're unbelievable, yeah, but trust me, they're not. What happened really happened."
"I've only heard what happened at the Friendship Games. I know Cinch is an insufferable cow but..."
>Opal again interrupts.
>"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this at such an early time. You're an outsider, you'll never understand it anyway.  All I'll saying is watch your back. You never who'll stick a knife in it. I'll see you at recess, yeah?"
>And with that, she gets up and leaves the office.

>You ponder on what she meant.
>'Heard the stories by now? Are there other stories?'
>You were thinking about Celestia's tall tale over the weekend. Overanalysing, maybe.
>Internet research only found local newspaper articles covering the Games and the city school board's official website marketing these Games as the next bloody Olympics...
>Is this all one massive prank? You know Celestia loves her childish pranks. The time she filled Principal Nosey Bonk's desk draws with your father's shaving cream at high school...
>Or the time you and her handed out doughnuts to the teachers. The doughnuts had the surprise of being stuffed with mayonnaise... 
>You digress. From your own internal monologue...
>'I'm sure you're losing it, matey. You're even talking to yourself...'
>You take a sip of the coffee. It's gone cold...
>Rolling your eyes, you think about replacing it but end up thinking about what Opal Fruits was talking about.
>Caballeron...
>You know he's prideful and conceited but you would ever try to oust you from this job?
>Well, yeah. Despite his age, he's still an ambitious man.
>He actually reminds you of another doctor from the College. Dr. Fallow Field.
>He was another egomaniac but he was a team-player. But he, like the rest of them, exposed their true colours last summer.
>The previous chancellor died and the position was advertised. Almost all the Heads of Departments scrambled for the top job. You didn't though; you're also an ambitious man but you prefer middle-management.  
>You inwardly smile at the looks of devastation on all their faces when the governing body of the State University had chosen Abacus Cinch, a total stranger, to be the Chancellor of Holm Coltram College.
>Then everyone realised  how much of a bitch she is. Haughty, rude and painfully self-absorbed.
>You wonder if Caballeron would ever sink to her level?
>*BRING!*
"Jesus Christ!"
>You exclaim as the school bell announces it's the start of the school day.
>You straighten your tie and stand from your desk. Luckily, everything you need for the day is packed into your briefcase. You left the messenger bag in the office and bring the briefcase.

>Locking your office, you meander through the larger crowd of pupils and teachers. But you sense a pair of eyes boring into the back of your head. Scanning around as you continue walking, you can't see who it might have been. Caballeron? Vice Principal Luna? That Sunset lass?
>She was a strange one. She seems mature for her age but carries an air of naivety like Opal.
>Anyway, you reach the history department and your classroom and see a small group of students stood around, glancing at their phones or making last-minute adjustments to their homework.
"Come in, come in. Make yourselves comfortable."
>You open up and confidently stride into the classroom.
>'Be the teacher they deserve. Not the one they need right now because it's too early for your shit.'
>Clicking open the briefcase and pulling some , you notice the pupils just casually wandering in the room.
>Turning to the blackboard...
>'Can't this school afford whiteboards?'
>Anyway, you pick up a piece of chalk and write on the board, 'Mr. Endeavour' and under that, 'Freshman Modern History, the Vietmare War.'
>You turn back around and see the classroom has now filled out with young, tired faces.
"Right, let's get this lesson onto the Damascus road. Naturally, this is my first class with you all so I will introduce myself. I am Mr. Endeavour and I will be teaching you history."
>You point to the board.
"Today's lesson will be about the Vietmare War so I will assume you will know what we're going to learn today?"
>Each student in the front row keeps looking down or slightly away.
"You all did the reading, right?"
>Again, more shifty looks.
"It was on chapter six and seven?"
>The silence is getting unbearable.
"Well, I just assumed so. That was wrong of me, apparently."
>Before you continue to explain, you see a lone hand shoot up.
"Yes?..."

>An orange-skinned girl with vibrant purple hair looks like she will burst if you just ignored her. She smiles to, you presume, her friends nearby and says confidently.
>"It was Operation Tailwind, sir. How USE forces helped local fighters to defeat them commies!"
>'Well, she's not wrong, I'll give her that...'
>You smile at her enthusiasm.
"Correct, Miss?..."
>She gives you a wide grins and answers.
>"I'm Scootaloo."
"Well, Scootaloo, you did answer me broadly but yes, you are right. It's good to see someone has done their homework."
>You see the young Scootaloo stick her tongue out to the young girl next to her who rolls her eyes,
>You smile again and spin back to the blackboard.
"Now, let's begin with today's lesson. Now, while some of you have read the chapters for Mrs. Hardscribble's homework, I'm going to assume not all of you did."
>You put on a stern voice to shame the pupils who dared not to do their extra-curricular work.
>Some still look sheepish.
"So, for the first 10 minutes, you all will read the chapters necessary to progress with today's class.
>A loud, collective groan resonates around the room but you just do a Gaelic shrug of the shoulders.
>Walking to the bookshelf and pull out the necessary textbooks. Oddly enough, there's hardback brown books.
>'Good grief, can this school be anymore poor? Can't even afford new textbooks. Hang on, what are the kids reading from?'
>Nevertheless, you grab a few and stack them on each of the front desks.
"Keep passing one behind you so everyone gets them, please."
>You keep one for yourself and take it to your desk.
>'May as well keep one for yourself, mately, and read through it.'
>Overseeing that all the kids have a textbook, you mention the appropriate chapters again and, flicking through your copy, you also say the correct page numbers.
>Another quiet, collective grunt begins the session of silent study.
>Reading through your copy, you inwardly groan.
>'This is gonna be one, long morning...'

-- One, long morning later --

>You stare at your wristwatch, 11:56am
>'So close to lunchtime...'
>But you're not staring at your watch just to make the day move along, one second at a time.
>No, it's test time!
>You're testing your junior students on their knowledge of the First World War.
"One minute remaining."
>Are you being sly by using the same questions that they had on the homework on the pop quiz? Well, if your class did it their work, they'd breeze through it... 
>You wander about, putting back your copy of the textbook on the bookshelf and start sauntering around the classroom.
>At least, these boneheads were more cooperative and engaged than the earlier classes.
"30 seconds."
>That might be because it's too early in the morning to put up with anyone's cheery attitude
>Some of the students do look stressed out and others look calm as the high tide.
>Walking between the student tables, you pick up a fallen textbook and put it on your desk.
"Time's up, kids. Remember to put your names on the top of the papers."
>Groans, wails and shouts of "oh, come on" sound around the room.
"Don't panic, this is just a test of your knowledge, not your final exams. It's doesn't exactly if you fail."
>Some of the pupils look reassured so will you pull a dick move on them?
>'Maybe...'
"Right. Present both your test papers and your homework please. Hand them to the person in front. Please, make sure your name is on them. I can't guess who is who from handwriting alone. I'm not some sort of mind reader."
>*BRING!*
>You wander to the front desks and pick up some of the textbooks and papers and place them onto your table as the students start packing up and getting up.
"That bell is for me, not for you. I'll tell you when to leave."
>They look annoyed, especially some of the girls in the middle. You recognise them as that gang Oz Pearl referred to last week. And that Sunset Shimmer.
>Still, there's something peculiar about her...
"Alright. Get lost, all of you."


>Some smile at your casualness but others look annoyed at your rudeness.
>Within a minute, they've all gone and you're all alone in the classroom. You collect more mislaid papers from the middle of the room and end up slipping on yet other textbook.
"Fuck sake..."
>You mutter as you pick it up. Do these kids have butterfingers or something?
>You glance at the spine as you tuck it under your arm.
"Hang on..."
>There's nothing written on the spine. The textbooks you're using have the titles inscribed on them.
>The back is also bare while the front has some sort of funny colourful emblem on it.
>Like a star going supernova...
>'Strange...'
>You're almost tempted to flick through it. It must belong to one of the students...
>'It's the middle of the room, though. At least, 4 pupils could say it's theirs. And you don't know all their names, matey.'
>It feels soft to your touch. It's not leather-bound like most expensive books but cloth-bound.
>You place it onto your desk with the others but decide to put into your briefcase.
>'Hand it in to lost property. They'll know what to do with it...'
>Grabbing your briefcase and placing on the table, you click it open and start shoving in the test papers and the expensive book.
>Taking the textbooks and putting back into the bookcase, you hear a light knock on the door.
>"Hello, is anybody here?"
>You tense up, almost dropping the books you have.
>That voice...

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Part 2 : Girl

>That voice. Soft as a summer breeze.
>The words. Courteous as a manservant.
>You breath in and out heavily several times, to steel yourself for the onslaught.
>'Oh God, what fresh hell is this?'
>"I know you're in here, Nonny. I can hear you breathing loudly."
>You close your eyes and frown at the thoughts. Nonny...
>Octavia always said that when you were in trouble.
>You gulp down your rising resentment and spin around to face the figure at the door.
"Well, eee by gum, Miss Melody. What a pleasant surprise!"
>That same smile on those soft lips.
>That slight snort of amusement.
>Even after all these years, she hasn't changed a bit.
"Tavi, it's been too long. How have you been?"
>You begin rather blandly but she just remains mute. Then she tips her eyebrows in anger and raises her hand, like she's ready to slap you.
>You don't flinch but you brace your face for impact.
>But the slap doesn't come.
>"For years, I wanted to do this. 'I must be cruel, only to be kind.' But now, with you in front of me?"
"Thus bad begins and worse remains behind?"
>You quote verbatim. You hated learning Shakes...
>THWACK!
>A red-hot stinging pain ripples across your ear and cheek!
"JESUS WEPT, OCTAVIA!"
>"I feel better now. It's good to know you're still a smug son-of-a-bitch."
"SORRY! I CAN'T HEAR YOU! CAN YOU UNPERFERATE MY EARDRUM?"
>"Don't be sarcastic. Now, what are you doing here? Last thing I heard, you were a lecturer at some country college."
>She sternly asks but you reply angrily.
"You're a teacher? Surely, you can work it out?"
>"Alright, I shouldn't have slapped you just now. You had it a long time coming but we're adults now. I'm sorry. Can we start again?"

>You grumble but you begrudgingly oblige her. You just don't want her to slap you again.
>Rubbing the side of your face, you mumble.
"Yeah, of course. You chose to seek me out, that must mean something I suppose."
>That slight smile on her beautiful slate grey face. Those light violet eyes...
>'Stop it! Think clearly! Oh God, did she say something?'
>Admiring her beauty, you zoned out and weren't paying any attention to what she's talking about.
>You turn the volume back up to catch the last of what she's saying.
>"... finding it here?"
"Err... where exactly do you mean? At the school or in the city?"
>"I meant the school but yeah, I guess."
"I like it here. I am enjoying it here."
>"That's good."
>Jeez. This is like a conservation out of The Room...
>Seeing her brushing back some of her hair and avoiding eye contact, you suddenly notice something very interesting on your shoes.
>With the conservation dead and the silence dragging on, Octavia decides to relive the past.
>"Look, about what happened..."
>Again, she begins sternly and crosses her arms.
>"I just wanted to say we should... we should..."
>She sighs again and runs her hand through her soft grey hair.
>'What the bloody hell is she trying to say?'
>You tip your eyebrows in mild irritation and smooth your moustache with your forefinger and thumb.
"What exactly are you trying to say Octavia? 'Let bygones be bygones'?"
>Octavia ignored this. "Obviously, we are now working together..." Again, she tails off without meeting your eye.
>Your irritation is slowing rising as you wave a hand in dismissal.
"Are we going to adjourn this argument due to a lack of words to shout?"
>"There you go again, Anon. Steamrolling me. We haven't seen each other for the better part of fifteen years and this is how you greet me? With sarcasm?"
>You raise a quizzical eyebrow.
"Remind me. Who slapped who just now?"
>She murmurs in annoyance as she realised she's in the wrong and you just sodded up her line of thought.

>She lightly snorts out her nose again and looks slightly flustered.
>"Look, I'm making a complete fool of myself; slapping you and acting like I'm the victim..."
>You scratch the back of your head and carefully avoid her eye.
"You're well within your right to, Tavi. I was accusing you of everything under the sun. I lost you somewhere along the bitterness."
>"Were did we go wrong? We would stay all night just talking to each other." She adds, blinking a little hard.
"Maybe we didn't know how to save a life. Look, I've been wanting to say this for bloody years, Tavi, so..."
>You take her hands into yours and gently squeeze them.
>She blushes madly and continues avoiding your eye.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I do regret what I said, calling you such bitter things."
>She looks up at you with cloudy eyes and a bitten bottom lip. Such a cute look...
>"Mother of heck, I promised myself I wouldn't cry. I was expecting you to still be a bastard but..."
>She pulls out of your grasp, turns and hurriedly walks to the door.
"Tavi! Wait! Please!"
>"No!" She says firmly, "please, let me leave with some dignity!"
>She manages to say before her voice completely broke and quickly storms out of the room.
>As you glumly turned to your desk, you hear a crash in the hallway and someone falling over.
>Charging out of the room and into the corridor, you see that Octavia and someone else on the floor.
>Being the gentleman you are, you take Tavi's hand and bring her to her feet. And you see who she's walked into.
>Vice Principal Luna.
>"Oh, watch where you are walking next time, Miss Melody!"
>Luna picks herself up off the floor and rubs her nose.
>"Oh it's you, Anonymous. I'd thought you might be behind this, you wretched man. Upsetting everyone again."
>This snooty little miss...
"Hang on a minute, love..."
>"No! Please!" Octavia pleads, "don't argue because of me."
>She slips out a handkerchief and dabs her eyes.
>"Mr. Endeavour didn't do anything wrong."

>Luna ignored Octavia. "I'm not happy having you at the school, Mr. Endeavour. I accepted you under protest so, as far as I'm concerned, one more further lapse and you're out."
"And a cheery good afternoon to you too, Vice Principal."
>You said, all wide-eyed and innocent.
>The scowl deepens, threatening to split Luna's head in two.
>"Look!" Octavia shouts but suddenly shrinks away as she draws yours and Luna's ire to herself.
>"Don't start arguing just because I made two silly mistakes. Anon, can we talk later, please?"
>You answer swiftly.
"Of course, Tavi."
>"And, Vice Principal, I apologise for..."
>But Octavia realised she's talking to the space that Luna once occupied.
>"For ... for nothing..."
>You grin slightly. Luna has an affinity for rubbing people up the wrong way.
>Octavia dusts off her skirt and turns to you again. She doesn't look like she's about to burst out crying, at least.
>"Do you want to grab a coffee together after school? Maybe, you can prove my assumptions wrong."
"Of course."
>You quickly answer, grabbing at the chance of free food.
>"It's just to talk, not to face some sort of maelstrom, Anon. I'll see you at the end of the school day."
>She breaths in sharply and spins around before you get to answer her back.
>'Phew, matey. She can still do terrible things to your libido...'
>Sighing loudly, you shuffle back to your classroom and continue doing...
>What were you doing again?
>Scanning around the room, you notice the stack of textbooks on the student's desks.
>Oh yeah, clearing up. Sod that for a lark.
>Turning again, you close your briefcase, leave the classroom and head off to the office. And to more paperwork.
>Octavia was acting strange, wasn't she?
>But of course she would be, it's been ages since she saw you.
>Hell, you don't know a lot about her, about what she's done in the intervening years.

>A world-class cellist and playing the leading instrument with the philharmonic orchestra.
>Now, teaching in some city high school. Something bad must have happened. You don't come from such a high, only to come down so low.
>The buzzing in your pocket breaks your thoughts as you glance at the phone screen. Reading the name, your eyes widen in surprise.
>Detective Armor.
>The bloody hell does he want?
>Attempted to deny the call, you decide to accept it and press the phone to your ear as you swing your office door open.
"What?"
>"Oh! Hey, Anon! It's me, Shining."
"Yes, I know it's you. I still have your number saved."
>Your curt manner didn't unnerve the young policeman, who continues unabashed.
>"So, how have you been keeping then? It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
>You flop onto the sofa and toss the briefcase to the side of the desk.
"Well, I have stopped flashing myself to old ladies. I did promise the judge after all..."
>Armor on the other end chuckles.
>"You never change, do you?"
"So, what's the problem then? Have I been spotted double-parking? Or do you want to talk shop?"
>"What?"
>He asks bemused and you just sigh into the phone.
>Shining isn't the first or the last to be confused by your words.
>His partner is just the same...
"Is there a reason why you are calling me or can I claim police harassment?"
>"No, no, no. Just a social call. I'm ... err ... wondering if you're free for a drink or two tonight?"
>What?
>This is a first. Why the hell would one of the detectives who arrested you for murder suddenly want to have an evening out with you?
"You serious now, lad?"
>"Of course I am."
>'Don't forget, matey. Coffee with Tavi takes precedence.'
>'Well, a few drinks can't hurt, can it?'
"I'm a bit busy after school but I can squeeze you in this evening."
>You hear him sigh quietly.
>"Great, man. It's the cop bar; the Thin Blue Line. Down Eagle Lane."
"As long as your scruffy tramp of a partner doesn't turn up, I'll meet you there."

>"Great stuff, man. I see you around six then, yeah."
"Naturally. Ta-ta."
>You end the call before he gets the final word in. Good, that's annoy him...
>But why is he ringing you?
>You haven't seen him or his partner since the coroner's inquest three months ago and he calls you up out of the blue to arrange a lad's night out?
>Granted, it's a Monday so probably someone will buy him some soft drinks...
>'God, not that derelict copper he's partnered to...'
>Lieutenant Winter Frost. Dresses like a charity shop mannequin and as blunt as a butter knife.
>But without Frost and Armor's expert skills, you'd be in the prison for double murder. Shame they proved it was Gail who did...
>You shake the encroaching dark thoughts from your head and stand from the sofa.
>Deciding you'd go on a walk around the school rather than eat, you wrap your scarf around your neck, grab your mac overcoat  and lock up the office.
>Retreating into your head, you think about what happened today.
>'Overanalysing everything, as per usual. Octavia is right; you've haven't changed at all, matey.'
>Why were both Tavi and the detective so overtly friendly? Mind you, it isn't strange Octavia wants to let bygones be bygones.
>Judging her reactions, she wants to be friends again. Or, at least, have an amicable working relationship.
>Walking through the corridors of the school, you're tempted to sneak off to the cafeteria and its vending machines for a snack. No need to trek all the way to the staff room.
>Reaching the doors and holding it open for some the exiting students, you enter the bustling room.
>'Wow...'
>It's the first time you've ever been in the cafeteria and it's a grandly decorated room, it reminds you of some sort of medieval banqueting hall. All the pomp and circumstance with the flags is quite remarkable.

>Glancing around, you quickly spot the machines tucked into one of the corners and, luckily, there's no queue.
>Presumably, the food they're serving is better...
>You inwardly snort as you smile and nod at the students looking at you.
>'Careful, matey, this is Indian country for a teacher. They'd have a nice teacher like yourself you for their dinner so watch your back.'
>You meekly wave at some random students at one of the ornate tables who either roll their eyes or start giggling.
>'Smooth with a capital smoo...'
>Inwardly groaning, you rummage in your trouser pocket for some spare change and start counting it. There's enough for a chocolate flapjack at least.
>Slotting in the coins and punching the code for the baked goods, you're aware of someone behind you.
>As the flapjack tumbles down, your phone starts ringing again.
>'Bloody hell, now what?'
>Reaching for both the flapjack in the machine and the phone in your trouser pocket, you end up making a right arse out of yourself.
>To your salvation, the student also reaches into the machine and grabs the food.
>Holding the flapjack for you, you realise it's that mad Pinkie Pie girl.
>Daring not to move, you let the phone go to voicemail.
>"Mr. Endeavour, I know I've said this many times before but I am sorry for what happened, I thought that..."
>You quickly raise your hand and gently shush her. And to take the treat from her hand.
"And for the millionth time, Pinkie, I do forgive you and thank you for helping me. It's a shame your friend can't do the same. Apologising on her behalf isn't the same."
>"I know, I am trying though to get her to talk to you but she's stubborn."
>You smile at her; her positivity is infectious.
"Like a mule. Thanks for your help with this. Hang on, it looks like some of your friends want you back."
>You look over Pinkie's shoulder and see several girls waving. Either for her attention and failing miserably or for your attention to get her attention.
>"Well then! TTFN, Mr. Endeavour!"

>She skips off to a nearby table and hugs everyone in her grasp.
>'Wonder if I can get her certified by the school nurse...'
>Lightly giggling to yourself, you unwrap the flapjack and throw the wrapping away.
>You grab your phone out your trouser pocket and tap your way to the voicemail.
>Ringing it and listening to that automated crap, you leave the cafeteria and head outside.
>And then stop dead in your tracks. Out of all the calls today, out of all the people to talk to today.
>Abacus Cinch's shrill voice talks at you.
>"Anonymous Endeavour. It's a pity I couldn't reach you just now but I need to talk to you in the foreseeable future. And not over the phone. You know how and where to reach me, Anonymous."
>Quickly hanging up, you start walking again.
>'Bollocks, you forgot all about her, matey. You're very popular with the girls today, aren't you?'
>Great, you're being sarcastic to yourself now.
>Can today get any worse?

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Part 3 : Coda

>You were dreading this conversation all day.
>Nibbling at your fingers, you still question your judgement about it.
>'Is it the right thing to do?'
>But of course it is! He has the right to know. I work with him now, he has to know.
>And I known him for such a long time. I can trust him.
>But then again, he doesn't need to know, does he? He never experienced what happened.
>Don't ask? Don't tell.
>But he is a curious man after all. He might asking questions. Or get answers from unscrupulous sources.
>The school is full of gossips...
>Maybe it's the lesser of the two evils.
>Let Anonymous know from yourself before someone else tells him.
>But you're betraying someone's trust with it.
>Someone you should have told them beforehand. Maybe not to ask permission about but at least, inform them of your intentions.
>After all, they ought to know.
>If anything, she ought to know...
>Anonymous will know what is going on around here. He's bound too.
>You are Principal Celestia and you're drinking your 6th coffee of the day.
>Sat in your warm, cosy office, looking out onto the front lawn of the school, the intercom buzzed and you answered it after your customary four rings.
"Yes?"
>"Principal? I have Sunset Shimmer here to see you."
"Thank you, Miss Inkwell, do send her through."
>Standing from your desk and walking to the window, you grasp the coffee cup tightly as you look out, glancing at the students leaving.
>Despite the time, it's getting dark. But the winter sun looks so wonderful as it drops below the city.
>It reminds you of a poem...
>The door opened but you didn't look back.
"Sit, would you kindly?"
>You heard the creak of the chair.

"Ensanguining the skies. How heavily it dies. Into the west way; past touch and sight and sound. Not further to be found. How hopeless under ground. Falls the remorseful day."
>"Principal, I don't understand..."
"Sorry, Sunset. It's a poem I've been thinking about. It's relevant to what want to talk about. You."
>"Me?"
"Sunset, you must know I always try my best to protect my students and my friends. No matter what."
>You say while still looking out of the window.
"And if to protect them, I have to act selfishly then I will."
>"I'm sorry, Principal, but what..."
>You interrupt her.
"I have acted selfishly recently and I feel I have betrayed your trust. Maybe even the rest of the girls."
>You finally turn from the window to face Sunset, looking confused.
>"What do you mean, Principal?"
>You chew on your lips as you think what to say next.
"It's our new history teacher, Mr. Endeavour. I've personally known him since high school, although we did fall out of touch years ago."
>You slump back into your seat behind the desk and sip the coffee. You even started swivelling in it, yet another nervous twitch.
"I told him."
>"What? You told him what?"
>Sunset continues to scrunch up her face, to the point where it looks like she's sucking lemons.
>You sigh again and look continue to avert her gaze.
"Not everything about you and the girls, obviously."
>Sunset's face unscrews.
"More like what happened at the Friendship Games. And that was brief but I did mention about the magic."
>She was looking pale, you note. Her face is the colour of cold custard.
>"Does he know about..."
>You gently shush her with a raise of your hand.
"I was vague with it. In all fairness, he would laugh me out of the room; 'magical students with wings' and all that."
>Sunset shakes her head as you sip at the coffee.
>"No, no, no. I mean, does he know about Equestria? Did you tell him that?"
>You nibble on your forefinger.

"No, I didn't tell him that. Give me some credit, at least, Sunset. Sorry, I shouldn't be so frivolous with this. In all fairness, I just wanted to tell someone. Someone else who never experienced what happened but still someone I could trust."
>"Do you trust him?"
>She asks firmly.
>You open your mouth but no words come out.
>He's a good man at heart but...
>He's unpredictable.
>You'd never guess he was ever capable of carrying out pranks with you.
>That he was capable of ruining school socials.
>That he was even capable of crying in public.
>But he's a honest man.
>Clearing the doubts from your head, you answer.
"Yes. Yes, I do."
>She leans back into the chair with the colour in her face beginning to return.
>"I'm sorry, Principal." Sunset finally said, "I shouldn't be questioning your judgement but you must see why I must ask. I don't want people to find out."
>Doing a Gallic shrug and noticing a interesting smudge on the far wall, you offer a counterpoint.
"Even if An... Mr. Endeavour uses his curiosity, what is there to find out? He definitely isn't going to find out about you and your secrets. Who will tell him?"
>Sunset chews off a flake of skin from her thumb and recoils in pain.
>"Darn it! Guess I didn't think of that."
>Watching her sucking on the wound, you can't help but chuckle.
"When Luna chewed on her fingers and made them bleed, she used to suck on the entire appendage. It is a nasty habit, mind you."
>She smiles.
>"A nervous tick." She says, "I hope you can see why. But maybe you're right, maybe nothing will come of it, especially if I tell the others about what's happened so I don't think there's anything to worry about."
>You breathe a sigh of relief and you sip from the now-cold coffee cup.
"I'm sorry for putting you into this situation but I know I can contain it and if necessary, so can you."

>Sunset groans but doesn't look too upset.
>"But it isn't a situation I really wanted to be in. Granted, it's easier to deal with teachers than, let's say, magical eldritch horrors from beyond this dimension. But still, you know."
>You smile.
"If this was a different situation, I would say I hate it when you use your mouth like a cattle prod."
>Sunset stands, still smiling.
>"If that's all, Principal. I have to get back. Before I was summoned, I was looking for something."
>You also stand and make for the door.
"Oh? Anything important?"
>She turns with you but avoids eye contact, "nothing really. Just some books."
>Noticing her eyeing that same smudge on the wall, you offer her a non-comitial.
"Uh-huh. I see..."
>"Nothing to worry about." She says, rather quickly, "actually, you can help me tell the others. Considering you've got me into this hole."
>You give her another Gallic shrug and say.
"Makes sense. You are right, I'd better get my hands dirty with this one. Where are they anyway?"
>"Outside, by now, I would have thought."
>Mulling on something new, you choose whether to tell her about Anon and Cinch.
>'Give her more ammunition? May as well do.'
"There's something else that I'll tell you. Mr. Endeavour has worked with Abacus Cinch at his old teaching post."
>Sunset stops dead in her tracks, making some of the trailing students almost bump into her.
"Sunset, come on, let's keep moving."
>Gently ushering her on, Sunset finds her voice.
>"Really? When?" She asks quietly, like she's uttering some deadly secret.
"The spring just gone. If I'm right, it was before we all when to Camp Everfree."
>Scratching the top of her hand, she inquires again about Cinch.
>"Did he get along with her? Are they friends?"
>You answer with a shake of your head.
"No, apparently, she's hated by the staff there too."
>Sunset ponders on this and answers.
>"Let's not worry about Cinch, I think I have more immediate problems..."

>Drumming your fingers on the table, you steal a glance at the clock on the wall.
>Quarter to four.
>Bite the bullet and have done with it.'
>You pick the phone up and punch in the number.
>You're half-aware of lockers opening and closing but that's natural. It's the end of the day after all.
>'I wonder if it'll be that dopey girl again. Would have thought she'd be sacked by now...'
>"Holm Coltram College. How can I direct your call?" A man's voice announces.
"Ahh, hullo, I'm Anonymous Endeavour. Can you put me through to Chancellor Abacus Cinch, please? She is expecting my call."
>"One moment, sir."
>'It's a bloke. That's makes a change.'
>As tinny classical music plays through the handset, you mull on tonight's fun.
>Coffee with Tavi and then some drinks with that bloody copper.
>What do they want, you think. 
>Your call gets put through to Cinch's secretary.
>"Hello, Chancellor Cinch's office." A woman says.
>You look up to the ceiling in mild annoyance and start talking.
"Hullo, yes, I'm Anonymous Endeavour. I need to speak to Ms. Cinch, please."
>"Of course, she's expecting you, Mr. Endeavour. Would you kindly wait as I put you through?"
>'Another new voice. Must be hiring from a new temping agency.'
>You muse on as you wait momentarily.
>The call clicks through and you hear the Snowmaiden purrs through the phone-line.
>"Ahh, Endeavour, glad I could speak to you instead of your voicemail."
"A pity. You would have a more meaningful conversation with it. Now, what's the problem?"
>"It's a situation I do not want to discuss over the phone. It's a proposition I wish to make to you."
>You spin in your chair to face the window.
"A proposition? What kind of proposition?"
>You hear a quiet snort through the phone.
>"The kind I make in person. Now, since you're inquiring, I'm assuming you're on board."
>'Same old Cinch. Steamrolling you into agreement. But then again, she's not wrong...'
"Go on then, why not? I love listening to you wasting your breath."
>"Umph."

>'Good. That irritated snort.'
>"The college is hosting its Winter Open Days tomorrow and Wednesday and I have to stay beyond the usual working hours. Which fits around your new work schedule, I believe."
>'Good God, I can almost hear that Cheshire Cat grin down the phone.'
>You sigh in defeat; a tactic you've learnt to quickly end conversations with her.
"I'm not going to ask about how you know that but, yes, I can see you tomorrow after work at the College.  No definite time but around 5, 6 o'clock, yeah?
>You drum again on the table as she think it over.
>"Of course, I'll see you at half-past 5, yes? I see you then, Endeavour."
>"Ta-ta, then, Miss."
>You say sarcastically as she clicks off.
"Bitch."
>You say to no-one in particular.
>"Excuse me?"
>'Sweet merciful piss!'
>You spin back to see Octavia stood in the open doorway.
"Good grief, Octavia. Do you mind not doing that? I have a weak heart, you know?"
>"It's all that cholesterol in your veins. Anyway, are you ready?"
"Almost. I've just got to ... ooo, bollocks..."
>Standing up, you realise you've wrapped yourself in the phone cord.
>Disentangling from the cord as Tavi laughs, you stand from your desk and grab everything you need.
>Twisting the scarf around your neck and slipping the coat on, you grab your bags and escort her through the door.
"First though, we'd ought to drop off our bags in our cars."
>You gesture to her own bags.
"What happened to the cello? Got a fold-away one?"
>"It's locked up, in the music hall. Why the hell would..."
>You gently nod your head as you turn the volume down on her. One of the aspects you'd never miss about her is that she can witter on about nothing.
>Adding a sage nod and 'I understand' to show you listening, you concentrate on your own thoughts.
>While reminiscing with Octavia will amount to what you two have been up to in the intervening years, what you really want is gossip and second-sourcing on this 'magic'.
>'She's a teacher here, she'd ought to know.'

>Sensing a lull in the conservation, you turn the volume back up and offer a half-hearted platitude.
"I see what you mean."
>"Well, it's good to see you are a good teacher after all."
>'Phew, got away with that one.'
>The pair of you leave through the side entrance to the faculty lot.
>Making your way to your car, you hear Tavi whistle in approval.
>"I should have known you would drive such a striking looking car."
>'Don't be snarky, don't be snarky. Please, don't be snarky with her.'
>You smile back at her.
"I never knew you know your cars. Thanks anyway though."
>Tavi smiles as she walks to her nearby car and you close the boot on yours.
"So, where's this bar then?"
>She snorts at your flippancy and rolls her eyes.
>"It's a coffeehouse actually."
"So, where's this coffee bar then? Do we need a car to get there?"
>Again, the eyes roll like a fruit machine.
>"It's a short walk up the street."
>Sensing she's getting relied up, you press home an advantage to get her to loosen up a bit.
"It's close to the school, do the students go there? Will there be shenanigans with the espressos?"
>You two start walking around the school building to the football fields and the side exit there.
>"You know, throughout the afternoon, I was hoping for one thing. That you had grown up. I see that you haven't."
>Now you smile broadly for the first time in ages.
"Who was it that said 'growing old is mandatory while growing up is optional'?"
>"Probably some writer or film director."
>Strolling across the snowy field, you wrap your scarf tighter; the temperature is dropping fast.
>You notice her rubbing her gloved hands together to keep warm. It's been bitter all day, you muse on.
>Opening the gate for Tavi, you observe her exit through it.
>'Still got the cracking curves, that girl. She'll be a pleasant enough contrast from the ugly Herberts later on.'
>Following her onto the sidewalk, you continue on in awkward silence.

"I have to say that this is some damn good coffee, Tavi"
>"Unlike most coffee places, this isn't so ... pretentious."
>Looking around, it's just a simply-decorated coffeehouse, bizarrely named the Tarbrush Cafe.
>Minimalist and modernist daubs hang on the walls and the menu was written on a blackboard so it still has a kitschy attitude.
>But they didn't ask what beans you wanted grinding up.
>Some students and even some teachers are sat around you so you didn't feel so out of place but you still felt conspicuous sat here with the high school music teacher.
>Sipping on your simple 'cafe au lait', you wonder what foamy monstrosity Tavi ordered.
>"It's called the 'Gunkacchino', my usual after-school pleasure. By the way, the pies here are to die for."
"Tavi, your family and your country are to die for. Pies are to eat."
>You state matter-of-factly while she frowns comically and follows up with.
>"You know what I mean, you old grouch."
>The conversation drops again as she swills some of the sickly sweet coffee around.
>You can tell she's debating something heavy in her.
"I know what you're gonna ask me. It's alright, really."
>Raking her hands through her hair, she sighs.
>"Yes, it is about Gail. Look, it's something I asked her to promise."
>You cock your head at an angle and tip your eyebrows.
"You know her? Since when did you ever..."
>You let that sentence dribble off.
>'Of course, she'd know her. Why wouldn't a concert cellist know a operatic soprano?'
"Ask a dumb question, I suppose. Why though?"
>"I was still bitter about you. In all fairness, I kinda still am."
>Her eyes widen in realisation and quickly stammers out.
>"I...I...I don't want to be now, obviously! I do want to mend our ...
>Her mouth opens and closes like a fish at feeding time, struggling for the next word, but you just lightly titter at the sight.

"I understand, Tavi. Let's say 'friendship' and have done with it. I don't think either of us are looking for love anyway."
>You sip from the coffee and steal a glance at your wristwatch. Twenty-past four.
>Looking out of the window, you see the usual city life blur past it.
>"We were friends. We met a couple of years ago in Fillidelphia at a drinks party after her performance. She has a wonderful voice. Hypnotic even."
"She'll always be my songbird."
>You lament on.
"People think I clipped her wings, if you know what I mean, but I didn't. It's not like she didn't want to continue performing and pleasing people but she knew she was getting past it. She still did charity shows and always wavered any payments. She's a good soul."
>'Until jealousy overtook her...'
>Shaking such bitterness from your head, you sip the coffee again.
>"Yes, she was a lovely person. It's a pity that..."
>She stops her sentence but you quickly finish it for her.
"She did what she did. Exactly."
>You loudly sniff to clear your nose and start a new topic.
"So, about Canterlot High. What's the gossip?"
>Drinking her coffee, she averts your gaze and looks at the painting to the left of you.
>"What about it?"
"You know what. Teachers at it with each other, what pupils they bitch about, intense rivalries with other schools?"
>She snorts haughtily at the last statement.
>"Huh. Crystal Preparatory. Don't you talk to me about them!"
>You pull a face of concern.
"Sorry, didn't mean to touch a nerve."
>"No, no, it's alright I guess. It's just that... before I applied to teach at Canterlot High, I applied to Crystal Prep first. They turned me down on the spot. Conceited bastards."
>Surprised by her turn of phrase, you wonder about her indignation.
"Now, why would such a posh school turn down such a classy individual with your experience."
>Again, that look of quiet contemplation.
>"No." She finally says, "not now. I'll tell you one day. But not now."

>Now, even more confused, you wish to inquire further but you'll just get stonewalled or worse, have that flaming hot coffee splashed all over you.
>She coughs and quickly finishes off her coffee.
>"Goodness me, is that the time? It's best we've leaving, wouldn't you say?"
>You look at your watch again, twenty-five to five.
"Eee by gum, miss, indeed."
>You slug back the fiery liquid and wince at the pain.
>"Are you alright, Anon?"
>She probes so you offer her a thumbs up as you drop a tip into the cup.
>She holds back laughing until you leave the coffee shop and head back into the car park.
"Just one last thing, Tavi, before we leave. It's something that Celestia mentioned to me in passing."
>"Oh yes, what?"
>She rather flatly said.
"As a well-known magician says 'now, that's magic.' I'm just curious why our esteemed principal has, apparently, lost her marbles."
>"To be honest, I don't think she found them in the first place. I have no know how or why she ever became a principal."
"You didn't answer the question."
>You stressed but Tavi sassed back.
>"Maybe I don't want to."
"You're being very childish all of a sudden, Octavia."
>"You're not being much of a gentleman, are you, Nonny?"
>She harshly grumbled as the pair of you walk across the football field to the faculty lot.
"I'm just asking, Tavi. Jeez..."
>She spins on her heels, points her finger at you and scowls.
>"All schools have secrets, this place is no different but there are secrets that ought to be buried and it's no good you bumbling around in your size nines bringing everything to light. So just drop it, Nonny, okay?"
>She spins back again and storms off to the car park, leaving you in the dark. Quite literally.
>'Touched another raw nerve, methinks.'
>By the time you've jogged to the faculty lot, she's already climbing into her car and slams the door shut.
>As she drives off into the night, you're left stood in the car park so you wonder.
"Tomorrow will be fun. Won't it?"

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Chapter VIII: The Wood Beyond

>Seeing her car's taillights vanish into the night, you're left on your lonesome in the faculty car park.
"What the fuck..."
>Realising you're talking to yourself, you quickly stop and fumble for your car keys.
>'What the fuck is her problem? I wasn't being that pushy and she's reacting like I've killed her parents.'
>But it only intrigues you further. You only got the explosive response from her after asking about the school, nothing else.
>'Well, Crystal Prep got some emotion out of her but they're a bunch of stuck-up snobs anyway.'
>Feeling a sudden brush of wind up your coat, you briskly jog to the car and quickly jump in.
>Starting her up first time, you slowly crunch over the snow and exit the car park.
>Stopping at the junction, you debate what to do next?
>You consulted a road map earlier in the day and worked out an easy route from the school to Eagle Lane, where this cop bar is.
>However, you could go home, drop your bags off and catch a cab to the bar.
>You glance at the dashboard clock; 4:51pm
>'Go home.'
>Turning left and heading to the Old Town, you wonder on what tonight with the police is really all about.
>' Is it really just a social call? Is it something worse? What have I done to warrant such attention?'
>'Yeah, sometimes I play the hi-fi too loud or end up double-parking or jay-walking but that wouldn't get some detectives from the police department all hyped up.'
>'Alright, so there were other issues in Coltram I left behind. So fucking what?'
>'Unpaid speeding tickets, fiddled expense paperwork, all that stationary I stole. Even that assault charge that was dropped three years ago. So what? Why the fuck are the coppers sniffing around me?'
>A sudden thought popped into your head. Caballeron.
>Would that sly bastard get you arrested just to stick to you and the school?

>Stopping at a red light, you slip further into your head.
>'Caballeron is a massive ass, yeah, but would he actually do something like this? Have the coppers trawl through your life?
>'Well, how bored are the Canterlot Police Department? To the point where they start hassling academics?'
>'Bullshit. How the hell would he...'
>HONK!
>"It's green! Fuckin' move!"
>Breaking out of your daydream, you floor it through the junction as the light turns yellow.
>You see the big car stuck at the lights, flashing its high-beams and blaring the horn.
>Finally hitting a section of open road, you punch it through the gearbox and continue home.
>Were the police going through your life?
>You're not a native man; you had to be vetted by the education authority to get the job.
>'Get a grip, matey. No-one's after your head. It's sheer paranoia with you sometimes.'
>Reaching your condo block, you bump over the kerb, take the bags out and head for the entrance.
>'Five minutes there won't make much of a difference.'
>For whatever reason, you plan to drive there and back.
>'It's a school night, one beer and that'll be that.'
>Riding the lift up, throwing your bags into the apartment and catching the lift, even before the doors close, you ride it back down and charge out the entrance door and almost smack it on some poor bugger.
"Sorry!"
>You shout back as the person shuffles in, a little too quickly
>That triggered a cursory glance of suspicion as you turn your head back.
>'Oh, it's just that old granny from 601. She'll whine to the building supervisor, as per usual...
>Turning back to the road, you notice a police car rolling down the street and slowing down to your badly parked car.
"Oh bollocks! Hello, hello! Yes! That's my car!"
>You wave your arms about to draw the attention of the car's spotlight. It suddenly shifts and blinds you.

>"Is this your car, sir?" A female voice asks.
>Shielding your eyes from the glare of the spotlight, you barely notice a figure stepping out of the car and walks around yours.
>"Sir, you didn't answer my question."
"I did say it was my car, Officer."
>Giving your car a quick once-over, you see her, or rather her silhouette, stroll over to you.
>"Is there a reason why you've parked on the pedestrian sidewalk, sir?"
>More eye squinting and you can just about make out her face and hair tucked under a peaked cap.
"Sorry, Officer, but I had nip into my apartment for a minute and I didn't realise where I parked.
>She pulls out a torch from her belt and shines it at your car.
>"It's a high kerb, sir, and you didn't notice?"
>Despite the cold weather, you feel a sweat roll down your neck.
"It's just for a minute, Officer. I do apologise."
>You see her smirk a little.
>"What's your name, sir?"
"Endeavour. Anonymous Endeavour."
>Realising she's not writing in a notebook, you decide to push your luck. 
"Look, I know what I did was illegal but come on, it was only for a minute. Do you really wanna waste your time questioning me, filling out a ticket and then, doing more paperwork?"
>Sighing and scratching the back of her neck, she smiles and answers.
>"Then consider this an informal warning, Anonymous. Please, move your car so it's not obstructing the sidewalk."
>'Wow. That worked?'
"Thank you, Officer. If you excuse me."
>Brushing past her, you unlock your car as the patrol car moves forwards.
>Climbing in and starting the car up, you hear a tapping on the glass.
>Rolling down the passenger-side window, the copper leans down.
>"Your name. I know an Anonymous. Well, Anon anyway.
"Small world, isn't it?"
>The police car blares its horn.
>"I think my partner's getting angry. Have a safe journey, Anonymous."
>You gave her a courteous smile.
"And you too, Officer."
>Rolling up the window and seeing the patrol car drive off, you just realise that you never asked for her name.

>'Oh well.'
>As the police car turns left, you drive straight ahead through the junction.
>'Maybe ask the coppers if they know any pretty policewomen in uniform.'
"Hah!"
>That caused you laugh out as you hit some last minute rush hour traffic.
>Judging the buildings, you're between Hackamore Ave and Topaz St in the Old Town.
>'Hmm, Eagle Lane is in Civic Halls. Or is in the Exchange?'
>Luckily, you're still stationary in this traffic so you pull out a small road atlas from the door pocket.
>However, unlike the big atlas, this has downtown areas have been condensed to fit the book.
>'The Exchange... no... Civic Halls... I think... damn it, it's always in the crack!'
>The Exchange is the financial heart of the city; a glass and concrete utopia of capitalism.
>The area is characterised by the narrow streets lined with towering skyscrapers, several cobblestone roads, and a few green spaces.
>While the Broad is home to majors stores and commercial buildings, the Exchange and nearby Civic Halls are where the main financial and municipal buildings stand.
>Eagle Lane is one of the slender cobblestone roads that snake through the boroughs.
>Cruising down Pascoe Ave to the city centre, you think about what tonight will deliver on.
>It does seem odd that Detective Armor has called you out of the blue...
>'Heh, out of the blue...'
>Maybe he wants to mend his bridges, maybe he wants to be friends, maybe he wants you be an informer...
>'...maybe, maybe, maybe! Maybe he will paint himself purple and dance naked on the table. Look, matey, Octavia is right, you do over-think everything.'
>Darting through the small downtown streets, you find your way onto Eagle Lane and the cop bar.
>With the sun down and many businesses shutting up for the day, downtown Cantelot is still a busy place to be.
>Cars and commuters draining out of the boroughs like rats bailing out of a sinking ship.

>You find some empty spaces down the road and some of those old-style parking meters, you climb out of the car and fumble for change.
>Slipping some in and turning the dial, you put your coat on as another chilling wind breezes through you.
>Feeling the cold, you wonder if another storm is brewing in the heavens.
>Walking through the door and into a ... well, a bar, basically.
>'What did you expect? Some sort of policing fortress?'
>The Thin Blue Line is what you'd expect from an old downtown bar; an aged wooden decor, well-worn furniture and tired patrons.
>It feels like walking into the teacher's lounge for the first time with everyone looking at you and turning back to their business.
>Looking around to see that blue-haired idiot, you take a stool at the bar and order a soft drink.
>The bartender made his handlebar moustache droop in bemusement.
"On second thoughts, I'll have a double scotch. Whatever's the cheapest."
>"Better..."
>'Cheeky bastard.'
>As he prepares your drink, you scan the room again.
>'Still, no sign of that prat or his scruffy superior.'
>Scanning the bar top, you eye up a dog-eared copy of the local newspaper; the Canterlot Chronicle.
>Flicking through to the back pages, you find the puzzle page and a half-completed crossword.
>You used to be a regular crossword puzzle setter for both the campus paper and Coltram's local rag.
>But with such 'complex' clues, it's surprising no-one actually finished this.
>3 across; 'It's striped: what about ze panties?' (5)
>8 down; 'Piece of cake' (4)
>7 across; 'Horsin' around' (10)
>Pulling out your ball-point, you quickly fill in the blanks.
>"I should have guessed I'd find you with your nose in the paper."
"Considering you've got your brains in your arse, I'm surprised you know what a newspaper is, Detective."
>Spinning around, you greet Detective Shining Armor with a warm handshake.
>He sits in the stool next to you and orders himself a bottle and...
>"What are you drinking?"

>Looking up from the newspaper, you answer him as you gulp it down in one.
"Whatever the house scotch is. It's nice though.
>"Okay. I'll get it. Ruff, also the scotch he's drinking."
>The barkeep simply nods.
>"Now, I bet you're wondering why you're here."
"I'm just trying to find a new haunt. I've read many great reviews about this place online."
>Armor simply grins as Ruff the bartender gives him the drinks.
>The detective dips his hand to retrieve some money and pays him.
>"I don't know how to start this, man, but ... this is important."
>Sipping the drink, you put your foot right into it.
"Think clearly and don't use words with more than two syllables."
>He turns to look at you.
>"Look, man, I'm trying to be serious here, okay? Enough of the rude remarks about me; just remember who solved those murders."
>Seeing the determination in his blue eyes and the way he's gripping that bottle, you decide to reign in your tongue.
"I apologise. What is it you want to talk about?"
>He sighs and takes a swig of his beer.
>"Right. Well both me and the boss do need to speak to you about something, he's just in the back room, getting the okay but I need to talk to you ... about something personal."
>As he takes another sip of beer, you contemplate what he just said.
>Before that train of thought leaves the station, he starts again.
>"That school you teach at, Canterlot High, yeah?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
>"Well, as you might know, my sister goes there. You might teach her, actually. Twilight Sparkle."
"Really? Never would have guessed. I don't teach her but I know she's a good student, the Principal tells me so."
>He smiles.
>'Best not tell him about her recent troubles.'
>You think to yourself as you take a sip of scotch.
>"Anyway, she knows about you and ... what happened in Coltram and when she told me you're the new teacher there, I asked her to ... "
>He fumbles the words so you finish the sentence for him.
"To spy on me, I presume?"
>You swill the drink in the glass as you notice Shining not looking at you.
>"Maybe in more words but ... yeah. Look, man, I didn't mean anything by it. I just want make sure you're doing okay."
>Finishing off the last of your scotch, you put the poor detective at ease.
"Aw, quit with the waterworks or you'll get me all teary-eyed."
>He looks at you confused but you plough on regardless.
"Now, you're a smart, practical guy and you thought you were acting in my best interests, yeah?
>He nods.
"Your compassion moves me. Now, don't worry. All is forgiven. It's not like she found out anything exciting about me?
>"Nothing I'm aware of."
>'He answered that a little quick. Who's the detective, now?'
"You sure? While I'm not implying she kept me under constant surveillance, what did she find out? My toiletry habits? What I throw in the bin?"
>He looks to you and chuckles.
>"I tell you that my sister has been effectively spying on you and you just shrug it off. You don't change, do you?"
"It's also like we're friends, isn't it?"
>"I'll drink to that. Want another one?"
>He finishes off his drink and clicks his fingers for Ruff to appear.
"One more."
>"Same again." Shining confirms to the stoic barkeeper.
>"What was she to find out anyway, Anon?" the detective wondered on, "my sister only commented on your well-being."
"Then you must know I'm such a free-spirited individual without a care in the world."
>You perform jazz-hands which he finds terribly amusing.
>You get another funny look from the bartender as he brings the drinks.
>You hand him a 10-dollar note and say.
"Keep the change, matey."
>As the bartender counts out his fortune, Shining comments.
>"I think you've made a friend for life. Let's hope you come back."
>He cranes his around to the back door to see his boss just leaving.
>The lieutenant sees the pair of you and shuffles over.
>"Right, Shiny." He mumbles, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, "I've got the okay so where is the limey?"
"In front of you, LEF-tenant."
>"Ahh, there you are! Shiny always said you were punctual."
>He taps his cigarette with the ash falling onto your shoe.
>You rub it off on your trouser leg and say.
"There's a part two to this evening? What do you need me for?"
>Lieutenant Frost pats your shoulder and offers you a cigarette.
"No thanks."
>"No matter. Anyway, if you'd like to join us in the function room, Mr. Endeavour, then we can begin."
"Begin? Begin what?"
>"You'll see." Armor assures you but you aren't convinced.
>Following the two detectives into the back room, which you think is used for when the bar holds functions, and you find two people sat around a table, drinking and lightly chatting to each other.
>The third sat at a side in silence, dipping a doughnut into the coffee
>And the fourth is stood at the room's bar counter by a medium-sized coffee urn and a bag of doughnuts.
>He turns and his ruddy face changes to a grin.
>"Anonymous, it's been too long, hasn't it?"
 "Fallow Field. You're right, it has been too long."
>With a sort of expectorant 'phoo', followed by a cushioned 'phlop', Prof. Fallow Field sits his rather large self down next to the scruffy detective Winter Frost, who is pinching out a cigarette and flicking the butt into an ashtray.
>Detective Armor ushers you to sit in the chair next to himself and the professor.
>"Right, we can begin." Frost starts with.
>"First thing, there would be more of us but there's that bachelor party going on across town so it's just us. Secondly, I would like you introduce Mr. Anonymous Endeavour to our meeting. Welcome."
>He says while scratching the side of his temple with a finger. Strangely, they all do.
"What actually is this? Am I joining some sort of cult?"
>The policeman in uniform answers for you.

>"Far from it. Think of it more like a ... fraternal organisation."
"Okay... thank you?..."
>His light blue face curls into a smile.
>"Lieutenant Flying Squad."
>'I hope he's off-duty, hate to see my taxes going to waste.'
"Right. So what did Armor call me in to talk about, besides the lighter side of his official life?"
>You hear the worn-out leather chair creak under Armor's weight.
>"You'd better tell him, Fieldy."
>Frost instructed as he lights up his twelfth cigarette of the night.
>"Something very fishy is going on at that school of yours, Canterlot High." Fallow addresses while taking a bite out the doughnut.
>"And I don't mean the usual teenage antics like drugs, drinks or sex. We've all been working on for months, trying to find out the cause of it all. Hell, the teacher on the inside couldn't get all the answers and then she died in a car accident."
"This teacher wasn't Hardscribble by any chance?"
>"Yes, it was." The woman on the far right finally said after taking a sip of coffee, "Bira was very helpful to us, even though we couldn't offer her anything in return."
"Okay... errm, sorry, what's your name? You look familiar to me."
>She smirks, like that policewoman did earlier.
>"Deputy Lightning Dust, Gallop County Sheriff's Department."
>'Of course, it's her. She works with the sheriffs back in Coltram.'
>You stand from the table and walk to the urn and take a jelly doughnut.
"I never forget a face but the name just vanishes."
>You take a bite and savour the sweet taste.
"Hmm... these freshly made?"
>"By that bakery on the Broad; the Sweet Shoppe." Field praises.
"It must be where doughnuts go when they die. Okay, Armor, would you please tell me why you really called me in here?"
>Shining looks to Frost who gives him the nod.
>"You're gonna have to go along with us on this." He hints on and, again, scratching his temple with his finger, "even if it sounds a little... weird."
"I'm with you."

>You pour some coffee and mix in a little cream and sit down with a slight 'phlop' on the old leather seat.
"Canterlot is different. It's a big city but we're still a long way from the world, you must've noticed that by now."
>You nod as you sip from the mug.
>"And that's the way we like it. But we have to take the rough with the smooth, maybe it's the price the city pays for all the good things nature has given it."
"So, what's the 'rough' then, as you put it?"
>You query on as Frost takes the cigarette from his mouth.
>"The Everfree forest." Fallow Field answers, "there's a sort of ... evil out there. Something very, very strange in those old woods and sometimes, it spreads out, either to Coltram or Canterlot."
>He takes a healthy bite of his doughnut and wipes his mouth on a handkerchief.
>"You can call it whatever you want." he mumbles with his mouth full, "the darkness, the paranormal, even the supernatural."
>"It seems like mumbo-jumbo to people of science and logic like ourselves." Deputy Dust adds, "but it's been there for as long as anyone can remember."
>"And like Fallow said, this 'presence' moves and we think it's centred at one of the high schools." Lieutenant Squad expresses, "more than likely, Canterlot High."
>The pale-green faced man looks around everyone as he quietly drinks from his own glass.
>Frost taps his fag into a full ashtray and boasts.
>"And we've always been here to fight it."
"We?"
>"People before us. People before them. And more after we're gone."
>"For the greater good." Mr Green Face finally exclaims.
>"The greater good." The rest chant.
"So this is a secret society?"
>"In a way, yes." Shining hesitates on, "we represent the thin line between the light and the dark. It takes any forms and it can make good people do terrible things. It might even explain what happened to Gail, Cherry and Dandy."
>Swilling the coffee in the mug, you contemplate what has been said.

>Secret societies battling unknowable evils in the countryside? What utter balls.
>But... but...
>You don't know what to believe these days.
>You never knew your wife was a homicidal madwoman, you never would have guessed you would be forced out of the university. You never knew that Celestia would have gone nuts, a woman possessed with magic...
>Magic?
>'Magic! Of course! Is this what they are heavily hinting at?'
"I've been told that those woods are over a thousand years old. It has a weird atmosphere, spooky even. Lots of ghosts, secrets buried. I know some local legends of the supernatural, like tales from mythical animals to witch trials. But I never was aware of any magical oddities to put it lightly."
>They all nod in interest.
"There is something strange going on in that school. Whether it has a bearing with whatever lurks in the Everfree, that's a different question. But I'll say what I know."
>You fill them in with what you know about the Friendship Games.
>Fallow Field has a slight understanding with Abacus Cinch's blunt attitude, being the head English professor at Holm Coltram College and all that, but even he can't comprehend the bizarreness.
>"Right." Frost begins after a silence. "Can you get this double-sourced?"
"In a way, I have, lieutenant. I got this from both Principal Celestia and one of my teachers."
>"Before I say anything more, I must ask this. Are you with us?"
"Yes."
>You assert without hesitation.
>'Seems like a right nutty bunch, but maybe they help me understand what the bloody hell as been going on.'
>"Right then, Anon. That's settled then. Onto the next order of business..."
"Is that it? No entrance ceremony or anything?"
>"What were you expecting?" Fallow Field asks, "funny handshake and a blood oath?"
>"Come on, Mr. Endeavour, for all intents and purposes, people think we're a card game." Flying Squad contributes, "we can't bring the dressing-up box and candles here, now can we?"

"No, I suppose not." You glance at a wall clock above the bar; half-past six.
>"Holy shit, is that the time? Mrs. Frost will be angry tonight. We'll wrap up for tonight with one last question for Anonymous."
>You finish off the coffee and stand from the table to grab a doughnut before Field hoovers the rest up.
>"Will you tell us if you find anything more about the school? We need to know, we want to protect the innocent."
>"For the greater good." Mr. Green Face splutters out.
>"The greater good." They all chant again.
>You don't say it but scratch your temple with your finger.
>Polishing off the doughnut, you grab your coat off the chair and  
"I think it's safe to say that I will tell you guys if anything happens. Just one more thing, what is this society called?"
>"The Blue Line Boys. Even since we admitted women in the sixties, we still called ourselves Boys." Shining says, "this bar has been the meeting place for what? 20, 30 years?"
>The older men nod.
"Hence the name."
>"As well as the policing angle." Flying quips in.
>"I think it's best we call it a night, fellas." Fallow concludes on, "we've all got wives, children and jobs to go to."
>"Yes, especially the young Shiny here." Frost eagerly discloses, "has anyone seen his new girl? Or is this Cadance someone you made up?"
>Shining blushes as Winter laughs heartily.
>"Sir, can you not..."
>'Cadance... sounds familiar..."
>As the officers leave with Mr Green Face shuffling out with them, you turn to Fallow Field putting on his XXL greatcoat.
>"Stand me a beer one of these day, Anon. We really must catch up."
"Aye, we must. Want to come back my place?"
>"Not tonight, I'm lecturing first thing in the morning."
"A pity. Can I ask a question?"
>"Of course, Anon."
>The pair of you leave the back room and Fallow locks it and tosses the key to the waiting bartender.
"What was said in there. Is it all serious?
>"Deadly serious. We wouldn't be meeting otherwise."
"I suppose so."
>"Look, my good man." Fallow says as you two leave the bar as wander to your cars.
>Only two remain on the street; your car and a modern-looking SUV.
>"The people are good people who wish to protect all what is right in the city and the wider area . Nothing more. It should fall under everyone's jurisdiction to look after what is good here."
>He unlocks the SUV and climbs in. 
>"Seriously, Anon, we must catch up. Taddy talks but you know her?" Fieldy insists on.
"I'm one phone call away."
>You says as you scribble your phone number onto a 'borrowed' coaster.
>"Goodbye then, Anon." 
"Cheery bye, Fieldy."
>You shake hands and he closes the car door and starts up.
>As he drives off, you enter your car. She splutters on the first attempt but the engine roars into life on the second start.
>Driving off, you bounce over the snow-covered cobbles as more is on the way.
>'What has tonight really delivered on? Just a bunch of deadheads waffling on about complete bullshit?"
>'No, they're serious. If they weren't, would you have joined? Probably not.'
>'Maybe they can help solve the mysteries around the school. Maybe they can help you all through the woods.'
>You drive home and suddenly realise those sprawled all over the floor. You think your briefcase snapped open as well.
>'Bugger, more fun to clean up. Oh well, nothing to worry about, I suppose.'
>Cruising through the empty streets as they widen out, you take a cassette tape out give it a quick glance.
>'A Real Indication'.
>You plug it into the player.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLYkLFEL46U
>'Hmm. Best tank up soon, running on fumes here.'
>Driving onto the Broad, you get stuck behind a CT buses.
>You let your mind wander, thinking about what that bizarre meeting was all about.
>'Is there really a secret society to police the supernatural?'
>'Is it even a common enough occurrence to warrant them?'
>'Why is the school at the centre of it? It would make more sense that it would be at Coltram, not here. After all, the forest surrounds the town and is several miles from Canterlot.'
>'Unless... It involves the pupils. Oh God Almighty, there isn't a coven of teenage witches at the school?'
>'It was bad enough at the University... DAH!'
>You slam onto the brakes before you rear-end the bus.
>Pulling up the hand-brake, you stop in the nick of.
>Wiping the sweat off your brow, you quickly pull out and around the bus and drive on home.
>With you sharply darting around traffic and cruising through junctions, you think about whether Celestia should know.
>'Nah. This organisation wouldn't last five minutes if that blabber-mouth knew.'
>Driving into the underground car park, you go through the motions and before you know it, you're unlocking the apartment door.
>Flicking on the light and closing the door, you see the carnage you've made.
>Although the satchel bag is slumped by the settee, the briefcase has knocked out the lamp and spilled its content all over the floor.
"Bollocks."
>Picking up the case, you rest it on the coffee table.
>Finding the papers and checking through them, you kick something heavy.
>You look down and see it's that brown book from earlier...
"Dog bollocks, I was suppose to give that to lost property."
>It wasn't flat on the ground, it had fallen open but with the cover facing up, that strange symbol looking up to the ceiling.
>Picking it up without realising, you read the first page.
"This is the diary of Sunset Shimmer."

///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\
Chapter VIII 1/2: Sunset's Jest-Book

>The sweat drips off your forehead.
>The diary of the student who fascinates you...
>'Alright, 'fascinates' is the wrong word but still.'
>To gain the insight into someone's innermost thoughts and ideals.
>It's like the time to found your sister's diary, only to work out she keeps a secret diary.
>No-one knew about that. Or rather, she thinks no-one knew it. You did, though.
>You found it. Kept behind her chest of draws.
>But you couldn't read it. You just couldn't.
>To learn your sister's most intimate dreams and desires. It was wrong.
>You were a child. It was your sister. It felt wrong.
>But now? As a selfish grown man? To get the upper hand on anyone? Yeah...
>But also, this Sunset must know something that's going on. She's popular at school.
> Could she know? Would she know?...
>Should she know?
>The Friendship Games were a big thing, of course she have attended it. Hell, even take part.
"Fuck it. Let's do it."
>It might be the alcohol talking but what's the worst that could happen?
>Making yourself another scotch, you saunter back to the settee and start to read the book on the table.
>But the weirdest thing happens. The book starts to glow and emit a low hum.
"The fuck..."
>Tempted to throw the drink on the book if it combusts, you scoot over the other side to leave the book to do its thing.
>But as quick as the light show begins, it ends. Somehow in your drink-addled mind, you think of a ringing mobile phone on mute.
>'Weird.'
>'You are keeping amazingly calm about a book making noises and lights like it's a psychedelic rock show.'
"In the garden of Eden, baby..."
>'Go home, Anon, You're drunk.'
"I am home, me."
>Blinking a few times and wiping the sweat off your brow, you slug back the drink.
>Slipping on your reading glasses and picking up the book with shaky hands, you open up to the front page.

"This is the diary of Sunset Shimmer."
>You flick a couple pages in and start.
"Dear Princess Twilight..."
>What.
>Princess Twilight? What the hell is this?
>Does this refer to Twilight? But it can't, it's a diary. But is it though?
>With the magical light show going ... on ...
>Magic! Of course! That explains it!
>'Explains what exactly?' Am I the only sober one here?'
"Yes."
>'Ugh. Well, this 'magic' isn't some sort of bodge repair to fill over the gaps we can't explain. We have science to explain shit like this. But I don't think it can this time...'
>'Okay, this Princess Twilight, can it be a conversational construct? Feels more personal if you're talking to someone rather than a book.'
"Book... Someone... right..."
>You start to take the situation more seriously as you read entry after entry. But these entries seem to have 'replies'.
>As if someone is talking with her. Or something.
>This isn't a diary, it's a conversation.
"Dear Princess Twilight,
I'm so sorry I haven't written, but so much has happened..."
"Dear Sunset,
I do understand, you lead a busy lifestyle. I do know what get up to on a daily basis..."
>Multiple personalities? Schizophrenia? Bi-polar?
>'There's one possibility you must consider...'
"What's there to consider, me? She as mad as a March hare."
>'My good Anon, they're all barmy here. The teachers are at each other's throats, Celly and Tavi can't organise a piss-up in a brewery. And the less said about Luna, the better.'
>'And you're sat here, talking to yourself and reading the ramblings of a teenager.'
 "What are you getting at, me?"
>'Maybe Sunset Shimmer is not mad. You've met her, you'd know if she was.'
"Well, yeah, I guess."
>'Read on, maybe something will jump out.'
>A couple of pages later and a passage from this 'Princess Twilight' character seems interesting.

"Dear Sunset,
I haven't written for a long time, and for that I am truly sorry but one good thing has happened. The EEA has decided to keep the school open! I'm so pleased! I do hope you are too! We can keep teaching others who wish to be taught the ways of friendship..."
>What the bloody hell? Teaching people friendship?
>At what? Some sort of internment camp? And who the hell are the EEA?
>You skip back, towards the beginning.
"Dear Princess Twilight,
Look, I know you're a stickler for formalities, spelling, and punctuality but do I really need to keep up with the pretence? We are friends after all. It just seems strange I have to keep calling you 'your majesty', Your Majesty...
>Closing the book again, you drop back into thought.
>'Here's an idea, could she be real? This 'Twilight' figure.'
"She could be referring to her friend, Twilight Sparkle, or using her name as a stand-in.'
>'Possible. But my idea must be considered.'
"Hmm."
>Opening up and skipping towards the middle, you discover something more...
>She's written about you...
>It's look like it's some entries after this "friendship school" thing.
"Dear Princess Twilight,
I went to school today and found out we have a new history teacher, Mr. Endeavour. I know it's rude but he reminds me of a large fruit, something slowly rotting. Makes you wonder what he does when he isn't teaching. He is what you'd expect from your average teacher here but he's ... different. Mr. Endeavour does his best and he is nice but there's a sadness eating him up on the inside. I will do what I can to help him but if there is anything else I can do, any advice is appreciated, Your Majesty."
>Oddly, this is the last entry by Sunset. The next three are by this 'Twilight'.
>'Anon, look at it.'
"At what?"
>'It!'
>Looking at the page, you can't see it.
"What? What am I missing?"
>Your self sighs.
>'Look at the entry by Twilight'
>You read the passage.

"Dear Sunset,
I understand your concern, Shimmy. While I'm not suggesting you go and invade this man's life and make him more miserable. Celestia knows I've handled situations like that...
>'Hold up, bitch. Celestia? The fuck?'
>Flipping at random pages, you actually find multiple references to Celestia.
>Celestia is another princess with this 'Twilight' and they both live in a land called Equestria.
"Oh yeah, and they're fucking horses."
>'Anon, calm down, do you see the obvious yet?
"No, what the fuck is it?"
>'The handwriting. They are different.'
"What?"
>Taking the book, you charge off to your study.
>Slamming the book onto the desk, you yank open one of the draws and rummage around.
"Where is it?... Fuck, it's always moving... Ah-ha!"
>You take out the magnifying glass and compare the strokes.
>Sunset writes in different inks and in pencil but 'Twilight' doesn't.
>'Twilight' writes in a neat and tidy way and in a thin, black ink. It remind of the old style of writing with the ink and feather quill.
>While Sunset writes in a journalistic shorthand; odd, slanted scrawls and wide spacing.
"The handwriting is different. How peculiar."
>'Holy hell, could it be possible? They are different people. Well, different beings, actually.'
"Ockham's razor. The simplest idea tends to be the right one."
>'We are skipping over several things, like questioning people's sanity.'
>The light in the room starts to flicker.
"Damn cheap-ass bulbs. Always putting on a light-show... Light-show... the light-show the book just did!"
>'It's like a text alert! I was right, like a phone on mute!"
>Skipping to the back, you find blank pages.
>So you flick back to Sunset's last entry and the final 'Twilight' ones.

"Dear Sunset,
I was having my weekly breakfast with Celestia..."
>'There's another name drop.'
"... and she was looking pretty haggard and she told me she hadn't slept well and that she had a most awful dream. She was sat like a cat would and opposite her was a human. Seriously, a human woman, like yourself, but older and she spoke in the most cryptic way possible. This human wore a black gown dress and had teal skin with blond hair. Celestia said she couldn't remember what was said but she knew something was wrong. Very wrong. Please, tell me, Shimmy, if you or anyone you know have a similar dream or even if you know this human. It's a long shot, I know, but try your best.
Yours faithfully, HRH Princess Twilight of Friendship."
>What the hell? Ignoring the signing off, this is a fucking weird coincidence because in your dreams about Gail, she also wears her black ankle-length gala dress.
>You read this Twilight's most recent entry.
"Dear Sunset,
The portal, Shimmy! The portal in your world has moved! It's no longer in front of the school! After our moon cycle yesterday, I checked on the crystal mirror for any irregularities and by the Goddesses! I never knew it could move! The portal is in some woodlands, stuck in what looks like a ring of tree stumps in a birch forest. I told Celestia this today and now, she's more paranoid than ever and I know something is very wrong. Something dangerous is going to happen! 
Shimmy, find where the portal is now. It's imperative you find it and seal it off, before anything or anyone discovers it!
>'No sign-off either.'
"Hang on, this is the delusional rantings of a madwoman and you're more concerned by the lack of letter formalities? You have a strange set of priorities, me."
>'Maybe. But who's talking to himself?'
"Alright, I'll give you that, me."

>'Sunset knows more than she's letting on. She's a spy for them or an alien or something nuts like that.'
"No, this has to be the ramblings of a nutjob. Celly will know what to do with the book and the girl. Maybe she can be certified by the school nurse."
>'Fine, but don't blame me if this blows up in your face.'
"I AM YOU, YOU BLITHERING TWAT!"
>You shout at the ceiling and loudly sigh.
>You close the book, take the glasses off and leave the study for the comfort of the living room. You look at your wristwatch. Half eight.
"Jeez, it's almost bedtime."
>Carefully handling the book like it's a stick of plutonium, you put it in the briefcase and walk to the bathroom for a shave and a shower.
>Looking into the mirror, you see yourself. Creases and wrinkles. Bloodshot eyes. Stubby hair on your head. 
>'This is reality.'
>You think.
>Running some hot water and squirting some gel into your hands, you mix the lather and stop for a moment.
>You slap yourself hard and splatter lather over the mirror.
>'That was real. That book is real. The ranting is real.'
“Princess Twilight is real.”

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Chapter IX: Dialogues of the Dead

>Tapping your foot on the cheap carpet, you swill the coffee in the cup and take a sip.
>You cough and splutter.
>'God, this has the sting of a two-day blend.'
>Putting the cup onto Celly's desk, you look around her office and end up thinking about last night.
>After a good, long soak in the tub, you ended up studying the diary from beginning to end.
>She was at the centre of the Friendship Games incident. Sunset and her friends.
>And other things. It was interesting to find out why that summer camp closed...
>Deep in your head, you never notice the Principal walking in and closing the door.
>"I hope you're not drinking the coffee that Inkwell gave you. She has a habit of offering old coffee to everyone."
>Celestia says as she saunters into her office, carrying two fresh cups of joe.
>Passing you one and placing hers on her desk, she sits behind it and shuffles some papers.
>"So what can I do for you, Anonymous? I do hope you're enjoying yourself."
>Naturally, you're Anonymous Endeavour and you smirk slightly.
"No, no, no. This is something important. Can you remember what we discussed on Saturday?"
>"Yes, I... remember. What about it?" Celly questions shrewdly.
"I believe it. But ... I dunno... You must think I'm really strange."
>"No, not really. I've seen it and I believe it."
"No, I don't mean just that. Look, it's probably a good idea I give you this."
>Celly looks bemused as you reach down for your briefcase.
>Putting it on your lap and clicking it open, you grab Sunset's diary and pass it over.
>Celestia reaches and takes it but you're reluctant to release the book.
>She gives it a strong tug and you give the book to her.
>"You stole and read it, haven't you? Oh, Anon! You stupid man!"
"I never stole it, I found the book in my classroom and I accidently took it home with me."
>"Sure, sure. And I'm the tooth fairy!"

>You tip your brow in annoyance.
"Sarcasm isn't appreciated, Celly. I thought you'd be on my side in this situation, rather the side of a nutjob."
>"She's not mad, Anonymous. While I'm not prepared to invade Sunset's privacy like you did, I can say I believe in what she writes."
"You do realise that she writes complete gibberish? She even writes about another Celestia..."
>"Anon."
"...and even another Twilight. It's really bizarre..."
>"Anon!"
"...it's makes you wonder if there's anyone else that gets a mention, I know I do..."
>"Oh, shut the fuck up, Anonymous! Chattering away like a demented gibbon!"
>You look surprised but then pull a smirk.
"There's the Celly I know. Where's she been hiding?"
>"Beneath the surface. Look, whatever she's writes about, it's her business, not yours to intrude on! How dare you read her diary!"
>She slams her palm on the desk.
"It was an accident, it fell open. It's not like I'm trying to have my wicked way with her, Celly, I wouldn't believe everything Luna says to you."
>"That's besides the point and don't you dare bring my sister into this!"
>Another slap on the desk to re-enforce her point.
>You scratch the back of your neck.
"Look, alright, I'm sorry for bringing your sister into this, I shouldn't have. But come on, Celly, while I believe you but you think I should believe the content of that?"
>You slam your hand on the book.
"Just give me one good reason why I should believe that?"
>"That's the thing." She hesitates at. "I can't. Unless you experience it, you just can't fucking understand it."
"Maybe we should confront her with it."
>"Look, Anon, I took you into my confidence because I wanted to talk about to you. Not to harass any of the students here."
"No, the best way to resolve this is to confront her! And if you don't wanna do this, Celly, then I will!"
>As you stand and make your way to the door, you hear a commotion outside.
>"Hey! What you do think you're doing!"
>"Excuse me! You can't go in there!"

>The door suddenly opens and slams into your head.
"ARGH!"
>You thump back into the chair and fall over in it.
>"What the hell? Who are you? And what are you doing?"
>You hear Celestia demand as the figure walks closer to her desk. Looking at the door, you see both Luna and Miss Inkwell standing there.
>Looking up as blood dribbles into your eye, you see a figure in a black, full-length dress with a green gem brooch on the bust-line.
>It can't be...
>But it is. It's... Gail.
> "Anon! Anonymous! Are you okay?"
>Celestia rushes over to your side and manages to pick you up and prop you up against the desk.
"My God. Gail?"
>"Is this Gail, Anon, but it's impossible..." Celly whispers.
>Gail looks rather nervous and shifty; rubbing her hands and looking at the pair of you.
>"Well, now... We're not going to talk about me. In fact, we're not going to talk about me at all."
"What are you talk about, honey? Of course I want to talk about you. Am I hallucinating?"
>She points one shaky arm at Principal and bends another back to the Vice Principal.
>"Who do you think this is there, Anon? I have met them but not them!"
>"What the hell are you saying, you mad woman?" Luna interrupts, "that's it, I'm calling the SRO."
>"No, wait, Sister! Don't"
"For God's sake, Gail, what are you doing here? Have I gone mad?
>You croak out while ignoring the sisters' argument.
>"I sure as hell wanna tell you everything but I haven't got a lot to go on."
"What?"
>Again, you splutter out but Gail ignores your pleas.
>"Oh, believe me, I followed. Followed into their world."
>"For you see, it was a dream. We all live inside a dream."
"Is that how you meet me? In my dreams? What do you mean?"
>Gail kneels down to you and lightly takes your hand away from your head.
>She takes your wedding ring. Her touch... soft as a feather.

>"The rings, my old boy. They are important. They discussed the rings, for you see, I've been to one of their meetings in the white woods."
>"Ms Falcona, what are you trying to say here? What meeting? What rings?"
>Celestia tries to question but Gail just laughs.
>"You said that too. But not you."
>You hear the ever-quiet Inkwell ask Luna something but she just shakes her head.
>"Hell, God, baby, damn, no, I'll tell you again!" Gail shouts.
>"I found something."
>She unclips the brooch and hands it to you.
>"The spirits are alive and this will help stop them." Gail points to Celestia, "you told me girls here will know what to do."
"With this? What is this?"
>You butt in but Gail just smiles.
>"Garmonbozia."
 >She starts to laugh hoarsely as all the lights in the room start to flicker like a strobe light show.
>"What the hell? They're doing it in here too!" Luna shrieks.
>"Electricity!" Your dead wife shouts to the ceiling and continues laughing.
>As all the lights suddenly burst with a flick of sparks, the laughing stops.
"My God! You're gone! She's gone!"
>You try to grasp at thin air.
>"What the fuck just happened?"
>Celestia mutters. She manages to pick you up and you sit the other chair as you slip that brooch into your pocket.
"She was here. My wife. She was stood right there and now, she's not."
>"Come on, Anon, calm down. We all saw her too."
>Celly sooths your nerves and asks Luna to grab that bottle from her office.
>"I thought we only used it for special occasions."
>"This is a special occasion, Sister."
>She nods and goes off.
>"Raven, call Nurse Redheart and tell her she'll have a patient in a couple of minutes. If the telephones works."
>She nods and leaves too.
>Luna comes back with a bottle of Strathrowan scotch and four glasses.
>"I assumed...
>"It works, Principal!" Miss Inkwell shouts.
>Luna rolls her eyes and continues, "I assumed we all want one."

>She pours the liquor into the tumblers and hands them out. She walks out to give on to Inkwell and you get yours last.
"So where the hell did she go?"
>"Where did she come from? We all saw her so she wasn't an hallucination."
>Luna speculates as Celestia walks to her window and opens the blinds.
>"Never knew how dark it was in here."
>She walks back and pours the scotch into the lukewarm coffee.
>"Here, Anon, drink this instead. The kick won't be as strong."
>You greedily sup on it.
>"It's got to be magic, it's got to be because why would four people see a dead person?"
>You put down the cup and say your piece.
"It's either magic or we're all losing our Goddamn minds!"
>You thump the desk.
"And I know what I believe. She was real. She took my wedding ring."
>You rub your forehead again and smudge the blood. You really wanna talk about last night at the bar but you just can't. It's secret and you don't know if they can't keep your confidences. 
>Well, Luna at least anyway...
"Gail saying she's met someone like you and the diary saying someone like you meeting Gail... It's just too much to take in..."
>"I was wondering why Sunset's journal was here." Luna interjects, "I knew you would do such a thing like that..."
>"Sister, please" Celestia berates her. "Don't. I need you to get the girls in here as soon as. They need to know what happened here. In the meantime, I'll take Anon to see Redheart."
>She tries to hook under your arm and picks you up.
>As the pair of you walk out, Celly talks to her sister.
>"Just one more thing, Lulu, double check my draws for new bulbs."
>"What did your last slave die of?" Luna sasses back.
>"Over-exhaustion. Now get to it." The Principal orders her subordinate.
>"Jawohl, Frau Kommandant ." Luna gives her a mocking salute.

>As the pair of you leave the offices, you hear the PA system clunk and crackle into life.
>"Can the following students please come to the Principal's office immediately. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle. That is all, thank you."
>As the PA clunks off, you apologise to Celestia.
"Sorry for being stubborn in there. I know I am an idiot but...
>"Maybe you got bumped a little too hard on your old noggin' there, Anon. It's Sunset you ought to be apologising to. Not me."
>You swab at the wound again.
"Why are you always so right? You know it annoys me."
>"And there's the Anonymous I know." She chuckles, "Look, Sunset is a bit of a hothead and she obviously won't like the invasion of privacy but I will make sure she'll see sense. And the others too."
"Oh goodie, goodie."
>You sarcastically say.
>"Look, Anon, they're not idiots. They are definitely more mature than whatever you're thinking. I think you, of all people, would know what they're capable of."
"There's that too, I suppose. I still think they are just school kids, rather than... I dunno..."
>"I don't know a whole lot about the situation, I don't even know how much Equestrian magic is even leaking into..."
"This school? This city? This world, even?"
>Both you and Celestia stop in the corridor, not far from the nurse's office.
"Look, I lived in Coltram for the last what? Five, six years I think, and I've always thought there was something strange lurking in the Everfree forest around the town. I get that same odd feeling here as well. Whether it's magic or myth, that's another conversation."
>Celestia raises a slight smile.
>"I always knew you believe in something otherworldly, Anon."
"Some might say that's why I teach history. It's an excuse for me to do extensive research."
>You wince and sigh at a throb of pain.
>"Come on, she's just in here."
>Celly knocks on the door and a happy-looking nurse with soft white skin and pinky-red hair in a tight bob answers.
>Celestia pats your shoulder.

>"Good afternoon, Principal. So what happened to the patient here?"
"Nothing too serious, Redheart, he just walked into a door. You're in safe hands now, Anonymous."
>"Thank you, Principal for your help."
>You flash him a radiant smile.
"Just make you're back when Redheart is finished with you. There's still much to discuss. Oh, one more thing, make sure he gets a lollipop at the end, nurse."
>"As always, Principal. Now, come on and sit down here..."
>As she closes the door, you stride back to your office.
>Despite being lunchtime, you're still dodging around students roaming the halls like lost cattle.
>"I thought they'd all be outside or in the cafeteria or somewhere like that. My God, am I that out of touch? No, it's the children who are wrong."
>You're Principal Celestia and somehow, you made yourself feel as up-to-date as the Georgian calendar.
>Nevertheless, you enter the offices and see Miss Inkwell diligently typing away on her computer.
"Raven, a word, please."
>"Don't worry, Principal." She says while looking at the monitor, "I won't tell a soul. It's not the first time I've had to make a promise like this."
"Thank you."
>Smiling and walking into your now-brighter office, you see your sister rummaging through Anon's briefcase and pulling out another book.
"Luna, is that really necessary? It's not like he's stolen anything of yours."
>"If he does it to our students, why shouldn't I do it to him?" She says as she flicks through the book, "Vampire hunters?"
"Give me that!"
>You snatch the paperback from her and shove it back into the briefcase.
"Luna, I thought you were bigger than this, why did I fool myself into thinking you put your issues with Anonymous behind you?"
>"This isn't just about the paint-gun incident, Celly. I've always found Anonymous rude, snooty and selfish. Even when we were teenagers, he was crass. And the way you take his side and look at him, it hasn't changed."
"I'm sorry, 'the way I look at him?' What do you mean by THAT?"
>You exclaim while Luna looks at you blankly.

>"Like a dog that missed its master's leg. You can't hide it from me, Celly, I'm your sister, for goodness sake."
>How rude, how uncouth...
>But how true...
"Maybe so, Lulu, but still, we have standards and we certainly don't go through other people's belongings."
>Luna points her finger at you accusingly.
>"Celly, don't put on your 'high and mighty' act, it doesn't wash with me. Mom always said we were similar; competitive, duplicitous and conniving. We did everything to get the upper-hand on each other, from stealing each other's diaries to putting bets on fucking Clue."
"I have never read your diary, Lulu. Never.
>You hope you sounded convincing but obviously, Luna just stares at you.
>"Is that a moral high ground thing or are you just an idiot?"
>You decide to change tact before you lose your temper.
"You decide now is the best time to berate me after the things we've all seen just now?"
>She sighs, realising you're right.
>"So where does that leaves us?"
"Three all, I think."
>"We'll postpone the argument for later on then."
>You both shake hands and smile.
"Of course, are we still having dinner at yours or mine this week?"
>"Mine." Luna replies.
"Will your boyfriend be there? So I know what bottle to bring this time."
>"He'll be on shift that night so it'll be us."
"Good, we not playing any of his awful card games..."
>"I like playing Go, Johnny, Go Go Go Go..."
"Is that the one where it's like a cross between Whist and 8-Men Down?"
>Luna pulls a quizzical look.
>"I think so."
>The intercom buzzes and Inkwell announces that the girls are in the office.
>Leaning over the desk, you push the answer button.
"Right, send them in."
>Taking your finger off the button, you address Luna again.
"Let me do the talking."
>She diligently nods.
>“Yes, Principal.”

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Chapter IX 1/2: The Jewel That Was Theirs

>Grabbing a brush and straightening your hair, you decide that honesty is the best policy with them all.
>You're Principal Celestia and with your sister, you call in the girls through with the intercom.
>As they all shuffle in, wondering why they're all called in, you give them your most confident smile.
"Come in, come, none of you are in trouble."
>"So why are we in here then?" Rainbow Dash sharply asks.
>The others nod.
"Myself, the Vice Principal, Miss Inkwell and Mr Endeavour all saw something very strange."
>"What did you see?" Twilight inquires.
>"Endeavour's dead wife." Luna puts it bluntly, earning her a sharp look from you.
>As everyone pulls a WTH face, you cough to bring them back into the real world.
"Yes... as my sister, with the social grace of a brick, said it was indeed his ... deceased wife. She wasn't a hallucination, she interacted with him and other objects. I think she took a ring off his hand."
>"So what could she be then?" quires Twilight.
>"I don't know but I believe it has something to do with this."
>Luna takes Sunset's journal from the desk and walks around it to hand it to her.
>"My diary. Where did you find it?" she marvels at.
>"Well, Sister?"
>Suppressing your twitching eye, you answer.
"Neither myself nor Luna found it, it was An... Mr Endeavour. Yesterday in his classroom."
>"I'll thank him, I've been looking for this everywhere."
>"I wouldn't, Ms Shimmer." Luna hints on, "go on, Principal, they need to know the whole truth, don't they?"
>You hesitate on answering.
"Thank you again, Luna. Yes, Anonymous did something stupid with it. I presume you all know what I said to Sunset yesterday?
>They nod.
"Anon read it."
>"What? He read my..." Sunset clutches the book close to her chest.
>Both Twilight and Applejack try to comfort a teary-eyed Sunset but suddenly her face changes from sadness to anger.
>"That stupid... I'll teach him to read my journal!"

>"Wait, darling, don't do anything so brash!" Rarity reasons with her but to no avail.
>"Yeah, Rarity's right, violence will get no-one nowhere, sugarcube!" AJ adds.
>"No, Sunny! He deserves it! Go punch him one!" Rainbow boasts.
 >Everyone goes quiet. Even Sunset looks confused.
>"What? He deserves it after what he did me do last week."
"Does that mean the Vice Principal and I deserve a beating too, Miss Dash?"
>You say forcefully as Rainbow backs down.
>"Well, no obviously..."
"Anyway, Sunset, don't wholly blame Anonymous for this. I'm the one who planted the seeds into his head."
>"Principal, he still made the choice regardless. I don't know if I can forgive someone who blatantly violated my trust."
>"I can sympathise with that, Sunset." Luna comments on as you turn back to her, "I know I've been burned by Mr. Endeavour. The pair of us have known him for years and I know he's ... a strange man. Selfish even. But don't let that cloud your judgment, he's still a decent man, as my sister insists on."
>'Wow, where did that come from?'
>The sound of the telephone broke through your thoughts. You pick it up.
"Yes?"
>"Principal? It's Redheart here. Luckily, Anonymous doesn't need stitches for his wound but he has a mild concussion so it'll be wise to send him home for the day. Do you still need to see him?"
"Of course, but it won't be for long."
>"Okay, I'll tell him that, Principal. Good afternoon."
>She clicks off and you put the receiver down.
"Right, he'll be here momentarily. Sunset, I must tell you to keep your anger in check. I'm in charge, not you."
>Sunset casts her eyes down but looks pissed off.
>In the silence, you take out a couple of blank pages from one draw and your gold fountain pen from the caddy.
>You start writing with Luna looking quizzically over your shoulder.
>Hearing a knock on the door, you call out.
"Enter."
>Anonymous Endeavour peeks around the door and as his eyes fall onto the students, he suddenly looks nervous. Gone is his usual confident smile.

"Come in, Mr. Endeavour. We're all friends here."
>You grin like a shark as he walks in.
"Sit."
>He sits with the girls stood behind him like his jury.
>"Wha...what's this about? Wh... why do I feel like a lamb being led to a kebab shop?"
>He chuckles and scratches the nape of his neck; his nervous tick.
"After consultation with both my Vice Principal and the student in question, Mr. Endeavour, I've decided to have you disciplined."
>"You're kidding me? You gotta be."
>He interrupts but you continue.
"Despite our friendship, I can't show favoritism among the staff and you have broken rules by reading Sunset Shimmer's diary."
>Anonymous sits under an arch of raised eyebrows.
"I can't have my teachers breaking my student's trust. However, I do know you. I know you don't usually do this. So I'm giving you a six-month written warning to be filed into your record. Luna, can you witness this for me?"
>"Of course, Principal." She observes.
>You sign the paper and offer the Vice Principal the pen for her to sign it too.
"You'll get your copy in the mail. Now, onto other business."
>You begin as you screw the cap back on and start playing with it.
"Anonymous, if you can begin. I'm sure the girls will find your story most fascinating."
>He smirks lightly and avoids your eyes
>"Where do I... err... begin then? I'm not too sure..."
>You give him a reassuring smile.
"I don't think the girls are interested in your life story. I'd start with your late-night reading and moving portals."
>That comment earns a harrumph from Sunset as both Twilight and AJ grip her shoulders.
>As Anonymous starts his tale, you realise that Anon is a very cunning man.
>He holds his cards close to his chest; while he told you everything, he doesn't tell them the exact same; omitting the other you and Twilight.
>Then again, did he tell you everything?

>He could be telling them the whole true and told you a pack of lies, or rather, not the entire truth?
>'Oh get a grip, Celestia! Why the hay would he to lie you? How would he benefit from it?'
>But his ticks; twitching eyes, rubbing his neck. Telling lies?
>'No, Celestia, he's nervous. Surely, you remember these fidgets whenever you and him were always in trouble.'
>You turn the volume back up to catch the last of what Anonymous talks about.
>You also scan the faces of the girls and they all look remarkably passive. They really are taking this stuff in their stride nowadays.
>"...and then she just vanished into thin air with all the lights dead. I don't know if this is a hallucination, an apparition. Or a manifestation of all this magic here. Would you two agree?"
>He scratches the band-aids on his forehead as he looks to you and Luna.
>You notice Twilight casually looking down to her rucksack. Not the first time either...
"Yes, this must be more Equestrian magic leaking again. Do you think you can investigate it?"
>They all look to each other and Twilight looks back to her bag.
>"I'm sorry, Principal." Twilight wonders on, "If the portal has apparently moved, I don't think it can be Equestrian magic.
"Then what other magic can it be? Twilight, it has to be."
>"She has a point there." Anonymous states, "what other magic is there?  If magic can create rips between realities and, apparently, shift them, then it must be able to cause the phantoms of dead people to appear? "
>There's a silence and Rarity tries to reason with him.
>"No-one really know Equestrian magic can do in our world, Mr. En..." She begins but Anon cuts her off.
>"Call me 'Anonymous' or 'Anon', please. We're not in lessons at the moment." He grumbles, "I have a theory anyway, if everyone here indulges me for a moment."
>Everyone nods, apart from Luna.

>"This location where the portal has moved to, I might know where it is."
>"You do? Where?" Twilight asks eagerly as she pulls out a notebook and pen.
>She starts to act a little too enthusiastically, you note as you continue playing with your pen.
>"I used to live a town not far from here called Coltram. It's surrounded by the Everfree woodlands and there's a section of it called Breton Height. It's a vantage point that overlooks the lake and it's made up of birch trees. On the Height itself is a ring of stumps called the Five Sisters."
>"Why is it called the Five Sisters?" Twilight asks, scribbling in a notebook.
>'Am I hearing a phone vibrate?'
>You think to yourself as Anonymous answers.
>"They were once oak trees but it was the site of something gruesome."
>Rarity dabs her forehead with a handkerchief as Rainbow Dash asks the obvious before you get the chance to butt in.
>"What happened there?"
>"Surely you must know that this state was infamous for witch hunts? A 'coven' of five witches were all hanged there."
>A series of gasps and 'what the hay' were passed around between the girls.
>"Sorry, girls, but I feel a little faint all of a sudden." Rarity whispers.
>Anon stands and offers her his seat.
>As she sits, you finally find your voice.
"Do you think it's in the those woods then, Anon?"
>"It's just a guess, Celly, I can't be sure."
>You shift your gaze to Twilight and Sunset, who's still eyeing up Anon suspiciously.
"Is there a way you girls can found out?"
>"I suppose we can try the detector out there and see if we can pick something up." Sunset answers as Twilight dips into the bag and pulls it out. 
>She presses some buttons on the device and it starts beeping wildly.
>"What the hay it's doin', Twilight?" Applejack asks, "should it be beepin' like tha' ?"
>"It must be picking up the residual magic or something else..." Twilight trails off.

"Anonymous, what about that gemstone you have?"
>"Oh, that."
>He blandly says as he pulls it out from his trouser pocket.
>As he undoes his top shirt button and loosens the tie, he holds the emerald stone up for the scanner, which violently reacts to it.
"Eee! Gods, Twilight, turn that thing off!"
>As Twilight turns it off and puts it away, Anon quips.
>"Good, I didn't enjoy hearing anyway."
>You hear Pinkie snorting which earns a jab from Rarity.
>"It's a beautiful emerald. Please! Let me have a look, darling!" She purrs.
"Pass it to her, Anon. She's quite an expert."
>"I think you and my old man would get on like a house on fire, love."
>He hands the gemstone to the young girl, who pulls out a small jewellers loupe from her bag.
>Polishing the lens, she looks through it and examines the gem.
>"It has a vivid blue-green hue. Very strong. No surface fissures, flawless even. That's very rare."
>She hands the emerald back to Anonymous, who slips into his jacket pocket.
>"That emerald must something very important, either to our world or to... the other world. I'm wondering if I can study it for further analysis, Mr Endeavour. Please?"
>Twilight ponders on as Anon reaches back into his pocket.
>"Here. Knock yourself out, love."
>He tosses it underarm but, unfortunately for Twilight, his angle was a little off and it ends up flying towards Rainbow Dash.
>Thanks to her lightning-quick reflexes, she catches it and throws it back to him with some force.
>"Watch it next time, you dweeb!"
>Rainbow jeers as the emerald thumps him square in the stomach and knocks the wind out of him.
>"Gawd almighty. What's your fucking problem?"
>He wheezes out as you stand sharply.
"Rainbow Dash! Do you want to spend the rest of the month in detention?"
>"What? He deliberately threw that at me! It's self-defense."
>"I wasn't the best at gym glass, okay?"
"Rainbow Dash, apologise now or I'll take you off the soccer team for the rest of the year."

>Rainbow looks rather sheepish and uncharacteristically blushes.
>"Alright. I'm sorry, sir, okay. I didn't mean to throw it that hard..."
>"Apology accepted."
>You lean back in the chair and wonder why you bother teaching in the first place.
"Girls, girls, please. Can we calm down? Getting mad with each other will get us nowhere. And the same goes for you two as well."
>You point to your subordinates.
>"I heard you laughing, Luna, and Anon, please, curb your tongue as well."
>The two of them sigh.
"Right."
>You take the emerald that Anon put on the desk and hand it to Twilight.
"Guard that with your life. It has to be important, Twilight."
>"Of course, Principal."
>"You know, love." Anonymous proposes as Twilight slips it into her rucksack, "if you want a more expert opinion on that, I'll ask my father. He's an amateur jeweller. He even made both me and my wife's wedding..."
>He stops as he probes his ring finger.
>"...wedding ring. I think my missing ring even more evidence that this is all real."
>"Wanna know what ah think, gals?" Applejack interjets, "ah think we needa investigate these woods tonight."
>They all nod. Even the ever-quiet Fluttershy squeaks out in agreement.
"I can't have students wandering around dark woods in the middle of the night. Can't this wait, at least until the weekend?"
>"I don't think this can wait, Principal. Who knows what can leak out of the portal if it remains undetected?" Twilight bravely questions.
>"Hang on, Celestia, might I offer a compromise?" Anon wades in.
"Go on, I'll hear you out before I throw you out."
>"Thanks for that vote of confidence." he mutters, " but the principal is right, those woods aren't the place for you girls to trampling through so here's an idea. Why don't we all go? The girls here can do their thing while we all hang back and look after them?"
>The girls all nod excitedly as Celly and Luna look rather shocked.
"Anonymous, I wasn't expecting that to be honest. I don't think it's wise, especially considering it'll be night-time."

>Anonymous leans onto the desk and talks quietly.
>"Celly, whatever happened to your sense of excitement? We used to do this type of thing when we were younger."
"We grew up through, Anon. It's not wise for me, you and Luna to go trekking through those woods. What about the wildlife? We can't risk it."
>"Celestia's right, Anonymous. Your sense of recklessness could easily jeopardise and endanger all our lifes."
>Luna butts in but Anon easily cuts off her advancement.
>"I know those woods like the back of my hand. I used to be part of the local rambling club and I can protect us from any vicious animals."
"No. You're not bringing that with you!"
>You exclaim, bring their attentions with you.
>"Bring what exactly?" Sunset finally says.
>Both you and Luna look rather sheepish as Anon explains his hobby.
>"A rifle. That'll protect us from any untamed beasts we could come across."
>You rub your forehead in annoyance as some of the girls react like Anon has just exposed himself.
>Out of the girls to voice opposition, it's Fluttershy to speak up. Behind her hair, of course.
>"You... shoot animals... for sport... sir? Ho... how could you..."
>She shivers out. She looks like she's on the verge of tears.
>You  glance to Anonymous and he looks ashamed of himself. He rubs his neck again.
>"Well... not for fun you see... errm... for self-defence, obviously!"
>He nervously chuckles, wishing not to offend Fluttershy.
>"Surely...you can... appreciate that... there are some animals that... ugh... don't tolerate us."
>"I... I just don't think.. th... that violence should be met... wit... with violence." Fluttershy stammers out. 
>Anonymous' face drops a little in sober thought.
>"If we're still serious about tonight, I'm still serious about the gun. It's for our protection, the Whispering Woods are a very dangerous place. With or without magic, as I'm sure you are all aware."
>Again, they all nod.
>'Anon has a knack for taking the lead, I suppose.'

>"Well, Celly? Luna? What do you think? These girls are hell-bent on going. It makes sense, right?"
>Anon poses the question. As you think, Luna thinks of her own way out.
>"I can't, I have an urgent dentist's appointment this evening! Root canal, ooh..."
>She rubs her cheek in apparent pain.
>"Nancy girl..."
>Anonymous mutters which gets a sharp look from her.
>"What was that?"
>"You heard. Celly, what do you say?"
>Anon skilfully segues from Luna's wrath to your personal indecision.
>'The needs of the unknowing many over the needs of the few?'
>You sigh loudly to hopefully silence Luna and her inevitable cursing.
"Alright, I guess. If tonight is your only available night, Anonymous."
>"It is. I have some business to attend to at Holm Coltram College so I'll be up there. Say, 6 o'clock, at the car park?"
>Again, all the girls, bar Sunset, nod eagerly.
"Yes, 6 o'clock..."
>You repeat skeptically.
>"Both Coltram and the college are easy to find, they're clearly sign-posted from the highways that head west."
"Alright then, the plan is set. Girls, you are dismissed, go your lessons immediately. Your lunch hour is almost up."
>As all the girls filter out, chatting excitedly about tonight's adventure, you turn to Luna.
"Find that Mr Combe, he'll be taking over Anonymous' lessons for the afternoon. Leave now so you don't say anything you'll regret."
>Luna strides out the office without saying a word.
"And you, Anon, go home and sleep off your concussion. You've got a busy night, tonight, haven't you?"
>"Celly, what's with all this defeatism and sarcasm? The younger you would be raring to go for this.
"This endangers their lives, Anon, so forgive me for my healthy sense of skepticism..."
>You say sarcastically.
>"Seriously, how hard can it be?"
"Don't say that! Now, be gone with you."
>He chuckles as he walks out your office.
>"Yes, Principal."

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