:

______________________





-Friendship Elementary’s headmare office is dimly lit in the late afterschool hours of the day.

Having been caught up in reviewing her notes, Headmare Twilight Sparkle originally hadn’t even noticed the change in lighting. It wasn’t until her friend had arrived half an hour earlier than the planned time for their conference that Twilight had realized how much time had passed.

While most of the spacious room is nearly cast in shadow, Twilight makes no move to turn on the lightswitch at the other end of the room. Instead, as she sits at her desk, her gaze follows the only other occupant in the room. Sunset Shimmer briskly paces nearby, irritation and impatience practically radiating off of the unicorn as her rough hoof clacks echo. Though composed as she too waits for one other guest to join them, Twilight can’t help but feel some concern for her agitated friend.

Before she can speak up, however, one of the double doors to her office opens, causing both mares’ heads to lift. Sunset’s in particular shoots up-

:

Pardon me for being somewhat tardy, princess. The

in the hallway made it rather difficult to navigate my way here.

:

Please take a seat, Ms. Cinch.

: I’ll stand, thank you.

I was hoping this meeting wouldn’t take very long. May I ask why I’ve been summoned-

:

-Cinch and Twilight both glance at Sunset, who stands beside Twilight’s desk, glowering-

: I know how kids work. There’s

gossip hasn’t come back to you.

:

...forgive me, princess. While I understand that Ms. Shimmer here is your...

, is there any particular reason she is present for this matter?

:

You want to know why I’m here?

because I’d like to know why

little girl came home

.

:

...

daughter?

: Oh, was I

, Cinch-?

:

Alright, let’s settle down.

-Gaining Sunset’s attention, Twilight shoots the mare a hesitant look, more than aware of her friend’s temper-

:

:

As I’ve mentioned to you earlier, we’re here to discuss one of our students here. Eventide Twister. You might have heard that she returned home late in a state of

two days ago.

: ...I may have.

:

Eventide hasn’t been able to provide direct answers for what happened. So after I was informed, I ran a full investigation yesterday to get to the bottom of this incident. And while we have no leads on why she returned home as late as she did, the information I gathered is quite revealing.

:

...and, praytell, what did it “reveal” exactly?

: It took some time and coaxing, but after questioning staff and students, their stories and witness accounts all trace back to you, Ms. Cinch.

:

:

.

Multiple statements show that you had made unprofessional comments about Eventide’s speaking habits. This then started a nickname trend that was used by various students to tease and bully her.

And while these statements show that the nickname had been

inspired, they also show that you had openly

Eventide before her classmates when she spoke up about the bullying.

:

:

With that said; do you have anything to say about this matter?

: ...

Princess...all of this is just word of mouth. You

children and how they exaggerate for dramatic flair.

Miss Twister outright

to read in class! Naturally I had to voice my concern in seeing a student take such silly teasing to heart! I even asked her to point out those of her peers who had been harassing her, and she chose not to say-

:

?

Because it sure sounds like you called her out in front of her

class and completely

what she was going through.

:

-

:

You

her! My daughter came to me

and she won’t even

!

-Before Twilight can worriedly calm the situation, Sunset huffs, straightening up while tiredly staring at Cinch. In her mind, she can’t erase the images of her young foal, puffy-eyed and distraught as she ran towards the mare and buried her red, tear-stained face into her chest. The sound of her muffled cries still resounded in her ears.

Sunset couldn’t remember the last time anything had made her feel as broken-hearted as she did then-

:

* ...but I didn’t

words to confirm with her that the statements are true. Her reaction to your name alone would've been enough.

:

.

I was a little harsh with Miss Twister.

But. I’m a simple substitute, and the actions of the students of

are not under my control-

: You would be wrong there, Ms. Cinch.

In my schools,

play a key role in guiding these students into becoming exemplary individuals in our society. It’s our responsibility to set an example, teaching them not only book knowledge and valuable skills, but the powerful elements and values of friendship.

By choosing to

foul behavior and by contributing to the distress of a student who had sought out your help, you have failed to uphold our values.

The state Miss Twister has been left in is

...

:

...what are you exactly saying, Princess?

: ...when I first hired you this summer, I had full belief that you could be a promising addition with your passion for teaching and knowledge. I noticed at the time that you were rather focused on academia, so I

you would be better suited gaining experience as a substitute teacher

Instead...it’s become clear that I had failed to see that in actuality, you yourself lack the friendship elements needed to properly care for our children here.

And with that, I believe the only right course of action is to let you go.

:

?!

:

So the mask finally falls.

:

Princess Twilight, this is

! I’ve worked

to enter this field, and now you’re going to release me on a matter this trivial?!

-Cinch hears a near guttural growl and finds Sunset’s fury as the source of it. If looks could kill-

: This is HARDLY trivial!

:

Sunset’s right. And your failure to see the severity of this situation further proves that you are incapable of retaining your position.

:

?!

I’m one of the brightest minds in this facility, fully capable of SHAPING these children, yet you were the one who chose to give me a role so meaningless instead of the position I

!

: “

”...?

-Something in the air shifts, then. Sunset lowers her head, her face twisting from disgust at that all too familiar word and this

familiar scenario. As she speaks, her low voice drips with venom-

-Cinch's

eyes and nostrils flare at the insult, but before she can say anything, Twilight holds up her hoof-

: That’ll be all, Ms. Cinch. You’re dismissed.

-Cinch stands there, fuming, and for a moment it looks as though she will explode into another tangent. But all at once her anger vanishes. Putting back on her expressionless facade, she simply adjusts the collar of her blouse before turning around, walking with proud strides to the door until she loudly shuts it behind her-

:

Sunset?

: A few seconds more and I would have

Don’t worry, Twi, I’ll be fine.

It’s Eve I’m worried about...she isn’t talking. She’s barely eating. She refuses to even leave her room.

I just can’t believe this...first Cinch traumatized my friend

Now she’s traumatized my

.

:

You mean the

, right?

I’m so sorry, Sunset. If I had known…

:

. No, it's not your fault. You weren't even there for the Friendship Games. And besides, after meeting human Twi, I kind of learned that everyone’s human counterpart in the other dimension won’t necessarily be the exact same person over here.

...except for Cinch, apparently. She’s just as rotten.

But hey, you

came through with that investigation, and now she’s gone. So...thank you.

: Of course, Sunset...

Nothing like this should

happen on my school grounds...but if it’s any further consolation, I

I’ll use the witness accounts to properly punish the students that harassed Eve.

As for everyone else...I think it’s about time that I arrange an assembly on bullying. I’ll have to find just the right speakers if I want to ensure it’ll reach these kids.

:

That’d be great, Twi...

-Sunset suddenly goes silent as she too falls deep into thought, her gaze fixated on the table. Twilight notices the troubled look on the mare's face-

: Is something else on your mind, Sunset…?

: ...I don’t know. I just...

No one spotted her upset when school was over that day. Not her teachers, and not even Eve’s

. Why wouldn't she come home straight away?

What

happened...?

: I wish I knew Sunset...

What I can promise is that I’ll do everything I can to set things straight.

:

Thanks again Twi…

Anyway, I should get going.

:

If there’s anything else I can do, Sunset, just name it. Alright?

:

Maybe...maybe it’s time we introduce Equestria to security cameras.

: (?)

“Security cameras?”

: Yeah. Canterlot High and a lot of different facilities in the human world have them. They’re placed in various corners to record and monitor suspicious activity. It would’ve helped in this situation...

I can’t believe out of all inventions, it never crossed my mind to bring that idea over here.

: Fascinating…

That sounds like a great idea Sunset. Are you up for the task?

:

Once things settle down with Eventide, I’ll make a visit to the other world and analyze their camera components. Then I’ll make a blueprint for the project and we can introduce it to Celestia and the School Board from there.

: Absolutely sounds like a plan.

:

Well,

I'll be going. See ya, Twi.

: I’ll see you, Sunset…get home safely.

-The door quietly clicks behind Sunset as she leaves. Once she's out of Twilight’s sight, Sunset’s ears and shoulders droop from exhaustion.

The only comfort she has is knowing Valiant Heart is faithfully by their daughter’s side, giving her every comfort he can offer. She’d have to thank Heather Tart later for being so detailed with her account, even if the filly hadn’t known any other details on what had happened to her friend in the aftermath. She seemed so regretful that she couldn’t help more, and Sunset wished she could’ve better assured the filly that Eventide would recover soon. But even now, the mere idea or mention of anyone coming to speak to her stressed the filly out to tears. Sunset couldn’t bear seeing Eventide like that.

It's been a long time since Sunset has felt so helpless-







One down. The other scott-free.



As the (ex) best friend, Heather knew she'd be questioned during the princess's little investigation. What a ridiculous overreaction, she had thought, on both Eventide’s and Princess Twilight’s ends....

Heather would’ve been nervous if she hadn’t been confident that Eve didn't have the guts to talk about her. With that, Heather was pretty sure cooperating and giving full details of Cinch’s involvement would steer away any attention from her. And with Eventide unwilling to talk to anyone, not just her, then all the better. No one would think it suspicious, then, if Eve was reluctant to see her own “best friend”.



Meanwhile, it’s pretty easy for me to imagine Cinch playing it up during her interview, speaking of her ~*~*passion~*~ for teaching students and whatever would put her in the good graces of the princess. In reality, much like her human counterpart, Cinch just wanted something grand - like working at one of the princess' schools - to build her legacy off of. Imagine becoming a world-famous magic professor. Imagine being one of the reasons a facility’s reputation skyrockets. It’d feel amazing. She and her school would be the envy of Equestria. Too bad she ruined her own chances.



In the end, this doesn’t simply pass. With every mention of going back to school distressing Eventide, Sunset made the choice to pull her filly out of Twilight’s school (most likely resulting in home-schooling). But it wasn't just that. Being around other ponies started to distress her. Facing just any social situation distressed her. Most of all, Eventide refused to use her voice, even with her own family.



But Sunset would persevere, desperate to support Eve in every possible way she could.

______________________________________________________________________________

Destinyverse Archives