E.q.Gee Rule Sixty-three

It was midnight when Sundown had uploaded his video on his computer at his apartment. It was a promotional advertisement for his campaign to be fall formal king. It was also was meant to demote Dusk’s position, though he had to be careful to make sure his other video didn't push Principal Solaris’s limit on the competition. Last time he had done a video demoting another candidate, Sundown was only given a warning.

“Warnings, warnings, warnings… what good are warnings?” scoffed Sundown, twirling the Carnelian Key around his finger. “Everyone loves surprises…”

Once morning came, Dusk and Faye had begun to write a list of things that would support Dusk’s position.

“You know, Sundown down always did videos – but I always thought that talking with people up close and personal was the best way to win or lose them,” Faye brought up, checking some of the papers.

“I couldn't have agreed more.” Dusk stated, finishing writing off his last paper. “Okay… we are done!”

“You know, I never thought that some nerd would be in love with a gal like Faye,” Barbra whispered to Dusk.

“Says the nerd’s assistant that’s struggling at winning the heart of a fashioner,” Dusk replied.

“So, you do learn from the best,” Barbra winked

The two humans and Barbra headed out of the library, only to be surprised at what they saw at firsthand(hoof).  Sundown, Spice, Sugar, Teneberia, and Trickster marched down the halls. And they were being cheered on. People tossed flowers and waved flags bearing Sundown’s mark in the air. They kept chanting “Dusk Shine Inferior! Sundown Superior! Sundown Superior!”

“Barbra, are we in a dream and still asleep in the crystal empire?” Dusk asked, dropping his papers. Faye grumbled and began to pick them up.

“No – I think it’s a nightmare.” Barbra whispered. “Though if it had a human Elusive in it….”

Dusk and Flare were then yanked from behind and thrown into an empty classroom. Dusk was surprised at first, only to see that the person who had yanked him was…

“Elusive?” Dusk wondered. It was hard to distinguish between this human's hair and eyes to the elusive Dusk knew back home

“Hello, Sport. Sorry to drag you in like that, but I need to show you and Faye something important. And yes I am very 'elusive',” Elusive brought up, opening his personal lap top up. “Oh, and I suggest putting on a disguise. I even made one for your puppy. He’s sure a cutie.”

Barbra’s happy-blush and grin melted into a frown and eyes that were about to erupt in tears.

“Actually, it’s a she.” Dusk clarified.

“You just called her an ‘it’ now, Dusk.” Faye stated, trying on a beret that Elusive handed her as part of a disguise.

“Oh… well, I’m sorry. It’s hard to tell one animal from another from just looking at them…” the Elusive-human stated. Suddenly, his laptop flashed a warning light. “Oh, botheration! You wouldn't happen to have a laptop charger with you, chap? How about you, darling?”

Dusk and Faye shook their heads. Then, Bobby stormed into the classroom with two chargers in each of his hands.

“I’ve got one for you, Elliot!” chimed Bobby.

“I’m not even going to ask how you did that,” muttered Elliot/Human Elusive.

A cry came from down the hallway. Ben and Austin raced into classroom, furious.

“Bobby – What in sam hill do you think you and Elusive are doin’ with mah charger?” shouted Austin.

“And mine!” Demanded Ben Scotty.

“Don’t look at me.” Elusive held his hands up. “He’s then one who bought them. I didn’t-”

“You asked for them, Elliot!” Bobby grumbled. “Oh my gosh, you are just as much of a whiner as that Scotty-kid!”

“I’m not! You never take anything or anyone seriously!” Ben cried, on the verge of tears.

“Oh, please, you all sound like ruffians – oh, wait, you are ruffians!” Elliott stated.

“All of you sound like crows arguing over a stalk of corn!” Shouted Austin. “Now, let’s get over this, or leave each other alone...”

“Oh really – every time we leave each other alone, we always come back together, and we can never move on with our problems!” fumed Elusive.

“Well then, let’s get over it right here and right now,” Austin demanded.

“Who put you in charge?” Bobby asked “You never got over your grudge with Richie!”

“Richie has NOTHING to do with this,” Austin clarified, loudly.

“Liar,” hissed Ben.

“Shut your trap, tree-hugger,” Austin fumed. Poor Ben slowly backed away into Dusk and Faye, looking hurt and innocent.

Soon, Austin, Elliot and Bobby were shouting at the top of their lungs, and neither would stop to listen to the other.

“I guess now is your time to make allies,” Faye stated, showing Dusk forward towards the three arguing boys.

“Hey, Guys!” Dusk shouted, nervous. “Guys! I need your help for Fall Formal. Together we can beat Sundown-”

“Been there, done that,” scoffed Elliot, “No one runs against Sundown.”

Austin crossed his arms. “Boy, I knew I had a bad feeling about you. I’m out.”

“Deal with it,” Bobby advised, putting on sunglasses.

Dusk glared at Bobby, “Deal with it? You want to continue living under Sundown like this?!”

"Better than trying and gettin' on his bad side. Maybe there is a chance, but there is nothing you can say that's gonna convince me anyway to side with yah Dusk," Austin huffed, turning his back to Dusk. Elliot and Bobby did the same.

"Wait!" Cried Ben, gaining everyone’s attention. "If there is no hope, then what else can we do?"

“Why should it be any of our concern? If we leave Sundown alone, everything will be just fine!” Elliot said.

“No, it won’t – Sundown will not stop hounding us. He will never stop unless we stand together.” Faye urged.

“What? Just the six of us and a dog?” wondered Austin.

“No – the entire school! They need to stand up and realize that Sundown has to… err… I mean can be stopped!” Dusk stated. “All I just need is… to win fall formal…”

“Hold your horses,” Bobby stated, “And just how are you going to get all this support? Sundown already has won the school’s attention!”

Dusk remembered the parade that happened earlier that day. “How so?”

Elliot then pulled up a video on his laptop. When he played it it was Sundown giving a really long speech. Faye mentioned he was quoting several historical figures without citing them. At the end of speech, Sundown's eyes glowed and hissed at the screen "Remember CHS....Me and my party will be marching down the hall - And I want you yell “Dusk Shine Inferior! Sundown Superior! Sundown Superior!” and throw flowers and streamers in my direction.  I know your busy planning fall formal, so I'll have all that stuff ready for you before school.  Anyone who refuses to participate in the march or is seen with Dusk  will defiantly get their but kicked after Fall Formal..."  the video ended with Sundown giving an evil chuckle, his eye's glowing.

Faye analyzed the video, “Seems like Sundown must be more desperate than ever in order to get that crown.”

“That, or he wants us to see if we can top this video...” Dusk frowned.

Just then, some shouting was heard across the hall. The six students peeked through the window and saw Sundown’s gang face to face with a tanned student with his hair in long rainbow streaks.

“Richie ‘Rainbow Blitz’?” Austin wondered aloud.

“What do you mean you want me in your gang?” Richie asked.

“We don’t just want you – we want the sports and dance teams to join us.” Sundown stated. “In return, you shall share a cut of the power I’ll earn.”

“All for a stupid campaign for prom king? Nah. I’ve seen your true colors on the field, Sundown. You are even more of a loser than that Dusk kid.”

“Oh, really?” Growled Sundown.

“Yeah – I heard he defended Butterscotch from you. That’s enough to make me see him as a better person than what your video said about yourself.”

“So, are you just going to trust a person who just appeared in school yesterday over someone you've know for a long time?” Sundown hissed.

“I don’t even trust you one bit. I never trusted you or your minions,” Richie replied, “You are destroying your position, not supporting it. Who wants to follow someone they fear?”

“Who wants to follow an idiot like Dusk?” Sundown wondered.

Richie paused and then said. “I know a few people who would… Ben, Austin, Bobby, Elliot… maybe even Faye…”

Sundown leaned in close and stated, “You're just as much of an idiot if you would hang out with those fools! You could be so much more if you join me, but I guess you made up your mind to not join the winning team.”

“There’s no such thing as the ‘winning team’ until the game is over. Remember that,” Richie stated, “I’ll be looking for Dusk. If you see him, send him to the soccer field.”

“Duly noted – I’ll see if I can send him to Tartarus,” Sundown stated, his eyes flashing green, and the key glowing on his chest. This caused his gang and Richie to take a few steps away from him.

“Okay then…” Richie stated, he took a few steps backwards and then turned his back to Sundown.

Sundown glared at his minions. Teneberia, Trickster, Sugar, and Spice stared back as if he just cursed at the top of his lungs.

“What are you looking at?” Sundown hissed, angered.

Once Sundown’s gang had left, Dusk, cautiously opened the door with the five other students trailing behind him.

“I’ve got bad feeling about this,” Dusk stated

“With what you have been through, I’m sure you've always got a bad feeling, sir…,” Faye stated.

“Sir?” Dusk wondered.

“Oh… it’s… just that I’m thinking that… you are in charge of this group, you know…,” Faye shrugged.

“Well, it looks like we know where to get some more support, Duskie – and it seems like we need to get it from...Richie…,” said Austin, grumbling at the sound of Richie’s name.