Power And Seduction

Chapters

I. Someone New
II. Dark Clouds Hanging
III. Rising Star
IV. Confrontation
V. Masks
VI. The Time of Reckoning

I. Someone New

Canterlot High had been busy the past few months since classes started. For most the year was off to a good start, though for some early on there was some trouble along the way. For Sonata in particular that had been the case, though at that moment she thought it would be behind her as she settled in not only to school life, but to her new friends as well.

They were the Rainbooms, a group that was incidentally a band as well. Leading the group was Sunset Shimmer. Although she herself was fairly new to them, she had shown that she was capable of being their leader, especially after confronting Adagio Dazzle a few months back.

Along with the Rainbooms were the Dazzlings, or at least part of the Dazzlings. Formerly rivals of the Rainbooms, now they had become their friends. Sonata was once part of the Dazzlings, and Adagio was their leader, though she had gone MIA since her encounter with Sunset.

Now the two groups had become close collaborators. Though the Dazzlings had not officially joined the Rainbooms, they promised to help them out in any way they could. Sonata was happy about that.

Now, she skipped to her next class, but before that she had to pass by her locker to grab some books. Sunset was there when she came.

“Good morning”, Sunset greeted her. Sunset Shimmer, de facto leader of the Rainbooms. They look up to her now more than ever, especially after facing off with Adagio. She had a wavy hair of gold and red, which made her stand out from the others. Even Rainbow Dash, with her own rainbow-colored hair, had said that Sunset stood out among them.

“Good morning also”, Sonata greeted back.

“Ready for the next class?” inquired Sunset, and she nodded. Sunset got her own book out, and she hurried to her class. Sonata was able to take her own book out, and then went to hers.

Sunset wasn’t particularly drawn into Literature, though she tried her best to be attentive to it. She was more, as she often mentioned, of a hands-on type of girl. That was why she would rather be in the lab than in the classroom. She was about to doze off a bit when the intercom crackled.

“Sunset Shimmer, please report to my office immediately”, the voice of Vice-Principal Luna called out. The class looked at her, and apologetically she got up and proceeded to Vice-Principal Luna’s room.

What could it be now? she wondered. The school fair was still four months away, so it wasn’t likely she would be asked about that. She got to her room and opened the door. As she entered, she saw a boy seated in front of Vice-Principal Luna. He looked to be around 16 or 17 years old, she surmised. He had black hair and was fairly handsome.

“Sunset, I’d like you to meet Inspirio. He just got here, and I would like to have you show him around”, Vice-Principal Luna instructed. Sunset went up to Inspirio and shook his hand. Sunset had become the school’s somewhat official greeter and host, showing anyone who was new the school.

“So, want to see the school now?” she asked him after a brief introduction. Inspirio smiled, and Sunset noticed that it was a smile that would get any girl’s attention. She concentrated more though on showing him around to make him more or less familiar with the school.

“Where do you come from?” Sunset asked, to get a little bit more information from him as well as to have some conversation while walking. At first though he wasn’t much into giving anything out.

“Just out of state”, he said vaguely. “You’ve been here a long time?” he asked, so as to shift some focus away from him.

“Not as long as the others here”, Sunset admitted. “But yeah, I’ve been here long enough to see some…very interesting things”, she added the last one carefully, trying to make it sound so casual without giving any other hint that there’s much more to the school than what it appears to be.

“Are there many activities here?” he asked her as they walked.

“Yes, of course”, she nodded. “Activities plus clubs and all that. Maybe later you’d get to meet other people”, she added that last one just as they were ending the tour. “So, how’d you like it?”

“Great school”, he said as he looked around where they were standing, which was near Vice-Principal Luna’s office. “Will I see you again later?” he asked her before they parted.

“Maybe”, she just said as she went back to class.

At lunch Sunset was at the usual place where she and the Rainbooms sit. They were either busy talking or else just lazily watching people go by and do their thing. Rainbow Dash in particular looked rather bored—she was just slowly chewing her food, head resting on one hand as she looked at people when she suddenly became alert, almost standing up.

“Is that a new student I see there?” she asked as she looked all the way back to the entrance of the school canteen, seeing a boy in black enter.

“Sharp eyes”, Sunset commented as she turned to look to the direction she’s looking at.

“Yeah—well, I get this from flying; I mean, when I’m observing things”, Rainbow Dash said proudly.

“That’s the new student I was asked to show around”, Sunset said casually. “I’ll call him over to meet all of you.” She then stood up and went over to meet him, then they saw the guy follow Sunset.

“He’s handsome, all right”, Applejack merely observed. Rarity was already beaming widely as the two approached while both Pinkie Pie and Sonata were also eagerly waiting for them to come over. Fluttershy was just quiet, but then she was also smiling when the two were near.

“Guys, this is Inspirio”, she said as she introduced him to them. They all greeted him, some like Pinkie and Sonata even waving at him.
“It is nice to meet you all”, he said after Sunset introduced them. They were just all smiles as he got a chair from a just-vacated table nearby and sat with them.

“It’s nice to meet you”, Fluttershy said in her usual quiet way.

“You’ll love it here, darling”, Rarity spoke up as well.

“Yeah, lots of fun here!” Pinkie said, happily clapping.

“Fun and excitement!” Sonata added.

“It is nice that you are all here to greet me”, he said to them. “I think I’ll like it here.” Just then Aria and Crescenda entered the canteen, and Pinkie waved at them to come over.

“We’ve got two more friends coming”, she announced to him. Sunset introduced them to him when they were near.

“Charmed”, Aria said simply, which Sonata found funny.

“Nice that you’re here”, Crescenda said with more enthusiasm.

“Maybe the guys can also meet you later”, Sunset remarked. “Flash and the others would want to meet you, definitely.” Flash Sentry was one of the boys at school, a popular guy and friends with the Rainbooms.

‘That would be great then!” Inspirio said. “I know there’s not much time to meet people in one day, but I will get to it soon.”

“Yeah, you will”, agreed Rainbow Dash as the bell sounded to signal lunch’s end. All of them then stood up and began to walk back to their classes, still chatting as they went to their own rooms.

II. Dark Clouds Hanging

It had been a few days since Inspirio arrived, and already he was making waves among the students. Although the Rainbooms haven’t talked to him since lunch in the canteen a few days back, they did see him every now and then when one or the other passed him by and greeted him. It was Friday though, and Rainbow Dash had soccer practice on Fridays. Sunset decided to go with her and check on Inspirio as well while Sonata and Pinkie stayed in the music room to plan out for the coming school fair.

“You see Inspirio here on the field?” Sunset asked Rainbow Dash as they walked together towards it.

“A couple of times, I think. I heard he’s trying to apply to the boys’ soccer team”, Dash replied.

“Seems like he’s making great progress here in our school”, Sunset observed. Then, she asked Rainbow, “What’s he doing now?”

“They said there will be tryouts for the boys’ soccer team today”, she said as they neared the field. She began scanning it as soon as they arrived at its edge, noting a lot of boys had come to try their luck out and make the team. Half of the field had been taken up for the tryout, and many of the school’s boys from fourteen up had shown up, which quickly filled up a good portion of the field.

“I don’t think we’ll find him in this crowd”, Sunset said, ready to go back and fetch Sonata so they could go home but Rainbow Dash wasn’t about to give up yet.

“I think we need to get closer so we can see”, she told Sunset, and before she could reply Rainbow Dash moved ahead and stepped into the field. Sunset groaned, but she followed her anyway. They got a little bit nearer the try out area, but didn’t go straight into it so as not to disturb the proceedings there.

At least we’re nearer, Sunset wryly thought as they continued to look for him. Crazy, I’m supposed to be going home and here I am looking for a new guy in school, she continued to think to herself as they looked for him. Then Rainbow Dash pointed to a spot just to their right.

‘Told you we’d find him”, she said triumphantly to Sunset.

And so we did, Sunset thought as they trudged on to where he was. Inspirio was with a group to the right of the field, waiting for their turn on the tryout. He was talking with the group, so he didn’t notice them approaching until he turned to talk to someone, and saw them. He went over to meet them.

“Lots of people here now”, he told them as they met.

“So you haven’t started yet”, Rainbow Dash said. Inspiro shook his head.

“Looks like I’ll be here for a long while”, he observed dryly. “There are still a lot of people waiting their turn, so I guess I’m stuck here until they call me.”

“Tryouts are always like this”, informed Rainbow Dash, “but it’ll move pretty quick so you’ll still finish quite early.”

“I hope so”, Inspirio said. “Are you both then going home?”

“Yeah”, answered Sunset. “We just stopped by to see how you’re doing.”

“Pretty good, really”, he said. “Thanks for dropping by.”

“We’ll see the results tomorrow anyway”, Rainbow Dash said, “so we’ll know if you made it.” They then said farewell as he got back to the group he was talking with.

“You think he’ll really make it?” Rainbow Dash asked as they walked away. Sunset thought for a moment.

“I have a feeling he will”, she finally said as they went over to the music room to get Pinkie and Sonata.

The next day Sunset and Sonata checked the school’s announcement board to see the results of yesterday’s soccer tryout. They went over the list, which wasn’t really that long since the only ones printed were the names of those who made the team. It didn’t take long for them to find his name.

“Glad that he made it”, Sunset remarked to Sonata.

“I think he’s good if he made it to the team”, Sonata said.

“I think so”, Sunset said. The school was nearly empty, which wasn’t unusual on Saturdays. She didn’t expect any of the Rainbooms nor the Dazzlings to be at school, and she hadn’t received any text message either from any of them about meeting someplace.

Both of them decided to just leave when her eye caught someone inside Principal Celestia’s office. The announcement board was near the office since any school activity or even just a reminder from her would be posted on it—“old school” as she termed it, but nonetheless effective. Students regularly passed the place to get information on the school’s activities, though Sunset suspected some might be spying on Principal Celestia as well since similar boards had been set up at strategic spots all over the campus. Spying, or else trying to curry subtle favors from her. There were those types who hung around as well.

She could see the silhouette of a boy inside the Principal’s office. She thought it strange that someone would be there on Saturday, since normally the Principal’s office was locked for the weekends. The Principal’s window was opaque, so only the form of anyone can be seen, and not the person itself. It was hard for her to make out who it was. She motioned to Sonata to back off quietly and stay in one corner while she stealthily went towards the door.

Carefully, almost by mere millimeters, she opened the door, not wanting to make the doorknob make any noise. Even the least noise, on an almost empty place, might as well be a loud sound that could be heard anywhere. Luckily the doorknob didn’t so much as even creak, and she sighed quietly.

She peeked in to see who it was, and almost gasped when she saw Inspirio picking up some files from the filing cabinet.

“What are you doing here?” she inquired as she burst the door open. He almost dropped the clutch of papers he was holding when he heard her.

“Oh, just fixing some things”, he said in an offhand way. She looked for any sign of nervousness, any way of detecting anything unusual, but she could find none.

“This room is supposed to be locked”, she said, ignoring what he just said.

“I know”, he replied. “I’m here as Principal Celestia’s assistant since she mentioned she needed someone to help her out”, he explained further.

“How did you get in then?” she investigated further. He went for his pocket and took out a key. She recognized it as the key Principal Celestia used for the room.

“Principal Celestia gave me her spare key to use”, he explained. “I’m here to sort out her files and arrange them. She said that she didn’t anyone assist her do this.”

“Why didn’t you mention this when we talked?” she said, still unsure what to make of it, although by then she was inclined to believe as she saw the key in his hand, and she knew Principal Celestia never just gave the key out to anyone. He merely shrugged.

“I don’t think it’s any big deal to tell anyone about it”, here just replied.

“Well, just as long as nothing gets lost here”, she finally decided to drop it. Whatever he was doing there, she couldn’t do much to either stop it or tell anyone since no one else was there, and he did show her the key to the room. Even though she wanted to stay to watch over him, she decided she’d only look like a fool if she hovered over him, and that would make her look bad. Reluctantly she retreated and went to get Sonata.

“Let’s go home”, she said to her. Sonata looked at her strangely, but Sunset didn’t say another word to her, and she didn’t push the issue any further.

As they walked home though, Sunset spoke to her.

“Strange that he was there”, she mused. Then she looked at Sonata. “Sorry, I was just thinking aloud. I just saw Inspirio there in Principal Celestia’s office, and he said he has been asked to be her assistant.”

“Isn’t he too new to assist her?” Sonata wondered.

“I thought of that”, Sunset admitted, “but then again no one else exactly volunteer’s to help her out.” She grimly thought though that even she herself never thought of it.

“So we’ll just leave him?” she asked further, her voice pitch going up a bit as she asked.

“Don’t think we could have done much anyway, and he does have the key, so we don’t have much anything going on unless something goes missing there”, reflected Sunset. “Guess we’ll just see”, she added further, and they continued on towards their home in silence after that.

Monday though Sunset voiced her concern with the others. The rest of the weekend didn’t help since she was still concerned about what happened, and she’d rather tell them personally than send a group text message.

“Maybe he was just helping out like he said”, Rainbow Dash said after she finished her story. It was early morning before classes started, and they met inside the music room.

“Dear, I’m sure Principal Celestia can explain this more”, Rarity offered.

“Maybe she can”, Sunset said thoughtfully, “but for now I will have to keep an eye out on him.”

“We’ll help out”, Applejack said.

“I know you will”, Sunset smiled as she took her books. “Now classes will start. We’ll just talk about this later.” As they were heading out Aria and Crescenda came, both of them looking tired.

“Sorry we’re late”, Aria said as both of them were catching their breath.

“That’s okay”, Sunset said as they got out of the room. “We’ll talk more later at lunch.”

“Hey, nice to see you around!” Sonata greeted them both when she saw them.

“Hi, Sonata”, Crescenda greeted back. They all walked together towards class. Sunset looked around, though she told herself that she shouldn’t be too concerned about it; after all, the others might be right that Principal Celestia asked for his help even though Inspirio was still new to the school. Still, she wondered why he would take such a big responsibility when he wasn’t even there for a month.

Before going to the canteen at lunch time, Sunset decided to drop by Principal Celestia’s office and inquire about Inspirio, hoping to get some clarification on him being her student assistant.

At least I can move on once it’s clear, she thought as she made her way to the office. Principal Celestia’s office was always open on weekdays, and she would welcome any student who went to her without any hesitation.

When she got there, she saw that there wasn’t any other student around. The Principal’s office had a waiting room before going directly into the office itself. She sat down first on one of the chairs in the waiting room, then with a deep breath went in, knocking on the door first. Principal Celestia looked up from her paperwork when she saw her enter.

“My faithful student, Sunset”, she greeted as Sunset came in. “What brings you here today?”

“I just would like to know”, Sunset began as she took her seat before the Principal’s desk, “did you get someone as a student assistant?”

“Yes, I was about to inform you of that, but wasn’t able to get the chance to do so last Friday”, Principal Celestia said to her. “He seems to be a promising student, even if he’s new.”

“Aren’t we being too hasty in getting him as assistant?” persisted Sunset. “We do have a lot of students here who would be able to do the same thing he’s doing.”

“Only no one volunteers to do so”, she reminded her. “But yes, I did take him in partly because he volunteered to assist.”

Now that’s odd, Sunset thought, but she didn’t let Principal Celestia know her thoughts, so she kept a straight face while talking to her.

“I was just asking because I saw him here last Saturday”, she told Principal Celestia. She just nodded when Sunset said that.

“I asked him to arrange the files I have in the drawer at the waiting room”, she stated. Sunset was just quiet after that, then spoke up.

“I was just wondering why he was here, that’s why I came over to ask”, she finally said, then stood up to leave.

“I know it sounds strange, but please”, Principal Celestia said to her as she stood up, “give him a chance. I know he is new, but I think he will be a fine addition to our school.” Sunset was silent for a second.

“I will try”, she simply said, then turned to exit the office. Although that did clarify some things for her, she still couldn’t shake off the feeling that somehow something was amiss, though she still couldn’t figure out what that could be.

III. Rising Star

It was a few days later that Sunset received the new. She and Sonata were near the school and were about to go in when Rainbow Dash called out to them.

“Have you heard?” she said when she caught up with them.

“Heard what?” Sunset inquired.

“I heard Inspirio’s running for class President”, she said. Sunset and Sonata looked at each other. Sonata could see the concern in Sunset’s face. For days now she had confided to Sonata about her fears, and now she could see that it seemed to be coming true.

“Isn’t it too soon for him to even think of it?” Sonata piped up.

“He is new”, added Sunset briefly.

“Well, that’s all I’ve learned. Catch you later!” Rainbow Dash ran off towards school. Sunset and Sonata stopped outside it. Sunset faced Sonata then.

“I think you and Pinkie are the ones who can find out about it”, she said to her. Sonata grinned.

“Leave it to me and Pinkie!” she said.

“I know you can”, Sunset said with confidence. “Pinkie knows how to get information in the…most unusual ways.” She said that last one with a mischievous smile, knowing very well how Pinkie can become creative with such things.

“Aye, aye, sir…err, ma’am”, Sonata said with a mock salute. Sunset showed her playfully as she ran off. Alone though, she became serious once more as she thought of the events unfolding.

It doesn’t make sense, she thought as she walked towards class. He hasn’t been even been here for three weeks, and he’s moving too fast. She knew that whatever was up, Sonata and Pinkie can get some information out of it.

She almost regretted getting the information though, since it only made her feel worse more than ever.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked Sonata and Pinkie again, and they both nodded. It was after classes and they were in the music room, usually their meeting place after school before going home. At that time the Dazzlings were also with them. Aria and Crescenda did hung out with them every now and then, though not regularly.

“We really did make sure of it”, Sonata affirmed.

“Yes, it wasn’t easy sneaking around and listening in”, Pinkie added.

“So what does it all mean?” Rainbow Dash asked. Sunset bit the end of her pen as she thought about it. Of course, it wasn’t really much of an evidence: Inspirio had been going around and giving away things. At any other time it might mean he’s trying to influence people, but then it wasn’t until next week until they would choose a class President anyway.

“That I am not sure yet”, Sunset said as she thought more about it, but realized it wasn’t doing her any good. She looked at the Rainbooms, who were there to also rehearse.

“I’m thinking of what we should play for the fair”, she told them.

“That’s still a few months away”, Rainbow Dash said. “I think we shouldn’t worry about it yet.”

“Just to take my mind off Inspirio”, Sunset said. She then began to play her guitar, getting off a few notes, though her mind wasn’t exactly on it. She then snapped out of it, looked at her guitar, and then began to focus on it more. She thought of a song she always wanted to play, though she thought the Rainbooms wouldn’t be up to it.

“Any of you into Goth?” she asked. They all looked blankly at her. “You know, dark and gloomy stuff..”

“Funny, but we don’t know much of what you actually like”, Rainbow Dash observed.

“I really haven’t told you guys yet”, she said simply. She then began to play a few notes, slowly at first, then she went a bit more aggressive. She combined an aggressive and melodic style, which mesmerized those in the room. She then took a small break, then launched again to the opening bars of “Beyond the Pale” by The Mission.

“That’s beautiful”, Fluttershy said softly after she was finished.

“I don’t think it will fit our group though”, remarked Sunset. “Maybe we could try something much lighter in tone…” But she was already looking at Aria and Crescenda while she was still speaking.

“Maybe you would like to try it for your set”, she spoke toward Aria finally.

“But we don’t play any instruments”, pointed out Aria.

“I could back you up, play for you while you sing”, she offered. Aria grinned when she heard that.

“We’ll then learn the song”, she agreed. Sunset nodded.

“At least you have a song then, or a set since I can pull up some other songs from The Mission for you to learn”, she told Aria.

“But what about our group?” Rainbow Dash asked. “We still need songs to play.”

“I already have something in mind”, Sunset said. “We’ll just go over them some other day though, as it’s getting late and we need to get home.” She stood up then to bring her guitar to its case and pack it away. The others also began to put away their instruments.

“You figured out yet what Inspirio is up to?” Applejack asked while they put their instruments back to their places.

“I wish I knew, but we haven’t spoken yet in awhile, so I have no idea really”, Sunset said as she shook her head.

“Maybe you can ask Principal Celestia”, suggested Rarity, but Sunset only shook her head again.

“I don’t want her to know my suspicions, at least not yet”, she reasoned out. “Besides, she seems to trust Inspirio, and I don’t want to look like I am out to make him look bad. We’ll just have to wait what he will be his next move, though I am still keeping my eye on him.”

“Well, whatever it is, we must move fast since voting is next week”, Rainbow Dah reminded her.

That’s right, we do need to act quickly, Sunset thought, though she was stumped as to what exactly to do next. She thought it best to see first what Inspirio would be doing next, just so she might not do something rash that it would alert him and cover up his tracks even more.

They finally headed out of the music room and then out of the school. As was there usual routine, they went their separate ways on their way home. Sunset and Sonata walked their usual route towards home when Inspirio saw them and tagged along with them.

“Been a long time since we talked”, he said as he joined her and Sonata on their way home. Sonata was just quiet on Sunset’s side.

“Yeah, we were busy”, she said nonchalantly, trying to act normally and at the same time not trying to be aloof.

‘I’ve been busy myself”, he said, “helping out Principal Celestia. I’m also trying out for class President”, he added casually.

“That’s good”, Sunset simply replied.

“I have something here for you”, he said as he rummaged through his bag, and then brought out two pens, giving one of each to Sunset and Sonata. Sonata gave a big grin as she got hers, but Sunset was quiet as she got the pen. She looked at it and saw printed on the pen the words, ‘Inspirio for President’. She noted that but didn’t say anything to him.

“I hope you like it”, he said. Sonata nodded happily, but Sunset remained quiet as they walked on.

“You know, we look good together”, Inspirio said after a brief quiet interlude, “Imagine how it would be if we go out together. I think we’ll make a great team.” He smiled as he said this to her. Sunset stopped walking. Sonata looked at her. She could see that Sunset wasn’t happy with what she just heard. But Sunset kept her composure as she faced him.

“I am not even sure what you’re trying to imply”, she began, “I hardly even know you, and we’ve barely talked. I don’t mind being friends, but I am just not up to going out with anyone yet”, she said to him straightly. He didn’t back off, but remained where he was, which was quite near her.

“Hey, I was just trying to be friendly”, he said, his smile still on his face. “But just think about it—with your personality, we could have the school at will.” He looked intently into her eyes. She looked back, not flinching for one bit.

‘Well, I have to go home now”, he said to them finally. “Just think about it. See you both tomorrow.” He then walked off towards his home. Sunset and Sonata stopped walking to see him off, then when he was far Sunset turned to Sonata.

“Definitely something is up”, she said as she turned the pen over on her fingers. “You and Pinkie have to find out more on what he’s really doing, especially since campaign will start on Monday.” Sonata nodded.

“I’ll talk to Pinkie tomorrow”, she said to Sunset. “I thought he was being nice, but he was creepy when he said that.” Sunset shivered as she recalled his words.

“There’s more to him”, she said. “I am not sure what yet, but what he said shows what he’s after.” She wasn’t sure exactly what to make of what he just said, but she had some suspicion as to some of his motives, and she could see it would be more trouble unless she could somehow stop it.

“So you’re saying that he has other motives for running?” Rainbow Dash asked as the group was again in the music room that Thursday afternoon.

“I’m not sure yet, but I have a feeling it’s not exactly to help out in school”, Sunset admitted.

“It must have been creepy the way he talked to you, darling”, Rarity said. “I wouldn’t let him talk to me like that!”

“I was surprised he did speak like that”, Sunset replied. “I didn’t expect him to be like that.”

“Do you think he’s like that to others?” Applejack wondered.

“Hhmm…I wouldn’t really put it past him at this point”, Aria said.

“But why would he do that?” Fluttershy asked.

“Maybe he thinks every girl he meets will fall for that”, Sunset surmised. “I’m not sure if it works though, but it didn’t work for me.”

“Darling, if his approach is like that we needn’t have to worry about him then”, Rarity said.

“He might have other tactics though”, Applejack thought up after a brief pause. “You did say that he gives out things.” Sunset nodded.

“He has more than one way of getting people, so we should still be prepared just in case”, she said. “Pinkie and Sonata will monitor his activities until election time.”

“Oh, I just have the thing for that”, Pinkie said as she went for her pocket to pull something out. Applejack quickly went to her side and grabbed her hand.

“Oh no, you don’t”, she said as she stopped Pinkie. “You’re not pulling a gadget out!”

“We need to be discreet about it”, Sunset said as the two continued to tug it out. “If he finds out we’re spying he might make it hard for anyone to catch him.”

“So we’ll just tail him?” Sonata asked for clarification.

“Not too closely”, Sunset advised. “Maybe a good distance. Pinkie”, Sunset called out. Pinkie and Applejack stopped as Pinkie turned her attention to Sunset. “You know how to go about it.”

“Yup!” Pinkie said enthusiastically. “Lots of places to hide and not be seen!”

“I really don’t want to do this”, Sunset said to them, “but then there’s something that’s bothering me on the way he tries to about it.”

“We’re behind you here”, Applejack vowed and the others nodded in agreement. Sunset smiled. She knew she could count on their help, even if she also knew that what they had so far about Inspirio was too thin and so few. She also wanted to make a recording device for Pinkie and Sonata, but with only a few days to go before the campaign, she realized there wasn’t enough time for her to put that much attention into a project like that. She sighed.

I guess I’ll just have to improvise, she thought while the others continued to chat around her. She stood up then and called Pinkie and Sonata over to her.

“I’ll have to buy you both a small recording device”, she said to them. “It might come in handy. Anyway I have enough money from the writing job I have. Sonata, you have saved some as well?” Sonata nodded.

“I can buy my own if it’s okay”, she said.

“I think we should buy together then”, Sunset suggested. Sonata agreed to the suggestion, and they set the weekend the recording devices needed.

IV. Confrontation

Monday. The first day of campaigning for Class President. Sunset didn’t join the group like she normally did at lunch time. Instead, she was in the music room, waiting for Pinkie and Sonata to report in. She had instructed them earlier on what to do, carefully explaining to them the plan, although she had already told Sonata much about it yesterday at their house.

She brought the two small recorders she and Sonata bought last Saturday, and told them to conceal it as much as possible. Pinkie also suggested to get Photo Finish to get some shots, and after considering it Sunset agreed.

Sunset’s idea was to get both Sonata and Pinkie as close to Inspirio as possible, and even try to be in on his campaign team, or at least be close to them. She had them follow his campaign to see what he would do. Now, she waited on them in the music room to hear what they had to report.

Maybe this is all a mistake, Sunset thought as she waited. She knew it was a big risk not only on her part, but to Sonata and Pinkie as well, to do this, but she also knew that she had to keep integrity in the school, even if it means exposing herself to potential danger.

Sunset looked up when she heard the door open. Pinkie and Sonata had arrived, and Photo Finish was with them as they came in.

“We got some recordings”, Pinkie announced to her as she handed the small device. Sonata also came and gave hers. “We’ll be back there to get some more. And she has some good pictures too!” Pinkie thrust Photo Finish forward. Sunset looked at her and waited for her to speak.

“I, Photo Finish, have the photos”, she said to her. “They are good, ya”. She put down her camera in front of Sunset. Since she had had her laptop open, Sunset took out her USB cable that can hook up to Photo Finish’s camera.

“I hope they are clear shots”, she said to Photo Finish.

“Photo Finish never takes bad pictures”, Photo Finish declared. “You will find them to your satisfaction.”

“I’ll download them here on my laptop, if it’s okay with you”, Sunset asked her.

“Photo Finish does not mind”, Photo Finish said. “You might find some of them interesting.” She said this with a little hint, and Sunset looked at her quizzically, but Photo Finish didn’t say another word. She connected the cable to Photo Finish’s camera, and after a few keystrokes began downloading the pictures taken.

“I guess you’ll be back on the campaign trail later”, she said to Photo Finish as the pictures were being transferred to her laptop.

“It is my job”, Photo Finish merely said. “But I make sure that I get the best shots for you.”

“And for the school paper, too”, added in Sonata eagerly. Sunset was about to say something, but then the download finished. She took off Photo Finish’s camera from the cable and then connected the recording device next.

“I think I might be working here all afternoon”, she said as the voice recordings were being transferred.

“What about classes?” Pinkie asked her.

“I think I can take a few absences”, Sunset replied with a shrug. “I can catch up on lessons pretty quickly, so it’s not really going to be a problem.” They waited a few more seconds before the recordings were on Sunset’s laptop. She handed the device back to Pinkie.

“We’ll catch up with you later”, Pinkie called out as she, Sonata and Photo Finish headed out. Sunset remained in the Music Room, listening to the recordings as well as viewing the pictures that Photo Finish took. She took out a bag of potato chips and opened it while she scanned the pictures and at the same time listened to the recording.

Looks like this is going to be a long afternoon, Sunset thought. Although she prepared for the task, she soon realized that it was daunting, as well as tiring. The minutes spent just looking and listening seemed like hours had already passed by. She could feel the minutes drag on, and soon she began to feel the tediousness of what she was doing. She was about to call it a day, getting ready to close her laptop, when she noticed something in the picture she was scanning.

She suddenly felt awake. Since she was using a photo editing program to scan the pictures, she enlarged the photo to get a closer look. She mentally berated herself for not thinking of getting Photo Finish to use a video camera instead of a still camera as she enlarged the photo until it was large enough to see more details.

When Photo Finish said the pictures would be interesting, she means it, she thought, a little bit amused as she thought of what Photo Finish said. But she focused more just then at the picture. She looked into it, inching her face forward towards the laptop screen to get a better look at it.

Looks incriminating, but I couldn’t be certain about it, she thought as she continued to stare at it. She sighed as she fell back on the chair. She realized she would have to get a better context of the picture.

She turned her attention to Pinkie’s recording. Most of it was nothing but random conversation. She put all of her attention then to it, listening attentively to every word said. The conversations she was listening to were mixed, with various people talking. She had to strain and focus hard to make out Inspirio’s voice among the people in the recording.

She looked at her watch then. She had been looking and listening for more than an hour. If looking at the pictures proved to be tedious, listening to the recording turned out to be even more so than scanning the pictures, though she thought that she has put much effort into it already that she would have to see through it, even if it was making her tired just listening.

Her eyes grew wide as she began to hear something. She turned up the volume as high as it would go without breaking her eardrum. She had headphones on so she could hear the recording more clearly, though even with it on she still had to strain in order to pick out Inspirio’s voice. Audibly though, at that point in the recording she could distinctly here his voice.

Her attention was now totally into the recording. She paused it, then backed up a bit before playing it again. She listened to it a few more times, making sure she heard it right.

The smoking gun? she asked herself as she listened to it a few more times. It had to be, she decided, since there could be no doubt about it. She stood up, her eyes now determined. She knew that she couldn’t delay it any longer. The longer she waited, she realized, the more people would go for him, and it would be too late if he became Class President.

She left her laptop in the Music Room, locking the door as she went out. She marched across the hall towards the room that’s serving as Inspirio’s campaign quarters. She stopped in front of its door, composing herself and taking a deep breath before going in.

Inspirio was seated behind a desk. He looked up when he heard the door open an d saw Sunset’s determined face as she went in.

“So what made you decide to visit us?” he asked of her. “Have you come to pledge your support as well?” Sunset just stood and listened. The room, she noticed, was quite large enough to hold about seven desks, though she could see there were only four of them. Some of Inspirio’s staff was there when she came in, and stopped what they were doing when they saw her.

“You know that’s not even remotely going to happen”, Sunset declared firmly. “I have come here to discuss something important.” Inspirio leaned forward when she said that, still smiling at her.

“And what that might be?” he said.

“What have you been doing since the campaign began?” Sunset asked.

“The usual”, Inspirio shrugged. “I talk to people, I give things away…”

“Including bribing them with money?” Sunset pointedly said. Inspirio’s smiled faded, now replaced by a worried look. His staff were now looking at them, listening in on what they were talking about.

“You don’t have proof of that”, countered Inspirio. Sunset just looked at him without saying a word, her arms folded to her chest.

“I wouldn’t have come here if I couldn’t prove it”, she finally said after a few seconds of tense silence.

“You know you can’t prove that”, Inspirio said again, though now his smile has faded and there’s a hint of wavering in his voice.

“Why do you it?” Sunset pressed on, ignoring what he just said. She could see that he was by now uncomfortable, trying to wiggle a bit, though he still tried to show a calm demeanor.

“I don’t have to answer your questions”, he hissed, by now leaning forward, his smile gone. He scowled at her while he talked. “No one will believe you and your accusations. Yes, the school still hasn’t totally forgotten what you did then, Sunset Shimmer.”

“Don’t act brave, Inspirio”, Sunset shot back. “You know this isn’t how you’re supposed to win. You can still back out if you want to.”

“I have no intention of backing out anytime soon”, Inspirio just said. “I know I am going to win. The competition isn’t even it.”

Come to think of it, I don’t even know who he’s running against, Sunset thought, though she believed that it’s still not reason enough to do what he’s doing.
“Why do you do these things then if you’re sure of winning?” she asked out to him.

“Call it an insurance policy”, Inspirio answered. “Just because I know I will win doesn’t mean that it’s guaranteed. I am just making sure I will get it, you might say.” He smiled then, though it wasn’t the friendly smile he tried to give out earlier. Now there’s pure malice as he gave out that smile.

“Now, why don’t you just run along with your evidence, and let us continue with our campaign”, he said, taunting her as he said it.

Sunset looked up at his staff, who were still gaping at both of them. She knew that she couldn’t possibly convince Inspirio to change his mind then. She turned to leave. Inspirio didn’t say a word, but she could feel his stare at her as she left the room. She retreated back to the Music Room, her mind racing.

That was a dumb thing to do, she berated herself as she walked back to the Music Room. You don’t have enough evidence yet, Sunset Shimmer, and yet you have to go in there and confront him. She wanted to kick herself for being so foolish at rushing in without too many evidences. Now she had to go back and finish what she was doing, as well as wait for Pinkie and Photo Finish for whatever else they might be able to out of Inspirio’s campaign.

She got back to the Music Room and went in after unlocking the door. She sat down in front of her laptop, silent for a moment as she composed herself. She knew that she shouldn’t have went in there like that.

Now I’ve probably given him more reason to cover his tracks, she said as she continued to fume at why she even went there. She realized it’s not doing her any good to think about it though, and turned on her laptop to view more of Photo Finish’s pictures while listening to Pinkie’s recordings. She also turned on a word processing program and began typing in any evidence she found in order to properly document them.

By the time classes were over Sunset had decided to do the rest of her documentation at home. She was visibly tired, drained after viewing the pictures and listening to the recordings. It was stressful for her, but she knew that she had to do it. She had unlocked the Music Room then, knowing that at any time the others would be coming in. By then she had also decided to tell the group what she’s been doing.

“What on Earth were you thinking, dear?” exclaimed Rarity after Sunset told the group what she’s been doing, starting with her plans all the way to what had happened earlier. “You should have told us this sooner so we could have worked together”, she continued.

“I don’t want you to be too involved into it”, Sunset reasoned out. “It’s too risky, and taking you into something like this might be too much for the group.”

“As if that would have stopped us”, Applejack chimed in. “You know we would have helped you out, even if it’s too dangerous.”

“That’s just it”, Sunset objected. “It would be too dangerous if you’re into this as well. It’s better that few of you were involved in it.”

“And let others have all the fun?” Rainbow Dash said, shooting a gaze over at Pinkie and Sonata, who just smiled back and clapped their hands.

“So what do you plan to do next?” Applejack then asked Sunset.

“Pinkie, Sonata and Photo Finish will continue to monitor on Inspirio”, Sunset said. “I need more proof of what he’s doing, plus I still need to view some of the photos as well as listen to the recording earlier.”

“Well, if you need any help, we’re just right here”, Applejack said as a reminder. Sunset smiled.

“I know I could always count on you”, she said. “But right now, I hope you can understand that I don’t want anything to happen to you in case this thing get…ugly…”

“Why would it even get ugly?” Fluttershy asked.

“Politics have a way of getting the worst out of people”, Sunset briefly explained. “I fear that it’s getting the worst out of Inspirio as well.”

“And I think it’s bound to get ugly out there”, added in Applejack. Sunset nodded.

“That’s why I want you to stay out of it as much as possible”, Sunset said as she began putting away her laptop.

“Looks like we’ll have a long campaign time”, Rainbow Dash said.

“I hope not”, Sunset just replied, though she thought that Dashie might be right. She was quiet for a few seconds, then turned to the others as she almost forgot to ask.

“Does anyone know who Inspirio is running up against?” she asked everyone in the room. Fluttershy spoke up.

“I believe her name is Sophia Riddle”, she said. Sunset and the others just looked blankly at her.

“I haven’t even heard of her”, Sunset said, thinking aloud.

“Well, that’s odd”, Applejack remarked. “I thought we know everybody at school.”

“Apparently not everyone”, observed Rarity. “I suppose she’s new, plus the school is quite big.”

“Still, that’s a little strange that someone unknown would run for such a position”, Sunset continued to wonder.

“Maybe we should get to meet her”, Pinkie suggested.

“Campaign is for a week, so I don’t see why not”, Sunset said. “I think that is what we should do.”

“And maybe we‘ll know as well why she’s running”, added in Sonata. Sunset nodded.

“I think that’s a good idea, plus it won’t look as if we’re looking into Inspirio all the time”, Sunset said.

“Well, I guess we have a plan now”, Rainbow Dash said. Sunset agreed, though she still can’t help thinking that things look more mysterious than it seems.

That night, Sunset tried to put her thoughts into her journal, but can’t seem to get a word into it. She was more distracted with what she had discovered so far, and she knew that she had to stop Inspirio. She put away her journal and sighed.

No use trying to write right now, she finally decided. She wanted to talk things out with Sonata, but she knew that at that time Sonata was already sleeping. She looked out at the window instead and sighed again. She realized it might be a long battle, though she also hoped that it would not get out of control.

V. Masks

Sunset and Sonata arrived at Canterlot High early once again the next day, waiting for Pinkie and Photo Finish to arrive.

“Are you sure you’re going through all this?” Sonata asked worriedly. Sunset nodded.

“I have to”, Sunset replied firmly. “There’s no telling what else Inspirio might do. Bribing is one thing, but I think he has more in mind than just that.”

“Will you skip classes again?” Sonata wondered, but Sunset shook her head.

“I can’t afford to be absent for two days in a row”, she said. “I guess I’ll just have to work overtime after classes at home. We need to know more about Sophia though”, she added in. “It feels strange that someone unknown is running.”

“But Inspirio is just a new student”, Sonata pointed out.

“That’s true”, Sunset answered, “but at least he’s trying to make himself known, even if his means of doing so are dubious. Sophia so far has not come out with anything yet.”

“That’s true also”, agreed Sonata. Just then Pinkie came, smiling and waving at them when she saw them. Sonata waved back at her and went over to greet her. Sunset smiled as Pinkie and Sonata came over to her.

“Ready to cover more of Inspirio today!” declared Pinkie enthusiastically.

“We should also cover Sophia, I think”, Sunset mused. “People need to know her as well. I don’t think she has even come out yet with anything at all.”

“Yeah, that is strange”, Pinkie commented.

“I agree that we should cover Sophia as well”, said Photo Finish as she arrived.

“All right”, Sunset noted then. “I think we are in agreement that she should be covered as well. We’ll just have to set the time when we can see her.”

“We need to cover Inspirio as well”, Sonata reminded them. Sunset looked thoughtful for a moment.

“I think we’ll just have to schedule when we can meet Sophia”, she finally decided.

“I will go and try to find out”, Photo Finish volunteered.

“I think we have our day settled then”, Sunset remarked, though she thought that she would have a very busy day, trying to keep up with classes while also going around after Inspirio and Sophia.

It was a busy day for Sunset. She could barely keep up as she had to attend classes, then look up on bothInspirio and Sophia’s schedules to see who they have to work on first. It would be easier for them to work on Sophia as they don’t have any issues about her, so far. Inspirio would be much harder to deal with, as she knew that he most likely have marked them down already, and would be guarded in whatever he says and do whenever they’re around. She was banking on Pinkie and Sonata to be creative in getting recordings of him.

She then checked on her smart phone to see what development Photo Finish has on Sophia. She was gratified when she saw her message, but then frowned when she read that Sophia would be available after Recess.

Which means I have to skip classes again at that time, she thought ruefully. She sighed. Keeping up with lessons wasn’t much of a problem for her though, since she could do her research online. She was worried more about her attendance, since she wanted to keep it as perfect as possible.

Guess I’ll have to forego on a perfect attendance for this year, she thought. She was thinking if she’s making too much sacrifices for her crusade, but then she also thought that there were some things that should be done, even if it meant a few absences in classes. She then put her mind to what they’d be doing, barely listening to what was being discussed in the class.

Looks like I’ll be doing another batch of research and reading online, she decided as she put all her focus on what would be going on later in the day.

So this is Sophia Riddle, Sunset thought as she entered a classroom, with a girl seated in the middle, wearing glasses and looking rather intimidated by the presence of a number of people, most of whom were unfamiliar to her.

Sunset took a seat near her while she continued to assess her. She had quite long hair, reaching up to the middle of her back. She almost looked like Fluttershy, Sunset realized, but with glasses and her hair a dark brown. Her personality also seemed almost like Fluttershy, although she noticed that Sophia seemed much more wary of people than Fluttershy was. She wondered how she could even hope to compete with Inspirio on the campaign.

Sunset saw Sonata and Pinkie come in and waved at them. They saw her and headed to where she sat, getting seats next to her. Sophia remained quiet, seated in front and center of the room, her back towards the white board. She continued to look down, her eyes at her hands. Sunset could see she looked nervous.

Photo Finish came in, and then closed the door behind her. Sunset looked around and noticed that aside from her, Pinkie, Sonata, and Photo Finish, there were only two other people in the room, and they were part of the school paper covering the campaigns.

This doesn’t look promising, she thought as she turned her attention back to Sophia. Sophia still looked down, playing with her fingers, before finally looking up and giving a tentative smile. Sunset felt sorry for her then for some reason, and wanted to reach out to her, but then she remembered that she had to keep a professional level of decorum.

“Hello there, everyone”, Sophia said almost hesitantly. “I am sorry if I haven’t really introduced myself until now…I am Sophia. Sophia Riddle. I am here to run as Class President.” Sunset noted that with each word, Sophia seemed to get a little bit more confident, which was a good sign. As Sophia spoke, Photo Finish took pictures while the two school paper staff wrote on their notebooks. Sunset nodded to Pinkie and Sonata, and both nodded back, indicating to her that they both had the recording device on.

Sophia looked around for a moment before continuing, “I am sorry if I have not really come out to announce my candidacy until now. To be honest, I don’t even know how to proceed…” She again bowed down. Sunset was touched by how she was. Somehow she could see part of herself in her, especially after the Fall Formal and how Canterlot High in general treated her. She wanted to know more about her, though, so she cleared her throat first to let Sophia hear her before she spoke.

“So what do you plan to do if ever you become Class President?” Sunset asked her.

“Oh, I have some plans”, Sophia beamed when she heard that. “You see, I have noticed some things about our school…” and she began to launch on a few short overview of what her program would be if ever she would be President. Sunset nodded, seeing that now Sophia seemed to have more confidence in her as she began to become animated, and described some of her plans. After talking about her plans, she fell silent again. For a moment no one spoke. Sunset decided to ask her some more.

“Why did you decide to run?” she asked this time.

“Well, I would like to help out in school”, Sophia began. “I think that there are still some things that need to be improved.”

“How would you do that if you’re still unknown?” Sunset followed up.

“I do need help there…” Sophia admitted, and she looked down again after she said that. Sunset looked at her in pity. She knew that Sophia will have a tough battle against Inspirio.

It took more than an hour for that meeting with Sophia, but afterwards, as Sunset, Pinkie and Sonata walked through the hall, they discussed about her.

“So what does her name mean?” Sonata asked as they walked.

“’Sophia’ means ‘wisdom’ in Greek”, Sunset explained briefly. “It does suit her—she seems intelligent, but she can be shy at first.”

“Just like Fluttershy”, Pinkie added in.

“Actually, I think she’s much more shy than Fluttershy”, Sunset observed. “I’m not even sure if she could win, but she seems to have good plans.”

“Maybe we can help her out”, Sonata suggested. Sunset also thought of that, but she had also said that the group should not get involved with the campaigns, though Applejack did mention that they’re more than willing to help out.

“We’ll have to talk to the others to see what they think of it”, Sunset just said. They continued walking to their classes when they saw Inspirio and some of his staff walking toward them. Sunset tensed a bit, preparing for whatever might happen when the two groups come closer.

“Well, look what we have here”, Inspirio smirked when he saw them. Sunset stopped walking, as did Pinkie and Sonata. The two groups faced each other now in the hallway, still mostly empty as classes were still going on.

“Why are you wandering around?” Sunset asked them.

“Campaigning, naturally”, Inspirio replied. “I still have much to cover, even though I really don’t need to do it, as there doesn’t seem to be much competition around”, he continued with smug confidence.

“You really aren’t hiding how you really are anymore”, Sunset simply remarked.

“To you, I don’t have to”, Inspirio said. “So you found me out, but the whole school don’t know about that, and I intend to keep it that way.”

“So you wear different personalities with different people to suit your purpose”, Sunset said in a very factual tone.

“That’s how it is in politics”, Inspirio said in reply. “You are not the same to different people. You have different personalities, depending on who you talk to.”

“And let me guess—your real personality is the one you’re showing me right now”, Sunset said.

“My, how smart you are”, Inspirio mocked, but Sunset remained unfazed by it. “Make no mistake about it”, Inspirio now said, changing tack, “I will have this school under me one way or the other!”

“We’ll see about that”, Sunset said firmly. She could see his staff cowering behind him—whether because of her or because of him, she can’t exactly tell yet, but she knew that what they’re seeing had an effect on them. Inspirio looked at them for a few more seconds, then with a smug smile on his face walked past them, his cowering staff right behind him. When they were safely away, Sunset turned to Pinkie and Sonata.

“Did you get all of it there?” she asked them. Pinkie and Sonata smiled gleefully and nodded.

“Good”, Sunset answered. “I think we’ll need that little incident. It just might come in handy…”

“I think so, too”, Sonata said in agreement. Sunset looked at the way Inspirio and his staff went to for a moment more, then they all walked on to their classes.

That afternoon Sunset went home early. As much as she wanted to stay with the Rainbooms, she wanted to also see what Pinkie and Sonata just recorded. Sonata as usual went home along with her. Sunset decided it was much better than each of them going alone. Although Inspirio was unmasking himself slowly, she still wasn’t sure if the other students would see through it.

I’ll have to find a way to reveal it somehow, she thought. The recordings could come in handy in some way, she decided. When they got home she went to her room and got out her laptop. For a moment she just stared at it. She’s been carrying it even in school, though she never thought of anything happening to it until that time.

Why haven’t I even thought of buying a computer for the home? she wondered. For the moment she set that thought aside as she listened to the recording. After listening, she then turned her attention to getting a computer for the home. She decided to have a desktop PC. She figured that she could build a good one. She then began to search for its parts, carefully noting those that fancied her. After sometime searching and noting them, she was satisfied and turned off her laptop. Election time was almost near, and she knew that she has little time before she could expose Inspirio’s true nature.

Author's Note

Took me a long time to get this published. Actually had it done a year or so earlier, but for some reason I haven't added it here...

VI. The Time of Reckoning

Sunset made her way towards school quickly on that day. Behind her, Sonata also quickened her pace just to keep up. Sunset was determined to get to school early and meet up with Pinkie and Photo Finish before school starts. Sonata was trying to catch her breath as she walked.

“Can we slow down a bit?” she asked Sunset. Sunset paused for a moment to let her catch up as well as get some rest herself. She also needed to get her bearings before getting to school, she figured.

“We need to get to school as early as we could,” she said to Sonata as soon as she caught up. “This is the day, and we just can’t let Inspirio get to be President.”

“Will others be convinced though?” Sonata asked. Sunset also wondered about that. So far there were only few of them in this, and not even most of the Rainbooms had so far caught on to Inspirio, even though they were supportive to her.. Still, it was a lonely crusade for her, but she was still determined to try. Even if she had to go it alone, she knew that what was important was to let the school know who Inspirio really is and what danger he might pose.

“I hope they do,” Sunset said to her. She knew it wouldn’t be easy though, as so far people were convinced that Inspirio was the one who could best lead. However, she already saw enough of his personality to know that it had all been a deception. She didn’t know how to blow his cover though without making her look bad. All she knew was that he had to be stopped, somehow. In that sense then she made up her mind to do it today.

“The recording might be the key?” Sonata asked her. Sunset nodded.

“If we can only get many people to hear this…” Sunset said, though she wondered how to herself. Pinkie would be there as well along with the recordings. She knew that she could count on her to always be around. The two of them made their way to the central yard of the school, where events were often held. The day before, a stage had already been set up for the day’s event.

Sunset looked around for a good place to set up herself. She noted that the stage had a wooden wall erected at the back. She went around it and found a good hiding spot. She also saw that the sound system had all been set up as well.

“Looks like everything is set then,” she said with some satisfaction. She still wasn’t sure where to exactly place herself though, or even Pinkie for that matter. She scanned the area and found a wooden crate nearby, possibly one of the crates that housed the speakers. She took the crate and hauled it off behind the stage. It wasn’t exactly a perfect hiding place, but then she could stay almost unnoticed there. She figured Pinkie could fit in as well, if they just squeezed in a bit.

“Hope this works,” she then said to Sonata. “You go sit with the crowd. We’ll just wait for Pinkie to finalized things, then get the plan going.” They really didn’t have to wait long, as soon Pinkie came hurriedly.

“Got here as fast as I can,” Pinkie said to them as she approached. “The recordings are here as well,” she added as she handed the small USB drive to Sunset.

“This would be perfect,” Sunset nodded to her. “Sound system is all set up, so we’d better get this thing hooked up as well.” They went to the sound booth just beside the stage. “Hope Vinyl doesn’t mind while we insert this little baby in,” she said as she put the dive to the USB slot of the PC there. She then turned it on, and had her smartphone sync with it.

“Hope it works,” Pinkie said, a little worried.

“It should. I could control the sound system from my phone and play the recordings,” Sunset explained. “At least long enough for me to play them.” After a few more seconds, she gave a relieved smile.

“I think that worked out well,” she announced. She then looked around, realizing that people would soon be arriving at school. “Guess we better finish setting this up then,” she noted quite grimly. They then went to their places after that. Sunset was still worried if things would work out well. Pinkie noticed her worried look and put a hand on her shoulder, smiling at her quietly. She smiled back, though she could still feel the tension as the minutes went by.

The students soon started entering the school. The three of them could hear the noise of people walking, talking and going through the hallway. Sunset wondered whether they should go to their classes or just wait, since the assembly would take place soon after the first period has ended anyway. She finally decided to just wait at her place, and realized Pinkie and Sonata also had decided to wait with her. She smiled faintly at that, thankful for them for sticking it out with her.

Pinkie just then went over to her to talk and keep her company. Without words spoken, Sunset nodded, grateful that she came over at her place. Pinkie might not be serious at all times, but at those times that are needed, she’s always there. The minutes went by agonizingly as they waited for the first period to end. Finally, after what seemed like a long period of time, it was over and they could hear the students coming out of their classrooms and headed towards the central yard.

“Here they come. Get ready,” Sunset told Pinkie, and then motioning to Sonata to do the same. She was still tense, but was now a bit more confident that they could pull this off than she did earlier. She peeked from behind the stage wall to see Inspirio walking between the two sets of chairs that had been placed earlier for the students to sit in. He strode in with confidence, she noted. She could see that he seemed confident that the win was his. Just behind her a more timid Sophia followed.

The event was made as a final run-up before the elections that would take place that afternoon. It was Principal Celestia’s idea to have the students know more about the candidates. It was made especially for those who weren’t still decided as to who they would vote for. In reality though, most students figured it would be a good time for them to get some break from classes. Since the event had an indefinite length of time, some had already figured to draw it out by asking questions.

The two main candidates for President then climbed up the stage and took their respective seats. Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna then also came, as the place started to fill with students who then looked for their own seats. The two went up the stage together with the candidates and took their seats on stage. People still kept coming, and the four of them waited patiently while the whole school settled into the area.

Sunset and Pinkie decided to come out of their hiding places and took a seat near the stage. Sunset figured that she could control the computer through her smartphone, though she cursed herself for not testing it before.

Not that it would matter now, she thought as she brought out her phone and held it nervously. She figured it would be an all-or-nothing gamble, and they had one shot to do it perfectly. She then noticed Vinyl Scratch make her way to the booth to take care of the audio.

“Can we override the computer/” Pinkie whispered to her. Sunset could only shake her head.

“Forgot to test it,” she admitted, still cursing at herself inwardly for not thinking of it at once. “Let’s just hope that we can do that when the time comes.” She said that tersely, since she knew that anything could go wrong along the way. Pinkie looked around and noticed the other Rainbooms seated to the other section across them. The others didn’t notice them though, since their attention were all on the event that was to start soon.

Which is just as well, Sunset thought. She really didn’t want to engage them just yet. She turned her attention back to the event, which would soon about to unfold. At that moment Principal Celestia stood up from her seat as soon as she noted that the students had all settled in. She made her way to the podium that was placed at the center of the stage.

There was a palpable anticipation from the students gathered, and most especially from Inspirio himself. He sat with an almost unnoticeable smug look on his face, though Sunset could already see through his deception. Pinkie as well, since she also knew of what he actually thinks. In contrast, Sophia only sat silently. She wasn’t at all certain what would happen, and Sunset’s heart went out to her.

“Welcome, students,” Principal Celestia began when all have settled down. “This might very well be our first to have something like this, but we do have a rather interesting run for the Council President this year.” Inspirio just smiled when Principal Celestia mentioned it. “I have let you all gather here in order to know what each candidate has to say before you vote, as well as somehow persuade those who might not be sure yet.”

The students all buzzed with excitement. Inspirio couldn’t contain his excitement as he was getting ready to stand up. Sunset at that moment also took her smartphone and began to press at the screen, getting ready to put her plan into motion.

“I won’t keep you waiting any longer,” Principal Celestia then announced. “I don’t think I will have to introduce him, as he will surely tell more about himself.” She then nodded towards Inspirio, who then rose from his seat and walked up to the podium. He took a few seconds to take it all in, looking over at the students gathered with anticipation. At almost the same time Sunset was ready to press on her smartphone, hoping it will work.

“My fellow students…” Inspirio began, but before he could add anything else, he could clearly hear his voice over the speakers. The students all looked baffled and flustered at what they were hearing. It was Inspirio, but the tone of the voice was different. This wasn’t the friendly student that handed out campaign goods in the hallway. His voice was more menacing, more sinister.

“I will have this school under me, one way or the other!” Inspirio’s recorded voice said, the one that he said to Sunset earlier in the week. Now the whole school was really agitated, and even both Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna didn’t know what to do. Inspirio just stood there, at first rooted to his place. Slowly his face began to twist in anger, and his eyes glared at the audience, searching as to who could possibly be doing it.

Finally his gaze fell on Sunset. He remembered some of the things he said to her, and now his demeanor had changed. Angrily he looked at her, and Sunset folded her arms and stared back at him.

“You!” he screamed, pointing at her at the same time. He then walked off the podium and began to go down the stage, going straight for her. Sunset stood up, ready to face him in front of all the people.

“You will not ruin my chances!” he said to her, anger all over him. “I have the school in mind hands, and I will not let you get in the way!” Sunset didn’t speak as he was now just in front of her. She remained calm, her arms still folded. She knew even then that she had won. “You really think you’ve won, right? You forget that the school hasn’t forgotten what you did!” He said that in a haughty voice.

“I don’t think I even have to say anything,” Sunset replied to him coldly. Inspirio stopped and looked around. All of the school were looking at him, shocked at what they were seeing. Realizing what was happening, Inspirio flew totally into rage.

“I will win! I will be the President! You will not stop me!” He screamed like that at Sunset, but she maintained her cold demeanor at him.

“You’ve lost, Inspirio,” she informed him. “You just showed your true self now. All you ever cared for is power.” Inspirio didn’t reply at once. After a few seconds of silence, he began to laugh.

“You play good, Sunset Shimmer,” he said, a bit more calmly now. “You know that you’re no different from me. You also want power as much as I do. Am I right about it?” Sunset didn’t say a word though. Inspirio then shook his head.

“You have this round, Sunset Shimmer,” he said to her. “But you will see things my way, as you always were meant to be!” He looked at her again, and then at the silent assembly, then walked at the center off the aisle as he stalked off. Vice-Principal Luna was about to stop him but Principal Celestia caught her arm and just shook her head.

Through it all, Sophia sat trembling at all the commotion. Sunset meanwhile sank back to her seat, exhausted. Pinkie took her hand and held it, and both of them smiled. By now the whole assembly was talking, surprised by what they had just witnessed.

“Well, I guess we have to help her,” Sunset said to both Pinkie and Sonata, who now went over to join them, pointing out to Sophia. They could see that she was still motionless in her seat. Principal Celestia went to the podium to restore order to the assembly.

“Well, looks like we now have the only remaining candidate after that turn of events,” she said, though everyone knew the conclusion to that. Sunset nodded over to Sophia when that was announced, and shyly she went over to Principal Celestia’s side.

“That was a gamble that you took,” Applejack to Sunset said after the assembly was over. All of the Rainbooms were now gathered around her.

“I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something is off with Inspirio,” she said to them.

“I did hear what he said to you,” Applejack pointed out. “You know it can still happen.” Sunset also wondered about it. She knew that she couldn’t just take that part of her away. Craving for power might always be with her. She just had to know how to handle it when the time comes.

“Well, we’re here in case it does,” Rainbow Dash assured her. Sunset didn’t say anything though. She wondered if she can even handle her own self. She had enough to take on for one day, let alone a week, and she’d rather not dwell into it just yet.

“We’ll be ready when that time comes,” she assured them.

“Of course we will, darling,” Rarity chimed in. Sunset wanted to be confident, though she also knew that there was something more that she wanted as well…

That night, as usual she wrote into her journal. As she sat in bed, she wondered what it really meant to crave for power and glory, and if it was at all a bad thing. She knew that it was part of having ambition, and she knew that there was much that she would like to do. Could she really reach for her goals without giving in to the same power and glory that Inspirio wanted? She was troubled by that, and thought of what it would mean for her and for the Rainbooms if ever that time came. She was lost in thought, as she reflected on her life so far and where it would take her.