Equestria Girls: The College Years

On the outskirts of the campus grounds is a local burger joint called Johnny’s, home to some of the best burgers, sandwiches, and shakes close to Equestria University.  Owned by Johnny Grill himself, he’s been running this place for over 20 years.  And while it would usually be busy around lunchtime, it wasn’t on this day because everyone was still checking in to their dorms.  But sitting in three booths that were next to each other were a group of girls who decided to get together for lunch and catching up on past events.

Sunset and her fellow Rainbooms were busy telling their Shadowbolt friends how they faced the sirens during the battle of the bands.

“So all six of you and your princess blasted those sirens with a blazing rainbow, destroying all of their magic and what pony powers they took from you, and they just ran off?” Indigo was asking Sunset.

“That’s right.  And we haven’t seen them since that day, until now.”

“So was Aria in charge of the group?” Twilight asked the girls.

“Nope.  Adagio Dazzle was the one calling the shots,” replied Applejack.

“And I’m hoping to meet her here soon,” said Sunset.  “I would like to get her side of the story in all of this.”

“It would be nice to see how they all have changed, like Aria said,” Rarity added.

Sugarcoat decided to speak her opinion in this.  “If they went to Crystal Prep, they would have been able to get all the energy they needed so they could take control of the school and make us invade Canterlot High so that they could collect the Equestrian Magic they needed to take over the world.”

“At least Principal Cinch would be acting like a servant instead of a blackmailing principal that she was,” said Sunny.

“After what she did to Twilight before the friendship games, I think it would have been nice if she was under the siren’s control,” said Dash.

“Oh, she wasn’t talking about what Principal Cinch did to Twilight,” said Sour, “She was talking about what that meanie did to us.”

The other girls were in shock at what they were hearing from their former Shadowbolt friends.

Twilight asked, “Why would she try to blackmail you five?”

Sugarcoat responded, “Don’t know.  All we know is that Dean Cadence caught on and was able to stop her from doing so.  Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to graduate and attend college like you girls have.”

“Cadence never told me anything about this,” Twilight said.  “But she would have figured that I would worry about you girls too much that it would be a distraction for me.”

Rarity interrupted.  “I hate to be rude, but we might want to table this discussion, because she’s here.”

Sunset looked over at the entrance and saw what looked like a professional lady with puffy orange hair.  She saw Sunset and waved to her, in which Sunset waved back.

Johnny looked over to the lady and said, “Hey Adagio.  Here for lunch?”

“Not today, Johnny.  I’m just here to see some old friends over here.”  She looked over to the group and said, “Actually, give me a sweet tea, if you don’t mind.  I’ll be over there with those girls.”

“Sure thing,” Johnny replied.

Adagio walked on over to where Sunset and her friends were.  Sunset was able to slid on over to make room for Adagio to sit with them.  It was quiet until Johnny brought over Adagio’s sweet tea.  Adagio took a sip, and then spoke.  “I guess you’re wondering why me and my sisters are working here.”

“I would like to hear the whole story, if you don’t mind,” Sunset said to Adagio.

“Well, I think it’s best to start with what happen after the battle of the bands.”

[Begin Flashback]

Days after the battle of the bands, the three former sirens had their hoddies on once again, while carrying what little clothes they have since they went to that school that the Rainbooms attended.  Trying to find cover from the rain at night, they went under a small bridge in the park.

Adagio removed her hood and said, “I swear to you, I’ll get those precious Rainbooms if it’s the last thing I do.”

“And how do you plan on doing that, Dagi?”  Aria said and she removed her hood.  “We have no pendants, no siren magic, NOTHING!!!  What do you plan for us to do, yell them to death?”

Adagio pointed at Aria, saying, “Did I ask for your opinion?”

Aria responded, “Well, you never had a backup plan in the first place.”

“Because my plans are fool-proof!”

“Really.  Because last I recall, we got beat by five high school student, and alicorn princess, and a unicorn that was once a she-demon.  And before that, we got sent to this world thanks to Star Swirl the Bearded.  You tell me that’s fool-proof?”

“Well I don’t see you giving out any ideas!”

“Because you didn’t give a damn what I had to say, you slut!” Aria said, as she shoved Adagio back.

“Watch it, bitch!”  Adagio pushed Aria back.

Both girls kept pushing each other.  Then they were punching each other.  Then they started to fight like crazy as they were pulling each other’s hair.

Sonata, with her hood off, saw her sisters fighting, not knowing what to do.  She couldn’t help see what her sisters were doing to each other and yelled, “STOP IT!!!”  Adagio and Aria stopped fighting and looked at Sonata as she fell on her hands and knees, crying.  “Look at you two, fighting over nothing.  We lost, and all you can do is act like monsters.”

“She’s right,” Adagio said.  “We’re no longer sirens.  We’re just human beings acting like monsters.”

“And how are we suppose to survive without our powers?” Aria asked Adagio.

“I don’t know, but somehow, we’ve been given another chance.  Maybe a chance to live a normal life for once.”

Adagio walked over to her fallen sister and helped her onto her feet.  “If Sunset was able to survive what she went through after becoming a she-demon, then we can do the same.”

[End Flashback]

“So we spend months begging for money or handouts, staying in homeless shelters that didn’t have any creepy guys there, just trying to stay on our feet,” said Adagio.

“So how were you able to meet Professor Discord?” Sunset asked Adagio.

“Let’s just say it was more planned out on his end that we didn’t see coming.”

[Begin Flashback]

The former sirens were next to a back alley, wrapped in worn out blankets, taking turns in asking for money.  Adagio was taking her turn in asking for money when she met a tall, professional man with short, gray hair, small reading glasses, and a goatee.

“Excuse me, but do you have any money to spare,” she asked the man.

He looked at the lady for a moment and said, “Tell me, why is there such a lovely lady like yourself out on the streets all alone?”

“I’m not alone, you see.”  Adagio pointed to her sisters in the alley.

The man said, “My dear.  Are these your sisters?”  Adagio nodded.  The man shook his head and said, “This will not do.  Why don’t you and your sisters join me at my place?  It will give you a chance to recover from living in this place.”

Adagio looked at her sisters and saw them nod their heads.  “We would be grateful of your hospitality mister…”

“Discord.  Professor Discord.”

And it was Professor Discord who took the three former sirens into his home and let them wash up while he went to get them dinner for them to eat.  The three girls saw the professor return with a couple of pizzas and drinks and brought them to the dinning room.  And the girls were eating, Adagio wanted to ask Discord something.

“You said that you were a professor.  Where do you teach at?”

“Actually, I’m the head president of Equestria University.  I’m also a professor in psychology and teach several classes at the university.  It’s a lot of work, but I don’t see any problem with it.”

“That’s good to hear,” Adagio replied, knowing that it wasn’t someone who they met back at Canterlot High.

Discord asked, “What about you ladies?  How did you end up in the streets?”

Sonata answered, “Oh, we were trying to take…” only to be cut off by Aria’s elbow to her side.

“What my sister’s trying to say was that we’ve fallen on hard times,” Adagio said.

“Well, you are welcome to stay here for the night,” Discord said to the girls.  “You can sleep on the couches in the living room.  I’ll prove some blankets and pillows that you can use.”

So the girls were able to get some sleep for the night.  When morning came, Discord had some orange juice and a selection of cereal for the girls to choose.  As the former sirens were eating their breakfast, someone knocked at the front door.

“Excuse me, dear ladies, but I need to answer this,” Discord said, and walked out of the dinning room and made his way to the front door.

The girls continue eating until they could hear some of the chatter outside.

Discord said, “I’m glad the two of you could make it.”

“Thank you, Professor Discord.  Are they still here?”

Adagio went into shock.  “Damn it.  It’s Principal Celestia.”

“How did she know that we’re here?” Aria asked Adagio.

“I don’t know, and I don’t plan to find out.  Let’s try to get out of here.”

The girls started to make their way to the back entrance, only to be encountered by Vice Principal Luna.

“Going somewhere?” VP Luna said with her arms crossed.

Discord and Celestia walked into the same room, asking for them to sit back down in the dinning room.

With all of them sitting together, Discord placed his elbows on the table and clasped his hands and spoke.

“Forgive my deception, but when I saw you last night, I knew that these two ladies would love to have a chat with you after what they have told me back then.”

Luna looked at them and said, “Adagio, Aria, Sonata.  The actions that you have done at our school, including what you did to us, cannot be forgotten.  And I’m sure the girls that saved us would want to see the three of you pay for your crimes.  So if you have anything to say in your defense, then we’ll let you have your say.”

“Allow me to speak for my sisters,” Adagio said.  “After our defeat, we tried to run and hide from the school and its students.  At that time, we started fighting against each other.  We were nothing but monsters, to you, to the students, and to ourselves.  If we must be punished for what we have done, then we’ll take whatever you decide to give us as punishment.”

Celestia and Luna looked at each other and nodded before Celestia spoke.

“While you deserve to be punished, we have had another idea in mind.  I would like the three of you to work on the campus with Professor Discord.  I’m sure he can find fitting jobs for you to work on.”

The girls had confused looks on their faces.  Celestia spoke again.

“Perhaps an explanation is needed.  Just weeks ago, we held the friendship games on our school against Crystal Prep.  They have a reputation of winning in everything.  And they will do whatever they can to win, including blackmailing their own students.”

Luna continued.  “This was done to their top student, who was also trying to study what she didn’t know as magic by herself.  The device that she used was able to absorb the magic at will.  Crystal Prep’s principal, Abacus Cinch, learned of this and blackmailed her again to unleash the magic she had just to win a game.  This caused her to turn into a monster like Sunset was before you arrive.  It was Sunset who was able to save her and lead her to transfer to our school.”

Celestia took over.  “The reason we’re telling you this is that they will be going through their senior year soon, and maybe attend EU.  I want the three of you to understand what this world has to offer, just like Sunset and her friends are doing to their new friend after what happened during the games.  We hope in a year, you can work alongside them and put your differences behind.”

Adagio asked them, “Does Sunset plan to attend college?”

“She’s been debating it,” Luna answered.  “I’ve been helping her in what she wants to do when the time comes.”

“Ladies, this is a great chance to have a new life in this world,” Discord said.  “I know you will enjoy the experience there.”

Adagio looked at her sisters and knew that agreed on the same thing.  “We’ll be happy to take the job.  Just one question, what was the name of the girl that turned into a she-demon at the games?”

“Would you be surprised that her name was Twilight Sparkle?”

[End Flashback]

“All three of us were surprised to know that this world’s Twilight attended Crystal Prep,” said Adagio.

“I was more surprised to be talking to myself afterwards,” said Twilight.  “But I understand that she went through this phase in her own world and came out a princess.”

“Speaking of which, how is the princess doing these days?” Adagio said to Sunset.

“Well, while we were dealing with magic during the games, she was busy repairing the timeline that her new student caused during that time.  Said that she was tired of everyone leaving her because of how they were earning their cutie marks.  Almost reminds me of…well, me.”

“I guess everyone has their own adventure to experience,” said Adagio.  “I already had to help in saving these girls from a terrible fate.”  The girls had confused looks on their faces.  “I guess Dean Cadence didn’t tell you the details.  Might as well tell you now.”

[Begin Flashback]

Someone was knocking on the door to Professor Discord’s home.  Adagio went on over to answer the door and was met by two ladies.

“Good day, ladies.  You must be Principal Cinch and Dean Cadence.”

“Yes we are” said Principal Cinch.  “I presume that Professor Discord is here?”

Adagio replied, “He is.  If you will follow me.”

Adagio escorted the two to the living room where the professor was.  When they entered the room, they were surprised to see Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna in the room as well.

“I hope there’s a reason for these…two to be here.” Cinch said to Discord.

“There is.  If you will please have a seat.”

The two ladies sat down across the Canterlot sisters.  Adagio went to stand next to Discord.

“I have been told that you have been blackmailing students to get what you want for the school,” Discord said to Cinch.

Cinch adjusted her glasses and said, “If it’s about your new student, then I understand your concern.  But that’s in the past.”

Discord said, “This isn’t about her, but five other students that you plan to blackmail, maybe even expel from the school.”

“And how do you…” Cinch looked over to Cadence and said, “You told them this, didn’t you.”

“Principal Cinch, I will not allow you to make a bigger mistake to Crystal Prep or its students because of what happened after the Friendship Games.”

Cinch responded, “That is not for you to…”

“ABACUS CINCH!!!”  Discord yelled at her, silencing her.  “You understand the actions that you have caused during these games.  And I expect you to take responsibility for what you have done.”

“Excuse me?” Cinch replied.

“Principal Cinch, I can understand that you saw what was believe to be magic at our school,” Luna explained.  “And it was that same magic that saved us from fates worse than that.”

Cinch responded.  I can understand that one of your fellow students went through the same thing, but what else could be worse to any of that.”

Adagio went to Principal Cinch’s side and bend down to look straight at her.  “You’re looking at her.”

Principal Cinch let out a quick laugh and said, “You?  Is this a joke?”

“I have you know I was once a siren before I came here.  And during that time, I was able to put that school under my spell, causing them to compete against each other.  It was that anger that we absorbed that made us stronger.  But we couldn’t take control of some students, the same six students that you faced during your precious games, because they processed Equestrian magic, the same magic that your former student tried to absorb and release, turning her into a monster.  It was that same magic that we tried to absorb to make us invincible, only to let it destroy the powers that we once had, making us human like everyone else.”

Cinch stared at Adagio and said, “And your point is?”

“Let me make it clear.  You decided to play with powers you don’t even understand.  If I knew what your school was like, we would have used your students and staff and absorb the negative emotions they possess and made them do what we wanted them to do, including you.  Then it would have made things easier to take over CHS.  And if you think that pointing the blame to other students for what you forced onto them, forget it.  The only person to blame…is yourself.”

“Don’t forget who help you in exposing what your school was doing decades ago,” said Celestia.  “If you haven’t come to Discord and me when he was still the principal of CHS, you would still be a teacher working in a corrupt school with no one to help you.”

“For some reason, you’re forgotten the meaning of the “Chaos Theory” that I told you,” said Discord.

Principal Cinch looked down and thought it over.  “In order for there to be balance, there must be chaos.”

“And what does that mean?” Discord asked Cinch.

“That we much accept failure in order to succeed later on.”  Principal Cinch took a deep breath and said, “I’ll dismiss the claims on the five students…and begin reviewing the school policy for changes to help benefit the school as a whole.”

Discord said, “That’s what I like to see from you this point on.”

[End Flashback]

“So she was trying to find an excuse to expel us from CPA after what we did after the friendship games?” Indigo asked Adagio.

“That’s right.  Don’t know what it was, but I don’t think it matter anyway.  All of you are here now, and that’s all that matters.”

Dash said, “Yea, we should just enjoy our time here anyway, right?”

Everyone agreed to that comment.

“I’m surprised about this chaos theory that he uses,” Sugarcoat said.  “What if you can’t control the chaos that has been created?”

“There is always a way to control chaos, as long as you work together.”  The girls were surprised to see a man with gray hair, glasses, and goatee.

“OH, Mr. D.  This is a pleasant surprise,” said Fluttershy.

"MR. D?"

“It’s nice to see you attending EU, Fluttershy.  I’m guessing that someone is looking over the animal shelter for you?”

“Oh, why yes.  Three girls that we know well.”

“Fluttershy, I didn’t know you knew Professor Discord,” said Adagio.

“OH, he comes by the shelter over the weekends when he’s looking for a possible service animal that is needed for someone with…what was it, PTSD?”

Sunset answered, “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Something that I plan to study for my major.”

“So you must be Sunset Shimmer that some of my friends have been talking about,” said Professor Discord.  “I’ll be glad to help you during your time here.”

“I’m grateful to have you as my guidance consoler, Professor Discord, “said Sunset.  “And I hope to be taking some of your classes later on.  I must say, I never thought of you as being the head president here.  Plus, you come close to the one back in my world.”

“Principal Celestia told me a bit about your world and it’s magic.  So what can you tell me about the Discord from your world.”

Everyone stared at Sunset, waiting for her answer.  “Well, this only came from Princess Twilight, but she told me that you were know as the master of chaos, and that the two princess used the Elements of Harmony to turn him into stone.  He broke free, only to be turned to stone by Twilight and her friends.  Then he was requested to be released by Princess Celestia so that he can be reformed with Fluttershy’s help, which could explain why the two of you know each other well.”

Lemon Zest jumped up and said, “Wow, that was awesome.  Do you think there are pony versions of us there?”

Sunset replied, “Well, I have yet to see the human version of myself, or even Twilight’s new student, Starlight Glimmer.  I’ll be surprised to find a mirrored version of Queen Chrysalis here as well.”

“Chrysalis?  That’s my guidance consoler,” said Sour.

“So you must be majoring in psychology as well.” Discord said to Sour Sweet.

“Well, I do have bipolar disorder, which I have been trying to overcome,” Sour replied.  “I’m hoping this can help me understand it better for myself and for others with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and severe depression.”

“At least your meds are finally kicking in,” said Sunny

“Watch it Sunny.”

“Well that’s her specialty in the psychology field,” Discord added.  “I think you’re going to like her, even if she can be weird at times.”

“Well, my major is science technology,” said Twilight.  “What is everyone else majoring in?”

“Um, mine’s nursing,” said Fluttershy.  “I’m hoping to help out people and animals that need help.”

“Theater,” said Sunny Flare.

“Business,” said Rarity.  This got some stares towards her.  “What.  If I’m going to be running a fashion business, I need to understand how to make it happen.”

“Agriculture,” said Applejack.

“Physical Science, with a minor in Mathematics,” said Sugarcoat.

“Music Education,” said Lemon.  This got different stares from her friends.  “Hey, I want to teach others how to play music.”

“Visual Arts,” said Pinkie, raising her fist.

“Athletics,” said Dash and Indigo together.

“Looks like we got a wide variety in what we want to do for our future,” said Sunset.

“Professor Discord, your food’s ready,” yelled Johnny from the counter.

“Thanks,” he replied.  “Well, I need to be heading back.  I hope we get to cross paths again.”

Sunset said, “Same here.”

“I better head back to the library,” said Adagio.  “If you need any help in there, just let me know.”

Both Discord and Adagio left the place to return back to the campus grounds.

“Well, it’s nice to see that Adagio and her sisters have changed,” said Applejack.  “One lest thing to worry about.”

“I’m just glad that she saved us from being expelled,” Indigo added.

“I think this calls for a toast,” Rarity requested.  “Would you like to do the honors, Sunset?”

“I’ll be glad to.”  Sunset raised her glass. “To all the friends that have helped us to get here.  For Friendship.”

Everyone else raised their glasses and cheered, “FOR FRIENDSHIP!!!”