I woke up around six before showering, getting dressed and grabbing something to eat before heading out to Rarity's. Luckily her house was only about fifteen minutes away. I ended up being second to last before Dash, who looked both tired and grumpy.

“Good we're all here,” Rarity said after she ushered us into her room. She then brought out six bags. “Now then, I was able to some uniforms with most of your sizes but I admit some may be a little loose, but better that than a little tight.”

Suddenly her door opened and a younger girl with pink hair peered in. I guessed she was Rarity's sister. She stared for a long moment. “Am I interrupting something? And are those Crystal Prep uniforms?”

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity snapped. “Haven't you heard of knocking before you enter!?”

“Well it's good that I didn't! You guys are all skipping school?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Well…” Fluttershy said.

“We are not skipping dear, we just have... business over at Crystal Prep. Very important business,” Rarity stated.

“...Can I come too?”

“Absolutely not!” Rarity replied. “Besides I don't have a uniform your size…”

“Aw no fair!”

Rarity sighed and went to her purse, getting out a twenty dollar bill. “If you promise not to say anything, you can go with your friends to that ice cream place with the handmade sodas.”

“Awesome!” Sweetie Belle took the bill and left.

Rarity sighed. “It's a shame I have to bribe my own sister.” She paused and stared at us. “Well don't just stand there girls school starts in less than an hour.”

“Uh...ya got a bathroom?” Applejack asked.

Rarity rolled! her eyes. “Honestly Applejack we're all mature ladies and should have no issue undressing in front of one another.” Pinkie and Dash certainly had no issue as both stripped down to their bras and panties.

About five minutes later we were all matching in uniform. I found the uniform a little stuffy. “Hmm...I have to admit we do make these uniforms look good,” Rarity commented.

“Okay one question,” Dash said. “How am I going to get in when people from the soccer team are going to recognize me?”

Rarity smiled widely. “Oh don't worry darling, I was well aware of that. If you'll just hold still a moment…”

“What the...oh no no no no!”

Rarity filled us all in once we got inside the bus that would take us downtown. Apparently there are no classes today but the student body was still required to attend. I can't say that isn't a little bit strange.

“Rainbow Dash really, I don't see what the fuss is about,” Rarity said.

None of us needed any makeovers although Applejack had to keep her hat off due to their hat policy. Rainbow Dash however wasn't so fortunate. She sat there fuming with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing a pair of glasses.

“Actually I think it's a good look,” Fluttershy said.

Dash looked at her slightly and her cheeks turned red. “Yeah?”

“Yeah if Rainbow Dash was an egghead,” I teased.

Applejack laughed. “She got you there Dash.”

“Very funny,” Dash grumbled. “Let's get this over with…”

The bus dropped in front of the school and I won't lie, my jaw dropped a bit. Crystal Prep wasn't just big, it was huge. One could tell the building had been here for a very long time yet they kept the place in excellent condition. Our tax dollars at work.

“Ooh just coming here makes me think of that one time I came here and they slapped a restraining order on me,” Pinkie almost whimpered.

“Seriously?” I ask.

“Yep! Apparently having fun here is against the rules,” Pinkie fumed.

“Now, now girls, all smiles now,” Rarity said. “Including you Dash.”

Dash suddenly smiled an unnerving grin. “I'll just think of what to do with you when this is over…”

I had to say, I haven't been to many schools in my life but I've never been in an atmosphere so...lacking. No one looked like they wanted to be here. Hell, even the vendors didn't seem interested in attracting customers.

“Uh, are we at a fair or a funeral?” Applejack asked.

“I was only here once but that time the students were way more engaged,” Rarity replied. “This is…”

“Kinda creepy?” Dash added.

“In a way yes,” Rarity said. “Let's split up and see if anything happens.”

Some of the girls headed to the gymnasium while I went through the hallways. There were things set up in every classroom. How could people put this much effort into something and then not give a care in the world?

As I passed by the one room, I could hear a conversation. “Dean Cadance, while I do admire the work that's been put into this, I am confused by the students’ sudden lack of enthusiasm. I've seen sloths show more interest in certain things.”

“Principal Cinch, I assure you the students were really excited about today. I'm sure it's only because it's morning that they're…”

“Acting like zombies?”

“Um...yes. Plus there was the horrible incident of that group of students disappearing.”

Well this just got interesting.

“Hmm...I suppose. For their sakes it better be a disappearance because Crystal Prep does not tolerate truancy! Now then, I hope by this afternoon you will be able to motivate the student body to be a little more active.”

I turned away and started walking as the door opened and two women, one older and stern-looking, and the other younger with a soft but concerned face, came out. The first woman walked off in the opposite direction and as soon as I was about to turn the corner I heard, “Excuse me?” I froze for a moment, weighing my options. I could pretend to not have heard her or run off, either which would look suspicious. I turned around as the younger woman walked towards.

“Sorry, I don't mean to bother you but I couldn't help but notice I haven't seen you here before.”

So much for the disguise. “Oh uh...yeah I'm still kinda new here…”

“Oh really?” She smiled; it was an innocent smile with a slight bit of humor. “I'm sure you've got the alma mater down by now right?”

“Uh...you know...I gotta go find my friends before they-” I turned around and started walking and instantly knocked into someone, falling on my butt.

“Oh I'm so sorry!” I look up and I see another girl in front of me with purple skin and matching hair with a pink highlight going through the middle. She was wearing glasses and had her hair in a bun. “I'm always so clumsy and-oh hi Cadance!”

“Hello Twilight.” Cadance smiled at her but then looked back at me. “Could you come with us for a moment? We need to talk privately somewhere.”

“Oh uh...sure,” the girl said as she got up and looked at me curiously as I sighed and got up as well.

Cadance took us both to the same room as before and locked it behind us. She then looked at me again and the smile was gone. “Alright, I think you have some explaining to do.”

Well this just sucked. “Look I'm not here to crash anything…”

“So you're from Canterlot High?” Cadance asked.

“Yeah…”

“Wait, how'd you get a uniform then?” the girl named Twilight asked.

“A friend of mine...borrowed some.”

Cadance took a deep breath. “Okay...so why are you here?”

It was a gutsy move, but I had to admit I overheard the conversation from before. “There was a group of students from here that went missing wasn't there?” I asked.

“That's right…are you saying something happened at CHS?”

“Two girls.”

“I see... well Miss…?”

“Sunset Shimmer.”

“Sunset, I appreciate you looking into this but this is a police concern. And you really shouldn't be skipping school.”

“Cadance is Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna's niece,” Twilight pointed out.

Oh crap!

Cadance smiled again. “Now Twilight don't scare her...don't worry I won't say anything but...well you don't want to run into Principal Cinch.” She paused for a moment. “You can stay til the end of the day but heed my warning before. In fact, why don't you show her around Twilight?”

“Huh, me?” Twilight asked.

“Of course, and Sunset can become your first friend.” She looks to me. “She spends half her days in the lab.”

“It's for science!” Twilight snapped.

“Right…” Cadance then unlocked the door and opened it. “Have fun you two!”

“Now wait a…ugh! That woman sometimes.” She then looked to me. “Sorry... she's my sister-in-law….well future sister-in-law. My brother and her used to go here and- sorry you don't seem interested in that. Anyway, I'm Twilight Sparkle and it's nice to meet you Sunset.”

“You're...not upset that I don't go here?” I asked.

“Honestly I wouldn't have known if you didn't say, since this school is pretty big. Twilight giggled. “I spend most of my time down in the lab anyway. Oh wait, I'm supposed to give you a tour.”

“Just so you know I'm not the only one crashing,” I said as we walked out into the hallway.

“I guess Crystal Prep is popular today but…” Twilight looks at her fellow students and can't help but look nervous. “I suppose we could go to the gymnasium...the office is probably not a good place to go.”

“Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight froze and turned around, her face suddenly going tense. “Hello Starlight.”

I turned around and saw a girl with light pink skin and dark purple hair with light pink and sky blue highlights. “I was looking for you. Oh, who's this?”

“This is Sunset. Sunset, meet Starlight Glimmer. She's the president of Student Council.” She didn't sound impressed as she talked though.

“Sunset? Never heard of you I'm afraid,” Starlight said with a smile so fake it made me want to gag. “I wanted to bring up the offer again of having you join Student Council as vice president.”

Twilight sighed. “Again, I appreciate the offer Starlight but I'm just not council material. Fleur on the other hand is much more suitable in my opinion.”

Starlight frowned, looking disappointed. “Very well, if that's your decision I'll let it go.” She turned back to me. “So Sunset, enjoying the fair so far?”

“It's... interesting I'll give it that,” I replied.

“Then you're gonna love what's going to be taking place later on in the gym,” Starlight said. “Well, I have to run along now, make sure everything's running properly. Talk to you later!”

As soon as she was gone, I looked to Twilight. “You don't like her do you?”

Twilight blushed slightly. “Was it that obvious?”

“You could cut the tension with a knife.”

Twilight giggled. “Yeah, I suppose you could. I dunno...despite how she acts she doesn't like me. She's jealous because her scores are just below mine so naturally she tries to undermine me any chance she can get.”

“And the thing with Student Council?” I asked.

“That's just a way for her to have an excuse to ridicule me in front of everyone else.” She sighed. “Sometimes I hate this school…oh sorry we were going to the gym weren't we?”

Once we got to the gym, we ran into Rarity and the others. “Man, I can't believe I'm saying this but I'd rather be at CHS right now doing actual schoolwork,” Dash was saying.

“Fer once I agree wit ya,” Applejack said. “Oh howdy Sunset-” She paused for a moment. “...Who's this?”

“Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight said, waving slightly.

Everyone else introduced themselves. “Twilight here knows we're from CHS,” I explained.

Everyone else traded uneasy looks. “Are you sure that was a good idea?” Rarity asked.

“Well any friend of Sunset's is a friend of mine, regardless of school!” Pinkie said.

“Oh don't worry I won't say anything,” Twilight reassured us.

“Ya do and you'll regret it,” Dash said, almost getting in her face.

“Um...I like your glasses,” Twilight said meekly.

“Huh?” Suddenly Dash's eye started twitching and for a moment I thought she was going to hit her. She then turned around and marched right out of the gym.

“...Was it something I said?” Twilight asked.

“For the record, Dash doesn't dress like that...or wear glasses,” Fluttershy said.

“Anyway...I found out something interesting,” I said. “Apparently a group of students here disappeared yesterday.”

“Right after what happened at CHS,” Rarity pondered.

“Uh...what happened at CHS?” Twilight asked.

That was one thing none of us could tell her. “We had two girls go missing at our school as well,” I said.

“Oh...it's that bad then,” Twilight asked.

“Uh... is it just me or is it really starting to get crowded in here?” Pinkie asked.

“Uncomfortably so yes,” Rarity said as people were pushing into her.

“Well, Cadance did say there was going to be an assembly today but this seems too early for-”

Suddenly the lights went out in the gym. “That can't be good,” Applejack said.

“Welcome all, ladies and gentlemen.” The sudden voice rang throughout the gym. Everyone was silent now.

I could see a figure in the rafters above, who then jumped down to the middle of the floor. It was wearing a black cape as well as a white mask. “Oh how easy it was to bring you all together.” The voice sounded modified but had a feminine tone.

“Why is it that you're here now? Because we made you come here. Humanity has hit a roadblock and you've let yourselves be manipulated and pulled around like the sheep you are.

“But do not worry. There is a plan. There always was a plan for the simple-minded. You'll still be quite useful for our master.”

“What is this?” Twilight almost whispered.

“We need to get out of here now!” I said loudly.

“Now then, do not fear...this may only hurt a lot!” Suddenly everything went white and soon shifted to darkness.

Author's Note

For those who are wondering, don't worry the Velvet Room will be featured and is coming soon. Also for those who are curious about Rainbow's...current look:

Yeah.