The Good Fight

Chapters

1. The Artist's Dilemma
2. Stepping Forward
3. Counter...Evacuate
5. The Fight in the Dog
7. "...with a little help from my friends" part 2
8. One More River to Cross
4. Someone Else's War
6. "...with a little help from my friends" part 1

1. The Artist's Dilemma

The line had moved along this particular morning without much drama. Line them up, right turn or left, chin up and smile. It was all pretty routine looking she thought, at least to the casual observer. 'If only they knew what they were looking at,' she thought, 'then they could see the craft involved, the quest for the right pose, that it in reality it all isn't random.'

Not that it mattered to most of her subjects. By now, they had expected to be spared such an indignity as this. After all, it would only be later in life that missing out on a yearbook picture would actually be noted, of course far too late to be rectified. So the stragglers slowly shuffled along and got it over with, some actually managing some sort of smile.

The photographer paused for a moment, and checked her phone. Almost there, she thought. Her last subject finally shuffled forward and took her position centered between the lights. The artist maneuvered her subject into position with hand signals until she got it just right. She then moved back behind the camera to make the final adjustments…and she noticed him.

She couldn’t decipher the words that were said, but there was no way to continue as the large male suddenly walked in from out of nowhere and took over the scene in front of her. She gave a clearly audible groan, and tried to distract herself as the whole debacle played out. Once again she checked her phone, cursing her bad fortune. She looked again and noticed that the boy was blocking the girl in between the camera and the wall. She stepped back and paced for a moment, taking a moment to adjust her tie before she turned back, having finally lost her patience.

“So, are you gonna make me work for this, cause I’m telling you that I can give you something Shimmer can’t even dream of,” the male said, his face less than a foot away from his quarry.

Twilight Sparkle leaned over to try and spot the photographer before straightening up and answering, “Oh...well yes, I suppose that’s true. But, what if I’m not in the market for some…thing…like that?”

“Hey, it’s biology babe. Settling for anything less is just unscientific. I understand that you’re a bit conflicted about it. But…” he said leaning in closer, “…I bet I can change your mind.”

Twilight had by now run out of room for retreat as the brick wall’s rougher edges dug into her left shoulder.

“What do you…” the male began, but he suddenly yelped and jumped in place as a something hit his right calf. He looked down at the ground for a moment before spotting the culprit, a small rock. He only then glanced over his shoulder and actually took note of the photographer, who was carefully examining another potential projectile in her hand.

“Oh…I am zooo sorry,” she said as she noticed his stare, “did somezing I do break your cooncentration? A thouzand pardons. I guess I must have forgotten zhat I waz only shtanding here stlickly for your amuzement.”

He turned from his intended to face his new adversary. “You’ve got a big mouth there Helga,” he growled.

“And you’ve got a low I.Q... but that iz not the point!,” Photo Finish fired back, moving from behind her camera tripod and approaching him directly, “Vhat exactly does your mind think iz going on here? Lightz, camera…really?" she asked, gesturing to her equipment. "Try doing zhe math! We are here to take a yearbook picture, not to indulge your little fantazys! So… GET OUT OF MY ZHOT!”

Twilight watched the whole scene with growing concern as the imposing male approached her benefactor. He was at least a solid foot taller than his female opponent, and he made sure to get close enough so she would feel the full effect before continuing.

“In case you failed to notice, little Miss Feminazi, the lady and I are conducting a little negotiation here, and I couldn’t care less about your precious picture. So wait your damn turn.”

Photo crossed her arms, her reply deceptively calm as she answered, “Little boy, let me schpell it out for you. I have 10 minutez from now, give or take, to finish thiz project, given to me by zhe principal, put away my equipment, and get to clazz. Mizz Schparkle is the last picture I need to get, and you are in my vay. As to your negoshiation thingy, I could not care less, as I am aware that she already haz a date on prom night. Zo you are not only wasting my time, which is bad enough, but also yourz and herz!”

The male was unimpressed, and put his hand on her shoulder, his fingers running back and forth over her shoulder blades before replying, “Small price to pay. Now I’m not sure how you Huns handle situations like this, but over here we are actually allowed to change our minds about who we associate with. Maybe if you weren’t such a damn stuck up prude you’d understand that.”

He made sure to look her straight in the eyes, or at least he tried. Even this close he really couldn’t see them behind her glasses. Perhaps that was the point of wearing them, he thought.

She turned her head slightly, and looked down at his hand on her shoulder, then looked back at him and replied, “Let go of me...now.”

“Fair enough,” he answered as he removed his hand, “But if you plan to stick around this country, I suggest you get with the program Eva. Otherwise, you might be better off back on the banks of the Danube.”

“Oh, aren’t you the clever boy,” she replied sarcastically, and then added in a low voice, “an annoying pain in the azz, but clever.”

“GOT IT! Thank you Miss Sparkle!”

The two combatants both turned back towards the set as a young gentleman came out from behind the camera and escorted Twilight to the side and let her get her bag before she hastily departed.

“Hey you little weed, I was talking to her!” the larger male yelled.

The younger smaller male brought his hands together and replied, “uh no, you were talking to her,” pointing to Photo Finish, “and I figured that we needed to get the picture, and she needed to get to class, so I just decided to go ahead and crack on.”

“Vhat?” Photo asked, and she quickly rushed over to her camera to check the result. She punched a few buttons and found the young man’s work. She studied it for a moment in the display and nodded her head.

“Yez…yez, I zink I can use this,” she said, and then turned to her assistant and smiled, “Zhank you Pip.”

“A pleasure,” he replied.

The other male gave a frustrated sigh, and threw his head back in disgust.

“Zo, I guess the problem is zolved,” Photo said with a sneer as she turned back to the larger male. “Now we can get to class, and you can do whatever it is that you do…ztart firez, kick little puppies…vhatever it is that amuzes you.”

“Yeah sure Eva,” he answered and then added in a lower voice as he turned away, “Rotten little kraut.”

“And...would you PLEAZE ztop mikzing up your stupid metaphorz!” she called after him, “The Danube one was right; the Kraut talk iz wrong...period!”

Her adversary turned back and replied, “Austrian huh? Yeah sure, so was Hitler.”

“So what,” came a reply from the other male in the conversation, “…so was Mozart.”

The older male looked over to the younger male, walked closer, and then bent over till he was face to face and asked, “You got something to say weed?”

The younger student recoiled back slightly as the larger person took over the scene in front of him, but quickly recovered and looked his opponent straight in the eye and replied, “They call me Pip by the way.”

The other male chuckled to himself, and replied “And what on earth makes you think that I care what you’re called.” He then turned and walked away.

As soon as he left, Pip let lose a long sigh, and bowed his head. He took a couple of deep breaths and muttered under his breath, “Wanker.”

“Hey!” Photo said, snapping her fingers, “Get back with ze program!”

Pip looked to her, and then at the equipment still awaiting him, and replied, “Oh...right.” He then turned towards the lights and began the process of taking them down and bagging them.

In a matter of minutes, Photo had her camera bag loaded and looked back to her assistant, who was already working on the second light. “Zhat waz a very clever cooment there. I waz not thinking of Mozart,” she said to Pip.

“Oh indeed,” he replied, “Hummph…apparently neither did he.”

“Oh…vell," Photo replied, “do not get cocky. I probably could have come up with zomevhing.”

Pip nodded. “I have no doubt of that,” he answered. He then turned to her and asked, “I’m surprised though that you intervened. I didn’t know you and Sparkle were mates.”

“Ve aren’t, not really. But zomeone had to zomezhing,” Photo answered with evident frustration, “Schparkle is a good girl, but...she is too nice. Hmmph... I svear zhat girl would not zay scheiße if she had a mouthful. And...zhat boy was just…hanging on her like zhat…”

She paused, and took a deep breath, and then said, “Let us go now.”

Pip quickly picked up the lighting and the tripod and moved to join her as she marched off towards the door.

“Well,” Pip spoke, “Are you going to do the touchup yourself, or let one of the others handle it?”

Photo puzzled over the question for only a minute before answering, “Ve vill have to handle it ourselves. Unfortunately zhe otherz are not available on short notice, and it is due by zhe evening anyvay.”

Pip thought about it and stopped short. “We?” he asked.

Photo paused, and turned back towards Pip and asked, “You have zomething better to do?”

Pip looked back at her dumbfounded. “You do realize it’s going to take an absolute age do a proper job I hope?” he responded.

Photo paused before the door, and turned back to Pip and replied, “Oh pleaze…we are not going to be reinventing ze veel here. And vhat of it? It vill take vhatever it takes. A true professional never zettles for any half baked verk. And yez... I oonderstand that most of these people do not care vhat they look like in theze pictures . But I do, because the pictures not only reflect on them as soobjects, but on me az photographer. Are we clear?”

Pip crossed his arms and pondered a moment, smiled, and nodded. Then he picked up the tripod again, climbed the steps, opened the door, and ushered Photo into the building.

The images flashed past as she scrolled through the file. It was there somewhere, she thought, hidden in the midst of so much fluff. How could it not stand out? The background was distinct, she should see it clearly. She bowed her head and took a deep breath…

“PHOTO FINISH…!!”

She jumped, almost knocking her tablet off the table. She looked around frantically and found someone next to her with a rolled up paper aimed into her face calling…

“PHOTO FINISH…MARS CALLING…SURRENDER NOW…MARS NEEDS WOMEN!!”

She reached up quickly and pulled the obstruction away to see the face of her friend Pixel Pizzaz, who immediately burst out laughing.

“Oh Photo, that was classic!” she managed to spill out between belly laughs, “You looked like you were going to piss yourself.”

Photo groaned and immediately homed in on the other sound she heard, and found Violet Blurr on her other side, leaning in close. Photo raised her arm and pointed to her, saying “Not one verd.”

Violet tried to conceal her mirth, and immediately drew her closed fist across her mouth.

Photo set her tablet down on the table, and it was only then that she glanced around and realized what she was looking at. “How long have you two been here exactly?” she asked.

“Oh…hours,” Violet replied as planted her elbow on the table and rested her head, “Photo my friend, you know we are truly sisters, the three of us. But I just have to ask…do you ever actually eat when you come to the cafeteria?”

Photo looked back to her tray, and her untouched enchilada. ‘Why did she even get that’, she thought.

“I waz diztracted,” she finally answered curtly.

“I’ll say,” Pixel answered, “Probably still thinking about the morning. Speaking of which, when did you start picking fights with Bold Venture?”

Photo scowled. “Oh please, I waz not ‘picking a fight’,” she answered, air quotes included, “He was being a smarmy pain in the rear, and I let him know it. And vhat did I get for my effort…he callz me a Nazi!” She gave a frustrated grunt. “That little boy vould not know a Nazi if a braunhemden came up behind him and shooved a jackboot up his azz.”

The other girls recoiled back a bit at that remark, and Violet looked to Pixel. “Well, I’m not sure I want to test that theory. Braunhemden sounds like a sanitation worker.” Violet replied.

“Yeah, I’m betting the brown part is a good first clue,” Pixel answered, and both girls burst out laughing. Photo simply threw her head back and gave them an eye roll, or so they thought and finally took some interest in her food. The other girls decided it was a good time to get in a bite, and the group ate quietly for a few minutes before Pixel broke the silence.

“But to the matter at hand, or…whatever,” she announced, “Photo, we have an announcement.”

Pixel signaled Violet, who leaned in close to Photo, and announced, “We’re getting the band back together.”

Photo thought about it for a moment. “Ze band?” she asked, “Ze band? You mean our band? Vhy would you want to do zhat? We lost zhat coompetition…we even got beaten by zhe blasted Dazzlingz.”

The other girls looked to each other and wagged their heads. “Photo…so what?” Violet responded with a grin, “Yeah sure we didn’t win. But it’s not like the ‘Dazzlings’ didn’t have just a bit more experience for crying out loud. And come on, you can’t tell me with a straight face that you didn’t love being out on stage. And I know for certain that there are at least three of the hotter musicians in this place that would love to back us up. And there IS a demand for our talents out there..." She paused, and not seeing the response she expected added, "Aww...come on, it’s a great opportunity and we can’t move on this without our lead singer…”

Photo lowered her head and scratched her chin while she puzzled over the idea. When she looked back, the other two were just watching her intently.

She recoiled back a bit, and said with a groan, “Pleaze…shpare me the puppy dog eyez. All right…all right, we can pozzibly do this.”

The other two looked to each other and smiled. “Photo Finish and the Snapshots…" Violet said with a big smile, and added in a lower register, "...together again." before she stood up and reached out to Pixel and gave her a high five while Photo simply smiled and sighed.

Photo managed to get through the rest of the noon hour without any further complications, and finally could proceed with her day. She marched her way down the hallway to her locker, the crowd seeming to part before her as she went. At least, that’s what she told herself. It may have been just an ego trip, but she didn’t care. There was too much to do to waste time on trivialities.

As she rounded the bend, she spotted her first challenge of the afternoon, a certain pink haired girl, with a very expensive camera. She was chatting away rather loudly with a girl with multihued hair that she recognized as the captain of the j.v. soccer team. She paused a moment to watch the scene as the pink haired girl seemed to send her arms in twelve different directions at once while she conversed without the slightest thought to the camera in her hand. Photo’s heart sank, and she rushed forward and grabbed the girls arm with one hand, all while wrapping her other arm around the camera.

“Oh hi Photo, you would not believe some of the pictures I got at the tournament. They are sooo awesome!” Pinkie exclaimed, seeming not to notice what Photo had done.

“Hey Photo,” Rainbow Dash said, “There a problem?”

Photo gave a frustrated grunt and turned to face Pinkie.

“I would love to zee your picturez Mizz Pie,” she said through gritted teeth, pulling the camera out of her hand, “But that will not happen if you deshtroy the camera before you get it back to download zhe contents!”

She took hold of the camera, lens towards her, with both hands, and handed it back to Pinkie. When the other girl had taken hold of it with both hands, Photo brought the strap around and looped it over Pinkie’s head.

“And use the shtrap, that is vhat it’z there for,” she ordered. “It iz much too late in the shkool year to break a camera. Do you undershtand me?”

Pinkie looked up and made eye contact, her blush clearly showing her embarrassment, and answered, “Right…got it.”

“Zhank you,” Photo replied.

Photo then turned to leave, and as she did so Pinkie’s friend Rainbow called out “Steady there girl!”

“Yah, vhutever,” she replied. She took only a few steps to her right before she spotted something strange. She slowed her approach, and puzzled over what she saw, her mouth agape.

As she did, Pinkie and Rainbow came up from behind and all three girls examined the scene. It was Photo’s locker; that they knew for sure. But now the entire outer surface was covered top to bottom with swastikas.

“Wow Photo,” Pinkie said to break the silence, “I know you’re into fashion, but I think you’re kinda pushing it with this one.”

On hearing this, the other two girls could only turn their heads and look to the girl in pink in disbelief.

There were an unusual number of loiterers in the office considering the time of day. It was not that unusual, some were of course carrying on the normal business of the day. But there was a group there with other ideas. The vandalism report had gotten around, and some students who had excused themselves from study halls or were slow walking their way from the restroom seemed to be passing by, watching one could only assume for some sort of drama.

“Znips and Znails?” Photo repeated back, and then shook her head in disbelief, “Zhat is impoossible. Zhose two cretins could not even draw a swastika. I doubt they have even zeen one before.”

Vice Principal Luna glanced over to her sister with a raised eyebrow, whose point was immediately recognized by Celestia. The principal folded her hands together, and met Photo’s gaze as she replied.

“Well…,” she started, “the surveillance tape puts that theory to rest. I do agree though that those two may not have initiated this whole series of events, given their history. Unfortunately, without more evidence, all we can do is deal with them.”

Photo folded her hands and looked the principal in the eye and replied “Frau Celestia, I oonderstand the problem. But it seems obvious zhat zhere is a coonection here. I have a confrontation; he callz me a Nazi; and the swastikas appear…bing…bang…boom. It can not be a coincidance.”

“Miss Finish, we’re not saying that it is,” Vice Principal Luna answered, “We’re only saying that we can’t go further, at least until we have a chance to investigate. Please try to stay calm.”

“I AM CALM!” Photo snapped back, but then shrank back into her chair when she saw the reaction.

“My apologies,” she continued as she shook off a bit of her extra energy, “I-It is just the thought of zomeone mezzing with my stoof, with people all around, and no one zaying a verd!” She paused, and added “I realize that not everyone likes me or vhat I do. I achxept that. You go too far outside zhe line, you pay ze price. But...no one has mezzed with me like this before…or called me names like ‘Nazi’ or ‘Hun’.”

Celestia nodded and answered, “I understand. Maybe it would be better if you got back to class.”

Photo looked to Celestia, and not seeing any reaction took a deep breath, and then stood up, gave the two administrators a shallow bow, and turned and left the room.

Luna moved over and closed the door behind her student, than turned to her sister. “Well, what do you think?”

Celestia thought about it for a second, and replied “I think we have a problem, and I want it nipped in the bud. I won't tolerate someone dealing in psychological warfare in my school.”

“Do we know that that is what is happening?” Luna replied, “Bold Venture hasn’t been a problem since he arrived in September. And he maintains a solid 3.25 G.P.A. That doesn’t fit the usual profile of a bully.”

“Well, Sunset Shimmer scores higher, and we know what happened there.” Celestia replied, “And did we ever find out exactly why he transferred here from out of town, two weeks into senior year, from an elite private school…?”

Luna scowled and crossed her arms as her mind reviewed the story again. “No,” she answered, “not to my satisfaction. Do you mind if I try again?”

“Please do,” her sister replied, “meanwhile I think I’ll talk to the other two people who witnessed this.”

Photo walked out to the front counter and waited for the secretary to process her hall pass. She had a million thoughts going through her mind, none of them positive.

She glanced around the room, and it was then that she saw it, her nemesis entering the office, accompanied by Rarity. She stood there in disbelief as the pair talked together, showing no sign of anything but congeniality. Rarity even took the time to shake his hand as he left, apparently not noticing Photo at all. Rarity turned and walked up to the other end of counter, pausing to wave to Photo and smile before the secretary caught her attention.

Photo waved back halfheartedly, and then slowly turned back to the counter again. She knew Rarity usually wasn’t careless in choosing the people she hung out with. ‘What does this mean?’ she thought.

Finally the secretary set the pass in front of her, and she came to a conclusion. She had done the right thing, and gotten burned. There was no reason to take it further. She had little to gain, and possibly much to lose. And after all, it really wasn’t her fight.

“Very well, little boy,” she said to herself, “zhe field iz yours.” Then she picked up her pass, and went on her way.

2. Stepping Forward

‘It had been a productive meeting up until now’ Photo Finish thought. ‘How did it turn into this?’

The clamor in the room was about to drive her nuts as Pinkie argued with Bulk Biceps, and Lyra debated with Pip, and twelve other conversations resounded off the walls. It was time to end the insanity.

“ACHTUNG!!” she shouted while slamming down the gavel in her hand. Unfortunately, the head of the gavel hit so hard that it instantly snapped off and flew back and ricochet off the white board behind her. Photo turned to watch the debacle, then turned back and lowered her head to the podium and groaned. That was so not what she had in mind.

But it had the effect she wanted as the group finally focused its attention back on her, if only to get in a good laugh, and a round of applause. She took a cautious peak and noted that everyone in the room seemed thoroughly amused, with the possible exception of Pip, who may or may not have been hiding a smile, but actually looked more concerned than anything.

Miss Cheerilee finally stood up and moved to the front of the group and called out, “Alright everyone, let’s try to stay focused here!” With that the room went quiet again.

“Photo,” Pinkie Pie asked, “Why didn’t you tell her how much we like doing play by play? I mean…you gotta do something to pass the time at those soccer games. They are sooo boring, they’re almost as bad as baseball.”

“Are you nuts?” Lyra responded, “Soccer is not boring!”

“And baseball isn’t boring either, if you actually pay attention to what’s happening,” Thunderlane added.

“Shtop!” Photo chimed in before dispute could restart, “Zhere waz no room for debate! Zhe soccer coach zaid that the chatter was distracting. I am zorry, but there waz no argument to make; she wantz to see the game and hear the players…zhat'z it.”

“Awww…”, came the response from at least three of the crowd.

Photo took a long deep breath, and continued, “Now, I believe, from looking at the zignup sheets, zhat we have all of our upcooming events covered, except the Morp. Zomebody needs to help out Mr Pip, and I have been assured zhat though everyone wantz to cover zhe prom, even those who are not eligible, that the morp iz not just the prom’z poor unvanted stepchild. Zo…Anyvone…?”

Photo paused and waited. “Anyvone at all…?” she tried again.

Pinkie raised her hand. Photo tried to ignore Pinkie, but after what seemed to her to be an eternity of waiting for anyone else, she groaned and finally pointed to Pinkie and said, “Yes Miss Pie, you want to voolunteer?”

“Uh yeah,” Pinkie replied, “but…can I bring a date?”

“A date?” Photo answered with an accompanying groan, “But zhat...zhat would be totally unprofessional and inappropriate…”

“And the answer is yes, yes you may Miss Pie,” Miss Cheerilee chimed in, and then added, "Let's now forget that it is a dance Miss Finish."

Photo looked to her advisor with resignation, then lowered her head, reset her thoughts, and continued, “Zo, vell...indeed. Anyone elze?”

“Excuse me darling for chiming in,” Rarity answered, her hand raised, “but I can’t help but wonder…what are YOU doing on Saturday night?”

Photo recoiled back. “Me?” she asked, “Vell…our advisor is louking for advice on new equipment to request as part of next yearz grant application. I have rezearch to do and…”

Photo stopped short as she saw her advisor wagging her head.

“But…?” she tried to continue. But Miss Cheerilee just kept wagging her head.

She threw her head back and gave a frustrated sigh. “Fine…it is zettled,” Photo continued, “Is zhere anything else?” Getting no response, she rapped the broken handle on the podium and announced, “Meeting adjourned.”

The group dispersed quickly, with only Rarity pausing before her friend as she passed.

“Oh you’ll love it darling. It’s not as glamourous as prom, but last year’s was a lot of fun. And...uh, can we talk later?”

“Oh...uh...yez, of course,” Photo replied. She stood back and watched the others go, and when the last one left, she turned to her advisor.

“Vell, with all due respect, why did you set me up for zhe morp? I waz not lying when I said that I had research to do; as I recall, you actually azked me to do it. Vhat is the reason here?”

“Well,” Miss Cheerilee replied, “You have been working rather hard recently. I figured that you needed the distraction. That and there is the problem of just what you do get accomplished. You do all the scheduling, and a lot of the behind the scenes work. But the others don’t see that most of the time. I just thought that maybe you should…well, come out the shadows as it were.”

Photo gave another long sigh, and looked up at the ceiling.

“And another little pointer Photo, before you break another one of my gavels,” Miss Cheerilee continued, “You might have chosen to at least argue the whole play by play thing. You do wonderful work for the club, and a lot of that is due to the fact that you consider what you do to be your calling in life. But you have to remember that most of the others do this as a hobby, and because they think that it’s fun. And they might not continue if we lose the fun part of the job.” She reached over and patted Photo on the shoulder, “Just a little food for thought.”

Photo looked down and pondered the idea for a moment, and then raised her head and answered, “Of course.” She then turned around walked back to retrieve her book bag, and gave a wave to the teacher as she went for the door.

“Have a good day dear!” Miss Cheerilee called as Photo left the room.

“HEY PHOTO!” came the call the moment cleared the doorway.

Photo shrieked, and dropped her bag as she lurched forward with the unexpected noise. She turned about to find the source, and as expected found Pinkie Pie behind her. “Miss Pie…DO NOT DO THAT!” she yelled. She paused to catch her breath before she bent down and retrieved her bag, and continued, “Do you not have something better to do…like go to a class…or anything?”

“Well, not really,” Pinkie replied, “Not for a few minutes at least. I was just wondering if you had told Sunset Shimmer about what happened this morning.”

Photo looked away and palmed her forehead for a moment before answering. “I do not want to think about thiz morning. It…it is a dead issue to me now. Besidez it zeems that everyone I meet today knows all about it. They shtop me in the hallways and tell me everything…over and over again. Of course, their observant nature doez not echtend to whoever it waz who mezzed up my locker. But hey, who am I to question oother peoplez priorities!?!”

“But you’ve got to tell Sunset,” Pinkie protested, “It sounds as if Bold Venture was being a real jerk. And you know how sensitive Twi is. She got majorly bullied back at Chrystal Prep. We just can’t let that happen here.”

Photo folded her arms across her chest, leveled her gaze at Pinkie, and replied “Miss Pie, I like Twilight Schparkle. She seems very nice, if also a bit goofy. But I am not actually her friend. You and the otherz are. You should be the onez who come to her rescue, not me. I am not the type to schtep in front of zhe boollet, or run into ze burning building. It is just not me, o.k.?”

“Photo,” Pinkie replied, “You don’t have to be ‘the type’. You just have to be someone who cares.”

Photo looked away, and closed her eyes. She took a couple of deep breaths and pondered things for a moment before finally asking in a tired voice, “Alright…alright…do you know where Soonset Schimmer is right now?”

The pair plodded down the hallway for what seemed to Photo like an eternity.

“Urghh, I so hate this renovation schtuf," she said more to herself than anyone else, “I mean really, vhy did they put the science labs so far away? Are they afraid zhat zhey will bloo up the place or zomething?”

“Uh, well, I think someone did raise that as an issue,” Pinkie replied, “but just think of it as a great opportunity to talk. I mean I really don’t know that much about you. You know like what your favorite color is; or when’s your birthday; or why you always wear those glasses; or why you like photography so much…

“Not now Pinkie…” Photo replied.

“…Or where you were born; or whether you like German more than English; or what your favorite flavor of birthday cake is…oh wow I guess I’m stuck on the birthday thing today huh…” Pinkie continued.

“Schtop it Pinkie!” Photo warned.

“…or what your favorite band is; and if you have a boyfriend…” Pinkie answered.

Photo covered her ears, and began chanting “La la la la la…I am not listening to ze Pinkie girl…but she iz shtill talking…why iz zhe shtill talking…”

Suddenly, Pinkie went silent, and Photo turned to find Applejack and Rarity had joined them, and that Applejack had her hand over Pinkie’s mouth, and two fingers over her own mouth.

Pinkie carefully removed Applejack’s hand and said, “Oh, I’m talking too much. Sorry…”

“Works every time”, Applejack said with a smile.

“Now darling,” Rarity said to Photo, “what in the world is going on between you and Bold Venture? And since when did you start picking fights?”

Photo’s jaw dropped, and she shook her head in amazement. “Picking fightz?” she answered, “Vhat are you talking about? I vaz not looking for a fight. He waz being a jerk to your friend Tvilight, and I culled him out.”

“But…I don’t understand,” Rarity answered, “that is certainly not what he told me. Are you sure that you didn’t inadvertently say something wrong. You do have a talent for being…how shall I say it…undiplomatic at times.”

Photo gave an angry growl, and was going to reply when another girl approached.

“Hey gals,” Sunset Shimmer, “What’s up?”

And then she looked closer at the stranger in their midst.

“Ohhh…,” she said with a nervous laugh, “…hey Photo. Great to see you…sorta. Wow…we haven’t talked since that little incident…with the camera…in the locker room.”

“Oh yes,” Photo replied, “Indeed. And thank you Mizz Schimmer for taking the time to remind me that I really do have a good reazon not to like you.” She finished her statement with a smile, which was promptly answered by a sharp elbow in the ribs from Rarity.

“So,” Sunset continued, “What brings all of you out here to this neck of the woods?”

“Well, Photo here needed to talk to you about Twilight,” Pinkie answered.

“Oh please….” Rarity interjected, “I can’t believe that there’s a real problem here. Supposedly, Twilight is having some sort of issue with Bold Venture. But I’m sure that someone here…” she said looking at Photo, who gave her an angry glare, “…is just exaggerating the issue.”

“Exaggerating?” Photo answered, “He waz all in her face and practically shtanding in her zhoes!”

“Hmm,” Applejack added, “I can imagine Twi getting into a spot like that. She is a little on the quiet side. And she really aint one to be rude…even when she should be.”

“Oh…I can’t believe this. It just doesn’t sound like my friend,” Rarity protested, “I mean…he’s just been such a sweet heart, especially when he asked me to the prom. And Sunset, really…you were with Twilight at lunch. Did she say anything about this?”

Sunset had a troubled look on her face, and thought about it for a moment or two before replying, “Well…not really. But, that’s not really unusual for her. She doesn’t always give clues as to when she’s having problems. She’s a bit odd that way.” She paused and sighed, “I guess I’d better talk to her.”

“Ohhh…I can not believe this,” Rarity answered, “Why in the world wouldn’t she tell you?”

Sunset didn’t answer, but Applejack just shook her head. “Rars, I don’t figure that there’s any great mystery here. It may just be good old fashioned pride. I mean yeah, this place can be kinda harsh at times, but it’s nuthin compared to Chrystal Prep. If the poor thing doesn’t feel that she can handle this place…then, well...”

The group walked together awhile, finally stopping outside an otherwise unremarkable door twenty feet further down the hallway. It was plain, except for the number at the top, and a handwritten sign taped midway up proclaiming ”Mad Scientist At Work”.

“Ohhh…”, Rarity said, “That is a terrible thing to post. I just have to wonder who would do such a thing?”

Sunset raised her hand.

“Uh well,” she explained, “it’s my way of reminding myself not to just walk in too casually. You never know just what she’s doing in there.”

She knocked on the door.

“Hey Twi…sweety, it’s me,” she announced, “can we come in?”

There was a sound of clattering glass, and furniture being moved, before finally a quiet voice was heard.
“Oh…uh…of course...j-just...uh... don’t freak out, alright?”

"Hmmm," Applejack pondered out loud, "now that sure don't inspire a heap of confidence."

Sunset gestured to the others to wait as she turned the door handle and cautiously entered the room.

The others looked around warily, not sure what to expect next…when all of a sudden Sunset burst back through the door. She immediately grabbed the edge of the door and slammed it shut, throwing her shoulder onto the wood surface like her very life depended on it. She then screamed at the top of her lungs “TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WHAT IN TARTARUS DID YOU DO!!!”

From, inside came a small voice saying “Sunny…aw com’on, I’m already having a really rotten day. I…well…I had a little accident.”

“A LITTLE ACCIDENT!?!” Sunset shot back, “TWILIGHT…YOU”VE GOT A RAT TAIL!!!”

“Sunny,” Twilight answered, “I'm well aware that I’ve got a rat tail! Please…I need your help!”

“OH…YOU NEED HELP ALRIGHT! WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT MIXXING SCIENCE AND MAGIC!?!” Sunset fired back.

There was quiet for a moment, and then a clearly audible frustrated sigh before Twilight’s voice was heard, “Uh...well…don’t.”

“BINGO!!” Sunset yelled back.

“Sunny…I really don’t think that it’s as bad as it looks,” Twilight replied.

“Urghh…Twi, nothing is as bad as this looks!” Sunset replied.

The other girls looked at each other uncomfortably, not sure exactly what to do. Photo Finish though walked up to Sunset and put her hand on the other girls shoulder, and said, “A quick qwestion before you zay ze wrong thing to your girl. Miss Schimmer…you being an imaginative person, tell me, is a rat tail the wurst potential malfungktion you can pozzibly imagine, given what you know of majik? ”

“Are you kidding?” Sunset shot back, “Really! What could possibly be worse than a damn…” She paused, suddenly lost in thought, and then grimaced and said, "Oh eww...I just thought of something worse.”

She let go of the door. It immediately flew open, and Twilight Sparkle tumbled out into the hallway. The group reacted with a collective gasp. She literally had a rat tail poking out from under her skirt.

Twilight hurriedly stood up and looked Sunset in the eye. Clearly embarrassed, she said, “Uh...thank you.”

Sunset folded her arms in front of her and replied “You're welcome, I think.” Then she put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder and said, “Come on, let’s go try and figure out what you did. And you can tell me about your day. And please actually tell me about your day, o.k.?”

The pair turned towards the door and walked into the lab, while the group outside started to move on. This lasted for but a moment before a loud thud came out of the room, accompanied by the rattling of glass wear.

“Owwww!” Sunset was heard to yell as the group moved back to the open doorway to see Sunset Shimmer face first on the floor, with Twilight standing alongside.

“Awww…Twilight…what’s on the damn floor!?!” she yelled.

“Well…chocolate milk. I had a pint on the counter. You knocked it over when you ran out the first time,” Twilight answered.

Sunset got up on her knees, and tried to examine the problem. The watchers outside couldn’t see for sure, but the implication was that the front of her shirt was stuck to her skin. “Oh…this is so gross,” Sunset was heard saying as her friends moved in to help.

Photo Finish watched the debacle from the outside, trying hard to stop laughing as she slowly moved away.

“Hey Photo!” came the call almost as soon as she turned her back on the scene. She slowly whirled about and saw Pinkie once again standing within inches of her.

She groaned at the sight and took a step back before asking, “Vhat? V-Vhat do you vant exactly? The message is sent, the girls are talking, all iz right with the vorld.”

“Well, I just wanted to say thanks,” Pinkie replied. She came over to Photo, wrapped her arms around the smaller girl and hugged her tightly.

Photo had to wince a bit as Pinkie’s hug got a bit too tight, but as she slowly released her she answered with a furious blush “Uh…vell, y-you are velcome.”

Pinkie then turned back to help Sunset, while Photo watched. After she disappeared inside the lab, Photo stood there for a second smiling, and then took a deep breath, turned, and made her way down the hallway to her last class of the day.

Photo slowly made adjustments to the background lighting until she finally got what she was looking for. She leaned back in her chair, and smiled at the result. As she did, Pip looked over her shoulder.

“Wow,” he said in a hushed voice, “that is bloody brilliant.”

“Zhank you,” Photo replied, “It is all fairly elementary, but it is still eazy to mezz up if you don’t do it right.”

“Well, it helps that Twilight Sparkle doesn’t need much touchup,” Pip answered, “I do wonder though why does she still wear her hair like that?”

“I am not zertain,” Photo replied, “It may just be zhat she doezn’t want to rizk it when she’s in her new lab. Did I tell you about the zign on the door? Hummph…one must wonder if we haven’t brought the next Dr. Frankenstein to our midzt.” She chuckled a bit to herself at the thought.

“Oh well indeed,” Pip replied, “How did everything go with Sunset and friends? Were there any problems?”

“Uh…no… no not really,” Photo replied, trying not to encourage too much discussion, “It was juzt average.”

The conversation went quiet after that as the pair finished up. Photo up loaded the file, and then plugged a flash drive into the port on the front of the computer and initiated the file download.

“My…I wasn’t sure that anyone still used flash drives,” Pip said with a smile.

Photo turned her head, and gave him a dirty look, maybe. ‘Who can tell’ he thought.

“Give me a minute here, and I vill be done,” Photo said in a hushed voice, “Zen I can zheck my postings.”

Once she had what she wanted, she closed the program and moved over to the web. Pip moved off and began packing up his books. He was pretty much finished and was closing up his backpack when he looked over and saw that Photo had her
eyes glued to the screen, her body tensing up as she read over the messages she had gotten.

“Uhmm…well, everything all right in social media?” he asked.

“Oh…of course…zimply fabulous…a relatively benign message from yourz truly…and it was benign, has been answered…mostly by friends apparently of a zertain someone, and you would not believe zhe colorful language. Apparently they came in on Miss Rarity’s account, and you would be impressed at the many times the b word is used against youz truly. It is astounding…truly astounding,” Photo answered, the stress in her voice clearly evident.

She shut the computer down, slowly stood up from her chair, and began packing up her things. Pip didn’t dare move as she picked up her pack and slung it over her back. That only left her chair, and she stood before it for a moment before she grabbed onto it with both hands and threw it against the adjoining cabinet as hard as she could.

“Pip,” she said barely holding herself back, “Ah yez, zhis morning...my mistake. I know now vhat I should have done…I SHOULD HAVE KIZZED THE ROTTEN ZNAKE!!!”

She then turned quickly and stormed out of the room before the librarian could react. It was only then that Pip jumped up and quickly straightened out the chair, taking a moment to examine the cabinet. It had a small dent in the facing from catching the chair leg. He did his best to conceal the damage, just in time for the librarian’s assistant to come and look. She paced around the perimeter, and finally stopped in front of Pip and asked, “Bad day?”

Pip shrugged his shoulders and replied “That's my best guess.”

“Uh huh…” came the reply.

When she had gone, Pip restarted the computer and after a few minutes, was able to find Photo’s post. He was surprised at first, it was by her standards quite tame, merely speaking of having an interesting morning. It was answered by her friend Rarity, and any number of others piggybacked on her comment. Most of the names were unfamiliar to him, and some were obvious aliases. And then there were two comments from other members of the a/v club, with language that was even worse than what was reported.

“Oh bloody freakin' hell,” he said to himself, “Has everyone gone certifiably mad?”

He threw his head back, and tried to figure out what to do next. He was tempted to join the conversation, but he didn’t think that anything he would say would help.

“I’m sorry dearheart,” he said mostly to himself, “but it would appear that even snakes have friends.” He looked down again at the screen, puzzling over his options.

Author's Note

3. Counter...Evacuate

"and you know that he can't be expected to control how his friends react. I mean, that really isn't his fault, don't you agree? They felt he was being attacked and..."

"Rarity...", Photo said as patiently as she could.

"...it's only reasonable that some people, when confronted with a situation like that might fail to control their reactions..."

"Rarity, thiz is your friend calling," Photo continued, trying once more to get through, "...you know, from ze earth? I am trying very hard to talk to you, but you juzt keep up with all of ze rambling. You are one of my favorite personz, but I'm really schtarting to zhink zhat you are in serious need of a checkup from ze neck up."

Finally the voice on the other end went silent.

"Photo, that was a terrible thing to say," Rarity finally answered, "how could you?"

Photo gave a frustrated sigh. She looked again to the phone sitting on her bureau and replied, "I know...I know. I am zorry. But what choice do I have? Your friend'z friends inzult me on ze web and call me all sorts of nazty names. Then you call me ze next morning. I think it is to apologize, or at least ekplain...fine, vonderful. But no, it is all to tell me zhat I zomehow brought this on myself for being zo nazty to your poor little friend. Really...vhat givez here? Did you not even talk to Tvilight?"

"Well no, I didn't really have the opportunity," Rarity replied. "Sunset decided that we probably shouldn't hang around once she figured out what Twilight did wrong."

Photo let lose an audible groan and said, "Indeed...zhat is all vell and good, but why didn't you call her later? She could have told you vhat happened. And vhen did I inzult him anyvay? I didn't even talk to him after ze morning. Did you even read my pozt?"

Photo heard a frustrated sigh, and then Rarity replied, "Well, he told me that you must pulled the one he saw down. He said you were calling him some sort of pervert or something. And then he said Pip posted another comment after that."

"Rarity," Photo responded, "vhy do you not believe me? Ve have had our problemz, but you are my friend. You're a talented and generouz person, and I value you. There waz one and only one post, I svear it, and it waz the one you saw." She looked to the clock on the wall, and sighed. "Ohhhh...I vill have to talk again later. It iz getting cloze to the time, and I am not even properly drezzed yet."

"Very well darling, I'm sure we'll get this straightened out," Rarity answered, "I'll see you there."

"Indeed," Photo answered, "later," she said, ended the call, and tossed her phone in her purse.

She stood before the mirror, threw her head back and groaned, before a knock on her door drew her attention.

"Kitten!" came the deep bass laden voice of her father, "Are you going to go to school today, or zhould I tell them to just bring everything here for you?"

Photo shook her head and replied, "Oh papa, zhat is not even funny."

The bedroom door opened, and a large man entered. He had a good foot and a half of height advantage on her and it took a bit of effort to look him in the eyes. The short girl's curse, as she called it.

"Vell, one has to vonder, he replied, "first your friend Violet, now ze Rarity girl. Pleaze zay you are not expecting anyone else?"

She threw up her hands and answered, "I waz not even expecting zhem. First ze ever impulsive Violet girl, talking about zome critical meeting with zome of ze new bandmates and zhat odd gurl Vinyl Zcratch, d.j. extraordinaire. Zeems zhey vant to rehearse a new song zhey wrote for ze band zhat haz mysteriously cume back to life. Zo I say 'Very well, but vhat song? How do I rehearse a song I have not zeen?', and zo it goes, blah, blah, blah. And after twenty minutes of zhat, Rarity calls and she iz mad at me over yesterday..."

Her father held up two fingers in front of his face, his traditional signal for silence. Then he said, "I see. Does this uther call have anything to do with zhe one I got at werk yesterday afternoon?"

Photo sighed and turned towards the mirror and started tying her tie before replying, "Yez, unfortunately. I did not mention zhat I got all sorts of naztiness on the interweb yesterday from the snake and his merry band of lowlifez, along vith other diztaztful little zurprises from so called friends." She paused and stewed over it for a minute before blurting out, "Oh papa, zhis whole zhing is like...schtepping in booble gum! It is making a mezz, and I just can't get avay from it! And I vas joost trying to do ze right thing..."

"...and you get trolled," her father answered.

Photo paused and thought about it for a moment, "Waz zhat a trolling? Hmmm...I guess I've never had one directed at me before."

"Zounds like it to me. How bad waz it?, her father asked.

"Oh, It incuded the "b" word more zhan a few timez," Photo answered, pausing before adding, "and alzo the "c" verd more timez zhan I would care to remember."

She looked back at her father and noticed his raised eyebrow.

"Mind if I take a look?" he asked, "and maybe get a second opinion."

She straightened her tie, and thought for a moment, before replying, "Unzinkable under normal zircumstances; but...thiz iz getting radiculous and I am at a lozz. Vould the 'second opinion' by chance come from ze principal?"

"Yez, hopefully," her father replied, "have you changed your passwerd recently?"

Photo buttoned up her vest before answering, "No, it iz the same. I have got to go. Juzt please do not make yourself late for verk."

Her father chuckled. "Yez mom," he replied.

Photo scowled, gave a harrumph and responded, "Careful...or I shall tell momma on you when she callz."

She came up to her father and gave him a tight hug, grabbed her purse and then turned to go, pausing only a moment to get a kiss from the dog as she went. As she left, her father went upstairs and fired up his computer, and soon found her personal page. He scrolled down and found the most recent postings, and carefully read through what was said. He then pulled out his cell phone and punched up recent calls, hitting the number he needed.

"Hello, Canterlot Central High School," came a cheery voice, "How may I direct your call."

"Yes," he responded, "Is the principal available yet?"

"Oh, just a second, yes she's just coming in now," the secretary answered, "can I put you on hold for a moment?"

"That would be fine," he answered.

The gym had cleared out as lunch period took hold finally, save for a few hangers on looking for a bit of peace. That was what brought Flash Sentry here on a Thursday. He had shot at least eight free throws so far, and was hitting about 50%, which wasn't bad. He was about to try again when an idea came to him. Instead of a traditional shot, he bent his knees and spread his legs, taking the ball down between his knees to try for a granny shot. He was just in the process when someone called out, "What in the world are you doing?"

The ball sailed over and missed the backboard entirely, bouncing up onto the adjoining stage and knocking over a fake tree. Flash groaned and turned to confirm who it was that distracted him, and sure enough it was Sunset Shimmer.

"Thanks a lot," he answered, "You just ruined my shooting streak."

"You're welcome," she replied, "You weren't even doing it right, you know."

"Don't be so sure," he said in reply, "So, what brings you to this neck of the woods?"

Sunset moved over and leaned against the stage, letting lose a tired sounding sigh before she answered. "I need to quiz you a bit. You see, I have a problem."

"Let me guess; does it go by the name of Bold Venture?" Flash responded.

"Hmmm, hard to keep a secret around this place," Sunset answered, "So I guess I can cut to the chase then. I know that you know him better than I do. So I've got to ask, how much trouble am I in?"

Flash moved off a bit and picked up another ball, and dribbled around as he walked before answering. "Why ask me? As I recall, you spent some time around him when he arrived."

"Oh sure," Sunset replied, "during the leadup to my ever wonderful 'Take over the World' stupidity. Yeah, I talked to him, trying to recruit him. But after about ten minutes, I was left seriously wondering just who was going to be the evil genius and who was going to be the henchperson when all was said and done. But now, it's different. He's going after Twi."

Flash paused in his dribbling before saying, "She's not the only one. He's been chasing every girl he can get his hands on since he got here. And he's had success, assuming you can put anything into his bragging; with the unfortunate result that he's taken locker room talk to a new low."

"From what I've heard, it's probably not bragging," Sunset answered, "I've got a contact with the paper at his old school. She said that he was rumored to be connected to at least two unplanned pregnancies, among other triumphs. And after the second one raised a fuss over the summer, there was talk of him having knocked out two of her teeth."

Flash grimaced, and stood silently for a second. "That figures," he answered, looking away and taking a couple of deep breaths before continuing, "According to him, he tends to go after those girls he considers 'untested'."

Sunset let lose a long sigh, her head turned to the ground before saying, "You mean virgins, right? And there's probably nothing little ole' me could do to change Twilight's status in his mind, assuming the two of us were even at that stage yet?"

"Eeeyup... the wrong kind of test, as it were," Flash answered, coming over to Sunset's side and assuming the same position as she. "So what's your plan?"

"Besides try not to totally freak out? I guess, whatever it takes," Sunset answered, "I could go to Celestia, but with no evidence other than rumor? And I doubt I could threaten him in any way; I think that he's beyond the power of blackmail. So that leaves confrontation, and the strong possibility of getting my ass kicked."

Flash set his ball down on the stage, and crossed his arms before asking, "So, what do you want me to do?"

Sunset looked at him, and responded, "I'm not asking you to do anything."

"Bull," Flash answered with a smirk, "Anyone he's met could have told you what I just did. So, why else would you come to your ex-boyfriend?"

"O.K...because I'm very fond of my teeth," Sunset replied, "and even if I weren't, I'm not sure that even that sacrifice would be enough to slow him down. And Twi can't fight him off, and she sure as hell wouldn't call on her alter ego. She's more scared of her than even that jackass."

Flash pondered it for a moment, then replied, "Do you really think that he would take me seriously? I really don't have that kind of rep."

"A lot more seriously than he'd take me," Sunset answered.

Flash stood up and began dribbling again, pondering the issue before turning back to Sunset.

"Sunset, I'll think about it, if you do me a favor," Flash answered.

Sunset stood up and came closer before asking, "What?"

"The word is that you have a way of messaging a certain princess friend of ours," Flash replied.

"Sure," Sunset replied.

"Just send her a message for me," Flash continued, "tell her, I miss her."

Sunset closed her eyes and smiled, then met his gaze and replied, "No problem." She took a step back and gave Flash a wave, and then turned and walked to the door.

Photo walked down the front steps. The day had seemed o.k. starting out, but the morning ended with a collision in the hallway with a stranger that moved on without saying a word. It wasn't unheard of, but it seemed to set the tone, as she met with her bandmates, who left her with more questions than answers; tried repeated to meet with Rarity, which never seemed to come together for one reason or another; and sat through classes that seemed to go out of their way to try her patience more than anything.

As she reached the sidewalk, all she wanted was to go home. But there was the rehearsal to deal with. She tilted her head back, and ran her hand back over her hair, savoring the sun on her face and the brief moment of peace.

When she looked again at her surroundings, she spotted Twilight Sparkle a short distance away, talking with her friend Fluttershy. She watched the pair, and thought about the soft spoken girl with pink hair. Photo had worked rather hard earlier in the year when she thought that the girl was interested in modeling, only to have her abandon it just when everything seemed to be coming together.

"Ah, Floottershy, two weekz of my young life zhat I shall never zee again," she said to herself.

As Fluttershy walked away apparently in pursuit of her friend Rainbow Dash, Photo found herself looking at Twilight. She was an unusual person that was certain. Suddenly, a question came to Photo's mind, and she found herself casually approaching, her eyes examining Twilight's bag closely. Apparently too closely, as Twilight suddenly turned and faced her.

"Umm, excuse me," came a voice that brought Photo back to reality.

Photo started, and recoiled back a couple of steps, only noticing then just how close she had strayed towards Twilight. "Oh...um...hello," she managed to choke out, "I waz not schtaring at you, really. I...I waz juzt distracted by something."

"Oh, I see," Twilight answered in a quiet voice, hugging the straps of her book bag a bit closer. "I was afraid you were looking for the...you know. You seemed to get a good laugh out of it before."

Photo's jaw dropped, and she suddenly felt her stomach clinch. "Oh no...no vay...I promise. I w-waz never laughing at you; it waz actually...uh...at your girlfriend...which I know zounds terrible. I'm...vell...I'm zorry." She folded her hands in front of her, and gave Twilight a shallow bow.

Twilight seemed to relax just a bit at this and answered, "It's all right. Well, you know...uh... I've been insulted by some of the best but, you're actually one of the first to apologize."

"Really?" Photo answered, obviously surprised. Then she slowly moved a bit closer, looking over Twilight's bag. "Vell, actually, vhat I waz wondering, if you don't mind me azking, is if you brought your little dog today?"

Twilight recoiled back a bit, and asked, "You know about that?"

"Vell," Photo responded, "it iz not that much of a zecret. I think I actually saw him last week when I zhink about it. So...vhat iz it like having a talking dog?"

Twilight just stood there for a moment, clearly flabbergasted by what she heard. But she thought about it for a second and replied, "Oh...well, it's...odd. And he does still freak out the vet. I still don't understand it, but I'm getting used to it."

"Oh my," Photo replied, "Not oonderstanding must be tough for a scientist."

"Well," Twilight replied, "It's just one of many mysteries in my life these days."

Photo pondered the situation for a moment, "Hmmm...I cannot imagine how I'd feel if my puppy could talk."

Twilight's smile burst forth at this and she answered excitedly, "Oh you have a dog too, that's great! What breed is it? I bet it's a dachshund right?"

"Uh...a viener dog?" Photo questioned, then smiled and replied "Oh no no, my little girl, she is a zheltie."

"Ohhh, shelties are so pretty," Twilight answered, "and she's a girl too? We have GOT to introduce those two."

"Uhmm, maybe...not zure I'd vant talking puppiez," Photo pondered out loud, and then looked around and asked, "Uh, may I ask, vhat are you vainting for here?"

"Oh well, it's nothing much," Twilight responded, "Rarity just offered to drive me home today."

"Hmmm, zhat is shtrange," Photo replied, "I do not zhink zhat I recall zeeing Rarity's little red car in ze parking lot today."

"Oh...really?" Twilight answered, before a car horn caught her attention. Out on the drive, a large black car pulled up, and Rarity stepped out of the passenger side door. She waved to the pair, before pausing, obviously concerned. The driver's side door then opened, and out of the car came Bold Venture, who called to Rarity.

"She vants you riding vith him? Really?" Photo growled, "Arghh, zhat gurl has lost her mind!"

Photo looked back to Twilight, and saw her frozen in place, shaking her head and repeating over and over, "Oh no...no way...no way...I can't...no way..."

"Mizz Schparkle?" Photo inquired.

Twilight looked to her only for a second before she turned her head back to what was coming.

Rarity watched from the street. She didn't know what to do next.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Bold Venture called out to her, "Go get her."

Rarity looked back to him, holding out her hand to signal him to wait. "Darling, she's with Photo Finish. Who knows what they're doing? We can't just rush in."

Photo shifted her attention back and forth between the street and Twilight, trying to manage the scene. But the longer the wait, the more stressed Twilight seemed to get. By now, she was standing there clutching her book bag like a life preserver and repeating to herself, "No...no...no way."

"Mizz Schparkle...Mizz Schparkle..." Photo repeated, trying to get a response. Finally she positioned herself directly in Twilight's line of sight, pulled off her sunglasses, and looked Twilight directly in the eye and asked as calmly and clearly as she could, "Twilight, are you all right?"

Finally Twilight seemed to focus, and she said, "I can't go with her. I can't...not with him." Then she looked around quickly before asking "Say...uh...could you possibly drive me home? Oh...please...please, please, please." She paused and brought her hands in front of her, pleading with Photo, whose mouth fell open.

"Oh Gott! Tell me you are kidding? Rarity vould schtrangle me," Photo answered, but one look told her it was no joke. Photo looked back to Rarity and gave a nervous smile.

"Uh, vell...I suppose zomezing could be arranged," she finally answered.

"Great, let's go," Twilight responded, grabbing Photo's sleeve and dragging her in the general direction of the parking lot.

Rarity watched from the drive, not sure of what was happening. "What are they doing?" she asked.

"They're taking off on us!" Bold Venture responded excitedly, "What are you waiting for? Go after them!"

"Darling, it's not going to help anything if I chase her!" Rarity protested, but her companion just urged her onward. "Oh for...urgh ," Rarity growled as she took off in pursuit.

Upon seeing Rarity approach, Twilight broke into a run, towing Photo part way until she finally matched her pace. The pair rounded the side of the building, passing Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy before pausing.

"What's up?" Rainbow asked.

"Uh...well," Twilight answered, trying to catch her breath, "We have a little problem." She looked back towards where they came from, and spotted Rarity just reaching the edge of the building. She looked around frantically, and then she grabbed Photo's arm and yanked the girl into the tall bushes.

"Mizz Schparkle," Photo growled as she tried to right herself, "Maintain your coompuzure. Ve are trying to go home from schkool, not ezcape from a P.O.W. camp." It was then that Rarity arrived, looking about frantically.

"Hey Rars," Rainbow said with a smile, moving quickly to intercept her friend, "am I ever glad to see you. Fluttershy here has a problem." She then dragged Rarity over to her other friend, who just stood by with a confused look on her face. "Go ahead, tell her Flutters," Rainbow prompted.

The pink haired girl just stood there for a moment, before finally asking "Tell her what Rainbow?"

Rarity rolled her eyes and answered, "Girls, I don't have time for this. I'm trying to find Twilight."

Twilight tugged Photo's sleeve, and the pair slowly worked their way out the back and made their way to the parking lot.

"Twilight?" Rainbow asked, "What's up with you and Twi?"

Rarity gave a frustrated sigh and replied, "She was supposed to get a ride from me and my friend, but she ran from me for some reason."

"Well, that's interesting, right Flutters," Rainbow responded, with a nod to her other friend, "I wonder why she ran?"

"Urgh, I don't know!" Rarity groaned, "Girls, I don't have time for a conversation. I have to find her."

It was then that the black car pulled up into the adjoining driveway, and Bold Venture sprang out of the driver's side, and called out "Well, where the hell are they?"

Rarity could only wave her arms in frustration and reply, "I have no idea!" It was only then that she spotted it, the dark grey hatchback belonging to a certain photographer, making its way to the parking lot exit. As it came to the curb, she thought for a moment that she caught the eye of the driver before she heard the roar of acceleration and the brief chirp of the tires that announced the vehicle's departure.

"Aww, what the hell!?!" Bold Venture shouted, "They're getting away!"

"Darling, what do you mean by 'getting away'?" Rarity inquired, "We're not trying to capture her for crying out loud."

"All I know is that YOUR friend just made YOU look stupid," Bold Venture fired back, "You gonna take that!?!"

Rarity stood there and stewed for a moment, and then answered, "No!" before she jumped off the adjoining sidewalk and ran to the black car and joined her companion inside. The car then backed out of the lot and proceeded after the other vehicle.

Rainbow watched the scene, with Fluttershy beside her, shaking her head. "Bad call Rars," she said to no one in particular.

Photo worked her way through traffic and eventually hit the four lane while Twilight Sparkle sat quietly in the passenger seat. At first she could only think of the trouble they were in. But then, Twilight broke the silence.

"Wow, I guess I didn't notice before," she finally said, "but this car is a manual, isn't it?"

Photo gave her a quick glance before turning back. "Uhm, vell...yes, it is. It waz my papa's idea. He sayz that a manual forcez one to pay more attention to vhat you are doing. And he's a big believer that if you can drive a schtick," she said, pausing for effect as she downshifted, "you can drive anyzhing."

Twilight smiled at this, and answered, "So I see. I envy your confidence. Given my driving record, I'd be afraid to try one."

"Oh, it iz not zhat hard," Photo answered with a smile. She looked back again, and noticed that Twilight was still looking at her. She looked back to the road, wondering what was next.

"Can I ask another question, well...about your eyes?" Twilight asked.

Photo tensed up immediately. 'My eyes?' she thought, 'Oh please tell me this isn't the prelude to a come on.'

"Vell, I guezz," she replied.

"It's just that I noticed all the care you take to get your makeup so sorted out," Twilight replied, "you know, eyeshadow and mascara. And yet you wear glasses all the time. Why is that?"

"Vell, actually it is an attempt to overcome some of my veaknesses." Photo replied. "You zee...no vone is impressed by a little girl like me. But I've been told though that if zhey can not zee your eyes, zhey have to guess vhat you are thinking. It zhould give you an advantage."

Photo looked over when she hit another stoplight, and saw Twilight had taken off her glasses and was looking at them. "Does it work? Just once, I'd love to have an advantage," she asked.

Photo sighed. "Only zometimes. Uther times, it just gives zhem an excuse to call you 'bug eyez', and avoid you." Photo heard Twilight give a long drawn out sigh. It was obviously not the answer she wanted to hear. "I am zorry I could not give you better newz," Photo continued.

Twilight shook her head and smiled. "It's o.k.," she answered, "It figures. It seems like none of the problems in my life can be handled easily."

It was then that a sound distracted the pair. It was coming from Photo's cell phone, and from the radio as the connection kicked in. Photo looked down and read the caller i.d. . It was Rarity calling.

"Ohhh," Twilight grimaced, "I'm betting that I just got you in trouble."

Photo shook her head before answering, "Do not vorry about it. Now, maybe you give me zome directions, yez?"

Twilight looked to the driver and smiled. "Well, first turn right here," she suggested.

No sooner had they cleared the corner than a second call came in, from Pixel. Photo quickly cancelled the call, not wanting to make Twilight feel worse. After a half dozen additional turns, the pair reached the large brick home in the center of the block, and spotted the large black car parked in front. Photo tensed up immediately and carefully pulled around into the driveway. As they parked, Twilight got out and stood alongside the car, looking towards the street. It was then that she heard the phone ring again. This time Photo answered.

"PHOTO FINISH ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?!" Rarity's voice boomed out from the speakers, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW FOOLISH YOU MADE ME LOOK!?! I SWEAR YOU REALLY PUSH THE BOUNDS SOMETIMES! AND WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU TELL TWILIGHT TO GET HER TO DO SOMETHING THAT INSANE!?! YOU HAVE FINALLY GONE OVER THE LINE WITH..."

Photo disconnected the call.

Twilight grabbed her book bag, closed the car door, and walked around to the other side and knelt down next to the driver's door, looking in at Photo, who hung her head in silence, save for the sound of some deep breathing.

"Are you o.k.?" she asked.

Photo didn't reply at first, distracted for a moment as another call came through. She then answered, "I waz juzt vondering if zhere's anyone of my friends out zhere who are not mad at me right now."

Twilight thought about it for a moment, and then reached in the window and patted Photo on the shoulder and answered, "Well, I can think of one."

Photo brought her head back up and took a deep breath, and then she turned her head towards Twilight and smiled. She then reached down and pulled her glasses out of her pocket and put them on, before finally replying, "Zhank you."

Twilight stepped back, and Photo gave a wave as she slowly backed out of the driveway and pulled way. Meanwhile, Rarity and Bold Venture watched the scene from the black car.

"I do not believe this!" Rarity stewed, "What the hell has gotten into those two. They actually ran from me! This is pure insanity!"

"HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW!!" came the response. "HOW THE HELL DO YOU PUT UP WITH THAT NAZI BITCH!!"

"What in the world am I supposed to do about her!?!" Rarity answered, "She wasn't even supposed to be there! What in the world has gotten those two so damn scared anyway?"

Bold Venture pointed at her and growled, "Don't start with me! It's bad enough that this whole thing got so damn jacked up. I'm not going to sit here and take a bunch of crap from you, you got it?"

Rarity gave a frustrated sigh, and replied, "Whatever darling."

"I don't think you understand," Bold Venture replied, giving her an intense stare, "I don't want to hear another friggin' gripe from you, got it? I SAID 'HAVE YOU GOT IT'!?!" he screamed as he slammed his palm into the center of his car's instrument panel, a loud cracking sound resounding through the car. Rarity's eyes went wide as he pulled his hand away, exposing the broken plastic underneath.

Rarity sat there for a moment, afraid to even breath, let alone respond. She closed her eyes and tried to compose herself, before she finally answered, "O-o-of course. No-no problems. Uh darling, maybe I should just stay here and see if I can get a word in with Twilight. I mean, who knows, maybe I can calm her down a bit."

"Whatever," he replied as he unlocked the door.

Rarity slowly exited the car, grabbing her bag as she went and carefully closing the door behind her. Bold Venture then pulled away and sped off down the road as Rarity watched him go. It was only after he was out of sight that she lowered her head, her body trembling as she let her bag hit the ground. Rarity heard Twilight came over to her, and felt Twilight's hand on her arm. She then said in a hushed voice, 'Oh Twilight...darling...I think I've just made a huge mistake."

5. The Fight in the Dog

Saturday afternoon passed without much drama in the large house in the quiet subdivision. The man of the house had passed the day quietly, working outside and coming in only around 1:30 for lunch. He then passed the next couple of hours working on a presentation he had to give on Tuesday. He was enjoying the solitude, something he hadn't experienced much recently.

It was only around 5:30 when the quiet was interrupted by the sound of the small gray hatchback pulling into the driveway, and the sight of his daughter emerging from the driver's side door. He was tempted to meet her at the door, but one look at her face told him that discretion was the better course. He went back to his work, pausing only briefly as he heard the door of her bedroom open. The dog who had been watching the action from the top of the stairs dutifully went down to investigate, which he made no effort to impede.

He went back to his work, and stayed at it till he decided he had had enough. It was only then that he made his way down stairs, the sound of music drawing him in as he went down the hall. He paused outside the door and peaked inside. The girl had changed out of her formal business like attire and instead reclined on her bed in shorts and a t-shirt, her dog lying beside her as the girl lazily stroked her fur. In the background, music filled the air, a well-loved instrumental piece at least 40 years older than she was. The father smiled at the scene, and slowly entered the room.

"Tough day at ze offize?" he asked.

Photo didn't respond at first, and when she did she only slowly turned her head and noted her father's presence. "It waz not zhat bad," she finally answered.

Her father pondered the scene for a second, and then continued. "You didn't have any problemz vith the children, did you?"

Photo shook her head and answered, "No Papa, ze children were fine; ze parentz though, zhey were a pain. But I did my bezt, and everyone seemed satisfied; and zhey all lived happily ever after."

She looked towards the door, and saw her father cross his arms and raise an eyebrow. "Are you zertain?" he asked, "The music doesn't zay so."

"Hmmm?" she queried.

"Come now little girl, I know your habitz," he continued, "A good day means your jamming to zome silly pop zong; a bad day meanz jazz."

Photo groaned and answered, "It waz really not a bad day. But zhat schtupid party did not have much real food. I ended up filling up on ze cake, which waz not bad, but ze frosting waz disgusting. Zhere waz so much sugar in it, I thought I waz going to have a heart attack." She paused and sighed, "I am tired and burnt, it haz been a bad veek, and now I have to go to zome schtupid dance, and be around all zhose rotten people, and all zheir rotten talk. I zhink I'd rather go before a firing schquad."

"Feeling a bit puot upon?" her father asked.

She raised her head and replied, "Vhy not? Everyone expecting me to handle zhat nazty person! I get in ze fight, I get in trouble! I stay out of ze fight, I schtill get in trouble!" She stopped and reclined once again on her bed, pausing only to calm the dog. "I really don't like to fight papa," she continued, "I just vant a bit of quiet in my life."

"Really," her father questioned, "Iz this the zame girl who made so much trouble last year in front of Suri Polomare?"

Photo groaned, and then turned her head and replied, "Oh please papa; you zaw how nazty she was being to Rarity. Rarity waz modeling zhat vonderful outfit she made, and zhat Suri person could do nothing but cut her down...ze 'tough love approach'...crapola! Vhich...vell, vould have been fine by itzelf, but...but zhe was letting it get personal, vith all zhose schnarky comments. I had to zay something."

"Pozzibly," her father replied, "but you might have been a bit more careful. I remember that she said something like, 'can anyvone tell me vhat elze this young obviously amateur designer could have used to make this outfit better?' Do you remember your answer?"

Photo gave a frustrated sigh, and answered, "Of course. I said 'No! But I think I know vhat you could use... a cheeseburger! You get cranky vhen you are hungry!'"

"And zo," her father continued after stifling a laugh, "my ashpiring fashion photographer daughter gets kicked out of a fashion zhow, for defending a friend. Any regrets?"

"Of course not," Photo replied, "It waz wurth it."

"Zo, do you regret intervening on behalf of the Schparkle girl," her father continued, "even though she wazn't a friend?"

Photo thought about it for a moment or two, and then shook her head. "Oh papa," she replied, "Tvilight Schparkle is...a very nice girl. I like her. Zhe does not deserve to be treated like that by zhat...zhat rootten person! It joust...opened a can of vorms, and now I can't get zhe lid back on."

Her father nodded and answered, "Doing zhe right thing is never easy, much like going to thiz dance. You told your teacher zhat you would be there, az well as your teamatez; vhat would zhey say if you skipped out?"

Photo snorted. "I doubt zhat anyvone would notice," she replied, her disdain clearly evident.

Her father sighed and shook his head and was going to leave when he heard her phone ring. He walked over to her dresser and retrieved the phone and handed it her. She took one look at the screen and groaned before she finally answered.

"Good afternoon my friend," she said into the speaker, "Vhat can I do for you?"

"Oh well...actually it's a bit after afternoon, but no matter," came Pip's voice over the earpiece, "I was just wondering when you planned to get to the dance tonight?"

Photo covered the speaker and gave a long frustrated sigh before continuing, "I have not decided yet. Is zhere a problem?" The sound of her father's phone ringing caught her ear, and she covered the speaker until he answered.

"Well...yes. It's a...well...clothing issue," Pip answered, "You're going to think it's totally daft actually."

"Vell," Photo answered, "You have piqued my curiosity. Vhat is your issue my friend?"

"Well actually," Pip responded, "I wasn't fully aware that my mum didn't quite understand the...well...subtle differences between the prom and the morp, and she...rented a tux."

Photo sat up quickly as her dog jumped off the bed. "Oh, you poor boy, you are going to be the mozt overdressed person in zhe entire place," she said with obvious concern, "I mean...zhere are people that are coming to zhis dressed as zuperheros and others coming in zheir nightclothes even."

"And what's worse, the tux came with a real tie," Pip continued.

Photo had to pause for a second as the sound of her dad's voice distracted her. She tried to mentally tune out her dad's conversation, and asked,"Real tie? Do you mean a bow tie?"

"Indeed, and I don't have damn clue what to do with it," Pip replied before adding, "Umm...wait a minute...oh my, did I just hear something about hummers?"

Photo scowled and quickly covered the speaker and listened for a minute.

"I'm telling you, the whole things zounds silly. 'Let's Hummer away so the kids can play.' Vhat is that suppuzed to mean? No one talks like zhat", her father said to whoever was on the other end of his conversation.

"Papa, who are you talking to?" Photo implored, "And who is talking about little kids and hummers, zhat's juzt nasty."

It seemed like a reasonable question to Photo, at least when she said it. But watching her father almost double over in laughter made it clear that she had just stepped in it. Once he regained control, he turned towards his daughter and said, "Itz from an arcade game...and anyvay zhat's the wrong kind of hummer Kitten. Nice girlz should not know such nazty terms," before he finally excused himself from the room.

"Oh...pfffttbbbbb," Photo shot back before she gave a frustrated sigh, wiped a bit of spit off her chin, and finally uncovered the speaker and said, "Do not ask my friend. And do not vorry Pip, Photo Finish schall endeavor to meet you zhere and save your day. Just give me an hour."

"Sorry to put you on the spot like that," Pip replied sheepishly.

Photo sighed. "Do not vorry my friend, it is the perfect week for such things. I vill see you there," she replied, and then excused herself and disconnected.

She took a deep breath, and then stood up and walked out into the adjoining hallway, heading in the general direction of the closest bathroom. He father watched, and then asked as she entered the room, "Zo, what is the verdict?"

She appeared at the door and answered with very little enthusiasm, "It appears zhat I am going to a dance. Unfortunately, zomeone noticed."

The evening weather was comfortably warm as students began to converge once more upon their school. Of course, for this night at least, it was far less formal and controlled than average, as students unloaded in the drive just opposite the auditorium. Younger students excused themselves quickly from the gaze of their waiting parents as they were dropped off, while older students struggled to extricate themselves from their personal vehicles without damaging their clothes. The whole theme of dress seemed to range from sublime to ridiculous, at least that is what Photo was thinking as she exited her car and began walking up the sidewalk towards the door.

She had intended to be helpful by dressing up, at least to a certain degree, though granted it was just a high styled variation on the black and white dress that for so many had become her trademark. But looking around, she could only feel that she was truly an army of one compared to those around her.

A familiar sound caught her ear, and she turned around to see Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer exiting a large minivan, driven by Twilight's mom no doubt. Photo paused and watched the pair as they got their costumes sorted out. At first she couldn't quite decide what she was seeing, as they were wearing tight spandex body suits, one red and one green, with odd stiff skirts which stood straight out, and tennis shoes and odd Roman like helmets. As she watched, she saw that Sunset was helping Twilight make minor adjustments to her sharply pointed tail. It was an interesting sight to see, especially the easy familiarity between two people who had never even met three weeks ago.

That lasted until Sunset looked her way. There was nothing said, but the uncertainty in Sunset's eyes was painfully evident. In an instant, Photo's curiosity turned into voyeurism in her mind, and she recoiled back, gave a timid wave, and quickly exited. She moved quickly towards the door and ducked inside.

Looking around, she noticed couples and groups, friends and lovers. It was the same old crowd, but she had to have her guard up as these halls now felt like enemy territory. She straightened up and marched down the hall, moving straight and true towards the gym door. As she entered, she had to pause and take in the scene. It was clear that for a supposedly less prestigious event, Vinyl and her team had pulled out all the stops, with what seemed to Photo to be all the sound and show that one would ever need. Photo took a deep breath, and then waded into the crowd, slowly working her way towards the stage. When she finally reached her goal, she flagged down Vinyl and got her permission to leave her purse and camera bag tucked in between the d.j.'s extensive equipment. She then moved as quickly as she could towards the vestibule, her head already throbbing from the pulse of the music.

It was only on exiting that she felt that she could take a break and get a look around. She moved through the crowd slowly, working her way over to the concession stand as her need for real food took precedent. But when she caught sight of it, she paused as there behind the counter with two other girls was Rarity, dressed like she had just come straight from work at the boutique, with her tan blazer over a crisp white dress shirt and black pencil skirt clearly evident from behind the counter. Photo approached cautiously as her friend adjusted stock on the back shelves, and then she asked, "Were you not zick yesterday?"

Rarity turned quickly, and then seeing Photo smiled and answered, "Well, unfortunately my particular brand of imbecility doesn't count, at least as far as Principal Celestia and my mother were concerned. So that being the case, my penance starts with working here, and continues next week with detention."

"Vhy do I get zhe impression that a zertain someone, who shall remain nameless, inschpired you," Photo replied, with a raised eyebrow, "It just zeems to myself that this person haz been bringing out the...how shall I say it..."

"...idiot in so many of us?" Rarity answered, finishing the statement. She then raised her hand and said, "Guilty." Rarity closed her eyes and sighed before she said, "Sometimes you are almost too perceptive. But, before we get any further, I have something to say to you first." She came up in front of Photo and took her hands in hers, and said, "I am so very sorry Photo. I guess I was caught up in his charm; or his looks; or my obsession with getting to prom; or I may have just gone totally dense. I really can't explain just what in the world I was thinking, but whatever it was it caused me to throw both you and Twilight to the wolves...or wolf as it were. We have indeed had our differences, but you're creative and smart, and I truly do honor you, or at least I damn well should."

Photo smiled and answered, "Honoring is not mandatory," and then she paused and said, "but if you truly vish to kiss my ring, who am I to argue?"

This brought on a shared chuckle, "I may yet take you up on that. But first...," Rarity paused and surveyed her surroundings, "I have to finish this assignment. And I can't really complain either way, at least I got out tonight, unlike Rainbow Dash, though I gather she got more than a bit of satisfaction out of taking Bold Venture down a notch." She paused, and looked down. "I should have been there, instead of hiding at home like a scared rabbit," she said in a quiet voice.

Photo had no idea how to respond, but she didn't have to as Rarity continued, "So darling, has our dear friend Pip tracked you down yet? He has been looking."

Photo tossed her head back, "Ah no, not yet. I am zure he is around here somewhere. Actually I probably vould not even be here if he had not called. A 'wardrobe emergency' az it vere. Schtrange though, I have not heard of rental tuxez that come with actual bow ties."

"Oh my," Rarity answered with a laugh, "it is an option, but it's a bit more expensive. It certainly wouldn't be a default choice. Is that what this is all about? That is so sweet."

"Vhat?" Photo questioned.

"Oh well, I can't say for sure darling," Rarity replied, "but I wouldn't be surprised if our young friend created this problem himself just to get you here."

"Oh please," Photo responded, "Zhat is craziness; vhy would he do such a thing?"

"Oh darling, please don't take it wrong. I am only guessing," Rarity responded, her concern evident, "I'm sure if I'm right that he only wants an excuse to be around you. I mean, he truly does worship the ground you walk on."

Photo recoiled back a bit, obviously surprised. "Really?" she started, "well...he has always been an ally and a good friend...but I have never thought of him as more zhan that. I mean...vell...I have noticed zhat he pays a lot of attention; and he alvays does things for me...which I do appreciate mind you. But, it iz another thing to...vell you know."

"Oh darling," Rarity answered with obvious concern, "What on earth is the issue? You can't tell me that you wouldn't at least consider the possibility. I mean I'll grant you that I myself have never dated an underclassman; but he's polite and kind and loyal and very sweet." Rarity reached over and put her hand on Photo's shoulder and asked, "Darling, what exactly is the issue?"

"Rarity...vell," Photo replied, not sure how to phrase it, "itz just, well...he's the only boy in the entire school who iz shorter than I am."

Rarity could barely suppress a laugh at hearing this. "Oh Photo, you do obsess over the strangest things. And truly at worst it's only an inch. It's barely noticeable you know..." Rarity's voice trailed off, and Photo looked up and saw her friend looking off in another direction. She turned to look and saw a tall figure disappear through one of the adjoining double doors into the auditorium.

"Who vas zatt?" Photo asked.

"I'm not sure," Rarity replied, "Whoever it was was looking this way. I think... it might have been...him."

"Who?" Photo asked, and then it dawned on her and she added, "It iz not THAT him, is it."

"Well darling, I'm not entirely certain," Rarity answered, still scanning the crowd, "You don't think that Bold Venture would have temerity enough to come onto the campus with all the trouble he's been in, and with both Copper and Celestia here, do you?" She gave a hopeful glance Photo's way, but the expression she got in response was not at all reassuring.

Photo gave the perimeter a quick scan, and then said, "I should go."

"Oh darling," Rarity asked earnestly, "I never had a chance to get you anything. Are you sure?"

Photo took a deep breath and answered, "Yes, I'm afraid. I do not think I can eat right now. Vatch your back my friend, and let your friendz know. They can help you." She then came back to the counter and took Rarity's hands in hers.

"Photo, the same applies to you. You're not alone here, o.k.?" Rarity answered The pair just looked at each other for a moment before Photo closed her eyes and nodded. She then let go and walked away, her eyes methodically panning the crowd.

Author's Note

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Mark Twain

7. "...with a little help from my friends" part 2

Photo paused and tried to think the whole thing through. She needed some sort of plan, but she had no idea where to begin. Why else would Rarity have gone off with the mystery man, if it wasn’t by force? But what force, and what could she do about it? And why didn’t anyone else seem to have slightest interest in all this but her? Could she be getting this all wrong?

She took a deep breath, raised her eyes back towards her goal and once more got moving.

“Hey Photo!” came a call from behind her. Photo wheeled about to face Pixel and Violet, who stood before her, each in what looked like their worst clothes possible. “Just what the hell is going on?” Violet asked, “Pinkie is running in circles looking for Copper, saying something about Rarity being in trouble.”

Photo looked about, obviously confused. “Vhat about your dates? Vhy are you alone?” she asked.

Violet just shook her head, and replied, “Don’t ask. Let’s just say dating a jock has some drawbacks. So…could you just tell us what the hell is going on?”

Photo tilted her head back, collected her thoughts, and answered slowly, “I zhink zhat Bold Venture has taken Rarity down ze hall, maybe to ze locker rooms. To do vhat, I do not know. I am going to find out. If you are curious by zome odd chance, you are velcome to accompany me. Oothervise, you are free to schtand back and vatch me get pounded into zhe ground if ZHAT iz your choice! But, vone way or ze other, I am going to find out!”

Photo watched her friend’s reaction, expecting the worst. What she got surprised her. Pixel turned partly away, apparently trying to avoid any eye contact. Violet though crossed her arms and pondered the situation before bringing her hands together in a time out signal. “Do you know for sure that it’s Venture?“ she asked.

Photo shrugged her shoulders and replied, “I am not zertain, but I zhink so.”

Violet then looked to Pixel, and then back towards Photo and answered, “O.k., let’s go find out.”

Photo’s arms dropped to her sides, and she looked almost dumbstruck for a second before a smile slowly grew on her face. Her smile was returned by Violet, who then turned towards Pixel. She seemed to shrink under the gaze of her friends.

“You’re kidding right?” Pixel asked, “Us take on Venture? Are you nuts?”

Violet put her hands on her hips, and gave her friend a stern look and said, “Come on Pix, sisterhood…remember?”

“Well…it’s not going to be quite that easy,” Pixel replied, her body language making her discomfort obvious, “Let’s just say that Venture and I have a…well…bit of a history.”

The other girls both gave her a look of horror. “Oh please…” Violet questioned, clearly blindsided by what she heard, “Don’t tell me you…!”

“What? No…of course not!” Pixel shot back, cutting off her friend. “We haven’t done it! But…I mean…come on…he was new…he didn’t know anybody. I just kinda…well…introduced him to a few…girls. I mean…he seemed o.k….mostly.”

No one answered at first, but Violet crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. Photo though moved over and put her hands on Pixel’s shoulders and said, “Pixel, I do not care about what happened before. I need your help now. Vill you help me?”

Pixel thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. Violet then reached out and took Pixel’s hand and led her down towards the hall, while Pixel could only mutter, “Oh, this is going to suck. I just know it.”

Rarity and her nemesis moved down the hallway, moving quickly enough that it was hard to even try and catch the attention of those they passed. Finally they reached the door of the girl’s locker room, he flipped on the light switch and she was pushed inside. She stumbled down the passage until he finally let her go. She instinctively took a moment to try to compose herself before she turned to her attacker. But instantly she saw the gun in her face, and the bearer squeezing the trigger. A noticeable mechanical sound emanated from the weapon and a strong stream of water then hit her in the face, which sent her reeling and clouded her vision.

She struggled for a minute or two, trying to dry her face on her sleeves. By the time her vision cleared, she could make out her enemy holding a cell phone out in front of her, clearly filming the whole scene as she struggled. She moved closer and faced him head on and yelled, “What in blue blazes was that all about!?!”

Venture laughed, and replied, “If you really have to ask, than you’re twice as dippy as I ever imagined.”

“Oh really?” Rarity answered, “Tell me, how do you think that compares with accosting someone out of a crowd at gunpoint just for some stupid stunt? And if Copper sees you with that…thing, she’s going to SHOOT YOU!”

“Oh right…it's not even real!” he answered with his trademark smirk.

Rarity’s jaw practically hit the floor and she clenched up and gave an audible growl before finally she fired back, “SHE’S NOT GOING TO TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT YOU MORON!!” Rarity paused and threw her arms in the air before continuing. “Next time darling, may I suggest you try picking one that actually looks like a toy, and not like it just came out of my father’s gun safe!” She paused, and brought her hands together, trying to calm down before she continued through gritted teeth, “So… just what did I do exactly to justify this insanity, besides cancel a prom date that neither one of us could have gone on anyway?”

“What the hell else do you need?” he answered, “You really didn’t think that you’d just walk away from all this did you!?!”

“Believe it or not…YES!” Rarity fired back, “What on earth were you expecting!?! After your ludicrous performance this week, I didn’t want to be seen with you anyway! Did you really think that you deserved some sort of reward for terrorizing one of my best friends and making me look like a damn fool?”

“Yeah right,” Venture responded, “you weren’t complaining much when I gave you the chance to play glamor queen at the prom! How else does one explain the way you helped out in all this so called harassment!?!”

“Oh my,” Rarity replied, with more than a bit of sarcasm, “I will grant you that I was seeing only what I wanted to…but I guess if you really want an explanation…how about MY PROM DATE WANTED TO MEET MY FRIEND!!” She then turned and tried to leave, but he quickly blocked her way.

“We’re not through here,” Venture growled, and pushed her back.

The trio had listened outside the door for several minutes.

“Ladies,” Violet said in a loud whisper, “this is not going to get any easier. Let’s go!”

The other two both nodded their heads and moved behind Violet. But they hadn’t moved more than a couple of feet before Pixel signaled and stopped them in their tracks. She then moved into the lead position and quickly pulled out her phone and began punching up something on the screen. The others watched while she completed her task. She then looked back at Photo and pointed to her own face. Photo couldn’t decide what she meant at first, but then it dawned on her, her sunglasses. She reached up and took hold of the bows, and slowly pulled them off. She looked at them for a moment before she put them in her pocket. Not a word was said, but the message was clear. This was probably going to get ugly.

Rarity turned her head and looked at Bold Venture. She then asked in an almost emotionless voice, “And just what exactly do you have in mind sir, because I think that we’ve said enough.”

“Good,” Venture answered in a mocking tone, “Now you’re finally asking the right questions. What do I want you ask?” He turned and took a couple of steps before looking back to her and continuing, “I want an apology.”

“For… what… exactly?” Rarity answered, barely holding herself back.

“Wasting my time,” Venture responded, “this should have been a simple transaction. But you screwed it up.”

“Transaction…?” Rarity growled back, “…what…for…what? The only ‘transaction’ should have been a date for the damn prom. What else did you expect for crying out loud?”

“Oh please,” Venture answered, “Don’t flatter yourself; you’re not that great a catch.”

Rarity was speechless. She could only just stand there, her mouth open, looking like she was on the verge of bursting into tears. It seemed like an eternity before she could respond. “So,” she finally answered, “if I wasn’t the goal, who or what was?”

"Sparkle of course!!” Venture replied, “You know…someone with not nearly as much damn mileage!”

“Mileage…” she said in a small voice. “Mileage?” she repeated, a bit stronger this time. She shook her head in disbelief. “Just what the hell difference would that make? Oh my…oh yes…it makes sense now doesn’t it,” she continued, “and I’m sure that it…probably would never have occurred to you that someone like me might actually be a…” She paused, and her expression hardened, “But that’s not the point, is it? Not when you’re only out for bragging rights. Well, I guess it’s all clear now. Oh yes sir…I did indeed overestimate you. And to think that when this day started, I only thought that you were an unprincipled, sociopathic, self-indulgent vermin. And now…I learn that your also so damn ego challenged that you can’t possibly risk dealing with any girl out there who might actually have a damn clue what she’s doing…”

“Dammit…!!” Venture exclaimed as his hand came out and slapped her across her face, “…SHUT THE HELL UP!!!”

Rarity just stood there for a minute trying somehow to comprehend what had just happened. He had caught her across the left side of her jaw, twisting her head sideways with the blow, and throwing her off balance for a second or two. She took a moment to work her jaw to access the damage. She couldn’t decide at first what hurt more, her face or the muscles in her neck. It took her moment to try to steady herself before she could make eye contact again.

“Now…we’re done,” Venture said with a smirk.

From their position in the adjoining hall, Pixel who stood by the door, keeping the camera of her phone towards the action, while Violet, who was in the rear, looked towards Photo as the debacle played out. It was clear that Photo had seen it all, she had clenched up and her expression was filled with tension as she mumbled under her breath, “No…no…no…no…”

Meanwhile, Rarity stood before her attacker, not bothering to take the time to fix her hair, and answered, “I don’t think this is over quite yet darling, though I think I owe you a thank you. Maybe now I can finally look Twilight Sparkle in the eye again.” She then moved a bit closer, squared herself up, and said, “And as for your little demonstration, let me make one thing clear to you sir. You…hit…like a girl!”

Venture’s expression in a matter of seconds went from shock to white hot anger, and he reared back to deliver a much harder blow, when from out of the hallway burst Photo Finish, who screamed “NO!!” and grabbed onto his arm, making sure to get as much of her weight on it as possible in order to stop him. The other girls quickly followed, positioning themselves between Venture and Rarity.

Rarity was momentarily stunned by what happened, but quickly recovered. She moved a bit sideways towards Photo and stated clearly, “Darling, this was not necessary. I had this under control.”

Photo immediately glared back at her and yelled, “ZHIS… IS NOT CONTROL!!” She then slowly released her grip on Venture’s arm and straightened up.

“Well well,” Venture spoke, “the Queen of the Comeback, and her consort…how nice.” He then looked closer. “Well indeed, the little dictator actually does have eyes.”

For a moment, Photo felt very uncertain about what she had done. Venture was always big, but never as much as he was now. Fortunately, he turned his attention to the others.

“Pixel?” he asked as he noticed the carefully aimed cell phone in her hand, “what are you doing?”

“Oh just...transmitting,” she answered, “y-you wouldn’t believe how great the wi-fi is around here these days.”

Venture turned and advanced on Pixel and asked, “Transmitting what exactly? Are you actually threatening me Pixel?” He only got a few steps closer before Photo blocked his way.

“She did not mean anyzhing!” she answered Venture, “We just vant to leave…nozthing more. Zhis conversation iz over!”

Venture leaned down and looked Photo in the eye, and said, “I don’t know what you think you’re pulling, but your friend isn’t setting up my ass.”

Pixel answered, “Venture…you are y-your…own worst problem. I’m just the…camera person.”

Photo quickly stepped in front of Pixel’s phone camera and said, “I… do not care about any of that. My friendz and I just vant to leave…please.”

Venture went silent, a trace of fear showing in his eyes as he was clearly at a loss. But he smiled again and then folded his arms across his chest and answered, “Oh my…try ‘want’ on for size…just once. Why do you always talk like you have a mouth full of manure?”

Photo took a deep breath, and then looked up at him and answered, “Yez…thank you Mr. Venture for reminding me of my achxent; yes, I had almozt forgotten about it.” She then turned back and began the process of herding her friends in the direction of the door.

As Violet walked past Photo, she said, “He’s trying to get under your skin.” Photo looked up, and nodded.

“So…that’s it?” Venture continued, “no righteous indignation, no flowery speeches, you just think that you’re going to walk out with a trump card…and join up with that little puke boyfriend of yours? Yeah right…I can see why you two got together. I guess we don’t have to wonder who’s going to be on top in that pairing, do we girls? Ah yes…the bitch…and her bitch.”

The girls stopped short, and all but Photo turned back and looked at Venture. “What in the world do you think that you’re accomplishing by doing this? Rarity asked.

Venture smiled, taking note of the direction of Pixels camera and replied, “Just stating my case. I mean, you girls supposedly got me hitting someone, I guess I’m screwed. What else can I do really?” He walked over behind Photo, and grabbed onto her left shoulder. He then extended his right arm and rested the index finger on Photo’s right shoulder. “Since that’s how it has to be…this may be your one great chance there Eva,” he said as his finger began tracing its way across her shoulder from right to left, up under her hair, and across to the other side, “And don’t think that I haven’t noticed that you have almost the exact same eye color as Sparkle. They’re actually almost pretty. But…with the rep that you’re going to have after this…maybe it would be a good idea if WE did the deed. It may be your last chance…” He traced again, stopping under her hair at the zipper of her dress. He then began tracing it down her back, pressing down just enough to feel every curve and contour.

The other girls looked on in horror as they watched Photo clinch up as he did his deed. Her head went down, her eyes closed tight, her teeth clinched, and her breath came out in tortured hisses.

When he had reached the bottom, he let brought his right hand back up and asked, “So…what do you think?”

Photo looked up and saw her friends. The only reaction beyond horror was from Rarity, who shook her head, somehow sensing what Photo’s reaction would be.

Photo turned slowly, and caught hold of Venture’s left hand. “Mr. Venture,” she began, “You...are perfectly free in this country, as you keep reminding me, of schpeaking your mind, even if it is about my imperfect attempts to master the muddled illogical mezz that you can zomehow refer to as a language. And…you are free, as you zay, to criticize my dear friend Pip. I am not vorried, he can very well defend himself. I believe in him, unrezervedly.” She had his hand in both of hers, and she slowly let her left hand drift down to his wrist, while her right hand slowly drifted up towards the ends of his fingers. She then let her fingers move between his until she settled on the middle finger. She then took hold of it, as her other hand took hold of his wrist, and in an instant forced the finger back as hard as she possibly could.

Venture slowly went to his knees as she continued to force the finger back. Finally she said, “But zir, zhere is one thing I vill not tolerate under any zircumstance. You zir…will never…ever…TOUCH ME!!! DO YOU UNDERSHTAND ME!!!”

“I got it…DAMMIT…I GOT IT!!!” Venture practically screamed as the pain got the better of him.

Photo took a quick look to her friends, and then answered slowly and carefully, “Thank you very much.” She then let him go. The pair stayed in the same position for a moment, as if not sure what to do next. Then Venture slowly got back on his feet.

“Photo, let’s get the hell out of here,” Violet implored. Photo turned to look her way, and took her attention off Venture. It was when her head was turning back towards him that he hit her.

The hard blow from his right caught her just below her left eye. Her neck snapped back and she immediately lost her balance, tumbling over backwards till the back of her head bounced off the cement wall behind her. He quickly followed with a left to her midsection, which caught her in the ribs.

“OH SHIT!!!” Violet cried out, and both her and Rarity immediately launched themselves from the comparative safety of the doorway to try to intervene. Already the scene had deteriorated as Venture went for her throat and Photo fought back with anything she had.

“Venture you damn fool, get off of her!” Rarity cried, as both her and Violet pulled with all they had trying to separate the pair. Finally they broke his hold, and seeing Photo had been freed, Rarity cried, “DARLING…GET OUT OF HERE!!!”

Photo laid there for a second, still trying to catch her breath before she scrambled out from under him and got up and ran for the door. Venture, seeing her escape, pulled Rarity in closer, and got his hand on her face, and with all his might shoved her away, breaking her grip on him. He then turned to Violet, grabbed her arm, and threw her across the room before he went in pursuit.

Meanwhile Pixel had reached the hallway when Photo came dashing out. She tried to flag her, but Photo didn’t pause, she just kept running. “Oh crap,” she said to herself. It was then that Venture came through the door. He turned to pursue, but at the last second, Pixel caught his leg in hers and tripped him up.

Venture almost hit the floor, but managed to catch himself. Once he had recovered, he turned quickly to Pixel and grabbed the cell phone that she still had in her hand, and threw it as hard as he could against the wall, where a loud cracking sound announced its demise. He then turned back to Pixel and pointed to her and said, “You’re next you rotten cunt!” before he once more turned and went after his prey.

Pixel, stunned, could only watch him go, but as he left she spotted something shoved in the back of his pants. ‘Oh my God,’ she thought, ‘is that a…’

Meanwhile, Photo had finally gotten back to the auditorium, stumbling her way through the double doors. Her head was throbbing, she could feel the swelling of her left cheek, and her heart was pounding in her chest, but she couldn’t stop.

“FINISH…YOU ROTTEN BITCH…I’M GOING TO KICK YOUR FRIGGIN ASS!!” came the call from behind her as Venture burst through the door. It was only then that Photo realized that there was no music at the moment, and everyone in the room had heard him. Instantly, the area around her cleared, as couples moved swiftly to the side, while some, both male and female, watched intently, waiting for what, she did not know. She heard someone approach from behind her and she instinctively threw her right elbow back in defense, catching whomever it was directly in the face. The stranger quickly fell back, leaving Photo to deal with her other problem.

Venture approached Photo slowly. He knew that he only had a moment to do what he wished before someone intervened. But he would worry about defending his actions later. He had to make an example of her. He continued to approach, a smile growing on his face. But to his surprise, she didn’t retreat. Instead she squared up, and assumed a somewhat shaky version of a fighting stance, apparently readying herself to duke it out.

There was no real logic in Photo’s actions by now. Yes there was fear, plenty of it. But there was also frustration, and anger. She felt like a fox suddenly confronted by a wolf. She knew there was no chance, but she had to try, somehow, to make her adversary pay some sort of a price…

…or at least that was the plan…until she spotted a large adult male appearing over Venture’s shoulder, with bluish hair, and wearing a suit jacket…who upon seeing something she couldn’t…reach for something on his waist…while shouting at the top of his lungs…

“GUN!!”

Venture stopped short, as the crowd instantly ran for the extreme ends of the building. The words…”Oh shit…” escaped his lips as he saw Copper Top approaching from behind Photo. She was accompanied by Pinkie Pie, whom she quickly pushed aside as she drew her sidearm. Venture peeked back over his shoulder, and saw the man behind him had also drawn on him.

“Venture…I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here, but listen to me!” Copper called out to him, “You will do EXACTLY what I say…no argument!”

“It’s a toy dammit!” Venture answered.

“I DON’T CARE!!” Copper answered, and then looked to her backup. “Where is it!?!” she called out.

“Shoved in the back of his damn pants!” was the reply.

“Alright then…,” Copper continued, “Now listen carefully! Stay exactly where you are! Keep your hands where I can see them!” She paused to check for compliance, and when she was satisfied, she signaled her backup, who slowly worked his way around the perimeter, trying to maintain a consistent sight picture and distance. It seemed to take forever, but finally he was about six feet to her right. She waited to make sure the field of fire was clear and then she nodded to her helper. She then holstered her pistol and brought out her Taser, and took aim at Venture.

Photo retreated back a few steps, and was promptly grabbed around her arms. She tried to fight the strong furry arms around her, until a voice said, “Dammit girl, now you calm yurself, you hear me!” She recognized the voice as Applejack, and she turned her head slightly to see that familiar freckled face, almost lost in the midst of a lion costume of all things. “Now listen here Sugar, I’m not the enemy…I’m the damn cavalry! You got it?” Photo nodded, and let the larger girl pull her out of danger.

“You guys are making a big mistake,” Venture told Copper, “My dad’s going to roast your damn asses.”

“Shut up Venture!” Copper answered, “Now…put your hands on top of your head and interlace your fingers!”

“Oh this is such bullshit!” Venture fired back. “Alright…you want to see this damn thing?!?” he continued as he reached behind his back. He stopped short as a red point of light suddenly appeared on his chest.

“NO!!” Copper shouted back, “HANDS ON YOUR DAMN HEAD!! DO IT NOW!!!”

Venture continued to stand there, considering his options. It’s hard to say what finally got him to change his mind, maybe it was that his thin black clothing wouldn’t stop the probes that would be shot out from Copper’s weapon, or just how many of the people around him were sharing the whole debacle online. But finally he gave in and complied, and slowly the other officer approached. The detective then slowly worked his way around to where he could get control of Venture’s hands, and locked them together with his own. He then holstered his weapon and forced Venture to his knees, and only then removed the “weapon” from Venture’s pants.

“Oh lovely,” he said to Copper, “a damn squirt gun.”

“I told you idiots it was a fake,” Venture said with a smile.

“Oh yes darling,” came a voice from the side. Venture looked and saw Rarity, much closer than she probably should have been, who added, “…and you made that so plain to me when you SHOVED THE DAMN THING INTO MY BACK!!”

“RARITY!!” Copper yelled, while she tried to maintain her aim, “Dammit…would you kindly give me a minute for crying out loud!” Thankfully, Violet quickly came forward, and pulled Rarity to the side as Venture was finally handcuffed. Only then did Copper put her weapon away and approach in order to move Venture out of the room.

Photo was finally released by Applejack. She tried to catch her breath, but as she looked down, she could see how her hands continued to shake. It was then that Venture was escorted towards the door in handcuffs. He didn’t say a word, but instead only stared at her as he passed.

Some part of Photo wanted to get in a good snarky comment as he passed, but she couldn’t find her voice in that moment. All she could say to herself was, "Abschied Mister Venture... und Good Riddance."

She then turned to look around at the crowd, and saw a young gentleman with his head back, obviously nursing a bloody nose, while Fluttershy held a handkerchief pinched over his nostrils. She instantly recognized the victim as Pip, and she turned and slowly approached the pair.

“Oh…here we go…,” Fluttershy said in a quiet voice as she monitored the situation. “I think we’ve gotten it under control. You know…you really should try to be a bit more careful about running into the middle of a fight like that.”

“Uh…yes,” Pip replied, his voice still distorted by his pinched nose, “Thank you…I’ll try to remember that.” He stopped short when he saw Photo and quickly parted company with Fluttershy, pausing only to wipe a last trace of blood away. The poor girl looked almost despondent as she arrived.

“Ohh…” she said in a small voice, “Pip…pleaze tell me zhat I did not do that to you.”

The poor boy just stood there, trying desperately to think of what to say. Finally he answered,” Well...oh blast it, I truly wish that I could. But...actually...I think that since all this happened because I followed the same plan twice in the space of thirty minutes in regards to you…" he sighed before continuing, "and cocked it up both times…so I rather doubt that I’ve got much room to be cross.” Pip smiled and slowly moved towards her, but noticing that she was favoring her right side, he came in on her left and wrapped his arm around her and held her close, while she rested her head on his shoulder.

Author's Note

Here it is. And my apologies to all law enforcement personnel reading this. The way I described things is almost certainly not the best way to handle this particular situation. And I hope all the German speakers out there can be kind. I had to try twice to get the right translation, and I'm still not sure I did.

8. One More River to Cross

“Miss Lullamoon, would you please not antagonize her any further,” Rarity pleaded from the crouched position to Photo’s right. “May I remind you that I’m working with a needle here? If she gets any more amped up, I’m going to end up stabbing her.” She paused in her work and changed her position slightly, giving her best dirty look to the young lady in the magician’s costume. But one glance told her that Trixie wasn’t at all impressed as she gave a snort and glared back.

“That is not Trixie’s problem,” she continued, “the fact remains that our friend couldn’t possibly have done this without a reason. You…you just don’t understand what all this means….”

Photo rolled her eyes, and tried to stay calm. She could only thank God that most of the interrogation had been carried out at the emergency room. But all the paperwork, and all the photographs, and then in the end having to explain it all to her father…it all required a patience she only barely managed.

She tried to straighten up, but her bruised ribs protested. It seemed like nothing she tried could bring her real comfort. She felt helpless, straddling her chair while Rarity made repairs to her dress, with only her friend’s coat to conceal her; stuck until her father returned since she couldn’t drive with her concussion. And now listening to the girl behind her drone on about a subject she so wished to be done with was just insult added to injury. She groaned, took as deep a breath as she dared, and once again moved her hand over her right pocket, and the pill bottle within. Where was some water when she really needed it?

Suddenly the voice in the background went silent, and then asked, “What are you doing here?”

Photo turned her head, and spotted Pip approaching, with his camera bag hanging from one shoulder and two bottles of water in his right hand, one of which he promptly handed to her.

“Ahhhh,” she said with a smile as she took hold of the bottle, “my hero returnz at last.” She then quickly reached into her pocket, and retrieved the pill bottle, popped off the cap, shook out a single rather large pill and proceeded to quickly washed it down.

“Uh, dear girl, I…hope you’re not holding out for miracles,” Pip said crossing his arms as he watched her, “Speaking from experience, most likely those pills will at best help take the edge off…if you’re lucky.”

“Oh please,” Trixie answered with a snarky note, “What would someone like you know about something like that?”

Pip scowled, set his bag down, turned to Trixie, and replied, “A little something picked up by way of boxing actually, not that you really need to know.”

“Really?” Rarity queried, obviously intrigued, “were you any good?”

The young gentleman was obviously surprised by the question, and was suddenly tongue tied. He looked over to Photo, who gestured towards Trixie, before finally answering, “Well yes…I was…fairly decent at it…at least till the others in my class got bigger, with a bit more reach…and I didn’t.”

There was a pregnant pause, before Photo said, “I am very zorry to hear zhat.”

“Oh…it’s quite alright actually,” he replied with a smile, “Actually I’m glad I quit. It eventually got to a point where my coach used to joke that I must have a glass nose.” Almost automatically, he paused for a minute to give his nose a dab with a handkerchief from his pocket. He carefully checked the handkerchief, then looked back to his audience, and added, “Uh...anyway...it cost my mum a mint to get the blasted thing straightened out.”

“Oh that is so inspiring,” Trixie snarled, her mocking tone plainly evident, “but that is not my point! What about me!?! We want to know what will happen now that you’ve taken away our friend! He was very nice and sweet to Trixie!” She paused, and sighed sadly.

“Hey Lulamoon!” came a voice from the right as everyone turned and saw Violet, accompanied by Pixel, Applejack, and her boyfriend, approaching out of the crowd, “What exactly is your major malfunction anyway?”

“Yeah,” Pixel added, “and what’s the deal with that ‘we’ crap? I personally don’t think that you’re qualified to speak on behalf of that rabbit in your hat, you flake!”

Trixie grunted and adjusted her top hat before replying, “Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie wasn’t talking to you. She has a legitimate complaint with your friend here, and she will get to make it!

“Girl, I think I’ve heard plenty. Now let me tell give you the lowdown here,” said Applejack, stepping forward to face the other girl, “Your ‘sweet friend’ just tried to beat the tar out of these girls, and there aint no excuse for that; that’s the bottom line. And if you had the sense that God gave geese, you’d realize that you’re not going to get any sympathy for that jackass from anyone here with your little pity party. So why don’t you just skedaddle, fore you end up looking even worse than you do already.”

Trixie took one step back from her adversary, and answered, “We…” she paused, “I mean I…don’t have to take that from you…you…you…hick!”

Applejack let out a snarl at this, and growled back, “Alright…that tears it!” And she lunged at the other girl, who let out a shriek and dodged right before running off as fast as she could in heels, pursued by the farm girl, who shouted, “You come on back here you nasty little varmint!” The pair proceeded to push their way through the crowd, while Pixel and Violet took off in pursuit. This left only Applejack’s date, who watched the whole show without moving.

“Silver Charm…,” Rarity called out to the young man, “Aren’t you going after her?”

The young man dressed like an oil field worker thought about it for a second, then turned to Rarity and smiled. “I suppose I should. Usually not a good idea to get in A.J.’s way when she’s pissed, but…I think we’ve had enough drama for one night.” He gave a shallow bow, and a tip of his helmet, and said simply “ladies…” before setting off in an obviously casual pursuit.

Rarity turned back again towards her friend, and was surprised to see Photo still looking off in the distance. Rarity smiled and tapped her friend on the shoulder and said, “Penny for your thoughts.”

Pip heard this and quickly went into his back pocket, and pulled out an obviously foreign looking coin and added, “I’ll even throw in twenty pence?” and handed it to his surprised friend.

Photo looked at the coin in her hand and smiled. “It may seem rather schtrange to hear zhis, but…I can’t help but vonder if I should feel a bit zorry…even for that insipid perzon….” She paused and took a breath before continuing, “….and I zertainly don’t vant to zee her get beat up.” She closed her eyes for a moment before turning to Rarity and asked, “Vell my friend, will my poor drezz survive the night.”

“Oh darling,” Rarity said with a smile, “I assure you that this particular work of art will indeed survive…in spite of some strained fabric.” She packed up the sewing kit she had been using and added, “ …but only if you bring it into the shop on Monday and let Miss Pommel do her magic. And I think that she will consider it an honor. It is truly exquisite. Is it from back home?”

“Ah…vell, yes actually,” Photo answered, “It was made for me vhen I visited grandmamma last zummer.” She paused and looked over to Pip, who seemed to be barely hanging on. “Oh…but look Rarity…it appears ve are lozing our audience. My apologies my dear boy…it is just gurl talk, as it vere.”

Pip said, “Oh that’s quite alright.” He took a deep yawn and smiled. “Well...custom made indeed,” he continued, “I would hope for nothing less for my favorite ballerina” and he raised his water bottle in a toast before taking a sip.

“YOU WERE A BALLERINA!?!” came the voice of Pinkie Pie, who suddenly appeared from the crowd, her sudden outburst causing Pip to choke a bit in his water. “THAT IS SO COOL!! What was it like? Was it hard on your toes? Did you ever wipeout? Did you ever do that “Swan Lake” thing? How tough is it to pirouette?...” she blurted out before Rarity grabbed onto her and hand gagged her. Pinkie then turned her head and asked through Rarity's hand, “Urr…amm eye tooking too muff?”

Photo let lose an exhausted sigh and asked, “Vhat is going on, you echtremely zilly girl?”

“Oh…right,” Pinkie answered as Rarity let go, “I just wanted to bring you something to replace your glasses…since I was the one who broke them…after they fell out of your pocket…and I stepped on them…wow, twenty minutes after you guys left.” She then went behind Photo and produced something from her pocket, which she immediately installed. When she stepped away, the group was taken back as Photo now wore a black eyepatch over her injured left eye.

“See guys,” Pinkie announced as she stepped to the side, “instant pirate costume!”

Photo looked around quickly, trying to judge everyone’s reaction. Then she gestured to Rarity with her hands. It didn’t take her friend more than a second to understand what she needed, and she quickly retrieved a compact, and handed it to Photo. Photo opened it quickly, and carefully studied her face. Then she lowered it to the tabletop, her look of disappointment plain in her expression.

“Uhmm…too much?” Pinkie asked, her concern plainly evident, and then suddenly shouted, “Oh wow, I’ve got another idea. This one’s going to be great!” and then bounded away.

Photo didn’t respond immediately, but her expression made her feelings plain. In the background though, something caught her eye, and she stood up for a better look. It was her father, standing back towards the back of the room, signaling her.

She quickly turned to her audience, and announced, “Vell my friends, it iz time to depart.”

She moved to go, but Rarity caught her hand and pulled her close and gestured to Pip and said to her, “Darling, you’re blowing this…”

Photo seized up for a second, looking totally lost. She looked to her friends, but couldn’t say a word. She just took a step back, and then quickly departed, heading for the stage.

She moved through the crowd quickly, not looking back once. She got up on stage, came up behind the d.j. and worked her way in to retrieve her purse and camera bag. She then quickly moved back to the stairs and down to the gym floor, hoping for a quick exit, until she heard the music suddenly quit and a familiar voice come over the loudspeaker.

“Hey everybody!” came the voice of Pinkie Pie, “How’s it going out there! Listen up…I know that we don’t have any royalty at THIS dance, but I just wanted everyone here to give a well-deserved round of applause to one of our friends! As most of you know, she’s had a really rough night after having to save one of my best friends from a real first class jerk! So everybody…lets here it for our Honorary Queen of the Morp….Photo Finish!!”

In an instant, a spotlight on the stage caught Photo in its light, and a round of somewhat tepid applause came from the crowd. What the crowd saw was Photo standing there, her expression one of obvious shock, followed by red faced embarrassment. And it only got worse as the Vinyl added music, a song that Photo recognized instantly, ‘Deutschlandlied’. Her head went forward, and her hands went over her face.

Watching from a short distance, Pip and Rarity could only stand back and watch in disbelief. “Oh dammit all,” Pip said to Rarity, “She’s going to lose it.”

‘Oh, not really darling,” Rarity answered glumly, “But I’m sure that the poor girl just wants to crawl into a hole and die right about now.”

Photo just stood there as the song played through, afraid to even look up and see what was happening, when she heard a familiar voice and felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She didn’t catch the words that were said, but when she looked up, she was not surprised to be face to face with Twilight Sparkle, who asked “Are you alright?”

Photo looked about quickly, and was happy to see that the song had ended and the spotlight had moved off of her. She closed her eyes and took a slow deep breath, and answered, “Of course.”

“Oh,” Twilight answered skeptically, “uh…well, glad to hear that. You had me worried there for a second…you know. You kind of had that ‘deer in the headlights’ look…and then it looked like you wanted to crawl under a rock…or something.”

“Oh…vell, it is nothing really,” Photo answered, ‘it has just been a hard night…and I am just not feeling particularly vell…and zhat gurl plazes ze wrong zong… and thiz patch zhing makes me look like my faze should be on a blazted vanted poster…and now everyone getz to ZEE IT!!” She closed her eyes tightly, and her teeth clenched.

“Oh,” Twilight replied, clearly distressed, “I’m so sorry…I’m sorry I got you into all this.”

Photo looked up and met Twilight’s gaze, and shook her head. She reached out and grabbed hold of both of Twilight’s hands. Then she closed her eyes, and took a moment to clear her throat before she said, “No Tvilight…zhat is not necessary….in fact zhere iz no need vhatsoever; It vas my choice to intervene, and it vas entirely worth it. You of all people zhould never have to put up vith anyone treating you like zhat. No…no regrets vhatsoever!”

Twilight listened, and smiled. Then she let go of Photo’s hands, and went to reach for her, till her stiff skirt got in the way. She then took a step back, and held out her hand. Photo reached out to her cautiously, and Twilight took the outstretched hand, brought it up to her lips, and kissed it lightly, and said “Thank you very much.”

Photo smiled at this, then gave a slight bow and answered, “Gern geschenen my friend.”

The pair just stood there for a moment, till Twilight caught sight of Sunset, who had been signaling her from the side. She let go of Photo’s hand and said, ”Oh...uh…I’ve got to go. I’ll see you Monday…o.k.?” She stepped back and gave Photo a wave, which was promptly returned, and then turned and went back to Sunset. Both then turned to leave, but Twilight did look back and waved again as she disappeared into the crowd.

Photo lingered there for a moment. As Twilight faded from view, Photo relaxed a bit, or at least she tried. It lasted only a moment, until she heard Rarity, Pip, and her father come up behind her.

“Kitten, are you alright?” her father asked.

“Of course,” she answered, but thought twice when she saw her father’s raised eyebrow, adding “it waz…just a bad moment.”

“Are you sure of that?,” Pip replied, “It appeared to me that possibly the patch may have brought…oh...I don’t know…the ‘n’ word to mind.”

Rarity cringed and turned quickly away as Photo just stood there, looking shocked.

“Vhat !?!” she asked.

All eyes focused on Pip, and he recoiled a bit. But he took a couple of deep breaths and continued, “Oh...uh, well…what I meant to say…is that I hoped that Venture’s childish name calling hadn’t affected you…because though Pinkie made you a pirate…I was concerned that your dress and the patch might have brought to mind…other…villains. And…that would be patently ridiculous of course. For…one’s appearance is almost never truly reflective of one’s character. And I was just going to say… that if that was a concern…that I believe…that you are much more of a Von Staufenburg than a Himler.”

Photo could only stare back in disbelief. He was right of course; the color combination and the eye patch brought the Schutzstaffel to mind almost instantly. It was silly, but it happened. She shook her head and smiled at her boy. She had no clue as to where he had learned of that almost lost name from history, but it was exactly what she needed to hear.

"Well..." Pip continued, "You did catch the metaphor I trust?"

"Oh...uh yez...yez I did," she answered, a big smile on her face.

But, she came back to earth instantly when she heard the voice of her father asking in her ear, “Is that what you thought Kitten?”

She turned and looked to her father. She knew how protective he could get when she was in one of her moods. That was all she needed to force herself to straighten up and lift her gaze, her hands going behind her back, before answering after she cleared her throat, “No…no of course not. I waz…I mean, it is obvious of course…I am a pirate. You know…yo ho ho…or vhatever.” She then turned to Pip and asked with eyebrow raised and arms crossed, “Zo, is there a problem vith my dress?”

Pip's jaw went slack, and his head tilted, totally dumbstruck for a moment. But finally he just shook his head, smiled and said, “Uh, no…not in the least. You look stunning.”

“Well, and now that that is established,” Rarity chimed in from the sideline, “…what’s next?”

Photo looked quickly to her dad, who nodded towards Pip and urged her on. So she turned to Pip and asked, “Ah, vell…are you hungry…becauze… my papa and I vere going to go to zhat nice little restaurant down the street and have a pizza. I know it iz late…and a little awkvard…but I am schtarving, and it may be our bezt chance for avhile,…since momma is coming home tomorrow. Cause when she zeez me, she will be oopzet…to zay the leazt”

Pip only thought about it for a second before smiling broadly and answering, “I’d…uh well…I’d be delighted to!” He then straightened his jacket and took a deep breath, and then reached out towards Photo and said, “So…uh…that being the plan, Fräulein…may I?”

This brought a raised eyebrow from Photo, who took his hand and said, “Zhat is a zomevhat archaic term. Keep that in mind.”

“Oh…of course,” Pip answered.

Photo’s father then came over and took the camera bag from his daughter as the pair started walking in the general direction of the door, pausing only for a moment to look to Rarity and say, “Ughh…finally.” This caused Rarity to shake her head and chuckle, as she moved to the side as the party of three passed her and worked their way out of the building and off into the night.

4. Someone Else's War

Rarity sat quietly at the table, paying no attention whatsoever to the plate in front of her. She just sat there with her head in her hands, propped up on her elbows, trying not to think about what she had just done.

Cookie Crumbles breezed by and announced, "O.K. you two, I'm outta here. You sure you're covered there Sweets?"

Sweety Belle looked in from the living room, and answered, "No problem mom. My ride should be here in a few minutes."

"Sounds good to me," Cookie answered, and then added "Hey Rars, if you need to talk, you know how to reach me. And don't forget that your dad will be back for lunch at noon. Hope you're feeling better."

Rarity sighed. "Yes mom," she answered, still not looking up. Cookie lingered a bit longer, hoping for more, before shaking her head and leaving the room, and exiting out the downstairs door.

Sweety Belle waited until the door closed before going over to Rarity and asking, "O.k., why didn't you just tell her what happened?"

Rarity groaned and replied, "Please, just leave me alone."

"She's going to be upset when your prom date doesn't show up and you have to tell her why you lied to her," Sweety replied, "She's not a dummy you know."

Rarity didn't reply, and finally Sweety just shook her head and walked away. 'No,' Rarity thought, 'my parents are not stupid; the daughter yes, but not the parents.' She had lied her way out of school today, but in the end, what had she accomplished, other than to create even more problems. How ironic that she could dismiss Twilight's fears of Bold Venture, yet now find herself consumed by her own. "Ah, true poetic justice," she said to herself, and she sighed for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"So, you gonna make your move?" Thunderlane said to Flash Sentry as they dressed in the locker room.

Flash was still loading his pockets with the normal collection of devices and essential parts he carried, and didn't reply right away. But he glanced back and saw that his friend was still standing there, and wasn't going to be satisfied by silence, so he replied, "I haven't decided. You're not going to be disappointed either way I hope. I know you've been itching for a shot at him."

"Damn right," Thunderlane replied, "Would've taken him down a long time ago if it weren't for that fan base he's recruited. I'm just surprised you're doing it. And why are you helping her out anyway? Are you still holding a candle for Shimmer or what?"

Flash paused, and thought about it for a minute, and shook his head. "It's not that, or not exactly that. It's just that I do kind of like Sci-Twi, and not just because she reminds me of someone. And, it's not like there weren't actually things I liked about Sunset once upon a time. That said," he paused and smiled at the thought before continuing, "I did get a good laugh out of seeing her at the bottom of that crater as her little scheme blew up in her face. But, I guess I just don't feel the need to spend the rest of my life pushing needles into a damn voodoo doll."

"Excuse me sir," came a call from behind him, and he moved slightly to the side as Pip came through and picked up one of the abandoned towels on the floor. Flash had to marvel at the patience of the young freshman assistant manager, doing a job that was low in prestige, but high on grunt work.

"Hey Pipster, what's up," Flash asked.

Pip looked up, and smiled. "Oh...uh, not much, just a bit of grunge work before the day begins."

"Well, I don't know about the rest of these guys, but I'll try not to leave you too much. How'd a dude like you get a job like this anyway?" Flash inquired.

Pip paused to brush back his unruly bangs, and then replied, "Well, they called it a resume builder, rather like when I became class president. Unfortunately though, someone conveniently forgot to mention that there was a rather dodgy side of this job."

Flash laughed at this and answered "Well, more power to you."

"Little man givin' ya crap there Flash?" Thunderlane asked as he came up from behind.

Both Flash and Pip looked back over their shoulders and Flash replied, "Nothing I can't handle."

Thunderlane came up to Pip and put his hand on Pip's head and answered, "Don't let this guy fake you out Sentry, he's a disloyal little putz."

"Uh, come again?" Flash replied.

"What else do you call it?" Thunderlane answered, "I mean we bring this guy over from the isle's, parade a first class collection of domestic models for him to choose from, and what happens? He goes after a European import. Pity and a shame."

"Really?" Flash replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh," Pip replied, his face going red, "well...'goes after' is a bit of an overstatement. I haven't even tried to talk her up yet."

"Well, be careful, that girl's got attitude," Flash replied with a smile.

"Don't I know it," Pip replied as he turned towards the door.

"And hey, you could do worse," Thunderlane added, "I mean just think of the girl Flash is taking to prom."

Flash locked eyes with Thunderlane and replied, "Don't go there dude. She's a bit different, but she's o.k."

"All right my man," Thunderlane replied, "But Muffins is no princess."

Flash just shook his head at this and answered, "Maybe, but don't sell her short."

The threesome parted ways and Flash went back to what he was doing. Or at least he tried, before the sound of a collision met his ears. He turned around and saw the scene with Pip flattened against the wall behind the door that had just been thrown in his face by Bold Venture. Venture then stormed into the room and made for his locker. Flash took a step in Pip's direction, but was quickly waved off as Pip picked up the towels he had been carrying and left the room.

Flash let out a tired groan and walked over by Bold Venture and asked him, "Bad day? It usually takes you a bit longer to run over the help."

"Take a hike Sentry," Bold Venture replied. "It's none of your damn business! Just give me a couple more weeks, and I'll be free of this rathole and you and the other halfwits will be the new kings of this place."

Flash just shook his head, and replied. "All I ask is that you hold down on the damage please, we're going to need to keep Pip vertical at least till the end of the season."

"Yeah right," Bold Venture replied, "Why do you care anyway? The little douche is just the freaking towel boy for crying out loud. Anything happens to him, and the only downside is that you and the rest of these guys will have to actually walk your own crap to the laundry room."

"Hey man, we like Pip," Thunderlane answered, overhearing the conversation, "He's humble and lovable, and he's small enough to fit in any glove compartment." He looked to Flash, who barely suppressed a chuckle as the two turned back to Bold Venture.

"Uh huh, just like I thought. So much for virtue reigning supreme." Bold Venture replied, "So what exactly makes you any better than me if you're making jokes about him behind his back?"

This brought a raised eyebrow from Flash, who replied, "The difference is even with the joking, we're not trying to hurt the guy. It's what we call teasing in the civilized world."

"Yeah whatever Sentry, keep telling yourself that, and maybe you'll believe it someday," Venture answered, shaking his head. "And what am I going to hear next from the great man of ethics?"

Flash stood there for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated how far he wanted to go. But before he could answer, Thunderlane spoke. "Dude, I'll throw something out there if you want. How 'bout one of these days you tell the world what really happened between you and Vapor Trail two weeks back. You know, the whole 'skateboard accident' thing?"

Venture chuckled and replied, "Not my fault the dumb bitch pissed off the wrong person."

"Yeah right," Thunderlane replied, "What you're failing to mention is your part in the whole sorry affair. Word is you got the cold shoulder, and then twenty minutes later one of your flunkies ends up putting her on the pavement. And the result, a black eye and a broken wrist, usually the kinda crap that gets us normal people jailed."

Venture's expression tightened, but he never lost his smile as he replied, "Yeah right. Good luck proving any connection. I can't be responsible for what someone pulls on his own initiative. And even if she thought it was true, why didn't she say anything?"

Flash, still reeling from what he was hearing, took a deep breath before answering, "Knowing her, it's probably because she has a bit too much concern for human life. Or have you forgotten about our man Sky Stinger? It may be second nature for you to do a Blue Falcon job on a teammate, but Sting was raised old school southern, and he and Vapor have been tight since the third grade. If he even suspected for a second that you were screwing with her, he wouldn't be standing here talking about it; he'd be in that hall out there with that twelve gauge of his looking to perforate your dumb ass!"

Flash watched Venture's anger flash across his face. But after a couple of deep breaths it subsided and he smiled again. "Such nasty language there Sentry; careful or you'll blow your clean cut image. Besides, you know what, it would have been worth it. She's hot as hell. Bagging her would be almost as good as getting Sparkle. You ever think about it Sentry, banging a freaking damn demon?" He paused for a second, and then added, "No, I bet not. A 'true gentleman' doesn't do such things. I bet you're such a damn tight ass that you don't even go to the bathroom like a normal person. You're just planning to explode when you're thirty."

He then moved even closer and continued. "It's like you and Sparkle's little twin, the princess. You can't tell me given the way you were falling all over yourself that you wouldn't have tapped her in a heartbeat. You aren't gay, are ya'. So, why did you let her get away without a parting gift? You wanted her...right?"

Flash let loose a long sigh, crossed his arms and shook his head before he finally replied, "Of course I did."

"Oh I'm sorry, the boys and I didn't catch that," Bold Venture replied.

It was only then that Sentry noticed how many of his fellow players had taken in the conversation. He thought about it for a second, and then smiled. "I said... OF COURSE I DID!! I'M NOT DEAD FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!" Flash answered as loudly as he could. "BUT I HARDLY KNEW HER; I DON'T HAVE SOME RICH DUMBASS DAD TO BAIL ME OUT WHEN I SCREW UP AND I DIDN'T WANT TO MESS HER LIFE UP EITHER!! Yeah...right," he added, throwing up his arms in mock shock, "you've got me! A pathetic victim of the old curse called 'giving a damn about someone else'!" The pitch of voice changed as he continued, "Oh my, the world now knows my dreaded secret! What will I do now?!?"

"Yeah right," Venture answered, "Aren't you cute as hell. You want to include the little factoid that the only reason you're even interested in all this is because you're following the orders of the uber dyke. If I'm such a damn monster just for living my life, why is it only now that you're saying something?" He moved towards the crowd a couple of steps, and then turned back. "And the only reason that I can get away with anything is because of my 'rich dumbass dad' huh?" He raised his hand and pointed to Flash and added, "Really?" he continued, "Yeah right, let me show you pikers how it's done."

He turned and quickly made his way towards the door and went out into the hall. Thunderlane and Flash looked to each other, and the other players, and then the whole group followed along.

"What do you think?" Thunderlane asked.

"I think that he's going to do something stupid," Flash answered

Flash and the gang followed along after Bold Venture as he peered through the halls, looking for someone. "What the hell are we doing exactly?" Flash asked.

"Looking for a certain pain in the ass that I should have dealt with two days ago," he replied.

In another part of the building, Photo Finish strolled down the hallway, the weight of her book bag bearing down on her making her think a bit too much of the mess her week had been. She had already spent almost an hour on the phone trying to appease her friend Violet, and the thought of then having to deal with another day's worth of various prickly dispositions excited her about as much as getting kneecapped. For being so early in the day, she was tired, of the drama; of the diplomacy needed just to get through the day; and at least a half dozen other things she couldn't list at the moment.

"Hey Photo!" came a call from somewhere to her left. She turned her head and spotted Twilight Sparkle, standing alongside Sunset Shimmer, who gave her a friendly wave, which she returned with a smile. Of all the things that had come out of the week, makings friends with that girl was totally unexpected. "Now", she thought, "if only the rest of my life would work out that well."

Bold Venture strode down the hallway at an even more rapid clip than average, his head on a swivel as he hunted his quarry. The group behind him followed along, though not too closely, as no one could decide what the point of the whole exercise was. "Who the hell is he looking for?" Thunderlane asked Flash Sentry.

"I can think of two possibilities," Flash answered.

The group marched down the hall as the search continued, until in the distance, he stopped and smiled as he spotted his quarry. He then proceeded down the hallway with a look of determination, his eyes focused on the target.

Photo Finish first saw him from what seemed like 100 feet away, the large imposing figure followed by the gang of large boys behind her. The thing she focused on, the thing that captured her attention, was the intense focused stare and his clenched jaw, and that his attention was focused squarely on her.

Sunset Shimmer stood up and closed her locker, finally sure she was squared away. She turned around to look for Twilight, and spotted her staring down the hallway. "Hey Twi, what in the..." she started. Only then did she see the wall of males approaching and said under her breath, "Oh crap."

Flash Sentry spotted Photo and said to Thunderlane, "You see what I see?"

"Oh great. This oughta be good," Thunderlane answered with little enthusiasm. He then quickened his pace, which Flash matched, trying to close the distance before it was too late.

Photo could only see Bold Venture, as he came up on her. It was another test, another trial by fire, and she wanted no part in it, a third day was too much. She brought her head up and let out a long clearly audible groan before she started walking towards her tormentor. She took only a half a dozen steps before she executed a textbook leftward pivot and proceeded down the adjoining hallway.

The sudden change brought Bold Venture to a sudden halt, and he turned and watched the girl proceed down the hallway. "Hey!" he called out, "I've got a few words for you!"

"Wunderbare! I've got somezing to zay to you too. GO TO HELL!" was the response as she continued walking, "I do not have time to vaste playing schtupid gamez vith little children!"

Venture put his hands on his hips and pondered his options before the sound of laughter in the background caught his attention. He turned his head and gave an angry glare to silence the crowd, and then turned back towards his adversary. Immediately, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and heard Flash Sentry's voice tell him, "Don't do it man."

He pulled away and went after his quarry, accelerating his pace to overtake her quickly. He got only a few feet when someone popped into his line of sight, her arms out to block his way.

"Leave her alone!" Twilight Sparkle cried out earnestly.

Venture though would not be deterred, and shoved her out of the way. "MOVE IT DAMMIT!" he commanded. She tumbled over sideways and bounced off the lockers on her left, barely keeping her feet. The sound brought Photo to a stop and she turned to observe the debacle behind her.

Immediately Flash and Thunderlane rushed forward and grabbed on to Venture's arms. "Hold on a damn minute there ace!" Flash yelled, and Venture finally paused.

"HEY DIPSHIT!!" came a call from the crowd, which parted to reveal Rainbow Dash, who came forward clearly infuriated. "What the hell is your problem?!? Is that brain tumor of yours acting up again?!? Why don't you try taking on someone you own damn size just once!? And stay the hell away from Twilight Sparkle, since you obviously can't be trusted around normal people!"

"Really?" Bold Venture answered, "This is none of your damn business. So take a hike."

"Like hell," was Rainbow's reply, "and leave you running around lose? I've been watching your stupidity long enough! And Rarity told me about what happened yesterday! Exactly what were you trying to accomplish in chasing down Twilight all over the damn town, or did you even stop to think about just how crazy that looked!"

"Better be careful there bitch," Venture replied, anger evident in his voice, "Your mouth is making promises your body can't keep."

"Don't bet your life on it," Rainbow replied.

"Alright," Venture answered, "You want a piece of me, you'll get it."

"Bring it dipshit," Rainbow replied, totally unfazed by the challenge.

Venture took two steps forward and then lunged at Rainbow, a left hook barely missing her head as she dodged right. His right though caught her shoulder, sending her off balance. She quickly grabbed onto his arm, and held on as her left leg drew in and fired off a deadly accurate kick which caught Venture in the worst of all possible spots. He immediately gasped and collapsed to his knees, while most of the male members of the audience turned their heads and cringed.

"Oh my," Thunderlane said, "right in the ole' crown jewels."

Venture by now had gone to all fours as the crowd stirred behind him and parted to reveal Copper Top, the S.R.O., who strolled forward and quietly examined the situation carefully. She then turned to the group and announced, "Miss Sparkle, Miss Dash, Miss Finish, Mr. Sentry...Thunderlane, report to the office now...and don't make me have to come looking for you!" She then turned to Bold Venture and said, "And plan on joining them Mr. Venture, after you get checked by the nurse." She then turned to the others and said, "And as for the rest of you...get to class! Show's over."

Two members of the group came forward, lifted Bold Venture to his feet, and started him off to the nurse's office, pausing for only a moment to give Flash Sentry a dirty look as they passed. Rainbow Dash took a step back, and then turned to make her way to the office, her smile beaming as she went. Photo Finish took a few cautious steps towards the scene, still in disbelief.

"Ohhh," she groaned, and said in a low voice, "Jemand bitte sagen Sie mir, dass das nicht schlimmer werden kann."

She moved in the direction of Twilight, but suddenly found herself face to face with Sunset Shimmer, who asked, "What in the world were you doing!?! That idiot was your problem dammit! Where do get off leaving it to Twilight to fight for you!?! You already know that she can't take on that guy! She could have been stomped into the floor tiles for crying out loud!"

Twilight moved in to separate the pair. "Sunny, please," she entreated, "it wasn't like that."

Photo's jaw dropped, and she lowered her head for a moment, totally taken back by what she heard. But then raised it up and looked the red haired girl in front of her straight in the eye, her jaw tightening and her hands clenching in anger. She answered, "Iz zhat vhat you zhink happened? Is zhat vhat you zhink of me? She continued her volume increasing, "Now you listen to me little girl! I am not here to play gamez! I am not your crazy friend Rainbow Dash, who zinks she can take on anyvone! I am just me. I am noot a fighter, and I zhould not have to be one vhen I am zimply minding my own buisnezz! And I have never...ever thought for a zecond about leaving Twilight to fight my battlez," she paused, a tear running down her right cheek, "and I resent zhat you would zhink zhat I vould do zuch a thing!" She paused to try to catch her breath and seemed to calm down a bit. She brushed away the tear with her hand, and then adjusted her book bag before adding, "and for ze record Mizz Shimmer, I schtill do not like you," before she turned and moved down the hallway in the direction of the office.

Sunset looked to Twilight, who just shook her head and turned and followed Photo. Sunset hung her head as Flash Sentry walked over and stopped beside her. "We both blew it, didn't we?" Flash asked her.

"Yeah, the world's just full of surprises these days isn't it," Sunset replied, looking totally defeated, "What do you think will happen now?"

Flash just shook his head and answered, "I don't know, but knowing Venture, I'm betting this isn't over no matter what Celestia does with him."

Bold Venture walked slowly out the room, with Copper Top following close behind. At one point, he looked back and saw Vice Principle Luna's disapproving glare which was enough to make him quicken his pace slightly before leaving her sister's office.

Finally, the door closed and Principle Celestia looked down at her desk at the paper she had just signed and said, "Funny, for some reason I thought that that would feel a bit more satisfying. I hate to write off anyone, but right now I wish I could have expelled him."

"He's got a lot of strikes against him," Luna answered, "But you know that we can't simply think in those terms. Until we have established a pattern of behavior in our own records, all we can do is what is necessary to protect the students."

"It won't be enough," Celestia answered, "I'm very concerned that I can't trust him around female students. And in a week, he'll be back." She paused and took a deep breath, then gave a frustrated groan. "I loathe the thought of what comes next."

Celestia looked to Luna, who had nothing to add. Instead she simply stood up from her chair, walked around the edge of the desk, and patted her sister on the shoulder before strolling to the door way and exiting her sister's office, closing the door as she did so.

Author's Note

I hope I haven't been too explicit in this chapter. I'm still not sure what is acceptable in the "Teen" rating in terms of terminology. And I do apologize for all the corrections. I'm still on a bit of a learning curve.

6. "...with a little help from my friends" part 1

So where would the next confrontation develop? Would she even make it across the vestibule before someone tripped her up, or knocked her down, or worse? She quickened her pace and was finally able to reach the adjoining hallway. But there was no escape from the crush of people around her. She paused a moment and took a couple of deep breaths, and tried to think. There was no way to know for sure if Venture was actually there, but it was a chance she couldn’t take. She had to assume that she was still number one on his target list. And that meant that promises aside, she needed to go, and if it hurt her standing in the a/v club, so be it.

But then she thought about Pip. She had to admit that if Rarity’s suspicions were correct; her night had gotten far more complicated. How did she feel about this? It was flattering, intriguing, and disconcerting all at the same time. Poor timing aside, how could she leave before dealing with the question? She stopped and pondered it for a moment, but the more she thought about, the clearer it became that there was no option. Whatever her feelings, complicated as they were, she owed him at least that much.

She moved on through the multitudes, her head on a swivel, before rounding a corner and finally spotting him. He was doing just what one would expect, setting up a shot with three couples stacked on top of each other trying to get that perfect grouping. As expected, he was wearing an elegant dark blue tux, with the only defect being that someone had stuck a piece of paper on his back that marked him as “Super Doofus.”

Suddenly, a sound caught her ear, and she turned to look. She spotted the black clad figure from before, ducking quickly into the adjoining hallway. In an instant her heart was pounding, and she was looking about for the nearest exit. Then…something touched her shoulder…

She yelped, and turned to meet her attacker, her arms flailing outward in defense. The only thing that faced her was Pip, who recoiled back. The two of them looked at each other for a moment, not sure how to proceed before Pip could speak.

“Well,” he finally said, “I’ll grant you that I should have announced myself. But…what the deuce was that all about?”

Photo raised her head and tried to shake off some of the nervous energy that coursed through her before she looked again to her friend and answered, “Take my advice…do not ask!”

This caused Pip to recoil back even further, and reply sheepishly, “Oh…sorry.” He then took a deep breath and put his arms behind his back, stood up straight, and reported, “Uhmm…Pinkie is here, and demand for our services seems to be decent, in spite of the selfies. You can…of course…join in if you wish, or not, whatever sounds good to you.”

Photo wasn’t sure how to respond. It was obvious that she had overreacted. She took a couple of steps closer to Pip, and replied, “My apologies to you. My friend, in schpite of ze appearance, I do not bite; not even if you were into zuch thingz.” It was then that she noticed his untied tie, draped around his neck. “It appears zhat someone really zhould take care of zhat tie of yourz. Let me help you.”

“Oh…thank you,” he replied, and he grabbed hold of the camera he was wearing and lifted it up over his head to free up the strap. He then wrapped the strap around his hand, and then put his hands, including the camera, behind his back.

Photo then moved closer, and began tying his tie. “You are lucky my friend zhat my papa taught me how to do zhis. Zhough zhey are making a comeback, bow tizes are shtill not as popular as they once were.” Pip went quiet as she worked, but she could feel that he was agitated. His breathing had quickened, and he was biting his lower lip. His eyes though were fixed squarely on her, and…was he blushing?

After a few moments of silence, he finally asked, “I know that it’s a sore subject, but…is anything wrong?”

Photo sighed, and answered, “Only if you have a prooblem with sharing ze danze floor with a znake.”

Pip pondered the question for moment, and then his jaw dropped before he asked, “Venture’s here?” His head went back, and he gritted his teeth and gave an angry hiss. “Oh bloody friggin’ hell,” he continued, “I swear that rat bastard must truly think that the bird of paradise is his personal damn pet.”

Photo gave a harrumph. “I joost wish that ze bird vould take a doomp on his head.”

She tried to continue, but Pip’s chortling to himself stopped her. “Oh pleaze...it vas not zhat funny,” she protested.

“Yes it was,” he replied barely stifling a laugh, “and spot on too. Dear girl, you truly do have a gift for sarcasm.”

Photo smiled at these words, and decided not to reply. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and went back and finally finished her task. “There you are my friend,” she announced, “you look….” She paused, and carefully looked over the person in front of her. She couldn’t quite say what was catching her eye, his sharp tux; his large brown eyes almost lost behind his unruly bangs; or his warm engaging smile. Whatever it was, all she knew for sure was that it was now her turn to blush.

“Ohh...you look,” she tried again, struggling a bit before she finally said the word that she thought most appropriate,”...beautiful.”

“Oh my…uh...thank you," he replied with a nervous chuckle. "Oh...well yes...uh...so do you by the way. Oh...and thank you for not taking too many points off for my laughing at a poop joke.” His reply brought both of them a laugh, which lingered far longer than either expected before they could finally make eye contact again. When she did, she noticed that his smile had faded, and he asked, “So, have I got you in a bind by being here?”

Photo shrugged and answered, “I do not know. It depends on him. Dancez in general are a zore subject for me anyvay, so this joost makes it worze.”

Pip looked at the people passing by, and then gestured to Photo to move towards the wall, and out of the walking path. On arriving, he slung the camera strap back over his head, letting the device settle on his chest before leaning back against the wall, and then asked, “Is there a story there?”

Photo took up position next to him, and answered, “It iz more about dancing than dancez. You may not have guezzed, but I am a 7 year ballet veteran. And I waz not bad, but it vould never be my claim to fame, if you know vhat I mean.”

“What happened?” Pip asked.

“Oh, there waz a photographer verking with us vone day,” Photo answered, “and I was dezperate to make an impression…so I tried something I vas not really good enough to do…and I went vone way…and my ankle vent another way…and zhat waz the end of my dancing.”

Pip’s jaw dropped, and he answered, “Oh damn it all, I’m so sorry.”

“It iz o.k.,” Photo answered,” Vhen I got back, I could not danze, so I worked with the photographer. And I zoon learned zhat I waz much more interested in what happens behind the camera than in front of it, zo it verked out.”

Photo glanced back at Pip, who met her glance with an uncertain smile. “Well, I guess that I got lucky in that regard. We might not have met otherwise.”

Photo was going to respond, but she heard a noise. Apparently Pip heard it too, as the pair turned their heads simultaneously to see a costumed Pinkie standing only a foot away, her face done over in garish makeup and her hair in odd poofy pigtails. She shuffled closer, her large clown shoes barely missing Pip’s feet.

“Vhat?” Photo asked testily.

Pinkie smiled and said, “Well…..I was going to say something about you guys being a really cute couple, which you are by the way….but…I was really going to tell you that I need to take a break to help Rarity restock the concession stand…soooo… someone needs to take over for a little bit cause there’s a lot of couples looking for a camera person…if you know what I mean…o.k.?” She took a step back, and smiled expectantly as she waited for a reply.

Photo wasn’t sure what to say at first, looking at the girl in the rather flamboyant clown suit. But finally Pip broke the silence,” Well, that’s a bit of a buzz kill, isn’t it?”

Photo just sighed, and looked to Pinkie and replied, “Very well…vhutever…juzt do...vhutever…” she said, shooing the other girl away. “Ve will take care of it.”

“Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie replied with a big smile, “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She gave the pair a wink, and then moved off.

“What exactly wouldn’t she do?” Pip asked, looking clearly puzzled. He then sighed. “Oh well,” he continued, “I guess I can answer the call, since I’m already equipped.”

Photo thought about it for a second, and then caught hold of his hand and turned him towards her. She then rested her hands on his shoulders and said with a smile, “Do not lose heart my friend, ze night is still young.” She pulled off her glasses, and then reached up and slowly brushed her fingers through his bangs while looking him in the eyes and added, “Just make zure you do one zhing for me…”

Pip seemed dumbstruck for moment, but finally asked, “W..what’s that?”

Photo didn’t answer at first, but instead turned him slightly, and reached back and caught hold of the sign on his back, and ripped it off. She brought it around to let him see it, and then crumpled it up. “Vhatch your back,” she answered with a smile, slowly releasing her hold on him. He took a couple of steps back, and smiled broadly as he gave a quick nod, which she returned. He almost collided with another couple, but it didn’t seem to faze him a bit, as he excused himself again, and went about his business, still wearing the same goofy grin.

Photo watched him go, and then looked at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. She took a moment and untangled it, and read the words again. “I guezz everyone has enemies,” she said to herself before a familiar sound caught her ear. She looked up to see Rarity and Pinkie cutting through the crowd, apparently on their way to one of the storage closets for supplies. Photo began to follow along out of curiosity, pausing only to dispose of the offending label in the nearest garbage can as she went.

Rarity and Pinky had to wade through several clusters of couples as they made their way, and at one point parted company. As they moved, Rarity thought for a second that she had seen the figure in black, but lost track of him quickly in the crowd. Pinkie, working around from the other side, was about to reunite with her friend when someone stuck a foot out and caught the end of her large shoes. The sudden obstruction caused her to pitch over and sent her sprawling onto the gym floor. Rarity heard her friend call out and turned to assist when she felt something blunt suddenly jab her in her back. She managed to turn slightly and saw the clearly defined shape of a firearm before someone yanked her by the hair and growled, “Shut up and keep walking.”

Meanwhile Pinkie was trying to get to her feet, but a boy she didn’t recognize had his hand on her back holding her down. “Hey,” she called out, “What’s the big idea?”

“If you know what’s good for you,” the boy answered, “You’ll stay down.”

And that may have been it, if he hadn’t been witnessed by a dozen other people, including Bulk Biceps, who calmly strode over and asked, “Problem here?”

The smaller boy took a moment to compose himself, and then answered, “Oh…uh…girlfriend tripped.”

This was answered quickly by Pinkie, who brushed his hand aside, got up off the floor, and stomped on his foot. He let out a yelp, and began hobbling away as PInkie yelled, “As if!” She quickly turned away and tried desperately to spot her friend. She caught sight of the black clad figure briefly, with Rarity preceeding him, heading in the direction of the locker rooms, but she wasn’t sure what to do next. That was when Photo finally reached her.

“Pinkie!” Photo shouted, “Vhat happened? Vhere is Rarity?”

“IDON’TUNDERSTANDSHE’SGOINGOFFWITHTHATWEIRDGUYINBLACKOVERTHATWAYSOMETHING’SWRONG…IJUSTKNOWIT…IJUSTKNOWIT…IJUSTKNOWIT…!!!” Pinkie replied frantically.

“Pinkie…do not yell!” was Photo’s replied as she covered her ears, “I am schtanding right here!”

Photo looked towards the direction Pinkie was pointing and saw Rarity and the black figure disappear down the hall. She watched, and didn’t move. She only shook her head. She couldn’t begin to wrap her mind around it all. What would she do?

“Photo!” Pinkie called, reaching over and shaking the other girl, “What do we do?”

It was only then that Photo could focus. She looked up to the other girl, and replied “Go get Copper! Do you hear me!?! Go…get…Copper! Tell her what happened…and bring her along. Do you understand?”

“Right…got it!” she answered, “Oh hey, I think that Twilight’s brother is here too…”

“Pinkie!” Photo shouted in reply, “Get vone or ze other, but get zhem right now!”

“Oh…right. Wait...” Pinkie replied, “What are you going to do?”

Photo had by now let go of Pinkie and had slowly turned towards the danger. She looked back towards the other girl and answered, “I…I don’t know…probably zomething schtupid.” Pinkie gave Photo a weak smile, and then ran off as quickly as her large shoes would allow.

Photo turned and slowly advanced towards the nearby hallway, her heart pounding and her mouth dry. She had no idea just what awaited her, and no clue how to handle it. “Vhat am I doing?” she thought, “I do not schtep in front of bulletz. I do not run into burning buildingz. In Gottes Namen…vhat am I doing?”

Author's Note

Thought I'd break the chapter in two, just to move things along.