Scarlet High

“Um... Did I miss something?” Spike asked when he entered the Library to find Vinyl sleeping in Twilight’s bed, cuddling.

“There you are, where have you been?” Twilight asked.

“Vinyl had me spend a few nights at a friend’s house, where have you been?” Spike retorted.

“You didn’t tell him?” Twilight asked Vinyl. She shook her head. Twilight sighed and stood up, showing her scar.

“Hospital, I got shot but it’s fine now.” Twilight said.

“You got... wait... what? In the three days I was gone you got shot, went to the hospital and recovered?” Spike said, obviously not believing it.

“I have the records around here somewhere if you don’t believe her.” Vinyl said.

“Who did it?” Spike asked.

“I’d rather you not try and set someone on fire so I’ll keep that a secret for now.” Twilight answered.

“Fine... but did you go drinking last night? Last I checked roommates don’t normally cuddle in their sleep.” Spike said, crossing his arms.

“We’re dating now.” Vinyl said casually, stretching as she got to her feet.

“Oh, about time. Dash has been saying you two should get together for a week now.” Spike said.

“That sounds like her. Speaking of Dash, we need to meet her tonight. Spike you should get ready for school, I think I have a valid excuse to miss history today.” Twilight said.

“I thought you were fine.” Spike said.

“I’m recovered, but it’s still sore as hell and the nurse told me to rebandage it every day, and I think it’s opening back up.” Twilight said, tracing it and bringing her finger up to see a small streak of blood.

“Great. I’ll go find the medkit.” Vinyl said.

“You sure you’re alright?” Spike asked.

“I’ll be fine Spike, just go to school. Oh, but before you go do m a favor and put some waffles in the toaster for me?” Twilight asked.

“Sure, see you.” Spike said.

Twilight and Vinyl were walking to school, but something was nagging at Twilight.

“So how does your kind turn others?” Twilight asked out of nowhere.

“A Vampire’s power is transferred through blood. A Lycan’s is through the saliva.” Vinyl answered.

“Wait, are you saying that when we kissed...” Twilight started.

“No no, it only happens when the Saliva gets into the blood, I’d have to bite you.” Vinyl said.

“But don’t you bite when you fight?” Twilight asked.

“Not when we’re not trying to kill the other thing. Trust me, if we bite to kill there’s almost no chance of you living.” Vinyl said lowly.

“I see. You think I should fix this by the way? Or just leave it as is?” Twilight asked, poking a finger through the hole in her hoodie from the bullet.

“leave it as is, that looks pretty badass.” Vinyl laughed.

“Sure. I guess they couldn’t get all the stains out though, those I will eventually wash out.” Twilight said, looking at the few faded red splotches.

“Yeah, though for now you look like a badass. We still have half of first period left.” Vinyl said, looking at her watch as the main building came into view.

“Alright then.” Twilight said as they entered. There were a few students walking around in the halls, but it was nearly deserted with everyone in their classes.

“A little late aren’t you?” One of the security guards said.

“We had a bad weekend.” Vinyl said.

“Hey you’re Twilight, I thought you were never late. My son talks about you a lot.” The guard said. Twilight was confused, but she saw his name tag. ‘Bright Guard’

“Oh you’re steel’s dad? I didn’t know you were a security guard, I thought you were a royal guard.” Twilight said.

“They hired on more security after an incident that happened wednesday night.” Bright said.

“The Shooting? Or are we talking about something else?” Vinyl asked.

“How did you know about it?” Bright asked, surprised. “nobody is supposed to know, it’ll scare the kids.” He continued.

“Um, I’m kinda the one that got shot.” Twilight said, pointing out though hole in her hoodie.

“Wait, you’re already back in school? Those doctors are amazing... I guess that explains why you’re late then...” Bright said.

“You’re believing her right away?” Vinyl asked.

“Well yeah, you’ve been gone since thursday, nobody’s seen either of you really and I know Twilight wouldn’t lie about it. I’ve been chatting long enough, you had better head to whatever class you have left this period before I get in trouble.” Bright said.

“Alright, thanks Mister Guard.” Twilight said.

“Oh hey, out of curiosity... Who was it that shot you?” Bright asked before they left.

“I’d rather not reveal that, I don’t want the person to be isolated and hated and suffer for a bad decision.” Twilight said and kept walking.

The day took way too long. Everyone was asking Twilight and Vinyl about what happened, but they never said anything. It finally got to the point where Twilight had to magically shove through crowds to get to her next class. Gandalf had forced her to sit out in AMS, but now she was at the MMA ring and she had a promise to keep.

“Ah’m not gonna fight ye when yer hurt.” Applejack protested.

“Why not?” Twilight asked.

“If’n ah fight ye like this ah’ll have an unfair advantage. Ye’d be sore and if’n ah hit ye there it’d make it worse.” Applejack said, crossing her arms.

“I know, I can make a contact ward for the area so if you do hit it it’ll just be like a normal punch.” Twilight offered.

“Then How would ah know if yer not using it all around?” Applejack retorted.

“I’ll make it visible then.” Twilight said as a purple veil spread a few inches out from the wound. It was over the bandages, but all in all the diameter was about double the wound.

“Alright, that’s fair ah guess. But if’n ye can’t fight at one hundred percent then ah won’t accept a win.” Applejack said, pulling her MMA gloves on.

“Yer a tough one, Ah’ll give ye that.” Applejack said. She had just been kicked in the diaphragm with enough force to knock her off her feet. She had yet to land a solid hit on Twilight.

“You and I are a perfect counter to each other, you know that?” Twilight asked when she ducked around a jab.

“Why’s that?” Applejack asked as she blocked another kick.

“I’m faster and more agile than I am strong, you’re stronger yet more durable. If either of us were normal fighters, I’d easily get around you and take you out or you’d easily outlast me.” Twilight said, landing a kick after chaining three consecutive spin kicks together. This sent Applejack into the ropes, nearly out of the ring.

“But ye’ve got strength tuh match mine.” Applejack coughed.

“I do, but you’ll still get up after I connect. If you were to hit me as much as I’ve hit you I’d probably be barely standing.” Twilight said, helping Applejack up and taking her stance again.

“Ah’ll never get used tuh my opponent helpin’ me up tuh continue th’ fight.” applejack chuckled as she wiped a bit of blood from her cracked lip.

“Yeah, but I have somebody to meet so let’s finish this.” Twilight said.

“Right.” Applejack grinned. She launched at Twilight, chaining a series of jabs and heavy kicks to keep the girl occupied. She slipped up though and she knew it well. During one of her heavy kicks her guard dropped on her right side. Twilight, instead of weaving around the kick like usual, put her arms up and absorbed the kick with her forearms. This knocked Applejack off balance, causing what was left of her guard to crumble. Twilight swept Applejack’s feet out from under her and brought her fist down on Applejack’s face.

Applejack was surprised when she didn’t feel the impact. She opened her eyes to see Twilight’s signature helping hand and smile.

“Even handicapped ye beat me.” Applejack said, taking the hand.

“I do have special operations training...” Twilight reminded.

“Yeah, but ah used tuh train with Royal Guards, my brother used tuh be one.” Applejack said, cracking her back and taking her gloves off.

“Big Mac? I didn’t know that.” Twilight said, letting her impact ward down.

“uh Twi...” Applejack said, pointing to where the ward used to cover. There was red slowly seeping through.

“Oh damn, it opened... I thought that ward would have stopped it...” Twilight said.

“I brought new bandages.” Vinyl said from next to the ring.

“Good, I’ll clean up then we can leave. Good fight AJ, you fought very well.” Twilight said.

“Ah didn’t even land a hit...” Applejack said.

“Not even four people with knives could honey, don’t feel bad.” Vinyl said, following Twilight into the locker room with a fresh roll of bandages.