Omega Industries

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After months of learning, forming connections at school, and tutoring Sunburst, the school year is coming to a close. Naturally, Omega came out of it with top marks, as did Sunset and Twilight. Moondancer and Flask shared a similar level, with Moondancer being slightly above Flask. Sunburst managed to pass, though it was clear his early struggles in the year had set him back quite a bit. Had he been tutored by Omega from the start, he'd be in a similar range as Moondancer and Flask. Omega managed to befriend a few additional ponies, children of some of the nobles involved with Business Savvy's business, which Omega learned was a cereal selling company, featuring a variety of "brands" under one parent name, similar to General Mills' and Kelloggs' way of selling cereals.

Not to mention, his presence at different social events his parents hold and/or attend, allows him access to speak with many of the Canterlot elite. Using this to his advantage, he plants thoughts of investing in his parents' company within their subconscious minds. At one such party, Omega notices his father approaching one of the "convinced" noble ponies.

"Have you reached a decision?" Business Savvy asks.

"Oh yes, I do believe it to be a wise investment. Cereals are so popular all-over Equestria, one would be mad not to invest in such a profitable market." The noblemare pontificates.

"Really? What changed your mind?" Business asks, as the mare had rejected his business many times prior.

"Well, your son did a fine job of articulating his vernacular. Quite intelligent for his age, and so charming. He won't be having any trouble with the ladies when he gets older." She notes, gesturing with her hoof.

"Ecgh, as if I have any time for that. No, I have too many things to focus on." Omega thinks, acting shy at the Mare's comment.

"Oh come now, he's a bit young for that kind of talk." Business says, winking Omega's way. "Say, why don't we discuss the terms over here?" Business continues, leading the mare elsewhere.

"Hmm... Odd. Well then, time to mingle some more. What's some influencing here and there? These nobles have the cash to spare, and stand to gain more from these deals. It's just a... guarantee." Omega thinks with a smile, trotting to another rich-looking noble.

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Six Years Later

Omega follows a suspiciously sneaking Sunset Shimmer, keeping himself invisible and silencing his hoofsteps by use of spells. "Where are you off to so late at night..."

Sunset darts behind a corner, narrowly avoiding a patrolling castle guard's light. Once the guard passes, she continues toward the library's restricted section. Hiding behind another corner, Sunset levitates a stone in her magic, then throws the mineral far down the corridor, causing the guard to leave his post to investigate. The guard successfully distracted, Sunset unlocks the door. As she slips inside, Omega follows above via his levitation, both intruders slipping into the restricted section.

Sunset locks the door behind herself, making sure the guard won't notice anything amiss when he returns. That done, she peruses the books with intrigue. Omega followed suit, still hidden. Books on necromancy, unedited old Equestrian history, and dark magics line the shelves.

Something in the corner of the room catches Sunset's eye. She approaches the covered object, removing the sheet to reveal a large, pristine mirror. Sunset reaches out to touch the mirror, yanking her hoof back with a shock when it seems to go through it.

Omega notes the mirror, filing its existence away for later. As if on cue, a blinding flash of light illuminates the room. Rubbing their eyes, the intruders see that Celestia herself is standing there, looking very miffed.

"Sunset Shimmer! What do you think you're doing in here!?" Celestia scolds stoically.

Sunset shrinks back, ears flattened against her skull. "I just wanted to see what was in here..."

Celestia walks forward. "And you didn't think this section was restricted for a reason?"

Sunset fidgets in place. "I've already learned everything this place has to offer, I wanted to learn more than that."

"So how does touching a mirror help you learn?" Celestia says, unwavering.

"I'm supposed to be your star pupil! I'm supposed to be powerful, gifted! But I'm not getting any better than some of the other unicorns at school because of those limited lesson plans! If I can't be the best, why am I your star pupil in the first place!?" Sunset yells in an outburst, no longer cowering in Celestia's presence.

Celestia sighs. "That's not why I made you my pupil, and that's certainly not why you were my star pupil either."

Sunset's eyes widen slightly. "W- WERE!? As in past-tense!?"

Celestia flinches, having let that word slip unintentionally. Rather than try to hide it, Celestia decides to be truthful about her intentions. "Yes, after hearing what you've said tonight, and your breaking into the restricted section, I'm afraid you're no longer my star pupil." Celestia says, disappointment present on her features. "Come along, let's get you back home."

"NO!" Sunset yells angrily, her face twisted in unbridled rage.

Frantically looking around for something, anything she could do to stop this, Sunset's eyes fixate back on the mirror. Without warning, Sunset dashes into the mirror, leaving behind a stunned Celestia. Shaking her head, Celestia runs to the mirror, disappearing through it.

Omega contemplates following them for a moment, deciding against it. "If the mirror had some kind of touch sensitive enchantment, then so would these books... Perhaps another time."

With that, Omega deigns to see if either of the ponies return. After roughly two hours, a frazzled and defeated looking Celestia returns from the mirror, tears staining her face as she cries.

"Sunset must be lost, or dead... Damn, she was one of the ones with the greatest potential here. Natural selection is a cruel mistress, but if she acts that impulsively, how reliable would she have been anyway? Sorry Sunset, the reckless are culled for a reason." Omega thinks darkly, waiting until Celestia leaves before teleporting back home himself.

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The school halls are abuzz with rumors about Sunset's disappearance, and Celestia's lack of any word on it. Omega chose to ignore the rumors, knowing full-well what happened that night. Bubbling Flask and Sunburst walk up beside Omega.

"Hey Omega, got a moment?" Flask asks, adjusting his glasses.

"If it's about the rumors, sure. I want you two to gather Moondancer and Twilight, this is something you all need to hear." Omega says, not breaking his stride. "Meet me in the cafeteria."

"Got it, we'll be there!" Sunburst confirms, dashing off with Flask.

After a while of waiting, the other ponies show up to meet with Omega.

"What's with all the secrecy?" Moondancer asks, tilting her head.

Omega shuts and locks the doors and windows, conjuring a light ball before shutting the blinds. "Because I saw what happened to Sunset Shimmer. As you know, she's about three years ahead of us in age and school year. Last night, I noticed her take a trip to Canterlot Castle, sneaking around. I followed, because I wanted to see what she was up to. She went into the restricted section of the castle's library, and Celestia was alerted to it. Sunset disappeared after that, and Celestia tried to find her. Two hours later, Celestia came back out, she was a mess. Sunset isn't going to be returning, lost to us." Omega sums up, eliciting shock from the rest of the ponies present.

"B-but, she's Celestia's star pupil! It makes no sense!" Sunburst exclaims in disbelief.

"I think Sunset got too ambitious for her own good. She ranted about not being as good as she should be." Omega adds.

"Wait, where did she disappear to? How could she do that in the restricted section?" Twilight asks.

"I'd rather not say, I don't want anyone here getting any ideas of saving Sunset. Celestia couldn't, so how could we? Face it, she's gone, and she's not returning. None of this information leaves this room, we don't want to cause panic at the school, or let anyone else through the portal in a rescue attempt. We'd only lose more ponies that way." Omega finishes.

Moondancer looks down. "So we're just going to abandon her?"

"She abandoned us, maybe she didn't really like us? We're younger than her." Flask reasons.

"We'll get over it, moping about her leaving won't get us anywhere. We just have to continue our studies, and be the best we can be." Omega says, attempting to alleviate their moods even a little bit.

The rest of the ponies nod.

"Good, now let's get going to our next classes." Omega says, opening the blinds and snuffing his light sphere.

With the doors and windows unlocked, the group files out of the school cafeteria to their next classes.

"I just hope the rest of them stick around. I'm not making these connections for nothing." Omega thinks, walking off.