Cold Days in Hell

Written by Jlargent

I groan as the sound of the alarm wakes me up a bit earlier than usual. For a few seconds I forget why I was up before the reason why I interrupted from sleep.

"First days of school sucks. More so if one has to redo school in the first place...and I am talking to myself. I desperately need friends to keep my sanity intact." I grumbled.

Then again my sanity's already questionable due to being White Widow. I thought stepping into the shower, thankfully being more intelligent than I used to be is proving useful since I can easily pass most of the subjects in classes without too much trouble. But at the same time this will target me, considering that there are rumors that Principal Cinch likes to use prized students to further the reputation of the school.

If worse comes to worse I'll break into her office and get blackmail material on her to make her backoff. I silently enter the building to see Dean Cadence at a table handing out the planners.

"Welcome to the first day of Crystal Prep Yumi, here is your planner. You're expected to have this on your person at all times while attending classes, and also actually use them." Cadence tells me.

"What's stopping me from not using it in the first place." I ask her.

"Nothing really, but Principal Cinch wants all the students to have it used to "Actually make use of school property." as she puts it." she tells me "Also she wants yours particularly checked each week since you are an "Orphan foreigner that can bring more prestige to the school." according to her." she informs me.

I scowl at that making a mental note to not only gather the information but also prank the living hell out of her soon. Hey, just because I am a shinobi doesn't mean I have a sense of humor.

"Just to be clear, I just have to write something in it once a week right?" I ask her "Even if it's something as mundane as writing my name right?" I continue.

"Theoretically you can. But I suggest that you add something other than your name if you don't want to seem suspicious." Cadence clarifies "You should hurry, classes are about to start." she tells me. I nod at her words and head towards my first class.

Later that day: Lunch.

So far my morning was rather mundane which was unexpected considering that this is an elite prep school. Then again I've already graduated high school so having knowledge of the subjects helped in that regard, it could also be attributed to Yumi's natural intelligence increasing my own.

I mused on this as I make my way towards the crowd of students cramped together at the tables, I mentally scowl at the fact that we're only given thirty minutes for lunch and that there was little room to sit. I would ask Cadance about it but I suspect that it was Cinch's idea to improve efficiency among the students.

"Hey! New Girl!" A enthusiastic voice calls out, I scan to find the source and I see that it was Indigo Zap that had called out to me, she's the top athlete of the school and was here on a sports scholarship. Next to her was Sour Sweet and Sugarcoat, as well as Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare. Lemon Zest was given a recommendation by her parents who own a successful music company in the city, Sunny Flare's parents are on the school board so it was no surprise that they placed their daughter in the same school they attended. It is also rumored that she is Principal Chinch's niece but that has yet to be confirmed.

"Pop a seat Ice Girl!" Lemon Zest chirped, after a round of introductions casual talk about school gossip with me occasionally adding my own view or opinion when a sharp cry catches my attention. I turn to see Twilight Sparkle on the floor with her food scattered on, and standing over her was Jet Set and Upper Crust. Two of the "Elites" of the school and from what I had investigated their parents have questionable jobs as lawyers. At the very least their parents are suspected in corruption by paying off/threatening witnesses, the fact that their children act so spoiled indicates that they think they're untouchable.

"Oh look, it's the school's footstool." Upper Crust mocked placing her foot on Twilight's head and was forcibly shoving her face into her food.

"Oh my, I do think that her food landed on my pants." Jet Set mocked as well "I do believe that this commoner needs to not only apologize for bumping into me but also soiling my pants with her food." he stated "I don't know why you think you should be in this school, people like you are nothing more than trash that will amount to nothing more than serving your betters." he finished.

"Perhaps if you beg me hard enough I'll let you be one of my maids, of course the help will never be paid, and I will work you to the bone before throwing you out when you have served your purpose." Upper Crust pushes her foot down further to where Twilight's nose was grazing the spilt food.

A scream from Upper Crust and Jet Set comes out as a pair of literal snowballs hits them from behind. The two whirl around to look for the source but they could not see where the projectile came from.

"Who did that!?" Jet Set demanded growling at the fact that he was not only attacked but his entertainment was ruined.

"My hair! Whoever did this will get sued!" Upper Crust's whiny voice was wincing from the cold. The two glared at the audience, seeing no one responding she turns back to Twilight "Mark my words bitch, you will not live long enough to even graduate from Crystal Prep and no one will even care." she sneered low enough for no one to hear...well low enough for someone that has enhanced hearing could pick up anyway.

...It looks like this city will be down two corrupt lawyers and two budding sociopaths. I thought to myself making a mental note to visit both families at the next chance I get, I bend down and grab Twilight's hand to help her up.

"Are you alright? That looked like it hurt." I asked her.

"I'm alright, aren't you the new student?" she asked me.

"Yes, I'm Yumi Kurokage. I recently moved here a couple of months ago from Japan." I tell her noting that Twilight's eyes are a little unfocused "Are you sure you're okay Twilight? You look unwell." I ask her again.

"Just a small headache. Nothing that a bit of aspirin can't fix." she commented.

I frown "No offense but I don't believe you. I think you are suffering from a concussion." I said escorting her out of the cafeteria "I'm taking you to the Nurse's Office." moments later Twilight was sitting on one of the beds being examined by the nurse. About a few minutes she confirmed my suspicions and that she was suffering a concussion.

"I'm sorry." Twilight apologized while I was escorting her to her next class with a pass explaining her absence.

"Don't be, I could not let you handle a concussion on your own." I answered before a disturbing thought crossed my mind "Twilight, I may be new here but is such bullying common in this school?" I asked her hesitantly.

She sighs "Yes, it is. I'm not blind to the fact that this school is toxic. Almost everyday the elites bully and orcharizes those that attend this school based off of scholarships or recommendations, seeing people like Jet Set and Upper Crust treat others like garbage is normal." she explains.

"What about the faculty? Don't they try to curb the attitudes of the students?" I asked her appalled by their actions.

She sighs "Sadly, they are cowed by the influence of the elites. And they are also ordered by Cinch to turn a blind eye to their actions, Cadence is probably one of the few staff members that actually cares about the students, and tries to do something but Cinch's influence is too strong." she finishes.

I see, while the atmosphere of the school is the problem. Cinch herself is the source of the toxicity, no doubt making sure that her alumni become influential enough to owe her favors that will benefit her in the long run. I can't touch Cinch yet, doing so will just fill the power vacuum with one of her minions, no I need to go after her support system. The families of the elites and the corrupted members of society. After I eliminate those Cinch will be wide open for justice to strike her down. I resolved making plans for a busy weekend.

???'s POV

"Sensei, I have established a information network in Canterlot City, and according to them the Shinobi in question has gone under the moniker of the "White Widow" and has been investigating a possible crime syndicate in the city specializing in trafficking illegal goods." The younger woman reports.

"Interesting, but not all that surprising. Is there any information you can give me about the syndicate?" The older woman comments.

"All that is known is that they have powerful backers, possibly sourced by the elites of the city but that is unknown." The younger spoke.

"Such a target would be something that cannot be ignored. I want you to observe the syndicate, the White Widow will not ignore them, she will go after them. When she shows up I want you to observe her." The older woman ordered.

"And if I am spotted?" The younger woman asks.

"Retreat if possible. You are not to give away your allegiance." The older woman commanded "If at all possible if you are forced to face her in combat I want you to incapacitate her, we need her alive. If only to determine her allegiance." she continued.

"Yes sensei. It shall be done." The younger woman spoke.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay, but I hit a bit of a writers block when making this chapter. I'm going to try to write in a more consistent manner.

As always Hoody Hoo!