Author's Note

To Hell With Your Magic. This Is My World...

XX - This Is The Hour: P3

"A flat-nosed bus. Why, in God's name, would he want us to bring him a flat-nosed bus?”

"Jain, he said it clearly. 'Listen, head over to the school's bus depot, and grab a flat-faced bus and a brick. Then, drive it all the way over to the other edge of the school, as in where the road splits, and then call me. I'll say the rest when you get there. Don't fuck it up'."

"Dash, that's just what he said! I'm asking why!"

"I don't know, just keep up!"

Jain and Rainbow Dash rushed towards the far side of the school to retrieve a bus from the school’s bus depot while Noah and Sunset fought the good fight against Midnight. Of course, Jain was behind and highly confused.

He gradually slowed down to take a quick break. "Hold... hold on... I... ugh, Jesus Christ..."

He fell to his knees as sweat dripped onto his forehead. Despite being quite athletic, Jain had overlooked just how immense a high school is. Especially Canterlot Highschool.

Rainbow Dash's face fell flat, "Oh, c'mon! We haven't even reached the side! Besides, I was just exhausted, and I was ahead of you!"

"Not all of... not all of us are fucking... fucking pure athletes great at... great at everything! You... you can just go... I'll catch up."

Groaning, Rainbow Dash jogged back to Jain, stood him up, and brought his right arm over her shoulder. "C'mon, we can jog the rest of the way. I'm not leaving you behind. After all, I'm the Element of Loyalty."

Nodding, Jain began to lightly jog as Rainbow Dash started before him. He couldn't believe this day for the life of him. It had started out so well and simple, now the fate of the galaxy was dependent on a bus.

A literal bus.

...

"Okay, we're here!" Rainbow Dash announced as she and Jain reached the bus depot.

Despite jogging, Jain was still slightly tired and held his abdomen. "I seriously don't know how you just feel nothing. That shouldn't even be humanly possible... or normal humans just suck."

Patting his shoulder, Rainbow Dash replied, "Well, we're here now. So no need for anymore complaining. Anyways, ya remember what we're after?"

"A flat-nosed bus and a brick... For some reason, I feel like finding the brick is gonna be the hard part," Jain replied as he examined the depot.

Rainbow Dash pointed to the right, "You go find that brick, I'll take care of the bus. Got it?"

Jain sighed, "Got it," and immediately started searching for a brick. Why they needed that, he'd yet to find out.

Smirking, Rainbow started into the bus depot and sought the flat-nosed bus of legend.

...

Jain reached the end of the bus depot and thought to himself as he searched. Out of all the shit I could be doing today, I'm searching for a brick while some strangely attractive rainbow-haired girl searches for a school bus.

And just to make things worse, one of my best friends and the biggest asshole in my life is fighting a purple nerdy sociopathic psychopath turned she-demon hell-bent on eradicating my way of life.

I don't even have to be here! I-It's not like she'll randomly destroy the city! The city is completely devoid of that magic shit, and she won't even destroy our galaxy because she'll be on the other side of that fucking portal that's just randomly located at a school for some reason.

But no Jain. You gotta help us keep the peace, Jain. Think about the technicolored four-legged fuckers, Jain. Think about the children, Jain. The lives that are at stake, Jain. The princess whose fault this ultimately is, Jain. Think about the girl, Jain... Okay, I might have some problems.

"Ow! Fuck me!"

Jain lifted his foot and hobbled a bit as he came in contact with a tough object. He looked down and found something he genuinely wasn't expecting. On the floor was a cinder block.

Jain shrugged, "Close enough," and picked up the cinder block. Struggling for a moment and dusting it off as multiple pebbles stuck to it like a weak magnet.

"Jain!"

Jain turned to his left as his voice was shouted remarkably loud. It took him a while before he noticed the voice was Rainbow Dash's over on the far side of the depot. Cradling the block, Jain began over to Rainbow Dash who'd hopefully found the right bus.

...

"Okay I'm here, and I've got the brick... kinda. Turns out I found a cinder block. We can use that, right?"

Rainbow Dash had called Jain to the rear center of the bus depot. Turns out all the flat-nosed busses parked behind. It was helpful as well, seeing how the bus depot is only ever changed when every bus leaves at once.

Rainbow Dash smiled, "Great! Okay, this is working out after all!"

Jain raised an eyebrow, "You didn't think this would work?"

"Well, of course I did! I'm the coolest, remember?"

"... right. So, how do you suppose we get inside? I'm pretty sure your ass didn't grab the keys from inside, so we'll have to use our-"

*Clash!*

Snatching the cinder block from Jain's hands, Rainbow Dash threw it overhand and straight into the windshield. Shattering it without omission. She then took half a dozen steps back before sprinting and jumping onto the windshield's frame. She then quickly climbed inside the bus and held a hand out to Jain.

"Found the keys," she responded nonchalantly, and Jain simply gawked.

He shook his head out of his slight daze, "I, uh... okay. Yeah, somehow throwing a thirty-pound block of cinder through a bus windshield when your arms are the size of a twig definitely works."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "Oh shut up and get in here. It's not my fault I make breaking into school buses to save the galaxy twenty percent cooler."

"Okay, let's not act like a seven-year-old," Jain replied as he stretched his arms.

Following the same stunt as Rainbow Dash, Jain took a couple of steps back before running and leaping onto the windshield's frame. Instead of climbing, Rainbow Dash grabbed his left arm and pulled him inside while he climbed up using his legs and his right arm.

Jain slid over the windshield and landed on top of glass shards that covered the bus' floor. Rainbow Dash wiped them off his back as he stood up. He took a few steps through the seats and found the cinder block laying in the middle on a seat to the left.

"Well, I found the other keys," Rainbow Dash stated as she opened the bus' glove compartment and pulled out a single bus key with a matte black bow and a silver blade.

Jain picked up the cinder block and placed it in a seat closer to the front. He then politely took the keys from Rainbow Dash and ignited the bus' engine. Revving up similar to how it does every day.

Jain took a deep breath, "Okay, let's get this shit over with. Call Noah, we need the rest of the directions now."

Rainbow Dash pulled out her phone, took a seat behind Jain as he pulled out of the bus depot, and dialed Noah up as fast as she could. The dial tone was undoubtedly the most annoying sound Rainbow Dash had ever heard in her life. The constant be—ep annoyed her astronomically.

Rainbow heard the snapping of a table as Noah picked up. "Hello? Rainbow? Tell me you have the bus and the brick! Twilight just threw a lunch table at Sunset! I think she's becoming unstable, desperate!"

"Don't worry, we have them. We're on our way over to the road bifurcate. What do we do then? Besides look awesome, of course."

"I'm gonna grab Twilight by her legs and spin her around. Once I start spinning, stomp on the acceleration and drive over here with as much as you can muster. One I spin her for the fourth time in a row, drop the brick on the pedal and jump out of the bus. Got it?"

"Yeah, but then what happens after?"

"Leave that to me," Noah replied before hanging up, and Rainbow Dash sat up and asked Jain.

"Did you get all of that?"

"Yeah, I got it," Jain replied as he backed up into position at the road bifurcate. Rainbow Dash came up beside him and got on one knee facing the windshield.

"So uh... you really have to leave tomorrow?"

"Uh..."

"Sunset, get back! I got this now," Noah stated as he grabbed Midnight by the leg and slammed her to the floor. Sunset nodded and flew back while Midnight screeched on the floor.

"Drop me damn it!" Midnight retorted to Noah's actions.

She truly was getting out of hand. Noah wondered if there was a time limit to having magic that kept monsters like her at bay. Perhaps she needed more every half hour. That'd explain their endless craving.

Noah looked just near the road bifurcate and saw the flat-nosed bus parked. Rainbow Dash and Jain waiting on his signal. The plan was quite simple.

The impact should stop the bus from hitting him and the school, and it should hopefully knock Midnight unconscious long enough for Noah and Sunset to restore her to Twilight again, and ultimately save the galaxy.

One for the money...

The fire surrounding Midnight's eyes turned black as she continued to kick and thrash. The heat surrounding her began to distort as the colors nearby changed. Noah was right, Midnight was becoming volatile. Not that it mattered, of course.

Two for the show...

Noah gradually began to spin, and Jain stomped on the gas. The bus began to shoot forward, faster than Noah originally intended. Despite it, he stuck to the plan and made a full circle.

"Give... me... back... the fuckin'..."

Jain dropped the cinder block on the pedal and backed away with the third spin. As Noah spun a fourth time, he felt as though he'd forgotten something. Rainbow Dash felt she disremembered something as well.

"On the fourth spin... you... oh shit!"

Panicking, Jain tackled Rainbow Dash to the back of the bus and held her tight as the bus grew more and more raucous and turbulent. Rainbow Dash didn't even complain or protest. She felt something she'd never felt before. A strange blush upon her face, and a warm feeling inside.

"...nerd!"

Noah let go of Midnight and sent her flying as the bus passed the school's statue. Her spine flew straight into the bus' hood at such force, the bus flew back and tipped over. Falling on its roof.

Sunset's feet touched the ground as she approached Noah and stared at the wreckage. He fell to his knees as watched for any signs of movement on the bus. Making sure Midnight was out cold.

Steam began to emit from underneath the bus as Noah examined it. It was demolished. The front end had been pushed in deeply and resembled a type of snub-nosed revolver. Or a pole crushed vertically.

Its wheels had all deflated, and two were even missing tires completely. The glass on every window was shattered or fractured, the lights flickered on and off, and the bus' mechanical crossing arm twitched like a broken crane. Noah exhaled triumphantly as the realization came through.

The galaxy was saved.

Sunset fell back and landed on her rear. She set an arm on one of her knees which stood up while the other rested. "Jeez, you do realize that bus wasn't ours, right? We may have to pay for that."

Noah waved her off, "Kid, we saved the fuckin' galaxy. If I hear complaints, we're gonna have a problem. And don't say anything about this appearing weird. It's not easy writing an action scene for a book."

"What?"

"I said where the hell is Jain and Rainbow Dash?"

Sunset looked everywhere but at the bus and shortly grew worried when neither Rainbow Dash nor Jain caught her eye. She stood up and approached the wreckage. Noah groaned and followed after her. His knnes still in pain after nearly being split.

Sunset tapped on the bus' rear entry window and peeked inside. The bus looked like it had been rammed by a bull. Everything that could've fallen out of place, had fallen. Leaving an unbelievably distinguishable mess.

"Watch out," Noah told her and he punched the glass. Shattering it like like it was a joke.

He pulled the emergency lever from the inside and opened the door. Noah sighed with relief as both Rainbow Dash and Jain laid unconscious and in one piece. Jain's arms wrapped tightly around Rainbow Dash’s chest, her own wrapped tightly around him. Noah wondered if they were holding each other a bit too tight.

Sunset stood up and approached the other side of the bus while Noah stretched his arms promptly before pulling Rainbow Dash and Jain out of the bus and laying them on the grass.

Sunset came around from the other side with Midnight in her arms. Seeing her, Noah promptly levitated over to the driveway, retrieved the compass, and levitated back.

Sunset laid Midnight on the grass and sighed. "What about those kids on the bleachers? Some of them are-"

"Dead, I know... But I wanna try something."

"Try what?"

"You and I, transformed, obviously, are able to heal all wounds, no matter what. But I wonder, if we give double the healing strength, do you think you and I could possibly-"

"Bring them back from the dead? That's impossible... isn't it?"

Noah faced the bleachers and narrowed his eyes, "Only one way to find out."

"He said what again, CJ?"

"For the last goddamn time Manex, he said to have everyone exit the theater with open arms and that they've got quite the delivery."

"Alright nigga, relax," Manex replied as he, Fall, CJ, the girls, and all the students of both Crystal Prep and Canterlot Highschool stood outside the theater and watched the skies.

CJ had received a text from Noah, why, he hadn't a clue. Neither did the others, it was simply out of the blue. One thing that didn't go unnoticed was the return of the sun. It'd been blocked out by dark storm clouds, but they'd seemingly rolled right over the city.

Fall squinted his eyes as he looked towards the horizon, but his eyes widened when he spotted them.

"Holy... guys, look! I-In the sky!" Fall called out, and every student and principal alike looked up in the sky and also saw them. It was Noah and Sunset, and they carried every student like string.

From afar Noah shouted, "We kicked her ass, ladies and gentlemen!" And the immense sound of cheers and claps seemingly filled the sky with a magnificent passion.

...

Noah closed his pendent as Sunset returned her magic to the Rainbooms and his friends approached him. Ecstatic that they were going to live another day.

"Dude! How the hell did you beat her?!" Manex asked, and Noah shrugged.

"Oh, uh... I might've thrown her at a bus rushing towards us at full speed. And while Sunset and I were dealing with her, I may have brought an entire basketball hoop down on top of her..."

"Uh... we don't have to pay for that, do we?"

"Hell if I know nigga. However, I'd very much more like to know the culprit who put Sunset and I through such bullshit."

Noah directed his attention towards Principal Cinch who stood behind several of her students. When Noah laid his eyes on her, every voice in the theater settled, and Canterlot High casually stood behind him.

Principal Cinch frowned and Noah nodded. "Yeah, I saw you motherfucker. You and you're piece of shit students, so eager to win this stupid-ass competition. These stupid-ass games."

Principal Cinch folded her arms, "Is it honestly my fault that when you cheated, I was wrong for having the idea of fighting fire with fire?"

"If you had any idea, you would've been smart enough to not fuck with shit you didn't understand and told your students to give it everything they had. Instead, you put the lives of countless people on a galactic scale in the worst danger of all time!

"It's your fault four-eyes turned and fucked up our school. It's your fault that multiple students, including your own, were knocked unconscious, injured, or simply fuckin' dead. It's your fault our galaxy nearly came to an end, and it's your fault you lost!

"And in the beginning, it was ruthless! I had glass in my fuckin' cheeks! Not these cheeks, by the way, those cheeks. All your goddamn fault!"

Cinch took a step back into her students, but they avoided her like the plague and backed away furiously. Noah took a step forward when he saw the only students next to Cinch were Crystal Prep's chosen contenders. Including Firecracker who'd gained a bit of respect from Noah.

He raised a finger, "These games, are done. You will never come back to our school for at least a century. If you can even muster jack shit at that time. You will take your pussy posse and get the fuck out of here.

"I have more than enough reasons to simply kill you, but I'm no monster. And I ain't no snitch. But I do swear upon this. You best keep your muppets on a string, or else."

Cinch narrowed her eyebrows, "Or else what?"

"Or I'll fuckin' hang you from it."

With that, Cinch fell silent. Not a word left her mouth. Almost like he was every one of her worst fears, Cinch scooted around him and made a mad dash for the exit. Never to be seen again. As for the students, Noah stomped and pointed.

"Goodbye! Adios! Bonsoir! Arrivederci! Ciao! Get the fuck out!" The contenders nervously followed after Cinch, fearing Noah just as much as she did.

The theater was left silent after that and everyone began home. Noah understood, of course. Today was a long day. But at least tomorrow would be better.

FIFTEEN HOURS LATER

Twilight Sparkle and her dog, Spike, sat upon the steps of Canterlot High as Cleaning Day reached its middle period. She'd withstood a lot in the past few days, but she was glad things had returned to normal.

The one thing on her mind from last night was simply the horror she'd become. A violent and deranged monster without a sense of humanity for the life of her. Hellbent on taking every drop of magic until she had enough to annihilate the galaxy.

She'd been wondering about her school, and how things would continue from that point. Principal Cinch would most likely go into hiding, the contenders from Crystal Prep would be disdained and despised, and both schools would never meet again for an entire century.

She wondered what she'd do. What she could do. All her life she'd been an outcast. Completely neglected by students, disregarded by teachers, and even had her entire future threatened by her principal. But then she comes to Canterlot High, and they treat her like family despite knowing her for less than a day.

It was after that thought, and the nightmares of Midnight that kept her up last night, that she'd decided what to do. It wasn't anything harmful in any way, she just thought it was for the best.

She'd decided to enroll at Canterlot High.

"I guess that was one way to finish up your time at Crystal Prep," spoke a voice. Twilight turned her attention from Spike to her left. It was Dean Cadence. In one piece, no less.

"Pretty sure Cinch will be fast-tracking your application after all that," She finished as she took a seat alongside Twilight.

Twilight sighed, "I've been thinking about it and... I'm not so sure now is the time for me to apply to Everton."

Cadence smiled, "Really?"

"I may know about a lot of things, but friendship isn't really one of them. Especially friendship magic after yesterday. And I'm definitely not gonna learn about more of it by being alone all the time."

"So, you're staying at Crystal Prep?"

Twilight turned over to the students who cleaned up and smiled herself. "Well, it seems the students here at CHS know an awful lot about the subject. I don't suppose..."

"You could transfer to this school instead."

Twilight lit up, "Really?"

"You'd certainly be missed at Crystal Prep, kinda, but I think that's a great idea. I'll be sure to speak to Principal Celestia about it right away."

...

The Black Five and the Rainbooms finished up cleaning the crater left by Midnight punching Noah straight into the portal. At least, some of them did. Noah sat on top and grumbled on his phone while Jain was discussing athletic ability with Rainbow Dash. Who was enjoying it much more than she’d anticipated.

Applejack poked at Noah's foot that hung off the edge. "Noah, c'mon 'n' help us down here! This is your crater after all."

Noah frowned, "Old Town Road, I was thrown through seven individual classrooms and landed in a trash bin. I think I deserve a break after nearly becoming paralyzed from the waist down. You know, after the classrooms?"

"What if ah pulled you down?"

"Then we'd have a problem."

Rarity laid a hand on Applejack's shoulder, "Relax darling, it is fair after all. We were all inside the movie theater while he was dealing with... uh... what was her name again Noah?"

"Midnight."

"Midnight! Right! Right, right. So, Applejack, what say we just finish this crater. Noah has to pay for all the glass he shattered, after all."

"I have to what?"

Fluttershy poked Sunset's arm, curious, "Still no word from Princess Twilight?"

Sunset opened her book and frowned, "Not yet, but, I think I may have figured out how magic works in this world."

Sunset faced the rest of the Rainbooms and continued. "We pony up when we're showing the truest part of ourselves."

CJ chuckled, "Y'all niggas just now figuring this out?"

Sunset turned to CJ, bewildered, "I-I, what?"

"It was pretty obvious. Raritry-"

"Rarity," Noah corrected.

"Rarity did that pony-up thing when she expressed her generosity. Pinkieec Ply-"

"Pinkie Pie."

"Pinkie Pie did the pony-up thing when she expressed her amusement, or fun, or whatever the fuck she is. Fluttersty-"

"Fluttershy."

"Fluttershy did the pony-up thing when she expressed her kindness. Applecrack-"

"Applejack."

"Applejack did the pony-up thing when she expressed her honesty. And Rainbow Crash-"

"Rainbow Dash."

"And Rainbow Dash did the pony-up thing when she expressed her loyalty."

Jain sighed, "Hoy did you guys not pick up on this?"

Rainbow Dash tilted her head, "You knew too?"

"We all knew. We just didn't feel like telling you because you seemed so determined. At least, we were before CJ went ahead and got his balls cold again."

CJ crossed his arms, "It was one fuckin' time, negro!"

Sunset held the book close, "I'm sorry, I just... I was so occupied with waiting for someone else to give me answers that... I just gave up looking for them myself.

"I'm sure there will be more magical problems that pop up in this world. Like Applejack said: "Princess Twilight has her own problems to worry about in Equestria." We can't expect her to always be around to help us."

Noah hopped down from the statue and brought an arm around Sunset's shoulder. "Damn straight, Kid. Can't go around relying on others all your life. Gotta use your own head for once. And I'd say you'll need all the help from inside that you can muster after tomorrow."

Sunset felt a frown find its way onto her face, but not for long after she sighted something behind her and her friends.

"But, maybe I can be?" A voice called, and Noah brought his arm from around Sunset and turned his attention.

It was Twilight and Principal Celestia.

Celestia brought her hands behind her back, "It seems we have a new Wondercolt here at Canterlot High. She'd decided after the last few days to enroll, and I'd be criminal to deny her."

Twilight shrugged, "I'm not sure how much help I could be, but I'd like to try. If you would all give me a chance."

The Rainbooms smiled while the Black Five shrugged. But Noah crossed his arms and stood before her. "That depends. Are you bent on decimating the entire galaxy through magical genocide?"

"Uh, no?"

"Are you gonna be hanging out with these tools to learn about friendship or some crap like that?"

"Uh, yes?"

"Finally, are you gonna wear those glasses twenty-four-seven? Because otherwise, I'm just gonna refer to you as four-eyes. Not very creative, but what do you want from me."

"Uh... maybe?"

"Good! Then you're in! Just don't get pissed-"

"Annoyed."

"Annoyed when I call you a nerd," Noah finished while bringing an arm around Twilight and walking back towards his friends. Seemingly stealing her from Celestia. Though it didn't matter as the Rainbooms quickly gave Twilight a beautiful group embrace.

Noah stepped back before they could though and crossed his arms in annoyance. These girls and their fuckin' group hugs, I swear...

Celestia smiled, "I'm sure I can count on you all to help her feel at home."

Noah coughed, "The boys and I are leaving." Celestia rolled her eyes, "I'm sure you are..."

Noah threw his book bag in Manex's truck as he ignited it. After three long days, the galaxy was safe, and the Friendship Games were over. Permanently, of course.

Noah turned to face the Rainbooms as Pinkie pulled up in her minivan. "Alright Rainbrooms, we'll see you guys at the Adventure Palace Resort, behind it, of course. We docked our boat over there, and we'll be leaving tomorrow at sundown. Got it?"

The Rainbooms gave several thumbs up and Noah simply cringed at their carefree expressions. If there was one thing he wouldn't miss about Equis and its people, was their happy-go-lucky behavior.

Noah turned to the portal, "And tell Twilight, the princess, when she gets back to go fuck herself for taking so long. I don't care if she was busy, my very well being is more important."

Sunset rolled her eyes, "Sure it is."

As if she was summoned by Noah's words, Princess Twilight Sparkle popped out of the portal to Equestria heaving. She spoke without stopping.

"I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner! I didn't get your messages until just now because I was caught in this time-travel loop and honestly, it was the strangest thing that's ever happened to me!"

Twilight finally stopped with a gasp as she gaped at the other Twilight before her. The Rainbooms grew red with slight embarrassment while the Black Five snickered.

"Uh... make that the second strangest-"

"Well look who decided to show up!"