Clout

[Some time before the altercation with Applejack began, in the main office on the 2nd floor of the building...]

The main office was relatively empty. Behind the main desk, a slew of open office stations could be seen, with the Principals’ office marked clearly by a decorated Sun and Moon. The Principals’ symbol, integrated with the school’s own emblem, was easy to recognize.

There were few faculty in the office, maybe three or four souls, and the shades on the Principals’ office were down.

After some moments, a single entity walked silently through the open doors. A jet-black sweater hung calmly off her shoulders, the hood bobbing along her back with each step. She was relatively short and skinny, but her bare forearms were built and toned, and lavender in color. Her black shirt was only arm length.

She stepped behind the main desk, peeking back into the office calmly.

“Can I help you, young lady?” One of the faculty asked gently, looking up at the apparently curious student. The girl was quiet for some moments, her eyes examining each detail and person in the room.

“I see the shades are down… Principal Celestia working back there?” The figure asked calmly and as gently as the faculty woman, her cold, icy purple eyes peering directly behind her, eyeing the multi-colored hair through the slits of the shades.

By now, the other faculty members had begun to look on from their computers, wondering what was going on -- it was mid-period, did a student get sent here for punishment? Rare that one would actually make their way here.

“Now now, were you sent to see the Princi--oohh…!”

The girl had plopped her bare forearm down onto the table -- but that in itself was not what instilled fear. It was the orange rag that was tied to her forearm, its tips blackened. The same as Lotus’, the girl was a high-ranking Death Lotus operative. The girl lifted her neck with a wide smile, as the woman read something on her neck, her eyes widening further.

“Time’s short, let me ask again; Principal Celestia back there?” The girl asked again, her voice now sparking with more authority.

“I-in the back, yes.” The woman nodded, rushing out of the girl’s way, as she walked behind the main desk with a casual demeanor, the rag flowing gently below her elbow.

The staff immediately looked back down, focusing on their work, recognizing the authority the girl carried. She walked up to the main door in the workspace, knocking on the door, before entering, closing the door gently behind her, some of the staff craning their heads behind them to watch in both worry and intrigue.

“Good to see you again, Principal.” The girl spoke, her face exposed. She stood, her chin tall.

Principal Celestia looked up, examining her neck. She winced in disgust.

“Twilight Sparkle. That mark of betrayal still taints your skin, I see.” Princess Celestia scoffed, looking down from her neck, where, printed in black ink, were the initials, “DL”.

“Call it what you will. Everybody has a chance to grow...” Twilight began, chuckling lowly, as she pulled up a chair, and sat in front of Celestia’s desk.

The two stared at one another in silence for some seconds. Celestia’s eyes stared directly into Twilight’s; Twilight’s eyes seemed to search Celestia’s body up and down.

“How’ve you been, Principal? I’ve missed you, y’know?” Twilight spoke, with a small smile tugging at her lips.

Principal Celestia looked on, unimpressed, raising a brow.

“Cut the butter, Sparkle. You’re here for something, otherwise you wouldn’t have brute-forced your way in here like you did. What, is, it?” Principal Celestia interrogated. Twilight held back a small chuckle at Celestia’s anxiety.

She sat in silence, staring into Celestia’s eyes for a few more seconds, before settling back in her seat.

“Say, you been keeping an eye on things lately? Seems like things are stirring up a little, wouldn’t you say?” Twilight finally spoke, looking away and humming as she examined her fingers.

Celestia was quiet for some moments -- of course, she knew what was going on in the school, but what exactly was she getting at…?

“Do you think you can come in here and play puppeteer again, just because of the privilege you once abused as my pupil?” Princess Celestia accused.

Twilight smiled once again, but it was wry, and calculated -- it unnerved Celestia.

“Do you think it was a coincidence that Rainbow Dash wasn’t gunned down by now? Seems to me like you did nothing when Cheerilee reported their short altercation, but if I wasn’t here, she’d be with her mother by now, six feet under, or sky high with the angels…” Twilight said leaning forward with a sadistic smile.

Celestia was unmoved in her chair -- her gaze was stiff.

“You know of--”

“Windy Whistles? Or that her daughter is Rainbow Dash? C’mon teach, you ain’t raise no goddamn amature.” Twilight chuckled, oozing with arrogance, holding her fingers over her lips.

“So then… you’re here to tell me you protected Rainbow Dash? Why?” Principal Celestia stated, now folding her hands over her chin, covering her mouth, as her eyes slimmed onto Twilight suspiciously.

“Because you could’ve done it yourself.” Twilight said, her gaze falling back into Celestia’s eyes, who was unfazed.

“Is that so? And how would I warn or protect a child with no parental or guardian contact?” Celestia inquired, as she felt a bead of sweat running down her cheek.

“You and I both know damn well there’s only one girl that sticks around that rowdy thug, and her Guardians are the Cakes renting out her little place in the Heavens borough.” Twilight said matter-of-factly, leaning over the desk with a single elbow, holding her chin up in her palm.

Celestia looked gently on. Everything Twilight said, was true.

“So, you’ve come to embarrass me? For potentially letting another life go?” Celestia stated, feeling a twinge in her stomach.

After some seconds of silence, a warm, genuine smile emanated from Twilight’s lips.

“Of course not. Your heart’s in the right place -- if you upset the neutrality here ever again, where can the children be safe? Where can academics continue to enlighten? One life for the protection of many -- it’s a decision every leader must make time and time again, isn’t it?” Twilight smiled, before her features dropped back to a crisp and business-like demeanor.

Celestia watched on with immense curiosity. This child had… grown.

“The next generation...” Celestia mulled in gentle analysis of this new human in front of her -- her gaze shifted to the tattoo on her neck, before her gentle thoughts paused.

“Such gentle words for a girl who submitted herself to the Orange plague and stabbed many backs for her own benefit.” Celestia began, her gaze beaming into the tattoo. “That mark taints you.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, Celestia, but I’d rather die on my feet, than live on my knees. This tattoo’s gonna be gone before long.” Twilight chuckled, speaking slowly and coolly, feeling her throat up, with a knowing smile. The patch of skin over her neck seemed to be a darker shade of purple than the rest of her nice, lavender skin.

“Is that so? Don’t go around and piss off the wrong people using that phrase so lightly.” Celestia said, crossing her arms. She knew that this child was no friend of such a high-class woman. She was but a toddler in her glory days. Yet, she was very knowledgeable…

“You can’t live up to Ms. Whistle’s words, whilst hiding behind the most chaotic threat she warred to defeat.” Celestia reaffirmed.

“And who are you to be talking? We all know your illusion of ‘neutrality’ is just whoring the school out to the Flowers.” Twilight said in rebuttal, with a knowing smirk.

Celestia paused, before her brows furrowed.

“But, we all have a chance to grow, change, and take the better route of action, don’t we?” Twilight went on with a knowing hum. She chuckled inside -- she was pulling strings beyond comprehension, a grand plan forming in the grinding gears of her synapses.

“So then, why bother telling me anything? You’ve done your part. Why bring me in?” Celestia interrogated, leaning over her folded arms, now somewhat vested in what Twilight had to say.

“Hahah, you silly old crane, my part’s just begun; that crazy woman’s daughter’s going to be challenging the Crips today, in your cafeteria. We’re going to protect her.” Twilight said calmly and slowly, without skipping a beat, as Celestia’s eyes widened.

“I suggest you hail up Cheerilee, and have her let her second job know there’s about to be one interesting story here… A shootout in a neutral High School? They’d be dying to know who’s upsetting the Death Lotus’ city, don’t you think?” Twilight smiled.

“You expect me to sacrif--”

“And, might I add, this day was orchestrated well, by a certain ‘puppeteer’, as you put it, so the Death Lotus will be mostly busy today. No big figs, no jackets. You’ll be dealing with small dogs, so, if you want that little reckless girl to stay alive,” Twilight began, leaning over, interrupting Celestia with an air of absolute authority, her smirk wide in her face, as Celestia backed into her own chair.

“--No, if you want the Death Lotus to really go down, now’s the time to play ball. Upset the Death Lotus -- keep them from their prize, and I’ll protect you pulling strings in the background. So, Celestia,” Twilight continued, now fully standing, leaning over the table with both palms dug into the desk.

“Catch. Because if you don’t play ball, it’ll be on you. I gave you what you needed, I’m going to do my part. Be quick about it.” Twilight grinned, turning around, as she pulled her sleeved down, and placed the hoodie back over her head, shadows concealing her features once more.

“Be easy, now.” Twilight cheered her last words on to Celestia, waving as she exited the room, Celestia looking on, with her heartbeat out of sync, and her mind twisting.

She immediately picked up the office’s phone and wasted no time phoning Cheerilee’s room. She decided she would hail her sister after, as well.

“Twilight… What the hell are you doing…?” Principal Celestia thought in worry, as she finally hear Cheerilee pick up the phone.

“Cheerilee, listen…!”

“I’m gone. Show me the receipts…” Twilight called out to Starlight and Trixie, before disappearing behind the door with the wave of students ducking under bullets.

She walked calmly out of the building, looking through her phone -- in lightning speed, she organized all the numbers she had collected from the major individuals in the cafeteria thanks to a phone she built a specific software for.

“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Braeburn, and Pinkie Pie. Now I just need her’s, and I’m sure Lotus’ll be bringing the girl to me any moment now… The puzzle pieces are really falling in, now.” Twilight thought to herself, placing the phone in her pocket, as she rushed out of the building.

It was time to attend Lotus’ “Graduation” ceremony…

Twilight stood outside of a relatively wide and large, but flat building. As she entered, there was a gloomy lighting, and the lights shone and sparkled in a ballroom manner.

Though the lighting was pretty, few people seemed to be in any classy wear. Twilight looked towards the main stage -- a slew of cloths, orange with black tips, hung on each individual. Behind them all, was one in a plain, brown suit -- the Mayor, Ms. Mare.

“So, she is overseeing this? Oh, things are gonna move fast from here-on in…” Twilight thought to herself with a deep breath, as her eyes moved from the Mayor to the other major individuals -- a tall, slender, but well-built man in a jet-black tuxedo stood, his tie jet-black with orange cash signs and lotus flowers on it. In his breast pocket, was an orange durag colored in a bright yellow gradient -- the heads of the Death Lotus. As of now, only one has that...

As her eyes gazed over him, she glared, and seemingly noticing the aggression, he turned and met eyes with her -- but, he smiled pleasantly -- Twilight was already beaming a smile back towards him, a master of social manipulation.

“Sparkle!” He called out, his voice throaty and pompous.

“Filthy Rich…!” Twilight called out in only slightly less enthusiasm than him. Her mind twisted, as she eyed the man behind it all. He had such a threatening aura, despite his calm demeanor -- this was truly the head of the Snake -- the moving leader of the Death Lotus.

“This… is the man with the most commendable Clout in the city...” Twilight thought, scoffing internally, as she walked up on the stage, showing her neck and DL tattoo ‘proudly’.

“Finally. You were almost fuckin’ late, where were the hell were you?” A much less mature sounding voice than the previous called out. Twilight turned, and there he was -- Lotus, who looked somewhat roughed up, but mostly clean in a similarly-styled tuxedo of Filthy Rich’s. He still had, however, his black-tipped orange durag.

“Hm. Father-Son thing, I see?” Twilight commented, completely blowing off Lotus, as she looked between the two. Filthy Rich chuckled a throaty laugh, walking over to Lotus, towering over him, as he placed his palm down onto his shoulder with a firm clutch.

“Today, as you know, Sparkle, is a special day for us… For those who’ve put their due work in for the family. For my gang, and my city.” Filthy Rich said, fidgeting with his tie with his free hand. He looked down at Lotus briefly, before looking back at Twilight.

“And I’m glad to say that Lotus has really grown up since his smaller days. It means a lot that you continue to guide him in the best light possible -- he told me what you did to protect his image in that classroom. Composure, and dealing with your enemies in silence, behind the scenes, is respectful, and of poise. Truly, you continue to ensure my son’s Clout grows, and reinforces that the Death Lotus is not a name to be taken lightly.” Filthy Rich monologued shortly, his eyes locking with Twilight.

Twilight felt a bead of sweat grow behind her ear. This man had no idea how deep she had already cut him, and here he was, allowing her to dig the knife deeper… and deeper… She almost couldn’t hold back her grin.

“These fools are just too easy…” Twilight thought to herself, giving a bright and genuine smile, as she nodded in response to Filthy Rich, who paused only momentarily before holding his hand out.

“I salute you.” Filthy Rich stated. Twilight dapped his hand up, still retaining her street manner, rather than simply shaking it.

“It’s my honor, sir. Lotus, congratulations. And they told me you cleaned that mess up nicely. Bet you won’t be hearing any small dogs yapping anymore, huh?” Twilight smiled, holding her fist out to Lotus.

“Damn right! Straight up, Twilight.” Lotus chuckled in a cheery mood, bumping Twilight’s fist. His smile widened.

“You know, my girl saw it all happen, the sorry piece ‘ah shit. Hold on,” Lotus began, before craning his head back.

“Yo, sweetcheeks, this way!” Lotus called out into the small crowd on stage -- Twilight saw a pale-yellow skinned girl in an elegant white, tight-fitting dress over her frame.

She walked over to Lotus, standing beside him -- she was clearly timid, and shy. Twilight couldn’t help but notice that although Lotus’ arm slung comfortably around her waist, she seemed to almost limp away from his touch.

Her lip twinged -- it was too short a moment for any to notice, but her quick-working brain made a few theories…

“Tell ‘em Fluttershy baby, let ‘em know how I let that fag-haired shit eat my fuckin’ sneakers, ahaha!” Lotus cackled, patting Fluttershy on the back.

Twilight immediately noticed that Fluttershy’s eyes and ears seemed to perk up at the mention of “fag-haired”. Curious.

“M-mhm… That idiot a-ate shit…” Fluttershy squeaked out before immediately clearing her throat, and wearing her initial small and wry smile.

“She sure the fuck did, ahahahaha!” Lotus cackled on, hitting his palm in laughter on Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“Is this beautiful maiden, the one?” Twilight asked with a warm smile, holding her hand tenderly, looking into the girl’s eyes.

“Could be… First one I had that don’t bitch so much, y’know?” Lotus chuckled, pushing the girl’s hair behind her ears affectionately, as she continued to wear her soft, wry smile in unchanging expression.

“That so? Fluttershy, was it?” Twilight asked again to confirm, gently squeezing her hand for only either of them to notice.

Fluttershy’s eyes locked with Twilight’s own momentarily, before she nodded.

“It was good to meet ya. Let’s have a lil chat later -- some shit you gon’ need to get right if you gonna be next to Lotus once he moves up, ya know?” Twilight offered in compassionate warmth and friendliness.

Fluttershy was silent, but her small smile grew only slightly, as she nodded comfortably.

“Damn Twilight, you thirsty for a promotion, huh? Doin’ all the groundwork.” Lotus joked.

“Shut the fuck up, you want ya bitch actin’ right or not?” Twilight looked over to Lotus with a glare that was just a bit more than playfully aggressive.

Lotus was quiet for some seconds, before he walked up and patted Twilight’s shoulder.

“Watch how you talk to me these days, huh?” Lotus chuckled, before walking off, his father, Filthy Rich, eyeing the two, and quickly stepping off to join his son as well.

A long silence ensued, as Twilight looked over her shoulder at the two, her fists squeezing into balls.

“What, ever” Twilight scoffed aloud as soon as the two were out of earshot, which elicited a small smile in response from Fluttershy.

Twilight looked over at Fluttershy with a small chuckle. “Yeah, you like that? Can you believe them goofy niggas? Sheesh, they actually run the city…?” Twilight went on jokingly, giggling.

She finally earned a small giggle from Fluttershy, and smiled triumphantly. Fluttershy quickly covered her mouth, looking around to see if Lotus was around.

“Say… Fluttershy…” Twilight went on lowly, before she walked around Fluttershy, and draped her arm over her shoulder, the orange durag with black tips hanging calmly below her elbow.
Fluttershy looked up with an air of fear -- such a rag was worn only by the highest-ranking, most loyal Death Lotus members. It promptly reminded Fluttershy of the true difference between the two of them, as all of her previous comfort seemed to be eviscerated.

“You had an interesting reaction to his mention of ‘fag-haired’ back there… Why’s that?” Twilight asked, nuzzling her cheek into Fluttershy’s just slightly, her wide grin unnerving Fluttershy, who’s mind twisted in thousands of ways, wracking itself for an answer.

“Could it be because you’ve already met… Rainbow Dash, leader of the RainBooms?” Twilight whispered gently into Fluttershy’s ears. In moments, she felt Fluttershy’s head twist back with such suddenness that Twilight was sure her head’d come right off.

“Please…!” Fluttershy squeaked out in despair; Twilight smiled gently -- she was right.

Twilight hugged Fluttershy suddenly, as to not create a scene. She closed her eyes, and pulled her jaw to Fluttershy’s back, speaking gently.

“Relax, we’re on the same side… If you’ve met with her, and still look like you’re in one piece, then that means she recruited you, didn’t she?” Twilight asked with swift pronunciation, knowing they had but a few seconds before this gathered more eyes.

She felt Fluttershy’s head nod on her arms / chest.

“Did you exchange digits?” Twilight asked. She felt another nod.

“Give me your last 4 digits. I’ll find it from her contact list.” Twilight said, as she pulled away, holding onto Fluttershy’s shoulders still, as to block any eyes from viewing her lips when she spoke next.

“3947.” Fluttershy said quietly and gently, as Twilight’s arms dropped.

“Great, and just remember, you’ve got a lot to do for the Death Lotus, now. We ‘preciate ya.” Twilight said, letting one arm off of Fluttershy’s shoulders, and patting her back with the other hand, before walking off and separating, leaving Fluttershy to find her way back to Lotus, both breaking off from lurking gazes from the other members…

Twilight backed into a corner, and leaned upon it, flicking her phone out. She quickly downloaded both of Rainbow Dash’s phonebooks, and skinned it for any numbers ending with ‘3947’.

“Bingo.” Twilight thought to herself triumphantly, as she recorded a single phone number into her phone. Her setup was complete. Now, all that was left, was to make sure they were as uninterrupted as possible, and rendezvous with Rainbow Dash later on…

She smiled to herself -- it was only a matter of time before she pulled the most important trigger… She just needed Rainbow Dash to make enough noise…!

“C’mon you guys, get the receipts…” Twilight thought to herself, as she searched the crowd for Lotus and his father, Filthy Rich. She found them, and calmly walked over to them, finally slipping on her jet-black sweater, but leaving the hoodie off.

“Yo, Lotus, you tell these fools how you almost took that stupid bitch’s head off inna classroom?” Twilight said jokingly, walking into the circle.

“Oh-ho-ho, yeah, I remember that shit!” Lotus laughed, patting Twilight on the back with hearty laughter.

Twilight smiled, she had gently placed herself back in the conversation. In truth, she was waiting for one final string to pull, to fast forward this war. Some momentum, if you will.

Finally, after some minutes of conversation, Twilight heard Filthy Rich’s phone ring. He stared at the number for some seconds, before stepping off a few feet, and answering.

Twilight continued her chatter mindlessly, but attuned her inner focus on Filthy Rich’s conversation as best she could.

“... The school…? No, today’s far too important, let our sergeant in the area handle it.” Twilight could hear Filthy Rich speak into his phone with his dep, throaty voice.

“If children have guns, then they are criminals, nonetheless. Let him know to use whatever force is necessary.” Twilight’s smile in the conversation widened, but it was not due to the banter.

She knew exactly which sergeant ran the police department in the school’s area. The soft bastard wouldn’t shoot through a bunch of innocents.

“Celestia, you’d better hope you were fast enough…” Twilight thought, as she saw Filthy Rich end the call from the corner of her eye.

But, now, it was her turn to move a piece on the board, once again; the final trigger she needed before her time with the Death Lotus meant nothing. She watched on casually as Filthy Rich rejoined the conversation.

“What, Ms. Rich given’ you shit you ain’t let her come?” Twilight joked. Filthy Rich chuckled in response, and shook his head.

“Just some hooligans at the school… They’ll be handled, I’m sure. But, today, my son graduates. There will be no distractions.” Filthy Rich spoke with sureness and pride. This was her chance.

“At the school, you say?” Twilight beckoned, looking up with such a genuine face of suspicious curiosity.

“If the Pirus are busy with the police hunting them, and we’re all here, then… It’s gotta be the Crips, don’t you think?” Twilight asked, with a raised brow and scrunched face, as if she were connecting many important dots together at once.

“And so what if it is? Crips, Bloods, they’re all equally irrelevant.” Filthy Rich said in a tinge of annoyance.

“But, we know the leader of the Crips and Pirus are connected by blood. What if this is a distraction ploy? What if it means that Big Mac of the Pirus is about to be caught?” Twilight insinuated.

Filthy Rich looked on quietly. “So you’re suggesting that one sibling is trying to take resources off of another?” Filthy Rich hummed in thought, mulling over Twilight’s words.

To him, it only made sense. He knew that Pear Butter and Bright Mac’s offspring were heading each gang, but now that Twilight connected the circumstance that Crips were dividing them on one end, whilst the Pirus drained them on another, made complete sense.

“Then, Lotus,” Filthy Rich began, looking down at his son, as the information was relayed.

Twilight almost couldn’t hold back her smirk growing from the inside -- there was no way this was about to happen! She had a made a chess move, alright. She just needed to hear the next words…!

“You have your first mission once you’re promoted.. See to it that the Pirus are crushed. Once your graduation is over, we will be applying much pressure.” Filthy Rich commanded.

“Ain’t had to tell me twice pops. You know how I move now.” Lotus agreed heartily, giving his father a firm handshake.

Twilight was elated. This was the perfect case scenario for both her, and Rainbow Dash. Tomorrow’s rendezvous would go well, undoubtedly.

“So then, looks like you’ll be busy.” Twilight noted on with a tone of seriousness. Lotus looked back at her, and then chuckled.

“Fuck you mean, I’m leaving finding the Pirus’ head up to you! Since you wanna be all helpful ‘nd shit, right?” Lotus called out, bursting with laughter at siccing his work on Twilight.

Twilight, too, chuckled.

“This dense idiot doesn’t realize how much power he just gave me.” Twilight thought to herself in great delight. Oh, this setup would be delectable.

“Hmph. May have caught me, but I work quick, so just make sure you have what you need.” Twilight shrugged. “You’ll have his addy within the week.” Twilight confirmed with a confident nod.

“Yeah? Damn, you’re really fuckin’ clutch, Twi.” Lotus said, punching her shoulder playfully.

“Yeah, yeah, thank me when we pop that nigga.” Twilight chuckled in response, rubbing her shoulder.

“Then, there’s no time to waste.” Filthy Rich stated with a small, wry smile. He clapped his large hands together three times, the sounds ringing throughout the building.

“It’s time we settle down, you rowdy bunch. We’ve arrived at the main event.” Filthy Rich called throughout the building, the slew of orange beneath the stage stopping chatter and looking up.\

As if rehearsed, the orange rags tipped in black gathered behind Filthy Rich and Lotus.

Filthy Rich cleared his throat, facing the slew of orange-clothed men and women below him.

Twilight looked on -- she knew this was far from their full-force, but all the big slugs were here. She recognized many faces, and worked with, and perhaps undermined, many of these people here.

Even though these were the big slugs, the room was still chock full of people. There would be much work to do.

“As you all know, my son, Lotus, has been my greatest passion for a long time. For a while, he was stubborn, innocent, lazy!” Filthy Rich began, roughing up his son’s hear with a gentle chuckle.

“But, as of his late years, he’s been a formidable hand to the gang. Truly, an heir to the Death Lotus legacy I can be proud of. A day I have dreamed of. It as much his achievement, as it is all of ours. We have bred, simply put, someone who will be greater than I.” Filthy Rich monologued with great, beaming pride.

Lotus, too, smiled, teeth glowing with happiness.

“As of today, Lotus, you have graduated. Your commendable Clout will have reached as high as it ever can be: alongside me, as the head of the Death Lotus.” Filthy Rich stated, digging in his breast pocket, where out came another orange rag with its tips in bright-yellow gradients, similar to his own.

He handed it to Lotus, who grabbed it with swift and impatient desire.

“Ho--ly--shit…” Lotus breathed out slowly, as he put it in his own breast pocket to hang out gently, replacing his black-tipped one, which he quickly stuffed into his breast pocket entirely.

Twilight watched on with an odd and confusing sense of something akin to pride. She did indeed, play a great role in creating this technically superficial father-son bonding moment. So, it was nice -- as nice as two murderers in such platonic love could be.

At least she didn’t have to fake her smile so much, she thought.

“I just wanna go ‘head and say it right now -- I’m gonna make sure we all eat. Ain’t shit change, we still gonna be hittin’ these drills and runnin’ these bands up. Keep poppa proud, juknow?” Lotus said calmly, stroking the rag in his breast pocket.

“Runnin’ the motherfuckin’ bands uuuuppp!”

The crowd cheered on, despite Lotus not saying much of anything. Filthy Rich chuckled underneath their roars of pride and elation, and patted Lotus’ shoulder.

They looked to each other, before Filthy Rich iterated one more thing to his son.

“This, is now as much mine, as it is yours. Someday, you will have to learn everything it is that I do. From foreign affairs, to running this very city we’ve been graced with.” Filthy Rich stated in a more dark and ominously foreshadowing tone than the previous elation.

Lotus looked back up with a slightly agape mouth, the sudden shift in mood catching him off-guard.

“So, there is much work to be done. We will make quick work of this petty opposition before it catches the wrong eyes.” Filthy Rich said authoritatively to Lotus, who could only nod in response.

“The wrong… eyes?” Lotus couldn’t help but think of the line more and more.

But, right now, none of it mattered. He was promoted… His Clout would be undeniable, unchallengeable, undefeatable.

Twilight watched Lotus smirk off to himself in the chat with his father, and knew that this meant she had much work to do… She had seen the graduation, the duo would not mind if she slipped off now.

After all… She had much more to orchestrate, she thought to herself, exiting the building and taking refuge within her personal vehicle parked not far off the corner.

She began by pinging the location of Fluttershy’s phone to find when she headed off from Lotus… She would give Rainbow Dash the night to recuperate from her drill, and instead, condition Fluttershy, her soon-to-be best leak of information once Twilight herself gets figured out.

She began to pick at her neck, a piece of 'skin' beginning to peel off. Within seconds, She peeled off the odd looking layer of purple on her neck, and underneath, was instead, a tattoo of a tall, slender pink star, with the background of a shorter, wider white star, surrounded by a series of other white stars on her neck.

She threw the waxy substance with the 'DL' printed on it out of the window, rubbing her neck briefly.

"Hah, as if I'd ever actually wear that shit on my skin." Twilight chuckled to herself in the comfort of her car, thinking back to Celestia's lines.

They didn't know how long this Chess game had been being played. She made more moves than either side could ever know.

She checked Fluttershy's location once, and upon seeing that it hadn't moved, deduced they'd be staying for some time, so she'd make herself otherwise useful.

“Until she leaves, I suppose I can take a look at censoring any media with my girls in them… Stay safe, Sunset, Trixie, Starlight… Everything’s in motion, now.” Twilight hummed in thought, pulling up her phone to surf any recent news on the school...