“Why did I let you drag me here again?” Sunset groaned as they looked into the large ballroom before them with tables of drinks, treats and food. There were a few adults around the perimeter, including Faragonda and Griselda, but there was no sign of any of the Trix. Actually, from what Sunset remembered, all of the girls in the room were ones she remembered being in the foyer earlier which made Sunset wonder if that short speech was orientation. Or maybe that combined with the ball as according to Faragonda, it was a mixer so the three schools could meet and get to know one another as they would be working together at some point.

“I don’t see those witches.” Musa said, “Maybe they learned their lesson when messing with fairies.”

“You mean fairy, Sunset wiped the floor with those three.” Tecna corrected which earned a pout from the music loving girl.

“I don’t think anyone is here other than the girls from earlier.” Sunset pointed out, smoothing imaginary wrinkles in her formal dress that Stella had insisted she buy and bring with them.

“Well, the specialists are just arriving.” Stella grinned, “And like I suspected, the guys are here.”

“Wait, if this is for first years, why are they even here?” Sunset asked as the thought just occurred to her.

“That, my dear sister, is thanks to Timmy there. He is a first year and a member of the squad our guys are on, so they are expected to escort their team members.” Stella grinned.

“I think Timmy has a certain charm to him.” Tecna mused, “I do hope we can talk some more while he is here.”

“Just talk? Girl, just smile at him and he will do anything you want.” Stella teased.

“Come on girls, let's just go in.” Flora suggested, motioning the others into the room just as the guys from Red Fountain were making their entrance.

Going with the crowd that was her roommates, Sunset walked into the room, trying to keep her spirits up as she had been trying to ignore what Griselda had said to her when she arrived. It hurt, and the glare she received from the woman as they passed by her didn’t help in the least. She couldn’t help overhearing a snippet from the woman’s conversation with Faragonda in passing.

“I do hope Griffon and her girls show up.” Faragonda was saying in disappointment as Griselda snorted.

“Those witches are probably just too stuck up to show.” Griselda said, taking her glasses off and cleaning them. Sunset couldn’t help notice a small satisfied smirk on the woman’s face.

“Hey, Brandon, over here!” Stella called out while waving her arms excitedly getting the small group of guys' attention. While Riven looked annoyed and walked off to the food tables, Brandon, Sky and Timmy walked up to the girls.

“What’s up girls?” Brandon asked, looking at Stella in confusion as he obviously was expecting her to try and get his friend’s attention.

“My sister here was asking about you and I thought what better way to get her answers than straight from the source.” Stella giggled as she pushed Sunset forward to the blonde male making the fiery haired girl blush in embarrassment while growling out at Stella. The blonde girl knew she may be pushing things, but she was hoping her little stunt would break Sunset out of whatever funk she had sunk into since they arrived. Stella had a feeling Griselda said something to her, but couldn’t prove it.

“Stella!” Sunset hissed, turned to glare at the blonde.

“It’s okay, I was actually hoping to get to talk to you too. Would you care to dance while we talk?” Brandon asked, extending his hand out which Sunset reluctantly took as he led her out onto the dance floor while the music played.

“I’m sorry about her.” Sunset sighed, trying to avoid looking into the boy’s eyes as he held her and led them in their dance.

“Don’t be sorry.” Brandon chuckled, “I was really hoping to get a chance to dance with you. You are the first girl that I have ever met that made me feel this way.”

“Feel what way?” Sunset asked softly, chancing a glance up into his eyes.

“Alive.” Brandon said, “What you did when we first met was amazing. You’re amazing, Sunset.”

“Not really.” Sunset sighed as she leaned her forehead against the taller boy’s muscular chest. “You wouldn’t want to get to know me if you knew anything about me.”

“I don’t care that you’re a dark fairy. In fact, I think it’s awesome you’re so powerful yet can control that power so easily. Us guys have it lucky, our magic is more internally enhancing us. You fairies have to learn how to control your powers to cast spells and learn how to keep in control of them.” Brandon chuckled.

“Brandon, I was homeless before I came here. I’m gutter trash, and you shouldn’t waste your time on me.” Sunset said, shuddering a little as her breath hitched. She refused to break down now, not in front of Brandon and a room full of people.

“You aren’t gutter trash, Sunset. Sometimes things happen that are out of your control, but that isn’t your fault and doesn’t define who you are.” Brandon whispered into her ear, “I like the Sunset Shimmer that kicked butt when I met her. I also like the Sunset Shimmer that has managed to get into the training program at the arcade and consistently keep in the top five over the last week. I also like the girl I see before me now. I know something happened that must have upset you, but I’ll be here if you let me.”

“Can you just hold me for a few minutes?” Sunset whispered, Brandon pulling her tighter to him as they continued to dance slowly.

“Anytime.” Brandon said, leaning his forehead down against Sunset’s head.

For a while the two danced together ignoring everything around them before Sunset pulled back a bit. Brandon couldn’t help feeling saddened at the loss of warmth in his arms as Sunset gave him a sad smile. “Thanks, I’m feeling a bit better. I’m sorry I’m such a mess right now.”

“Never apologize for feeling, Sunset. It’s what makes us human, no matter if it's a fairy or specialist.” Brandon said with a faint smile. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just want to clean up a bit. I’ll be right back.” Sunset said, hesitating a moment before she kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Brandon. For your information, you are the first boy I truly felt something toward too.”

Hurrying from the room while not noticing the shocked, but happy grin the boy was now sporting, Sunset made her way out of one of the side doors. She really wasn’t sure where the restrooms were, but was confident she could find them easily enough. After all, this was a school and all schools had restrooms on every floor, most of the time in several places. She wasn’t expecting the need to hide around a corner as she saw the Trix standing around several chests that held some kind of eggs.

“So this is what those Red Fountain morons are going to give those fairies?” Darcy sneered as she looked down at them.

“Whatever they are, we will use them to spread panic and wreak havoc giving us a distraction to find that blonde idiot’s ring.” Icy grinned. “Come on, Darcy, show us where it is.”

“My pleasure, sister.” Darcy said, creating an illusion showing Stella taking off her ring and putting it in an ornamental ring box back in their rooms.

“Great, now we know where to find it. Stormy, time to do your thing.” Icy said, turning her attention to the youngest of the three.

Sunset watched as Stormy opened one of the chests and pulled out one of the eggs which opened to reveal an enchantment that created butterflies of light that flew around them and up into the air. The witch couldn’t help saying in disgust, “Aw, look at that, pretty little butterflies.”

“I think we should give those fairies a real surprise. Come on girls.” Icy said as the three witches raised their hands into the air with their index fingers glowing with power. “Now they will hatch into snake rat eggs with the touch of a fairy.”

Sunset was torn between going after the three right there or trying to figure out how to fix whatever they did to the eggs that were supposed to be a gift. If she attacked them here though, she would expose herself as the dark fairy and ruin the ball. If she stayed and tried to fix the eggs, the witches would get Stella’s ring. The three hurried off making Sunset’s decision for her, she would fix the eggs then go after the Trix before they could find Stella’s ring.

“Hey, Sunset, are you okay?” Stella asked, the rest of the girls coming with her. Sunset couldn’t help feeling surprised that not only did Stella come check on her, but Musa, Flora and Tecna pulled themselves away from the ball to come check on her. She had to admit it was pretty touching as the girls surrounded her. “Have you been crying?”

“Worry about that later, the Trix was here. They transformed some kind of gifts from the Red Fountain into something called snake rat eggs. They made it so when a fairy touches them, they will hatch and attack them.” Sunset explained.

“That’s not good, snake rats can be dangerous.” Tecna gasped out.

“That’s easy to fix, join hands girls.” Stella said, the group joined hands in a circle as Sunset watched. They started chanting and they glowed golden for a moment while the eggs had a dark glow around them.

“What happened?” Sunset asked with worry.

“We need more power.” Stella said, releasing Flora’s hand and the two girls reached for Sunset’s.

“That might not be a good idea, girls. I’m a dark fairy, remember? What if my magic mixing with yours has some kind of negative reaction?” Sunset asked.

“Doubtful, your intentions are the same as ours and for the good. It is unlikely that anything bad would happen.” Tecna said.

“I’ll try.” Sunset said, nervous as she joined hands and joined in on their chanting. She could feel a power waking up inside her and spreading out through her contact with the other girls as the golden light took on a slight crimson glow mixing in. She knew what it felt like when the elements of harmony were being used, and this was nothing like that. This was much more powerful, more primal as the power washed through them and shattered the spell the Trix put on the eggs leaving the girls to drop hands and look around at each other in shock.

“What was that?” Musa gasped.

“The power was so strong.” Flora said in awe, “Like a blazing sun or raging fire creating a light in the darkness.”

“It was Sunset, she easily matched our spell and shared her power with us to overcome the witches’ spell.” Tecna said, studying the floating screens she pulled up. “That was incredible, Sunset!"

“What were they after though?” Stella mused.

“They went after your ring.” Sunset said, options flying through her mind as she tried to figure out how to stop the Trix’s head start. She had been reluctant to try too much of her Equestrian magic here as she wasn’t sure how it would interact with this wildly different magic. Magic that Sunset had apparently had in her throughout her entire life if Daphne was real and were to be believed. “Stay here, I’m going after them before they get it.”

“What are you doing, Sunset?” Flora worried, “Please don’t do anything reckless.”

“Stopping those brats.” Sunset said, closing her eyes as a red fiery aura surrounded her body. She could feel the spell taking effect, but once again the magic felt so different than what she remembered as a unicorn. Were her spells that she knew as a unicorn compatible with being a fairy? A dark fairy no less? Not even a moment later she vanished from sight.

“Umm, didn’t she know I already went back and got my ring?” Stella asked, earning a round of face palms around her.

Sunset reappeared in the common room of their suit just in time to see the ring box float off the balcony and off to the outskirts of the school grounds. With a growl, Sunset used her upper body strength to vault over the balcony as she changed into a fairy and flew after it, her bat-like wings giving powerful beats letting her catch up in seconds. She managed to grab it and crack it open enough to see outside. While she wasn’t anywhere near being an expert at what she was about to do as she only did it one time to Princess Celestia to get her attention, she let her magic flow silently into the box before being struck in the back by a bolt of lightning knocking her out of the air and the box out of her hands to be caught by Icy.

“Aw, sisters, look who it is. One of Alfea’s pathetic little fairies.” Icy laughed.

“Shouldn’t you be playing dress up for those losers from Red Fountain?” Darcy asked mockingly.

“Or did you just need a hair raising experience?” Stormy joked which managed to piss Sunset off.

“Shouldn’t you three be on a street corner somewhere?” Sunset snarked, “After all, with a name like Trix it must be one of your usual haunts.”

While the taunt seemed to confuse Stormy to some extent, the angry looks Icy and Darcy were returning showed that they more than got the message. Not that it bothered Sunset, these three didn’t scare her in the least. Yes, their powers could actually be formidable with either more training or a power boost, but right now they were about as terrifying as a kitten to her.

“Sunset!” Brandon called as he rushed to her side, shield and sword out and activated as he made his intentions of helping known.

“Shouldn’t you go back and save your friends from the snakes we unleashed?” Stormy laughed evilly, “Maybe next time your sorry school will think twice about snubbing ours again and not inviting us.”

“Not that we wanted to go.” Darcy sneered while crossing her arms.

“For your information, Faragonda was expecting Cloud Tower!” Sunset snapped out.

“As much as I want to turn you into a popsicle, we got what we wanted. Let’s go sisters.” Icy growled out, Darcy teleporting them away. With a long sigh, Sunset let her transformation drop.

“Are you okay?” Brandon asked, putting his weapons away and adjusted a bulge he had in his jacket pocket.

“I didn’t need help.” Sunset huffed, crossing her arms.

“No, you probably didn’t, but I will never let you have to fight on your own if I can help it.” Brandon said, reaching to take Sunset’s hands into his. She resisted for a moment, but he held firm. “Please, Sunset, look at me.” Brandon pleaded, a few moments later Sunset looked up with another sigh. “Sunset, I like you a lot, and yes I know this is quick. I’m not expecting anything from you, you don’t even really have to like me, but I want to get to know you.”

“All you need to know is that I’m not only gutter trash, but also the dark fairy monster.” Sunset said, trying to turn away. Brandon dropped her hands and stepped forward, gently cupping her cheeks and making her keep eye contact.

“What I know is that you are a brave, strong young woman who has managed to do what no girl has ever done before. You have caught my interest and I feel this need to get to know you. I like you a lot and want to get to know everything about you.” Brandon said, “Please, it doesn’t even have to be a date, but can we please meet up and just hang out. Get to know each other and see if just maybe there can be something.”

If she was being honest, she really did want to accept his proposal. She had doubts, she couldn’t shake them completely about her friends as of yet, even if she could maybe call them friends. Stella was the closest one to tearing her walls completely down, and Sunset felt as if Brandon could be another one if she let him. She had to admit she was attracted to him in a way she never was with Flash. As much as she hated herself for it, Flash was just a tool for her ascendance into popularity. She genuinely felt a spark for Brandon. A zing if you will, and she did want to learn more about him, but was she ready to put her already ravaged heart on the line for something she wasn’t sure would last?

“Please, Sunset.” Brandon said, leaning in closer to the point it wouldn’t take much to kiss.

“If you kiss me, I will kick you in the balls.” Sunset deadpanned, making Brandon take a step back while choking out a laugh.

“You know, it might be worth it.” Brandon grinned.

“In your dreams.” Sunset huffed, looking to the sky before whining out. “Fiiiinnneeeee, I’ll meet you at the arcade this week. If you can beat me in a match two out of three times I will go out with you once and see where that leads.”

“I can’t wait!” Brandon cheered, “Just so you know, I won’t go easy on you. I’m getting that date!”

“You wouldn’t be worth giving a date to if you went easy on me. I won’t date a doormat.” Sunset said, looking in confusion as Brandon pulled out one of the eggs out of his pocket from the gifts to Alfea.

“I know they are just cheap trinkets, more party favors than anything. When I knew I was accompanying Timmy though I personally took the liberty of having yours customized.” Brandon said as he nervously handed over the fire themed egg he pulled from his pocket.

“It’s beautiful.” Sunset mused as she studied it. Tapping the top of the egg the top half separated into four parts that folded down as a barrage of both dark and light holographic butterflies flew out and around them as a small blue sword floated about the bottom half that formed the base with bat like wings extending outwards and an aura of fire surrounding it.

“Not as beautiful as you.” Brandon said softly, though Sunset still managed to hear him.

“You do know that kiss earlier was just a platonic thank you, right?” Sunset asked.

“I take what I can get.” Brandon grinned.

“Well, I suppose there is a tradition of a goodnight kiss after a date, right?” Sunset asked.

“On most worlds, yeah. Why?” Brandon asked before Sunset kissed him on the lips making him freeze momentarily before pulling her into his embrace. A few moments later she pulled back and laid her head on his chest. “This is just a first date, if you want more you have to earn them. Don’t forget to be at the arcade.”

“We have it sisters!” Icy gloated as they stood in a circle in the center of their shared dorm room, holding their prize high.

“That felt a little too easy, sisters.” Darcy warned, eyes the ring box warily.

“Just open the stupid box already!” Stormy snapped out, getting a manic grin from Icy who slowly opened the lid only for an illusion of chibi looking Sunset to appear.

“Did you think I’d let you three idiots get away with my sister’s ring that easily?” Sunset asked, wagging her finger. “Tick tock.”

“Tic tock?” Darcy asked in confusion just before an explosion ripped out from the box, throwing everything in the room back and covering nearly everything in soot while blowing the sole window out and shaking the tower. Somehow the spell managed to only cause minor injuries, but alert the entire tower as only moments later Headmistress Griffon was storming into the room.

“I’ll get you for this humiliation, Sunset Shimmer!” Icy hissed out, laying on her back from her landing and arm shaking angrily in the air while coughing up smoke,

“What in the nine circles are you girls doing?!” Griffon demanded, using a spell that revealed the truth of what happened while the three lay there covered in soot groaning out while also casting a diagnostic spell to make sure there weren’t any real injuries other than their pride. “You not only messed up the prank you wanted to pull, but you three got pranked yourselves? You three are going to spend the entire day tomorrow cleaning up any mess from this! Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Headmistress Griffon.” The three groaned out, not feeling like moving.

“And get yourselves cleaned up!” Griffon snapped, storming out and scaring the other students looking around the doorway in curiosity before the door was slammed shut with her power and the girls running off to avoid the woman’s ire as she made her way to her office.

“Was what she said true?” Griffon asked, a little surprised at that. Moving over to her desk she pulled out a crystal ball and used it to contact Faragonda who answered rather quickly.

“Ah, what do I owe the pleasure, old friend?” Faragonda asked in a disappointed tone.

“I want the truth, Faragonda! Why weren't my girls invited to what was supposed to be the tri school mixer?” Griffon demanded.

“What do you mean? I gave the invitations to Griselda to send out like usual.” Faragonda replied in shock.

“Well, we didn’t get any. We haven’t gotten any for a long time.” Griffon groaned out. All of her anger at her old friend may have been misplaced as it seems Faragonda didn’t change her spots since their days adventuring together in the Company of Light.

“I would never snub you, Griffon. You are one of my oldest and dearest friends and you know I respect and admire the work your witches do. All the potions and spells to help people, curing sickness and going on the front lines to defend those who need defending.” Faragonda said with sincerity, “Griff, I would never do anything to hurt you. I thought you were snubbing me because Griselda keeps telling me you refuse to accept invitations from pansy butterflies. Every time I tried to contact you and ask what happened…”

“…I got angry and offensive. So much time lost because of miscommunications.” Griffon finished with a groan.

“Yes, it appears so. I’ll have to have a talk with Griselda and see what I should do about her. On one hand she has been a very capable faulty member and has the backing of several nobles. On the other hand, I can’t overlook what she’s done.” Faragonda said,

“We know she’s doing it so maybe it would be best to do all communications in person moving forward and give her a warning.” Griffon groaned, “I don’t like the woman, but I respect her. She does a good job at what she does. Well, usually.”

“We will see. Griff…do you want to get together and catch up sometime soon?” Faragonda asked.

“I would like that, old friend.” Griffon said, “Contact me again soon and we will set up a time and place. For now I have to write up a disciplinary report.”

Author's Note

Also, a big thanks goes out to Sunny Scriber for editing this chapter and the awesome additions he added. Also, thanks to ScisetShimmerEvan and Seven Fates for showing me fixes than needed to be made.

Also, speaking of a zing, here is something for your viewing pleasure involving a zing.

As for my characterization of Griselda in this story, yeah she is more than a little biased against dark magic and is being somewhat cruel and unprofessional which I apologize to those who are actually fans of her. I am trying to decide if I will redeem those qualities later which sorta depends on which way my story takes as I have several branching paths now that it may end up taking. While the endgame will be the same, there are going to be several incidents in the story that may vary depending on where the muses lead me.