Chapter 25: Inner Horizons
This was the moment Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer and Wallflower Blush trekked toward the three employers they had to comfort: Vice-Principal Cadence, Vice-Principal Shining Armor and Vice-Principal Finster. All three were unsure of what to do, hence why the studious brought along a former antagonist to join up with another former antagonist. Knowing they had to split up somehow, the Element of Magic stopped, Sunset and Wallflower doing the same and spoke.
"Okay...". She turned around to the two girls. "Meet me in the cafeteria just before lunch so we can gather up our infomation together".
"Right!". Wallflower comprehended.
"Cafeteria, got it!". Sunset nodded.
"I'm gonna go speak to Vice-Principal Shining Armour in his office". The studious concluded, parting herself from the small group in favor of Vice-Principal Shining Armour's office. Sunset and Wallflower had no other choice but to speak to the other vice-principals assigned to them by Twilight, the girls parting the pair for the offices.
Sunset Shimmer wandered over to Vice-Principal Finster's office a minute later, having knowledge of seeing that the room was not far from the courtyard. She had a firm grasp on her speech that thought up in her mind, seeing how this vice-principal handles disciplinary alongside Vice-Principal Trunchbull, only using her position when things go too far, like a fight breaking out in the academy courtyard to name a few examples. The red and yellow-streaked haired girl took a deep breath and sighed, lifting her right arm upwards and smacking her knuckles on the door, knocking it. She did this three times and waited patiently.
"Come in!". The words of Vice-Principal Finster echoed from inside.
The 11th member opened the door, seeing the vice-principal seated at her desk with files of report cards on her desk. True to the shift positions that each Vice-Principal of the academy was assigned too, t'was clear that the report cards were going to Vice-Principal Cadence, but Sunset was unaware of that. She stepped forward and saw the vacant chair draw closer to her as Vice-Principal Finster spoke.
"Close the door, would you kindly?". She gently demanded in a dulcet tone, not normally associated with her. But she was far from a tyrant like Vice-Principal Trunchbull was.
"Oops... Sorry". Sunset apologized and turned back to gently close the door behind her. She retracted back to taking the vacant chair for herself and waited for the employer to talk.
"Powerful phrase, familiar phrase...isn't it, Sunset Shimmer?".
The red and yellow-streaked haired girl was confused, but kept her cool and answered.
"I...guess...".
"What brings you to my office?".
That gave her the perfect window to explain what was going on with the dispute that she heard from Twilight.
"What went down in that meeting, ma'am?". She was hesitant that this could go both ways, one being the unplesant kind. "Twilight told me that you were going to call Principal Celestia if Cadence didn't side with you".
Vice-Principal Finster took one quick glance at the empty report cards and rolled her attention back to Sunset.
"Vice-Principal Cadence thought of a way to enhance the Christmas holiday spirit by bringing along a fellow DJ by the name of Candy. Have you heard of her recently?".
The thought in her mind told the red and yellow-streaked haired girl to spout out no, but Twilight mentioned her when Wallflower came to Dorm 49 to help.
"Twilight mentioned somebody whose name is exactly that". She answered fluently.
"She wants to invite her to play some Christmas EDM tracks in Gym 2, that is if she found somewhere to perform sound-checks. The only problem is Vice-Principal Shining Armour's distate in EDM in general, opting more of a whimsical pop song about friendship and life that would benefit the academy's codes and conventions".
"And how would he do that?". Sunset followed up with her reply.
"Certain popstars have visited this academy in the past, most recently perhaps. He wants to get in touch with them so they could grant his wish. Do you know any popstars that have visited Canterlot Academy before?". Vice-Principal Finster brought up another, but yet simple question, easy enough for the 11th member to comfortably respond to.
"Songbird Serenade and Countess Coloratura are good contenders to perform that song Shining Armour wants".
"Yes...exactly what I need from you, Sunset Shimmer...". The vice-principal was laid back, empty in disciplining students since everyone was abiding by the academy rules. "Originally, I had Vice-Principal Cadence seem intrigued in my alternative, but that doesn't help me when Vice-Principal Shining Armour is tugging her back as a husband would normally do to reclaim their broken wife. I had report cards ready for her too".
Sunset immediately eyed the report cards that stood, gradually gathering up dust as a result of no one dusting them away yet, let alone touching them. She turned back to Vice-Principal Finster for options.
"What can I do to help you, Vice-Principal Finster?". She took a possible aiding to her request.
"I don't really know. But thank you for trying to help me come to his senses". The vice-principal was obviously distraught that something like this could happen. She was normally so calm about doing this, only snapping into her stern mode when somebody was disobeying the academy's rules. "I'll have you notified when I have the chance, when I thought of a simple answer to that question. Obviously the only one capable of making me mad inside is Vice-Principal Shining Armour, but I digress you know the same too since to you, he's a sweetheart that handles all of the higher education papers and sends them to English, Math and Science classrooms and so forth".
"So...am I good to go?". The 11th member could only spark those words, since the amount of exposition from the vice-principal was nothing new of common.
"You may be dismissed. When I have exactly what I need, I'll call you up to take care of it". The employer concluded, all the while she sat at her desk looking professional. This gave Sunset the green light to exit her seat and stroll to the office door, opening it and disappearing behind it.
Wallflower Blush was making her way outside of Vice-Principal Cadence's office, Twilight showing signs of her presence from earlier as carbon footprint showed. She could see the office drew close to her as the introverted student showed confidence in her first task to prove herself that she more than just an introverted gardener. With three silent knocks came Vice-Principal Cadence's soft voice.
"Come in!".
Given her chance, the Dorm 3 member walked in with pride in her smile and enough force to push herself through this. It was daunting for her to be asked to do something by Twilight - the one leading the group she once took memories from. Nonetheless, she took her chances.
"Vice-Principal Cadence, I have something to ask you". The shy demeanor of her voice was unusual for what was going to come next.
"I'm all open for ears". The vice-principal was currently rummaging through one of her office drawers looking for the report cards. However, she couldn't find any. "Weird...I thought Vice-Principal Finster was going to give me those report cards like she promised".
"That's what I was about to get to, ma'am. Are you and Vice-Principal Shining Armour in a disagreement or something?".
"Why do you say that?". The vice-principal looked denied to have ever had this conversation with her husband.
"The meeting. You want Finster's plan to be executed so proudly, but Shining Armour doesn't think that her plan is going to work. He said something about calling the Harmonizers a critical failure, regardless of success".
"Twilight already told me about that, so likely, your explanation is redundant". Vice-Principal Cadence walked over to her office chair and sat on it, facing Wallflower. "What else can I help you with?".
"I...don't need anything else to be helped with. I'm here to cheer you up should one of the things happen".
"How thoughtful...". The vice-principal touched her heart at the sight of a shy, timid girl like Wallflower Blush coming to help her in the middle of a dispute. She took a deep breath and cleared. "It's wrong of me to deny any claims of my terrible decision making in the meeting, but I really do need assistance. I was thinking Twilight Sparkle was coming back to help me some more, but it may seem that she's helping another vice-principal".
"She is...". Wallflower understood what Twilight told her prior to the group parting ways.
"Is she helping my brother, the one who thinks EDM is nonsense?".
The introverted student nodded.
"Ah... Well... Good luck to her, if she can make him change his mind. It's likely that he won't anyway. I guess his minds speaks for everything he loves doing".
"You're left between having your spouse calling the best pop group in the academy a failure or being reported to Principal Celestia. Fulfilling either choice just leaves us with a bad taste in our mouths. We're here to make sure none of the two ever happens to you".
"I don't have anything to report to you right now, maybe when things get updated, perhaps?". Vice-Principal Cadence was nervous in her situation, leaving Wallflower with the impression that Twilight or Sunset will get this resolved soon. Before long, those familiar four words were let out of Vice-Principal Cadence's mouth, indicating an exit. "You may be dismissed".
Wallflower could only say so much, her limited friendship lessons prove otherwise. She was so used to not working and instead opt to go at it alone. She shortly made her way to the office door and soon exited, walking to the cafeteria.
Twilight Sparkle found herself at the mercy of Vice-Principal Shining Armour's office door, the studious taking the time to perfect what she going to say in front of her brother. This was tense, a sibling confrontation dealing with a situation between married couples. All she could ever mustered in her head frequently was why was this ever happening in the first place. This was it. She had to do this. Knocking on the door revealed the familiar words that came out whenever a student gave the knocks on a employer of the academy.
"Come in!".
The studious dragged herself to open the door and see Vice-Principal Shining Armour stare at the back wall, full of notes for the future. This was strange; he doesn't normally do this. Nevertheless, Twilight continued and took a seat that faced the desk.
"Shining Armor, I'm here to ask you a really important piece of information". The Element of Magic tried to be as professional as possible for him to notice her importance to this mission.
"I'm listening...". He replied while still looking at the notes.
"Are you interested in revoking claims of pushing Cadence too far, I might ask with such little force of vent".
This caused Vice-Principal Shining Armor to sigh and further stare at the large picture frame of him and Vice-Principal Cadence together.
"Me and her have been close as husband and wife for many years. Ever since the wedding all those years ago, we've never had a dispute this dire. I only have hope that she goes my way of thinking".
"But by Cadence opting for DJ Candy to miss out on the visit, you allow Vice-Principal Finster to report Cadence to Principal Celestia, citing that she won't get her own way. Does Principal Celestia know about this?".
"She doesn't, unfortunately. I've tried to contact her, but she's busy right now".
"Busy with what?". Twilight asked with very little curiosity.
"Attending meetings from colleges and academies across the state, meaning she won't be back until late tomorrow afternoon. She's currently leaving Carson City right now in her car".
"Couldn't Vice-Principal Luna do that instead? I mean, she isn't involved in this conflict in any way".
"Luna's flight from Seattle got overbooked and she offered to step off. Don't worry, she got a refund courtesy of few thousand dollars to buy another ticket to Canterlot City International Airport".
"So their having a good time with their duties and we're stuck solving this confrontation?". The studious could only muster up so much due to the delayed arrivals of the two main bodies of the academy.
"Yes, and Vice-Principal Trunchbull is no option because she thinks you and the rest of the girls think your so quote on quote "Hot cakes up in my face"".
"Oh... Surely, there must be some way you can resolve this yourself, brother".
"Vice-Principal Finster and I have a rocky relationship together. This all started with the Battle of the Bands and allowing Equestrian Magic to show it's head for the first time. She didn't trust me, despite not coming up against magic herself prior the that event".
"But there must be a way for you to come to terms with her, right?".
This gave Vice-Principal Shining Armour another sigh to breath.
"I wish I knew, but I'm not pulling any chances. Even if Vice-Principal Cadence does side with her and I call you and your group a failure, then at least it was forced and not intentional".
He therefore stared at and glared at the picture frames of The Harmonizers performances during the years.
"Everytime you girls step on that stage and perform, it's like the academy is bathed in good fortune and power to live, learn, love and tolerate one another until the end. Having me call it a failure just ruins the atmosphere of future performances. But Vice-Principal Finster just doesn't seem to think that way today. Who is convincing her?".
"Sunset Shimmer".
The male vice-principal therefore smiled as a result of hearing that name come up of Twilight's mouth.
"With her, it should be a piece of cake, but with Vice-Principal Finster involved in the same fiasco, it isn't. That is why I trust you to help me, Twilight Sparkle. The academy rests on all five leading bodies to make sure this campus stays upright and strong just like everyday. I'm willing to give you the chance to make me happy".
"With pleasure, my brother". T'was all she could ever say to a smart and positive Vice-Principal Shining Armor, despite the events unfolding over them.
"You may be dismissed, younger sister". He concluded, sitting down at his office chair. This led Twilight to quietly and momentarily leave the office in a good mood, regardless of what was happening behind the scenes. She was just happy that she got the response she needed from someone like Vice-Principal Shining Armor. Twilight soon left for the cafeteria, predicting the other girls' presence would be there to greet her.
That's the end of this chapter. Whew...! That was long! Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer and Wallflower Blush helping each of the three vice-principals with their current dispute. What will happen next? Read on to find out. Please review.